Providing Support For Well Part (e.g., Hanger Or Anchor) Patents (Class 166/382)
  • Publication number: 20150075815
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in a wellbore is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment includes a set down tool that includes a locating device configured to engage with an outer member at a selected location, a set down device configured to set down in a set down profile in the outer member when the set down device is activated, an alignment device for activating the set down device and a locking device that operates the alignment device to activate the set down device while maintaining the locating device engaged with the outer member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Robert S. O'Brien, Jason A. Allen, Andrew James Cayson, Geoffrey York Powers
  • Publication number: 20150075814
    Abstract: A device is taught for positioning drill pipe make up or break out equipment on a rig floor. The device comprises a forward arm connectable at a first end to the drill pipe make up or break out equipment, an upper rearward arm and a lower rearward arm, pivotably connectable between the forward arm and a column, said lower rearward arm further being axially movable along said column. The device further comprises means for maintaining the upper rearward arm in parallel relationship with the lower rearward arm and means for axially moving said lower rearward arm. Axial movement of said lower rearward arm acts to extend or retract said forward arm, while maintaining a constant axial position of the make up or break out equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Murray C. Gerwing, Steven Hargreaves, Bin Ma
  • Patent number: 8978772
    Abstract: A seal seals an annulus in a subsea assembly between a wellhead and a casing hanger landed on a shoulder within a bore of the wellhead. The seal includes a casing hanger seal ring disposed within the annulus. The seal ring engaged with an inner diameter surface of the wellhead, and engaged with an outer diameter surface of the casing hanger so that the seal ring prevents flow through the annulus. A nose ring is secured to a lower end of the seal ring so that, when the seal ring is energized, a conical surface of the nose ring engages a mating conical profile formed in the inner diameter surface portion of the wellhead and the nose ring engages a surface opposite the conical surface with a substantially smooth outer diameter surface portion of the casing hanger to limit upwards axial movement of the casing hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Eric Yates, David L. Ford, Daniel Caleb Benson
  • Patent number: 8978777
    Abstract: A non-rotation lock screw for a wellhead assembly is provided that includes a rotating portion and a non-rotating portion. The non-rotating portion includes a distal end configured to engage a component of the wellhead assembly, and may include one or more seals. The rotating portion may be rotating into a component of wellhead assembly such that the non-rotating portion translates in a radial direction. The rotating portion and non-rotating portion may be coupled together via a bearing to enable free rotation of the rotating portion. Systems and methods of operation that include the non-rotation lock screw are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis P. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20150068769
    Abstract: A hanger assembly for use in a vertical production tree that includes an annular piping spool member having a side opening, and a hanger having an outer surface profiled to selectively land in the piping spool member and a side opening registered with the side opening of the piping spool member. The hanger assembly also includes a vertical penetrator having an end selectively connected to a submersible device and an opposing end inserted into the hanger, and that is in communication with the side openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Jinjiang Xiao, Brian Roth, Brett Bouldin
  • Publication number: 20150068770
    Abstract: Downhole apparatus comprises a base pipe and a plurality of non-concentric pressure deformable chambers mounted externally on the pipe. The chambers may be inflated to increase the diameter of the apparatus and engage and support a surrounding bore wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: DARCY TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS LIMITED
    Inventor: Paul David Metcalfe
  • Patent number: 8973666
    Abstract: A plug for sealing a conduit comprises a body having a first section and a second section, and at least one seal element for creating a seal between the plug and the conduit. The at least one seal element is adapted to be energized by movement in a setting direction of the first body section relative to the second body section. The plug further comprises seal locking means comprising a first portion and a second portion wherein as the at least one seal is energized, the seal locking means first portion is rotatable unidirectionally relative to the seal locking means second portion to take up the movement of the first body section relative to the second body section in the setting direction and prevent movement of the first body section relative to the second body section in a releasing direction, opposite the setting direction. In one embodiment the seal locking means first portion is a locking nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Petrowell Limited
    Inventor: Daniel Purkis
  • Publication number: 20150060086
