With Indicating, Testing, Measuring Or Locating Patents (Class 166/250.01)
  • Patent number: 10408014
    Abstract: The well killing device comprises: a first path; a flow regulating device; a pressure detector and a controlling device. The controlling device may control the discharge amount of the killing fluid in different killing stages according to the gas-fluid two-phase flow theory, the pressure of the killing fluid at the wellhead, and the rising speed of the drilling column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: China University of Petroleum (East China)
    Inventors: Baojiang Sun, Xueqing Teng, Yaoming Zhang, Zhiyuan Wang, Hongtao Liu, Jianbo Zhang, Youqiang Liao
  • Patent number: 10401534
    Abstract: A method of constructing a geological model of a subterranean formation formed of at least two sedimentary beds is described. Based on measurements of the geometry of boundaries of beds of the subterranean formation carried out on a grid, values of geometry of each bed at any point of the grid are calculated according to at least the steps of defining a succession of coarser and coarser grids, constructed based on the grid of interest; proceeding from the coarsest grid to the grid of interest, determining the geometry of the boundaries of each bed by solving an inverse problem initialized with the result obtained for the previous coarser grid. Next, constructing the geological model based on the completed geometry of each boundary of beds on the grid of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLES
    Inventor: Michel Leger
  • Patent number: 10401573
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a method and device for coupling an optical fiber sensing element to an apparatus under test. A channel is affixed to the apparatus under test. The channel is partially filled with a coupling material. The fiber optic sensing element is placed on the coupling material. Coupling material is placed in the channel to uniformly surround the fiber optic sensing element and tightly couple the fiber optic sensing element to the apparatus under test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: OFS FITEL, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin G Bouchard, Robert S Dyer, Michael J Hines, Andrei A Stolov
  • Patent number: 10404383
    Abstract: In one embodiment of this disclosure there is provided a method for communicating with a second downhole tool in a wellbore that extends from a terranean surface. When there is no loss of communicability in a second communications medium between the terranean surface and the second downhole tool, the method comprises transmitting a first communication in the second communication medium from the terranean surface to the second downhole tool. When there is a loss of communicability in the second communications medium, the method comprises transmitting the first communication from the terranean surface to a first downhole tool positioned in the wellbore in a first communication medium different than the second communication medium, translating the first communication from the first to the second communication medium, and transmitting the first communication in the second communication medium from the first to the second downhole tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul David Ringgenberg
  • Patent number: 10392880
    Abstract: A coiled tubing conveyance apparatus includes a tubing injector and a guide roller frame having a coiled tubing reel attached thereto movably mounted on the tubing injector. The guide roller frame includes at least one guide roller to straighten a coiled tubing extended from the coiled tubing reel. A transverse motion apparatus is coupled to the tubing injector and the guide roller frame such that the guide roller frame is movable transversely with respect to a direction of motion of coiled tubing through the tubing injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Gregg Drilling, LLC
    Inventor: Ronald Boggess
  • Patent number: 10393921
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a distributed vibration sensing system includes applying a localized calibration event, such as a temperature change, to at least one location along an optical fiber cable. Backscattered light generated the optical fiber while the localized calibration event is applied includes phase information having low frequency components. The center of energy of the low frequency components can be identified in order to generate a reference point along the fiber that can be used to generate a channel-depth calibration scale that can be applied to vibration data acquired from the fiber when used in various applications, such as borehole seismic surveying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Theo Cuny, Alexis Constantinou, Paul Dickenson
  • Patent number: 10393919
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for determining downhole fluid parameters are disclosed herein. An example method includes disposing a downhole tool in a well. The downhole tool has a sensor including a heater and a temperature sensor. The example method further includes flowing a fluid in the well. The example method also includes determining a first velocity of the fluid at a first depth via the sensor and, based on the first velocity of the fluid, a first parameter of the well at the first depth is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Abdur Rahman Adil, Elena Borisova, Tullio Moscato
  • Patent number: 10393902
    Abstract: A method may include providing a sensor in a first wellbore segment, providing a sensor in a second wellbore segment, observing upgoing acoustic waves or downgoing acoustic waves with the sensors, and separating the upgoing acoustic waves and/or the downgoing acoustic waves from a total wavefield. The first wellbore segment and the second wellbore segment may be separated by a distance. At least one of the wellbore segments may be non-vertical and/or the first wellbore segment may not be parallel to the second wellbore segment. The first wellbore segment may be part of a first set of wellbores and the second wellbore segment may be part of a second set of wellbores. The separated upgoing and downgoing acoustic waves may be used to generate deghosted data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: SHELL OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Johan Cornelis Hornman, Peter Berkeley Wills, Jorge Luis Lopez, Albena Alexandrova Mateeva
