Patents Examined by George Gray
  • Patent number: 9803455
    Abstract: A shaped charge comprising a case, a liner positioned within the case, and an explosive filled within the case. The liner is shaped with a subtended angle ranging from 100° to 120° about an apex, a radius, and an aspect ratio such that a jet formed with the explosive creates an entrance hole in a well casing. The jet creates a perforation tunnel in a hydrocarbon formation, wherein a diameter of the jet, a diameter of the entrance hole diameter, and a width and length of the perforation tunnel are substantially constant and unaffected with changes in design and environmental factors such as a thickness and composition of the well casing, position of the charge in the perforating gun, position of the perforating gun in the well casing, a water gap in the wellbore casing, and type of the hydrocarbon formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: GEODYNAMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Wenbo Yang, Philip M Snider, John T Hardesty, David S Wesson
  • Patent number: 9803454
    Abstract: A sand control screen assembly includes a base pipe, a mesh layer, and a sand screen layer. The base pipe includes a tubular surface and a plurality of perforations formed in the surface. The mesh layer is disposed around the base pipe. Additionally, the mesh layer comprises a plurality of functionalized fibers, wherein one or more of the plurality of functionalized fibers break off from the mesh layer when impacted by one or more particulates. In some embodiments, a sand control screen assembly includes a screen layer with a functionalized coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Rodney Joseph Wetzel, Jr., Michael James Fuller
  • Patent number: 9790754
    Abstract: A method of plugging a flow passage in a well can include conveying a plug into an isolation tool in the well, and then contracting a plug seat of the isolation tool. An isolation tool for plugging a flow passage in a subterranean well can include a piston, and a longitudinally displaceable plug seat. The plug seat longitudinally displaces in response to displacement of the piston. Another method of plugging a flow passage can include conveying a plug into an isolation tool in the well, and then longitudinally displacing a plug seat of the isolation tool, thereby radially contracting the plug seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary R. Murphree, Michael L. Fripp, Zachary F. Walton
  • Patent number: 9784056
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and a method to grip a tubular member and sense wear for a pipe handling apparatus. The system includes a pipe handling apparatus having a bore formed therein with an axis defined therethrough, a pipe guide disposed adjacent to an opening of the bore of the pipe handling apparatus, and a wear sensor coupled to the pipe guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Frank's International, LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy Richard Angelle, Robert Thibodeaux, Jr., John Erick Stelly
  • Patent number: 9777545
    Abstract: A method for operating a well tractor is presented. The method involves running a well tractor coupled to a wireline into a wellbore and supplying an amount of electric power to the well tractor to operate the well tractor at a first speed to urge the wireline through the wellbore at a first force. A variable gear ratio transmission of the well tractor is adjusted and an amount of electric power is supplied to the well tractor to operate the well tractor at a second speed different than the first speed to urge the wireline through the wellbore at a second force different than the first force based on adjusting the variable gear ratio transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Wesley Neil Ludwig
  • Patent number: 9771776
    Abstract: A valve assembly with a longitudinal flow passage, a first longitudinal section of the flow passage having less flow area than a second longitudinal section of the flow passage, and a valve that permits flow in only one direction through the flow passage, the valve including a closure member. In an open position, the closure member can be disposed between the second flow passage section and a chamber in fluid communication with the first flow passage section. A method in which a valve assembly is connected in a tubular string, the valve assembly including a valve that permits flow in only one direction through a longitudinal flow passage of the valve assembly, and fluid is flowed in the one direction through the tubular string, thereby displacing a closure member of the valve to an open position and preventing displacement of the closure member toward a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Thru Tubing Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron D. Holmberg, Roger L. Schultz
  • Patent number: 9765604
    Abstract: A method for extracting geothermal energy from a geothermal reservoir formation. A production well is used to extract brine from the reservoir formation. At least one of nitrogen (N2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) may be used to form a supplemental working fluid which may be injected into a supplemental working fluid injection well. The supplemental working fluid may be used to augment a pressure of the reservoir formation, to thus drive a flow of the brine out from the reservoir formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Lawrence Livemore National Security, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas A. Buscheck
  • Patent number: 9765588
    Abstract: A wellhead assembly includes a wellhead housing having a bore and a locking profile including a gallery slot, and an annular notch. An inner wellhead assembly is selectively landed in the bore of the wellhead housing, the inner wellhead assembly having a lock ring with a lock ring profile that engages the locking profile. The engaging surface is a sloped downward facing surface at an axially upper end of the gallery slot. The annular notch has a notch engaging profile with a downward facing notch upper shoulder and an upward facing notch lower shoulder. The locking profile includes an inlay, the inlay being located on the notch upper shoulder and the engaging surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: VETCO GRAY INC.
