Liner Hanger Patents (Class 166/208)
  • Patent number: 11702900
    Abstract: A wellhead assembly with a gripping device for securing multiple components of the wellhead assembly is provided. In one embodiment, a system includes a wellhead housing mounted above a hollow body, such that an axial bore extends through the wellhead housing and the hollow body, and a wellhead hanger positioned within the axial bore. The system also includes a clamp that provides a first grip that secures the wellhead housing to the hollow body and a second grip that secures the wellhead hanger within the axial bore. The second grip includes elastic deformation, via the clamp, of at least one of the wellhead housing or the hollow body into tight engagement with an exterior of the wellhead hanger to secure the wellhead hanger at the location within the axial bore. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Juan Carlos Gonzalez, Brandon Blake Shirley
  • Patent number: 11608706
    Abstract: A single trip liner running and tie-back system includes a liner string to case a formation, a polished bore receptacle installed in a liner hanger, and a tie back casing string to tie back the liner string to a wellhead. The tie back casing string is fit with a seal assembly comprised of a no-go stopper, and the seal assembly of the tie back casing string is anchored inside the polished bore receptacle of the liner hanger to run the liner string and the tie back casing string in tandem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: Thankgod Chima Amos
  • Patent number: 11591877
    Abstract: A method includes positioning a casing into a wellbore. Cement is pumped through the casing to cement the casing in the wellbore. A casing hanger is positioned within a casing head spool that is part of a surface wellhead assembly at an uphole end of the wellbore. The casing hanger is attached to an uphole end of the casing. A production tubing string including a plurality of production tubing segments is positioned within the casing within the wellbore. An uphole end of the production tubing string is attached to a lower end of a rotating inner mandrel of a production tubing hanger. The production tubing hanger is configured be positioned within a tubing head spool positioned above the casing head spool within the surface wellhead assembly. The rotating inner mandrel is configured to rotate within a non-rotating housing of the production tubing hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Muhammad Ali Qureshi, Bilal Tariq
  • Patent number: 11441398
    Abstract: A well barrier plug and disconnect system for use during drilling operations in wellbore environments. The system comprises of a liner hanger, valve, and a drilling assembly coupled to a liner hanger running tool. The system is used to performing drilling operations in downhole wellbore environments with high risk of uncontrollable losses, cavernous zones, karst formations, or well control issues. In the event the well is on uncontrollable losses or a well control issue occurs, the liner hanger can be set into the downhole wellbore casing and a valve connected below the liner hanger can be closed creating a barrier plug in the well. Further disconnecting the liner hanger running tool from the liner hanger, valve, and drilling assembly allows retrieval of the upper drilling assembly section from the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur Terry Stautzenberger, Klaus Mikkelsen
  • Patent number: 11434710
    Abstract: A downhole tool includes a mandrel configured to be coupled to a liner, the mandrel defining a first port and a second port, the first and second ports being axially offset from one another and extending radially through a wall of the mandrel, a slips assembly coupled to the mandrel, an outer cylinder received around the mandrel and configured to transmit an axially-directed force onto the slips assembly, and a retaining assembly positioned radially between the mandrel and the outer cylinder. The retaining assembly has a first configuration that prevents the outer cylinder from moving relative to the mandrel, and a second configuration that permits the outer cylinder to move axially along the mandrel and set the slips assembly. The retaining assembly is configured to actuate from the first configuration to the second configuration in response to a pressure in the first port exceeding a pressure in the second port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: INNOVEX DOWNHOLE SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Bobby F. Goad, Jr., Srihari Chebolu, Evan Lowe
  • Patent number: 11428060
    Abstract: A high-expansion slip/wedge system may include at least one slip and actuatable wedge disposable about the mandrel. The actuatable wedge includes an actuator ramp configured to urge the slip radially outwardly in response to axial movement of the actuatable wedge in direct engagement with the slip ramp. A wedge extender, which may be part of a kit, is removably disposable along the mandrel intermediate the slip ramp and actuatable wedge to support increased expansion. The wedge extender may include an inwardly facing ramp engageable by the actuatable wedge and an outwardly facing ramp for engaging the slip ramp. The wedge extender provides additional engagement area for supporting and optionally increasing the amount of radial expansion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Travis Murphy, Terapat Apichartthabrut, Abdel Hamid Rawhi Abeidoh
