Patents by Inventor Jacques Orban

Jacques Orban 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: 10649427
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods pertaining to a moveable well construction apparatus to be electrically energized via an electrical power transmission path extending between a stationary power source and the moveable well construction apparatus. The path comprises cables and connectors. A system comprises a detector operable for generating information indicative of whether the path is properly installed. The system permits the path to be electrically energized when the detector-generated information indicates the path is properly installed, and prevents the path from being electrically energized when the detector-generated information indicates the path is not properly installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Nick Paul Krippner, Carlos White, Jacques Orban
  • Publication number: 20200116164
    Abstract: An electric submersible pump (ESP) with reduced vibration is provided. In an implementation, an ESP section has radial bearings placed at shaft locations of reduced vibration to reduce wear. The locations of reduced vibration are selected to avoid areas of high vibration and vibrational waves that reinforce each other due to structure resonance and natural excitation frequencies. In an implementation, a radial bearing is positioned at a node of reduced vibration of a standing vibrational wave. In an implementation, a succession of multiple radial bearings are spaced at different intervals from each other to avoid conventional even spacing of the bearings that causes standing waves, resonance waves, and vibrational waves at natural excitation frequencies. In an implementation, a span between adjacent radial bearings is selected to spare other adjacent bearings at different spans the effects of vibrations that may extend over a range of excitation frequencies in the ESP section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: Hao Lam, Arthur I. Watson, Jacques Orban, Lauro De Camargo, David Milton Eslinger
  • Publication number: 20200115996
    Abstract: An integrated drilling rig machine is disclosed. An integrated power and electronics unit (IPEU) includes all components necessary to transmit power from a generator to rig machines such as a mud pump, drawworks, top drive, etc. A housing contains a rectifier, a transformer, inverter(s), and starter motors. The inverters are coupled to rig machines and the starter motors are coupled to auxiliary devices such as cooling fans, lubrication pumps, communication systems, etc. A controller controls operation of the IPEU according to instructions received from a remote device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe PRISER, Jacques ORBAN, Nick KRIPPNER
  • Patent number: 10612359
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling drilling of a wellbore. The method may include supporting a tubular string using a top drive connected to a block, and lowering the top drive by lowering the block. The method may also include adjusting a position of the tubular string relative to the block using an actuator coupled with the top drive, the block, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Shunfeng Zheng, Jacques Orban
  • Patent number: 10612367
    Abstract: A process for directional operations in a well bore without MWD, the process comprising: engaging an upper end of a drill string with a traveling block component, wherein the traveling block component comprises a traveling block angular sensor; measuring with the traveling block angular sensor an initial angular position of the drill string; lowering the drill string in the well bore with the traveling block component; measuring with the traveling block angular sensor a final angular position of the drill string; recording an angle of rotation, if any, of the drill string between initial and final positions as measured by the traveling block angular sensor; engaging the drill string with a rig floor component, wherein the rig floor component comprises a rig floor angular sensor; measuring with the rig floor angular sensor an initial angular position of the drill string; disengaging the traveling block component from the drill string; raising the traveling block component; engaging an upper end of a first tubu
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jacques Orban, Vishwanathan Parmeshwar
  • Publication number: 20200102795
    Abstract: Pipes, drill strings including pipes, and methods for use on a drilling rig. The method includes obtaining pipe data for individual drill pipes of a drill string, obtaining a well trajectory for a well, obtaining one or more drilling measurements to be used when drilling the well, planning a first drill string based on the pipe data, the well trajectory, and the one or more drilling measurements, predicting an aging of the individual drill pipes in the first drill string while drilling the well using the first drill string, determining that a risk of failure of one or more individual pipes in the first drill string is unacceptable based on the aging of the individual pipes; and planning a second drill string in response to determining that the risk of failure is unacceptable in the first drill string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Shunfeng Zheng, Benjamin Peter Jeffryes, Christopher C. Bogath, Gokturk Tunc, Jacques Orban
