Patents Assigned to Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
  • Patent number: 10808474
    Abstract: Methods and systems for connecting threaded tubulars are presented. One example method generally includes engaging threads of the tubulars; engaging the first tubular with a clamp of a makeup tool; rotating the clamp of the makeup tool, thereby rotating the first tubular relative to the second tubular and making up the threaded connection; measuring turns of the first tubular; measuring turns of the clamp; and evaluating the threaded connection by comparing the measured turns of the first tubular and the measured turns of the clamp. One example system generally includes a makeup tool operable to rotate a first threaded tubular relative to a second threaded tubular. The makeup tool includes a clamp configured to engage the first tubular. The tubular makeup system further includes a first turns counter configured to measure turns of the first tubular; and a second turns counter configured to measure turns of the clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Rainer Ruehmann, David Geissler, Benjamin Sachtleben
  • Patent number: 10808481
    Abstract: A tool for cutting a tubular includes a housing, a first blade having a first cutting surface, and a second blade having a second cutting surface. The first blade and the second blade are configured to move between an extended position and a retracted position. The first blade and the second blade are disposed in the housing in the retracted position. The first cutting surface and the second cutting surface overlap in the retracted position. In another embodiment, a tool for cutting a tubular in a wellbore, includes a housing having a longitudinal axis; a pin connected to the housing and disposed on a first side of the longitudinal axis; and a blade including a cutting surface, the blade configured to move between an extended position and a retracted position about the pin, wherein the cutting surface is disposed at least in part on a second side of the longitudinal axis in the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: William Allen Schultz, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10808490
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a sealing device includes a tubular body having a bore; a collet seat having a plurality of collets; a frangible sealing element disposed in the collet seat and blocking fluid communication through the bore; and a releasable sleeve releasably attached to the tubular body and retaining the collet seat against the tubular body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Richard Lee Giroux
  • Patent number: 10808498
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cementing a casing string in a wellbore includes installing an expandable port collar in the casing string; providing cement from the casing string through at least one aperture in a wall of the port collar to an annular area surrounding the port collar; and expanding the port collar to increase its inner diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Douglas Brian Farley
  • Patent number: 10808478
    Abstract: To perform an aligned operation downhole, a tubular disposed downhole has an internal bore with a first inner circumference and has a target at a first radial orientation. A locator profile is defined about the internal bore at a first location, and an internal nipple is defined about the internal bore at a second location. The internal nipple has a second inner circumference less than the first of the internal bore. An orientation slot is defined longitudinally across the internal nipple and is disposed at a second radial orientation configured relative to the first radial orientation of the target. A tool is deployable into the internal bore. The tool has a locator to engage in the locator profile and has an orientation key to engage in the slot and align an operational component for the aligned operation with the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Eric W. Goodell, Winfield M. Sides
  • Patent number: 10808508
    Abstract: A liner deployment assembly (LDA) for use in a wellbore includes: a crossover tool. The crossover tool includes: a seal for engaging a tubular string cemented into the wellbore; a tubular housing carrying the seal and having bypass ports straddling the seal; a mandrel having a bore therethrough and a port in fluid communication with the mandrel bore, the mandrel movable relative to the housing between a bore position where the mandrel port is isolated from the bypass ports and a bypass position where the mandrel port is aligned with one of the bypass ports; a bypass chamber formed between the housing and the mandrel and extending above and below the seal; and a control module. The control module includes: an electronics package; and an actuator in communication with the electronics package and operable to move the mandrel between the positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Lee Giroux, Daniel Purkis, Richard Dalzell, Jason Duthie, Ian Jaffrey
  • Patent number: 10808472
    Abstract: Methods and systems for connecting threaded tubulars are presented. One example method generally includes monitoring relative rotation between a backup tong and a tubular clamped in the backup tong to determine slippage of the backup tong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Martin Helms, Bjoern Thiemann, Michael Wiedecke, Rainer Ruehmann, David Geissler, Benjamin Sachtleben
  • Patent number: 10801303
    Abstract: A choke can include a variable flow restrictor, external ports in communication with a flow passage respectively upstream and downstream of the flow restrictor, and sensor(s) in communication with the external ports. A method can include flowing a well fluid through a flow passage in a body of a choke including a variable flow restrictor, measuring a pressure differential between external ports in communication with respective upstream and downstream sides of the flow restrictor, and operating the flow restrictor, thereby varying a restriction to the flow through the flow passage, in response to the measured pressure differential. A well system can include a well fluid pump, a flow choke including a variable flow restrictor operable by an actuator that includes a displaceable stem and a stem seal that isolates the actuator from the well fluid in the flow choke, and a control system that operates the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin L. Gray, Gerald George
