With Sampling Patents (Class 250/255)
  • Patent number: 10240436
    Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation, including obtaining information of a subterranean formation, generating a three-dimensional model of at least a portion of the subterranean formation, and performing an experiment on the three-dimensional model. The three-dimensional model may be constructed by x-ray scanning of a core of the subterranean formation, and by additive manufacturing using the obtained x-ray image. The subterranean formation may be treated using a treatment designed based upon the experiments performed on the three-dimensional model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Bruno Lecerf, Konstantin Viktorovich Vidma, John Daniels
  • Patent number: 10228706
    Abstract: The present invention provides techniques for recovering hydrocarbon fluids in a process flow, including recovering bitumen from a coarse tailings line. The apparatus includes a signal processor that responds to signaling containing information about the presence of a hydrocarbon fluid in a process flow; and determines corresponding signaling to control the diversion of the hydrocarbon fluid from the process flow remaining based on the signaling received. The hydrocarbon fluid may be bitumen, including bitumen flowing in a course tailings line. The signal processor receives the signaling from a velocity profile meter having sensors arranged around a circumference of a process pipe containing information about a fluid flow velocity at various levels or heights within the process pipe, including a wrap-around velocity profile meter having multiple sensing arrays located radially at a top position of 0° , a bottom position of 180°, and intermediate positions 45°, 90° and 135°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignees: CiDRA Corporate Services Inc., SUNCOR Energy Inc.
    Inventors: John Viega, Perry W. McKechnie, Marek J. Dominski
  • Patent number: 10215690
    Abstract: A method for estimating a value of a kerogen property in a subsurface formation where the value of the kerogen property is unknown. The method includes: measuring spectral intensity values over an infrared (IR) spectral range for a selected sample from the subsurface formation; determining a range of values representing the measured spectral intensity values corresponding to a vibrational mode attributable to kerogen in the selected sample, the range of values including values representing uncertainty in the measured spectral intensity over the portion of the spectral range; and inputting values from the range of values into a stochastic or simple regression model to determine an estimated value of the kerogen property in the selected sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Ryan Craddock, Michael David Prange, Andrew Emil Pomerantz
  • Patent number: 10175218
    Abstract: This description relates to a predictive model for estimating the proportions of sand, silt, and clay in a soil sample based on near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) performed on the soil samples. The soil texture prediction model is trained using benchmark NIRS test data and collected spectra of soil samples for which the benchmark test data has been collected. The estimates produced by the model can be used to determinate a variety of properties of the soil sample, such as hydrological properties and soil quality. Knowledge of these properties are useful for informing decisions that agronomists, producers, or farm managers make throughout the year. For example, agronomists use the determined properties to infer how the soil will perform under any given treatment or application, for example applying seeds, fertilizer, pesticide, and herbicide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: FARMERS EDGE INC.
    Inventor: Patrick J. Visser
  • Patent number: 10126214
    Abstract: A system for on-stream sampling of pressurized process fluid such as natural gas or the like, said pressurized process fluid in the form of gas having liquid entrained therein, or otherwise referenced as multiphase or “wet”. The preferred embodiment of the present invention contemplates a system for obtaining an accurate sample of said process gas in such a manner as to avoid the inherent problems with multi-phase gas streams, via sampling said multi-phase gas stream in its dense phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Mayeaux Holding, LLC
    Inventor: Valmond Joseph St Amant, III
  • Patent number: 10107770
    Abstract: The present invention determines one or more properties of a soil sample by scanning a soil sample using a visible near infrared diffuse reflectance (VisNIR) spectroradiometer, scanning the soil sample using a x-ray fluorescence (PXRF) spectrometer, receiving a diffuse reflectance spectra from the VisNIR spectroradiometer and an elemental data from the PXRF spectrometer, determining one or more properties of the soil sample using one or more processors and a predictive model that relates the diffuse reflectance spectra and the elemental data to the one or more properties, and providing the one or more properties of the soil sample to one or more input/output interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
    Inventors: David Weindorf, Somsubhra Chakraborty
  • Patent number: 10073042
