Within A Borehole Patents (Class 324/333)
  • Patent number: 11906657
    Abstract: A method and system device provides a unique object identification process by obtaining information from one or more of radar signals, infrared signals, optical signals, audio signals, and other signals. The method includes continuously receiving object data at the device, applying by a machine learning system, a set of parameters to process the object identification and confidence level, and outputting or updating the object identification, confidence level, and actionable recommendations. The radar data includes a Doppler signature having a wrapped signal due to a sampling rate of the radar system. The Doppler signature is used to train the machine learning system to identify drone types.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Fortem Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David Preece, Mikko Valimaki, Mitchell Kay Oldroyd, Adam Eugene Robertson, Bryan Alan Davis, Matthew Elliott Argyle, David Thimm, James David Mackie
  • Patent number: 11782183
    Abstract: Disclosed is a magnetotelluric inversion method based on a fully convolutional neural network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Inventors: Zhongxing Wang, Lili Kang, Zhiguo An, Ruo Wang, Xiong Yin
  • Patent number: 11739634
    Abstract: A drilling system and a method of drilling a wellbore in an earth formation. A first antenna is disposed at a first location near a drill string. A second antenna is disposed at a second location of the drill string. The first antenna has a first specific moment. One of the first antenna and the second antenna is operated as a transmitter that transmits a transmitted signal, and the other is operated as a receiver that receives a received signal in response to the transmitted signal. The processor determines a property of an earth formation from the received signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Andreas Hartmann, Jens Behnsen, Kersten Kraft, David Boesing
  • Patent number: 11690163
    Abstract: A particle accelerator system including a particle accelerator that accelerates charged particles, a signal source that outputs high frequency power for accelerating the charged particles in the particle accelerator, an amplifying unit that amplifies the high frequency power from the signal source, and supplies the high frequency power to the particle accelerator, the amplifying unit including a plurality of semiconductor amplifiers using a semiconductor, and a control unit that controls an operation of the amplifying unit. The control unit controls output of at least one of the plurality of semiconductor amplifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: SUMITOMO HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Nobuaki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11573139
    Abstract: A method of estimating torque includes disposing at least one measurement assembly at a downhole component, the at least one measurement assembly including a first set of directional sensors disposed at a first axial location along the downhole component, and a second set of directional sensors disposed at a second axial location along the downhole component. The method also includes collecting directional measurement data from the first set of directional sensors and the second set of directional sensors during rotation of the downhole component, and estimating, by a processing device, an amount of torque on the downhole component based on the directional measurement data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Pedro Arevalo
  • Patent number: 11459875
    Abstract: An integrated data recorder may be positioned within a slot in a tool. The integrated data recorder includes a sensor package that includes one or more drilling dynamics sensors, a processor in data communication with the one or more drilling dynamics sensors, a memory module in data communication with the one or more drilling dynamics sensors, a wireless communications module in data communication with the processor, and an electrical energy source in electrical communication with the memory module, the one or more drilling dynamics sensors, and the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: SANVEAN TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Junichi Sugiura, Stephen Jones
  • Patent number: 11383977
    Abstract: What is disclosed herein is a process in which the first step is to use fossil fuel to generate clean energy by eliminating Carbon dioxide (CO2) greenhouse gas emissions, harnessing renewable energy sources by using a product of the first step, providing storage for intermittent clean power, producing synthesis gas, a fuel gas mixture consisting primarily of carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H2), which are used to produce fossil fuel or hydrocarbon that is then recycled to the first step to form a complete loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Inventor: Samuel Okechukwu Umealu
  • Patent number: 11387537