  • Patent number: 10801277
    Abstract: An electronic control system comprises a first tubular handling tool, a sensor, and a controller. The controller is configured to control actuation of the first tubular handling tool in response to an electronic signal received from the sensor that corresponds to an operational characteristic of the first tubular handling tool. The electronic control system functions as an electronic interlock system to prevent mishandling of a tubular. A method of controlling a tubular handling tool comprises measuring an operational characteristic of the tubular handling tool, communicating the operational characteristic to a controller in the form of an electronic signal, and using the controller to control actuation of the tubular handling tool in response to the measured operational characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Wiedecke, Bjoern Thiemann, Karsten Heidecke, Martin Liess, Martin Helms, John D. Hooker, II
  • Patent number: 10794132
    Abstract: A downhole apparatus for use in a tubular includes a mandrel, a slip, a wedge, a cone, and seal elements. The mandrel, which can be permanent or temporary, has an end shoulder. The slip is disposed on the mandrel adjacent the first end shoulder, and the wedge is disposed on the mandrel between the cone and the slip. The cone is movable relative to the end shoulder to engage the slip toward the tubular. The seal elements are disposed on the wedge and slip and fit between each other. The fit seal elements seal against the tubular and seas off fluid communication in the annular space between the plug and the tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Nauman H. Mhaskar, James R. Rochen, Wesley C. Pritchett
  • Patent number: 10794173
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for operating a rod pumping unit for a wellbore are provided. One example method includes measuring vibration data in the time domain using at least one sensor coupled to a housing for a moving component of the rod pumping unit; converting the vibration data in the time domain to vibration data in the frequency domain; determining that: (1) at least one frequency component of the frequency-domain vibration data in a first frequency band has a power above a first threshold; or (2) a number of frequency components of the frequency-domain vibration data in a second frequency band having power above a second threshold is above a third threshold; and outputting an indication based on the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Behrouz S. Ebrahimi, Jeffrey John Lembcke, Clark E. Robison
  • Patent number: 10787889
    Abstract: For gas lift, gas lift valves install on a completion in a wellbore. The gas lift valve has a pressure-sensitive valve and a check valve configured to control communication in the valve. A piston is held closed with a first connection relative to the valve's outlet exposed to tubing pressure, while the check valve is held open in the valve with a second connection. Pressure testing can be performed on the integrity of the tubing and casing by increasing the tubing and annulus pressures while the piston stays closed. The gas lift valve is then actuated for operation by increasing the tubing or annulus pressure beyond a predetermined limit of the first connection to release the piston to move open relative to the outlet. The movement of the piston releases the hold of the second connection on the check valve so the check valve can function normally as a one-way valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Zlatko Salihbegovic, Stephen D. Long, Lance W. Racca, Brian M. Sternaman
  • Patent number: 10787869
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for local hydraulic power generation on an electric tong, including a power tong for spinning tubulars; a first electric motor functionally connected to the power tong; a plurality of hydraulic power consumers including a backup tong for clamping a tubular string; a second electric motor functionally connected to the plurality of hydraulic power consumers; electronics to drive the first electric motor and the second electric motor; and a switchbox providing at least two configurations of the system. A method includes arranging a tong system in a hydraulic power configuration; supplying hydraulic power with an onboard electric motor to at least one of a plurality of hydraulic power consumers to position a tubular for make-up; arranging the tong system in a rotary drive configuration; supplying at least one of torque and rotation with the onboard electric motor to a power tong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Wern, Bjoern Thiemann, Thomas Kotschy, Michael Wiedecke
  • Patent number: 10787900
    Abstract: A differential pressure indicator (DPI) for use with a downhole isolation valve includes a tubular mandrel for assembly as part of a casing string and for receiving a tubular string. The mandrel has a stop shoulder and a piston shoulder. The DPI further includes a tubular housing for assembly as part of the casing string and for receiving the tubular string. The housing is movable relative to the mandrel between an extended position and a retracted position and has a stop shoulder and a piston shoulder. The DPI further includes a hydraulic chamber formed between the piston shoulders and a coupling in communication with the hydraulic chamber and for connection to a sensing line. The housing is movable relative to the mandrel and to the extended position in response to tension exerted on the DPI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Kyle Allen King, Joe Noske, Christopher L. McDowell, Brian A. Mickens
