Patents by Inventor Mark William Alberty

Mark William Alberty 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: 9103206
    Abstract: A method of increasing the fracture resistance of a low permeability formation that includes emplacing a wellbore fluid in a wellbore through the low permeability formation, the wellbore fluid comprising: a settable carrier fluid; and a solid particulate bridging material; increasing the pressure in the wellbore such that fractures are formed in the formation; allowing the settable carrier fluid to enter the fractures; bridging and sealing the mouths of the fractures to form a substantially impermeable bridge proximate the mouth of the fractures thereby strengthening the formation; and holding the increased pressure for an amount of time sufficient for setting of the carrier fluid in the fractures is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignees: M-I LLC, BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Mark William Alberty, Mark Aston, Jim Friedheim, Mark Sanders, Randall Sant
  • Patent number: 9091149
    Abstract: In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, techniques for predicting, classifying, preventing, and remedying drilling fluid circulation loss events are disclosed. Tools for gathering relevant data are disclosed, and techniques for interpreting the resultant data as giving rise to an actual or potential drilling fluid lost circulation event are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Mark William Alberty, Mark Aston, Juan Carlos Rojas, Randall Sant, Jianguo Zhang
  • Patent number: 8794350
    Abstract: A method for the detection of gas invading a wellbore during drilling by the influx of fluids which contain gas from the formations penetrated by a wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventor: Mark William Alberty
  • Publication number: 20130299241
    Abstract: In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, techniques for predicting, classifying, preventing, and remedying drilling fluid circulation loss events are disclosed. Tools for gathering relevant data are disclosed, and techniques for interpreting the resultant data as giving rise to an actual or potential drilling fluid lost circulation event are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicants: BP EXPLORATION OPERATING COMPANY LIMITED, BP CORPORATION NORTH AMERICA INC.
    Inventors: Mark William Alberty, Mark Aston, Juan Carlos Rojas, Randall Sant, Jianguo Zhang
  • Patent number: 8499830
    Abstract: Methods are described using resistivity measurements obtained while drilling one or more offset wells using a drilling mud to guide drilling of one or more uncased intervals of a well to identify a casing point or points in the uncased intervals of the well. Resistivity data is gathered during drilling the offset well and prior to penetrating a region of interest of a known subterranean formation. The drill string in the uncased interval of the well progresses toward the region of interest, using resistivity data at similar depths to identify a casing point while the drill bit advances toward but does not penetrate the region. In certain embodiments resistivity may also be obtained in front of the drill bit in the uncased interval of the well and used in conjunction with the offset well resistivity data to identify casing points in the uncased intervals of the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventor: Mark William Alberty
  • Publication number: 20110297380
    Abstract: Methods of jarring include communicating between a surface command device and jars in a drill string, the drill string composed of spaced apart jars positioned in a corresponding plurality of wired and/or wireless pipe sections. The methods include selectively controlling charging, firing, amount of force, and/or direction of force of the jars using digitally-controlled surface command devices. One method includes firing a sub-set or all of the jars in a controlled manner and determining depth of a stuck drill string section through analysis of behavior or performance of the fired jars. Other methods include subsequently firing one or more of the jars again below the stuck drill string section. Other methods include selectively firing, using digital signals from the surface command device, jars sequenced in time so that their forces meet in a constructive or destructive manner at a preselected point in the drill string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicants: BP CORPORATION NORTH AMERICA INC.
