Patents by Inventor Alexei Bolshakov

Alexei Bolshakov 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: 9273545
    Abstract: A method of determining properties of a bonding material disposed outside of a casing in a borehole includes at least two of the following three pairs of operations: (1) inducing an acoustic wave in the casing, and measuring attenuation of the acoustic wave, by pulse-echo or other cement bond logging measurement; (2) inducing an SH wave in the casing, and measuring attenuation of the SH wave; and (3) inducing a Lamb wave in the casing, and measuring attenuation of the Lamb wave. (2) and/or (3) may be performed by an electromagnetic acoustic transducer. The method further includes determining the shear velocity or shear impedance and the compressional velocity or compressional impedance of the bonding material based on appropriate ones of the measurements. The bonding material may be cement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Alexei Bolshakov, Douglas Patterson, Edward Domangue
  • Patent number: 8880348
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method implemented by a processor for imaging a formation penetrated by a borehole. The method includes: obtaining acoustic data in a depth-time domain using an acoustic downhole tool disposed at a depth in the borehole, the acoustic downhole tool having an acoustic source and an acoustic receiver; transforming the acoustic data in the depth-time domain into a Radon domain using a Radon transform; filtering the acoustic data in the Radon domain to increase a signal of interest in the acoustic data in the Radon domain; determining a location of a point in the formation that reflected acoustic energy emitted from the acoustic source to the acoustic receiver, the location of the point being represented in the Radon domain; and inverting the location of the point represented in the Radon domain into a radius-depth domain to image the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Alexei Bolshakov, Xiao Ming Tang, Douglas J. Patterson, Vladimir Dubinsky, Zarema Dubinsky
  • Publication number: 20140177389
    Abstract: A method of determining properties of a bonding material disposed outside of a casing in a borehole includes at least two of the following three pairs of operations: (1) inducing an acoustic wave in the casing, and measuring attenuation of the acoustic wave, by pulse-echo or other cement bond logging measurement; (2) inducing an SH wave in the casing, and measuring attenuation of the SH wave; and (3) inducing a Lamb wave in the casing, and measuring attenuation of the Lamb wave. (2) and/or (3) may be performed by an electromagnetic acoustic transducer. The method further includes determining the shear velocity or shear impedance and the compressional velocity or compressional impedance of the bonding material based on appropriate ones of the measurements. The bonding material may be cement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Alexei Bolshakov, Douglas Patterson, Edward Domangue
  • Publication number: 20120109528
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method implemented by a processor for imaging a formation penetrated by a borehole. The method includes: obtaining acoustic data in a depth-time domain using an acoustic downhole tool disposed at a depth in the borehole, the acoustic downhole tool having an acoustic source and an acoustic receiver; transforming the acoustic data in the depth-time domain into a Radon domain using a Radon transform; filtering the acoustic data in the Radon domain to increase a signal of interest in the acoustic data in the Radon domain; determining a location of a point in the formation that reflected acoustic energy emitted from the acoustic source to the acoustic receiver, the location of the point being represented in the Radon domain; and inverting the location of the point represented in the Radon domain into a radius-depth domain to image the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Alexei Bolshakov, Xiao Ming Tang, Douglas J. Patterson, Vladimir Dubinsky, Zarema Dubinsky
  • Patent number: 8061206
    Abstract: Evaluating casing thickness by inducing SH0 and SH1 modes of a shear wave in the casing. The SH0 group velocity and SH1 mode group velocity (Vg) are measured and the measured SH0 mode group velocity is assigned as the tubular material shear velocity (Vs). A shear wave wavelength ? from the ratio of SH0 mode frequency (fo) and the measured SH0 group velocity is estimated. The tubular thickness (d) is estimated from the estimated shear wave wavelength ?. The transmitter can be calibrated to operate at an optimum frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Alexei Bolshakov, Edward J. Domangue, Douglas J. Patterson, Joseph G. Barolak
  • Patent number: 7911877
    Abstract: Passive suppression of casing signals is used to improve the ability to measure formation velocities. Passive suppression includes the use of a magnet slidably coupled to the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Douglas J. Patterson, Xiao Ming Tang, Alexei Bolshakov
  • Publication number: 20100263449
    Abstract: Evaluating casing thickness by inducing SH0 and SH1 modes of a shear wave in the casing. The SH0 group velocity and SH1 mode group velocity (Vg) are measured and the measured SH0 mode group velocity is assigned as the tubular material shear velocity (Vs). A shear wave wavelength ? from the ratio of SH0 mode frequency (fo) and the measured SH0 group velocity is estimated. The tubular thickness (d) is estimated from the estimated shear wave wavelength ? The transmitter can be calibrated to operate at an optimum frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Alexei Bolshakov, Edward J. Domangue, Douglas J. Patterson, Joseph G. Barolak
  • Patent number: 7787327
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluating a bond between a formation and a bonding material. The method includes emitting a shear wave into the tubular, recording the response of the shear wave, and evaluating the response to obtain bond information. The bond information includes bond material thickness and efficacy of the bond between cement and formation. The method includes studying and utilizing the time lag of the direct wave and wave events, as well as the interference of these waves on a spectral graph. A calibration method is included as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Xiao Ming Tang, Alexei Bolshakov, Edward Domangue
  • Patent number: 7773454
    Abstract: A method and apparatus useful to determine the integrity of a cement bond log disposed in the annular space between a casing and a wellbore. The method and apparatus produce a transversely polarized shear wave and emit the wave through the casing and into the wellbore. The transversely polarized shear wave attenuates upon passage through the cement bond log. The integrity of the cement bond log can be determined through an analysis and evaluation of the attenuation results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Joseph Gregory Barolak, Douglas J Patterson, Alexei Bolshakov, Vladimir Dubinsky, Xiao Ming Tang