  • Patent number: 11359465
    Abstract: Downhole hanger systems are described. The downhole hanger systems include a first structure having an outer surface, a second structure having an inner surface, wherein the first structure is disposed within the second structure, and at least one rib set is arranged on the outer surface of the first structure and configured to be engageable with the inner surface of the second structure. The at least one rib set includes a first rib having a first rib height and a second rib having a second rib height that is less than the first rib height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey Williams
  • Patent number: 11149511
    Abstract: A running tool assembly for installing a seal assembly in a wellhead housing includes a mandrel configured to couple with a conveyance string and including a central passage, a first piston slidably disposed about the mandrel and configured to releasably couple with the seal assembly, and a second piston slidably disposed in the central passage of the mandrel and including an annular seal that sealingly engages an inner surface of the central passage, wherein, when the running tool assembly is disposed in the wellhead housing, the second piston is configured to set an axially settable component in response to a pressurization of the central passage of the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert Cridland, Gavin Robottom
  • Patent number: 11136843
    Abstract: An anchor setting system includes a housing having an outer surface, and an anchor including a slip shiftably mounted to the outer surface of the housing, the slip including an internal chamber. A biasing element is arranged in the internal chamber of the slip. The biasing element is operable to shift the slip along the outer surface of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Tuan Nguyen, Gregory Hern
  • Patent number: 11072987
    Abstract: A running tool assembly for installing a hanger in a wellhead housing includes a first body configured to support the hanger, a second body coupled to the first body, a piston moveable relative to the second body, wherein the piston includes a first position and a second position spaced from the first position, and a piston chamber formed in the running tool assembly, wherein, when the assembly is coupled to the hanger and the hanger is positioned in the wellhead housing, the piston is configured to actuate from the first position to the second position in response to a pressurization of the piston chamber to engage a locking member disposed about the hanger and thereby lock the hanger to the wellhead housing, the assembly including a passage having a diameter that is equal to or larger in size than a diameter of a passage of the hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert Cridland, Gavin Robottom
  • Patent number: 10947804
    Abstract: A system is disclosed as including a seal for sealing an area between a hanger and a housing of a wellhead. The seal is provided with at least a notch that defines at least a movable portion such as a wing or a lip. An e-ring is provided for a first energizing of the seal. The movable portion enables pressurized fluid from beneath the seal to cause the movable portion to protrude further against a mating side in the wellhead and the hanger for a second energizing of the seal. This type of seal maintains or improves the sealing of the wellhead in high pressure applications. Methods applied to the above seal are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Vetco Gray, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Ingram, Greg Dunn, Alejandro Martinez, Ronnie Hampton, Joseph Pallini
  • Patent number: 10927637
    Abstract: Embodiments include an energizing ring for setting a downhole seal includes a body having a varied cross-section along at least a portion of an axial length. The energizing ring also includes a plurality of peaks forming at least a portion of the varied cross-section having a first diameter. The energizing ring also includes a plurality of valleys forming at least a portion of the varied cross-section having a second diameter, the first diameter being larger than the second diameter, and respective valleys of the plurality of valleys being arranged proximate respective peaks of the plurality of peaks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Vetco Gray, LLC
    Inventors: Samuel Heung Yeung Cheng, Wei He, Andrew Ingram, Kevin O'Dell, Gregory Dunn
  • Patent number: 10900316
    Abstract: An annular seal for sealing an interface between a wellhead housing and a casing hanger. The annular seal includes a central body portion and a first pair of seal legs extending in a first direction from the central body portion. Each of the first pair of seal legs sealingly engages one of the wellhead housing or the casing hanger, and are further energized by bore pressure. The annular seal also includes a second pair of seal legs extending in a second direction from the central body portion. Each of the second pair of seal legs sealingly engages one of the wellhead housing or the casing hanger, and is further energized by annulus pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: VETCO GRAY INC.
