Patents by Inventor Roddie R. Smith

Roddie R. Smith 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: 20190226298
    Abstract: A frac plug having a cover and including one or more expansion components configured to expand during setting of the frac plug within a section of a tubular disposed in a wellbore. The cover may be disposed circumferentially about at least the one or more expansion components of the frac plug. The cover may be configured to prevent the one or more expansion components from expanding during deployment of the frac plug in the tubular and to permit the one or more expansion components to expand during setting of the frac plug in the tubular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: Robert Joe Coon, Roddie R. Smith
  • Patent number: 10323477
    Abstract: A seal assembly for use in a tubular includes a mandrel, a compressible seal member disposed around the mandrel, a first piston assembly in contact with a first end of the seal member, and a second piston assembly in contact with a second end of the seal member. The first piston assembly includes a piston head, and a piston extension sealing member integrally formed with the piston head, and extending at least partially between the mandrel and the compressible seal member. The compressible seal member forms a seal with the tubular when at least one of the piston assemblies is urged toward the compressible seal member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Roddie R. Smith
  • Publication number: 20190153822
    Abstract: A shifting tool for use in a wellbore includes a tubular housing having a bore formed therethrough; a tubular mandrel disposed in the housing and longitudinally movable relative thereto; and an engagement member moveable relative to the housing between an extended position, a released position, and a retracted position, wherein: the engagement member is movable from the retracted position to the extended position in response to movement of the mandrel relative to the housing, and the engagement member is further movable from the extended position to the released position in response to movement of the mandrel relative to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Joe NOSKE, Roddie R. SMITH, Paul L. SMITH, Thomas F. BAILEY, Christopher L. MCDOWELL
  • Publication number: 20190100979
    Abstract: A method of drilling a wellbore includes drilling the wellbore through a formation by injecting drilling fluid through a drill string and rotating a drill bit. The drill string includes a shifting tool, a receiver in communication with the shifting tool, and the drill bit. The method further includes retrieving the drill string from the wellbore through a casing string until the shifting tool reaches an actuator. The casing string includes an isolation valve in an open position and the actuator. The method further includes sending a wireless instruction signal to the receiver. The shifting tool engages the actuator in response to the receiver receiving the instruction signal. The method further includes operating the actuator using the engaged shifting tool, thereby closing the isolation valve and isolating the formation from an upper portion of the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Joe NOSKE, Roddie R. SMITH, Paul L. SMITH, Thomas F. BAILEY, Christopher L. MCDOWELL, Frederick T. TILTON
  • Patent number: 10214999
    Abstract: A shifting tool for use in a wellbore includes a tubular housing having a bore formed therethrough; a tubular mandrel disposed in the housing and longitudinally movable relative thereto; and an engagement member moveable relative to the housing between an extended position, a released position, and a retracted position, wherein: the engagement member is movable from the retracted position to the extended position in response to movement of the mandrel relative to the housing, and the engagement member is further movable from the extended position to the released position in response to movement of the mandrel relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Joe Noske, Roddie R. Smith, Paul L. Smith, Thomas F. Bailey, Christopher L. McDowell
  • Publication number: 20190024498
    Abstract: A downhole communication tool is provided. The downhole communication tool may include a cylindrical housing, a plurality of ridges, and a plurality of flow control assemblies. The cylindrical housing may have an inner surface, a first end portion, and a second end portion. The inner surface may define a flowbore extending axially between the first and second end portions. The plurality of ridges may extend radially outward from the cylindrical housing between the first and second end portions. Each ridge may have a ridge outer surface and define one or more ports that extend radially between the flowbore and the ridge outer surface. Each flow control assembly may be mounted about a respective port of the one or more ports and include a dissolvable seal member extending across the respective port. Each dissolvable seal member may be configured to prevent fluid communication between the flowbore and a subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Robert Joe Coon, Roddie R. Smith
  • Patent number: 10151171
    Abstract: A method of drilling a wellbore includes drilling the wellbore through a formation by injecting drilling fluid through a drill string and rotating a drill bit. The drill string includes a shifting tool, a receiver in communication with the shifting tool, and the drill bit. The method further includes retrieving the drill string from the wellbore through a casing string until the shifting tool reaches an actuator. The casing string includes an isolation valve in an open position and the actuator. The method further includes sending a wireless instruction signal to the receiver. The shifting tool engages the actuator in response to the receiver receiving the instruction signal. The method further includes operating the actuator using the engaged shifting tool, thereby closing the isolation valve and isolating the formation from an upper portion of the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Joe Noske, Roddie R. Smith, Paul L. Smith, Thomas F. Bailey, Christopher L. McDowell, Frederick T. Tilton
