Patents by Inventor Kenneth E. Williams

Kenneth E. Williams 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: 20190382643
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for mitigating the embedment of proppant into fracture faces in subterranean formations are provided. In some embodiments, the methods comprise: introducing a treatment fluid into a subterranean formation at or above a pressure sufficient to create or enhance one or more fractures in the subterranean formation; introducing an anchoring agent into the subterranean formation to deposit the anchoring agent on a portion of a fracture face in the one or more fractures within the subterranean formation; introducing a first particulate material comprising fine particulates into the subterranean formation to attach to the anchoring agent on the portion of the fracture face, wherein said fine particulates have a mean particle size of up to about 50 ?m; introducing a second particulate material comprising proppant into the one or more fractures in the subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Ronald Glen Dusterhoft, Loan K. Vo, Kenneth E. Williams, Vladimir Nikolayevich Martysevich
  • Patent number: 10385658
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generation of in-situ wellbore, core and cuttings information systems. An image and image derivative based property visualization, analysis and enhancement system is provided, which utilizes various types of image data, such as digital rock physics and physical laboratories, petrographic analysis and the in-situ wellbore imaging and derivative products of image segmentation in the construction of a static earth model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Landmark Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Travis S Ramsay, Amit Kumar, Mamdouh Abdel-Aal Shebl, Matt James Croy, Kenneth E Williams
  • Patent number: 9684093
    Abstract: Determining characteristics of a formation. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including determining at least one characteristics of a shale formation. The determining may include: collecting optically interacted electromagnetic radiation from a portion of the shale formation; directing a first portion of the optically interacted electromagnetic radiation from the formation to a first multivariate optical element (MOE), the first MOE creates first modified electromagnetic radiation; applying the first modified electromagnetic radiation to a first detector, the first detector creates a first signal; and determining a first characteristic of the shale formation from the first signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: LANDMARK GRAPHICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ronald G. Dusterhoft, Kenneth E. Williams, Amit Kumar, Robert P. Freese, Michael T. Pelletier
  • Publication number: 20160202390
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generation of in-situ wellbore, core and cuttings information systems. An image and image derivative based property visualization, analysis and enhancement system is provided, which utilizes various types of image data, such as digital rock physics and physical laboratories, petrographic analysis and the in-situ wellbore imaging and derivative products of image segmentation in the construction of a static earth model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: Travis S Ramsay, Amit Kumar, Mamdouh Abdel-Aal Shebl, Matt James Croy, Kenneth E. Williams
  • Patent number: 9377547
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and software can be used to calculate fracture stratigraphy of a subterranean zone. In some aspects, microseismic event data associated with a fracture treatment of a subterranean zone are received, and the subterranean zone includes multiple subsurface layers. A filter is used to select a subset of the microseismic event data corresponding to fractures in a particular subsurface layer. Fracture stratigraphy is calculated for the particular subsurface layer from fracture planes associated with the selected subset of the microseismic event data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Williams, Jianfu Ma, Avi Lin
  • Patent number: 9285500
    Abstract: Modeling hydrocarbon flow, from layered shale formations. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including: modeling movement of hydrocarbons through kerogen-related porosity, the movement through a first model volume; estimating a first permeability of a kerogen-rich layer of a layered shale formation based on the modeling; and modeling hydrocarbon production from the layered shale formation. The modeling hydrocarbon production may include: utilizing the first permeability for the kerogen-rich layer of the layered shale formation; and utilizing a second permeability for a kerogen-poor layer of the layered shale formation, the second permeability different than the first permeability. In various cases the modeling of hydrocarbon production is with respect to a second model volume greater than the first model volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: LANDMARK GRAPHICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sheldon B. Gorell, Kenneth E. Williams, Amit Kumar, Ronald G. Dusterhoft
  • Patent number: 9262563
    Abstract: Modeling hydrocarbon flow from kerogens in a hydrocarbon bearing formation. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including modeling flow of hydrocarbons through a hydrocarbon bearing formation by: obtaining an indication of kerogen-wet porosity of kerogen within a portion of the formation; obtaining an indication of water-wet porosity within the portion of the formation; modeling hydrocarbon movement through the kerogen-wet porosity; and modeling hydrocarbon movement through the water-wet porosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: LANDMARK GRAPHICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Williams, Sheldon B. Gorell, Amit Kumar, Ronald G. Dusterhoft
  • Publication number: 20150293256
    Abstract: Determining characteristics of a formation. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including determining at least one characteristics of a shale formation. The determining may include: collecting optically interacted electromagnetic radiation from a portion of the shale formation; directing a first portion of the optically interacted electromagnetic radiation from the formation to a first multivariate optical element (MOE), the first MOE creates first modified electromagnetic radiation; applying the first modified electromagnetic radiation to a first detector, the first detector creates a first signal; and determining a first characteristic of the shale formation from the first signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Ronald G. Dusterhoft, Kenneth E. Williams, Amit Kumar, Robert P. Freese, Michael T. Pelletier
  • Patent number: 9064066
    Abstract: Optimizing well planning scenarios. At least some of the illustrating embodiments include: receiving, by a computer system, a complex fracture model that estimates fractures in a subsurface target; applying the complex fracture model to a reservoir model that estimates geological features between the subsurface target and earth's surface; and determining an earth surface well site and a well path from the earth surface well site to the subsurface target based on the complex fracture model and the geological information, wherein the earth surface well site is offset from the subsurface target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: LANDMARK GRAPHICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Amit Kumar, Ronald G. Dusterhoft, Richard D. Colvin, Kenneth E. Williams
  • Patent number: 9009010
    Abstract: Systems and methods for hydraulic fracture characterization using microseismic event data to identify the orientation spacing and dip for subsurface fractures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Landmark Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Jianfu Ma, Kenneth E. Williams
