Well Logging Or Borehole Study Patents (Class 702/6)
  • Patent number: 9952073
    Abstract: An integrated load cell and inclinometer includes an outer shell including a u-shaped structure configured to receive a polished rod; a load sensor configured output a load signal based on a load experienced by the load sensor; a position sensor configured to output a position signal based on a position experienced by the position sensor; a load and position signal processor configured to receive and process the load signal from the load sensor and to output load signal data representative of the load experienced by the load sensor, and receive and process the position signal from the position sensor and to output position signal data representative of the inclination of the walking beam or the position of the polished rod; a solar battery configured to provide power to the integrated load cell and inclinometer; and a transmitter configured to transmit the load signal data and position signal data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Bode Energy Equipment Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Min Zhao
  • Patent number: 9945703
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to performing material balance analysis for tanks in a petroleum reservoir and to performing dual porosity material balance analysis. In one scenario, a computer system divides a reservoir into multiple tank blocks, where at least two tank blocks are adjacent. The adjacent tanks are connected at a tank block boundary so that materials are permitted to travel between the tank blocks. The computer system determines flow rate between adjacent tank blocks proportional to the difference in tank block pressures. Then, upon making this determination, the computer system determines material balance for at least some of the tank blocks in the reservoir through influx and efflux of material across the tank block boundary. The material balance includes a determined material balance for one of the adjacent tank blocks and a determined material balance for the other adjacent tank block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: QRI GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Sébastien François Matringe, David Castiñeira Areas, Amir Salehi
  • Patent number: 9932820
    Abstract: A method to perform a drilling operation. The method includes calibrating an axial survey sensor of a bottom hole assembly (BHA) by obtaining, from the axial survey sensor, a data log as a first function of azimuthal angle within a borehole, generating, by a computer processor of the BHA and using a pre-determined algorithm, a fitted curve as a second function of the azimuthal angle, wherein the fitted curve is generated based on the data log to represent a calibration error of the axial survey sensor, and extracting, by the computer processor of the BHA, a calibration parameter from the fitted curve. Accordingly, the drilling operation is performed using at least the axial survey sensor based on the calibration parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Junichi Sugiura, Christopher C. Bogath, Adam Bowler
  • Patent number: 9919635
    Abstract: A wellsite system that includes a bulk material transporter, a mobile tagger, and an uplink. The bulk material transporter includes a supply of a bulk material, a meter to measure output from the supply, and a data logger to log the output as a function of a predetermined parameter. The mobile tagger assigns transfer parameters to each transfer of the bulk material from the supply to one of multiple assets located at the wellsite, including the output measured by the meter. The uplink wirelessly transmits data from the log and the transfer parameters to remote data storage not located at the wellsite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hubertus V. Thomeer
  • Patent number: 9903973
    Abstract: Methods and devices for obtaining well log data with reduced coherent noise are provided. One such method may include placing a downhole tool into a well to obtain a set of unfiltered well log data that includes individual measurements obtained at various azimuthal angles within the well. Some of the unfiltered well log data may represent eccentered well log data obtained while the downhole tool is eccentered in the well. The individual measurements of the eccentered well log data may have delays that vary as a function of the azimuthal angle at which they were obtained. By comparing the measurements of the eccentered well log data, a common pattern independent of delay, representing coherent noise, may be identified. The common pattern may be subtracted from the well log data to produce filtered well log data that is less noisy than the unfiltered well log data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gaelle Jannin, Andrew J. Hayman, Thomas Barrou, Sylvain Thierry
  • Patent number: 9896927
