Patents Examined by Wei Wang
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Patent number: 9945205Abstract: A plugging device for sealing against an inner surface of a pipe includes a mandrel, a sealing device, and an actuating device. The sealing device includes a first body provided circumferentially around the mandrel, an upper supporting device provided axially above the first body, and a lower supporting device provided axially below the first body. The actuating device is connected to at least one of the supporting devices for actuating the sealing device between a retracted state and an expanded state. The sealing device includes a second, sealing body provided circumferentially around the mandrel. An inner surface of the second sealing body is engaged with an outer surface of the first body in the expanded state. The second sealing body is moved from the retracted state to the expanded state by an axial displacement of at least one of the supporting devices towards each other.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2013Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Interwell Technology ASInventor: Espen Hiorth
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Patent number: 9945211Abstract: A gravel pack assembly for a borehole has first and second joints and a foil. The basepipes of the joints connect end-to-end, and both of the basepipes having filters for filtering fluid passage from a borehole into bores of the basepipes. Transport tubes are disposed along the first and second joint, and a jumper tube expands across the connected ends of the basepipes and connects the transport tubes together. The foil encloses an area across the connected ends. The foil has an external surface defining an annulus thereabout with the borehole. The foil has end rings abutting the filters of the joints. At least a section of the foil leaks fluid from the borehole to the area enclosed by the foil, and at least a filter portion of the assembly filters the leaked fluid from the area to at least one of the first and second bores.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2015Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: Stephen McNamee, John S. Sladic, Stephen Reid, Andrew McGeoch, Matthew Manning, Daniel G. Purkis
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Patent number: 9938817Abstract: A method of verifying swelling of a swellable material in a well can include connecting a transmitter to a sensor which senses a parameter indicative of degree of swelling of the swellable material, and conveying a receiver into an interior of a tubular string. The transmitter transmits to the receiver an indication of the degree of swelling of the swellable material. A packer swelling verification system can include a swellable material which swells in a well, and a well tool which is conveyed to the packer in the well. The well tool receives an indication of a degree of swelling of the swellable material. A method of verifying whether a swellable material has swollen in a well can include positioning a conductor proximate the swellable material, whereby the conductor parts in response to swelling of the swellable material, and detecting whether the conductor has parted.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2015Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Ronald L. Hinkie, Kurtis W. Price, Alf K. Sevre, Scott F. Wendorf
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Patent number: 9914871Abstract: A ball sealer for hydrocarbon resource recovery, characterized by being obtained by coating a spherical core that comprises at least one layer comprising a disintegrable aliphatic polyester resin with a resin material that has higher impact resistance than the aliphatic polyester resin and by having a diameter of not less than approximately 25 mm (1 inch). This ball sealer has a large diameter, retains the property of being disintegrable after fracturing, and has impact resistance which makes the ball withstand high-velocity loading. The sealer is suitable for use in hydraulic fracturing, which is commonly used for recovering hydrocarbon resources including petroleum and gases. This large-diameter ball sealer can be efficiently formed with high dimensional accuracy by a method including at least one insert injection molding step.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2014Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: KUREHA CORPORATIONInventors: Masayuki Okura, Takeo Takahashi
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Patent number: 9909402Abstract: A system is provided that is capable of providing heat across a produced interval during oil and gas production to minimize or reduce undesirable formation of gas hydrates in the wellbore. In one embodiment, the configuration provides a means to recycle heat generated by an electrical submersible pump. Heat from the pump may be applied downhole. One configuration is capable of providing for downhole separation of gas from produced fluids to reduce or eliminate gas transit through the pump. A heating element also may apply heat to produced fluids. An orifice may apply heat to produced fluids. The wellbore being drilled to a depth having a subterranean formation temperature that is high enough to elevate a temperature of the production fluids to a predetermined temperature such that the temperature of the production fluids is elevated to the predetermined temperature by at least the depth of the wellbore.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2015Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.Inventor: George T. Armistead
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Patent number: 9903163Abstract: In a fixed cutter drill bit, a hybrid cutter with a cutting edge including a substantially continuous curve interrupted by at least one arc discontinuity. In a fixed cutter drill bit, a contoured cutter with a contoured cutting face including a raised shape, wherein the raised shape has a raised shape axis which is oblique to a drill bit body axis. In a cutter for a fixed cutter drill bit, a chamfer including a side bevel and a cutting face bevel, wherein a cutting face bevel length is at least two times a side bevel length.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2013Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: DRILFORMANCE TECHNOLOGIES, LLPInventor: Zane Michael Pettiet
