Patents Assigned to Downhole Technology, LLC
  • Patent number: 11970922
    Abstract: The present disclosed technology relates to a downhole tool activation device, and a method of using the device, where the valve is configured to open when the counter device has moved an activation distance in an activation direction, a piston engaged with the counter device, having a wellbore pressure from a fluid source applied to a first side, and a pressure in a fluid reservoir applied to the second side, the piston configured to move a step distance in a first direction when the wellbore pressure exceeds the pressure in the fluid reservoir, and configured to move a step distance in an opposite direction driven solely by a greater pressure in the fluid reservoir than the wellbore pressure, and a flow restrictor in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir and fluid source, configured to restrict the flow of fluid between the fluid source to the fluid reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: NINE DOWNHOLE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Viggo Brandsdal, Geir Valestrand Aasheim
  • Patent number: 11946333
    Abstract: A downhole tool is configured on a wireline adapter kit in the run-in position is disclosed. The downhole tool comprises a large open bore when the downhole tool is set and the wireline adapter kit is removed, thereby allowing production to commence without removal of the downhole tool. The large bore diameter may be greater than 2 inches for a 4.5 inch casing, or greater than 2.5 inches for a 5.5 inch casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Nine Downhole Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald Roy Greenlee, Donald Jonathan Greenlee
  • Patent number: 11891878
    Abstract: A downhole temporary pressure isolation tool configured to withstand very high gas pressures at high temperatures may be achieved by a variety of configurations, processes, and techniques. In particular implementations, a barrier valve having one or more frangible discs configured to resist fluid flow in a particular specified duration. In some implementations, the barrier valve may achieve a V0 rating. In one embodiment, for example, a barrier valve may prevent the passage of fluid (i.e., gas and/or liquid) at 15,000 psi and a temperature of 400 degrees F. for at least 15 minutes. If the barrier valve has two frangible ceramic discs, it may prevent the passage of fluid from two directions for at least 15 minutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: NINE DOWNHOLE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: W. Lynn Frazier, Steven Bailey, Ronald Abt
  • Patent number: 11851960
    Abstract: An adaptive seat is run in with an isolating object to beyond a landing location for the adaptive seat. The adaptive seat is released to expand and engage the surrounding tubular. Pressure from below acts on the object and propels the object against the adaptive seat. The object and the adaptive seat move in the tubular to a nearby landing location such as a groove or recess in a sub that is part of the string or another location such as a tubular joint where the adaptive seat finds support. An upper portion of the borehole is isolated for a time from formation pressure to allow running in an ESP from the surface. The object is removed by degradation or from being structurally undermined and the ESP is operated to produce the formation. One or more removable barriers are contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: DISRUPTIVE DOWNHOLE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: John Murray Tough, Stephen L. Crow, Geoffrey Andrew Patton
  • Publication number: 20230358110
    Abstract: An adaptive seat is run in with an isolating object to beyond a landing location for the adaptive seat. The adaptive seat is released to expand and engage the surrounding tubular. Pressure from below acts on the object and propels the object against the adaptive seat. The object and the adaptive seat move in the tubular to a nearby landing location such as a groove or recess in a sub that is part of the string or another location such as a tubular joint where the adaptive seat finds support. An upper portion of the borehole is isolated for a time from formation pressure to allow running in an ESP from the surface. The object is removed by degradation or from being structurally undermined and the ESP is operated to produce the formation. One or more removable barriers are contemplated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: DISRUPTIVE DOWNHOLE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: John Murray Tough, Stephen L. Crow, Geoffrey Andrew Patton
  • Publication number: 20230349259
    Abstract: A compact downhole tool, such as a frac plug, may include a single frustoconical member and a single set of slips. The slips may further include an internal button that engages with the frustoconical member. Various elements in the downhole tool may be dissolvable or degradable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicant: Nine Downhole Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald Roy Greenlee, Donald Jonathan Greenlee
  • Patent number: 11761289
    Abstract: A shearable sleeve supports a disintegrable plug element in a pipe string, and may include a first portion including a first circumferential end surface, a seat for supporting the disintegrable plug element, a second portion including a second circumferential end surface, and a surface extending axially between the first and second circumferential end surfaces and formed with one or more radial protrusions adapted to shear off from the rest of the sleeve when being exposed to a predefined axial force, and one or more recesses for receiving one or more loading devices for initiating disintegration of the disintegrable plug element upon contact with the plug, wherein one or more radial protrusions is/are axially offset relative to the first circumferential end surface. A plug device, as well as a plug assembly in a pipe string, may include the shearable sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Nine Downhole Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Viggo Brandsdal
