With Installing Casing Patents (Class 175/171)
  • Patent number: 11713655
    Abstract: A liner hanger is used for deploying a liner into a wellbore. The liner hanger includes a tubular body having a first end and a second end. The first end can include a connection to a liner. The second end can include a sealed connection to an operational pipe. The sealed connection can be releasable. An expansion tool attached to a work string can be used for suspending the liner hanger into the wellbore. At least a portion of the expandable pipe is radially expanded using the expansion tool. The radial expansion of the expandable pipe can cause compression of at least one seal member against a base casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Enventure Global Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Eric James Connor, Gregory Marshall Noel
  • Patent number: 11686061
    Abstract: An extraction/grouting device which includes a fluid conduit having a longitudinal extent along a longitudinal axis, a pivoting wand and at least one cutting nozzle. The nozzle being in fluid communication with the fluid conduit. The cutting nozzle being coupled to the pivoting wand that is pivotably extendable relative to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: The Trout Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven M. Trout
  • Patent number: 11613865
    Abstract: A pile installing system for a pile including a cylindrical wall surrounding a hollow space, the system having a central cutter which is locatable at a lower end of the pile for loosening soil below the hollow space upon installing the pile into the ground and which is displaceable within the pile in longitudinal direction thereof so as to remove the central cutter from the pile after installing the pile in the ground, a peripheral cutter locatable at the lower end of the pile for loosening soil below the cylindrical wall, a soil passage for guiding loosened soil from below the cutters to the hollow space, and a soil conveying member for transporting loosened soil upwardly through the hollow space. The soil passage is located at at least one of the central and peripheral cutter at a radial distance from the cylindrical wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Fundex Equipment B.V.
    Inventor: Johannes Pieter Brakman
  • Patent number: 11549369
    Abstract: A wellbore optical fiber measurement system for measuring data in a lateral wellbore that includes a flexible optical fiber. The optical fiber includes a waveguide coated with a coating, wherein the optical fiber has an effective density ?efffiber and an effective axial Young modulus Eefffiber and wherein the product ( ? eff f ? i ? b ? e ? r E eff f ? i ? b ? e ? r ) ยท ( 1 - ? w ? a ? t ? e ? r ? eff f ? i ? b ? e ? r ) is greater than 50 kg/m3/GPa. The system also includes a data acquisition unit with a processor operable to obtain strain measurement data of the wellbore from the optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michel LeBlanc, Mikko K Jaaskelainen
  • Patent number: 11428051
    Abstract: Bottom hole assemblies for drilling through a lost circulation zone of a wellbore includes a drill string, a drill bit and a cladding seat coupled to the drill string, an expandable cladding sheath engaged with the cladding seat, a release mechanism coupling an uphole end of the expandable cladding sheath to the drill string, and an expander translatable axially along the drill string. The expandable cladding sheath is a fiber reinforced polymer. The cladding seat releasably couples a downhole end of the expandable cladding sheath to the drill string, and the release mechanism operates to release the uphole end of the expandable cladding sheath from the drill string. The expander deforms the expandable cladding sheath outward into contact with a wall of a wellbore when translated axially through a central cavity of the expandable cladding sheath. The bottom hole assembly may enable drilling ahead through a lost circulation zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Onos Sunday Ogelohwohor
  • Patent number: 11384601
    Abstract: A hole opener comprising a shaft, a key, a first blade, and a second blade. The shaft includes a front end, a rear end, and a longitudinal axis that extends through the front end and the rear end, the shaft configured for rotation about the longitudinal axis by the horizontal directional drilling rig. The key is coupled to the shaft for rotation with the shaft. The first blade is removably coupled to the key, and is spaced a first radial distance from the longitudinal axis and spaced a first longitudinal distance from the front end. The second blade is removably coupled to the key and is spaced a second radial distance from the longitudinal axis that is greater than the first radial distance. The second blade is spaced a second longitudinal distance from the front end that is greater than the first longitudinal distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Precise Drilling Components Ltd
    Inventors: Cody D. Graham, Jeffrey S. Mueller
  • Patent number: 11329468
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for underground cable installation are provided. A system includes a compressor and a boring attachment. The boring attachment may be operatively coupled to the compressor and further coupled to an outer sheath of a buried cable. The boring attachment may be configured to be actuated by the compressor. In response to being actuated by the compressor, the boring attachment may be configured to displace at least some ground material, in contact with the buried cable, in which the buried cable is buried, and advance in at least one direction along a longitudinal axis of the buried cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Michael L. Elford, Pete A. Kawamoto, Diana L. Unser
