Patents Examined by Aaron L Lembo
  • Patent number: 11035212
    Abstract: A first fracturing fluid is pumped through a first wellbore at a first pressure. The first wellbore includes a first vertical section and horizontal section having a first end, intersecting from the first vertical section, and a distal end. A second fracturing fluid is pumped through a second wellbore at a second pressure simultaneously while the first fracturing fluid is pumped through the first wellbore. The second wellbore includes a second vertical section that intersects with the distal end of the horizontal section. The first pressure and the second pressure result in the first fracturing fluid and the second fracturing fluid intersecting at a fracture point within the horizontal section at a third pressure. The first fracturing fluid and the second fracturing fluid each experience a respective pressure drop traveling through their respective wellbores to the fracture point/. The respective pressure drops result in the third pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Khalid Mohammed M. Alruwaili, Mohamed Nabil Noui-Mehidi
  • Patent number: 11035191
    Abstract: A subsea well assembly includes a high pressure wellhead housing; and a port for monitoring and/or controlling fluid within an annulus within the high pressure wellhead housing. The port extends through the high pressure wellhead housing. The subsea well assembly further includes a wellhead support for laterally supporting the high pressure wellhead housing, wherein, at an axial height of the port, the wellhead support surrounds the high pressure wellhead housing at circumferentially discrete locations and the port is located at a circumferential location where the high pressure wellhead housing is not covered by the wellhead support. A method of monitoring and/or controlling fluid within the annulus within the subsea well assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: EQUINOR ENERGY AS
    Inventors: Tore Geir Wernø, Lorents Reinås, Harald Sigurd Nesse
  • Patent number: 11035215
    Abstract: Disclosed is a slug catcher skid that is comprised of an integral inlet separator sized for a single compressor flow and each slug catcher skid is only used with a single compressor. The flow through the integral inlet separator is determined by the flow rate through the single compressor to which it is attached. Additionally, the other piping on an individual slug catcher skid such as the common gas inlet pipe headers, the common liquid drain pipe headers, and the common gas discharge pipe headers are sized for the flow of multiple compressors in a single facility. Some embodiments of the slug catcher skid are further comprised of an inlet filter separator, a Positive Shut Off (PSO) system, and/or an equalizing system in various combinations. The slug skids of the claimed invention may be further comprised of post compressor functional equipment including but not limited to a discharge gas oil separation vessel and a glycol separation vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: TK Skids, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Kunkel
  • Patent number: 11035198
    Abstract: A multifunction blowout preventer has a housing formed from a single piece of material, which has a central bore, a bottom connection, a gate valve section, an integrated ram assembly/flow tee section, and a top connection. The blowout preventer optionally includes a gas lift/electrical ports section. The components of the blowout preventer are radially offset and/or staggered from one another about the periphery of the housing to help minimize the height of the blowout preventer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: DRECO ENERGY SERVICES ULC
    Inventors: David McAdam, Brian McAdam, James Orr, Clark Weiss
  • Patent number: 11035194
    Abstract: Conveying a replaceable assembly between latched and unlatched configurations with an outer housing can include connecting the replaceable assembly to a running tool, so the assembly can be conveyed with the running tool, and disconnecting the assembly from the running tool. At least one of the connecting and disconnecting steps can include actuating an iris mechanism. A pressure control device can include an annular seal and a latch that releasably secures the annular seal relative to an outer housing, the latch including a grip member that grips a surface and prevents relative rotation. Another pressure control device can include an annular seal connected to and rotatable with an inner mandrel, and a bearing that permits relative rotation between the annular seal and the outer housing. A structure rotates with the inner mandrel, the structure including a flow inductive profile exposed to a bearing lubricant flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Tuong T. Le
  • Patent number: 11028549
    Abstract: Without limitation, embodiments of the present invention relates to an offshore wellhead platform (100), the offshore wellhead platform (100) comprising a configurable support structure (200) for supporting upper parts of a plurality of conductors (210) through which one or more well processing tasks can be performed, wherein the configurable support structure (200) further provides a first position (150) and a second position (160) for the conductors (210), and the offshore wellhead platform (100) allows movement of an upper part of a conductor (210) between its first (150) and second position (160). In this way, efficiency when processing a plurality of wells is provided since repositioning of the well center is not needed or needed significantly less. Effectively, the wells are brought to the well center so-to-speak instead of the well center needing to be moved to each well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignees: Maersk Drilling A/S, TOTAL E&P DANMARK
    Inventors: Michael Kannegaard, Hicham Chajai, Zhanibek Yerkinovich Rakhmetov
  • Patent number: 11021924
    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 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul L. Riley, Ramu Valliappan Manickam, Wei Soung Tan, May-Ling Rachel Ho, Guoxiang Calvin Wu
  • Patent number: 11015400
    Abstract: An apparatus for transferring rotational torque from a work string to a subsea infrastructure, said apparatus comprising a first connection (1) for receiving the work string; a second connection (6) for receiving the subsea infrastructure tooling; a joint seat (5) located between the first connection (1) and the second connection (6); a joint body (3) provided on the joint seat (5), wherein the joint body (3) is connected to the second connection (8) and wherein the joint body (3) can articulate freely within the joint seat (5); and means for transferring rotational torque from the first connection (1) to the joint body (3) and subsequently to the second connection (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: DELTATEK OIL TOOLS, LTD.
