Patents by Inventor Stefan Maus

Stefan Maus 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).

  • Publication number: 20260015934
    Abstract: Systems and methods determine friction in a borehole during drilling operations. A drilling system applies movement of a drill string located in a wellbore during drilling of the wellbore by the drilling system, and, using information from one or more surface and/or downhole sensors, the drilling system determines a friction between the borehole and the drill string. This can be repeated during drilling of the wellbore to determine multiple friction values, which can correspond to various depths of the borehole and/or the length of the drill string. Based on the determined friction values, the drilling system can generate a friction profile of the wellbore and can perform one or more actions resulting in modified drilling operations. The systems and methods also include oscillating a casing in the borehole, measuring the torque and angular position of the casing, and determining a friction value, which can be repeated to develop a wellbore friction profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2025
    Publication date: January 15, 2026
    Inventors: Stefan MAUS, Zackary WHITLOW, Jin SUN
  • Publication number: 20250320807
    Abstract: A method and system for geosteering may generate a misfit function using a spline function. The misfit function may be used to accurately map errors or differences between TVD-based measurement data for one or more reference wells and MD-based measurement data collected during drilling of a subject well, in order to accurately determine a stratigraphic location of the subject well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2025
    Publication date: October 16, 2025
    Inventors: Stefan Maus, Marc Ernest Willerth, Jarrod Shawn Deverse, Alexander Michael Mitkus, Timothy William Gee, Jason Truman Rice, Jeshurun Micaiah Chisholm, Ann Kamel Fitzgerald, Richard Kulavik, Brian Eugene Stokeld, Todd W. Benson, Qianlong Liu
  • Patent number: 12442287
    Abstract: Systems and methods determine friction in a borehole during drilling operations. A drilling system applies oscillatory angular movement at the top of a drill string in a wellbore during drilling by the drilling system, and measures a torque applied to the drill string and an angular position of the drill string. Based on the measured torque and the measured angular position, the drilling system computes a friction between the borehole and the drill string. This can be repeated during drilling of the wellbore to determine multiple friction values, corresponding to various depths of the borehole. Based on the computed friction, the drilling system can perform one or more actions resulting in modified drilling operation. The systems and methods also include oscillating a casing in the borehole, measuring the torque and angular position of the casing, and determining a friction value, which can be repeated to develop a wellbore friction profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2025
    Assignee: Magnetic Variation Services, LLC
    Inventors: Stefan Maus, Zackary Whitlow, Jin Sun
  • Patent number: 12410700
    Abstract: A method of drilling a wellbore to a target includes measuring attitudes at two adjacent survey stations along a wellbore using a downhole surveying tool. An actual change in wellbore position over a survey leg linking the two survey stations is determined. Corrections are applied to the measured attitude at one or both of the survey stations such that a modeled well path joining the survey stations reflects the determined actual change in wellbore positon between the two survey stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2025
    Assignee: Magnetic Variation Services, LLC
    Inventors: Stefan Maus, Marc Ernest Willerth, Jarrod Shawn Deverse
  • Patent number: 12392235
    Abstract: A system and method of drilling a wellbore to a target may include measuring attitudes at two adjacent survey stations along a wellbore using a downhole surveying tool. An actual change in wellbore position over a survey leg linking the two survey stations may be determined. Corrections may be applied to the measured attitude at one or both of the survey stations such that an estimated well path joining the survey stations indicates the determined actual change in wellbore position between the two survey stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2025
    Assignee: MAGNETIC VARIATION SERVICES LLC
    Inventors: Stefan Maus, Marc Ernest Willerth, Jarrod Shawn Deverse
  • Publication number: 20250230743
    Abstract: A method of validating a directional survey includes measuring the gravity and magnetic field vectors using a surveying tool and computing an overall statistical distance of the measurement. The statistical distance may be calculated from reference values associated with the surveying tool using corresponding surveying tool codes with error values. In a further aspect, an error covariance matrix may be used to determine whether the new errors in a survey are consistent or not with errors from one or more previous surveys.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2025
    Publication date: July 17, 2025
    Inventors: Marc Ernest WILLERTH, Stefan MAUS
  • Patent number: 12359551
