Patents Examined by Brad Harcourt
  • Patent number: 11905773
    Abstract: A tool includes an internal assembly configured to be positioned at least partially within a body. The tool also includes a collet configured to be positioned at least partially within the body and axially-adjacent to the internal assembly. The collet includes a plurality of fingers that are circumferentially-offset from one another. At least one of the fingers includes a protrusion that extends radially-outward and is configured to be positioned at least partially within a recess formed in an inner surface of the body to secure the collet in place with respect to the body. The tool also includes a collet pin configured to be positioned at least partially within the body, axially-adjacent to the internal assembly, and at least partially within the collet. The collet pin is configured to contact the internal assembly to secure the internal assembly in place within the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Edward Atkins, Seweryn Wrozyna
  • Patent number: 11905796
    Abstract: A downhole tool interface is connected to a downhole tool at a surface location. The downhole tool interface retrieves downhole information and wirelessly transmits the downhole information to a remote computing device. The downhole tool interface remains connected to the downhole tool during storage and/or transportation. The downhole tool interface collects status information to transmit to a remote computing device, allowing a drilling operator to better understand the conditions during storage and/or transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Almaz Kuliev, Aaron Barnes, Neil Cooper, Nicholas Masson
  • Patent number: 11905798
    Abstract: A plurality of energy-generator pods, and methods of use, are provided along a rotatable tubular string extending downhole from surface into a wellbore. In embodiments, rotation of the tubular acts as a rotor of the pod and an outer component about the tubular, capable of relative rotation thereabout, forms the stator. The pod can also be equipped with bi-directional wireless electronic data communication including communication uphole to surface from sensors downhole, pod-to-pod, and down-hole communication to downhole tools. Pods can be fit to centralizers already employed for rotary tubular strings, the centralizer portion engaging the wellbore and remaining stationary relative to the rotating centralized tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Inventor: Per Angman
  • Patent number: 11905815
    Abstract: There is described a computer-implemented method of controlling a drilling operation. In particular, there is described a computer-implemented method of determining that a differential pressure is in an oscillating state. In response to determining that the differential pressure is in the oscillating state, a weight on bit setpoint is decreased so as to decrease the differential pressure. There is also described a computer-implemented method of determining a difference between a differential pressure and a target differential pressure. The target differential pressure is less than a differential pressure limit. A weight on bit setpoint is adjusted as a function of the difference between the differential pressure and the target differential pressure so as to adjust the differential pressure and thereby reduce the difference between the differential pressure and the target differential pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: PASON SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventors: Kshitij Agarwal, Jonathan Alan McIntyre, Choon-Sun James Ng, Aaron Eddy
  • Patent number: 11898439
    Abstract: A double-layered wellbore tubular assembly includes a first wellbore tubular configured to be lowered into and installed within a wellbore. The first wellbore tubular has an inner diameter and defines a first hollow volume. The assembly includes a second wellbore tubular configured to be lowered into and installed within the first hollow volume of the first wellbore tubular. The second wellbore tubular has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the first wellbore tubular. The second wellbore tubular installed within the first hollow volume defines a tubing-to-tubing annulus (TTA) between an outer wall of the second wellbore tubular and an inner wall of the first wellbore tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Ahmed Abdulaziz Al-Mousa, Omar M. Al Hamid, Mohamed A. Al Ammari
  • Patent number: 11898443
    Abstract: A method may comprise identifying one or more pressure dissipation mechanisms that drop pressure within a fluid handling system, identifying one or more open flowpath elements, performing a matching algorithm with an information handling system, and initializing the matching algorithm with an estimate of a coefficient. A system may comprise a fluid handling system and an information handling system. The fluid handling system may comprise a fluid supply vessel, wherein the fluid supply vessel is disposed on a surface, pumping equipment, wherein the pumping equipment is attached to the fluid supply vessel and disposed on the surface; a wellbore supply conduit, wherein the wellbore supply conduit is attached to the pumping equipment and disposed in a formation, and a flowpath element, wherein the flowpath element fluidly couples the wellbore supply conduit to the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Tirumani N. Swaminathan, Dinesh Ananda Shetty, Vladimir Nikolayevich Martysevich, Jianfu Ma
  • Patent number: 11891866
    Abstract: An actuator of a downhole tool used in oil and gas exploration and production operations is operable to actuate a first implement in a first direction. A biasing device of the downhole tool is operable to actuate the first implement in a second direction, opposite the first direction. A dampener of the downhole tool is operable to slow an actuation speed of the first implement in the first direction, the second direction, or both. Actuating the first implement in the first direction also actuates a second implement of a flow control device (“FCD”) of the downhole tool, to which the first implement is connected, in the first direction, placing the FCD in a first (e.g., open) configuration. Actuating the first implement in the second direction also actuates the second implement of the FCD in the second direction, placing the FCD in a second (e.g., closed) configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Robin Passmore, Bruce Edward Scott, James D. Vick, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11891894
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a pulsed-power drilling system that includes downhole mixers for restoring optimal electrical properties in drilling fluid. The downhole mixer may include a housing having an uphole and downhole end, a channel to convey the drilling fluid through the housing, and a flow restrictor including an orifice having a fixed diameter positioned in the channel between the entrance and the exit of the channel to create a pressure drop between the entrance and the exit of the channel during a drilling operation. The pressure drop increases shear stress in the drilling fluid to manage electrical properties, such as a dielectric constant, of the drilling fluid. The electrical properties of the drilling fluid facilitate the formation of an electrical arc on a drill bit of the pulsed-power drilling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale E. Jamison, William Walter Shumway
