Patents Examined by Ronald Runyan
  • Patent number: 9394763
    Abstract: A location and orientation assembly suitable for use in a multi-lateral wellbore may include a coupling portion, an upper muleshoe, a muleshoe spacer and a bottom muleshoe. The bottom muleshoe may connect to the coupling portion through a threaded connection. A method for locating and orienting in a multi-lateral wellbore includes providing a locating and orientation assembly. In the orientation assembly a coupling portion is provided and an upper muleshoe is inserted into the coupling portion. A muleshoe spacer is inserted into the coupling portion so as to matingly contact the upper muleshoe portion. Part of a bottom muleshoe is inserted into the coupling portion so as to matingly contact the muleshoe spacer. The coupling portion is jointed to the bottom muleshoe by a threaded connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: John Wolf, Michael Plooy, Victor Fridman, Hanif Hunter, Barton Sponchia, Lance M. Rayne
  • Patent number: 9394752
    Abstract: A technique provides for stimulating or otherwise treating multiple intervals/zones of a well by controlling flow of treatment fluid via a plurality of flow control devices. The flow control devices are provided with internal profiles and flow through passages. Mechanical darts are designed for engagement with the internal profiles of specific flow control devices, and each mechanical dart may be moved downhole for engagement with and activation of the specific flow control device associated with that mechanical dart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: John Fleming, Gary L. Rytlewski, Larry W. Phillips, Jason Swaren, Aude Faugere, Rod Shampine, Zhanke Liu, Pete Bazan, Jr., Jabus Talton Davis
  • Patent number: 9376892
    Abstract: An actuation device comprises a housing comprising one or more ports, a magnetic valve component, and a central flowbore. The central flowbore is configured to receive a disposable member configured to emit a magnetic field, and the magnetic valve component is configured to radially shift from a first position to a second position in response to interacting with the magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Fripp, Luke William Holderman
  • Patent number: 9376908
    Abstract: A pipe conveyed extendable well logging assembly includes a deployment system for extending and retracting a well logging tool relative to the pipe while downhole. The logging tool may be releasably latched to the pipe, and may include position sensors for position feedback and depth correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Wesley Neil Ludwig, John Hudson Hales, Flint R. George, Ronald E. Cherry
  • Patent number: 9359881
    Abstract: Processes and systems for drilling a borehole wherein a gravitational energy term, a torsional energy term, a hydraulic energy term and a hydromechanical specific energy which is the sum thereof may be determined using real-time data and compared against corresponding setpoints. The hydraulic energy term may include a hydraulic energy reduction factor so as to account for the distance between the fluid nozzle of the drill bit and the rock and may include the kinematic viscosity of drilling fluid. One or more drilling parameters, such as weight on bit, revolutions per minute, drilling fluid flow rate, or combinations thereof, may be adjusted based upon such comparison to approximate the least amount of energy required to destroy and remove a given unit volume of rock. The setpoints may be changed manually or automatically at the direction of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Marathon Oil Company
    Inventor: Joseph R. DiSantis
  • Patent number: 9339915
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a PCD element containing a substrate and a PCD layer. The PCD has a top surface, a side surface, an intermediate surface, an unleached region containing a diamond body matrix and an interstitial matrix including a catalyst, and a leached region containing a diamond body matrix and empty space in the place of the interstitial matrix. The catalyst has been leached from the empty space in the place of the interstitial matrix. The unleached region is adjacent to a substantial portion of the side surface and the leached region is not adjacent to a substantial portion of the side surface, and the leached region is adjacent to the top surface or the intermediate surface. The disclosure also provides a system and method for leaching a PCD element including a liquid able to leach a catalyst and a protective member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary E. Weaver
  • Patent number: 9340854
    Abstract: A drilling motor and method of making a drill motor are disclosed. The drilling motor includes a stator having a bore therethrough and inner surface and a rotor having an outer surface configured to be disposed in the stator. The outer surface of the rotor comes in contact with the inner surface of the stator. At least one of the inner surface of the stator and the outer surface of the rotor includes a coating of a diamond-like carbon material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Dan E. Scott, Chih Lin
  • Patent number: 9341050
