Patents Assigned to Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
  • Patent number: 10465494
    Abstract: A system for controlling a set of tools for hydrocarbon recovery includes a remote controller and a device controller. The remote controller is communicatively coupled to the device controller. The device controller is generally configured to receive a command to operate one of the plurality of tools from the remote controller. Based on the command, the device controller generates one or more instructions executable by a controller associated with the one of the plurality of tools. The device controller transmits the one or more instructions to the one of the plurality of tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Klaus Krems, Michael Wiedecke, Martin Helms, Benson Thomas
  • Patent number: 10458196
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting and pulling a casing string from a well. A downhole casing pulling tool includes a tubular housing having a bore therethrough, a packer assembly configured to isolate an annulus between a casing and the tool, a slip assembly configured to engage the casing, and a piston assembly disposed in the bore of the tubular housing. The piston assembly is configured to operate an actuator, wherein the actuator is configured to operate at least one of the packer assembly and the slip assembly and modify a fluid pressure in the bore of the tubular housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: William Allen Schultz, Jr., David W. Teale
  • Patent number: 10450847
    Abstract: An artificial lift system for a well has a surface unit and a subsurface pump. The surface unit reciprocates a rod in the well, and the pump disposed in a tubular in the well is actuated by the rod. A barrel of the pump has a standing valve restricting fluid passage out of the barrel. The plunger is reciprocally disposed in the barrel and has seals with the barrel. A traveling valve of the plunger uses a sleeve and a bob. The sleeve is movable relative to the bob to restrict fluid out of the plunger's interior through a variable gap relative to the bob and the sleeve. The filter is disposed on the plunger between the seals and separates the plunger's interior from an annulus between the plunger and the barrel. The filter restricts particulate in the interior from passing into the annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Jason W. Bailey, John E. Stachowiak, Douglas Hebert
  • Patent number: 10451807
    Abstract: A sensing device is used for measuring physical characteristics. The sensing device may include an optical fiber disposed in a tube. The optical fiber may have a section containing a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor. A support member may be coupled to the ends of the section, such that the section includes a length greater than a length of the portion of the support member disposed between the ends of the section. The support member is configured to isolate the FBG sensor from strain in the optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Domino Taverner, John J. Grunbeck
  • Patent number: 10450851
    Abstract: In a deviated wellbore, a pump system computes downhole data from surface data by solving a wave equation that takes both viscous damping and Coulomb friction into consideration. Mechanical friction between the rods, couplings, and tubing is considered in the calculation of downhole data in the deviated wellbore by modelling the wellbore's trajectory, parameterizing various deviated segments (build-ups, slants, drop-offs, etc.) in the trajectory, mapping the rod string to the segments, and incrementally evaluating position of the mapped string over time in order to compute drag forces and side loads experienced by the rod string during operation. These computed drag forces and side loads are then used in the solution of the wave equation to solve the surface load and position data and provide more accurate downhole position and load data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Victoria M. Pons
  • Patent number: 10443769
    Abstract: A pivoting member is coupled to the stuffing box to allow the stuffing box to move in a radial direction relative to a wellhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: John Edward Stachowiak, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10443334
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems are provided for correcting, or at least adjusting, for drill pipe compression in a downhole operation in a wellbore. An exemplary method includes obtaining an indication of a first displacement, from a base position, of a first portion of a drill string due to a first force being applied to the first portion of the drill string and a second portion of the drill string being stationary; obtaining an indication of the first force; obtaining an indication of a second displacement, from the base position, of the first portion of the drill string due to a second force being applied to the first portion of the drill string while performing a downhole operation; obtaining an indication of the second force; and determining a displacement of the second portion of the drill string, based on the first displacement, the second displacement, the first force, and the second force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventor: Adrian Vuyk, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10443326
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide combined multi-coupler assembly for quickly connecting a top drive to a tool. The combined multi-coupler assembly includes a drive stem and a tool dock that may be coupled to each other. When the drive stem and the tool dock are connected, axial loads, torsional loads, and hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, optical, or other types of communications may be transferred between the drive stem and the tool dock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Martin Liess
  • Patent number: 10436658
    Abstract: Aspects of the present relate to automated load cell identification. A method is provided. The method generally includes sending, from a load cell to a remote processing system, identification information associated with the load cell; and determining whether the load cell is valid for use during makeup of a threaded connection of a first threaded tubular to a second threaded tubular based on the identification information associated with the load cell. The load cell identification information may include a measurement range of torque values supported by the load cell. The method can include comparing the measurement range of torque values to a job defined range of torque values associated with the makeup of the threaded connection; and determining that the load cell is valid for use based on the comparison. The identification information can be used to detect the load cell type, range, and calibration data before tubular makeup to ensure data quality and safety at work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Rainer Ruehmann, Enrico Schleske
  • Publication number: 20190301257
    Abstract: A jarring device includes a housing, a mandrel received within the housing, and a pressure chamber defined between the housing and the mandrel and filled with a hydraulic fluid. A hydraulic lock piston is arranged about the mandrel and radially interposes the housing and the mandrel. The hydraulic lock piston includes a pressure piston having a first end exposed to the pressure chamber, a second end, and first and second fluid flowpaths defined in the pressure piston and extending axially between the first and second ends. When the mandrel moves in a first direction relative to the housing, the hydraulic fluid is metered through the first fluid flowpath and the second fluid flowpath is occluded. When the mandrel moves in a second direction relative to the housing and opposite the first direction, the hydraulic fluid is metered through the second fluid flowpath and the first fluid flowpath is occluded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Applicant: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Timothy Wilson
