Automatic Control Patents (Class 175/24)
  • Patent number: 10914120
    Abstract: A Rotary Steerable System (RSS) includes a flexible collar coupled therein that reduces the stiffness of the RSS and permits a tighter turning radius to be achieved. The positioning of the flexible collar between the steering section and the controller of the RSS further improves the turning radius, and may permit a push-the-bit system to operate similar to a point-the bit system. The flexible collar permits communication therethrough between controller and the steering sections of the RSS. The RSS may be arranged as a modular system to receive various configurations of a flexible collar and may operate with no flexible collar installed. The modularity enables tuning of the stiffness of an RSS to achieve different steering objectives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Christian Menger, Satish Rajagopalan, Daniel Winslow
  • Patent number: 10907465
    Abstract: An example method for control of a drilling assembly includes receiving measurement data from at least one sensor coupled to an element of the drilling assembly positioned in a formation. An operating constraint for at least a portion of the drilling assembly may be determined based, at least in part, on a model of the formation and a set of offset data. A control signal may be generated to alter one or more drilling parameters of the drilling assembly based, at least in part, on the measurement data and the operating constraint. The control signal may be transmitted to a controllable element of the drilling assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Thomas Hay, Daniel Winslow, Neelesh Deolalikar, Michael Strachan
  • Patent number: 10895143
    Abstract: A method includes providing a Bottom Hole Assembly (BHA) in a wellbore. The BHA includes a rotary steerable system and a downhole attitude correction and control system. The downhole correction and control system includes a first sensor set, the sensors of the first sensor set positioned near ferromagnetic components of a drill string and a second sensor set, the sensors of the second sensor set positioned further from the ferromagnetic components of the drill string than the sensors of the first sensor set. Corrupted data from the first sensor set and reference data from the second sensor set is obtained, the corrupted data including cross-axis magnetometer and accelerometer measurements. The method additionally includes correcting the corrupted sensor data to form corrected sensor measurements and calculating an estimated azimuth from the corrected sensor measurements. The method further includes steering the rotary steerable system based on the estimated azimuth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: SCIENTIFIC DRILLING INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy Whitacre, Matthew A. White, Pong Pipatwit
  • Patent number: 10895112
    Abstract: A system for compensating for a slope of a work surface while drilling holes in the work surface includes a leveling system, a rotary drill mechanism, a position sensor, an inclination sensor, and controller. The controller is configured to access coordinates of a desired map drill hole, determine current coordinates of a machine reference, and determine a current slope of the machine. A dynamic offset compensation is determined to compensate for movement of the rotary drill mechanism by the leveling system from a first position offset from the desired map drill hole to a second position aligned with the desired map drill hole, with the dynamic offset compensation being based upon the characteristics and the current slope of the machine. Upon the rotary drill mechanism being aligned with the first position, generating a leveling command to move the machine so that the rotary drill mechanism is aligned with the desired map drill hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Mohamed Krelifaoui
  • Patent number: 10895662
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a method that includes activating a neutron generation unit operable to emit neutrons toward a target for a first period of time. The method also includes recording first measurement data, via a detection unit, during the first period of time. The method further includes deactivating the neutron generation unit after the first period of time. The method also includes processing at least a portion of the first measurement data after the first period of time, the first measurement data being correlated to burst gate. The method includes recording second measurement data, via the neutron detection unit, during a second period of time, the second measurement data being correlated to a capture gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventor: Feyzi Inanc
  • Patent number: 10890683
    Abstract: A sensor assembly for a downhole tool including a tool body and a movable component movably positionable about the tool body is disclosed. The sensor assembly may include a wear sensor and/or a position sensor. The wear sensor may include a core with conductors at various depths to send a signal, whereby, upon wear of the core, a change in the signal at the depth of the wear is detectable. The position sensor may be carried by the movable component, and may be used with references comprising magnets distributed about the tool body. The position sensor includes magnets having polarity responsive to polarity of the references whereby a position of the movable component is determined. The sensor assembly may also include a chassis housing electronics coupled to the position sensor and/or the wear sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: National Oilwell DHT, L.P.
