Patents Assigned to NCS Multistage Inc.
  • Patent number: 11168527
    Abstract: There is provided a downhole tool comprising a locator. The locator includes a wellbore coupler for becoming releasably retained relative to a locate profile; and a wellbore coupler release opposer configured for opposing release of the wellbore coupler from the retention relative to the locate profile. While the opposing of the release of the wellbore coupler from the retention relative to the locate profile is being effected by the wellbore coupler release opposer, relative displacement between the wellbore coupler release opposer and the wellbore coupler is effectible, with effect that the opposing is defeated. The locator also includes a displacement impeder for impeding the relative displacement between the wellbore coupler release opposer and the wellbore coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: NCS Multistage Inc.
    Inventors: Tim Johnson, Michael Werries
  • Patent number: 11131164
    Abstract: A flow control apparatus comprising: a housing, a housing passage disposed within the housing, a subterranean formation flow communicator for effecting flow communication between the subterranean formation and the housing passage, a flow control member, displaceable, relative to the subterranean formation flow communicator, for effecting at least opening of the subterranean formation flow communicator There is further provided a first actuation system for actuating displacement of the flow control member relative to the subterranean flow communicator. There is also provided a second actuation system for actuating displacement of the flow control member relative to the subterranean flow communicator. Relative to the central longitudinal axis of the housing passage, the first actuation system is angularly spaced from the second actuation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: NCS Multistage Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Werries, Lyle Laun, John Ravensbergen, Ramin Tajallipour, Brock Gillis, Roman Vakulin
  • Patent number: 11078753
    Abstract: A wellbore apparatus to control the flow of fluids into the wellbore, comprising: a housing; a passage disposed within the housing; a flow communicator for allowing communication into the passage; a flow control member; and frangible members releasably retaining the flow control member to the housing in a retained position, and configured, while the apparatus is disposed in an operative orientation, for becoming fractured in response to application of a force in a downhole direction to release the flow control member from the housing such that the flow control member becomes displaceable relative to the flow communicator; wherein: the flow communicator and the flow control member are configured such that, while the apparatus is disposed in the operative orientation within the wellbore, the flow control member is disposed uphole relative to the retained position while the flow communicator is disposed in the open condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: NCS Multistage Inc.
    Inventors: Michael John Werries, Rio Whyte, Dustin Ellis
  • Patent number: 11078745
    Abstract: There is provided a plurality of injection stations, wherein each one of the injection stations, independently, comprising: a housing; a port extending through the housing; a flow control member configured for displacement for effecting at least opening of the port such that, when the injection station is integrated within a wellbore string that is disposed within a wellbore of a subterranean formation, and treatment fluid is being supplied through a wellbore string passage of the wellbore string, injection of the supplied treatment fluid into the subterranean formation is effected through the port; and a deployable seat, mounted to the housing, and including an aperture, and configured such that, when the seat is deployed in a deployed position, the seat is configured for receiving a respective plug for seating of the respective plug over the aperture of the seat; such that a plurality of plugs are respective to the injection stations, wherein each one of the plugs is respective to a deployable seat of a one
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: NCS Multistage Inc.
    Inventors: Don Getzlaf, Tim Johnson, Brock Gillis
  • Publication number: 20210164343
    Abstract: A method of fault detection and recovery in a tubing string located in a hydrocarbon well, a method of fault protection in a tubing string located in a hydrocarbon well, and an apparatus and system for same. In one aspect, there is provided a method of fault detection and recovery in a tubing string located in a hydrocarbon well, the tubing string having a plurality of valves, each valve having a control unit, each control unit being connected in series to a power-line providing power and communication, each of the control units being independently controllable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Applicant: NCS MULTISTAGE INC.
    Inventors: Patrick WILLIAMSON, Ramin TAJALLIPOUR
  • Publication number: 20210140284
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods for producing hydrocarbon material from a subterranean formation using a displacement process are disclosed. In one aspect, there is provided a method of controlling hydrocarbon production of hydrocarbon material disposed within a subterranean formation by a displacement process via a plurality of flow communication stations of an injection well. Characteristics of a supplied production-initiating fluid are determined uphole of the flow communication stations for a plurality of states of the injection well, wherein in each of the states of the injection well a different subset of the flow communication stations are disposed in an opened condition and a different subset of the flow communication stations are disposed in a closed condition. Characteristics may be determined at the surface, for example, at the wellhead. A state of the injection well that optimizes one or more operating parameters is determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2021
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Applicant: NCS MULTISTAGE INC.
