Patents by Inventor Benjamin P. Jeffryes
Benjamin P. Jeffryes 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: 10883356Abstract: Automated control of a drillstring in a borehole, which is not in continuous rotation, the drillstring comprising an angled component (a bent sub or the like) and a downhole means of rotating the bit, such as a motor or turbine, which rotates the bit independently of drillstring rotation. Near the distal end of the drillstring are measurement devices, at least one and in some aspects two or more, which are used to measure the orientation of the drillstring/bent sub/bottomhole assembly/drill bit with respect to a geophysical field of the earth, such as magnetism (magnetic toolface) or gravity (gravitational toolface). These measurement devices may be connected to a communications module which transmits the downhole toolface information to the surface. The drillstring is controlled to provide that based upon the downhole measurements the drilling system drills the borehole in a desired trajectory.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2015Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Benjamin P. Jeffryes, Rustam Isangulov, Ginger Hildebrand
-
Patent number: 10400522Abstract: A drillstring comprising a length of drillpipes and a bottomhole assembly disposed at a downhole end of the length of drillpipes. The bottomhole assembly comprises a transition section proximal to the end of the length of drillpipes to reduce vibration of the bottomhole assembly during drilling. The transition section varies gradually in acoustic impedance between the acoustic impedance of the drillstring above the transition section and the acoustic impedance of the bottomhole assembly below the transition section. The transition section forms at least thirty percent (30%) of the total length of the bottomhole assembly.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2014Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventor: Benjamin P. Jeffryes
-
Patent number: 9797235Abstract: Optimizing the operation of a hydraulically powered rotor and stator driven drill as it drills a wellbore into the earth is described. Drilling optimization is provided measuring a first set of rotor and stator operating parameters including the speed of rotation of the rotor and rotor torque for a first period of time, generating a first set of relationships from the first set of operating parameters to enable the rotor speed and rotor torque to be predicted over a range of operating parameter values, determining from the relationships a first more optimal mode of operation, and changing at least one operating parameter to move the operation of the rotor and stator towards the more optimal mode of operation.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2011Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Maurice Ringer, Michael P. Barrett, Benjamin P. Jeffryes, Walter David Aldred, Ashley Johnson, Gokturk Tunc, John Cook
-
Patent number: 9574432Abstract: The invention provides a method of optimizing the rate of penetration of a hydraulically or pneumatically powered rotor and stator driven drill as it drills a wellbore into the earth, the method comprising: (a) measuring a first set of rotor and stator operating parameters including the weight applied to the drill bit, the speed of rotation of the rotor and rotor torque for a first period of time, (b) generating a first set of relationships from the first set of operating parameters to enable the rotor speed and rotor torque to be predicted over a range of operating parameter values, (c) determining the rate of penetration for the first period of time from measurements of weight applied to the bit and rotation speed of the bit, (d) determining whether any other combination of weight applied to bit and rotation speed of bit, provided by the relationships determined in step (b) are capable of providing a greater rate of penetration, and (e) adjusting at least one operating parameter to move the weight applied tType: GrantFiled: December 13, 2011Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Maurice Ringer, Michael P. Barrett, Benjamin P. Jeffryes, Walter David Aldred, Ashley Johnson
-
Patent number: 9551798Abstract: A seismic vibrator receives a pilot signal having a predetermined waveform. The pilot signal causes vibrational actuation of at least one moveable element of the seismic vibrator. A continuous seismic signal having content in a first frequency bandwidth of multiple frequencies is generated by the seismic vibrator.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2011Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.Inventor: Benjamin P. Jeffryes
-
Patent number: 9494028Abstract: The invention relates to downhole motors for rotating drill bits. The downhole motors may comprise stators, turbines or the like. The drilling motor may comprise a drilling apparatus comprising a drill bit connected to a rotor rotatably housed within a stator (or a turbine rotor in a housing), the rotor comprising at least one magnetic field source or magnetic field detector, and the stator comprising at least one magnetic field source if the rotor comprises a magnetic field detector or comprising at least one magnetic field detector if the rotor comprises a magnetic field source, thereby allowing the rotation speed of the rotor relative to the stator to be measured.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2011Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Ashley Johnson, Michael P. Barrett, Benjamin P. Jeffryes, Walter David Aldred, Maurice Ringer
