Patents by Inventor Albert Ballard Andrews

Albert Ballard Andrews has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 12123304
    Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein are configured to monitor gas storage in a well and, more specifically, to invert optical measurements to predict the fractional molar composition of an unknown composition of a gas mixture comprised of hydrogen, carbon dioxide, other gases, or combinations thereof, in any underground reservoir or salt dome where hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and/or the other gases are stored or exist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Albert Ballard Andrews, Andrew J. Speck, Ridvan Akkurt, Oliver C. Mullins, Shawn David Taylor
  • Publication number: 20240240558
    Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein are configured to monitor gas storage in a well and, more specifically, to invert optical measurements to predict the fractional molar composition of an unknown composition of a gas mixture comprised of hydrogen, carbon dioxide, other gases, or combinations thereof, in any underground reservoir or salt dome where hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and/or the other gases are stored or exist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Publication date: July 18, 2024
    Inventors: Albert Ballard Andrews, Andrew J. Speck, Ridvan Akkurt, Oliver C. Mullins, Shawn David Taylor
  • Patent number: 11209321
    Abstract: A technique utilizes spatially resolved temperature measurements to infer the temperature of a subsea infrastructure. According to an embodiment, temperature data, e.g. a temperature map, is determined for the subsea infrastructure and comprises performing remote temperature measurements of water surrounding the subsea infrastructure. Additionally, a metrological scan of the subsea structure may be obtained. Furthermore, a simulation or simulations may be run for an assumed temperature profile along a surface of the subsea infrastructure. The data obtained from the remote temperature measurements, the metrological scan, and the simulation is processed to determine a temperature profile of the subsea infrastructure. This temperature profile can then be used to facilitate a variety of subsea infrastructure management decisions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: OneSubsea IP UK Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Speck, Albert Ballard Andrews, Irfan Bulu, Yi-Qiao Song, Neil Herbst
  • Publication number: 20190234808
    Abstract: A technique utilizes spatially resolved temperature measurements to infer the temperature of a subsea infrastructure. According to an embodiment, temperature data, e.g. a temperature map, is determined for the subsea infrastructure and comprises performing remote temperature measurements of water surrounding the subsea infrastructure. Additionally, a metrological scan of the subsea structure may be obtained. Furthermore, a simulation or simulations may be run for an assumed temperature profile along a surface of the subsea infrastructure. The data obtained from the remote temperature measurements, the metrological scan, and the simulation is processed to determine a temperature profile of the subsea infrastructure. This temperature profile can then be used to facilitate a variety of subsea infrastructure management decisions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Andrew Speck, Albert Ballard Andrews, Irfan Bulu, Yi-Qiao Song, Neil Herbst
  • Patent number: 10253624
    Abstract: Methods may include emplacing a wellbore tool in a wellbore, the wellbore tool including a gas chromatograph and a mass spectrometer, wherein the mass spectrometer is configured to operate at a pressure greater than 10?2 Torr, measuring a sample from the wellbore using the wellbore tool, and determining a molecular weight of one or more components of the sample from the measured response of the wellbore tool. Methods may also include establishing a library of one or more chemical components, emplacing a wellbore tool in a wellbore, the wellbore tool including a gas chromatograph and a mass spectrometer, wherein the mass spectrometer is configured to operate at a pressure greater than 10?2 Torr, measuring a sample from the wellbore using the wellbore tool, comparing the measured response from the wellbore tool for the sample with results from the library of one or more chemical components, and determining a molecular weight of one or more components of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald E. G. van Hal, Albert Ballard Andrews, Jeffrey Crank
  • Publication number: 20190017936
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for Raman-spectrography based measurement of the composition of gas mixture in a high-temperature borehole. The method includes any of determining molar densities of individual alkanes of the mixture, introducing refractive index corrections, utilization of reference species internally to the measurement apparatus, correction for the effect of self-absorption and cross-absorption, as well as minimizing fluorescence when a liquid fraction is present in the borehole. The apparatus is configured to detect vibrational bands of CH, OH, CC, HS, NN and CO functional groups as well as collective modes in the fingerprint spectral region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Albert Ballard Andrews, Andrew J. Speck
