Patents Examined by Michael Wills, III
  • Patent number: 9664039
    Abstract: The present disclosure involves a novel way of using drilling vibrations generated by the deformation of a rock formation in response to forces acting on the rock formation, where the forces are related to a drill bit and/or drilling fluid system, to identify the nature and occurrence of fractures, fracture swarms and other mechanical discontinuities (boundaries) such as bedding planes and/or faults that offset or otherwise separate rock formations with different mechanical rock properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Fracture ID, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Christopher Neale, James D. Lakings
  • Patent number: 9664007
    Abstract: A production sleeve assembly for use in a wellbore comprises a wellbore tubular, a plurality of fluid pathways configured to provide fluid communication within the downhole component, a plurality of electronic actuators configured to selectively provide fluid communication through one or more of the plurality of fluid pathways, and at least one sensor coupled to the plurality of electronic actuators. One or more of the plurality of electronic actuators are configured to selectively actuate to allow or prevent fluid flow through a corresponding fluid pathway of the plurality of fluid pathways in response to the at least one sensor receiving a suitable signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean Marc Lopez, Luke William Holderman, Michael L. Fripp
  • Patent number: 9664004
    Abstract: A modular donwhole tool system with a single electric hydraulic drive assembly. The assembly includes an electric hydraulic interface for coupling to any of a variety of different modular donwhole tools. Such tools may include a plug setting actuator, sleeve shifting actuator, valve effecting actuator and a variety of other radially or axially driven hydraulically powered actuators. Indeed, a variety of different actuators may be combined within the same system, tailored based on given downhole application needs. Thus, a viable off-the-shelf modular based on-site assemblage may be available to an operator for running off of a single electric hydraulic drive assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ruben Martinez, Luis Parra
  • Patent number: 9657542
    Abstract: A well tractor for use in inserting a bottom hole assembly into a wellbore, the well tractor including a tractor body, and two or more wheels connected to the tractor body by pivot arms and having a retracted position and a deployed position, the at least two wheels moveable between the retracted and deployed positions by hydraulic cylinders attached to the pivot arms. The well tractor further includes a track creating a loop around at least two wheels and engaged with the wheels, so that when the wheels rotate, the track also rotates around the wheels. When the wheels are in the retracted position, the track is maintained in close proximity to the tractor body, and when the wheels are in the deployed position, the track extends radially away from the tractor body and into contact with surfaces of the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Abdulrahman Abdulaziz Al-Mulhem
  • Patent number: 9650868
    Abstract: A stage tool for wellbore annular cementing may be opened for cementing by hydraulic actuation of a sliding sleeve valve from over a fluid port. After sufficient cement has been introduced, the stage tool fluid port can be closed by compressing two telescopically arranged parts of its tubular body to further overlap each other and overlie the fluid port. This permits the stage tool to be closed without employing a plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Packers Plus Energy Services Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Jon Themig, Christopher Denis Desranleau, James Fehr
  • Patent number: 9650844
    Abstract: An example downhole apparatus includes a drive shaft with a longitudinal axis, a spherical portion that extends radially from the longitudinal axis, and first and second interfacial surfaces proximate the spherical portion. An outer housing is positioned at least partially around the spherical portion. A radial bearing may be between the spherical portion and the outer housing and coupled to the outer housing. The radial bearing may comprise first and second interfacial surfaces in contact with the respective first and second interfacial surfaces of the drive shaft to transmit or receive torque in corresponding first and second rotational directions. A first axial bearing is coupled to the outer housing and in contact with a first end of the spherical portion to axially secure the drive shaft with respect to the outer housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Dewayne Finke, Daniel Winslow
  • Patent number: 9644428
    Abstract: A drill bit and method of making a drill bit. A bit body is provided having a plurality of blade profiles thereon. The blade profile includes a first plurality of cutting elements disposed on each blade such that at least one cutting element on a first section of each blade profile is offset relative to at least one cutting element on a second section of each blade profile. Lateral stability of the drill bit relative to a drill bit without an offset is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Thorsten Schwefe
  • Patent number: 9637989
    Abstract: A downhole vibration tool for connection with a pipe string, including a housing, an unbalanced turbine assembly contained within the housing, an inlet for introducing a fluid into the unbalanced turbine assembly, and an outlet for discharging the fluid from the unbalanced turbine assembly. The unbalanced turbine assembly includes a sleeve and at least one annular turbine which is located in an annular bore defined between the housing and the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Inventor: Gary James Bakken
  • Patent number: 9638012
