Patents Assigned to Pilot DRilling Control Limited
  • Patent number: 9677376
    Abstract: A flow stop valve positionable in a downhole tubular, and a method, in which the flow stop valve is in a closed position when a pressure difference between fluid outside the downhole tubular and inside the downhole tubular at the flow stop valve is below a threshold value, thereby preventing flow through the downhole tubular. The flow stop valve is in an open position when the pressure difference between fluid outside the downhole tubular and inside the downhole tubular at the flow stop valve is above a threshold value, hereby permitting flow through the downhole tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: PILOT DRILLING CONTROL LIMITED
    Inventors: George Swietlik, Robert Large
  • Patent number: 9347286
    Abstract: A flow stop valve (200, 300, 400) for placement in a downhole tubular operating in a dual fluid density system, wherein the flow stop valve is arranged such that it is in communication with a pressure difference between one of: fluid outside the downhole tubular and inside the downhole tubular at the flow stop valve; and fluid above and below the flow stop valve inside the downhole tubular, wherein the flow stop valve comprises a first valve element (226?, 326?, 424) arranged such that the pressure difference acts across at least a portion of the first valve element and that the first valve element is movable between open and closed positions under action of said pressure difference so as to selectively permit flow through the downhole tubular, wherein the first valve element comprises a first passage (212, 312, 446) arranged so as to transmit fluid from a first port (213, 313, 447) in a first side of the first valve element to a second side of the first valve element, the first port being positioned such tha
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: PILOT DRILLING CONTROL LIMITED
    Inventors: George Swietlik, Robert Large, Peter Ryan Morris
  • Patent number: 8776887
    Abstract: A flow stop valve positionable in a downhole tubular, and a method. The flow stop valve is in a closed position when a pressure difference between fluid outside the downhole tubular and inside the downhole tubular at the flow stop valve is between a threshold value, thereby preventing flow through the downhole tubular. The flow stop valve is in an open position when the pressure difference between fluid outside the downhole tubular and inside the downhole tubular at the flow stop valve is above a threshold value, thereby permitting flow through the downhole tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Pilot Drilling Control Limited
    Inventors: Swietlik George, Large Robert
  • Patent number: 8752630
    Abstract: A flow stop valve (20) positionable in a downhole tubular (6), and a method, are provided. The flow stop valve (20) is in a closed position when a pressure difference between fluid outside the downhole tubular (6) and inside the downhole tubular (6) at the flow stop valve (20) is below a threshold value, thereby preventing flow through the downhole tubular. The flow stop valve (20) is in an open position when the pressure difference between fluid outside the downhole tubular (6) and inside the downhole tubular (6) at the flow stop valve (20) is above a threshold value, thereby permitting flow through the downhole tubular (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Pilot Drilling Control Limited
    Inventors: George Swietlik, Robert Large
  • Patent number: 8590629
    Abstract: A flow stop valve positioned in a downhole tubular, particularly a flow stop valve which may be used with a dual density fluid in deep sea drilling or cementing application. The flow stop valve includes a housing and first and second receiving portions attached to first and second ends of the housing. A flow through the valve is selectively permitted between the housing and the first and second receiving portions. A valve element, such as a spindle, is slidably received in the first and second receiving portions. The valve element and housing together form a valve to selectively prevent flow through the flow stop valve. A first end face of the valve element and the first receiving portion define a first chamber and a second end face of the valve element and the second receiving portion define a second chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Pilot Drilling Control Limited
    Inventors: George Swietlik, Robert Large
  • Publication number: 20130220634
    Abstract: A flow stop valve (20) positionable in a downhole tubular (6), and a method, are provided. The flow stop valve (20) is in a closed position when a pressure difference between fluid outside the downhole tubular (6) and inside the downhole tubular (6) at the flow stop valve (20) is below a threshold value, thereby preventing flow through the downhole tubular. The flow stop valve (20) is in an open position when the pressure difference between fluid outside the downhole tubular (6) and inside the downhole tubular (6) at the flow stop valve (20) is above a threshold value, thereby permitting flow through the downhole tubular (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: PILOT DRILLING CONTROL LIMITED
    Inventor: Pilot Drilling Control Limited
  • Patent number: 8381823
    Abstract: A downhole tubular connector comprising a first body portion and a seal provided on the first body portion, the seal being adapted to selectively provide a seal with a downhole tubular, the downhole tubular connector further comprises a seal protector, wherein one of the seal protector and seal is movable with respect to the other of the seal protector and seal, the seal protector or seal being movable from a first position, in which at least a portion of the seal is protected by a first end of the seal protector, to a second position, in which the portion of the seal is exposed. The seal protector may be disposed so as to be movable from the first position to the second position by contact of the sleeve with the downhole tubular as the downhole tubular connector is brought into engagement with the downhole tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Pilot Drilling Control Limited