    Inventors: Gregory Edward Leuenberger, Aaron E. Schen, Jeries Abujries, Kevin W. Clark, Brandon Epperson, Robert Warner, Jacob Riddel, Brian McCarthy, Alamzeb Hafeez Khan
  • Patent number: 10883340
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling the downhole position and velocity of a work string using a downhole position and velocity controller may be configured or otherwise programmed to account for force compensation. For example, the work string may undergo significant length changes like thermal expansion and elongation or contraction due to inertial forces, self-weight, and wellbore pressure. Also, the downhole conditions (e.g., temperature, internal forces, self-weight, and wellbore pressure) can cause the work string to be overloaded and become damaged if fast or sudden manipulations occur. The dynamic model implemented with the downhole position and velocity controller may be configured to account for the downhole forces experienced by the work string due to downhole conditions to provide the position and velocity movements that should occur at the surface to achieve the desired position and velocity movements downhole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason D. Dykstra, Imiya Manjula Wickramasinghe, Fanping Bu
  • Patent number: 10876391
    Abstract: A system for use in a wellbore can include a computing device including a processing device and a memory device that stores instructions executable by the processing device. The instructions can cause the processing device to generate a predicted value of a parameter associated with a well environment or a wellbore operation. The instructions can also cause the processing device to determine a tuning factor for adjusting the predicted value based on historical data. The instructions can also cause the processing device to apply the tuning factor to the predicted value to generate a tuned predicted value. The instructions can further cause the processing device to generate an interface for display that includes a data point associated with the tuned predicted value plotted on a graph.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lynn Williams, Aidan James Porter, Vitor Lopes Pereira, Joshua Samuel Gollapalli
  • Patent number: 10877461
    Abstract: The technology herein developed arises from the need to monitor and automate the entire deep hole drilling, drilling and milling processes, in cutting machines, in order to not only optimize the relevant task performance but also to increase the useful life of the cutting tools involved. An operating system and method are disclosed that allow controlling the entire deep hole drilling, drilling and milling processes, acting directly and automatically on the control of the cutting parameters, such as for example drilling feed and cooling adjustment, by means of collecting and real-time analyzing of data from sensors arranged in said cutting machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: CHETOCORPORATION, S.A.
    Inventor: Sergio David Tavares Andre
  • Patent number: 10871762
    Abstract: Techniques are described for controlling drilling operations based on real time measurement and analysis of fluid properties in a drilling environment. Sensor data can be collected that provides measurement(s) of fluid properties (for example, density and rheology) of the drilling fluid (in other words, downhole mud) around the drill. The measurements can be provided to a hydraulic model that calculates downhole pressure loss in the annulus. Based on this calculation, a calculation of equivalent circulating density (ECD) can be performed. In some implementations, the calculations are performed in real time with respect to the collection of the sensor data. The real time pressure loss and ECD calculations can be used to control bottom hole circulating pressures. The results of the calculations may be used to automatically control drilling operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Odai Elyas, Abdullah Saleh Hussain Al-Yami, Salem H. Al Gharbi
  • Patent number: 10822878
    Abstract: A method for forming a wellbore in an earth formation includes positioning a drill string in a wellbore; the drill string including a bottom hole assembly (BHA) that includes a steering unit, one or more sensors responsive to one or more formation properties, and one or more sensors responsive to the current orientation of the BHA in a wellbore. The method also includes receiving information from the BHA related to the formation properties and information related to a current orientation of the BHA in the wellbore and processing the information using computing device that is either a programmable optical computing device or a quantum computing device. The computing device calculates the position of formation features with respect to current wellbore position in real time and compare the current position to a prescribed path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Rocco Difoggio, Hans-Martin Maurer, Leonty Tabarovsky
  • Patent number: 10801314
    Abstract: A method may include drilling a deviated wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation according to bottom hole assembly parameters and surface parameters; collecting real-time formation data during drilling; updating a model of the subterranean formation based on the real-time formation data and deriving formation properties therefrom; collecting survey data corresponding to a location of a drill bit in the subterranean formation; deriving a target well path for the drilling based on the model of the subterranean formation; deriving a series of trajectory well paths based on the formation properties, the survey data, the bottom hole assembly parameters, and the surface parameters and uncertainties associated therewith; deriving an actual well path based on the series of trajectory well paths; deriving a deviation between the target well path and the actual well path; and adjusting the bottom hole assembly parameters and the surface parameters to maintain the deviation below a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: LANDMARK GRAPHICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robello Samuel, Zhengchun Liu, Jeffrey Marc Yarus, Jin Fei
