Patents by Inventor Chinthaka P. Gooneratne

Chinthaka P. Gooneratne 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: 11898437
    Abstract: A method includes creating a chamber within an annulus between a wellbore casing and a drillpipe. An upper boundary of the chamber includes a seal and a lower boundary of the chamber includes a liquid surface and determining a volume of the chamber at a first time. The method further includes determining the volume of the chamber includes measuring, using a pressure gauge, a first pressure within the chamber, changing an amount of a gas in the chamber, and measuring, using the pressure gauge, a second pressure within the chamber. The method further includes determining a first volume of gas within the chamber based on the first and second pressure measurements and the change in the amount of gas, and determining a first fluid level based on the first volume of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Jianhui Xu, Bodong Li, Guodong Zhan, Chinthaka P. Gooneratne, Timothy Eric Moellendick, Graham Hitchcock
  • Patent number: 11867055
    Abstract: A system having an instrumented cutter of a drill bit including an on-cutter sensor for monitoring drilling performance metrics while performing drilling operations based on offset well data and a computing device is disclosed. The computing device executes a model development system configured to use the drilling performance metrics, surface drilling parameters, and characteristics of the instrumented cutter to train a machine learning (ML) model. The trained ML model is used to optimize drilling parameters and predict drill bit performance in a current well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Guodong Zhan, Arturo Magana-Mora, Timothy Eric Moellendick, Chinthaka P. Gooneratne, Jianhui Xu
  • Patent number: 11859449
    Abstract: A downhole sub has a body defined by a wall extending in an axial direction from a first end to a second end. An inner surface of the wall defines a flow path through the downhole sub and an outer surface of the wall defines an outer diameter of the downhole sub. A compartment extends from the outer surface into the wall to having a depth less than a thickness of the wall. A housing may be removably fixed in the compartment. One or more mobile devices may be disposed in the housing. Each of the one or more mobile devices includes a sensor encapsulated in a protective material. A control element may block an opening of the housing, the control element is made of a dissolvable material configured to dissolve at a predetermined depth in a wellbore and release the one or more mobile devices into the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Bodong Li, Jianhui Xu, Abrar Alshaikh, Chinthaka P. Gooneratne, Guodong Zhan
  • Patent number: 11828165
    Abstract: An instrumented cutter including a polycrystalline diamond table bonded to a substrate with a sensor, for monitoring the condition of the polycrystalline compact diamond table, embedded in the substrate. Further the instrumented cutter includes a wireless transmitter equipped with a power supply to power to the wireless transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Guodong Zhan, Timothy Eric Moellendick, Chinthaka P. Gooneratne, Jianhui Xu, Arturo Magana Mora
  • Publication number: 20230235658
    Abstract: An instrumented cutter including a polycrystalline diamond table bonded to a substrate with a sensor, for monitoring the condition of the polycrystalline compact diamond table, embedded in the substrate. Further the instrumented cutter includes a wireless transmitter equipped with a power supply to power to the wireless transmitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Applicant: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Guodong Zhan, Timothy Eric Moellendick, Chinthaka P. Gooneratne, Jianhui Xu, Arturo Magana Mora
  • Publication number: 20230193745
    Abstract: A method is disclosed. The method includes creating a chamber within an annulus between a wellbore casing and a drillpipe, wherein an upper boundary of the chamber comprises a seal and a lower boundary of the chamber comprises a liquid surface and determining a volume of the chamber at a first time. Determining the volume of the chamber includes measuring, using a pressure gauge, a first pressure within the chamber, changing an amount of a gas in the chamber, measuring, using the pressure gauge, a second pressure within the chamber, and determining a first volume of gas within the chamber based on the first and second pressure measurements and the change in the amount of gas. The method further includes determining a first fluid level based on the first volume of the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicants: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY, Aramco Overseas Company UK Ltd
    Inventors: Jianhui Xu, Bodong Li, Guodong Zhan, Chinthaka P. Gooneratne, Timothy Eric Moellendick, Graham Hitchcock
  • Patent number: 11680883
    Abstract: A testing device that includes a wear testing device, a sensor array, and a controller. The wear testing device includes a sample rotation element configured to hold and to rotate a sample; and a cutting element holder configured to hold a cutting element and to engage the cutting element with the sample as the sample rotates. The sensor array includes an acoustic emissions (AE) sensor array comprising a plurality of AE sensors, the plurality of AE sensors configured to measure a plurality of acoustic signals generated during engagement between the cutting element and the sample; and a load sensor. The controller is communicably connected to the sensor array and configured to determine a toughness and a wear resistance of the cutting element using the plurality of acoustic signals, the applied load, and a wear state of the cutting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Chinthaka P. Gooneratne, Jianhui Xu, Guodong Zhan, Bodong Li, Arturo Magana Mora