  • Patent number: 10088422
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for Raman-spectrography-based measurement of the composition of gas mixture in a high-temperature borehole. The method includes any of determining molar densities of individual alkanes of the mixture, introducing refractive index corrections, utilization of reference species internally to the measurement apparatus, correction for the effect of self-absorption and cross-absorption, as well as minimizing fluorescence when a liquid fraction is present in the borehole. The apparatus is configured to detect vibrational bands of CH, OH, CC, HS, NN and CO functional groups as well as collective modes in the fingerprint spectral region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Albert Ballard Andrews, Andrew Speck
  • Patent number: 10012074
    Abstract: A downhole tool is conveyed within a borehole extending into a subterranean formation. Fluid is drawn from the subterranean formation into the downhole tool, wherein the fluid comprises heavy oil. Fluorescence intensity of the drawn fluid is measured via a sensor of the downhole tool, and asphaltene content of the drawn fluid is estimated based on the measured fluorescence intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew E. Pomerantz, Zied Ben Hamad, Albert Ballard Andrews, Youxiang Zuo, Oliver Clinton Mullins
  • Publication number: 20180094522
    Abstract: Wellbore tools in accordance with the present disclosure may include a gas chromatograph; and a mass spectrometer, wherein the mass spectrometer is configured to operate at a pressure greater than 10?2 Torr. Systems in accordance with the present disclosure may include a gas chromatograph; and a mass spectrometer, wherein the mass spectrometer is configured to operate at a pressure greater than 10?2 Torr. Methods in accordance with the present disclosure may include emplacing a wellbore tool in a wellbore, the wellbore tool containing a gas chromatograph and a mass spectrometer, wherein the mass spectrometer is configured to operate at a pressure greater than 10?2 Torr; drawing a sample of a fluid from the wellbore into the wellbore tool; and determining a molecular weight of one or more components of the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Ronald E. G. van Hal, Albert Ballard Andrews, Jeffrey Crank
  • Publication number: 20180094523
    Abstract: Methods may include emplacing a wellbore tool in a wellbore, the wellbore tool including a gas chromatograph and a mass spectrometer, wherein the mass spectrometer is configured to operate at a pressure greater than 10?2 Torr, measuring a sample from the wellbore using the wellbore tool, and determining a molecular weight of one or more components of the sample from the measured response of the wellbore tool. Methods may also include establishing a library of one or more chemical components, emplacing a wellbore tool in a wellbore, the wellbore tool including a gas chromatograph and a mass spectrometer, wherein the mass spectrometer is configured to operate at a pressure greater than 10?2 Torr, measuring a sample from the wellbore using the wellbore tool, comparing the measured response from the wellbore tool for the sample with results from the library of one or more chemical components, and determining a molecular weight of one or more components of the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Ronald E. G. van Hal, Albert Ballard Andrews, Jeffrey Crank
  • Patent number: 9932825
    Abstract: Wellbore tools in accordance with the present disclosure may include a gas chromatograph; and a mass spectrometer, wherein the mass spectrometer is configured to operate at a pressure greater than 10?2 Torr. Systems in accordance with the present disclosure may include a gas chromatograph; and a mass spectrometer, wherein the mass spectrometer is configured to operate at a pressure greater than 10?2 Torr. Methods in accordance with the present disclosure may include emplacing a wellbore tool in a wellbore, the wellbore tool containing a gas chromatograph and a mass spectrometer, wherein the mass spectrometer is configured to operate at a pressure greater than 10?2 Torr; drawing a sample of a fluid from the wellbore into the wellbore tool; and determining a molecular weight of one or more components of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ronald E. G. van Hal, Albert Ballard Andrews, Jeffrey Crank
  • Publication number: 20170184502
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for Raman-spectrography-based measurement of the composition of gas mixture in a high-temperature borehole. The method includes any of determining molar densities of individual alkanes of the mixture, introducing refractive index corrections, utilization of reference species internally to the measurement apparatus, correction for the effect of self-absorption and cross-absorption, as well as minimizing fluorescence when a liquid fraction is present in the borehole. The apparatus is configured to detect vibrational bands of CH, OH, CC, HS, NN and CO functional groups as well as collective modes in the fingerprint spectral region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Albert Ballard Andrews, Andrew Speck
  • Patent number: 9442217
