Patents Assigned to Swellfix UK Limited
  • Patent number: 11536120
    Abstract: Described is a flow control device comprising a body locatable with a tubular and a flow regulator, housed within the body. The flow regulator defines a flow path through the body to accommodate flow between internal and external locations of a tubular in use. The flow regulator comprises a valve arrangement forming part of the flow path, and a biasing mechanism configured to urge the valve arrangement towards an open configuration from a restricted configuration in which fluid flow though the flow path is restricted. The biasing mechanism and the flow path through the flow control device are configured such that a differential pressure acting across the flow regulator, in excess of a particular threshold, moves the valve arrangement from the open configuration towards the restricted configuration in order to limit flow through the flow control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: SWELLFIX UK LIMITED
    Inventors: James Anderson, Annabel Green
  • Patent number: 11459853
    Abstract: A downhole flow control device is described having a flow control valve and a sensor communication with the flow control valve. The sensor measures a downstream process parameter and the flow control valve is configured to control the fluid flow through the valve to achieve a target downstream process parameter value in response to the measured downstream process parameter. A control system for controlling the downhole flow control device and a method for controlling the downhole flow device are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Swellfix UK Limited
    Inventors: Annabel Green, John Hunter, Clint Frost
  • Publication number: 20220220832
    Abstract: A downhole expandable apparatus for restricting ingress of solids in a wellbore comprises a base pipe, a fluid permeable expandable foam material mounted on the base pipe configurable between a non-expanded and an expanded configuration, and a retractable sleeve. The retractable sleeve is moveable between a first configuration in which the retractable sleeve retains the expandable foam material in the non-expanded configuration, and a second configuration in which the retractable sleeve is retracted to provide a free portion of the expandable foam material. The expandable foam material is permitted to radially expand towards the expanded configuration and into engagement with a surface in the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Applicant: Swellfix UK Limited
    Inventors: Eilidh Jean MCKAY, Duncan Alexander HARPER
  • Patent number: 11286751
    Abstract: A power source system including a plurality of cells. The power source system uses electrical charge or current generated by a reaction in at least one of the cells to provide at least one operating material to at least one other of the cells. Optionally, the power source system uses the electrical charge generated by the reaction in the at least one of the cells to provide the at least one operating material to the at least one other of the cells only when the state of charge of the at least one of the cells is equal to or below a threshold or when the use of the cell is equal to or above a threshold. Optionally, in an initial or non-operational state, one or more or each of the cells is dry or without the at least one operating material and the power source system is configured to selectively switch at least one of the plurality of cells from the non-operational state to an operational state by providing the at least one operating material to the at least one cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: SWELLFIX UK LIMITED
    Inventors: John Hunter, Anthony Wilson, Matthew Ramsey Thorpe, Joyce Ann Rosie
  • Patent number: 11261709
    Abstract: A downhole gravel packing apparatus, comprising: a tubular assembly for being arranged within a wellbore to define an annulus between said tubular assembly and a wall of the wellbore; and a control valve provided within the tubular assembly to control flow of a gravel pack carrier fluid between external and internal regions of the tubular assembly, the control valve comprising a fluid reactant arrangement which reacts with a first fluid to reconfigure the control valve from a first configuration in which flow through the control valve is permitted during a gravel packing operation, and a second configuration in which flow through the control valve is restricted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Swellfix UK Limited
    Inventors: Annabel Green, Oliver Webster
  • Patent number: 11230910
    Abstract: A downhole flow control device comprises a body locatable within a wall of a tubular, wherein the body defines a flow path therethrough to accommodate flow in reverse first and second directions between internal and external locations of the tubular in use. The downhole flow control device further comprises a regulator member mounted within the body and being moveable between first and second positions in accordance with flow direction through the body. The regulator member is locatable in the first position during flow through the body in the first direction to provide a first restriction to flow. The regulator member is locatable in the second position during flow through the body in the second direction to provide a second restriction to flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: SWELLFIX UK LIMITED
    Inventors: Ismarullizam Mohd Ismail, Annabel Green, Oliver Webster, Damien Gerard Patton, Stephen Garden
  • Patent number: 11220905