    Abstract: A method and system for treating a portion of a hydrocarbon-bearing formation of a crude oil reservoir containing heavy hydrocarbons using a microwave enhanced heavy hydrocarbon recovery system includes forming a horizontal injection well having an injection horizontal run, forming a horizontal microwave source well having a microwave source horizontal run, forming a horizontal production well having a production horizontal run, introducing a treatment fluid into the crude oil reservoir through the horizontal injection well, introducing a microwave antenna having a microwave emitter into the horizontal microwave source well, introducing electrical power to the microwave emitter such, forming a microwave energy field which reduces the viscosity of the heavy hydrocarbons and forms a production fluid forms, and extracting the production fluid through the horizontal production well. The injection horizontal run is positioned below both the microwave source horizontal run and the production horizontal run.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Khaled Abdullah Al-Buraik
  • Patent number: 9334699
    Abstract: A drill cuttings conveyance system includes a collection tank that includes a screw conveyor and a chamber operable to accommodate drill cuttings, the screw conveyer extending along a longitudinal axis of the collection tank from a first end of the chamber to a second end of the chamber; a port disposed at the second end of the chamber of the collection tank, the port including a channel operable to direct the drill cuttings from the chamber of the collection tank; a pump including an inlet connected to the port and operable to receive drill cuttings from the port, an outlet, and a pumping mechanism operable to direct the drill cuttings through the outlet of the pump; and a drag chain conveyor in communication with the chamber of the collection tank via an auxiliary opening, the drag chain conveyor being operable to remove drill cuttings from the collection tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Beitzel Corporation
    Inventors: Shawn Bender, Donald C. Brenneman
  • Patent number: 9322252
    Abstract: A wet connection system comprises a fixed tubing with an orientation profile and redundant, first and second fixed wet connectors, and an electrical submersible pump assembly (ESP) comprising a wet connector and an orientation element for engaging the orientation profile. The ESP can be reconfigured, for example, by interchanging its component modules so as to change the position of its wet connector with respect to the orientation element, whereby the wet connector on the ESP can be engaged alternatively with either one of the fixed wet connectors when the orientation element is engaged with the orientation profile in the same deployed position of the ESP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: ACCESSESP UK LIMITED
    Inventor: Philip Head
  • Patent number: 9316076
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed. The problems of damage and failure of solenoid valves in high pressure high temperature environments and the problem of difficult repair of solenoid valves are addressed through reduction of the possibility of damage to the ball seat and/or seals and through a modular design to increase the ease of repair and adjustment in the event repair is needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Colin Longfield, Wei Wang, David Merlau, Brad Bailey, Sebastien Ives
  • Patent number: 9309733
    Abstract: A tool setting arrangement includes a mandrel, and a tool positionable at the mandrel. The tool includes, a cone, and at least one slip in operable communication with the cone configured to radially expand to set the tool when the slip is moved relative to the cone with at least a setting load. The at least one slip has a portion configured to engage with a feature of the mandrel such that movement of the mandrel relative to the cone causes the at least one slip to move relative to the cone, at least one of the portion and the feature is configured to release at a release load to disengage the mandrel from the tool. The release load is selected to be greater than the setting load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: YingQing Xu, Levi B. Oberg, Gregory Lee Hern, Ellen E. Read
  • Patent number: 9309720
    Abstract: A drilling apparatus includes a housing that defines a longitudinal axis. A power section of the apparatus includes rotor adapted to move with eccentric rotary motion with respect to the longitudinal axis in response to the passage of drilling fluids through the power section. A power transmission shaft has an upper end coupled to the rotor and movable with the eccentric motion of the rotor, and a lower end constrained to rotate in a concentric manner with respect to the longitudinal axis. A generally rigid torsion rod has upper and lower ends constrained to rotate in a concentric manner, and the upper end of the torsion rod is coupled to the lower end of the power transmission shaft. A mandrel including a connection for a drill bit is interconnected with the lower end of the torsion rod such that a torque may be transmitted from the torsion rod to the mandrel to drive a drill bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: SCIENTIFIC DRILLING INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Douglas Baugher, Mark Chustz, Joe Rivas
  • Patent number: 9303484
