Patents Examined by Kipp Wallace
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Patent number: 9217320Abstract: Systems and methods for magnetically autonomously clamping a downhole component in a select direction of a borehole casing. The systems can include a sensor package that obtains a downhole measurement in a position in a cased borehole. The systems can include an integral magnetic clamp that removably clamps the downhole component (e.g., a downhole seismic shuttle) to the cased borehole. The systems can include a directional detector that outputs a select direction of the cased borehole relative to the downhole component. The systems can include a downhole controller that activates a portion of the integral magnetic clamp of the downhole component closest to the select direction output by the directional detector.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2013Date of Patent: December 22, 2015Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Ryuki Odashima, Tatsuki Endo, Shantonu Ray, Koichi Naito
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Patent number: 9217316Abstract: Techniques for correlating depth on a tubular in a wellbore include a casing collar locator tool that includes a tubular mandrel defining a bore therethrough; a top sub-assembly and a bottom sub-assembly carried on the tubular mandrel; a profile carried on the tubular mandrel axially between the top sub-assembly and bottom sub-assembly and adjustable between an engaged state defined by the profile extending radially away from the mandrel and a disengaged state defined by the profile refracted towards the mandrel; and a wedge sleeve carried on the tubular mandrel between the top sub-assembly and the bottom sub-assembly and arranged, at least in part, axially adjacent the profile, the wedge sleeve actuatable to urge the profile into at least one of the engaged state or the disengaged state.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2012Date of Patent: December 22, 2015Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Muhammad Asif Ehtesham, Robert L. Pipkin, Tim Hunter
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Patent number: 9212530Abstract: A grapple for use in an overshot has a tension ring with a reduced helix diameter. However, the helix diameter is not reduced on either sides of the control finger slot to allow the grapple to remain in contact with the control. In the alternative, a composite helix member may be utilized. Another embodiment comprises the inclusion of expansion blades on the inner diameter (“ID”) of the tension ring which allow the grapple to expand substantially before the fish reaches the segments. Another embodiment provides for a control with an offset finger to allow the guide thread ID to be smaller than the bowl helix major ID. Yet another embodiment provides a spiral grapple having grooves along its axis to provide the ability to catch a larger range of fish.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2010Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.Inventors: James R. Streater, Jr., Daniel Hernandez, Jr., Jose Saldana
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Patent number: 9206674Abstract: An apparatus for carrying and releasing a liner downhole includes a tubular body; a latching member attached to the tubular body for coupling with the liner; and a release sleeve disposed between the tubular body and the latching member, wherein the release sleeve is axially movable relative to the tubular body to allow the latching member to disengage from the liner.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2013Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventor: Mike A. Luke
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Patent number: 9200495Abstract: A grapple for use in an overshot has a tension ring with a reduced helix diameter but the helix diameter is not reduced on either sides of the control finger slot. One embodiment includes expansion blades on the inner diameter (“ID”) of the tension ring to allow the grapple to expand substantially before the fish reaches the segments. An embodiment provides for a control with an offset finger to allow the guide thread ID to be smaller than the bowl helix major ID. Also provided is grapple control for a spiral grapple that has at least one gap to allow the grapple control to be more compliant during fishing operations. The control may include one or more bridges of reduced thickness. Alternate embodiments include gaps and support bands with or without bridges and/or a backup ring to help eliminate misalignment of the grapple control with the support shoulder of the overshot guide.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2013Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.Inventors: James R. Streater, Jr., Daniel Hernandez, Filiberto Garcia
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Patent number: 9200512Abstract: In-situ formation fluid evaluation methods and apparatus configured to measure a first resonance frequency of a first fluid using a first densimeter downhole, wherein a first density of the first fluid is known; measure a second resonance frequency of a second fluid using a second densimeter downhole, wherein the second fluid is a formation fluid received by the second densimeter downhole, and wherein a second density of the second fluid is unknown; and determine the second density of the second fluid using the first and second resonance frequencies and the known first density.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2009Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventor: Anthony R. H. Goodwin
