Patents by Inventor Robert Estes

Robert Estes 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: 10858929
    Abstract: A system and method for drilling a second well with respect to a first well is disclosed. A first drill string having a known magnetic signature is disposed at a first depth in the first well. A second drill string is used to drill the second well. The second drill string includes a magnetometer that obtains a magnetic measurement of the first drill string during drilling of the second well. A processor uses the obtained magnetic measurement and the magnetic signature of the first drill string to steer the second drill string to drill the second well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Estes, Catalina Leal
  • Patent number: 10378330
    Abstract: A tool for use in a borehole penetrating a formation method and a method for using the tool is disclosed. The tool includes a gyroscope for obtaining a first measurement of a rotation rate of the apparatus and at least one accelerometer for obtaining a second measurement of the rotation rate of the apparatus. A processor generates an estimate of the rotation rate using at least one of the first measurement of rotation rate and the second measurement of rotation rate. The estimate of the rotation rate is sued to determine a rotational position of a formation parameter measurement obtained during rotation of the apparatus in the borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Estes, Randell R. Riggs
  • Publication number: 20180180418
    Abstract: A tool for use in a borehole penetrating a formation method and a method for using the tool is disclosed. The tool includes a gyroscope for obtaining a first measurement of a rotation rate of the apparatus and at least one accelerometer for obtaining a second measurement of the rotation rate of the apparatus. A processor generates an estimate of the rotation rate using at least one of the first measurement of rotation rate and the second measurement of rotation rate. The estimate of the rotation rate is sued to determine a rotational position of a formation parameter measurement obtained during rotation of the apparatus in the borehole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Robert A. Estes, Randell R. Riggs
  • Patent number: 9970268
    Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus for treating a formation is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment includes a first string for placement in the wellbore that includes a first flow port that enables a treatment fluid to flow from inside the first string to the formation via an annulus between the first string and the formation, a second string for placement in the first string, wherein the second string includes a second flow port that supplies the treatment fluid to the first flow port along a selected radial orientation to direct the treatment fluid in the selected radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Kelly D. Ireland, Robert A. Estes
  • Patent number: 9963936
    Abstract: A method, system and drilling apparatus for directional drilling are disclosed. A drill bit is located at a downhole end of a drill string in a borehole. A length of the borehole between a surface location and the drill bit at the downhole end of a drill string is determined and an azimuth angle and inclination of the drill bit is obtained. The length of the borehole may be determined by recording an arrival time at a downhole location of an acoustic pulse travelling from a surface location to the downhole location and determines the travel time and borehole length therefrom. A downhole processor determines a position and orientation of the drill bit from the determined length, azimuth angle and inclination and alters a steering parameter of the drill bit using the determined position and orientation of the drill bit to obtain a selected trajectory for drilling the borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Kruspe, Robert A. Estes, Rocco DiFoggio, Francis Chad Hanak
  • Patent number: 9804288
    Abstract: A system method and computer-readable medium for correcting measurements obtained by a down hole tool for residual measurement errors is disclosed. A down hole tool having at least two directional field sensors is disposed in a borehole. The at least two directional sensors are substantially orthogonal to each other and to a longitudinal axis of the down hole tool. Measurements are obtained from the at least two directional sensors during rotation of the tool by at least 360 degrees around the longitudinal axis of the tool. Residual measurement errors are determined for the obtained measurements, and a quality level of the determined residual measurement errors selected. The determined residual measurement errors are applied to the obtained measurements when the determined residual measurement errors are consistent with the selected quality level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, a GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Estes, Randy R. Riggs, Francis Chad Hanak, John F. Priest
  • Publication number: 20170138173
    Abstract: A system and method for drilling a second well with respect to a first well is disclosed. A first drill string having a known magnetic signature is disposed at a first depth in the first well. A second drill string is used to drill the second well. The second drill string includes a magnetometer that obtains a magnetic measurement of the first drill string during drilling of the second well. A processor uses the obtained magnetic measurement and the magnetic signature of the first drill string to steer the second drill string to drill the second well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Robert A. Estes, Catalina Leal
