Patents by Inventor Prashant Shekhar

Prashant Shekhar 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: 11906395
    Abstract: A method includes performing a downhole operation in a borehole; capturing, during the downhole operation, downhole particles and drilling mud at the surface from the borehole into a screen of at least one shaker; shaking the screen to emit vibrations to separate the downhole particles from the drilling mud; defining a vibration limit for a normal operating condition of the at least one shaker; setting a vibration fault threshold based on the vibration limit for the normal operating condition; monitoring, using at least one sensor, the vibrations over time; and determining there is a fault condition for the shaker, in response to the vibrations exceeding the vibration fault threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Prashant Shekhar, Abhijit Kulkarni, Gillies Alexander MacDonald
  • Patent number: 11781426
    Abstract: A line of coherent radiation is projected on a bed on which one or more particles is located, the one or more particles flowing produced as a result of a downhole operation in the borehole. An image of the bed is captured wherein one or more particles on the bed deflect the line of coherent radiation. One or more image edges is detected based on the captured image. A subset of the one or more image edges is identified as corresponding to edges of the one or more particles, based in part on changes in intensity of the captured image. Information about the one or more particles, including information about of size, shape and volume, can be determined from the one or more image edges corresponding to the edges of the one or more particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Abhijit Kulkarni, Prashant Shekhar
  • Patent number: 11454072
    Abstract: A method includes performing a downhole operation in a borehole in a formation. Downhole particles and drilling mud are captured at a surface from the borehole into a screen of a shaker during the downhole operation. Input power that comprises at least one of voltage, current, and leakage current being supplied to the shaker is monitored during operation of the shaker, it is determined whether the input power exceeds a threshold as a result of change in a load on the shaker. In response to determining that the input power exceeds the threshold as the result of change in the load on the shaker, it is determined that there is a kick condition in the borehole, where the kick condition comprises a condition in which a pressure of the formation exceeds a pressure in the borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Abhijit Kulkarni, Gillies Alexander MacDonald, Prashant Shekhar, Brian Scott Cooper
  • Publication number: 20220275694
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaker screen onto which downhole materials and fluid from a borehole are to be placed, the downhole materials a product of a downhole operation and a shaker to vibrate the shaker screen to separate the downhole materials from the fluid. The apparatus includes a radar to emit an electromagnetic wave onto the downhole materials on at least one of the shaker screen and a transit and detect a reflection of the electromagnetic wave reflected off at least a portion of the downhole materials and a device to determine a velocity of the downhole materials advancing along at least one of the shaker screen toward a discharge end of the shaker screen and the transit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventors: Prashant Shekhar, Gillies Alexander MacDonald, Abhijit Kulkarni
  • Patent number: 11401806
    Abstract: An imaging device (124), laser(s) (190, 192), lag calculation, and/or volume calculations are used to determine cuttings volume per unit depth. A projected or theoretical volume can be calculated based on parameters of the borehole being drilled. At the surface of the borehole, cuttings can be captured in a shaker screen (108). The volume of the cuttings can then be directly measured on the shaker screen. Deviations from a projected volume can be logged and notifications can be communicated on and/or offsite of the borehole. Additionally, size and shape of cuttings can be logged. Deviations from projected size and shape can also be logged. Various hydrocarbon recover}? operations can be altered based on results of the cuttings analysis and other indicators of improper hole cleaning. For instance, the drilling can be stopped, or a direction of the borehole can be altered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Mathew Dennis Rowe, Daniel Duncan Blue, III, Prashant Shekhar
  • Patent number: 11402741
    Abstract: A system for automated detection and removal of visual obstructions such as debris, fumes, or mist from the view zone of an imaging device. An autodetection algorithm runs on incoming visual data from a data acquisition (DAQ) system to determine if a visual obstruction is present. A controller initiates a dry-cleaning dual cycle (DCDC) run including a wet clean cycle and a dry clean cycle. During the wet clean cycle, a base fluid mist is distributed onto the view zone. Subsequently during the dry clean cycle, compressed air is distributed onto the view zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Gillies Alexander MacDonald, Prashant Shekhar, Abhijit Kulkarni
  • Publication number: 20220186616
    Abstract: A system includes an extraction system having an inlet channel and an outlet channel to receive fluid and to output processed fluid. The system also includes an extraction device to capture a first sample of fluid from the inlet channel, capture a second sample from the processed fluid from the outlet channel, and extract gas, liquid, or solids from the first sample and further gas, liquid, or solids from the second sample. Additionally, the system includes a gas, liquid, or solids analyzing device useable to analyze the gas, liquid, or solids to determine a first value of a chemical species of interest present in the first sample and to analyze the further gas, liquid, or solids to determine a second value of the chemical species of interest present in the second sample to determine an efficiency of the extraction system using the first value and the second value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: Prashant Shekhar, Mohamed Saber Abouhussien