    Abstract: A method for real-time data acquisition and presentation of force, position, load, pressures, and movement within a subterranean well pumping system, such as an oil well. Data is gathered using sensors attached to a surface level pump drive and wellhead system. Well structural data and well production data are combined therewith to generate a real-time display of down-hole well operation, including animated graphics of the pump operation, including pump movement, rod and tubing stretch, fluid movement, gas compression, system forces, and fluid pressures. Liquid levels are tested using an acoustic liquid level instrument, and incorporated to improve well performance analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Inventor: James N. McCoy
  • Patent number: 9891331
    Abstract: A method for detecting hydrocarbons is described. The method includes obtaining seismic data associated with a body of water in a survey region. Then, a filter is applied to at least a portion of the seismic data to enhance diffraction anomaly signals with respect to horizontal or nearly horizontal signals associated with the water-column to form filtered seismic data. Once filtered, seepage locations are identified from the filtered seismic data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Inventors: Scott C. Hornbostel, Homer C. Jones, Julie A. O'Leary
  • Patent number: 9857271
    Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for evaluating a condition of a downhole component of a drillstring. Methods include estimating a value of a tool parameter of the component at at least one selected position on the drillstring; and using the estimated value to evaluate the condition of the downhole component. The estimating is done using a trained artificial neural network that receives information from at least one sensor that is positionally offset from the selected position. The method may further include creating a record representing information from estimated values of the tool parameter at the at least one selected position over time. The at least one selected position may include a plurality of positions, such as positions at intervals along the component, including substantially continuously along the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Baker Hughes, a GE company, LLC
    Inventors: Dmitriy Dashevskiy, John D. MacPherson
  • Patent number: 9846254
    Abstract: A proposed marine electric survey apparatus complex includes a generator line exciting electric field, bottom stations on a sea bottom profile, receiving lines interconnecting the stations. Each receiving line has two measuring electrodes defining a symmetric main space separation equal to the receiving line's length. Two adjacent bottom stations define a pair of electrodes, each electrode is located opposite to the other electrode, providing for measuring the electric field in one point ensuring measurements continuity and uniformity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Inventors: Vladimir Kiasper, Evgeny Lisitsyn, Alexander Petrov, Andrey Tulupov
  • Patent number: 9803467
    Abstract: A method of monitoring an energy industry operation includes: collecting measurement data in real time during an energy industry operation; automatically analyzing the measurement data by a processor, wherein analyzing includes generating a measurement data pattern indicating the values of a parameter as a function of depth or time; automatically comparing the measurement data pattern to a reference data pattern generated based on historical data relating to a previously performed operation having a characteristic common to the operation; predicting whether an undesirable condition will occur during the operation based on the comparison; and based on the processor predicting that the undesirable condition will occur, estimating a time at which the undesirable condition is predicted to occur, and automatically performing a remedial action to prevent the undesirable condition from occurring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES
    Inventors: Weiting Tang, Blake C. Burnette, Scott G. Nelson, William D. Holcomb, Yong N. Kang
  • Patent number: 9785675
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for classification and storage of acquired well data according to the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention a system for handling information generally includes, but is not limited to, a sensor associated with a well and a memory coupled to receive data from the sensor and store the data. The system also includes a processor programmed to read data identified as active from the memory and programmed to read other data from an electronic storage, where the memory is capable of being read at higher speed than the electronic storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Laban M. Marsh, Wilbert Joseph Chenevert
  • Patent number: 9783199
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining if a vessel is experiencing a drive-off event, identifying a subsystem causing the drive-off event, and controlling a vessel to correct the drive-off event are disclosed. The determining may include processing, with a processor of the dynamic positioning control system, a modeled vessel motion and a measured vessel motion to determine whether there is a discrepancy between the modeled vessel motion and the measured vessel motion. The dynamic positioning (DP) control system may then take action to control vessel motion based, at least in part, on the processing of the modeled vessel motion and the measured vessel motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Transocean Sedco Forex Ventures Limited
