Patents by Inventor Lucio N. Tello

Lucio N. Tello 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: 10358905
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring parameters of a borehole using an acoustic logging system. By transmitting a high frequency acoustic signal essentially perpendicular to the major axis of a borehole casing using a transducer, the high frequency acoustic signal may produce one or more acoustic echoes. By receiving and analyzing a first acoustic echo from an inner wall of the borehole casing and at least one second acoustic echo from a back wall of the borehole casing, borehole parameters such as the impedance of the casing cement and the thickness of thicker borehole casings, up to and greater than 1 inch, may be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Lucio N. Tello, Edwin K. Roberts, Thomas J. Blankinship
  • Patent number: 10174604
    Abstract: Methods and systems for logging a wellbore having a casing are described. Acoustic energy, typically ultrasonic acoustic energy, is used to stimulate reverberation of the casing at a harmonic (for example, the second or third harmonic) of the resonance frequency of the casing. One or more acoustic sensors are used to measure acoustic signals generated by the casing reverberation. Parameters of the casing are calculated based on the measured acoustic signals adjusted by an adjustment factor determined by the particular harmonic. The use of harmonics instead of the fundamental resonance frequency allows wellbores with casings having walls thicker than 0.625 inches to be logged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Lucio N. Tello, Edwin K. Roberts, Thomas J. Blankinship
  • Publication number: 20170342817
    Abstract: Methods and systems for logging a wellbore having a casing are described. Acoustic energy, typically ultrasonic acoustic energy, is used to stimulate reverberation of the casing at a harmonic (for example, the second or third harmonic) of the resonance frequency of the casing. One or more acoustic sensors are used to measure acoustic signals generated by the casing reverberation. Parameters of the casing are calculated based on the measured acoustic signals adjusted by an adjustment factor determined by the particular harmonic. The use of harmonics instead of the fundamental resonance frequency allows wellbores with casings having walls thicker than 0.625 inches to be logged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Lucio N. Tello, Edwin K. Roberts, Thomas J. Blankinship
  • Patent number: 9715025
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for normalizing an acoustic wellbore tool by correcting measured sector acoustic signals due to changes in pressure and temperature downhole, the method and apparatus comprising an acoustic wellbore tool having at least one monopole transmitter and monopole receiver, and one or more sector transmitters and receivers disposed along the longitudinal axis of the tool, determining the attenuation values of received monopole and sector acoustic signals, determining a correction ratio using an average sector attenuation value and a theoretical attenuation value, and correcting the sector acoustic signals using the correction ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas J. Blankinship, Peter J. Schoch, Lucio N. Tello, Gregory J. Caston
  • Publication number: 20160054461
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for normalizing an acoustic wellbore tool by correcting measured sector acoustic signals due to changes in pressure and temperature downhole, the method and apparatus comprising an acoustic wellbore tool having at least one monopole transmitter and monopole receiver, and one or more sector transmitters and receivers disposed along the longitudinal axis of the tool, determining the attenuation values of received monopole and sector acoustic signals, determining a correction ratio using an average sector attenuation value and a theoretical attenuation value, and correcting the sector acoustic signals using the correction ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas J. Blankinship, Peter J. Schoch, Lucio N. Tello, Gregory J. Caston
  • Publication number: 20150198030
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring parameters of a borehole using an acoustic logging system. By transmitting a high frequency acoustic signal essentially perpendicular to the major axis of a borehole casing using a transducer, the high frequency acoustic signal may produce one or more acoustic echoes. By receiving and analyzing a first acoustic echo from an inner wall of the borehole casing and at least one second acoustic echo from a back wall of the borehole casing, borehole parameters such as the impedance of the casing cement and the thickness of thicker borehole casings, up to and greater than 1 inch, may be determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Lucio N. Tello, Edwin K. Roberts, Thomas J. Blankinship
  • Patent number: 7885142
    Abstract: An acoustic logging system that measures distribution of foam cement and other material in a casing-borehole annulus. The distribution is preferably displayed as map. A borehole tool utilizes at least one acoustic transducer with a known frequency response and mounted on a rotating scanning head that is pointed essentially perpendicular to the borehole wall. The response of the transducer is used to measure an original impedance map of material within the borehole-casing annulus. A fast Fourier transform is used to generate a FFT map from the data comprising the original impedance map. The original impedance map is then combined with the FFT map using logic rules to obtain a final impedance map that is indicative of material within the casing-borehole annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Precision Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Lucio N. Tello, Sarah D. Molder
  • Patent number: 7755973
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for in situ, continuous, automatic, and real-time acoustic impedance calibration of a transducer in an acoustic logging system. By taking the frequency characteristics of the ultrasonic transducer which are present in the internal casing reflection and convolving them with the frequency characteristics of the casing being logged, a theoretical model is created with a theoretical acoustic impedance fluid producing a theoretical free pipe signal at each measure point. The measured signal is then compared to the theoretical free pipe signal thereby yielding a calibrated acoustic impedance value for at each measure point. The only model employed is in the theoretical calculation of spectrum characteristics of free pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Precision Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Lucio N. Tello
  • Patent number: 7755972
    Abstract: An acoustic borehole logging system for generation and detection of multipole modes used to determine elastic properties of earth formations characterized as inhomogeneous anisotropic solids. The system concurrently generates and senses monopole, dipole, quadrupole and any higher order pole in the borehole/formation system in order to characterize the elastic properties and stress state of material penetrated by the borehole. Multipole modes of all orders are induced simultaneously without the need for separate transmitter and receiver systems. Performance of the logging system is not compromised due to eccentering of the axis of the tool in the borehole, tool tilt with respect to the axis of the borehole, or mismatch of response sensitivity of multiple receivers within the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Precision Energy Services, Ltd.
