Patents Examined by David Carroll
  • Shaped charge assembly, explosive units, and methods for selectively expanding wall of a tubular
    Patent number: 11480021
    Abstract: A shaped charge assembly for selectively expanding a wall of a tubular includes a housing comprising an outer surface facing away from the housing and an opposing inner surface facing an interior of the housing. First and second explosive units each includes a predetermined amount of explosive sufficient to expand, without puncturing, at least a portion of the wall of the tubular to form a protrusion extending outward into an annulus adjacent the wall of the tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Inventor: James G. Rairigh
  • Deployment tool and deployment tool assembly
    Patent number: 11473374
    Abstract: A deployment tool that can be used on land, jack-up and floating drilling rigs. The tools is installed around a drillpipe tool joint making it independent of the drill string load path as well as independent of the drill pipe thread and drill pipe size. It is designed for the largest commonly used drillpipe size, so has a single outer dimeter configuration that can be adapted from the largest drillpipe to the smallest in use with simple mechanical adapters. Thus, one main tool and a set of adapters is all that is required. The tool may be used in the deployment of RCDs, for example in the landing of an RCD bearing assembly on an RCD housing, or in the deployment of tubing hangers, lining hangers, casing hangers or other or any other temporary completion tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: NTDrill Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Earl Dietrich, Christian Leuchtenberg, Glen Cuiper
  • Packer sub with check valve
    Patent number: 11466539
    Abstract: A work string locatable in a borehole so as to form an annulus around the work string and a method of depressurizing the annulus are provided. The work string includes a packer expandable radially out from the work string to seal the annulus and a packer sub positioned below the packer including a sub body and a check valve in the body and operable to permit fluid in the annulus to flow into the work string and prevent fluid in the work string from flowing into the annulus. The check valve is operable to open and permit fluid in the annulus to flow into the work string upon exertion of a predetermined minimum pressure on the check valve by the fluid in the annulus. The method includes providing the work string in the borehole and depressurizing the annulus by permitting fluid in the annulus to flow through the check valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Garry Martin Howitt
  • Pipeline pulling tool and a method of actuating such a tool
    Patent number: 11466527
    Abstract: Disclosed is a pipeline pulling tool having an elongate housing. First and second roller wheel sections have at least two freely rotating roller wheels extending out from a sidewall of the housing. An attachment for a tool string is fixed to one of the roller wheel sections. A main section with a retractable propulsion wheel and at least one actuator for actuating the propulsion wheel between an extended position, out from the sidewall of the housing, and a retracted position, inside the housing, is located between the first roller wheel section and the second roller wheel section. A method of actuating a pipeline pulling tool is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Inventor: Kenneth Fuglestad
  • Downhole apparatus and associated methods
    Patent number: 11459834
    Abstract: A centraliser includes a number of members extending between two collars for mounting the centraliser on a casing. The members are configured to contact a wall of the bore and centraliser the casing in the bore. The members are radially moveable between the casing and the bore wall. The members further include an intermediate portion and end portions, the end portions being relatively more flexible than the intermediate portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: VULCAN COMPLETION PRODUCTS UK LIMITED
    Inventors: Ian Kirk, Nathan Kirk
  • Plug and valve integrated cone valve pump with combined type movable and fixed three cylinders and two spiral centralizers
    Patent number: 11434702
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a plug and valve integrated cone valve pump with combined type movable and fixed three cylinders and two spiral centralizers, which is applied to suction working conditions in highly deviated well sections. It comprises three pump cylinders, which are combined type including two fixed cylinders and a dynamic cylinder, two centralizers, which are combined type including a dynamic spiral centralizer and fixed spiral centralizer, a fixed cone valve, a cylinder and plug integrated springing fixed cone valve, a fixed plunger and a movable guide rod cone valve to solve the problems such as stuck pump, eccentric wear between plunger and pump cylinder and valve leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: QINGDAO UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Xinfu Liu, Chunhua Liu, Chao Zhou, Jianjun Wu, Peng Gao, Shousen Zhang
  • Multi-diameter thrust cups
    Patent number: 11434701
