Patents by Inventor James E. Galford

James E. Galford 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: 11604303
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for correcting Uranium-free gamma logs. The system may receive data about a subterranean formation from a gamma-ray-logging process in a wellbore. The system may apply a photoelectric-suppression estimator to the data to determine a photoelectric-suppression factor using stored mud parameters and a wellbore diameter value. The data may be corrected by the system by using the photoelectric-suppression factor to generate a Uranium-free, gamma-ray log. The system may output the Uranium-free, gamma-ray log for determining characteristics of the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Galford
  • Patent number: 11340378
    Abstract: Embodiment disclosed herein include systems and methods for azimuthally imaging a borehole, A logging tool having one or more gamma radiation sensors is disposed at a depth position within a borehole, with the one or more gamma radiation sensors positioned to measure gamma radiation within multiple azimuthally offset sectors. The gamma radiation sensors measure gamma radiation at one or more positions within each of the azimuthally offset sectors. A spectral gamma radiation profile is determined for three radioelements at the one or more positions within each of the azimuthally offset sectors based on the gamma radiation measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Galford
  • Publication number: 20220137254
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for correcting Uranium-free gamma logs. The system may receive data about a subterranean formation from a gamma-ray-logging process in a wellbore. The system may apply a photoelectric-suppression estimator to the data to determine a photoelectric-suppression factor using stored mud parameters and a wellbore diameter value. The data may be corrected by the system by using the photoelectric-suppression factor to generate a Uranium-free, gamma-ray log. The system may output the Uranium-free, gamma-ray log for determining characteristics of the subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventor: James E. Galford
  • Publication number: 20210363874
    Abstract: Embodiment disclosed herein include systems and methods for azimuthally imaging a borehole, A logging tool having one or more gamma radiation sensors is disposed at a depth position within a borehole, with the one or more gamma radiation sensors positioned to measure gamma radiation within multiple azimuthally offset sectors. The gamma radiation sensors measure gamma radiation at one or more positions within each of the azimuthally offset sectors. A spectral gamma radiation profile is determined for three radioelements at the one or more positions within each of the azimuthally offset sectors based on the gamma radiation measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventor: James E. Galford
  • Patent number: 11175432
    Abstract: System and methods for calibrating gamma ray tools using blanket field calibrator models is provided. A counting rate of a first gamma ray tool is simulated based on a model of a first blanket calibrator. When it is determined that the simulated counting rate matches a measured counting rate associated with the first gamma ray tool, a tally multiplier and a corresponding material specification for the model of the first blanket calibrator is determined. A counting rate for a second gamma ray tool is simulated based on the tally multiplier and the material specification determined for the model of the first blanket calibrator. A sensitivity factor for the second gamma ray tool is determined based on the simulation. The second gamma ray tool is calibrated according to a nominal blanket activity calculated from the sensitivity factor of the second gamma ray tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: James E. Galford
  • Patent number: 11169300
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include a gamma logging detector assembly that includes a detector support structure comprising one or more high density alloy materials and including a first cylindrical drill collar segment and a second cylindrical drill collar segment each having a radius of at least R1. A third cylindrical drill collar segment is disposed axially between the first and second cylindrical drill collar segments to form an annular channel over the third cylindrical drill collar segment and between the first and second cylindrical drill collar segments. The third cylindrical drill collar segment includes an inwardly defined open cavity and a radius, R2, that is less than R1. An annular pressure sleeve comprising one or more low density alloy materials is disposed within the annular channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: James E. Galford, Ryan Damont Green
  • Publication number: 20210333432
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include a gamma logging detector assembly that includes a detector support structure comprising one or more high density alloy materials and including a first cylindrical drill collar segment and a second cylindrical drill collar segment each having a radius of at least R1. A third cylindrical drill collar segment is disposed axially between the first and second cylindrical drill collar segments to form an annular channel over the third cylindrical drill collar segment and between the first and second cylindrical drill collar segments. The third cylindrical drill collar segment includes an inwardly defined open cavity and a radius, R2, that is less than R1. An annular pressure sleeve comprising one or more low density alloy materials is disposed within the annular channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: James E. Galford, Ryan Damont Green
  • Patent number: 11156733
    Abstract: A spectrometer for downhole applications can be calibrated without using radioactive sources. A spectrum of measured gamma ray counts can be received from a spectrometer in a calibration mode. A spectrum-to-window ratio can be used to determine a relationship between voltage level applied to a photoreceptor of the spectrometer and gain factors. A voltage level associated with a gain factor of one can be identified for use by the spectrometer in a non-calibration mode. The measured gamma ray counts and reference shapes for a plurality of radioactive elements can be used in a least squares fit process to determine an offset to apply to the spectrometer in the non-calibration mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Galford
  • Patent number: 11143785
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject technology relate to a system configured to apply a voltage setting to a sensor of a downhole tool. The system is configured to identify an active gain control model for a temperature-sensitive sensor for a downhole tool, receiving temperature data for the downhole tool, and apply a high voltage setting for the first sensor based on the temperature data and the active gain control model. The system is further configured to collect sensor data from the sensor operating in a wellbore using the high voltage setting and update the active gain control model based on the sensor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: James E. Galford
  • Publication number: 20210173115