  • Patent number: 10450829
    Abstract: A drillable plug includes a mandrel having an upper end and a lower axial section, the lower axial section having a geometry transition point separating an upper circular mandrel profile from a lower non-circular mandrel profile, a seal element disposed around the upper circular mandrel profile, and a lower cone having an inner surface forming a passage, the lower cone disposed around the lower non-circular mandrel profile whereby the lower cone is rotationally locked with the mandrel and a lower slip assembly moveably disposed on a sloped outer surface of the lower cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: George J. Melenyzer, Christopher Cromer
  • Patent number: 10378308
    Abstract: A liner drilling system and method to at least partially drill a wellbore with a liner and cement the liner in place in the wellbore, in a single downhole trip. An example system includes a liner releasably coupled to a drill string. The drill string extends through an axial bore of the liner and a downhole end includes a bottomhole assembly and a drill bit that rotate to drill a portion of a wellbore. A liner annulus is formed between the drill string and the liner. An annulus isolator is coupled to the liner and isolates flow within the bore of the liner from flowing through at least a portion of a wellbore annulus between the liner and the wellbore. A diverter in the drill string is positioned uphole of the bottomhole assembly and establishes a cement flow path into the liner annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael Eric Moffitt
  • Patent number: 10344586
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drilling apparatus for producing a cased bore with a first drill drive for driving a drill rod in a rotating manner, at the lower end of which a drilling tool for removing ground material is arranged, a mast, along which the first drill drive is movable with a sledge, and a second drive, with which a support tube for the bore can be introduced into the ground. According to the invention a computer unit is provided, in which a current drilling depth of the drilling tool and a depth of introduction of the support tube are indicated. Furthermore, a monitor is provided, on which the current drilling depth in relation to the depth of introduction of the support tube can be displayed by the computer unit. The invention further relates to a method for operating such a drilling apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: BAUER Maschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Korherr, Werner Josef Harthauser
  • Patent number: 10338334
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for direct cable expansion are provided. A system includes a pump, a probe, and a coupler. The pump is coupled to a reservoir holding a fluid. The probe is in fluid communication with the pump, and is configured to introduce the fluid into a cable such that a channel is created, by the fluid, between an outer sheath of the cable and a core of the cable. The coupler is configured to attach to a cable, receive the probe, and position the probe at an interface between the outer sheath and an inner material of the cable adjacent to the outer sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Michael L. Elford, Pete A. Kawamoto, Diana L. Unser
  • Patent number: 10138683
    Abstract: A directional casing-while-drilling system includes a rotary steerable system disposed within a casing string used as a drill string during casing-while-drilling operations. The casing string of some embodiments may include an upper section and a lower section coupled by a swivel, which may enable the upper section of the casing string to be rotated without substantially rotating the lower section. The rotary steerable system may be disposed at least partially within the lower section of the casing string, and coupled to a drill bit and/or under-reamer. The rotary steerable system may enable radial diversion of the drill bit and/or under-reamer, for example by actuation of one or more components in the rotary steerable system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael John Strachan
  • Patent number: 10036222
    Abstract: A bottom hole assembly for a casing-while-drilling operation utilizes a tethered float valve to retrieve the bottom hole assembly after the casing string has been positioned at a desired wellbore depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Ankit Purohit, Anand Bhagwat Kedare, Bhargav Gajji, Sanjay Sawant
  • Patent number: 9863248
    Abstract: A friction bolt including an elongated metal tube and a plurality of friction members. The metal tube includes interior and exterior surfaces, a tapered distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and a slit extending along a length of the elongated metal tube. The plurality of friction members extend outward from the exterior surface, and at least some of the friction members have an exposed planar portion to frictionally engage an inner surface of a bore within which the friction bolt is inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Inventor: Jason L. Moon
  • Patent number: 9777557