  • Publication number: 20100097887
    Abstract: Passive suppression of casing signals is used to improve the ability to measure formation velocities. Passive suppression includes the use of a magnet slidably coupled to the casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Douglas J. Patterson, Xiao Ming Tang, Alexei Bolshakov
  • Patent number: 7681450
    Abstract: A method useful for evaluating the presence and/or the quality of the cement bond of a downhole tubular. The method involves measuring radial resonance modes of the tubular, and comparing those measured values to the unbound tubular resonant values of a calibration ring. For a well bonded tubular, the measured radial resonance should be greater than that of the unbound tubular calibration ring. In regions where a fluid, such as water surrounds the outside of the tubular, or the cement is otherwise not bonded to the outer surface of the tubular, the measured response should be less than the calibrated response. The calibration ring should have the same diameter, wall thickness, and be made of the same material as the tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Alexei Bolshakov, Vladimir Dubinsky, Xiao Ming Tang, Douglas J. Patterson, Dimitri Donskoy, Joseph Gregory Barolak
  • Patent number: 7663969
    Abstract: A method and apparatus useful to determine the integrity of a cement bond log disposed in the annular space between a casing and a wellbore. The method and apparatus induce a Lamb wave in the casing and into the wellbore. The Lamb wave attenuates upon passage through the cement bond log. The integrity of the cement bond log can be determined through an analysis and evaluation of the attenuation results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Xiao-Ming Tang, Alexei Bolshakov, Joseph Barolak, Douglas Patterson, Vladimir Dubinsky, Ron Alers, George Alers
  • Patent number: 7639562
    Abstract: Passive and active suppression of casing signals is used to improve the ability to measure formation velocities. Passive suppression includes the use of a magnet slidably coupled to the casing. Active suppression uses measurement of casing signals to control the output of an electromechanical acoustic transducer which cancels the propagating signal. Feedback control may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Douglas J. Patterson, Xiao Ming Tang, Alexei Bolshakov
  • Publication number: 20090231954
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer-readable medium for identifying a micro-annulus outside a casing in a cemented wellbore. The attenuation of a Lamb wave and a compressional wave is used to determine a presence of a micro-annulus between the casing and the cement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Alexei Bolshakov, Edward J. Domangue, Douglas J. Patterson
  • Patent number: 7525872
    Abstract: A method and apparatus useful to determine the integrity of a cement bond log disposed in the annular space between a casing and a wellbore. The method and apparatus produce a transversely polarized shear wave and emit the wave through the casing and into the wellbore. The transversely polarized shear wave attenuates upon passage through the cement bond log. The integrity of the cement bond log can be determined through an analysis and evaluation of the attenuation results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Xiao-Ming Tang, Alexei Bolshakov, Tsili Wang, Douglas Patterson
  • Publication number: 20080112262
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluating a bond between a formation and a bonding material. The method includes emitting a shear wave into the tubular, recording the response of the shear wave, and evaluating the response to obtain bond information. The bond information includes bond material thickness and efficacy of the bond between cement and formation. The method includes studying and utilizing the time lag of the direct wave and wave events, as well as the interference of these waves on a spectral graph. A calibration method is included as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Xiao Ming Tang, Alexei Bolshakov, Edward Domangue
  • Publication number: 20070280049
    Abstract: Passive and active suppression of casing signals is used to improve the ability to measure formation velocities. Passive suppression includes the use of a magnet slidably coupled to the casing. Active suppression uses measurement of casing signals to control the output of an electromechanical acoustic transducer which cancels the propagating signal. Feedback control may be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Douglas Patterson, Xiao Tang, Alexei Bolshakov
  • Publication number: 20070206439
    Abstract: A method and apparatus useful to determine the integrity of a cement bond log disposed in the annular space between a casing and a wellbore. The method and apparatus produce a transversely polarized shear wave and emit the wave through the casing and into the wellbore. The transversely polarized shear wave attenuates upon passage through the cement bond log. The integrity of the cement bond log can be determined through an analysis and evaluation of the attenuation results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventors: Joseph Barolak, Douglas Patterson, Alexei Bolshakov, Vladimir Dubinsky, Xiao Tang
  • Publication number: 20070131417
    Abstract: A method useful for evaluating the presence and/or the quality of the cement bond of a downhole tubular. The method involves measuring radial resonance modes of the tubular, and comparing those measured values to the unbound tubular resonant values of a calibration ring. For a well bonded tubular, the measured radial resonance should be greater than that of the unbound tubular calibration ring. In regions where a fluid, such as water surrounds the outside of the tubular, or the cement is otherwise not bonded to the outer surface of the tubular, the measured response should be less than the calibrated response. The calibration ring should have the same diameter, wall thickness, and be made of the same material as the tubular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Publication date: June 14, 2007
    Inventors: Alexei Bolshakov, Vladimir Dubinsky, Xiao Tang, Douglas Patterson, Dimitri Donskoy, Joseph Barolak
  • Patent number: 7150317
    Abstract: A bond log device comprising a sonde, an acoustic transducer, and an acoustic receiver. The acoustic transducer is comprised of a magnet combined with a coil, where the coil is energizable by an electrical current source. The acoustic transducer can also be comprised of an electromagnetic acoustic device. The acoustic transducer is capable of producing various waveforms, including compressional waves, shear waves, transversely polarized shear waves, Rayleigh waves, Lamb waves, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Joseph Barolak, Alexei Bolshakov, Vladimir Dubinsky, Douglas Patterson