  • Publication number: 20180328137
    Abstract: A frac plug is provided. The frac plug may include: a plug body having an outer surface, and including a taper extending along a portion of the outer surface; a sealing element circumferentially disposed about the plug body that, when actuated, seals an annulus between the frac plug and a tubular section; a slip circumferentially disposed about the plug body that, when actuated, engages the tubular section; and a back-up ring circumferentially disposed about the plug body that, when expanded along the taper of the plug body, contacts the tubular section and prevents extrusion of the sealing element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Applicant: PetroQuip Energy Services, LLP
    Inventors: Roddie R. Smith, Robert Joe Coon
  • Publication number: 20180328136
    Abstract: A frac plug is provided. The frac plug may include a first sub, a second sub, a slip, a sealing element, a lock ring, a back-up ring, and a compression ring. The first sub may be threadably engaged with the lock ring. The lock ring may be threadably engaged with the second sub. The slip and the back-up ring may be positioned between the first sub and the second sub, and circumferentially disposed about a tapered outer surface of the first sub. The slip and the back-up ring may include a tapered inner surface. The slip may also include a left-hand thread profile defined by the outer surface. The sealing element and compression ring may be circumferentially disposed about the first sub, and the compression ring may be threadably engaged with the first sub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Applicant: PetroQuip Energy Services, LLP
    Inventors: Roddie R. Smith, Robert Joe Coon
  • Publication number: 20180328130
    Abstract: A slip for a downhole tool is provided. The slip may include an annular body having a first axial end, a second axial end, an inner surface, an outer surface, and an axial length. The annular embody further includes a taper on the inner surface that extends along the axial length of the annular body, and a left-hand thread pattern defined by the outer surface and extending from the first axial end along a portion of the axial length, each thread of the left-hand thread pattern having a crest that is angled toward the first axial end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Applicant: PetroQuip Energy Services, LLP
    Inventors: Roddie R. Smith, Robert Joe Coon
  • Publication number: 20180051532
    Abstract: A frac plug is provided. The frac plug may include a plug body, a slip, a sealing element, and a flapper. The plug body may have an inner surface, a first end portion, and a second end portion. The inner surface may define a bore extending axially between the first end portion and the second end portion. The slip may be circumferentially disposed about the plug body and configured to expand and couple the frac plug to a tubular section. The sealing element may be circumferentially disposed about the plug body and configured to compress and create a seal between the plug body and an inner surface of the tubular section. The flapper may be coupled to the plug body proximate to the first end portion and configured to seal the bore of the plug body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Inventors: Roddie R. Smith, Robert Joe Coon
  • Publication number: 20170362912
    Abstract: A frac plug is provided. The frac plug includes a plug body, a sealing element, and a slip. The plug body includes a first sub and a second sub. The first sub includes a first composite material outer sleeve, and a first metal inner core engaged with and structurally supporting the first composite material outer sleeve. The second sub includes a second composite material outer sleeve, and a second metal inner core engaged with and structurally supporting the second composite material outer sleeve. The sealing element is circumferentially disposed about the first sub and, when actuated, seals an annulus between the frac plug and a tubular section. The slip is disposed between the first sub and the second sub and, when actuated, engages the tubular section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: PetroQuip Energy Services, LLP
    Inventors: Roddie R. Smith, Robert Joe Coon
  • Publication number: 20170356268
    Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a tubular section is provided. The apparatus may include a retainer and a dart. The retainer may include an annular body having a tapered outer surface and a slip having a left-hand thread profile defined in the slip. The slip may expand along the tapered outer surface of the annular body to hold the retainer in position within the tubular section. The dart may include a sealing element and a vented cap. The sealing element may include a body, a plurality of fins, and an engagement member that engages with a cavity of the vented cap. The cap may contact the annular body of the retainer. The sealing element may compress against the cap, sealing the tubular section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Roddie R. Smith, Robert Joe Coon
  • Patent number: 9528345
