Within A Borehole Patents (Class 324/338)
  • Patent number: 11035981
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a resistivity-logging tool using air-hang calibration is provided. The method may include performing an air-hang measurement using the resistivity-logging tool and performing a first measurement decoupling operation on the air-hang measurement. The first measurement decoupling operation may include generating correcting factors based on a physical model and calculating an air-hang calibration matrix based on the correcting factors. Additionally, the method may include performing a formation measurement using the resistivity-logging tool and performing a second measurement decoupling operation on the formation measurement to generate a decoupled formation measurement matrix. Further, the method may include calibrating the resistivity-logging tool to generate a calibrated formation measurement matrix by subtracting the air-hang calibration matrix from the decoupled formation measurement matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Li Pan, Hsu-Hsiang Wu, Yijing Fan
  • Patent number: 11022713
    Abstract: A method for dipole modeling may comprise providing an electromagnetic induction tool comprising an electromagnetic antenna, disposing the electromagnetic induction tool in a wellbore, and activating the electromagnetic antenna. The method may further comprise producing a dipole array equivalent of the electromagnetic antenna, where the dipole array equivalent comprises at least two dipoles. Additionally, the method may comprise implementing the dipole array equivalent in a forward model within an inversion process, wherein the inversion process determines an electromagnetic property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Ching Ling Chang, Burkay Donderici, Glenn Andrew Wilson
  • Patent number: 11015432
    Abstract: A method may comprise: inserting into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation a tool comprising: a transmitter sub assembly comprising a transmitter; and a receiver sub assembly comprising a receiver; generating an electromagnetic wave at the transmitter; propagating the electromagnetic wave through the subterranean formation; receiving the electromagnetic wave in the receiver; generating a response signal in the receiver; calculating a distance to a bed boundary position in a TVDp direction, wherein the TVDp direction is a direction where an angle between the TVDp direction and a tool axis is equal to a tool inclination from a true vertical direction (TVD), wherein TVD is a direction with respect to gravity; calculating a distance to bed boundary in a TST direction, wherein the TST direction is a true stratigraphic thickness direction in a direction towards a bed boundary; calculating a distance to bed boundary in a TVD direction; generating a formation characterization comprising a visual representa
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Li Pan, Hsu-Hsiang Wu
  • Patent number: 11008850
    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 transmitting antenna, and a receiving antenna. The receiving antenna includes an antenna body having a longer axis disposed longitudinally in the tool body, and a wire coil having a central axis disposed around the antenna body, wherein the wire coil central axis is substantially perpendicular to the longer axis of the antenna body, and wherein the wire coil is configured to generate a magnetic moment orthogonal to the tool body longitudinal axis. The transmitting antenna is configured to transmit electromagnetic energy into the formation and induce a voltage signal related to a parameter of the formation in the receiving antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Well Resolutions Technology
    Inventor: Tsili Wang
  • Patent number: 10996364
    Abstract: A method for determining water-filled porosity and water salinity in a well includes obtaining complex dielectric permittivity of earth formations, either from dielectric measurements representative of well cores, or from dielectric well logs; selecting a dielectric mixing law for the index number m; plotting a m-th root of complex dielectric permittivity at a specified frequency in the complex domain, wherein m is an index number; determining a matrix permittivity, a water salinity, and a water-filled porosity based on the complex dielectric permittivity and the dielectric mixing law; and displaying the water salinity and the water-filled porosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Haijing Wang, Hanming Wang, Emmanuel Toumelin
  • Patent number: 10989044
    Abstract: A system, in some embodiments, comprises: a drill string; a first receiver coil coupled to the drill string at a fixed tilt angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the drill string; a second receiver coil coupled to the drill string at another fixed tilt angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the drill string; and a processor coupled to the first and second receiver coils and configured to trigonometrically manipulate a response of the first receiver coil and a response of the second receiver coil to determine a response of a modeled receiver coil having a desired tilt angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the drill string, wherein said responses are based on a subterranean formation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Ma, Glenn Andrew Wilson
