Patents Examined by William P. Neuder
  • Devices, systems and methods relating to down hole operations
    Patent number: 9222336
    Abstract: Systems and method for improving down hole operations of well casings are disclosed herein. Systems and methods disclosed herein can comprise brushes, high pressure fluid outlets, and skids. Other systems and methods are disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Well Grounded Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Dave Winn, Elvis E. Dean
  • Initiating production of clathrates by use of thermosyphons
    Patent number: 9222342
    Abstract: A method and system for initiating hydrocarbon production from a reservoir are provided. This method and system utilize thermosyphons. The system and method utilize one or more sealed, elongated, hollow tubular containers supported in earth in a geothermal heat zone below the reservoir and extending upwardly therefrom into the reservoir. The containers comprise (a) a bottom portion in the geothermal heat zone below the reservoir; (b) a top portion within the reservoir; and (c) being partially filled with a liquid that evaporates in the bottom portion forming a vapor and transferring heat via convective flow of the vapor to the top portion, the heat being dissipated at the top portion into the surrounding reservoir as the vapor condenses back into liquid and flows downward to the bottom portion. The reservoir can be a clathrate reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: John Thomas Balczewski
  • Hydraulic fracturing
    Patent number: 9222337
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for forecasting curving of an hydraulic fracture to be initiated in the vicinity of one or more previously placed fractures along a bore hole. Physical parameters that will affect the growth of the hydraulic fracture are received by a dimensionless parameter deriver which derives a series of dimensionless parameters as groupings of the physical parameters that are selected as similarity parameters with respect to the shape of the hydraulic fracture path. The dimensionless parameters may comprise a dimensionless viscosity parameter, a dimensionless confining stress parameter, a coefficient of friction parameter and a dimensionless deviatoric stress parameter. A comparator sequentially compares the determined dimensionless parameters with predetermined threshold values to provide an indication as to possible curving of the hydraulic fracture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
    Inventors: Andrew P. Bunger, Robert G. Jeffrey, Xi Zhang, James Kear
  • Downhole tool string braking
    Patent number: 9217305
    Abstract: A braking apparatus for a tool string positionable in a wellbore and a method of braking a tool string in a wellbore is disclosed. The braking apparatus includes: a tubular housing having at least one radial arm-bay opening; an actuating mechanism including: a wedge member mounted in an internal cavity of the housing; an axial guide rod coupled at one end to the wedge member; and a push-pull device. The push pull device includes: a biasing member casing through which the guide rod extends to contact the wedge member, a biasing member; and at least one braking arm pivotably mounted to a lower portion of the biasing member casing, wherein when the biasing member casing of the push-pull device in in a lowered position, the braking arm bears on a sloped surface of the wedge member to project the braking arm into contact with a wellbore wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Randolph S. Coles, Ed F Kopecky, Christian S. Mappus, Jonathan P. Montiverdi, Neil A. Ostermann, Budi P. Sidik
  • Casing drilling bottom hole assembly having wireless power and data connection
    Patent number: 9217289
    Abstract: Various embodiments of methods and systems for wireless power and/or data communications transmissions to a sensor subassembly above a mud motor in a bottom hole assembly are disclosed. Power and/or data are supplied by rotary modulator and power generation system positioned above the mud motor. Wires may connect to an annular coil. Power and/or communications are transmitted through the annular coil to an inductively coupled second, mandrel coil that is attached to the rotor. By leveraging resonantly tuned circuits and impedance matching techniques for the coils, power and/or data can be transmitted efficiently from one coil to the other despite relative movement and misalignment of the two coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keith A. Moriarty, Raphael Gadot, Brian Oliver Clark
  • Sampler chamber assembly and methods
    Patent number: 9212550
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a fluid communication device, a sample chamber, and a coupling assembly. The fluid communication device is operable to establish fluid communication between a downhole tool and a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore in which the downhole tool is positioned. The sample chamber is in selectable fluid communication with the formation via the fluid communication device. The coupling assembly mechanically couples the sample chamber within the downhole tool and comprises a cam rotatable between a first position and a second position, wherein the cam preloads the sample chamber when in the first position is disengaged from the sample chamber in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Juan Jaramillo
  • Cable by-pass for spooled cables
    Patent number: 9212533
    Abstract: A downhole tool with a swellable mantle is configured for insertion of a cable into a longitudinal slit in the mantle. An arcuate groove is formed in an outer surface of the mantle corresponding to a displacement caused by the inserted cable, so that the displacement is counteracted and the outer surface of the mantle remains smooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Lembcke
