Patents Examined by Matthew R Buck
  • Patent number: 11913290
    Abstract: What is provided is a method and apparatus which can be detachably connected to an annular blowout preventer thereby separating the drilling fluid or mud into upper and lower sections and allowing the fluid to be displaced in two stages, such as while the drill string is being rotated and/or reciprocated. In one embodiment the sleeve can be rotatably and sealably connected to a mandrel. The swivel can be incorporated into a drill or well string and enabling string sections both above and below the sleeve to be rotated in relation to the sleeve. In one embodiment the drill or well string does not move in a longitudinal direction relative to the swivel. In one embodiment, the drill or well string does move longitudinally relative to the sleeve of the swivel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Mako Rentals, Inc.
    Inventors: Kip M. Robichaux, Kenneth G. Caillouet, Terry P. Robichaux
  • Patent number: 11913300
    Abstract: A wellbore chemical injection assembly includes an extension flange including two ends and defining a flange bore. The first end can be fluidically coupled to a tubing spool inlet of a wellhead installed at a wellbore surface. The second end can be fluidically coupled to a chemical reservoir from which chemical is injected through the flange bore into the tubing spool. The assembly includes a mandrel positioned within the extension flange. A portion of the mandrel resides within the flange bore, while a remainder extends out. The mandrel defines an interior opening spanning an axial length of the mandrel. Outer coupling threads formed on the mandrel can removably mate with counterpart threads in the tubing spool inlet. Inner coupling threads formed on an inner surface of a portion of the interior opening can removably mate with coupling threads on a valve assembly removably seated in the interior opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Mustafa Karakaya, Sohrat Baki
  • Patent number: 11913305
    Abstract: A seal arrangement includes a body having a face seal, and a flexible arm extending from the body. The arm includes a contact seal. A flapper valve, includes a housing, a flapper and a flapper seat. The flapper seat includes a body having a face seal positioned to make sealing contact with the flapper in selected flapper positions A method for sealing a flapper valve includes closing a flapper toward a seat and making a seal, by deflecting a flexible arm of the flapper seat that supports a contact seal. A borehole system including a borehole in a subsurface formation, a string in the borehole, and a seal arrangement disposed within or as a part of the string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Miguel Alvarez, Joshua Raymond Snitkoff, John Burris, Chad Yates
  • Patent number: 11913557
    Abstract: The protection device has a valve and a valve actuator, able to move the valve to a closed position when a pressure upstream of the valve exceeds a predetermined threshold pressure. The valve actuator includes a biaser, to maintain the valve in an open position; an actuation mechanism, to move the valve to the closed position, the actuation mechanism with a fluid sampling passage to fluidly connect the flow line to a fluid actuated surface of the actuation mechanism. At least a rupture element preventing the passage of fluid from the flow line when the pressure upstream of the rupture element is lower than the threshold pressure, the rupture element being able to break at the threshold pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: TOTAL SE
    Inventor: Neil Walker
  • Patent number: 11905806
    Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing system includes a support structure having a first area at a first height and a second area at a second height, the first and second areas adjacent one another. The system also includes an electric powered, multi-plunger pump with an odd number of plungers, arranged in the first area, the electric powered pump coupled to a well, via outlet piping, and powered by at least one electric motor, also arranged in the first area. The system further includes a variable frequency drive (VFD), arranged in the second area, connected to the at least one electric motor, the VFD configured to control at least a speed of the at least one electric motor. The system also includes a transformer, arranged in the second area, the transformer positioned within an enclosure with the VFD, the transformer distributing power to the electric pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Lon Robinson, Jared Oehring, Brandon N. Hinderliter
  • Patent number: 11905778
    Abstract: A laser system for freeing downhole equipment includes a laser tool having an inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of the downhole equipment and a means for generating a ring-shaped collimated laser beam. The laser system further includes a work string with the inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the downhole equipment. The laser tool is installed on the work string and the work string is lowered around the downhole equipment. Upon lowering the work string to a position in which the laser tool is located proximate to an obstruction of the downhole tool, the laser tool emits the ring-shaped collimated laser beam so as to clear out an annulus space between the downhole equipment and a wellbore wall in order to free the downhole equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Sameeh Issa Batarseh, Damian Pablo San Roman Alerigi
  • Patent number: 11905785
    Abstract: A system an annular sleeve configured to be positioned in an annular space between a first annular component and a second annular component of a drilling system. The annular sleeve includes a radially-inner annular surface and a radially-outer annular surface. The annular sleeve also includes a first annular seal element coupled to the radially-inner annular surface and configured to seal against the first annular component, a second annular seal element coupled to the radially-outer annular surface and configured to seal against the second annular component, and one or more axially-extending passageways extending from a first end to a second end of the annular sleeve. The annular sleeve is configured to direct a fluid flow through the one or more axially-extending passageways across the annular sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Vikas Rakhunde
