Patents by Inventor Kim Nutley
Kim Nutley 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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Patent number: 8561689Abstract: A downhole apparatus has a radially expanding portion comprising a swellable elastomeric material selected to increase in volume on exposure to at least one predetermined fluid. A support assembly is operable to be deployed from a first retracted position to a second expanded condition. The support assembly comprises an inner surface arranged to face the radially expanding portion, and at least a portion of the inner surface is concave. The support assembly may be configured to direct a force from the swellable material to boost or energise a seal created between the radially expanding portion and a surrounding surface in use.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2010Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Swelltec LimitedInventors: Kim Nutley, Brian Nutley
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Patent number: 8540032Abstract: A swellable apparatus for filling a space in oil or gas tool such as a wellbore packer is described. The swellable apparatus comprise a hydrocarbon swellable body which swells on exposure to a hydrocarbon fluid, and at least one water swellable body which swells on exposure to a second fluid comprising water. The hydrocarbon swellable body is interposed between the aqueous fluid and the water swellable body and comprises at least one access pathway configured to permit the passage of water to the water swellable body. The pathway may be formed by perforation, or by incorporating an additive into the hydrocarbon material, such as a foaming agent or polyoctenamer. Embodiments of the invention comprise variations in cross-linking in the hydrocarbon swellable body.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2008Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Swelltec LimitedInventors: Kim Nutley, Brian Nutley
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Publication number: 20130233541Abstract: An apparatus for use in a wellbore is described, the apparatus having a tubular body and a throughbore which defines a primary fluid path through the apparatus. An expanding element is disposed around the tubular body and is configured to provide an annular barrier in a space between the tubular body and a surrounding wall. A conduit defining a secondary flow path through the apparatus is provided, and is configured to be in fluid communication with at least one alternate path, such as a shunt tube. The conduit is arranged to vary the secondary flow path along a longitudinal direction of the apparatus, for example to redirect the flow path to a radial position closer to the tool body. The conduit is configured to have a reduced effect on the operation of the expanding element, while still allowing the conduit to be coupled to alternate flow paths of adjacent apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2013Publication date: September 12, 2013Applicant: Swelltec LimitedInventors: Kim Nutley, Brian Nutley
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Patent number: 8490708Abstract: A downhole apparatus, such as a wellbore packer, is provided with a swellable member and a fluid supply assembly. The fluid supply assembly is to receive fluid and expose the swellable member to the fluid to cause expansion of the swellable member, and comprises a support structure for supporting the swellable member on the body. In a preferred embodiment, the support structure defines a chamber and is configured to allow fluid to flow and access the swellable member. A method of use and method of sealing a wellbore is described.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2012Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: Swelltec LimitedInventors: Kim Nutley, Brian Nutley
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Publication number: 20130161000Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for use in a wellbore gravel pack operation. The method comprises providing an apparatus in a downhole annulus. The apparatus comprises a mandrel and a swellable element formed from a material selected to increase in volume when exposed to a downhole stimulus. The method comprises placing a gravel pack below the apparatus via the downhole annulus in which the apparatus is located, and placing a gravel pack above the apparatus. Subsequent to placing the gravel packs, the swellable element is increased in volume to create an annular barrier in the wellbore. The invention allows isolation of multiple intervals of a well in a single gravel pack operation using swellable elastomers, and does not rely on the use of shunt tube alternate path systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2011Publication date: June 27, 2013Inventors: John Broussard, Brian Nutley, Ross Clarke, Kim Nutley
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Patent number: 8464800Abstract: A method of forming a downhole apparatus comprises the steps of providing a body having a longitudinal axis and forming an expanding portion on the body from multiple layers of a partially or substantially cured material around the longitudinal axis of the body. The material is selected to increase in volume on exposure to at least one predetermined fluid, such as a wellbore fluid. Apparatuses formed by the method include wellbore packers.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2009Date of Patent: June 18, 2013Assignee: Swelltec LimitedInventors: Kim Nutley, Brian Nutley
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Patent number: 8459367Abstract: An apparatus and assembly create a seal in a wellbore around a cable or line. The assembly includes a longitudinal body and a swellable portion which comprises a material selected to increase in volume on exposure to at least one triggering fluid. The swellable portion has a formation open to the longitudinal surface of the body which provides a pathway for a cable or line to extend through the swellable portion, and an insert of swellable material. The insert may partly or fully enclose or encapsulate the cable or line. a formation which is open to an outer longitudinal surface of the body.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2011Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Swelltec LimitedInventors: Kim Nutley, Brian Nutley