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in a wellbore is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment includes a tubular having an inside and an outside, a sensor on the outside of the tubular that provides a sensor signal in response to a strain induced in the tubular, and a processor that provides a signal responsive to the sensor signal to operate a device in the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Bennett M. Richard, Michael H. Johnson, Jason J. Barnard, Edward T. Wood
  • Patent number: 9617712
    Abstract: An excavator machine that includes components such as: a suspended casing having a top end and a bottom end; at least one cable that extends above the casing, where the cable is under tension and has a bottom end that is fastened to the top end of the casing; and a cutter device that is arranged at the bottom end of the casing. The excavator machine further includes: a carriage that is mounted to slide along the cable; a device for moving the carriage along the cable; and a locator device for determining the three-dimensional position of the carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: SOLETANCHE FREYSSINET
    Inventors: Bertrand Steff de Verninac, Daniel Perpezat, Jean-Pierre Hamelin
  • Patent number: 9611702
    Abstract: A wired pipe segment includes an inner bore extending through the wired pipe segment and a transmission line channel forming a channel from outside the wired pipe segment to the inner bore and including an inlet into the inner bore. The inner bore includes a pocket formed in the inner bore proximate the inlet and an insert is disposed in the pocket that substantially fills the pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Stephan Mueller, Rene Schulz, Robert Buda, Henning Rahn
  • Patent number: 9612154
    Abstract: A method for analyzing the condition of a spectrometer is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes acquiring optical data from a spectrometer of a downhole tool during flushing of a flowline and selecting a data set from the acquired optical data. The method can also include estimating light scattering and optical drift for the spectrometer based on the selected data set and determining impacts of the estimated light scattering and optical drift for the spectrometer on measurement accuracy of a characteristic of a downhole fluid determinable through analysis of the downhole fluid using the spectrometer. Additional methods, systems, and devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kentaro Indo, Alexis Petit, Vivek Agarwal, Sepand Ossia, Julian J. Pop, Kai Hsu
  • Patent number: 9464481
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for radially expanding a tubular element. The method comprises the steps of bending the tubular element radially outward and in axially reverse direction so as to form an expanded tubular section extending around an unexpanded tubular section, wherein bending occurs in a bending zone; increasing the length of the expanded tubular section by pushing the unexpanded tubular section in axial direction relative to the expanded tubular section; operating a drill string, which extends through the unexpanded tubular section and is provided with a drill bit at a downhole end thereof, to drill a borehole; and operating directional drilling means, which are coupled to the drill string, to deviate the borehole and direct the borehole along a predetermined path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Petrus Cornelis Kriesels, Paolo Lisandrin
  • Patent number: 9447676
    Abstract: An electronically activated tool (50) comprising a tool body, cutter blocks and sensors with means for attachment to a drilling support and rotation so as to permit the simultaneous underreaming and measurement of the diameter of a wellbore (especially in oil and gas drilling) characterized by a means of activation using an electronic signal sent by mud-pulse, fiber-optics, wireless transmission or other means which may also communicate commands and receive data from the underreamer during drilling, at least one radially extendable cutter block (62) incorporating positional sensors adapted to measure the relative position of the cutter block to the tool, at least one calliper means (76) to measure wellbore diameter, all of which are inter-linked by a means of communication using receivers, sensors and microprocessors and a system that optimizes underreaming or expansion (22) by simultaneously comparing and correlating wellbore diameter data (22) and underreaming parameters in real-time or in memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Inventor: Wajid Rasheed
  • Patent number: 9428964
    Abstract: An excavating tool includes a casing pipe that forms a cylindrical shape about an axis line and in which a stepped portion whose inner diameter is decreased by one step is formed in an inner peripheral portion of an distal end; an inner bit where a contact portion which can come into contact with the stepped portion is formed in an outer periphery, which is inserted into the casing pipe, and whose distal end portion protrudes from a distal end of the casing pipe; an engagement convex portion that is disposed on the outer periphery of the distal end portion of the inner bit so as to be retractable; a ring bit that forms an annular shape and is arranged around the distal end portion of the inner bit; and an engagement concave portion that is formed in an inner peripheral portion of the ring bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI MATERIALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaya Hisada, Kazuyoshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9212974