  • Publication number: 20200047099
    Abstract: A multi-phase fluid solution measurement and gas separation system is described. The system includes a substantially vertical fluid supply pipe that introduces the multi-phase fluid solution in a steady flow having a substantially calm and steady fluid surface to a mud-gas separation unit. The mud-gas separation unit includes measurement tools such as force sensors and level sensors to allow for a rheological model of the fluid to be calculated. The system also includes components for flaring or processing gas which separates from the multi-phase solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Ashley Johnson, Jacques Orban
  • Patent number: 10550640
    Abstract: A top-drive system and a drilling rig. The top-drive system includes a sheave configured to receive a drilling line, a frame coupled with the sheave and configured to transmit a weight of a tubular string suspended therefrom to the sheave, a controller, and a sensor in communication with the controller. The sensor is configured to directly measure one or more physical parameters of a drilling operation and provide data representing the one or more physical parameters to the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jacques Orban, Shunfeng Zheng, Gokturk Tunc
  • Patent number: 10544656
    Abstract: Apparatus, method, and a containment system for a mud tank The system includes a pan extending from a base of the mud tank and configured to receive fluids leaked therefrom, a fluid sensor coupled with the pan, and a pump in fluid communication with the pan, wherein the pump is configured to remove fluid from the pan when the fluid sensor reads a predetermined threshold fluid level in the pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Rogers, Jacques Orban
  • Publication number: 20200003048
    Abstract: A method for reducing noise at a wellsite includes transmitting a plurality of first signals from a variable frequency drive (VFD) to an alternating current (AC) induction motor. A timing of a plurality of second signals is varied to control transistors in an inverter of the VFD, thereby reducing harmonic distortion of the first signals output from the VFD. The timing is varied based at least partially upon an estimation of the harmonic distortion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventor: Jacques Orban
  • Patent number: 10508509
    Abstract: A system and method for continuous mud circulation during a drilling operation, of which the method includes delivering a first flow of drilling mud to and through a blowout preventer via a drill string and a wellbore. The method also includes delivering a second flow of drilling mud to and through the blowout preventer. The second flow is delivered to the blowout preventer through an alternative line and not via the drill string. The method also includes stopping the first flow of the drilling mud, and adding or removing a tubular to or from the drill string after the first flow of drilling mud is stopped and while continuously delivering the second flow of drilling mud. Adding or removing the tubular includes decoupling a rotating control device from the blowout preventer, detachably coupling the rotating control device with a drag device, and raising or lowering the rotating control device with the drag device coupled therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jacques Orban
  • Patent number: 10487603
    Abstract: A flow diverter including a bypass element to divert at least a first portion of drilling fluid from a drill string to the borehole annulus. The first portion of fluid, or bypass flow, may be provided to the borehole annulus to clear cuttings generated by a drill bit of a BHA. The remaining fluid flow, or BHA flow, may be expelled through the bottom of the BHA. The fluid discharged through the BHA may enter the annulus and flow upward with the fluid flow diverted through the flow diverter to aid in clearing cuttings. The flow diverter also includes a choke housing disposed concentrically within a drill collar and containing a plurality of chokes to regulate bypass flow. An actuation system may be coupled to the flow diverter to control opening/closing of the chokes and to measure flow rate of the first portion of fluid and/or the remaining fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignees: M-I Drilling Fluids UK Ltd, M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Daniel Manwill, Jim Shumway, James Linklater, Jacques Orban
  • Publication number: 20190345811
    Abstract: A system to control a drilling of a wellbore may include a drill string within the wellbore, wherein a wired communication system is along the drill string, at least one measurement sub configured to monitor at least one drilling parameter connected to the drill string and the at least one measurement sub being connected to the wired communication system; a drill bit at a distal end of the drill string; a drawwork mechanically coupled to the drill string and configured to lower the drill string attached thereto in the wellbore; a power controlling electronic connected to a motor of the drawwork, configured to control a drawwork unspooling speed; and a surface controller in communication with the power controlling electronic of the drawwork configured to: determine at least one drilling parameter along the drill string from measurements taken from the at least one measurement sub, the measurements being transmitted to the controller through the wired communication system; and control the drawwork to increase o