    Abstract: A hydrostatically set packer is held against setting by a locking member that is made of controlled electrolytic material (CEM). After introduction into a wellbore and exposure to thermal or well fluid inputs the lock made of CEM dissolves or is otherwise weakened to the point where relative movement can occur for the setting of the packer with available hydrostatic pressure. The locking member can also be a shape memory alloy at least in part whose shape change allows the tool to set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Bryan T. Storey, Basil J. Joseph
  • Patent number: 9303477
    Abstract: Return flow diverters are provided for which are adapted to allow return flow during cementing of a liner for a well. The return flow diverter comprises a cylindrical body adapted for installation in a well as part of the liner. The cylindrical body has a fluid port therein adapted to allow fluids displaced by a cementing operation to flow from an annulus between the liner and the well into the cylindrical body. The return flow diverter also comprises a cover supported on the cylindrical body for movement from an open position, in which the port is open, to a closed position, in which the port is closed by the cover, a transmission disposed within the cylindrical body and defining a cylindrical passageway adapted to accommodate a tubular conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Inventors: Michael J. Harris, Martin Alfred Stulberg
  • Patent number: 9303466
    Abstract: A coupling assembly is disclosed for connecting and centralizing a first threaded-end member and a second threaded-end member, the coupling assembly comprising: a mandrel having a rotor receiving surface bounded by a first stop and a second stop, the mandrel having a first threaded pin at a first end for connection to a first threaded box coupling for the first threaded-end member, and a second threaded pin at a second end for connection to a second threaded box coupling for the second threaded-end member; each of the first stop and the second stop having respective outer diameters and the respective outer diameters being less than or equal to the respective outer diameters of the first threaded box coupling and the second respective box coupling; and a rotor with raised fins mounted on the rotor receiving surface between the first stop and the second stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Plainsman Mfg. Inc.
    Inventors: Leroy A. Makelki, Mark A. Lea-Wilson, Damon B. Larson
  • Patent number: 9297231
    Abstract: A wiper plug launching tool and a method of wiping a tubular after cementing, the wiper plug launching tool including a wiper plug; a retainer in operable communication with the wiper plug; and an interlock system operatively arranged for releasing the retainer only upon release of the interlock system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Sidney K. Smith
  • Patent number: 9297247
    Abstract: A method for controlling the liquid load size of a plunger lift well during the shut in time of the well to facilitate a controlled plunger rise. Intra-cycle control allows dynamic adjustments within a cycle to keep the plunger running and not stalling out or rising too fast. The method includes the steps of shutting in the well to build up pressure within the well, adjusting a size of a liquid slug within the tubing while the well is shut in, opening a valve to relieve pressure within the well and raise the plunger within the tubing, pushing the liquid slug out of the well with the plunger, and closing the valve wherein the plunger falls within the tubing. The intra-cycle adjustments include reducing the size of the liquid slug for preventing fluid loading and increasing the size of the liquid slug for controlling a rise rate of the plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Inventor: James F. Lea, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9291037
    Abstract: A cutting unit for a slot-type perforator is mounted in a casing, driven by a pusher, containing cutting tools with an extension mechanism for extending thereof, including a holder fixed to the pusher and another holder fixed to the casing. The holders are capable of rotating, causing an extension and retraction of the cutting tools from and to the casing. The extension mechanism includes a balance beam, having shoulders for placing the cutting tools and being assembled in the casing between the holders. The beam rotates around an axle during interaction with the holders. The axle is adapted to move along the longitudinal axis of the casing, e.g. in a groove arranged therein. The cutting unit may include at least two balance beams sequentially mounted between the holders. The cutting unit can be equipped with a retractable mechanism bringing parts thereof into a transportation position and fixing them therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Passerby Inc.
    Inventor: Marie Pasvandi
  • Patent number: 9284818
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a downhole tool (1) for borehole cleaning or for moving fluid in a borehole. The tool comprises a tool housing (29), a chamber inlet (6) and a chamber outlet (36), and the tool housing comprises a pump (8) arranged in a pump housing (4) and a driving unit powered by an electrical conducting means for driving the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: WELLTEC A/S
    Inventors: Jørgen Hallundbæk, Peter Gråbæk