  • Apparatus and methods for conducting well-related fluids
    Patent number: 9212543
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for conducting well-related fluids are disclosed. The apparatus and methods may be used to mitigate erosion of fluid handling equipment by fluids associated with hydrocarbon wells. An exemplary apparatus comprises: an upstream conduit including an upstream fluid passage for receiving and conducting well-related fluid; a choke member including a choke fluid passage; and a downstream conduit including a downstream fluid passage in fluid communication with the upstream fluid passage via the choke fluid passage. A cross-sectional area of the downstream passage may be greater than a cross-sectional area of the upstream passage to allow expansion of the fluids passing through the choke such that the average velocity of such fluids may not exceed a threshold velocity selected to mitigate erosion of the downstream conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Maximum Erosion Mitigation Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Kent W. Stormoen, David G. Speed
  • Equipment and methods for determining waiting-on-cement time in a subterranean well
    Patent number: 9212548
    Abstract: Improved equipment and methods for determining the waiting-on-cement time after a cementing operation involve an optic-fiber coil that immersed in the cement slurry downhole. The intensity of a reflected light signal from the coil is monitored versus time. Attenuation of the reflected-light intensity corresponds to the development of gel strength, allowing operators to unambiguously determine when well-bore operations may recommence after a cement job. The optic-fiber coil is wound around a spool such that there is at least one coil crossing on the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Pierre Vigneaux, Nicolas Flamant, Thomas Barrou
  • Underground annular blowout preventer and assembly process thereof
    Patent number: 9206662
    Abstract: An underground annular blowout preventer, which belongs to the technical field of underground blowout prevention, includes an upper joint and a lower joint are sleeved outside a central barrel. The lower end of the central barrel is fixedly connected with the lower joint. The lower end of the upper joint is sleeved on the inner side of the upper end of the lower joint. The upper joint is matched with the lower joint through a spline. The lower end of the upper joint can freely move relative to the lower joint along a spline pair. At least one rubber barrel is sleeved on the outer side of the upper joint. The rubber barrel can be extruded and expanded by the upper joint and the lower joint. The underground annular blowout preventer of the present invention can transmit large torque, has a simple structure, long service life, is convenient to use, and can be repeatedly used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: SOUTHWEST PETROLEUM UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Qingyou Liu, Wei Li
  • System and method for measuring well flow rate
    Patent number: 9200509
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an improved system for measurement of the liquid flow rate and totalized liquid production of a producing well. In the method of the present invention, liquid production rate in a pumping well is determined by calculation based upon wellbore geometry and continuously monitoring the depth of the fluid level within the wellbore. It is applicable to any pump lifted well where it is possible to shut the pump off periodically. Accuracy is enhanced with this method by properly accounting for pump leakage and where pump leakage is either known or can be estimated within reasonable limits or where it is measured during the pump shut off cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Chevron USA Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Hiroshi Yamasaki, David King Anderson, II, Richard Paul Rubbo, Mitcell Carl Smithson
  • Superabrasive-impregnated earth-boring tools with extended features and aggressive compositions, and related methods
    Patent number: 9200484
    Abstract: A superabrasive-impregnated earth-boring rotary drill bit includes cutting features extending outwardly from a bit body in a nose region of the drill bit. The cutting features comprise a composite material including superabrasive particles embedded within a matrix material. The cutting features extend from an outer surface of the bit body by a relatively high average distance. Methods of forming a superabrasive-impregnated earth-boring rotary drill bit include the formation of cutting features that extend outwardly from a bit body of a drill bit in a nose region of the drill bit. The cutting features are formed to comprise a particle-matrix composite material that includes superabrasive particles embedded within a matrix material. The cutting features are further formed such that they extend from the outer surface of the bit body by a relatively high average distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Christopher J. Cleboski, Scott F. Donald
  • Determining fracture length via resonance
    Patent number: 9200507
    Abstract: A system and method to determine a length of a fracture induced from a borehole are described. The method includes isolating a portion of the borehole, the portion of the borehole including an end of the fracture at the borehole wall, increasing fluid pressure in the portion of the borehole, deploying a low-frequency source in the portion of the borehole, and varying a frequency of the low-frequency source to generate resonance oscillations at a resonance frequency in the fracture. The method also includes determining the length of the fracture based on the resonance frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Vitaly N. Dorovsky
