Patents Examined by Cathleen Hutchins
  • Patent number: 9027658
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a hanger running tool includes an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve. The inner sleeve has a first mating surface configured to engage a second mating surface of a hanger to couple the inner sleeve to the hanger. The outer sleeve is disposed about the inner sleeve. The outer sleeve is configured to rotate about a common longitudinal axis with respect to the inner sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Sebastien Bories, Gavin Paul Robottom
  • Patent number: 9022114
    Abstract: A casing shoe secured to a lower end of a casing string is positioned a selected distance from a bottom of the well, defining an open hole portion in the well below the casing shoe. Cement is pumped through the casing shoe and back up an annulus surrounding the casing string, while leaving at least part of the open hole portion free of cement. The annulus and the open hole portion are isolated from an interior of the casing string while the cement is uncured. The casing shoe has a timer that opens the interior of the casing string to the open hole portion after a selected time sufficient for the cement to cure. The operator may then pump a tool down the casing string while displacing fluid in the casing string below the tool through the casing shoe and into the open hole portion of the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Rite Increaser, LLC
    Inventor: E. Edward Rankin
  • Patent number: 9022143
    Abstract: Described herein is a wear indicator (100) for use in a drill bit or a core head. The wear indicator (100) comprises an elongate element that forms part of the drill bit. The elongate element has a plurality of numbers (110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180) formed along its length, each number (110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180) being formed as a void and corresponds to a level of wear in accordance with the IADC dull grading system. As the drill becomes worn, the wear indicator (100) wears at the same rate to reveal one of the numbers (110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180). The numbers range from “1” to “8” where the number “1” illustrates the least wear and the number “8” indicates the most wear. When unworn, none of the numbers are visible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Olivier Dupont, Nuno Da Silva
  • Patent number: 9016376
    Abstract: A method of servicing a subterranean formation comprising placing a wellbore servicing system within a wellbore penetrating the subterranean formation, wherein the wellbore servicing system comprises a first activatable stimulation assembly and a second activatable stimulation assembly incorporated within a tubular string, configuring the wellbore servicing system to provide a route of fluid communication from the first activatable stimulation assembly to a first zone of the subterranean formation, introducing a treatment fluid into the first zone of the subterranean formation via the first activatable stimulation assembly, and embedding a first portion of the wellbore servicing system within the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim B. Surjaatmadja, KingKwee Chong, Billy W. McDaniel, Loyd E. East
  • Patent number: 9016409
    Abstract: A cutting tool cutting tool may include a tool body having a plurality of blades extending radially therefrom; and a plurality of rotatable cutting elements mounted on at least one of the plurality of blades, wherein the plurality of rotatable cutting elements are mounted on the at least one blade in a nose and/or shoulder region of the cutting tool at a side rake angle ranging from about 10 to about 30 degrees or ?10 to about ?30 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Youhe Zhang, Michael G. Azar
  • Patent number: 9016408
    Abstract: The invention concerns a drill bit, intended to be used with a down-the-hole drill and comprising a drill head (2) with a front surface provided with drill pins (3) and a shaft (4), whereby the shaft is narrower than the drill head and intended to be inserted in a manner that allows axial sliding into the end of a drill chuck that is a component of a down-the-hole drill and which shaft has a rear end part (6) that is somewhat thickened with a plane striking surface (7) against which a hammer piston (8) that is a component of the down-the-hole hammer drill is arranged to impact, that the drill head when viewed along its axial direction has a cylinder-shaped forward part (20) provided with cuttings channels (22), a rear cylinder-shaped part (21) that is located for the reception of drill cuttings at the same level or somewhat below the bottom (25) of the cuttings channels, whereby the diameter (D1) of the forward part is greater than the diameter (D2) of the rear part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: LKAB Wassara AB