    Inventors: David Lawrence Ford, Joseph William Pallini, Thomas Allen Fraser, Daniel Ralph Barnhart, Daniel Caleb Benson
  • Patent number: 10767435
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a system for installing a slip hanger assembly in a wellbore with a slip bowl comprising an aperture extending from an outer diameter of the slip bowl. The system also includes a slip coupled to the slip bowl, the slip comprising teeth on an inner face and a slot for receiving a shear pin extending through the aperture. The system further includes a running tool coupled to the slip bowl. The system includes a housing coupled to the running tool, the housing including a cylinder for receiving a reciprocating piston, the piston being movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the slip is in stored position while the piston is in the first position and an engaged position when the piston is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: GE OIL & GAS PRESSURE CONTROL LP
    Inventors: Rodolfo Lugo, Andrew Helvenston, Gajanan Hegde, Satish Ramasheshaiah, Eugene Borak, Chijie Lin, Jean Brunjes
  • Patent number: 10662727
    Abstract: A hanger running tool includes a hanger-contacting segment configured to move radially to engage a corresponding groove formed in a hanger to couple the hanger running tool to the hanger. The tool also includes a piston assembly comprising a first piston configured to couple to a seal assembly. The hanger running tool is configured to run the hanger and the seal assembly simultaneously into a wellhead, and actuation of the first piston is configured to energize the seal assembly to seal an annular space between the hanger and the wellhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis P. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 10655430
    Abstract: A downhole tool subassembly having an outer sleeve with a first set of apertures extending from an inner bore through an external surface of the outer sleeve. The downhole tool subassembly further includes a pin coupled to the outer sleeve and extending inward from the inner bore of the outer sleeve, and an inner sleeve slidingly engaged with the with outer sleeve. The inner sleeve has a slot and a second set of apertures extending from a sleeve bore of the inner sleeve through an external surface of the inner sleeve, and is operable to restrict flow across the first set of apertures when the inner sleeve is in a first position. The pin engages the slot, which includes a first tracking path and a second tracking path. The slot also includes a first transition path extending from the first tracking path to the second tracking path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Lee Strohla, Matthew Ryan Gray, Daniel Keith Moeller
  • Patent number: 10648243
    Abstract: A casing string torque transfer and suspension system and method for mandrel casing hangers. A running tool for a mandrel casing hanger suspending a casing string includes a pair of rotary drive rings secured around the running tool, a torque transfer ring of the pair of drive rings including a series of sloping teeth that removably couple to the mandrel casing hanger, the drive rings transferring torque to the casing string to rotate the casing string in a right-handed direction during one of running of the casing string, cementing of the casing string or a combination thereof, and the pair of rotary drive rings transferring axial loads to the casing string when the running tool is threaded to the mandrel casing hanger. Rotation of the rotary drive rings in a left-handed direction retracts the rotary drive rings as the running tool separates from the mandrel casing hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Downing Wellhead Equipment, LLC
    Inventor: Steven Kim Burrows
  • Patent number: 10641067
    Abstract: A mechanical and hydraulic dual-effect expansion device for well drilling with expandable tubular technology includes an anchor having a lower end connected to an upper end of an insertion connection tube via a coupling, a hydraulic cylinder assembly comprising a hydraulic cylinder and a piston tube movably disposed within an inner cavity of the hydraulic cylinder, and a variable-diameter expansion cone assembly comprising a sealing cone portion and a variable-diameter expansion cone portion, wherein the sealing cone portion has an upper end connected to a lower end of the piston tube and a lower end connected to an upper end of the variable-diameter expansion cone portion. The mechanical and hydraulic dual-effect expansion device can facilitate completion of construction operations of an expandable tubular in a casing and an openhole system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignees: China National Petroleum Corporation, CNPC Engineering Technology R&D Company Limited
    Inventors: Binggui Xu, Hongwei Yin, Huijuan Guo, Zhitong Liu, Mingjie Lv, Jianli Wang, Qiang Li, Peng Kang, Tao Jia, Xue Wang, Yi Tian, Aiguo Wang
  • Patent number: 10619443