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for performing in-situ fluid analysis. The method involves obtaining a first and second mixture of uncontaminated oil and a contaminant, wherein a percentage of the uncontaminated oil in the first mixture is different from the second mixture. The method may further include establishing a rate of change of a physical property of the first mixture and the second mixture to estimate a mass density of the uncontaminated oil and a mass density of the contaminant. In addition, the method may include obtaining a volume fraction of the uncontaminated oil for the first mixture and second mixture using the mass density of the uncontaminated oil and the mass density of the contaminant. An optical device may be used to determine a composition of the first and second mixtures in order to calculate a composition of the contaminant and a composition of the uncontaminated oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kang Wang, Younes Jalali, Yoko Morita, Kamal Kader, Yutaka Imasato
  • Patent number: 10012633
    Abstract: Methods are provided for reservoir analysis. In some embodiments, a reservoir may be analyzed by obtaining abundance ratios at a first measurement station and a second measurement station and determining an abundance ratio trend. Abundance ratios at a third measurement station may be obtained and plotted versus depth with the previously obtained abundance ratios. A change in the abundance ratio trend may be identified and result in further investigation of the reservoir. If the abundance ratio is unchanged, additional abundance ratios may be obtained and plotted versus depth to further evaluate the abundance ratio trend. Methods for reservoir analysis using fluid predictions with and without offset well information are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Adriaan Gisolf, Youxiang Zuo, Ronald E. G. van Hal, Jeffrey Crank
  • Patent number: 10006874
    Abstract: A process for preparing alternative fuels so that it is acceptable for use in cement plants and other manufacturing processes is detailed. This includes a material analyzer that can detect trace contaminants in alternative fuels. This new analyzer, combined with an associated method of processing the alternative fuels allows users to blend the fuel to ensure that it is acceptable for plant operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: XRSciences, LLC
    Inventors: Colin Charette, Thomas Atwell, Tom Gibbons, Jacob Lopp, Chaur-Ming Shyu, John Dascomb
  • Patent number: 9880095
    Abstract: The present invention provides a technique that uses discrete wavelengths of illumination of an ore sample, and through the use of optical filters and laser illumination the signal-to-noise ratio of the measurement can be greatly improved, and may take the form of apparatus featuring a signal processor configured to: receive signaling containing information about a spectral reflectance caused by discrete wavelengths illuminating an ore sample; and determine information about a bitumen content of the ore sample based at least partly on the signaling. The signal processor may provide corresponding signaling containing information about the bitumen content of the ore sample, including for further processing, printing or displaying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: CiDRA Corporate Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Davis, Mark R. Fernald
  • Patent number: 9880318
    Abstract: A method of analyzing a core sample from a wellbore by creating a visual composite image of the core sample that is based on a scan of the core sample. The scan directs radiation at the core sample, such as a computerized tomography (CT) scan, and obtains scan data by estimating radiation absorbed by material in the core sample. The composite image is made up of an arrangement of voxels, where each voxel represents a designated volume of the core sample, and is are assigned a value that corresponds to a measured value of radiation absorbed in the designated volume of the core sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: GE ENERGY OILFIELD TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: John Boot, Ali Can, Thomas Szudajski
  • Patent number: 9810062
    Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to a method for recovering hydrocarbons from a formation including collecting and analyzing a formation sample, drilling operation data, and wellbore pressure measurement, estimating a reservoir and completion quality, and performing an oil field service in a region of the formation comprising the quality. In some embodiments, the formation sample is a solid collected from the drilling operation or includes cuttings or a core sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ridvan Akkurt, Romain Charles Andre Prioul, Andrew E. Pomerantz
  • Patent number: 9784882
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for generating an areal map of a pre-determined hydrocarbon liquid property of a subsurface kerogen-containing source rock from an electromagnetic resistivity profile. Preferably, the profile is generated by a transient EM method such as a long-offset transient electromagnetic (LOTEM) method. In some embodiments, the areal map is generated by employing resistivity-hydrocarbon liquid-quality relationship data describing a relationship between (i) a property of hydrocarbon liquid generated within the source rock pore space to (ii) an electrical resistivity of the source rock. In some embodiments, it is possible to acquire such data even in the absence of source rock samples where the hydrocarbon liquids within the samples has been preserved. The areal map is useful for determining a target location and/or depth in the source rock to drill for oil. The presently-disclosed techniques are particularly relevant to tight oil formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: GENIE IP B.V.