  • Patent number: 11905831
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for establishing a well foundation as well as for drilling and installation of a surface casing without any use of a drilling rig.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Scandinavia AS
    Inventors: Jarle Hvidsten, Knut Inge Dahlberg, Anders Berggren, Vidar Strand
  • Patent number: 11906058
    Abstract: A rotary valve including a port housing, a port, an axially actuated rotary sleeve disposed within the port housing, the sleeve having a plurality of apertures in fluid communication with the port; and an insert disposed within the sleeve, the insert having an opening, the sleeve being rotatable to align one of the plurality of apertures with the opening. A rotary valve including a port housing, having a port, an axially actuated rotary sleeve disposed within the port housing, the sleeve having an aperture; and an insert disposed within the sleeve, the insert having a plurality of openings of distinct size from one another, the aperture of the sleeve being selectively alignable with one of the plurality of openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Hai Hoang Nguyen, Michael Andrew Palmer
  • Patent number: 11898406
    Abstract: An apparatus for changing a drilling tool for a drilling rig is described, where the drilling rig comprises a drill tower supporting a drill pipe. The apparatus for changing a drilling tool has a drilling tool changer assembly moveable between a storage position and an exchange position, and the drilling tool changer assembly supports a rotatable carousel assembly. The rotatable carousel assembly is capable of being removed from the drilling tool changer assembly and capable of replacement on the drilling tool changer in the same angular position with respect to the drill pipe as when removed. The rotatable carousel assembly has a plurality of bit adaptors for holding drilling tools and is selectively rotatable to bring a selected drilling tool into coaxial alignment with the drill pipe when the drilling tool changer assembly supporting the rotatable carousel assembly is moved into the exchange position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Epiroc Drilling Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Fosler, Samyuktha Pericharla, Tyler Berens
  • Patent number: 11891861
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a riser system in the form of a pumped riser (1), i.e. a riser (1) having an outlet (6) from the riser (1) at a depth below the surface (S) of a body of water, where the outlet (6) is coupled to a return pump (7) to return fluid from the riser (1) to the surface (S), and various operational methods to facilitate greater versatility when performing hydrocarbon drilling related operations. The arrangement also comprises a sealing element (15, 16) to seal an annulus (5) of the riser (1), and a by-pass (17) around the sealing element (15, 16). Various methods makes it possible to switch between open mode and closed mode, and vice versa, monitoring leakage across the sealing element (15, 16), as well as performing other operations exploiting the advantages of the two different modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Enhanced Drilling AS
    Inventors: Per Christian Stenshorne, David Edward Smith, Gustav Olov Skärgård
  • Patent number: 11891871
    Abstract: A hanger running tool includes a mandrel. The hanger running tool also includes a mandrel protrusion, the mandrel protrusion extending radially outward from the mandrel. The hanger running tool includes a hold down nut coupled to the mandrel and arranged axially uphole of the mandrel protrusion. The hanger running tool includes a thrust collar coupled to the mandrel and arranged axially downhole of the mandrel protrusion. The hanger running tool includes a void cavity defined, at least in part, by the hold down nut, the thrust collar, and the mandrel, wherein the mandrel protrusion is positioned within the void cavity. The hanger running tool also includes a bearing system positioned within the void cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventor: Joseph Shu Yian Liew
  • Patent number: 11885207
    Abstract: Fracturing fluid delivery systems having components with sacrificial liners or sleeves are provided. In one example, a fracturing system includes a flexible fracturing fluid conduit coupled to a wellhead assembly. The flexible fracturing fluid conduit includes a flexible body, a rigid end joined to the flexible body, and a bore extending through the flexible body and the rigid end for conveying fracturing fluid to the wellhead assembly. The flexible fracturing fluid conduit also includes a rigid sacrificial sleeve installed in the rigid end and within the bore. In another example, a fracturing system includes a fracturing fluid delivery apparatus coupled to a wellhead. The fracturing fluid delivery apparatus includes a pressure-containing component having a rigid body with a bore for conveying fracturing fluid. The pressure-containing component has a sacrificial liner provided through the bore along an interior surface of the rigid body. Additional systems, devices, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Juan Alexander Garro, Enrique Villarroel, Stuart Robinson, Kirk P. Guidry, Aleem A. Khokhar
  • Patent number: 11885201
    Abstract: A new sliding sleeve relates to the technical field of oil and gas well completion and reservoir stimulation, comprising an upper connector, a lower connector, an outer housing, an inner sleeve and a shear pin. The upper connector and the lower connector are respectively connected to two ends of the outer housing, and the inner sleeve is locked in the outer housing via the shear pin, wherein a flow guiding hole is provided in the outer housing, and the inner sleeve can open or close the flow guiding hole, wherein at least two grooves for engaging with at least two corresponding tooth-shaped elements on a sliding sleeve opening tool are disposed along an axial direction in the inner sleeve, and wherein an erosion-resistant ring is embedded in the groove, and an inner diameter of the erosion-resistant ring is larger than or equal to an inner diameter of the inner sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignees: China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation, Sinopec Southwest Oil & Gas Company