    Abstract: A method for completing a wellbore in a subsurface formation includes providing a sand screen assembly representing one or more joints of sand screen, joint assembly, and packer assembly. The packer assembly has at least one mechanically-set packer with at least one alternate flow channel. The sand screen assembly and joint assembly also each have transport conduits for carrying gravel slurry, and packing conduits for delivering gravel slurry. The method also includes running the sand screen assembly, connected joint assembly and packer assembly into the wellbore, and setting a sealing element of the packer assembly into engagement with the surrounding wellbore. Thereafter, the method includes injecting gravel slurry into the wellbore to form a gravel pack such that a reserve of gravel packing material is placed above the sand screen assembly. A wellbore completion apparatus is also provided that allows for placement of the gravel reserve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Charles S. Yeh, Michael D. Barry, Michael T. Hecker, Tracy J. Moffett
  • Patent number: 9637996
    Abstract: A seal includes an elastomeric material and a plurality of nanosprings filling the elastomeric material to form a filled elastomeric composite that provides the seal. A spring constant of the nanosprings is within a selected range of an effective spring constant of the elastomeric material such that a durometer of the filled elastomeric composite at an elevated temperature is greater than the durometer of the elastomeric material alone at the elevated temperature. The seal may be used to seal a first component to a second component where both components are configured to perform a task below the surface of the earth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Rocco DiFoggio
  • Patent number: 9637987
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a coring system and a determining method that can determine whether accurate coring was achieved. A coring system according to the present invention includes: a coring part with a core to be filled with an object to be cored; a driving unit controlling upward/downward movement of the coring part; a rope connecting the coring part with the driving unit; and a tensiometer measuring tension in the rope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources
    Inventors: Moo Hee Kang, Gee Soo Kong, Kyong O Kim, Jin Ho Kim, Young Ho Yoon, Chang Sik Lee, Kyu Jung Kim
  • Patent number: 9631452
    Abstract: A mandrel for downhole isolation tools includes multiple composite pieces assembled about a common longitudinal axis at one or more common joint surfaces to form said mandrel, wherein each of said composite pieces is configured having a cross-sectional area less than the cross-sectional area of said mandrel, and an attachment mechanism configured to secure together said common joint surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: QUANTUM COMPOSITES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Dale Kiesel, Matthew Louis Kaczmarczyk, Roy B. Bendickson, Justin John McClure
  • Patent number: 9631432
    Abstract: A technique facilitates drilling of a variety of a wellbores. The technique comprises providing a directional drilling system with a drill bit mounted at the end of a collar having an internal flow passage for drilling fluid. The collar is rotatably positioned in a steering structure to which a plurality of steering members is mounted for lateral motion with respect to the steering structure. The design allows the steering structure to remain rotationally stationary with respect to the surrounding borehole wall as the collar and drill bit are rotated to perform a drilling operation. The drilling orientation of the collar and the drill bit may be adjusted by routing drilling fluid from the internal flow passage to at least one of the steering members to cause lateral displacement of the steering member while the steering structure remains in the rotationally stationary position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Geoffrey C. Downton
  • Patent number: 9624755
    Abstract: A wireline retrievable injection valve for an oil or gas well has an internal valve that is initially moved to open a flapper safety valve and also opens to allow fluid flow through the valve. The internal valve includes a sleeve that opens the flapper safety valve and shields the flapper safety valve from fluid. In this manner the flapper valve is protected from being caused to “flutter” or “chatter” due to pressure variations in the fluid flow, thereby damaging the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Tejas Research & Engineering, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Hill, Jr., Robert C. Henschel
  • Patent number: 9617816
    Abstract: A method and system for retrieving a fracturing ball in a wellbore casing. The system includes a wellbore retrieval tool comprising a tool body that is inserted into and transported along the wellbore casing. The tool is sized and configured to trap and hold the fracturing ball. When a hydraulic lock happens in the wellbore casing, the retrieval tool is lowered in a vertical section and the ball is flowed back along a horizontal section and captured by a trap in the retrieval tool. The retrieval tool may also be run in conjunction with a setting tool with a ball-in-place fracturing plug. In case of the hydraulic lock, the injection is tested following perforation with the retrieval tool still a location proximal to the ball, and the ball is immediately retrieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: BAKKEN BALL RETRIEVAL, LLC
    Inventor: Cary James Sullivan
  • Patent number: 9611693
    Abstract: A longer-lasting, lower cost, more powerful, all metal, mud motor than the presently available progressing cavity type mud motors for drilling boreholes into the earth. A mud motor apparatus possessing one single drive shaft that turns a rotary drill bit, which apparatus is attached to a drill pipe which provides high pressure mud to the mud motor, wherein the drive shaft receives at least a first portion of its rotational torque from any high pressure mud flowing through a first hydraulic chamber within the apparatus, and receives at least a second portion of its rotational torque from any high pressure mud flowing through a second hydraulic chamber within the apparatus. The mud motor apparatus possesses two hydraulic chambers, each having its own power stroke, and return stroke, and acting together in a controlled fashion, provide continuous power to a rotary drill bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Smart Drilling and Completion, Inc.
