Patents Examined by Matthew R Buck
  • Downhole fiber optic transmission for real-time well monitoring and downhole equipment actuation
    Patent number: 11767754
    Abstract: Systems and methods for real-time monitoring of well conditions and actuation of downhole equipment are provided. A subsea wellhead system comprises a tubing hanger landed in a wellhead, wherein the tubing hanger comprises a first fiber optic cable; a tree landed on the tubing hanger, wherein the tree comprises a second fiber optic cable; a transducer disposed at a downhole location, wherein the first fiber optic cable is communicatively coupled to the transducer and extends between the transducer and the seal sub; and a seal sub, wherein the seal sub is landed in the tubing hanger, wherein the seal sub comprises: a fiber optic communications line that is communicatively coupled to the first fiber optic cable and the second fiber optic cable; wherein the seal sub and the tubing hanger form an electrical connection regardless of an orientation of the tubing hanger relative to the tree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank D. Kalb, Justin D. Gorhum
  • Decoupled long stroke pump
    Patent number: 11761317
    Abstract: Methods for operating a decoupled long stroke pump to pump treatment fluid to a wellbore are provided. The decoupled long stroke pump has relatively long stroke plungers that can be powered by hydraulics, linear electric motors, mechanical long stroke mechanisms, linear actuators, or any other device that can provide a linear force to the plungers. Such long stroke pumps have the suction and discharge strokes decoupled such that an absolute linear flow rate without pressure pulses on the suction or discharge can be produced. Any desired flow profile of the treatment fluid can be produced via the decoupled long stroke pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley V. Stephenson, Timothy Holiman Hunter, Jim Basuki Surjaatmadja
  • System and method for incorporating a velocity spool (ejector) in a corrosion inhibition system
    Patent number: 11761309
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a wellhead system that includes a wellhead; a tank of corrosion inhibitor chemical; and an ejector device comprising: a high pressure nozzle connected to the wellhead through a first flowline; a low pressure nozzle connected to the tank of corrosion inhibitor chemical through a second flowline; and wherein the ejector device is configured to generate a gas and chemical mixture fluid that exits the ejector device and flows downstream of the wellhead system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Khaled Ali AlSayed, Saud F. AlSadhan
  • Remote and autonomous chemical treatment system for application in producing wells of offshore platforms
    Patent number: 11761307
    Abstract: The present invention addresses to a remote and autonomous chemical treatment system for application in producing wells of offshore platforms aiming at treatments for removal and prevention of production string fouling, selective completion system, well safety equipment (DHSV, HFIV) and rock formation. The purpose of this invention is to completely replace the stimulation boat, thus allowing treatments to be carried out with resources from the routine operational contracting of the offshore production unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Petróleo Brasileiro S.A.—Petrobras
    Inventors: Fernando Antonio Moreira Da Silva, Paulo Henrique De Amorim Martins, Jose Sergio Daher, Mario Germino Ferreira Da Silva, Thiago Geraldo Da Silva, Caio Mezencio Pimenta
  • Flow measurement choke valve system
    Patent number: 11761276
    Abstract: A drilling system includes a choke valve system in fluid communication with a wellbore via a fluid return line. The choke valve system is configured to receive a return fluid from the wellbore. The choke valve system includes a choke valve through which the return fluid flows and a valve position sensor configured to determine a position of the choke valve. The drilling system further includes a controller in signal communication with the valve position sensor. The controller is programmed to determine a flow rate of the return fluid through the fluid return line based on the determined position of the choke valve. The controller is further programmed to adjust the position of the choke valve in response to the determined flow rate of the return fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: ADS Services, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Charles, Anand Parthasarathy
  • Fatigue monitoring of coiled tubing in downline deployments
    Patent number: 11761322
    Abstract: Methods for real-time coiled tubing fatigue monitoring can establish a remaining operational life of a coiled tubing strand. Standard or low-cycle plastic fatigue in bending is measured each time the coiled tubing strand is deployed through a guide arch. Also, smaller, but higher frequency loads, e.g., high cycle loads imparted to the coiled tubing strand due to interaction with an oceanic environment, are also measured. A plurality of weight detectors may be coupled to a support frame below the guide for monitoring the high-cycle loads. The remaining operational life of the coiled tubing strand may be calculated based on both the plastic strains using a low-cycle fatigue analysis and the elastic strains using a high-cycle fatigue analysis. An operator may retire a coiled tubing strand prior to failure based on the calculated remaining operational life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Galen Roy Hebert
  • Steam diverter apparatus and method for controlling steam flow in a well
    Patent number: 11761316
    Abstract: A steam diverter apparatus for forming part of a downhole tubing string is provided. The apparatus may be used in a SAGD operation to control flow of steam into a formation. The apparatus includes a tubular housing defining steam-admitting ports, and containing a moveable shift sleeve. The apparatus is modifiable for use with position shifting tools of different outer diameters by interchanging first and second sets of the shift sleeve and insert rings having different minimum inner diameters within the housing. The open flow area of the apparatus is modifiable by plugs that block the ports and are removably attached to the housing. The plug, the shift sleeve, or both of them may be made of a dissolvable material, so that they can be dissolved by a chemical solution injected into the tubing string, for the purpose of controlling steam flow through the ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Inventors: Ronald Scott Alders, Jeffrey Golinowski, Daniel P. Lupien