  • Patent number: 11339618
    Abstract: A method includes depositing, onto a shaker screen, downhole materials and fluids coming to a surface of the borehole as a result of a downhole operation. The downhole materials are separated from the fluids using the shaker screen. Using a radar, an electromagnetic wave is emitted toward a discharge end of the shaker screen or a transit downstream to the shaker. A reflection of the electromagnetic wave reflected off a portion of the downhole materials is detected. A velocity of the downhole materials advancing along the shaker screen toward the discharge end of the shaker screen or on a transit downstream to the shaker is determined. An approximate area occupied by the downhole materials on the shaker screen is determined. A volume of the downhole materials based on the velocity of the downhole materials and the approximate area occupied by the downhole materials on the shaker screen is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Prashant Shekhar, Gillies Alexander MacDonald, Abhijit Kulkarni
  • Publication number: 20210191252
    Abstract: A system for automated detection and removal of visual obstructions such as debris, fumes, or mist from the view zone of an imaging device. An autodetection algorithm runs on incoming visual data from a data acquisition (DAQ) system to determine if a visual obstruction is present. A controller initiates a dry-cleaning dual cycle (DCDC) run including a wet clean cycle and a dry clean cycle. During the wet clean cycle, a base fluid mist is distributed onto the view zone. Subsequently during the dry clean cycle, compressed air is distributed onto the view zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2019
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Gillies Alexander MacDonald, Prashant Shekhar, Abhijit Kulkarni
  • Publication number: 20210180417
    Abstract: A system for measuring drill cuttings may comprise a conveyor belt disposed below a shaker, wherein the shaker disposes the drill cuttings on to the conveyor belt, and an imaging system connected to the conveyor belt by a frame, wherein the frame positions the imaging system to form a field of view on the conveyor belt with the imaging system. The system may further include an information handling system configured to operate the shaker and the conveyor belt. A method for identifying a size of drill cuttings may comprise dropping drill cuttings on a conveyor belt from a shaker, operating the conveyor belt to move the drill cuttings through a field of view, viewing the drill cuttings in the field of view with an imaging system, and sizing the drill cuttings based at least in part on one or more calibration blocks attached to the conveyor belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Prashant Shekhar, Abhijit Kulkarni
  • Patent number: 11015404
    Abstract: A system for measuring drill cuttings may comprise a conveyor belt disposed below a shaker, wherein the shaker disposes the drill cuttings on to the conveyor belt, and an imaging system connected to the conveyor belt by a frame, wherein the frame positions the imaging system to form a field of view on the conveyor belt with the imaging system. The system may further include an information handling system configured to operate the shaker and the conveyor belt. A method for identifying a size of drill cuttings may comprise dropping drill cuttings on a conveyor belt from a shaker, operating the conveyor belt to move the drill cuttings through a field of view, viewing the drill cuttings in the field of view with an imaging system, and sizing the drill cuttings based at least in part on one or more calibration blocks attached to the conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Prashant Shekhar, Abhijit Kulkarni
  • Publication number: 20200363289
    Abstract: A method includes performing a downhole operation in a borehole; capturing, during the downhole operation, downhole particles and drilling mud at the surface from the borehole into a screen of at least one shaker; shaking the screen to emit vibrations to separate the downhole particles from the drilling mud; defining a vibration limit for a normal operating condition of the at least one shaker; setting a vibration fault threshold based on the vibration limit for the normal operating condition; monitoring, using at least one sensor, the vibrations over time; and determining there is a fault condition for the shaker, in response to the vibrations exceeding the vibration fault threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Prashant Shekhar, Abhijit Kulkarni, Gillies Alexander MacDonald
  • Publication number: 20200332642
    Abstract: A method includes performing a downhole operation in a borehole in a formation. Downhole particles and drilling mud are captured at a surface from the borehole into a screen of a shaker during the downhole operation. Input power that comprises at least one of voltage, current, and leakage current being supplied to the shaker is monitored during operation of the shaker, it is determined whether the input power exceeds a threshold as a result of change in a load on the shaker. In response to determining that the input power exceeds the threshold as the result of change in the load on the shaker, it is determined that there is a kick condition in the borehole, where the kick condition comprises a condition in which a pressure of the formation exceeds a pressure in the borehole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Abhijit Kulkarni, Gillies Alexander MacDonald, Prashant Shekhar, Brian Scott Cooper
  • Publication number: 20200332654
