Patents Examined by Aaron L Lembo
  • Patent number: 11525333
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method of controlling flow communication with an apparatus are disclosed. The apparatus includes a flow communicator, a flow control member, an uphole-disposed flow interference effector uphole of the flow communicator, and a downhole-disposed flow interference effector downhole of the flow communicator. While each of the uphole-disposed flow interference effector and the downhole-disposed flow interference-effector, independently, is contacting the flow control member, the flow communicator is closed. Displacement of the flow control member, relative to the flow communicator, in the downhole direction, opens the flow communicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: NCS Multistage Inc.
    Inventor: Juan Miguel Montero Fernandez
  • Patent number: 11506019
    Abstract: A valve is for closing fluid communication between a horizontal or deviated well and a production string when a content of a first or a second undesired fluid in the fluid flow exceeds a predetermined level. The valve has a primary flow channel, and a piston arrangement movable within the valve between an inactive position allowing fluid flow through the primary channel and an active position preventing fluid flow through the primary channel. The piston arrangement further has a secondary flow channel and a bypass flow channel and inflow control elements exposed to the fluid flow upstream of the flow barrier and having different density and movable within independent paths in response to a density of fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Innowell Solutions AS
    Inventors: Rune Killie, Trygve Rinde
  • Patent number: 11499389
    Abstract: A control unit includes a hydraulic fluid system, a lubricant system, at least one sensor cable, an electronics module in communication with the at least one sensor cable, the hydraulic fluid system, and the lubricant system. A housing of the control unit contains the hydraulic fluid system, the lubricant system, the sensor cable(s), and the electronics module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James Cook, Corey Massey, Chad Vrla
  • Patent number: 11492863
    Abstract: An enhanced geometry receiving element for a downhole tool, such as an enhanced geometry receiving element for a plunger downhole tool used in the oil and gas industry. In one embodiment, the enhanced geometry receiving element includes a set of axial grooves disposed in the interior of a fishing neck portion of a bypass plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Well Master Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew J. Southard, Daniel J. Nelson
  • Patent number: 11486217
    Abstract: An assembly includes an inlet hub (112) coupled to a first flow passage (124) located within a flow control module, the first flow passage having a first flow bore, a flow meter (144) associated with the first flow bore and positioned for top-down fluid flow, a choke (109) disposed in a second flow passage (136) having a second flow bore, and an outlet hub (119) coupled to a distal end of the second flow passage. A system includes a flow control module assembly (902) having an inlet (912) and at least two outlets (914, 916), a main line (920) in fluid communication with the inlet, a first branch line (922) coupled to the main line and to a first outlet (916) of the at least two outlets, and a second branch line (924) coupled to the main line and to a second outlet (914) of the at least two outlets, and a tie-in connector (918) coupled to the inlet of the flow control module assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: FMC TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Paul L. Riley, Ramu Valliappan Manickam, Wei Soung Tan, May-Ling Rachel Ho, Guoxiang Calvin Wu
  • Patent number: 11486210
    Abstract: A method used to determine an operational mode of a tong. The method includes rotating a first sensor target relative to a first sensor and rotating a second sensor target relative to a second sensor. The method also includes identifying a position of the first sensor target using the first sensor and analyzing the position of the first sensor target to determine the operational mode of the tong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Jan Rothe, Heidi N. Cline, Frank Wern
  • Patent number: 11473400
    Abstract: An isolation valve system, method, and apparatus are provided that can isolate a wellbore and prevent fluids from exiting the well and prevent seawater from entering the well. The system can be a two-part design in some embodiments where a shear sub is selectively interconnected to a body via shearing screws. A sufficient force on the shear sub destroys the shearing screws and the shear sub is removed from the body. This movement rotates an actuator on the body, which in turn rotates a valve in the body to provide the isolating function during routine operation of a wellbore or during an emergency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Inventor: Bryce Elliott Randle
  • Patent number: 11473377