    Abstract: A tool that uses antennas to evaluate an environment surrounding a borehole, the tool including an antenna assembly, and the antenna assembly including a body with a longitudinal central axis, and an antenna mounted on the body in a continuous groove comprising a plurality of circumferential portions and a plurality of transition portions, with each of the circumferential portions being formed in a plane and each of the planes being spaced apart from each other and parallel to each other; and with each of the circumferential portions at least partially extending circumferentially around the body within its respective plane and each of the transition portions transitioning the groove from an end of one of the circumferential portions to an end of an adjacent one of the circumferential portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexei Korovin, Anand Prakash
  • Patent number: 11251656
    Abstract: A wireless power system has a wireless power transmitting device and a wireless power receiving device. The wireless power transmitting device may be a wireless charging mat with one or more coils or may be a wireless charging puck with one or more coils. In some embodiments, the wireless charging puck may have six coils or other number of coils arranged in a ring. The wireless power receiving device may have an elongated magnetic core such as a C-shaped core with pillars at opposing ends. First and second coils may be formed on the pillars and a third coil may be formed between the first and second coils. The coils of the wireless power receiving device such as the first and second coils on the magnetic core may be configured to receive magnetic flux emitted by a pair of the six coils in the wireless charging puck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Saining Ren, Ho Fai Leung, Liang Chen
  • Patent number: 11147979
    Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) with an inductive coil for wireless communication and/or power transfer. The inductive coil may be disposed about a housing of the IMD. The housing may include a magnetically permeable material that is configured to operate as a flux concentrator for concentrating non-radiative near-field energy through the inductive coil. In some cases, the near-field energy may be captured and converted into electrical energy that may be used to recharge a rechargeable power source of the IMD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: CARDIAC PACEMAKERS, INC.
    Inventors: William J. Linder, Keith R. Maile, Brendan Early Koop, Michael J. Root
  • Patent number: 11119241
    Abstract: A downhole calliper tool is for measuring distance between the calliper tool and an interface in a well, such as a petroleum well or a geothermal well. The downhole calliper tool has an impulse radar system (of the CTBV-type) with at least one impulse radar unit configured for: a) transmitting electromagnetic pulses with the impulse radar unit in a direction away from the downhole calliper tool, and for b) receiving reflections of said electromagnetic pulses with the impulse radar unit, and for c) analyzing said reflections to determine the distance between the impulse system and the interface. The impulse radar system is designed for carrying out at least one distance determination per second, but preferably at least ten distance determinations per second.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Well ID AS
    Inventor: Lars Øy
  • Patent number: 11061161
    Abstract: An antenna assembly includes a tool mandrel having a tool axis and a coil including a plurality of windings wrapped about the tool mandrel at a winding angle offset from the tool axis. An antenna shield is secured to the tool mandrel and positioned radially outward from the coil. The antenna shield defines a plurality of slots extending perpendicular to the coil at any angular location about a circumference of the tool mandrel and the plurality of slots is provided in two or more dissimilar lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Bittar, Jin Ma, Hsu-Hsiang Wu
  • Patent number: 11053793
    Abstract: A single layer antenna path profile is provided. An antenna assembly for the single layer antenna profile includes a bobbin having a cylindrical body defining an outer radial surface, an inner radial surface, and a central axis. The antenna assembly also includes one or more channels defined in the outer radial surface. In some aspects, each channel is defined by a continuously curved inner surface having a constant radius. In some aspects, the inner surface extends more than 180 but less than 360 and thereby defines an opening in the body. The antenna assembly also includes a coil including a wire wrapped about the bobbin and received within the one or more channels. In some aspects, an arcuate portion of the wire extends through the opening such that a portion of the wire protrudes out of the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse K. Hensarling, Brian Mohon, Alexei Korovin, Imran Sharif Vehra
  • Patent number: 11016219
