Patents by Inventor Ronald E. G. Van Hal
Ronald E. G. Van Hal 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).
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Patent number: 11029248Abstract: In some examples, an optical density of a contaminant in a fluid sample is computed. An optical density of a target fluid in the fluid sample is computed using optical densities of the fluid sample at a plurality of wavelengths. Based on the computed optical density of the contaminant and the computed optical density of the target fluid, a level of contamination by the contaminant in the fluid sample is determined.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2017Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventor: Ronald E. G. van Hal
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Patent number: 11028690Abstract: A technique facilitates detection and analysis of constituents, e.g. chemicals, which may be found in formation fluids and/or other types of fluids. The technique comprises intermittently introducing a first fluid and a second fluid into a channel in a manner which forms slugs of the first fluid separated by the second fluid. The intermittent fluids are flowed through the channel to create a mixing action which mixes the fluid in the slugs. The mixing increases the exchange, e.g. transfer, of the chemical constituent between the second fluid and the first fluid. The exchange aids in sensing an amount of the chemical or chemicals for analysis. In many applications, the intermittent introduction, mixing, and measuring can be performed in a subterranean environment.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2018Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Farshid Mostowfi, Ronald E. G. van Hal, Shahnawaz Hossain Molla, Jane T. Lam, Amy Du, Neil William Bostrom, Michael Mallari Toribio
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Patent number: 10359412Abstract: A method and system for detecting mercury in a hydrocarbon-containing fluid stores a sample of the hydrocarbon-containing fluid in a first reservoir. A liquid phase reagent solution is stored in a second reservoir. The liquid phase reagent solution includes nanoparticles with an affinity to mercury, wherein the nanoparticles are suspended as a colloid in the liquid phase reagent solution. The sample of the hydrocarbon-containing fluid is delivered from the first reservoir into a first port of a fluidic device while the liquid phase reagent solution is delivered from the second reservoir into a second port of the fluidic device such that the fluidic device produces slug flow. The slug flow is subject to optical analysis that determines concentration of mercury in the sample of the hydrocarbon-containing fluid.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2016Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Ronald E. G. van Hal, Vincent Sieben, Cedric Floquet, Victoria Lee
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Patent number: 10253624Abstract: Methods may include emplacing a wellbore tool in a wellbore, the wellbore tool including a gas chromatograph and a mass spectrometer, wherein the mass spectrometer is configured to operate at a pressure greater than 10?2 Torr, measuring a sample from the wellbore using the wellbore tool, and determining a molecular weight of one or more components of the sample from the measured response of the wellbore tool. Methods may also include establishing a library of one or more chemical components, emplacing a wellbore tool in a wellbore, the wellbore tool including a gas chromatograph and a mass spectrometer, wherein the mass spectrometer is configured to operate at a pressure greater than 10?2 Torr, measuring a sample from the wellbore using the wellbore tool, comparing the measured response from the wellbore tool for the sample with results from the library of one or more chemical components, and determining a molecular weight of one or more components of the sample.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2016Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Ronald E. G. van Hal, Albert Ballard Andrews, Jeffrey Crank
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Publication number: 20180313213Abstract: A technique facilitates detection and analysis of constituents, e.g. chemicals, which may be found in formation fluids and/or other types of fluids. The technique comprises intermittently introducing a first fluid and a second fluid into a channel in a manner which forms slugs of the first fluid separated by the second fluid. The intermittent fluids are flowed through the channel to create a mixing action which mixes the fluid in the slugs. The mixing increases the exchange, e.g. transfer, of the chemical constituent between the second fluid and the first fluid. The exchange aids in sensing an amount of the chemical or chemicals for analysis. In many applications, the intermittent introduction, mixing, and measuring can be performed in a subterranean environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2018Publication date: November 1, 2018Inventors: Farshid Mostowfi, Ronald E. G. van Hal, Shahnawaz Hossain Molla, Jane T. Lam, Amy Du, Neil William Bostrom, Michael Mallari Toribio
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Patent number: 10018040Abstract: A technique facilitates detection and analysis of constituents, e.g. chemicals, which may be found in formation fluids and/or other types of fluids. The technique comprises intermittently introducing a first fluid and a second fluid into a channel in a manner which forms slugs of the first fluid separated by the second fluid. The intermittent fluids are flowed through the channel to create a mixing action which mixes the fluid in the slugs. The mixing increases the exchange, e.g. transfer, of the chemical constituent between the second fluid and the first fluid. The exchange aids in sensing an amount of the chemical or chemicals for analysis. In many applications, the intermittent introduction, mixing, and measuring can be performed in a subterranean environment.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2015Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Farshid Mostowfi, Ronald E. G. van Hal, Shahnawaz Hossain Molla, Jane T. Lam, Amy Du, Neil William Bostrom, Michael Mallari Toribio