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling water production in a wellbore comprises a body in the form of a base pipe, the base pipe having an axial flow passage in the form of axial throughbore and a lateral flow passage in the form of radial port. A shroud is disposed around the base pipe and forms a housing of the apparatus. In use, the apparatus forms part of a completion string for location in the wellbore, the apparatus configured to direct production fluid into a production conduit for recovery to surface, perform a quantitative measurement of water content within the production fluid, and vary the fluid flow in the fluid flow path based on the quantitative measurement of water content within the production fluid to maintain water production at or below a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Swellfix UK Limited
    Inventors: John Hunter, Anthony Wilson
  • Publication number: 20210262326
    Abstract: Described is a flow control device comprising a body locatable with a tubular and a flow regulator, housed within the body. The flow regulator defines a flow path through the body to accommodate flow between internal and external locations of a tubular in use. The flow regulator comprises a valve arrangement forming part of the flow path, and a biasing mechanism configured to urge the valve arrangement towards an open configuration from a restricted configuration in which fluid flow though the flow path is restricted. The biasing mechanism and the flow path through the flow control device are configured such that a differential pressure acting across the flow regulator, in excess of a particular threshold, moves the valve arrangement from the open configuration towards the restricted configuration in order to limit flow through the flow control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Applicant: Swellfix UK Limited
    Inventors: James ANDERSON, Annabel GREEN
  • Patent number: 11035224
    Abstract: There are described data system (200), devices and methods for use with well infrastructure (100). For example, such well infrastructure (100) may include oil and gas well structures, pipeline structures, and the like (110, 120, 130). In particular, there are described data systems (200), etc., for using data associated with monitored conditions at such well infrastructure (100). Such data systems (200) may comprise a data-storage facility (210) having stored data records associated with particular well infrastructures (100) (e.g. productions wells). The data system (200) may have one or more remote sensor devices (150) (e.g. gauges or distributed sensors) configured to monitor conditions at particular well infrastructures (100), and to collect condition data corresponding to those conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: SWELLFIX UK LIMITED
    Inventors: Iko Oguche, Andy Nelson, Adam Edwards
  • Publication number: 20210148197
    Abstract: A downhole gravel packing apparatus, comprising: a tubular assembly for being arranged within a wellbore to define an annulus between said tubular assembly and a wall of the wellbore; and a control valve provided within the tubular assembly to control flow of a gravel pack carrier fluid between external and internal regions of the tubular assembly, the control valve comprising a fluid reactant arrangement which reacts with a first fluid to reconfigure the control valve from a first configuration in which flow through the control valve is permitted during a gravel packing operation, and a second configuration in which flow through the control valve is restricted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Applicant: Swellfix UK Limited
    Inventors: Annabel GREEN, Oliver WEBSTER
  • Patent number: 10968720
    Abstract: There are described downhole devices, methods and other apparatus, which may be used to generate energy, monitor fluids and/or provide control signals or otherwise trigger for actuation. The devices, methods, etc. may provide improved autonomy and/or accuracy, while at the same time minimise any effect on the operation of a well. Such devices and methods may be particularly useful downhole and in remote locations. An example of a device comprises a generating material having a fluid contact surface, that contact surface being configured to be in contact with a fluid downhole. The generating material may be configured to generate an electric charge at the material in response a fluid at the contact surface. In some examples, the device further comprises a signal source configured to provide a signal in response to a generated electric charge at the generating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: SWELLFIX UK LIMITED
    Inventor: John Hunter
  • Patent number: 10767456
    Abstract: A method and system for recovering oil from a subterranean reservoir. The method includes delivering an injection gas through an injection flow path into a plurality of regions of the reservoir via a plurality of outflow devices arranged along the injection flow path, producing oil from a plurality of regions of the subterranean reservoir via a production flow path with a plurality of inflow devices arranged along the production flow path, and restricting flow of the injection gas into the production flow path from the reservoir. The restricting of the flow in injection gas may be by choking the flow of the injection gas through at least one of the plurality of inflow devices such that the residence time of the injection gas within the subterranean reservoir is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Swellfix UK Limited
    Inventor: Michael Robert Konopczynski
  • Publication number: 20200240266