    Inventors: Mayur Mansukh, Aniruddha D. Gadre, David Lawrence Ford
  • Patent number: 9765581
    Abstract: A tubular gripping apparatus includes a main bowl including a bore formed therethrough about an axis, and a movable bowl movably receivable within the main bowl. The movable bowl includes a bore formed therethrough about an axis with a tapered surface extending along the bore of the movable bowl, in which the tubular gripping apparatus further includes a plurality of slip assemblies movably receivable within the movable bowl, the plurality of slip assemblies configured to engage an outer surface of a tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Frank's International, Inc.
    Inventors: Logan Essex Smith, Robert L. Thibodeaux, Jeremy Richard Angelle
  • Patent number: 9765601
    Abstract: A shaped charge that includes a case, a liner positioned within the case, and an explosive filled within the case. The liner is shaped with a subtended angle ranging from 100° to 120° about an apex, a radius, and an aspect ratio such that a jet formed with the explosive creates an entrance hole in a well casing. The jet creates a perforation tunnel in a hydrocarbon formation, wherein a diameter of the jet, a diameter of the entrance hole diameter, and a width and length of the perforation tunnel are substantially constant and unaffected with changes in design and environmental factors such as a thickness and composition of the well casing, position of the charge in the perforating gun, position of the perforating gun in the well casing, a water gap in the wellbore casing, and type of the hydrocarbon formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: GEODYNAMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Wenbo Yang, Philip M Snider, John T Hardesty, David S Wesson
  • Patent number: 9759041
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for utilizing a valve with a pump rotor passage with a downhole production string, the pump rotor being on a rotatable rod with a bobbin moving along the rod between a position for opening the passage to fluid flow, when the bobbin is not seated on a shuttle seat, and a position for closing the passage to fluid flow, when the bobbin is seated on the shuttle seat. The pump rotor and rod are removable through the passage while leaving the pump stator in place upstream of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Inventor: Lawrence Osborne
  • Patent number: 9752410
    Abstract: A valve assembly with a longitudinal flow passage, a first longitudinal section of the flow passage having less flow area than a second longitudinal section of the flow passage, and a valve that permits flow in only one direction through the flow passage, the valve including a closure member. In an open position, the closure member can be disposed between the second flow passage section and a chamber in fluid communication with the first flow passage section. A method in which a valve assembly is connected in a tubular string, the valve assembly including a valve that permits flow in only one direction through a longitudinal flow passage of the valve assembly, and fluid is flowed in the one direction through the tubular string, thereby displacing a closure member of the valve to an open position and preventing displacement of the closure member toward a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Thru Tubing Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron D. Holmberg, Roger L. Schultz
  • Patent number: 9752425
    Abstract: A carrier rod having at least one recess extending along at least part of the length of the rod, in which recess a optical fiber assembly for monitoring strain, temperature and/or other physical parameters is arranged, which optical fiber assembly is along at least part of its length bonded within the recess. The carrier rod can be used in a system or a method of monitoring deformation and other characteristics of a casing or other tubular or cylindrical well equipment in a well traversing an underground formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: SHELL OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: Kari-Mikko Jääskeläinen
  • Patent number: 9739118
    Abstract: A setting tool for actuating a well tool within a wellbore includes a sleeve telescopically engaging a mandreland a floating piston disposed between the sleeve and the mandrel. The floating piston has a first face subjected to a downhole hydrostatic pressure. The setting tool also includes a pressure chamber formed between the floating piston and the valve, a working fluid in the pressure chamber, and a fluid-tight collapse chamber formed between the valve and a sealed end of the sleeve. The valve selectively the working fluid from the pressure chamber into the collapse chamber if the working fluid reaches a predetermined primary pressure setting of the valve. The setting tool is connected to and actuated a consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Eric Halfmann, Daniel C. Ewing, Bryan T. Storey