    Abstract: Well systems and methods are provided. An example well system comprises a lubricator assembly. The lubricator assembly comprises a lubricator head. The lubricator head comprises a removable sealing cartridge, a plurality of sealing elements disposed in the sealing cartridge, and a lubricating fluid cavity disposed between two individual sealing elements of the plurality of sealing elements. The lubricator assembly further comprises a lubricator body. The lubricator body comprises a lubricator seal conduit pipe. The example well system also comprises a slip joint coupled to the lubricator seal conduit pipe and a statically underbalanced drilling fluid disposed in the lubricator seal conduit pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Richard David Peer, James Randolph Lovorn
  • Patent number: 10596655
    Abstract: A method for installing a tool in a downhole system including running the tool to a target location within a tubular structure, creating a magnetic pulse, and urging the tool toward the tubular structure at a minimum velocity of 200 meters per second with the magnetic pulse. A method for actuating a downhole tool including creating a magnetic pulse, coupling the magnetic pulse to a workpiece and moving the workpiece with the pulse, the workpiece achieving a minimum velocity of 200 meters per second.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Carlos Prieto, James Joseph Freeman, Daniel Ewing, John K. Wakefield, Partha Ganguly
  • Patent number: 10570686
    Abstract: A downhole tool including a mandrel, at least one moveable component mounted to the mandrel, and a locking ring mounted to the mandrel. The locking ring includes a plurality of locking ring segments that enable relative movement between the mandrel and the at least one moveable component. A plurality of circumferential spaces is arranged between corresponding ones of the locking ring segments. At least one load bar is arranged in at least one of the plurality of circumferential spaces. The at least one load bar is mechanically connected to the at least one moveable component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Charles M. Meador, Matthew J. Krueger, Mark E. Ramey
  • Patent number: 10526860
    Abstract: A casing hanger assembly includes a landing ring secured to a containment well cellar or the conductor pipe. A casing hanger welded to the external surface of the last section of surface casing seats into the landing ring. Optionally, a lock down mechanism can be used to prevent buoyancy and hydraulic forces from causing the well to pack off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Inventor: James A. Rose
  • Patent number: 10519754
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a perforation tool and method for operating the perforation tool. The perforation tool may include one or more firing heads and one or more gun assemblies. The perforation tool may also include a release mechanism coupled to the one or more firing head and the one or more gun assemblies. The release mechanism may release the one or more gun assemblies to a bottom of a wellbore upon firing of the one or more gun assemblies and maintain the one or more firing heads on the perforation tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew Prisbell, Mohamed Mehdi, Christopher Sarvari, Indranil Ghosh, Jose Escudero
  • Patent number: 10508505
    Abstract: A wellhead assembly includes a tubular wellhead housing having a bore and an annular gallery slot. The annular gallery slot is defined by an enlarged inner diameter of the bore. A tubular hanger is selectively landed in the bore of the wellhead housing, defining an annular cavity between the bore and an outer diameter of the tubular hanger. The tubular hanger is supported by the wellhead housing with a hanger support located in the annular cavity. A flow-by passage is in fluid communication with the annular cavity at locations above and below the hanger support. The flow-by passage intersects with the gallery slot and intersects an outer radial surface of the tubular hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: VETCO GRAY, LLC
    Inventors: Mayur Mansukh, Aniruddha D. Gadre, Daniel Caleb Benson, David Lawrence Ford
  • Patent number: 10502005
    Abstract: A technique facilitates connection of tubing strings in which one tubing string is received in another tubing string. A connector has an inner connector which may be coupled with an inner tubing string and an outer connector which may be coupled with an outer tubing string. The inner connector is sealingly received in the outer connector and releasably held within the outer connector by a releasable member. The construction of the connector enables selective release of the inner connector from the outer connector by applying a suitable force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joel Gil, Tomaso Ceccarelli, Wesley Ryan Atkinson
  • Patent number: 10443335