  • Publication number: 20230279732
    Abstract: A method of preparing a mounting location in a tubular disposed in a borehole features milling a support location and then releasing an adaptive support to position it in the mounting location directly or indirectly by releasing the adaptive support offset from the mounting location and then translating the adaptive support to the mounting location or directly into the support location without translating. A mill centralizing anchor compensates for internal out of roundness of the tubular. Uniformity of the wall thickness at the milling location is determined in conjunction with the centralizing feature to obtain a mounting location that extends circumferentially for as much as 360 degrees, without materially reducing the pressure integrity of the tubular being milled. The recess, groove or equivalent that is the mounting location can have planar or/and arcuate surfaces. The adaptive support can be released using stored potential energy in the adaptive support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Applicant: DISRUPTIVE DOWNHOLE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen L. Crow, Geoffrey Andrew Patton
  • Patent number: 11713649
    Abstract: A barrier plug assembly for sealing a subterranean wellbore is located inside a tubing and can comprise a frangible barrier element stacked on a carrier ring, a locking sleeve located above the carrier ring and located in a closed fluid chamber, a valve located on the closed fluid chamber and in pressure communication with the tubing, a retaining device configured for locking the a carrier ring in place, a crushing element located a distance below the frangible barrier element and configured for crushing the frangible barrier element. The valve can be configured for allowing or preventing fluid communication in between the tubing and the fluid chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Nine Downhole Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Viggo Brandsdal, Geir Valestrand Aasheim
  • Patent number: 11697975
    Abstract: A compact downhole tool, such as a frac plug, may include a single frustoconical member and a single set of slips. The slips may further include an internal button that engages with the frustoconical member. Various elements in the downhole tool may be dissolvable or degradable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Nine Downhole Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald Roy Greenlee, Donald Jonathan Greenlee
  • Publication number: 20230175333
    Abstract: An assembly of a setting tool in combination with a delivery tool for an adaptive support allows delivery of the adaptive support in a condition where it stores potential energy. Relative movement between a mandrel and a surrounding sleeve allows release of the adaptive support at a desired subterranean location. The relative movement to release the adaptive support comes from a setting tool that has a setting sleeve and a supporting connection to the mandrel of the delivery tool. The setting sleeve, when triggered to move by preferably an explosive charge, engages a piston rod assembly supported by the delivery tool mandrel for tandem movement to a mandrel travel stop. The tandem movement is regulated, preferably in the delivery tool, with regulation of fluid flow through a restriction to eliminate component failure due to high impact loads when the travel stop is engaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Applicant: DISRUPTIVE DOWNHOLE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen L. Crow, Geoffrey Andrew Patton
  • Publication number: 20230160303
    Abstract: A servo valve in a servo pulser used to restrict flow to a larger main valve includes external stops on a housing to define rotational starting/stopping points and sweep zones for a servo rotor having digits for contacting the stops. The digits extend longitudinally away from the servo valve seat and extend into the sweep zones. Interaction between the stops and the digits in the sweep zones limit rotation of the rotor to a swept arc between the stops. The servo pulser rotor oscillates between stopping points in alternating clockwise/counterclockwise sweeps. Each sweep in a given direction creates one full pulse: closed, open, and closed. The servo pulser carries out a feedback/decision loop between hydraulic pulses (and sweeps) that receives information on one or more previous pulses and calculates how fast or slow it should drive the servo rotor for the current pulse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2021
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Applicant: RIME Downhole Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert A Weber, Manoj Gopalan
  • Patent number: 11578559
    Abstract: A downhole temporary pressure isolation tool configured to withstand very high gas pressures at high temperatures may be achieved by a variety of configurations, processes, and techniques. In particular implementations, a barrier valve having one or more frangible discs configured to resist fluid flow in a particular specified duration. In some implementations, the barrier valve may achieve a V0 rating. In one embodiment, for example, a barrier valve may prevent the passage of fluid (i.e., gas and/or liquid) at 15,000 psi and a temperature of 400 degrees F. for at least 15 minutes. If the barrier valve has two frangible ceramic discs, it may prevent the passage of fluid from two directions for at least 15 minutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Nine Downhole Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: W. Lynn Frazier, Steven Bailey, Ronald Abt
