Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110180327 | Mulitmodal Geosteering Systems and Methods - Multimodal geosteering systems and methods are disclosed. Some disclosed tool embodiments include first and second transmitter-receiver arrangements that make geosteering measurements using different forms of energy (such as acoustic and electromagnetic energy) to provide geosteering measurements that at least indicate a boundary direction but may also indicate a boundary distance. Some disclosed method embodiments include: determining a direction to a bed boundary using measurements with different energy types; and adjusting a drilling direction based at least in part on said determination. Combinations of (or selections between) the different measurements may be made based on, inter alia, measurement range, resolution, and contrast. Some disclosed system embodiments include a memory and a processor. The memory stores geosteering display software that configures the processor to generate an image with different regions based on the different types of geosteering measurements. Characteristics such as opacity, resolution, and intensity may visually distinguish the different regions. | 07-28-2011 |
20120249149 | MODULAR GEOSTEERING TOOL ASSEMBLY - A retrievable tool for steering through an earth formation includes a first tool assembly and a tilted antenna attached to the first tool assembly. The tool also includes a second tool assembly attached to the first tool assembly and a tilted antenna attached to the second tool assembly. The first tool assembly attaches to the second tool assembly so that the antennas are tilted in predetermined directions. The tilted antennas are transmitter antennas or receiver antennas. Each tool assembly is a tubular cylinder with a longitudinal axis running the length of the cylinder, wherein the tubular cylinder has two ends, each end including a rotational attachment mechanism. The tool assemblies attach to each other through their rotational attachment mechanisms. The rotational attachment mechanism may be a screw-on mechanism, press-fit mechanism, or welded mechanism. | 10-04-2012 |
20130213639 | MILLING WELL CASING USING ELECTROMAGNETIC PULSE - An electromagnetic perforation device for well casings includes a coil disposed around a core carried by a mandrel. The device further includes a power supply coupled to a current supply device, which is coupled to said coil. A stabilizing member extends from the mandrel and spaced apart on the mandrel from the coil core. The electromagnetic perforation device may be positioned in a well casing, and the current supply device may rapidly supply a current to the coil to created an electromagnetic field in the coil and simultaneously induces a magnetic field in the well casing. The coil, current, and well casing may be selected such that electromagnetic field and the magnetic field produce repulsive magnetic forces that are sufficient to overcome a yield strength of the well casing and perforate the well casing. | 08-22-2013 |
20140326504 | PIPE IN PIPE DOWNHOLE ELECTRIC HEATER - A pipe in pipe electric heater assembly comprising a work string comprising an inner pipe and an outer pipe and a heater element, wherein the heater element is provided with power supplied by the inner pipe and the outer pipe acting at least as conductors and associated methods. | 11-06-2014 |
20150275658 | Expanded Mud Pulse Telemetry - The present disclosure includes systems and methods for expanded mud pulse telemetry. An example method includes measuring pressure proximate at least one of first and second pressure control modules along a drilling apparatus and telemetering the measured pressure to a surface controller. A command is transmitted from the surface controller to at least one of the first and second pressure control modules or one of first and second controllable flow restrictors via mud pulse telemetry while mud is not being pumped through a main standpipe. | 10-01-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080270152 | Patent Acquisition and Assertion by a (Non-Inventor) First Party Against a Second Party - Methods for a first party to acquire and assert a patent property against a second party are disclosed. The methods include obtaining an equity interest in the patent property. The methods further include writing a claim within the scope of the patent property. The claim is written to cover a product of the second party where the product includes a secret aspect. The methods further include filing the claim with a patent office. The methods sometimes include offering a license of the patent property to the second party after the patent property issues as a patent with the claim. The methods sometimes include asserting infringement of the claim by the second party after the patent property issues as a patent with the claim. The methods sometimes include negotiating a cross-license with the second party based on the assertion of infringement of the claim, where under the cross-license the first party obtains a license to an intellectual property right from the second party. The methods sometime include attempting to obtain a monetary settlement from the second party based on the assertion of infringement of the claim. | 10-30-2008 |
