Patents by Inventor Darren Philip Walters
Darren Philip Walters 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).
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Patent number: 11655692Abstract: Systems and methods of the present disclosure generally relate to orienting perforation systems for subterranean operations. An alignment system comprises a first component coupled to a charge tube, the first component operable to rotate in concert with the charge tube, wherein an axis of rotation of the first component extends in a direction of the longitudinal axis of the first component; a second component nested within the first component or disposed within a gun body, wherein the charge tube is movably disposed within the gun body; and an electrical contact extending through the first and second components, wherein the first component is further operable to move in axial directions within the gun body and along the electrical contact to interlock with the second component or separate from the second component.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2021Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Stuart Michael Wood, Darren Philip Walters, Matthew Kinter
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Patent number: 11560788Abstract: Acoustic characterization and mapping of flow from a perforation zone of a well. As a wireline probe containing acoustic sensors moves through the well, the acoustic sensors record acoustic pressure measurements of flow for each perforation in the well casing. The acoustic data is recorded and compiled into a three-dimensional flow model showing flow of hydrocarbons within and/or out of perforation tunnels. The three-dimensional flow models generated can be combined with historical data to form four-dimensional models illustrating flow over time, and both the three and four-dimensional models can be used to determine effectiveness of perforation charges as well as future flow from the well.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2016Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.Inventors: Darren Philip Walters, Freeman Hill, Yinghui Lu, Avinash Vinayak Taware, Srinivasan Jagannathan
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Publication number: 20220403717Abstract: Systems and methods of the present disclosure generally relate to orienting perforation systems for subterranean operations. An alignment system comprises a first component coupled to a charge tube, the first component operable to rotate in concert with the charge tube, wherein an axis of rotation of the first component extends in a direction of the longitudinal axis of the first component; a second component nested within the first component or disposed within a gun body, wherein the charge tube is movably disposed within the gun body; and an electrical contact extending through the first and second components, wherein the first component is further operable to move in axial directions within the gun body and along the electrical contact to interlock with the second component or separate from the second component.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2021Publication date: December 22, 2022Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Stuart Michael Wood, Darren Philip Walters, Matthew Kinter
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Patent number: 11174712Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a perforating gun assembly. The perforating gun assembly includes a housing and at least one perforating charge disposed within the housing. Additionally, the perforating gun assembly includes a detonating cord disposed within the housing and ballistically coupled to the at least one perforating charge. Also included in the perforating gun assembly is a detonator assembly disposed in line or adjacent to the detonating cord. The detonator assembly includes a detonator, a ballistic interrupt, an actuator to remove the ballistic interrupt from a line of fire of the detonator, and a detonator control board to control the actuator and firing of the detonator.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2017Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Clinton Carter Quattlebaum, Darren Philip Walters, Stuart Wood, Kevin Harive
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Patent number: 10983238Abstract: A passive array of acoustic sensors capture acoustic signals produced by sand movement. The array tool is deployed downhole where it passively listens for acoustic energy generated by sand movement in the well. Once acoustic signals are acquired, model-based frameworks are used to extract single and multiple sensor features from the acoustic signals. The extracted features are used as signatures to detect or classify the production of sand.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2016Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Nam Nguyen, Yi Yang Ang, Srinivasan Jagannathan, Avinash Taware, Darren Philip Walters, Freeman Hill
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Publication number: 20210033742Abstract: Various embodiments include methods and apparatus structured to investigate a structure of multiple strings of pipe in a wellbore and material around the pipes in the wellbore. An array of acoustic receivers can be used to monitor sound energy from the structure and material within and around the structure. The received sound energy can be segregated and coherent signal processing of the received sound energy can be conducted with respect to location. A bond map of the structure and regions around the multiple strings of pipe can be derived from the coherent signal processing. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods can be implemented in a variety of applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2016Publication date: February 4, 2021Inventors: David John Topping, Freeman Lee Hill, Darren Philip Walters, Srinivasan Jagannathan
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Patent number: 10876381Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a perforating gun assembly. The perforating gun assembly includes a housing and at least one perforating charge disposed within the housing. Additionally, the perforating gun assembly includes a detonating cord disposed within the housing and ballistically coupled to the at least one perforating charge. Further, the perforating gun assembly includes a first coupling location and a second coupling location that are each configured to couple to an additional perforating gun assembly. A detonator assembly disposed within the first coupling location is also included in the perforating gun assembly. A detonator of the detonator assembly is positioned to fire in a direction away from the detonating cord disposed within the housing.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2017Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.Inventors: Darren Philip Walters, Thomas Burky, Stuart Michael Wood