    Inventors: Eva Vinegar, Scott Nguyen, Harold Vinegar
  • Patent number: 9721691
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing molybdenum-99 comprising: i) providing an electron accelerator; ii) providing a molybdenum converter/target unit (Mo-CTU) comprising one or more metallic components, wherein each one of said metallic components is made of a material selected from the group consisting of natural molybdenum, molybdenum-100, molybdenum-98, and mixtures thereof; iii) directing an electron beam generated via said electron accelerator onto said Mo-CTU to produce a braking radiation (bremsstrahlung); iv) employing said bremsstrahlung onto said Mo-CTU to produce molybdenum-99 and neutrons via a photo-neutron reaction; v) slowing down the neutrons produced in step iv) with a low atomic liquid, e.g. distilled water; and optionally vi) employing the neutrons produced in step iv) to produce a complementary amount of molybdenum-99 via a neutron capture reaction on said Mo-CTU. The invention further provides an apparatus for producing molybdenum-99.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Research and Development Authority
    Inventor: Alexander Tsechanski
  • Patent number: 9612194
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided featuring a signal processor or signal processing module configured to receive signaling containing information about images of an ore sample; and determine information about a Bitumen Content of the ore sample based at least partly on the signaling, including for use in real time ore blend management in a bitumen recovery process related to mined oil sands. The ore sample may be an ore face, and the signaling may contain information about the images of the ore face. The signal processor or signal processing module may be configured to determine a real time ore face ore grade visualization based at least partly on the signaling, and provide corresponding signaling containing information about the real time ore face ore grade visualization, including a composite overlay image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: CiDRA Corporate Services Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Davis, Andrew E. Carlson, David O. Winkowski, John V. Viega, Alan D. Kersey, Mark R. Fernald
  • Patent number: 9604337
    Abstract: A method of polishing a substrate is disclosed. The method includes irradiating the substrate with light; measuring intensity of the reflected light; producing spectral waveform representing relationship between relative reflectance and wavelength of the light; performing a Fourier transform process on the spectral waveform to determine a thickness of the film and a corresponding strength of frequency component; determining whether the determined thickness of the film is reliable or not by comparing the strength of frequency component with a threshold value; calculating a defective data rate representing a proportion of the number of unreliable measured values to the total number of measured values; and changing the threshold value based on the defective data rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventor: Toshifumi Kimba
  • Patent number: 9599551
    Abstract: A method for estimating porosity of a rock sample comprises the steps of defining a total mineral content of a sample, determining relative volume fractions for each mineral and determining X-ray attenuation coefficients for the defined minerals. Then, a first X-ray attenuation coefficient for a synthetic sample combined from the same minerals with the same volume fractions but with no pores is determined. X-ray micro/nanoCT scanning of the sample is performed and a second X-ray attenuation coefficient for the rock sample is determined. Porosity can be calculated as for a sample filled with a gas, water or light hydrocarbons, so for a sample which pores are filled with heavy hydrocarbons, or other liquid/gases with X-ray attenuation coefficient comparable with X-ray attenuation coefficient for the rock sample or for the synthetic sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dmitry Anatolievich Koroteev, Alexander Nadeev, Dmitry Alexandrovich Korobkov, Igor Andreevich Varfolomeev
  • Patent number: 9541670
    Abstract: The disclosure includes an arrangement of X-ray generator(s) (210), X-ray detector(s) (214), and/or X-ray calibration device(s) for performing X-ray measurements, such as attenuation and/or photo electric factor measurements, on formation core samples (204) in a downhole environment under conditions including limited space and operations at high pressure and temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joel L. Groves, Christian Stoller
  • Patent number: 9453829
    Abstract: A test device including a closeable cavity and a water flow groove with a water transmission channel existing between the water flow groove and the internal part of the cavity. The water flow groove includes a water inlet and a water outlet with the depth of the water inlet being greater than the depth of the water outlet. Simultaneously, side lead-in pipe of drain pipe and elbow pipe on side wall of water inlet pipe are consistent with height of top surface of the ceramic plate, making hydraulic pressure of tested soil sample being zero during dehydrating and soaking process capable of ensuring accuracy of test result. A necking design is applied to reduce water evaporation in the drainage pipe and lower the test errors. Side lead-in pipe is connected with drainage pipe for smoothly draining water and also can prevent air reversely flowing and entering into the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: SHIJIAZHUANG TIEDAO UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Huaiping Feng, Jianmei Chang, Tielin Li, Yanjie Lin, Chaoliang Ye, Tianliang Wang, Zhipeng Wang, Yafei Liu
