Patents by Inventor Hermann F. Spoerker

Hermann F. Spoerker 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).

  • Publication number: 20220178240
    Abstract: A method for performing a drilling operation of a well in a subterranean formation is disclosed. The method includes obtaining drilling data records each including a revolutions per minute (RPM) value, a weight on bit parameter (WOB) value, and a rate of penetration (ROP) value, analyzing, using a computer processor, the drilling data records to generate a maximum point including a maximum ROP value that is based on a predetermined percentile of an ROP distribution of the drilling data records, generating, using the computer processor and based on the maximum point and a current point, a recommendation point including a recommended RPM value and a recommended WOB value, where the current point includes a current RPM value, a current WOB value, and a current ROP value of the drilling operation, and presenting, to a user, the recommendation point to facilitate the drilling operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Applicant: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Beshir M. Aman, Hermann F. Spoerker, Mohammad S. Nefai, Alexey Alexeyenko, Bader M. Otaibi
  • Patent number: 11262282
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods and systems for analyzing drilling fluid rheology at a drilling site. One method includes obtaining, from a wellbore drilling system implementing a wellbore drilling operation at a wellbore drilling site, a sample of a drilling fluid being used in the wellbore drilling operation at the wellbore drilling site; flowing the sample through an elongated tubular member at a plurality of different flow rates, the elongated tubular member installed at the wellbore drilling site; measuring, at the wellbore drilling site and at each flow rate, a stress-strain response of the sample in response to each flow rate; generating a plurality of stress-strain responses for the sample at the corresponding plurality of different flow rates, the plurality of stress-strain responses including each stress-strain response of the sample measured at each flow rate; and returning the sample to the wellbore drilling operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Hermann F. Spoerker
  • Patent number: 10746008
    Abstract: A method of forming a wellbore with a drill string and that includes continuously and automatically measuring a TARE value of the drill string. The TARE value of the drill string is measured while the drill string is rotating, fluid is circulating in the drill string, and after the drill string has been axially stationary for a set period of time. The TARE value is designated as an average of the measured hook load over the latter half of the set period of time. Knowing the measured TARE value and a designated weight on bit (“WOB”) of the drill string, a hook load for supporting the drill string is calculated. Matching the force applied that supports the drill string to the calculated hook load results in an actual WOB that matches the designated WOB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: Hermann F. Spoerker
  • Patent number: 10746010
    Abstract: A method of forming a wellbore with a drill string and that includes continuously and automatically measuring a TARE value of the drill string. The TARE value of the drill string is measured while the drill string is rotating, fluid is circulating in the drill string, and after the drill string has been axially stationary for a set period of time. The TARE value is designated as an average of the measured hook load over the latter half of the set period of time. Knowing the measured TARE value and a designated weight on bit (“WOB”) of the drill string, a hook load for supporting the drill string is calculated. Matching the force applied that supports the drill string to the calculated hook load results in an actual WOB that matches the designated WOB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: Hermann F. Spoerker
  • Publication number: 20200096428
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods and systems for analyzing drilling fluid rheology at a drilling site. One method includes obtaining, from a wellbore drilling system implementing a wellbore drilling operation at a wellbore drilling site, a sample of a drilling fluid being used in the wellbore drilling operation at the wellbore drilling site; flowing the sample through an elongated tubular member at a plurality of different flow rates, the elongated tubular member installed at the wellbore drilling site; measuring, at the wellbore drilling site and at each flow rate, a stress-strain response of the sample in response to each flow rate; generating a plurality of stress-strain responses for the sample at the corresponding plurality of different flow rates, the plurality of stress-strain responses including each stress-strain response of the sample measured at each flow rate; and returning the sample to the wellbore drilling operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Hermann F. Spoerker
  • Patent number: 10564083
