Patents Examined by Ronald Runyan
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Patent number: 9611730Abstract: Methods and apparatus for using multi-component geophones and/or multi-component geophone arrays to measure flow-induced acoustic energy produced in wellbores are provided. With the use of the multi-component geophones, the measured acoustic energy may be resolved into its directional components. The computed directional energy components may be mathematically compared to numerically highlight ambient flow conditions (e.g., leaks in casing or other conduit, points of fluid entry/exit/restrictions between the casing and the formation). The use of an array of multi-component geophones allows for the use of geophone move-out curves to further identify acoustic energy source locations.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2013Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLCInventors: Brian Rochford, John Arbeau, Jim Rangel
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Patent number: 9605527Abstract: An apparatus for mitigation of torsional noise effects on borehole measurements. The apparatus may include a conveyance device; a sleeve having a sensor section, the sleeve rotatably disposed on the conveyance device; a sensor having at least one component disposed on the sensor section; and a driver coupled to the conveyance device and configured to rotate at least the sleeve sensor section. The driver may rotate the sleeve sensor section independent of the conveyance device. The driver may rotate the sleeve sensor section at a preset substantially constant rotational speed. The sleeve may include at least one arm configured to selectively lock the sleeve to a surface in the borehole. The driver may rotate the sleeve sensor section during measurement by the sensor. The driver may selectively couple the sleeve.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2012Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Arcady Reiderman, Robert Estes, Fei Le, Hanno Reckmann, Christian Herbig
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Patent number: 9605483Abstract: A method and system for directional drilling while conveying a liner, with latching parking capabilities for multiple trips, is disclosed. As the wellbore is drilled, each casing and liner is installed having upper and lower interior latch couplings. A liner to be installed below a parent casing includes an exterior latch assembly dimensioned for connection to the interior latch couplings of the parent casing. A bottom hole assembly may include upper and lower exterior inner string latch assemblies for connection to the upper and lower interior latch couplings of the liner to be installed. Such arrangement allows the liner to be conveyed and installed with the bottom hole assembly while directional drilling and for the liner to be temporarily hung from the parent casing for bottom hole assembly change-out while drilling. Float plugs dimensioned to be landed at lower liner interior latch couplings may be provided for cementing operations.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2015Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.Inventors: Hernando Jerez, Richard T. Hay, John G. Evans
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Patent number: 9593559Abstract: A sand control device for restricting flow of particles from a subsurface formation into a tubular body within a wellbore, the device being divided into compartments along its length, each compartment comprises a base pipe. The base pipe defines an elongated tubular body having a permeable section and an impermeable section within each compartment, also comprising a first filtering conduit and a second filtering conduit. The filtering conduits are arranged so that the first filtering conduit is adjacent to the non-permeable section of the base pipe, while the second filtering conduit is adjacent to the permeable section of the base pipe.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2012Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Charles S. Yeh, Tracy J. Moffett, Ted A. Long, Andrey A. Troshko, Michael D. Barry, Michael T. Hecker, David A. Howell, Annabel Green, Stephen McNamee, Rodney S. Royer, Robert F. Hodge, Peter Olenick, Henry Nguyen, William Barry Fisher
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Patent number: 9587449Abstract: Example workover vehicles for removing and installing sucker rods and tubing of completed wells include a mast having a distinctive spatial relationship with various equipment of the vehicle. The mast has a series of vertical corner posts or weight bearing derrick legs that define the mast's horizontal footprint. In some examples, a tubing storage rack is situated mostly within the footprint while a rod storage rack is mostly beyond the footprint. A robot traveling vertically along the mast transfers rods and tubing between the well and the appropriate storage rack. In some examples, the rod storage rack pivots between an extended operative position and a retracted transport position. In some examples, a robotic jib transfers rods or tubing to and from a lay-down storage area. Some example robot jibs are movable to a fully deployed position for normal operation and a stored position within the mast's footprint for vehicle transport.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2013Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Inventors: Jonathan V. Huseman, Frederic M. Newman, James B. Story, Kasia L. Robnett, Victor D. Trotter
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Patent number: 9580990Abstract: A downhole tool having a first packing element and a second packing element configured to synchronically set to selectively hydraulically isolate a portion of the wellbore. The lower packing element may be first set against the well with the upper packing element next being set against the well. A slip joint permits a change in distance between the packing elements during the setting of the packing elements. The slip joint may be energized to apply a force to the lower packing element to prevent the unsetting of the lower packing element during the setting of the upper packing element. A resilient member may be used to energize the slip joint or the slip joint could be hydraulically or pneumatically energized. Once both packing elements are set, the wellbore may then be treated by flowing fluid out of a ported sub positioned between the packing elements.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2015Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Juan Carlos Flores, Robert McKitrick
