Patents by Inventor Gregory G. Galloway
Gregory G. Galloway 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).
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Publication number: 20090200084Abstract: An injection system and method is described. In several exemplary embodiments, the injection system and method may be a part of, and/or used with, a system and method for excavating a subterranean formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2007Publication date: August 13, 2009Applicant: Particle Drilling Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Adrian Vuyk, JR., Jim B. Terry, Gordon Allen Tibbitts, Nathan J. Harder, Gregory G. Galloway
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Publication number: 20080257605Abstract: A method of forming a supported subterranean well bore in which, in one disclosed embodiment, a first drill bit is mounted on a first string of casing tubulars via a steerable tool, and the drill bit is used to form a first bore. Upon reaching the required depth the casing string is cemented in place to support the formed bore and a second drill bit is mounted on a second casing string and is inserted into the first casing string. The second drill bit is used to drill through the wall of the first casing string and proceed to form a second, deeper bore. Once the second drill bit has reached the required depth, the second casing string is cemented in place to support the second bore.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2008Publication date: October 23, 2008Inventors: James A. Hewson, Philip M. Burge, Gregory G. Galloway, David J. Brunnert
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Patent number: 7409758Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for reducing drilling vibration during drilling with casing. In one embodiment, an apparatus for reducing vibration of a rotating casing includes a tubular body disposed concentrically around the casing, wherein tubular body is movable relative to the casing. Preferably, a portion of the tubular body comprises a friction reducing material. In operation, the tubular body comes into contact with the existing casing or the wellbore instead of the rotating casing. Because the tubular body is freely movable relative to the rotating casing, the rotating casing may continuously rotate even though the tubular body is frictionally in contact with the existing casing.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2004Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Tuong Thanh Le, Richard L. Giroux, Albert C. Odell, Gary Thompson, Deborah L. Banta, Robert P. Badrak, Gregory G. Galloway, Mark S. Fuller
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Publication number: 20080128140Abstract: The present invention relates methods and apparatus for lining a wellbore. In one aspect, a drilling assembly having an earth removal member and a wellbore lining conduit is manipulated to advance into the earth. The drilling assembly includes a first fluid flow path and a second fluid flow path. Fluid is flowed through the first fluid flow path, and at least a portion of which may return through the second fluid flow path. In one embodiment, the drilling assembly is provided with a third fluid flow path. After drilling has been completed, wellbore lining conduit may be cemented in the wellbore.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2007Publication date: June 5, 2008Inventors: Richard L. Giroux, Gregory G. Galloway, David J. Brunnert, Patrick G. Maguire, Tuong Thanh Le, Albert C. Odell, David M. Haugen, Frederick T. Tilton, Brent J. Lirette, Mark Murray, Peter Barnes Moyes
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Publication number: 20080110673Abstract: Apparatus and methods for drilling with casing. In an embodiment, methods and apparatus for deflecting casing using a diverter apparatus are disclosed. In another embodiment, the apparatus comprises a motor operating system disposed in a motor system housing, a shaft operatively connected to the motor operating system, the shaft having a passageway, and a divert assembly disposed to direct fluid flow selectively to the motor operating system and the passageway in the shaft. In another aspect, methods and apparatus for directionally drilling a casing into the formation are disclosed. Methods and apparatus for measuring the trajectory of a wellbore while directionally drilling a casing into the formation are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2007Publication date: May 15, 2008Inventors: Richard L. Giroux, Gregory G. Galloway, Tuong Thanh Le, Raymond H. Jackson, Gregory R. Nazzal, James C. Swarr, David J. Brunnert, William M. Beasley, Brent J. Lirette, Albert C. Odell, Jim Terry, Dave McKay, Samir Alkhatib, Mike Wardley
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Patent number: 7334650Abstract: Apparatus and methods for drilling with casing. In an embodiment, methods and apparatus for deflecting casing using a diverter apparatus are disclosed. In another embodiment, the apparatus comprises a motor operating system disposed in a motor system housing, a shaft operatively connected to the motor operating system, the shaft having a passageway, and a divert assembly disposed to direct fluid flow selectively to the motor operating system and the passageway in the shaft. In another aspect, methods and apparatus for directionally drilling a casing into the formation are disclosed. Methods and apparatus for measuring the trajectory of a wellbore while directionally drilling a casing into the formation are also described.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2004Date of Patent: February 26, 2008Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Richard L. Giroux, Gregory G. Galloway, Tuong Thanh Le, Raymond H. Jackson, Gregory R. Nazzal, James C. Swarr, David J. Brunnert, William M. Beasley, Brent J. Lirette, Albert C. Odell, Jim Terry, Dave McKay, Samir Alkhatib, Mike Wardley
