Patents by Inventor Babak Bob Arefi

Babak Bob Arefi 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: 12320339
    Abstract: Geothermal energy systems and processes eliminate or reduce the distance between a geothermal energy source and an electricity generating power plant The systems and processes include heating a primary fluid by absorbing thermal energy from the geothermal energy source in a well to produce a heated primary fluid; conveying the heated primary fluid to the power plant including, a turbine and an electricity generator; driving the turbine by one of: the heated primary fluid; and a secondary fluid that absorbs thermal energy from the heated primary fluid via, a heat exchanger; and driving the electricity generator via, the turbine to generate electricity. The power plant is positioned at one of: inside the well; partially inside the well; at a wellhead above the well; adjacent to the well; on a pad including one or more wells; and between multiple pads including one or more wells in the same field of pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2025
    Inventor: Babak Bob Arefi
  • Publication number: 20250122865
    Abstract: Provided is a method of constructing a geothermal heat exchanger comprised of a geothermal well(s) that maximizes heat transfer from sweet spots of geothermal energy of a geothermal reservoir to the geothermal well(s). The method involves dynamically identifying the sweet spots, and selecting a predetermined shape and/or increasing a dimension of the geothermal well(s) within the sweet spots to increase a surface area of contact between the geothermal well(s) and the sweet spots. The method further involves calculating a mathematical best fit line to minimize a distance between the geothermal well(s) and the sweet spots, and forming at least a part of the geothermal well(s) to, or to a proximity of, the sweet spots along the mathematical best fit line. Methods may include increasing an effective thermal radius of the geothermal well(s) by geothermal fracturing, geothermal acidizing, or geothermal multilateral wells, and embedding thermal energy storage (TES) materials therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2024
    Publication date: April 17, 2025
    Inventor: Babak Bob Arefi
  • Patent number: 12228111
    Abstract: Provided is a method of constructing a geothermal heat exchanger comprised of a geothermal well(s) that maximizes heat transfer from sweet spots of geothermal energy of a geothermal reservoir to the geothermal well(s). The method involves dynamically identifying the sweet spots, and selecting a predetermined shape and/or increasing a dimension of the geothermal well(s) within the sweet spots to increase a surface area of contact between the geothermal well(s) and the sweet spots. The method further involves calculating a mathematical best fit line to minimize a distance between the geothermal well(s) and the sweet spots, and forming at least a part of the geothermal well(s) to, or to a proximity of, the sweet spots along the mathematical best fit line. Methods may include increasing an effective thermal radius of the geothermal well(s) by geothermal fracturing, geothermal acidizing, or geothermal multilateral wells, and embedding thermal energy storage (TES) materials therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Inventor: Babak Bob Arefi
  • Publication number: 20250032974
    Abstract: A green energy generating system (e.g., thermal, solar, wind, kinetic) is integrated with a thermo molecular separation (i.e., greenhouse gas capturing) system. The output of each system is utilized by the other to form a unitary system that produces green energy (i.e., electricity) while separating/capturing predetermined molecules (e.g., greenhouse gases) from the environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2022
    Publication date: January 30, 2025
    Inventor: Babak Bob Arefi
  • Publication number: 20240369263
    Abstract: A process of generating electricity from a thermal energy source includes selecting a predetermined primary fluid having: a latent heat greater than a latent heat of water at a phase change from liquid to gas; and a specific heat capacity less than a specific heat capacity of water in a liquid phase and in a gas phase; and selecting a predetermined secondary fluid having: a latent heat less than a latent heat of water at a phase change from liquid, to gas; and; a specific heat capacity less than a specific heat capacity of water in a liquid phase and in a gas phase. The process includes the primary fluid absorbing thermal energy from the thermal energy source; exchanging the thermal energy of the primary fluid with the secondary fluid; driving a turbine via the secondary fluid; and driving an electricity generator by the turbine to generate electricity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2022
    Publication date: November 7, 2024
    Inventor: Babak Bob Arefi
  • Publication number: 20240368996