    Abstract: A methodology for reservoir understanding employs analysis of fluid property gradients to investigate and distinguish between non-compartmentalization of the reservoir, compartmentalization of the reservoir, and lack of thermodynamic equilibrium in the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew E. Pomerantz, Oliver C. Mullins, Albert Ballard Andrews, Eric Lehne
  • Publication number: 20150000902
    Abstract: A downhole tool is conveyed within a borehole extending into a subterranean formation. Fluid is drawn from the subterranean formation into the downhole tool, wherein the fluid comprises heavy oil. Fluorescence intensity of the drawn fluid is measured via a sensor of the downhole tool, and asphaltene content of the drawn fluid is estimated based on the measured fluorescence intensity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Andrew E. Pomerantz, Zied Ben Hamad, Albert Ballard Andrews, Youxiang Zuo, Oliver Clinton Mullins
  • Patent number: 8786860
    Abstract: Accurate, real-time detection of dew point of a gaseous sample can be accomplished using the systems and techniques described herein. A gaseous sampling chamber defining an interior volume includes a patterned structure having a roughened surface exposed to the gaseous sampling chamber. The patterned structure includes an open volume accessible by the roughened surface, for example, representing at least about 10% of the interior volume of the gaseous sampling chamber. An illumination source is configured to illuminate at least a portion of the patterned structure. A light detector is configured to receive at least a portion of illumination returned from the patterned structure. A condensate detector is configured to determine a presence of a condensate on the roughened surface in response to an optical property of the patterned surface as modified by the presence of dew.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Harrison, Robert J. Schroeder, Matthew T. Sullivan, Bradley Martin, Albert Ballard Andrews, Oliver Clinton Mullins
  • Patent number: 8518702
    Abstract: Methods and related apparatuses and mixtures are described for detecting hydrogen sulfide in a formation fluid downhole. A detection mixture is combined with the formation fluid downhole. The detection mixture includes metal ions for reacting with hydrogen sulfide forming a metal sulfide, and charged nanoparticles sized so as to inhibit significant aggregation of the metal sulfide so as to enable spectroscopic detection of the metal sulfide downhole. The combined mixture and formation fluid is then spectroscopically interrogated so as to detect the presence of the metal sulfide thereby indicating the presence of hydrogen sulfide in the formation fluid. The mixture also includes chelating ligands for sustaining thermal endurance of the mixture under downhole conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Li Jiang, Oliver C. Mullins, Gale H. Gustavson, Christopher Harrison, Bhavani Raghuraman, Ronald E. G. Van Hal, Jimmy Lawrence, Kosta Ladavac, Albert Ballard Andrews, Timothy Gareth John Jones, Rogerio Tadeu Ramos
  • Publication number: 20130151159
    Abstract: A methodology for reservoir understanding employs analysis of fluid property gradients to investigate and distinguish between non-compartmentalization of the reservoir, compartmentalization of the reservoir, and lack of thermodynamic equilibrium in the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew E. Pomerantz, Oliver C. Mullins, Albert Ballard Andrews, Eric Lehne
  • Publication number: 20130100453
    Abstract: Accurate, real-time detection of dew point of a gaseous sample can be accomplished using the systems and techniques described herein. A gaseous sampling chamber defining an interior volume includes a patterned structure having a roughened surface exposed to the gaseous sampling chamber. The patterned structure includes an open volume accessible by the roughened surface, for example, representing at least about 10% of the interior volume of the gaseous sampling chamber. An illumination source is configured to illuminate at least a portion of the patterned structure. A light detector is configured to receive at least a portion of illumination returned from the patterned structure. A condensate detector is configured to determine a presence of a condensate on the roughened surface in response to an optical property of the patterned surface as modified by the presence of dew.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventors: Christopher Harrison, Robert J. Schroeder, Matthew T. Sullivan, Bradley Martin, Albert Ballard Andrews, Oliver Clinton Mullins
  • Patent number: 8362429
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting the presence of hydrocarbons near an unmanned offshore oil platform. The method steps include monitoring reflected atmospheric and thermal radiation, detecting the presence of hydrocarbons, and generating an alert based on the presence of hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Albert Ballard Andrews, Wei-Chuan Shih, Matthew Clayton, Oliver C. Mullins
  • Publication number: 20120095683
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting the presence of hydrocarbons near an unmanned offshore oil platform. The method steps include monitoring reflected atmospheric and thermal radiation, detecting the presence of hydrocarbons, and generating an alert based on the presence of hydrocarbons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventors: Albert Ballard Andrews, Wei-Chuan Shih, Matthew Clayton, Oliver C. Mullins