    Inventor: Tristam Horn
  • Patent number: 11014639
    Abstract: A drilling system configured to install a tap assembly into a ship skin is disclosed. The drilling system comprises a remotely-operated underwater vehicle and a drilling assembly configured to be operated by the remotely-operated underwater vehicle. The drilling assembly comprises a frame comprising an attachment element configured to hold the drilling assembly to a surface of the ship skin. The drilling assembly further comprises a drill actuation system comprising a linear actuator attached to the frame and a rotary actuator, wherein an actuation of the linear actuator is configured to move the rotary actuator relative to the frame to install the tap assembly into the ship skin by driving the tap assembly with the rotary actuator and the linear actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Resolve Marine Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Farrell, III, Thomas Adriaan Bambach, Patrick Louis Tielman, Cornelis Hendrikus Geurtsen, Alexander van der Speld, Todd Jeffrey Schauer, Matthew Ken Bierwagen, Nolan Blake Conway
  • Patent number: 11015418
    Abstract: A tubing pressure insensitive failsafe wireline retrievable safety valve, borehole system having the valve and method of operation of the valve. The valve includes a tool housing, a flow tube disposed within the tool housing, an actuation piston disposed in the tool housing and operably connected to the flow tube, the actuation piston having an actuation side and a pressure side, and a fluid pathway between a potential leak site for the valve and the pressure side of the piston. A temporary sealing member is in the fluid pathway between the potential leak site and the pressure side of the piston. The method includes disposing the valve at a selected location and removing at least a portion of the temporary sealing member from the fluid pathway after landing the wireline retrievable safety valve at the selected location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: John Burris, Jason Edwards, Wade Miller, Ronald J. Garr
  • Patent number: 11009162
    Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing system for fracturing a subterranean formation includes an electric powered pump having an inlet and an outlet, the outlet coupled to a well associated with the subterranean formation and powered by at least one electric motor. The system also includes a fluid source, coupled to the inlet of the electric powered pump, the fluid source providing a slurry for injection into the subterranean formation. The system further includes a hose extending between the fluid source and the electric powered pump, the hose being flexible and having a first diameter. The system includes a fitting between the hose and the electric powered pump, the fitting having a first end for receiving the hose at the first diameter and a second end for coupling to the electric powered pump at a second diameter, the second diameter being larger than the first diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: U.S. WELL SERVICES, LLC
    Inventors: Jared Oehring, Brandon Hinderliter, Lon Robinson, Alexander James Christinzio
  • Patent number: 11009022
    Abstract: A method of balancing a beam pumping unit can include securing counterweights to crank arms, thereby counterbalancing a torque applied at a crankshaft at a maximum torque factor position due to a polished rod load and any structural unbalance. A well system can include a beam pumping unit including a gear reducer having a crankshaft, crank arms connected to the crankshaft, a beam connected at one end to the crank arm and at an opposite end to a rod string polished rod, and counterweights secured to the crank arms, and in which a torque applied at the crankshaft at a maximum torque factor position due to weights of the crank arms, the counterweights and wrist pins equals a torque applied at the crankshaft at the maximum torque factor position due to a load applied to the beam via the polished rod and any structural unbalance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Clark E. Robison, Alexander D. King, Bryan A. Paulet, Behrouz Ebrahimi, Milo B. Woodward, Jeremy M. Gomes
  • Patent number: 11008825
    Abstract: A rotating control device includes a bowl housing with an inner aperture to receive a seal and bearing assembly. A plurality of hydraulically-actuated fail-last-position latching assemblies are disposed about an outer surface of the bowl housing to controllably extend a plurality of piston-driven dogs radially into a groove of the seal and bearing assembly. The seal and bearing assembly includes a housing, a mandrel disposed within an inner aperture of the housing, a first interference-fit sealing element attached to a bottom distal end of the mandrel, a plurality of tapered-thrust bearings indirectly mounted to the housing, a preload spacer disposed between top and bottom tapered-thrust bearings, a plurality of jam nuts to adjust a preload of the tapered-thrust bearings, and a lower seal carrier attached to the seal and bearing housing comprising a plurality of dynamic sealing elements that contact the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: AMERIFORGE GROUP INC.