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Patent number: 7311148Abstract: The present invention relates methods and apparatus for lining a wellbore. In one aspect, a drilling assembly having an earth removal member and a wellbore lining conduit is manipulated to advance into the earth. The drilling assembly includes a first fluid flow path and a second fluid flow path. Fluid is flowed through the first fluid flow path, and at least a portion of which may return through the second fluid flow path. In one embodiment, the drilling assembly is provided with a third fluid flow path. After drilling has been completed, wellbore lining conduit may be cemented in the wellbore.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2004Date of Patent: December 25, 2007Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Richard L. Giroux, Gregory G. Galloway, David J. Brunnert, Patrick G. Maguire, Tuong Thanh Le, Albert C. Odell, II, David M. Haugen, Frederick T. Tilton, Brent J. Lirette, Mark Murray, Peter Barnes Moyes
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Patent number: 7131505Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for setting concentric casing strings within a wellbore in one run-in of a casing working string. In one aspect of the invention, the apparatus comprises a drilling system comprising concentric casing strings, with each casing string having a drill bit piece disposed at the lower end thereof. The drill bit pieces of adjacent casing strings are releasably connected to one another. In another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for setting concentric casing strings within a wellbore with the drilling system. In another aspect of the invention, the releasably connected drill bit pieces comprise a drill bit assembly.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2005Date of Patent: November 7, 2006Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Gregory G. Galloway, David J. Brunnert
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Patent number: 7083005Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods for drilling a subsea wellbore and landing a casing mandrel in a subsea wellhead. In one aspect, a method of drilling a subsea wellbore with casing is provided. The method includes placing a string of casing with a drill bit at the lower end thereof in a riser system and urging the string of casing axially downward. The method further includes reducing the axial length of the string of casing to land a wellbore component in a subsea wellhead. In this manner, the wellbore is formed and lined with the string of casing in a single run. In another aspect, a method of forming and lining a subsea wellbore is provided. In yet another aspect, a method of landing a casing mandrel in a casing hanger disposed in a subsea wellhead is provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2005Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Gregory G. Galloway, David J. Brunnert
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Patent number: 6899186Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods for drilling a subsea wellbore and landing a casing mandrel in a subsea wellhead. In one aspect, a method of drilling a subsea wellbore with casing is provided. The method includes placing a string of casing with a drill bit at the lower end thereof in a riser system and urging the string of casing axially downward. The method further includes reducing the axial length of the string of casing to land a wellbore component in a subsea wellhead. In this manner, the wellbore is formed and lined with the string of casing in a single run. In another aspect, a method of forming and lining a subsea wellbore is provided. In yet another aspect, a method of landing a casing mandrel in a casing hanger disposed in a subsea wellhead is provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2002Date of Patent: May 31, 2005Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Gregory G. Galloway, David J. Brunnert
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Patent number: 6857487Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for setting concentric casing strings within a wellbore in one run-in of a casing working string. In one aspect of the invention, the apparatus comprises a drilling system comprising concentric casing strings, with each casing string having a drill bit piece disposed at the lower end thereof. The drill bit pieces of adjacent casing strings are releasably connected to one another. In another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for setting concentric casing strings within a wellbore with the drilling system. In another aspect of the invention, the releasably connected drill bit pieces comprise a drill bit assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2002Date of Patent: February 22, 2005Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Gregory G. Galloway, David J. Brunnert
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Patent number: 6854533Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method and an apparatus for drilling with casing. In one aspect, a method of drilling a wellbore with casing is provided, including placing a string of casing with a drill bit at the lower end thereof into a previously formed wellbore and urging the string of casing axially downward to form a new section of wellbore. The method further includes pumping fluid through the string of casing into an annulus formed between the casing string and the new section of wellbore. The method also includes diverting a portion of the fluid into an upper annulus in the previously formed wellbore. In another aspect, a method of drilling with casing to form a wellbore is provided. In yet another aspect, an apparatus for forming a wellbore is provided. In still another aspect, a method of casing a wellbore while drilling the wellbore is provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2002Date of Patent: February 15, 2005Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Gregory G. Galloway, David J. Brunnert