    Abstract: A tubing hanger for supporting a tubing string from a wellhead includes a unified mandrel having an upper mandrel coupled to an axially aligned lower mandrel by multiple separate connections. The upper mandrel includes an external shoulder, and a lower mandrel includes a threaded segment configured to couple to the tubing string. The first connection is configured to restrain axial movement between the upper and lower mandrel and to transfer toque between the upper mandrel and the lower mandrel in at least a first rotational direction. The second connection is configured to transfer toque between them in at least a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction, to prevent the first connection from loosening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: Javier Adolfo Garcia Finol, Glen George Martinka, S. M. Mamun Ur Rashid
  • Patent number: 10415330
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods for reducing lost circulation in a wellbore comprise inserting a conduit comprising a first and second end and an outer diameter and an inner diameter into the wellbore, and pumping a thixotropic cement slurry, wherein the thixotropic cement slurry will increase in viscosity with no shear and decrease in viscosity with shear, and have a power law exponent value of less than or equal to 0.3 when the thixotropic cement slurry has a density of greater than 12.69 pounds per gallon, through the conduit into the wellbore, in which the thixotropic cement slurry comprises at least one cement, at least one viscosifier, mix water, and one or more than one strength accelerating additives. The method further comprises allowing the thixotropic cement slurry to harden in the wellbore to create a plug, removing the conduit from the wellbore, and reducing lost circulation via the plug in the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Joseph Michael Shine, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10113383
    Abstract: A wellhead assembly includes a wellhead housing with a bore and an annular lock groove on an inner diameter surface of the bore. A wellbore member is concentrically located within the bore of the wellhead housing, defining an annulus between the wellbore member and the wellhead housing. An annular lock ring is positioned in the annulus. The annular lock ring has an outer diameter profile for engaging the lock groove and is radially expandable from an unset position to a set position. An energizing ring is positioned in the annulus to push the lock ring outward to the set position as the energizing ring moves downward. A retainer selectively engages the energizing ring and limits axial upward movement of the energizing ring relative to the wellbore member, retains the annular lock in the set position, and prevents axial upward movement of the wellbore member relative to the wellhead housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: VETCO GRAY, LLC
    Inventors: Khanh Anh Duong, Rick C. Hunter
  • Patent number: 10107060
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method for temporarily locking a wellhead component while cementing it in place within a mineral extraction system. As cement is pumped into the wellhead, its temperature may be increased, leading to thermal expansion of the cement and movement of wellhead components. Disclosed embodiments include a hold-down ring configured to cooperate with tie-down screws to temporarily lock a running tool in place within the wellhead during cementing. In another embodiment, the tie-down screws may cooperate directly with the running tool. The locked running tool then blocks other wellhead components, such as a hanger run into the wellhead by the running tool, from upward axial movement due to thermal expansion of the cement during the cementing process. After the hanger is cemented in place, the running tool may be unlocked and retrieved from the wellhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis P. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 10094188
    Abstract: A casing hanger and running tool system and method for rotating a casing string in a borehole include a selectively engageable connection between the casing hanger and the running tool whereby upon rotation of the casing hanger and running tool in a first direction, a length of casing may be rotated without any substantial tightening of a threaded connection between the running tool and the casing hanger, and upon rotation of the running tool in a second direction, the threaded connection between the running tool and the casing hanger may be disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: CACTUS Wellhead, LLC
    Inventor: Jerry D. Smith
  • Patent number: 10087694
    Abstract: A hanger running tool for a hanger includes an outer sleeve and an inner driving sleeve. The outer sleeve is configured to engage and couple the hanger running tool to the hanger, and the inner driving sleeve is selectively axially movable within the outer sleeve for engagement with the hanger to prevent relative rotation between the hanger running tool and the hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Edgar Fernandes, Edward T. Thornburrow
  • Patent number: 10053947