    Abstract: A method and system for geosteering may generate a misfit function using a spline function. The misfit function may be used to accurately map errors or differences between TVD-based measurement data for one or more reference wells and MD-based measurement data collected during drilling of a subject well, in order to accurately determine a stratigraphic location of the subject well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2025
    Assignee: Magnetic Variation Services, LLC
    Inventors: Stefan Maus, Marc Ernest Willerth, Jarrod Shawn Deverse, Alexander Michael Mitkus, Timothy William Gee, Jason Truman Rice, Jeshurun Micaiah Chisholm, Ann Kamel Fitzgerald, Richard Kulavik, Brian Eugene Stokeld, Todd W. Benson, Qianlong Liu
  • Patent number: 12312941
    Abstract: An improved typelog alignment for automated or interactive geosteering may use multi-stage penalized optimization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2025
    Assignee: Magnetic Variation Services LLC
    Inventors: Jin Sun, Stefan Maus
  • Patent number: 12270294
    Abstract: A method of validating a directional survey includes measuring the gravity and magnetic field vectors using a surveying tool and computing an overall statistical distance of the measurement. The statistical distance may be calculated from reference values associated with the surveying tool using corresponding surveying tool codes with error values. In a further aspect, an error covariance matrix may be used to determine whether the new errors in a survey are consistent or not with errors from one or more previous surveys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: MAGNETIC VARIATION SERVICES, LLC
    Inventors: Marc Ernest Willerth, Stefan Maus
  • Publication number: 20250003329
    Abstract: A method of improving quality of directional surveys includes receiving from a first location raw survey data acquired by a survey tool configured to make a survey measurement from a wellbore. The quality of the raw survey data is verified using at least one quality control metric. The verified raw survey data is stored in a database in a cloud.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2024
    Publication date: January 2, 2025
    Inventors: Jarrod Shawn DeVerse, Stefan Maus
  • Patent number: 12060791
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automated filtering and normalization of logging data for improved drilling performance may enable smoothing and amplitude scaling of log data for meaningful comparison and analysis without scaling artefacts. The logging data may be collected from downhole sensors or may be recorded by a control system used for drilling. A computer implemented method may enable industrial scale automated filtering and normalization of logging data, including calibration to a known standard. In particular, the filtering and normalization may be used for stratigraphic analysis to correlate true vertical depth to measured depth along a wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: MAGNETIC VARIATION SERVICES, LLC
    Inventors: Stefan Maus, Qianlong Liu, Alexander Michael Mitkus, Kenneth Robert McCarthy, Jin Sun, Andrew Robert Pare
  • Publication number: 20240247583
    Abstract: Stratigraphic analysis includes determining misfit values between stratigraphic vertical depth of an offset wellbore, SVDow and measured depth of a subject wellbore. A likelihood that the target measured depth is equal to or within a tolerance of stratigraphic vertical depth of the subject wellbore, SVDsw, for sequences of stratigraphic vertical depth is calculated. A probability weighted average and an uncertainty that the target measured depth for the subject wellbore, TMDsw, is equal to or within a tolerance of stratigraphic vertical depth of the subject wellbore, is calculated. A continuous probability function over a range of measured depth that the target measured depth for the subject wellbore, TMDsw, is equal to or within a tolerance of stratigraphic vertical depth of the subject wellbore, SVDsw, is calculated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2024
    Publication date: July 25, 2024
    Applicant: MAGNETIC VARIATION SERVICES, LLC
    Inventors: Stefan Maus, Alexander Michael Mitkus, Timothy William Gee
  • Publication number: 20240141776
    Abstract: Systems and methods for using stratigraphic heat maps to steer a well being drilled. Data from one or more offset wells can be provided to a computer system and used with data from a well being drilled to generate one or more stratigraphic heat maps during the drilling of the subject well. The stratigraphic heat maps can be displayed and used to determine the location of the wellbore relative to one or more geological formations, including one or more target formations or within a target formation. Based on the use of the heat maps and the location of the wellbore relative to a target, the drill plan can be adjusted or updated and/or one or more drilling parameters or operations may be adjusted to drill the wellbore, such as to drill the wellbore to the target or to maximize the length of the wellbore within a target zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2024
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Timothy William Gee, Stefan Maus, Kenneth Robert McCarthy, Alexander Michael Mitkus, Jin Sun
  • Patent number: 11946360