    Abstract: A running tool for installing a liner string having a profile in a wellbore. The running tool includes a mandrel, a prop assembly positioned about the mandrel and a collet assembly slidably positioned on the mandrel. The collet assembly has a generally cylindrical collet collar with a plurality of collet fingers extending therefrom each having a collet head on a distal end thereof. In a first position, the prop assembly radially outwardly flexes the collet fingers such that the collet heads engage the profile of the liner string and are operable to apply a force in the downhole direction to the liner string. In a second position, the collet assembly is remote from the prop assembly such that the collet fingers radially inwardly contract disengaging the collet heads from the profile of the liner string, thereby enabling removal of the running tool from the liner string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan Saurer, David Joe Steele, Wesley Paul Dietz, Lester Barett Dupler
  • Publication number: 20150053427
    Abstract: An improved plunger with expandable mating pad elements arrayed circumferentially about the plunger's body sealed to the plunger and biased to expand the plunger assembly's outer circumferential surface toward the inner surface of the tubular within which the plunger assembly is designed to operate. The gaps between the pad elements are minimized by having the adjacent pad elements slidable against each other along two sets of surfaces along essentially the length of the interface between adjacent pad elements, one surface set being approximately axial to the plunger and the other set being approximately radial to the plunger's longitudinal axis, and in this way reducing the available pathway in the gap between adjacent pad elements for fluid to bypass the plunger assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: WATCHARIN SUTTIPISETCHART, STEPHEN VETTER
  • Patent number: 8960288
    Abstract: A system and method of perforating by stacking a perforating string within a wellbore, then deploying the perforating string to a designated depth for detonating shaped charges in the perforating string. The string can be formed by anchoring a single perforating gun in the wellbore, then landing subsequent guns on one another atop the anchored gun. Wet connects on the ends of the perforating guns enable mechanical engagement of each adjacent gun as well as signal communication through the connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Tim W. Sampson
  • Patent number: 8960274
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that may include employing a lockscrew to provide radial and axial force in connecting tubular members in a mineral extraction system. The lockscrew may be angled relative to the tubular members, at an angle that is greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees. Further, the lockscrew may have an end portion which mates with a slot in a locking segment, and the lockscrew and locking segment may be moved from an unlocked to a locked position. In a locked position, the lockscrew exerts force axially downward and radially inward to push the locking segment against a tubular member, locking the member in place. The interconnection between the lockscrew and the locking segment may enable easier installation and may utilize parts which may be easier to manufacture. Furthermore, the angle of the lockscrew may provide improved support for tubular members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Delbert Edwin Vanderford, Kenneth Melvin Reed
  • Patent number: 8955605
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure pertain to a mandrel for a downhole tool that may include a body having a proximate end with a first outer diameter and a distal end with a second outer diameter; a first set of threads disposed on the distal end; and a transition region formed on the body between the proximate end and the distal end. In aspects, the mandrel may be made from filament wound composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: National Boss Hog Energy Services, LLC
    Inventor: Duke VanLue
  • Patent number: 8955604
    Abstract: A receptacle sub that increases the venting flowrate during retrieval of a running tool. The sub includes a sleeve with a bypass port in a central bore defined by a tubular body. The sleeve is selectively moveable from an upper position to a lower position. A seal on the sleeve seals the sleeve to the bore while a retainer holds the sleeve in the upper position. A bypass passage in the body is in fluid communication with the bypass port. A drop member lands on the sleeve, blocking downward flow through the sleeve and actuating a hydraulic function. The drop member receives a fluid pressure greater than the hydraulic function fluid pressure, releasing the retainer to move the sleeve to the lower position. This allows fluid communication from above the central bore through the bypass passage and through the bypass ports of the sleeve below the drop member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas Peter Gette
  • Publication number: 20150041153
    Abstract: A tubing anchor for anchoring and catching well equipment in a well conduit to arrest movement in both longitudinal directions and rotation in a first direction. A mandrel connected to the equipment has in one embodiment C or reverse C-shaped grooves when viewed in front elevation for slideably receiving respective pins from a drag body on the mandrel. A slip retainer on the mandrel houses slips for selectively engaging and disengaging the conduit. An initial pull of the mandrel causes the pins to move the drag body toward the slip retainer driving the slips outward to grip the conduit. Rotation of the mandrel in the first direction sets the anchor to arrest movement. Further pulling and a reversed turn of the mandrel maintains the set position. A spring biases the slips outward to maintain their set to catch the well equipment in the event of a break in the string above the anchor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: EDWARD L. MOORE, CHRISTOPHER S. McARTHUR, JASEN L. HOFFMAN, KEVIN D. KELM
