Surrounding Existing Shaft Section Patents (Class 175/325.5)
  • Patent number: 11933115
    Abstract: A centralizer for a downhole probe disposed within a pipe, the centralizer having an elongated, primary tubular member with two or more elongated centralizer strip assemblies extending along the primary tubular member. Each strip assembly has inner and outer portions opposing one another on the wall of the primary tubular member and spaced apart from one another about the circumference of the wall. Each inner portion has an inner radial length that is the same for each strip assembly, and each outer portion has an outer radial length that is the same for each strip assembly. The inner portions of the strip assemblies engage the outer diameter of a probe and the outer portions of the strip assemblies engage the inner diameter of a pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Lizheng Zhang, Wei Zhang
  • Patent number: 11352840
    Abstract: An apparatus for reducing torque in a drill string includes a clamp assembly having a first clamp segment and a second clamp segment, the first and second clamp segments each including two circumferential ends, the two circumferential ends of the first clamp segment being configured to be connected to the two circumferential ends of the second clamp segment so as to secure the clamp assembly around an oilfield tubular and prevent the clamp assembly from rotating relative to the oilfield tubular. An outer diameter surface of each of the first and second clamp segments is generally continuous in an axial direction. The apparatus also includes an outer sleeve positioned around the clamp assembly, wherein the clamp assembly is configured to rotate with the oilfield tubular and with respect to the outer sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: FRANK'S INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventors: Logan Smith, Jarret Daigle, Keith Lutgring, Matthew Weber, Luk Servaes, Todd Simar, Dustin Pitre
  • Patent number: 11319777
    Abstract: A debris removal system includes: a drill pipe disposed within a borehole including a threaded portion disposed longitudinally above a bottom hole assembly (BHA). The threaded portion includes at least one spiral notch that wraps around the drill pipe. An outer diameter of the threaded portion of the drill pipe remains constant throughout a longitudinal length of the threaded portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Ibrahim Abdullah Althowiqeb
  • Patent number: 10920811
    Abstract: A component assembly comprises a first housing and a second housing jointed by a coupling assembly. The coupling assembly comprises a coupling body and a floating torque ring axially slidably interfaced to the coupling body. The coupling body comprises a first threaded portion engaged with a first threaded coupling section of the first housing, and a second threaded portion engaged with a second threaded coupling section of the second housing. The floating torque ring is radially fixed to the coupling body, and is axially movable relative to the coupling body. Rotation of the floating torque ring causes relative rotation of the coupling body, thereby threadably joining the first housing and the second housing about the coupling body independent of axial positions of the housings due to the axially movable floating torque ring. A method of joining the housings is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Philip S. Rice
  • Patent number: 10718169
    Abstract: An apparatus that may reduce friction of a tubular structure in a horizontal or deviated well. The apparatus is for mounting on a tubular structure, such as a casing or drill string having a longitudinal axis. The apparatus comprises a tubular segment for mounting over the casing or drill string such that the apparatus is freely rotatable about the longitudinal axis. The apparatus also includes a plurality of ridges on the outer face of the tubular segment, the ridges being at an angle to an axial direction of the tubular segment to cause the apparatus to rotate responsive to movement of the apparatus against a wall of the wellbore as the apparatus traverses the wellbore. The raised ridges have a non-uniform height from the outer face of the tubular segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Friction Tool Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth John Zilka
  • Patent number: 10710325
    Abstract: A tubular protector assembly for handling a tubular, such as drill pipe, is disclosed. In one embodiment, a cylindrical sleeve is configured to be disposed around the tubular. One or more layers of carbon fiber-based tape are configured to be interposed between the tubular and the cylindrical sleeve, which includes a cage having open cells formed therein. Each of the open cells including a multilayer cellular structural member therein having an outer-facing external steel plate, an internal plastic filament plate, an internal middle steel plate, and an inner-facing internal steel plate concentrically engaged theretogether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Inventor: Laslo Olah
