Patents by Inventor Herman Roberto Cipriano

Herman Roberto Cipriano 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: 11924903
    Abstract: Systems and methods include a computer-implemented method: A first Safety Instrumented Function (SIF) determines that a process equipment event has occurred or is predicted to occur in a first system. A first action to be performed by the first SIF is identified. In response to determining that the process equipment event has occurred or is predicted to occur, the first action is performed by the first SIF to prevent an occurrence of a first hazardous event. A determination is made by a highly-reliable, self-healing communication transmission network that a second action is to be performed in the second SIF to prevent the occurrence of a second hazardous event. In response, a notification is provided by the transmission network to the second SIF that the second action is to be performed. In response to receiving the notification by the second SIF, the second action is performed by the second SIF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Pedro Alejandro Mujica, Herman Roberto Cipriano, Soloman M. Almadi
  • Publication number: 20220342412
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus include a computer-implemented method that performs the following. First inputs are received from a first monitoring of the main power distribution system (MPDS) at a safety instrumented system (SIS) logic solver. The first inputs include power status information for equipment monitored by a main distribution switchgears (MDS). A second input is received at the SIS logic solver, from a second monitoring of the MPDS. The second input includes power status information for equipment monitored by a motor control center (MCC). SIS logic solver logic in the SIS logic solver is executed by the SIS logic solver using at least one of the first and second MPDS inputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Pedro Alejandro Mujica, Herman Roberto Cipriano, Ricardo Jose Guerra Castillo
  • Patent number: 11377947
    Abstract: A method of preventing over-pressurization of a downstream piping network, using a safety VFD, includes continuously receiving, from sensors attached to an ESP, values representing input/output operating parameters of the ESP. The ESP is disposed in a wellbore and fluidically coupled to a piping network disposed at a surface of the wellbore. The method also includes comparing one or more values to operating parameter thresholds determined based on at least one of 1) expected ESP parameters during a blocked outlet condition of the piping network or 2) an association of the operating parameter threshold with a fluidic pressure of the piping network that has a potential of reaching an MAOP of the piping network. The method also includes determining that values meet the threshold and changing an input parameter of the ESP to change a fluidic output of the ESP to prevent the over pressurization of the downstream piping network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Pedro Alejandro Mujica, Herman Roberto Cipriano
  • Publication number: 20220145752
    Abstract: A selection of a hydrocarbon well of a hydrocarbon production system is received at a safety logic solver (SLS) for proof testing. Test mode pressure sensors attached to a common header of the hydrocarbon production system are activated to monitor a live process condition status of the common header from all wells of the hydrocarbon production system. A simulated overpressure condition is induced in the operation pressure sensors. An indication of overpressure is received at the SLS from at least two operation pressure sensors. Final elements associated with the hydrocarbon well are signaled to close while leaving other wells in the hydrocarbon production system in operation. The operation pressure sensors are restored to a normal pressure condition, and the final elements associated with the selected hydrocarbon well are signaled to re-open the hydrocarbon well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Pedro Alejandro Mujica, Kiran Patel, Chan Eldon Miller, Herman Roberto Cipriano
  • Publication number: 20220110183
    Abstract: Systems and methods include a computer-implemented method: A first Safety Instrumented Function (SIF) determines that a process equipment event has occurred or is predicted to occur in a first system. A first action to be performed by the first SIF is identified. In response to determining that the process equipment event has occurred or is predicted to occur, the first action is performed by the first SIF to prevent an occurrence of a first hazardous event. A determination is made by a highly-reliable, self-healing communication transmission network that a second action is to be performed in the second SIF to prevent the occurrence of a second hazardous event. In response, a notification is provided by the transmission network to the second SIF that the second action is to be performed. In response to receiving the notification by the second SIF, the second action is performed by the second SIF.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Pedro Alejandro Mujica, Herman Roberto Cipriano, Soloman M. Almadi
  • Patent number: 11261726