    Abstract: System and methods for encoding downhole image data are provided. Measurements collected by a downhole tool around a circumference of a borehole drilled within a formation are obtained. The acquired measurements are assigned to a plurality of azimuthal bins. Each azimuthal bin corresponds to an angular sector around the circumference of the borehole in which at least one of the measurements was collected by the downhole tool at a predetermined depth within the formation. At least one of a plurality of delta encoding schemes is selected for encoding the measurements assigned to the plurality of azimuthal bins. A delta-encoded binary representation of the measurements assigned to the plurality of bins is generated, based on the selected delta encoding scheme. The generated delta-encoded binary representation is transmitted from the downhole computing device to a surface computing device located at the surface of the borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Laban M. Marsh, Paul F. Rodney
  • Patent number: 10996367
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems that use magnetic complexes in wellbore monitoring. A well monitoring system may comprise magnetic complexes disposed in a subterranean formation, wherein the magnetic complexes each comprise a first magnetic portion, a second magnetic portion, and a spacer portion; and an electromagnetic interrogator, wherein the electromagnetic interrogator comprises an electromagnetic source and an electromagnetic detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Satyan Gopal Bhongale, Li Gao, Daniel Joshua Stark
  • Patent number: 10948621
    Abstract: A dielectric logging tool for use in a borehole that penetrates a subsurface formation, includes: at least one wall-contacting face with one or more embedded microstrip antennas including a transmit antenna; an oscillator that supplies a transmit signal; a coherent receiver that measures the one or more scattering coefficients; and a processor that derives a formation property from the one or more scattering coefficients. The tool may be conveyed along a borehole, with the scattering coefficients and derived formation property values associated with tool position and orientation to provide a permittivity log.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn Andrew Wilson, Luis San Martin, Li Pan, Burkay Donderici
  • Patent number: 10918875
    Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) with a receiving coil for wireless power transfer. The receiving coil may be disposed about a flux concentrator located in a housing of the IMD. The flux concentrator may concentrate non-radiative near-field energy through the receiving coil. In some cases, the near-field energy may be captured and converted into electrical energy that may be used to recharge a rechargeable power source of the IMD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: CARDIAC PACEMAKERS, INC.
    Inventors: Keith R. Maile, William J. Linder, Moira B. Sweeney, Ryan Peter Solstad
  • Patent number: 10810944
    Abstract: An array substrate, a display panel and a display device are provided. The array substrate has a display area including display transistors and gate lines, and a non-display area surrounding the display area and including a gate driving circuit electrically connected to the gate lines. A display transistor includes a display active layer comprising amorphous silicon. The gate driving circuit includes stages of shift registers. A shift register includes a plurality of shift register transistors, a gate signal output terminal, and at least one bootstrap point. The shift register transistors in the shift register include at least one gate output transistor, and the at least one gate output transistor includes a gate electrode electrically connected to the at least one bootstrap point, a first electrode electrically connected to the gate signal output terminal, and a gate output active layer comprising polysilicon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: SHANGHAI AVIC OPTO ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chang Su, Huijun Jin
  • Patent number: 10704378
    Abstract: Downhole water level detecting apparatus for detecting the level of water in a formation in the region of a well installation. The detecting apparatus includes a transmitter for applying electrical signals to a signaling loop at a first location. The signaling loop includes a downhole metallic structure of the well installation and an earth return. The detecting apparatus also includes a detector for monitoring electrical signals in the signaling loop, and an evaluation unit arranged for determining a level of water in the formation relative to the downhole metallic structure in dependence on the monitored signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Expro North Sea Limited
    Inventors: Alexandra Vasil'evna Rogacheva, Robert Charles Bromwich, Bridget Mary Weston, Steven Martin Hudson
  • Patent number: 10677043
    Abstract: A beacon assembly located at a downhole end of a drill string proximate a boring tool. The beacon assembly transmits data to an above-ground receiver. The beacon has a housing with a housing wall located between its sensors, such as gradiometers, accelerometers, and other orientation sensors, and an antenna assembly. The antenna assembly has a protective covering made of electromagnetically transparent material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael F. Gard, Brian K. Bailey, Richard F. Sharp
  • Patent number: 10677955
