Patents Examined by Yanick Akaragwe
  • Patent number: 11692437
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a ferrite for use in a resistivity logging tool includes providing an uncured ferrite material, and pressing the uncured ferrite material into a channel to form the ferrite. The channel is defined on a surface of a bobbin associated with the resistivity logging tool, and the channel can be arcuate and extend at an angle offset from a central axis of the bobbin. The uncured ferrite material is then cured in place within the channels on the bobbin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Chase Griffing, Jin Ma, Michael Bittar
  • Patent number: 11692438
    Abstract: A method including, without removing a BHA from a wellbore of a well extending into a formation, extending, into an interior flow bore of the BHA, a first component of a wet latch assembly to provide an extended first component of the wet latch assembly, conveying downhole via a wireline cable, from a surface through an interior flow bore provided by a drill string, a second component of the wet latch assembly, and coupling the second component of the wet latch assembly with the extended first component of the wet latch assembly such that an electrical connection is established between the first component and the second component and between the BHA and the surface via the wireline cable, and testing the formation with a formation tester of the BHA, while providing power and/or data telemetry for the formation tester via the wet latch assembly and the wireline cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Jones, Darren George Gascooke, Anthony Herman Van Zuilekom, Glenn Andrew Wilson
  • Patent number: 11692434
    Abstract: A method for remotely testing wellhead integrity of a well is disclosed. The method includes connecting valves and associated gauges of the well remotely to a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system, obtaining real time pressure and temperature readings through the SCADA system, detecting, using a thermal infrared camera installed at a wellhead tree and flow lines of the well, potential oil/gas leak, and determining, by the SCADA system and based at least on the real time pressure and temperature readings and a detection result of the thermal infrared camera, integrity of the valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Faisal M. Arji, Meshal A. Al-Amri
  • Patent number: 11692439
    Abstract: Systems and methods to estimate a pore pressure of source rock include a pore pressure estimation processor, an executable, or both, and are operable to (i) calculate an estimate pore pressure based on overburden gradient data, a compaction velocity profile, hydrocarbon maturity, and an unloading velocity profile, (ii) determine a total organic content (TOC) estimate of the source rock based on a bulk density at a vertical depth measured using the density logging tool, (iii) determine a correction factor based on (a) the TOC estimate and (b) vitrinite ratio Ro data, and (iv) update the estimated pore pressure in real-time based on the correction factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Angelica Maria Rios Alvarez
  • Patent number: 11686161
    Abstract: A multi-phase, inductive coupling first portion is carried by a tubular. The coupling first portion is configured to inductively transmit current with a corresponding multi-phase, inductive coupling second portion. A downhole-type electric stator is carried by the tubular and is configured to receive and electromagnetically interact with an electric rotor-impeller. The coupling first portion is electrically connected to windings of the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Upwing Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: David Biddick, Patrick McMullen
  • Patent number: 11680561
    Abstract: A fluid handling system suitable for injecting a pressurized fluid from a pump that is driven by a motor into an oilfield network includes a manifold fluidly connected to the pump and a controller. The manifold includes an inlet for receiving the fluid from the pump, a plurality of outlets downstream of and fluidly connected to the inlet, and a plurality of electric valves downstream of and fluidly connected, respectively, to the plurality of outlets, each of the plurality of electric valves being configured to selectively open and close to regulate a flow of the fluid from the plurality of outlets to a plurality of wells fluidly connected, respectively, to the plurality of electric valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Ingebrand, Kyle A. Bottke, Ryan J. Dion, Kelly L. Shanks
  • Patent number: 11680484
    Abstract: Some implementations provide a tool assembly for monitoring reservoir water salinity and reservoir production performance at a borehole, the tool assembly comprising: a water salinity measuring probe that includes a pair of electrodes, wherein the water salinity measuring probe is mounted at a tip of the tool assembly and configured to measure a water conductivity between the pair of electrodes when the tool assembly is immersed inside the borehole; a spinner tool configured to measure a total flow rate at where the tool assembly is immersed inside the borehole, wherein the spinner tool is located above the water salinity measuring probe when the tool assembly is immersed inside the borehole; and a temperature probe configured to measure a temperature at where the tool assembly is immersed inside the borehole, wherein the temperature probe is located above the spinner tool when the tool assembly is immersed inside the borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Mustafa A. Al-Huwaider, Shouxiang Mark Ma