  • Patent number: 10428596
    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 run down-hole. In order to enable the reduction of rotational torque generated when directionally drilling and completing extended reach development (ERD) wells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: PARADIGM DRILLING SERVICES LIMITED
    Inventor: Neil Andrew Abercrombie Simpson
  • Patent number: 10415326
    Abstract: A concentric alignment device is provided that elevates the working face of a drill bit off of the inner wall of a casing or tubing to prevent premature wear of the working face of the drill bit. In horizontal drilling applications, the working face of a drill bit has a tendency to contact or rest on the inner wall of a casing or tubing, which negatively affects the working face of a drill bit. In some embodiments, one or more optional inserts are provided on the shank of a drill bit or on a centralizing sub such that the inserts contact the inner wall of a casing or tubing instead of the working face of the drill bit. In other embodiments, blade packages on a drill bit or sub contact the inner wall of a casing or tubing and also pump drilling fluid in a downhole direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Inventors: Josh Chevalier, Chris Bairrington
  • Patent number: 10364611
    Abstract: A drill head for expanding a pilot bore in order to create a borehole having a borehole wall as a result of loosening rock surrounding the pilot bore in the region of a working face, which extends in a substantially right-angled manner to the pilot bore, including a basic body including a connection element for a pilot bore string including at least two tool holders, in that at least one tool holder is at a greater spacing radially from the basic body than the at least one other tool holder such that there is at least one outer and one inner drilling tool which are movable into engagement with the working face, and the at least one inner drilling tool and the at least one outer drilling tool are each arranged offset at an angle in relation to the working face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Herrenknecht
    Inventors: Michael Lubberger, Tobias Gerhardt
  • Patent number: 9957758
    Abstract: A drill stem element for drilling a well with flow of a drilling fluid around the element and in a direction extending from a drilling well bottom towards the surface, including a member and a coupling mounted for rotation about the member. The coupling includes at least two abutment zones on a wall of the well during drilling, each abutment zone externally includes at least one abutment portion having an outer diameter greater than a diameter of other portions of the element, each abutment zone having a convex rounded shape generated by revolution, each abutment zone being axially remote from at least one other abutment zone. The coupling further includes an intermediate zone between the two abutment zones, an opening being provided between the coupling and the member for the flow of drilling fluid between the coupling and the member forming a fluid bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: VALLOUREC DRILLING PRODUCTS FRANCE
    Inventor: Jean Boulet
  • Patent number: 9682838
    Abstract: An idler roll employed in a blown film extrusion line is non turning and a plurality of wear strips are removably attached to the idler roll at circumferentially spaced positions around the idler roll. The wear strips engage blown film passing over the idler roll. The wear strips have reduced coefficients of friction than that of the idler roll, have high wear resistances and the blown film passing over the wear strips cleans and polishes the surface area of the wear strips the film moves across, substantially making the wear strips and the non turning idler roll maintenance free compared with idler rollers with bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Pearl Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Laurent Cros, Carl S. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9683414
    Abstract: A lock capable of self-locking onto a tubular and onto another centralizer. The lock collar being of the type used in production strings of tubulars in the oilfield. The lock collar relates to mechanisms such as stop rings for centralizers commonly used in downhole applications to prevent axial and rotational movement of centralizers mounted on the tubing or casing outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Centergenics, LLC
    Inventor: Napoleon Arizmendi
  • Patent number: 9624738
    Abstract: A centralizer capable of self-locking onto a tubular. The centralizer being of the type used in production strings of tubulars in the oilfield. The centralizer relates to mechanisms such as stop rings for centralizers commonly used in downhole applications to prevent axial and rotational movement of centralizers mounted on the tubing or casing outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Centergenics, LLC