    Inventors: Zhenwei Gan, Bin Qi, Shunqu Hu, Zhimin Hou, Yongmao Lin, Tao Liu, Chen Chen, Lei Wang, Dan Hu, Jiang Qian
  • Patent number: 11885199
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and related methods for controlling a pressurized flow from a high or low pressure system. An actuated sand dump system and related methods include a first valve positioned downstream of a high or low pressure system, a second valve positioned downstream of the first valve, a choke positioned between in the first and second valves, a plurality of pressure gauges, and a control unit operable to automatically open and close the first and second valves and the choke in a predetermined sequence, upon initiating the predetermined sequence, and in response to pressure measurements from the plurality of pressure gauges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: SM ENERGY COMPANY
    Inventors: Sean Sayers, Nathan Gerber, Ryan Davis, Robert Balcer
  • Patent number: 11879582
    Abstract: A method and fluid connection system to fluidly connect a fracturing manifold to a fracturing tree. The method includes fluidly connecting a plurality of flexible flowlines between the manifold outlet of a fracturing manifold module and the fracturing tree such that fluid from the manifold outlet is distributed into the flexible flowlines and into the fracturing tree to avoid abrupt or right angle changes in direction in all fluid connections at the fracturing tree and between the manifold outlet and the fracturing tree. The fluid connection system includes a flow distribution block having a single inlet and a plurality of outlets, and distributes fluid flow between the single inlet and the plurality of outlets without abrupt or right angle changes in direction. The flexible flowlines have a first end fluidly connected to one of the plurality of outlets, and a second end fluidly connected to the fracturing tree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Stream-Flo Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Keith David Farquharson, Kevin Andrew Elgert
  • Patent number: 11873918
    Abstract: An interval control valve actuator includes an electrohydraulic pressure generator and an actuation pressure line extending between the generator and a valve. A hydraulic junction disposed in the actuation pressure line is selectively hydraulically joins the actuation pressure line to a backup pressure line. An interval control valve including a housing, a valve disposed in the housing, an electrohydraulic actuator hydraulically connected to the valve by an actuation pressure line. A hydraulic junction disposed between the electrohydraulic actuator and the valve and a backup pressure line hydraulically connected to the hydraulic junction, the backup pressure line being selectively hydraulically connectable to the actuation pressure line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Thomas McClain Scott, Marc Samuelson, David Schneider
  • Patent number: 11867046
    Abstract: Systems and methods for exchanging fracturing components of a hydraulic fracturing unit and may include an exchangeable fracturing component section to facilitate quickly exchanging a fracturing component of a hydraulic fracturing unit. The fracturing component section may include a section frame including a base, and a fracturing component connected to the base. The fracturing component section also may include a component electrical assembly and a component fluid assembly connected to the section frame. The fracturing component section further may include a coupling plate connected to the section frame. The fracturing component section also may include one or more of a plurality of quick-connect electrical couplers or a plurality of quick-connect fluid couplers connected to a coupling plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: BJ Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Tony Yeung, Ricardo Rodriguez-Ramon, Joseph Foster
  • Patent number: 11867682
    Abstract: A method for determining a hydrocarbon concentration from drilling fluid includes pumping the drilling fluid into a wellbore and circulating a sample of the drilling fluid uphole from the wellbore so that ?13C isotopic signatures can be determined for one or more hydrocarbon components and for methane in the sample where the methane includes natural methane originating from the earth formation and artificially-produced methane caused by drill bit metamorphism (DBM). A processor is adapted to determine the concentration of the natural methane in the sample based in part on the ?13C isotopic signatures which may be performed during the drilling of the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Bastian Baecker, Erik Lehne, Svenja Erdmann, Salar Azizi
  • Patent number: 11867024
    Abstract: A rigid valve block body and a method for determining fluid flow direction are disclosed. The valve block body includes a first fluid inlet and a further fluid inlet at opposed sides of a rigid valve block body. A first fluid outlet of the valve block body and a further fluid outlet of the valve block body are disposed in a spaced apart relationship. A first V-shaped fluid communication passageway comprises two passageway portions each extending within the valve block body from a first common root region proximate to the first fluid inlet. A further V-shaped fluid communication passageway comprises two further passageway portions each extending within the valve block body away from a further common root region proximate to the further fluid port. An end region of each passageway portion of the first V-shaped fluid communication passageway meets an end region of a respective passageway portion of the further V-shaped fluid communication passageway proximate to a respective fluid outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Energy Technology UK Limited
    Inventors: David Neil Spencer, Per Magne Reiten, William Bryson