  • Patent number: 9605527
    Abstract: An apparatus for mitigation of torsional noise effects on borehole measurements. The apparatus may include a conveyance device; a sleeve having a sensor section, the sleeve rotatably disposed on the conveyance device; a sensor having at least one component disposed on the sensor section; and a driver coupled to the conveyance device and configured to rotate at least the sleeve sensor section. The driver may rotate the sleeve sensor section independent of the conveyance device. The driver may rotate the sleeve sensor section at a preset substantially constant rotational speed. The sleeve may include at least one arm configured to selectively lock the sleeve to a surface in the borehole. The driver may rotate the sleeve sensor section during measurement by the sensor. The driver may selectively couple the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Arcady Reiderman, Robert Estes, Fei Le, Hanno Reckmann, Christian Herbig
  • Patent number: 9422803
    Abstract: A method of drilling a well is disclosed. A first estimate is obtained of a location of the well with respect to a reference well at a selected depth. A magnetic measurement is obtained at the selected depth using a sensor. The obtained magnetic measurement is related to a residual magnetic charge distribution in the reference well. An expected value of the magnetic measurement at the selected depth is determined from the residual magnetic charge distribution. A second estimate is obtained of the location of the well using the first estimate of the location, the obtained magnetic measurement and the expected value of the magnetic measurement. A drilling parameter of the well is altered using the second estimate of the location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Francis Chad Hanak, Robert A. Estes
  • Patent number: 9411065
    Abstract: A drilling system, method and drilling apparatus for determining a parameter of a formation at a downhole location is disclosed. A member having a longitudinal axis is disposed in a borehole at the downhole location. A first magnetometer and a second magnetometer are disposed at an axial location of the member as separate azimuthal locations around the member and oriented tangential to a circumference of circle in a plane transverse to a longitudinal axis of the member. Magnetic fields resulting from a current flowing longitudinally through the member due to a spontaneous potential in the formation are measured to determine the spontaneous potential. The parameter of the formation is determined from the determined spontaneous potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Robert A. Estes
  • Publication number: 20160061011
    Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus for treating a formation is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment includes a first string for placement in the wellbore that includes a first flow port that enables a treatment fluid to flow from inside the first string to the formation via an annulus between the first string and the formation, a second string for placement in the first string, wherein the second string includes a second flow port that supplies the treatment fluid to the first flow port along a selected radial orientation to direct the treatment fluid in the selected radial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Kelly D. Ireland, Robert A. Estes
  • Publication number: 20150331138
    Abstract: A system method and computer-readable medium for correcting measurements obtained by a down hole tool for residual measurement errors is disclosed. A down hole tool having at least two directional field sensors is disposed in a borehole. The at least two directional sensors are substantially orthogonal to each other and to a longitudinal axis of the down hole tool. Measurements are obtained from the at least two directional sensors during rotation of the tool by at least 360 degrees around the longitudinal axis of the tool. Residual measurement errors are determined for the obtained measurements, and a quality level of the determined residual measurement errors selected. The determined residual measurement errors are applied to the obtained measurements when the determined residual measurement errors are consistent with the selected quality level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Robert A. Estes, Randy R. Riggs, Francis Chad Hanak, John F. Priest
  • Patent number: 9163498
    Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus for use in a wellbore is provided that in one embodiment includes a sensor having a plurality of spaced conductive contact elements, a sensing member that moves by gravity and contacts at least two contact elements in the plurality of contact elements to create an electrical short between such at least two contact elements and a circuit coupled to the contact elements configured to generate electrical signals in response to the electrical short between the contact elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Paul G. Cairns, Kurt J. Kuck, Robert A. Estes
  • Patent number: 9157310
    Abstract: A method for surveying a formation includes conveying a survey instrument into the wellbore; measuring one or more parameters of interest relating to a wellbore tubular in the wellbore; and operating the survey instrument after the measured parameter of interest indicates that the wellbore tubular is being tripped out of the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert A. Estes, Jonathan R. Bynum
  • Publication number: 20150276962