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Patent number: 10012633Abstract: Methods are provided for reservoir analysis. In some embodiments, a reservoir may be analyzed by obtaining abundance ratios at a first measurement station and a second measurement station and determining an abundance ratio trend. Abundance ratios at a third measurement station may be obtained and plotted versus depth with the previously obtained abundance ratios. A change in the abundance ratio trend may be identified and result in further investigation of the reservoir. If the abundance ratio is unchanged, additional abundance ratios may be obtained and plotted versus depth to further evaluate the abundance ratio trend. Methods for reservoir analysis using fluid predictions with and without offset well information are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2017Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Adriaan Gisolf, Youxiang Zuo, Ronald E. G. van Hal, Jeffrey Crank
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Publication number: 20180094523Abstract: Methods may include emplacing a wellbore tool in a wellbore, the wellbore tool including a gas chromatograph and a mass spectrometer, wherein the mass spectrometer is configured to operate at a pressure greater than 10?2 Torr, measuring a sample from the wellbore using the wellbore tool, and determining a molecular weight of one or more components of the sample from the measured response of the wellbore tool. Methods may also include establishing a library of one or more chemical components, emplacing a wellbore tool in a wellbore, the wellbore tool including a gas chromatograph and a mass spectrometer, wherein the mass spectrometer is configured to operate at a pressure greater than 10?2 Torr, measuring a sample from the wellbore using the wellbore tool, comparing the measured response from the wellbore tool for the sample with results from the library of one or more chemical components, and determining a molecular weight of one or more components of the sample.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2016Publication date: April 5, 2018Inventors: Ronald E. G. van Hal, Albert Ballard Andrews, Jeffrey Crank
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Publication number: 20180094522Abstract: Wellbore tools in accordance with the present disclosure may include a gas chromatograph; and a mass spectrometer, wherein the mass spectrometer is configured to operate at a pressure greater than 10?2 Torr. Systems in accordance with the present disclosure may include a gas chromatograph; and a mass spectrometer, wherein the mass spectrometer is configured to operate at a pressure greater than 10?2 Torr. Methods in accordance with the present disclosure may include emplacing a wellbore tool in a wellbore, the wellbore tool containing a gas chromatograph and a mass spectrometer, wherein the mass spectrometer is configured to operate at a pressure greater than 10?2 Torr; drawing a sample of a fluid from the wellbore into the wellbore tool; and determining a molecular weight of one or more components of the fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2016Publication date: April 5, 2018Inventors: Ronald E. G. van Hal, Albert Ballard Andrews, Jeffrey Crank
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Patent number: 9932825Abstract: Wellbore tools in accordance with the present disclosure may include a gas chromatograph; and a mass spectrometer, wherein the mass spectrometer is configured to operate at a pressure greater than 10?2 Torr. Systems in accordance with the present disclosure may include a gas chromatograph; and a mass spectrometer, wherein the mass spectrometer is configured to operate at a pressure greater than 10?2 Torr. Methods in accordance with the present disclosure may include emplacing a wellbore tool in a wellbore, the wellbore tool containing a gas chromatograph and a mass spectrometer, wherein the mass spectrometer is configured to operate at a pressure greater than 10?2 Torr; drawing a sample of a fluid from the wellbore into the wellbore tool; and determining a molecular weight of one or more components of the fluid.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2016Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Ronald E. G. van Hal, Albert Ballard Andrews, Jeffrey Crank
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Publication number: 20180059088Abstract: A method and system for detecting mercury in a hydrocarbon-containing fluid stores a sample of the hydrocarbon-containing fluid in a first reservoir. A liquid phase reagent solution is stored in a second reservoir. The liquid phase reagent solution includes nanoparticles with an affinity to mercury, wherein the nanoparticles are suspended as a colloid in the liquid phase reagent solution. The sample of the hydrocarbon-containing fluid is delivered from the first reservoir into a first port of a fluidic device while the liquid phase reagent solution is delivered from the second reservoir into a second port of the fluidic device such that the fluidic device produces slug flow. The slug flow is subject to optical analysis that determines concentration of mercury in the sample of the hydrocarbon-containing fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2016Publication date: March 1, 2018Inventors: Ronald E.G. van Hal, Vincent Sieben, Cedric Floquet, Victoria Lee
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Patent number: 9891206Abstract: A method for determining scaling cation concentration may include introducing a first solution that includes a scaling cation, incrementally adding a portion of the first solution to a volume of a second solution comprising a counter scaling anion and a complexing agent, wherein the second solution comprises a fixed concentration of the counter scaling anion and the agent, to form a mixed solution, adding the first solution to the second solution until a precipitate of the scaling cation and the counter scaling anion forms, and determining the scaling cation concentration of the first solution.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2014Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Ronald E. G. Van Hal, Jane T. Lam
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Publication number: 20170363542Abstract: In some examples, an optical density of a contaminant in a fluid sample is computed. An optical density of a target fluid in the fluid sample is computed using optical densities of the fluid sample at a plurality of wavelengths. Based on the computed optical density of the contaminant and the computed optical density of the target fluid, a level of contamination by the contaminant in the fluid sample is determined.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2017Publication date: December 21, 2017Inventor: Ronald E. G. van Hal
