Surrounding Conduit Carries Packer Or Plug Patents (Class 166/116)
  • Patent number: 11377918
    Abstract: The invention relates to the measurement of the rheology of drilling fluid down a hydrocarbon well in real time during operations. A sensor device comprising a pipe rheometer with multiple diameters is installed in a bottom hole assembly tool, such that a portion of the total flow of drilling fluid passes through it. In this way the rheological properties of the drilling fluid can be determined under the high pressures and elevated temperatures encountered downhole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventor: Gunvald Nesheim
  • Patent number: 11293265
    Abstract: A tubing pressure insensitive failsafe wireline retrievable safety valve including a tool housing, a flow tube disposed within the tool housing, an actuation piston disposed in the tool housing and operably connected to the flow tube, the actuation piston having an actuation pressure side and a relatively lower pressure chamber side, a fluid pathway between a potential leak site for the valve and the relatively lower pressure chamber side of the piston. A borehole system having a tubing pressure insensitive failsafe wireline retrievable safety valve. A tubing pressure insensitive failsafe wireline retrievable safety valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: John Burris, Jason Edwards
  • Patent number: 10323478
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a modular insert float system and method that can be inserted into a casing and attached to the casing internal surface by internal slips and sealing components. The system is modular in that three main components: an upper valve assembly, a lower valve assembly, and a pair of casing anchor and seal assemblies along with top and bottom shoes form a kit that can be used for virtually any casing of a given size regardless of the threads, casing material grades, length of joint, or other variations. Further, the system allows for insertion of the casing into the wellbore without damaging the formation from forcing wellbore fluid into the formation and causing the loss of wellbore fluid in the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Inventors: Kevin Berscheidt, Michael Sutton, Cleo Holland
  • Patent number: 9677383
    Abstract: A gravel pack apparatus for a wellbore has a shunt tube disposed along the apparatus near a wellscreen. The shunt tube is typically composed of stainless steel and has an internal passage for conducting slurry. Along its length, the tube has flow ports for passing the conducted slurry into the wellbore. The exit ports can use erosion inserts composed of erodible material, barrier inserts having breakable barriers, flow nozzles with external sheaths or caps, erosion-resistant bushings disposed on the flow nozzles, etc. The tube can also include a tube body having the exit ports and flow nozzles integrally formed thereon. The tube body can couple end-to-end with sections of shunt tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: John S. Sladic, Stephen McNamee, John Broussard, Christopher A. Hall, Floyd R. Simonds
  • Publication number: 20150136415
    Abstract: A buoyant ball assisted hydrostatic lift system and method comprises a second annulus formed between a well bore and an outer pipe within the well bore, and a first annulus formed between the outer pipe and an inner pipe. The system includes a seal disposed on the second annulus on at least a top end and a bottom end thereof with respect to the earth's surface. The seal is configured to prevent a fluid flow there through and preserve a condition of the well bore and the outer pipe and protect the environment against well perforations. The system also includes buoyant balls entrained in a first fluid in one of the annuli and an entrained column of the buoyant balls in the first fluid in one of the annuli, an aggregate weight thereof configured to entrain the balls and the first fluid into a second fluid in the inner pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Rodney D. Smith
  • Publication number: 20150101813
    Abstract: Disclosed herein a system comprising a casing; the casing being disposed in a borehole; a liner; the liner being disposed in the casing and being concentric with the casing; and a layer of material disposed between the liner and the casing; where the layer of material forms a first bond with the liner and a second bond with the casing thereby enabling hanging the liner from the casing. Disclosed herein too is a method comprising disposing in a borehole a system comprising a casing; the casing being disposed in a borehole; a liner; the liner being disposed in the casing and being concentric with the casing; and a layer of material disposed between the liner and the casing; heating the system at a point proximate to the layer of material; and forming a first bond between the layer of material and the liner and a second bond between the layer of material and the casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Lei Zhao, Zhiyue Xu
  • Publication number: 20140262209
    Abstract: A sealing assembly for sealing an annulus in a downhole application including a sealing ring and a deflecting ring axially aligned between axially opposed mesh back-ups, each of the sealing ring and the deflecting ring defining a first ramped end, the first ramped ends facing each other such that an axial set force applied to the deflecting ring deflects the sealing ring radially outward forcing the sealing ring into a side-by-side arrangement with the deflecting ring to fill and seal the annulus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: CDI Energy Products
    Inventors: Lee Shek, Hung Thai Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8555958
    Abstract: A SAGD system including a string defining an axial flow channel and an annular flow pathway, a fluid access structure between the axial flow channel and the annular flow pathway, and a valve disposed within the annular flow pathway. The valve being selectively closable to selectively inhibit annular flow in an uphole direction. A method for treating a SAGD formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Anderson da Silva Amaral, Bradley Gene Baker
  • Publication number: 20130146276
    Abstract: A completion system is provided for completing downhole wells, comprising an upper polished bore receptacle incorporated into an intermediate casing of the downhole well and formed with a honed inner bore. A bottom packer for supporting a completion string within the intermediate casing has a first sealing assembly for sealing engagement against the inner bore of the upper polished bore receptacle. A lower polished bore receptacle is further incorporated into the intermediate casing and formed with a honed inner bore. A flow control hanger in the form of a hollow mandrel hangs a production liner in the intermediate casing and has a second sealing assembly for sealing engagement against an inner bore of the lower polished bore receptacle. A further completion system is provided comprising a polished bore receptacle (PBR) and a latch down packer having a lower end to which the PBR is connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: KLIMACK HOLDINGS INC.