  • Patent number: 10802899
    Abstract: A tubular connection made during various oil and/or gas operations such as a tripping operation can be identified based on received data such as hookload and/or block position data. A type of tubular connected can also identified by comparing hookload and/or block position data to a tubular specification database. The identification of the tubular connection and/or type of tubular connected can be used to measure a machine sequence, such as a tripping sequence. The measurement of the machine sequence can be used to optimize an operation such as a tripping or drilling operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Transocean Sedco Forex Ventures Limited
    Inventors: Trenton K. Martin, John Kozicz
  • Patent number: 10794172
    Abstract: A drilling system includes a top drive having a motor with a rotating shaft and an adjustable torque. The drilling system also includes a connector that couples the rotating shaft to a drillstring. The drillstring system also includes a controller that provides torque commands to the motor, wherein the torque commands are based at least in part on a dynamics model and operate to dampen vibrations due to torsional wave propagation along the drillstring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Yiming Zhao, Jason D. Dykstra
  • Patent number: 10781575
    Abstract: An attachment calibration control system for a work machine where the system comprises a boom, an attachment, a boom actuator, an attachment actuator, a boom position sensor, an attachment position sensor, and a machine control module having a receiving unit, a calculation unit, and a calibration unit. The receiving unit is configured to receive a plurality of boom position signals and a plurality of attachment positions signal correlating to a plurality of sequential attachment position signals. The calculation unit is configured to calculate geometric parameters of the attachments based on the plurality of attachment position signal and the plurality of boom position signals correlating to the plurality of sequential attachment positions. The calibration unit is communicatively coupled to the boom actuator and the attachment actuator, and configured to adjust a default parameter of at least one of the boom position and the attachment position based on the geometric parameters of the attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Doug Lehmann, David Myers, Aaron Kenkel
  • Patent number: 10760407
    Abstract: A system for ranging between two wellbores where an emitter electrode and return electrode of a current injection system are disposed to drive a current to a conductive member within a target wellbore to create an electromagnetic field about the conductive member. The electromagnetic field is measured utilizing a sensor disposed in an investigative wellbore, which may be in the process of being drilled. In some embodiments, the emitter electrode and return electrode are positioned on the surface of a formation, spaced apart from one another with locations on the surface selected to optimize current, and therefore, the electromagnetic field, at a desired point along the conductive member. In some embodiments, one or both of the emitter electrode and return electrode are positioned in the target wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Burkay Donderici, Clinton Moss
  • Patent number: 10745986
    Abstract: The invention provides a system for real time mud monitoring. The system is distinctive in that it comprises means for real time continuous or frequent measurement of a diversity of mud parameters of the mud being pumped into the well, said parameters at least comprising mud weight/density and viscosity, a skid where the means for measurements are arranged, said means are connected in real time to a mud process for measurements and to a data collection and analysis system connected in real time and interfaced to a mud engineer. Related method and use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: INTELLIGENT MUD SOLUTIONS AS
    Inventors: Eivind Midlang, George Gibbs Smith
  • Patent number: 10738551
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method of this disclosure continually determine a mass balance of a drilling or circulating system, using mass flow and density data adjusted for temperature and pressure. The system and method may be used to continually monitor and control wellbore pressures to achieve over-balanced managed pressure drilling (“MPD”). In some embodiments, the system and method may be used as a fluid tracking engine. In other embodiments, the system and method may be used to accurately track a fluid caliper intended to survey the well to determine string volumes or borehole volumes; an example is determining the volume of cement needed to circulate the cement or bring the cement up to desired height. The system and method may be used to track the effects of mixing. The system and method may also be used as a viscometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: WellWorc, Inc
    Inventors: Bruce E. Smith, David P. Smith, Michael B. Smith, Scott A. Grubb
  • Patent number: 10724370
    Abstract: A cutting tool mounting assembly adapted for attachment to a surface of a rotatable driving member of a cutting tool machine. The cutting tool mounting assembly includes: a cutting tool; a base having a bottom portion for attachment to the surface of the rotatable driving member and a front portion that defines a receptacle having an inner wall; a bushing configured for receipt in the receptacle of the base and having an aperture for receiving the cutting tool; and a sensor element for acquiring and transmitting operation data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: KENNAMETAL INC.