  • Publication number: 20150041152
    Abstract: A well tool adapted to be connected with and disconnected from a well tubing using a power tong device having a pair of tongs, a gripping span between the pair of tongs, and a maximum clearance diameter for an object passing through the tongs. The well tool includes a tubular mandrel. The tubular mandrel has a maximum mandrel diameter which is no greater than the maximum clearance diameter. The tubular mandrel includes a first mandrel connector which is adapted for connecting the tubular mandrel with a first well tubing in order to provide a first connection. The tubular mandrel is configured so that when the power tong device grips a tong gripping surface on the tubular mandrel and the first well tubing in order to connect the tubular mandrel and the first well tubing, the first connection is located within the gripping span.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Tracy Earl Klotz, Colin James Nielsen Daigle
  • Patent number: 8950752
    Abstract: A wellhead seal assembly that forms a metal-to-metal seal between inner and outer wellhead members and a face seal between inner wellhead members. The face seal is created by two opposing sealing surfaces on inner wellhead members that sealingly engage each other. The inner wellhead members that interact to form a face seal may be a casing hanger, bridging hanger, or lockdown hanger. A wicker profile formed on one of the opposing seal surfaces bites into the opposing seal surface in response to a load. The face seal is designed such that well pressure enhances the face seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Peter Gette, Armando Faz, Stephen Ellis
  • Patent number: 8950504
    Abstract: A disintegrable tubular anchoring system comprises a frustoconical member; a sleeve with at least one first surface being radially alterable in response to longitudinal movement of the frustoconical member relative to the sleeve, the first surface being engagable with a wall of a structure; a seal with at least one second surface being radially alterable; and a seat having a land being sealingly engagable with a removable plug runnable thereagainst. The frustoconical member, sleeve, seal, and seat are disintegrable and independently comprise a metal composite which includes a cellular nanomatrix comprising a metallic nanomatrix material; and a metal matrix disposed in the cellular nanomatrix. A process of isolating a structure comprises disposing the disintegrable tubular anchoring system in the structure; radially altering the sleeve to engage a surface of the structure; and radially altering the seal to the isolate the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Zhiyue Xu, YingQing Xu, Gregory Lee Hern, Bennett M. Richard
  • Patent number: 8950485
    Abstract: A method of drilling and fracturing a well includes installing a drilling/frac adapter on a lower wellhead housing. The drilling/frac adapter has a higher internal pressure rating than the lower wellhead housing. The operator drills through the drilling/frac adapter to a desired depth, then runs and cements a casing string in the well. A lower packoff is installed in an annulus between the casing hanger and the lower wellhead housing and an upper packoff is set in an annulus between the drilling/frac adapter and the casing hanger. Frac fluid is pumped through the frac tree into the casing string at a higher pressure than the pressure rating of the lower housing but less than the pressure rating of the drilling/frac adapter. Then, the upper packoff and the drilling/frac adapter are removed from the lower housing and installing an upper wellhead housing on the lower wellhead housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: GE Oil & Gas Pressure Control LP
    Inventors: Danny R. Wilkins, Thomas H. Holtkamp, Jerry D. Smith
  • Patent number: 8950483
    Abstract: A positional feedback system includes a seal assembly coupled to a running tool, the seal assembly having a seal ring and an energizing ring positioned between a hanger and a subsea wellhead. The energizing ring moves relative to the seal ring from an unset position to a set position to seal to the wellhead and the hanger. The system includes a magnet disposed on the energizing ring and having a magnetic field. One or more sensing devices are disposed on running tool and positioned in the magnetic field of the magnet in the set position and the unset position. The sensing devices are configured to communicate with a surface platform when the rare earth magnet passes a magnetic field through the sensing devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Vetco Gray U.K. Limited
    Inventors: Guy Harvey Mason, Stephen Paul Fenton
  • Publication number: 20150034337
    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: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: RESOURCE WELL COMPLETION TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: John Hughes, James Wilburn Schmidt, Shane D'Arcy
  • Patent number: 8944156
