Patents Assigned to TEJAS RESEARCH & ENGINEERING, LLC
  • Patent number: 10920529
    Abstract: A surface-controlled wireline-retrievable safety valve includes a seat housing having a plurality of flow ports that is configured to house a hard seat. A closure device has a plurality of equalization ports, is disposed within the seat housing, and is configured to controllably move off the hard seat and expose the plurality of flow ports to a central lumen of the safety valve under hydraulic actuation. A power piston having a shoulder portion includes a top end that is attached to the closure device and the shoulder portion is disposed within a hydraulic chamber housing forming a differential area. A hydraulic actuation port may be configured to receive hydraulic actuation fluid from a surface pump. A hydraulic passage may be configured to convey the hydraulic actuation fluid from the hydraulic actuation port to the differential area via a hydraulic access port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: TEJAS RESEARCH & ENGINEERING, LLC
    Inventors: Jason C. Mailand, Case Nienhuis
  • Patent number: 10704361
    Abstract: An injection sleeve and apparatus for injecting fluid into a well includes a flow tube having a piston which upon fluid flow opens one or more outlet ports. The injection sleeve is adapted to include a variable orifice insert which prevents flow through the tool at a first selected pressure level until the outlet ports are in an open position, thereby protecting packing seals on either side of the outlet ports from undue wear and tear, and prolonging the life of the tool. At a second pressure level, the variable orifice insert permits flow through injection sleeve to the formation injection zones. A plurality of the sleeves may be used for sequentially injecting fluid into a plurality of injection formation zones surrounding a well. When injection fluid flow is terminated, the injection sleeves act as a dual barrier valve for preventing flow from the injection formation zones back to the well head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: TEJAS RESEARCH & ENGINEERING, LLC
    Inventors: Jason C. Mailand, Thomas G. Hill, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10458203
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for completing a well that includes a subsurface barrier valve utilizes an injection valve which includes a variable orifice insert. The injection valve includes a mechanism for sensing pressure cycles that are employed during various well completion operations including pressure testing. The mechanism includes an indexing sleeve which will disable pressure functionality. Once this occurs, pressure cycling to open the barrier valve can proceed. Once the barrier valve opens, flow alone controls the injection valve during normal operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Tejas Research & Engineering, LLC
    Inventors: Jason C. Mailand, Thomas G. Hill, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10378312
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the flow of fluid in an injection well includes a main valve assembly having a valve and a retrievable nozzle selective lock assembly (RNSLA). The RNSLA is operable when positioned within the valve body to open the valve when fluid is pumped into the well and closes the valve when fluid flow is terminated. The RNSLA includes a replaceable orifice nozzle so that orifices of different dimensions may be used in conjunction with the valve assembly. In an alternate embodiment, the RNSLA includes a variable output nozzle assembly to maintain the valve in a protected open position without chattering over a wide range of flow rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Tejas Research & Engineering, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Hill, Jr., Robert C. Henschel, Rory L. Hodge, Shane W. Pfaff
  • Patent number: 10294755
    Abstract: A wireline retrievable injection valve for an oil or gas well has an internal valve that is initially moved to open a flapper safety valve and also opens to allow fluid flow through the valve. The internal valve includes a sleeve that opens the flapper safety valve and shields the flapper safety valve from fluid. In this manner the flapper valve is protected from being caused to “flutter” or “chatter” due to pressure variations in the fluid flow, which may damage the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Tejas Research & Engineering, LLC
    Inventors: Jason C. Mailand, Thomas G. Hill, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10267099
    Abstract: A protective sleeve is deployable within an oil/gas well to protect a device installed in the well such as a safety valve, for example. The sleeve includes a pressure equalizing dart and an overpressure protection piston. The sleeve also serves to isolate an installed device from harmful substances such as acids and other corrosive fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Tejas Research & Engineering, LLC
    Inventor: Jason C. Mailand
  • Publication number: 20180313189