    Inventors: Brian Lavely, Chad Swope
  • Patent number: 10655450
    Abstract: An improved in-field referencing 1 (IFR1) technique is provided, wherein a single mid-lateral well measurement of local magnetic field is used. In one aspect of directional drilling, a single set of IFR values for a planned well is obtained. The single set of IFR values is captured at a single location in a mid-lateral section of the planned well. A global magnetic model corresponding to the Earth's magnetic field is obtained. An improved magnetic model is generated by correcting the global magnetic model for local anomalies using the single set of IFR values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventor: Son V. Pham
  • Patent number: 10641044
    Abstract: An example apparatus for controlling the direction of drilling a borehole includes an outer housing having non-uniform stiffness and an inner housing at least partially within and rotationally independent from the outer housing and having non-uniform stiffness, A drive shaft may be at least partially within the inner housing. At least one of the outer housing and the inner housing may include a tubular structure with at least one of multiple materials with different stiffness, and a portion with less structural material than another portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Hamid Sadabadi, Kennedy Kirkhope
  • Patent number: 10605077
    Abstract: An apparatus is described that can be added to a drill stem and used during a drilling operation to measure downhole conditions in real-time. These measurements may include, but are not limited to, X-ray fluorescence, gamma density, depth, rotation speed, and image collection. In some embodiments, these measurements are stored within the apparatus for later retrieval. In other embodiments, the measurements are transmitted immediately to the surface. In some embodiments, the data is used immediately to control the operation of other devices both within and without the drill stem. The described apparatus may also include an air management system configured to clear debris from the measurement regions to improve the quality of the measurements obtained in those regions. This air management system may be configured to process air receive air from one end of the drill stem and transmit air out an opposite end of the drill stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Inventor: Alfred T Aird
  • Patent number: 10598817
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and program product utilize a buffer defined relative to a wellbore trajectory to generate a work zone around a wellbore for use in connection with formation modeling. In some embodiments, for example, a closed curve such as a non-rectangular, polygonal work zone may be defined around a wellbore based upon a buffer that extends generally transverse to the trajectory of a length of a wellbore a predetermined distance. In addition, boundaries may be defined in a work zone to effectively split the work zone into multiple closed curves or polygons in response to user editing, e.g., to create one or more subsurface layers in the work zone. In such instances, points defining a subsurface layer may be shared by adjacent layers such that editing of such points will affect each of the layers sharing such points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Joan Abadie, Adrien Chassard, Mohammad Taghi Salehi, David Maggs, Shahzad Asif, Christopher Edward Morriss, Koji Ito
  • Patent number: 10563458
    Abstract: A horizontal directional drilling system. The system has a pilot drill and an exit side drill, with a drill string extending between them. A backreamer is positioned between the drills to enlarge a borehole. The pilot drill pulls and rotates the backreamer. The exit side drill adds segments to the product pipe and pushes the product pipe into the enlarged borehole. The exit side drill is equipped with a rotational disconnect. The disconnect is engaged to allow torque transfer between a motor and a spindle when adding segments to the product pipe. The disconnect is disengaged to prevent torque transfer between the motor and the spindle when pushing the product pipe into the enlarged borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: American Augers, Inc.