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Patent number: 9580982Abstract: An inner barrel assembly for use with a coring tool may include a sleeve located coaxially within an inner barrel in a telescoping manner. The core barrel assembly may also include a cap located above a top end of the sleeve when the inner barrel assembly is in an initial coring position. The cap may include a skirt having a portion extending downwardly from the cap. A coring tool including an inner barrel assembly and methods of forming an inner barrel assembly are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2014Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventor: Audun Kvinnesland
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Patent number: 9581011Abstract: Downhole Camera systems and methods. Certain systems include a high-speed video camera configured with a 360 degree optical field-of-view, a jet-flushing system capable of temporarily displacing debris substantially simultaneously along all azimuths within the optical field-of-view, and optionally a downhole real-time image processing system for reducing the amount of captured video transmitted to surface. Certain methods include capturing a set of images downhole using a high-speed video camera having a 360 degree optical field-of-view, substantially simultaneously temporarily displacing debris in the optical field-of-view for at least a portion of the time the camera is capturing video using a jet-flushing system capable of projecting flushing fluid substantially simultaneously along all azimuths in the borehole. The methods may also involve pre-processing the set of images to reduce the number of images or reduce the amount of information transmitted to surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 4, 2013Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventor: Theodorus Tjhang
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Patent number: 9567850Abstract: A system for monitoring rotational time of a rotational equipment. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are systems comprising a rotatable equipment, a sensor, and an electronic system. The sensor is coupled to the rotatable equipment, and is configured to sense rotation of the rotatable equipment. The electronic system is electrically couple to the sensor. The electronic system is self-contained, and is configured to power the sensor to determine rotational time of the rotatable equipment.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2009Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.Inventors: Jonathan R. Prill, Michael X. Tang
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Patent number: 9562393Abstract: A human-powered borehole drill bridges the gap between large drilling rigs and the other less-effective manual methods. Intended mainly for developing countries, the design is affordable and also extremely simple, as very little product support or spare parts will be needed. The drill uses conventional drill pipe and drill bits allowing the drill system to mimic more conventional methods of drilling and existing hardware to maintain uniformity in drilling and easier access to more drilling products.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2013Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Inventors: John Renouard, Sabin Gautam, Eric Alli Janmohamed, Kenneth Roy Langley, Devin Donald LeBaron, James Edward Stacey, Nathan Curtis Toone
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Patent number: 9556695Abstract: A debris barrier is installed and locked to the liner tieback extension. When it is time to check release from the liner before initiating a cement job the inner running string is lifted. The lock stays engaged to the liner tieback extension tube as the inner running string is lifted. In that manner the debris barrier remains in position during the lifting to determine release from the liner before cementing. After cementing, the inner running string is lifted further to eventually undermine the lock and capture the debris barrier to bring the debris barrier to the surface with the inner running string. The lock can be dogs or collets or the like. An inner sleeve or a lift sub with an upset can be the support whose axial movement beyond a predetermined value undermines the lock to release the debris barrier.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2013Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventor: Dustin R. Jordy
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Patent number: 9546533Abstract: Systems and methods that utilize bremsstrahlung radiation may be used to facilitate the setting of a settable composition. For example, a method may include providing a settable composition in a portion of a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, a portion of the subterranean formation, or both; conveying an electron accelerator tool along the wellbore proximal to the settable composition; producing an electron beam in the electron accelerator tool with a trajectory that impinges a converter material, thereby converting the electron beam to bremsstrahlung photons; and irradiating the settable composition with the bremsstrahlung photons.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2013Date of Patent: January 17, 2017Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas Baldasaro, Vijay Gupta, Samuel J. Lewis
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Patent number: 9546541Abstract: A method can include selecting a ratio of a first effective cross-sectional area of a first component of a gas lift valve to a second effective cross-sectional area of a second component of the gas lift valve; charging a chamber of the gas lift valve; and positioning the gas lift valve in a pocket to expose the gas lift valve to a tubing pressure and a casing pressure, where transitioning of the gas lift valve from a closed state to an open state depends at least in part on the selected ratio. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2013Date of Patent: January 17, 2017Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Chao Wang, Weng Keong Tiong, Yushan Li, Ganesh Balasubramanian