    Inventors: Marty STROMQUIST, John Edward RAVENSBERGEN, Lyle LAUN, Tim JOHNSON
  • Publication number: 20210095551
    Abstract: Oil recovery can include providing a tubing string and isolation devices to define isolated intervals for an existing well previously operated using plug-and-perf and primary production. Valve assemblies are installed in respective isolated intervals, each valve assembly including at least two valves. The valve can be operated in open and closed configurations, and at least one open configuration provides choked flow via an elongated passage. The valves can have a housing and a shiftable sleeve. The valve assemblies can be operated to provide a desired openness based on the injectivity or other properties by shifting the sleeves of the valves. Different flow resistance levels can be provided to facilitate enhanced operations for water flooding and other oil recovery processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Applicant: NCS MULTISTAGE INC.
    Inventors: Timothy JOHNSON, Michael WERRIES, Lyle LAUN
  • Patent number: 10927641
    Abstract: There is provided apparatuses of a flow communication station a flow control apparatus having a flow control member, and a shifting tool that is configured for coupling to the flow control member. While the shifting tool is coupled to the flow control member, application of a pressure differential across the shifting tool urges movement of the flow control member for effecting opening of a port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: NCS Multistage Inc.
    Inventor: John Ravensbergen
  • Patent number: 10927663
    Abstract: A method of fault detection and recovery in a tubing string located in a hydrocarbon well is described, the tubing string having a plurality of valves, each valve having a control unit, each control unit being connected in series to a power-line providing power and communication, each of the control units being independently controllable. The method includes: detecting a short circuit, fault or failure in one of the control units of the tubing string via an output of the power-line; causing individual control units to be selectively isolated from the power-line via a circuit interrupting device; and determining one or more control units associated with the short circuit, fault or failure via the output of the power-line while individual control units are selectively isolated from the power-line. A method of fault protection in a tubing string, and an apparatus and system for the same are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: NCS MULTISTAGE INC.
    Inventors: Patrick Williamson, Ramin Tajallipour
  • Patent number: 10927651
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods for producing hydrocarbon material from a subterranean formation using a displacement process are disclosed. In one aspect, there is provided a method of controlling hydrocarbon production of hydrocarbon material disposed within a subterranean formation by a displacement process via a plurality of flow communication stations of an injection well. Characteristics of a supplied production-initiating fluid are determined uphole of the flow communication stations for a plurality of states of the injection well, wherein in each of the states of the injection well a different subset of the flow communication stations are disposed in an opened condition and a different subset of the flow communication stations are disposed in a closed condition. Characteristics may be determined at the surface, for example, at the wellhead. A state of the injection well that optimizes one or more operating parameters is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: NCS MULTISTAGE INC.
    Inventors: Marty Stromquist, John Edward Ravensbergen, Lyle Laun, Tim Johnson
  • Patent number: 10883315
    Abstract: A rupture disc assembly and a float tool incorporating the rupture disc assembly is disclosed. The rupture disc assembly may include a rupture disc assembly comprising a rupture disc, an upper tubular portion and a lower tubular portion, and a securing mechanism for holding the rupture disc between the upper and lower tubular portions. A float tool for creating a buoyant chamber in a casing string may include the rupture disc assembly and a sealing device for sealing the lower end of the casing string, the buoyant, sealed chamber may be created there between. In operation, applied fluid pressure causes the rupture disc to move downward. The rupture disc may be shattered by contact with a surface on the lower tubular portion. Full casing internal diameter may be restored in the region where the rupture disc formerly sealed the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: NCS MULTISTAGE INC.
    Inventors: Donald Getzlaf, Marty Stromquist, John Ravensbergen, David Devlin, Douglas Braden, Travis Harris
  • Patent number: 10883314
    Abstract: A rupture disc assembly and a float tool incorporating the rupture disc assembly is disclosed. The rupture disc assembly may include a rupture disc assembly comprising a rupture disc, an upper tubular portion and a lower tubular portion, and a securing mechanism for holding the rupture disc between the upper and lower tubular portions. A float tool for creating a buoyant chamber in a casing string may include the rupture disc assembly and a sealing device for sealing the lower end of the casing string, the buoyant, sealed chamber may be created there between. In operation, applied fluid pressure causes the rupture disc to move downward. The rupture disc may be shattered by contact with a surface on the lower tubular portion. Full casing internal diameter may be restored in the region where the rupture disc formerly sealed the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: NCS MULTISTAGE INC.
    Inventors: Donald Getzlaf, Marty Stromquist, John Ravensbergen, David Devlin, Douglas Braden, Travis Harris
  • Publication number: 20200370397
    Abstract: A method of optimizing operation one or more tubing strings in a hydrocarbon well, apparatus and system for same. Each tubing string is located in a hydrocarbon well and has a plurality of valves. Each valve is actuatable between a fully open position and a fully closed position, and is in communication with a respective zone of a formation defining a reservoir containing hydrocarbon material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Applicant: NCS MULTISTAGE INC.