    Inventors: Elan Yogeswaren, Lucio N. Tello, Thomas J Blankinship
  • Patent number: 7646674
    Abstract: An acoustic borehole logging system for generation and detection of multipole modes used to determine elastic properties of earth formations characterized as inhomogeneous anisotropic solids. The system concurrently generates and senses monopole, dipole, quadrupole and any higher order pole in the borehole/formation system in order to characterize the elastic properties and stress state of material penetrated by the borehole. Multipole modes of all orders are induced simultaneously without the need for separate transmitter and receiver systems. Performance of the logging system is not compromised due to eccentering of the axis of the tool in the borehole, tool tilt with respect to the axis of the borehole, or mismatch of response sensitivity of multiple receivers within the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Precision Energy Services Ltd.
    Inventors: Elan Yogeswaren, Lucio N. Tello, Thomas J Blankinship
  • Publication number: 20090213689
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for in situ, continuous, automatic, and real-time acoustic impedance calibration of a transducer in an acoustic logging system. By taking the frequency characteristics of the ultrasonic transducer which are present in the internal casing reflection and convolving them with the frequency characteristics of the casing being logged, a theoretical model is created with a theoretical acoustic impedance fluid producing a theoretical free pipe signal at each measure point. The measured signal is then compared to the theoretical free pipe signal thereby yielding a calibrated acoustic impedance value for at each measure point. The only model employed is in the theoretical calculation of spectrum characteristics of free pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventor: Lucio N. Tello
  • Publication number: 20090185447
    Abstract: An acoustic borehole logging system for generation and detection of multipole modes used to determine elastic properties of earth formations characterized as inhomogeneous anisotropic solids. The system concurrently generates and senses monopole, dipole, quadrupole and any higher order pole in the borehole/formation system in order to characterize the elastic properties and stress state of material penetrated by the borehole. Multipole modes of all orders are induced simultaneously without the need for separate transmitter and receiver systems. Performance of the logging system is not compromised due to eccentering of the axis of the tool in the borehole, tool tilt with respect to the axis of the borehole, or mismatch of response sensitivity of multiple receivers within the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES, LTD
    Inventors: Elan Yogeswaren, Lucio N. Tello, Thomas J. Blankinship
  • Publication number: 20090185445
    Abstract: An acoustic borehole logging system for generation and detection of multipole modes used to determine elastic properties of earth formations characterized as inhomogeneous anisotropic solids. The system concurrently generates and senses monopole, dipole, quadrupole and any higher order pole in the borehole/formation system in order to characterize the elastic properties and stress state of material penetrated by the borehole. Multipole modes of all orders are induced simultaneously without the need for separate transmitter and receiver systems. Performance of the logging system is not compromised due to eccentering of the axis of the tool in the borehole, tool tilt with respect to the axis of the borehole, or mismatch of response sensitivity of multiple receivers within the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES, LTD
    Inventors: Elan Yogeswaren, Lucio N. Tello, Thomas J. Blankinship
  • Patent number: 7529150
    Abstract: An acoustic borehole logging system for generation and detection of multipole modes used to determine elastic properties of earth formations characterized as inhomogeneous anisotropic solids. The system concurrently generates and senses monopole, dipole, quadrupole and any higher order pole in the borehole/formation system in order to characterize the elastic properties and stress state of material penetrated by the borehole. Multipole modes of all orders are induced simultaneously without the need for separate transmitter and receiver systems. Performance of the logging system is not compromised due to eccentering of the axis of the tool in the borehole, tool tilt with respect to the axis of the borehole, or mismatch of response sensitivity of multiple receivers within the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Precision Energy Services, Ltd.