  • Patent number: 11891880
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for preventing flaring at a facility, by a system, includes receiving a plurality of pressure measurements from a sensor disposed downstream of the facility. The method further includes comparing the plurality of pressure measurements to a threshold pressure, wherein the threshold pressure corresponds to mitigating a flaring event. In response to determining that at least one of the plurality of pressure measurements is greater than the threshold pressure, the method further includes analyzing injection response curves for a plurality of wells to determine a first well for adjusting a back pressure on a reservoir intersected by the first well. The method further includes transmitting an instruction to the first well to adjust the back pressure on the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: EOG Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Pratik Kharel, Mark Xavier Metzger, Michael Jiale Yang, Andrew Michael Mealey, Liz Mydung Thai
  • Patent number: 11879324
    Abstract: A compact instrumented downhole coupling that includes a carrier and a set of sensors and electronics that are installed within the carrier. The carrier is a tubular structure having couplings at each end and a bore therethrough, where cavities are formed in the carrier wall. The cavities are open to a side facing away from the carrier's bore, where sensors placed in the cavities are accessible through the side opening. Electrical connections to the sensors are made via the side opening, and a clamp can be installed in the cavities via the side opening, the clamp holding the sensors securely in position within the cavities. After installation of the sensors in the cavities, plates are welded over the side opening to form an enclosure for the sensors in the carrier wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Yuh Loh, John Raggio, Lorn Rendall
  • Patent number: 11873692
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a sensor transportation apparatus to convey an elongate sensor assembly through a wellbore. The sensor transportation apparatus comprises at least one engagement structure to connect the sensor transportation apparatus to the sensor assembly, and a pair of wheels arranged to rotate about an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the sensor assembly when the transportation apparatus is connected to the sensor assembly, and an orientation structure comprising at least one orientation projection, in a transverse outline of the sensor transportation apparatus a said orientation projection extending between the pair of wheels so that the shortest distance between a centre of mass of the elongate sensor assembly and the wellbore wall is when the pair of wheels are in contact with the wellbore wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: PETROMAC IP LIMITED
    Inventor: Stephen Peter McCormick
  • Patent number: 11867040
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for electromagnetic heating of a hydrocarbon formation. The method involves providing electrical power to at least one electromagnetic wave generator for generating high frequency alternating current; using the electromagnetic wave generator to generate high frequency alternating current; using at least one pipe to define at least one of at least two transmission line conductors; coupling the transmission line conductors to the electromagnetic wave generator; and applying the high frequency alternating current to excite the transmission line conductors. The excitation of the transmission line conductors can propagate an electromagnetic wave within the hydrocarbon formation. In some embodiments, the method further comprises determining that a hydrocarbon formation between the transmission line conductors is at least substantially desiccated; and applying a radiofrequency electromagnetic current to excite the transmission line conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Acceleware Ltd.
    Inventors: Michal M. Okoniewski, Damir Pasalic, Pedro Vaca, Geoffrey Clark
  • Patent number: 11859464
    Abstract: What is described is a system and method for offline cementing of a casing hanger and a casing placed in a wellbore of a well. The system includes an isolation sleeve/cementing spool that is configured for engaging the casing hanger, where the isolation sleeve has at least one access port in fluid communication with an annulus formed by the casing in the wellbore. A dummy hanger is housed within the isolation sleeve and is configured for coupling with the casing hanger and is further in fluid communication with the casing. A valve is configured for coupling to the isolation sleeve and is configured to be in fluid communication with the dummy hanger. A quick connector is coupled to the valve and enables quick coupling of a cementing head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: SPM Oil & Gas PC LLC
    Inventors: Ray Dicksang Pang, Phu Duc Sy Dong, Moises Nava, Russell Hamilton
  • Patent number: 11851963
    Abstract: The articulated wireline hole finder is a modular device which attaches to the bottom of a wireline logging tool-string to aid conveyance down irregular shaped and/or deviated boreholes which possess features such as ledges, washouts, and contractions, that might otherwise terminate full descent of the tool-string to the bottom of the borehole and thereby compromise the wireline data acquisition objectives. Elements of the articulated wireline hole finder may include a low friction roller nose assembly and spacer sub, an articulated spring joint, that transfers tool-string weight and directs lateral movement of the roller nose towards hole center, and a pair of five arm centralizers that possess a wide dynamic range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Inventors: Guy Wheater, Stuart Huyton
  • Patent number: 11852010
    Abstract: A method for estimating an anomalous pore pressure value at depth level of a first discontinuous interface between a first geological formation and a second geological formation to be drilled by means of a drilling apparatus comprising at least one bit, where said method is implemented by means of a system comprising at least one electro-acoustic transducer (20) mounted with said bit, at least one memory for containing observable data and at least one control processor for processing observable data contained in said at least one memory, where said at least one processor controls transmitting a signal transmitted at a given frequency, said at least one electro-acoustic transducer receives a received signal that said at least one processor records in said at least one memory, comparing it with pre-loaded observable data in said at least one memory and estimating the value of the anomalous pore pressure of the first discontinuous interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: ENI S.P.A.