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for isolating a landing ring of a hanger from pressure inside a wellhead and sealing a portion of the hanger via a seal assembly. The hanger includes a floating ring axially interposed between the landing ring and the seal assembly, and between the landing ring and a shoulder of the hanger. The seal assembly includes one or more radially retractable elastomeric seals that are radially retracted during run in of the seal assembly. The radially retractable seals may be radially expanded via shearing of one or more shear pins by torque applied to the seal assembly. The seal assembly may also include one or more metal seals having a plurality of rings having a nib configuration that includes three smaller nibs for sealing and a larger flat nib for withstanding the energizing load on the seal assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Lim Haw Keat, Joseph Chan
  • Patent number: 8944172
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for hydraulically presetting a metal-to-metal seal, which may be installed in an annular space between wellhead components. A hydraulic running tool may be landed on a first wellhead component and coupled to a second wellhead component, for example, via a hydraulic or mechanical coupling assembly. Fluid pressure may then be applied to the hydraulic running tool to move the components axially together, thereby setting the metal-to-metal seal (i.e., axially compressing and radially expanding the seal). A coupling may secure the wellhead components in place relative to one another, while fluid pressure is being applied so that the metal-to-metal seal remains in the set position after the hydraulic tool is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis P. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20150027737
    Abstract: A slip assembly for a downhole tool, such as a bridge plug, has a slip body and at least one insert unit with a base and one or more inserts. The slip body has an incline at one end that interfaces with an inclined surface of a cone. As this occurs, the slip body is pushed away from the tool's mandrel against a surrounding casing wall. The insert unit is disposed in the slip body with the base oriented at an angle relative to the incline, and with the one or more inerts extending from the base. In particular, the base can be disposed at or parallel to the incline, and the one or more inserts with less surface area than the base can extend perpendicular to the inline for the insert's distal ends to engage a surrounding wall of casing or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: James Alan Rochen, Shawn J. Treadaway
  • Publication number: 20150027738
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method for installing a wellhead component in a single trip. Generally, a wellhead component may be run into a wellhead using a running tool. The running tool may then be retrieved from the wellhead and replaced with a locking tool, which is also run into the wellhead. Additional tools may be used to over-pull the wellhead component and to cementing the wellhead component in place. The process of retrieving and running tools into the wellhead is both time-consuming and costly. Accordingly, the disclosed embodiments include a one-trip tool configured to run a wellhead component into a wellhead, engage an internal coupling to lock the wellhead component in place, over-pull the wellhead component to ensure the internal coupling was properly engaged, and cement the wellhead component in place within the wellhead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis P. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8939221
    Abstract: A lock assembly including a mandrel having one or more windows arranged alternatingly with one or more struts. One or more dogs are included corresponding to the one or more windows and are radially extendable therethrough. A member is operatively arranged for radially extending each of the one or more dogs. Each of the one or more dogs is operatively coupled between the member and the mandrel when fully radially extended by the member for bypassing loading in the one or more struts during loading of the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Douglas J. Murray
  • Patent number: 8939220
    Abstract: A liner hanger includes a mandrel and a slip assembly disposed around the mandrel, wherein the slip assembly includes an expandable non-frangible slip ring and a plurality of gripping members. A liner top packer includes a mandrel, a slip assembly disposed around the mandrel, and a sealing element disposed around the mandrel, wherein the slip assembly includes an expandable non-frangible slip ring and a plurality of gripping members disposed circumferentially around the expandable non-frangible slip ring. A method for setting a tool in a wellbore includes running the tool having a slip assembly disposed around a mandrel of the tool into the wellbore, positioning the tool at a predetermined wellbore location, actuating the tool to impart a force on the slip assembly, and expanding the expandable non-frangible slip ring from a first diameter to a second diameter to displace the gripping members radially outward into engagement with a surrounding surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Harris
  • Publication number: 20150021049
    Abstract: A method for anchoring a casing string within a wellbore is disclosed. The method includes providing a casing string, where the casing string being generally tubular, and coupling a swellable elastomeric material on at least a portion of the exterior of the casing string. In addition, the method includes positioning the casing string within a wellbore, exposing the swellable elastomeric material to a swelling fluid, and sealing the swellable elastomeric material to the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Tim DAVIS, Art LOGINOV, Ray FRISBY
  • Publication number: 20150021048