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Patent number: 9200486Abstract: A drill string element including a main pipe with connection ends and a protective mechanism for at least one wire. The protective mechanism extends within a central bore of the main pipe. The main pipe presents a first hole in one of the connection ends and a second hole in the other connection end, both holes communicating with the central bore. The protective mechanism includes a guide tube arranged for housing the wire, both ends of which being respectively disposed within the first hole and the second hole. A retaining mechanism is arranged in at least one of the first hole and the second hole for the respective end of the guide tube. The retaining mechanism is configured to prevent the respective end of the guide tube from moving relative to the one of the first hole and the second hole according to at least one longitudinal direction of the hole.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2010Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: VALLOUREC DRILLING PRODUCTS FRANCEInventors: Gérard Leveau, Gabriel Roussie, Didier David
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Patent number: 9194213Abstract: A packer for a well is described. The packer comprises at least one packing element, at least one anchoring element, and a mandrel coupled to the at least one anchoring element. The packer is arranged such that, once set, the mandrel is free to move with respect to the packing and anchoring elements. In one embodiment the at least one anchoring element is integral with the at least one packing element. In an alternative embodiment the at least one anchoring element is separate from the at least one packing element.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2006Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignee: PETROWELL LIMITEDInventors: Iain Macleod, Steve Reid
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Patent number: 9194206Abstract: A design for a bridge plug wherein the slip elements include an outer contact portion to engage a surrounding tubular member and an inner body portion designed to easily disintegrate during removal of the bridge plug by subsequent milling. The inner body portion is formed of a softer material than the outer contact portion. Also, the inner body portion is made up of a plurality of segments that are readily separated and dispsersed during milling out.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2011Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Richard Yingqing Xu, Edward O'Malley
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Patent number: 9194217Abstract: A technique facilitates sand control in a wellbore. A lower completion and an upper completion are run downhole into the wellbore and deployed. The lower completion assembly employs a plurality of packers to isolate well zones. The lower completion assembly also has gravel pack ports which are independently opened to enable gravel packing of each individual zone via a tool run downhole. Additionally, the lower completion assembly has a production port in each zone. A shifting tool is employed to open the production ports and to enable production from the well zones.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2010Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Graham Watson, Dinesh Patel, Tom Saunders, Luis Felipe Peixoto, Ricardo Gomez Simancas, Julien Debard
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Patent number: 9187959Abstract: A bottom hole assembly (BHA) coupled to a drill string includes a steering device, one or more controllers, and a hole enlargement device that selectively enlarges the diameter of the wellbore formed by the drill bit. In an automated drilling mode, the controller controls drilling direction by issuing instructions to the steering device. In one arrangement, the hole enlargement device is integrated into a shaft of a drilling motor that rotates the drill bit. The hole enlargement device includes an actuation unit and an electronics package that cooperate to translate extendable cutting elements between a radially extended position and a radially retracted position. The electronics package may be responsive to a signal that is transmitted from a downhole and/or a surface location. The hole enlargement device may also include one or more position sensors that transmit a position signal indicative of a radial position of the cutting elements.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2007Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Joachim Treviranus, Carsten Freyer, Hans-Robert Oppelaar
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Patent number: 9187958Abstract: A reamer is designed to enhance operation of a bottom hole assembly in which it is included. One or more capabilities and/or characteristics of the cutters carried by the reamer blocks of the reamer may be varied even in the same profile portion to enhance the functionality and/or durability of the reamer.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2013Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.Inventor: Graham Mensa-Wilmot
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Patent number: 9187995Abstract: Wellbores are fractured by setting open hole packers on a string with access through valves on the string between the set packers. Setting the packers creates wellbore stress so that fractures tend to preferentially form near the packers regardless of the orientation of the borehole. When the fracturing is done and the well is put on production some of the proppant comes back into the wellbore and packs around the packers with solids that can be produced from the formation carried by flowing fluids. An annular passage is created near the packer to allow produced fluids to bypass the packed proppant and other solids to get into the production string. A screen protects the passage from clogging so that production is enhanced.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2012Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventor: Michael H. Johnson