  • Patent number: 10976463
    Abstract: A system includes an electromagnetic logging tool that transmits an electromagnetic signal as the tool is conveyed along a borehole through a formation. The system further includes a processing system that measures a first signal level in response to the tool being at a first measured depth, determines a first conductance based on the first signal level, measures a second signal level in response to the tool being at a second measured depth greater than the first measured depth, the second measured depth and the first measured depth defining a formation interval there between, determines a second conductance based on the second signal level, and assigns a uniform resistivity value to the formation interval based on the first conductance and the second conductance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn Andrew Wilson, Yijing Fan, Paul Cooper, Matthew Hui Chong
  • Patent number: 10972124
    Abstract: A decoding device is used to securely send corresponding data gathered from multiple underground sources to multiple users. The device comprises a signal receiving port connected to multiple bandwidth filters and further connected to internet access points that are assigned to end users for secure data access. The invention facilitates allowing the signal and data being transmitted through the formation of the earth to reach end users located nearby and significant distances away from the source of the transmission. A system and method utilizing the decoding device is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: 5 BY 5, LLC
    Inventors: Troy Hill, Rishon Kimber, Travis McDougall
  • Patent number: 10928541
    Abstract: A logging method and system for imaging a subterranean formation intersected by a borehole. A magnetic dipole generates an electromagnetic field in the formation, and an electric field induced by the magnetic dipole is sensed. The electromagnetic field is sensitive to bed boundaries and other changes of formation characteristics, and becomes induced when encountering the changes. Monitoring the time and magnitude of field inducement yields information about the presence and location of the bed boundaries and target formations. The magnetic dipole is oriented transverse to the borehole axis, and measurements of the electric field take place in directions that include transverse to the orientation of the magnetic dipole and transverse to the borehole axis, parallel with the borehole axis, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Inventor: Teruhiko Hagiwara
  • Patent number: 10920578
    Abstract: A method and system for determining location of a collar in a wellbore. A method may comprise taking an electromagnetic measurement, producing an electromagnetic log from the electromagnetic measurement, wherein the electromagnetic log comprises a plurality of channels, and locating a position of the collar in the electromagnetic log based on a collar signature in the electromagnetic log. A system may comprise an electromagnetic logging tool. The electromagnetic logging tool may comprise at least one receiver and at least one transmitter. The system may further comprise a conveyance and an information handling system, wherein the information handling system is configured to receive an electromagnetic measurement from the electromagnetic logging tool, produce an electromagnetic log from the electromagnetic measurement, wherein the electromagnetic log comprises at least one channel, and locate a position of a collar in the electromagnetic log with a collar signature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Luis Emilio San Martin, Ahmed Elsayed Fouda, Ilker R. Capoglu, Wolfgang Harmut Nitsche
  • Patent number: 10920583
    Abstract: A system for locating water floods, in some embodiments, comprises: multiple transducers for coupling to a borehole casing to inject current into a formation within which the casing is disposed; and multiple electrodes, each of the electrodes coupled to a different one of the multiple transducers when coupled to the casing, wherein each of the multiple transducers is used to determine a potential between the casing and a corresponding one of the multiple electrodes to which the transducer is coupled, wherein the potentials from the multiple transducers are used to determine a water flood location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ahmed Elsayed Fouda, Glenn Andrew Wilson, Burkay Donderici
  • Patent number: 10914697
    Abstract: A drilling system includes a roller cone drill bit having a roller cone and at least one antenna loop disposed in the roller cone for detecting magnetic or electromagnetic waves indicative of a target, a resistivity, or a boundary of the subterranean formation, man-made structure, or object. The drilling system may utilize the antenna loop to determine resistivity measurements of a subterranean formation through which the drill bit is being drilled. The location of the antenna in the roller cone may enable increased look-ahead and look-around measurements. In addition, the location of the antenna in the roller cone may facilitate anisotropic resistivity measurements to aid in steering the drill string into a desired portion of the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Thomas Hay, Burkay Donderici
