Patents Assigned to WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS
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Patent number: 11591881Abstract: A downhole tool for use in a wellbore includes a cone, a cone adapter at least partially disposed in the cone, a shoe member, and a slip assembly disposed between the cone and the shoe member. A mandrel extends through the cone adapter and attached to the shoe member. The cone adapter is retrievable with the mandrel.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2021Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: Nauman H. Mhaskar, Jorge Reyes Villegas, Jose L. Arredondo
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Patent number: 11592346Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a multiple range load cell capable of automatically switching measuring range and method for operating the multiple range load cell.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2020Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: Frank Wern, Christina Karin Hebebrand
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Publication number: 20230056868Abstract: A gravel pack system includes a liner assembly and a deployment assembly. The liner assembly includes a sand control screen. The deployment assembly facilitates rotation of the liner assembly and circulation through the liner assembly while running the liner assembly into a wellbore using a work string. The deployment assembly includes a crossover tool that is operated to facilitate gravel packing without manipulation of the work string. The deployment assembly also includes a setting tool for setting a packer and/or a sand barrier at the top of the liner assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2021Publication date: February 23, 2023Applicant: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventor: Jeffrey D. HERNDON
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Publication number: 20230057040Abstract: A wellbore isolation assembly includes an outer component and an inner component. The outer component is disposed at a first location in a wellbore. The inner component is disposed at a second location in the wellbore. The inner component is moved from the second location into engagement with the outer component at the first location to form a barrier within the wellbore. When deployed in the wellbore, the barrier inhibits passage of fluids. The wellbore isolation assembly is then retrieved from the wellbore.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2021Publication date: February 23, 2023Applicant: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventor: Jeffrey D. HERNDON
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Patent number: 11578560Abstract: A liner string includes a liner hanger assembly and a liner hanger deployment assembly. The liner hanger assembly includes a liner hanger. The liner hanger includes a plurality of slips and a liner hanger actuation assembly configured to set the plurality of slips. The liner hanger deployment assembly is disposed within the liner hanger assembly. The liner hanger deployment assembly includes a setting tool configured to selectively allow fluid communication between a central bore of the setting tool and the liner hanger actuation assembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2019Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings LLCInventors: Jose V. Zavala, Zach Trine, Mark J. Murray
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Patent number: 11577337Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control the acoustic properties of optical cables used as in-well oil and gas probes for acoustic monitoring, such as distributed acoustic sensing (DAS). One example aspect provides a solid path for the acoustic wave to propagate from an outside armor layer of the cable to the sensing optical waveguide embedded therein. Another example aspect offers ways to spatially dispose the optical sensing elements to create response delays indicative of the propagation speed and/or direction of an acoustic wave. Yet another example aspect provides ways to utilize additional spectral interrogation to increase ultimate spatial resolution. Yet another example aspect provides ways to locally vary the acoustic properties along the length of the cable.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2020Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLCInventors: Andre R. Vincelette, Christopher S. Baldwin, Paul Lefebvre, Hongbo Li, Domino Taverner, James R. Dunphy
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Patent number: 11578561Abstract: A system used downhole in tubing is operable with pressure communicated via at least one control line. The system includes a tool and a stinger. The tool disposed with the tubing has a tool bore for passage of tubing flow. The tool has an operator movable between operable states, and the operator has a tool key disposed in the bore. The stinger removably disposed in the tubing is configured to insert into the tool bore. The stinger has an actuator in communication with the at least one control line. Actuated by the control line, a stinger key disposed on the stinger is movable with the actuator between positions. In this way, the stinger key is configured to engage the tool key and is configured to move the tool's operator at least from the one state to another.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2020Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: Serge Garay, Glenn A. Bahr