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Patent number: 9187981Abstract: A first wireline tool embodiment includes a segmented tool body having a joint deployed between each adjacent pair of tool body sections. The joint may be configured to extend axially (causing a relative axial displacement of the adjacent tool body sections) when the wireline tool is subject to an axial load. The joint may include, for example, a compliant joint or a protractible joint. The joint may be further configured to cause a relative rotation between the adjacent tool body sections when the wireline tool is subject to axial load. A second wireline tool embodiment includes a plurality of standoff rings deployed about an outer surface of a rigid tool body. The standoff rings engage helical grooves in the outer surface of the tool body such that axial displacement of the tool body causes the standoff rings to rotate.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2012Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Murat Ocalan, Jahir Pabon
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Patent number: 9181755Abstract: A downhole expandable roller bearing apparatus is described. The apparatus comprises a plurality of roller assemblies comprising at least one roller rotatably mounted between pistons. A retaining member such as a spline bar is removably mounted in a keyway formed in the body. Each piston comprises an aperture through which the spline bar projects in both the inwardly retracted and outwardly deployed positions of the pistons.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2010Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Inventor: Paul Bernard Lee
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Patent number: 9145758Abstract: Apparatuses for restricting fluid flow through a conduit comprise a seat sleeve disposed in a housing, the housing being disposed in a tubular member. The seat sleeve comprises a seat and one or more ports in fluid communication with a seat sleeve bore. One or more seat bypass fluid flow channels are disposed in the housing and are initially placed in fluid communication with at least one of the seat sleeve ports. Landing a plug element on the seat blocks fluid flow through the seat, but fluid flow is permitted to flow through the seat bypass fluid flow channels, through the seat sleeve ports, and into the seat sleeve bore. Movement of the seat sleeve downward closes the seat sleeve ports. Thus, a plug element can restrict fluid flowing through an area of the apparatus that is larger than the plug element.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2011Date of Patent: September 29, 2015Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventor: James G. King
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Patent number: 9140092Abstract: A wellhead completion assembly has a head connected to surface casing. A rotatable flange or the like can be used to connect various components to a threaded end of the head. A casing hanger installs in the head, and the hanger's upper end extends beyond the head's top edge. This exposed end has an external threaded connection to connect to various wellhead components using a rotatable flange or the like. For example, a locking ring can threadably connect to the head's threaded end to support the hanger in the head. Then, a rotatable flange can threadably connect to the hanger's exposed end so that another component, such as a completion spool or gate valve, can nippled up directly to the hanger. When the hanger is fluted, a pack-off assembly can allow testing off inner and outer sealing integrity via a test port accessible through an opening in the locking ring.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2010Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: Brandon Matthew Cain, Todd Travis, Michael L. Bilyeu, Gordon Ronnie Altman, Steve Willard, Carl Edwin Davidson, Robert Scott Menard
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Patent number: 9133682Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for remotely and selectively controlling fluid flow through tubular string disposed within a wellbore and further control fluid flow between the tubular string inner flow passage and the annular flow passage. The present invention further discloses a method of selectively and remotely receiving and interpreting a form of command or information at a desired apparatus within the wellbore caused by the operator on earth surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2013Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignees: MIT Innovation Sdn Bhd, Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS)Inventors: Ahmed Moustafa Tahoun, Raed Ismail Kafafy, Karam J. Jawamir, Mohammed Abdulmalek Aldheeb, Abdul Mushawwir Khalil
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Patent number: 9121262Abstract: A while-drilling tool comprising a motor, a transmission coupled to the motor, and a pump comprising a first piston disposed in a first chamber and a second piston disposed in a second chamber and coupled to the first piston. A planetary roller-screw is coupled between the pump and the transmission. A valve block is configured to fluidly communicate with the first and second pump chambers, a borehole in which the while-drilling tool is configured to be positioned, and a formation penetrated by the borehole.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2009Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Reinhart Ciglenec, Steven G. Villareal, Albert Hoefel, Peter Swinburne, Michael J. Stucker, Jean-Marc Follini
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Patent number: 9103177Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure pertain to a metal slip for a downhole tool that may include a slip body; an outer surface comprising gripping elements; and an inner surface configured for receiving a mandrel. In aspects, slip body may include at least one hole formed therein, and a buoyant material may be disposed in the hole.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2012Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: National Boss Hog Energy Services, LLCInventor: Duke VanLue