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).
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Publication number: 20240044212Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Inventors: Jonathan D. Marshall, Steven G. Villareal, Michael George Azar, Scott Richard Woolston
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Patent number: 11795763Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 11, 2021Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Jonathan D. Marshall, Steven G. Villareal, Michael George Azar, Scott Richard Woolston
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Publication number: 20220170359Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2020Publication date: June 2, 2022Inventors: 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
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Patent number: 11280187Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 18, 2020Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Riadh Boualleg, Steven G. Villareal, Joffroy Urbain, Ling Li, Denis Li, Prashant Saxena, Kjell Haugvaldstad
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Publication number: 20210388679Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2021Publication date: December 16, 2021Inventors: Jonathan D. Marshall, Steven G. Villareal, Michael George Azar, Scott Richard Woolston
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Publication number: 20210189875Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2020Publication date: June 24, 2021Inventors: Riadh Boualleg, Steven G. Villareal, Joffroy Urbain, Ling Li, Denis Li, Prashant Saxena, Kjell Haugvaldstad
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Patent number: 10711603Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 1, 2018Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Steven G. Villareal, Reinhart Ciglenec, Michael J. Stucker, Khanh Duong
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Patent number: 10704388Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 22, 2017Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Julian Pop, Vianney Bruned, Kentaro Indo, Sepand Ossia, Steven G. Villareal
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Patent number: 10458232Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 29, 2016Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Steven G. Villareal, Kent David Harms, Jeremy Murphy, Julian Pop, Dale Meek
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Patent number: 10184315Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 10, 2016Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Kent David Harms, Jeremy T. Murphy, Michael J. Stucker, William E. Brennan, III, Albert Hoefel, Steven G. Villareal, Julian J. Pop
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Publication number: 20180355716Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2018Publication date: December 13, 2018Inventors: Steven G. Villareal, Reinhart Ciglenec, Michael J. Stucker, Khanh Duong
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Patent number: 10007260Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 30, 2015Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Albert Hoefel, Kent David Harms, Steven G. Villareal
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Publication number: 20170284198Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2017Publication date: October 5, 2017Inventors: Julian Pop, Vianney Bruned, Kentaro Indo, Sepand Ossia, Steven G. Villareal
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Publication number: 20170002640Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2015Publication date: January 5, 2017Inventors: Albert Hoefel, Kent David Harms, Steven G. Villareal
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Publication number: 20160369628Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2016Publication date: December 22, 2016Inventors: Steven G. Villareal, Kent David Harms, Jeremy Murphy, Julian Pop, Dale Meek
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Publication number: 20160348470Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2016Publication date: December 1, 2016Inventors: Kent David Harms, Jeremy T. Murphy, Michael J. Stucker, William E. Brennan, III, Albert Hoefel, Steven G. Villareal, Julian J. Pop
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Patent number: 9441425Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 16, 2012Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Steven G. Villareal, Julian Pop, Kent David Harms, Jeremy Murphy, Albert Hoefel, Thomas W. Palmer, II
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Patent number: 9416655Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 12, 2015Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Ashers Partouche, Steven G. Villareal, Julian J. Pop, Albert Hoefel, Kent D. Harms
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Patent number: 9416606Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 14, 2012Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Kent David Harms, Jeremy T. Murphy, Michael J. Stucker, William E. Brennan, III, Albert Hoefel, Steven G. Villareal, Julian J. Pop
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Patent number: 9121262Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 10, 2009Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Reinhart Ciglenec, Steven G. Villareal, Albert Hoefel, Peter Swinburne, Michael J. Stucker, Jean-Marc Follini