    Inventors: Trenton Martin, David Hollier
  • Patent number: 9752388
    Abstract: Estimating casing wear during a reciprocation portion of a drilling operation may take into account the forces that cause casing wear during the up and down strokes independently. For example, during a drilling operation, a method may include reciprocating the drill string through the wellbore for a plurality of up strokes and a plurality of down strokes according to reciprocation parameters; calculating an up stroke normal force and a down stroke normal force for the casing or a section thereof; calculating up and down stroke casing wears based on the up and down stroke normal forces, respectively, using a reciprocation casing wear model; calculating a reciprocation casing wear based on the up and down stroke casing wears; and calculating a total casing wear for the casing or the section thereof based on the reciprocation casing wear using a total casing wear model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: LANDMARK GRAPHICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Aniket, Adolfo Gonzales, Robello Samuel
  • Patent number: 9745844
    Abstract: Estimating casing wear for individual portions or lengths of a casing may take into account that individual drill string sections cause different amounts of casing wear based on the physical and material properties of each drill string section. In some instances, a method performed during a drilling operation may involve tracking a location of the plurality of drill string sections along the wellbore; corresponding a casing section with the drill string wear factors of the drill string sections radially proximate to the casing section the drilling intervals of the drilling operations; and calculating a drilling casing wear for the casing section based on the drill string wear factors corresponding to the casing section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: LANDMARK GRAPHICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Aniket, Adolfo Gonzales, Robello Samuel
  • Patent number: 9749598
    Abstract: A well site remote monitoring system comprises a monitoring station, a number of recording devices, a number of sensors, a processor, and a power source. The monitoring station supports the recording devices, processor, and power source thereon and is positioned at a strategic location at a well site so that the recording devices can create video, audio, or other recordings of points of interest of the well site. The processor controls the recording devices and uploads the recordings to a remote server computer for storage and so that an operator can manage and view the recordings on a remote monitoring computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Well Checked Systems International LLC
    Inventors: Roy Stephen Richardson, Michael Dean Haines, Samuel H. Haines
  • Patent number: 9732604
    Abstract: A well site remote monitoring system comprises a monitoring station, a number of recording devices, a number of sensors, a processor, and a power source. The monitoring station supports the recording devices, processor, and power source thereon and is positioned at a strategic location at a well site so that the recording devices can create video, audio, or other recordings of points of interest of the well site. Operation data relating to operational aspects of the points of interest may be overlaid on the recordings. The processor controls the recording devices and uploads the recordings to a remote server computer for storage and so that an operator can manage and view the recordings on a remote monitoring computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Well Checked Systems International LLC
    Inventors: Michael David Haines, Roy Stephen Richardson, Samuel H. Haines
  • Patent number: 9733388
    Abstract: Systems and methods which utilize functional objects in connectivity analysis are shown. Functional objects may be denoted by a geological feature, a user-defined location, a critical point in a connection network, a region within a 3D volume, etc. Each functional object preferably possesses and/or has associated therewith an ability to obtain information such as relevant connection pathways, linked regions of interest, statistical connection information, etc. Such functional objects may have dynamic regions associated therewith, such as to define an area of uncertainty, for facilitating exploring connectivity. Desired connectivity information can be revealed interactively from within a confusing web of connection pathways through use of the functional objects. Through interactive manipulation of functional objects analysis may be refined or revised. Additionally or alternatively, logical operations may be applied with respect to one or more functional objects to extend or reduce the connectivity of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream research Company
    Inventors: James E. Holl, Yao-Chou Cheng, Mark W. Dobin
  • Patent number: 9726014