-
Patent number: 9493986Abstract: Injection of gas into a managed pressure drilling system to provide for operation of the drilling system in a downhole pressure window defined by the pore pressure of a formation being drilled and a fracture pressure of the formation. Gas injection being controlled so as to produce the desired downhole pressure without causing large oscillations in borehole pressure.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2012Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Benjamin P. Jeffryes, Ashley Bernard Johnson
-
Publication number: 20160290065Abstract: A drillstring comprising a length of drillpipes and a bottomhole assembly disposed at a downhole end of the length of drillpipes. The bottomhole assembly comprises a transition section proximal to the end of the length of drillpipes to reduce vibration of the bottomhole assembly during drilling. The transition section varies gradually in acoustic impedance between the acoustic impedance of the drillstring above the transition section and the acoustic impedance of the bottomhole assembly below the transition section. The transition section forms at least thirty percent (30%) of the total length of the bottomhole assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2014Publication date: October 6, 2016Inventor: Benjamin P. Jeffryes
-
Patent number: 9416594Abstract: A system and method is provided for drilling a wellbore including a rotary drill bit with a bit body having a plurality of mechanical cutters to cut away formation material as the wellbore is formed; and a directed energy mechanism to direct energy into the formation such that energy from the directed energy mechanism causes fracturing of surrounding material to facilitate drilling in the direction of the directed energy. The energy from the directed energy mechanism is used to enhance the cutting of the mechanical cutters by fracturing surrounding material to facilitate drilling in the direction of the directed energy.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2013Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Benjamin P. Jeffryes, Iain Cooper, Simon H. Bittleston, Geoffrey C. Downton
-
Patent number: 9348041Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes simultaneous drive signals whose respective phase angle offset(s) varies over a portion or duration of the simultaneous sweeps. Other embodiments are discussed herein.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2012Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.Inventor: Benjamin P. Jeffryes
-
Publication number: 20160090800Abstract: Resuming communication along a wellbore after a drilling stand or other occurrence that reduces the flow rate of the drilling fluid into a borehole being drilled in a drilling procedure or causes perturbations in the pressure of the drilling fluid in the borehole by measuring a first flow rate of drilling fluid being pumped into the drillstring during the drilling procedure before adding a section of drill pipe to the drillstring or before the pressure perturbation and increasing the flow rate of the drilling fluid being pumped into the drillstring above the first flow rate after the section of drill pipe has been added to the drillstring or the pressure perturbation has occurred.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2014Publication date: March 31, 2016Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventor: Benjamin P. Jeffryes
-
Publication number: 20150101863Abstract: A downhole tool for drilling a sidetracked borehole. The downhole tool includes a body having an axial bore formed at least partially therethrough. At least one magnetometer is within the body. The magnetometer is configured to measure a magnetic field. A processor may be in communication with the at least one magnetometer. The processor may be configured to receive measurements from the at least one magnetometer, determine an orientation of the downhole tool based upon the received measurements, and selectively maintain the orientation of the downhole tool or change the orientation of the downhole tool based upon the determined orientation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2014Publication date: April 16, 2015Inventor: Benjamin P. Jeffryes
-
Publication number: 20150041213Abstract: Injection of gas into a managed pressure drilling system to provide for operation of the drilling system in a downhole pressure window defined by the pore pressure of a formation being drilled and a fracture pressure of the formation. Gas injection being controlled so as to produce the desired downhole pressure without causing large oscillations in borehole pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2012Publication date: February 12, 2015Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Benjamin P. Jeffryes, Ashley Bernard Johnson
-