    Inventor: Napoleon Arizmendi
  • Patent number: 9624737
    Abstract: A lock collar for locking a centralizer in place on a tubular of the type used in production strings in the oilfield. The lock collar relates to mechanisms such as stop rings or lock collars commonly used in downhole applications to prevent axial and/or rotational movement of centralizers mounted on the tubing or casing outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Centergenics, LLC
    Inventor: Napoleon Arizmendi
  • Patent number: 9617801
    Abstract: A drill pipe protector assembly comprising at least one protector sleeve (23) adapted to be mounted to the drill pipe string (7) through a fluid bearing (25) so as to be co-axially rotatable with respect to the drill pipe string (7). A retainer arrangement (21, 35) axially fixes the protector sleeve (23) with respect to the drill pipe string (7). The fluid bearing (25) is constructed according to the principles of a hydrostatic fluid bearing. At least one fluid channel (53) connects the fluid bearing (25) to a fluid path of pressurized drilling fluid flowing within an inner space (51) of the drill pipe string (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: STATOIL PETROLEUM AS
    Inventor: Steinar Wasa Tverlid
  • Patent number: 9578319
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for transmission variable delay and jitter indication. In one example, a method includes determining a variable delay reference (VDR) corresponding to an instantaneous jitter between an idealized transmission time associated with a packet for transmission in a transmission stream and an actual transmission time of the packet and providing the VDR to a receiver in a sub-header of the packet. In another example, a transmitter includes a MAC configured to include a VDR in a sub-header of a packet for transmission in a transmission stream and a PHY configured to transmit the packet including the VDR in the transmission stream. In another example, a method includes receiving a packet in a transmission stream; extracting a program clock reference (PCR) and a VDR from the packet information; and controlling timing of processing of the packet based upon the PCR and VDR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: BROADCOM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Alexander MacInnis
  • Patent number: 9417355
    Abstract: Composition-matched downhole tools and methods for using such tools are provided. One such method includes emitting neutrons using a neutron source in the downhole tool to generate formation gamma rays in a surrounding formation. At the same time, however, some of the neutrons may interact with different parts of the downhole tool to form tool gamma rays. The gamma ray spectra of at least some of the formation gamma rays and the tool gamma rays may be detected using a gamma ray detector. The tool gamma rays from the different parts of the tool may have a substantially similar spectral shape. As such, a processor may be used to analyze the spectra of the tool gamma rays using a single tool background standard, thereby simplifying the analysis and improving the precision of the results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christian Stoller, Fabien Haranger, James Grau, Jeffrey Miles, Markus Berheide
  • Patent number: 9115546
    Abstract: An assembly and method for protecting a pipe string movable within a wellbore. A generally annular body (56) is internally dimensioned to fit around said pipe string, and an outer sleeve (62) formed from at least two part-annular sections (58,60) and rotatably located over the annular body (56). A pair of substantially annular clamping means are adapted to restrict longitudinal movement of the body (56) and outer sleeve (62) relative to the pipe string, each clamping means comprising a one-piece clamping ring (70) and a fastener (74) adapted to tighten the clamping ring (70) around the pipe string. The body (56), outer sleeve (62), and clamping rings (70) may be formed from one or more sacrificial materials that can break up and be circulated out of the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Tercel IP Limited
    Inventor: Paul Howlett
  • Patent number: 9074430
    Abstract: A tubular component includes a limit collar disposed about the tubular component, and the limit collar comprises a body portion comprising a plurality of upsets disposed on an inner surface of the body portion, wherein the plurality of upsets define a first ring, a second ring, and at least one rib, at least one chamber formed between the inner surface of the body portion, an outer surface of the tubular component, and one or more surfaces of the first ring, the second ring, or the at least one rib, and a binder portion disposed in the at least one chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: William Iain Elder Levie, David Levie
  • Patent number: 9068409