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the flow of fluid in an injection well includes a main valve assembly having a valve and a retrievable nozzle selective lock assembly (RNSLA). The RNSLA is operable when positioned within the valve body to open the valve when fluid is pumped into the well and closes the valve when fluid flow is terminated. The RNSLA includes a replaceable orifice nozzle so that orifices of different dimensions may be used in conjunction with the valve assembly. In an alternate embodiment, the RNSLA includes a variable output nozzle assembly to maintain the valve in a protected open position without chattering over a wide range of flow rates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Applicant: Tejas Research & Engineering, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Hill, JR., Robert C. Henschel, Rory L. Hodge, Shane W. Pfaff
  • Publication number: 20180298726
    Abstract: An injection sleeve and apparatus for injecting fluid into a well includes a flow tube having a piston which upon fluid flow opens one or more outlet ports. The injection sleeve is adapted to include a variable orifice insert which prevents flow through the tool at a first selected pressure level until the outlet ports are in an open position, thereby protecting packing seals on either side of the outlet ports from undue wear and tear, and prolonging the life of the tool. At a second pressure level, the variable orifice insert permits flow through injection sleeve to the formation injection zones. A plurality of the sleeves may be used for sequentially injecting fluid into a plurality of injection formation zones surrounding a well. When injection fluid flow is terminated, the injection sleeves act as a dual barrier valve for preventing flow from the injection formation zones back to the well head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: Tejas Research & Engineering, LLC
    Inventors: Jason C. Mailand, Thomas G. Hill, JR.
  • Patent number: 10100611
    Abstract: A subsurface safety valve is operable to close a fluid flow path by virtue of an axially movable flow sleeve. The valve includes a recockable actuator and a latch mechanism so that the valve can be moved to a closed position without overcoming the pressure head and frictional forces currently encountered in conventional safety valves. The latch mechanism includes one or more micro pistons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Tejas Research & Engineering, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Hill, Jr., Robert C. Henschel
  • Patent number: 10053936
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for limiting the expansion and contraction of a production tubular within a pumpjack oil well includes an anchor having a hydraulic dampening chamber and an expansion joint. A piston is attached to the tubular and position within the hydraulic dampening chamber so that axial expansion and contraction of the tubular caused by thermal and loading forces is resisted by the constrained movement of the piston within the hydraulic chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Tejas Research & Engineering, LLC
    Inventors: Sam Herod, Robert Henschel, Thomas G. Hill, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10030476
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the flow of fluid in an injection well includes a main valve assembly having a valve and a retrievable nozzle selective lock assembly (RNSLA). The RNSLA is operable when positioned within the valve body to open the valve when fluid is pumped into the well and closes the valve when fluid flow is terminated. The RNSLA includes a replaceable orifice nozzle so that orifices of different dimensions may be used in conjunction with the valve assembly. In an alternate embodiment, the RNSLA includes a variable output nozzle assembly to maintain the valve in a protected open position without chattering over a wide range of flow rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Tejas Research & Engineering, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Hill, Robert C. Henschel, Rory L. Hodge, Shane W. Pfaff
  • Patent number: 10018022
    Abstract: An injection sleeve and apparatus for injecting fluid into a well includes a flow tube having a piston which upon fluid flow opens one or more outlet ports. The injection sleeve is adapted to include a variable orifice insert which prevents flow through the tool at a first selected pressure level until the outlet ports are in an open position, thereby protecting packing seals on either side of the outlet ports from undue wear and tear, and prolonging the life of the tool. At a second pressure level, the variable orifice insert permits flow through injection sleeve to the formation injection zones. A plurality of the sleeves may be used for sequentially injecting fluid into a plurality of injection formation zones surrounding a well. When injection fluid flow is terminated, the injection sleeves act as a dual barrier valve for preventing flow from the injection formation zones back to the well head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Tejas Research & Engineering, LLC
    Inventors: Jason C. Mailand, Thomas G. Hill, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20180142534
    Abstract: A wireline retrievable injection valve for an oil or gas well has an internal valve that is initially moved to open a flapper safety valve and also opens to allow fluid flow through the valve. The internal valve includes a sleeve that opens the flapper safety valve and shields the flapper safety valve from fluid. In this manner the flapper valve is protected from being caused to “flutter” or “chatter” due to pressure variations in the fluid flow, which may damage the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Applicant: Tejas Research & Engineering, LLC
    Inventors: Jason C. Mailand, Thomas G. Hill, JR.