  • Patent number: 11674369
    Abstract: A box by pin perforating gun system using swaged down gun bodies, a removable cartridge to hold a detonator and switch, and an insulated charge holder as an electrical feed-through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Hunting Titan, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Wayne Bradley, William Richard Collins, John W. Jordan, Andy Lane, Dale Langford, Charles Levine, Faraidoon Pundole
  • Patent number: 11668181
    Abstract: A drill bit for drilling a subterranean formation. The drill bit includes a drill bit body, at least one cutting element disposed on the drill bit body, and an optical sensor disposed on the drill bit body and configured to generate an environmental parameter measurement while drilling the subterranean formation. The optical sensor includes a fiber bragg grating embedded in an optical fiber that passes through a first channel in the drill bit body and a second channel in the drill string to couple to a surface logging station for analyzing the environmental parameter measurement, where the environmental parameter measurement represents at least a downhole chemical composition measured by the fiber bragg grating, and an analysis result of the surface logging station is presented to a user to facilitate a drilling operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignees: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY, KING ABDULAZIZ CITY FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Abeer Ateeq Alarawi, Masfer Alkahtani, Abdullah Al Moajil, Sajjad Al Darweesh
  • Patent number: 11668138
    Abstract: A connector is configured to couple a first annular member to a second annular member. The connector includes a rotatable plate and multiple lock segments. The connector further includes a coupling assembly that is configured to couple the rotatable plate to the multiple lock segments, such that rotation of the rotatable plate in a circumferential direction drives the plurality of lock segments along a radial axis to adjust the connector between an unlocked configuration and a locked configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Florent Vargas
  • Patent number: 11668153
    Abstract: Methods and systems for modifying a plug container to permit a fiber pass-through allowing data to be communicated from a pressurized environment into a non-pressurized environment. The systems and methods including surrounding a communication line with a protective sheath coupled with a top plug and a cap of a plug container including an elongated body having a flow path therethrough. The cap including a pass-through for receiving the communication line and obtaining data corresponding to one or more wellbore conditions including at least a temperature, a pressure, and a top plug location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Richard Frank Vargo, Jr., Gregory Scott Gustke
  • Patent number: 11661828
    Abstract: An electrical submersible pump assembly (ESP) has a centrifugal production pump with production pump stages. A gas separator upstream is from the production pump. A centrifugal charge pump is upstream from the gas separator. The charge pump has charge pump stages and a discharge that leads to an intake of the gas separator. Each of the production pump stages has a higher lifting capacity than each of the charge pump stages. The impellers of the production pump stages have vane exit angles greater than vane exit angles of the impellers of the charge pump stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Caleb Conrad, Bryan C. Coates
  • Patent number: 11661795
    Abstract: Methods and systems for optimizing timing for drilling and tripping operation. An example method may include receiving a plurality of sensor data characterizing rig equipment and tripping status. The method may include identifying a plurality of multi-thread rig states based on the plurality of sensor data. The method calculates a plurality of optimal rig state characteristics (RSCs), wherein the plurality of optimal RSCs are calculated based on the plurality of sensor data as it relates to the plurality of multi-thread rig states. The method also performs a tripping operation with the rig equipment after applying the plurality of optimal RSCs. The method may also gather a plurality of updated sensor data from the rig equipment during the tripping operation for a recalculation of the plurality of optimal RSCs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Lei Wang, Melissa M. Lee, Jonathan B. Barry, Paul E. Pastusek
  • Patent number: 11649725
    Abstract: Downhole tool is provided that includes a body, an intake port for receiving fluid from external the body, a pump, a filtration device, and an exit port. The pump is in fluid communication with the intake port for withdrawing fluid through the intake port. The filtration device has a particulate removing filter, and a flow line extending from the intake port to the filtration device. The filtration device is contained within the body and is in fluid communication with the intake port. The exit port is in fluid communication with the filtration device for ejecting the fluid to external the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael T. Pelletier, Christopher Michael Jones, Darren Gascooke, David L. Perkins
  • Patent number: 11650147
    Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for real-time characterization of drilled particles during a drilling operation can be comprised of a light illumination source to output short-wave-infrared (SWIR) light toward the drilled particles as the drilled particles exit a drill hole being drilled by a drilling machine; a sensor to sense reflected short-wave-infrared (SWIR) light reflected from the drilled particles exiting the drill hole; and processing circuitry operatively coupled to at least the sensor. The processing circuitry can be configured to determine a spectrum of the reflected short-wave-infrared light sensed by the sensor, and determine particle characterization for a portion of the drilled particles by performing hyperspectral analysis on the determined spectrum and based on predetermined candidate particle characterizations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Tod A. Oblak, Lyle Taylor, James Peterson, Carl Hendricks, John F. Halterman, Lawrence A. Mianzo, Narayana G. Nadukuru
  • Patent number: 11639647
    Abstract: A self-powered sensor array (SPSA) for sensing environmental parameters along a drillstring includes an outer collar having moveable member retainers with moveable members movably located in the moveable member retainers. An inner ring is rotatably supported within the outer collar with bearing elements on an outer surface of the inner ring positioned to displace the moveable members relative to the moveable member retainers in response to relative rotation between the inner ring and the outer collar. Shape memory material elements are arranged in a respective moveable member retainer. Distance sensors are configured to sense a gap responsive to a shape change of the respective shape memory material element and a displacement of the respective moveable member. Power generation components are configured such that, in response to the relative rotation, the bearing elements displace a particular moveable member into a particular moveable member retainer, generating an electric charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignees: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY, Macquarie University
    Inventors: Chinthaka Pasan Gooneratne, Subhas Mukhopadhyay, Bodong Li, Guodong Zhan, Arturo Magana-Mora, Timothy Eric Moellendick
  • Patent number: 11634956
    Abstract: A detonator activated wireline release tool is provided for use in geological well operations that enables the wireline cable to be easily released from tool string equipment upon activation of a detonator housed within the release tool. The release tool has a wireline subassembly portion that is connected to a tool string subassembly portion during assembly. It is sometimes necessary to disconnect the wireline subassembly from the tool string subassembly at a time when accessing the either is not physically possible. Such release is achieved by sending an electronic signal that detonates an explosive load which actuates a latch through an expansion chamber. The latch shifts and allows the finger flanges previously connecting the subassemblies to disengage, thus releasing the subassemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Eric Mulhern, Thilo Scharf
  • Patent number: 11634970
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for thermal management of subsea conduits such as jumpers that provide the ability to alternate between cooling and heat retention of production fluids within the conduit as needed depending on the phase of operation. Adjustable insulation elements are provided on the conduits so that convective heat transfer between surrounding seawater and the conduit can be allowed or reduced. A control system can activate an alarm indicating the need to adjust the insulation depending on the temperature and/or flow rate of fluids in the conduit. Conventional conduits can be retrofitted by adding adjustable insulation elements to enable thermal management.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Antonio C. F. Critsinelis, Sid Mebarkia, Michelle A. Wise, Yesudas J. Manimala, William C. Hughes, Steven W. Cochran, Edgar Uribe, Jason D. Garcia
  • Patent number: 11629586
    Abstract: A method of separating fluid phases in a well or riser. The method comprises: locating an inlet device of a flexible tubing at a substantially horizontal portion of the well or riser, wherein a portion of the flexible tubing extends into the well or riser and the flexible tubing terminates at the inlet device; biasing the inlet device against a wall of the well or riser; and extracting a stratified fluid phase from the well or riser through the inlet device and flexible tubing, wherein a shape of the inlet device is configured to match a shape of the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: EQUINOR ENERGY AS
    Inventors: Alastair Buchanan, Ketil Pettersen, Tor Kindsbekken Kjeldby
  • Patent number: 11629559
    Abstract: A riser extending from a floating rig has a riser manifold. A rig manifold can be manipulated by an arm to couple in an automated manner to the riser manifold when running the riser from the rig. The riser and rig manifolds have mechanical connectors that mechanically connect them. Additionally, the manifolds have flow couplings mating together for conducting flow in at least one flow connection, and the manifolds control couplings mating together for conducting control in at least one flow connection. At least one of the manifolds has at least one valve controllable with the at least one control connection and configured to control fluid communication for the at least one flow connection between at least one rig flow line and an internal passage of the riser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Ziegler, Julmar Shaun S. Toralde