  • Patent number: 10908313
    Abstract: An antenna assembly that includes a bobbin including arcuate first and second bobbin portions positioned about a tool mandrel. A protective layer is formed about the first and second bobbin portions, and a cover occludes a portion of an axially extending gap defined between the first and second bobbin portions to prevent the protective layer from extruding into the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Anand Prakash, Alexei Korovin, Michael J. Levchak
  • Patent number: 10900353
    Abstract: Methods and systems for identifying a salinity gradient in a formation surrounding a bore of a subterranean well includes introducing an antenna assembly into the bore of the subterranean well. The antenna assembly has an elongated antenna body. An emitting antenna extends axially along an outer surface of the antenna body. A receiving antenna extends axially along the outer surface of the antenna body, the receiving antenna being spaced circumferentially apart from the emitting antenna. An electromagnetic interrogation wave is produced into the formation with the emitting antenna with a pulse duration of no greater than 0.01 seconds. A reflected wave is received with the receiving antenna. The amplitude of the reflected wave is analyzed to determine a distribution of chlorine ion concentration in the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Mohamed Nabil Noui-Mehidi, Ilies Mostefai
  • Patent number: 10859486
    Abstract: A measurement tool configured to be run through a bore of a hydrocarbon well. The measurement tool includes a dielectric core, a controller disposed at a first end of the dielectric core, a first wire helically disposed about the dielectric core and extending from the controller to a first location a first distance from the controller, and a second wire helically disposed about the dielectric core and extending from the controller to a second location a second distance from the controller. The controller provides first and second input signals to the first and second wires, and receives first and second reflected signals from the first and second wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC CO.
    Inventors: Gregory Boverman, Sachin Narahari Dekate, Yongjae Lee
  • Patent number: 10840579
    Abstract: A downhole tool includes a chassis having a bore formed axially-therethrough. An antenna is positioned radially-outward from the chassis. A collar is positioned radially-outward from the antenna. A window is defined radially-through the collar. An insert is positioned in the window. The insert is made at least partially of a ceramic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alexander Trushin, Tianxia Zhao
  • Patent number: 10823870
    Abstract: A method to measure a parameter of interest is provided. The method includes receiving a first signal via an antenna of a reception circuit. The method further includes generating a second signal by a signal generator of the reception circuit. The method further includes mixing the first signal and the second signal in a mixer of the reception circuit to generate a third signal. The method further includes measuring a parameter of the third signal using an instrument. The method further includes adjusting, by a processor, a frequency of the second signal to substantially match a frequency of the first signal based at least in part on the measured parameter of the third signal. The method further includes determining, by the processor, the parameter of interest using the adjusted frequency of the second signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventor: Kersten Kraft
  • Patent number: 10802174
    Abstract: Apparatus (10) for use in determining values of properties of n layers (16,17) of a borehole (11) formed in the Earth's crust (12) comprises a plurality of at least (2n-1) sensor members (19,21,22) of mutually differing, known or calculable, geometric factors, as defined with reference to a sample under investigation comprising n layers. The sensor members (19,21,22) are capable of detecting reflected or transmitted electromagnetic energy and the apparatus (10) includes one or more supports (24,26?) for supporting the sensor members (19,21,22) in a said borehole (11) adjacent and/or in contact with one or more said layers (16,17), the apparatus (10) being capable of causing transmission of electromagnetic energy along, and/or reflection of electromagnetic energy at, each sensor member (19,21,22) in a manner permitting the calculation of values of properties of such layers (16,17) based on reflected or transmitted energy values detected at the sensor members (19,21,22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Reeves Wireline Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Darren Chaney
  • Patent number: 10768336
    Abstract: Certain logging method and system embodiments obtain multi-component signal measurements from an electromagnetic logging tool conveyed along a borehole through a formation, and invert the measurements for a single frequency using an anisotropic formation model having at least dip, horizontal and vertical resistivity, and horizontal and vertical permittivity, as parameters. A resulting log is provided to represent a position dependence of at least one of said parameters or a formation property derived from at least one of said parameters. Illustrative formation properties include water saturation, rock type, and presence of pyrite or other such materials having anisotropic polarization. Inversions may be performed on measurements acquired at other frequencies to determine a representative dispersion curve for further characterization of the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei-Bin Ewe, Hsu-Hsiang Wu, Burkay Donderici, Roland E. Chemali