    Abstract: A multifunctional screw drill and reaming device, for the testing of the structure and composition of various soil types, as well as for sampling and boring, extracting and injecting of gases and various types of chemicals as well as liquids, slurry, granules and solids. Screws can be hydraulically, pneumatically, mechanically, electrically or manually driven. Dependent upon the operation, the secondary screws (2) can rotate and change position or rotational direction within the primary screw's bore (1), or both primary (1) and secondary screws (2) can be coupled and rotate as one unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Inventor: Leonardo Mohamed
  • Publication number: 20150144401
    Abstract: A bottom hole assembly includes a drill string, a bit coupled to an end of the drill string, a rotary steerable system coupled to the drill string above the bit, a hydraulically actuated tool assembly coupled to the drill string above the rotary steerable system, and an electrically controlled tool coupled to the drill string above the hydraulically actuated tool assembly and electrically coupled to the rotary steerable system. A method includes running a bottom hole assembly downhole, the bottom hole assembly including a drill bit, a rotary steerable system, an electrically controlled tool, and a hydraulically actuated tool assembly disposed between the rotary steerable system and the electrically controlled tool. The method includes cutting a formation with the drill bit, actuating the hydraulically actuated tool assembly, and maintaining an electrical connection between the rotary steerable system and the electrically controlled tool during the running, the cutting, and the actuating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Mahavir Nagaraj, John Michael Aubin, Renato Pereira, Bhushan Pendse, Francesco Vaghi
  • Patent number: 9004197
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary drill stem component for exploration of a hydrocarbon well with drilling mud in movement around the component from a bottom of the well towards the surface. The drill can include a central tubular element having an axis of revolution and extended on either side respectively by a first and a second tool joint each respectively and successively including a first cylindrical portion connected to the tubular element, a second tapered portion, a third cylindrical portion with a radius greater than that of the tubular element. The drill can include a threaded end which can connect the component to another component, the component including a first shell provided with one or more functional zones, the first shell being mounted on one of the tool joints in a cohesive and removable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Vam Drilling France
    Inventors: Gabriel Roussie, Christophe Rohart
  • Patent number: 8960278
    Abstract: A centralizer system comprising a centralizer disposed about a wellbore tubular, wherein the centralizer comprises, a first body portion, a second body portion, a plurality of bow springs connecting the first body portion to the second body portion, and at least one window disposed in the first body portion, and a retaining portion disposed in the at least one window, wherein the retaining portion is configured to provide a substantially fixed engagement between the first body portion and the wellbore tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: William Iain Elder Levie, Gregory Paul Roger, Miles Norman Sweep
  • Publication number: 20150008042
    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: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Jean Buytaert, Eugene Edward Miller, Ira Eugene Hining
  • Patent number: 8919436
    Abstract: A wireline standoff that may ameliorate the effects of wireline cable differential sticking, wireline cable key seating, and high cable drags by reducing or eliminating contact of the wireline cable with the borehole wall during the logging operation. An embodiment includes a wireline standoff. The wireline standoff may comprise a pair of opposing assemblies. The opposing assemblies may each comprise a half shell, a cable insert configured to be disposed in the half shell, and external fins coupled to the half shell. The wireline standoff may further comprise one or more fasteners configured to couple the opposing assemblies to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Inventors: Guy Wheater, Stuart Huyton
  • Patent number: 8904703
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for boring into the earth near a Kudzu vine root system to apply herbicidal helium gas to the roots and eradicate the Kudzu vine. The technique uses a perforated tube with a drill bit that protrudes from one end of the tube to bore into the earth near the vine roots. Boring is stopped when all of the tube perforations are below the earth's surface. About 0.5 cubic meters of helium gas are applied to flow through the tube enabling the helium gas to flow out through the tube perforations and attack the Kudzu vine through the vine's root system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Inventor: Jacob Harrison Schindler
