Patents Examined by Kipp C Wallace
  • Patent number: 11365596
    Abstract: A downhole valve is described. The downhole valve has a pilot valve section and a tool section. The pilot valve section has a first tube. The tool section has a second tube slidably coupled to the first tube of the pilot valve section so as to provide fluid communication between the pilot valve section and the tool section. The tool section can be in the form of a signal valve section of a mud pulse telemetry valve, a reamer, a vertical steerable tool, a rotary steerable tool, a by-pass valve, a packer, a whipstock, or stabilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Bench Tree Group, LLC
    Inventors: John R. Menconi, Pedro R. Segura, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11365593
    Abstract: An improved vacuum device for use with a vacuum assisted post hole digger tool. The improved vacuum device includes two suction providing motors with their suction outlets connected in a parallel fashion directly to a filter box. The dual motor configuration provides significantly improved suction power over existing vacuum devices but is still able to be powered on household 120V AC power. The improved vacuum device is paired with a post hole digger apparatus which includes an elongated hollow tubular tool for transmitting vacuum to the base end of the tube. The base end of the tube further comprises a variety bore heads for breaking up soil. A variety of devices for breaking up soil or removing clogs around the bore head are included: a thrasher bar, a hammer bar and an unclogger bar. Each of these devices are designed to be activated either manually by the user by application of force at the upper end of the tool or by application of rotary force by a motor disposed at the top of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Factory Direct Fastening, Inc.
    Inventors: Carlos Cordova, Sammy Vargas
  • Patent number: 11352859
    Abstract: Well production enhancement systems and methods to enhance well production are disclosed. The method includes deploying an outer conveyance into a wellbore, where a plurality of propellants are deployed along a section of the outer conveyance. The method also includes deploying one or more isolation devices to form one or more isolation zones along the outer conveyance. The method further includes deploying an inner conveyance within the outer conveyance, where the inner conveyance is initially deployed along the section of the outer conveyance. The method further includes detonating the plurality of propellants to generate one or more fractures in a formation proximate to the section of the outer conveyance. The method further includes injecting fracture enhancement fluids into the one or more fractures to enhance well production through the one or more fractures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Michael W. Sanders, Stanley V. Stephenson
  • Patent number: 11346209
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes depth correlation tools and associated methods which do not require wireline depth correlation runs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald G. Kyle, Paul David Ringgenberg, Kenneth L. Schwendemann, Vincent Paul Zeller, Adam Harold Martin, Kevin Michael Renkes, Nicholas Cole Ashford
  • Patent number: 11332990
    Abstract: A downhole catcher device comprises a catching mechanism which is configured to be transferable between a first mode and a second mode. The catching mechanism is further configured for passing by a first operation element if the catching mechanism is in the first mode and for catching a second operation element if the catching mechanism is in the second mode. The transfer between the first and the second mode is triggered (or effected) by a downhole tool which is operated by the second operation element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Schoeller-Bleckmann Oilfield Equipment AG
    Inventor: Nathan Strilchuk
  • Patent number: 11319755
    Abstract: An arrangement and a method for installing a casing in a borehole are described. The arrangement includes a casing, a boring pipe, which is adapted within the casing, and the boring pipe includes flow channels for compressed air and a flushing medium. The flushing medium flow channel is arranged to lead the flushing medium to the bottom of the borehole. The arrangement also includes a percussion hammer, which includes a compressed air operated percussion piston adapted in a cylinder of the percussion hammer, as well as hole drilling means for drilling a hole for the casing. The flushing medium flow channel is adapted to bypass the percussion piston or which flushing medium flow channel is adapted to pass through the percussion piston, and in which arrangement the drilling means additionally includes splines transmitting a rotating motion and adapted to conduct the compressed air that used the percussion piston through the splines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Mincon Nordic Oy
    Inventor: Markku Keskiniva
  • Patent number: 11306558
    Abstract: What is provided is a method and apparatus wherein a rotating and reciprocating swivel of adjustable stroke length and shearable by ram blow out preventers can be detachably connected to an annular blowout preventer thereby separating the lower wellbore from the riser. In one embodiment the mandrel of the swivel extends through a sleeve/housing. The sleeve/housing has a wiping arrangement of improved configuration that wipes debris from the mandrel, preventing entry of the debris into the sleeve/housing. Ports enable discharge of the removed debris from the area of the sleeve/housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Mako Rentals, Inc.