  • Patent number: 9920593
    Abstract: A wireline retrievable injection valve for an oil or gas well has an internal valve that is initially moved to open a flapper safety valve and also opens to allow fluid flow through the valve. The internal valve includes a sleeve that opens the flapper safety valve and shields the flapper safety valve from fluid. In this manner the flapper valve is protected from being caused to “flutter” or “chatter” due to pressure variations in the fluid flow, which may damage the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Tejas Research & Engineering, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Charles Mailand, Thomas G. Hill
  • Publication number: 20180010423
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the flow of fluid in an injection well includes a main valve assembly having a valve and a retrievable nozzle selective lock assembly (RNSLA). The RNSLA is operable when positioned within the valve body to open the valve when fluid is pumped into the well and closes the valve when fluid flow is terminated. The RNSLA includes a replaceable orifice nozzle so that orifices of different dimensions may be used in conjunction with the valve assembly. In an alternate embodiment, the RNSLA includes a variable output nozzle assembly to maintain the valve in a protected open position without chattering over a wide range of flow rates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Applicant: Tejas Research & Engineering, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Hill, Robert C. Henschel, Rory L. Hodge, Shane W. Pfaff
  • Publication number: 20170292347
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for completing a well that includes a subsurface barrier valve utilizes an injection valve which includes a variable orifice insert. The injection valve includes a mechanism for sensing pressure cycles that are employed during various well completion operations including pressure testing. The mechanism includes an indexing sleeve which will disable pressure functionality. Once this occurs, pressure cycling to open the barrier valve can proceed. Once the barrier valve opens, flow alone controls the injection valve during normal operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Applicant: Tejas Research & Engineering, LLC
    Inventors: Jason C. Mailand, Thomas G. Hill, JR.
  • Patent number: 9771777
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the flow of fluid in an injection well includes a main valve assembly having a valve and a retrievable nozzle selective lock assembly (RNSLA). The RNSLA is operable when positioned within the valve body to open the valve when fluid is pumped into the well and closes the valve when fluid flow is terminated. The RNSLA includes a replaceable orifice nozzle so that orifices of different dimensions may be used in conjunction with the valve assembly. In an alternate embodiment, the RNSLA includes a variable output nozzle assembly to maintain the valve in a protected open position without chattering over a wide range of flow rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Tejas Research & Engineering, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Hill, Jr., Robert C. Henschel
  • Publication number: 20170254157
    Abstract: A protective sleeve is deployable within an oil/gas well to protect a device installed in the well such as a safety valve, for example. The sleeve includes a pressure equalizing dart and an overpressure protection piston. The sleeve also serves to isolate an installed device from harmful substances such as acids and other corrosive fluids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Applicant: Tejas Research & Engineering, LLC
    Inventor: Jason C. Mailand
  • Patent number: 9638006
    Abstract: A safety system for a well having a cable deployed electronic submersible pump includes a barrier valve having a control line for opening and closing the valve, a first flapper safety valve assembly, and a second flapper safety valve assembly. The second flapper safety valve allows the cable for the pump to pass through the second flapper safety valve when the valve is in a closed position. An integral flapper safety valve assembly incorporates the first and second flapper safety valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Tejas Research & Engineering, LLC
    Inventors: Robert C. Henschel, Thomas G. Hill
  • Patent number: 9624755
    Abstract: A wireline retrievable injection valve for an oil or gas well has an internal valve that is initially moved to open a flapper safety valve and also opens to allow fluid flow through the valve. The internal valve includes a sleeve that opens the flapper safety valve and shields the flapper safety valve from fluid. In this manner the flapper valve is protected from being caused to “flutter” or “chatter” due to pressure variations in the fluid flow, thereby damaging the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Tejas Research & Engineering, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Hill, Jr., Robert C. Henschel