Patents by Inventor Michael Brian Grayson
Michael Brian Grayson 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: 10329860Abstract: A method of drilling a subsea wellbore includes drilling the subsea wellbore and, while drilling the subsea wellbore: measuring a flow rate of the drilling fluid injected into a tubular string; measuring a flow rate of returns; comparing the returns flow rate to the drilling fluid flow rate to detect a kick by a formation being drilled; and exerting backpressure on the returns using a first variable choke valve. The method further includes, in response to detecting the kick: closing a blowout preventer of a subsea pressure control assembly (PCA) against the tubular string; and diverting the flow of returns from the PCA, through a choke line having a second variable choke valve, and through the first variable choke valve.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2017Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLCInventors: Said Boutalbi, Michael Brian Grayson
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Patent number: 10107075Abstract: An isolation valve for use with a tubular string includes a tubular housing for connection with the tubular string. A closure member is disposed in the housing and movable between an open position and a closed position. A flow tube is longitudinally movable relative to the housing for opening the closure member. A piston is coupled to the flow tube for moving the flow tube, and a fluid chamber is formed between the flow tube and the housing and receiving the piston. The isolation valve having a first fluid passage for fluid communication between a first portion of the chamber and a control line for moving the piston in a first direction, and a second fluid passage for fluid communication between a second portion of the chamber and a bore of the tubular string for moving the piston in a second direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2016Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLCInventors: Michael Brian Grayson, Julmar Shaun Sadicon Toralde, Joe Noske, Christopher L. McDowell
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Patent number: 9951600Abstract: A method of cementing a tubular string in a wellbore includes: deploying the tubular string into the wellbore; pumping cement slurry into the tubular string; launching a cementing plug after pumping the cement slurry; propelling the cementing plug through the tubular string, thereby pumping the cement slurry through the tubular string and into an annulus formed between the tubular string and the wellbore; and controlling flow of fluid displaced from the wellbore by the cement slurry to control pressure of the annulus.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2016Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: Don M. Hannegan, Cesar Pena, David Pavel, Michael Brian Grayson, Said Boutalbi, Todd Douglas Cooper, Timothy P. Dunn, Frank Zamora, Jr.
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Publication number: 20170145764Abstract: A method of drilling a subsea wellbore includes drilling the subsea wellbore and, while drilling the subsea wellbore: measuring a flow rate of the drilling fluid injected into a tubular string; measuring a flow rate of returns; comparing the returns flow rate to the drilling fluid flow rate to detect a kick by a formation being drilled; and exerting backpressure on the returns using a first variable choke valve. The method further includes, in response to detecting the kick: closing a blowout preventer of a subsea pressure control assembly (PCA) against the tubular string; and diverting the flow of returns from the PCA, through a choke line having a second variable choke valve, and through the first variable choke valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2017Publication date: May 25, 2017Inventors: Said BOUTALBI, Michael Brian GRAYSON
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Publication number: 20160281465Abstract: An isolation valve for use with a tubular string includes a tubular housing for connection with the tubular string; a closure member disposed in the housing and movable between an open position and a closed position; a flow tube longitudinally movable relative to the housing for opening the closure member; a piston for moving the flow tube; a fluid chamber formed between the flow tube and the housing and receiving the piston; a first fluid passage for fluid communication between a first portion of the chamber and a control line and for moving the piston in a first direction; and a second fluid passage for fluid communication between a second portion of the chamber and a bore of the tubular string and for moving the piston in a second direction. A single control line may be used to operate the isolation valve between an open position and a closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2016Publication date: September 29, 2016Inventors: Michael Brian GRAYSON, Julmar Shaun Sadicon TORALDE, Joe NOSKE, Christopher L. MCDOWELL
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Publication number: 20160145995Abstract: A method of cementing a tubular string in a wellbore includes: deploying the tubular string into the wellbore; pumping cement slurry into the tubular string; launching a cementing plug after pumping the cement slurry; propelling the cementing plug through the tubular string, thereby pumping the cement slurry through the tubular string and into an annulus formed between the tubular string and the wellbore; and controlling flow of fluid displaced from the wellbore by the cement slurry to control pressure of the annulus.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2016Publication date: May 26, 2016Inventors: Don M. HANNEGAN, Cesar PENA, David PAVEL, Michael Brian GRAYSON, Said BOUTALBI, Todd Douglas COOPER, Timothy P. DUNN, Frank ZAMORA, JR.