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Patent number: 8408316Abstract: A downhole apparatus having a radially expanding portion and a support structure are described. The support structure comprises an attachment means for coupling to the apparatus and a support portion configured to be deployed from a first unexpanded condition to a second expanded condition by expansion of the apparatus. In one aspect of the invention, the downhole apparatus is expanded by exposing the swellable material to at least one predetermined fluid, and the support structure abuts the swellable material in its expanded form. A method of use and its application to a well packer, a hanging member, an anchor and a centralising apparatus are described.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2012Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Swelltec LimitedInventors: Kim Nutley, Brian Nutley
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Patent number: 8403046Abstract: An apparatus for use in a wellbore is described, the apparatus having a tubular body and a throughbore which defines a primary fluid path through the apparatus. An expanding element is disposed around the tubular body and is configured to provide an annular barrier in a space between the tubular body and a surrounding wall. A conduit defining a secondary flow path through the apparatus is provided, and is configured to be in fluid communication with at least one alternate path, such as a shunt tube. The conduit is arranged to vary the secondary flow path along a longitudinal direction of the apparatus, for example to redirect the flow path to a radial position closer to the tool body. The conduit is configured to have a reduced effect on the operation of the expanding element, while still allowing the conduit to be coupled to alternate flow paths of adjacent apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2009Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: Swelltec LimitedInventors: Kim Nutley, Brian Nutley
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Patent number: 8396667Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for use in testing the swell characteristics of swellable components used in downhole exploration or production equipment, such as swellable packers. A method of measuring a test piece using a testing apparatus with a fluid chamber and a transducer is described. Measured data can be compared with data measured from a sample section of a tool to determine a relationship between swell characteristics. The determined relationships can then be used to calculate or predict swelling characteristics of swellable components, for example particular packer designs, in specific fluid samples.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2009Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: Swelltec LimitedInventors: Kim Nutley, Brian Nutley
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Patent number: 8336619Abstract: A downhole apparatus is described comprising a main body coupled with a well tubing and a swellable mantle disposed on the main body. The swellable mantle expands upon contact with at least one predetermined fluid, and the main body comprises at least one opening for fluid flow between an exterior of the main body and the bore. An insert permits the passage of fluid, through the swellable mantle, between the exterior of the apparatus and the opening. In one aspect of the invention a screen filters solids between the exterior of the apparatus and the bore, and a swellable mantle comprises a first region which allows the passage of fluid between the exterior of the apparatus and the main body and a second region, circumferentially adjacent the first region, which substantially prevents passage of fluid. Corresponding well completion and production methods are also described.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2008Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Swelltec LimitedInventors: Kim Nutley, Brian Nutley
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Patent number: 8322451Abstract: A downhole apparatus, such as a wellbore packer, is provided with a swellable member and a fluid supply assembly. The fluid supply assembly is to receive fluid and expose the swellable member to the fluid to cause expansion of the swellable member, and comprises a support structure for supporting the swellable member on the body. In a preferred embodiment, the support structure defines a chamber and is configured to allow fluid to flow and access the swellable member. A method of use and method of sealing a wellbore is described.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2012Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Swelltec LimitedInventors: Kim Nutley, Brian Nutley
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Publication number: 20120273188Abstract: A method of forming a swellable oilfield apparatus provides an apparatus with a body of swellable elastomeric material which increases in volume on exposure to at least one triggering fluid, and the surface energy of the swellable elastomeric material is modified to increase the water-wettability of the swellable elastomeric material. The swellable elastomeric material may comprise a base elastomer and at least one additive selected to modify the surface energy. Alternately, the swellable elastomeric material may comprise a base elastomer treated by an electrical treatment process to modify the surface energy of the swellable elastomeric material. An apparatus constructed according to the method provides improved swelling performance in aqueous fluids.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2012Publication date: November 1, 2012Applicant: SWELLTEC LIMITEDInventors: Keith Spacey, Kim Nutley, Brian Nutley
