Patents Examined by James G Sayre
  • Patent number: 11613980
    Abstract: A system and method for operating a fleet of pumps for a turbine driven fracturing pump system used in hydraulic fracturing is disclosed. In an embodiment, a method of operating a fleet of pumps associated with a hydraulic fracturing system includes receiving a demand Hydraulic Horse Power (HHP) signal. The demand HHP signal may include the Horse Power (HP) required for the hydraulic fracturing system to operate and may include consideration for frictional and other losses. The method further includes operating all available pump units at a percentage of rating below Maximum Continuous Power (MCP) level, based at least in part on the demand HHP signal. Furthermore, the method may include receiving a signal for loss of power from one or more pump units. The method further includes operating one or more units at MCP level and operating one or more units at Maximum Intermittent Power (MIP) level to meet the demand HHP signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: BJ Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Tony Yeung, Ricardo Rodriguez-Ramon, Diankui Fu, Warren Zemlak, Samir Nath Seth, Joseph Foster
  • Patent number: 11613979
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for providing on-site electrical power to a fracturing operation, and an electrically powered fracturing system. Natural gas can be used to drive a turbine generator in the production of electrical power. A scalable, electrically powered fracturing fleet is provided to pump fluids for the fracturing operation, obviating the need for a constant supply of diesel fuel to the site and reducing the site footprint and infrastructure required for the fracturing operation, when compared with conventional systems. The treatment fluid can comprise a water-based fracturing fluid or a waterless liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) fracturing fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: TYPHON TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Todd Coli, Eldon Schelske
  • Patent number: 11613945
    Abstract: A self cleaning leak containment apparatus for an oil drilling rig includes nozzles to direct jets of cleaning fluid into the apparatus. The self cleaning leak containment apparatus can include a tray with nozzles fed by pumps that also serve to drain the tray. A sheet-form around the tray and draining into the tray can also have nozzles directed into it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Katch Kan Holdings Ltd.
    Inventor: Quinn A. J. Holtby
  • Patent number: 11608725
    Abstract: A system and method for operating a fleet of pumps for a turbine driven fracturing pump system used in hydraulic fracturing is disclosed. In an embodiment, a method of operating a fleet of pumps associated with a hydraulic fracturing system includes receiving a demand Hydraulic Horse Power (HHP) signal. The demand HHP signal may include the Horse Power (HP) required for the hydraulic fracturing system to operate and may include consideration for frictional and other losses. The method further includes operating all available pump units at a percentage of rating below Maximum Continuous Power (MCP) level, based at least in part on the demand HHP signal. Furthermore, the method may include receiving a signal for loss of power from one or more pump units. The method further includes operating one or more units at MCP level and operating one or more units at Maximum Intermittent Power (MIP) level to meet the demand HHP signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: BJ Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Tony Yeung, Ricardo Rodriguez-Ramon, Diankui Fu, Warren Zemlak, Samir Nath Seth, Joseph Foster
  • Patent number: 11608722
    Abstract: A sectional pumping apparatus for well casing includes a discharge pipe, a submersible pump, a pump housing, a swab tool, and a central axis. The discharge pipe, the submersible pump, the pump housing, and the swab tool are concentrically positioned along the central axis. The discharge pipe includes a first tubular body and a flange connector. The flange connector is radially connected around the first tubular body. The submersible pump is hermetically attached to a pump end of the first tubular body. The submersible pump and the pump end are positioned within the pump housing as the first tubular body is hermetically attached to a top end of the pump housing through the flange connector. The swab tool is hermetically attached to a bottom end of the pump housing and is in fluid communication with the discharge pipe through the submersible pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Inventor: Emil Worm
  • Patent number: 11608726
    Abstract: A fracturing and power generation switchable apparatus, a well site, a control method of the well site, a control device, and a storage medium are provided. The fracturing and power generation switchable apparatus includes a power device, a speed transmission device, and a bearing base. The switchable apparatus is configured to switch between a first state and a second state, under the first state, the plunger pump is fixed on the bearing base and is connected with the speed transmission device, and the switchable apparatus is supplied as a fracturing apparatus, and under the second state, the electric generator is fixed on the bearing base and is connected with the speed transmission device, and the switchable apparatus is supplied as a power generation apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Yantai Jereh Petroleum Equipment & Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Peng Zhang, Liang Lv, Rikui Zhang, Zhuqing Mao, Jianwei Wang, Chunqiang Lan, Yipeng Wu, Xincheng Li
  • Patent number: 11604113