    Inventors: Mark William Alberty, Warren J. Winters, Nigel Last
  • Patent number: 8061442
    Abstract: Methods of using resistivity ahead of a drill bit measurements obtained while drilling a subterranean well using a drilling mud. Resistivity data ahead of the bit is gathered during drilling and prior to penetrating a region of interest of a known subterranean formation using the drill bit and the drilling mud. The drill string progresses at known dip and azimuth angles toward the subterranean formation. The resistivity data is used to determine pore pressure ahead of the drill bit in the formation as a function of resistivity ahead of the drill bit in the formation while the drill bit advances toward but before the bit penetrates the formation while drilling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventor: Mark William Alberty
  • Patent number: 7861801
    Abstract: Methods are described using resistivity ahead of a drill bit measurements obtained while drilling a subterranean well using a drilling mud. Resistivity data ahead of the bit is gathered during drilling and prior to penetrating a region of interest of a target subterranean formation using the drill bit and the drilling mud. The drill string progresses at target dip and azimuth angles toward the region on interest. The resistivity data is used to determine the top of the region of interest while the drill bit advances toward but does not penetrate the region. A core bit is then installed and a whole core of the region of interest obtained. Resistivity ahead of a drill bit measurements obtained while drilling a subterranean well may also be compared with conventional resistivity measurements obtained from one or more offset wells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventor: Mark William Alberty
  • Publication number: 20100282470
    Abstract: A method of increasing the fracture resistance of a low permeability formation that includes emplacing a wellbore fluid in a wellbore through the low permeability formation, the wellbore fluid comprising: a settable carrier fluid; and a solid particulate bridging material; increasing the pressure in the wellbore such that fractures are formed in the formation; allowing the settable carrier fluid to enter the fractures; bridging and sealing the mouths of the fractures to form a substantially impermeable bridge proximate the mouth of the fractures thereby strengthening the formation; and holding the increased pressure for an amount of time sufficient for setting of the carrier fluid in the fractures is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicants: M-I LLC, BP CORPORATION NORTH AMERICA INC.
    Inventors: Mark William Alberty, Mark Aston, Jim Friedheim, Mark Sanders, Randall Sant
  • Publication number: 20100000729
    Abstract: Methods are described using resistivity measurements obtained while drilling one or more offset wells using a drilling mud to guide drilling of one or more uncased intervals of a well to identify a casing point or points in the uncased intervals of the well. Resistivity data is gathered during drilling the offset well and prior to penetrating a region of interest of a known subterranean formation. The drill string in the uncased interval of the well progresses toward the region of interest, using resistivity data at similar depths to identify a casing point while the drill bit advances toward but does not penetrate the region. In certain embodiments resistivity may also be obtained in front of the drill bit in the uncased interval of the well and used in conjunction with the offset well resistivity data to identify casing points in the uncased intervals of the well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: BP Corporation North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark William Alberty
  • Publication number: 20100000792
    Abstract: Methods are described using resistivity ahead of a drill bit measurements obtained while drilling a subterranean well using a drilling mud. Resistivity data ahead of the bit is gathered during drilling and prior to penetrating a region of interest of a target subterranean formation using the drill bit and the drilling mud. The drill string progresses at target dip and azimuth angles toward the region on interest. The resistivity data is used to determine the top of the region of interest while the drill bit advances toward but does not penetrate the region. A core bit is then installed and a whole core of the region of interest obtained. Resistivity ahead of a drill bit measurements obtained while drilling a subterranean well may also be compared with conventional resistivity measurements obtained from one or more offset wells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: BP Corporation North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark William Alberty
  • Publication number: 20100000791
    Abstract: Methods are described using resistivity ahead of a drill bit measurements obtained while drilling a subterranean well using a drilling mud. Resistivity data ahead of the bit is gathered during drilling and prior to penetrating a region of interest of a known subterranean formation using the drill bit and the drilling mud. The drill string progresses at known dip and azimuth angles toward the subterranean formation. The resistivity data is used to determine pore pressure ahead of the drill bit in the formation as a function of resistivity ahead of the drill bit in the formation while the drill bit advances toward but before the bit penetrates the formation while drilling. In certain embodiments, the methods include redirecting the drill bit while drilling toward locations in the formation where pore pressure is within an acceptable range. In other embodiments, a drilling mud parameter is adjusted based on the pore pressure in front of the bit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: BP Corporation North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark William Alberty
  • Publication number: 20090159337
    Abstract: A method for the detection of gas invading a wellbore during drilling by the influx of fluids which contain gas from the formations penetrated by a wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventor: Mark William Alberty
  • Patent number: 7431106
    Abstract: A method of reducing formation breakdown during the drilling of a wellbore which method comprises: (a) circulating a drilling mud in the wellbore comprising (i) an aqueous or oil based fluid, (ii) at least one fluid loss additive at a concentration effective to achieve a high temperature high pressure (HTHP) fluid loss from the drilling mud of less than 2 ml/30 minutes and (iii) a solid particulate bridging material having an average particle diameter of 25 to 2000 microns and a concentration of at least 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignees: BP Exploration Operating Company Limited, BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Mark William Alberty, Mark Shelton Aston, Michael Richard Mclean