20100194588 | Telemetry System for Slickline Enabling Real Time Logging - A system for communicating with a slickline tool is disclosed. The system includes a closed-loop electrical circuit including a surface module, a forward path, a tool, and a return path. The forward path includes a slickline cable. | 08-05-2010 |
20100262370 | Data Transmission Systems and Methods for Azimuthally Sensitive Tools with Multiple Depths of Investigation - Disclosed herein are various telemetry systems and methods suitable for communicating a cylindrical volume of formation property measurements to the surface. Some system embodiments include a downhole processor coupled to a telemetry transmitter. The downhole processor determines a compressed representation of the formation property measurements and/or selects a subset of the measurements for transmission uphole. The subset selection can be based on selected radial distances having characteristics that potentially indicate features of interest to a user. Such features include bed boundaries, and the characteristics include sinusoidal variation as a function of azimuth, large changes in this sinusoidal variation versus radial distance, or inversion suggesting the presence of a bed boundary. Various compressed representations of the cylindrical data volume are disclosed, including representations based on parameters of a sinusoidal model, representations based on a two dimensional transform, and representations based on estimates of distance and direction to a bed boundary. | 10-14-2010 |
20110234230 | Azimuthal At-Bit Resistivity and Geosteering Methods and Systems - Logging tools and methods employing an at-bit loop antenna to acquire azimuthal resistivity measurements proximate to the bit enable low-latency geosteering signals to be generated. In some embodiments, the at-bit antenna is part of a bottom hole assembly that includes a drill bit, a mud motor, and a resistivity tool. The mud motor is positioned between the at-bit antenna and the resistivity tool. The resistivity tool includes at least one loop antenna that is not parallel to the at-bit loop antenna. The at-bit antenna is part of an at-bit module that, in some embodiments, transmits periodic electromagnetic signal pulses for the resistivity tool to measure. In other embodiments, the at-bit module measures characteristics of electromagnetic signal pulses sent by the resistivity tool and communicates the measured characteristics to the resistivity tool via a short hop telemetry link. | 09-29-2011 |
20120133367 | Fracture Characterization Using Directional Electromagnetic Resistivity Measurements - A disclosed fracture characterization method includes: collecting three-dimensional resistivity measurements of a volume surrounding an open borehole; analyzing the measurements to determine parameters describing fractures in the volume; and providing a report to a user based at least in part on said parameters. A fluid with a contrasting resistivity is employed to make the fractures detectable by a directional electromagnetic logging tool in the borehole. illustrative parameters include fracture direction, height, extent, length, and thickness. The resistivity measurements can be augmented using a borehole wall image logging tool. Also disclosed are fracturing methods that include: positioning a directional electromagnetic logging tool proximate to a formation; fracturing the formation; monitoring fracture progression with said tool; and halting the fracturing when measurements by said tool indicate that a predetermined set of criteria have been satisfied. | 05-31-2012 |
20120312601 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF A CLAMP FOR A SAMPLE BOTTLE ASSEMBLY - Clamp for a sample bottle assembly. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are apparatuses including a first drill collar section. The first drill collar includes: a first outer surface; a pocket accessible through an aperture in the first outer surface; a bottle assembly disposed within the pocket; and an intermediate clamp coupled to the first outer surface and spanning the pocket, the intermediate clamp at least partially retains the bottle assembly in the pocket, and the intermediate clamp has an axial length less than an axial length of the bottle assembly. | 12-13-2012 |
20130008648 | Apparatus and Method for Well Operations - A method for modifying a return fluid in a wellbore comprises disposing at least one controllable flow restrictor along a drill string in the wellbore. At least one parameter of interest is determined at at least one location along an annulus in the wellbore. Controllably actuating the at least one flow restrictor to modify a local property of a return fluid in the annulus based at least in part on the measured parameter of interest. | 01-10-2013 |