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Patent number: 11572746Abstract: A power tong including a rotary gripping apparatus having a rotary base having a first jaw and at least one rotary arm movable relative to the rotary base between an open position and a closed position, the at least one rotary arm having a second jaw. A gap is present between the rotary base and the at least one rotary arm for receiving the tubular when the at least one rotary arm is in the open position. The gap is closed when the at least one rotary arm is in the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2019Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings LLCInventors: Arne Tjark Becker, Kevin Wood
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Patent number: 11572739Abstract: A bottom hole assembly for use in a subterranean well can include a whipstock, a mill releasably secured to the whipstock, an antenna, and a release mechanism configured to release the mill from the whipstock in response to a predetermined radio frequency signal received by the antenna. A method can include positioning a bottom hole assembly in a well, the bottom hole assembly including a mill and a whipstock releasably secured to the mill, and then releasing the mill from the whipstock by displacing a radio frequency identification tag into the bottom hole assembly. A well system can include a bottom hole assembly comprising an anchor, a whipstock and a mill, and a radio frequency identification tag displaceable with fluid flow into the bottom hole assembly.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2021Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings LLCInventor: Jeffery Scott Pray
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Patent number: 11573349Abstract: Methods, tools, and systems for determining porosity in an earth formation are disclosed. Neutrons are emitted into the formation to induce inelastic scattering gamma rays and thermal capture gamma rays in the formation. The induced gamma rays are detected at a proximal gamma detector and a far gamma detector, which are spaced at different axial distances from the neutron source. A measured proximal-to-far inelastic ratio (a ratio of inelastic scattering gammas detected at the proximal and far detector) and a proximal-to-far thermal capture ratio (a ratio of thermal capture gammas detected at the proximal and far detector) are determined and used to calculate the formation porosity. Techniques are disclosed for removing borehole and casing configuration effects from the measured proximal-to-far thermal capture ratio, leaving only porosity dependence.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2021Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: Gregory Schmid, Richard Pemper, Darrell Dolliver
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Patent number: 11572762Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a combined multicoupler for connecting a tool to a top drive. The combined multicoupler includes a load frame comprising a frame body having a load shoulder, and a side door coupled to the frame body. The side door opens from the frame body to allow a tool sliding horizontally into the load shoulder, and the side door closes to lock the tool in the load frame. The combined multicoupler further comprises a drive stem movably coupled to the load frame, wherein the drive stem moves vertically to connect and disconnect with the tool in the load frame.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2020Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventor: Michael Thomas Bell
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Patent number: 11573350Abstract: Fail-safe methods for deactivating the pulsed neutron generator (PNG) of a logging tool are described herein, as are logging tools configured to execute the fail-safe methods. The fail-safe methods deactivate the PNG if the logging tool is disposed in air outside of a borehole. Measurements taken using one or more gamma ray detectors of the logging tool are used to calculate a value for a parameter that is indicative of the tool being disposed in an air environment. Examples of such parameters include ratios of capture gamma rays and burst gamma rays. The disclosed methods operate without reference to sensors and/or control from outside the tool. The methods do not inadvertently deactivate the tool when it encounters an air-filled borehole.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2021Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: Gregory Schmid, John Willick
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Patent number: 11566485Abstract: An assembly is used for chemical injection through a wellhead to a capillary line in a well. A capillary hanger installs in the wellhead to support the capillary line. A no-return valve of the capillary hanger prevents fluid communication uphole from the supported capillary line. An injection module mounts above a gate valve on the wellhead and includes a movable mandrel disposed therein. Hydraulic pressure applied to a piston chamber in the module extends the mandrel through the open gate valve so that a distal end of the mandrel can open the no-return valve. At this point, chemical injection introduced into the module can communicate through a flow bore of the extended mandrel, through the open non-return valve, and on through the supported capillary line in the well.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2021Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: Martin Robert Douglas Oliphant, Keith Adams, Robert Andrew Hunt
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Patent number: 11566502Abstract: A system can include a completion string with a tubing and a dip tube secured in the tubing. A gas is injected into an annulus between the tubing and the dip tube, and the gas and well liquids flow into the dip tube. A method can include installing a completion string including a tubing, a dip tube in the tubing, and a packer downhole of a gas lift valve, and flowing a gas into the tubing via the gas lift valve, into an annulus between the tubing and the dip tube, and then into the dip tube. Another system can include a tubular connector connected between adjacent sections of the tubing, with the dip tube secured in the tubing and connected to the tubular connector. A gas flows from the gas lift valve to the annulus via a gas flow path formed in the tubular connector.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2021Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: Eirik Enerstvedt, Nisha N. Shanmugam, Bjørnar Sneeggen, Sondre Klakegg