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Publication number: 20120168160Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and assembly for creating a seal in a wellbore around a cable or line. The assembly includes a longitudinal body and a swellable portion which comprises a material selected to increase in volume on exposure to at least one triggering fluid. The swellable portion has a formation open to the longitudinal surface which provides a pathway for a cable or line to extend through the swellable portion, and an insert of swellable material. In an embodiment of the invention, the insert partly or fully encloses or encapsulates the cable or line. An aspect of the invention is characterised by the provision of a formation which is open to an outer longitudinal surface of the body.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2011Publication date: July 5, 2012Applicant: SWELLTEC LIMITEDInventors: KIM NUTLEY, BRIAN NUTLEY
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Publication number: 20120152568Abstract: A downhole apparatus having a radially expanding portion and a support structure are described. The support structure comprises an attachment means for coupling to the apparatus and a support portion configured to be deployed from a first unexpanded condition to a second expanded condition by expansion of the apparatus. In one aspect of the invention, the downhole apparatus is expanded by exposing the swellable material to at least one predetermined fluid, and the support structure abuts the swellable material in its expanded form. A method of use and its application to a well packer, a hanging member, an anchor and a centralising apparatus are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2012Publication date: June 21, 2012Applicant: SWELLTEC LIMITEDInventors: Kim Nutley, Brian Nutley
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Publication number: 20120145413Abstract: A downhole apparatus, such as a wellbore packer, is provided with a swellable member and a fluid supply assembly. The fluid supply assembly is to receive fluid and expose the swellable member to the fluid to cause expansion of the swellable member, and comprises a support structure for supporting the swellable member on the body. In a preferred embodiment, the support structure defines a chamber and is configured to allow fluid to flow and access the swellable member. A method of use and method of sealing a wellbore is described.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2012Publication date: June 14, 2012Applicant: SWELLTEC LIMITEDInventors: Kim Nutley, Brian Nutley
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Publication number: 20120145414Abstract: A downhole apparatus, such as a wellbore packer, is provided with a swellable member and a fluid supply assembly. The fluid supply assembly is to receive fluid and expose the swellable member to the fluid to cause expansion of the swellable member, and comprises a support structure for supporting the swellable member on the body. In a preferred embodiment, the support structure defines a chamber and is configured to allow fluid to flow and access the swellable member. A method of use and method of sealing a wellbore is described.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2012Publication date: June 14, 2012Applicant: SWELLTEC LIMITEDInventors: Kim Nutley, Brian Nutley
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Patent number: 8191643Abstract: A downhole apparatus for location on a tubular, an assembly, and a method of use are described. The apparatus comprises a body with a throughbore configured to receive a tubular, and at least one swellable member that comprises a material selected to expand upon exposure to at least one predetermined fluid. The swellable member is arranged to provide a seal between the body and a tubular on which it is located during use, for example in a micro-annulus between the body and the tubular. Advantageously, the apparatus may be configured such that the body is moveable on the tubular before expansion, which may permit the apparatus to be slipped or slid onto the tubular into its desired location. The apparatus may be configured to rotate or slide on the tubular.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2009Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Swelltec LimitedInventors: Kim Nutley, Brian Nutley
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Publication number: 20120103634Abstract: A ring member for a downhole apparatus includes a swellable material selected to increase in volume on exposure to at least one triggering fluid. The ring member is configured to cooperate with a swellable member disposed on a body of the apparatus, and may function as a gauge ring or a retaining member. The ring member is secured to the apparatus via a coupling arrangement which couples the body to an adjacent well string section. The ring member is threaded into the well string. Alternately, the ring member may be disposed over an upstanding formation such as a coupling sleeve by clamping.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2011Publication date: May 3, 2012Applicant: Swelltec LimitedInventors: Kim Nutley, Brian Nutley
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Patent number: 8151894Abstract: A downhole apparatus having a radially expanding portion and a support structure are described. The support structure comprises an attachment means for coupling to the apparatus and a support portion configured to be deployed from a first unexpanded condition to a second expanded condition by expansion of the apparatus. In one aspect of the invention, the downhole apparatus is expanded by exposing the swellable material to at least one predetermined fluid, and the support structure abuts the swellable material in its expanded form. A method of use and its application to a well packer, a hanging member, an anchor and a centralising apparatus are described.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2011Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Swelltec LimitedInventors: Kim Nutley, Brian Nutley