  • Publication number: 20220356782
    Abstract: The present disclosed technology relates to a downhole tool activation device, and a method of using the device, where the valve is configured to open when the counter device has moved an activation distance in an activation direction, a piston engaged with the counter device, having a wellbore pressure from a fluid source applied to a first side, and a pressure in a fluid reservoir applied to the second side, the piston configured to move a step distance in a first direction when the wellbore pressure exceeds the pressure in the fluid reservoir, and configured to move a step distance in an opposite direction driven solely by a greater pressure in the fluid reservoir than the wellbore pressure, and a flow restrictor in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir and fluid source, configured to restrict the flow of fluid between the fluid source to the fluid reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Applicant: Nine Downhole Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Viggo Brandsdal, Geir Valestrand Aasheim
  • Patent number: 11473423
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for transmitting data to a downhole tool. The methods include the option of confirming receipt and implementation of the transmitted data by the downhole tool. The disclosed methods utilize changes in RPM of the tool to convey the data through three separate changes in RPM. The changes in RPM are used to generate pulses suitable for identifying preprogrammed actions found within the memory of the downhole tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Doublebarrel Downhole Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Curtis Lanning, Sassan Dehlavi, Jeff Kurthy
  • Patent number: 11459839
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a downhole tool having a plurality of turbulence-generating channels. Other aspects of the disclosure relate to downhole tools having one or more ports. Embodiments further include methods for connecting the downhole tool to a wireline system and performing a pump-down operation where the plurality of turbulence-generating channels of the downhole tool create turbulence in fluid being pumped around the downhole tool, creating a force on the downhole tool in a downhole direction. Embodiments further include methods where a component moving in the cavity of the downhole tool unseals the opening at the downhole end of the substantially cylindrical body; and pulling the downhole tool in an uphole direction in the wellbore, wherein fluid in the wellbore passes through the port, into the cavity, and out of the opening on the downhole end of the downhole tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Nine Downhole Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Donald Roy Greenlee
  • Patent number: 11371312
    Abstract: A downhole tool is configured on a wireline adapter kit in the run-in position is disclosed. The downhole tool comprises a large open bore when the downhole tool is set and the wireline adapter kit is removed, thereby allowing production to commence without removal of the downhole tool. The large bore diameter may be greater than 2 inches for a 4.5 inch casing, or greater than 2.5 inches for a 5.5 inch casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Nine Downhole Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald Roy Greenlee, Donald Jonathan Greenlee
  • Patent number: 11365600
    Abstract: A compact downhole tool, such as a frac plug, may include a single frustoconical member and a single set of slips. The slips may further include an internal button that engages with the frustoconical member. Various elements in the downhole tool may be dissolvable or degradable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Nine Downhole Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald Roy Greenlee, Donald Jonathan Greenlee
  • Patent number: 11149522
    Abstract: A barrier plug assembly for sealing a subterranean wellbore arranged inside a tubing, the barrier plug assembly comprising: at least one frangible barrier element stacked on a carrier ring; a locking sleeve arranged above the carrier ring and located in a closed fluid chamber; a valve arranged on the closed fluid chamber and in pressure communication with the tubing, the valve configured or allowing or preventing pressure communication in between the tubing and the fluid chamber; a retaining device configured for locking the a carrier ring in place; a crushing element arranged a distance below the one frangible barrier element and configured for crushing the at least one frangible barrier element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Nine Downhole Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Viggo Brandsdal, Geir Valestrand Aasheim
  • Patent number: 11111747
    Abstract: A delivery tool creates relative axial movement to retract a retaining sleeve from an adaptive seat so that the adaptive seat can release from the delivery tool and find support in a tubular string. The relative movement is created directly with a power charge acting on a piston attached to the retaining sleeve. Movement of the retaining sleeve releases support dogs that position the delivery tool when releasing the adaptive seat. The adaptive seat is protected for running in with a collapsible ring structure that passes through the adaptive seat opening when the delivery tool is pulled out of the hole. The retaining sleeve is replaced and the power charge is renewed to allow the delivery tool to be used more than once.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: DISRUPTIVE DOWNHOLE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen L. Crow