  • Patent number: 10385657
    Abstract: A well bore robot is configured to travel along an magnetic track element. The magnetic track element includes a plurality of track magnets. The well bore robot includes a robot body and at least one robot magnet. The robot magnet is disposed within the robot body and configured to magnetically and alternatingly engage and disengage with the track magnets. Alternating engagement and disengagement of the robot magnet with the track magnets conveys the well bore robot along the magnetic track element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lily Nuryaningsih, Dustin Michael Sharber, Mahendra Ladharam Joshi, Qi Xuele, Jeffrey Robert Potts, Matthew Landon George
  • Patent number: 10385670
    Abstract: A method for determining a hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir quality prior to a hydraulic fracture treatment based on completions index is disclosed. The method comprises a step performing a test determining a hydraulic pressure at which a hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir will begin to fracture by pumping a fluid in a wellbore, wherein the wellbore extends from a surface to the reservoir and the wellbore has one or more perforations in communication with reservoir; a step generating a pressure transient in the wellbore, the pressure transient travels from the surface to the reservoir through the perforations and reflects back the surface after contacting the reservoir; a step measuring response of the pressure transient at sufficiently high sampling frequency; a step determining fracture hydraulic parameters of the perforations and the reservoir using the measured response; and optimizing a stimulation treatment to the reservoir based on the determined fracture hydraulic parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: EOG RESOURCES, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Michael James, Oscar A. Bustos, Evan Daniel Gilmore, Eric Robert Matus
  • Patent number: 10385680
    Abstract: Electrically-operated downhole tools are run into a wellbore on a coiled tubing string which includes tube-wire that is capable of carrying power and data along its length. During operation, a downhole tool is provided power from surface using the tube-wire. Downhole data is provided to the surface via tube-wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Silviu Livescu, Thomas J. Watkins, Steven Craig, Luis Castro
  • Patent number: 10378339
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling wellbore operations include a wellbore communication system comprising: a control sub-assembly with a first control unit, a second control unit, one or more downhole sub-assemblies interchangeably mounted on and carried by a bottom hole assembly, each downhole sub-assembly configured to wirelessly send and receive signals from the second control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Victor Carlos Costa De Oliveira, Ossama Sehsah, Mario Augusto Rivas Martinez
  • Patent number: 10370945
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating a down-hole annulus pressure, and/or a down-hole tubing pressure, and/or a down-hole lift gas rate through a gas injection valve of gas lift system, which comprises at least one gas lift choke and at least one gas injection valve and at least one production choke. A state estimator is proposed to obtain the values of these down-hole process variables. The estimator contains a number of local estimators and an interpolation module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Khalifa University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Igor Boiko, Mohammad Luai Hammadih, Khalifa Hasan Al Hosani
  • Patent number: 10364630
    Abstract: A downhole assembly includes a downhole tool including a degradable-on-demand material and a triggering system. The degradable-on-demand material includes a matrix material and an energetic material configured to generate energy upon activation to facilitate the degradation of the downhole tool. The triggering system includes an igniter arranged to ignite the downhole tool, an electrical circuit, and a pre-set timer. In an open condition of the circuit the igniter is not activated, and in a closed condition of the circuit the igniter is activated. The pre-set timer is operable to close the electrical circuit after a pre-set time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Zhiyue Xu, James Doane, Yingqing Xu, Zhihui Zhang
  • Patent number: 10365400
    Abstract: Example methods and apparatus for analyzing operations are disclosed herein. An example method includes disposing a sensor in a fluid flow passageway. The sensor has a heater and a temperature sensor. The example method further includes obtaining a first response of the sensor to a fluid flowing in the fluid flow passageway and transmitting a signal to a tool to operate the tool. Operation of the tool is to affect a fluid parameter of the fluid. The example method also includes obtaining a second response of the sensor to the fluid flowing in the fluid flow passageway and determining if the tool has operated based on the first response and the second response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Abdur Rahman Adil, Elena Borisova, Tullio Moscato
  • Patent number: 10364631
    Abstract: A downhole assembly includes a downhole tool including a degradable-on-demand material including: a matrix material; and, an energetic material configured to generate energy upon activation to facilitate the degradation of the downhole tool; and, a triggering system including: an electrical circuit having an open condition and a closed condition, the electrical circuit configured to be in the closed condition after movement of an object downhole that engages directly or indirectly with the triggering system; and, an igniter within the electrical circuit, the igniter arranged to ignite the downhole tool in the closed condition of the electrical circuit. In the open condition of the electrical circuit the igniter is inactive, and in the closed condition of the electrical circuit the igniter is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Zhiyue Xu, James Doane, Yingqing Xu, Zhihui Zhang
  • Patent number: 10364624