  • Dual hardness sealing elements for blowout preventer
    Patent number: 11761287
    Abstract: The present invention relates to sealing elements for blowout preventers comprising a sealing interface region, and a second region, wherein said sealing interface region is formed of a first polymer and said second region is formed of a second polymer, the first and second polymers having different Shore A hardnesses, including sealing elements made of dual hardness polyurethane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: LANXESS Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew P. Burdzy, Thomas Harald Peter
  • Subsurface safety valve operation monitoring system
    Patent number: 11761304
    Abstract: A system includes a subsurface safety valve assembly connected to a production tubing string and including a sensor assembly disposed on its outer surface. The sensor assembly includes a magnetic sensor configured to measure a magnetic field or a sonic sensor configured to measure a sonic signal, and is configured to measure a change in a parameter caused by change in position of a closure member that is configured to selectively permit fluid flow through the central bore of the subsurface safety valve. The system further includes a control unit positioned at a surface location and that is configured to receive, from sensor assembly, a measurement of the change in the parameter, wherein the measurement is a change in the magnetic field or a change in the sonic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Emeka Agbo, Luai A. Sukkar
  • Control system for a well control device
    Patent number: 11753899
    Abstract: A control system automatically operates a subsea well control device on detecting that a load in an Intervention Riser System (IRS) coupled to the subsea well control device has reached a threshold. The control system has a first control unit to detect that the load in the IRS has reached the threshold and a second control unit triggering actuation of the subsea well control device. The first control unit is in communication with the second control unit and issues an activation command to the second control unit to cause it to trigger actuation of the subsea well control device. The first control unit automatically issues the activation command to the second control unit upon detecting that the load in the IRS has reached the threshold, to trigger actuation of the subsea well control device prior to structural failure of an IRS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Expro North Sea Limited
    Inventors: Kris Manett, Jamie Drummond Walker
  • Winch overload protection system
    Patent number: 11753880
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a winch overload protection system, a workover system, and a method for operating a workover system. The winch overload protection system, in one embodiment, includes an overload detection unit operable to detect when a load on a winch of a workover system exceeds a safety load limit. The winch overload protection system, in this embodiment, further includes an overload control unit configured to receive an overload signal from the overload detection unit, and in response thereto release a brake on the winch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Stephen Oser, Mickie James Theriot, Robert Alexander Lyons, Jr.
  • Fluid pulse generation in subterranean wells
    Patent number: 11753901
    Abstract: A fluid pulse generator can include a fluid motor including a rotor that rotates in response to fluid flow, a variable flow restrictor positioned upstream of the fluid motor and including a restrictor member rotatable relative to a ported member and longitudinally displaceable relative to the rotor. Another fluid pulse generator can include a flex joint or a constant velocity joint connected between the restrictor member and the rotor. In another fluid pulse generator, the variable flow restrictor can include a valve and a fluidic restrictor element, the valve being operable in response to rotation of the rotor, the fluidic restrictor element being configured to generate fluid pulses in response to the fluid flow through a flow path, and the valve being configured to control the fluid flow through another flow path connected in parallel with the first flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: THRU TUBING SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Roger L. Schultz, Andrew M. Ferguson, Timothy Manke, Brett A. Fears
  • Solid fluidization tubular separator for marine natural gas hydrate
    Patent number: 11746640
    Abstract: The disclosure discloses a solid fluidization tubular separator for marine natural gas hydrate, which includes a first separator and a second separator, wherein the first separator includes the first separation sleeve, the power liquid pipe, the swirl baffle, the recovery mechanism and the sand discharge mechanism. After the hydrate is sucked into the first separation sleeve to generate a circumferential velocity, so that the mud and sand with high density are separated to the pipe wall of the first separation sleeve, and the mud and sand separated to the pipe wall are settled down from the gap between the swirl baffle and the pipe wall along the pipe wall. The hydrate swirl flows into the recovery mechanism, and then leaves the first separation sleeve and enters the second separator, so as to realize the separation of mud and sand and natural gas hydrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignees: Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong, Southwest Petroleum University
    Inventors: Yang Tang, Zeliang Li, Xushen Li, Jiang Lu, Xiaoyu Fang, Guorong Wang, Pu Yang, Jinhai Zhao, Xiaolong Ma, Dongqing Xia, Lin Zhong, Yufa He, Qingping Li, Yanjun Li, Hexing Liu, Peng Zhao
  • Optimizing operations of a hydraulic fracturing system
    Patent number: 11746635