    Abstract: A slip for a tangentially loaded retrievable slip system. The slip includes a frame including an interior having first and second sides; and, a key having a first portion within the interior of the frame. The first portion having first and second sides. The first portion of the key movable within the interior of the frame; wherein the key is movable from a set condition with at least a contact point of the first and second sides of the first portion of the key pushing against at least a portion of the first and second sides of the interior of the frame in the set condition. Respectively, to an unset condition with the first and second sides of the first portion of the key releasing pressure from the first and second sides of the interior of the frame. Also included is a method of managing a tangential load imparted by a tangential slip system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Antonio C. Ruffo
  • Patent number: 8936075
    Abstract: A wellhead assembly is provided. In one embodiment, the wellhead assembly includes a universal frac sleeve assembly for isolating portions of a wellhead assembly from pressurized fracing fluid. The universal frac sleeve assembly may include an inner sleeve, an outer sleeve, and a seal. Axial movement of the inner sleeve relative to the outer sleeve causes the seal to expand radially, thereby forming a seal within the wellhead assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: Kirk P. Guidry
  • Publication number: 20150013997
    Abstract: A method of manufacture and installation of a resizable, plastically deformable or crimpable elastomeric bearing collar or stabilizer sleeve which can be installed over upset sections of rotary drilling and wellbore completion tubulars such as but not limited to subs, drill collars, drill pipe, wellbore casing, production liners and other drilling and production related tubulars that are nm down-hole. In order to enable the reduction of rotational torque generated when directionally drilling and completing extended reach development (ERD) wells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventor: Neil Andrew Abercrombie Simpson
  • Publication number: 20150013996
    Abstract: A downhole tool useable for isolating sections of a wellbore that includes a composite mandrel; and a metal slip disposed about the composite mandrel, the metal slip having a one-piece circular slip body; and a face comprising a set of mating holes; a sleeve comprising a set of pins configured to engage the set of mating holes, wherein the downhole tool is configured for portions of the metal slip to be in gripping engagement with a surrounding tubular after setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Evan Lloyd Davies, Duke VanLue
  • Patent number: 8925639
    Abstract: A seal assembly between a wellhead housing having a bore and a casing hanger, has an inner seal leg for sealing against a hanger and an outer seal leg for sealing against the housing. A bellows style portion is formed on a nose ring carried by the seal assembly to increase lockdown capacity. The bellows style portion has an inner surface that faces an outer profile of the hanger, and an outer surface that faces the bore of the housing. Inner and outer lock rings are disposed on the bellows style portion. When the bellows style portion is axially collapsed, it radially expands into the bore of the housing and the outer profile of the hanger, and urges the inner and outer lock rings into engagement with the outer profile of the hanger and the bore of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Caleb Benson, David L. Ford
  • Publication number: 20150000934
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed herein relating to an apparatus to support a tubular member. The apparatus includes a bowl having a longitudinal axis extending therethrough, in which the bowl includes an inner wall formed about the longitudinal axis that is tapered with respect to the longitudinal axis. The apparatus further includes a plurality of slip assemblies movably disposed within to the bowl and having a tapered outer surface and a tapered inner surface with respect to the longitudinal axis. The tapered outer surface of the plurality of slip assemblies is configured to engage the tapered inner wall of the bowl. Further, the bowl may include a shoulder disposed on the inner wall that extends towards the longitudinal axis with respect to the inner wall. Each of the plurality of slip assemblies may be configured to engage the shoulder of the bowl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Robert Thibodeaux, JR., Jeremy Richard Angelle
  • Patent number: 8919453
    Abstract: A landing ring having at least one scallop groove formed on an interior of the ring. The landing ring interfaces with a fluted mandrel casing hanger such that the scallop groove aligns between flutes of the hanger. This alignment of the scallop groove of the landing ring with the fluted mandrel casing hanger provides sufficient clearance to allow a stabbing in of a cement tube for cement injection during cement topping operations or debris clean out down hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Henry He, Kwong-Onn Chan, Gene Ambrose
  • Patent number: 8919431
    Abstract: A hydraulic wellbore anchoring system for use with whipstocks or other tools in either cased or open hole wellbores. The anchoring system includes an upper slip system and a lower slip system. The anchor system may be set using hydraulic pressure and withdrawn by a predetermined upward force. While the slips of the upper and lower slip systems may be set substantially simultaneously, the anchoring system enables sequential disengagement of the slips to reduce the force required for withdrawal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Cobra Tool, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Lott