    Abstract: An apparatus for switching off and deviating a circulating liquid flow without water hammering, comprising an apparatus body (10) including an inlet channel (11) which is split into two outlet channels (12, 13) in which respective flow valves (14, 15) are arranged; said apparatus body comprises moreover a discharging channel (16) coupled to said outlet channels through respective discharging valves (17, 18); said outlet channels being moreover coupled to respective pressure measuring chambers (19, 20); a balancing valve (21) communicating two middle zones (22, 23) respectively formed in the outlet channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Luigi Peveri, Gian Marco Silva
  • Patent number: 10364632
    Abstract: A downhole assembly arranged within a borehole includes a downhole tool including a degradable-on-demand material, the degradable-on-demand material including: a matrix material; and, an energetic material configured to generate energy upon activation to facilitate the degradation of the downhole tool; and, a triggering system including: an electrical circuit; an igniter in the electrical circuit arranged to ignite the energetic material; a sensor configured to sense a target event or parameter within the borehole; and, a control unit arranged to receive sensed signals from the sensor and to deliver a start signal to the electrical circuit in response to the sensed signals indicating an occurrence of the target event or parameter; wherein, after the start signal is delivered from the control unit, the electrical circuit is closed and the igniter is initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Zhiyue Xu, James Doane, Yingqing Xu, Zhihui Zhang
  • Patent number: 10358888
    Abstract: A wellbore liner-hanger tie-back system includes a bore receptacle coupled with a liner hanger at a downhole end of the bore receptacle, where the liner hanger is configured to be positioned in a wellbore, a tieback casing configured to be disposed in the wellbore, where a portion of an outer surface of the tieback casing is disposed proximate to an inner surface of the bore receptacle, and a seal system including at least one swellable seal. The seal system is disposed between the tieback casing and the bore receptacle to seal a space between the portion of the outer surface of the tieback casing and the inner surface of the bore receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Ahmad Mohammad Al-AbdulJabbar, Kamal Eldarovic Aghazada
  • Patent number: 10352149
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to determine production of a downhole pump are described herein. An example method includes measuring a first amount of liquid produced from a well by a pump during a first stroke of the pump, computing a first pump card based on the first stroke, determining a first area of the first pump card and determining a leakage proportionality constant of the pump based on the first amount of liquid produced and the first area. The example method also includes computing a second pump card based on a second stroke of the pump, determining a second area of the second pump card and determining a second amount of liquid produced by the pump during the second stroke based on the leakage proportionality constant and the second area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Bristol, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Matthew Mills
  • Patent number: 10352121
    Abstract: A borehole plug or packer for treating is designed to be flowed back to a surface location after use. When the treatment is concluded pressure from above is relieved or lowered, and well fluid is flowed back, so that the plug or plugs disengages at slips designed to resist differential pressure from above. The application of differential pressure from below causes the lower slips to release one or more of such plugs in the hole into specialized sub surface or surface capture equipment so that well pressure is relieved before removal of the plugs from specialized subsurface or surface capture equipment. Sensors to obtain and store data can be incorporated into the plugs or into objects landed on the plugs so that when brought to the surface the data can be processed and used in aid of production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Tristan R. Wise, Zachary S Silva, Elias Pena, Hector O. Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 10323505
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for positioning of downhole tools via radioactive tag detection. The method comprises positioning a radiation detector at a first position within a wellbore, logging radiation data while the radiation detector is moved from the first position to a position adjacent to or past a radioactive marker disposed within the wellbore, determining, based on the radiation data, a time at which the radiation detector is adjacent to the radioactive marker, and calculating, based on the time, a distance between the first position of the radiation detector and the radioactive marker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Donald Kyle
  • Patent number: 10316645
    Abstract: A technique includes deploying an untethered object though a passageway of a tubular member; and acquiring a plurality of measurements that represent an environment of the tubular member as the object is being communicated through the passageway. The technique includes cross-correlating the plurality of measurements and using results of the cross-correlating to identify at least one feature of the tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Derek Ingraham, Eugene Janssen
  • Patent number: 10309214
    Abstract: A downhole drilling tool is adapted to be placed in a borehole formed in the earth. The downhole drilling tool has mounted thereto at least one of a transmitter for generating and a receiver for sensing at least one component of an electromagnetic field within a distant earth region. The tool also has a device configured to acquire subsurface data from the at least one component of the electromagnetic field; and a device configured to calculate a resistivity distribution of the distant earth region from the subsurface data. A geophysical survey is performed with a downhole drilling tool by transmitting at least one component of an electromagnetic field through the distant earth region; acquiring subsurface data from the at least one component of the electromagnetic field; and calculating a resistivity distribution of the distant earth region from the subsurface data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: GroundMetrics, Inc.
