Patents by Inventor David D. Hearn

David D. Hearn has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230371454
    Abstract: A composition for a plug for wellbores undergoing plugging and abandonment operations is described. Methods of setting the plug are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: David D. HEARN, Casey HIRSCHMANN, Randall S. SHAFER
  • Patent number: 11480026
    Abstract: A composition and methods for setting a plug for well bores undergoing plugging and abandonment operations is described. Methods of setting the plug are also described include placing a blocking device below the plug location and creating a void space above the blocking device; placing a heat resistant base plate above the blocking device and introducing nano-thermite clusters and expandable bismuth alloy pellets into the void space; igniting the thermite and cooling the melted alloy to form a permanent plug in the void space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: CONOCOPHILLIS COMPANY
    Inventors: David D. Hearn, Casey Hirschmann, Randall S. Shafer
  • Publication number: 20220307343
    Abstract: This disclosure describes a device and method of sealing perforations on a well casing inside a subterranean well. The device comprises a generally cylindrical sleeve having an open top and a closed bottom; a heater located inside the sleeve, the heater comprising a thermite mixture; an ignition mechanism that ignites the thermite mixture upon actuation; and a string connected to the heater ignition and detachably engages the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: David D. HEARN, Casey HIRSCHMANN, Randall S. SHAFER, Stewart M. ROBERTSON, Dan MUELLER
  • Publication number: 20220290526
    Abstract: Method of plugging a hydrocarbon well by a through-tubing technique are described. The method allows the tubing to be left in place. Only a short (<2 m) section is cut, milled, perforated, ruptured and expanded, or combinations thereof. A blocking device is sent downhole to block a bottom of the plug section, and bismuth alloy pellets dropped onto the blocking device. A heater is deployed to melt the bismuth alloy pellets. Next, the alloy liquid is allowed to cool and solidify. During solidification, the alloy expands and fills the section of well to be plugged or a portion thereof. Once primary and secondary barriers are in place, the well can be closed and the Christmas tree removed. A rock-to-rock plug can be set by removing or partially removing the tubular and outer casing, or just inner casing/tubulars can be removed if the exterior cement and casing are of sufficient quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Dan MUELLER, Geir Ove TITLESTAD, David D. HEARN, Curtis G. BLOUNT, Rick D. WATTS, Randall S. SHAFER, Dale R. DOHERTY
  • Patent number: 11441384
    Abstract: This disclosure describes a device and method of sealing perforations on a well casing inside a subterranean well. The device comprises a generally cylindrical sleeve having an open top and a closed bottom; a heater located inside the sleeve, the heater comprising a thermite mixture; an ignition mechanism that ignites the thermite mixture upon actuation; and a string connected to the heater ignition and detachably engages the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventors: David D. Hearn, Casey Hirschmann, Randall S. Shafer, Stewart M. Robertson, Dan Mueller
  • Patent number: 11377925
    Abstract: Method of plugging a hydrocarbon well by a through-tubing technique are described. The method allows the tubing to be left in place. Only a short (<2 m) section is cut, milled, perforated, ruptured and expanded, or combinations thereof. A blocking device is sent downhole to block a bottom of the plug section, and bismuth alloy pellets dropped onto the blocking device. A heater is deployed to melt the bismuth alloy pellets. Next, the alloy liquid is allowed to cool and solidify. During solidification, the alloy expands and fills the section of well to be plugged or a portion thereof. Once primary and secondary barriers are in place, the well can be closed and the Christmas tree removed. A rock-to-rock plug can be set by removing or partially removing the tubular and outer casing, or just inner casing/tubulars can be removed if the exterior cement and casing are of sufficient quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Dan Mueller, Geir Ove Titlestad, David D. Hearn, Curtis G. Blount, Rick D. Watts, Randall S. Shafer, Dale R. Doherty
  • Publication number: 20210087904
    Abstract: A composition and methods for setting a plug for well bores undergoing plugging and abandonment operations is described. Methods of setting the plug are also described include placing a blocking device below the plug location and creating a void space above the blocking device; placing a heat resistant base plate above the blocking device and introducing nano-thermite clusters and expandable bismuth alloy pellets into the void space; igniting the thermite and cooling the melted alloy to form a permanent plug in the void space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: David D. HEARN, Casey HIRSCHMANN, Randall S. SHAFER
  • Patent number: 10871050
    Abstract: A composition and methods for setting a plug for well bores undergoing plugging and abandonment operations. Methods include placing a blocking device below the plug location and creating a void space above the blocking device; placing a heat resistant base plate above the blocking device and introducing nano-thermite clusters and expandable bismuth alloy pellets into the void space; igniting the thermite and cooling the melted alloy to form a permanent plug in the void space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: David D. Hearn, Casey Hirschmann, Randall S. Shafer
  • Publication number: 20200381403
    Abstract: This disclosure describes a device and method of sealing perforations on a well casing inside a subterranean well. The device comprises a generally cylindrical sleeve having an open top and a closed bottom; a heater located inside the sleeve, the heater comprising a thermite mixture; an ignition mechanism that ignites the thermite mixture upon actuation; and a string connected to the heater ignition and detachably engages the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: David D. HEARN, Casey HIRSCHMANN, Randall S. SHAFER, Stewart M. ROBERTSON, Dan MUELLER