    Inventors: David Horst, B J Burky, Tim Casey
  • Patent number: 10539000
    Abstract: A drilling rig apparatus is disclosed for mitigating stick-slip using a saver sub that is compatible with different top drives. The saver sub includes a smart material adjustable whenever a stand is added to the drill string to have different spring characteristics to generally match the impedance of the top drive to the impedance of the drill string. The saver sub also includes a magneto rheological fluid that is adjusted whenever a stand is added to the drill string to compensate for the changed characteristics of the drill string. The damping constant implemented by the MR fluid enables the saver sub to absorb stick-slip vibrations at the top drive. Each time that a stand is connected to the drill string, the spring and damping constants may be updated to accommodate the changing characteristics of the drill string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Nabors Drilling Technologies USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Mahmoud Hadi
  • Patent number: 10533407
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating the instantaneous rotational speed of a bottom hole assembly at the lower end of a drill string. In one embodiment, a method includes driving the drill string by a drilling mechanism at the upper end of the drill string. A fundamental frequency of stick-slip oscillations suffered by the drill string is estimated. Variations in a drive torque of the drilling mechanism are determined. Known torsional compliance of the drill string is combined with the variations in the drive torque. An output signal representing the instantaneous rotational speed is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: Pal Jacob Nessjoen, Age Kyllingstad
  • Patent number: 10494912
    Abstract: In one example, an integrated well survey management and planning tool is implemented by a computer system. The tool receives a trajectory of a proposed well from a surface to a subterranean geological target to be reached by drilling the well, and a survey plan indicating the number, position and survey type of surveys to be performed on the well while drilling. The tool applies multiple error models based on the survey type for drilling the well. Each error model defines a respective uncertainty in reaching the subterranean geological target by drilling the well along the received trajectory. The tool displays, in a user interface, the received trajectory of the well and an uncertainty indicator determined by applying the multiple error models. The uncertainty indicator represents a combination of respective uncertainties defined by the multiple error models and indicates an uncertainty in drilling the well on the received trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald Johannes Dirksen
  • Patent number: 10487584
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure can relate to a displacement assembly that includes a housing that defines a passage to be in fluid communication with a pressurized fluid supply proximate to a first end of the passage. The displacement assembly also includes a displacement mechanism slidably coupled with the housing to reciprocate in the passage from a first orientation where the displacement mechanism is proximate to the first end of the passage toward a second orientation where the displacement mechanism is proximate to a second end of the passage opposite the first end. The displacement mechanism and the housing define a seal for preventing pressurized fluid from the pressurized fluid supply from migrating through the passage when the displacement mechanism is in the first orientation. The displacement mechanism and the housing allow pressurized fluid to migrate through the passage when the displacement mechanism is in the second orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jonathan Luke James
  • Patent number: 10472897
    Abstract: A drill bit may include a bit body, a plurality of blades on the bit body, and a plurality of cutting elements on the plurality of blades. The drill bit may also include an adjustable depth of cut controller (DOCC) located on a blade to provide depth of cut control for at least one of the plurality of cutting elements. Further, the drill bit may include a positioning unit coupled to the adjustable DOCC and configured to adjust the position of the DOCC relative to the cutting element based on a control signal from a control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley David Dunbar, Seth Garrett Anderle, Gregory Christopher Grosz
  • Patent number: 10458223
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for rotating a drill string to mitigate stick-slip oscillations. An embodiment includes a method of rotating a drill string driven by a drive system using a control system. The method includes measuring torque values of the drive system with a torque sensor. The method also includes determining a frequency of stick-slip oscillations at the drive system based on the torque values using the control system. The method also includes determining an estimated instantaneous rotational speed of the drive system with the control system based on at least the frequency of stick-slip oscillations and a characteristic impedance of the drill string. The method also includes adjusting the estimated instantaneous rotational speed based on changes in the torque values to define an adjusted estimated instantaneous rotation speed with the control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Nabors Drilling Technologies USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Amir Badkoubeh, Alex Strand, Douglas Greening
