Patents by Inventor Yunlai Yang

Yunlai Yang 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: 11920467
    Abstract: Systems and methods include a computer-implemented method for determining normalized apparent power. Drilling acoustic signals corresponding to a time domain and generated during drilling of a well. A fast Fourier transformation (FFT) is performed using the drilling acoustic signals to generate FFT data. Normalized FFT data is generated using normalization parameters and a drill string rotation rate record of a drill string used to drill the well. The drill string rotation rate is received during drilling. Normalized apparent power is determined from data points of a predetermined top percentage of the normalized FFT data within a lithological significant frequency range. The normalized apparent power is a measure of the power of the drilling acoustic signals and it is a function of the amplitude and frequency of the normalized FFT data. The lithological significant frequency range is a frequency range within which the drill sounds are more closely related with lithology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Yunlai Yang, Wei Li
  • Patent number: 11920460
    Abstract: Some systems and methods for determining depths of subterranean formation layer tops while drilling through the subterranean formation include a drill bit, a drill rig, a microphone, a depth sensor, and a processor. While drilling the through the subterranean formation, the processor receives a measured sound from the microphone and a measured drill bit depth from the depth sensor, normalizes the measured sound across all measured drill bit depths, determines frequency information of the normalized sound for each depth of the plurality of depths, determines frequency spectrums of the normalized sound for one or more depths of the plurality of depths, transforms the frequency spectrums into a depth spectrum, and determines the depths of subterranean formation layer tops based on the depth spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Wisam Al Kawai, Yunlai Yang, Maher I. Almarhoon
  • Publication number: 20240069232
    Abstract: Example computer-implemented methods, media, and systems for evaluating density and seismic impedance values of geologic layers using drill bit sound during drilling are disclosed. One example computer-implemented method includes receiving an acoustic signal associated with a sound produced by a well tool implemented to perform a well operation by contacting a portion of a subterranean zone, where the acoustic signal includes a source acoustic signal and a reflected acoustic signal, the reflected acoustic signal is produced in response to the source acoustic signal, and the sound is produced during a drilling operation. The acoustic signal is processed to determine the source acoustic signal and the reflected acoustic signal. A first signal is determined based on the source acoustic signal. A second signal is determined based on the reflected acoustic signal. Properties of the subterranean zone are determined based on a convolution of the first signal and the second signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Wisam Al Kawai, Yunlai Yang
  • Publication number: 20230220769
    Abstract: Systems and methods include a computer-implemented method for determining normalized apparent power. Drilling acoustic signals corresponding to a time domain and generated during drilling of a well. A fast Fourier transformation (FFT) is performed using the drilling acoustic signals to generate FFT data. Normalized FFT data is generated using normalization parameters and a drill string rotation rate record of a drill string used to drill the well. The drill string rotation rate is received during drilling. Normalized apparent power is determined from data points of a predetermined top percentage of the normalized FFT data within a lithological significant frequency range. The normalized apparent power is a measure of the power of the drilling acoustic signals and it is a function of the amplitude and frequency of the normalized FFT data. The lithological significant frequency range is a frequency range within which the drill sounds are more closely related with lithology.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Inventors: Yunlai Yang, Wei Li
  • Publication number: 20230175390
    Abstract: Some systems and methods for determining depths of subterranean formation layer tops while drilling through the subterranean formation include a drill bit, a drill rig, a microphone, a depth sensor, and a processor. While drilling the through the subterranean formation, the processor receives a measured sound from the microphone and a measured drill bit depth from the depth sensor, normalizes the measured sound across all measured drill bit depths, determines frequency information of the normalized sound for each depth of the plurality of depths, determines frequency spectrums of the normalized sound for one or more depths of the plurality of depths, transforms the frequency spectrums into a depth spectrum, and determines the depths of subterranean formation layer tops based on the depth spectrum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Wisam Al Kawai, Yunlai Yang, Maher I. Almarhoon
  • Patent number: 11231512
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods of identifying rock properties in real-time during drilling, are provided. An apparatus includes an acoustic sensor installed in a drilling fluid circulation system of a drilling rig, the acoustic sensor coupled to one of the following: (i) a bell nipple, (ii) a gooseneck, or (iii) a standpipe. Raw acoustic sensor data generated real-time as a result of rotational contact of the drill bit with rock during drilling is received, and a plurality of acoustic characteristics are derived from the raw acoustic sensor data. The lithology type of rock undergoing drilling may be determined from the acoustic characteristics. Petrophysical properties of the rock undergoing drilling may be determined using a petrophysical properties evaluation algorithm employable to predict the petrophysical properties of rock undergoing drilling from the raw acoustic sensor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Yunlai Yang