  • Publication number: 20230184103
    Abstract: A downhole sub has a body defined by a wall extending in an axial direction from a first end to a second end. An inner surface of the wall defines a flow path through the downhole sub and an outer surface of the wall defines an outer diameter of the downhole sub. A compartment extends from the outer surface into the wall to having a depth less than a thickness of the wall. A housing may be removably fixed in the compartment. One or more mobile devices may be disposed in the housing. Each of the one or more mobile devices includes a sensor encapsulated in a protective material. A control element may block an opening of the housing, the control element is made of a dissolvable material configured to dissolve at a predetermined depth in a wellbore and release the one or more mobile devices into the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Applicant: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Bodong Li, Jianhui Xu, Abrar Alshaikh, Chinthaka P. Gooneratne, Guodong Zhan
  • Publication number: 20230175394
    Abstract: A system having an instrumented cutter of a drill bit including an on-cutter sensor for monitoring drilling performance metrics while performing drilling operations based on offset well data and a computing device is disclosed. The computing device executes a model development system configured to use the drilling performance metrics, surface drilling parameters, and characteristics of the instrumented cutter to train a machine learning (ML) model. The trained ML model is used to optimize drilling parameters and predict drill bit performance in a current well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Applicant: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Guodong Zhan, Arturo Magana-Mora, Timothy Eric Moellendick, Chinthaka P. Gooneratne, Jianhui Xu
  • Patent number: 11668185
    Abstract: An instrumented cutter including a polycrystalline diamond table bonded to a substrate with a sensor, for monitoring the condition of the polycrystalline compact diamond table, embedded in the substrate. Further the instrumented cutter includes a wireless transmitter equipped with a power supply to power to the wireless transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Guodong Zhan, Timothy Eric Moellendick, Chinthaka P. Gooneratne, Jianhui Xu, Arturo Magana Mora
  • Patent number: 11608689
    Abstract: A drill bit having a rotatable ball bit includes a first bit head and a second bit head, a first set of cutters on the first bit head, and a second set of cutters on the second bit head. The rotatable ball bit is configured to rotate between a first position and a second position, wherein the first bit head is distal to the second bit head in the first position, and wherein the second bit head is distal to the first bit head in the second position. A method of operating a rotatable ball bit includes orienting the rotatable ball bit in a first position, wherein a first bit head is oriented distally, rotating the rotatable ball bit about a longitudinal axis, orienting the rotatable ball bit in a second position, wherein a second bit head is oriented distally, and rotating the rotatable ball bit about the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Guodong (David) Zhan, Bodong Li, Chinthaka P. Gooneratne, Timothy Eric Moellendick
  • Patent number: 11566988
    Abstract: A testing device that includes a wear testing device, a sensor array, and a controller. The wear testing device includes a sample rotation element configured to hold and to rotate a sample; and a cutting element holder configured to hold a cutting element and to engage the cutting element with the sample as the sample rotates. The sensor array includes an acoustic emissions (AE) sensor configured to measure an acoustic signal generated during engagement between the cutting element and the sample; and a load sensor. The controller is communicably connected to the sensor array and configured to determine a toughness and a wear resistance of the cutting element using the acoustic signal, the applied load, and a wear state of the cutting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Jianhui Xu, Guodong Zhan, Bodong Li, Chinthaka P. Gooneratne, Arturo Magana Mora
  • Patent number: 11486202
    Abstract: A drilling tool for drilling a wellbore in a formation, where the drilling tool includes: a drill bit comprising a cutting element, a sensor array, and a controller. The sensor array includes: an acoustic emissions (AE) sensor configured to measure an acoustic signal generated during drilling of the formation by the cutting element and a load sensor configured to measure an applied load by the cutting element on the formation. The controller is communicably connected to the sensor array and configured to determine a toughness of the cutting element using the acoustic signal, the applied load, and a wear state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Jianhui Xu, Guodong Zhan, Bodong Li, Chinthaka P. Gooneratne, Arturo Magana Mora, Timothy Eric Moellendick
  • Patent number: 11454070
    Abstract: A rotational power slips system includes a static base comprising at least one circular opening; a rotating ring disposed within the static base and including a circular outer surface interfacing with the static base; at least one slips wedge disposed within the rotating ring and including a radially inner grip surface for gripping at least one component of a drilling string; and at least one wedge actuator disposed on the rotating ring and rotatably coupled to both the rotating ring and the slips wedge, thereby causing the slips wedge to move while the component of a drilling string is rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Amjad Alshaarawi, Haytham H. Alhamed, Meshari M. Alshalan, Abdulwahab Al-Johar, Mohammad Saud Al-Badran, Chinthaka P. Gooneratne