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a multi-diameter thrust device that includes one or more thrust cups. Each thrust cup of the one or more thrust cups includes a first axial end hub disposed at a first axial end of the thrust cup; a second axial end hub disposed at a second axial end of the thrust cup; and a plurality of bowsprings. Each bowspring of the plurality of bowsprings includes a first axial end portion coupled to the first axial end hub and a second axial end portion coupled to the second axial end hub. The plurality of bowsprings are disposed circumferentially about a central axis of the multi-diameter thrust device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Simon Mattias Flander, Julien Toniolo
  • Disconnecting a stuck drill pipe
    Patent number: 11434700
    Abstract: A drill pipe assembly includes a first drill pipe and a second drill pipe disposed in a wellbore. The first drill pipe includes a tubular wall and a threaded end at a downhole end of the tubular wall. The second drill pipe is disposed in the wellbore downhole of and fluidically coupled to the first drill pipe. The second drill pipe includes a tubular wall and a threaded end corresponding with and configured to receive the threaded end of the first drill pipe to form a connection. At least one of the first drill pipe or the second drill pipe includes an annular groove residing between a respective tubular wall and a respective threaded end. The drill pipe assembly is collapsible at the annular groove under a torque smaller than a torque required to collapse the connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Ali Nasser Al-Meqbel, Abdulrahman M. Al-Musare, Fahad M. Al-Qahtani
  • In situ exploitation-separation-backfilling integration apparatus used for natural gas hydrates
    Patent number: 11434727
    Abstract: An in situ exploitation-separation-backfilling integration apparatus for natural gas hydrates is disclosed, consisting of a cyclonic suction device for coarse fraction, a jet flow device for sand discharge and a spiral cyclone device for fine fraction. The cyclonic suction device for coarse fraction is provided with a vortex trough and a cyclonic auxiliary flow channel; the jet flow device for sand discharge mainly consists of a sand discharge sliding sleeve, a sand discharge jet cylinder and a spring, wherein the sand discharge sliding sleeve can control the spraying out of hydraulic fluid and it is provided with a sand discharge butting head; inside the spiral cyclone device for fine fraction is a tapered structure and its upper portion is provided with a centering bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Inventors: Yang Tang, Zeliang Li, Guorong Wang, Qingyou Liu, Jinhai Zhao, Guangjie Yuan, Jinzhong Wang, Yufa He, Qingping Li, Chuanhua Ma, Yuan Huang
  • Adaptor apparatuses and methods for artificial lift systems
    Patent number: 11428084
    Abstract: The disclosure provides an adaptor apparatus for a downhole artificial lift system. The apparatus includes an upper adaptor section and a base adaptor section. The upper adaptor section includes a top connector portion for connecting to first equipment, and a neck portion below the top connector portion. The base adaptor section includes a bottom connector portion for connecting to second equipment. The base adaptor section and the neck section define a longitudinal fluid passage therethrough. The upper adaptor section includes slots extending from the fluid passage to an outer surface of the neck. The upper adaptor section also includes a plurality of fluid channels recessed in the outer surface of the upper adaptor piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Q2 Artificial Lift Services ULC
    Inventors: Garth John Fraser, Corbin Coyes
  • Method for modifying installed wellbore flow control devices
    Patent number: 11428062
    Abstract: A method for modifying an element on a section of wellbore tubular includes positioning a wellbore intervention tool at a first location on the tubular, operating a penetration device to remove the element and create an orifice on the section of wellbore tubular, and operating an installation device to install a replacement element in the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Aarbakke Innovation, AS
    Inventors: Henning Hansen, Tarald Gudmestad
  • Downhole cut and pull tool and method of use
    Patent number: 11428061
    Abstract: The invention provides a downhole tool for cutting a wellbore casing. The downhole tool comprises a gripping mechanism for gripping a section of wellbore casing and a cutting mechanism configured to cut the casing. The grip mechanism is configured to grip a range of casing diameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: ARDYNE HOLDINGS LIMITED
    Inventors: George Telfer, Michael Wardley, Alan Fair-Weather
  • Material control to prevent well plugging
    Patent number: 11428079
    Abstract: A method and systems for sand control in wells are described in examples. An example uses a prepack screen assembly comprising an inner screen comprising openings having an inner size and an outer screen comprising openings having an outer size. Packing material is disposed between the inner screen and the outer screen comprising pores with a pore size that is selected based, at least in part, on the outer size, the inner size, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Charles S. Yeh, Timothy K. Ellison, Tracy J. Moffett, Michael D. Barry, Andy J. Veselka, Elizabeth L. Templeton-Barrett