    Inventors: Kip M. Robichaux, Terry P. Robichaux
  • Patent number: 11306552
    Abstract: A control system and method for a well drilling platform having a plurality well platform systems is provided. The control system includes at least one remote communication unit (RCU), and a controller. The controller is in communication with the well platform systems, and has at least one processor, and a memory device that is coupled to the processor and that stores the instructions. When executed by the processor, the instructions cause the controller to communicate with the well platform systems to receive information from one or more well platform systems and to send system control commands to the one or more well platform systems. The controller and the at least one RCU are configured to electronically communicate with one another information relating to at least one of the well platform systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: ADS SERVICES, LLC
    Inventors: Anand Parthasarathy, Scott Charles, Syed Rasheed
  • Patent number: 11306562
    Abstract: A stage tool used in a wellbore has a housing consisting of two sub-housings that couple together. A first sleeve is movably disposed in the housing bore and is held closed with a temporary connection relative to a side port of the housing. The first sleeve has a first seat of millable material. A second sleeve is also movably disposed in the housing bore and is held opened with a temporary connection relative to the side port. The second sleeve has a second seat of millable material. An opening plug is landed on the first seat so pressure can break the connection and shift the first sleeve open relative to the side port. After pumping cement out of the tool, a closing plug is pumped to the second seat so pressure can break the connection and shift the second sleeve closed relative to the side port. The first sleeve includes a bypass that allows for fluid to pass beyond the seated plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Richard L. Giroux, Eric R. Evans, Joshua V. Symms, Yidara Wolf
  • Patent number: 11306577
    Abstract: Methods and devices used to calibrate EM corrosion detection tools may estimate the effects of the presence of a core on measurements to enable more accurate corrosion detection in the well line. The methods may involve sending voltages to a core of a well tool disposed in the well line to obtain signals while the core is in a saturated and unsaturated state. Subsequent measurements using the core may be calibrated using a constant resulting from the division of the signals achieved at the core in the saturated and unsaturated states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Burkay Donderici, Ahmed E. Fouda
  • Patent number: 11299966
    Abstract: A liner running tool includes a mandrel having a wall including outer surface and an inner surface defining a passage. A projection extends radially outwardly of the outer surface. The projection is formed from a material having a selected melting point and being configured to connect with and support a liner. A thermal activation device is operatively connected to the projection. The thermal activation device is selectively operable to melt the projection and disconnect the liner running tool from the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Matthew J. Krueger
  • Patent number: 11299944
    Abstract: An embodiment of a fluid bypass apparatus includes an axially elongated body configured to be deployed in a borehole in an earth formation, the body including a pilot conduit that allows fluid to flow through the body and a bypass conduit extending from the pilot conduit to an exterior of the body and defining a fluid flow path from the primary conduit to the exterior of the body, The apparatus also includes a modular valve insert housed within the bypass conduit, the valve insert being removable and replaceable, the modular valve insert configured to obstruct the fluid flow path and configured to automatically open in response to a pressure or flow rate through the primary conduit meeting or exceeding a selected threshold pressure or flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventor: William Hered
  • Patent number: 11293267
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include an apparatus, such as a plunger for oil and/or gas wells, that includes one or more scraping features. The scraping feature may include at least one ridge configured to scrape material, such as paraffins, asphaltenes, salt, hydrates, debris, solids, etc., from an inner surface of a tubular body and direct the scraped material away from the plunger body. A disclosed method for scraping material from a tubular body includes releasing a plunger within the tubular body, the plunger having a body with an outer surface and a scraping feature on the outer surface that includes at least one ridge; scraping material from an inner surface of the tubular body with the ridge of the scraping feature; and directing the scraped material away from the plunger body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: FLOWCO PRODUCTION SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Garrett S. Boyd, Mitchell A. Boyd
  • Patent number: 11286748
    Abstract: Pump-through standing valves, wells including the pump-through standing valves, and methods of utilizing a pump-through standing valve to deploy a downhole device are disclosed herein. The pump-through standing valves include a valve body, a standing valve at least partially formed within the valve body, and a flow-through valve at least partially formed within the valve body. The standing valve includes a standing valve fluid conduit and a standing valve flow control device. The flow-through valve includes a flow-through valve fluid conduit and a flow-through valve flow control device. The wells include a wellbore, which extends within a subterranean formation, a wellbore tubular, which extends within the wellbore, and the pump-through standing valve, which is operatively attached to the wellbore tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Michael C. Romer, Randy C. Tolman
  • Patent number: 11286743
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for patching damaged areas in a well includes a top and a bottom patching section which include an anchor/sealing member for securing the apparatus within the well. One or more extension patch sections are connected between the top and bottom patch sections. The top and bottom patch elements are placed above and below the damaged area to isolate the damaged area from the exterior flow portion of the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Coretrax Americas Ltd.