  • Patent number: 10768333
    Abstract: A downhole electromagnetic logging tool having two or more antenna groups spaced along a longitudinal axis of the logging tool, each antenna group having one antenna or multiple antennas proximally located or collocated, each antenna group having at least one tilted antenna, at least one antenna group having, in addition to the tilted antenna, at least one transverse or axial antenna, and any given pair of antenna groups comprising at least four antennas is disclosed. The logging tool is disposed in a wellbore penetrating a formation and, while rotating, measures a tool rotation angle, transmits an electromagnetic signal from one antenna group, and receives the electromagnetic signal with another antenna group. Elements of an electromagnetic coupling tensor are determined using the received electromagnetic signal and the measured tool rotation angle, and properties of the formation using one or more elements of the determined electromagnetic coupling tensor are inferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Oliden Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Jian Yang
  • Patent number: 10761235
    Abstract: The present invention provides a methodology and system for resistivity tool design. By using at least one E field antenna instead of magnetic antennas, stronger signals can be captured by a smaller system. The more effective antenna design of the present invention has broad applications in various tools including geosteering, look ahead, and triaxial induction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Inventor: Weishan Han
  • Patent number: 10760414
    Abstract: A data transmission system for use with a drill string in a primary wellbore is disclosed. The data transmission system includes a toroidal antenna assembly. The toroidal antenna assembly is disposed around the drill string at a primary downhole location within the primary wellbore and configured to transmit a signal from a transmitter. The signal corresponds to sensor data. The toroidal antenna assembly includes a plurality of toroidal antennas, wherein each toroidal antenna is configured to transmit the same signal from the transmitter. Because a plurality of toroidal antennas are utilized to transmit the same signal, construction of the drill string can be more mechanically robust than a conventional insulated gap collar while permitting reliable and fast transmission of sensor data to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Isodrill, Inc.
    Inventors: Saad Bargach, Stephen D. Bonner
  • Patent number: 10756575
    Abstract: A wireless power transfer system may provide coils that are respectively position on upper and lower ends of a pipe to allow power to be wirelessly transferred. Additionally, the system may also provide a soft ferrite layer placed on the upper and lower pipe sections to enhance the magnetic coupling so that the wireless power transfer efficiency can be maintained at a sufficient level when the coil separation is relatively large. Notably, this ferrite layer may span most or the entirely of the region between the coils to further enhance performance. In some cases, a ferrite core may be position between the coils and the pipe as well. In some cases, the pipe may include a tool section that may be non-conductive or results in a discontinuity in the ferrite layer. However, the setup of the system allows power to be wirelessly transferred despite such discontinuity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
    Inventors: Xiyao Xin, Ji Chen, David R. Jackson
  • Patent number: 10754055
    Abstract: Methods and systems for determining petrophysical parameters of a formation are provided. In one embodiment, a method includes acquiring formation data with a borehole imaging tool deployed in a well penetrating a formation and acquiring additional formation data with a dielectric logging tool deployed in the well. The method also includes calibrating the formation data acquired with the borehole imaging tool based on the additional formation data acquired with the dielectric logging tool. The calibrated formation data can then be used in determining a petrophysical parameter of the formation. Additional methods, systems, and devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsushi Yamada, Tianhua Zhang, Ollivier Faivre, Jean-Marc Donadille, Richard Bloemenkamp
  • Patent number: 10690799
    Abstract: A resistivity logging tool includes a resistivity antenna and an antenna shield having a longitudinal slot segments interconnected to form an elongated slot with an elongated slot length that is longer than the length of the sleeve in which the slot segments are formed thereby enhancing electromagnetic wave strength propagated through the shield. Longitudinal slot segments may be interleaved to maximize the total number of elongated slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Lay Wei Ang, Minh Dang Nguyen