    Inventors: George Swietlik, Robert Large
  • Publication number: 20130043045
    Abstract: A flow slop valve (20) positioned in a downhole tubular (6), wherein: the flow slop valve (20) is in a closed position when a pressure difference between fluid outside the downhole tubular (6) and inside the downhole tubular (6) at the flow stop valve (20) is below a threshold value, thereby preventing flow through the downhole tubular; and the flow stop valve (20) is in an open position when the pressure difference between fluid outside the downhole tubular (6) and inside the downhole tubular (6) at the flow stop valve (20) is above a threshold value, thereby permitting flow through the downhole tubular (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: PILOT DRILLING CONTROL LIMITED
    Inventors: SWIETLIK George, LARGE Robert
  • Patent number: 8316930
    Abstract: A hydraulic connector to provide a fluidic connection between a fluid supply and a downhole tubular, the connector comprising: a body; an engagement assembly comprising an extendable portion selectively extendable from the body, the engagement assembly being configured to extend and retract a seal assembly disposed at a distal end of the extendable portion into and from a proximal end of the downhole tubular; and a valve assembly operable between an open position and a closed position, the valve assembly being configured to: allow a fluid to communicate between the fluid supply and the downhole tubular through the seal assembly when in the open position; and prevent fluid communication between the fluid supply and the downhole tubular when in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignees: Pilot Drilling Control Limited, Frank's International, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Clubb, Dougal Hugo Brown, Alan Payne, Stuart Card, George Swietlik, Robert Large, Burney J. Latiolais
  • Publication number: 20120227982
    Abstract: A flow stop valve (200, 300, 400) for placement in a downhole tubular operating in a dual fluid density system, wherein the flow stop valve is arranged such that it is in communication with a pressure difference between one of: fluid outside the downhole tubular and inside the downhole tubular at the flow stop valve; and fluid above and below the flow stop valve inside the downhole tubular, wherein the flow stop valve comprises a first valve element (226?, 326?, 424) arranged such that the pressure difference acts across at least a portion of the first valve element and that the first valve element is movable between open and closed positions under action of said pressure difference so as to selectively permit flow through the downhole tubular, wherein the first valve element comprises a first passage (212, 312, 446) arranged so as to transmit fluid from a first port (213, 313, 447) in a first side of the first valve element to a second side of the first valve element, the first port being positioned such tha
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: PILOT DRILLING CONTROL LIMITED
    Inventors: George Swietlik, Robert Large, Peter Ryan Morris
  • Patent number: 8047278
    Abstract: A method to connect a lifting assembly to a bore of a downhole tubular includes providing a communication tool to a distal end of the lifting assembly, the communication tool comprising a body assembly, an engagement assembly, a valve assembly and a seal assembly, sealingly engaging a first portion of the seal assembly in the bore of the downhole tubular, selectively permitting fluid to flow between the lifting assembly and the downhole tubular with the valve assembly, and disengaging the first portion of the seal assembly from the bore of the downhole tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Pilot Drilling Control Limited
    Inventors: George Swietlik, Burney J. Latiolais, Jr., Robert Large
  • Patent number: 8006753
    Abstract: A tool to direct a fluids from a lifting assembly and a bore of a downhole tubular includes an engagement assembly configured to selectively extend and retract a seal assembly disposed at a distal end of the tool into and from a proximal end of the downhole tubular and a valve assembly operable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the valve assembly is configured to allow fluids from the lifting assembly to enter the downhole tubular through the seal assembly when in the closed position and wherein the valve assembly is configured to allow fluids from the downhole tubular to be diverted from the lifting assembly when in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Pilot Drilling Control Limited
    Inventors: George Swietlik, Robert Large
  • Patent number: 8002028
    Abstract: A hydraulic connector to provide a fluid tight connection between a fluid supply and a downhole tubular includes an engagement assembly configured to extend and retract a seal assembly disposed at a distal end of the hydraulic connector into and from a proximal end of the downhole tubular, and a valve assembly operable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the valve assembly is configured to allow the fluids to communicate between the fluid supply and the downhole tubular through the seal assembly when in the open position, and wherein the valve assembly is configured to prevent fluid communication between the fluid supply and the downhole tubular when closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Pilot Drilling Control Limited
    Inventors: George Swietlik, Robert Large
  • Publication number: 20110192612