    Abstract: A drilling system, method and drilling apparatus for determining a parameter of a formation at a downhole location is disclosed. A member having a longitudinal axis is disposed in a borehole at the downhole location. A first magnetometer and a second magnetometer are disposed at an axial location of the member as separate azimuthal locations around the member and oriented tangential to a circumference of circle in a plane transverse to a longitudinal axis of the member. Magnetic fields resulting from a current flowing longitudinally through the member due to a spontaneous potential in the formation are measured to determine the spontaneous potential. The parameter of the formation is determined from the determined spontaneous potential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Robert A. Estes
  • Publication number: 20150096805
    Abstract: A method, system and drilling apparatus for directional drilling are disclosed. A drill bit is located at a downhole end of a drill string in a borehole. A length of the borehole between a surface location and the drill bit at the downhole end of a drill string is determined and an azimuth angle and inclination of the drill bit is obtained. The length of the borehole may be determined by recording an arrival time at a downhole location of an acoustic pulse travelling from a surface location to the downhole location and determines the travel time and borehole length therefrom. A downhole processor determines a position and orientation of the drill bit from the determined length, azimuth angle and inclination and alters a steering parameter of the drill bit using the determined position and orientation of the drill bit to obtain a selected trajectory for drilling the borehole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Thomas Kruspe, Robert A. Estes, Rocco DiFoggio, Francis Chad Hanak
  • Patent number: 8899322
    Abstract: Autonomous control of a wellbore tool is provided by programming a memory module of a processor with a database having data relating to a selected parameter of interest; conveying a sensor and the processor along the wellbore; and activating the wellbore tool if the processor determines that a measurement provided by the sensor correlates with the database data. The processor may correlate the sensor measurements with a predetermined pattern associated with the data, a preset value, and/or a preset range of values. Well tool activation may occur when the processor finds: a substantial match between a predetermined pattern and at least one measured value; a present value and at least one measured value, and/or a preset range of values and at least one measured range of values. Also, activating the well tool may occur only if a measurement from a second sensor meets a preset criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Gary J. Cresswell, William Befeld, Robert Estes
  • Publication number: 20140151031
    Abstract: An apparatus for mitigation of torsional noise effects on borehole measurements. The apparatus may include a conveyance device; a sleeve having a sensor section, the sleeve rotatably disposed on the conveyance device; a sensor having at least one component disposed on the sensor section; and a driver coupled to the conveyance device and configured to rotate at least the sleeve sensor section. The driver may rotate the sleeve sensor section independent of the conveyance device. The driver may rotate the sleeve sensor section at a preset substantially constant rotational speed. The sleeve may include at least one arm configured to selectively lock the sleeve to a surface in the borehole. The driver may rotate the sleeve sensor section during measurement by the sensor. The driver may selectively couple the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Arcady Reiderman, Robert Estes, Fei Le, Hanno Reckmann, Christian Herbig
  • Publication number: 20140121971
    Abstract: A method of drilling a well is disclosed. A first estimate is obtained of a location of the well with respect to a reference well at a selected depth. A magnetic measurement is obtained at the selected depth using a sensor. The obtained magnetic measurement is related to a residual magnetic charge distribution in the reference well. An expected value of the magnetic measurement at the selected depth is determined from the residual magnetic charge distribution. A second estimate is obtained of the location of the well using the first estimate of the location, the obtained magnetic measurement and the expected value of the magnetic measurement. A drilling parameter of the well is altered using the second estimate of the location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventors: Francis Chad Hanak, Robert A. Estes
  • Patent number: 8528637
    Abstract: A method for determining depth in a wellbore uses inertial navigation in conjunction with a database having one or more measured parameters correlated with depth. The measured parameter may be the lengths of stands forming a drill string, prior survey data relating to a naturally occurring feature such as formation lithology, or data relating to a human made feature such as collars in a casing string. The downhole processor may use accelerometer measurements to calculate a measured depth of a BHA and access the database to retrieve a predicted depth that corresponds with one or more sensor measurements (e.g., motion indicating the addition of a stand to a drill string). Thereafter, if the downhole processor determines that the predicted depth is in agreement with the calculated depth, the processor stores the predicted depth and/or associates the predicted depth with directional surveys taken along the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Gary J. Cresswell, William J. Befeld, Robert Estes