  • Patent number: 10444399
    Abstract: A method for determining resistivity of subsurface formations includes generating an initial model of the formations from multiaxial electromagnetic transimpedance measurements, the model comprising values of vertical resistivity, horizontal resistivity, crossbed dip, crossbed azimuth, and bedding dip and azimuth. Expected measurements generated from the initial model measurements are decomposed into ordinary and extraordinary components. The actual tool measurements are compared to the summation of the expected decomposed measurement components. The initial model is adjusted, the expected decomposed components are recalculated and the foregoing are repeated until the difference between the actual tool measurements and the summation of the expected decomposed components falls below a selected threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gong Li Wang, Thomas Barber, Peter Wu, David F. Allen, Aria Abubakar
  • Patent number: 10428583
    Abstract: A boring tool is movable through the ground. A transmitter supported by the boring tool transmits an electromagnetic homing signal. A portable device monitors the electromagnetic homing signal and receives the electromagnetic homing signal in a homing mode for guiding the boring tool to a target position. A processor generates steering commands for guiding the boring tool based on a bore plan in a steering mode such that at least some positional error is introduced without using the electromagnetic homing signal. Switching from the steering mode to the homing mode is based on monitoring of the electromagnetic homing signal as the boring tool approaches the portable device to then guide the boring tool to the target position location in compensation for the positional error. Intermediate target positions are described as well as guiding the boring tool based on the homing signal so long as the portable device receives the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Merlin Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Tim Shaw, John E. Mercer, Albert W. Chau
  • Patent number: 10430897
    Abstract: A method for automatically generating a drilling rig activity report while operating the rig includes receiving sensor measurements from a plurality of surface sensors deployed on the drilling rig. The sensor measurements may be made in real time while operating the rig and may be processed to compute rig state/activity information. The rig state(s) and a user defined report configuration may then be further processed to automatically generate the rig activity report.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Sunil Kumar Khare, Chunling Gu Coffman, John Christian Luppens
  • Patent number: 10401512
    Abstract: Rock properties and structural attributes can be combined with an ellipsoid stimulation model around a well bore. A stepwise regression or other optimization analysis can then used to determine what property(ies) and/or attribute(s) has the greatest impact on the shape and properties of a microseismic density volume and can be best used to predict the same. These same properties and/or attributes can then be used to create a microseismic density volume around another nearby well where microseismic data was not recorded to estimated a stimulated reservoir volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Pioneer Natural Resources USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Meek, Bailo Suliman, Robert Hull, Hector Bello, Douglas Portis
  • Patent number: 10385675
    Abstract: A method for estimating an axial force transfer efficiency of a drillstring in a borehole includes lifting the drillstring so that the drill bit is off the bottom of the borehole, measuring a hook load, slacking off a first reference amount of the hook load, determining a first weight on bit at the bottom of the drillstring and determining the axial force transfer efficiency based, at least in part, on the measured hook load, the first weight on bit, and the first reference amount of hook load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Robello Samuel
  • Patent number: 10370922
    Abstract: A downhole-adjusting impact apparatus (DAIA) mechanically coupled between opposing first and second portions of a tool string, wherein: the tool string is conveyable within a wellbore extending between a wellsite surface and a subterranean formation; the first tool string portion comprises a first electrical conductor in electrical communication with surface equipment disposed at the wellsite surface; the DAIA comprises a second electrical conductor in electrical communication with the first electrical conductor; and the DAIA is operable to: detect an electrical characteristic of the second electrical conductor; impart a first impact force on the second tool string portion when the electrical characteristic is detected; and impart a second impact force on the second tool string portion when the electrical characteristic is not detected, wherein the second impact force is substantially greater than the first impact force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Impact Selector International, LLC
    Inventor: Jason Allen Hradecky
  • Patent number: 10365401
    Abstract: A downhole drilling system has a downhole motor, a universal-joint assembly having an upper universal joint and a lower universal and a connecting rod connecting the upper universal joint and the lower universal joint, and a measurement sub. The measurement sub is disposed about the connecting rod and the connecting rod extends through the measurement sub in a longitudinal direction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: CHINA PETROLEUM & CHEMICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sheng Zhan, Jinzhou Yang, Jinhai Zhao, Laiju Han, Weiping Xu, Hongbing Xiao, Herong Zheng, Zhen Yang
