Patents Represented by Attorney Michael W. Piper
  • Patent number: 8210270
    Abstract: A tool assembly is provided. The tool assembly comprises a drilling deflector and a completion deflector, the completion deflector coupled to the drilling deflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: William Shaun Renshaw, Rob McCullough
  • Patent number: 8161880
    Abstract: A detonator assembly is provided. The detonator assembly comprises a deflagration to detonation transition body, a first thermally stable secondary explosive contained by the body, and a bulkhead coupled to the deflagration to detonation transition body. The bulkhead contains pressure within the body associated with firing the detonator assembly at least until a transition from a deflagration operation mode of the detonator assembly to a detonation operation mode of the detonator assembly has occurred. A second thermally stable secondary explosive may alternatively be included in the deflagration to detonation transition body, either separated from the first thermally stable secondary explosive or mixed with the first thermally stable secondary explosive. The detonator assembly comprises effectively no primary explosive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Wuensche, James Barker, Gayle Moritz
  • Patent number: 8113119
    Abstract: An explosive tool is disclosed. The explosive tool comprises a body structure, a charge, a detonator to ignite the charge via propagation of thermal energy, a pressure actuated safety to prevent propagation of sufficient thermal energy to ignite the charge when the pressure actuated safety is subjected to a surface pressure and to not prevent propagation of sufficient thermal energy to ignite the charge when the pressure actuated safety is subjected to at least a predefined pressure threshold, and a temperature actuated safety to prevent propagation of sufficient thermal energy to ignite the charge when the temperature actuated safety is subjected to a surface temperature and to not prevent propagation of sufficient thermal energy to ignite the charge when the temperature actuated safety is subjected to at least a predefined temperature threshold. The charge, the detonator, the pressure actuated safety, and the temperature actuated safety are contained within the body structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald L. Crawford
  • Patent number: 8082993
    Abstract: A method of completing a wellbore is provided. The method comprises running in a screen, a gravel pack assembly comprising a flow diversion tool, and a completion string in a first trip. The method also comprises gravel packing the well and removing the flow diversion tool from the gravel pack assembly and from the completion string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: William S. Craig
  • Patent number: 8082999
    Abstract: A tool assembly is provided. The tool assembly comprises a drilling deflector and a completion deflector, the completion deflector coupled to the drilling deflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: William Shaun Renshaw, Rob McCullough
  • Patent number: 8006762
    Abstract: A downhole oilfield completion method comprises determining a surge profile for a wellbore and assembling a downhole completion tool having an interior surge volume and comprising a surge attenuation system operable to reduce a surge of the downhole completion tool based at least in part on the surge profile. The method also comprises running the downhole completion tool into the wellbore and surging the wellbore by admitting wellbore fluid into the interior surge volume, the surge reduced at least in part by the surge attenuation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Burleson, John H. Hales, Clinton C. Quattlebaum
  • Patent number: 7861784
    Abstract: A downhole oilfield completion method comprises determining a surge profile for a wellbore and assembling a downhole completion tool having an interior surge volume and comprising a surge attenuation system operable to reduce a surge of the downhole completion tool based at least in part on the surge profile. The method also comprises running the downhole completion tool into the wellbore and surging the wellbore by admitting wellbore fluid into the interior surge volume, the surge reduced at least in part by the surge attenuation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Burleson, John H. Hales, Clinton C. Quattlebaum
  • Patent number: 7416076
    Abstract: A system and method for a packaging system for the shipment of high explosive components is described. One or more explosive devices are positioned in a tubing assembly having opposed ends and a thick wall of relatively low-density fibrous material, e.g. rolled paper tube. An impact absorbing element is positioned at each end of the tube. The impact absorbing element may include an end cap positioned within each end of the tube, and a cushion formed of partial tubes and an end cap. The complete assembly is sized to fit and be held in position by a standard shipping container. Multiple perforating charges in a tubing assembly may face opposite sides of a charge divider. Shaped charges may have their concave openings filled with a jet interrupter, e.g. sand. Circular charges may include heat releasable fasteners, e.g. nylon screws, which allow the charges to separate in case of fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Barton, Antony F. Grattan, Thomas J. Wuensche
  • Patent number: 7363986