    Inventors: Magnus Hörman, Peter F. Johansson
  • Patent number: 9010447
    Abstract: A tubing string assembly is disclosed for fluid treatment of a wellbore The tubing string can be used for staged wellbore fluid treatment where a selected segment of the wellbore is treated, while other segments are sealed off The tubing string can also be used where a ported tubing string is required to be run-m in a pressure tight condition and later is needed to be in an open-port condition A sliding sleeve in a tubular has a driver selected to be acted upon by an inner bore conveyed actuating device, the driver drives the generation of a ball stop on the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Packers Plus Energy Services Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Jon Themig, Christopher Denis Desranleau, Kevin O. Trahan, Frank Delucia, Daniel P. Lupien, Terrance Dean Maxwell
  • Patent number: 9010463
    Abstract: A method of prolonging the life of a PDC cutter having a substantially cylindrical shape centered about a rotational axis, and an apparatus for multi-axis modulation of a PDC cutter, the method including imparting linear modulation to the cutter in at least one direction and imparting rotary modulation to the cutter about the rotational axis, the rotary modulation being synchronized with, and facilitated by, the linear modulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Diamond Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven W. Webb, Abhijit Suryavanshi
  • Patent number: 9010445
    Abstract: A casing running tool is provided having a central mandrel with spiral wedge grooves, an outer cage having generally horizontal slots corresponding to the spiral wedge grooves, and grabber balls disposed between the spiral wedge grooves and the horizontal slots. Each of the spiral wedge grooves has a deeper end and a shallower end, between which the respective grabber balls roll. When a grabber ball is disposed in the shallower end of the respective spiral wedge groove, the grabber ball exerts a radial force against an inner wall of a casing or liner being supported. In addition, the running tool facilitates the application of torque from the running tool to the casing or liner being supported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Tesco Corporation
    Inventor: Edgar Fernando Yajure
  • Patent number: 9010442
    Abstract: A wellbore servicing tool comprising a housing comprising ports, a triggering system, a first sliding sleeve transitional from a first position to a second position, and a second sliding sleeve transitional from a first position to a second position, wherein, when in the first position, the first sliding sleeve retains the second sliding sleeve in the first position, wherein, when in the first position, the second sliding sleeve prevents a route of fluid communication via the one or more ports of the housing and, when is in the second position, the second sliding sleeve allows fluid communication via the ports, and wherein the triggering system is configured to allow the first sliding sleeve to transition from the first position to the second position responsive to recognition of a predetermined signal comprising a predetermined pressure signal, a predetermined temperature signal, a predetermined flow-rate signal, or combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven G. Streich, Zachary William Walton
  • Patent number: 9010411
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure pertain to a downhole tool useable for isolating sections of a wellbore that includes a mandrel, the mandrel further having a body comprising an external surface, and an inner bore formed therein; a distal end; and a proximate end; wherein the mandrel is made of composite material, wherein a set of shear threads are disposed along a surface of the inner bore at the proximate end. Embodiments of the tool include a slip disposed about the mandrel, wherein the slip comprises a one-piece configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: National Boss Hog Energy Services LLC
    Inventor: Duke VanLue
  • Patent number: 9004180
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods used for actuating downhole tools in which a ball is dropped from a surface of a wellbore until it contacts a ball seat of a downhole tool. The ball seat moves axially downward within the downhole tool and an expandable ball seating surface of the ball seat radially expands to pass the ball. The ball seat then moves axially upward within the downhole tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Team Oil Tools, L.P.