    Inventors: William Banning Vail, III, Tomislav Skerl, Damir S. Skerl
  • Patent number: 9605521
    Abstract: A valve apparatus capable of withstanding high pressures and techniques for using this apparatus in various suitable applications are provided. The valve apparatus typically includes both an upper bellows comprising a standard, convoluted bellows and a lower bellows comprising an edge-welded bellows. The valve apparatus may also include a floating, constant volume fluid chamber that travels with the lower edge-welded bellows as the lower bellows compresses and expands in an effort to protect the lower bellows from very high internal volume fluid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Zlatko Salihbegovic
  • Patent number: 9598921
    Abstract: According to the method for well and reservoir management in open hole completions, a data acquisition module (100) is advanced through the wellbore and acquires data providing information revealing fractures in the wall of the wellbore, and at least one blocking system (1002, 3000), on the basis of the data acquired, is placed in the wellbore(199, 2199, 3006) at the location of a fracture in the wall. The data acquisition module (100) is advanced by interaction with a fluid present in the wellbore, and the data acquisition module acquires data providing information on its own position in relation to the wall (3005) of the wellbore (199, 2199, 3006) and is controlled on the basis of said data in order to maintain a distance to the wall of the wellbore during its advancement. A system for well and reservoir management in open hole completions is further disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: MAERSK OLIE OG GAS A/S
    Inventors: Wilhelmus Hubertus Paulus Maria Heijnen, Robert Bouke Peters, David Ian Brink
  • Patent number: 9598920
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for drilling a wellbore is disclosed. The wellbore is drilled with a drill string that includes a bypass device having a fluid passage therethrough by supplying a fluid through the bypass device at a first flow rate, wherein the fluid circulates to a surface location via an annulus between the drill string and the wellbore. The flow rate of the fluid is altered to a second flow rate. A time period is defined and a mechanical motion of the bypass device is initiated. A parameter related to the mechanical motion of the bypass device and a parameter related to flow rate are detected. The bypass device is activated to divert a portion of the fluid to the annulus when the parameter related to mechanical motion is detected and the parameter related to flow rate is present during the defined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ingo Roders, Thorsten Regener
  • Patent number: 9598937
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a downhole rotating magnetic field generator, wherein a stator assembly is formed by fixedly connecting a guiding stator, windings, and a body together, and a rotor assembly is formed by mounting a turbine rotor and a permanent magnet together. Between the stator assembly and the rotor assembly, sliding bearings are arranged and small mud passages are formed. There is no metal isolation between the rotor and the stator for cutting through the magnetic lines of force, so that the eddy current loss is relatively small. Meanwhile, with mud flowing through the passages as lubricant, overheating of the generator can be prevented and high power output can be ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignees: CHINA PETROLEUM & CHEMICAL CORPORATION, SHENGLI DRILLING TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF SINOPEC
    Inventors: Wei Chen, Laiju Han, Zuohui Li, Feng Sun, Yifeng Wang, Qinglong Liu, Fengling Xu, Zhenhua Lv