Patents by Inventor Steven G. Villareal

Steven G. Villareal 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: 20240044212
    Abstract: A downhole drilling tool, forming part of a subterranean drilling system, may include at least one plate secured to an exterior of an elongate body. Electronics may be disposed between the plate and the body to be protected by the plate while still readily accessible. A dynamic element may be radially extendable from the plate to engage an inner wall of a borehole being drilled. If this radially-extendable element becomes worn or damaged from this engagement, the plate may be replaced. More expensive components of the drilling tool may be contained within the elongate body, rather than the plate, thus reducing replacement frequency. Additionally, plates including unique features may be employed at different times without altering the underlying elongate body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Marshall, Steven G. Villareal, Michael George Azar, Scott Richard Woolston
  • Patent number: 11795763
    Abstract: A downhole drilling tool, forming part of a subterranean drilling system, may include at least one plate secured to an exterior of an elongate body. Electronics may be disposed between the plate and the body to be protected by the plate while still readily accessible. A dynamic element may be radially extendable from the plate to engage an inner wall of a borehole being drilled. If this radially-extendable element becomes worn or damaged from this engagement, the plate may be replaced. More expensive components of the drilling tool may be contained within the elongate body, rather than the plate, thus reducing replacement frequency. Additionally, plates including unique features may be employed at different times without altering the underlying elongate body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Marshall, Steven G. Villareal, Michael George Azar, Scott Richard Woolston
  • Publication number: 20220170359
    Abstract: A method can include acquiring drilling performance data for a downhole tool; modeling drilling performance of the downhole tool to generate results; training a machine learning model using the drilling performance data and the results to generate a trained machine learning model; and predicting behavior of the downhole tool using the trained machine learning model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Riadh Boualleg, Geoffrey Charles Downton, Jean Marie Degrange, Steven G. Villareal, Maja Ignova, Ling Li, Katharine L. Mantle, Tao Yu, Jia Yao, Kai Feng Zhao, Paul Bolchover
  • Patent number: 11280187
    Abstract: A method for drilling a wellbore through a subterranean formation includes rotating a drill string in the subterranean wellbore to drill. The drill string includes a rotary steerable tool or a steerable drill bit including a plurality of pads configured to extend radially outward from a tool body and engage a wall of the wellbore. Radial displacements of at least one of the pads are measured while rotating (e.g., drilling). A formation index is computed while drilling by processing the measured radial displacements, where the formation index is indicative of a strength or hardness of the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Riadh Boualleg, Steven G. Villareal, Joffroy Urbain, Ling Li, Denis Li, Prashant Saxena, Kjell Haugvaldstad
  • Publication number: 20210388679
    Abstract: A downhole drilling tool, forming part of a subterranean drilling system, may include at least one plate secured to an exterior of an elongate body. Electronics may be disposed between the plate and the body to be protected by the plate while still readily accessible. A dynamic element may be radially extendable from the plate to engage an inner wall of a borehole being drilled. If this radially-extendable element becomes worn or damaged from this engagement, the plate may be replaced. More expensive components of the drilling tool may be contained within the elongate body, rather than the plate, thus reducing replacement frequency. Additionally, plates including unique features may be employed at different times without altering the underlying elongate body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Marshall, Steven G. Villareal, Michael George Azar, Scott Richard Woolston
  • Publication number: 20210189875
    Abstract: A method for drilling a wellbore through a subterranean formation includes rotating a drill string in the subterranean wellbore to drill. The drill string includes a rotary steerable tool or a steerable drill bit including a plurality of pads configured to extend radially outward from a tool body and engage a wall of the wellbore. Radial displacements of at least one of the pads are measured while rotating (e.g., drilling). A formation index is computed while drilling by processing the measured radial displacements, where the formation index is indicative of a strength or hardness of the subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Riadh Boualleg, Steven G. Villareal, Joffroy Urbain, Ling Li, Denis Li, Prashant Saxena, Kjell Haugvaldstad
  • Patent number: 10711603