    Inventors: Axel Turolla, Paolo Ferrara
  • Patent number: 11840917
    Abstract: A magnetic downhole monitoring system includes a sensor configured to be lowered into a wellbore and to sense a well parameter. The sensor is housed in a magnetic material. A magnetic joint is configured to be attached to an inner surface of a wellbore tubular installed within a wellbore completion. The magnetic joint is configured to be electromagnetically activated to attract and attach to the sensor. A power cable is configured to be lowered into an annulus between the wellbore completion and the wellbore tubular. The power cable is configured to provide power through the wellbore tubular to electromagnetically activate the magnetic joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Adel Y. Aty, Abdulmalek Sulaiman Almatrodi, Majed Muhamad Alkishi, Suliman Mansour Alodhiani
  • Patent number: 11828147
    Abstract: Provided are a system and method for actively recovering thermal energy, hydrocarbons, and other energy resources from a formation. In one example, multiple fluid conduits are inserted into a borehole. Combustion fluid is injected into the formation via one of the conduits. The combustion fluid is used to ignite and maintain a combustion zone by burning fuel in the formation. To extract thermal energy, cool fluid is circulated through the borehole via another conduit and heated by the thermal energy in the combustion zone. Thermal energy may be recovered from the heated fluid or other processing may be performed for various types of energy recovery. A fluid flow and composition of the combustion fluid and a fluid flow rate of the cool fluid may be individually controlled for purposes such as regulating heat transfer, balancing thermal energy recovery with enhanced oil recovery (EOR), and regulating temperature and pressure for safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: HUNT ENERGY, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Todd W. Benson, John S. Burkhart, Christopher A. Lane, James D. Franks, Gunther H. H. von Gynz-Rekowski
  • Patent number: 11828166
    Abstract: Wellbore ranging methods and systems for active electromagnetic ranging between a pair of conductive tubulars. Methods may include generating a depth-dependent current on one conductive tubular of the pair and a return current on another and thereby causing an injection current to flow into the earth formation by electrically exciting a first conductive tubular of the pair at a first wellhead and a second of the pair at a second wellhead, wherein the return current on the one results from the injection current on the other and is received from the earth formation; making electromagnetic measurements indicative of at least one electromagnetic field resulting from the depth-dependent current in the earth formation; and estimating a relative position of the first conductive tubular with respect to the second tubular using the electromagnetic measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Kruspe, Yuliy Aleksandrovich Dashevskiy, Alexey Vladimirovich Bondarenko, Nikolay Nikolaevich Velker, Alexander Sergeevich Vershinin
  • Patent number: 11821300
    Abstract: A sonde is receivable in a housing of an inground tool for transmitting an electromagnetic locating signal. The sonde is configured for monitoring a cumulative active run-time of its operation and for external transfer of the cumulative active run-time. A receiver receives the cumulative active run-time and provides at least one indication based on the cumulative active run-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Merlin Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Phillips, Timothy Bayliss, Thomas J. Hall
  • Patent number: 11821264
    Abstract: A drilling tip includes a tip main body that has a posterior end portion having a columnar or disk shape centered on a tip center line and a distal end portion and is made of a cemented carbide and a hard layer that coats the distal end portion and is made of a polycrystalline diamond sintered body. The distal end portion has a convex portion, and a concave portion. A diameter D of the posterior end portion is 8 mm to 20 mm. A ratio r1/D of a radius r1 of the convex portion is 0.1 to 0.65, and a ratio r2/D of a radius r2 of the concave portion is 0.05 to 3.0. An angle formed by a straight line that connects a tangent point which the convex portion tangents to the concave portion and a center of the convex portion to each other is 20° to 90°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI MATERIALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuichiro Takeuchi, Toshihiko Matsuo, Wardoyo Akhmadi Eko