    Abstract: An expandable anchor/seal is pushed up a ramp until making contact with the surrounding tubular as or after the anchor/seal contacts the same tubular. The setting sleeve is made from high yield steel that has a weakened leading end to reduce the force required to push the leading end and the anchor/seal and an outer surface treatment at a leading end that engages or penetrates the wall of the surrounding tubular. Preferably a plurality of fingers are formed with axially oriented slots starting from a leading end allowing fingers to flex as they ride up the ramp on the mandrel for setting the anchor/seal and locking that set with the setting sleeve exterior surface configuration that can abut or penetrate the surrounding tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Baker Hughes, a GE company, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Williams, Benjamin T. Ronck, Ziping Hu
  • Patent number: 9976349
    Abstract: A separation catch mechanism disposed above a power section of a motor prevents full separation of lower components of the motor from upper components and an attached drillstring. An extension of the mechanism has a first end coupled to the rotor and has a second end disposed in a housing member beyond a seat. An expandable shoulder, such as a washer, disposed on the second end of the extension can be expanded thereon to engage the seat should housing components separate from one another on the motor. To expand the washer after being inserted during assembly past the seat, the second end of the extension has a tapered head on which the washer is disposed. The outside diameter of the washer is expanded on the tapered head by tightening a nut against the washer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Gregory Richard Altimas
  • Patent number: 9885220
    Abstract: A hanger running tool includes a radially outer surface having at least one recess extending circumferentially about at least a portion of a periphery of the hanger running tool. The hanger running tool also includes at least one alignment element disposed within the at least one recess. The at least one alignment element protrudes radially outward from the radially outer surface and is configured to contact a radially inner surface of a wellhead as the hanger running tool moves within the wellhead. In some embodiments, the hanger running tool includes a plurality of recesses each extending circumferentially about a respective portion of the periphery of the hanger running tool, and the recesses of the plurality of recesses are circumferentially separated from one another to enable fluid to flow through at least one axial flow slot of the hanger running tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis P. Nguyen, Kristin Vorderkunz
  • Patent number: 9816357
    Abstract: A technique facilitates avoidance of premature actuation of a liner hanger in a wellbore. The technique utilizes a running string which may be coupled to a liner having a liner hanger. The running string extends into the liner in a manner which creates an inner pressure region within the running string, an intermediate pressure region between the running string and the liner, and an outer or annulus pressure region surrounding the liner. The inner pressure region is initially isolated from the intermediate pressure region by a closure mechanism during, for example, movement downhole. The closure mechanism selectively closes off a port used to actuate the liner hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Aju Abraham
  • Patent number: 9790759
    Abstract: A multi-component tubular coupling is provided for wellhead assemblies. In one embodiment, the multi-component tubular coupling may include a first tubular member, a landing ring, and a second tubular member. The second tubular member may include internal threads, lock screws, or any combination thereof to couple to a wellhead component. In another embodiment, the multi-component tubular coupling may only include the first tubular member and the landing ring. In such an embodiment, a wellhead component may be secured to the coupling via lock screws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis P. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 9745817
    Abstract: A method for tying back a subsea well assembly to a surface platform and a tieback connector used to perform this operation. The tieback connector includes a mandrel having an axis, external threads, an upward facing lip on an external lower end portion of the mandrel, a backup ring having internal threads engaged with the external threads of the mandrel, a sleeve carried on an outside diameter of the backup ring. When the mandrel is rotated relative to the backup ring, the mandrel moves axially upward relative to the sleeve, deforming an annular seal assembly between the upward facing lip of the mandrel and the load bearing surface of the sleeve, thereby creating a seal between the apparatus and the wellhead housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: VETCO GRAY INC.