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for supplying fuel, enabling communications, and conveying electric power associated with operation of a hydraulic fracturing unit of a plurality of hydraulic fracturing units are disclosed and may include a fuel line connection assembly configured to be connected to the first hydraulic fracturing unit and to supply fuel from a fuel source to a gas turbine engine connected to the hydraulic fracturing unit. A system also may include a communications cable assembly configured to be connected to the hydraulic fracturing unit and to enable data communications between the hydraulic fracturing unit and a data center or another hydraulic fracturing unit. A system further may include a power cable assembly configured to be connected to the hydraulic fracturing unit and to convey electric power between the hydraulic fracturing unit and a remote electrical power source or the plurality of hydraulic fracturing units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: BJ Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Tony Yeung, Ricardo Rodriguez-Ramon, Patrick Thomson
  • Patent number: 11602777
    Abstract: A control system for controlling extraction of landfill gas, comprising: at least one sensor configured to measure one or more characteristics of landfill gas; at least one flow control mechanism disposed in well piping and configured to control flow of the landfill gas through the well piping; and at least one processor configured to: obtain a measured concentration of a first gas in landfill gas; determine whether the measured concentration of the first gas is either less than a first threshold concentration or greater than a second threshold concentration; when it is determined that the measured concentration is less than the first threshold concentration, control the at least one flow control mechanism to reduce flow rate of landfill gas; and when it is determined that the concentration is greater than the second threshold concentration, control the at least one flow control mechanism to increase the flow rate of landfill gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Campanella, Joseph G. Michels, Peter Quigley, Ian Martin
  • Patent number: 11603732
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of inserting and removing tools and/or robots into/from inside subsea oil wells. In this scenario, the present invention provides a system for insertion and removal of a device (30) in a subsea oil well (20), said system comprising (i) a WCT assembly (10) comprising a removable protective cap (40) and (ii) a WCT tool (50) connected to a receptacle (60) comprising within it the device (30), wherein the WCT tool (50) is suitable for being inserted in the place where the protective cap (40) is coupled, wherein at least one of receptacle (60) and WCT tool (50) is able to be opened or closed, releasing the device (30) into the subsea oil well (20) or retaining same inside the receptacle (60). The invention further provides methods of inserting and removing a device (30) into/from a subsea oil well (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: PETRÓLEO BRASILEIRO S.A.—PETROBRAS
    Inventors: Lincoln Homero Thome Ferreira, Ney Robinson Salvi Dos Reis, Igor Mendes-Ursine Krettli, Hugo Francisco Lisboa Santos, Hardy Leonardo Da Cunha Pereira Pinto, Mauricio Galassi
  • Patent number: 11602778
    Abstract: Devices and techniques related to landfill gas extraction are disclosed. A technique for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill through a gas extraction system is described. The method may include measuring a plurality of values indicating conditions associated with the landfill; computing, based at least in part on the plurality of values and on a model of the landfill, a predicted future state of the landfill; determining, based at least in part on the predicted future state of the landfill, one or more control parameters for one or more respective control devices configured to control operation of the gas extraction system; applying the one or more control parameters to the one or more respective control, and with the one or more control devices, controlling extraction of the landfill gas from the landfill based, at least in part, on the one or more respective control parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Campanella, Melinda Sims, Nathan Pallo, Ian Martin
  • Patent number: 11598191
    Abstract: A system and method for independent control of simultaneous fracturing for multiple wellbores is disclosed. In certain embodiments, a first clean pumping unit and a first dirty pumping unit are fluidically coupled to a first wellbore, wherein the first clean pumping unit pumps a first fluid to the first wellbore and the second clean pumping unit pumps a second fluid to the first wellbore. In certain embodiments, a second clean pumping unit and a second dirty pumping unit are fluidically coupled to a second wellbore, wherein the second clean pumping unit pumps the first fluid to the second wellbore and the second dirty pumping unit pumps. In certain embodiments, a controller controls a pumping rate of at least one of the first clean pumping unit and the first dirty pumping unit based on a desired parameter of a combined fluid pumped to the first wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Linley Fripp, Chad A. Fisher, Mehdi Mazrooee, Ronald Glen Dusterhoft
  • Patent number: 11598167
    Abstract: A body defines a central flow passage. A check valve is located within the central flow passage. The check valve is supported by the body. The check valve is arranged such that a fluid flow travels in a downhole direction during operation of the float collar. An auxiliary flow passage is substantially parallel to the central flow passage and is defined by the body. The auxiliary flow passage includes an inlet upstream of the check valve and an outlet at a downhole end of the float collar. A rupture disk seals the inlet of the auxiliary flow passage. The rupture disk is configured to burst at a specified pressure differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Peter Ido Egbe, Victor Jose Bustamante Rodriguez, Sajid Hussain
  • Patent number: 11585200
    Abstract: The present invention includes systems and methods for continuous fracturing operations across a multichannel fracturing configuration. To swap a first well for a second well while continuously pumping water and/or frac fluid through the fracturing system, the second well may be initially prepared through a pressure equalization process. Once the second well is equalized and open, the first well may be sequentially closed and depressurized. Thus, the first well is swapped for the second well while the water and/or frac fluid continuously flows through the system. A conditional flow control valve may be used to sequentially open and/or close the flow of frac fluid through the frac manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Force Pressure Control, LLC
