Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Guy McClung
  • Patent number: 6089323
    Abstract: A tractor system has been invented which, in certain embodiments, includes a body connected to the item, first setting means on the body for selectively and releasably anchoring the system in a bore, first movement means having a top and a bottom, the first movement means on the body for moving the body and the item, the first movement means having a first power stroke, and the tractor system for moving the item through the bore at a speed of at least 10 feet per minute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: CTES, L.C.
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Newman, Nelson A. Haver
  • Patent number: 6085470
    Abstract: The present invention discloses, in certain aspects, a building with a plurality of interconnected walls defining an interior space therebetween, at least one of said walls made of non-rigid material, a floor on which the walls are positioned, and a roof structure connected on top of the walls, the roof structure including a roof member, and a covering on the roof member, the covering comprising spray-on protective material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Inventor: William H. Bigelow
  • Patent number: 6082451
    Abstract: A new method for introducing wellbore cement into a wellbore shoe joint has been invented, the shoe joint having a hollow tubular body, the shoe joint containing an amount of wellbore fluid, the shoe joint disposed in a wellbore cementing system between a float shoe, guide shoe, or other flow apparatus beneath the shoe joint, and a hollow tubular member above the shoe joint, the hollow tubular member being a lower part of a wellbore tubular string of a plurality of tubular members (e.g., casing) extending from an earth surface down into a wellbore, the method including moving a wellbore wiper plug into the hollow tubular body of the shoe joint, moving the plug within the shoe joint to push wellbore fluid from the shoe joint and, in one aspect, debris in the fluid, the fluid flowing to the float shoe, guide shoe or other flow apparatus, flowing wellbore cement into the hollow tubular body of the shoe joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Giroux, Peter Budde, Erik Eriksen, Frederick T. Tilton
  • Patent number: 6082461
    Abstract: A tractor system for moving an item through a wellbore has been invented with a central mandrel interconnected with the item, first setting means about the central mandrel for selectively and releasably anchoring the system in a wellbore, the central mandrel having a top, and a bottom, and a first power thread therein, the first setting means having a first follower pin for engaging the first power thread to power the first setting means to set the first setting means against an inner wall of the bore. In one aspect, the tractor system is for moving the item through the bore at a speed of at least 10 feet per minute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: CTES, L.C.
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Newman, Nelson A. Haver
  • Patent number: 6082224
    Abstract: A new power tong for rotating tubular members for make-up (connection) and break-out (disconnection) operations. In one aspect such a tong has at least one movable jaw with a smooth surface gripping element thereon and pre-load apparatus for applying a pre-load force to a movable jaw so that the jaw does not slip on a tubular to be rotated and so it does not mark or damage the tubular. In one aspect the pre-load apparatus includes a first pre-load device at one end of a movable jaw for breakout operations and a second pre-load device at another end of the jaw for make-up operations. In one aspect a power tong which has unique smooth surfaced jaw inserts made, e.g., of aluminum. In one aspect a single pivotable pre-load cylinder, fixed to rotary, pivots for pivotable connection to one jaw or the other. This can be done manually or a powered smaller piston/cylinder may be used to pivot the pre-load cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary McDaniels, Patrick Cummings, Michael Hayes, Steven Albright, Bernd G. Pietras, Jorg Schulze-Beckinghausen, Andreas Carlsson
  • Patent number: 6076606
    Abstract: The present invention, in certain embodiments, discloses a whipstock system which is hydraulically settable in a tubular or wellbore and mechanically retrievable. In one aspect it is a "through-tubing" system. In certain aspects systems according to this invention have a concave to a lower end of which is secured an anchor housing bendable member, movable connection, or with an anchor body therein that is in fluid communication, via a flexible hose within the anchor housing, with a fluid channel running through the concave. An upper end of a mandrel is housed in a recess in the anchor body. The mandrel's lower end may extend out from the anchor housing. A setting slip is disposed below the anchor body within an opening in the anchor housing. A pusher sleeve below the slip is selectively displaced up by a piston below the pusher sleeve to push the slip out from the opening in the anchor housing to set against an interior of a tubular or of a wellbore. Fluid under pressure flows, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Bailey, Timothy L. Wilson, Dustin G. Howell
  • Patent number: 6073588
    Abstract: Methods have been invented for a person to throw one or more throwing plates that have thereon indicia such as letters, syumbols and/or numbers and, in one aspect, the method includes throwing a series of throwing plates with different colors and/or different indicia thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Inventors: Guy L. McClung, III, Charles H. VanNatter, III
  • Patent number: 6073699