    Abstract: A self-contained mobile sampling and processing facility for use at a mine having at least one blast-hole that forms a blast-hole cone wherein the sampling and processing facility includes at least one primary robotic arm that carries at least one sampling tool, and the primary robotic arm and sampling tool is controlled by robotic arm and sampling tool movement controller means, and the primary robotic arm is capable of self-determining the direction, distance and shape of a nearby blast-hole cone, then subsequently positioning itself so that the sampling tool is able to engage with the blast-hole cone and retrieve a sample from it without significant mixing or stirring the cone, or a localized region of the cone, and then the sample is deposited into the processing facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: LEWIS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
    Inventors: Steven Denis Russell, John Adrian Calvi
  • Patent number: 9169612
    Abstract: Alpine anchor for anchoring threaded rods in soil or rock, with a metal base plate having a number of threaded bores which are distributed about the circumference and into which the threaded rods can be screwed with an assembly machine, wherein at least one plug coupling is arranged between the stationary part and the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: SPINNANKER GMBH
    Inventor: Martin Mayrhofer
  • Patent number: 9127513
    Abstract: An auger attachment system having a collar combined with an auger and one or more couplers each having a first end and a second end. The coupler first end is adapted to operatively combine with the output drive shaft of an engine suitable for rotating an auger. Each coupler has a different size and/or geometry at their respective first ends to allow each coupler to combine with a drive shaft having the corresponding size and geometry. The coupler second end is adapted to combine with the collar thereby allowing a single auger to be used with multiple drive shafts, each having a different size and/or geometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Pengo Corporation
    Inventor: Eric Matthias
  • Patent number: 9022113
    Abstract: A tubular string is advanced with a bottom hole assembly as the hole is drilled and reamed in a desired direction with the aid of directional drilling equipment adjacent the bit. When the advanced tubular forms the desired lap to the existing tubular, the assembly can be configured to cement the tubular and expansion can then be accomplished to fill the annular space and enhance the cement bonding. The expansion equipment can create a bottom bell on the expanded tubular and expand the top end into a bell of the existing tubular so that a monobore is created as the process is repeated with each added string. Numerous variations are contemplated for each single trip including but not limited to the direction of expansion, whether cementing or expansion occurs first, reforming folded tubing in the hole as well as the nature of the expansion tool and pressure control when drilling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Ines Rex, Joerg Lehr, Keven O'Connor
  • Patent number: 9004195
    Abstract: A method of forming a wellbore is disclosed. An inner string and an outer string are conveyed downhole. The inner string is attached to the outer string at a first location and the wellbore is formed. The inner stringy is attached to the outer string at a second location us hole of the first location and an annulus between the outer string and the wellbore is cemented without retrieving the inner string from the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Thorsten Regener, Ingo Roders, Carl C. Clemmensen, Sascha Schwartze, Trond R. Skar, Tore Sorheim, Morten Eidem, Gaute Grindhaug
  • Patent number: 8960332
    Abstract: An earth removal member with features for facilitating drill-through is provided for drilling with casing or liner applications. In one embodiment, the casing bit includes a tubular body; a nose attached to one end of the tubular body, wherein the nose includes a blade support and comprises a drillable material; a blade attached to the blade support using mating profiles; cutters disposed along the blade; and a nozzle disposed in the nose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Sharp Ugwuocha, Steven Rae
  • Patent number: 8944186
    Abstract: Device for performing deep drillings, especially geothermal, may include a surface base, a borehole in a geological formation, filled with fluid, and a robotic multi-functional underground drilling platform, which contains especially a block (2) for crushing rock (1), a block for continuous formation of casing profile, a block of casing as transfer and transport infrastructure, a block (16) of transport container, a control and communication block (39), an energy block (4), a block of operating transport containers, and a block of removing and loading rock (1) from the place of crushing. The block (2) for rock crushing may be interconnected with block of removing and loading rock (1) from the place of crushing by means of water channels, ensuring removal of the crushed rockโ€”107โ€”. The block of removing and loading rock (1) from the place of crushing may be interconnected with block (16) of transport container by means of water channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: GA Drilling, A.S.