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a sampling while drilling tool includes a drill collar having a first end, a second end, an outer wall extending between the first and second ends, and at least one opening extending through the outer wall to a cavity within the drill collar. The sampling while drilling tool also includes a sample chamber positionable in the cavity through the opening in the outer wall and a passage for conducting a drilling fluid through the drill collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven G. Villareal, Reinhart Ciglenec, Michael J. Stucker, Khanh Duong
  • Patent number: 10704388
    Abstract: A method includes positioning a downhole acquisition tool in a well-logging device in a wellbore in a geological formation, where the wellbore or the geological formation, or both contain a reservoir fluid. The method includes performing downhole fluid analysis using a downhole acquisition tool in the wellbore to determine a plurality of fluid properties associated with the reservoir fluid. The method includes generating a nonlinear predictive control model representative of the plurality of fluid properties based at least in part on the downhole fluid analysis. The method includes adjusting the nonlinear predictive control model based at least in part on an output representative of a pump flow control sequence at a first time interval and the plurality of fluid properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Julian Pop, Vianney Bruned, Kentaro Indo, Sepand Ossia, Steven G. Villareal
  • Patent number: 10458232
    Abstract: Formation fluid sample container apparatus are described. An example apparatus includes a downhole tool having a body including an opening and a cavity extending into the body from the opening. The sample container includes an elongated container for holding a formation fluid sample and a sheath coupled to an outer surface of the elongated container and at least partially surrounding the elongated container. The sample container is fixed in the cavity and the sheath is to increase the mechanical integrity of the elongated container in a downhole environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven G. Villareal, Kent David Harms, Jeremy Murphy, Julian Pop, Dale Meek
  • Patent number: 10184315
    Abstract: A system includes a valve subassembly configured to be disposed along an internal flowline exit of a first internal flowline within a downhole drilling module. The valve subassembly includes an active valve configured to regulate flow of a fluid through the internal flowline exit and a passive valve configured to be passively controlled based on a differential pressure between a first volume of the downhole drilling module and a second volume surrounding the downhole drilling module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kent David Harms, Jeremy T. Murphy, Michael J. Stucker, William E. Brennan, III, Albert Hoefel, Steven G. Villareal, Julian J. Pop
  • Publication number: 20180355716
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a sampling while drilling tool includes a drill collar having a first end, a second end, an outer wall extending between the first and second ends, and at least one opening extending through the outer wall to a cavity within the drill collar. The sampling while drilling tool also includes a sample chamber positionable in the cavity through the opening in the outer wall and a passage for conducting a drilling fluid through the drill collar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventors: Steven G. Villareal, Reinhart Ciglenec, Michael J. Stucker, Khanh Duong
  • Patent number: 10007260
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for fault detection and tolerance in a downhole tool string are provided. If a fault is detected in an electrical path between tools of downhole tool string, one or more switches of a fault detection and tolerance circuit may be kept open to isolate the fault in an electrical path between tools of downhole tool string. If a fault is not detected, one or more switches of a fault detection and tolerance circuit may be closed to enable the transmission of signals on the electrical path. In some embodiments of fault detection and tolerance circuits, an additional one or more switches may be kept open to isolate the fault in electronics of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Albert Hoefel, Kent David Harms, Steven G. Villareal
  • Publication number: 20170284198
    Abstract: A method includes positioning a downhole acquisition tool in a well-logging device in a wellbore in a geological formation, where the wellbore or the geological formation, or both contain a reservoir fluid. The method includes performing downhole fluid analysis using a downhole acquisition tool in the wellbore to determine a plurality of fluid properties associated with the reservoir fluid. The method includes generating a nonlinear predictive control model representative of the plurality of fluid properties based at least in part on the downhole fluid analysis. The method includes adjusting the nonlinear predictive control model based at least in part on an output representative of a pump flow control sequence at a first time interval and the plurality of fluid properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Julian Pop, Vianney Bruned, Kentaro Indo, Sepand Ossia, Steven G. Villareal