    Abstract: Stratigraphic analysis includes determining misfit values between stratigraphic vertical depth of an offset wellbore, SVDow and measured depth of a subject wellbore. A likelihood that the target measured depth is equal to or within a tolerance of stratigraphic vertical depth of the subject wellbore, SVDsw, for sequences of stratigraphic vertical depth is calculated. A probability weighted average and an uncertainty that the target measured depth for the subject wellbore, TMDsw, is equal to or within a tolerance of stratigraphic vertical depth of the subject wellbore, is calculated. A continuous probability function over a range of measured depth that the target measured depth for the subject wellbore, TMDsw, is equal to or within a tolerance of stratigraphic vertical depth of the subject wellbore, SVDsw, is calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Magnetic Variation Services, LLC
    Inventors: Stefan Maus, Alexander Michael Mitkus, Timothy William Gee
  • Publication number: 20240093594
    Abstract: An improved typelog alignment for automated or interactive geosteering may use multi-stage penalized optimization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Jin SUN, Stefan MAUS
  • Patent number: 11920441
    Abstract: Systems and methods for using stratigraphic heat maps to steer a well being drilled. Data from one or more offset wells can be provided to a computer system and used with data from a well being drilled to generate one or more stratigraphic heat maps during the drilling of the subject well. The stratigraphic heat maps can be displayed and used to determine the location of the wellbore relative to one or more geological formations, including one or more target formations or within a target formation. Based on the use of the heat maps and the location of the wellbore relative to a target, the drill plan can be adjusted or updated and/or one or more drilling parameters or operations may be adjusted to drill the wellbore, such as to drill the wellbore to the target or to maximize the length of the wellbore within a target zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Magnetic Variation Services, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy William Gee, Stefan Maus, Kenneth Robert McCarthy, Alexander Michael Mitkus, Jin Sun
  • Patent number: 11867050
    Abstract: An improved typelog alignment for automated or interactive geosteering may use multi-stage penalized optimization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Magnetic Variation Services, LLC
    Inventors: Jin Sun, Stefan Maus
  • Publication number: 20230407739
    Abstract: Systems and methods determine friction in a borehole during drilling operations. A drilling system applies oscillatory angular movement at the top of a drill string in a wellbore during drilling by the drilling system, and measures a torque applied to the drill string and an angular position of the drill string. Based on the measured torque and the measured angular position, the drilling system computes a friction between the borehole and the drill string. This can be repeated during drilling of the wellbore to determine multiple friction values, corresponding to various depths of the borehole. Based on the computed friction, the drilling system can perform one or more actions resulting in modified drilling operation. The systems and methods also include oscillating a casing in the borehole, measuring the torque and angular position of the casing, and determining a friction value, which can be repeated to develop a wellbore friction profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Stefan MAUS, Zackary WHITLOW, Jin SUN
  • Publication number: 20230392497
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automated filtering and normalization of logging data for improved drilling performance may enable smoothing and amplitude scaling of log data for meaningful comparison and analysis without scaling artefacts. The logging data may be collected from downhole sensors or may be recorded by a control system used for drilling. A computer implemented method may enable industrial scale automated filtering and normalization of logging data, including calibration to a known standard. In particular, the filtering and normalization may be used for stratigraphic analysis to correlate true vertical depth to measured depth along a wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Stefan MAUS, Qianlong LIU, Alexander Michael MITKUS, Kenneth Robert MCCARTHY, Jim SUN, Andrew Robert PARE
  • Patent number: 11773711
    Abstract: Systems and methods determine friction in a borehole during drilling operations. A drilling system applies oscillatory angular movement at the top of a drill string in a wellbore during drilling by the drilling system, and measures a torque applied to the drill string and an angular position of the drill string. Based on the measured torque and the measured angular position, the drilling system computes a friction between the borehole and the drill string. This can be repeated during drilling of the wellbore to determine multiple friction values, corresponding to various depths of the borehole. Based on the computed friction, the drilling system can perform one or more actions resulting in modified drilling operation. The systems and methods also include oscillating a casing in the borehole, measuring the torque and angular position of the casing, and determining a friction value, which can be repeated to develop a wellbore friction profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Magnetic Variation Services LLC
    Inventors: Stefan Maus, Zackary Whitlow, Jin Sun