    Inventors: Igor Ko{hacek over (c)}i{hacek over (s)}, Ivan Ko{hacek over (c)}i{hacek over (s)}, Tomรก{hacek over (s)} Kri{hacek over (s)}tofi{hacek over (c)}, Du{hacek over (s)}an Ko{hacek over (c)}i{hacek over (s)}
  • Patent number: 8857537
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for down-the-hole drilling. The drilling is carried out by a drilling device including a casing and a drilling unit. The drilling head includes a first drill for drilling a center hole, a second drill for reaming the center hole and a flushing flow arrangement including a first flusher for leading a flushing medium onto a drilling surface and a second flusher for returning of the flushing medium and drilling waste inside the casing. The first drill is removably coupled with the second drill to enable removal thereof from the hole. The casing is arranged to be drawn into a hole to be drilled by the drilling unit. The flushing medium is brought onto the drilling surface and returned therefrom by axially directed flow arrangements disposed in a cross-section view on an outer periphery of the first drill and/or in an inner periphery of the second drill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Oy Atlas Copco Rotex Ab
    Inventor: Jukka Ahonen
  • Patent number: 8789621
    Abstract: The present apparatus and method of use allows a blow out preventer to be installed as a unit with a section of casing, and does not require the blow out preventer to be removed as subsequent strings of casing are installed, thus efficiently utilizing drilling rig time. The present invention further allows a casing string to be landed and cemented in place, and then the drilling rig may move off the location, without a permanent wellhead housing attached to the well. The primary apparatus utilized in the invention is a tubular connector which suspends a string of casing during cementing, and which receives a casing plug for sealing the well when drilling operations have been completed. When completion operations commence, a permanent wellhead housing is attached to the tubular connector utilizing a unique metal to metal seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Cameron West Coast Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Leonardo Ganzinotti, II, Edward Leonardo Ganzinotti, III, Brent Phillip Shanley, Matthew Anthony Couchot
  • Patent number: 8783339
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods in accordance with the present disclosure are disclosed herein. The system includes a gripping tool operatively connected to and suspended from the top drive assembly, in which the gripping tool includes an axis defined therethrough and a gripping member, and an adaptor apparatus having a first end and a second end. The at least one gripping member engages the adaptor apparatus, and the second end includes a connection member to connect with the tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Frank's International, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Sinclair, Guy Hustinx, Patrick Neil Sibille
  • Publication number: 20140131052
    Abstract: An integrated casing drive system combines a top drive having a rotary drive portion, a pipe handler having a casing gripper wherein the pipe handler is rotationally mounted to the top drive, and a selectively actuable casing drive lock for locking the rotary drive portion to the pipe handler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: WARRIOR RIG LTD.