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a hydraulic communication device that is used in a wellbore for fluid communication during a wellbore operation. In one aspect, a hydraulic communication device is provided. The hydraulic communication device includes a body having a central passageway and a bore formed in a wall of the body. The bore is in fluid communication with the central passageway, and the bore is configured to receive an end of a control line. The hydraulic communication device further includes a plug assembly disposed in the bore formed in the wall of the body. The plug assembly is movable from a first position in which fluid communication through the bore is blocked and a second position in which fluid communication through the bore is unblocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Roddie R. Smith, Paul L. Smith
  • Patent number: 9376896
    Abstract: A method of treating production fluid in a wellbore includes deploying a capillary string into the wellbore. The capillary string has a plurality of injection valves. The method further includes pumping treatment fluid through the capillary string and into the wellbore. The injection valves have a cumulative set pressure greater than or equal to a hydrostatic pressure of the treatment fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Roddie R. Smith
  • Publication number: 20160090818
    Abstract: A shifting tool for use in a wellbore includes a tubular housing having a bore formed therethrough; a tubular mandrel disposed in the housing and longitudinally movable relative thereto; and an engagement member moveable relative to the housing between an extended position, a released position, and a retracted position, wherein: the engagement member is movable from the retracted position to the extended position in response to movement of the mandrel relative to the housing, and the engagement member is further movable from the extended position to the released position in response to movement of the mandrel relative to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Joe NOSKE, Roddie R. SMITH, Paul L. SMITH, Thomas F. BAILEY, Christopher L. MCDOWELL
  • Patent number: 9163481
    Abstract: A method of operating an isolation valve in a wellbore includes: deploying a work string into the wellbore through a tubular string disposed in the wellbore. The work string comprises a deployment string, a shifting tool, and a bottomhole assembly (BHA). The tubular string comprises the isolation valve and an actuator. The method further includes rotating the actuator using the shifting tool, thereby opening or closing the isolation valve. The isolation valve isolates a formation from an upper portion of the wellbore in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Joe Noske, Roddie R. Smith, Paul L. Smith, Thomas F. Bailey, Christopher L. McDowell
  • Publication number: 20150211332
    Abstract: A method of drilling a wellbore includes drilling the wellbore through a formation by injecting drilling fluid through a drill string and rotating a drill bit. The drill string includes a shifting tool, a receiver in communication with the shifting tool, and the drill bit. The method further includes retrieving the drill string from the wellbore through a casing string until the shifting tool reaches an actuator. The casing string includes an isolation valve in an open position and the actuator. The method further includes sending a wireless instruction signal to the receiver. The shifting tool engages the actuator in response to the receiver receiving the instruction signal. The method further includes operating the actuator using the engaged shifting tool, thereby closing the isolation valve and isolating the formation from an upper portion of the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Applicant: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Joe NOSKE, Roddie R. SMITH, Paul L. SMITH, Thomas F. BAILEY, Christopher L. MCDOWELL, Frederick T. TILTON
  • Patent number: 8978750
    Abstract: A method of drilling a wellbore includes drilling the wellbore through a formation by injecting drilling fluid through a drill string and rotating a drill bit. The drill string includes a shifting tool, a receiver in communication with the shifting tool, and the drill bit. The method further includes retrieving the drill string from the wellbore through a casing string until the shifting tool reaches an actuator. The casing string includes an isolation valve in an open position and the actuator. The method further includes sending a wireless instruction signal to the receiver. The shifting tool engages the actuator in response to the receiver receiving the instruction signal. The method further includes operating the actuator using the engaged shifting tool, thereby closing the isolation valve and isolating the formation from an upper portion of the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Joe Noske, Roddie R. Smith, Paul L. Smith, Thomas F. Bailey, Christopher L. McDowell, Frederick T. Tilton
  • Publication number: 20140262303
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a deepset wireline retrievable safety valve for controlling fluid flow through a production tubing string. In one aspect, a valve for use in a wellbore is provided. The valve includes a housing having a bore. The valve further includes an actuator sleeve movable within the housing between a retracted position and an extended position. The actuator sleeve in the retracted position allows a flapper member to obstruct the bore in the housing. Additionally, the valve includes a first piston member attached to a first side of the actuator sleeve and a second piston member attached to a second side of the actuator sleeve, wherein wellbore fluid pressure acts on the first piston member, which results in a first force, and acts on the second piston, which results in a second force, and the first force and the second force are applied to the actuator sleeve in an opposite direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Roddie R. SMITH, Winfield M. SIDES, III