    Abstract: A new elevator for use in wellbore operations has been invented which, in certain aspects, has a first body part, a second body part, the body parts together defining a interior opening through the elevator for accommodating a wellbore tubular therein, first hinge apparatus hingedly connecting the two body parts together and permitting the two body parts to be hingedly openable on a first side of the elevator, and second hinge apparatus disposed across from the first hinge apparatus, the second hinge apparatus hingedly connecting the two body parts together and permitting the two body parts to be hingedly openable on a second side of the elevator. In certain aspects such an elevator has at least one roller secured to an interior of at least one of the body parts to facilitate movement of a wellbore tubular with respect to the elevator, and inparticular aspects has a plurality of spaced apart rollers. In one such elevator the plurality of rollers is one or more rollers on each body part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: Jimmy L. Hollingsworth, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6070670
    Abstract: A wellbore motion control apparatus for controlling the motion of a tubular wellbore string (in one aspect with an additional item and/or apparatus connected thereto) in a wellbore extending from a surface down into the earth has been invented which has, in one aspect, a central mandrel connected to the tubular wellbore string, a housing with a hollow interior and fluid therein, at least one fluid passage apparatus disposable in the hollow interior and having a fluid flow channel extending therethrough, and the at least one fluid passage apparatus secured to the central mandrel, the housing surrounding the central mandrel, the at least one fluid passage apparatus disposed for movement in a chamber defined by an inner surface of the housing and an outer surface of the central mandrel, the at least one fluid passage apparatus positioned within the chamber so that fluid therein is flowable therethrough permitting movement of the fluid passage apparatus within the chamber and thereby controlling movement of the m
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Thurman B. Carter, Michael Luke, John D. Roberts
  • Patent number: 6070665
    Abstract: Wellbore liner apparatus has been invented which, in one aspect, includes at least one tubular member for lining at least part of a lateral wellbore extending from a primary wellbore in the earth, at least one coupling bushing connected to the at least one tubular member and disposed in the primary wellbore, the coupling bushing having a bore therethrough from a top to a bottom thereof. In one aspect, the wellbore liner apparatus has two coupling bushings and a first tubular member and a second tubular member, the first tubular member secured to and extending down from the first coupling bushing to the second coupling bushing which is secured thereto, the second tubular member secured to and extending down from the second coupling bushing, with part of the second tubular member lining the lateral wellbore. Such systems are combinable with a wellbore milling system so that communication between the primary wellbore and the interior of the liner may be reestablished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Teme Singleton, Andrew Berry, John D. Roberts, William Spielman, David M. Haugen, Thomas D. Bailey, William A. Blizzard, Mark Kuck, Guy L. McClung
  • Patent number: 6065536
    Abstract: A system for setting a liner in a well casing which has a liner, a liner hanger, a polished bore receptacle, a packer which can be actuated by applying downward pressure to the polished bore receptacle, a running tool, and a junk bonnet which extends between the polished bore receptacle and the running tool and inhibits the ingress of debris into the polished bore receptacle, the junk bonnet and the running tool provided with apparatus which, when the running tool is raised without removing the junket bonnet from the polished bore receptacle, the apparatus cooperate so that when the running tool is subsequently lowered downward force applied to the running tool will be applied to the polished bore receptacle to set the packer, wherein the apparatus comprises a lip which extends radially outwardly from the running tool, and a hook which is biased radially inwardly from the junk bonnet and including a ring which is disposed to restrict radial inward movement of the hook but which can be displaced by the lip to
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Tarald Gudmestad, Arthur Hrman Dybevik, Ole Sveinung Kvernsteun
  • Patent number: 6056060
    Abstract: A new joint compensator and systems with it and methods of their use have been invented which, in one aspect, includes a compensator system for compensating for the weight of at least one joint, which is a wellbore tubular member, the compensating system for use below a wellbore apparatus, the wellbore apparatus for supporting the at least one joint, the compensation system having a joint compensator suspended below the wellbore apparatus and connected thereto for selectively compensating for the weight of the at least one joint, a lower elevator suspended below and interconnected with the joint compensator for releasably holding the at least one joint, and a wellbore elevator connected to the wellbore apparatus for selectively supporting the joint compensator and the at least one joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Egill Abrahamsen, Stephen L. Albright, Jimmy L. Hollingsworth, Jr., Jean D. Bearb, Frederick M. Leicht, Michael Hayes, John Birdwell, Leendert Spreij
  • Patent number: 6056053
    Abstract: A new wellbore cementing system has been developed which includes, in certain embodiments, a plug container with a flow diverter for diverting a portion of flowing fluid away from plugs in the plug container; a plug set system with internal sleeves or dart receivers with shearable parts for shearing to selectively release plugs--all in certain embodiments made of non-metal material and/or plastic; a swivel equalizer with internal valving to isolate a plug set (or any other item) from torque and to relieve pressure below the swivel equalizer; and unique burst tube systems for selectively controlling fluid flow and plug system operation. In one aspect a plug nose is tapered to correspond to a taper of a landing ring so that wedge-locking of the nose and ring effects desired non-rotation of the plug during drilling. In one aspect plug fin bending is facilitated by reducing plug body thickness so that an alternate fluid flow path is provided for cementing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Giroux, Peter Budde