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Publication number: 20200199982Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a perforating gun assembly. The perforating gun assembly includes a housing and at least one perforating charge disposed within the housing. Additionally, the perforating gun assembly includes a detonating cord disposed within the housing and ballistically coupled to the at least one perforating charge. Also included in the perforating gun assembly is a detonator assembly disposed in line or adjacent to the detonating cord. The detonator assembly includes a detonator, a ballistic interrupt, an actuator to remove the ballistic interrupt from a line of fire of the detonator, and a detonator control board to control the actuator and firing of the detonator.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2017Publication date: June 25, 2020Inventors: Clinton Carter QUATTLEBAUM, Darren Philip WALTERS, Stuart WOOD, Kevin HARIVE
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Publication number: 20200063536Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a perforating gun assembly. The perforating gun assembly includes a housing and at least one perforating charge disposed within the housing. Additionally, the perforating gun assembly includes a detonating cord disposed within the housing and ballistically coupled to the at least one perforating charge. Further, the perforating gun assembly includes a first coupling location and a second coupling location that are each configured to couple to an additional perforating gun assembly. A detonator assembly disposed within the first coupling location is also included in the perforating gun assembly. A detonator of the detonator assembly is positioned to fire in a direction away from the detonating cord disposed within the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2017Publication date: February 27, 2020Inventors: Darren Philip WALTERS, Thomas Burky, Stuart Michael Wood
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Patent number: 10472937Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a perforating gun assembly. The perforating gun assembly includes an uphole plate and a downhole plate. Additionally, the perforating gun assembly includes a plurality of perforation guns coupled to the uphole plate and the downhole plate. The plurality of perforation guns have a plurality of charges that in operation punch holes in a casing within a wellbore.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2017Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Darren Philip Walters, Stuart Michael Wood
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Publication number: 20190218906Abstract: Acoustic characterization and mapping of flow from a perforation zone of a well. As a wireline probe containing acoustic sensors moves through the well, the acoustic sensors record acoustic pressure measurements of flow for each perforation in the well casing. The acoustic data is recorded and compiled into a three-dimensional flow model showing flow of hydrocarbons within and/or out of perforation tunnels. The three-dimensional flow models generated can be combined with historical data to form four-dimensional models illustrating flow over time, and both the three and four-dimensional models can be used to determine effectiveness of perforation charges as well as future flow from the well.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2016Publication date: July 18, 2019Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.Inventors: Darren Philip WALTERS, Freeman HILL, Yinghui LU, Avinash Vinayak TAWARE, Srinivasan JAGANNATHAN
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Publication number: 20190203585Abstract: A passive array of acoustic sensors capture acoustic signals produced by sand movement. The array tool is deployed downhole where it passively listens for acoustic energy generated by sand movement in the well. Once acoustic signals are acquired, model-based frameworks are used to extract single and multiple sensor features from the acoustic signals. The extracted features are used as signatures to detect or classify the production of sand.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2016Publication date: July 4, 2019Inventors: Nam Nguyen, Yi Yang Ang, Srinivasan Jagannathan, Avinash Taware, Darren Philip Walters, Freeman Hill
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Patent number: 10287836Abstract: Example apparatus, methods, and systems described for cutting tubulars in a downhole environment. In an example apparatus, energetic cutters are housed within a carrier. In some embodiments, the carrier is a cylindrical, tubular member. Radial energetic cutters are positioned at the ends of the carrier and linear energetic cutters are positioned between the radial energetic cutters. Initiation of the energetic cutters results in tubular fragments that fall downhole.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2015Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Darren Philip Walters, Kevin Scott Harive
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Publication number: 20190063197Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a perforating gun assembly. The perforating gun assembly includes an uphole plate and a downhole plate. Additionally, the perforating gun assembly includes a plurality of perforation guns coupled to the uphole plate and the downhole plate. The plurality of perforation guns have a plurality of charges that in operation punch holes in a casing within a wellbore.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2017Publication date: February 28, 2019Inventors: Darren Philip Walters, Stuart Michael Wood
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Publication number: 20180087339Abstract: Example apparatus, methods, and systems described for cutting tubulars in a downhole environment. In an example apparatus, energetic cutters are housed within a carrier. In some embodiments, the carrier is a cylindrical, tubular member. Radial energetic cutters are positioned at the ends of the carrier and linear energetic cutters are positioned between the radial energetic cutters. Initiation of the energetic cutters results in tubular fragments that fall downhole.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2015Publication date: March 29, 2018Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, IncInventors: Darren Philip Walters, Kevin Scott Harive