    Inventor: Brian K. Klimack
  • Patent number: 7849920
    Abstract: For optimizing well production, intervals are selected along a deviated wellbore, and a well test and treatment string is deployed in the wellbore. Each interval is then isolated to enable performance of desired testing. The test data obtained is evaluated to determine an appropriate remedial action which is then implemented via the well test and treatment string. The system and method enable the testing and treatment of a plurality of intervals along a horizontal well during the same run downhole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Dhandayuthapani Kannan, David E. Sask, Lang Zhan, James G. Filas
  • Publication number: 20100294482
    Abstract: A variable bore packer used in a blowout preventer to form a seal against different diameter tubular members for oil and gas drilling operations. The variable bore packer includes a packer member molded of elastomeric material with certain mechanical properties and including an inside curved surface. The packer also includes a plurality of packer inserts molded within the packer member to form an insert array. Additionally, the packer includes a protrusion extending from and bonded to the packer member inside curved surface, the protrusion including increased mechanical properties compared to the packer member. The packer member, the insert array, and the protrusion are molded into a unitary structure and sized to form a seal against the different diameter tubular members upon closure of the blowout preventer. Also, the insert array and the protrusion diminishing extrusion of the elastomeric material between the packer inserts and the tubular members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Raul Araujo, Alexander Michael McAuley, Reza H. Zonoz
  • Patent number: 7819184
    Abstract: A logging plug is disclosed having an internal sealing mechanism therein which provides a high degree of sealing integrity between the bore of the plug and a coiled tubing or other means of suspending wellbore equipment running therethrough. The sealing mechanism utilizes a combination of low friction, elastomerically-energized cap seals and ring seals to ensure that the sealing surfaces adapt continuously to the changing profile of the coiled tubing to provide a true dynamic seal around the coiled tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Sandeep Sachdeva, Marc McCorry, Andrew S. Ferguson
  • Patent number: 7808631
    Abstract: A stirrer includes a vessel for holding a liquid to be stirred; and a sound wave generator that irradiates the liquid with a sound wave to stir the liquid by the sound wave. The sound wave generator includes a piezoelectric substrate, and a sound generating element provided on the piezoelectric substrate and arranged outside the vessel so as to be adjacent to the liquid across the vessel and the piezoelectric substrate to generate a sound wave for stirring the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Beckman Coulter, Inc.
    Inventor: Miyuki Murakami
  • Patent number: 7654329
    Abstract: The invention concerns a dual-type plug to be used in a wellhead. The plug has a separate retrievable inner plug (50). Retrieving only the inner plug allows the use of lighter workover equipment than if the whole plug (10) must be pulled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: FMC Kongsberg Subsea AS
    Inventors: Hans Jørgen Lindland, Stein Følkner
  • Patent number: 7650945
    Abstract: A closure device that is useful as a safety valve within a tubular member, such as production tubing and pipelines. The closure device includes an inflatable bladder that is disposed within a cavity in the wall of the tubular member. A fluid conduit interconnects a fluid source with the inflatable bladder, and a pump is associated with the fluid conduit to flow fluid between the fluid source and the bladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Barry Lee Brown
  • Publication number: 20090301730
    Abstract: A first tubular member disposed within a second tubular member, and an annulus formed therebetween. The second tubular member can have a first and second packer disposed about an outer diameter thereof. The first packer can have a slip. The packers can be in fluid communication with the inner diameter of the first tubular member via one or more flow ports formed through the first tubular member. One or more inflow control devices can be disposed between the packers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ahmed Amr Gweily
  • Publication number: 20090242187
    Abstract: A ported sub comprising: a tubular body including a wall and ends formed for installation in a wellbore tubular string; a first port through the wall; a second port through the wall; a first hydraulically openable sliding sleeve for the controlling the open and closed condition of the first port; a second hydraulically openable sliding sleeve for the controlling the open and closed condition of the second port; a first pressure release connection for securing the first hydraulically openable sliding sleeve in a position on the tubular body and being releasable by application of a selected hydraulic pressure to the first hydraulically openable sliding sleeve; and a second pressure release connection for securing the second hydraulically openable sliding sleeve in a position on the tubular body and being releasable by application of hydraulic pressure at least substantially similar to the selected hydraulic pressure to the second hydraulically openable sliding sleeve, the first pressure release connection inclu
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: PACKERS PLUS ENERGY SERVICES INC.