    Inventors: George Eiskamp, Greg Nieuwenhuis
  • Patent number: 10300804
    Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a vehicle includes an alignment sensor that has a field of view and a vehicle alignment system operatively connected to the alignment sensor and to at least one positioning system of the vehicle. Movement of the vehicle varies an appearance of a fiducial surface within the alignment sensor's field of view. The vehicle alignment system is configured to implement a method that includes monitoring the appearance of the fiducial surface to the alignment sensor, comparing the appearance of the fiducial surface to a pre-determined set of benchmark appearances, and operating the at least one positioning system based on a determination by the vehicle alignment system of whether the appearance of the fiducial surface to the alignment sensor satisfies a pre-determined target appearance that corresponds to a desired location and position of the vehicle relative to a fixed location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Lembit Salasoo
  • Patent number: 10302543
    Abstract: The present disclosure provide a method and apparatus for pressure-pulse decay performed on whole cylindrical samples whose entire outer surface areas are eligible to receive the pulse. Using the methods and apparatus of the present disclosure, not only is the experimental time dramatically shortened, it also allows for simultaneous determination of local permeabilities parallel and perpendicular to their native bedding planes. Currently, there is no permeability-measurement technique to capable of doing so from a single sample from a single test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: The UAB Research Foundation
    Inventor: Michael J Hannon, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10295695
    Abstract: An electric field sensing system comprises a magnetic shield, an optical magnetometer shielded from external magnetic fields by the magnetic shield, a conductive coil proximate to the optical magnetometer, and first and second electrodes coupled to opposite ends of the coil. The electrodes are disposed outside of the magnetic shield. The conductive coil generates a magnetic field within the optical magnetometer when electrical current passes through the conductive coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Satyan Gopal Bhongale, Tasneem Mandviwala, Etienne Samson
  • Patent number: 10288463
    Abstract: A method and system for evaluating both fluid type and fluid flow downhole by applying thermal energy in a flow of the fluid, and monitoring downstream temperature over time to generate a temperature profile. The type of fluid being evaluated can be determined by comparing the measured temperature profile to profiles over time of known fluids because these profiles depend upon these fluids' thermal diffusivities and flow rates. Further, stratified flow in a deviated wellbore can be analyzed by conducting the fluid evaluation at different radial locations in the flow stream so that the presence of water, liquid hydrocarbons, and gas can be identified. The system can include a pivoting arm that selectively spans the wellbore diameter, and which includes multiple thermal sources, each with corresponding thermal sensor, that are spaced along the arm. A frame can be provided for each of the sources and sensors, which is automatically self-oriented along the direction of fluid flow like a weather vane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventor: Rocco DiFoggio
  • Patent number: 10287857
    Abstract: A method of solving a optimization problem is described. The method includes creating an initial model having a plurality of wells, each well being associated with a parameter and dividing the well field into first and second regions, the first region including a first subset of the plurality of wells and the second region including a second subset of the plurality of wells. The method also includes solving for the parameters associated with the wells in the first subset to get a first set of values while holding constant the parameters associated with the wells in the second subset, setting the parameters associated with the wells in the first subset to the first set of values, and solving for the parameters associated with the wells in the second subset to get a second set of values while holding constant the parameters associated with the wells in the first subset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: LANDMARK GRAPHICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sheldon Gorell
  • Patent number: 10240413
    Abstract: Comparative image analysis is utilized to determine the flow rate of fluids, such as, for example, drilling fluid, completion fluid or hydrocarbons. As fluid flows through a conduit or open trough, a flow rate measurement device illuminates the surface of the fluid. Images of common surface features are then acquired at some time interval. Thereafter, the displacement of the common surface features in the images is analyzed to determine the flow rate of the fluid. Thus, non-contact flow rate measurements of opaque and non-opaque fluids are obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Liang Zhao, Michael L. Fripp, Thomas J. Frosell, Zachary R. Murphree
  • Patent number: 10233730