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Patent number: 9903174Abstract: An assembly for providing torque to an object in a wellhead. The assembly includes a body attachable to the wellhead and including a bore with a centerline. The body further includes a first set of pistons within cylinders oriented at angles offset from and perpendicular to the centerline of the bore. The pistons are moveable within the cylinders between a retracted position and an extended position where the pistons are extended into the body bore. The movement of the pistons between the retracted and extended positions imparts a linear force capable of rotating the object in the wellhead in a first direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2009Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: Cameron International CorporationInventors: Dennis P. Nguyen, Christy L. Petter
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Patent number: 9885233Abstract: A multi-zone monitoring system allowing simultaneous measurement of separate zones of multi-zone wellbore formations comprising a multi-component umbilical containing both electrical lines and a hydraulic fluid lines, an inflatable isolation packer that can traverse through the wellbore and be inflated with hydraulic fluid to seal off a portion of the wellbore wherein the inflatable isolation packer is connected to a hydraulic line of the multi-component umbilical, wherein the inflatable isolation packer further comprises: one or more cable bypass feed throughs for the umbilical's electric and hydraulic fluid lines, wherein the hydraulic line is attached to the inflatable isolation packer with compression fittings.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2014Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: GAS SENSING TECHNOLOGY CORP.Inventors: Mike Wayne, Stuart Leach
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Patent number: 9879495Abstract: A friction reduction apparatus (FRA) positioned onto a pipe string comprises a tubular housing, upper and lower mandrels having variously configured fluid flow passages and ports, a valve and a shifter. Fluid travelling through the apparatus causes the valve and shifter to reciprocate, repeatedly opening and closing flow passages. Each of these cycles creates a pulse in the fluid column creating vibrations that reduce friction in the pipe string. The FRA can be used in conjunction with a ball or dart activated tool positioned downhole from the FRA.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2015Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: KLX Energy Services LLCInventor: Toby Scott Baudoin
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Patent number: 9879519Abstract: An apparatus and method may operate to mount one or more communication assemblies relative to the exterior of a casing being placed in a borehole. Two communication assemblies can be placed in longitudinally spaced relation to one another along the casing, wherein each communication assembly is configured to obtain excitation responses from electrodes of a fluid sensing component, where the excitation responses vary based on properties of fluids in one or more regions of the annulus surrounding the casing. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2014Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Mark W. Roberson, Scott Goodwin, Burkay Donderici, Glenn A. Wilson, Paul F. Rodney, Vimal V. Shah, Craig W. Roddy, Krishna M. Ravi
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Patent number: 9856711Abstract: A connection assembly for connecting a control line to a component is provided. In one embodiment, a system includes a control line coupled to a tubing hanger with a connection assembly. The connection assembly includes a first fitting connected to the control line and to the tubing hanger, with the first fitting sealing against the control line and the tubing hanger, and a main body disposed about the control line and connected to the tubing hanger with the main body sealing against the tubing hanger. The connection assembly also includes a second fitting connected to the control line and to the main body so as to seal against the control line and the main body, an internal cavity, and a test port. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2014Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Cameron International CorporationInventor: Dennis P. Nguyen
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Patent number: 9856717Abstract: In wellbore completions it is desirable to access multiple formation zones in a single well where the more formation zones that can be accessed tend to make the well increasingly economically viable. In an embodiment of the current invention a dart having a tapered or angled spline with a particular width on the darts exterior surface is pumped into a casing string having a number of devices Incorporated at strategic locations along the casing string. Each of the devices incorporated into the casing string have a slot as a part of the device. Each slot also has a particular width. As the dart passes through the devices incorporated in the casing string but towards the surface of the targeted device, the width of the tapered or angled spline is less than the minimum width of the slots in each of those upper devices. Therefore the dart does not engage or otherwise affect any of the upstream devices.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2014Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Shale Oil Tools, LLCInventor: Brian Kennedy
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Patent number: 9850710Abstract: An example embodiment of a pipe-in-pipe electric motor assembly includes a drilling string that includes an inner pipe, an outer pipe, and an electric motor. The electric motor is provided with power supplied by the inner pipe and the outer pipe acting at least as conductors. A latching mechanism connects the drilling string and an electric motor output shaft. The electric motor output shaft is driven by the electric motor. The latching mechanism prevents the electric motor output shaft from rotating slower than the drilling string and associated methods.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2013Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventor: Richard Thomas Hay
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Patent number: 9850726Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method for expanding an anchoring device in a borehole. In one aspect, an anchoring device is provided. The anchoring device includes an expandable tubular. The anchoring device further includes a plurality of bands disposed on an outer surface of the expandable tubular. Each band is attached to the tubular at a first connection point and a second connection point, wherein each band is configured to bow radially outward as the expandable tubular shortens in length in response to the expansion of the tubular. In a further aspect, a method of attaching an anchoring device in a borehole is provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2011Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLCInventors: Varadaraju Gandikota, Larry A. Kendziora, Richard Lee Giroux