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods and systems for analyzing drilling fluid rheology at a drilling site. One method includes obtaining, from a wellbore drilling system implementing a wellbore drilling operation at a wellbore drilling site, a sample of a drilling fluid being used in the wellbore drilling operation at the wellbore drilling site; flowing the sample through an elongated tubular member at a plurality of different flow rates, the elongated tubular member installed at the wellbore drilling site; measuring, at the wellbore drilling site and at each flow rate, a stress-strain response of the sample in response to each flow rate; generating a plurality of stress-strain responses for the sample at the corresponding plurality of different flow rates, the plurality of stress-strain responses including each stress-strain response of the sample measured at each flow rate; and returning the sample to the wellbore drilling operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Hermann F. Spoerker
  • Patent number: 10287878
    Abstract: In some aspects, injection fluid is flowed into a closed wellbore in a subterranean region. Wellbore pressure in response to flowing the injection fluid into the closed wellbore is measured. A plot representing a wellbore pressure in response to cumulative injection fluid volumes is substantially linear is determined. After determining the plot is linear, a first injection fluid pressure measured in response to flowing the injection fluid deviates from the substantially linear plot by a first variance greater than a threshold variance is determined. A second injection fluid pressure measured in response to flowing the injection fluid deviates from the substantially linear plot by a second variance greater than the threshold variance is determined. In response to the above two determinations, flow of injection fluid into the closed wellbore is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Hermann F. Spoerker
  • Publication number: 20180073348
    Abstract: A method of forming a wellbore with a drill string and that includes continuously and automatically measuring a TARE value of the drill string. The TARE value of the drill string is measured while the drill string is rotating, fluid is circulating in the drill string, and after the drill string has been axially stationary for a set period of time. The TARE value is designated as an average of the measured hook load over the latter half of the set period of time. Knowing the measured TARE value and a designated weight on bit (“WOB”) of the drill string, a hook load for supporting the drill string is calculated. Matching the force applied that supports the drill string to the calculated hook load results in an actual WOB that matches the designated WOB.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Hermann F. Spoerker
  • Publication number: 20170356291
    Abstract: Example methods and systems are described for automatic pumping control for a leak-off test (LOT) of a subterranean region. In some aspects, injection fluid is flowed into a closed wellbore in a subterranean region. Wellbore pressure in response to flowing the injection fluid into the closed wellbore is measured. A plot representing a wellbore pressure in response to cumulative injection fluid volumes is substantially linear is determined. After determining the plot is linear, a first injection fluid pressure measured in response to flowing the injection fluid deviates from the substantially linear plot by a first variance greater than a threshold variance is determined. A second injection fluid pressure measured in response to flowing the injection fluid deviates from the substantially linear plot by a second variance greater than the threshold variance is determined. In response to the above two determinations, flow of injection fluid into the closed wellbore is stopped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventor: Hermann F. Spoerker
  • Publication number: 20170336310
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods and systems for analyzing drilling fluid rheology at a drilling site. One method includes obtaining, from a wellbore drilling system implementing a wellbore drilling operation at a wellbore drilling site, a sample of a drilling fluid being used in the wellbore drilling operation at the wellbore drilling site; flowing the sample through an elongated tubular member at a plurality of different flow rates, the elongated tubular member installed at the wellbore drilling site; measuring, at the wellbore drilling site and at each flow rate, a stress-strain response of the sample in response to each flow rate; generating a plurality of stress-strain responses for the sample at the corresponding plurality of different flow rates, the plurality of stress-strain responses including each stress-strain response of the sample measured at each flow rate; and returning the sample to the wellbore drilling operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventor: Hermann F. Spoerker
  • Publication number: 20170145809
    Abstract: A method of forming a wellbore with a drill string and that includes continuously and automatically measuring a TARE value of the drill string. The TARE value of the drill string is measured while the drill string is rotating, fluid is circulating in the drill string, and after the drill string has been axially stationary for a set period of time. The TARE value is designated as an average of the measured hook load over the latter half of the set period of time. Knowing the measured TARE value and a designated weight on bit (“WOB”) of the drill string, a hook load for supporting the drill string is calculated. Matching the force applied that supports the drill string to the calculated hook load results in an actual WOB that matches the designated WOB.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventor: Hermann F. Spoerker