    Abstract: An example method includes measuring, with a sensor tool, an electromagnetic field generated by an excitation source in order to determine an azimuth angle from the sensor tool to the source. An initial calibration of the sensor tool is performed to generate a library of sensor tool constant coefficients. Each sensor tool coefficient in the library is associated with a different range of azimuth angles. A sensor tool constant coefficient is selected from the library of sensor tool constant coefficients in response to the azimuth angle from the sensor tool to the source. The gradient field component of down hole measurements provided by the sensor tool are then calibrated based on the selected sensor tool constant coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Yumei Tang, Hsu-Hsiang Wu
  • Patent number: 10620429
    Abstract: In an electrowetting cell or system using the cell, electrode configuration and/or associated control of electrode drive signal(s) compensate for the impact of an external condition such as gravity, vibration or motion, which may otherwise cause distortion or aberration in the optical geometry of the fluid(s) of the electrowetting cell. The compensation technology may allow for larger electrowetting cell designs, whether lenses, prisms or other various electrowetting devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: ABL IP HOLDING LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Jacob Schultz, John M. Reilly, James Michael Phipps
  • Patent number: 10210290
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing adjustable simulation of electric and magnetic fields of a system. Data is received that is indicative one or more parameters of an object in a three dimensional space. A first system of differential equations is to determine electric and magnetic field values are stored at a plurality of points of the three dimensional space and storing electric and magnetic field values in the computational mesh data structure. A second system of differential equations is solved to determine sensitivities of the determined electric and magnetic fields to changes in a first parameter of the object at points in the three dimensional space. Updated electric and magnetic field values are determined based on a user entered adjustment, the electric and magnetic field values in the computational mesh, and the sensitivities without re-solving the first system of differential equations or the second system of differential equations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Ansys, Inc.
    Inventors: Lars Eric Rickard Petersson, Jason Kurtz
  • Patent number: 10012753
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for compensating for environmental conditions on electromagnetic measurements are provided. For example, a downhole logging tool may include a first transmitter coil, a second transmitter coil, and a first receiver coil. The first transmitter coil may provide a first magnetic signal in a wellbore having a conductive casing. The second transmitter coil may provide a second magnetic signal in the wellbore. The first receiver may obtain a first measurement relating to the first magnetic signal and a second measurement relating to the second magnetic signal. The first receiver coil may be near enough to the first transmitter coil and the second transmitter coil to obtain measurements predominantly in the near field eddy current regime. A ratio of the first measurement and the second measurement may cancel environmental dependencies of the first receiver coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Edward Nichols, Emmanuel Legendre, Jean-Luc Le Calvez
  • Patent number: 9780569
    Abstract: A device for electrical energy supply and/or data supply of end devices using inductive coupling includes an oblong holding device and a number of adjacently arranged transmitting coils that generate magnetic field lines along the holding device. Structurally narrow end devices have flat receiving coils whose plane is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the holding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: PHOENIX CONTACT GmbH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Peter-Dominik Scholz, Johannes Kalhoff
  • Patent number: 9767153
    Abstract: A method of data binning includes the steps of partitioning a circumference of a tool face into M number of sectors, defining each data point relating to resistivity information by a fidelity function g(?), assigning to each data point a weight for each of the M number of sectors, wherein the weight is associated with an integral of the fidelity function g(?) over the sector, and computing an average of the data points weighted by their respective weights for each of the M sectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Well Resolutions Technology
    Inventor: Tsili Wang
  • Patent number: 9678239
    Abstract: A system and method for imaging properties of subterranean formations in a wellbore is provided. The system comprises a formation sensor for collecting currents injected into the subterranean formations, the formation sensor positionable on a downhole tool deployable into the wellbore. The system comprises a controller for controlling the formation sensor and a formation imaging unit. The formation imaging unit comprises a current management unit for collecting data from the currents injected into the subterranean formations, the currents having at least two different frequencies. The formation imaging unit comprises a drilling mud data unit for determining at least one drilling mud parameter, a formation data unit for determining at least one formation parameter from the collected data, and an inversion unit for determining at least one formation property by inverting the at least one formation parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tarek M. Habashy, Andrew J. Hayman, Yong-Hua Chen, Dzevat Omeragic, Philip S Cheung