  • Patent number: 10428621
    Abstract: A choke controlling fluid flow in a well has a conduit with an inlet and an outlet, and a flow restrictor comprising first and second choke members (10,20), one of which (20) rotates relative to the other (10) to choke or promote flow. The first and second choke members (10,20) are axially spaced from one another, and have mating faces that are optionally planar, and are axially stacked in the choke. The choke is operated by a shifting tool (50), which grips the inner surface of the rotating choke member (20), and rotates it relative to the other (10), in order to vary the flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel Purkis
  • Patent number: 10428602
    Abstract: A top drive system for use with a tool for handling tubulars on a drilling rig includes a motor unit; a coupling unit that transfers torque to the tool; a torque measurement device (TMD) coupled to at least one of the motor unit, the tool, or the coupling unit, wherein the TMD includes a sensing member coupled to an evaluation unit, wherein the sensing member is configured to measure a magnetostrictive effect and the evaluation unit is configured to calculate a magnitude of the torque reaction force based on the magnetostrictive effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Wern, Bjoern Thiemann, Aicam Zouhair, Martin Liess, Christina Karin Hebebrand
  • Patent number: 10422450
    Abstract: A method of connecting a first threaded tubular to a second threaded tubular includes engaging the threads of the tubulars and rotating the first tubular relative to the second tubular to makeup a threaded connection. The method further includes, during makeup of the threaded connection: measuring time, measuring torque applied to the connection, and measuring turns of the first tubular. The method further includes using a programmable logic controller for: evaluating at least one of the measured turns, measured torque, and measured time for at least one of a discontinuity, a torque spike, and a torque drop and accepting or rejecting the connection based on the evaluation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Rainer Ruehmann, Benjamin Sachtleben, David Geissler
  • Patent number: 10422190
    Abstract: A tubular connection assembly that maybe quickly connected and with improved capacity for axial loads is disclosed. The tubular connection assembly may include a box end member having a first groove formed in an inner surface, a pin end member having a second groove formed in an outer surface, and a load transfer assembly comprising two or more segments. When the pin end member is inserted in the box end member and the first groove aligns with the second groove, the load transfer assembly is at least partially disposed in both the first groove and the second groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffery Morrison
  • Patent number: 10422216
    Abstract: A method of hanging an inner tubular string from an outer tubular string cemented in a wellbore includes running the inner tubular string and a deployment assembly into the wellbore using a deployment string, wherein a running tool of the deployment assembly longitudinally and torsionally fastens the liner string to the deployment string; plugging a bore of the deployment assembly; hanging the inner tubular string from the outer tubular string by pressurizing the plugged bore; and after hanging the inner tubular string, sending a command signal to the running tool, thereby unlocking or releasing the running tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Rocky A. Turley, Robin L. Campbell, Karsten Heidecke, George Givens
  • Patent number: 10415363
    Abstract: Angular position readings are obtained during rotation of an apparatus in a borehole, and angular rate readings are obtained over time of the rotation. The angular rate readings are adjusted based at least on the angular position readings. The angular position measurement does not require calibrated magnetometers or accelerometers to function. Additionally, a dynamic scale factor calculation for an angular rate gyroscope (ARG) allows the ARG to be used over a much wider operating range than without such a calculation. Finally, an integrated angular rate from the ARG calibrated for bias and scale factor fills in positional information between the magnetometers' zero crossings to deliver a high resolution hybrid angular position system capable of measuring precise angular position at high and irregular downhole rotation rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Charles L. Mauldin, Richard E. Berns, Daniel Sullivan, Liam A. Lines
  • Patent number: 10415343
    Abstract: A packer or plug for use in a wellbore includes: a tubular mandrel made from a composite material including a pyrotechnic composition; an expandable seal disposed on an outer surface of the mandrel; and an igniter operable to initiate combustion of the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Geoffrey Powers
  • Patent number: 10415335
    Abstract: A downhole tool, such as a fracture plug used during a fracture operation, installs in a downhole tubular, such as casing. The tool has a mandrel with a sealing element disposed thereon between uphole and downhole ends. Slip assemblies on the mandrel can be moved to engage the downhole tubular. When the tool is used as a bridge plug, the uphole assembly supports the sealing element compressed, and the downhole assembly supports fluid pressure downhole of the tool. The slip assemblies have inserts composed of at least two materials that are different from one another and are geometrically separate from one another. In addition or as an alternative, the slip assemblies can be composed of at least two different materials that are geometrically separate from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Nauman H. Mhaskar, James A. Rochen, Jonathan A. Young
  • Patent number: 10408000
    Abstract: A rotating control device can include a latch assembly with a lock ring that permits displacement of an inner mandrel in one longitudinal direction, and prevents displacement of the inner mandrel in an opposite longitudinal direction. Another rotating control device can include a latch assembly and an equalization valve having an open configuration in which fluid communication is permitted between an exterior and an interior of the rotating control device through the equalization valve, the latch assembly changing from a latched to an unlatched configuration only when the equalization valve is in the open configuration. A method of installing a rotating control device can include releasing a running tool from the rotating control device by producing relative rotation between components of the running tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Danny W. Wagoner, Tuong T. Le
  • Patent number: 10408022
    Abstract: A filter assembly comprising a tubular member, one or more support members disposed on the tubular member, and a wire disposed on the support members. One or more spaces are formed between adjacent portions of the wire. The wire includes a wire shape having substantially flat side surfaces such that an elongated channel is formed between adjacent wire shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: George Alexander Gillespie, II, John Steven Sladic