Publication number: 20140027175Abstract: Optimising the operation of a hydraulically powered rotor and stator driven drill as it drills a wellbore into the earth is described. Drilling optimization is provided measuring a first set of rotor and stator operating parameters including the speed of rotation of the rotor and rotor torque for a first period of time, generating a first set of relationships from the first set of operating parameters to enable the rotor speed and rotor torque to be predicted over a range of operating parameter values, determining from the relationships a first more optimal mode of operation, and changing at least one operating parameter to move the operation of the rotor and stator towards the more optimal mode of operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2011Publication date: January 30, 2014Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Maurice Ringer, Michael P. Barrett, Benjamin P. Jeffryes, Walter David Aldred, Ashely Johnson, Gokturk Tunc, John Cook
-
Publication number: 20140027174Abstract: The invention provides a method of optimising the rate of penetration of a hydraulically or pneumatically powered rotor and stator driven drill as it drills a wellbore into the earth, the method comprising: (a) measuring a first set of rotor and stator operating parameters including the weight applied to the drill bit, the speed of rotation of the rotor and rotor torque for a first period of time, (b) generating a first set of relationships from the first set of operating parameters to enable the rotor speed and rotor torque to be predicted over a range of operating parameter values, (c) determining the rate of penetration for the first period of time from measurements of weight applied to the bit and rotation speed of the bit, (d) determining whether any other combination of weight applied to bit and rotation speed of bit, provided by the relationships determined in step (b) are capable of providing a greater rate of penetration, and (e) adjusting at least one operating parameter to move the weight applied tType: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2011Publication date: January 30, 2014Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Maurice Ringer, Michael P. Barrett, Benjamin P. Jeffryes, Walter David Aldred, Ashley Johnson
-
Publication number: 20140028293Abstract: The invention relates to downhole motors for rotating drill bits. The downhole motors may comprise stators, turbines or the like. The drilling motor may comprise a drilling apparatus comprising a drill bit connected to a rotor rotatably housed within a stator (or a turbine rotor in a housing), the rotor comprising at least one magnetic field source or magnetic field detector, and the stator comprising at least one magnetic field source if the rotor comprises a magnetic field detector or comprising at least one magnetic field detector if the rotor comprises a magnetic field source, thereby allowing the rotation speed of the rotor relative to the stator to be measured.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2011Publication date: January 30, 2014Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Ashley Johnson, Michael P. Barrett, Benjamin P. Jeffryes, Walter David Aldred, Maurice Ringer
-
Patent number: 8567527Abstract: A system and method is provided for drilling a wellbore using a rotary drill bit with a bit body having a plurality of mechanical cutters to cut away formation material as the wellbore is formed; and a directed energy mechanism to direct energy into the formation. The energy from the directed energy mechanism is used to enhance the cutting of the mechanical cutters by fracturing surrounding material to facilitate drilling in the direction of the directed energy.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2012Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventor: Benjamin P. Jeffryes
-
Patent number: 8397809Abstract: A technique that is usable with a well includes deploying at least one sensing device in the well and during a leak off test, communicating a signal that is indicative of a measurement that is acquired by the sensing device(s) over a wired infrastructure of a drill string. The technique includes controlling the leak off test based at least in part on the communication.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2007Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventor: Benjamin P. Jeffryes
-
Patent number: 8307913Abstract: A method to control borehole fluid flow includes detecting a drilling condition and operating at least one valve in the drill string to place an exterior of the drill string in fluid communication with an interior of the drill string in response to detecting the drilling condition.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2008Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Lee F. Dolman, Benjamin P. Jeffryes, Ashley B. Johnson, Brian Clark, John A. McCullagh
-
Patent number: 8235145Abstract: The present invention recites a method, system and apparatus, wherein said method, system and apparatus comprises a gauge pad for a rotary component received within a borehole, the gauge pad comprising an exterior surface dimensioned for rotation in close proximity to the borehole, a pocket extending through the exterior surface, the pocket in fluid communication with a pressurized fluid source, and wherein the exterior surface is dimensioned such that when a pressurized fluid is discharged through the pocket, the velocity of the fluid through a gap between the exterior surface and borehole creates a pressure drop sufficient to pull the rotary component toward the gauge pad.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2009Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Kjell Haugvaldstad, Ashley Johnson, Geoffrey C. Downton, Walter David Aldred, Frank F. Espinosa, Benjamin P. Jeffryes, Riadh Boualleg, Michael P. Barrett