  • Publication number: 20210389492
    Abstract: Systems and methods include a computer implemented method for evaluating rock physical properties. Drilling acoustic signals are received in real time during a drilling operation through rock at a drilling location. Transformed data is generated in a frequency domain from the drilling acoustic signals. The transformed data includes frequency and amplitude information for the drilling acoustic signals. De-noised transformed data is generated from the transformed data by filtering noise including background noise generated in a recording system and top drive rotation generated traces. A lithological significant frequency range that includes de-noised significant data points is determined from the de-noised transformed data. Physical properties of the rock are determined in real time using drill bit rotation rates and the amplitudes of the de-noised significant data points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: Yunlai Yang, Wei Li, Maher I. Almarhoon, Fahd A. Almalki
  • Patent number: 10920574
    Abstract: A central member defines a sample chamber and includes an elastic material configured to enclose at least a portion of a sample, acoustic sensors configured to detect sound waves in the sample chamber, and acoustic emitters configured to emit sounds waves in the central member. A pressure-retaining case is configured to contain a pressurized fluid between an annulus formed between the pressure-retaining case and the central member. A switch is configured to connect or disconnect a pulser and receiver circuit to a specified emitter of the acoustic emitters. A data acquisition unit is configured to receive a signal from each of the acoustic sensors. A pulser and receiver circuit is configured to send an electric pulse to an acoustic emitter and a control signal to the data acquisition unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Yunlai Yang, Maher I. Almarhoon
  • Publication number: 20210032977
    Abstract: A central member defines a sample chamber and includes an elastic material configured to enclose at least a portion of a sample, acoustic sensors configured to detect sound waves in the sample chamber, and acoustic emitters configured to emit sounds waves in the central member. A pressure-retaining case is configured to contain a pressurized fluid between an annulus formed between the pressure-retaining case and the central member. A switch is configured to connect or disconnect a pulser and receiver circuit to a specified emitter of the acoustic emitters. A data acquisition unit is configured to receive a signal from each of the acoustic sensors. A pulser and receiver circuit is configured to send an electric pulse to an acoustic emitter and a control signal to the data acquisition unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Yunlai Yang, Maher I. Almarhoon
  • Patent number: 10851641
    Abstract: A central member defines a sample chamber and includes an elastic material configured to enclose at least a portion of a sample, acoustic sensors configured to detect sound waves in the sample chamber, and acoustic emitters configured to emit sounds waves in the central member. A pressure-retaining case is configured to contain a pressurized fluid between an annulus formed between the pressure-retaining case and the central member. A switch is configured to connect or disconnect a pulser and receiver circuit to a specified emitter of the acoustic emitters. A data acquisition unit is configured to receive a signal from each of the acoustic sensors. A pulser and receiver circuit is configured to send an electric pulse to an acoustic emitter and a control signal to the data acquisition unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Yunlai Yang, Maher I. Almarhoon
  • Patent number: 10669846
    Abstract: Apparatus, computer readable medium, and program code for identifying rock properties in real-time during drilling, are provided. An example of an embodiment of such an apparatus includes a downhole sensor subassembly connected between a drill bit and a drill string, acoustic sensors operably coupled to a downhole data interface, and a surface computer operably coupled to the downhole data interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Yunlai Yang
  • Publication number: 20200166662
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods of identifying rock properties in real-time during drilling, are provided. An apparatus includes an acoustic sensor installed in a drilling fluid circulation system of a drilling rig, the acoustic sensor coupled to one of the following: (i) a bell nipple, (ii) a gooseneck, or (iii) a standpipe. Raw acoustic sensor data generated real-time as a result of rotational contact of the drill bit with rock during drilling is received, and a plurality of acoustic characteristics are derived from the raw acoustic sensor data. The lithology type of rock undergoing drilling may be determined from the acoustic characteristics. Petrophysical properties of the rock undergoing drilling may be determined using a petrophysical properties evaluation algorithm employable to predict the petrophysical properties of rock undergoing drilling from the raw acoustic sensor data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventor: Yunlai Yang
  • Publication number: 20200072039
    Abstract: A central member defines a sample chamber and includes an elastic material configured to enclose at least a portion of a sample, acoustic sensors configured to detect sound waves in the sample chamber, and acoustic emitters configured to emit sounds waves in the central member. A pressure-retaining case is configured to contain a pressurized fluid between an annulus formed between the pressure-retaining case and the central member. A switch is configured to connect or disconnect a pulser and receiver circuit to a specified emitter of the acoustic emitters. A data acquisition unit is configured to receive a signal from each of the acoustic sensors. A pulser and receiver circuit is configured to send an electric pulse to an acoustic emitter and a control signal to the data acquisition unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Yunlai Yang, Maher I. Almarhoon