  • Mechanical coupling of tubulars
    Patent number: 11428054
    Abstract: A tubular for use in the creation or completion of, or production from, an oil and/or gas well. The tubular comprises; an elongate main body; a stab-in connector element located at an end of the main body; and a rotatable connection sleeve disposed coaxially around a first end portion of the main body at or near said end of the main body. The connection sleeve is configured to provide a mechanical coupling between the tubular and another tubular without requiring rotation of the main body, to thereby provide a stab-in connection between the stab-in connector element of the tubular and a complementary stab-in connector element of the other tubular for electrical power and/or data transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: EQUINOR ENERGY AS
    Inventors: Gaute Grindhaug, Erling Grindhaug, Morten Eidem
  • Downhole tool assemblies for drilling wellbores and methods for operating the same
    Patent number: 11421510
    Abstract: A downhole tool assembly coupled to a drill string includes a drill string motor that rotates the drill string, the downhole tool assembly including a tool body defining a perimeter, one or more cutting elements positioned on the perimeter of the tool body, where the one or more cutting elements are positionable between an extended position, in which the one or more cutting elements extend outwardly from the perimeter of the tool body, and a retracted position, where the one or more cutting elements are positioned further outward from the perimeter of the tool body in the extended position than the retracted position, and a tool motor coupled to the tool body, where the tool motor is structurally configured to rotate the tool body as fluid passes through the tool motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Mohammed M. Otaibi
  • Downhole pumping system with velocity tube and multiphase diverter
    Patent number: 11408265
    Abstract: A pumping system is configured to be deployed in a well that has a vertical portion and a lateral portion. The pumping system includes a pump positioned in the vertical portion, a velocity tube assembly that extends from the vertical portion into the lateral portion and a multiphase diverter connected between the pump and the velocity tube assembly. The multiphase diverter includes a housing and a plurality of ejection ports that extend through the housing at a downward angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Reda El Mahbes, Leslie Reid, Partha Ganguly, Ronald McPhearson
  • Cement plug fragmentation enhancement
    Patent number: 11408243
    Abstract: A liner plug assembly includes liner plug for use in a casing. The liner plug includes a body for plugging the casing and a body fragmentation feature in the body for catching a cutter of a drill bit used to cut the body. The liner plug assembly includes the lead plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Schultz, Dennis Jiral
  • Downhole pump and method for producing well fluids
    Patent number: 11396798
    Abstract: A method of producing fluid from a wellbore includes operating a pump located proximate to a zone of fluid influx in the wellbore to draw a fluid from a reservoir into the wellbore at the zone of fluid influx. A first section of a tubing string is coupled to, and extends above, the pump, and a second section of the tubing string is coupled to, and extends below, the pump. A packer seals a first annular space around the first section of the tubing string. The method further includes operating the pump to move the fluid from the second section of the tubing string and into the first section of the tubing string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Liquid Rod Lift, LLC
    Inventors: Henry Joe Jordan, Jr., Ryan Matthew Ward, Christian Atilano
  • Wiper plug
    Patent number: 11396786
    Abstract: A wiper plug includes a mandrel and a seal unit disposed about the mandrel. The seal unit has a body and one or more fins extending outwardly from the body. An anti-extrusion assembly is disposed about the mandrel, and is arranged to transition between an initial configuration and an energized configuration. The anti-extrusion assembly limits extrusion of at least a portion of the seal unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Weatherford Netherlands, B.V.
    Inventor: Marcel Budde
  • Enhancing screw geometry
    Patent number: 11384611
    Abstract: Provided are systems and methods that relate to separating drilling waste fluids. A method for separating a drilling waste fluid, the method comprising: introducing the drilling waste fluid into a thermal extraction chamber; allowing the drilling waste fluid to flow longitudinally along two screws disposed within the thermal extraction chamber, wherein each screw comprises a shaft, a first flite segment, and a first kneading block sequence; allowing the geometry of the screws to separate drilling waste fluid into evaporated fluid and solids; removing evaporated fluid through a first outlet port; removing solids through a second outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajesh C. Kapila, Barry Hoffman