    Inventors: DANIEL JON THEMIG, CORY TRENT SAULOU
  • Publication number: 20080164033
    Abstract: A system and method for systematically and economically recovering formation liquids from the bottom of a petroleum well are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the system and method are passive in that they utilize the existing formation pressure of the well to remove fluid build-up across the perforations of the well bore in a manner that is completely free from surface control. The system is comprised of strategically placed carrier subs with installed pressure regulating devices. These carrier subs are regularly spaced below the production packer, along the tail pipe section of the production tubing string and facing the perforated intervals of the well bore. The pressure of the trapped formation gas above the accumulating formation liquid is insufficient to remove all of the formation liquid within the entire length of the tubing string 13.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventor: Donald J. Brink
  • Patent number: 7293437
    Abstract: A drum washing machine having a gasket to prevent leakage of water in the tub and the laundry from being stuck in a laundry opening part. The washing machine including a cabinet having a first opening through which a laundry is put in the cabinet, a tub installed in the cabinet to have a second opening corresponding to the first opening, a drum installed in the tub to have a third opening corresponding to the second opening, and a gasket including a leakage preventing part having one end connected to a rim of the first opening and the other end connected to a rim of the second opening to prevent water leakage and a laundry-stuck preventing part provided on an inner circumference of the leakage preventing part to prevent the laundry from being stuck in a space between the first and third openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jae Kyum Kim, Ho Cheol Kwon, Kang Mo Choi
  • Patent number: 7278493
    Abstract: Systems and methods for guiding a seal assembly associated with a string of production tubing, or a tubular member generally, into a receptacle within a wellbore. The muleshoe of a seal assembly is provided with an auto entry guide device in the form of a guide member or kickover lug that is radially moveable with respect to the muleshoe. The kickover lug is collapsible radially inwardly and biased radially outwardly. The auto entry guide device may also include a centralizer bowspring that is mounted upon the muleshoe. Additionally, the muleshoe is mounted for rotational movement with respect to the seal assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas G. Corbett, Elmer R. Peterson
  • Patent number: 6957698
    Abstract: Devices and methods are described for establishing an effective annular seal about between an active pressure differential device and a surrounding wellbore sidewall. In other aspects, the invention provides a means of selectively activating such a seal during drilling operations or other operations wherein drilling mud is flowed through the drill string and returns through the annulus. The annular seal assembly may include an inflatable packer element and a hydraulic inflation system. The hydraulic inflation system uses the fluid pressure provided by drilling mud that is returning to the surface via the annulus to inflate the packer element and set the seal. The hydraulic inflation system also buffers and regulates the fluid pressure setting the packer element to avoid overinflation of the element. In other aspects, the seal assembly may comprise a set of mud cups that are set against the borehole sidewall using a pressure differential across the seal assembly or a spring-biased seal element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Volker Krueger, Harald Grimmer, Sven Krueger
  • Patent number: 6668932
    Abstract: A wellbore junction isolation method and associated apparatus provide convenient isolation of a wellbore junction while permitting certain operations to be performed in a main or branch wellbore below the junction. In described embodiments, formations intersected by a main or branch wellbore below a wellbore junction may be stimulated by fracturing after installing an assembly at the wellbore junction, in a straddling and sealing relationship therewith, to isolate it from pressures applied during the fracturing operation. The illustrated isolation assembly may be installed in a single trip into the main wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Hess, Benji Smith
  • Patent number: 6631763
    Abstract: A method and a system for testing a borehole in an underground formation by the use of so-called closed chamber testing. When carrying out the method, a test or production pipe (5) is carried down the borehole, where the test pipe can be closed at its upper end and at its lower end is provided with a downhole assembly (6) comprising equipment for testing of fluid flow from the formation (3), the annulus (23) between the test pipe (5) and a casing (20) in the borehole being shut off during the test by a gasket (22) at a desired depth, and fluid from the formation being allowed to flow through the test pipe (5) to a collecting tank (9) coupled to the test pipe via a flow head (4) at the upper end of the test pipe (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Den Norske Stats Oljeselskap A.S.