    Abstract: A selection of a hydrocarbon well of a hydrocarbon production system is received at a safety logic solver (SLS) for proof testing. Test mode pressure sensors attached to a common header of the hydrocarbon production system are activated to monitor a live process condition status of the common header from all wells of the hydrocarbon production system. A simulated overpressure condition is induced in the operation pressure sensors. An indication of overpressure is received at the SLS from at least two operation pressure sensors. Final elements associated with the hydrocarbon well are signaled to close while leaving other wells in the hydrocarbon production system in operation. The operation pressure sensors are restored to a normal pressure condition, and the final elements associated with the selected hydrocarbon well are signaled to re-open the hydrocarbon well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Pedro Alejandro Mujica, Kiran Patel, Chan Eldon Miller, Herman Roberto Cipriano
  • Patent number: 11078755
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for maintaining production during proof testing of a safety system are disclosed. More particularly, systems, methods, and devices for maintaining production of fluids, such as hydrocarbons or water, during proof testing of High Integrity Protection Systems (HIPS) used to prevent overpressure scenarios during production, such as production of fluid by artificial lift, are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Pedro Alejandro Mujica, Herman Roberto Cipriano, Michael Anthony Picou
  • Publication number: 20210115782
    Abstract: A method of preventing over-pressurization of a downstream piping network, using a safety VFD, includes continuously receiving, from sensors attached to an ESP, values representing input/output operating parameters of the ESP. The ESP is disposed in a wellbore and fluidically coupled to a piping network disposed at a surface of the wellbore. The method also includes comparing one or more values to operating parameter thresholds determined based on at least one of 1) expected ESP parameters during a blocked outlet condition of the piping network or 2) an association of the operating parameter threshold with a fluidic pressure of the piping network that has a potential of reaching an MAOP of the piping network. The method also includes determining that values meet the threshold and changing an input parameter of the ESP to change a fluidic output of the ESP to prevent the over pressurization of the downstream piping network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: Pedro Alejandro Mujica, Herman Roberto Cipriano
  • Publication number: 20200392816
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for maintaining production during proof testing of a safety system are disclosed. More particularly, systems, methods, and devices for maintaining production of fluids, such as hydrocarbons or water, during proof testing of High Integrity Protection Systems (HIPS) used to prevent overpressure scenarios during production, such as production of fluid by artificial lift, are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Pedro Alejandro Mujica, Herman Roberto Cipriano, Michael Anthony Picou
  • Patent number: 10570712
    Abstract: Techniques for managing a hydraulic fluid pipeline pressure include measuring a fluid pressure of a hydrocarbon fluid circulating, from a wellbore by a pump positioned in the wellbore, through an above-ground hydrocarbon fluid pipeline network at a plurality of particular locations in the hydrocarbon fluid pipeline network to determine a plurality of measured process pressures; determining that at least half of the plurality of measured process pressures exceed a specified threshold value; and based on the determination, actuating at least one flow control device operable to control the flow of the hydrocarbon fluid in the wellbore to reduce a fluid pressure of the hydrocarbon fluid in the hydrocarbon fluid pipeline network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Pedro Alejandro Mujica, Herman Roberto Cipriano
  • Publication number: 20180298738
    Abstract: Techniques for managing a hydraulic fluid pipeline pressure include measuring a fluid pressure of a hydrocarbon fluid circulating, from a wellbore by a pump positioned in the wellbore, through an above-ground hydrocarbon fluid pipeline network at a plurality of particular locations in the hydrocarbon fluid pipeline network to determine a plurality of measured process pressures; determining that at least half of the plurality of measured process pressures exceed a specified threshold value; and based on the determination, actuating at least one flow control device operable to control the flow of the hydrocarbon fluid in the wellbore to reduce a fluid pressure of the hydrocarbon fluid in the hydrocarbon fluid pipeline network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Pedro Alejandro Mujica, Herman Roberto Cipriano
  • Publication number: 20180245452
    Abstract: A selection of a hydrocarbon well of a hydrocarbon production system is received at a safety logic solver (SLS) for proof testing. Test mode pressure sensors attached to a common header of the hydrocarbon production system are activated to monitor a live process condition status of the common header from all wells of the hydrocarbon production system. A simulated overpressure condition is induced in the operation pressure sensors. An indication of overpressure is received at the SLS from at least two operation pressure sensors. Final elements associated with the hydrocarbon well are signaled to close while leaving other wells in the hydrocarbon production system in operation. The operation pressure sensors are restored to a normal pressure condition, and the final elements associated with the selected hydrocarbon well are signaled to re-open the hydrocarbon well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: Pedro Alejandro Mujica, Kiran Patel, Chan Eldon Miller, Herman Roberto Cipriano