  • Patent number: 9400340
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and products for estimating at least one parameter of interest of a volume of an earth formation, including density, porosity, and fluid saturation of the volume. Methods may include normalizing radiation information relating to radiation emissions from a spatially distributed nuclear source and indicative of a property of the earth volume using a correction factor determined using an estimated lithology of the volume. The nuclear source may be in the volume. Radiation emissions may be generated by neutron irradiation of at least one nuclide in the volume. The correction factor may be determined using any of nuclear density of the at least one nuclide; an estimated concentration of the at least one nuclide in the volume; or a parameter relating to concentration of the nuclide in the volume. The emissions may include gamma rays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Feyzi Inanc
  • Patent number: 9375172
    Abstract: A sensing apparatus for detecting light of first and second fluorescent wavelength bands has a light source to generate an excitation wavelength to a first collimator element. A dichroic multiplexer has a first coated surface oblique to the optical axis and treated to transmit the excitation wavelength and to reflect the second fluorescent wavelength band and a second coated surface treated to transmit the excitation wavelength and the second fluorescent wavelength band and to reflect the first fluorescent wavelength band. A focusing element focuses the excitation light toward a light guide and directs collimated light of the first and second fluorescent wavelength bands from the light guide to the dichroic multiplexer. A first detector element is in the path of reflected light of the first fluorescent wavelength band and a second detector element is in the path of reflected light of the second fluorescent wavelength band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventor: Joshua Monroe Cobb
  • Patent number: 9291580
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to improve prompt gamma neutron activation substance analyzers. In one aspect, a substance analyzer unit includes: a source of neutrons; an opening arranged with respect to the source of neutrons to receive a substance; and a detector housing having (i) a detector configured and arranged to receive gamma rays generated by absorption of neutrons by the substance, and (ii) electronics coupled with the detector within the detector housing, wherein the electronics are configured to receive and process analog signals from the detector and output digital detection signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Sabia Inc.
    Inventors: Clinton LaMar Lingren, Abhinandan Sheshadri, James Francis Miller, Thomas Charles Dannemiller, Stephen James Foster, Nichelle Diane Worthington, Bradley Allen Moyer
  • Patent number: 9274248
    Abstract: A method comprising using a first mass analyzer of a downhole tool to isolate specific ions within a sample received in the downhole tool, using a second mass analyzer of the downhole tool to stabilize the ions isolated by the first mass analyzer, and using a third mass analyzer of the downhole tool to catalog the stabilized ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Julian J. Pop, Reza Taherian, Pierre J. Daniel
  • Patent number: 9256701
    Abstract: Techniques for modeling a wellbore fluid that includes a base fluid and one or more fluid additives includes identifying a target viscosity profile of the wellbore fluid; determining an initial set of values of the fluid additives that are based at least in part on the target viscosity profile; determining, with one or more non-linear predictive models, a computed viscosity profile of the wellbore fluid and a computed set of values of the fluid additives based, at least in part, on the initial set of values of the fluid additives; comparing the computed viscosity profile and at least one of the computed set of values with a specified criteria of the wellbore fluid; and preparing, based on the comparison, an output including the computed viscosity profile and at least one of the computed set of values of a resultant wellbore fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Dingding Chen, David L. Perkins, Christopher Michael Jones, Li Gao, Lucas Fontenelle, Johanna Haggstrom
  • Patent number: 9212551
