Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Marlin R. Smith
  • Sealed branch wellbore transition joint
    Patent number: 7213652
    Abstract: A sealed branch wellbore transition joint. In a described embodiment, a completion system for a well having a branch wellbore extending outwardly from a window in a parent wellbore includes a tubular string having a portion positioned within the window, and a sealing material on the tubular string portion. The sealing material swells in the well to thereby form a seal between the tubular string portion and the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Hepburn, Steven R. Fipke
  • Deep set safety valve
    Patent number: 7213653
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for actuation of downhole tools. In one example, a deep set safety valve uses a magnetic coupling which permits a portion of the safety valve at control line pressure to be isolated from tubing string internal pressure, without requiring the use of a dynamic seal therebetween. A piston of the safety valve may be displaced in response to a differential between control line pressure and pressure in an annulus surrounding the tubing string, pressure in another control line, or pressure in the tubing string. Other types of well tools may benefit from actuation using principles of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: James D. Vick, Jr.
  • Vibration based power generator
    Patent number: 7208845
    Abstract: A vibration based power generator. In a described embodiment, an electrical power generating system includes a vibrating assembly including a vortex shedding device which sheds vortices in response to fluid flow across the vibrating assembly. A generator generates electrical power in response to vibration of the vibrating assembly. The vortex shedding device sheds the vortices at a frequency which is substantially equal to a resonant frequency of the vibrating assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Masters, Brooks Radighieri, Marcel Huigsloot, Gert Muller, Andries Du Plessis, Marthinus Van Schoor, Matt Schaefer, Chris Ludlow
  • Expandable well screen having temporary sealing substance
    Patent number: 7204316
    Abstract: An expandable well screen having a temporary sealing substance. In a described embodiment, a method of installing a well screen in a subterranean well includes the steps of: providing the screen including a temporary sealing substance preventing fluid flow through a wall of the screen; positioning the screen in a wellbore of the well; expanding the screen in the wellbore; and degrading the sealing substance, thereby permitting fluid flow through the screen wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald G. Dusterhoft, Bradley L. Todd
  • Hydraulic control and actuation system for downhole tools
    Patent number: 7201230
    Abstract: A hydraulic control and actuation system for downhole tools. In a described embodiment, a hydraulic control and actuation system includes an internal chamber serving as a low pressure region and a well annulus serving as an energy source. A valve assembly provides selective fluid communication between alternating opposite sides of a piston and each of the energy source and low pressure region. Displacement of the piston operates a well tool. Operation of the valve assembly is controlled via telemetry between a remote location and an electronic circuit of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger L. Schultz, Melissa G. Allin, Paul D. Ringgenberg, Vincent P. Zeller, Tyler T. Trinh, Adam D. Wright, Donald G. Kyle
  • Vibration based power generator
    Patent number: 7199480
    Abstract: A vibration based power generator. In a described embodiment, an electrical power generating system includes a vibrating assembly which vibrates in response to fluid flow across the vibrating assembly. A generator generates electrical power in response to displacement of the vibrating assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Fripp, Robert K. Michael
  • Single phase fluid sampler systems and associated methods
    Patent number: 7197923
    Abstract: A single phase fluid sampler system and associated methods. A fluid sampling method includes the steps of: receiving a fluid sample into a sample chamber of a fluid sampler; pressurizing the fluid sample using a pressure source; and increasing pressure in the pressure source while the pressure source is in the well, thereby applying increased pressure to the fluid sample in the sample chamber. Another method includes the step of applying pressure to the well to thereby increase pressure in the pressure source, and to thereby increase pressure on the fluid sample. A fluid sampler system includes a fluid sampler with a sample chamber, a pressure source for pressurizing the sample chamber, and a device which operates to increase pressure in the pressure source while the fluid sampler is in the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam D. Wright, David Larimore, Roger L. Schultz, Timothy R. Carlson, Cyrus Irani
  • Gravel pack completion with fiber optic monitoring
    Patent number: 7191832
    Abstract: A gravel pack completion with fiber optic monitoring. In a described embodiment, a method for completing a subterranean well includes the steps of: positioning at least one assembly in a wellbore of the well; then inserting a portion of a tubular string into the assembly; and attaching a fiber optic line to the tubular string portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Tommy Grigsby, Bruce Techentien
  • Arrangement for and method of restricting the inflow of formation water to a well
    Patent number: 7185706
    Abstract: An arrangement for restricting the inflow of formation water from an underground formation to a hydrocarbon producing well, where, between the underground formation and a production tubing (38) located in the well, there is disposed at least one flow chamber (3, 33) connected to the production tubing (38), the flow chamber (3, 33), preferably via a filter (2) in one portion, being open to inflow of formation fluid and in communication with the production tubing (38) via at least one opening (7, 32), and where the flow chamber (3, 33) is provided with at least one free-floating body (4, 34) with approximately the same density as the formation water, the at least one body (4, 34) being designed by means of the closing of at least one opening (32) or choking, to reduce the inflow of formation water to the production tubing (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Rune Freyer
  • Single trip perforation/packing method
    Patent number: 7165611
    Abstract: A method for performing single trip perforation and packing operations via a downhole assembly in a cased well bore is described. The assembly is provided with an upper packer and a lower packer and has fluid communication established therethrough. The upper packer of the assembly is set to isolate a perforated production zone by introducing pressurized fluid through the assembly and against the casing below the lower packer of the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph Harold Jones
  • Downhole fiber optic wet connect and gravel pack completion
    Patent number: 7165892