  • Patent number: 9640858
    Abstract: Apparatus includes a device housing, a device face, a printed circuit board (PCB), and an antenna array. The device housing has a shape characterized by an axis, a planar housing surface that is perpendicular to the axis, and a housing sidewall that is parallel to the axis. The housing sidewall is positioned along a periphery of a planar housing surface. The device face is positioned at an opposite end of the device housing from the planar housing surface. The PCB is positioned between and parallel to the planar housing surface and the device face. The antenna array has multiple antenna elements at least some of which are electrically coupled to the PCB. The antenna array is configured to concentrate radiation of radio waves laterally through a radiation plane that is parallel to the sidewall of the housing and that is perpendicular to the device face and the planar housing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Md Islam, Michael Russell
  • Patent number: 9620061
    Abstract: The gate driver circuit is connected to a row of pixel units, each pixel unit includes a pixel driving module and a light-emitting device connected to each other, the pixel driving module including a driving transistor, a driving module and a compensating module, the compensating module being connected to a gate scanning signal, and the driving module being connected to a driving control signal and a driving voltage. The gate driver circuit includes a row pixel controlling unit configured to provide the gate scanning signal to the compensating module and provide the driving voltage to the driving module, so as to control the compensating module to compensate for a threshold voltage of the driving transistor; and a driving control unit configured to provide the driving control signal to the driving module so as to control the driving module to drive the light-emitting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kun Cao, Zhongyuan Wu, Liye Duan
  • Patent number: 9506848
    Abstract: A strain and crack sensor senses an amount of strain induced in an object. A receiving planar antenna has a first resonant frequency and is configured to receive a querying signal at the first resonant frequency. A transmitting planar antenna has a second resonant frequency that is twice the first resonant frequency. At least one of the receiving planar antenna and the transmitting planar antenna is bonded to the object so that at least one of strain induced in the object or a crack formed in the object causes a shift in at least one of the first resonant frequency or the second resonant frequency. A matching element is in electrical communication with the first planar antenna and the second planar antenna. The matching element is configured to cause the transmitting planar antenna to radiate a response signal in response to the querying signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Xiaohua Yi, Chunhee Cho, Benjamin Cook, Yang Wang, Manos Tentzeris, Roberto T. Leon
  • Patent number: 9464888
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing boundaries between materials are provided. The method for sensing boundaries between materials comprises the steps of: fixing sensing modules in place; transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals; and analyzing radio frequency signals. The method enables real-time detection of positions of the boundaries between materials and handling and monitoring of changes in the boundary positions. The apparatus for sensing boundaries between materials comprises at least two sensing modules, or a radio frequency transmitting unit and a plurality of radio frequency signals receiving unit, or a plurality of radio frequency transmitting unit and a radio frequency signals receiving unit. The radio frequency signals are transmitted, received and analyzed by the radio frequency transmitting unit and the radio frequency signals receiving unit to determine the boundary positions and changes therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: National AppliedResearch Laboratories
    Inventors: Chun-Ming Huang, Chen-Chia Chen, Yung-Bin Lin, Chien-Ming Wu
  • Patent number: 9435909
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method to produce an image of a subsurface formation using directional measurements. A downhole logging tool having one or more transmitters and one or more receivers, and being capable of making directional measurement, is used to measure the voltage in a particular receiver due to a particular transmitter for one or more transmitter/receiver pairs, at least one of those voltage measurements being a directional measurement. The complex (phasor) voltage recorded on a receiver coil is divided by the complex voltage recorded at another reference receiver coil. Alternatively, we can use the ratio of a receiver voltage at a particular rotation angle of the tool divided by the voltage on the same receiver when the tool has rotated by an angle of 180 degrees. The information in those ratios is combined to produce images of the resistivity of the subsurface formation surrounding the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald Minerbo, Sofia Davydycheva, Jian Yang