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for downhole evaluation using a sensor assembly that includes a sensor plate, wherein a surface of the sensor plate forms a portion of an exterior surface of a downhole tool. Methods may include submerging the surface of the sensor plate in a downhole fluid in a borehole; activating the sensor assembly to generate a guided wave that propagates along the sensor plate, wherein propagation of the guided wave along the sensor plate is dependent upon a parameter of interest of the downhole fluid; and using information from the sensor assembly relating to the propagation of the guided wave along the sensor plate to estimate the parameter of interest. Methods may include isolating an opposing surface of the sensor plate from the downhole fluid. The guided wave may be an interface guided wave or may propagate in the plate between the surface and an opposing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ehsan Khajeh, Roger R. Steinsiek
  • Patent number: 9702994
    Abstract: Seismic data processing methods and computing systems are presented. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes simulating a set of simulated seismic data from a set of acquired seismic data; separating the simulated seismic data into a plurality of data sets, wherein one set of data is matched in the acquired seismic data and one set of data is unmatched in the acquired seismic data; conforming the simulated seismic data and the acquired seismic data to one another using separated, simulated seismic data unmatched by a counterpart in the acquired seismic data from the acquired seismic data; and performing an inversion between the acquired seismic data and the separated, simulated seismic data after they are conformed to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: James E. Rickett, Paul N. Childs
  • Patent number: 9697620
    Abstract: A method of processing borehole log data to create one or more image logs involve modeling the log data as components of an image in the form i(x, y)=l(x, y)×r(x, y) (1), in which i(x, y) is an image representative of the log data, l(x, y) denotes an illumination value of the image at two-dimensional spatial co-ordinates x, y, and r(x, y) denotes a surface reflectance value at the co-ordinates x, y. Equation (1) is transformed to a logarithmic domain, and a Fourier transform is obtained of the resulting logarithmic domain expression to obtain a Fourier domain expression. The Fourier domain expression is high-pass filtered, and an inverse Fourier transform is obtained of the resulting filtered Fourier domain expression. An exponential operation is performed on the result of inverse Fourier transform to obtain a filtered image model expression. Values of the filtered image model expression are mapped to respective color values across the range of the filtered image model expression values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Reeves Wireline Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Peter Adrian Spencer Elkington, Said Assous, James Whetton
  • Patent number: 9697308
    Abstract: A method for generating an EMF model includes establishing a time-domain finite data model associated with an electric device representing the electric device in the time-domain; utilizing the time domain finite data model, determining excitations representing an electrical characteristic of an electrical components of the electric device; and generating an EMF model by processing the excitations with a transformation routine determining an approximate representation of an EMF generated by the electric device. A system for generating the EMF model includes a modelling module establish a time-domain finite data model associated with the electric device and d representing the electric device in the time-domain. The modelling module utilizes the time domain finite data model to determine excitations representing an electrical characteristic of an electrical component of the electric device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Innovation and Technology Development Office
    Inventors: Weinong Fu, Xiu Zhang, Siu-Iau Ho
  • Patent number: 9671524
    Abstract: Methods for managing an intelligent field, are provided. An exemplary method can include receiving real-time dynamic field data, analyzing validity of the dynamic field data, validating values of the field data, validating a state/condition of a well, and flagging well components, well conditions, and/or well state validation issues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Abdel Nasser Abitrabi, Fahad Al-Ajmi, Majed Awajy, Marc Lamontagne
  • Patent number: 9638032
    Abstract: Implementations of computer-implemented methods, computer-readable media, and computer systems for interactive wellbore design management include displaying a well design including a wellbore profile representing a wellbore in a user interface. A first well component object is positioned at a first user interface position in the user interface. The first user interface position corresponds to a first well position of a first well component represented by the first well component object in the wellbore. A positioning of a second well component object at a second user interface position in the user interface is detected. The second user interface position corresponds to a second well position of a second well component represented by the second well component object in the wellbore. Using the well design, a compatibility of the second well component positioned at the second well position with the first well position of the first well component is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Surath Rath, Jonathan Michael-Wilson Currey, Ronald Glen Dusterhoft