  • Patent number: 10760374
    Abstract: This disclosure describes a device and method of sealing perforations on a well casing inside a subterranean well. The device comprises a generally cylindrical sleeve having a open top and a closed bottom; a heater located inside the sleeve, the heater comprising a thermite mixture; an ignition mechanism that ignites the thermite mixture upon actuation; and a string connected to the heater ignition and detachably engages the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: David D. Hearn, Casey Hirschmann, Randall S. Shafer, Stewart M. Robertson, Dan Mueller
  • Publication number: 20190128092
    Abstract: Method of plugging a hydrocarbon well by a through-tubing technique are described. The method allows the tubing to be left in place. Only a short (<2 m) section is cut, milled, perforated, ruptured and expanded, or combinations thereof. A blocking device is sent downhole to block a bottom of the plug section, and bismuth alloy pellets dropped onto the blocking device. A heater is deployed to melt the bismuth alloy pellets. Next, the alloy liquid is allowed to cool and solidify. During solidification, the alloy expands and fills the section of well to be plugged or a portion thereof. Once primary and secondary barriers are in place, the well can be closed and the Christmas tree removed. A rock-to-rock plug can be set by removing or partially removing the tubular and outer casing, or just inner casing/tubulars can be removed if the exterior cement and casing are of sufficient quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Dan MUELLER, Geir Ove TITLESTAD, David D. HEARN, Curtis G. BLOUNT, Rick D. WATTS, Randall S. SHAFER, Dale R. DOHERTY
  • Publication number: 20180148991
    Abstract: This disclosure describes a device and method of sealing perforations on a well casing inside a subterranean well. The device comprises a generally cylindrical sleeve having a open top and a closed bottom; a heater located inside the sleeve, the heater comprising a thermite mixture; an ignition mechanism that ignites the thermite mixture upon actuation; and a string connected to the heater ignition and detachably engages the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: David D. Hearn, Casey HIRSCHMANN, Randall S. Shafer, Stewart M. ROBERTSON, Dan MUELLER
  • Publication number: 20180094504
    Abstract: A composition for a plug for wellbores undergoing plugging and abandonment operations is described. Methods of setting the plug are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: David D. Hearn, Casey HIRSCHMANN, Randall S. Shafer
  • Patent number: 9371694
    Abstract: The present invention relates to drilling lateral wells or sidetrack wells from a primary wellbore to enhance the efficiency and productivity of oil and gas wells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: David D. Hearn, Lamar L. Gantt, Dan E. Venhaus, John G. Eller
  • Publication number: 20160090804
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to reduce flow in front of the drill bit while milling improve milling debris size. Reducing flow on the drill bit face while milling allows the drill cuttings to remain at the drilling surface longer and reduce the size of the cuttings. The smaller cuttings increase the ease and speed of cutting removal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Scott A. GRUBB, Jason M. SKUFCA, David D. HEARN
  • Patent number: 8430187
    Abstract: Drilling a sidetrack wellbore out of the side of an existing wellbore utilizing a drillable billet having a path formed in the billet to lead a bi-centered drillbit to kick-out from the wellbore and form a sidetrack wellbore. The bi-centered bit is arranged for the lands of the pilot section to follow the path of the billet while the wings of the ream out a portion of the billet and also ream out the earth to form the full dimension sidetrack wellbore. The bi-centered bit is used to drill the sidetrack wellbore to the target zone so that the entire drilling process extends from the existing wellbore to the target zone without a mandatory withdrawal of the drillstring from the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventor: David D. Hearn
  • Patent number: 8256535
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a window in the wall of a tubular wellbore. In one embodiment described herein, a down hole apparatus for forming a window in the wall of a wellbore utilizing a plurality of tubing string sections and a thick tailpipe positioned at the down hole end of a tubing section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: David D. Hearn, Lamar L. Gantt, Howard Gober
  • Publication number: 20100307736
    Abstract: The present invention relates to drilling lateral wells or sidetrack wells from a primary wellbore to enhance the efficiency and productivity of oil and gas wells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventors: David D. Hearn, Lamar L. Gantt, Dan E. Venhaus, John G. Eller
  • Publication number: 20100218996
    Abstract: This invention relates to drilling a sidetrack wellbore out of the side of an existing wellbore utilizing a drillable billet having a path formed in the billet to lead a bi-centered drillbit to kick-out from the wellbore and form a sidetrack wellbore. The bi-centered bit is arranged for the lands of the pilot section to follow the path of the billet while the wings of the ream out a portion of the billet and also ream out the earth to form the full dimension sidetrack wellbore. The bi-centered bit is used to drill the sidetrack wellbore to the target zone so that the entire drilling process extends from the existing wellbore to the target zone without a mandatory withdrawal of the drillstring from the wellbore. Tripping time is therefore less and drill time and rig time would inherently be less resulting in lower costs and increased profitability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventor: David D. Hearn
  • Publication number: 20100147592
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a window in the wall of a tubular wellbore. In one embodiment described herein, a down hole apparatus for forming a window in the wall of a wellbore utilizing a plurality of tubing string sections and a thick tailpipe positioned at the down hole end of a tubing section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventors: David D. Hearn, Lamar L. Gantt, Howard Gober