  • Patent number: 10358880
    Abstract: A pipe handling device and method for use with a horizontal directional drilling system. The pipe handling device stores sections of drill pipe in individual columns within a magazine. The magazine is constructed so that it can be mounted to a boring machine in a pin-up or pin-down orientation. A plurality of signal elements are attached to the magazine and each extend at least partially within a footprint of each column. The signal elements may move from a first position, indicating the column is full of pipe sections, to a second position, indicating the column is not full of pipe sections. A proximity sensor assembly detects movement of the individual signal elements and signals a processor accordingly. These signals indicate whether or not a given column is full of pipe sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Max Allen Metcalf, Rick G. Porter
  • Patent number: 10358904
    Abstract: There are described methods for controlling the direction of a wellbore trajectory during directional sliding drilling by means of a drill string having a drill bit rotatable, by means of a mud motor, around a drill bit rotation axis at its lower end, the direction of the drill bit rotation axis defining a tool face, wherein one of the methods comprises the following steps: a2) obtaining data indicative of the torque of the mud motor; and b2) calculating a reactive twist angle of the drill string by multiplying the obtained torque from step a2) by the torsional drill string compliance, wherein the method further comprises the step of: c2) rotating the drill string, by means of a drill string rotation means, an angle substantially equal to but in the opposite direction of the calculated reactive twist angle. There are also described systems for executing the methods as well as computer program products comprising instructions for causing a processor to perform the methods as described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco Norway AS
    Inventor: Åge Kyllingstad
  • Patent number: 10359485
    Abstract: An example method for generating measurements using a downhole tool may comprise generating a magnetic field using a magnetic field source coupled to a tool body. An electromagnetic signal may be transmitted from an antenna coupled to the tool body and around which at least one radial projection is positioned and tilted with respect to a longitudinal axis of the tool body. The method may also include receiving a response to the transmitted electromagnetic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Rebecca Jachmann, Sunghua Chen
  • Patent number: 10344587
    Abstract: The operational position of a sliding sleeve is detected using an electrode-type logging tool. The logging tool generates a baseline log of the sliding sleeve in a non-actuated position, and a response log of the sliding sleeve in an actuated position. The baseline and response logs are then compared in order to determine the operational position of the sliding sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ahmed E. Fouda, Burkay Donderici
  • Patent number: 10344569
    Abstract: A controller (30,300) for mounting on or within a downhole tool (10) is provided and comprises a touch operated control device (32, 320; 36) having a touchable surface (34,340) mounted within an aperture (16) formed in a sidewall (15) of the downhole tool (10) such that the touchable surface (34, 340) is outwardly facing and is the radially outermost component of the controller (30, 300) such that an operator may touch the touchable surface (34, 340) without having to disassemble the downhole tool (10). The controller (30, 300) also comprises one or more microprocessors (44) in electrical or electronic communication with the touch operated control device (32, 320; 36), where the microprocessor (44) is capable of being programmed by an operator to instruct the downhole tool (10) to actuate wherein the operator instructs the controller (30, 300) by touching the touchable surface (34, 340) with one or more distinct touches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Sentergy Limited
    Inventors: Stewart Gordon George Christie, Andrew John Elrick, Andrew Fraser, Patrycjusz Bartlomiej Proszynski, Iain Morrison Macleod
  • Patent number: 10278367
    Abstract: An interactive tracking, monitoring, and reporting platform of domesticated animal activity may be provided. The platform may enable the tracking of domesticated animals within an interactive tracking zone. The tracking activity may be controlled by a rule set defined by the owner and enabled by a tracking device embodied as, for example, a collar worn by the animal. Upon the tracking device's proximal location to detection devices within the interactive tracking zone, an action may be triggered. The trigger may cause an action to be taken by, for example, a device located within the interactive tracking zone. The trigger may cause information to be collected on the domesticated animal's activity by the platform. The platform may then provide a report on the domesticated animal's activity to the domesticated animal's owner. The report may be communicated via a mobile phone application and may comprise real-time data collected on the domesticated animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: PETSIMPL INC.
