Patents Examined by Jennifer H Gay
  • Patent number: 11293280
    Abstract: A method and system are described for monitoring post-stimulation operations using a plurality of communication nodes disposed along tubular members in a wellbore. The method includes constructing a communication network and installing the communication nodes along the tubular members. The communication nodes are used to monitor for the presence and/or quantity of solids and/or fluids associated with post-stimulation operations in the tubular members by analyzing how the contents of the tubular members acoustically affect the signals transmitted between the communication nodes. Hydrocarbon operations may be modified based on the analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Xiaohua Yi, David A. Howell
  • Patent number: 11286746
    Abstract: A well (10) in a geological structure, the well (10) comprising a first casing string (12a) with a second casing string (12b) partially inside, and a third casing string (13c) partially inside the second casing string (12b). A first inter-casing annulus (14a) is defined between the first (12a) and second casing strings (12b), and a second inter-casing annulus (14b) is defined between the second (12b) and third casing strings (12c). A primary fluid flow control device (16a), such as a wirelessly controllable valve, on the second casing provides (12b) fluid communication between the first inter-casing annulus (14a) and the second inter-casing annulus (14b); and a secondary fluid flow control device (16b), such as a second wirelessly controllable valve, on the third casing string (12c) provides fluid communication between the second inter-casing annulus (14b) and a bore of the third casing (14c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: METROL TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Shaun Compton Ross, Leslie David Jarvis
  • Patent number: 11286756
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for transmitting information to and from a downhole tool for detonation at a specified location. Perforating systems and methods may use a digital slickline unit and a telemetry module to autonomously operate within a wellbore. A well system may comprise: a downhole perforating system comprising: at least one perforating gun; a setting tool; and a control unit coupled to the at least one perforating gun and the setting tool in a tool string for conveyance downhole, wherein the control unit comprises a battery pack, electronics, at least one sensor, wherein the electronics are operable to send one or more actuation signals to the at least one perforating gun and the setting tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Harrigan, Francis Michael Heaney, Wei Sun
  • Patent number: 11280166
    Abstract: A method for controlling a target switch assembly in a chain of switch assemblies includes distributing the chain of switch assemblies in a wellbore; placing a controller at a head of the wellbore; making a first decision, at the controller, to actuate a corresponding detonator of the target switch assembly; transmitting, from the controller to the target switch assembly, a fire command to activate the corresponding detonator; and making a second decision, locally, at the target switch assembly, to activate the detonator, after the fire command from the controller is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: GEODYNAMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Phillip Phelps, Brad Perry, Rick Wallace
  • Patent number: 11278971
    Abstract: A drill steel includes a metal rod with an end to fit within a chuck of a drilling machine, and an integrally formed collar provided along the length of the metal rod. A ferrule is fastened on the metal rod adjacent the integrally formed collar on the side of the end of the metal rod. The ferrule forms a stop that prevents the drill steel from moving too far into the chuck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Daltron Forge (Pty) Ltd
    Inventor: Dale Robert Cox
  • Patent number: 11274530
    Abstract: A perforating gun housing includes a housing wall extending between a first housing portion defining a chamber, and a second housing portion defining a bore. The housing wall includes a first outer surface, a second outer surface, and a face extending substantially perpendicularly to the second outer surface between the first outer surface and the second outer surface. A perforating gun tool string comprises a first gun housing coupled to a second gun housing, wherein each gun housing includes a housing wall having a first threaded portion and a second threaded portion for attachment to an adjacent gun housing. A method for assembling a wellbore tool string includes providing a first gun housing and a second gun housing, inserting the second end of the first gun housing into the first end of the second gun housing, and rotating the first gun housing relative to the second gun housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Eitschberger, Arash Shahinpour, Gernot Uwe Burmeister, Thilo Scharf
  • Patent number: 11274517
    Abstract: A rotating control device (RCD) system includes a housing having a bore, a first ram assembly supported in the housing, and a second ram assembly supported within the housing. The first ram assembly includes a first ram and a first packer coupled to the first ram, and the second ram assembly includes a second ram and a second packer coupled to the second ram. The RCD system also includes a bearing assembly configured to enable the first packer and the second packer to rotate relative to the first ram and the second ram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Harold Tenorio, Jon Tyler
  • Patent number: 11274499