  • Patent number: 8978461
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a stress field in a subterranean formation include deploying a stress measurement tool on a tubular string, opening at least three fractures in three different radial directions in the subterranean formation, and closing the at least three fractures. The at least three fractures are reopened while measuring stress and strain conditions. From the reopening, a tangential stress component for each of the at least three fractures is determined. From the tangential stress components and radial directions of the at least three fractures, the stress field of the subterranean formation is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Gang Li, Kenneth E. Williams
  • Publication number: 20140136172
    Abstract: Modeling hydrocarbon flow, from layered shale formations. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including: modeling movement of hydrocarbons through kerogen-related porosity, the movement through a first model volume; estimating a first permeability of a kerogen-rich layer of a layered shale formation based on the modeling; and modeling hydrocarbon production from the layered shale formation. The modeling hydrocarbon production may include: utilizing the first permeability for the kerogen-rich layer of the layered shale formation; and utilizing a second permeability for a kerogen-poor layer of the layered shale formation, the second permeability different than the first permeability. In various cases the modeling of hydrocarbon production is with respect to a second model volume greater than the first model volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: LANDMARK GRAPHICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sheldon B. Gorell, Kenneth E. Williams, Amit Kumar, Ronald G. Dusterhoft
  • Publication number: 20140100833
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and software can be used to calculate fracture stratigraphy of a subterranean zone. In some aspects, microseismic event data associated with a fracture treatment of a subterranean zone are received, and the subterranean zone includes multiple subsurface layers. A filter is used to select a subset of the microseismic event data corresponding to fractures in a particular subsurface layer. Fracture stratigraphy is calculated for the particular subsurface layer from fracture planes associated with the selected subset of the microseismic event data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Williams, Jianfu Ma, Avi Lin
  • Publication number: 20130304437
    Abstract: Systems and methods for hydraulic fracture characterization using microseismic event data to identify the orientation spacing and dip for subsurface fractures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: Landmark Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Jianfu Ma, Kenneth E. Williams
  • Publication number: 20130231908
    Abstract: Modeling hydrocarbon flow from kerogens in a hydrocarbon bearing formation. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including modeling flow of hydrocarbons through a hydrocarbon bearing formation by: obtaining an indication of kerogen-wet porosity of kerogen within a portion of the formation; obtaining an indication of water-wet porosity within the portion of the formation; modeling hydrocarbon movement through the kerogen-wet porosity; and modeling hydrocarbon movement through the water-wet porosity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: LANDMARK GRAPHICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Williams, Sheldon B. Gorell, Amit Kumar, Ronald G. Dusterhoft
  • Publication number: 20130231910
    Abstract: Optimizing well planning scenarios. At least some of the illustrating embodiments include: receiving, by a computer system, a complex fracture model that estimates fractures in a subsurface target; applying the complex fracture model to a reservoir model that estimates geological features between the subsurface target and earth's surface; and determining an earth surface well site and a well path from the earth surface well site to the subsurface target based on the complex fracture model and the geological in formation, wherein the earth surface well site is offset from the subsurface target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: LANDMARK GRAPHICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Amit Kumar, Ronald G. Dusterhoft, Richard D. Colvin, Kenneth E. Williams
  • Publication number: 20120152010
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a stress field in a subterranean formation include deploying a stress measurement tool on a tubular string, opening at least three fractures in three different radial directions in the subterranean formation, and closing the at least three fractures. The at least three fractures are reopened while measuring stress and strain conditions. From the reopening, a tangential stress component for each of the at least three fractures is determined. From the tangential stress components and radial directions of the at least three fractures, the stress field of the subterranean formation is determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Gang Li, Kenneth E. Williams
  • Patent number: 7948402
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an object oriented architecture that includes a plurality of host aircraft interface objects that enable a plurality of different host aircraft or variants to be attached or interfaced to an associated store, such as a targeting pod or a weapon system. The union of all aircraft hosts and variants are packaged and maintained as one executable capable of adapting to the predetermined suite of identified hosts and host variants. At least one or more interface objects provide a virtual translation layer which is dynamically determined and allocated during instantiation. Auto detection of the host aircraft/host aircraft variant provides the specific interface protocol by which the store can process and provide status via a predetermined signal format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Robin H. Lewis, Kenneth E. Williams
  • Publication number: 20090240856
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an object oriented architecture that includes a plurality of host aircraft interface objects that enable a plurality of different host aircraft or variants to be attached or interfaced to an associated store, such as a targeting pod or a weapon system. The union of all aircraft hosts and variants are packaged and maintained as one executable capable of adapting to the predetermined suite of identified hosts and host variants. At least one or more interface objects provide a virtual translation layer which is dynamically determined and allocated during instantiation. Auto detection of the host aircraft/host aircraft variant provides the specific interface protocol by which the store can process and provide status via a predetermined signal format.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: Robin H. Lewis, Kenneth E. Williams
  • Patent number: 7551105
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an object oriented architecture that includes a plurality of host aircraft interface objects that enable a plurality of different host aircraft or variants to be attached or interfaced to an associated store, such as a targeting pod or a weapon system. The union of all aircraft hosts and variants are packaged and maintained as one executable capable of adapting to the predetermined suite of identified hosts and host variants. At least one or more interface objects provide a virtual translation layer which is dynamically determined and allocated during instantiation. Auto detection of the host aircraft/host aircraft variant provides the specific interface protocol by which the store can process and provide status via a predetermined signal format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Robin H. Lewis, Kenneth E. Williams