Patents Examined by Kipp Wallace
  • Patent number: 9217320
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Ryuki Odashima, Tatsuki Endo, Shantonu Ray, Koichi Naito
  • Patent number: 9217316
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Muhammad Asif Ehtesham, Robert L. Pipkin, Tim Hunter
  • Patent number: 9212530
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.
    Inventors: James R. Streater, Jr., Daniel Hernandez, Jr., Jose Saldana
  • Patent number: 9206674
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Mike A. Luke
  • Patent number: 9200495
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.
    Inventors: James R. Streater, Jr., Daniel Hernandez, Filiberto Garcia
  • Patent number: 9200512
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony R. H. Goodwin
  • Patent number: 9200486
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: VALLOUREC DRILLING PRODUCTS FRANCE
    Inventors: Gérard Leveau, Gabriel Roussie, Didier David
  • Patent number: 9194213
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: PETROWELL LIMITED
    Inventors: Iain Macleod, Steve Reid
  • Patent number: 9194206
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Richard Yingqing Xu, Edward O'Malley
  • Patent number: 9194217
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Graham Watson, Dinesh Patel, Tom Saunders, Luis Felipe Peixoto, Ricardo Gomez Simancas, Julien Debard
  • Patent number: 9187959
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Joachim Treviranus, Carsten Freyer, Hans-Robert Oppelaar
  • Patent number: 9187958
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventor: Graham Mensa-Wilmot
  • Patent number: 9187995
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Michael H. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9187981
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Murat Ocalan, Jahir Pabon
  • Patent number: 9181755
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Inventor: Paul Bernard Lee
  • Patent number: 9145758
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: James G. King
  • Patent number: 9140092
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Brandon Matthew Cain, Todd Travis, Michael L. Bilyeu, Gordon Ronnie Altman, Steve Willard, Carl Edwin Davidson, Robert Scott Menard
  • Patent number: 9133682
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignees: MIT Innovation Sdn Bhd, Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS)
    Inventors: Ahmed Moustafa Tahoun, Raed Ismail Kafafy, Karam J. Jawamir, Mohammed Abdulmalek Aldheeb, Abdul Mushawwir Khalil
  • Patent number: 9121262
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Reinhart Ciglenec, Steven G. Villareal, Albert Hoefel, Peter Swinburne, Michael J. Stucker, Jean-Marc Follini
  • Patent number: 9103177
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: National Boss Hog Energy Services, LLC
    Inventor: Duke VanLue