Patents by Inventor Michael T. Pelletier

Michael T. Pelletier 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: 10633970
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for determination of fluid contamination of a fluid sample from a downhole fluid sampling tool. A method may comprise obtaining a fluid sample, obtaining input parameters, wherein the input parameters comprise fluid properties obtained from measurement of the fluid sample and mud filtrate composition, obtaining initial values of iterative parameters, determining component mole fractions of the reservoir fluid using the initial values of the iterative parameters in a mole fraction distribution function, determining calculated fluid properties of the reservoir fluid using equation of state flash calculating, and repeating steps of determining component mole fractions and determining calculated fluid properties and further obtaining updated values of the iterative parameters for use in the mole fraction distribution function until a comparison of one or more of the calculated fluid properties with one or more of the input parameters is within a tolerance error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Tian He, Mehdi Alipour Kallehbasti, Ming Gu, Christopher Michael Jones, Darren Gascooke, Michael T. Pelletier, Di Du
  • Publication number: 20200041689
    Abstract: Systems and methods for placing well bores and/or portions of completed well systems in a subterranean formation relative to tar mats or other phenomena in the formation are provided. In some embodiments, the methods comprise: identifying a reservoir characteristic associated with a chemical or physicochemical property of a fluid in or proximate to the reservoir characteristic; measuring the property of a fluid in at least a portion of a subterranean formation in two or more locations in the subterranean formation; identifying a variation of the property of the fluid at one or more of the locations in the subterranean formation; and determining a target location or direction for a portion of a well system based at least in part on the variation of the property of the fluid, the well system comprising a borehole penetrating the subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Andrew Douglas Kirkwood, Christopher Michael Jones, Darren Gascooke, Michael T. Pelletier, Anthony Herman van Zuilekom
  • Patent number: 10550692
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for fluid characterization of fluid samples from a downhole fluid sampling tool. A fluid characterization method may include obtaining a fluid sample of a reservoir fluid; analyzing the fluid sample to derive input parameters, wherein the input parameters comprise fluid properties obtained from measurement of the fluid sample; determining component mole fractions of the fluid sample using a mole fraction distribution function; and determining calculated fluid properties using equation of state flash calculating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Tian He, Mehdi Alipour Kallehbasti, Ming Gu, Christopher Michael Jones, Darren Gascooke, Michael T. Pelletier, Di Du
  • Publication number: 20200024498
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for using elastocaloric materials in subterranean formations. A variety of downhole packages, for example, electronic packages and instrumentation packages, are utilized in subterranean formations during hydrocarbon exploration and production operations. Downhole packages are typically designed to operate below a maximum temperature. When a downhole package is placed in the subterranean formation, its temperature may increase as a result of the natural temperature of the subterranean formation in which it is being used. Additionally, many of these downhole packages used downhole generate heat during operation which may raise the temperature of the downhole package. Reaching or exceeding the maximum temperature of a downhole package may result in ineffective operation and/or complete destruction of the downhole package. As a result, the downhole package may need to be frequently replaced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Li Gao, David L. Perkins, Michael T. Pelletier
  • Publication number: 20200003053
    Abstract: Systems and methods for subterranean formation testing. A method may include: lowering a formation testing tool into a subterranean formation, wherein the formation testing tool may include memory, a pump, a formation probe, at least two sample chambers, wherein the at least two sample chambers may include probes to measure pressure and temperature; extracting a fluid from the subterranean formation with the pump and the formation probe; flowing the fluid into the at least two sample chambers with the pump; storing pressure and temperature data of the fluid in the memory; and removing the at least two sample chambers from the formation testing tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Pelletier, Christopher Michael Jones, Darren Gascooke, Anthony H. Van Zuilekom
  • Patent number: 10513922
    Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring material loss in a downhole environment arising from corrosion and/or erosion include placing a downhole sensor in a borehole. The resistance of the downhole sensor is measured using a four-probe resistance technique in which a power source is provided at two electrodes of the downhole sensor and voltage is measured at two voltage taps. A rise in voltage over time indicates loss of conductive material on the downhole sensor. The conductive material on the downhole sensor may be formed to provide discrete voltage increases for improving reliability of material loss and/or rate of material loss resistance measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Li Gao, Michael T. Pelletier, Robert S. Atkinson, David L. Perkins
  • Publication number: 20190383141
    Abstract: A frequency sensor comprises a surface functionalized with a reactant sensitive to an analyte and a vibration detector coupled to the functional surface to detect a frequency of a fluid having the analyte and located on the functional surface during vibration thereof. The frequency sensor comprises a measurement circuitry coupled to the vibration detector to determine a frequency shift over time of the detected frequency, wherein the frequency shift corresponds to the presence of the analyte which has reacted with the reactant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Michael T. Pelletier, Li Gao
  • Publication number: 20190353632
    Abstract: Systems and methods for subterranean formation testing. A method may include lowering a formation testing tool into a subterranean formation, wherein the formation testing tool may comprise a plurality of chambers, a pump and a probe channel; extracting a fluid from the subterranean formation into the probe channel; determining fluid properties at different depths; generating a fluid property-depth gradient; moving the fluid into the plurality of chambers; and determining a concentration of an inorganic portion of a downhole flashed gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Pelletier, Christopher Michael Jones, Darren Gascooke, Anthony H. Van Zuilekom
  • Patent number: 10481087
    Abstract: A downhole system in which an agile light source is used to simulate an integrated optical element to measure one or more characteristics of a fluid in a wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Li Gao, David L. Perkins, Michael T. Pelletier, Christopher Michael Jones
  • Patent number: 10459107
    Abstract: A monitoring apparatus for use in a well can include multiple segments, the segments comprising at least one buoyancy control device, at least one communication device, and at least one well parameter sensor. A method of communicating in a subterranean well can include installing at least one monitoring apparatus in the well, the monitoring apparatus including a communication device, a well parameter sensor and a buoyancy control device, and the communication device communicating with another communication device. A well monitoring system can include at least one monitoring apparatus disposed in a wellbore, the monitoring apparatus comprising multiple segments, the segments including at least one buoyancy control device, at least one well parameter sensor, and at least one communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Pelletier, David L. Perkins, Li Gao
  • Publication number: 20190323957
    Abstract: A method, system, and device for terahertz spectroscopy to analyze a sample. The device comprises a transmitter, a waveguide, a receiver, and a processor. The transmitter generates electromagnetic (EM) radiation in a terahertz frequency band from about 0.1 terahertz to about 10 terahertz. The waveguide propagates the EM radiation generated from the transmitter and houses the sample to attenuate the EM radiation. The receiver is in communication with the waveguide and generates a signal in response to EM radiation propagating in the waveguide. The processor analyzes the signal to identify a parameter associated with the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Wolfgang Hartmut NITSCHE, Michael T. PELLETIER, John Laureto MAIDA
  • Publication number: 20190316466
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a method of determining a pore throat size distribution of reservoir rock, comprising injecting a set of different-sized probe particles through a portion of reservoir rock and measuring retention volumes or times of each of the different-sized probe particles eluting from the portion of reservoir rock. This disclosure also provides a testing apparatus comprising a probe tube for receiving a set of different-sized probe particles in an elution fluid returning from a portion of reservoir rock and an analytical module connected to receive the elution fluid from the probe tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: Michael T. Pelletier, Li Gao, Megan Renee Pearl, Dale E. Jamison
  • Patent number: 10443378
    Abstract: An apparatus to determine fluid viscosities downhole in real-time includes a housing and an excitation element positioned therein. Electrical circuitry provides a drive signal that excites an excitation element into rotational oscillations. A detector produces a response signal correlating to the detected oscillating movement of the excitation element. Circuitry onboard the apparatus utilizes the drive and response signals to determine the fluid viscosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Li Gao, Wei Zhang, Michael T. Pelletier, Christopher Michael Jones, Dingding Chen, David Earl Ball
  • Patent number: 10428649