  • Patent number: 10669836
    Abstract: A surface excitation ranging method includes selecting a first well with a metal casing as a target well and selecting a second well with a metal casing as a ground well. The method also includes installing a supplemental grounding arrangement for a power supply located at earth's surface, wherein the ground well and the supplemental grounding arrangement fulfill an impedance criteria or ranging performance criteria. The method also includes conveying an electrical current output from the power supply along the target well. The method also includes sensing electromagnetic (EM) fields emitted from the target well due to the electrical current. The method also includes using distance or direction information obtained from the sensed EM fields to guide drilling of a new well relative to the target well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Hsu-Hsiang Wu, Akram Ahmadi Kalateh Ahmad
  • Patent number: 10663503
    Abstract: A polyphase electric power supply system via which powerline communications are set up between a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter: detects a first zero-crossing of an alternating electrical signal on a phase connected to the transmitter; determines a first instance when the transmitter is expected to transmit a dataset; determines a first time difference between the first zero-crossing and the first instance; includes in the data set information of the phase to which the transmitter is connected, when the first time difference is below a predefined threshold. The receiver: detects a second zero-crossing of the alternating electrical signal on the phase connected to the receiver; detects a second instant when the receiver receives the data set; determines a second time difference between the second zero-crossing and the second instant; determines the phase connected to the receiver, from the second time difference and the transmitter phase information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: SAGEMCOM ENERGY & TELECOM SAS
    Inventor: Nicolas Pigeon
  • Patent number: 10656302
    Abstract: An example logging tool may include at least one transmitter antenna and at least one receiver antenna. A first high-impedance metamaterial may be disposed between the transmitter antenna and the receiver antenna. The first high-impedance metamaterial may include a periodic arrangement of patches, each of the patches being electrically coupled to a ground plane using a via.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei-Bin Ewe, Rencheng Song, Glenn Andrew Wilson
  • Patent number: 10648319
    Abstract: A rotary steerable bottom hole assembly includes a drill bit disposed at a distal end thereof, and azimuthal resistivity antennas and electronics configured to measure a distance to a formation boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Well Resolutions Technology
    Inventor: Borislav J. Tchakarov
  • Patent number: 10627536
    Abstract: A method for making gain compensated electromagnetic logging measurements of a subterranean formation includes rotating an electromagnetic logging tool in a subterranean wellbore. The logging tool includes a transmitter having at least one transmitting antenna axially spaced apart from a receiver having at least one receiving antenna. Electromagnetic waves are transmitted into the subterranean wellbore using the at least one transmitting antenna. Voltage measurements corresponding to the transmitted electromagnetic waves are received at the receiving antenna. The voltage measurements are processed to compute real and imaginary directional resistivity measurement quantities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Helen Xiaoyan Zhong, Mark T. Frey, Peter T. Wu
  • Patent number: 10598816
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include systems and methods of correcting induction logging data for relative dip. Initial induction logging data is measured at a plurality of frequencies. One example embodiment includes displaying dip corrected data for a plurality of different relative dip angles, which may further be displayed with a qualitative indicator displayed over many depth samples for selecting or validating a correct relative dip angle. The data may be iteratively processed using an automated relative dip correction algorithm and analyzed by the user to obtain and apply the best relative dip correction angle to induction logging data. Once dip corrected, the induction logging data can be used with resistivity methodologies generally designed for instances where no dip is present in the formation under analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James Michael Witkowsky, John Andrew Quirein, Yi Zhou, Ferhat Turker Celepcikay, Luis Emilio San Martin
  • Patent number: 10591626
    Abstract: An electromagnetic energy source for emitting pulses of electromagnetic energy includes a sonde assembly having a first section axially aligned with, and spaced from, a second section. An energy storage capacitor of the sonde assembly includes an electrode mounted in each of the first section and the second section of the sonde assembly and operable to generate an electric field, and a capacitive charge storage medium mounted in each of the first section and the second section of the sonde assembly and surrounding each electrode. The sonde assembly further includes a fast-closing switch located between the electrodes of the first and second sections of the sonde assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Howard K. Schmidt, Jesus Manuel Felix Servin, Erika Ellis, Mazen Y. Kanj, Abdullah Awadh Al-Shehri