    Inventor: ALLAN STEWART RICHARDSON
  • Publication number: 20140102804
    Abstract: A hydraulically driven agitator sub includes: a tubular body for connection within a string including a first mandrel and a second mandrel, and a central bore defining a longitudinal axis of the tubular body and creating a flow path permitting a flow of fluids between the two mandrels and through the tubular body, the second mandrel secured, at least partially, within an annular bore of the first mandrel so that the second mandrel is telescopically arranged with and axially moveable within the first mandrel between a telescopically extended position and a compressed position; and a first sealing part and a second sealing part, one of the first and the second sealing part being secured to the first mandrel and the other sealing part being secured to the second mandrel, both sealing parts being within the fluid flow path of the tubular body, the first sealing part and the second sealing part being positioned to come together when the first mandrel and the second mandrel are in the compressed position to form a
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventor: Bradley R. COTE
  • Patent number: 8678108
    Abstract: A casing drilling assembly includes a profile sub having an interior profile shoulder and secured a casing string. A bottom hole assembly is run into and retrievable from the casing string. Stop dogs carried by the bottom hole assembly lands on the profile shoulder and stop downward movement of the bottom hole assembly, positioning an underreamer below the casing string. A mandrel is coupled to the bottom hole assembly. An elastomeric sleeve encircles the mandrel below a setting ring. A running tool releasably couples to the mandrel and moves the setting ring downward relative to the mandrel to a lower position to deform the sleeve into frictional engagement with the casing string and the mandrel to transmit torque and axial load between the bottom hole assembly and the casing string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Erik P. Eriksen
  • Publication number: 20140034311
    Abstract: The present invention relates methods and apparatus for lining a wellbore. In one aspect, a drilling assembly having an earth removal member and a wellbore lining conduit is manipulated to advance into the earth. The drilling assembly includes a first fluid flow path and a second fluid flow path. Fluid is flowed through the first fluid flow path, and at least a portion of which may return through the second fluid flow path. In one embodiment, the drilling assembly is provided with a third fluid flow path. After drilling has been completed, wellbore lining conduit may be cemented in the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventors: Brent J. Lirette, David J. Brunnert
  • Publication number: 20140034392
    Abstract: The present apparatus and method of use allows a blow out preventer to be installed as a unit with a section of casing, and does not require the blow out preventer to be removed as subsequent strings of casing are installed, thus efficiently utilizing drilling rig time. The present invention further allows a casing string to be landed and cemented in place, and then the drilling rig may move off the location, without a permanent wellhead housing attached to the well. The primary apparatus utilized in the invention is a tubular connector which suspends a string of casing during cementing, and which receives a casing plug for sealing the well when drilling operations have been completed. When completion operations commence, a permanent wellhead housing is attached to the tubular connector utilizing a unique metal to metal seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: CAMERON WEST COAST INC.
    Inventors: Edward Leonardo Ganzinotti, II, Edward Leonardo Ganzinotti, III, Brent Phillip Shanley, Matthew Anthony Couchot
  • Patent number: 8607859
    Abstract: A well is drilled and casing installed utilizing a casing drilling technique. A bottom hole assembly having a drill bit and a fluid diverter is secured to a string of drill pipe and installed within a casing string. Drilling fluid is pumped down the drill pipe string to cause the drill bit to rotate and drill the well while the fluid diverter is in a drilling mode position. At the total depth for the casing string, the operator moves the fluid diverter to a cementing position and pumps cement down the drill pipe and up the casing string annulus. After cementing, the operator moves the fluid diverter to a packer set position and again pumps drilling fluid down the drill string to set the packer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Erik P. Eriksen
  • Patent number: 8579048
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drilling device and a drilling method for drilling inside a casing tube with a drilling apparatus, which has a supporting frame with a fastening means for fixation with respect to the casing tube and a drilling tool, which is driven in a rotating manner via a telescopic rod by means of a drill drive arranged on the supporting frame. At the upper end of the casing tube a receiving part is arranged in accordance with the invention, onto which the supporting frame can be fastened. The receiving part is adjustably supported between a drilling position and an offset position, in which the receiving part is laterally offset with respect to the casing tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Bauer Maschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Leonhard Weixler, Stefan Michael Finkenzeller
  • Patent number: 8573328
    Abstract: The present apparatus and method of use allows a blow out preventer to be installed as a unit with a section of casing, and does not require the blow out preventer to be removed as subsequent strings of casing are installed, thus efficiently utilizing drilling rig time. The present invention further allows a casing string to be landed and cemented in place, and then the drilling rig may move off the location, without a permanent wellhead housing attached to the well. The primary apparatus utilized in the invention is a tubular connector which suspends a string of casing during cementing, and which receives a casing plug for sealing the well when drilling operations have been completed. When completion operations commence, a permanent wellhead housing is attached to the tubular connector utilizing a unique metal to metal seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Cameron West Coast Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Leonardo Ganzinotti, II, Edward Leonardo Ganzinotti, III, Brent Phillip Shanley, Matthew Anthony Couchot
  • Patent number: 8556004
    Abstract: A conduit assembly for use in a drilling system that may include an upper section, an intermediate section and a lower section. The upper section may include a first seal. The first seal may include an opening that may be sized and configured to receive and form a seal with an inner drill string. The first seal may include one or more slits that may extend from an outer edge of the first seal to the opening of the first seal. The intermediate section may include an outlet for a flushing medium. The outlet may include a projection that may extend into a hollow interior of the intermediate section. The lower section may be sized and configured to be connected to and disconnected from a connecting portion of an outer drill string. The lower section may be sized and configured to be connected to and disconnected from the intermediate section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Longyear TM, Inc.