    Inventors: Justin Fraczek, Shawn Paul McClosky, George James Michaud, Alexander John MacGregor, Fukun Lai
  • Patent number: 10995608
    Abstract: A system for ranging between two wellbores. The target wellbore includes a conductive body (e.g., casing) disposed within a portion of the target wellbore. A second wellbore includes an electromagnetic field sensing instrument positioned within the wellbore. A current delivered to the conductive body in the target wellbore results in a magnetic field emanating from the target wellbore. The electromagnetic field sensing instrument is utilized to measure an electromagnetic gradient based on the magnetic field, which electromagnetic gradient can be utilized to determine the range between the wellbores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Arthur F. Kuckes
  • Patent number: 10996685
    Abstract: A spatially positioned assembly comprising, in preferred embodiments, first and second boom sections concatenated in articulated fashion to a turret at a proximal end thereof, and rotatably connected with a fluid connection adapter at a distal end thereof. The fluid connection adapter is preferably configured for connection to a mating fluid connection housing assembly provided on a wellhead. Independent control of rotation at each of multiple axes on the spatially positioned assembly allows an operator to establish corresponding desired spatial positions for the spatially positioned assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: FHE USA LLC
    Inventors: Matthew E. Kibler, Kyle Scholl, Nicolas G. Snoke
  • Patent number: 10996686
    Abstract: A spatially positioned assembly comprising, in preferred embodiments, a fluid inlet in fluid flow communication with a fluid connection adapter. A plurality of boom sections are concatenated in articulated fashion. The plurality is rotatably connected to a turret at a proximal thereof, and is rotatably connected with the fluid connection adapter at a distal end thereof. The fluid connection adapter is disposed for connection to a mating fluid connection housing assembly provided on a wellhead. Independent control of rotation at multiple axes on the spatially positioned assembly allows an operator to establish measured directional bearings at axes, such that sets of measured directional bearings values contribute to defining corresponding spatial positions for the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: FHE USA LLC
    Inventors: Matthew E. Kibler, Kyle Scholl, Nicolas G. Snoke
  • Patent number: 10995562
    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: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Danny W. Wagoner, Tuong T. Le
  • Patent number: 10995578
    Abstract: Apparatus includes a conveyance device and a first shearable deployment bar connected to the conveyance device at a first distal end of the first shearable deployment bar, where the first shearable deployment bar has a deployment bar section and a shearable section. The shearable deployment bar is configured to carry a ballistic signal from an initiating charge, through the shearable deployment bar, and to a donor charge. The apparatus further includes a first set of perforating guns connected to the first shearable deployment bar at a second distal end thereof, and the first set of perforating guns are configured to receive the ballistic signal from the donor charge to ultimately fire the perforating guns at a targeted location in a wellbore. A second shearable deployment bar may be connected to the first set of perforating guns, and a second set of perforating guns connected to the second shearable deployment bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Rod William Shampine
  • Patent number: 10989018
    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 sensors and/or a knife-edge gate that may be used to facilitate flow control operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Proppant Express Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Oehler, Mark Kevin Fisher, Ian Wilson, Scott Joseph D'Agostino, Mark John D'Agostino, Brian Dorfman, Cory Snyder, William Scott Malone
  • Patent number: 10982522
    Abstract: Missiles for frac manifolds manifold the discharge from a plurality of pumps. The missile comprises a missile body and inlet assemblies. The missile body has a straight primary bore and a plurality of feed bores. The primary bore extends axially through the missile body. The feed bores extend radially through the missile body and define a socket. An inlet assembly is associated with each feed bore. The inlet assembly comprises a nipple and a collar. The nipple has a bore extending axially between a spigot and a union end. The nipple is connected to the collar. The spigot is received in the socket of the feed bore. The union end is adapted for connection to a flowline component. The collar comprises mating parts releasably coupled together around the missile body. The nipple is thereby releasably coupled to the missile body by coupling the collar to the missile body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: KHOLLE Magnolia 2015, LLC
    Inventors: Larry Mitchel Hill, William Brent Stroebel, Scott Taylor Donaldson, E. Lee Colley, III