    Abstract: The present disclosure addressed apparatus and methods for forming an annular isolator in a borehole after installation of production tubing. Annular seal means are carried in or on production tubing as it is run into a borehole. In conjunction with expansion of the tubing, the seal is deployed to form an annular isolator. An inflatable element carried on the tubing may be inflated with a fluid carried in the tubing and forced into the inflatable element during expansion of the tubing. Reactive chemicals may be carried in the tubing and injected into the annulus to react with each other and ambient fluids to increase in volume and harden into an annular seal. An elastomeric sleeve, ring or band carried on the tubing may be expanded into contact with a borehole wall and may have its radial dimension increased in conjunction with tubing expansion to form an annular isolator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael M. Brezinski, Gregory B. Chitwood, Ralph H. Echols, Gary P. Funkhouser, John C. Gano, William D. Henderson, Marion D. Kilgore, Jody R. McGlothen, Ronald J. Powell, Alex Procyk, Thomas W. Ray, Michael W. Sanders, Roger L. Schultz, Robert S. Taylor, Bradley L. Todd, Cynthia Tuckness
  • Patent number: 7337840
    Abstract: A well completion assembly including apparatus for gravel packing and cementing in a single trip. An outer assembly comprises: a liner and screen; a valved gravel packing port; upper and lower valved cementing ports; and seal bores positioned below and above the gravel packing port and above and below the lower cementing port. An inner assembly includes: a crossover having an outer seal body and shifters to allow opening and closing of valves in the gravel packing and cementing ports. In one position, the crossover seal body mates with seal bores below and above the gravel packing port to allow flow of gravel packing slurry through the gravel packing port. In a second position, the crossover seal body mates with seal bores below and above the lower cementing port to allow flow of cement through the lower cementing port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew D. Penno
  • Patent number: 7234519
    Abstract: Thin flexible piezoelectric transducers are bonded to or imbedded into oilfield tubular members or structural members. The transducers may be used to telemeter data as acoustic waves through the members. By proper spacing of transducers and phasing of driving signals, the transmitted signals can be directionally enhanced or encoded to improve transmission efficiency. The transducers may be used for health monitoring of the tubular or structural members to detect cracks, delaminations, or other defects. The flexible transducers are very thin so that overall dimensions of tubular or structural members are essentially unchanged by incorporation of the transducers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Fripp, Roger L. Schultz, John P. Rodgers
  • Patent number: 7152687
    Abstract: A ported expandable tubing having an outer valve sleeve which closes the ports upon tubing expansion. An elastomeric sealing member may be carried between the tubing and the valve sleeve to improve closing of the ports. The elastomeric sealing member may be shaped and positioned to operate as a check valve before tubing expansion. Various fluids may be flowed from the ported tubing into a borehole, or from the borehole into the ported tubing, before tubing expansion. After expansion, the ports are closed by residual clamping forces between the sleeve and tubing. By applying sufficient internal pressure to overcome the clamping forces, fluids can be flowed from the tubing into the borehole after expansion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: John C. Gano
  • Patent number: 7038332
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a control system for selectively supplying electrical power in a remote environment. The system comprises a plurality of electrical circuits, each designed to operate over a unique frequency passband. Power transmitted within the frequency passband of a circuit is filtered through that circuit to power a corresponding remote device. One or more remote devices can be simultaneously powered by transmitting power within the frequency passbands of the corresponding circuits. It is advantageous to design relatively narrow passbands to accommodate a relatively large number of circuits and corresponding devices for remote operation and a triac, rectifier or other suitable turn-on gate can be incorporated into each circuit to effectively control the width of the frequency passband of each circuit. Alternatively, an operational amplifier could be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Clark E. Robison, Neal G. Skinner, John J. Goiffon, Charles M. Pool
  • Patent number: 7013977
    Abstract: A sealed perforating gun assembly for use with automatic pipe handling equipment on oil and gas drill rigs. An upper sealed connector and a lower sealed connector have sealed threaded connections for mating with ends of a perforating gun. The connectors have external dimensions equivalent to the external dimensions of standard drill pipe and have standard tapered thread couplings. Ignition transfer explosives are carried within cavities in the connectors. The cavities are sealed on their drill pipe coupling ends. The ignition transfer explosives are adapted to penetrate the seals so that ignition can be transferred between the gun assembly and adjacent sections of the gun string. Since the external dimensions of the sealed connectors correspond to the external dimensions of drill pipe, automatic drill pipe handling equipment can handle the gun assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Lars B. Nordaas
  • Patent number: 6918440