    Abstract: A rotating control device (RCD) for use in pressurized drilling operations. The RCD having a non-rotating RCD housing enclosing an elongate passage, a tubular RCD mandrel extending along the elongate passage of the RCD housing, wherein the RCD mandrel has a longitudinal axis and is configured in use to rotate relative to the RCD housing about the longitudinal axis, and a stripper element which is mounted on an end of the RCD mandrel and which is configured to seal against and rotate with a tubular drill pipe extending along the elongate passage of the RCD housing, wherein the stripper element is secured to the end of the RCD mandrel by a flexible sleeve which is more flexible than the stripper element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: NTDrill Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Earl Dietrich, Christian Leuchtenberg
  • Patent number: 11472008
    Abstract: A tool for gaining lateral access to a well includes a head portion configured to advance axially forwardly relative to a lateral access passage. The tool includes a first shaft and a shaft assembly including a second shaft. The second shaft is at least partly received in the first shaft so as to be axially forwardly moveable therewith. In use, axial forward movement of the first and second shafts causes forward advancement of the head portion. The second shaft is axially forwardly moveable relative to the first shaft. The first shaft includes an internal thread and the shaft assembly includes an external thread engaging the internal thread of the first shaft so that relative rotation of the internal and external threads causes the axial forward movement of the second shaft relative to the first shaft without rotation of the second shaft relative to the first shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Quality Intervention Technology AS
    Inventor: Bjorn Bro Sorensen
  • Patent number: 11454080
    Abstract: A diverter system is configured to control a direction of drilling fluid or gas from a well bore to a surface platform. The diverter system includes a housing configured to receive a casing from a well bore, at least one outlet configured to direct flow of a drilling fluid or gas out of the housing, and a packing element assembly within the housing and coupled to the housing. The packing element assembly includes a first packing element affixed to the housing, the first packing element including at least one balloon configured to expand in response to an actuation input, and a second packing element concentrically within the first packing element, the second packing element including a first half and a second half, the first half coupled to the second half by a plurality of elastic elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Naif Mohsen Mosleh Alharbi
  • Patent number: 11454088
    Abstract: A burst disk including a body, and a stress riser unexposed to fluidic environment outside of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Claudia Leon, Farhat Shaikh, Joshua Raymond Snitkoff, Brandon Decuir, Rohan Buntval
  • Patent number: 11448031
    Abstract: A wellhead load relief device for reducing riser system induced load effects on a subsea wellhead and a method of installing a subsea wellhead assembly onto a subsea wellhead using the wellhead load relief device. The wellhead load relief device includes: a receptacle for receiving well control equipment, wherein the receptacle has an open top to permit the well control equipment to be received in the receptacle; and an adjustable support mechanism for rigidly supporting well control equipment received in the receptacle. The adjustable support mechanism is located within the receptacle and the adjustable support mechanism has a lateral extent that is adjustable relative to the receptacle. The wellhead load relief device is for providing a load path for forces exerted on the well control equipment to the seabed without going via the subsea wellhead. A subsea wellhead assembly including the wellhead load relief device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: EQUINOR ENERGY AS
    Inventor: Per Osen
  • Patent number: 11448032
    Abstract: A system for supplying fracturing fluid to a fracturing tree coupled to a wellhead comprising: a zipper module having a lower block with a first opening configured to receive the fracturing fluid, the lower block being independently rotatable at a swivel assembly around a vertical axis relative to the lower block; an upper block with a second opening configured to dispel the fracturing fluid, the upper block being independently rotatable at a swivel connection around the vertical axis; an internal flow path between the upper block and the lower block; and a fluid conduit between the zipper module and the fracturing tree comprising at least one pipe, wherein the at least one pipe defines a first straight flow path between the zipper module and the fracturing tree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: SPM Oil & Gas PC LLC
    Inventors: Duc Thanh Tran, Matthew Thomas Robinson Webster, Ray Dicksang Pang, Keith Murdoch
  • Patent number: 11421501
    Abstract: One illustrative apparatus (1) disclosed herein includes a helix structure (20) that comprises at least one helical surface (15), a plurality of orientation slots (17) positioned around a perimeter of the helix structure, each of the orientation slots (17) being adapted to receive an orientation key (18), a component orientation slot (21) positioned adjacent a bottom end of the at least one helical surface (15) and a threaded bottom recess (43). The apparatus (1) also includes a threaded adjustable nut (30) that is adapted to be at least partially positioned in the bottom recess and threadingly coupled to the threaded bottom recess (43).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Murphy