    Inventor: Stephen L. Jackson
  • Patent number: 9004163
    Abstract: The equipment for drilling and reinforcing a borehole of a well comprises a drill pipe string carrying a drill tool at its lowermost end and a downhole treatment device held on the drill pipe string for applying a liner of polymer material at the surface of the borehole. The polymer material is a fusible and/or curable material dissolved and/or emulsified and/or dispersed in drilling fluid or mud circulated through the drill pipe string and an annulus between the drill pipe string and the wall of the borehole. The treatment device is adapted to concentrate energy for fusing and/or curing the polymer material contained in the drilling fluid in a limited space at the vicinity of the wall of the borehole. The treatment device thus focuses its energy in the vicinity of the wall and allows a continuous reinforcing of the borehole simultaneously while drilling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Statoil Petroleum AS
    Inventor: Steinar Wasa Tverlid
  • Patent number: 9004156
    Abstract: A sensor assembly for detection of fluid flow signaling over a tubular conveyance. The assembly may be employed for activation of a variety of different downhole actuators such as firing heads for perforating guns or hydrostatic set modules for packer deployment. The assembly is configured with a flow translation device which is disposed in a manner exposed to fluid flow directed through an oilfield tubular coupled to the assembly. Thus, a detector coupled to the translation device may obtain mechanical data from the device which is reliably indicative of the flow, irrespective of the physical nature of the flow itself. As such, enhanced reliability for subsequent actuator firing based on the flow signaling may be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Angus Morrison
  • Patent number: 8997882
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a stage tool. In one aspect, a downhole tool for use in a wellbore is provided. The tool includes a body having a bore. The tool further includes a seal assembly attached to the body. The seal assembly having an expandable annular member, a seal member and an expander sleeve, wherein the seal member includes one or more anti-extrusion spring bands embedded within the seal member. The tool further includes a slip assembly attached to the body. The slip assembly includes slips that are configured to engage the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Rocky A. Turley, Brent J. Lirette, Huy V. Le
  • Patent number: 8991508
    Abstract: A pack-off device, including a body having a first feedthrough and a second feedthrough formed therein. A projection extends from the body and is operatively arranged to engage a restriction of an adjacent structure. At least one seal element is arranged with the body for sealing the device against the adjacent structure when the projection is engaged with the restriction. A method of arranging and operating a completion system is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Raymond D. Chavers, Euin H. Vickery
  • Patent number: 8991509
    Abstract: A wellbore servicing apparatus comprising a housing defining an axial flowbore and comprising one or more ports providing a route of fluid communication between the axial flowbore and an exterior of the housing, a sliding sleeve disposed within the housing and comprising a seat and an orifice, the sliding sleeve being movable from a first position in which the ports are obstructed by the sliding sleeve to a second position in which the ports are unobstructed by the sliding sleeve, and the seat being configured to engage and retain an obturating member, and a fluid delay system comprising a fluid chamber containing a fluid, wherein the fluid delay system is operable to allow the sliding sleeve to transition from the first position to the second position at a delayed rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew James Merron
  • Patent number: 8985227
    Abstract: A dampered drop plug drops down a bore of a drill string. The dampered drop plug includes a retainer configured to land on an upward facing shoulder of a tubular sleeve, and a plug releasably coupled to the retainer. The plug couples to the retainer while at a first pressure in the bore and decouples from the retainer at a second pressure in the bore. The dampered drop plug lands on the upward facing shoulder of a tubular sleeve and actuates a first function. The plug then releases from the retainer, and passes fluid through the retainer at a controlled flowrate. The plug then lands on a ball seat and actuates a second function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin James Nikiforuk
  • Patent number: 8985245
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a drill bit assembly for fluid-operated percussion drill tools comprising a percussion bit (1) having a head portion (3) formed with an axially extending stub shank (32); axially extending splines (36) on the stub shank (32) slideably engageable with complementary splines (35) formed on a drive chuck (4) whereby rotational drive from the chuck (4) may be transmitted to the stub shank (32); bit retaining means adapted for engagement with complementary retaining means on the stub shank to retain the stub shank in the drill bit assembly; and engagement means on the chuck (4) adapted for connecting the chuck (4) to a drive means (5) of the fluid-operated percussion drill tool. The bit retaining means comprises a bit retaining ring (41), and the complementary retaining means comprises a retaining shoulder (37) on the stub shank, wherein the bit retaining ring is arranged to engage the retaining shoulder to retain the stub shank in the drill bit assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Mincon International
    Inventor: Joseph Purcell
  • Patent number: 8967265
    Abstract: A flow control apparatus for use in a wellbore comprises a screen, a first inflow control device and a second inflow control device, wherein a fluid inflow path is provided through the screen and from an outer portion to an inner portion of each inflow control device. A method of cleaning a flow control apparatus such as that described above comprises providing in a wellbore a flow control apparatus comprising at least one screen and at least one inflow control device wherein a fluid inflow path is provided through the at least one screen and from an outer portion to an inner portion of the at least one inflow control device, targeting the at least one inflow control device with a treatment fluid and delivering the treatment fluid such that the fluid flows in a reverse direction along the fluid inflow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Weatherford U.K. Limited
    Inventors: Abdurrezagh Awid, Annabel Green, Murray Dowsett