  • Patent number: 8910711
    Abstract: A fluid container reloading tool for a downhole fluid sampling tool (114) is described. The reloading tool includes an elongated cylindrical body. The body may include a bottom opening sized to engage with a fluid sampling tool deployed within a borehole. A cache (263) of empty fluid containers (210) may be included within the body (201). A piston may be coupled to at least one of the fluid containers in the cache of fluid containers. The piston may be used to transfer the cache of fluid containers into the fluid sampling tool. The reloading tool may also include a pump in fluid communication with the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Thomas Hay
  • Patent number: 8910721
    Abstract: A method of use of a quick connect liner latch system assembly (QCLL). The QCLL latches each joint of a slick line deployed liner together quickly. This system can set an anchor in an existing well bore at a shallow depth and run a new liner in the well with a wire line unit using the QCLL system. The QCLL has two main sections that are locked together to form the full QCLL. The upper and lowers sections are locked together using a body lock ring. The units are not threaded together. The QCLL it has a latch with an inside diameter (ID) that is large enough to accommodate a standard liner wiper plug for the weight of the liner being run into the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Inventors: Robert Harris, Carl Diller, Candice English
  • Publication number: 20140360736
    Abstract: An assembly to grip a tubular member in a wellbore includes a main body, a plurality of jaw assemblies, and a cover plate to retain the jaw assemblies within the main body. The main body includes a chuck ring and at least one rotation assembly. The plurality of jaw assemblies are configured to simultaneously engage the tubular member in the wellbore as the chuck ring is rotated in a first direction about an axis of the main body by the at least one rotation assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Jeremy Richard Angelle, Logan Essex Smith, Robert Thibodeaux
  • Patent number: 8905148
    Abstract: A downhole tractor assembly that is configured for open-hole applications. The assembly includes a force monitoring mechanism to help monitor and control forces imparted through a drive mechanism of the tractor in real time. As such, damage to open-hole formations due to excessive tractoring forces may be minimized along with mechanical damage to the tractor. Furthermore, the drive mechanism of the tractor may include multiple sondes and bowsprings with gripping saddles specially configured for contacting the well wall across a large area in a non-point and line manner so as to avoid digging into and damaging the well wall during tractoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Keith R. Nelson, Gohar Saeed, Franz Aguirre
  • Patent number: 8899336
    Abstract: A method of lining a wellbore includes deploying a BHA into the wellbore using a conveyance. The BHA includes setting tool, an anchor, and an expandable tubular. The method further includes pressurizing a bore of the setting tool, thereby releasing the anchor from the setting tool. The method further includes pulling the conveyance, thereby: extending the anchor into engagement with a casing of the wellbore, pulling an expander of the setting tool through the expandable tubular, and expanding the tubular into engagement with an open and/or cased portion of the wellbore and retracting the anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Lee Giroux, Larry A. Kendziora, Lev Ring
  • Patent number: 8899337
    Abstract: An apparatus for securing and using hydrajetting tools within a borehole includes a housing that defines an inner bore. A flow limiting member may be disposed within the inner bore. The flow limiting member may include a first a first jet in fluid communication with the top of the housing, a first chamber positioned below and in fluid communication with the first jet, and a first cavity aligned with the first jet and in fluid communication with the chamber. A groove may be disposed on an outer surface of the housing, with an anchor assembly that is disposed around the housing and axially slidable and securable within the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Basuki Surjaatmadja, Dustin Holden, Desmond Jones
  • Patent number: 8893774
    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: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis P. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8893800
    Abstract: An apparatus for, and method of, lowering items from a drilling rig to a well located below it through the use of a landing string comprised of drill pipe having an enlarged diameter section with a shoulder, in combination with upper and lower holders having wedge members with shoulders that engage and support the drill pipe at the shoulder of the enlarged diameter section, the shoulder of the drill pipe and the shoulders of the wedge members being rotatable with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Archer Rental Services, LLC
    Inventors: Burt A. Adams, Norman A. Henry
  • Patent number: 8893807
    Abstract: An actuation tool uses a lock that when released allows a moving magnet to move into position to repel another magnet. The repelling force on the second magnet moves it away from a locking position on a stored potential energy system where the release of the potential energy creates kinetic energy to drive an actuation assembly to set the tool. In a preferred application the tool can be a liner hanger. The release device can be a selectively energized electromagnet or a solenoid that shifts at least one magnet into alignment with at least one second magnet so as to defeat the second magnet from effectively storing the potential energy that can set the tool when the lock is defeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Alasdair R. Tait