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling water production in a wellbore comprises a body in the form of a base pipe, the base pipe having an axial flow passage in the form of axial throughbore and a lateral flow passage in the form of radial port. A shroud is disposed around the base pipe and forms a housing of the apparatus. In use, the apparatus forms part of a completion string for location in the wellbore, the apparatus configured to direct production fluid into a production conduit for recovery to surface, perform a quantitative measurement of water content within the production fluid, and vary the fluid flow in the fluid flow path based on the quantitative measurement of water content within the production fluid to maintain water production at or below a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Applicant: Swellfix UK Limited
    Inventors: John HUNTER, Anthony WILSON
  • Publication number: 20200149372
    Abstract: A power source system including a plurality of cells. The power source system uses electrical charge or current generated by a reaction in at least one of the cells to provide at least one operating material to at least one other of the cells. Optionally, the power source system uses the electrical charge generated by the reaction in the at least one of the cells to provide the at least one operating material to the at least one other of the cells only when the state of charge of the at least one of the cells is equal to or below a threshold or when the use of the cell is equal to or above a threshold. Optionally, in an initial or non-operational state, one or more or each of the cells is dry or without the at least one operating material and the power source system is configured to selectively switch at least one of the plurality of cells from the non-operational state to an operational state by providing the at least one operating material to the at least one cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Applicant: Swellfix UK Limited
    Inventors: John HUNTER, Anthony WILSON, Matthew Ramsey THORPE, Joyce Ann ROSIE
  • Patent number: 10605062
    Abstract: A downhole flow control device includes a housing, an inlet port, an outlet port and a valve seat surface surrounding the inlet port. A valve plate is mounted within the housing to move between an open position in which the valve plate is separated from the valve seat surface to define a separation flow path therebetween to permit flow in a forward direction from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet, and a closed position in which the valve plate is engaged with the valve seat surface to close the separation flow path to restrict flow in a reverse direction from the fluid outlet to the fluid inlet. At least one of the valve seat and valve plate defines a geometry to encourage an increase in static pressure of fluid flow in the separation flow path when the valve plate is in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Swellfix UK Limited
    Inventors: Benn Voll, Ismarullizam Mohd Ismail
  • Publication number: 20200003034
    Abstract: A downhole flow control device comprises a body locatable within a wall of a tubular, wherein the body defines a flow path therethrough to accommodate flow in reverse first and second directions between internal and external locations of the tubular in use. The downhole flow control device further comprises a regulator member mounted within the body and being moveable between first and second positions in accordance with flow direction through the body. The regulator member is locatable in the first position during flow through the body in the first direction to provide a first restriction to flow. The regulator member is locatable in the second position during flow through the body in the second direction to provide a second restriction to flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Applicant: Swellfix UK Limited
    Inventors: Ismarullizam Mohd ISMAIL, Annabel GREEN, Oliver WEBSTER, Damien Gerard PATTON, Stephen GARDEN
  • Publication number: 20190242213
    Abstract: There are described downhole devices, methods and other apparatus, which may be used to generate energy, monitor fluids and/or provide control signals or otherwise trigger for actuation. The devices, methods, etc. may provide improved autonomy and/or accuracy, while at the same time minimise any effect on the operation of a well. Such devices and methods may be particularly useful downhole and in remote locations. An example of a device comprises a generating material having a fluid contact surface, that contact surface being configured to be in contact with a fluid downhole. The generating material may be configured to generate an electric charge at the material in response a fluid at the contact surface. In some examples, the device further comprises a signal source configured to provide a signal in response to a generated electric charge at the generating material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Applicant: Swellfix UK Limited
    Inventor: John HUNTER
  • Publication number: 20180347312
    Abstract: A downhole flow control device is described having a flow control valve and a sensor communication with the flow control valve. The sensor measures a downstream process parameter and the flow control valve is configured to control the fluid flow through the valve to achieve a target downstream process parameter value in response to the measured downstream process parameter. A control system for controlling the downhole flow control device and a method for controlling the downhole flow device are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: Swellfix UK Limited
    Inventors: Annabel GREEN, John HUNTER, Clint FROST