  • Patent number: 9625610
    Abstract: A system to create a surface log by using a processor connected to data storage on a network that creates and executive dashboard of surface log information using computer instructions to (a) form an editable surface log template, (b) import user information, well sensor information, well event based observation data; well fluid testing data, (c) scale the imported data, forming scaled values, (d) computing a microview and a macroview log plot using the scaled values; (e) creating an executive dashboard, (f) inserting the log plots onto the executive dashboard and other real time well logging information allowing viewing of the log plots simultaneously with the other information on a real time basis, enabling safety interpretations for drilling, geological interpretations for drilling, operational interpretations for drilling, and combinations of these interpretations, in real time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas H. Selman, Matthew J. Jennings
  • Patent number: 9626771
    Abstract: Techniques for an image-based analysis of a geological thin section include (i) acquiring a plurality of images from a geological thin section of a rock sample from a subterranean zone; (ii) manipulating the plurality of images to derive a composite image; (iii) optimizing the composite image to derive a seed image; (iv) identifying, in the seed image, a particular seed pixel of a plurality of contiguous pixels that comprise an image of a grain of a plurality of grains of the rock sample in the seed image; (v) determining, with a specified algorithm, a shape of the grain based on the seed pixel; (vi) determining, based on the shape of the grain, a size of the grain; and (vii) preparing the determination of the size of the grain for presentation to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Mokhles Mustapha Mezghani, Salem Hamoud Shammari
  • Patent number: 9606257
    Abstract: A method for determining existence of a fracture in a formation surrounding a wellbore drilled through subsurface rock formations includes calculating vertical resistivity, horizontal resistivity, apparent formation dip, apparent formation azimuth and axial resistivity for a plurality of longitudinal instrument spacings using measurements from a triaxial induction well logging instrument disposed in the formation. A spread in the axial resistivity values is determined and the axial resistivity spread threshold therefrom. Fracture indicator values and fracture orientation values are calculated from transverse components of the triaxial induction measurements. Presence of a fracture is indicated when at least one of the fracture indicator value exceeds a selected threshold, the axial resistivity spread exceeds the spread threshold and when the apparent formation dip exceeds a selected threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Peter T. Wu, Dong Weixin, Thomas D. Barber, Dean Homan
  • Patent number: 9588250
    Abstract: A three-coil bucking system is used for determination of a formation resistivity property ahead of the drill bit. The conductive drill pipe is provided with non-conductive inserts in the proximity of at least one transmitter and at least two receivers. Transient electromagnetic signals are processed to give the estimate of the resistivity property and for geosteering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Gregory B. Itskovich, Arcady Reiderman
  • Patent number: 9581019
    Abstract: Methods of and apparatus to perform a drawdown of a formation fluid in a downhole environment are disclosed. An example method includes contacting a borehole wall with a fluid communication device of a formation testing tool and performing a first type of drawdown to draw fluid into the fluid communication device. The method also includes detecting a breach of a mudcake on the borehole wall during performance of the first type of drawdown and performing a second type of drawdown to draw fluid into the sample probe in response to detecting the breach of the mudcake. The second type of drawdown is different than the first type of drawdown. Furthermore, the example method includes confirming the breach of the mudcake on the borehole wall during performance of the second type of drawdown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yong Chang, Julian J. Pop
  • Patent number: 9567850
    Abstract: A system for monitoring rotational time of a rotational equipment. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are systems comprising a rotatable equipment, a sensor, and an electronic system. The sensor is coupled to the rotatable equipment, and is configured to sense rotation of the rotatable equipment. The electronic system is electrically couple to the sensor. The electronic system is self-contained, and is configured to power the sensor to determine rotational time of the rotatable equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.