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Patent number: 9540901Abstract: A well tool can include a swellable material, and a degradable material which supports the swellable material, but which degrades in response to contact with a selected fluid in a well. A packer for use in a subterranean well can include a swellable material, and a degradable material which supports the swellable material. A method of unsetting a packer in a subterranean well can include the steps of, after the packer has been set in the well, exposing a degradable material of the packer to a selected fluid, thereby degrading the degradable material, and a seal element of the packer being unsupported by the degradable material in response to the exposing step.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2014Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventor: Alf K. Sevre
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Patent number: 9534444Abstract: A down-the-hole hammer drill bit assembly includes a foot valve and a drill component having respective abutment regions in the form of cooperating lugs and shoulders that may be engaged by rotation of the valve relative to the drill bit component to allow the lugs and shoulders to overlap radially to lock the valve at the drill component. The assembly is advantageous to allow coupling and decoupling on-site without the need for specific swaging or hydraulic/pneumatic assembly tools.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2014Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: SANDVIK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ABInventors: Conny Kraft, Anna Nordstrand
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Patent number: 9528355Abstract: There is provided a system for producing oil from a well bore extending through a fossil fuel reservoir. The system includes a plurality of perforations defined in the casing proximate the fossil fuel reservoir. A gas flow tube is in communication with the annulus volume of the casing proximate the wellhead. A gas valve is coupled to the gas flow tube, with the gas valve configured to selectively open and close the gas flow tube. A controller, is coupled to the gas valve, with the controller configured to control the opening and closing of the gas valve. The opening and closing of the gas valve maximizes the volumetric rate of oil flow into the annulus volume through the perforations from the reservoir by displacing liquid in the annulus volume with a gas volume between the gas valve and the perforations.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2013Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: Unico, Inc.Inventors: James P. McCrickard, Ronald G. Peterson, Thomas L. Beck, Michael D. Dry, Theresa Smigura
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Patent number: 9528324Abstract: An underreamer for increasing a diameter of a wellbore. The underreamer includes a body having an axial bore extending at least partially therethrough. A mandrel is disposed within the bore of the body and has a port formed radially therethrough. A sleeve is disposed radially-outward from the mandrel. The sleeve blocks fluid flow through the port in the mandrel when the sleeve is in a first position, and the sleeve is axially-offset from the port in the mandrel when the sleeve is in a second position. A flow tube is coupled to the mandrel. The sleeve moves from the first position to the second position when fluid flows through the flow tube and through a channel disposed in the mandrel. A cutter block is movably coupled to the body and is responsive to fluid flow from the axial bore through the port in the mandrel.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2014Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: Smith International, Inc.Inventors: Nathan Fuller, Craig Boswell
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Patent number: 9523269Abstract: A control system for an automatic drilling tool changer apparatus for use with a drilling rig includes a drilling control device programmed with a control scheme for controlling the automatic drilling tool changer apparatus, and a user interface coupled to the drilling control device for initiating actions of the automatic drilling tool changer apparatus and for interactively monitoring a status of the automatic drilling tool changer apparatus. The control scheme includes steps for an automatic drilling tool change-out operation, and the drilling control device and the user interface are configured to communicate with the automatic drilling tool changer apparatus over a network.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2013Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLCInventors: Ross L. Hoult, Samuel C. Taylor, Andrew Wright, Timo Diekmann, Chinpei Tang, Marcus U. Bähtz, Vin J. Varghese
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Patent number: 9523257Abstract: The present invention relates to a downhole system (100) for sealing an opening (2) in a wall of a well tubular structure in a borehole (4) downhole by means of a downhole tubular assembly (1), comprising the downhole tubular assembly comprising an expandable tubular part (5) having an inner face (6) and an unexpanded expandable tubular thickness in an unexpanded state, and a helical spring (7) having a helical inner diameter, a radial helical spring thickness and a helical outer diameter in an unexpanded state, the helical spring being arranged inside the expandable tubular part and substantially concentrically with the expandable tubular part, an expansion tool (9) for expanding the tubular assembly inside the well tubular structure (3) in one direction, the expansion tool comprising an expansion part having a diameter, and the expansion tool being arranged substantially on an axis which is concentric and longitudinal with the tubular assembly, and positioned in a first position, wherein the expandable tubuType: GrantFiled: December 21, 2012Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: WELLTEC A/SInventors: Jørgen Hallundbæk, Tomas Sune Andersen
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Patent number: 9518430Abstract: An adjustable fracturing system is provided. In one embodiment, the system includes a fracturing manifold and a fracturing tree. A fluid conduit is coupled between the fracturing manifold and the fracturing tree to enable receipt of fracturing fluid by the fracturing tree from the fracturing manifold. Further, the fluid conduit is an adjustable fluid conduit that allows an operator to vary a dimension of the fluid conduit to facilitate coupling of the fluid conduit between the fracturing manifold and the fracturing tree. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2015Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: Cameron International CorporationInventor: Kirk P. Guidry