  • Patent number: 8900511
    Abstract: The present invention relates a high-strength nonmagnetic stainless steel, containing, by weight percent, 0.01 to 0.06% of C, 0.10 to 0.50% of Si, 20.5 to 24.5% of Mn, 0.040% or less of P, 0.010% or less of S, 3.1 to 6.0% of Ni, 0.10 to 0.80% of Cu, 20.5 to 24.5% of Cr, 0.10 to 1.50% of Mo, 0.0010 to 0.0050% of B, 0.010% or less of O, 0.65 to 0.90% of N, and the remainder being Fe and inevitable impurities; the steel satisfying the following formulae (1) to (4): [Cr]+3.3×[Mo]+16×[N]?30??(1), {Ni}/{Cr}?0.15??(2), 2.0?[Ni]/[Mo]?30.0??(3), and [C]×1000/[Cr]?2.5??(4), wherein [Cr], [Mo], [N], [Ni], [Mo] and [C] represent the content of Cr, the content of Mo, the content of N, the content of Ni, the content of Mo and the content of C in the steel, respectively, and {Ni} represents the sum of [Ni], [Cu] and [N], and {Cr} represents the sum of [Cr] and [Mo]. The present invention further relates to a high-strength nonmagnetic stainless steel part containing the steel and a process for producing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Daido Tokushuko Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koichi Ishikawa, Tetsuya Shimizu
  • Patent number: 8869919
    Abstract: A drill bit may have a bit body, a plurality of cutting blades extending radially from the bit body and having cutting elements disposed thereon, the plurality of cutting blades forming a cutting blade gage pad diameter configured to contact a formation, and a plurality of raised volumes of material extending from the bit body and devoid of cutting elements, the plurality of raised volumes of material forming a gage pad diameter configured to contact the formation, wherein the plurality of cutting blades and the plurality of raised volume of material are circumferentially spaced having fluid courses that extend therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuelin Shen, Youhe Zhang, Bala Durairajan, Charles H. S. Douglas, III
  • Patent number: 8863834
    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: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Antelope Oil Tool & Mfg. Co., LLC
    Inventors: Jean Buytaert, Eugene Edward Miller, Ira Eugene Hining
  • Patent number: 8844624
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a rigid centralizer having at least one annular band with radially extending embossed flutes spaced around an outer surface of the at least one annular band and a plurality of elongated connecting posts welded to an inner surface of the at least one annular band to form a tubular receiving annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Antelope Oil Tool & Mfg. Co., LLC
    Inventors: Jean Buytaert, Christopher M. Penry, Troy L. McDaniel
  • Patent number: 8833446
    Abstract: A centralizer comprises a first collar, a second collar, a plurality of bow springs coupling the first collar to the second collar, and a plurality of particulates disposed on an outer surface of at least one bow spring. One or more of the first collar, the second collar, and the bow springs comprises a composite material. In some embodiments, the centralizer comprises a third collar, wherein the plurality of bow springs comprise a first portion of bow springs and a second portion of bow springs, and wherein the first portion of the bow springs couple the first collar to the third collar and the second portion of the bow springs couple the second collar to the third collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn Lively, David Levie, Dietmar Mueller, Thorsten Weber
  • Publication number: 20140251692
    Abstract: A stabilizer and method for use in a wellbore are disclosed. The apparatus can include a rotary body disposed about a tubular and configured to rotate and axially-translate with respect to the tubular. The apparatus can also include a first anti-rotation device disposed axially adjacent the rotary body and configured to resist rotation and axial translation with respect to the tubular. The rotary body can be configured to engage the first anti-rotation device and rotationally lock therewith. The apparatus can also include a biasing member configured to bias apart the rotary body and the first anti-rotation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventor: James McKay
  • Publication number: 20140224546
    Abstract: A drill stem element for drilling a well with flow of a drilling fluid around the element and in a direction extending from a drilling well bottom towards the surface, including a member and a coupling mounted for rotation about the member. The coupling includes at least two abutment zones on a wall of the well during drilling, each abutment zone externally includes at least one abutment portion having an outer diameter greater than a diameter of other portions of the element, each abutment zone having a convex rounded shape generated by revolution, each abutment zone being axially remote from at least one other abutment zone. The coupling further includes an intermediate zone between the two abutment zones, an opening being provided between the coupling and the member for the flow of drilling fluid between the coupling and the member forming a fluid bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: VALLOUREC DRILLING PRODUCTS FRANCE