    Inventors: Rockford Dee Lyle, Joseph William Pallini
  • Patent number: 9745816
    Abstract: A method and system of subsea containment which includes the steps of lowering the running tool into a subsea containment system, wherein the subsea containment system comprises an annular preventer, engaging the running tool to a target, closing the annular preventer, pulling up the target, and circulating fluid about the target. In a preferred method, rotating the running tool, cutting tubing, circulating the fluid at of the circulation line through the outlet, pulling the running tool out of the subsea containment system, and/or opening the annular preventer also performed. The target may be any item found in a subsea environment including a tubing hanger, a casing hanger, a tubing, a seal assembly, a component of a wellhead, or a component of the downhole completion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond Milne, William McDaniell
  • Patent number: 9719312
    Abstract: An adjustable mudline suspension system, including a tubing hanger having an exterior profile, a clamp having an inner profile to mate with the exterior profile of the tubing hanger, a biasing element to bias the clamp radially inward into an engaged position where the inner and exterior profiles are mated, and a piston to bias the clamp radially outward into a disengaged position where the inner and exterior profiles are not mated when hydraulically actuated. The weight of the tubing hanger is supported by the adjustable mudline suspension system when the interior profile of the clamp mates with the exterior profile of the hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Delbert Edwin Vanderford, Max Van Adrichem, Kirk P. Guidry
  • Patent number: 9683421
    Abstract: A wellbore system includes a sealing assembly for creating an annular seal between wellbore members. The sealing assembly includes a seal body having a u-shaped cross section, with elongate grooves formed on inner and outer walls thereof. A depth of the grooves varies along a length of the grooves to allow wickers to penetrate the groove by differing degrees when the walls are urged toward the wickers. The wickers can thus provide a high degree of both sealing and lockdown performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: VETCO GRAY INC.
    Inventors: Aniruddha D. Gadre, Joseph W. Pallini
  • Patent number: 9650885
    Abstract: A system and method to determine and adjust positioning of a subsea test tree (“SSTT”) within a blowout preventer (“BOP”), the system including an SSTT, at least one sensing mechanisms to detect the position of one or more BOP rams and a fluted hanger. Once the assembly is deployed, the ram positions are detected and the position of the fluted hanger is adjusted while deployed to accordingly adjust the spacing between the SSTT and the fluted hanger, thereby eliminating the need of a dummy run. Another system and method improves a dummy run by providing a lightweight joint and dummy hanger deployed on a line (e.g., wireline, slickline, etc.). Through the use of a line and the lightweight of the joint and dummy hanger, the dummy run operation is conducted quickly and efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Paul David Ringgenberg, Dalmo Massaru Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 9598928
    Abstract: Various tools for locking components in place within a wellhead housing are provided. In one embodiment, a system includes a lockdown tool having an inner body, an outer body coupled to the inner body, and a locking mechanism carried by the inner body. The locking mechanism can be selectively engaged by moving the outer body with respect to the inner body to secure the lockdown tool to the wellhead housing. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Edward T. Thornburrow, Edward J. Thornton
  • Patent number: 9598913
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a wear band comprises a rotating element having a bore receivable on a tubular, the bore comprising first and second bore portions slidably receiving first and second sleeve bearings. Outer surfaces of the sleeve bearings slidably engage the bore portions and the bores of the sleeve bearings slidably engage the tubular. A first stop collar and a second stop collar may be received on the tubular to together straddle the rotating element and sleeve bearings to longitudinally secure the rotating element in a position on the tubular. The tubular may be included within a tubular string run into a borehole or into the bore of an installed casing, such as in casing while drilling. The rotating element provides stand-off between a tubular and the wall of a bore, reduces frictional resistance to longitudinal sliding and also to rotation of the tubular string within the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: ANTELOPE OIL TOOL & MFG. CO.
    Inventors: Jean Buytaert, Eugene Edward Miller, Ira Eugene Hining
  • Patent number: 9556714
    Abstract: A liner hanger assembly to run-in a liner on a liner hanger, cement the liner in place and set the liner hanger in one trip. Then, a wellbore treatment process can proceed while the running string remains downhole or via a second trip. The liner hanger assembly includes a liner hanger running tool and a liner hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Resource Completion Systems Inc.