    Abstract: The controller comprises housing (2) within which located is an inner mandrel (4), which is biased in an upward direction by spring (16). Balls (10) in ducts (8) are locking the inner mandrel to housing (2). At a lower end of mandrel (4) are a plurality of ports (18) which may be aligned with a set of outer ports (22). When ports (18) are to be aligned with ports (22), the drill string is rotated, generating a centrifugal force which forces balls (10) radially along ducts (8), thereby unlocking inner mandrel from outer housing. Pressure is then applied to inner duct (7), creating a pressure difference across choke (6). Under sufficient pressure, the force created is sufficient to overcome the resistive force created by spring (16), and thus the inner mandrel translates axially to bring ports (18) in alignment with ports (22), through which some or all of the drilling fluid may flow, bypassing the rest of the drill string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: PILOT DRILLING CONTROL LIMITED
    Inventor: George Swietlik
  • Publication number: 20110036591
    Abstract: A flow stop valve (20) positioned in a downhole tubular (6), wherein: the flow stop valve (20) is in a closed position when a pressure difference between fluid outside the downhole tubular (6) and inside the downhole tubular (6) at the flow stop valve (20) is below a threshold value, thereby preventing flow through the downhole tubular; and the flow stop valve (20) is in an open position when the pressure difference between fluid outside the downhole tubular (6) and inside the downhole tubular (6) at the flow stop valve (20) is above a threshold value, thereby permitting flow through the downhole tubular (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: PILOT DRILLING CONTROL LIMITED
    Inventors: Swietlik George, Large Robert
  • Publication number: 20100326731
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a downhole tool and a method to abate vibration with the downhole tool. The downhole tool may include a first stabilizing member, a second stabilizing member, a flexible member, and/or a dampening member, in which the downhole tool may be disposed downhole within a wellbore. The flexible member may enable the first stabilizing member and the second stabilizing member to articulate with respect to an axis of the downhole tool. The dampening member may enable vibration received by the downhole tool to be dampened. Further, the first stabilizing member and the second stabilizing member may be rotatable with respect to each other about the axis of the downhole tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: PILOT DRILLING CONTROL LIMITED
    Inventors: George Swietlik, Burney J. Latiolais, JR., Thomas G. Roesner
  • Publication number: 20100206584
    Abstract: A hydraulic connector to provide a fluidic connection between a fluid supply and a downhole tubular, the connector comprising: a body; an engagement assembly comprising an extendable portion selectively extendable from the body, the engagement assembly being configured to extend and retract a seal assembly disposed at a distal end of the extendable portion into and from a proximal end of the downhole tubular; and a valve assembly operable between an open position and a closed position, the valve assembly being configured to: allow a fluid to communicate between the fluid supply and the downhole tubular through the seal assembly when in the open position; and prevent fluid communication between the fluid supply and the downhole tubular when in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicants: PILOT DRILLING CONTROL LIMITED, FRANK'S INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew Clubb, Dougal Hugo Brown, Alan Payne, Stuart Card, George Swietlik, Robert Large, Burney J. Latiolais
  • Publication number: 20100206583
    Abstract: A downhole tubular connector comprising a first body portion and a seal provided on the first body portion, the seal being adapted to selectively provide a seal with a downhole tubular, the downhole tubular connector further comprises a seal protector, wherein one of the seal protector and seal is movable with respect to the other of the seal protector and seal, the seal protector or seal being movable from a first position, in which at least a portion of the seal is protected by a first end of the seal protector, to a second position, in which the portion of the seal is exposed. The seal protector may be disposed so as to be movable from the first position to the second position by contact of the sleeve with the downhole tubular as the downhole tubular connector is brought into engagement with the downhole tubular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: PILOT DRILLING CONTROL LIMITED
    Inventors: George Swietlik, Robert Large
  • Patent number: 7690422
    Abstract: A connector (10) which provides a fluid tight connection between a fluid supply and a drill-string (4), the connector (10) comprising a piston-rod (20) and a cylinder (15), the piston-rod (20) having a seal at or towards its free end which is adapted to sealingly engage the drill-string (4) when the piston-rod (20) is at least partially extended from the cylinder (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Pilot Drilling Control Limited
    Inventors: George Swietlik, Robert Large
  • Publication number: 20090205837
    Abstract: A hydraulic connector to provide a fluid tight connection between a fluid supply and a downhole tubular includes an engagement assembly configured to extend and retract a seal assembly disposed at a distal end of the hydraulic connector into and from a proximal end of the downhole tubular, and a valve assembly operable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the valve assembly is configured to allow the fluids to communicate between the fluid supply and the downhole tubular through the seal assembly when in the open position, and wherein the valve assembly is configured to prevent fluid communication between the fluid supply and the downhole tubular when closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicants: Frank's International, Inc., Pilot Drilling Control Limited
    Inventors: George Swietlik, Robert Large