    Inventor: David Waymouth
  • Patent number: 10280731
    Abstract: An embodiment of a method of performing an energy industry operation includes: deploying a carrier in an earth formation, the carrier including a downhole component configured to perform the operation; performing the operation according to operational parameters; measuring a condition, the condition including at least one of a surface condition and a downhole condition, and generating measurement data representing the measured condition; tuning a simulation model of the operation based on the measurement data, the model being a mathematical model configured to estimate the condition based on the selected operational parameters; selecting a hypothetical adjustment to one or more selected operational parameters; applying the hypothetical adjustment to the simulation model to generate predicted conditions of the operation; and based on the predicted conditions representing an improvement to the operation, adjusting operational parameters according to the hypothetical adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventor: William A. H. Aitken
  • Patent number: 10273756
    Abstract: A method for sharing information between components of a subterranean drill string. The method can include receiving, at a controller, data representative of a detected rotational characteristic of a drill string sensed at a first location on the drill string. Further, the method includes calculating, at the controller, a rotational characteristic corresponding to a second location on the drill string based, at least in part, on the detected data, and transmitting data representative of the calculated rotational characteristic to the second location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES
    Inventor: David Yan Lap Wong
  • Patent number: 10241226
    Abstract: A ranging system utilizes gradiometric data to determine the distance between a first and second well without any knowledge or involvement of the borehole or formation characteristics. In general, this is achieved by deploying a downhole assembly comprising transmitters and receivers having magnetic dipoles, along with bucking receivers positioned between the transmitters and receivers, wherein the gradient field is measured in a radial direction along the downhole assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Burkay Donderici, Baris Guner
  • Patent number: 10202837
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and techniques for performing automated drilling of a wellbore. The wellbore is drilled in response to a first drilling parameter target (such as weight on bit) that includes a first drilling parameter offset modified by a first drilling parameter perturbation signal. A first drilling performance metric (such as rate of penetration) is measured and is indicative of a response of the drilling to the first drilling parameter target. An output of a first objective function is determined using the measured first drilling performance metric. A first correlation between the output of the first objective function and the first drilling parameter perturbation signal, and an integral of the first correlation, are determined. The first drilling parameter target is updated using the integral modified by the first drilling parameter perturbation signal. The wellbore is drilled in response to the updated first drilling parameter target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: PASON SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventors: Choon-Sun James Ng, Sergey Khromov
  • Patent number: 10190368
    Abstract: An underreamer for increasing a diameter of a wellbore. The underreamer may include a body having an axial bore extending at least partially therethrough. An electromagnetic activation system may be disposed at least partially within the bore of the body. A valve may be disposed within the bore of the body and coupled to the electromagnetic activation system. The valve may include a mobile element and a static element. The mobile element may be coupled to the electromagnetic activation system and move from a first position where the mobile element obstructs fluid flow through the valve to a second position where the mobile element permits fluid flow through the valve. A cutter block may be movably coupled to the body and move radially-outward as the mobile element moves from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Nathan E. Fuller, R. Craig Boswell, Jacques Orban, Jonathan D. Marshall, Jordan D. Englund
  • Patent number: 10184306
    Abstract: A rotary subterranean drill capable of detecting an excessive downhole pressure condition and automatically remediating the causal condition of the detected excessive pressure condition. A pressure detector coupled to a drill string of the rotary subterranean drill can sense an excessive downhole pressure condition that exceeds a predetermined value. When an excessive downhole pressure condition is sensed at the pressure detector drag members are automatically disengaged from the borehole, thereby permitting rotation of the anchorable exterior portion within the borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Everett Philip Hagar
  • Patent number: 10177989
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a data processing method providing an improvement in computer efficiency in transmitting data poll messages to another computer, the method comprising: using a first computer, transmitting a first plurality of data poll messages to a second computer, receiving event data from the second computer, and storing the event data in event history storage; based upon the event data in the event history storage, calculating a first estimate of a probability of a particular event occurring in a first specified time period; in response to determining that the first estimate is greater than 0, calculating a total number of times to check for the same particular event in the same specified time period; based upon the event data in the event history storage, calculating a second estimate of a probability distribution of the same particular event during the same specified time period; creating and storing a schedule of a plurality of times at which to transmit a second plurality of data poll messages to th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: IFTTT, INC.
    Inventors: Anuj Goyal, Sanny Liao, Apurva Joshi, Nicholas Leach, Joseph Sims