    Abstract: A method for analyzing formation fluid in a subterranean formation is disclosed, wherein the method includes the steps of: adding a scavenger compound to an analytical reagent to form a reagent solution; collecting an amount of formation fluid into a formation tester, wherein the formation tester includes at least one fluids analyzer comprising at least one probe, at least one flow line, at least one reagent container, and at least one spectral analyzer, wherein the fluids analyzer is configured such that the collected formation fluid is fed through the at least one flow line to the at least one spectral analyzer; mixing an amount of the collected formation fluid with an amount of the reagent solution to form a mixture; and analyzing the mixture downhole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jimmy Lawrence, Huilin Tu, Jane Lam, Rekha Agarwalla, Ronald E. G. van Hal
  • Patent number: 9201152
    Abstract: A system and methods relating to the detection of unattached radioactive particles. Seismic events are correlated with an increased release of radon and related decay chain products. An apparatus is described for determining the increase in the unattached particles as an indicator for seismic activity. The apparatus may be used with fracking rigs or petrochemical wells to provide controls responsive to predicted seismic events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Naomi H. Harley
  • Patent number: 9182261
    Abstract: A thermal mass flow meter includes a housing, a control module, a plurality of probes, a flow calculation circuit, and a heating module. The control module is installed in a containing space. The probes are connected to one terminal of the housing. The flow calculation circuit is connected to the control module, and has a plurality of circuit boards installed in the probes and a plurality of temperature sensing units connected to the circuit boards. The heating module is connected on one of the circuit boards, and connected to the control module. The control module controls the heating module to heat a working fluid in a pipeline; the flow calculation circuit senses the temperature inside the pipeline to acquire temperature change values, and transmits the temperature change values to the control module; and the control module measures the fluid velocity of the working fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: FINETEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jia-Yi Chen, Ching-Cheng Kuo, Chao-Kai Cheng, Yi-Liang Hou
  • Patent number: 9128210
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods of characterizing a subterranean formation sample including collecting a sample from a formation, and analyzing the formation to obtain an image with 100 nm or less resolution, wherein the analyzing comprises atomic force microscopy (AFM), infrared spectroscopy (IR), and thermal analysis. Kerogen maturity, mineralogy, kerogen content, mechanical properties, and transition temperatures—including registered maps of those quantities—may be obtained in 5 minutes or less. Some embodiments may use a scanning electron microscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew E. Pomerantz
  • Patent number: 9098889
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the current application discloses a method comprising: performing a computed tomography (CT) porosity scan on a core sample, the core sample comprising a portion of a formation of interest; in response to the CT porosity scan, interpreting a porosity profile of the core sample; and in response to the porosity profile, modeling a response of a formation of interest to a predetermined treatment to determine a reacted formation configuration, wherein the predetermined treatment comprises an acid fluid treatment schedule, and wherein the modeling further comprises modeling acid fluid flow through the formation of interest having the porosity profile, and wherein the modeling further comprises accounting for acid reaction products during the predetermined treatment and shut-in period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Weishu Zhao, Xiangdong Qiu, Steve Dyer
  • Patent number: 9074465
    Abstract: Methods and related systems are described for real-time wellsite production allocation analysis. Spectroscopic in-situ measurements are made in the vicinity of a wellsite of a produced fluid from one or more boreholes. The produced fluid includes in a co-mingled state, at least a first fluid component from a first production zone and a second fluid component from a second production zone. An allocation is estimated in real-time for at least the first fluid component in the produced fluid based at least in part on the spectroscopic in-situ measurements. The in-situ measurements can be several types, for example: (1) absorption of electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths in the range of ultraviolet, visible and/or infrared light, (2) X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy measurements, (3) electromagnetic scattering spectroscopic measurements such as Raman spectroscopy measurements, (4) NMR spectroscopy measurements, and (5) terahertz time-domain spectroscopy measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Patrice Abivin, Michael M Toribio, Kentaro Indo
  • Patent number: 9057250