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Publication number: 20040245020Abstract: Apparatus and methods for drilling with casing. In an embodiment, methods and apparatus for deflecting casing using a diverter apparatus are disclosed. In another embodiment, the apparatus comprises a motor operating system disposed in a motor system housing, a shaft operatively connected to the motor operating system, the shaft having a passageway, and a divert assembly disposed to direct fluid flow selectively to the motor operating system and the passageway in the shaft. In another aspect, methods and apparatus for directionally drilling a casing into the formation are disclosed. Methods and apparatus for measuring the trajectory of a wellbore while directionally drilling a casing into the formation are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2004Publication date: December 9, 2004Applicant: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Richard L. Giroux, Gregory G. Galloway, Tuong Thanh Le, Raymond H. Jackson, Gregory R. Nazzal, James C. Swarr, David J. Brunnert, William M. Beasley, Brent J. Lirette, Albert C. Odell, Jim Terry, Dave McKay, Samir Alkhatib, Mike Wardley
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Publication number: 20040221997Abstract: The present invention relates methods and apparatus for lining a wellbore. In one aspect, a drilling assembly having an earth removal member and a wellbore lining conduit is manipulated to advance into the earth. The drilling assembly includes a first fluid flow path and a second fluid flow path. Fluid is flowed through the first fluid flow path, and at least a portion of which may return through the second fluid flow path. In one embodiment, the drilling assembly is provided with a third fluid flow path. After drilling has been completed, wellbore lining conduit may be cemented in the wellbore.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2004Publication date: November 11, 2004Applicant: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Richard L. Giroux, Gregory G. Galloway, David J. Brunnert, Patrick G. Maguire, Tuong Thanh Le, Albert C. Odell, David M. Haugen, Frederick T. Tilton, Brent J. Lirette, Mark Murray, Peter Barnes Moyes
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Publication number: 20040124010Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for setting concentric casing strings within a wellbore in one run-in of a casing working string. In one aspect of the invention, the apparatus comprises a drilling system comprising concentric casing strings, with each casing string having a drill bit piece disposed at the lower end thereof. The drill bit pieces of adjacent casing strings are releasably connected to one another. In another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for setting concentric casing strings within a wellbore with the drilling system. In another aspect of the invention, the releasably connected drill bit pieces comprise a drill bit assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2002Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventors: Gregory G. Galloway, David J. Brunnert
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Publication number: 20040118614Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method and an apparatus for drilling with casing. In one aspect, a method of drilling a wellbore with casing is provided, including placing a string of casing with a drill bit at the lower end thereof into a previously formed wellbore and urging the string of casing axially downward to form a new section of wellbore. The method further includes pumping fluid through the string of casing into an annulus formed between the casing string and the new section of wellbore. The method also includes diverting a portion of the fluid into an upper annulus in the previously formed wellbore. In another aspect, a method of drilling with casing to form a wellbore is provided. In yet another aspect, an apparatus for forming a wellbore is provided. In still another aspect, a method of casing a wellbore while drilling the wellbore is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2002Publication date: June 24, 2004Inventors: Gregory G. Galloway, David J. Brunnert
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Publication number: 20040112603Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods for drilling a subsea wellbore and landing a casing mandrel in a subsea wellhead. In one aspect, a method of drilling a subsea wellbore with casing is provided. The method includes placing a string of casing with a drill bit at the lower end thereof in a riser system and urging the string of casing axially downward. The method further includes reducing the axial length of the string of casing to land a wellbore component in a subsea wellhead. In this manner, the wellbore is formed and lined with the string of casing in a single run. In another aspect, a method of forming and lining a subsea wellbore is provided. In yet another aspect, a method of landing a casing mandrel in a casing hanger disposed in a subsea wellhead is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2002Publication date: June 17, 2004Inventors: Gregory G. Galloway, David J. Brunnert