    Inventors: John Hughes, James Wilburn Schmidt, Shane D'Arcy
  • Patent number: 9482082
    Abstract: A method for stimulating a sub-commercial geothermal well includes steps of drilling a stimulating well; isolating a corresponding zone in the stimulating well using vertically spaced swell packers that are swellable when contacted by subterraneously heated geothermal brine present in the stimulating well and are resistant to the high temperature of the brine; injecting stimulating fluid into the stimulating well such that it will flow only through a zone of the well that is not isolated; and allowing the stimulating fluid to exit the well from a non-isolated zone located at a desired depth into a surrounding geological formation. The fracture or system of fractures within the formation is thereby hydraulically reopened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: ORMAT TECHNOLOGIES Inc.
    Inventors: Ezra Zemach, Paul Spielman
  • Patent number: 9476262
    Abstract: A wear bushing assembly protects and locks down a hanger in a wellhead housing; and which includes a wear bushing body that inserts into a wear bushing sleeve. A lock ring extends into registered recesses on the body and sleeve to couple together the body and sleeve. The wellhead housing has a profiled recess circumscribing its inner surface. A lockdown ring selectively mates with the profiled recess; and when mated is in interfering contact with an upper surface of the wear bushing sleeve, thereby coupling the sleeve to the wellhead housing. The sleeve outer surface is profiled to interfere with upward movement of the hanger, so that force is transferred from the hanger to the housing through the sleeve which locks down the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Caleb Benson, David Lawrence Ford, Stephen David Peters
  • Patent number: 9464505
    Abstract: Techniques and equipment to facilitate controlling flow of a fluid along a flow passage. A flow control assembly is placed along a flow passage, and a bypass is routed past the flow control assembly. Flow along the bypass is controlled by a flow bypass mechanism which may be operated via pressure increase within the flow control assembly. A shear device restricts the opening of the bypass, and a dampening device acts to limit the shear device to exposure of forces from the pressure increase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven L. Anyan, Ricardo Martinez, Tauna Leonardi
  • Patent number: 9447662
    Abstract: The invention presents a method for plugging and abandoning spent wells. An expandable liner hanger having sealing elements positioned thereon, is run-in and expanded, creating at least one seal against fluid migration. A redundant seal is created using a swellable annular sealing device, such as a swell packer. The swell packer and liner hanger are run-in and expanded. A bottom valve is closed and the expansion and running tools released from the liner hanger. After pulling out of the running tool, the wellbore is cemented creating an effective plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Johnson, Blake Arabie
  • Patent number: 9376883
    Abstract: A wellhead system is provided. In one embodiment, the wellhead system includes a bypass sleeve for temporarily isolating portions of a wellhead assembly from pressurized fracing fluid. The bypass sleeve may include a generally tubular body having a tool interface, a lock ring disposed at least partially around the body, and an anti-rotation device coupled to the body. In some embodiments, the anti-rotation device includes a resilient member disposed in a cavity in the body, and an anti-rotation member biased away from the body by the resilient member. The anti-rotation member of some embodiments extends radially outward from the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis P. Nguyen, Jay Patrick Painter, Kirk Paul Guidry
  • Patent number: 9249642
    Abstract: A self-actuated cyclical flow interruption valve on a deployment tool is positioned at a proximal end of a well completion assembly. Fluid is pumped though the self-actuated cyclical flow interruption valve and vented immediately distal of the valve, to return to surface of the well. A water hammer pulse is generated each time the self-actuated cyclical flow interruption valve closes, thereby generating an impact force that acts to push the completion equipment distally into the well. The continuous cyclic force of the impact facilitates placement of the completion equipment where desired in the well, including within a horizontal extension of the well. Fluid discharged through the self-actuated cyclical flow interruption valve circulates up to the surface through a vertical and inclined section of the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: TEMPRESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Jack J. Kolle