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventor: Jacques Orban
  • Publication number: 20190346262
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a position of an object relative to another object are disclosed. One or more inductive rangefinders are used to determine a distance between an object, such as a stackable container for a drilling operation, and a second such container. A crane or other moving device is capable of stacking the containers on top of one another without the need for human operators being nearby. A processing unit makes calculations to identify the distance between the objects and a direction in which the object should move to arrive at the desired location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Jacques Orban, Vishwanathan Parmeshwar
  • Patent number: 10472953
    Abstract: An apparatus having a skid, a boom having a first end attached to the skid and pivotable around an axis proximate the first end such that a second end of the boom raises and lowers relative to the skid, and a room mounted on the skid. The apparatus may further include a raisable apparatus supported by the second end of the boom and having one or more plug panels configured to connect to one or more first cables. The apparatus may also include second cables routed from the raisable apparatus and attached to and supported at least in part by the boom, wherein the second cables may be configured to provide electrical power to the raisable apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Jacques Orban
  • Publication number: 20190337739
    Abstract: A silo, a chemical delivery system, and a method. The silo includes a housing and a vessel positioned within the housing and configured to contain a mud chemical. The vessel includes a discharge port and a discharge valve that controls discharge of the mud chemical through the discharge port. The discharge port is configured to connect to a skid by placing the silo on the skid, and the silo has a plurality of configurations for different types of mud chemicals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Jacques Orban, Brian Rogers
  • Publication number: 20190338635
    Abstract: A process for directional operations in a well bore without MWD, the process comprising: engaging an upper end of a drill string with a traveling block component, wherein the traveling block component comprises a traveling block angular sensor; measuring with the traveling block angular sensor an initial angular position of the drill string; lowering the drill string in the well bore with the traveling block component; measuring with the traveling block angular sensor a final angular position of the drill string; recording an angle of rotation, if any, of the drill string between initial and final positions as measured by the traveling block angular sensor; engaging the drill string with a rig floor component, wherein the rig floor component comprises a rig floor angular sensor; measuring with the rig floor angular sensor an initial angular position of the drill string; disengaging the traveling block component from the drill string; raising the traveling block component; engaging an upper end of a first tubu
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Jacques Orban, Vishwanathan Parmeshwar
  • Patent number: 10449477
    Abstract: A multi-phase fluid solution measurement and gas separation system is described. The system includes a substantially vertical fluid supply pipe that introduces the multi-phase fluid solution in a steady flow having a substantially calm and steady fluid surface to a mud-gas separation unit. The mud-gas separation unit includes measurement tools such as force sensors and level sensors to allow for a rheological model of the fluid to be calculated. The system also includes components for flaring or processing gas which separates from the multi-phase solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ashley Johnson, Jacques Orban
  • Publication number: 20190299128
    Abstract: A mud cleaning system may include a system inlet carrying mud from a wellbore, a heater, a fluid separating system, and a system outlet carrying the mud to a holding vessel. The system inlet, the heater, the separator, and the system outlet may be fluidly connected such that mud flows from the system inlet, into the heater and the separator, and then out the system outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Babak Bob Arefi, Michael Joling, Vidya Raja, Jacques Orban
  • Patent number: 10428601
    Abstract: System, method, and apparatus for connecting tubulars, of which the method includes determining an elevation of a drilling device above a rig floor, lowering a first tubular connected to the drilling device toward a second tubular by lowering the drilling device, determining that the first tubular is in proximity to the drill string based at least in part on an elevation of the drilling device, determining that the first tubular is in proximity to the second tubular based at least in part on a magnetic flux or an electrical current applied to the tubular, the second tubular, or both, and connecting the first and second tubulars together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jacques Orban