    Abstract: An imaging device (124), laser(s) (190, 192), lag calculation, and/or volume calculations are used to determine cuttings volume per unit depth. A projected or theoretical volume can be calculated based on parameters of the borehole being drilled. At the surface of the borehole, cuttings can be captured in a shaker screen (108). The volume of the cuttings can then be directly measured on the shaker screen. Deviations from a projected volume can be logged and notifications can be communicated on and/or offsite of the borehole. Additionally, size and shape of cuttings can be logged. Deviations from projected size and shape can also be logged. Various hydrocarbon recover}? operations can be altered based on results of the cuttings analysis and other indicators of improper hole cleaning. For instance, the drilling can be stopped, or a direction of the borehole can be altered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Mathew Dennis Rowe, Daniel Duncan Blue, III, Prashant Shekhar
  • Publication number: 20190368347
    Abstract: A line of coherent radiation is positioned on a bed on which one or more particles is located, the one or more particles flowing to a surface of a borehole as a result of a downhole operation in the borehole. An image of the bed is captured wherein one or more particles on the bed deflect the line of coherent radiation. One or more image edges is detected based on the captured image. A line of coherent radiation is identified on the bed based on a pattern of the one or more image edges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Abhijit Kulkarni, Prashant Shekhar
  • Publication number: 20190368287
    Abstract: A method includes depositing, onto a shaker screen, downhole materials and fluids coming to a surface of the borehole as a result of a downhole operation. The downhole materials are separated from the fluids using the shaker screen. Using a radar, an electromagnetic wave is emitted toward a discharge end of the shaker screen or a transit downstream to the shaker. A reflection of the electromagnetic wave reflected off a portion of the downhole materials is detected. A velocity of the downhole materials advancing along the shaker screen toward the discharge end of the shaker screen or on a transit downstream to the shaker is determined. An approximate area occupied by the downhole materials on the shaker screen is determined. A volume of the downhole materials based on the velocity of the downhole materials and the approximate area occupied by the downhole materials on the shaker screen is determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Prashant Shekhar, Gillies Alexander MacDonald, Abhijit Kulkarni
  • Patent number: 10378295
    Abstract: A method of operating a gas extraction system includes receiving a drilling fluid sample at a flow meter via a flow meter inlet conduit and discharging the drilling fluid sample into a flow meter outlet conduit. A first inline mud valve positioned in the flow meter inlet conduit and a second inline mud valve positioned in the flow meter outlet conduit are each closed to transition the gas extraction system to a bypass flushing configuration. A bypass flow meter valve positioned in a flow meter bypass conduit is opened to divert the drilling fluid sample around the flow meter. The flow meter is then flushed with flushing fluid by opening first and second flow meter flushing valves and starting a pump to circulate the flushing fluid through the flow meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Prashant Shekhar, Gillies Alexander MacDonald, Robert James Costo, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20180016857
    Abstract: A method of operating a gas extraction system includes receiving a drilling fluid sample at a flow meter via a flow meter inlet conduit and discharging the drilling fluid sample into a flow meter outlet conduit. A first inline mud valve positioned in the flow meter inlet conduit and a second inline mud valve positioned in the flow meter outlet conduit are each closed to transition the gas extraction system to a bypass flushing configuration. A bypass flow meter valve positioned in a flow meter bypass conduit is opened to divert the drilling fluid sample around the flow meter. The flow meter is then flushed with flushing fluid by opening first and second flow meter flushing valves and starting a pump to circulate the flushing fluid through the flow meter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: Prashant Shekhar, Gillies Alexander MacDonald, Robert James Costo, JR.
  • Patent number: 9816335
    Abstract: A method of operating a gas extraction system includes receiving a drilling fluid sample at a flow meter via a flow meter inlet conduit and discharging the drilling fluid sample into a flow meter outlet conduit. A first inline mud valve positioned in the flow meter inlet conduit and a second inline mud valve positioned in the flow meter outlet conduit are each closed to transition the gas extraction system to a bypass flushing configuration. A bypass flow meter valve positioned in a flow meter bypass conduit is opened to divert the drilling fluid sample around the flow meter. The flow meter is then flushed with flushing fluid by opening first and second flow meter flushing valves and starting a pump to circulate the flushing fluid through the flow meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Prashant Shekhar, Gillies Alexander MacDonald, Robert James Costo, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20170107773
    Abstract: A method of operating a gas extraction system includes receiving a drilling fluid sample at a flow meter via a flow meter inlet conduit and discharging the drilling fluid sample into a flow meter outlet conduit. A first inline mud valve positioned in the flow meter inlet conduit and a second inline mud valve positioned in the flow meter outlet conduit are each closed to transition the gas extraction system to a bypass flushing configuration. A bypass flow meter valve positioned in a flow meter bypass conduit is opened to divert the drilling fluid sample around the flow meter. The flow meter is then flushed with flushing fluid by opening first and second flow meter flushing valves and starting a pump to circulate the flushing fluid through the flow meter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Prashant Shekhar, Gillies Alexander MacDonald, Robert James Costo