  • Publication number: 20170002640
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for fault detection and tolerance in a downhole tool string are provided. If a fault is detected in an electrical path between tools of downhole tool string, one or more switches of a fault detection and tolerance circuit may be kept open to isolate the fault in an electrical path between tools of downhole tool string. If a fault is not detected, one or more switches of a fault detection and tolerance circuit may be closed to enable the transmission of signals on the electrical path. In some embodiments of fault detection and tolerance circuits, an additional one or more switches may be kept open to isolate the fault in electronics of the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: Albert Hoefel, Kent David Harms, Steven G. Villareal
  • Publication number: 20160369628
    Abstract: Formation fluid sample container apparatus are described. An example apparatus includes a downhole tool having a body including an opening and a cavity extending into the body from the opening. The sample container includes an elongated container for holding a formation fluid sample and a sheath coupled to an outer surface of the elongated container and at least partially surrounding the elongated container. The sample container is fixed in the cavity and the sheath is to increase the mechanical integrity of the elongated container in a downhole environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Steven G. Villareal, Kent David Harms, Jeremy Murphy, Julian Pop, Dale Meek
  • Publication number: 20160348470
    Abstract: A system includes a valve subassembly configured to be disposed along an internal flowline exit of a first internal flowline within a downhole drilling module. The valve subassembly includes an active valve configured to regulate flow of a fluid through the internal flowline exit and a passive valve configured to be passively controlled based on a differential pressure between a first volume of the downhole drilling module and a second volume surrounding the downhole drilling module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Kent David Harms, Jeremy T. Murphy, Michael J. Stucker, William E. Brennan, III, Albert Hoefel, Steven G. Villareal, Julian J. Pop
  • Patent number: 9441425
    Abstract: A drilling system includes a first section of a drilling tool having a collar configured to hold internal components of the first section. The drilling system also includes a second section of the drilling tool configured to be coupled with the first section in a specific orientation relative to the first section. The second section is interchangeable with at least one different section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven G. Villareal, Julian Pop, Kent David Harms, Jeremy Murphy, Albert Hoefel, Thomas W. Palmer, II
  • Patent number: 9416655
    Abstract: A downhole modular tool includes a first module, a second module, a third module, and one or more connectors for connecting the first, second, and third modules. Each module includes a drill collar, a drilling fluid passageway, a first fluid passageway, and a second fluid passageway. The one or more connectors connect any one of the first, second, and third modules, to another of the first, second, and third modules to transfer the drilling fluid, the first fluid, and the second fluid between the connected modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ashers Partouche, Steven G. Villareal, Julian J. Pop, Albert Hoefel, Kent D. Harms
  • Patent number: 9416606
    Abstract: A system includes a valve subassembly configured to be disposed along an internal flowline exit of a first internal flowline within a downhole drilling module. The valve subassembly includes an active valve configured to regulate flow of a fluid through the internal flowline exit and a passive valve configured to be passively controlled based on a differential pressure between a first volume of the downhole drilling module and a second volume surrounding the downhole drilling module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kent David Harms, Jeremy T. Murphy, Michael J. Stucker, William E. Brennan, III, Albert Hoefel, Steven G. Villareal, Julian J. Pop
  • Patent number: 9121262
    Abstract: A while-drilling tool comprising a motor, a transmission coupled to the motor, and a pump comprising a first piston disposed in a first chamber and a second piston disposed in a second chamber and coupled to the first piston. A planetary roller-screw is coupled between the pump and the transmission. A valve block is configured to fluidly communicate with the first and second pump chambers, a borehole in which the while-drilling tool is configured to be positioned, and a formation penetrated by the borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Reinhart Ciglenec, Steven G. Villareal, Albert Hoefel, Peter Swinburne, Michael J. Stucker, Jean-Marc Follini