  • Patent number: 8881833
    Abstract: An apparatus for use downhole is disclosed that, in one configuration includes a downhole tool configured to operate in an active position and an inactive position and an actuation device, which may include a control unit. The apparatus includes a telemetry unit that sends a first pattern recognition signal to the control unit to move the tool into the active position and a second pattern recognition signal to move the tool into the inactive position. The apparatus may be used for drilling a subterranean formation and include a tubular body and one or more extendable features, each positionally coupled to a track of the tubular body, and a drilling fluid flow path extending through a bore of the tubular body for conducting drilling fluid therethrough. A push sleeve is disposed within the tubular body and coupled to the one or more features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Steven R. Radford, Khoi Q. Trinh, Jason R. Habernal, R. Keith Glasgow, Jr., John G. Evans, Bruce Stauffer, Johannes Witte
  • Patent number: 8875783
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method for expanding an expandable tubular assembly in a borehole. In one aspect, a system for expanding a tubular having an anchor portion in a borehole is provided. The system includes a running tool configured to position the tubular in the borehole. The running tool including a first expander configured to activate the anchor portion by expanding the tubular to a first diameter. The system further includes a second expander configured to expand the tubular to a second larger diameter, wherein the second expander is movable between a retracted position and an expanded position. In another aspect, a method of expanding a tubular having an anchor portion in a borehole is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Lee Giroux, Varadaraju Gandikota, Nader E. Abedrabbo, Larry A. Kendziora, Lev Ring
  • Patent number: 8851182
    Abstract: A well production system including a wellhead and a first casing string supported from a first casing hanger landed on a shoulder in the wellhead bore. A loading shoulder assembly is installable in the wellhead and includes an energizing ring, a loading ring threaded into the interior of the energizing ring, a lock ring, and a hold-down ring threaded into the interior of the loading ring. The hold-down ring engages the first casing hanger to prevent rotation of the hold-down ring and restrain rotation of the loading ring. The lock ring is expandable from an unset position into supporting engagement with the wellhead in a set position upon rotation of the energizing ring. The hold-down ring is also moveable axially out of the loading ring to restrain the first casing hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis P. Nguyen, Kirk P. Guidry, Haw Keat Lim
  • Patent number: 8844623
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method for installing a wellhead component in a single trip. Generally, a wellhead component may be run into a wellhead using a running tool. The running tool may then be retrieved from the wellhead and replaced with a locking tool, which is also run into the wellhead. Additional tools may be used to over-pull the wellhead component and to cementing the wellhead component in place. The process of retrieving and running tools into the wellhead is both time-consuming and costly. Accordingly, the disclosed embodiments include a one-trip tool configured to run a wellhead component into a wellhead, engage an internal coupling to lock the wellhead component in place, over-pull the wellhead component to ensure the internal coupling was properly engaged, and cement the wellhead component in place within the wellhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis P. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8839870
    Abstract: A method of lining a wellbore includes deploying the liner into the wellbore using a workstring and a setting tool. The method further includes engaging the setting tool with a casing or liner previously installed in the wellbore. The method further includes pressurizing a chamber formed between a seal of the setting tool and a shoe of the liner, thereby driving the liner further into the wellbore, wherein reactionary force is transferred to the previously installed casing or liner by the engaged setting tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: Lev Ring
  • Patent number: 8839869
    Abstract: A downhole tool for use in a well is configurable as a frac plug, a caged ball frac plug or a bridge plug. The tool has a mandrel with a threaded neck. The mandrel has an expandable sealing element disposed thereabout. An adapter, which may be selected from multiple configurations of adapters, is threaded to the neck of the mandrel. The adapter may comprise a sleeve, or a cap with one open end and one closed end. The adapter has threads on an outer surface thereof to which a threaded setting mandrel may be attached. The setting mandrel when actuated will move the tool to a set position in the well and once the tool is moved to the set position the threads on the adapter will shear so that the setting mandrel may be retrieved. The tool will thus remain in the hole and will act as either a frac plug, a caged ball frac plug or a bridge plug depending upon the configuration of the selected adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse C. Porter, Joel L. Barlow