Patents by Inventor Brad APPLEWHITE

Brad APPLEWHITE 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: 11085258
    Abstract: Systems, methods, computer-readable media having computer programs, and electronic interfaces to detect and mitigate drill cuttings build-up in borehole drilling for hydrocarbon wells are provided. Embodiments include determining annular pressure at downhole sensors when pumping a drilling fluid into the borehole. Then one or more measures of a decrease in pressure in the borehole between a first sensor and a second sensor that is attributable to build-up of drill cuttings between the first sensor and the second sensor can be determined. Portions of effective density of the drilling fluid that are attributable to build-up of drill cuttings between the sensors also can be determined. Drill cuttings and fluid flow in an interval of the borehole between the first sensor and the second sensor can be analyzed. Whether drill cuttings limit fluid flow in an interval of the borehole between the first sensor and the second sensor then can be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: National Oilwell DHT, L.P.
    Inventors: Mark W. Hutchinson, William L. Koederitz, Christopher J. Jeffery, Brad Applewhite
  • Publication number: 20200325741
    Abstract: Systems, methods, computer-readable media having computer programs, and electronic interfaces to detect and mitigate drill cuttings build-up in borehole drilling for hydrocarbon wells are provided. Embodiments include determining annular pressure at downhole sensors when pumping a drilling fluid into the borehole. Then one or more measures of a decrease in pressure in the borehole between a first sensor and a second sensor that is attributable to build-up of drill cuttings between the first sensor and the second sensor can be determined. Portions of effective density of the drilling fluid that are attributable to build-up of drill cuttings between the sensors also can be determined. Drill cuttings and fluid flow in an interval of the borehole between the first sensor and the second sensor can be analyzed. Whether drill cuttings limit fluid flow in an interval of the borehole between the first sensor and the second sensor then can be determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: Mark W. HUTCHINSON, William L. KOEDERITZ, Christopher J. JEFFERY, Brad APPLEWHITE