    Abstract: A method includes extending a wellbore using a drill bit that forms a portion of a bottom hole assembly; enlarging a diameter of the wellbore using a reamer of the assembly; and laterally offsetting either a rotary steerable tool or a mud motor of the assembly in the enlarged diameter wellbore. A bend angle is defined between a central axis of either the rotary steerable tool or the mud motor creates and a central axis of the drill bit. Enlarging the diameter of the wellbore using the reamer while steering the assembly decreases the dogleg. Enlarging the diameter of the wellbore using the reamer while rotational drilling a straight section of the wellbore reduces stresses on the assembly and reduces wellbore tortuosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: John Ransford Hardin, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11268337
    Abstract: A friction reduction tool and assembly are selectively activatable to produce fluid pressure pulses in downhole operations. The assembly includes a variable choke assembly having a rotary component and a stationary component, each with passages that enter into and out of alignment when the rotary component rotates with respect to the stationary component when driven by a rotor. The rotary component, stationary component, and rotor each have a central bore defining a central passage permitting fluid flow from above the assembly to below the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: IMPULSE DOWNHOLE SOLUTIONS LTD.
    Inventors: Douglas Kinsella, Kevin Leroux, Troy Lorenson, Dwayne Parenteau
  • Patent number: 11261692
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing a loss circulation zone in a subterranean well include a tool housing located on a surface of a tubular member with a tool cavity that is an interior open space within the tool housing. An electromechanical system is located within the tool cavity and has a printed circuit board, a microprocessor, a sensor system, a power source, and a communication port assembly. A release system can move a deployment door of a deployment opening of the tool housing between a closed position and an open position. The deployment opening can provide a flow path between the tool cavity and an outside of the tool housing. The release system is actuable autonomously by the electromechanical system. A releasable product is located within the tool cavity and can travel through the deployment opening when the deployment door is in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Bodong Li, Chinthaka Pasan Gooneratne, Guodong Zhan, Timothy Eric Moellendick
  • Patent number: 11255129
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provides cutting elements for use on rotary drill bits for drilling subterranean formations. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to cutting elements having a shaped upper surface including at least one spoke for cutting and/or failing subterranean formations during drilling. The present disclosure also relates to drill bits incorporating one or more of such cutting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignees: Ulterra Drilling Technologies, L.P., US Synthetic Corporation
    Inventors: William Henry Dubose, Brady Walters, Christopher M. Casad, Josh Criswell, Tyler Scott Dunaway, Greg Carlos Topham
  • Patent number: 11255180
    Abstract: Embodiments of the subject technology provide for receiving real-time drilling data comprising different drilling parameters measured during a drilling operation. The subject technology calculates a kick detection parameter based at least in part on the different drilling parameters. The subject technology detects an occurrence of a kick during the drilling operation when the kick detection parameter deviates from a trend formed by previously calculated kick detection parameters. Further, the subject technology activates an alarm during the drilling operation in response to detected occurrence of the kick to facilitate preventing a blowout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Shang Zhang, Hewei Tang, Feifei Zhang, Suresh Venugopal, Patrick McCormack
  • Patent number: 11248441
    Abstract: A safety valve may include: an outer housing comprising a central bore extending axially through the outer housing; a flow tube including: a translating sleeve; and a flow tube main body disposed within the translating sleeve, wherein the flow tube main body has an upper end and a lower end; a piston operable to transmit a force to the translating sleeve; a flapper valve disposed on a distal end of the outer housing; and an electromagnet assembly operable to maintain the safety valve in an open state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James Dan Vick, Jr., Jimmie Robert Williamson, Bruce Edward Scott, Michael Linley Fripp
  • Patent number: 11242747
    Abstract: A downhole fluid sampling system includes a tool body to attach to a tubing string, and multiple probe pads having a curved shape and disposed circumferentially about a section of the tool body in a helical gear pattern about a central longitudinal axis of the tool body. Each probe pad includes probes on an external surface of the respective probe pad, and each probe can contact and engage a wall of a wellbore and receive a flow of formation fluid from the wall of the wellbore. An outer surface of the tool body includes multiple channels disposed circumferentially about the section of the tool body and between the probe pads. The channels direct fluid flow along the tool body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Bander S. Al-Malki, Faisal M. Sarwi, Ismail Adebiyi
  • Patent number: 11215025
    Abstract: The sealed grease head provides a grease compartment with no oiler or oil lines. The grease compartment is sealed by a top seal and a bottom seal that seals between the inner barrel and the outer barrel. The sealed grease head provides a bottom seal that seals the grease compartment. A rubber adapter secures the seal while also securing the rubber to the inner barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: PRUITT TOOL & SUPPLY CO.