    Inventors: Masoud KALANTARI, Tim JOHNSON, Warren MACPHAIL, Lyle LAUN, John RAVENSBERGEN, Siamak ARBATANI
  • Patent number: 10808509
    Abstract: There is provided a flow control apparatus including a housing, a port, a flow control member, a sensor, and a trigger. The housing includes a housing passage. The port extends through the housing. The flow control member includes a fluid responsive surface, and is configured for displacement, relative to the port, such that fluid communication is effected between the port and the housing passage. The sensor is coupled to the housing for sensing an actuating signal. The trigger is configured for effecting fluid communication between the housing passage and the fluid responsive surface, in response to the sensing of an actuating signal by the sensor, for effecting displacement of the flow control member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: NCS Multistage Inc.
    Inventors: Don Getzlaf, John Ravensbergen, Brock Gillis
  • Patent number: 10787874
    Abstract: There is provided a process for stimulating hydrocarbon production from a subterranean formation, comprising: conducting stimulation material to the subterranean formation via a wellbore, wherein the stimulation material includes solid particulate material; within the wellbore, agitating the conducted stimulation material with a fluid motion-actuating tool, such as, for example, a coiled tubing agitator tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: NCS Multistage Inc.
    Inventor: Kurt Cooper
  • Patent number: 10781664
    Abstract: A downhole tool deployable within a wellbore for controlling the supply of treatment to fluid to a reservoir is disclosed. The downhole tool includes a housing defining a passage and a port extending through the housing. The housing includes a seat that is configured for displacement into a plug-receiving position for receiving a plug that is deployed through the passage. A key profile for effecting actuation of the seat to the plug-receiving position in response to registration of the key profile with a matching key on the plug being deployed through the passage is provided. The downhole tool further includes a flow control member configured for displacement relative to the port in response to application of a sufficient net force effected by a fluid pressure differential that is created by supplying pressurized fluid to the passage while the plug is deployed on the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: NCS Multistage Inc.
    Inventors: Don Getzlaf, John Edward Ravensbergen, Brock Gillis, Tim Johnson
  • Patent number: 10745987
    Abstract: There is provided a locator comprising a wellbore coupler including an engagement member that is biased by a biasing member for becoming disposed in a locating position within a locate profile within a wellbore, and a displacement impeding member for impeding displacement of the engagement member relative to the locate profile, while the engagement member is being supported by the displacement impeder, wherein the displacement is for effecting retraction of the engagement member from the locate profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: NCS Multistage Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Werries, Juan Montero
  • Patent number: 10689950
    Abstract: In one aspect, there is provided a flow control apparatus comprising a confirmation profile that is establishable, in response to completion of a wellbore operation that has changed a condition of the flow control apparatus, for releasably retaining an indicator tool that is being displaced within the wellbore via a workstring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: NCS Multistage Inc.
    Inventors: Tim Johnson, John Ravensbergen
  • Publication number: 20200190928
    Abstract: A rescue dart for deployment down a wellbore to dislodge a pre-set frac plug having a plug mandrel from within the wellbore is provided. The rescue dart includes a dart body adapted to be conveyed down the wellbore via fluid flow and a mandrel defeater connected to the dart body and operable to reduce structural integrity of a portion of the plug mandrel until structural failure of the plug mandrel occurs and the frac plug is unset and dislodged. A corresponding system is also provided. The system includes the rescue dart and a pump for pumping fluids down the wellbore. A method of dislodging a pre-set frac plug using the rescue dart is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Applicants: NCS MULTISTAGE, INC., NCS MULTISTAGE, LLC., REPEAT PRECISION, LLC.
    Inventors: James King, Clint Mickey, Brock Gillis, Patrick Williamson
  • Patent number: 10683730
    Abstract: A bottomhole assembly for deployment within a wellbore string disposed within a wellbore. The assembly comprises a first mandrel; a second mandrel including a locator for becoming disposed within a locate profile of the wellbore string; a shifting tool including a first gripper surface and a second gripper surfaces; a first shifting tool actuator and a second shifting tool actuator that are translatable with the first mandrel. The shifting tool is displaceable in response to urging by the first shifting tool actuator and the second shifting tool actuator to become disposed in gripping engagement with a flow control member. The second mandrel includes a retainer for limiting displacement of the shifting tool, relative to second mandrel, in both downhole and uphole directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: NCS Multistage Inc.
    Inventors: Tim Johnson, Don Getzlaf