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for evaluating a fluid from a subterranean formation of a wellsite via a downhole tool positionable in a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation are provided. The apparatus relates to a downhole tool having a probe with at least two intakes for receiving fluid from the subterranean formation. The downhole tool is configured according to a wellsite set up. The method involves positioning the downhole tool in the wellbore of the wellsite, drawing fluid into the downhole tool via the at least two intakes, monitoring at least one wellsite parameter via at least one sensor of the wellsite and automatically adjusting the wellsite setup based on the wellsite parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander F. Zazovsky, Ricardo Vasques, Christopher S. Del Campo, Grace Yue Qiu
  • Publication number: 20150136961
    Abstract: Devices, assemblies, systems and methods useful in the detection of hydrocarbons in well-related fluids such as drilling fluids during well-related operations are disclosed. Such devices, assemblies, systems and methods may be used for real-time analysis of gas(es) extracted from a fluid associated with an ongoing well-related operation. An exemplary method may comprise: receiving gas extracted from the fluid associated with the well-related operation; analyzing the gas using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy; and generating one or more signals useful in the determination of a composition of the gas extracted from the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: TOTAL Gas Detection Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael A. Eddy, Frederick G. Haibach, Erik R. Deutsch
  • Publication number: 20150136962
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for assessing connectivity between sections in a hydrocarbon reservoir. Samples of hydrocarbons are collected over different depths in at least one wellbore. Fluorescence intensity determines the actual heavy end concentrations of hydrocarbons for the corresponding COLLECT GAS CONDENSATE different depths. Estimated heavy end concentrations of hydrocarbons for corresponding different depths are determined and the actual heavy end concentrations of hydrocarbons are compared with the estimated heavy end concentrations to assess connectivity between sections of the hydrocarbon reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew E. Pomerantz, Youxiang Zuo, Oliver C. Mullins
  • Patent number: 8938045
    Abstract: A method of evaluating a reservoir includes a multi-energy X-ray CT scan of a sample, obtaining bulk density and photoelectric effect index effect for the sample, estimation of at least mineral property using data obtained from at least one of a core gamma scan, a spectral gamma ray scan, an X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis, or an X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of the sample, and determination of at least one sample property by combining the bulk density, photoelectric effect index, and the at least one mineral property (e.g., total clay content). Reservoir properties, such as one or more of formation brittleness, porosity, organic material content, and permeability, can be determined by the method without need of detailed lab physical measurements or destruction of the sample. A system for evaluating a reservoir also is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Ingrain, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Dvorkin, Naum Derzhi, Elizabeth Diaz, Joel Walls
  • Publication number: 20150001384
    Abstract: A system and methodology enables improved quantification of an organic material, e.g. oil, in a sample. The technique comprises adding a substance to a two-phase sample containing the organic material and water. The substance is mixed through the sample until the constituents of the sample are solubilized to create an optically clear mixture. An optical technique is employed with respect to the optically clear mixture to quantitatively analyze the organic material in the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Geza Horvath Szabo, Huang Zeng, Ahmad Billal Sultani
  • Patent number: 8921768
    Abstract: Logging systems and methods that employ nanosensors to obtain spectral measurements downhole. The nanosensors can be dispersed in borehole fluids (including cement slurries) that circulate, diffuse, or get injected in a borehole. Because the nanosensors have diameters on the order of 10 nm to 1000 nm, they readily penetrate into cracks, pores, and other voids where their carrier fluids can reach. The nanosensors transport light sources and recording media to measure spectra in these otherwise inaccessible regions. The nanosensors are then recovered and analyzed to reconstruct the measured spectra and determine relevant material characteristics. Among other things, spectral measurements can reveal the presence of certain elements and molecules in the formation and fluids, from which information scientists determine composition and phases of formation fluids and the formation itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Jones, Michael T. Pelletier, Jing Shen, Marian L. Morys
  • Patent number: 8912000
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for obtaining a mass spectrum of a sample and determining a concentration of a component of the sample by utilizing a model of chemical and electron ionization and the obtained mass spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Pierre J. Daniel, Julian J. Pop, Reza Taherian, Bruno Drochon
  • Publication number: 20140353479