    Abstract: A process of generating electricity from a thermal energy source includes selecting a predetermined primary fluid having: a latent heat greater than a latent heat of water at a phase change from liquid to gas; and a specific heat capacity less than a specific heat capacity of water in a liquid phase and in a gas phase; and selecting a predetermined secondary fluid having: a latent heat less than a latent heat of water at a phase change from liquid, to gas; and: a specific heat capacity less than a specific heat capacity of water in a liquid phase and in a gas phase. The process includes the primary fluid absorbing thermal energy from the thermal energy source; exchanging the thermal energy of the primary fluid with the secondary fluid: driving a turbine via the secondary fluid; and driving an electricity generator by the turbine to generate electricity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2024
    Publication date: November 7, 2024
    Inventor: Babak Bob Arefi
  • Patent number: 12123406
    Abstract: A geothermal process for generating electricity includes: heating a primary fluid by absorbing thermal energy from a geothermal energy source to elevate thermal energy and kinetic energy of the primary fluid; increasing a pressure on the primary fluid to raise a boiling point and a temperature of the primary fluid and decrease latent heat of the primary fluid; driving a mechanical device via one of: the kinetic energy of the primary fluid; and a kinetic energy of a secondary working fluid that absorbs the thermal energy of the primary fluid in a heat exchanger; and driving an electricity generator by the mechanical device to generate electricity. The pressure on the primary fluid may be increased by restricting, a flow path of the primary fluid to create a backpressure, by increasing a density of the primary fluid, or by increasing a pumping pressure of the primary fluid into the geothermal well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Inventor: Babak Bob Arefi
  • Publication number: 20240337254
    Abstract: Geothermal energy systems and processes eliminate or reduce the distance between a geothermal energy source and an electricity generating power plant The systems and processes include heating a primary fluid by absorbing thermal energy from the geothermal energy source in a well to produce a heated primary fluid; conveying the heated primary fluid to the power plant including, a turbine and an electricity generator; driving the turbine by one of: the heated primary fluid; and a secondary fluid that absorbs thermal energy from the heated primary fluid via, a heat exchanger; and driving the electricity generator via, the turbine to generate electricity. The power plant is positioned at one of: inside the well; partially inside the well; at a wellhead above the well; adjacent to the well; on a pad including one or more wells; and between multiple pads including one or more wells in the same field of pads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2022
    Publication date: October 10, 2024
    Inventor: Babak Bob Arefi
  • Publication number: 20240271831
    Abstract: Provided is a method of constructing a geothermal heat exchanger comprised of a geothermal well(s) that maximizes heat transfer from sweet spots of geothermal energy of a geothermal reservoir to the geothermal well(s). The method involves dynamically identifying the sweet spots, and selecting a predetermined shape and/or increasing a dimension of the geothermal well(s) within the sweet spots to increase a surface area of contact between the geothermal well(s) and the sweet spots. The method further involves calculating a mathematical best fit line to minimize a distance between the geothermal well(s) and the sweet spots, and forming at least a part of the geothermal well(s) to, or to a proximity of, the sweet spots along the mathematical best fit line. Methods may include increasing an effective thermal radius of the geothermal well(s) by geothermal fracturing, geothermal acidizing, or geothermal multilateral wells, and embedding thermal energy storage (TES) materials therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Inventor: Babak Bob Arefi
  • Patent number: 12026871
    Abstract: A method for identifying a wellbore condition includes capturing a first image of cuttings on or downstream from a shale shaker using a first camera. A size, shape, texture, or combination thereof of the cuttings in the first image may be determined. A wellbore condition may be identified based on the size, shape, texture, or combination thereof of the cuttings in the first image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Vishwanathan Parmeshwar, Jacques Orban, Babak Bob Arefi
  • Publication number: 20230289954
    Abstract: A method for identifying a wellbore condition includes capturing a first image of cuttings on or downstream from a shale shaker using a first camera. A size, shape, texture, or combination thereof of the cuttings in the first image may be determined. A wellbore condition may be identified based on the size, shape, texture, or combination thereof of the cuttings in the first image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Vishwanathan Parmeshwar, Jacques Orban, Babak Bob Arefi
  • Patent number: 11651483
    Abstract: A method for identifying a wellbore condition includes capturing a first image of cuttings on or downstream from a shale shaker using a first camera. A size, shape, texture, or combination thereof of the cuttings in the first image may be determined. A wellbore condition may be identified based on the size, shape, texture, or combination thereof of the cuttings in the first image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Vishwanathan Parmeshwar, Jacques Orban, Babak Bob Arefi
  • Publication number: 20230147875