    Inventors: Markus Hartung, Christof Kruse
  • Patent number: 8534379
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for drilling with casing. In an embodiment, methods and apparatus for deflecting casing using a diverter apparatus are disclosed. In another embodiment, the apparatus comprises a motor operating system disposed in a motor system housing, a shaft operatively connected to the motor operating system, the shaft having a passageway, and a divert assembly disposed to direct fluid flow selectively to the motor operating system and the passageway in the shaft. In another aspect, methods and apparatus for directionally drilling a casing into the formation are disclosed. Methods and apparatus for measuring the trajectory of a wellbore while directionally drilling a casing into the formation are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Giroux, Gregory G. Galloway, Tuong Thanh Le, Raymond H. Jackson, Gregory R. Nazzal, James C. Swarr, David J. Brunnert, William M. Beasley
  • Patent number: 8534354
    Abstract: A method for deploying a completion string in a previously drilled borehole includes rotating the string at the surface while axially urging the assembly deeper into the borehole. This rotation is preferably only partially transferred down the completion string such that a lower portion of the string typically remains rotationally stationary with respect to the borehole. The completion string may be reciprocated upwards and downwards from the surface so as to enable the lower portion of the completion string to rotate. The completion string may alternatively be rotated back and forth, alternating between first and second rotational directions so as to maintain an applied surface torque below a predetermined threshold. The invention has been found to reduce drag between a completion assembly and the wall of a previously drilled borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Eric E. Maidla, Marc Haci
  • Patent number: 8479843
    Abstract: A system for drilling a wellbore into an earth formation comprises an expandable tubular element extending into the wellbore, wherein a lower end portion of the wall of the tubular element extends radially outward and in an axially reverse direction so as to define an expanded tubular section extending around a remaining tubular section of the tubular element. The expanded tubular section is extendable by downward movement of the remaining tubular section relative to the expanded tubular section whereby said lower end portion of the wall bends radially outward and in an axially reverse direction. A drill string extends through the remaining tubular section into the wellbore, such that a space is formed between the drill string and the remaining tubular section, and the system further comprises sealing means arranged to seal said space from an open-hole lower section of the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Petrus Cornelis Kriesels
  • Patent number: 8439113
    Abstract: A liner string for a well has a liner hanger assembly at an upper portion of the liner string. A profile sub is located at a bottom portion of the liner string. A bottom hole assembly is latched to the profile sub. The operator lowers the liner string into the well with a drill pipe string and rotates the drill pipe string to rotate the drill bit to deepen the well. At a selected depth, the operator releases the bottom hole assembly from the profile sub and reverse circulates drilling fluid from a liner annulus surrounding the liner string, pumping the bottom hole assembly up the liner string. When the bottom hole assembly reaches the lower end of the drill pipe string, it latches to a catcher tool located at the lower end of the drill pipe string. The operator moves the liner hanger assembly into setting engagement with the casing string, releases the drill pipe string from the liner string, and retrieves the drill pipe string along with the bottom hole assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: John Boyle
  • Patent number: 8430159
    Abstract: A method of radially expanding a tubular element in a wellbore formed in an earth formation comprises arranging the tubular element in the wellbore such that a lower end portion of the wall of the tubular element extends radially outward and in an axially reverse direction so as to form an expanded tubular section extending around a remaining tubular section of the tubular element, whereby an annulus is defined between said expanded and remaining tubular sections, and axially extending the expanded tubular section by moving the remaining tubular section downward relative to the expanded tubular section so that said lower end portion of the wall bends radially outward and in an axially reverse direction. A diameter of the expanded tubular section is controlled by controlling a fluid pressure in the annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Pieter Van Nieuwkoop
  • Patent number: 8371398