  • Patent number: 10551516
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods of identifying rock properties in real-time during drilling, are provided. An apparatus includes an acoustic sensor installed in a drilling fluid circulation system of a drilling rig, the acoustic sensor coupled to one of the following: (i) a bell nipple, (ii) a gooseneck, or (iii) a standpipe. Raw acoustic sensor data generated real-time as a result of rotational contact of the drill bit with rock during drilling is received, and a plurality of acoustic characteristics are derived from the raw acoustic sensor data. The lithology type of rock undergoing drilling may be determined from the acoustic characteristics. Petrophysical properties of the rock undergoing drilling may be determined using a petrophysical properties evaluation algorithm employable to predict the petrophysical properties of rock undergoing drilling from the raw acoustic sensor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Yunlai Yang
  • Publication number: 20190072685
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods of identifying rock properties in real-time during drilling, are provided. An apparatus includes an acoustic sensor installed in a drilling fluid circulation system of a drilling rig, the acoustic sensor coupled to one of the following: (i) a bell nipple, (ii) a gooseneck, or (iii) a standpipe. Raw acoustic sensor data generated real-time as a result of rotational contact of the drill bit with rock during drilling is received, and a plurality of acoustic characteristics are derived from the raw acoustic sensor data. The lithology type of rock undergoing drilling may be determined from the acoustic characteristics. Petrophysical properties of the rock undergoing drilling may be determined using a petrophysical properties evaluation algorithm employable to predict the petrophysical properties of rock undergoing drilling from the raw acoustic sensor data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventor: Yunlai Yang
  • Patent number: 10180061
    Abstract: Methods of identifying rock properties in real-time during drilling, are provided. An example of such a method includes connecting a downhole sensor subassembly between a drill bit and a drill string, operably coupling acoustic sensors to a downhole data interface, and operably coupling a surface computer to the downhole data interface. The method can also include receiving raw acoustic sensor data generated real-time as a result of rotational contact of the drill bit with rock during drilling, transforming the raw data into the frequency domain, filtering the transformed data, and deriving a plurality of acoustic characteristics from the filtered data. This can be performed by a petrophysical properties analyzing program stored in memory of the computer. The method can also include deriving petrophysical properties from the filtered data utilizing a petrophysical properties evaluation algorithm employable to predict one or more petrophysical properties of rock undergoing drilling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Yunlai Yang
  • Patent number: 10120090
    Abstract: Implementations provide identification of rock boundaries and evaluation of rock interval velocities in subterranean zones. Actions can include receiving acoustic signals associated with sounds produced by a well tool implemented to perform a well operation by contacting a portion of a subterranean zone, the acoustic signals being composed of source acoustic signals and reflected acoustic signals produced in response to the source acoustic signals, processing the acoustic signals to determine the source acoustic signals and the reflected acoustic signals and determining properties of the subterranean zone based on the source acoustic signals and the reflected acoustic signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Maher I. Almarhoon, Yunlai Yang
  • Publication number: 20180266246
    Abstract: Apparatus, computer readable medium, and program code for identifying rock properties in real-time during drilling, are provided. An example of an embodiment of such an apparatus includes a downhole sensor subassembly connected between a drill bit and a drill string, acoustic sensors operably coupled to a downhole data interface, and a surface computer operably coupled to the downhole data interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventor: Yunlai Yang
  • Patent number: 10036246
    Abstract: Apparatus, computer readable medium, and program code for identifying rock properties in real-time during drilling, are provided. An example of an embodiment of such an apparatus includes a downhole sensor subassembly connected between a drill bit and a drill string, acoustic sensors operably coupled to a downhole data interface, and a surface computer operably coupled to the downhole data interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Yunlai Yang
  • Patent number: 9989661
    Abstract: Methods for identifying rock properties in real-time during drilling, are provided. An example of an embodiment of such a method includes positioning one or more acoustic sensors to detect drill sounds emanating from the drill bit and the rock encountered during drilling operations, connecting the sensors to select components of a drilling rig to maximally pick up the drill sounds of the drill bit engaging rock during drilling operations. The method also includes providing and deploying an inductive telemetry, wireless telemetry, or wired transmitting system. The method also includes providing and configuring a computer to analyze the “raw” acoustic signals received from the acoustic sensors through the respective transmitting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Yunlai Yang, Yi Luo