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Publication number: 20170254792Abstract: Methods are provided for reservoir analysis. In some embodiments, a reservoir may be analyzed by obtaining abundance ratios at a first measurement station and a second measurement station and determining an abundance ratio trend. Abundance ratios at a third measurement station may be obtained and plotted versus depth with the previously obtained abundance ratios. A change in the abundance ratio trend may be identified and result in further investigation of the reservoir. If the abundance ratio is unchanged, additional abundance ratios may be obtained and plotted versus depth to further evaluate the abundance ratio trend. Methods for reservoir analysis using fluid predictions with and without offset well information are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2017Publication date: September 7, 2017Inventors: Adriaan Gisolf, Youxiang Zuo, Ronald E. G. van Hal, Jeffrey Crank
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Publication number: 20170159430Abstract: Wellbore fluid analysis is provided. In some implementation, a fluid analysis apparatus includes a transparent chip with an inlet configured to accept a sample of a wellbore fluid, and a flow channel allowing the wellbore fluid to come into contact with a reagent. The fluid analysis apparatus also includes two partially transmissible mirrors positioned on opposing sides of the flow channel forming an optical cavity. In another implementation, a downhole tool includes a fluid analysis apparatus with a partially transparent chip having a flow channel allowing a wellbore fluid to come into contact with a reagent. The fluid analysis apparatus also includes a measurement system that can be used in conjunction with broadband cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2015Publication date: June 8, 2017Inventors: Ronald E.G. van Hal, Victoria Lee, Andrew J. Speck
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Patent number: 9664665Abstract: Methods are provided for reservoir analysis. In some embodiments, a reservoir may be analyzed by obtaining abundance ratios at a first measurement station and a second measurement station and determining an abundance ratio trend. Abundance ratios at a third measurement station may be obtained and plotted versus depth with the previously obtained abundance ratios. A change in the abundance ratio trend may be identified and result in further investigation of the reservoir. If the abundance ratio is unchanged, additional abundance ratios may be obtained and plotted versus depth to further evaluate the abundance ratio trend. Methods for reservoir analysis using fluid predictions with and without offset well information are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2014Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Adriaan Gisolf, Youxiang Zuo, Ronald E. G. van Hal, Jeffrey Crank
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Patent number: 9513213Abstract: A method of analyzing physical properties of a sample includes obtaining the sample and obtaining an electromagnetic spectrum of the sample using terahertz spectroscopy. A sample complex permittivity is computed from the electromagnetic spectrum of the sample. The method further includes estimating the constituents and the constituent fractions and computing an estimated effective complex permittivity based upon a model and the constituent fractions. The method further includes comparing the computed sample complex permittivity with the estimated effective complex permittivity in order to determine the physical properties the sample.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2013Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Logan Chieffo, Richard Averitt, Andrew Speck, Michael M. Herron, A. Ballard Andrews, Ronald E. G. Van Hal
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Patent number: 9458715Abstract: Methods and devices for determining a plus fraction of a plus fraction of a gas chromatogram are provided. A gas chromatogram may obtained, such as from a downhole gas chromatograph module of a fluid analysis tool. The plus fraction of the gas chromatogram may be determined using one or more of a ratiometric determination, fitting an exponential decay function, and fitting a probability density gamma function.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2014Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Ronald E. G. van Hal, Jeffrey Crank, Youxiang Zuo, Adriaan Gisolf
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Patent number: 9410909Abstract: Methods and devices for detecting a concentration of one or more element in hydrocarbon and/or natural gas in an oil and gas field application. The device including a microstructure having a low thermal mass suspended within a channel, the microstructure includes a supporting layer and a insulating layer; a controllable thermal device in communication with the supporting layer of the microstructure, wherein the controllable thermal device is controllably heated to one or more release temperature of the one or more element; a sensing layer arranged on the insulating layer to absorb molecules of the one or more element from hydrocarbon and/or natural gas; a detecting and measuring resistance device in communication with the sensing layer for measuring the resistance changes caused by absorption of molecules of the one or more element onto the sensing layer at a first temperature and a second temperature, and storing the data on a processor.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2013Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Ronald E. G. Van Hal, Hua Chen
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Publication number: 20160178599Abstract: Methods are provided for reservoir analysis. In some embodiments, a reservoir may be analyzed by obtaining abundance ratios at a first measurement station and a second measurement station and determining an abundance ratio trend. Abundance ratios at a third measurement station may be obtained and plotted versus depth with the previously obtained abundance ratios. A change in the abundance ratio trend may be identified and result in further investigation of the reservoir. If the abundance ratio is unchanged, additional abundance ratios may be obtained and plotted versus depth to further evaluate the abundance ratio trend. Methods for reservoir analysis using fluid predictions with and without offset well information are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2014Publication date: June 23, 2016Inventors: Adriaan Gisolf, Youxiang Zuo, Ronald E.G. van Hal, Jeffrey Crank