  • Patent number: 9161429
    Abstract: A neutron generator includes a conductive substrate comprising a plurality of conductive nanostructures with free-standing tips and a source of an atomic species to introduce the atomic species in proximity to the free-standing tips. A target placed apart from the substrate is voltage biased relative to the substrate to ionize and accelerate the ionized atomic species toward the target. The target includes an element capable of a nuclear fusion reaction with the ionized atomic species to produce a one or more neutrons as a reaction by-product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Thomas Schenkel, Arun Persaud, Rehan Kapadia, Ali Javey, Constance Chang-Hasnain, Ivo Rangelow, Joe Kwan
  • Publication number: 20150137817
    Abstract: Illustrative permanent electromagnetic (EM) monitoring systems and methods have a casing string positioned inside a borehole and equipped with one or more EM transducer modules having a layer of soft magnetic material that substantially encircles the casing string to amplify a signal response of a magnetic field transmitting and/or sensing element. The layer preferably has an axial dimension at least twice an axial dimension of the magnetic field sensing element, with a relative permeability at least twice that of the casing material. The magnetic field transmitting element can be a coil. The magnetic field sensing element can be a coil or a piezoelectric or magnetostrictive element that applies stress to an optical fiber. A well interface system communicates with the one or more EM transducer modules to transmit and/or collect EM signals over time. Additional casing strings may be provided in other nearby boreholes to enable tomographic mapping and monitoring of fluid interfaces in the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Glenn A. WILSON, Burkay Donderici
  • Patent number: 8947092
    Abstract: A method for analyzing a subterranean formation porosity is disclosed. The apparent dielectric constant of the subterranean formation and an apparent resistivity of the subterranean formation are measured. The measured values are used to determine a measured formation loss tangent. The formation water loss tangent can be expressed by the water dielectric constant and the water resistivity. The measured formation loss tangent and the formation water loss tangent are then used to determine at least one of an actual dielectric constant of the subterranean formation water and an actual resistivity of the subterranean formation water. The actual formation porosity may be obtained using the estimated water resistivity and water dielectric constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jing Li, Michael Bittar, Gary Kainer, Marvin Rourke
  • Publication number: 20150015264
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and products for evaluating an earth formation. Methods include estimating at least one property of the earth formation using at least one polarization parameter estimated using a real part and an imaginary part of a permittivity of the earth formation at a plurality of frequencies, where the real parts and the imaginary parts are based on measurements obtained using an electromagnetic tool in a borehole penetrating the earth formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventor: Vitaly Nikolaevich Dorovsky
  • Patent number: 8917094
    Abstract: Downhole tools and techniques acquire information regarding nearby conductors such as pipes, well casing, and conductive formations. At least some method embodiments provide a current flow along a drill string in a borehole. The current flow disperses into the surrounding formation and causes a secondary current flow in the nearby conductor. The magnetic field from the secondary current flow can be detected using one or more azimuthally-sensitive antennas. Direction and distance estimates may be obtainable from the azimuthally-sensitive measurements, and can be used as the basis for steering the drillstring relative to the distant conductor. Possible techniques for providing current flow in the drillstring include imposing a voltage across an insulated gap or using a toroid around the drillstring to induce the current flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Bittar, Jing Li
  • Publication number: 20140368198
    Abstract: An antenna insulating structure for a well logging instrument includes an antenna bed disposed in a recess formed in an exterior of an instrument mandrel. A feed through port is disposed in the recess and provides a passage between the recess and an atmospheric chamber in the instrument mandrel. An antenna is disposed on the antenna bed and is electrically coupled to the atmospheric chamber through a feedthrough disposed in the port. The port is filled with a sealing material. An antenna cover is disposed on the antenna. At least one of the antenna bed, the sealing material and the antenna cover is made from polyether ether ketone (PEEK) or a composite material thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Frank Espinosa, Golchehreh Salamat, Bryan Keith Rogers, Tudor Palaghita, Dean M. Homan