    Inventors: Tyler A. Whitney, Alessandro Caccialuppi, Scott A. Benzie
  • Patent number: 11286749
    Abstract: An assembly includes a housing of a production tubing including one or more housing ports around a housing circumference of the housing. The assembly also includes a sleeve including one or more sleeve ports around a sleeve circumference of the sleeve. The sleeve is moveable between a closed configuration in which at least a portion of the sleeve is positionable to cover the housing ports of the production tubing and an open configuration in which the sleeve is positionable such that the sleeve ports provide fluid communication between the production tubing and an annulus in a wellbore. Further, the assembly includes a shoulder positioned at an uphole edge of the sleeve to apply an opening force to the sleeve to change the sleeve from the closed configuration to the open configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Katherine Ann Davies, Steven John Craik
  • Patent number: 11286730
    Abstract: A cable feed tool includes a first support, a second support coupled to the first support, a first roller supported on the first support for rotation and configured to drive a cable, and a second roller supported on the second support for rotation and configured to drive the cable. The first roller is also supported for pivoting movement relative to the second support about a pivot axis. The second roller is also supported for translational movement relative to the first support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Joy Global Underground Mining LLC
    Inventor: Michael Georgiou
  • Patent number: 11280143
    Abstract: A wireline conveyed, gas driven setting tool configured to set downhole tools including, without limitation, frac plugs, bridge plugs, cement retainers and packers. The setting tool is functioned by selectively igniting a power charge inside of a firing head. As the power charge burns, it generates gas that acts upon a piston area to stroke the setting tool. A dampening media, as well an optimized flow area at or near the distal end of the setting tool, act to slow the setting stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: FORTRESS DOWNHOLE TOOLS, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Michael R. Robicheaux, Trey Falgout, M. Joseph Montgomery, Tyler Cook
  • Patent number: 11280178
    Abstract: A wellbore fluid monitoring system includes a housing, a first sealing element, a second sealing element and a sealing unit. The housing is configured to be securely disposed in a portion of an annulus within a bell nipple below a rotary table of a wellbore drilling assembly. The annulus is formed by a drill string of the wellbore drilling assembly and an inner wall of a wellbore being drilled by the wellbore drilling assembly. The housing includes a first open end and a second open end. The housing is configured to house an air flow sensor disposed within the housing. The first sealing element is attached to the first open end of the housing. The first sealing element is configured to seal and unseal the first open end. The second sealing element is attached to the second open end of the housing. The second sealing element is configured to seal and unseal the second open end. The sealing unit is disposed in the portion of the annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Bodong Li, Chinthaka Pasan Gooneratne, Guodong Zhan, Timothy E. Moellendick
  • Patent number: 11274514
    Abstract: A mill for use in a wellbore includes a tubular housing having a bore therethrough, a plurality of pockets formed in a wall thereof, and a blade disposed in each pocket. Each blade includes a body having a first side opposite a second side, wherein the first side faces in a direction of rotation of the mill. The blade also includes a blade portion disposed on the first side of the body, wherein the blade portion has a first cutting face stepped relative to a second cutting face. Each blade is movable between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein a portion of the first side and the second side protrude from the housing in the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Richard J. Segura, Thomas F. Bailey, David J. Brunnert, Ram K. Bansal, Andrew Antoine