  • Patent number: 10564310
    Abstract: A method for performing a formation physical action includes: transmitting a first time-domain transient electromagnetic (EM) signal into a borehole and the formation using a downhole EM wave propagation tool, the first EM signal having frequency domain components in a range of at least 1 MHz to 1 GHz; receiving a second time-domain transient EM signal due to the transmitting of the first EM signal, the second EM signal having frequency domain components in the range of at least 1 MHz to 1 GHz; calculating attenuation and phase shift S-parameters as a function of frequency using the first and second EM signals; assigning to the formation at least one of a resistivity value and a permittivity value of a reference that matches or is within a selected range of the attenuation and phase shift S-parameters; and performing the physical action using the at least one of the resistivity value and the permittivity value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory B. Itskovich, Fei Le, Rashid W. Khokhar
  • Patent number: 10545256
    Abstract: Apparatus (57, 58) for determining permittivity in a downhole location comprises a sensor (57) including an elongate conducting line (62) supported on or adjacent a first side of a dielectric substrate (61). The sensor (57) also includes at least one conducting ground element (26, 27) that is spaced from the conducting line (62), the conducting line (62) being capable of juxtaposition to a downhole borehole wall (12). The apparatus further includes connected respectively to spaced locations along the conducting line at least two terminals (31, 32; 63, 64) of a vector network analyser (57b) that is capable of detecting one or more signal reflection characteristics whereby when the sensor (57) is juxtaposed to a borehole wall (12) the vector network analyser (57b) generates one or more signals that are processable to indicate the relative permittivity of rock (39) in which the borehole is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Reeves Wireline Technology Limited
    Inventor: Darren Chaney
  • Patent number: 10544672
    Abstract: A communication system for use with a well tool can include an of outer toroid antenna. The outer toroid antenna can be positionable around an outer housing of the well tool. The communication system can also include an inner toroid antenna positionable within the outer housing of the well tool. The communication system can further include a switch coupled to the outer toroid antenna and the inner toroid antenna. The switch can be operable to enable or disable a wireless communication via the outer toroid antenna or the inner toroid antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Quang Huy Nguyen, Wei Hsuan Huang, Jin Ma
  • Patent number: 10539704
    Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for mapping hydrocarbon reservoirs. Operations include disposing an electromagnetic (EM) transmitter and an EM receiver into first and second wellbores of first and second wells, respectively, penetrating a resistive layer of a subsurface formation bounded by first and second conductive layers. The EM transmitter and receiver each being disposed at depths proximate to intersections of the first and second wellbores and the resistive layer, respectively. The operations further including transmitting an EM signal between the EM transmitter and receiver via the resistive layer, determining transport properties associated with propagation of the EM signal from the EM transmitter to the EM receiver via the resistive layer, and determining the presence of an anomaly in at least one of the conductive layers based on the travel time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Howard Khan Schmidt, Jesus Manuel Felix Servin, Erika Shoemaker Ellis
  • Patent number: 10539007
    Abstract: A cement head including a tubular body having a top end and a bottom end, and a borehole arranged through at least a portion of the tubular body; a cement plug arranged in the borehole and configured to exit the cement head upon releasing a retention device; and a spool assembly arranged on the tubular body, wherein the spool assembly comprises a drum rotatable about a central axis and a continuous cable having a first end and a second end, the first end being attached to the drum and the second end being attached to the cement plug, and wherein rotating the drum about the central axis results in spooling or unspooling the continuous cable about the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Ronald Johannes Dirksen, David Leonwill Jones
  • Patent number: 10534103
    Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for mapping hydrocarbon reservoirs. Operations include disposing an electromagnetic (EM) transmitter and an EM receiver into first and second wellbores of first and second wells, respectively, penetrating a resistive layer of a subsurface formation bounded by first and second conductive layers. The EM transmitter and receiver each being disposed at depths proximate to intersections of the first and second wellbores and the resistive layer, respectively. The operations further including transmitting an EM signal between the EM transmitter and receiver via the resistive layer, determining transport properties associated with propagation of the EM signal from the EM transmitter to the EM receiver via the resistive layer, and determining the presence of an anomaly in at least one of the conductive layers based on the travel time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Howard Khan Schmidt, Jesus Manuel Felix Servin, Erika Shoemaker Ellis
  • Patent number: 10533411
    Abstract: A method includes deploying an electromagnetic (EM) defect detection tool in a downhole environment having a plurality of tubular strings with different diameters. The method also includes receiving raw measurements collected by the EM defect detection tool. The method also includes deconvolving the raw measurements with another input to obtain deconvolved raw measurements. The method also includes using the deconvolved raw measurements to determine a defect in at least one of the plurality of tubular strings. The method also includes performing, by a device, an operation in response to the determined defect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ahmed E. Fouda, Reza Khalaj Amineh, Luis Emilio San Martin, Burkay Donderici
  • Patent number: 10527753
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses to generate a formation model are described. In one aspect, a logging system includes a transmitter to produce an electromagnetic field in a borehole, a receiver in the borehole to detect a first field signal induced by the electromagnetic field at a first depth of investigation and a second field signal induced by the electromagnetic field at a second depth of investigation, and a modeling unit to perform a first one-dimensional inversion on the first field signal and a second one-dimensional inversion on the second field signal, build a two-dimensional model from the first one-dimensional inversion and the second one-dimensional inversion, and perform a two-dimensional inversion on the two-dimensional model to generate a two-dimensional formation model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christophe Dupuis, Dzevat Omeragic, Yong-Hua Chen, Tarek M. Habashy
  • Patent number: 10508533
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatus, systems, and methods which operate to include monitoring an electromagnetic signal and/or gamma ray spectra count values to determine interception of a first well created by a drill string, with a well casing surrounding a second well. Interception can be determined when a reception antenna is used to receive the electromagnetic signal, by examining values associated with the magnitude of the signal. Interception can also be determined when a ratio of the gamma ray spectra count values have exceeded a first predetermined threshold, or when capture gamma energy indicated by the gamma ray spectra count values exceeds a second predetermined threshold. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Hsu-Hsiang Wu
  • Patent number: 10509140
    Abstract: The shape and size of a borehole may be characterized downhole, using measurements of the borehole shape in conjunction with a catalog of shapes against which the measured shape is matched. A unique identifier for the measured borehole shape, and optionally a size parameter, may be transmitted to a surface facility, generally saving bandwidth compared with the transmission of the raw measured borehole-shape data. Alternatively or additionally, downhole measurements may be adjusted based on the measured shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Andrew Cooper, George Walter John Stevenson
  • Patent number: 10502727
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided featuring a signal processing module configured to receive signaling containing information about detected acoustic emissions related to ore being mined from a block cave in a block caving process, including falling ore that creates unique acoustic signatures; and determine information about the ore being mined from the block cave in the block caving process, based at least partly on the signaling received. The signal processing module may receive the signaling from an array of acoustic sensors placed around the block cave, including where the array of acoustic sensors surrounds the block cave in both vertical and horizontal directions. The signal processing module may provide corresponding signaling containing corresponding information about the ore being mined from the block cave in the block caving process, including where the corresponding information includes information about a distribution and size of the ore being mined from the block cave in the block caving process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: CiDRA Corporate Services LLP
    Inventor: Michael A. Davis
  • Patent number: 10473810
    Abstract: A downhole drilling tool has a deep-reading logging tool, a near-bit resistivity tool, and a gamma ray detector. Formation information logged using the deep-reading logging tool is used to build a preliminary stratigraphic model with a relatively low resolution. The preliminary stratigraphic model is further refined using data logged using the near-bit resistivity tool and/or the gamma ray detector to obtain a refined stratigraphic model with a higher resolution. The model is used to guide geosteering to achieve better well placement and trajectory control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Sheng Zhan, Jinzhou Yang, Jinhai Zhao, Zhen Yang, Weiping Xu, Hongbing Xiao, Herong Zheng, Haihua Zhang