  • Publication number: 20140368197
    Abstract: A resistivity measuring tool used in a drillstring having a drill bit on a distal end for drilling a wellbore in a formation includes a tool body having a longitudinal axis, a sensor configured to measure the angular position of the tool body relative to the wellbore, at least one axial antenna including a wire winding for generating an axial magnetic moment parallel with the longitudinal axis, and at least one transverse antenna. The transverse antenna includes an antenna body disposed within a pocket extending radially inward from an outer surface of the tool body and one or more turns of wire wound around the antenna body, the wire winding generating a transverse magnetic moment orthogonal to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventor: Tsili WANG
  • Patent number: 8901931
    Abstract: A method for water monitoring about a deviated well is disclosed. The method includes positioning a series of electromagnetic (EM) receivers in a completed deviated wellbore, said receivers being spaced along substantially the length of the well located in a region of a reservoir to be monitored. The method also includes positioning an electromagnetic (EM) source at a first Earth surface location. Then the EM source is activated for a first survey measurement of the reservoir, and an EM field detected at each EM receiver is recorded. The EM source is moved to a second Earth surface location, and activated for a second survey measurement of the reservoir, and an EM field detected at each EM receiver is recorded. From the first and second survey measurements at each of the receivers, an inversion is performed to determine position of water about (and specifically below) the horizontal well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Cengiz Esmersoy
  • Patent number: 8901933
    Abstract: The invention is concerned with a tool and method for determining a downhole parameter. The tool is located in mud surrounded by a formation and comprising a first electrode spaced at a distance from the formation for measuring a first impedance. There is a second electrode located at a second distance from the formation for measuring a second impedance. There is a processing unit for measuring a difference between the first impedance and the second impedance and wherein the parameter is determined based on the difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew Hayman
  • Patent number: 8901932
    Abstract: The invention is concerned with a tool and method for imaging a formation through a substantially non-conductive medium. The tool comprises first circuitry for injecting a current into the formation, wherein a complex impedance to the current is measured. Second circuitry for determining a phase angle of an impedance of the non-conductive medium and third circuitry for determining a component of the complex impedance that is orthogonal to the phase angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew Hayman
  • Patent number: 8884624
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a downhole logging tool for acquiring data in an earth formation. In one embodiment, the downhole logging tool has a tool body with a longitudinal axis, a set of antennas located on the tool body and including coil windings forming a closed-loop pattern, and a shield disposed over the antennas and having an arrangement of slots with each slot being substantially perpendicular to a proximate portion of at least one of the underlying coil windings, wherein the path length around each slot is more than twice the length of the distance between the slot and a directly adjacent slot along an arc of the coil windings. The downhole logging tool may be a wireline or while-drilling tool, and it may be an induction or propagation tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Dean M. Homan, Gerald N. Minerbo, Robert C. Smith
  • Patent number: 8854044
    Abstract: A formation core analysis system can include an inner barrel and a toroidal electromagnetic antenna which transmits electromagnetic signals into a formation core when the core is received in the inner barrel. Another formation core analysis system can include an inner barrel and multiple longitudinally spaced apart electrodes which electrically contact a formation core when the core is received in the inner barrel. A speed of displacement of the core into the inner barrel may be indicated by differences between measurements taken via the electrodes as the core displaces into the inner barrel. A method of measuring resistivity of a formation core as the core is being cut can include transmitting electromagnetic signals into the core from a toroidal electromagnetic antenna as the core is being cut by a coring bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Haliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Bittar, Gary E. Weaver
  • Patent number: 8847600