    Inventors: John Self, Rolf Dirdal
  • Patent number: 6561269
    Abstract: Canister, sealing method and composition for sealing a borehole. The canister includes a container with slurry inside the container, one or more slurry exits at one end of the container, a pump at the other end of the container, and a piston inside that pushes the slurry though the slurry exit(s), out of the container, and into a borehole. An inflatable packer outside the container provides stabilization in the borehole. A borehole sealing material is made by combining an oxide or hydroxide and a phosphate with water to form a slurry which then sets to form a high strength, minimally porous material which binds well to itself, underground formations, steel and ceramics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Donald W. Brown, Arun S. Wagh
  • Patent number: 6439312
    Abstract: A wellbore junction isolation method and associated apparatus provide convenient isolation of a wellbore junction while permitting certain operations to be performed in a wellbore below the junction. In a described embodiment, a formation intersected by a main wellbore below a wellbore junction is stimulated by fracturing after installing an assembly at the wellbore junction to isolate it from pressures applied during the fracturing operation. In this embodiment, the assembly is installed in a single trip into the main wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Hess, Benji Smith
  • Patent number: 6095245
    Abstract: A repositionable apparatus for perforating and gravel packing an underground well uses gravity or other means to reposition the apparatus instead of a conventional wireline or work string attached to a rig. Perforating and packing can be accomplished without a rig after the apparatus is initially placed and set in the well. One embodiment of the inventive apparatus uses a perforating gun assembly, a connected ported sub above the gun assembly, a translating annulus packer above the ported sub, a circumferential screen located above the packer, blank pipe connected above the screen, an openable port above the blank tubular pipe, and a second translating annulus packer attached to the blank tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventor: Matthew J. Mount
  • Patent number: 5743335
    Abstract: The method includes running a liner, production packer and polished bore receptacle (PBR) into a well on the production tubing string, cementing the liner in place by pumping cement through the production tubing string, setting the packer, and optionally thereafter releasing an upper portion of the tubing string from a PBR. A seal assembly isolates the PBR bore from cement exposure during liner cementation. Annular pressure produces a reverse fluid surge and circulating flow to prevent PBR seal area contamination when the tubing string is lifted away from the PBR. A connecting assembly 12 is suspended from a production tubing string 11 to position a liner 17 in a wellbore. The connecting assembly transmits rotational and longitudinal forces from the production tubing string to properly position and cement the liner in the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Terry R. Bussear
  • Patent number: 5348092
    Abstract: A sand control screen installation for a well includes an auger type sand control screen connected to a length of smooth-walled tubing which is disposed in a tubing seal support sub connected to a packer and having a frangible coupling interconnecting the tubing with the sub whereby the assembly may be pre-installed in a wellbore, the packer set and the tubing decoupled from the sub for reciprocation relative thereto while a fluid tight seal is maintained between portions of the wellbore to prevent underbalanced or overbalanced fluid flow during installation of the sand control screen. In an alternate embodiment, the tubing seal support sub has suitable lock mechanism for installation in a landing nipple in wells with pre-installed tubing strings and packers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventors: H. Mitchell Cornette, Stephen E. Morrison, Michael J. Barton
  • Patent number: 5163515
    Abstract: Pumpdown toolstring for performing operations requiring application of power downhole in horizontal or high-deviation oil or gas wells, comprising an elongate toolstring element (30), locomotive devices (31, 32A) on said toolstring element, with at least one locomotive device (32) provided at a trailing or top end of the toolstring element (30). The toolstring element (30) is tubular and has a closed leading or bottom end, whereas it is open at the opposite, top end. The leading locomotive device, (31) adapted to pull the toolstring element during pumping down, has a seal for co-operation with a seat at a no-go or nipple assembly at the bottom end of a tubing from which an extension tubing extend into the horizontal or high-deviation well. The leading locomotive device (31) sealingly surrounds the toolstring element (30) and allows sliding of the toolstring element there-through when engaging the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: Den Norske Stats Oljeselskap A.S
    Inventors: Roger Tailby, Joseph L. Pearce, John H. Yonker, Marion D. Kilgore, Ronald K. Churchman, Jack G. Clemens
  • Patent number: 4951746