    Inventors: Jonathan R. Prill, Michael X. Tang
  • Patent number: 9562987
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are multicomponent borehole radar tools and methods. At least some tool embodiments employ at least two antennas that receive reflections of electromagnetic pulses transmitted from the tool. A processor processes the receive signals to identify reflection signals and to determine a direction and/or distance to the sources of the reflection signals. Possible sources include formation boundaries, fluid boundaries, cased wells, and other features that cause contrasts in electromagnetic properties. In addition to reflection signals, the measured responses may include direct signal measurements that are useful for determining formation resistivity and permittivity. Each of the antennas may transmit and receive, and they may be collocated to reduce tool size and reduce processing complexity. Disclosed logging tool examples employ both electric and magnetic dipole antennas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Baris Guner, Burkay Donderici, Michael S. Bittar, Luis E. San Martin
  • Patent number: 9551213
    Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer-readable medium for estimating a bulk shale volume of an earth formation. In one aspect, measurements are obtained at a plurality of depths in a wellbore penetrating the earth formation and a first distribution is produced of the obtained measurements. A measurement is obtained at a selected depth in the wellbore and a second distribution is produced using the measurement at the selected depth and the measurements obtained at the plurality of depths. A cumulative distribution is produced cumulative of the first distribution and the second distribution. The bulk shale volume is estimated at the selected depth by comparing the cumulative distribution and the second distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Elton Frost, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9536334
    Abstract: A well log is obtained that includes log data gathered along a trajectory of a wellbore. An orientation parameter defining a perspective for displaying the log data along the trajectory is also obtained. Following a path of the trajectory, an image strip is rendered from the log data based on the orientation parameter, where the image strip is a pictorial representation of the log data. The image strip is displayed along the trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Joan Abadie
  • Patent number: 9534475
    Abstract: Graphical User Interface (GUI) facilitated centralization methods and system, including a method that includes displaying a graphical representation of a tubular string within a borehole, accepting an interactive graphical selection of a starting location for a range along the borehole, and accepting an interactive graphical selection of an ending location for the range along the borehole. The method further includes determining string stand-off device positions that provide centralization within the range, and providing said positions to field personnel assembling and placing the tubular string in the borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: LANDMARK GRAPHICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew James Whalley, Gustavo Adolfo Urdaneta, Peter Gosling
  • Patent number: 9534491
    Abstract: A system for detecting when a plunger reaches a bottom of a well includes a pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure of the well and provide a measured pressure output. Derivative calculation circuitry calculates a derivative of the measured pressure output. Detection circuitry detects when the plunger reaches the bottom of the well based upon the calculated derivative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: John Philip Miller, David Lyle Wehrs
  • Patent number: 9507047
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for integrating logging tool data and digital rock physics to estimate rock formation properties. A rock sample from a logging tool such as a sidewall plug or large enough cutting can be extracted by the logging tool at approximately the same well bore location that the logging tool measures fluid properties. The rock samples thus obtained is scanned using a CT scanner, scanning electron microscope or other suitable scanning device. The resulting scanned rock image can be segmented and rock properties comprising porosity, absolute permeability, relative permeability, capillary pressure and other relevant rock properties are calculated. The resulting digital calculations are integrated with logging tool data and rock property estimates to improve the accuracy and timeliness of the logging tool data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Ingrain, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Dvorkin, Henrique Tono, Carl Sisk, David Malone
  • Patent number: 9507046
    Abstract: An arrangement and an associated method are described in which a boring tool is moved through the ground within a given region along a path in which region a cable is buried. The boring tool and the cable transmit a boring tool locating signal and a cable locating signal, respectively. Intensities of the boring tool locating signal and the cable locating signal are measured along with a pitch orientation of the boring tool. Using the measured intensities and established pitch orientation, a positional relationship is determined to relative scale including at least the boring tool and the cable in the region. The positional relationship is displayed to scale in one view. The positional relationship may be determined and displayed including the forward locate point in scaled relation to the boring tool and the cable. Cable depth determination techniques are described including a two-point ground depth determination method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Merlin Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Guenter W. Brune, Albert W. Chau, John E. Mercer