  • Patent number: 10788054
    Abstract: A jet pump of a downhole tool in a wellbore, wherein the jet pump has a nozzle in fluid communication with a throat and wherein the throat is further in fluid communication with a diffuser, the jet pump further having a central channel located towards an uphole end of the downhole tool, wherein the central channel is configured to house a volume of power fluid; a first annular channel defined in the downhole tool, wherein the first annular channel is arranged around the nozzle and in fluid communication with the central channel; a volume of production fluid located towards a downhole end of the downhole tool; a second annular channel defined in the downhole tool configured to house the volume of production fluid; and a reverse channel in fluid connection with the second annular channel, wherein the reverse channel is in fluid communication with the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Toby Pugh, Osman Nunez, Michael Juenke
  • Patent number: 10781665
    Abstract: A flow control method and assembly for an oil or gas well comprises generating a pressure signature in the fluid in a bore of the well comprising a minimum rate of change of pressure, and transmitting the pressure signature to a control mechanism to trigger a change in the configuration of a flow control device in the bore in response to the detection of the pressure signature in the fluid. The flow control device can comprise a barrier, such as a flapper, sleeve, valve or similar. The pressure signature is transmitted via fluid flowing in the bore, typically being injected into the well, optionally during or before frac operations, via fluid being used for the frac operations. The control mechanism typically includes an RFID reader to receive RF signals from tags deployed in the fluid flowing in the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Euan Murdoch
  • Patent number: 10774599
    Abstract: A method of deploying a jointed tubular string into a subsea wellbore includes lowering the tubular string into the subsea wellbore from an offshore drilling unit. The tubular string has a slip joint. The method further includes, after lowering, anchoring a lower portion of the tubular string below the slip joint to a non-heaving structure. The method further includes, while the lower portion is anchored: supporting an upper portion of the tubular string above the slip joint from a rig floor of the offshore drilling unit; after supporting, adding one or more joints to the tubular string, thereby extending the tubular string; and releasing the upper portion of the extended tubular string from the rig floor. The method further includes: releasing the lower portion of the extended tubular string from the non-heaving structure; and lowering the extended tubular string into the subsea wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Ram K. Bansal, Lev Ring, Don M. Hannegan
  • Patent number: 10774613
    Abstract: A method for casing a subsea wellbore includes running a tieback casing string into the subsea wellbore using a workstring including first, second, and third wiper plugs. The method further includes: launching a first release plug or tag into the workstring; pumping cement slurry into the workstring, thereby driving the first release plug or tag along the workstring; after pumping the cement slurry, launching a second release plug or tag into the workstring; and pumping chaser fluid into the workstring, thereby driving the release plugs or tags and cement slurry through the workstring. The release plugs or tags engage and release the respective wiper plugs from the workstring. The first wiper plug or release plug ruptures, thereby allowing the cement slurry to flow therethrough. The method further includes: stabbing the tieback casing string into a liner string; and retrieving the workstring, the workstring still including the third wiper plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Gerard Gaspard, Douglas Brian Farley
  • Patent number: 10774600
    Abstract: An apparatus for slip monitor and control includes a body; a plurality of slips; a transmitter for each slip; at least one receiver coupled to the body; and an actuator for each slip configured to move the respective slip vertically relative to the body. A method for slip monitor and control includes obtaining slip positional information for a plurality of slips; determining whether the slip positional information for each of the slips matches criteria; and sending one or more control signals to one or more actuators, each actuator configured to move one of the slips vertically relative to a body. A method for handling a tubular includes actuating a plurality of slips to move vertically relative to a body; engaging the tubular with at least one of the slips; measuring positional data of the plurality of slips; and identifying an offset pipe condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Aicam Zouhair
  • Patent number: 10774628
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a hydraulic pump with gas lock prevention. The pump includes a pump barrel having an intake port and a discharge port and a pump piston movably disposed in the pump barrel. The pump piston divides an inner volume of the pump barrel into a first pump volume connected to the discharge port and a second pump volume connected to the intake port. A pump flow path is formed through the pump piston connecting the first pump volume and the second pump volume. The pump further includes a first valve disposed in the pump flow path in the pump piston. The first valve selectively permits fluid flow from the second pump volume to the first pump volume. The pump further includes a second valve disposed at the discharge port to selectively permit fluid flow out of the first pump volume through the discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Michael C. Knoeller