    Abstract: An assembly may include a diverter extending inwardly from a casing string and extending along a length of the casing string. The assembly may also include a cavity defined by the diverter and the casing string. The cavity may be for receiving debris particles accumulated by a centrifuge positioned proximate to the diverter. The assembly may also include a valve extending between an inner surface of the casing string and an outer surface of the casing string, the valve may be in fluid communication with the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Bo Gao, Nicholas Budler, Linda Xin
  • Patent number: 10233749
    Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for developing a hydrocarbon reservoir including determining properties of a well including a wellbore extending into a tested layer of a multi-layer hydrocarbon reservoir including a barrier located between the tested layer and an adjacent layer of the multi-layer hydrocarbon reservoir, determining a point in time at which a value of a rate of influx of production fluid across the barrier from the adjacent layer and into the tested layer corresponds to a production contribution tolerance value for the well, determining a derivative of a profile of pressure in the targeted layer as a function of radial distance from the wellbore of the well at the point in time, and determining a drainage radius for the well corresponding to the derivative of the profile of pressure in the targeted layer and a pressure derivative tolerance value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Noor M. Anisur Rahman, Saud A. Bin Akresh
  • Patent number: 10233704
    Abstract: A tubular handling system and method, of which the tubular handling system includes a power tong configured to engage and rotate an add-on tubular by applying a torque thereto, the power tong defining a central opening configured to receive the add-on tubular therethrough, a spider disposed at a rig floor, the spider being configured to support a tubular string, a lifting assembly coupled with the power tong and configured to move the power tong vertically with respect to the tubular string and the spider, and a torque-measuring device configured to measure a reactionary torque transmitted from the power tong to the lifting assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: FRANK'S INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventors: Vernon Bouligny, Jeremy R. Angelle, Robert L. Thibodeaux, Travis Lambert, Timothy Bernard
  • Patent number: 10221681
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for monitoring steam injection in a steam assisted well are disclosed. The method involves obtaining a first temperature profile of a well by performing distributed temperature sensing on a first fiber optic. The method also obtains a second temperature profile of the well by interrogating a second fiber optic to provide distributed sensing of temperature variations. Interrogating the second fiber optic comprises repeatedly launching interrogations of one or more pulses of coherent radiation into said second fiber optic, detecting any radiation which is Rayleigh backscattered from each interrogation and analyzing the detected backscattered radiation to detect any variation between interrogations due to temperature variation. The method combines said first and second temperature profiles to provide a steam injection profile. The method may also involve determining an acoustic profile of the well through distributed acoustic sensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: OPTASENSE HOLDINGS LIMITED
    Inventors: Magnus McEwen-King, David Hill
  • Patent number: 10214683
    Abstract: A method for producing hydrocarbons within a reservoir includes (a) injecting an aqueous solution into the reservoir. The aqueous solution includes water and a thermally activated chemical species. The thermally activated chemical species is urea, a urea derivative, or a carbamate. The thermally activated chemical agent is thermally activated at or above a threshold temperature less than 200 C. In addition, the method includes (b) thermally activating the thermally activated chemical species in the aqueous solution during or after (a) at a temperature equal to or greater than the threshold temperature to produce carbon-dioxide and at least one of ammonia, amine, and alkanolamine within the reservoir. Further, the method includes (c) increasing the water wettability of the subterranean formation in response to the thermally activation in (b). Still further, the method includes (d) waterflooding the reservoir with water after (a), (b) and (c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc
    Inventors: James Neil, Spencer Taylor, Huang Zeng, Allan Peats, Giovanna Boccardo, John V. Bullen, Ian Ralph Collins, Andrew Rees
  • Patent number: 10215014
    Abstract: Systems and methods for assessing geometric fractures parameters in a subsurface formation are disclosed. A first pressure signal and a second pressure signal in a first (observation) wellbore in the subsurface formation may be assessed using a pressure sensor in direct fluid communication with a fluid in the first wellbore. The fluid in the first wellbore may be in direct fluid communication with at least a first fracture in the subsurface formation. The first pressure signal may include a pressure change that is induced by a second fracture being formed from a second (stimulation) wellbore in the subsurface formation. The second pressure signal may include a pressure change that is induced by a third fracture being formed from the second wellbore. One or more geometric parameters of the second and third fractures may be assessed using the first pressure signal and the second pressure signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Reveal Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew A. Dawson, Günther Kampfer, Lukas Mosser