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Patent number: 9249646Abstract: A method of cementing a tubular string in a wellbore includes: deploying the tubular string into the wellbore; pumping cement slurry into the tubular string; launching a cementing plug after pumping the cement slurry; propelling the cementing plug through the tubular string, thereby pumping the cement slurry through the tubular string and into an annulus formed between the tubular string and the wellbore; and controlling flow of fluid displaced from the wellbore by the cement slurry to control pressure of the annulus.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2012Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: Don M. Hannegan, Cesar Pena, David Pavel, Michael Brian Grayson, Said Boutalbi, Todd Douglas Cooper, Timothy P. Dunn, Frank Zamora, Jr.
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Patent number: 8905140Abstract: Methods and apparatus enable reliable and improved isolation between two portions of a bore extending through a casing string disposed in a borehole. A downhole deployment valve (DDV) may provide the isolation utilizing a valve member, such as a flapper, that is disposed in a housing of the DDV and is designed to close against a seat within the housing. The DDV includes an operating mechanism for opening/closing the DDV. In use, pressure in one portion of a well that is in fluid communication with a well surface may be bled off and open at well surface while maintaining pressure in another portion of the casing string beyond the DDV.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2014Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Joe Noske, David Iblings, David Pavel, David J. Brunnert, Paul L. Smith, Michael Brian Grayson
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Patent number: 8899348Abstract: A system and method have a choke in fluid communication with a rotating control device. The choke controls flow of drilling mud from the rotating control device to a gas separator during a controlled pressure drilling operation, such as managed pressure drilling (MPD) or underbalanced drilling (UBD). A probe is in fluid communication with the drilling mud between the choke and the gas separator. During operations, the probe evaluates gas in the drilling mud from the well passing from the choke to the gas separator.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2010Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Anthony Bruce Henderson, Douglas Law, Michael Brian Grayson, James R. Chopty, David Tonner
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Publication number: 20140318796Abstract: Methods and apparatus enable reliable and improved isolation between two portions of a bore extending through a casing string disposed in a borehole. A downhole deployment valve (DDV) may provide the isolation utilizing a valve member, such as a flapper, that is disposed in a housing of the DDV and is designed to close against a seat within the housing. The DDV includes an operating mechanism for opening/closing the DDV. In use, pressure in one portion of a well that is in fluid communication with a well surface may be bled off and open at well surface while maintaining pressure in another portion of the casing string beyond the DDV.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2014Publication date: October 30, 2014Inventors: Joe NOSKE, David IBLINGS, David PAVEL, David J. BRUNNERT, Paul L. SMITH, Michael Brian GRAYSON
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Patent number: 8789603Abstract: Methods and apparatus enable reliable and improved isolation between two portions of a bore extending through a casing string disposed in a borehole. A downhole deployment valve (DDV) may provide the isolation utilizing a valve member, such as a flapper, that is disposed in a housing of the DDV and is designed to close against a seat within the housing. The DDV includes an operating mechanism for opening/closing the DDV. In use, pressure in one portion of a well that is in fluid communication with a well surface may be bled off and open at well surface while maintaining pressure in another portion of the casing string beyond the DDV.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2013Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Joe Noske, David Iblings, David Pavel, David J. Brunnert, Paul L. Smith, Michael Brian Grayson
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Publication number: 20140048331Abstract: A method of drilling a subsea wellbore includes drilling the subsea wellbore and, while drilling the subsea wellbore: measuring a flow rate of the drilling fluid injected into a tubular string; measuring a flow rate of returns; comparing the returns flow rate to the drilling fluid flow rate to detect a kick by a formation being drilled; and exerting backpressure on the returns using a first variable choke valve. The method further includes, in response to detecting the kick: closing a blowout preventer of a subsea pressure control assembly (PCA) against the tubular string; and diverting the flow of returns from the PCA, through a choke line having a second variable choke valve, and through the first variable choke valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2013Publication date: February 20, 2014Applicant: WEATHERFORD/LAMB, INC.Inventors: Said BOUTALBI, Michael Brian GRAYSON
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Publication number: 20130319679Abstract: Methods and apparatus enable reliable and improved isolation between two portions of a bore extending through a casing string disposed in a borehole. A downhole deployment valve (DDV) may provide the isolation utilizing a valve member, such as a flapper, that is disposed in a housing of the DDV and is designed to close against a seat within the housing. The DDV includes an operating mechanism for opening/closing the DDV. In use, pressure in one portion of a well that is in fluid communication with a well surface may be bled off and open at well surface while maintaining pressure in another portion of the casing string beyond the DDV.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2013Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: WEATHERFORD/LAMB, INC.Inventors: Joe NOSKE, David IBLINGS, David PAVEL, David J. BRUNNERT, Paul L. SMITH, Michael Brian GRAYSON