20130014994 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF A SAMPLE BOTTLE ASSEMBLYAANM Sherrill; Kristopher V.AACI HumbleAAST TXAACO USAAGP Sherrill; Kristopher V. Humble TX USAANM Menezes; Clive D.AACI ConroeAAST TXAACO USAAGP Menezes; Clive D. Conroe TX USAANM Welshans; DavidAACI DamonAAST TXAACO USAAGP Welshans; David Damon TX US - A sample bottle assembly. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are apparatuses including a first drill collar that includes: a first outer surface; a pocket accessible through an aperture in the first outer surface; a bottle assembly disposed within the pocket; a first end-clamp coupled within a first recess disposed at an upper end of the pocket to at least partially retain the bottle assembly in the pocket; and a second end-clamp coupled within a second recess disposed at the lower end of the pocket to at least partially retain the bottle assembly in the pocket. The bottle assembly further includes: a sample bottle having an axial length; and a sleeve comprising a bore, the sample bottle received within the bore, and the sleeve has an axial length substantially the same as the sample bottle. | 01-17-2013 |
20130105224 | Method and Apparatus For Sensing Elongated Subterranean Anomalies | 05-02-2013 |
20140182935 | CORE AND DRILL BITS WITH INTEGRATED OPTICAL ANALYZER - A disclosed method for obtaining a core sample includes directing light at a core sample being collected, receiving reflected light from the core sample, and analyzing the received reflected light to determine one or more characteristics of the core sample and/or form an image of the core sample. Characteristics include rock type, hydrocarbon type, water concentration, porosity, and permeability. The light may be infrared (IR), visible, and/or ultraviolet (UV). The received reflected light may be passed through one or more multivariate optical elements (MOEs). Measurements made at two different positions on the core sample may be used to determine a coring rate. A described coring bit includes a barrel to receive a core sample, a light source illuminating the core sample as it enters the barrel, a detector system that receives reflected light from the core sample, and an optical transmission system communicating light to and from the core sample. | 07-03-2014 |
20150053399 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CLEANING A WELL FACE DURING FORMATION TESTING OPERATIONS - A method of cleaning a well face during formation testing at a drill site is disclosed. A collection chamber disposed in a formation tester tool may be at least partially filled with cleansing fluid. The formation tester tool may be introduced into a wellbore and the cleansing fluid may be ejected through a probe coupled to the formation tester tool. The collection chamber may then be at least partially filled with a formation fluid sample. A face of the probe may be contacted by a retractable cleaning mechanism coupled to the formation tester tool. | 02-26-2015 |
20150240631 | FRACTURE CHARACTERIZATION USING DIRECTIONAL ELECTROMAGNETIC RESISTIVITY MEASUREMENTS - A disclosed fracture characterization method includes: collecting three-dimensional resistivity measurements of a volume surrounding an open borehole; analyzing the measurements to determine parameters describing fractures in the volume; and providing a report to a user based at least in part on said parameters. A fluid with a contrasting resistivity is employed to make the fractures detectable by a directional electromagnetic logging tool in the borehole. Illustrative parameters include fracture direction, height, extent, length, and thickness. The resistivity measurements can be augmented using a borehole wall image logging tool. Also disclosed are fracturing methods that include: positioning a directional electromagnetic logging tool proximate to a formation; fracturing the formation; monitoring fracture progression with said tool; and halting the fracturing when measurements by said tool indicate that a predetermined set of criteria have been satisfied. | 08-27-2015 |
20150275662 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF A SAMPLE BOTTLE ASSEMBLY - A method and apparatus according to which a sample bottle drill collar section is assembled. In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a drill collar that includes an outer surface; a pocket accessible through an aperture in the outer surface, the pocket defining a first side wall and a second side wall; a bottle assembly disposed within the pocket, the bottle assembly comprising a sample bottle having an axial length; one or more clamps coupled to the outer surface and abutting or overlapping the bottle assembly, the one or more clamps at least partially retaining the bottle assembly in the pocket; and one or more spacers disposed within the pocket, the one or more spacers abutting the bottle assembly and at least one of the first and second side walls of the pocket. | 10-01-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090045973 | COMMUNICATIONS OF DOWNHOLE TOOLS FROM DIFFERENT SERVICE PROVIDERS - In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises a tubular for downhole operations. The tubular comprises a bottomhole assembly. The bottomhole assembly comprises a first downhole tool having a first sensor that is to generate a first data, wherein a first entity is at least one of a controller or an owner of the first downhole tool. The bottomhole assembly comprises a second downhole tool having a second sensor that is to generate a second data, wherein a second entity is at least one of a controller or an owner of the second downhole tool. The first data and the second data are to be coded in a common format. The bottomhole assembly also comprises a processor to execute instructions to receive and process the first data and the second data. | 02-19-2009 |
