Patents by Inventor Randall S. Shafer

Randall S. Shafer 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: 20240141746
    Abstract: A method for creating access to annular spacing during plug and abandonment operations is described. Specifically, helical coils are cut into one or more casings before the plugging material is set. The plugging material is able to exit the helical coils, forming multiple, small rock-to-rock seals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2024
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicant: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventor: Randall S. SHAFER
  • Patent number: 11905789
    Abstract: A method for creating access to annular spacing during P&A operations is described. Specifically, helical coils are cut into one or more casings before the plugging material is set. The plugging material is able to exit the helical coils, forming multiple, small rock-to-rock seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventor: Randall S. Shafer
  • 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: 11753898
    Abstract: A method of plugging a hydrocarbon well includes deploying a downhole tool to remove at least a portion of a casing at a section of well to be plugged. Then a plugging material is put downhole onto a blocking device to fill an area to be plugged. An exothermic fluid is added, wherein activation of the exothermic material liquefies the plugging material. Allowing the plugging material and the exothermic fluid to solidify form a cast-in-place plug that fills the section of well to be plugged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventor: Randall S. Shafer
  • Publication number: 20220412185
    Abstract: A method of plugging a hydrocarbon well includes deploying a downhole tool to remove at least a portion of a casing at a section of well to be plugged. Then a plugging material is put downhole onto a blocking device to fill an area to be plugged. An exothermic fluid is added, wherein activation of the exothermic material liquefies the plugging material. Allowing the plugging material and the exothermic fluid to solidify form a cast-in-place plug that fills the section of well to be plugged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Applicant: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventor: Randall S. SHAFER
  • Patent number: 11486222
    Abstract: A method of plugging a hydrocarbon well includes deploying a downhole tool to remove at least a portion of a casing at a section of well to be plugged. Deploying a blocking device downhole to block a bottom of the section of well to be plugged. Deploying a plugging material downhole onto the blocking device to fill an area to be plugged. Deploying an exothermic fluid downhole, wherein activation of the exothermic material liquefies the plugging material. Allowing the plugging material and the exothermic fluid to solidify form a cast-in-place plug that fills the section of well to be plugged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventor: 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
  • Publication number: 20220290527
    Abstract: A method for creating access to annular spacing during P&A operations is described. Specifically, helical coils are cut into one or more casings before the plugging material is set. The plugging material is able to exit the helical coils, forming multiple, small rock-to-rock seals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventor: Randall S. SHAFER
  • 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: 11421506
    Abstract: A method for creating access to annular spacing during P&A operations is described. Specifically, helical coils are cut into one or more casings before the plugging material is set. The plugging material is able to exit the helical coils, forming multiple, small rock-to-rock seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventor: Randall S. Shafer
  • Publication number: 20220243553
    Abstract: A plug for Plug and Abandonment (P&A) operations. The plug is a two-part plug of bismuth-based alloy and resin, allowing for sealing of an oil well using two different mechanisms with a shorter plug. The sealing can be rock-to-rock and/or cast-in-place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventor: Randall S. SHAFER
  • Patent number: 11401777
    Abstract: Methods of plugging a hydrocarbon well by a through-tubing technique wherein the tubing is left in place, and only very short (<5 m) sections are cut, milled, perforated, ruptured and expanded, or combinations thereof. A blocking device is sent downhole if needed to block a bottom of the plug section, and resin dropped onto the blocking device to make a first plug, then cement is deployed onto said first plug to form a second plug. Therefore, the final interval is plugged with a two material binary plug. Once completed, and both 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 the outer casing, or just inner casing/tubulars can be removed if the exterior cement and casing are of sufficient quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventor: Randall S. Shafer
  • 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
  • Patent number: 11346176
    Abstract: A plug for Plug and Abandonment (P&A) operations. The plug is a two-part plug of bismuth-based alloy and resin, allowing for sealing of an oil well using two different mechanisms with a shorter plug. The sealing can be rock-to-rock and/or cast-in-place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventor: Randall S. Shafer
  • Patent number: 11274518
    Abstract: A method for creating access to annular spacing during P&A operations is described. Specifically, helical coils are cut into one or more casings before the plugging material is set. The plugging material is able to exit the helical coils, forming multiple, small rock-to-rock seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventor: Randall S. Shafer
  • Publication number: 20210156222
    Abstract: A method for creating access to annular spacing during P&A operations is described. Specifically, helical coils are cut into one or more casings before the plugging material is set. The plugging material is able to exit the helical coils, forming multiple, small rock-to-rock seals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventor: Randall S. SHAFER
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20200408062
    Abstract: Methods of plugging a hydrocarbon well by a through-tubing technique wherein the tubing is left in place, and only very short (<5 m) sections are cut, milled, perforated, ruptured and expanded, or combinations thereof. A blocking device is sent downhole if needed to block a bottom of the plug section, and resin dropped onto the blocking device to make a first plug, then cement is deployed onto said first plug to form a second plug. Therefore, the final interval is plugged with a two material binary plug. Once completed, and both 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 the outer casing, or just inner casing/tubulars can be removed if the exterior cement and casing are of sufficient quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventor: Randall S. SHAFER