    Inventors: Jacob Startz, Dustin Nesloney
  • Patent number: 11578712
    Abstract: A method for pumping a liquid-gas mixture into a subsurface well includes introducing gas into a liquid at a first pressure to generate a mixture. The mixture is pumped through a first positive displacement pump to a second pressure greater than the first pressure. The mixture at the second pressure is pumped through at least a second positive displacement pump to a third pressure greater than the second pressure. The mixture is moved into the subsurface well at at least the third pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: RHEOVEST, LLC
    Inventors: Nathan R. Hutchings, Timothy Blaine Whisenhunt
  • Patent number: 11578579
    Abstract: A frac system includes power generation equipment and a power storage device used to provide electric power to one or more pieces of frac equipment. The frac system includes a power controller used to control the source of the power to the frac equipment. The power controller may measure the charge status for the power storage device and the electrical power load being used by the frac equipment. The power controller may engage or disengage the power generation equipment based on the measured charge status and electrical power load, may control the source of the power provided to the frac equipment, and may control whether the power storage device is being charged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: STEWART & STEVENSON LLC
    Inventors: Chad Joost, Chris Harvell, Brian Sharp, Paul Smith, Ronnie Stover
  • Patent number: 11572874
    Abstract: Various embodiments include methods and apparatus structured to pump material, where such material is difficult to pump. In an embodiment, an apparatus can include an injector device capable of self-injecting material into a high pressure line. The apparatus may include multiple valves to control recharge of material into the injector device and to control reinjection of the material into the high pressure line. In an embodiment at a well site, a portion of fluid being injected into a wellbore can be diverted from one or more high pressure pumps to an injector device, where the diverted portion of the fluid can be used to power the injector device to inject material from a mixing tank to add material to the wellbore in addition to the non-diverted portion of the fluid injected into the wellbore. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods can be implemented in a variety of applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Basuki Surjaatmadja, Timothy Holiman Hunter, Dickey Charles Headrick
  • Patent number: 11566478
    Abstract: A system includes a first structure configured to be coupled to a tubular string extending to a seafloor, whereby the first structure comprises a drill floor. The system further includes a second structure configured to provide a lateral force to the first structure while allowing for vertical movement between the first structure and the second structure relative to the seafloor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Ensco International Incorporated
    Inventor: Van Van Vu
  • Patent number: 11566506
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and controllers for detecting and mitigating well screen outs may include a controller configured to operate a fracturing pump to supply fluid at a discharge rate to a wellhead at a fracturing well site. The controller may also operate a blender positioned to deliver a blend of proppant and fluid to the fracturing pump. The controller may compare a fluid pressure increase rate to a preselected increase rate indicative of a potential well screen out. The controller may incrementally decrease the discharge rate of the fracturing pump and a flow rate of a blender when the fluid pressure increase rate of the wellhead exceeds the preselected increase rate and the fluid pressure is within a preselected percentage of a maximum wellhead pressure until the fluid pressure of the fluid supplied to the wellhead is stabilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: BJ Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Tony Yeung, Ricardo Rodriguez-Ramon, Joseph Foster
  • Patent number: 11560973
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to flexible wellhead connection systems, apparatus, methods, and associated components thereof. The aspects include a rotatable joint. In one example, the rotatable joint includes a swivel. In one example, the flexible wellhead connection systems, apparatus, and methods are used to connect wellheads to one or more of fluid sources and/or instrumentation skids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Forum US, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Post
  • Patent number: 11555390
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a high and low pressure manifold liquid supply system for fracturing units, including: a trailer, a high and low pressure manifold arranged on the trailer, a support frame arranged on a platform of the trailer, and a power distribution switch cabinet arranged on the support frame, which is configured to be electrically connected to the electrically-driven fracturing units and configured to distribute electricity to the electrically-driven fracturing units. Through the high and low pressure manifold liquid supply system integrated with electricity supply facilities therein according to the present disclosure, the electrically-driven fracturing units are powered, in this way, the electricity supply and distribution system in the well site can be effectively simplified, the connection distance of the cables can be shorten, and further the time spent on connection can be saved, thereby improving the well site layout efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Yantai Jereh Petroleum Equipment & Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuzhen Cui, Yibo Jiang, Chunqiang Lan, Kun Zhang