    Inventor: Jean Boulet
  • Patent number: 8770280
    Abstract: A close-tolerance expandable bow spring centralizer 8 having a first expandable collar 10A coupled to and spaced apart from a second expandable collar 10B through a plurality of bow springs 30 wherein expandable collars 10A, 10B comprise a plurality of slidably coupled links 16 that separate to expand the diameter of the collars 10A, 10B, e.g., upon expansion of an expandable pipe string 80 on which the centralizer 8 is received. Expandable bow spring centralizer 8 may grip the expandable pipe string 80 when in the collapsed configuration to eliminate the need for a stop collar. Additionally or alternatively, a fin 32 may be connected to each bow spring 30, and then connected to one or more adjacent fins 32 upon collapse of the bow springs 30 to form a restraining band 39 that may be ruptured, e.g., upon expansion of the expandable pipe string 80.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Antelope Oil Tool & Mfg. Co., LLC
    Inventors: Jean Buytaert, Eugene Edward Miller, Donald Elwin McDowell
  • Patent number: 8763690
    Abstract: A bow-spring centralizer (6) includes bow springs (5), moving collars (11) secured to each end of each bow spring, and interlocked stop collars (10). Extendable collars (8) may each be formed of a moving collar (11) movably interlocked with a stop collar (10). The centralizer (6) may optionally be formed from a tube cut using a laser to create two extendable collars coupled by bow springs. Each extendable collar may include heads integrally formed on extensions protruding from a collar (stop collar or moving collar). The heads may be generally rectangular, arrow, or teardrop-shaped head or some other shape. Each head may be slidably captured within a chamber on the interlocked collar (moving collar or stop collar). The extensions of each interlocked tubular member define the outer walls of the chamber in which a head of the interlocked tubular member is slidably captured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Antelope Oil Tool & Mfg. Co., LLC
    Inventors: Jean Buytaert, Eugene Edward Miller, Ira Eugene Hining
  • Publication number: 20140174833
    Abstract: A stabilizer assembly using a shoulder ring. The drilling tool may include a housing having one or more external splines disposed along an outer surface of the housing. The drilling tool may also include a rotatable shaft disposed inside the housing, the shaft having a downhole end portion configured to be coupled to a drill bit. The drilling tool may further include a stabilizer assembly movably coupled to the housing. In addition, the drilling tool may include a shoulder ring having one or more internal splines disposed on an inner surface thereof, the shoulder ring disposed around the housing and configured to prevent uphole movement of the stabilizer assembly when the one or more internal splines of the shoulder ring are engaged with the one or more external splines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Pavel Vanecko, Daniel Towner
  • Patent number: 8733455
    Abstract: Roller standoff assemblies and devices facilitate disposal of an interior tubular member within an exterior tubular member. Roller standoff devices include a roller cage and at least one roller supported by the roller cage to contact and roll upon the exterior tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Farhat A. Shaikh, James C. Hunziker, Paul G. Junghans, Ron Parsley
  • Patent number: 8678096
    Abstract: A method comprising providing a centralizer disposed about a wellbore tubular, wherein the centralizer comprises a first collar, a second collar, a plurality of bow springs coupling the first collar to the second collar, and a plurality of particulates disposed on an outer surface of at least one bow spring, wherein one or more of the first collar, the second collar, and the bow springs comprise a composite material, and placing the wellbore tubular in a wellbore disposed in a subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn Lively, David Levie, Dietmar Mueller, Thorsten Weber
  • Publication number: 20140060838