  • Patent number: 10215829
    Abstract: A method to process information from a wellbore tool is disclosed having steps of placing a wellbore nuclear magnetic resonance tool in a wellbore to a scan a geological formation, activating the nuclear magnetic resonance tool to send signals to and receive signals from the geological formation, acquiring the received signals from the geological formation wherein the received signals have an echo shape, storing the echo shape according to at least one of a quadrature phase and a nominal signal phase, computing an echo shape from all of the received signals, determining a presence of a noise from the received signals, defining a noise filter based upon the received signals from the nuclear magnetic resonance tool and using the filter to remove noise from the received signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nicholas Heaton
  • Patent number: 10215004
    Abstract: A plunger device for a hydrocarbon wellbore is provided that has replaceable modular components that allow the function of the plunger device to be altered. Concentric sleeves and short sleeves may be selectively disposed about a chassis of the plunger device. One or more short sleeves may be removed to expose an entrance aperture which allows fluid flow to enter an interior volume of the chassis and pass through an exit aperture in the chassis. This configuration allows the plunger to descend down a bore hole more rapidly. However, a well operator may determine that it is advantageous to keep the short sleeve on the chassis to block the entrance aperture. Thus, the weight of the plunger overcomes the pressure in the borehole, and the plunger descends more slowly down the borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: DIVERGENT TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Barry Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 10208568
    Abstract: A downhole tool in accordance to aspects of the disclosure includes a housing forming a bore to convey a wellbore fluid, an actuating piston moveably disposed in a cylinder located in the housing adjacent to the bore and a barrier fluid isolating the actuating piston from the bore. The downhole tool may include a compensator piston in communication with the barrier fluid and the bore that is moveable to balance the pressure between the barrier fluid and the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven Nicholas Hill, Geoffrey Pinard, Megan Laura Buchheit
  • Patent number: 10190392
    Abstract: An automated landfill gas wellhead monitoring and control system includes a field monitoring and control system (FMCS) that receives landfill gas condition data and that controls an automated gas control valve on a wellhead as a function thereof. A remote monitoring control system (RMCS) is in communication with the FMCS and provides other data obtained from sources outside of the landfill. This additional data is used by the FMCS to control the gas control valve and the system provides a preventative configuration based on a predicted condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: OptiRTC, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Bachus, Marcus Quigley
  • Patent number: 10191168
    Abstract: Generating spectrally enhanced seismic data expresses seismic data as a convolution of reflectivity and a seismic source wavelet. This seismic source wavelet varies over a sampling interval and defining a total amount of energy over the sampling interval. An enhanced seismic source wavelet that is a single-valued energy spike that yields the total amount of energy over the sampling interval is generated. In addition, the reflectivity is modified to preserve amplitude variation with angle. The reflectivity is convoluted with the enhanced seismic source wavelet and residual energy is added to the convolution to generate the spectrally enhanced seismic data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: CGG SERVICES SAS
    Inventors: Can Peng, Arash Jafargandomi, Henning Hoeber, James Cooper, Gordon Poole
  • Patent number: 10180057
    Abstract: Crossflow between two adjacent reservoir layers through leaky cement sheaths in offset wells during transient-pressure tests in one of the two reservoir layers is diagnosed and quantified. The obtained measures are determined based on individual well and layer properties. The pressure drawdown in the reservoir layer in which pressure transient testing is being performed is measured as a function of time. The longitudinal conductivity of a leaky cement sheath in an offset well and the pressure drawdown in the tested reservoir layer simultaneously control the crossflow rate to the tested reservoir layer from the adjacent reservoir layer at a given time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Noor M. Anisur Rahman, Hasan A. Nooruddin
  • Patent number: 10174607
    Abstract: Systems and methods of automatically tracking the utilization of a piece of wellbore servicing equipment are disclosed. The system includes an identification tag coupled to the wellbore servicing equipment. The system further includes one or more identification antennas located in close proximity to the identification tag and one or more identification tag readers for receiving one or more signals from the one or more identification antennas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley V. Stephenson, David M. Stribling, Stephen Crain