    Abstract: An apparatus for estimating a property of an earth formation penetrated by a borehole, apparatus including: a carrier configured to be conveyed through the borehole; a transducer disposed at the carrier and configured to transmit and/or receive electromagnetic energy into and/or from the earth formation to estimate the property; wherein the transducer includes a plurality of inductively coupled elements in a series, each element configured to transmit and/or receive electromagnetic energy and at least a first connection to a first element in the plurality and a second connection to a second element in the plurality with at least one of the first element and the second element being disposed between end transducer elements in the series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Jack Signorelli, Samuel R. Bell, Stanislav W. Forgang, Sheng Fang
  • Publication number: 20140285205
    Abstract: A system and apparatus for configuring a well logging assembly having an elongate sub with a bore therethrough, a leading end connection and a trailing end connection, a plurality of sets of recesses in an exterior wall of the sub to receive a plurality of sets of inserts, each having a threaded exterior surface, a plurality of internally threaded retainer rings, and a plurality of well logging devices securable to the exterior wall of the sub using the retainer rings to threadably engage the inserts received in the recesses. The system enables convenient configuration and reconfiguration of the well logging assembly by enabling convenient securing of a first well logging instrument to the sub at a variety of spacings from a second well logging instrument to provide a variety of depths of investigation into a geologic formation penetrated by a drill string containing the well logging assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicants: Oliden Technology, LLC, China National Petroleum Corporation
    Inventors: Chidiebele Gabriel Okonkwo, Qiming Li, Anzong Li, Chuanwei Li, Jun Zhu
  • Publication number: 20140285204
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a sub with recesses along an exterior wall to receive inserts, an antennae case including a coil surrounded by a sacrificial wear portion of a material through which signals between the coil and a formation of interest may pass. An eroded outer wall of the sacrificial wear portion is restorable by application of an uncured restorative material to the antennae case. A method includes securing an antennae case having a coil there within onto a sub, surrounding the coil with a metal sleeve shield, and radially receiving and securing a multi-piece sacrificial wear member intermediate the antennae case and a retainer ring having a threaded bore. The multi-piece sacrificial wear member is replaceable after use by unthreading the retainer ring to release the sacrificial wear member for radial removal from the sub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicants: Oliden Technology, LLC, China National Petroleum Corporation
    Inventors: Chidiebele Gabriel Okonkwo, Qiming Li, Anzong Li, Chuanwei Li, Jun Zhu
  • Publication number: 20140285206
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for bucking a magnetic field of known geometry and time variation by means of a plurality of bucking loops. It utilizes multiple loops, each of which is energized by an electric current that creates a magnetic field of the known time variation. The multi-loop field forms a bucking magnetic field that better opposes the spatial variation in the known magnetic field over a volume than can the magnetic field from a single loop. The present invention is useful in electromagnetic measurements, where the magnetic field of a controlled source transmitter must be annulled at a magnetic field sensor. It is particularly useful for cases where the magnetic sensor may move relative to the transmitter, such as in certain airborne electromagnetic measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: VALE S.A.
    Inventor: VALE S.A.
  • Patent number: 8836328
    Abstract: NMR measurements are made along with acoustic measurements using one tool. The antenna of the NMR sensor is used to create acoustic signals. Interference between the acoustic and NMR measurements is avoided due to the frequency difference, and by having the acoustic excitation during a wait time of the NMR pulse sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Thomas Kruspe
  • Publication number: 20140253130
    Abstract: A well-logging tool for a geological formation has a housing to be positioned within a borehole and has first and second openings. A feedthrough assembly includes an elongate electrical conductor having opposing first and second ends and a medial portion extending therebetween. An integrally formed, monolithic, dielectric layer surrounds the elongate electrical conductor and includes a first enlarged diameter end portion surrounding the first end of the elongate electrical conductor and is positioned within the first opening. A second enlarged diameter end portion surrounds the second end of the elongate electrical conductor and is positioned within the second opening. A reduced diameter portion surrounds the medial portion of the elongate electrical conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Bryan K. Rogers, Srinand S. Karuppoor, Frank F. Espinosa, Tudor I. Palaghita