    Abstract: A latching seal unit for use on a tubing string in a well bore for connecting the tubing string into a well packer having a receiving head provided with one or more latching lugs, the seal unit including a top sub connectable on a tubing string, a tubular locator body connected with the top sub, a latching collet cage having straight-slots mounted on the locator body formed of circumferentially spaced collet fingers defining longitudinal slots and guide surfaces providing entrances into the slots and a latching recess along each of the longitudinal slots, the longitudinal slots being sized to form an interference fit with the latching lugs in the well packer, and the latching recesses being sized to receive the latching lugs, a tubular seal body connected with the locator body, annular seal elements assemblies on the seal body for sealing with a packer bore, and a mule-shoe guide on the seal body below the seal element assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: Otis Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: John R. Setterberg, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4921044
    Abstract: Disclosed are selective and no-go systems for injecting fluids in a well and a system for orienting a tool in a landing nipple in a well conduit, which is utilized in the selective set injection system. Each injection system is comprised of a land nipple, an injection mandrel having openings for flow and an orientor. The landing nipples have wall openings for flow and orienting means which are engaged by the mandrel orientor as the mandrel is lowered into the landing nipple, orienting the mandrel and aligning the mandrel flow openings with the nipple flow openings. There are orifices in the flow openings in both mandrels to control injected flow through the mandrel. The system for orienting a tool in a landing nipple has an orientor attachable to a well tool. This orientor and the selective orientor have lugs which engage an orienting sleeve in the nipple and are guided into slots when lowered into the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: Otis Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew G. Cooksey
  • Patent number: 4907651
    Abstract: A metal-to-metal packer seal for downhole use in a well that operates in a deleteriously corrosive atmosphere. The seal is formed by the cooperating ends of two pipe sections, one of which is vertically positioned in a well with an upwardly facing metallic socket. The corresponding upper pipe section includes a connector which is lowered onto the socket and carries with it at least one, and preferably a plurality of metal rings which are extruded to form a corrosive resistant circular seal between the engaged pipe socket and pipe connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1990
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: Sami Bou-Mikael
  • Patent number: 4869323
    Abstract: A method for completing a well to provide an uncemented lower casing and an upper cemented casing. The lower casing and upper casing are connected at a swivel joint so that only the upper casing is rotated while cementing. Inflatable packers and a plug are positioned at the lower casing to prevent entry of cement, while a port collar allows cement to flow into the annulus surrounding the upper casing.The invention is particularly useful when setting long lengths of casing and when completing highly deviated or horizontal wellbores. The method also allows an existing conventionally-completed well to be re-drilled and completed as a highly-deviated or horizontal well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1989
    Assignee: Standard Alaska Production Company
    Inventor: Theodore O. Stagg
  • Patent number: 4782896
    Abstract: A system for controlling the flow of injection fluids and production fluids between a wellbore and one or more zones in a subterranean formation including an elongated tubing string extending within the wellbore and having one or more tubular ported mandrels interposed in the tubing string. Retrievable sleeves are insertable through the tubing string for registration with the mandrels in predetermined longitudinal and rotational positions as determined by a no-go shoulder on the mandrel and cooperating keys and key slots formed on the sleeves and the mandrels, respectively. The sleeves include removable orifice plugs which may be sized to control the flow of fluid through the sleeves between the tubing string and the wellbore. The sleeves are wireline insertable and retrievable so that changes in fluid flow control characteristics may be selectively carried out without pulling the tubing string from the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1988
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventor: Eric B. Witten
  • Patent number: 4641707
    Abstract: Well apparatus is disclosed in which the bore through a lower tubular body adapted to be packed off and anchored within a well bore is opened and closed by a flapper pivotally mounted on the lower body and spring pressed toward closed position, and a flow tube mounted for reciprocation within the bore of an upper tubular body releasably connected to the lower body extends downwardly through the bore of the upper and lower bodies to a position for engaging and moving the flapper to open position, as the flow tube is lowered by means of control fluid supplied to a pressure responsive operator connected to the flow tube, and permitting the flapper to close as the control fluid is exhausted from the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1987
    Assignee: AVA International Corporation
    Inventor: Neil H. Akkerman
  • Patent number: 4628996
    Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a full opening check valve is provided which will close in response sustained high velocity flow through the valve. In one embodiment, a downhole blowout preventer is provided having a rigid outer sleeve which may be interspaced within a casing string near its lower end for insertion into a bore hole. The downhole blowout preventer has an inner sleeve including an upwardly longitudinally collapsible tube within the outer sleeve. The tube may be composed primarily of rubber or the like. The inner sleeve includes a surface for developing an upwardly acting collapsing force responsive to the upward flow of well fluids through the blowout preventer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1986