  • Patent number: 9494710
    Abstract: A method performed with a computing system for determining well integrity includes receiving a selection of a well configuration of a well, and receiving a selection of a wellbore operation performed with the well configuration. The selected well configuration includes one or more casing strings and a production tubing extending from adjacent a wellhead of the well to adjacent a bottom of the well. In some examples, the method further includes determining, based on the well configuration and the wellbore operation, a characteristic of the well at or adjacent the one or more casing strings and the production tubing during the wellbore operation, and modifying the well configuration to remove the production tubing. In some examples, the method still further includes determining, based on the modified well configuration and the wellbore operation, the characteristic of the well at or adjacent the one or more casing strings during the wellbore operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Landmark Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Adolfo Gonzales, Robert Mitchell
  • Patent number: 9488752
    Abstract: A system for calculating the radius of investigation of a radial, composite reservoir has a processor with a clock, a display, and an electronic input coupled to the processor. The system divides the reservoir into a predetermined number (n) of concentric regions, and the processor is programmed to calculate periodically the radius of investigation based a starting time or elapsed time, and data relating to the reservoir rock, fluids, and geometries of each of the n regions. The processor computes the radius of investigation using at least one of Equations (1), (2), and (6) through (12) set forth in the specification, if using the System of U.S. Oilfield Units, or using an equivalent equation if using other units. These equations account for the effects of variations of both permeability and storativity in composite reservoirs on the radius of investigation with elapsed time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Noor M. Anisur Rahman, Faisal M. Al-Thawad, Saud A. BinAkresh
  • Patent number: 9482086
    Abstract: A well site remote monitoring system comprises a monitoring station, a number of recording devices, a number of sensors, a processor, and a power source. The monitoring station supports the recording devices, processor, and power source thereon and is positioned at a strategic location at a well site so that the recording devices can create video, audio, or other recordings of points of interest of the well site. The processor controls the recording devices and uploads the recordings to a remote server computer for storage and so that an operator can manage and view the recordings on a remote monitoring computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: WELL CHECKED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: Roy Stephen Richardson, Michael David Haines, Samuel H. Haines
  • Patent number: 9482775
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method to determine a formation property of a subsurface formation. A downhole logging tool having two or more tri-axial antennas is provided and used to obtain azimuthally sensitive data. Borehole correction is performed on the obtained data and a ZD-inversion is performed on the borehole corrected data for all antenna spacing groups. A formation indicator flag is determined and, depending on the determined formation indicator flag, a 1D-axial inversion and/or a 1D-radial inversion is performed over selected zones, or neither is performed. The best ZD-inversion results are selected and the 1D-axial inversion results and/or the 1D-radial inversion results, if any, are combined with the selected best ZD-inversion results to form a composite inversion result. The formation property of the subsurface formation is determined using the composite inversion result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Peter T. Wu, Thomas D. Barber
  • Patent number: 9389335
    Abstract: Methods for determining a value indicative of liquid density of a formation include obtaining an inelastic count rate and a capture count rate of a gamma detector for a particular borehole depth, calculating a ratio of an inelastic count rate to a capture count rate for the particular borehole depth, determining a value indicative of liquid density based on the ratio of the inelastic count rate to the capture count rate for the particular borehole depth, repeating the obtaining, calculating and determining for a plurality of borehole depths, and producing a plot of the value indicative of liquid density of the formation as a function of borehole depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Jacobson, Weijun Guo
  • Patent number: 9389332
    Abstract: A directional antenna, system and method are provided. The methods include acquiring a plurality of data pairs, each data pair comprising an induced signal at a receiver and a corresponding toolface angle using a tool including at least one antenna assembly, as described herein. It further discloses a method to generate a measurement containing information about the directionality of the formation by calculating areas of an induced signal function approximated by the plurality of data pairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Oliden Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Jian Yang
  • Patent number: 9367119