20110031023 | BOREHOLE DRILLING APPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS - Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to couple a tubular member to a bottom hole assembly, dispose at least one adjustable stabilizing member on the tubular member, and control at least one of a radial extension of the adjustable stabilizing member and an axial position of the adjustable stabilizing member relative to the bottom hole assembly to adjust a borehole trajectory, wherein the adjustable stabilizing member is adjustable in both radial and axial directions. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. | 02-10-2011 |
20110247803 | SIGNAL PROPAGATION ACROSS GAPS - In some embodiments, an apparatus and a system, as well as a method and an article, may operate to monitor a first condition associated with transmitting or receiving a signal in a formation or on a drill string, or both, over a first selected interval of a drill string located down hole; to monitor a second condition associated with transmitting or receiving the signal in the formation or on the drill string or both, over a second selected interval of the drill string; to compare the first condition to the second condition to provide a comparison result; and based on the comparison result, to select one of the first selected interval or the second selected interval to transmit or receive the signal in the formation or on the drill string, or both. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. | 10-13-2011 |
20130062122 | HIGH TEMPERATURE DRILLING WITH LOWER TEMPERATURE RATED TOOLS - A method of maintaining a desired temperature at a location in a well can include adjusting fluid circulation parameters, thereby reducing a difference between an actual temperature at the location and the desired temperature. A well system can include at least one sensor, an output of the sensor being used for determining a temperature at a location in a well, and a hydraulics model which determines a desired change in fluid circulation through the well, in response to the temperature at the location being different from a desired temperature at the location. Another method of maintaining a desired temperature at a location in a well can include adjusting a density, solids content and/or flow rate of a fluid circulated through the well, thereby urging a temperature at the location toward the desired temperature. | 03-14-2013 |
20140085099 | REDUNDANT WIRED PIPE-IN-PIPE TELEMETRY SYSTEM - A system and method for providing redundant wired pipe-in-pipe telemetry is described. The redundant wired pip-in-pipe telemetry system includes an outer pipe and an inner pipe disposed within the outer pipe. Within the outer pipe, two or more conductive elements may be provided as well as a wired path controller that may selectably switch between available conductive paths. The wired path controller may identify conductive paths with good electrical characteristics and select those paths for transmission. If a conductive path develops a fault, the wired path controller may select one of the alternative redundant conductive paths for transmission to avoid the fault. The wireless controller may further transmit information about the location of faults to a drill operator at the surface. | 03-27-2014 |
20140311803 | Directing a Drilling Operation Using an Optical Computation Element - Various embodiments include apparatus and methods to operate a tool downhole in a well, where the tool has an optical computation element to determine different properties of downhole structures. Such an optical computation element can be structured to provide optical analysis of fluid and material composition of the downhole environment associated with a drilling operation. The data measurements from the optical computation element can be used in a geosteering operation. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. | 10-23-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120317144 | DATA MANAGEMENT TOOL - A data management system includes a record database, an account database, a scenario database, and a computing device. The computing device includes a data management tool that is configured to identify scenarios based on information stored in the record database and store the identified scenarios in the scenario database. Further, the data management tool may associate identified scenarios with customer records stored in the account database. Upon receipt of a scenario selected by a user, the data management tool may automatically generate a query that identifies at least one customer record associated with the selected scenario, execute the query, and create a sample billing record for each customer record identified. | 12-13-2012 |
20130268419 | MULTIPOINT BILLING QUALITY CONTROL AND CERTIFICATION - A device is provided that includes a processor to: receive current billing information associated with an account of a customer; receive prior billing information associated with the account; compare the current billing information with the prior billing information; determine whether an inaccuracy exists in the current billing information based on the comparison; determine whether an inaccuracy exists in the current billing information due to improperly applied promotional information to the account; determine whether an inaccuracy exists in the current billing information due to an improperly applied set of rules to the account; correct, when one or more inaccuracies exist in the current billing information; the one or more inaccuracies; and create a final bill for the account based on the current billing information and the corrected one or more inaccuracies. | 10-10-2013 |