    Abstract: A downhole tool is conveyed within a borehole extending into a subterranean formation. A void is created in a sidewall of the borehole by extending a rotating member from the downhole tool into the sidewall. A portion of the sidewall surrounding the void is mechanically compressed, and the viscosity of hydrocarbons in the subterranean formation proximate the void is reduced by injecting a fluid from the downhole tool into the formation via the void. Fluid comprising the reduced viscosity hydrocarbons and the injected fluid may then be drawn from the subterranean formation into the downhole tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: John E. Edwards, Adrian Rodriguez Herrera, Morten Kristensen, Tobias Judd, Andrew E. Pomerantz, Oliver Clinton Mullins
  • Patent number: 8884215
    Abstract: In various embodiments is described a device and method for rapidly analyzing compositions of gases liberated from drilling fluid using spectral absorption analysis. Specifically the invention describes flowing the sample gas thru a closed path gas cell, irradiating the sample gas with a wide band infrared emitter in the 2 to 5 ?m wavelength range, measuring the infrared absorbance spectrum in the range of 2 to 5 ?m using a spectrometer and determining the composition of the gas sample using multivariate analysis of the spectrum. The composition includes the concentration of any one or more, either singularly or in combination, of hydrocarbon gases containing one to eight carbon atoms and carbon dioxide gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Geological Rentals & Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Paul Krupp
  • Publication number: 20140231639
    Abstract: A method of testing an earth sample and an apparatus for executing the method are disclosed herein. The method includes the steps of obtaining at least one earth sample. The method also includes the steps of detecting one or more counts of decay from the at least one earth sample. The detected count is at at least one level of radiation decay energy from among a plurality of possible levels of radiation decay energy associated with decay daughters of Radium 226 and/or 228. The method also includes the steps of deriving a level of radiation emission activity of the at least one earth sample based on the one or more counts of decay detected in said detecting step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: SHALE TESTING SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventor: Frank O'Connor
  • Publication number: 20140119497
    Abstract: A method is provided to allow characterization of rock or other types of samples using a sliver that is prepared to have a sample and optionally a plurality of thin discrete reference objects encapsulated by hardened encapsulant that surrounds the peripheral edges of the sample and any reference objects. Systems for performing the methods are also provided. An x-ray scannable sliver also is provided as a single unit that has a thin discrete sample and a plurality of thin discrete reference objects encapsulated by hardened encapsulant that encases the peripheral edges of the sample and reference objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Ingrain, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan Guzman, Naum Derzhi
  • Publication number: 20140077074
    Abstract: A system and methods relating to the detection of unattached radioactive particles. Seismic events are correlated with an increased release of radon and related decay chain products. An apparatus is described for determining the increase in the unattached particles as an indicator for seismic activity. The apparatus may be used with fracking rigs or petrochemical wells to provide controls responsive to predicted seismic events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventor: Naomi H. HARLEY
  • Publication number: 20140048694
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods of characterizing a subterranean formation sample including collecting a sample from a formation, and analyzing the formation to obtain an image with 100 nm or less resolution, wherein the analyzing comprises atomic force microscopy (AFM), infrared spectroscopy (IR), and thermal analysis. Kerogen maturity, mineralogy, kerogen content, mechanical properties, and transition temperatures—including registered maps of those quantities—may be obtained in 5 minutes or less. Some embodiments may use a scanning electron microscope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: ANDREW E. POMERANTZ
  • Patent number: 8614578
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to determining the attenuation of an electromagnetic signal passing through a conductive material. An antenna is provided and placed in relatively close proximity to the conductive material. An alternating current is passed through the antenna and the impedance of the antenna is measured. The attenuation is determined using the measured impedance. A single frequency measurement may be made, or multiple measurements using different frequencies may be made. Grouped parameters based on properties of the material and the frequency of the current are used to relate the coil impedance to the attenuation. A current frequency for which the ratio of the antenna's resistive part of the impedance to the angular frequency of the current is substantially insensitive to at least one of the parameters is preferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Guozhong Gao, H. Frank Morrison, Hong Zhang, Richard A. Rosthal, David Alumbaugh, Cyrille Levesque