  • Publication number: 20220276142
    Abstract: A testing device that includes a wear testing device, a sensor array, and a controller. The wear testing device includes a sample rotation element configured to hold and to rotate a sample; and a cutting element holder configured to hold a cutting element and to engage the cutting element with the sample as the sample rotates. The sensor array includes an acoustic emissions (AE) sensor array comprising a plurality of AE sensors, the plurality of AE sensors configured to measure a plurality of acoustic signals generated during engagement between the cutting element and the sample; and a load sensor. The controller is communicably connected to the sensor array and configured to determine a toughness and a wear resistance of the cutting element using the plurality of acoustic signals, the applied load, and a wear state of the cutting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Applicant: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Chinthaka P. Gooneratne, Jianhui Xu, Guodong Zhan, Bodong Li, Arturo Magana Mora
  • Publication number: 20220276141
    Abstract: A testing device that includes a wear testing device, a sensor array, and a controller. The wear testing device includes a sample rotation element configured to hold and to rotate a sample; and a cutting element holder configured to hold a cutting element and to engage the cutting element with the sample as the sample rotates. The sensor array includes an acoustic emissions (AE) sensor configured to measure an acoustic signal generated during engagement between the cutting element and the sample; and a load sensor. The controller is communicably connected to the sensor array and configured to determine a toughness and a wear resistance of the cutting element using the acoustic signal, the applied load, and a wear state of the cutting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Applicant: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Jianhui Xu, Guodong Zhan, Bodong Li, Chinthaka P. Gooneratne, Arturo Magana Mora
  • Publication number: 20220276143
    Abstract: A system including one or more hardware processors for automatic evaluation of a cutting element in a wear testing device. The system includes an access module to access cutting element event analysis results from a sensor array. The system further includes a first model trained to classify a cutting element event of the cutting element according to a supervised machine learning algorithm, and output a predicted event type of the cutting element event. The system further includes a second model trained to classify a cutting element event of the cutting element according to an unsupervised machine learning algorithm, and output a predicted behavior of the cutting element event. The system further includes a controller to determine a toughness and a wear resistance of the cutting element. The system also includes an output module to generate and display a work order on a user interface of a client device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Applicant: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Arturo Magana Mora, Bodong Li, Jianhui Xu, Guodong Zhan, Chinthaka P. Gooneratne
  • Publication number: 20220275687
    Abstract: A drilling tool for drilling a wellbore in a formation, where the drilling tool includes: a drill bit comprising a cutting element, a sensor array, and a controller. The sensor array includes: an acoustic emissions (AE) sensor configured to measure an acoustic signal generated during drilling of the formation by the cutting element and a load sensor configured to measure an applied load by the cutting element on the formation. The controller is communicably connected to the sensor array and configured to determine a toughness of the cutting element using the acoustic signal, the applied load, and a wear state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Applicant: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Jianhui Xu, Guodong Zhan, Bodong Li, Chinthaka P. Gooneratne, Arturo Magana Mora, Timothy Eric Moellendick
  • Publication number: 20220268146
    Abstract: An instrumented cutter including a polycrystalline diamond table bonded to a substrate with a sensor, for monitoring the condition of the polycrystalline compact diamond table, embedded in the substrate. Further the instrumented cutter includes a wireless transmitter equipped with a power supply to power to the wireless transmitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Applicant: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Guodong Zhan, Timothy Eric Moellendick, Chinthaka P. Gooneratne, Jianhui Xu, Arturo Magana Mora
  • Patent number: 11255188
    Abstract: An example system for operation in a borehole in a hydrocarbon-bearing rock formation includes a logging tool for detecting one or more conditions in the borehole. The logging tool includes a tool body and a 4D printed sensing element. The 4D printed sensing element includes a 3D printed shape-memory material configured to alter in at least one spatial dimension in response to one or more stimuli, thereby generating a data signal. The example system includes a data recording device in communication with the logging tool to receive and record one or more data signals transmitted from the logging tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Guodong Zhan, Chinthaka P. Gooneratne, Bandar Salem AlMalki