  • Patent number: 11414948
    Abstract: A technique enables maintenance of sufficient clearance between a wellhead and, for example, a mobile rig. The technique facilitates support of a cable, e.g. an antenna suspension cable, at the wellhead without detrimentally affecting the desired clearance. According to an embodiment, a flange system is used in combination with a cable clamp assembly at a wellhead. The flange system may comprise a flange having a connector portion configured for coupling with the wellhead. The flange also comprises a cylinder portion coupled to the connector portion such that the cylinder portion extends into a corresponding bore of the wellhead. The cable clamp assembly is configured to clamp around and support a cable extending down through the wellhead. The cable clamp assembly is supported within the cylinder portion of the flange such that the cable clamp assembly is at least partially disposed within the wellhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Benny Poedjono, Jose Melguizo, Pheng Aun Soh, Craig Cotton
  • Patent number: 11408248
    Abstract: A proppant container facilitates the transportation of wet sand for use in a hydraulic fracturing operation. A metering conveyor is positioned between a blender tub and a proppant motive mechanism, such as a conveyor or wash system that receives discharge direct from proppant containers of the type normally used to transport sand in support of a hydraulic fracturing operation. The metering conveyor is fitted with equipment including an intermediate surge hopper with a vibration system and a knife-edge gate that may be used to facilitate the operational movement of sand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: PROPPANT EXPRESS SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Oehler, Marc Kevin Fisher, Ian Wilson, Scott Joseph D'Agostino, Mark John D'Agostino, Brian Dorfman, Cory Snyder, William Scott Malone
  • Patent number: 11408247
    Abstract: A proppant container facilitates the transportation of wet sand for use in a hydraulic fracturing operation. A metering conveyor is positioned between a blender tub and a proppant motive mechanism, such as a conveyor or wash system that receives discharge direct from proppant containers of the type normally used to transport sand in support of a hydraulic fracturing operation. The metering conveyor is fitted with equipment including a knife-edge gate that may be used to facilitate flow control operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: PROPPANT EXPRESS SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Oehler, Marc Kevin Fisher, Ian Wilson, Scott Joseph D'Agostino, Mark John D'Agostino, Brian Dorfman, Cory Snyder, William Scott Malone
  • Patent number: 11401767
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a torque release tubing rotator comprising a rotator body and a split drive mandrel rotatably coupled to the rotator body. The split drive mandrel receives and engages at least a portion of a tubing hanger. The split drive mandrel comprises an outer driven portion, an inner mandrel portion, and a one-way locking mechanism coupling the outer driven portion and the inner mandrel portion. The disclosure also provides a torque release tubing hanger for a tubing rotator comprising an outer housing, a tubing mandrel suspended from the outer housing, and a locking swivel rotatably coupled to the outer housing. The locking swivel is movable between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. A bi-directional coupling is also provided. The disclosure also provides a torque release tubing rotator system comprising the tubing rotator and tubing hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: RISUN OILFLOW SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Wright, Phillip Man Tong
  • Patent number: 11401768
    Abstract: A method of connecting a tubing hanger mounted in a subsea wellhead to equipment which is external to the tubing hanger. The method includes securing the tubing hanger to an end of a drill string using a tubing hanger running tool assembly, lowering the drill string from a drilling rig so as to land the tubing hanger on or in the wellhead, running an umbilical from the sea surface to the wellhead, and connecting the umbilical to at least one conduit in the tubing hanger via the tubing hanger running tool assembly. The umbilical is unconnected to the drill string other than via the tubing hanger running tool assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: AKER SOLUTIONS AS
    Inventors: Alan Kardec, Alexandre Augusto, Felipe Ehike Anastacio, Henrique Mello, Marcel Toledo, Michel Rehem
  • Patent number: 11396784
    Abstract: A subsea test tree assembly is provided which includes at least one subsea test tree or SSTT, the SSTT including a valve having at least one of a cutting function and a sealing function, the valve being movable between an open position and a closed position via hydraulic fluid supplied to the valve through control lines; and a control system including a source of hydraulic fluid, the control system being arranged to supply hydraulic fluid from the source of hydraulic fluid to the valve of the at least one SSTT on detecting that the control lines have been sheared, to automatically move the valve to the closed position. A method of controlling a well using an SSTT assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Expro North Sea Limited
    Inventors: Dariusz Szpunar, Paul Deacon, Jamie Walker