  • Publication number: 20130334412
    Abstract: In various embodiments is described a device and method for rapidly analyzing compositions of gases liberated from drilling fluid using spectral absorption analysis. Specifically the invention describes flowing the sample gas thru a closed path gas cell, irradiating the sample gas with a wide band infrared emitter in the 2 to 5 ?m wavelength range, measuring the infrared absorbance spectrum in the range of 2 to 5 ?m using a spectrometer and determining the composition of the gas sample using multivariate analysis of the spectrum. The composition includes the concentration of any one or more, either singularly or in combination, of hydrocarbon gases containing one to eight carbon atoms and carbon dioxide gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: Geological Rentals & Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Paul Krupp
  • Patent number: 8586913
    Abstract: Devices, methods, and related systems are described for measuring a property of a fluid, including density, in a subterranean environment. A device includes a pressure housing having one or more windows formed in the pressure housing and a flow device arranged in the pressure housing for the fluid to flow through the flow device. Further, a radiation source is mounted within the pressure housing approximate a first source window configured to generate particles into the fluid. The device includes a detector supported by the pressure housing and positioned approximate a first detector window of the one or more windows. The first detector window is located between the detector and the flow device. The detector can be a solid state beta particle detector with a wide band gap, such as the diamond detector, and the radiation source can be a beta particle source, such as a strontium 90 source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Zilu Zhou, Christopher Harrison, Bradley A. Roscoe, Chloe Coleou, Douglas W. Grant
  • Patent number: 8575750
    Abstract: A radiation detector made of High Purity Germanium (HPGe) has been specially machined to be this invented multilayer Inter-Coaxial configuration. With this special configuration, extra large volume HPGe detectors of diameters to be 6 inches, 9 inches, and even 12 inches, can be produced with current achievable HPGe crystal purity and quality, in which the entire detector crystal will be depleted and properly over biased for effective photo-induced signal collection with just less than 5000V bias applied. This invention makes extra large efficiency of 200%, 300%, and maybe even higher than 500% possible with HPGe gamma ray detectors with reasonable great resolution performances procurable based on current HPGe crystal supply capability. The invention could also be applied to any other kind of semiconductor materials if any of them could be purified enough for this application in the future.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Inventors: Yongdong Zhou, Xiao Zhou
  • Patent number: 8569685
    Abstract: A portable analytical system for the rapid on-site analysis of fluids, and a method for using this system at the well-site for the analysis of samples extracted from drilling fluids is described. The portable analytical solution may be deployed at the well-site and used to perform detailed real-time analysis of formation fluids and extracts of rock cuttings. The method described could be used during hydrocarbon exploration and production to determine whether the drill stem has passed through a hydrocarbon-bearing region, or rocks that are capable of functioning as an oil reservoir or that may have been a source rock, or that may have come into contact with oil, or that may contain oil at present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Microsaic Systems PLC
    Inventor: Alan Finlay
  • Publication number: 20130175438
    Abstract: Detector assembly for downhole spectroscopy includes a near-infra-red quaternary photodiode that can operate at high temperatures without cooling it to the standard operation temperature range of the photodiode. High temperature operation of the photodiode right shifts the detector assembly's responsivity curve to include wavelengths of up to 2400-nm. The photodiode has manageable dark current at temperatures even at 200° C., and it can be packaged using high temperature construction. The photodiode is operated in photovoltaic mode at high temperatures but can be operated at photoconductive mode at lower temperatures. At least partial cooling can be provided above a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Jess V. Ford, Bryan W. Kasperski, Sean M. Christian, Tom Haslett, Dave Demmer, Joseph Dallas, Dave Winick
  • Publication number: 20130161502
    Abstract: The chemical composition of petroleum samples is measured using orbitrap mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization (ESI). The orbitrap measurement is used in a screening to determine if one or more higher resolution (but more expensive) compositional analyses are justified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew E. Pomerantz, Oliver C. Mullins