    Abstract: A sealing device for downhole use, one of which is for casing, when drilling with casing, which allows the casing to be closed off if the bottom hole assembly needs to come out for any reason. In one embodiment, the internal packer is triggered to set in a variety of ways upon removal of the bottom hole assembly. It can be drilled out when the new bottom hole assembly is run in later. In an alternative design, a flapper can be used that is held open for the initial insertion of the bottom hole assembly and is released to spring shut upon removal of the assembly. Multiple flappers or packers or other types of closure devices are envisioned to allow removal of the bottom hole assembly more than once and still retain blowout protection on each removal of the bottom hole assembly. A variety of applications are contemplated some of which are perforation, side tracking, fracturing, and gravel packing, to name a few examples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Troy A. Miller, Edward T. Wood
  • Patent number: 8360160
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided to place a conductor pipe and a casing in a subsea environment. In one embodiment, a conductor pipe is jetted or drilled into the subsea floor. Thereafter, a casing drilling assembly comprising a drill casing and a drilling assembly is connected to the drill pipe using a crossover. The drilling assembly urged into the seafloor until a casing latch on the drilling assembly is engaged with a casing profile of the conductor pipe. During drilling, instrumentation in the drilling assembly may be used to measure geophysical data. The measured data may be used to optimize the drilling process. After the drill casing is engaged with the conductor pipe, cementing may be performed to set the drill casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Giroux, Doug Reid, Albert C. Odell, II, Gregory G. Galloway, Mark J. Murray
  • Patent number: 8297380
    Abstract: Casing shoes comprise a nose portion having an inner profile and an outer profile. At least one cutting structure is on the outer profile. A stem section extends longitudinally from the nose portion. At least one of a float valve mechanism, a cementing stage tool, a float collar mechanism, and a landing collar structure is disposed within the stem section. Methods of installing sections of casing within wellbores comprise advancing the at least one section of casing into contact with subterranean formation material with a casing shoe attached thereto. At least one of a float valve mechanism, a cementing stage tool, a float collar mechanism, and a landing collar structure is carried within the casing shoe into the wellbore. The wellbore is drilled or reamed using at least one cutting structure on the casing shoe as the at least one section of casing is advanced into the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Jack T. Oldham, L. Allen Sinor, Eric E. McClain, Robert A. Laing, Evan C. Turner, Mark W. Dykstra, Eric C. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 8286731
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for constructing large vertical boreholes and underground cut-off walls is disclosed. A drill rig assembly with double rotary heads drives a small diameter drill string and a much larger diameter drill string which is concentric with the smaller drill string and has a donut shaped drill bit configuration at the lower end thereof. Preferably, a steerable mud motor/drill is provided on one end of the small drill string and is guided to make as vertical a borehole as possible. In a preferred embodiment, the small inner drill is advanced to the full depth using the steerable mud motor/drill to achieve a high degree of verticality and a slight smaller casing is installed and used as a verticality guide for the much larger diameter outer drill string. In a further embodiment, the inner drill string is advanced a predetermined distance, then the outer string is advanced using the inner string as a verticality guide, these steps being repeated in alternating fashion to the final depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Inventor: Arturo L. Ressi di Cervia
  • Patent number: 8281879
    Abstract: A method of drilling a wellbore comprises arranging a drill string and an expandable tubular in the wellbore such that a lower end portion of the wall of the tubular extends radially outward and in an axially reverse direction so as to form an expanded section extending around a remaining section of the tubular, drill string extending through the remaining section, and axially extending the expanded section by moving the remaining section downward relative to the expanded section so that the lower end portion of the wall bends radially outward and in an axially reverse direction, wherein the expanded section covers the wellbore wall in an upper portion of the wellbore. The drill string is operated so as to drill a lower wellbore portion, and a compound is transferred between the lower wellbore portion and a layer of the earth formation surrounding the lower wellbore portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: David Allan Elliott, Petrus Cornelis Kriesels