  • Sucker rod guide
    Patent number: 9200489
    Abstract: An oil well sucker rod guide protects the rods and production tubing from frictional wear during the vertical reciprocation pumping action. The guide has a sleeve enveloping the sucker rod with raised ribs contacting the tubing in an opposed fashion. The raised ribs are circumferentially sequenced to contact the entire circumference of the tubing and provide oil flow-through passages between the sleeve and the tubing. The raised ribs have side and inside end walls angled and contoured to increase through-put of oil in the tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Master Kraft Tooling Corporation
    Inventor: John F. Mabry
  • Rotational drill bits and drilling apparatuses including the same
    Patent number: 9194187
    Abstract: A subterranean support-bolt drilling assembly has a drill bit rotatable about a central axis and including at least one cutting edge. The drilling assembly also includes a spacer coupled to a rearward end of the drill bit. A reamer member is coupled to a rearward end of the spacer, the reamer member having at least one cutting element, the at least one cutting element having a cutting edge that extends radially beyond an outer peripheral portion of the drill bit relative to the central axis. A subterranean support-bolt drill bit includes a bit body and at least one cutting element coupled to the bit body. The support-bolt drill bit has a central pilot extending from the bit body in an axially forward direction. The cutting edge of the at least one cutting element extends radially beyond the central pilot relative to a central axis of the drill bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Dover BMCS Acquisition Corporation
    Inventors: E. Sean Cox, Nathan Andrew Tulett
  • Control equipment for controlling drill rod
    Patent number: 9194195
    Abstract: Control equipment for guiding a drill rod. The control equipment including a frame and two guide jaws provided with guide surfaces and mounted movably in relation to the frame. The drill rod is set between the guide jaws during drilling. Actuators move the guide jaws in relation to the drill rod. Synchronization means are coupled between the guide jaws, such that the guide jaws always move in opposite directions to one another and at the same speed. A detector detects that the guide surfaces of the guide jaws are in contact with the drill rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: SANDVIK MINING AND CONSTRUCTION OY
    Inventor: Ossi Tienari
  • System and method for deploying a downhole casing patch
    Patent number: 9194201
    Abstract: A casing patch and methods for using same are provided. The patch can include a hollow, substantially tubular body. An opening can be formed in the body. A tapered slot can be formed in the body below the opening. A width of the tapered slot proximate the opening can be greater than the width of the tapered slot distal the opening. The tapered slot can be adapted to receive a tapered wedge and expand radially outward as the tapered wedge slides within the tapered slot and away from the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Simson, Ronald G. Schmidt
  • System and method for controlling flow through a sand screen
    Patent number: 9187987
    Abstract: A system and methodology utilizes a technique for filtering sand; distributing a flow of fluid; e.g. distributing an inflow of gas or condensate; and limiting the potential for erosion of completion components in a wellbore. The technique may be useful in production applications, but the technique also can be used in fluid injection applications, e.g. gas injection applications. The technique employs a base pipe and a sand screen surrounding the base pipe. The base pipe comprises a plurality of flow restriction openings of reduced size and deployed in a selected pattern along the base pipe. The size and arrangement of the flow restriction openings reduces the peak flux of radial fluid flow through the sand screen to a rate less than a sand screen erosion rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Robin Greene, Terje Moen
  • Low profile clamp for a wellbore tubular
    Patent number: 9187963
    Abstract: A clamp system for use with a wellbore tubular comprises a wellbore tubular having a circumferential groove and a clamp, and the circumferential groove is configured to retain the clamp within the circumferential groove. The clamp system can be used to secure a control line to a wellbore tubular, which can comprise retaining the control line to an outside of a wellbore tubular that comprises the circumferential groove and resisting a force applied to the control line by transferring the force to the circumferential groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: William M. Richards
  • Interacting hydraulic fracturing
    Patent number: 9187992
    Abstract: A fracture extending away from a first subterranean well and toward a second subterranean well may be initiated by pumping fluid into the first subterranean well. The fracture may be propagated further towards the second subterranean well by continuing to pump fluid into the first subterranean well, while monitoring a pressure in the second subterranean well. Proppant may be pumped into the second subterranean well via the first subterranean well and the fracture upon detection of a change in the monitored pressure in the second subterranean well. The change in monitored pressure in the second subterranean well may be sufficient to indicate that the first and second wells are in fluid communication and interacting via the fracture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Bilu Verghis Cherian, Maraden Panjaitan, Jayanth Krishnamurthy