    Abstract: The invention relates to the completion and enhancement of oil and gas wells. The invention provides for a downhole tool which: enters vertical or horizontal wells located adjacent to the oil and gas bearing formation, parts the casing and extends outward forming micro-boreholes necessary to remove residual oil and gas which remain in place. After the initial fluid production has been harvested, the invention can be employed on new or old wells and can operate in all conditions which wells encounter during the standard drilling process. The process of micro-holes can replace the process known as “fracking”. Fracking is being employed; however the process is being reviewed due to safety of human life. The invention employs special alloys and procedures to form the extended reach micro-boreholes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventor: Herman Joseph Schellstede
  • Patent number: 8662166
    Abstract: A bow-spring centralizer (6) includes bow springs (34), moving collars (20) secured to each end of each bow spring, and interlocked stop collars (10). Extendable collars (8) may each be formed of a moving collar (20) movably interlocked with a stop collar (10). The centralizer (6) may be formed from a tube cut using a laser to create two extendable collars coupled by bow springs. Each extendable collar may include heads (12) integrally formed on extensions (26) protruding from a collar (stop collar or moving collar). The heads may be generally rectangular, arrow, or teardrop-shaped head or some other shape. Each head may be slidably captured within a chamber (24) on the interlocked collar (moving collar or stop collar). The extensions of each interlocked tubular member define the outer walls of the chamber in which a head of the interlocked tubular member is slidably captured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Antelope Oil Tool & Mfg. Co., LLC
    Inventors: Jean Buytaert, Eugene Edward Miller, Jimmy Mack Young
  • Publication number: 20140041946
    Abstract: A device to couple to a rotatable drill pipe to control pressure of a drilling system is disclosed. The device includes an inner surface to wrap around a portion of a rotatable drill pipe and having an inner diameter. A first tapered portion is opposite a second tapered portion, with a middle portion therebetween including an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter. The first and second tapered portions each taper from the outer surface to the inner surface. The middle portion, the first tapered portion, and the second tapered portion form an outer surface to sealingly pass through a seal element of a controlled-pressure drilling system. At least a portion of the outer surface corresponding to the middle portion includes a low-friction material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventors: Keith E. Holtzman, Stuart Maxwell Jeffries, Phillip Floyd Clingman, Jack Ashbaugh
  • Publication number: 20140008057
    Abstract: A downhole device with compressive layer at the surface thereof. Such devices may be particularly well suited for survivability in the face of potentially long term exposure to a downhole environment. Techniques for forming protective compressive layers at the surfaces of such devices may include positioning devices within a chamber for bombardment by high frequency particles. As a manner of enhancing the compressive layer thickness and effectiveness, low temperature conditions may be applied to the device during the high frequency treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Indranil Roy, Manuel P. Marya, Rashmi Bhanulal Bhavsar, Chris Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 8622153
    Abstract: A downhole assembly for insertion into a borehole comprising an articulated mandrel, a passive and an active damping mechanism operating on said mandrel for exercising control over torsional stick-slip and further proposing an improvement over the prior art which diminishes lateral shock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Inventors: Stephen John McLoughlin, George Swietlik
  • Publication number: 20130292183
    Abstract: A centralizer includes a centralizer body to be situated at the outer surface of a pipe string in the form of casing, liner, or the like used while drilling, the centralizer body being formed with a plurality of outer centralizer blades arranged in an inclined manner to the longitudinal axis thereof, wherein the centralizer body has an separate split inner tube secured to the pipe string by means of a press fit, and low friction inner surface of the centralizer body and separate center tube facing each other are made from low friction material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: STATOIL PETROLEUM AS
    Inventors: Morten Eidem, Tore Weltzin, Gaute Grindhaug, Jafar Abdollahi
  • Publication number: 20130248254
    Abstract: A reamer for underground passageways made, for instance, for the installation of cables or pipelines to distribute services in a reticulated network. It includes a support housing having plural integral pairs of spaced-apart laterally extending support wings, wherein between each pair of support wing there is a longitudinally extending slot to receive a laterally extending cutting wing such that each cutting wing is captured between a respective pair of support wings. A stabilization ring comprising a circular sleeve supported by plural radial support pillars which extend from a central collar. Wherein, the cutting wings engage with the support housing to resist rearward longitudinal movement, with the support wings to resist torsional forces, and with the circular sleeve of the stabilization ring to resist radial movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: HARD METALS AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