    Abstract: A downhole fiber optic wet connect and gravel pack completion. In a described embodiment, a system for making fiber optic connections in a subterranean well includes a first fiber optic connector positioned in the well and a second fiber optic connector operatively connected to the first fiber optic connector after the first fiber optic connector is positioned in the well. A method of monitoring a subterranean well includes the steps of: positioning a fiber optic line in the well, the fiber optic line extending in a formation intersected by the well; positioning another fiber optic line in the well, the fiber optic line extending to a remote location; operatively connecting the fiber optic lines while the fiber optic lines are in the well; and monitoring a well parameter using a sensor operatively coupled to the fiber optic line extending in the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Tommy Grigsby, Bruce Techentien, David Henderson, Bryon Mullen
  • Fiber optic differential pressure sensor
    Patent number: 7159468
    Abstract: A fiber optic differential pressure sensor. In a described embodiment, a differential pressure sensor system for use in a subterranean well includes a fluid property sensing housing having a flow passage formed therethrough. A differential pressure sensor has an optical fiber extending in a wall having a first side and a second side, each of the first and second sides being exposed to pressure in the flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Neal G. Skinner, John R. Dennis, Donald H. Perkins
  • Multilateral completion system utilizing an alternate passage
    Patent number: 7159661
    Abstract: A multilateral completion system utilizing an alternate passage. In a described embodiment, a wellbore junction includes a first passage extending from a first opposite end to a second opposite end of the wellbore junction. A window is formed through a sidewall of the wellbore junction and provides fluid communication between the first passage and an exterior of the wellbore junction. A second passage is in communication with the first passage on a first side of the window, and in communication with the first passage on a second side of the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry L. Restarick, Jody R. McGlothen
  • Well packing
    Patent number: 7143832
    Abstract: Annular packer (2) arranged on the outside of a production tubing (4) said packer comprises a core (12) comprising elastic polymer swelling by absorption of hydrocarbons. The core (12) may be surrounded by an external mantle of rubber (10), which is permeable to hydrocarbons and may be equipped with a reinforcement (11). The core (12) swells by absorption of hydrocarbons and the packer (2) expands thus in order to seal the annular space (5) between the production tubing (4) and the well wall (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Jan Freyer
  • Expandable well screen
    Patent number: 7108062
    Abstract: An expandable well screen provides increased collapse, torsional and tensile strength. In a described embodiment, an expandable well screen includes a generally tubular base pipe and an external filtering media. The well screen is configured to have sufficient torsional and tensile strength for conveyance and positioning in a wellbore, while also having sufficient strength to prevent collapse when the screen is radially expanded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ana M. Castano-Mears, John C. Gano, Ralph H. Echols
  • Sealed multilateral junction system
    Patent number: 7090022
    Abstract: A sealed multilateral junction system provides fluid isolation between intersecting wellbores in a subterranean well. In a described embodiment, a method of forming a wellbore junction includes the steps of sealing a tubular string in a branch wellbore to a tubular structure in a parent wellbore. The tubular string may be secured to the tubular structure utilizing a flange which is larger in size than a window formed in the tubular structure. The flange may be sealed to the tubular structure about the window by a metal to metal seal or by adhering the flange to the tubular structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ray C. Smith, Terry A. Schroter
  • Methods of downhole testing subterranean formations and associated apparatus therefor
    Patent number: 7086463
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided which permit well testing operations to be performed downhole in a subterranean well. In various described methods, fluids flowed from a formation during a test may be disposed of downhole by injecting the fluids into the formation from which they were produced, or by injecting the fluids into another formation. In several of the embodiments of the invention, apparatus utilized in the methods permit convenient retrieval of samples of the formation fluids and provide enhanced data acquisition for monitoring of the test and for evaluation of the formation fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul David Ringgenberg, Mark Anton Proett, Michael T. Pelletier, Michael L. Hinz, Gregory N. Gilbert, Harold Wayne Nivens, Mehdi Azari
  • Methods of downhole testing subterranean formations and associated apparatus therefor
    Patent number: 7073579
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided which permit well testing operations to be performed downhole in a subterranean well. In various described methods, fluids flowed from a formation during a test may be disposed of downhole by injecting the fluids into the formation from which they were produced, or by injecting the fluids into another formation. In several of the embodiments of the invention, apparatus utilized in the methods permit convenient retrieval of samples of the formation fluids and provide enhanced data acquisition for monitoring of the test and for evaluation of the formation fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul David Ringgenberg, Mark Anton Proett, Michael T. Pelletier, Michael L. Hinz, Gregory N. Gilbert, Harold Wayne Nivens, Mehdi Azari
  • Sealed multilateral junction system
    Patent number: 7073600
    Abstract: A sealed multilateral junction system provides fluid isolation between intersecting wellbores in a subterranean well. In a described embodiment, a method of forming a wellbore junction includes the steps of sealing a tubular string in a branch wellbore to a tubular structure in a parent wellbore. The tubular string may be secured to the tubular structure utilizing a flange which is larger in size than a window formed in the tubular structure. The flange may be sealed to the tubular structure about the window by a metal to metal seal or by adhering the flange to the tubular structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ray C. Smith, Terry A. Schroter
  • Production fluid control device and method for oil and/or gas wells
    Patent number: RE39209
    Abstract: A device and method for selectively controlling the flow of production fluid through a tubing string in an oil and gas well according to which a housing is connected to a tubing string for insertion into the well, and well fluid is passed from the ground surface into the housing. The housing is provided with a plug to establish well fluid pressure in the housing to actuate a packer and/or other ancillary devices. The plug can be removed from the hosing by increasing the pressure of the well fluid in the housing above a predetermined value, thus permitting the flow of production fluid from the formation zone, through the housing and the tubing string, and to the ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: John A. Barton