    Abstract: A green energy generating system (e.g., thermal, solar, wind, kinetic) is integrated with a selective molecular separation (i.e., greenhouse gas capturing) system. The output of each system is utilized by the other to form a unitary system that produces green energy (i.e., electricity) while separating/capturing predetermined molecules (e.g., greenhouse gases) from the environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventor: Babak Bob Arefi
  • Publication number: 20230077091
    Abstract: A geothermal process for generating electricity includes: heating a primary fluid by absorbing thermal energy from a geothermal energy source to elevate thermal energy and kinetic energy of the primary fluid; increasing a pressure on the primary fluid to raise a boiling point and a temperature of the primary fluid and decrease latent heat of the primary fluid; driving a mechanical device via one of: the kinetic energy of the primary fluid; and a kinetic energy of a secondary working fluid that absorbs the thermal energy of the primary fluid in a heat exchanger; and driving an electricity generator by the mechanical device to generate electricity. The pressure on the primary fluid may be increased by restricting, a flow path of the primary fluid to create a backpressure, by increasing a density of the primary fluid, or by increasing a pumping pressure of the primary fluid into the geothermal well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventor: Babak Bob Arefi
  • Publication number: 20210019875
    Abstract: A method for identifying a wellbore condition includes capturing a first image of cuttings on or downstream from a shale shaker using a first camera. A size, shape, texture, or combination thereof of the cuttings in the first image may be determined. A wellbore condition may be identified based on the size, shape, texture, or combination thereof of the cuttings in the first image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Vishwanathan Parmeshwar, Jacques Orban, Babak Bob Arefi
  • Patent number: 10796424
    Abstract: A method for identifying a wellbore condition includes capturing a first image of cuttings on or downstream from a shale shaker using a first camera. A size, shape, texture, or combination thereof of the cuttings in the first image is analyzed. A wellbore condition may be identified based on the size, shape, texture, or combination thereof of the cuttings in the first image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Vishwanathan Parmeshwar, Jacques Orban, Babak Bob Arefi
  • Patent number: 10760347
    Abstract: A system for offline suspension of a tubular including a first well having a first wellbore and a cellar formed at the surface of the first well with a rig movable from the first well to a second well. Additionally, a tubular string extending into the first well and a tubular support structure above the cellar of the first well, wherein the tubular support structure supports a weight of the tubular string such that the tubular is suspended from the tubular support structure independent from the rig and through a securing equipment configured to secure the first well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Babak Bob Arefi, Jacques Orban
  • Patent number: 10753169
    Abstract: A pressure control device may include a body having a central axis extending therefrom; at least one rotatable seal within the body, the rotatable seal configured to seal against a tubular extending through the pressure control device along the central axis and rotate within the body with the tubular; at least one coil within the body wrapped at least once around the central axis, wherein the at least one coil is configured to send characteristics of the tubular to a controller; an outlet to divert fluid from an annulus, wherein the outlet being located axially below the at least one rotatable seal, wherein the controller is configured to control the at least one rotatable seal and its engagement against the tubular based on the characteristics of the tubular received by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Babak Bob Arefi, Shunfeng Zheng, Jacques Orban, Vishwanathan Parmeshwar, Dursun Sedat Kilic, Ray Cummins
  • Publication number: 20190352982
    Abstract: A pipe-handling apparatus for moving a pipe relative to a drilling floor of a drilling rig, the pipe-handling apparatus having a main support structure; a pipe delivery mechanism for delivering pipe between a pipe load/unload position and a drilling floor position; and at least one walking unit comprising: a jack capable of lifting the main support structure in a substantially vertical direction; and a foot capable of moving the main support structure in a substantially horizontal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Babak Bob Arefi, Glenn Thore Saebo, John David Rowatt, Max Paul Holand, Kristian Tindvik
  • Publication number: 20190299128
    Abstract: A mud cleaning system may include a system inlet carrying mud from a wellbore, a heater, a fluid separating system, and a system outlet carrying the mud to a holding vessel. The system inlet, the heater, the separator, and the system outlet may be fluidly connected such that mud flows from the system inlet, into the heater and the separator, and then out the system outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Babak Bob Arefi, Michael Joling, Vidya Raja, Jacques Orban