Patents by Inventor Carlos Urdaneta

Carlos Urdaneta 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: 11952861
    Abstract: A technique facilitates control over a downhole well operation. The technique utilizes an electronic control system for controlling actuation of a downhole application-specific attachment. According to an embodiment, the system comprises a universal actuator module which may be selectively combined with a variety of application-specific attachments, e.g. well tools. The universal actuator module is electrically powered via, for example, electricity supplied to drive an electric motor which, in turn, may be used to drive a hydraulic pump or other type of mechanical device. Additionally, a given application-specific attachment can be readily interchanged with other application-specific attachments (e.g. well tools) for performing a desired downhole operation or operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark Hofacker, Jordi Juan Segura Dominguez, Jeffrey Conner McCabe, Carlos Urdaneta
  • Publication number: 20240011368
    Abstract: A method may include obtaining, by a computer processor, a request to initiate a cementing procedure. The method may further include determining, by the computer processor, an automated sequence for the cementing procedure. The method may further include transmitting, by the computer processor and based on the automated sequence, a cementing management command that triggers the cementing procedure for cementing equipment in a cementing system. The method may further include obtaining, by the computer processor, sensor data regarding the cementing equipment. The method may further include determining, by the computer processor and in response to the sensor data, whether to perform a next procedure in the automated sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventors: Carlos Urdaneta, Rajnarayanan Balsamy, Quy Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20230392592
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to pumps for conveying fluid at a wellsite. More specifically, some embodiments relate to pumps, such as fracturing or other stimulation pumps, instrumented with sensors to measure or estimate pump parameters. In some instances, pump sensors are used to detect wear or failure or assess remaining useful life of pump components. The sensors can also or instead be used to assess, and in some cases optimize, pump performance. Various additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Rod W. SHAMPINE, Carlos URDANETA, Mohammad HAJJARI, Thomas J. REBLER
  • Patent number: 11821284
    Abstract: A method may include obtaining, by a computer processor, a request to initiate a cementing procedure. The method may further include determining, by the computer processor, an automated sequence for the cementing procedure. The method may further include transmitting, by the computer processor and based on the automated sequence, a cementing management command that triggers the cementing procedure for cementing equipment in a cementing system. The method may further include obtaining, by the computer processor, sensor data regarding the cementing equipment. The method may further include determining, by the computer processor and in response to the sensor data, whether to perform a next procedure in the automated sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Carlos Urdaneta, Rajnarayanan Balsamy, Quy Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20230313639
    Abstract: A technique facilitates control over a downhole well operation. The technique utilizes an electronic control system for controlling actuation of a valve downhole. The valve, in turn, is operated to enable selective control over fluid flows governing the actuation of a downhole tool and/or other downhole operations. In some embodiments, the electronic control system may work in cooperation with a downhole hydraulic system to provide a downhole electro-hydraulically actuated valve system. A monitoring system provides feedback regarding the valve position and/or status of the downhole operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Carlos Urdaneta, Mark Hofacker, Jordi Juan Segura Dominguez
  • Publication number: 20230313640
    Abstract: A technique facilitates control over a downhole well operation. The technique utilizes an electronic control system for controlling actuation of a downhole application-specific attachment. According to an embodiment, the system comprises a universal actuator module which may be selectively combined with a variety of application-specific attachments, e.g. well tools. The universal actuator module is electrically powered via, for example, electricity supplied to drive an electric motor which, in turn, may be used to drive a hydraulic pump or other type of mechanical device. Additionally, a given application-specific attachment can be readily interchanged with other application-specific attachments (e.g. well tools) for performing a desired downhole operation or operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Mark Hofacker, Jordi Juan Segura Dominguez, Jeffrey Conner McCabe, Carlos Urdaneta
  • Patent number: 11118422
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring system health of a well cementing operation are disclosed. A well cementing system includes several fluid pathways and holding/mixing containers. A series of sensors monitors the status of the fluid pathways and the holding/mixing containers. There are redundancies in the fluid pathways, and a preferred order in which the fluid pathways are used. Under normal conditions the fluid for the cementing operation is moved from place to place via the most desired pathway. If the sensors detect a fault, the next-most desired fluid pathway is used. If there are no available fluid pathways, an alarm is issued.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Dinh Quy Nguyen, Carlos Urdaneta, Gang Qu, Rajnarayanan Balsamy
  • Publication number: 20210062612
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring system health of a well cementing operation are disclosed. A well cementing system includes several fluid pathways and holding/mixing containers. A series of sensors monitors the status of the fluid pathways and the holding/mixing containers. There are redundancies in the fluid pathways, and a preferred order in which the fluid pathways are used. Under normal conditions the fluid for the cementing operation is moved from place to place via the most desired pathway. If the sensors detect a fault, the next-most desired fluid pathway is used. If there are no available fluid pathways, an alarm is issued.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Dinh Quy Nguyen, Carlos Urdaneta, Gang Qu, Rajnarayanan Balsamy
  • Publication number: 20200362664