    Inventors: Elan Yogeswaren, Lucio N. Tello, Thomas J. Blankinship
  • Publication number: 20090086575
    Abstract: An acoustic logging system that measures distribution of foam cement and other material in a casing-borehole annulus. The distribution is preferably displayed as map. A borehole tool utilizes at least one acoustic transducer with a known frequency response and mounted on a rotating scanning head that is pointed essentially perpendicular to the borehole wall. The response of the transducer is used to measure an original impedance map of material within the borehole-casing annulus. A fast Fourier transform is used to generate a FFT map from the data comprising the original impedance map. The original impedance map is then combined with the FFT map using logic rules to obtain a final impedance map that is indicative of material within the casing-borehole annulus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: Precision Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Lucio N. Tello, Sarah D. Molder
  • Patent number: 7471591
    Abstract: An acoustic logging system with a borehole tool comprising a transmitter assembly and an axially spaced receiver assembly. The transmitter and receiver assemblies are optionally rotatable with respect to each other, depending upon the embodiment of the logging system. The logging system is designed to measure, among other parameters, the velocity (or slowness) and amplitude of shear wave energy induced by the transmitter assembly within formation penetrated by the borehole. These parameters are extracted from full wave acoustic data responses of receiver elements comprising the receiver assembly, and are measured as a function of azimuth around the borehole. These parameters are subsequently used to determine anisotropic properties of the formation, such as the azimuthal direction of formation fracturing with respect to the well borehole. Optional rotation of the transmitter and receiver assemblies minimizes adverse effects of maintaining calibration and balance of multiple transmitters and receivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Precision Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Lucio N. Tello, Thomas J. Blankinship, Edwin K. Roberts, Marek Kozak
  • Patent number: 7252143
    Abstract: A free point tool has at least one sensor to measure deformation of a stuck conduit in a borehole. A set of anchors is located adjacent to and on each side of the sensor. The anchors include anchor arms that move from a stowed position to an extended position. Each of the anchor arms has a pad, which pad has a contact face. The contact face is structured and arranged to engage the conduit. The pad is coupled to the respective anchor arm in an articulating manner, such as by a pin joint or a ball and socket joint. The pad can be easily coupled to or disconnected from the arm. This allows the pad to be selected for the downhole conditions, including conduit physical characteristics and environmental conditions downhole. The anchors also include cam arms coupled between the anchor arms and an actuator. There are provided at least two sets of anchor linkages of cam arms and anchor arms so as to adapt to the conduit inside diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Computalog USA Inc.
    Inventors: Freddie L. Sellers, Stanley R. Thomas, Jr., Lucio N. Tello
  • Patent number: 5907131
    Abstract: An acoustic logging tool having an acoustic transmitter and at least one acoustic receiver longitudinally spaced from the transmitter is lowered into a borehole fluid within a tubular member having a known resonant frequency. A pulse of acoustic energy is then transmitted into the tubular member, and acoustic energy traversing the tubular member and formation is detected at the acoustic receiver. A frequency domain transformation is performed on the detected acoustic energy and a cement bond evaluation is performed by comparing transformed detected acoustic energy amplitudes within a predetermined range of the resonant frequency of the tubular member, effectively filtering out acoustic energy which traverses the formation surrounding the tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Computalog U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventor: Lucio N. Tello
  • Patent number: 5631413
    Abstract: A production logging tool is provided for use within a well to directly measure a velocity profile of a multiphase fluid flow within a cross-section of a well. The production logging tool includes a tool housing from which a plurality of arms are radially extensible. The plurality of arms are rotatably mounted to the tool housing for rotating around a tool axis extending longitudinally through the tool housing. At least one Doppler flow sensor is fixedly mounted to one of the plurality of arms for moving with the arm to dispose the Doppler flow sensor within different localized regions within a cross-section of the well. The localized regions of the cross-section are located at different radial distances from and at different angular displacements around the tool axis of the tool housing, at points distal from the tool axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Computalog USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen R. Young, Lucio N. Tello, Thomas J. Blankinship
  • Patent number: 5377160
    Abstract: A sonic well logging tool radially measures circumferential cement conditions longitudinally along a well casing. Sonic signals are transmitted from a plurality of angularly displaced transmitter-transducers, through a borehole fluid, down a longitudinally extending sector of the well casing, and then through the borehole fluid to a plurality of angularly displaced receiver-transducers, which are distally disposed from the transmitter-transducers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: Computalog Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Lucio N. Tello, Thomas J. Blankinship, Gerald T. Alford