    Inventors: Grant Pruitt, Cris Braun
  • Patent number: 11208846
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for drilling a wellbore using non-synchronous oscillators. An apparatus for drilling a wellbore includes a tubing string and a bottom hole assembly coupled to the tubing string. The bottom hole assembly includes a first oscillator and a second oscillator. The first oscillator is configured to restrict fluid flow and induce pressure pulses in the tubing string at a first frequency. The second oscillator is configured to restrict fluid flow and induce pressure pulses in the tubing string at a second frequency. The first frequency is different from the second frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: National Oilwell DHT, L.P.
    Inventors: Mike Rossing, Avinash Hariprasad Cuddapah
  • Patent number: 11203926
    Abstract: A unitary multilateral junction for deployment in a wellbore, wherein the multilateral junction permits electrical power and communications signals to be established in both a lateral wellbore and a main wellbore utilizing capacitive coupling and a cavity resonator. The unitary junction assembly generally includes a conduit with a first upper aperture, a first lower aperture and a second lower aperture where the first lower aperture is defined at the distal end of a primary passageway extending from a conduit junction and a second lower aperture defined at the distal end of a lateral passageway extending from the conduit junction. A lower wireless energy transfer mechanism in the form of a capacitive coupler is positioned along at least one of the passageways between the distal end of the passageway and the junction. A cavity resonator is adjacent the capacitive coupler to enhance the electric field signal of the capacitive coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: David Joe Steele, Oivind Godager, Xiaoguang Allan Zhong
  • Patent number: 11199080
    Abstract: A sand bypass separator is provided for separating particulate matter from a fluid mixture in a production well and directing the separated particulate matter away from a pump intake. The separator includes an outer tube, an inner tube positioned within the outer tube, and a bypass. The outer tube has a plurality of slots to allow the fluid mixture to enter the separator between the outer tube and the inner tube. As the fluid mixture moves downward, the fluid mixture reaches a downward velocity sufficient to allow the particulate matter in the fluid mixture to continue downward as the fluid is drawn into the inner tube through the pump intake. The bypass extends from above the pump intake to below the pump intake to collect and direct the separated particulate matter separated below the pump intake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: WellWorx Energy Solutions LLC
    Inventor: John M. Raglin
  • Patent number: 11180961
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a superabrasive compact including one or more superabrasive cutting portions or segments, rotary drill bits including one or more superabrasive compacts, and related methods (e.g., methods of fabricating and/or operating the superabrasive compacts). For example, the superabrasive compact may include polycrystalline diamond that may form at least a portion of a working surface of the superabrasive compact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: US SYNTHETIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: David P. Miess, Craig H. Cooley, Brian M. Shuey
  • Patent number: 11174680
    Abstract: A pressurized fluid flow system for a down the hole drill hammer has main and auxiliary chambers that exert work on the piston. The auxiliary chambers are formed around respective waists on the piston and externally delimited by respective cylinders which are arranged longitudinally in series. A set of supply chambers filled with the pressurized fluid are defined by annular recesses in the external surface of the piston for supplying said fluid to the chambers. Supply channels and discharge channels are formed in between the outer casing and the cylinders for respectively supply pressurized fluid through exit ports in the cylinders to the supply chambers and emptying the chambers through discharge ports in the cylinders. The supply and discharge of the chambers is controlled in a cooperative way by the piston and the cylinders. A normal circulation drill hammers is provided having this system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Inventor: Jaime Andres Aros