  • Patent number: 10168956
    Abstract: Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for correcting overlapping data sets in a volume. A determination is made of overlapping data sets in a first volume that are assigned a same data unit. The data sets in the first volume that are not assigned a same data unit are copied to a second volume. The same data unit is processed to determine one of the overlapping data sets for which the same data unit is intended and copied to the determined overlapping data set in the second volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Harold S. Huber, Joseph V. Malinowski, David C. Reed, Max D. Smith
  • Patent number: 10161239
    Abstract: Systems and methods for the advance, real-time and/or post-event evaluation of inaccessible passive pressure containment barriers using an iterative process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Landmark Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald Earl Sweatman, Robert Franklin Mitchell
  • Patent number: 10155230
    Abstract: A flow apparatus for a separation apparatus for separating solids from a solids laden drilling fluid includes a feed conduit for feeding solids laden drilling fluid to the separation apparatus, a liquid discharge conduit for conveying a liquid phase discharge from the separation apparatus, and a solids discharge port for allowing discharge of solids phase from the separation apparatus. Also included is a parameter measuring apparatus connected to the feed conduit and the liquid discharge conduit for measuring at least one parameter of at least one of the solids laden drilling fluid and the liquid phase discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.
    Inventor: Lyndon Ray Stone
  • Patent number: 10151194
    Abstract: A system and method for producing fluid from a subterranean wellbore that includes an electrical submersible pump (“ESP”) system and a receptacle. The ESP system is landed in the receptacle while sensing the presence of the ESP system with respect to the receptacle. The ESP system includes a motor, a pump, a monitoring sub, and a stinger on the lower end of the pump. A sensor on the receptacle detects the position of the stinger within the receptacle, and provides an indication that the stinger has inserted a designated length into the receptacle so that a fluid tight seal is formed between the stinger and receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian A. Roth, Jinjiang Xiao
  • Patent number: 10151186
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for triggering an exothermic reaction of an exothermic reaction component. A method includes the steps of mixing the exothermic reaction component in an aqueous solution to achieve a pre-selected solution pH, where the aqueous solution operably delays triggering of the exothermic reaction upon reaching a pre-determined temperature of a hydrocarbon-bearing formation; disposing the exothermic reaction component within the hydrocarbon-bearing formation; applying microwaves to the exothermic reaction component, where the microwaves are operable to trigger the exothermic reaction of the exothermic reaction component; and generating heat and gas in situ by the exothermic reaction to increase pressure and temperature of the hydrocarbon-bearing formation proximate the exothermic reaction component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Ayman R. Al-Nakhli
  • Patent number: 10145240
    Abstract: A downhole formation fluid sampler. The sampler includes at least one sampling chamber having an internal fluid chamber, a fluid inlet operable to receive a formation fluid and a fluid outlet. An inflatable bag is disposed within the internal fluid chamber. The inflatable bag is operably associated with the fluid inlet. A fluid cushion is disposed within the internal fluid chamber exterior of the inflatable bag such that filling the inflatable bag with the formation fluid through the fluid inlet displaces the fluid cushion from the internal fluid chamber through the fluid outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Wesley Neil Ludwig
  • Patent number: 10138724
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring, diagnosing and optimizing operation of a gas lift (GL) system, at least some of which include a method that includes collecting measured data representative of the GL system's state, storing the measured data, comparing the measured data to a well model's calculated data for the well and identifying likely conditions of the GL system based on mismatches between the measured data and the calculated data. The method further includes updating the model to reflect the likely conditions and selected corrections of the likely conditions, generating GL system performance curves using the updated model and presenting to a user actions recommended to achieve a GL system performance consistent with a GL system operating point on at least one of the GL system performance curves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Landmark Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Maiquel Manuel Querales, Miguel Villamizar, Gustavo Carvajal, Rama Krishna Vellanki, Giuseppe Moricca, Alvin Stanley Cullick, Jose Rodriguez