    Inventor: James F. Arnold
  • Patent number: 4612985
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for inserting a seal stack in a seal bore defined by a well tool located downhole where ambient conditions would cause radial swelling of the seal stack. The seal stack is mounted at the surface in a confined space defined between a mandrel and a constraining sleeve shearably connected to the mandrel. Upon run-in of the mandrel to enter the seal bore, the constraining sleeve engages an upwardly facing surface surrounding the entrance to the seal bore which prevents further downward movement of the constraining sleeve. Application of a downward force effects the shearing of the connection between the mandrel and the constraining sleeve and permits the mandrel and seal stack to be inserted in the seal bore while the constraining sleeve moves upwardly relative to the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1986
    Assignee: Baker Oil Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard P. Rubbo, David M. Haugen
  • Patent number: 4583592
    Abstract: A well test tool for closing a well at a downhole location below the well packer and near the formation to be tested, the apparatus being openable and closable from the surface by tensioning and relaxing the cable or wire line on which it is lowered into the well, the test tool having a lock mechanism which locks automatically upon entering its landing receptacle in the well and is further provided with a releasing mechanism for unlocking the test tool automatically after a present number of open/close cycles have been performed. A bypass landing receptacle is provided which permits high rates of flow during testing. A modified bypass landing receptacle is provided to permit use of the apparatus above the well packer, as in wells having an existing packer therein. Methods of testing wells are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1986
    Assignee: Otis Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Imre I. Gazda, Phillip S. Sizer
  • Patent number: 4424858
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for producing gaseous hydrocarbons from formations comprising solid hydrocarbon hydrates located under either a body of land or a body of water. The vast natural resources of such hydrocarbon hydrates can thus now be economically mined. Relatively warm brine or water is brought down from an elevation above that of the hydrates through a portion of the apparatus and passes in contact with the hydrates, thus melting them. The liquid then continues up another portion of the apparatus, carrying entrained hydrocarbon vapors in the form of bubbles, which can easily be separated from the liquid. After a short startup procedure, the process and apparatus are substantially self-powered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1984
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Guy R. B. Elliott, Bruce L. Barraclough, Nicholas E. Vanderborgh
  • Patent number: 4063427
    Abstract: An inflatable reinforced sealing element for positioning on a jacket to seal off the space between the jacket and a piling in the jacket, with the jacket and piling being associated with the supporting leg of an offshore structure. Control means are provided for controlling the flow of fluid for inflation of the seal means to sealingly engage the piling and seal off the space, to trap the inflating fluid in the seal means and for controlling the flow of grouting material to the space between the jacket after the seal has been effected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1977
    Assignee: Lynes, Inc.
    Inventor: Erwin E. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 3952799
    Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for borehole drilling which provides a pressure-tight seal between the drill pipe and the borehole or casing. The apparatus uses resilient elements between the borehole and the body portion of the drilling head. The resilient elements may be engaged in sealing engagement in the borehole by hydraulic or air inflation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1974
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1976
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Harry Elwood Simpson
  • Patent number: 3934648
    Abstract: A well tubing system for releasably coupling lower tubing strings with upper tubing strings in a well bore without rotation from the surface including a well packer on a plurality of lower tubing strings, a first flow coupling and guide sleeve on the upper end of the packer, and a second flow coupling and guide head on the lower ends of the upper tubing strings. The upper tubing strings and guide head are connected with and disconnected from the guide sleeve on the packer by longitudinal motion only. The guide head has spiral guide surfaces leading to a vertical orienting slot. The guide sleeve includes a guide lug which engages the guide head guide surfaces and slot to rotate the head and upper tubing strings to the desired orientation. In alternate forms of the invention means are provided for the running and retrieving of either one or both of the upper tubing strings independently of the other of the strings after the initial connection of the guide head into the guide sleeve in the well bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1974
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1976
    Assignee: Otis Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Amareswar Amancharla, Carter R. Young