  • Patent number: 6053244
    Abstract: A tool can be released from a tool string in a wellbore by setting the tool and applying reverse torque to the tool string for an extended period. The release mechanism (200) comprises a latch (250) including a plurality of collects (253) which are held in a radially extended position to secure a tool "T" to the tool string. A first member (201) is connected to the tool string and to the latch (250). A second member (202) is connected to the latch. In use, after the tool is set reverse torque is applied to the first member (201) to rotate it relative to the second member (202) which is constrained against rotation by the action of the tool on the latch. When the first member (201) has rotated sufficiently the first and second members occupy a release position in which downward movement of the first member (201) relative to the second member (202) (which was previously blocked) is permitted. This movement releases the latch (250) and hence allows separation of the tool and the tool string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur Hrrman Dybevik, Tarald Gudmestad
  • Patent number: 6041862
    Abstract: A system and method for simultaneously installing a pipe loop and a grout pipe in a wellbore has been invented which, in one aspect, is used to grout the wellbore by releasing the grout pipe from the pipe loop or from a bottom member connected with the pipe loop and then introducing grout through the pipe into the wellbore as the grout pipe is removed upwardly from the wellbore. In one aspect the system has a curved member or members or a ball or part thereof at the bottom of the pipes to facilitate movement of the system through a wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Inventor: Thomas R. Amerman
  • Patent number: 6039118
    Abstract: A wellbore motion control apparatus for controlling the motion of a tubular wellbore string in a wellbore extending from a surface down into the earth and methods for using it. Such an apparatus, in one aspect, has a housing with a top end, a bottom end, and a hollow interior having an interior volume with fluid therein. There is at least one fluid passage apparatus having a top end and a bottom end and disposable in the hollow interior of the housing, the at least one fluid passage apparatus having a fluid flow channel extending therethrough from the top end to the bottom end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Thurman B. Carter, Michael A. Luke, John D. Roberts
  • Patent number: 6035939
    Abstract: The present invention, in certain embodiments, includes a whipstock system with a body having an upper concave and a lower end, anchor apparatus on the lower end of the body, the anchor apparatus having a movable member releasably connected to the lower end of the body, and movable radially with respect to the lower body, the lower end of the body and movable member initially occupying a first space with a first diameter, and the movable member and lower end of the body movable apart from each other to anchor the whipstock system in a wellbore tubular. In one aspect there is one or more toothed slips on the movable member for engaging an interior surface of the wellbore tubular in which the whipstock system is to be anchored. In one aspect such a system can be used "through tubing".
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: Thurman B. Carter
  • Patent number: 6032806
    Abstract: A screen is disclosed which, in certain aspects, has screening material between opposed frame sides and one or more lower strips beneath the screen. In one aspect these strips are only inteconnected via their ends and not along their lengths. In certain aspects, a plurality of lower strips are bonded to the screen and extend across the screen from one frame side to the other. In one aspect one or more of the strips has one, two, or more humps or ridges corresponding to one or more corrugations in a corrugated perforated plate and/or corrugated screen assembly which is on the plate or, with no plate present, on the strips. In another aspect instead of the strips a solid corrugated perforated plate is used. In one aspect openings or perforations through the plate are triangular. In one aspect the screen is undulating screening material and lower portions of the screening material are bonded to a plate or to strips. Optionally screen mounting hooks or frame edges or screen edges may be used with such screens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Tuboscope I/P, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent D. Leone, Thomas C. Adams, Jeffrey Walker, David L. Schulte, Jr., Charles N. Grichar, Kenneth W. Seyffert, Guy L. McClung, III
  • Patent number: 6032740
    Abstract: A wellbore mill system having a first mill with a main body with a top end and a bottom end, milling structure on the main body, and a hook portion projecting from the bottom end of the main body for supporting at least one member below the first mill, the hook portion having a lip. One such system has a whipstock having a top lug, the top lug resting on the lip of the hook portion of the first mill, the top lug having a hole therethrough, the hook portion of the main body of the first mill having a hole therethrough, a shear stud with a portion extending through the hole in the top lug and a portion extending through the hole in the hook portion thereby releasably securing the first mill to the whipstock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Schnitker, Andre N. Broussard, Jack Dunson, Patrick Williamson
  • Patent number: D425531
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Tuboscope I/P, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Largent, Kenneth W. Seyffert, Thomas C. Adams, David L. Schulte, Guy L. McClung