    Abstract: A method may include obtaining, by a computer processor, a request to initiate a cementing procedure. The method may further include determining, by the computer processor, an automated sequence for the cementing procedure. The method may further include transmitting, by the computer processor and based on the automated sequence, a cementing management command that triggers the cementing procedure for cementing equipment in a cementing system. The method may further include obtaining, by the computer processor, sensor data regarding the cementing equipment. The method may further include determining, by the computer processor and in response to the sensor data, whether to perform a next procedure in the automated sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Carlos Urdaneta, Rajnarayanan Balsamy, Quy Nguyen
  • Patent number: 10815752
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling wellsite equipment, including a cementing unit comprising a plurality of sensors operable to generate information related to operational status of the cementing unit and a controller comprising a processor and a memory including computer program code. Communication is established between the cementing unit and the controller. The controller is operable to operate the controller to automatically perform initialization of operation of the cementing unit, operate the controller to automatically perform a flow rate calibration of the cementing unit, and/or operate the controller to automatically perform a cement pumping operation of the cementing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Carlos Urdaneta
  • Patent number: 10801491
    Abstract: The present disclosure introduces apparatuses and methods for assessing health of oilfield pumping equipment. An example pump assembly health monitoring system receives angular position data, including angular positions associated with operation of the pump assembly, and parameter data, including values of a parameter associated with the pump assembly that fluctuates with the angular positions. The monitoring system determines a cepstrum of the parameter data with respect to the angular position data, and determines a ratio of a first amplitude of the cepstrum at a quefrency of about zero to a second amplitude of the cepstrum at a non-zero quefrency. The determined ratio is indicative of a health of a component of the pump assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Carlos Urdaneta, Jijo Oommen Joseph, Hao Lam
  • Patent number: 10745993
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling wellsite equipment, including a cementing unit comprising a plurality of sensors operable to generate information related to operational status of the cementing unit and a controller comprising a processor and a memory including computer program code. Communication is established between the cementing unit and the controller. The controller is operable to operate the cementing unit to automatically perform: a pressure calibration of the cementing unit, a pressure test of the cementing unit, an over pressure shut-down test of the cementing unit, a low rate pumping test of the cementing unit, a hydraulic horsepower test of the cementing unit, and/or a mixing test of the cementing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Carlos Urdaneta
  • Publication number: 20180258736
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling wellsite equipment, including a cementing unit comprising a plurality of sensors operable to generate information related to operational status of the cementing unit and a controller comprising a processor and a memory including computer program code. Communication is established between the cementing unit and the controller. The controller is operable to operate the cementing unit to automatically perform: a pressure calibration of the cementing unit, a pressure test of the cementing unit, an over pressure shut-down test of the cementing unit, a low rate pumping test of the cementing unit, a hydraulic horsepower test of the cementing unit, and/or a mixing test of the cementing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventor: Carlos URDANETA
  • Publication number: 20180073346
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling wellsite equipment, including a cementing unit comprising a plurality of sensors operable to generate information related to operational status of the cementing unit and a controller comprising a processor and a memory including computer program code. Communication is established between the cementing unit and the controller. The controller is operable to operate the controller to automatically perform initialization of operation of the cementing unit, operate the controller to automatically perform a flow rate calibration of the cementing unit, and/or operate the controller to automatically perform a cement pumping operation of the cementing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventor: Carlos URDANETA
  • Patent number: 9797395
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for detecting pump defects in a pumping system comprising multiple pumps. Each pump includes a pump fluid outlet fluidly connected with the pump fluid outlet of the other pumps. Pump defects are detected by generating information related to fluid pressure fluctuations at each pump fluid outlet and determining harmonic frequencies from the information related to fluid pressure fluctuations for each of the plurality of pumps. The amplitude of the harmonic frequencies is indicative of a defective one of the plurality of pumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Carlos Urdaneta, Hao Lam, Rajesh Luharuka
  • Publication number: 20170211569
    Abstract: The present disclosure introduces apparatuses and methods for assessing health of oilfield pumping equipment. An example pump assembly health monitoring system receives angular position data, including angular positions associated with operation of the pump assembly, and parameter data, including values of a parameter associated with the pump assembly that fluctuates with the angular positions. The monitoring system determines a cepstrum of the parameter data with respect to the angular position data, and determines a ratio of a first amplitude of the cepstrum at a quefrency of about zero to a second amplitude of the cepstrum at a non-zero quefrency. The determined ratio is indicative of a health of a component of the pump assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: Carlos URDANETA, Jijo Oommen JOSEPH, Hao LAM
  • Publication number: 20170082101
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for detecting pump defects in a pumping system comprising multiple pumps. Each pump includes a pump fluid outlet fluidly connected with the pump fluid outlet of the other pumps. Pump defects are detected by generating information related to fluid pressure fluctuations at each pump fluid outlet and determining harmonic frequencies from the information related to fluid pressure fluctuations for each of the plurality of pumps. The amplitude of the harmonic frequencies is indicative of a defective one of the plurality of pumps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Carlos Urdaneta, Hao Lam, Rajesh Luharuka