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Patent number: 9840900Abstract: Processes and systems for inhibiting the flow of fracturing fluid through one or more subterranean wells offset from the subterranean well being fractured. A fracturing fluid is injected under pressure via a first well penetrating and in fluid communication with a subterranean region of interest so as to fracture the subterranean region. A second fluid is positioned within one or more second subterranean wells penetrating and in fluid communication with the subterranean region. Each second well is equipped with a standing valve that is seated by the second fluid in each second well. The pressure of the second fluid may be monitored and the pressure applied to the second fluid at the surface may be increased upon determining an increase in pressure during the monitoring step.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2015Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: PETROVATIONS LLCInventors: Philip Martin Snider, David Sanford Wesson
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Patent number: 9822638Abstract: A shear tester for in-situ determination of rock formation geomechanical properties is provided. The tester has a radially expandable cylindrical membrane, a metal sheath covering at least a portion of the outer surface of the membrane, at least one stud fixed on the sheath, at least one cone fixed on each of the at least one stud, and a piston operable to apply an upward axial force on the metal sheath. A device for the same use comprises the shear tester and a pressuremeter. A method of using the shear tester comprises applying a normal force to the formation by expanding the membrane until at least one of the at least one cone penetrates the rock formation and applying an upward axial force to the at least one of the at least one cone by operating the piston until at least a portion of the rock formation shears.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2014Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: 1464684 Alberta Ltd.Inventor: Cory Fehr
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Patent number: 9816368Abstract: An apparatus for drilling a borehole into an earth formation includes: a drill bit configured to be rotated to drill into the formation; a drill tubular coupled to the drill bit and configured to rotate the drill bit; a steering device coupled to the drill string and configured to impart a force on the drill string to control a direction of drilling; and a controller configured to communicate a control signal to the steering device. The control signal includes information for directing actuation of the steering device for steering the drill bit in an intended drilling direction. The controller is further configured to direct the steering device to provide a compensating force on the drill string that prevents or reduces an azimuthal deviation from the intended drilling direction due to drill bit walking.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2013Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: Baker Hughes, a GE company, LLCInventors: Donald Keith Trichel, Andreas Peter, Oliver Hoehn, Steffen Schulze
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Patent number: 9816349Abstract: A casing valve is described herein. The casing valve can include at least one wall forming a cavity and at least one flexible sleeve disposed proximate to an inner surface of the at least one wall. The casing valve can also include at least one chamber recessed relative to the inner surface of a top end of the at least one wall, where the at least one chamber is disposed between the at least one flexible sleeve and the at least one wall. The casing valve can further include at least one hydraulic channel disposed within the at least one wall and terminating in the at least one hydraulic chamber. The casing valve can also include a first coupling feature disposed at a top end of the at least one wall, wherein the first coupling feature is configured to couple to a first casing pipe.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2014Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.Inventor: George Taylor Armistead
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Patent number: 9816358Abstract: Reducing the diameter of a well bore has many advantages. To achieve this a subsurface well bore is provided comprising one or more expandable sleeve components, preferably expandable liners, each expandable sleeve component being fully overlapped by one or more non expandable sleeve component, preferably conventional liners, such that the interior of the well bore is cased entirely by non expandable sleeve components. In addition the through holes for downhole lines can be provided within the well head rather than the tubing hanger. As the tubing hanger does not need to provide space for through holes and associated mounting couplings, its diameter can be reduced, thus reducing the internal diameter of the well bore by several inches.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2016Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: STATOIL PETROLEUM ASInventors: Audun Faanes, Halvor Kjørholt, Torstein Vinge
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Patent number: 9810451Abstract: Solar energy is collected and used for various industrial processes, such as oilfield applications, e.g. generating steam that is injected downhole, enabling enhanced oil recovery. Solar energy is indirectly collected using a heat transfer fluid in a solar collector, delivering heat to a heat exchanger that in turn delivers heat into oilfield feedwater, producing hotter water or steam. Solar energy is directly collected by directly generating steam with solar collectors, and then injecting the steam downhole. Solar energy is collected to preheat water that is then fed into fuel-fired steam generators that in turn produce steam for downhole injection. Solar energy is collected to produce electricity via a Rankine cycle turbine generator, and rejected heat warms feedwater for fuel-fired steam generators. Solar energy is collected (directly or indirectly) to deliver heat to a heater-treater, with optional fuel-fired additional heat generation.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2014Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Glasspoint Solar, Inc.Inventors: John Setel O'Donnell, Peter Emery von Behrens, Stuart M. Heisler, David Bruce Jackson