  • Patent number: 10461434
    Abstract: Complementary metamaterial elements provide an effective permittivity and/or permeability for surface structures and/or waveguide structures. The complementary metamaterial resonant elements may include Babinet complements of “split ring resonator” (SRR) and “electric LC” (ELC) metamaterial elements. In some approaches, the complementary metamaterial elements are embedded in the bounding surfaces of planar waveguides, e.g. to implement waveguide based gradient index lenses for beam steering/focusing devices, antenna array feed structures, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: David R. Smith, Ruopeng Liu, Tie Jun Cui, Qiang Cheng, Jonah N. Gollub
  • Patent number: 10450861
    Abstract: Identifying the dielectric constant and/or the electrical resistivity of part of a geological formation may reveal useful characteristics of the geological formation. This disclosure provides methods, systems, and machine-readable media to determine dielectric constant or electrical resistivity, or both, using contraction mapping. Specifically, contraction mapping may be used with a function of wavenumber k to iteratively solve for values of dielectric constant and electrical resistivity until convergence is achieved. This may allow for convergence to a solution without computing partial derivatives and/or with fewer iterations than previous techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gong Li Wang, Tianxia Zhao, Keli Sun, Aria Abubakar
  • Patent number: 10444711
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus comprising an electromechanical device, a control unit and a motion detector, wherein said electromechanical device is controllable by said control unit via a control signal, wherein said motion detector is configured such that said mechanical movement of said electromechanical device is determined and wherein said motion detector provides a motion detector signal. The invention also relates to a method for operating an electromechanical device. The technical problem of providing an apparatus with an electromechanical device, the reliability as well as the power consumption of which is improved, is solved in that the control unit is configured such that it can be influenced by the phase difference between the control signal and the motion detector signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Nessel, David Moore
  • Patent number: 10436930
    Abstract: In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, a system and method for determining a measurement for a pseudo receiver antenna with a different lateral position and a different azimuthal direction than at least two receiver antennas disposed on one or more wellbore tools is provided. The method involves transmitting an electromagnetic signal into a subterranean formation surrounding a borehole, and measuring one or more responses of the subterranean formation to the electromagnetic signal using at least two receiver antennas. The two receiver antennas are oriented in differing azimuthal directions relative to one or more tools to which the receiver are coupled, and arranged in a non-parallel angular orientation with respect to each other. The method then includes determining a response measured by a pseudo receiver antenna with a desired angular orientation and a desired azimuthal direction with respect to the one or more tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Hsu-Hsiang Wu, Jin Ma, Joseph Keith Young
  • Patent number: 10436931
    Abstract: Electromagnetic sensors which provide high coupling gain between the transmitter and receiver of a dielectric tool include a conductive pad having a cavity filled with dielectric filler, and an electrical conductor that provides electrical current to a conductive feeder placed inside the dielectric filler. During operation, current is fed to the conductive feeder to thereby produce an electric monopole that feeds electromagnetic power into the cavity, which then radiates out into the formation as electromagnetic signals. Because of the design of the electromagnetic sensors, the transmitter/receiver coupling gain and SNR are optimized over the entire range of the dielectric constant (i.e., 5??r?80).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Li Pan, Chao-Fu Wang, Rencheng Song, Jin Ma
  • Patent number: 10416336
    Abstract: Improved algorithm for estimating anisotropic formation resistivity profile using a multi-component induction tool are disclosed. A method for estimating anisotropic formation resistivity profile of a formation comprises obtaining borehole corrected log data and determining at an azimuth angle of the formation. One or more formation bed boundaries are located and initial formation properties are calculated. One of a plurality of inversion windows is sequentially selected and a one-dimensional inversion of each of the sequentially selected one of the plurality of inversion windows is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Shanjun Li, Dagang Wu, Luis E. San Martin, Yumei Tang