    Abstract: System and methods for calibrating gamma ray tools using blanket field calibrator models is provided. A counting rate of a first gamma ray tool is simulated based on a model of a first blanket calibrator. When it is determined that the simulated counting rate matches a measured counting rate associated with the first gamma ray tool, a tally multiplier and a corresponding material specification for the model of the first blanket calibrator is determined. A counting rate for a second gamma ray tool is simulated based on the tally multiplier and the material specification determined for the model of the first blanket calibrator. A sensitivity factor for the second gamma ray tool is determined based on the simulation. The second gamma ray tool is calibrated according to a nominal blanket activity calculated from the sensitivity factor of the second gamma ray tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventor: James E. Galford
  • Publication number: 20210096274
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject technology relate to a system configured to apply a voltage setting to a sensor of a downhole tool. The system is configured to identify an active gain control model for a temperature-sensitive sensor for a downhole tool, receiving temperature data for the downhole tool, and apply a high voltage setting for the first sensor based on the temperature data and the active gain control model. The system is further configured to collect sensor data from the sensor operating in a wellbore using the high voltage setting and update the active gain control model based on the sensor data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: James E. GALFORD
  • Patent number: 10941653
    Abstract: A non-rotatable, downhole imaging tool, an imaging system including the non-rotatable imaging tool and methods of determining information about a wellbore employing the non-rotatable imaging tool are provided herein. One example of a non-rotatable imaging tool is disclosed that has a central axis and horizontal planes perpendicular to the central axis, and further includes: (1) a radiation detector positioned proximate the central axis and uniquely on one of the horizontal planes, and (2) a collimator configured to limit exposure of the radiation detector to a single azimuthal area along a circumference of the downhole imaging tool on the one of the horizontal planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Yike Hu, James E. Galford
  • Patent number: 10823876
    Abstract: A system includes a logging tool assembly having a geochemical logging tool with a neutron source and a gamma ray detector, wherein the geochemical logging tool collects formation property measurements as a function of position in a borehole. The system also includes a processor that receives the formation property measurements and that derives a geochemical photoelectric log based at least in part on the formation property measurements. The system also includes an output that displays the geochemical photoelectric log to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Galford
  • Publication number: 20200271800
    Abstract: A spectrometer for downhole applications can be calibrated without using radioactive sources. A spectrum of measured gamma ray counts can be received from a spectrometer in a calibration mode. A spectrum-to-window ratio can be used to determine a relationship between voltage level applied to a photoreceptor of the spectrometer and gain factors. A voltage level associated with a gain factor of one can be identified for use by the spectrometer in a non-calibration mode. The measured gamma ray counts and reference shapes for a plurality of radioactive elements can be used in a least squares fit process to determine an offset to apply to the spectrometer in the non-calibration mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventor: James E. Galford
  • Publication number: 20200182052
    Abstract: A non-rotatable, downhole imaging tool, an imaging system including the non-rotatable imaging tool and methods of determining information about a wellbore employing the non-rotatable imaging tool are provided herein. One example of a non-rotatable imaging tool is disclosed that has a central axis and horizontal planes perpendicular to the central axis, and further includes: (1) a radiation detector positioned proximate the central axis and uniquely on one of the horizontal planes, and (2) a collimator configured to limit exposure of the radiation detector to a single azimuthal area along a circumference of the downhole imaging tool on the one of the horizontal planes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Yike Hu, James E. Galford
  • Publication number: 20200033497
    Abstract: A system includes a logging tool assembly having a geochemical logging tool with a neutron source and a gamma ray detector, wherein the geochemical logging tool collects formation property measurements as a function of position in a borehole. The system also includes a processor that receives the formation property measurements and that derives a geochemical photoelectric log based at least in part on the formation property measurements. The system also includes an output that displays the geochemical photoelectric log to a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventor: James E. Galford
  • Patent number: 10495781
    Abstract: A system and method for determining kerogen porosity of a formation for downhole operations is described herein. The method includes calculating a first formation characteristic and a second formation characteristic at a processor of an information handling system. The method further includes determining a kerogen porosity of the formation based, at least in part, on the first formation characteristic and the second formation characteristic. And the method also includes performing a downhole operation based, at least in part, on the determined kerogen porosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Galford, John Andrew Quirein
  • Patent number: 10415367
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining kerogen porosity of a formation for downhole operations are described herein. An example method may include obtaining core pyrolysis data from a wellbore disposed in a formation. A thermal characteristic of the formation proximate to the wellbore, such as a time-temperature burial history of the formation, may also be determined. A kerogen porosity of the formation may be calculated based, at least in part, on the pyrolysis data and the thermal characteristic, and a downhole operation may be performed based, at least in part, on the calculated kerogen porosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Galford
  • Patent number: 10386537
    Abstract: A gamma-ray spectrometer calibration system comprises a photomultiplier tube and analysis electronics. The photomultiplier tube provides one or more reference signals that are analyzed relative to a spectrum by the analysis electronics to calibrate a gamma-ray spectrometer. Additional apparatus, methods, and systems are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Galford, Weijun Guo
  • Publication number: 20190219732
    Abstract: The subject technology relates to estimating borehole contributions to measured calcium and sulfur elemental yields by using a small number of mud properties available from wellsite mud reports at the time of logging. Neutron-induced gamma ray spectroscopy logs may be measured and, more specifically, estimating the borehole contributions to the measured calcium and sulfur elemental yields. The subject technology provides for predicting relative borehole yields as a function of borehole size and a set of properties that describe the composition of various complex drilling mud mixtures based on the elemental atomic number density for the drilling mud. The subject technology generates borehole bias vectors from analysis of the simulated tool responses, and applies a borehole bias vector to a relative elemental yield vector to correct a calcium yield and/or a sulfur yield. Other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventor: James E. Galford