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Patent number: 8544549Abstract: Methods and apparatus enable reliable and improved isolation between two portions of a bore extending through a casing string disposed in a borehole. A downhole deployment valve (DDV) may provide the isolation utilizing a valve member such as a flapper that is disposed in a housing of the DDV and is designed to close against a seat within the housing. The DDV includes an operating mechanism for opening/closing the DDV. In use, pressure in one portion of a well that is in fluid communication with a well surface may be bled off and open at well surface while maintaining pressure in another portion of the casing string beyond the DDV.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2012Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Joe Noske, David Iblings, David Pavel, David J. Brunnert, Paul Smith, Michael Brian Grayson
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Patent number: 8534362Abstract: Methods and apparatus enable reliable and improved isolation between two portions of a bore extending through a casing string disposed in a borehole. A downhole deployment valve (DDV) may provide the isolation utilizing a valve member such as a flapper that is disposed in a housing of the DDV and is designed to close against a seat within the housing. The DDV includes an operating mechanism for opening/closing the DDV. In use, pressure in one portion of a well that is in fluid communication with a well surface may be bled off and open at well surface while maintaining pressure in another portion of the casing string beyond the DDV.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2012Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Joe Noske, David Iblings, David Pavel, David J. Brunnert, Paul Smith, Michael Brian Grayson
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Patent number: 8522878Abstract: Methods and apparatus enable reliable and improved isolation between two portions of a bore extending through a casing string disposed in a borehole. A downhole deployment valve (DDV) may provide the isolation utilizing a valve member such as a flapper that is disposed in a housing of the DDV and is designed to close against a seat within the housing. The DDV includes an operating mechanism for opening/closing the DDV. In use, pressure in one portion of a well that is in fluid communication with a well surface may be bled off and open at well surface while maintaining pressure in another portion of the casing string beyond the DDV.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2012Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Joe Noske, David Iblings, David Pavel, David J. Brunnert, Paul Smith, Michael Brian Grayson
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Publication number: 20130008667Abstract: Methods and apparatus enable reliable and improved isolation between two portions of a bore extending through a casing string disposed in a borehole. A downhole deployment valve (DDV) may provide the isolation utilizing a valve member such as a flapper that is disposed in a housing of the DDV and is designed to close against a seat within the housing. The DDV includes an operating mechanism for opening/closing the DDV. In use, pressure in one portion of a well that is in fluid communication with a well surface may be bled off and open at well surface while maintaining pressure in another portion of the casing string beyond the DDV.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Inventors: Joe Noske, David Iblings, David Pavel, David J. Brunnert, Paul Smith, Michael Brian Grayson
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Publication number: 20120325495Abstract: Methods and apparatus enable reliable and improved isolation between two portions of a bore extending through a casing string disposed in a borehole. A downhole deployment valve (DDV) may provide the isolation utilizing a valve member such as a flapper that is disposed in a housing of the DDV and is designed to close against a seat within the housing. The DDV includes an operating mechanism for opening/closing the DDV. In use, pressure in one portion of a well that is in fluid communication with a well surface may be bled off and open at well surface while maintaining pressure in another portion of the casing string beyond the DDV.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2012Publication date: December 27, 2012Inventors: Joe Noske, David Iblings, David Pavel, David J. Brunnert, Paul Smith, Michael Brian Grayson
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Publication number: 20120325494Abstract: Methods and apparatus enable reliable and improved isolation between two portions of a bore extending through a casing string disposed in a borehole. A downhole deployment valve (DDV) may provide the isolation utilizing a valve member such as a flapper that is disposed in a housing of the DDV and is designed to close against a seat within the housing. The DDV includes an operating mechanism for opening/closing the DDV. In use, pressure in one portion of a well that is in fluid communication with a well surface may be bled off and open at well surface while maintaining pressure in another portion of the casing string beyond the DDV.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2012Publication date: December 27, 2012Inventors: Joe Noske, David Iblings, David Pavel, David J. Brunnert, Paul Smith, Michael Brian Grayson
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Patent number: 8261836Abstract: Methods and apparatus enable reliable and improved isolation between two portions of a bore extending through a casing string disposed in a borehole. A downhole deployment valve (DDV) may provide the isolation utilizing a valve member such as a flapper that is disposed in a housing of the DDV and is designed to close against a seat within the housing. The DDV includes an operating mechanism for opening/closing the DDV. In use, pressure in one portion of a well that is in fluid communication with a well surface may be bled off and open at well surface while maintaining pressure in another portion of the casing string beyond the DDV.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2008Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Joe Noske, David Iblings, David Pavel, David J. Brunnert, Paul Smith, Michael Brian Grayson