20140171017 | BILLING SYSTEM USER INTERFACE TOOL - One or more devices receive, from multiple business processes, real-time billing data relating to the multiple business processes, wherein the multiple business processes include both mainframe systems and open systems. The one or more devices compile the real-time billing data into summary tables corresponding to metrics for the multiple business processes and store the summary tables corresponding to the metrics for the multiple business processes. The one or more devices receive, from a user device, a request to present a dashboard user interface including particular charts of the multiple business processes and retrieve, from the summary tables, data to populate the particular charts for the dashboard user interface. The one or more devices providing, to the user device, a configuration interface for presentation of the particular charts for the dashboard user interface and providing, to the user device, the data to populate the particular charts for the dashboard user interface. | 06-19-2014 |
20160005049 | PREDICTING A LIKELIHOOD OF CUSTOMER SERVICE INTERACTIONS - A device and method may predict the likelihood of a customer service interactions. The method may include selecting a plurality of customer accounts, and determining events over at least one predetermined time period that are associated with each customer account from the selected customer accounts. The method may include determining risk values associated with the determined events, and generating a combined risk score for each customer account based upon the associated risk values. The method may further include assigning, for each customer account, a risk level associated with a likelihood of each customer interacting with a service representative. The method may also include determining that the risk level assigned to a customer account indicates a high likelihood of a customer interacting with a service representative, and then performing an action to automatically reduce the likelihood of the customer interacting with a service representative. | 01-07-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100084376 | NANO-IMPRINT LITHOGRAPHY TEMPLATES - Porous nano-imprint lithography templates may include pores, channels, or porous layers arranged to allow evacuation of gas trapped between a nano-imprint lithography template and substrate. The pores or channels may be formed by etch or other processes. Gaskets may be formed on an nano-imprint lithography template to restrict flow of polymerizable material during nano-imprint lithography processes. | 04-08-2010 |
20100104852 | Fabrication of High-Throughput Nano-Imprint Lithography Templates - An imprint lithography template includes a porous material defining a multiplicity of pores with an average pore size of at least about 0.4 nm. The porous material includes silicon and oxygen, and a ratio of Young's modulus (E) to relative density of the porous material with respect to fused silica (p | 04-29-2010 |
20100109201 | Nano-Imprint Lithography Template with Ordered Pore Structure - A nano-imprint lithography template includes a non-porous base layer, a cap layer, and a porous layer between the base layer and the cap layer. The porous layer defines a multiplicity of pores and has an ordered pore structure. The cap layer is permeable to helium, and the pores in the porous layer are configured to accept gas passing through the cap layer during an imprint lithography process. The porous layer provides high porosity with a Young's modulus and hardness that are advantageous for imprint lithography processes. | 05-06-2010 |
20120009413 | ENHANCED DENSIFICATION OF SILICON OXIDE LAYERS - Densifying a multi-layer substrate includes providing a substrate with a first dielectric layer on a surface of the substrate. The first dielectric layer includes a multiplicity of pores. Water is introduced into the pores of the first dielectric layer to form a water-containing dielectric layer. A second dielectric layer is provided on the surface of the water-containing first dielectric layer. The first and second dielectric layers are annealed at temperature of 600° C. or less. In an example, the multi-layer substrate is a nanoimprint lithography template. The second dielectric layer may have a density and therefore an etch rate similar to that of thermal oxide, yet may still be porous enough to allow more rapid diffusion of helium than a thermal oxide layer. | 01-12-2012 |
20140212534 | Fabrication of High-Throughput Nano-Imprint Lithography Templates - An imprint lithography template includes a porous material defining a multiplicity of pores with an average pore size of at least about 0.4 nm. The porous material includes silicon and oxygen, and a ratio of Young's modulus (E) to relative density of the porous material with respect to fused silica (ρ | 07-31-2014 |