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Patent number: 11566504Abstract: An integrated hydraulic fracture design model that utilizes elastic fluids with high proppant suspension and low required power for injection into a hydrocarbon-bearing, subterranean formation. The integrated physics-based approach utilizes a hybrid friction model to compute viscous and elastic behavior to estimate pressure losses at different pumping conditions coupled with a novel geomechanical model capable of modeling proppant transport with elastic fluids in planar hydraulic fractures and natural fractures. An integrated process to optimize hydraulic fracture design evaluates and quantifies the proppant-carrying capacity of elastic fluids and its impact on the proppant transport process, and low water requirements.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2019Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: Oswaldo J. Perez, Francisco E. Fragachan
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Patent number: 11560757Abstract: A bottom hole assembly (BHA) includes a whipstock having a latch release mechanism and a milling tool having a plurality of blades and a lock mechanism. The BHA also includes a collar coupled to the whipstock and disposed about a portion of the milling tool, wherein the blades of the milling tool abut the collar. The milling tool is releasably coupled to the whipstock by the interaction of the latch release mechanism and the lock mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2021Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: Jeffery Scott Pray, Michael Smalley, Joshua Matthew Korf
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Patent number: 11555941Abstract: Methods, tools, and systems for determining the lithium concentration of a formation traversed by a wellbore using pulsed neutron logging are described. Since determining lithium directly using pulsed neutron logging is problematic, this disclosure provides ways of determining lithium concentration indirectly using models that relate lithium concentration with concentrations of other elements that are predicted to be associated with lithium.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2021Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: Gregory Schmid, Richard Pemper, Natasa Mekic
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Patent number: 11555364Abstract: A slip assembly includes a first support cone configured to move a first extension ramp between retracted and extended positions. The first extension ramp is biased towards the retracted position by a first biasing member. The slip assembly further includes a second support cone configured to move a second extension ramp between retracted and extended positions. The second extension ramp is biased towards the retracted position by a second biasing member. The slip assembly further includes a slip member disposed between the first extension ramp and the second extension ramp. The slip member is configured to slide between retracted and extended positions along an outer surface of the first extension ramp and along an outer surface of the second extension ramp. A shank of the slip member is held in a cage by a retainer that moves radially when the slip member moves between the retracted and extended positions.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2020Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventor: Michael Wilbert Mitchell
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Patent number: 11542781Abstract: A float valve is used in a tubular having a through-bore for flow. The tubular can be a casing joint, a casing pup joint, a housing or a shell of a float collar/shoe, or other tubular element. A sleeve of drillable material is expanded inside the tubular. Sealing and/or anchor elements on the exterior of the sleeve can engage inside the tubular. Caps composed of drillable material are disposed on ends of the sleeve and have passages connected to ends of a flow tube. The flow tub is also composed of drillable material and has a bore therethrough for flow. A valve composed of drillable material is disposed in the passage of one of the caps and is configured to control the flow in the tubing through the flow tube.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2020Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventor: Richard Lee Giroux
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Patent number: 11525315Abstract: A method of connecting or disconnecting a first tubular to a second tubular includes engaging the first tubular with a power tong; engaging the second tubular with a backup tong; and rotating the first tubular relative to the second tubular. The method also includes, while rotating, monitoring a distance between the backup tong and the power tong and comparing the distance to a first threshold value; and stopping rotation of the first tubular when the distance equals to the first threshold value. According to one embodiment, a tong assembly includes a power tong, a backup tong, a sensor configured to measure a distance between the power tong and the backup tong, and a controller configured to compare the distance to a threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2021Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: Martin Helms, Jan Rothe