    Abstract: A method may include receiving information related to operation or a configuration of a hydraulic fracturing system, The hydraulic fracturing system may include one or more fracturing rigs, one or more blending equipment, and one or more power sources electrically connected to a first subset of the one or more fracturing rigs, or one or more fuel sources fluidly connected to a second subset of the one or more fracturing rigs. The hydraulic fracturing system may further include one or more missile valves, one or more zipper valves, one or more well head valves, and one or more well heads. The method may further include optimizing the operation of one or more subsystems of the hydraulic fracturing system using a particle swarm algorithm. The method may further include outputting one or more control signals to the one or more subsystems based on optimizing the operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Todd R. Kabrich, Andy Publes, Casey A. Otten, Brandon J. Mabe, Perry D. Converse, Jason T. Herlehy, Joseph C. Bufkin
  • Electrical drilling and production systems and methods
    Patent number: 11739605
    Abstract: A drilling and production system is provided. In one embodiment, such a system has a plurality of functions that are effectuated at least predominately without hydraulic fluid. The system can be a drilling system having a rig (20) and a subsea stack (14) for performing various drilling functions, in which a majority of the drilling functions are effected electrically without hydraulic control fluid. In another embodiment, the rig is coupled to a subsea wellhead assembly (14) but is not connected so as to provide hydraulic control fluid from the rig to the subsea wellhead assembly to enable drilling functions of the subsea wellhead assembly. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Vikas Rakhunde, Nathan Cooper, Justin Blair, Michael W. Berckenhoff, Michael Mancuso, Matthew Givens
  • Minimal electronic sensor collars
    Patent number: 11740380
    Abstract: This disclosure presents an apparatus and system for lowering the cost of implementing a downhole sensor system using attachable collars. In some aspects, the attachable collar includes a transmitter component, while supporting electronics are included with a main collar, thereby reducing the cost of the attachable collar. The supporting electronics can send a transmission signal, a control signal, a synchronization clock signal, a selected transmission frequency, a sensor orientation and selection, and other instructions to the transmitter in the attachable collar. The receiver in the main collar can receive the output, as reflected by the subterranean formation, and transform the output to subterranean formation evaluation measurements. The measurements can be communicated to other systems. In some aspects, the attachable collar can include the receiver and the main collar can include the transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Chase Griffing, Clint Paul Lozinsky, Michael Bittar, Hsu-Hsiang Wu
  • Stopping fluid flow through a stuck open inflow control valve
    Patent number: 11739613
    Abstract: An assembly and a method for stopping a fluid flow through a stuck open inflow control device are described. An inflow control valve includes a valve body with an inlet, an inner sleeve, and an outer sleeve, and an actuation mechanism. The inner sleeve is movably coupled to an inner surface of the valve body to control fluid flow through the valve body. The outer sleeve is coupled to an outer surface of the valve body to stop the fluid flow through the inlet when the inner sleeve is stuck open. The outer sleeve is movable from a position allowing fluid flow through the valve body to a locked position stopping fluid flow through the valve body. The actuation mechanism moves the outer sleeve from the position offset from the inlet to the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Khaled M. Mutairi, Mohammed A. Eissa, Abdullah M. Haji, Mostafa M. Bori
  • Isolation tool
    Patent number: 11732540
    Abstract: An isolation tool is provided that includes an upper elastomer, a lower elastomer. The isolation tool when set provides a circumferential flow path between the elastomers. The isolation tool also includes a longitudinal flow path from above the isolation tool to below the isolation tool. The longitudinal flowpath is preferably sufficiently linear that a solid tool may be passed through the longitudinal flowpath from above the isolation tool to below the isolation tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Patriot Research Center, LLC
    Inventors: Craig Cotton, Brandon Cain
  • Snub friendly wellhead hanger
    Patent number: 11719073
    Abstract: A method for snubbing a wellhead hanger into a wellhead is provided. In one embodiment, a snubbing method includes snubbing a tubing hanger into a wellhead housing from a snubbing unit. Snubbing the tubing hanger into the wellhead housing can include lowering the tubing hanger into a bore of the wellhead housing under pressure and allowing fluid in the bore to pass along an exterior of the tubing hanger to balance fluid pressure above and below the tubing hanger as the tubing hanger is lowered. The tubing hanger can be positioned at a location in the bore of the wellhead housing, which can be elastically deformed to grip and secure the tubing hanger at the location in the bore. Additional methods, systems, and devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brandon Blake Shirley, Juan Carlos Gonzalez
  • System and method to conduct underbalanced drilling
    Patent number: 11719058
    Abstract: An underbalanced drilling system is provided. A bottomhole assembly includes a drill bit drilling a wellbore in a formation underbalanced. The bottomhole assembly includes a telemetry sub. A telemetry component transmits signals in real-time between the telemetry sub of the bottomhole assembly and a controller on the surface. A drill string is coupled with the bottomhole assembly, and the drill string includes a plurality of drill collars. The drill collars form a channel through which drilling fluid flows from the surface to the bottomhole assembly. The drill string is inserted into the wellbore by a hydraulic work over unit. A continuous circulation component provides continuous circulation of the drilling fluid while a new drill collar is coupled to the drill string. The continuous circulation component substantially maintains a wellbore density at a predetermined density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Philippe Quero