Patents by Inventor Darren Lee Aklestad

Darren Lee Aklestad 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: 11898432
    Abstract: A method for drilling a subterranean wellbore includes rotating a drill string in the wellbore to drill. The drill string includes a roll-stabilized housing deployed in a drill collar and survey sensors deployed in the roll-stabilized housing. Sensor measurements are acquired while the drill string is rotating. High bandwidth accelerometer measurements may be obtained by combining triaxial accelerometer measurements and gyroscopic sensor measurements. Survey parameters, including a wellbore azimuth, may be computed from the high bandwidth accelerometer measurements. Triaxial magnetometer measurements may be processed to compute an eddy current induced wellbore azimuth error which may be removed from a previously computed wellbore azimuth to obtain a corrected wellbore azimuth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew Whitmore, Abdiwahid Alasow, Edward Richards, Darren Lee Aklestad
  • Publication number: 20220251938
    Abstract: A method for drilling a subterranean wellbore includes rotating a drill string in the wellbore to drill. The drill string includes a roll-stabilized housing deployed in a drill collar and survey sensors deployed in the roll-stabilized housing. Sensor measurements are acquired while the drill string is rotating. High bandwidth accelerometer measurements may be obtained by combining triaxial accelerometer measurements and gyroscopic sensor measurements. Survey parameters, including a wellbore azimuth, may be computed from the high bandwidth accelerometer measurements. Triaxial magnetometer measurements may be processed to compute an eddy current induced wellbore azimuth error which may be removed from a previously computed wellbore azimuth to obtain a corrected wellbore azimuth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Andrew Whitmore, Abdiwahid Alasow, Edward Richards, Darren Lee Aklestad
  • Patent number: 10294774
    Abstract: A method for evaluating a planned well trajectory for avoidance of collision with an existing wellbore includes constructing a bounding box about the planned well trajectory and a bounding box for a trajectory of at least one existing wellbore. If there is no intersection between the bounding boxes, the planned well trajectory is used for drilling a well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darren Lee Aklestad, Chun Wang, Lu Jiang, Nannan Zhang
  • Publication number: 20170218747
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure can relate to simulating expected sensor values associated with a drill tool (e.g., a drill assembly) before drilling to monitor the sensor. A planned trajectory for the drill assembly is received, where the planned trajectory is associated with a borehole to be drilled by the drill assembly along a geographic path. Next, an expected position for the drill assembly is determined along the geographic path. Then, an expected sensor value for a sensor associated with the drill assembly is simulated at the expected position. Next, an actual sensor value at an actual position corresponding to the expected position is determined. Then, the expected sensor value and the actual sensor value are dynamically displayed together at a user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventor: Darren Lee Aklestad
  • Publication number: 20160102544
    Abstract: A method for evaluating a planned well trajectory for avoidance of collision with an existing wellbore includes constructing a bounding box about the planned well trajectory and a bounding box for a trajectory of at least one existing wellbore. If there is no intersection between the bounding boxes, the planned well trajectory is used for drilling a well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Darren Lee Aklestad, Chun Wang, Lu Jiang, Nannan Zhang
  • Publication number: 20160003028
    Abstract: A method for automatically evaluating a survey of a subterranean wellbore includes receiving downhole navigation sensor measurements and automatically evaluating surface sensor data obtained at substantially the same time as the navigation sensor measurements to determine whether or not the navigation sensor measurements were obtained during satisfactory wellbore survey conditions. The navigation sensor measurements are evaluated to determine whether or not they meet certain predetermined conditions necessary for obtaining a satisfactory survey. A survey recommendation is automatically generating based on the automatic evaluations performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Darren Lee Aklestad, Clinton D. Chapman, Richard V.C. Wong, Han Yu, Wayne J. Phillips, Jan Morley, Randolph R Hansen, Ross Lowdon
  • Publication number: 20090056935
    Abstract: A novel method is presented to automatically design a multi-well development plan given a set of previously interpreted subsurface targets. This method identifies the optimal plan by minimizing the total cost as a function of existing and required new platforms, the number of wells, and the drilling cost of each of the wells. The cost of each well is a function of the well path and the overall complexity of the well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael David Prange, Peter Gerhard Tilke, Clinton Dane Chapman, Darren Lee Aklestad
  • Patent number: 7460957
    Abstract: A novel method is presented to automatically design a multi-well development plan given a set of previously interpreted subsurface targets. This method identifies the optimal plan by minimizing the total cost as a function of existing and required new platforms, the number of wells, and the drilling cost of each of the wells. The cost of each well is a function of the well path and the overall complexity of the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Michael David Prange, Peter Gerhard Tilke, Clinton Dane Chapman, Darren Lee Aklestad
  • Patent number: 6736221
    Abstract: A method is disclosed which utilizes multiple overlapping surveys to estimate a position in a wellbore and related position uncertainty. Multiple surveys are often taken over the same portion of a wellbore either concurrently or sequentially and/or using various instruments. Each survey generates an estimated survey position and related uncertainty for a given location in the wellbore. By combining the estimated survey positions and uncertainties for these overlapping surveys, a resultant position and related ellipsoid of uncertainty is estimated. This resultant position estimates a position in the wellbore by incorporating the estimated survey positions and uncertainties of multiple overlapping surveys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher R. Chia, Wayne J. Phillips, Darren Lee Aklestad
  • Publication number: 20030121657
    Abstract: A method is disclosed which utilizes multiple overlapping surveys to estimate a position in a wellbore and related position uncertainty. Multiple surveys are often taken over the same portion of a wellbore either concurrently or sequentially and/or using various instruments. Each survey generates an estimated survey position and related uncertainty for a given location in the wellbore. By combining the estimated survey positions and uncertainties for these overlapping surveys, a resultant position and related ellipsoid of uncertainty is estimated. This resultant position estimates a position in the wellbore by incorporating the estimated survey positions and uncertainties of multiple overlapping surveys.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Christopher R. Chia, Wayne J. Phillips, Darren Lee Aklestad