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to vibration frequency sensors comprising a vibratable flow tube having an interior for receiving a fluid, a vibration detector coupled to the flow tube for detecting a frequency of the fluid received by the flow tube during vibration thereof; and measurement circuitry coupled to the vibration detector for determining a frequency shift over time of the detected frequency. At least a portion of a surface of the interior of the flow tube is functionalized with a reactant sensitive to the analyte, and the frequency shift corresponds to the presence of the analyte, the analyte having reacted with the reactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Pelletier, Li Gao
  • Publication number: 20190284919
    Abstract: Downhole tools for isolating and analyzing one or more gases include a gas separation assembly in fluid communication with a gas specific analyzer. The gas separation assembly includes a piston disposed within a housing and a separation volume defined between the piston and the housing. The piston is movable to separate a gas component and a liquid component from a downhole formation fluid within the separation volume. The gas specific analyzer is operable to measure one or more properties of the gas component. In some configurations, the gas specific analyzer is an optical assembly containing a light source, an optical detector, and a gas cell that contains an observation volume. The optical assembly is operable to measure one or more properties of the gas component within the observation volume via the light source and the optical detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Jones, Darren Gascooke, Anthony H. van Zuilekom, Michael T. Pelletier, Bin Dai, James M. Price
  • Publication number: 20190284934
    Abstract: The embodiments herein relate to formation testers having reactive filter materials for detecting analytes in subterranean formation operations. The formation include a body having an outlet, a probe extendable from the body and having a sealing pad and a probe snorkel tube, a flow line within the body, wherein the flow line has an entry end connectable to the probe snorkel tube and an exit end connectable to the outlet in the body, a sample chamber fluidically connectable to the flow line downstream of the entry end of the flow line, and a reactive filter material in the flow line downstream of the sample chamber. The reactive filter material sorbs an analyte in a wellbore fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: David L. PERKINS, Christopher Michael JONES, Michael T. PELLETIER
  • Patent number: 10386522
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for measuring a speed of sound in a fluid in a well bore may include a frame adapted to receive the fluid there through are provided. The apparatus includes an acoustic source mounted on the frame; an acoustic detector to measure a signal propagating through the fluid, the acoustic detector disposed proximate the frame at a known distance from the acoustic source; and a test circuit adapted to synchronize the acoustic detector with a signal propagating through the frame. A method to determine physical properties of a fluid in a geological formation including a shear wave anisotropy in the geological formation and the formation composition using the fluid density and the fluid speed of sound is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Li Gao, Michael T. Pelletier, Thurairajasingam Rajasingam, Arthur Cheng, Paul Cooper
  • Patent number: 10385451
    Abstract: Apparatus and systems may operate to provide a first reactant as a gas that flows under reduced atmospheric pressure to interact with a surface, such as a tool body surface, the interaction confined to a passage within the tool body, wherein the passage includes the surface and extends without interruption from an entrance end of the passage to an exit end of the passage. Additional activity may include providing a second reactant as a gas under the reduced atmospheric pressure, subsequent to the first reactant, to interact with the surface of the tool body; and repeated provision of the first and second reactants until a selected coating thickness on the surface is formed. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael T. Pelletier
  • Publication number: 20190227048
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein. The method generally includes generating frequency responses of one or more sample fluids having known fluid properties, selecting an equivalent circuit model for modeling the frequency responses, the equivalent circuit model including one or more model elements, calculating an equivalent impedance of the equivalent circuit model, generating a correlation between the one or more model elements and the known fluid properties, measuring an impedance of a drilling fluid, and determining at least one property of the drilling fluid based on the correlation between the one or more model elements and the known fluid properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiangnan Ye, Li Gao, Dale E. Jamison, Michael T. Pelletier
  • Publication number: 20190219728
    Abstract: A method and microfluidic device to perform reservoir simulations using pressure-volume-temperature (“PVT”) analysis of wellbore fluids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher M. Jones, Michael T. Pelletier, Robert S. Atkinson, JR., Songhua Chen