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide for fully-integrated, low-latency power reduction in multi-sensor systems. In certain embodiments, power consumption is minimized by modulating power and mode of operation of gyroscopes, magnetometers, and accelerometers under certain conditions. Certain embodiments provide for reduction of power consumption by the use of emulated gyroscope data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonardo Sala, Igino Padovani, Simone Sabatelli
  • Patent number: 9359887
    Abstract: A recoverable data acquisition system includes at least a portion of at least one sensor be positionable within a tubular of a completion system, the at least a portion being recoverable therefrom and a retainer movably disposed at the tubular between at least a first position and a second position, a cavity being defined between the tubular and the retainer when the retainer is in the first position, the at least a portion of the at least one sensor being removable from the cavity in response to movement of the retainer from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: James L. Miller, II, Jason Mailand, Elias Pena, James Scott Sanchez, William B. Handy, Christopher Elliott, Daniel Matthews
  • Patent number: 9322949
    Abstract: The invention relates to techniques, such as a system for generating a density of a cased wellbore. The system includes at least one downhole tool deployable into the cased wellbore, a radiation source supportable by the downhole tool for passing radiation through the subterranean formation, at least one detector supportable by the downhole tool for measuring the radiation, and a measurement tool for generating at least one apparent density log from the measured radiation. The measurement tool has at least one quality indicator tool for generating at least one quality indicator and for generating at least one compensated density log based on the apparent density log and the quality indicator whereby error is removed therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Laurent Mosse, James Hemingway, Ronald Plasek, Nancy J. Freshman
  • Patent number: 9273536
    Abstract: A subsea intervention system including at least one control station, at least one programmable logic controller system in each control station, at least one supervisory control and data acquisition system, at least one safety system capable of interacting with each control station, wherein the safety system is capable of controlling a process shutdown process, an emergency shutdown process, and an emergency quick-disconnect process. The system may also include subsea distribution units, safety manifold subsea control modules, system hydraulic power units, client hydraulic power units, grease skids, flushing and chemical injection units, or umbilical reelers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Brock, Colin Johnston
  • Patent number: 9259168
    Abstract: An electrical capacitance tomography sensor comprised of a sensor having a plurality of electrodes, where each electrode is further comprised of a plurality of capacitance segments. Each of the capacitance segments of each electrode can be individually addressed to focus the electric field intensity or sensitivity to desired regions of the electrodes and the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Qussai Mohammad Marashdeh, Liang-Shih Fan
  • Patent number: 9261616
    Abstract: A method for estimating velocity dispersion in seismic surface waves in massive 3-D data sets (401) that improves upon auto-picking of a curve along the peak or ridge of the magnitude of the beam-formed field (402). The seismic data are transformed to the frequency-slowness domain, where nonlinear constrained optimization is performed on the transformed data. The optimization matches a nonlinear mathematical parametric model (403) of a beam-formed field to that in the transformed data, adjusting the parameters each iteration to reduce mismatch (404). Dispersion curves are determined by the center of the beam in the optimized models (405). A preferred nonlinear parametric mathematical model is a Gaussian-shaped beam or a cosine-tapered boxcar beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Warren S. Ross, Sunwoong Lee
  • Patent number: 9229129
    Abstract: A method for calculating connected productive regions (“geobodies”) in a hydrocarbon reservoir uses an algorithm which visits a cell in a geological model of the reservoir, assigning a geobody identifier if the cell possesses certain threshold characteristics and adding the connected neighbors of each visited cell to a data queue or stack. The data queue is emptied cell by cell, each cell popped out of the queue being assigned the same geobody identifier value and having its own connected neighbors added to the queue. Cells are popped out until the queue is empty and then another cell in the model which has not yet been visited is selected. The process continues until all cells have been visited. Cells may also be pre-identified as being part of a well; in this case the algorithm will also establish well connectivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventor: Jianbing Wu
  • Patent number: 9177086
    Abstract: A machine, computer program product, and method to enable scalable parallel reservoir simulations for a variety of simulation model sizes are described herein. Some embodiments of the disclosed invention include a machine, methods, and implemented software for performing parallel processing of a grid defining a reservoir or oil/gas field using a plurality of sub-domains for the reservoir simulation, a parallel process of re-ordering a local cell index for each of the plurality of cells using characteristics of the cell and location within the at least one sub-domain and a parallel process of simulating at least one production characteristic of the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Larry S. K. Fung, Mokhles M. Mezghani