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure describes a test assembly including an inflatable packer. An internal control sleeve controls flow of drilling fluid through an inflation port to inflate and deflate the packer. A shifting tool run on a slick line moves the sleeve. The packer has one end attached to an external sliding sleeve which moves upon packer inflation to expose a formation fluid port through which formation testing is performed. After testing and packer deflation, a circulation port may be opened to recover produced fluids up the drill string. A second sleeve controls flow through the circulation port and is controlled by a second shifting tool run on slick line. Other embodiments include a circulation assembly with a sliding sleeve opened and closed by one shifting tool to control circulation and the sliding sleeve itself and its operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Virgilio Garcia-Soule, Timothy R. Carlson, Chuck MacPhail, Imre I. Gazda
  • Patent number: 6851471
    Abstract: A perforating gun assembly useful in hydrocarbon well completion. The gun is assembled in a carrier made from straight walled tubing as a primary structural member with complementary male and female threads cut into opposite ends so that gun assemblies may be directly connected together. The male coupling includes a reinforcing sleeve threaded into an internal thread. An alignment pin is positioned in the carrier extending through the reinforcing ring and into the interior of the carrier. A charge assembly includes a charge holder tube with upper and lower alignment fixtures. The lower alignment fixture includes an alignment slot for mating with the alignment pin and a shoulder for supporting the charge assembly on the sleeve. The upper alignment fixture has an alignment pin for mating with an alignment slot in the carrier. A retainer ring may be threaded into the upper female threads to prevent removal of the charge assembly from the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Darren R. Barlow, Dennis R. Crowdis, William J. Gilbert, Jr., Corbin S. Glenn
  • Patent number: 6817229
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for in-situ characterization of downhole fluids in a wellbore using ultrasonic acoustic signals. Measurements of the speed of sound, attenuation of the signal, and acoustic back-scattering are used to provide qualitative and quantitative data as to the composition, nature of solid particulates, compressibility, bubble point, and the oil/water ratio of the fluid. The tool generally comprises three sets of acoustic transducers mounted perpendicular to the direction of the flow. These transducers are capable of operating at different frequencies so that the spectrum of the acoustic signal can be optimized. The apparatus is capable of operating downhole to provide real time information as to conditions in the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Han, James R. Birchak, Bruce H. Storm, Jr., Thomas E. Ritter
  • Patent number: 6812811
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a control system for selectively supplying electrical power in a remote environment. The system comprises a plurality of electrical circuits, each designed to operate over a unique frequency passband. Power transmitted within the frequency passband of a circuit is filtered through that circuit to power a corresponding remote device. One or more remote devices can be simultaneously powered by transmitting power within the frequency passbands of the corresponding circuits. It is advantageous to design relatively narrow passbands to accommodate a relatively large number of circuits and corresponding devices for remote operation and a triac, rectifier or other suitable turn-on gate can be incorporated into each circuit to effectively control the width of the frequency passband of each circuit. Alternatively, an operational amplifier could be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Clark E. Robison, Neal G. Skinner, John J. Goiffon, Charles M. Pool
  • Patent number: 6807906
    Abstract: A zoned UV curing system for drying UV inks and coatings in printing presses. A plurality of linear UV lamps are spaced apart laterally across the travel path of substrates in a press. The axis of each lamp is aligned generally with the travel path, but may be slanted slightly so that every point on the travel path passes directly under at least one lamp. Power supply and control means allow selection of which lamps are powered, so that unneeded lamps may be turned off to save power. The power level of each lamp is variable. One transverse UV lamp may be placed upstream to initiate curing before substrates pass the zoned system. An IR heater may be placed upstream to preheat UV ink and coatings to enhance curing and to smooth coatings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Printing Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard W. DeMoore, Dan Cunningham, Howard C. Secor
  • Patent number: 6755245
    Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus for completing an unconsolidated subterranean zone penetrated by a well bore are provided. The methods basically comprise the steps of placing a slotted liner having an internal sand screen disposed therein in the zone, isolating the slotted liner and the well bore in the zone and injecting particulate material into the annuli between the sand screen and the slotted liner and the slotted liner and the well bore to thereby form packs of particulate material therein to prevent the migration of fines and sand with produced fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Ronald G. Dusterhoft