    Inventor: Stephen Ainge
  • Publication number: 20130213711
    Abstract: An apparatus and method conducting downhole measurement operations in a borehole penetrating an earth formation. The apparatus may include a module configured to be conveyed in a borehole and to receive at least one device. The module may receive the device internally or in one or more recessed areas. A housing with at least one opening may encompass the exterior of the module. The apparatus may have a first position that allows access to the module through the at least one opening, and a second position that isolates the module from the exterior of the housing. The method may include conducting downhole measurement related operations using the apparatus. The method may include moving the housing and module between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ansgar Cartellieri, Gunnar Bothmann, Christopher Jakubeit, Detlev Benedict
  • Publication number: 20130168154
    Abstract: A horizontal directional drilling sonde housing has a cavity for receiving a sonde. Signal channels extend from the cavity to an exterior of the housing. A polymer lines at least part of the cavity and fills the signal channels. The drilling tool has a bit body and a drilling body. The two bodies have respective lateral surfaces which engage each other to prevent the transverse movement of the drilling body relative to the bit body during operations. The drill bit has a forward extending drill tooth, which drill tooth is removable from a bore. A spacer is located in the bore between the bottom end of the bore and the tooth. The drilling bit has buttons located on the side in a spiral configuration about a longitudinal axis of the bit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventor: Charles T. Webb
  • Patent number: 8443882
    Abstract: A tubular centralizer is secured to the tubular for run in. The profile for run in is small so that damage to the centralizer is minimized during run in. When the string is in position the centralizer is actuated to change shape or volume to engage the surrounding borehole to centralize the tubular for subsequent operations such as cementing or in the case of screens for gravel packing. The centralizer can be a shape memory material that is initially compressed at above its transition temperature to hold the smaller shape. At the desired location after run in it is brought above the transition temperature and changes back to the original shape or volume to centralize the tubular string. The structure can be spaced ring segments or a cohesive ring structure with an undulating profile or radiating blades to create flow spaces in the annulus where it is deployed for flow of a sealing material or gravel, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Jason J. Barnard, Donald N. Horner, Michael H. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20130098690
    Abstract: The present invention embodies a drill pipe in which various damaged sections of the pipe are repaired in order to maintain or improve the wear and buckle resistance of the drill pipe. The sections are strengthened using various hardening methods such as heat treatment processes and/or expansion techniques. A sleeve can also be applied to the strengthened portions. Surface enhancers, such as hardbanding, can be applied to the strengthened portions or the sleeve in order to provide abrasion resistance or to reduce friction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventors: Ghazi J. Hashem, David Brunnert, John W. Kochera, Mark Mitchell, Melissa A. Frilot, Thomas M. Redlinger
  • Patent number: 8397840
    Abstract: A wear band for a well drill pipe which is made up of a coil spring sized to fit at the joint of the well drill pipe or casing. The inner surface of the coil spring includes a textured coating such as a carbide. The outer surface includes a plurality of hydrodynamic dimples defined therein, and preferably both the outer surface and the inner surface are adapted to resist corrosion. The abrasive coating preferably consists essentially of 95% tungsten carbide and a binder of 5% cobalt and coats an amount of the inner surface in the range of 50% to 100%. The hydrodynamic dimples are generally tear drop in shape to act as miniature fluid pumps. As a result, the wear band can be mechanically attached to the drill pipe while eliminating the need for metallurgically-welded hardbands and therefore unaffecting the drill pipe properties and dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Reusable Wearbands, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph A. Downie, Bruce M. Warnes