  • Patent number: 9739096
    Abstract: A cutter assembly includes a substrate and at least one island. The substrate includes a surface circumscribed by a peripheral edge, a flank surface extending from the peripheral edge, and at least one pocket with an opening on the surface and spaced apart from the peripheral edge. The at least one pocket extends from the opening towards an interior of the substrate. The at least one island is in the at least one pocket, and the at least one island includes a cutting surface that is exposed by the opening of the at least one pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Diamond Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuanbo Lin, Bruce Jake Reierson, Joseph Michael Rhodes, John W Lucek
  • Patent number: 9739509
    Abstract: A geo-energy production method for extracting thermal energy from a reservoir formation. A production well extracts brine from the reservoir formation. A plurality of working fluid injection (“WFI”) wells may be arranged proximate to the production well to at least partially circumscribe the production well. A plurality of brine production (“BP”) wells may be arranged in a vicinity of the WFI wells to at least partially circumscribe the WFI wells. A working fluid is injected into the WFI wells to help drive a flow of the brine up through the production and BP wells, together with at least a portion of the injected working fluid. Parasitic-load time-shifting and to storing of excess solar thermal energy may also be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
    Inventor: Thomas A. Buscheck
  • Patent number: 9732576
    Abstract: As compared to a BOP, a compact lightweight cutting system may have two gates with cutters moveable in opposite directions to cut drill pipe. The system utilizes a relatively short stroke and relatively less hydraulic oil for subsea operation. An opening through the gates surrounds the wellbore in the open position. The cutting elements are mounted within the openings. The piston rods and pistons are vertically offset with respect to each other. The compact cutting system with a gate valve can be used to substitute for a BOP to significantly reduce the size and weight required in an intervention system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Worldwide Oilfield Machine, Inc.
    Inventors: Reddi Udaya Bhaskara Rao, Tom McCreadie
  • Patent number: 9732585
    Abstract: Tip-grouting tools may include at least one inlet, an outlet in communication with the at least one inlet, and a distribution material defining a tortuous path between the at least one inlet and the outlet. The distribution material may be configured to distribute at least one of pressure, mass, and flow of grouting material across the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: SHIMMICK/FCC/IMPREGILO JOINT VENTURE
    Inventors: Rusty Lucido, Adam Richard Zagorski, Anthony Louis Lucido, Frank K. Prosser, William Allen Corn, Chris Howells, Andrew V. Payne, Danny Harold Smith, Kent Franklyn Petersen, Felix Fuentes, Blake Daniel McCauley, Alex Gerke
  • Patent number: 9725988
    Abstract: A well screen system for use in a wellbore has an elongate base pipe and a screen encircling the base pipe. The screen is configured to filter against passage of particulate into a center bore of the base pipe. The base pipe has a fluid impermeable portion exterior to the screen. A cover sleeve resides over the fluid impermeable portion of the base pipe. A drain tube with a fluid permeable sidewall resides exterior to the base pipe and screen, affixed to the cover sleeve. The drain tube is adapted to communicate fluid from the wellbore around the fluid impermeable portion to the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: John C. Gano
  • Patent number: 9725993
    Abstract: A shaped charge that includes a case, a liner positioned within the case, and an explosive filled within the case. The liner is shaped with a subtended angle ranging from 100° to 120° about an apex, a radius, and an aspect ratio such that a jet formed with the explosive creates an entrance hole in a well casing. The jet creates a perforation tunnel in a hydrocarbon formation, wherein a diameter of the jet, a diameter of the entrance hole diameter, and a width and length of the perforation tunnel are substantially constant and unaffected with changes in design and environmental factors such as a thickness and composition of the well casing, position of the charge in the perforating gun, position of the perforating gun in the well casing, a water gap in the wellbore casing, and type of the hydrocarbon formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: GEODYNAMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Wenbo Yang, Philip M Snider, John T Hardesty, David S Wesson