Patents Examined by Blake E Michener
  • Patent number: 11105153
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an extendable apparatus, such as an extendable apparatus for a drill head, a drill head including an extendable apparatus, and a method of operating a drill head. The extendable apparatus includes a base section, a drive section, an extension section, and a functional section. The base section and the drive section are moveable with respect to the extension section and the functional section along a longitudinal axis. The drive section and the functional section are rotationally rigidly coupled to each other. The base section and the extension section are rotationally rigid coupled to each other, and the drive section and the functional section are rotationally moveably coupled to the extension section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: SANDVIK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AB
    Inventors: Christoph Haberer, Andreas Bischof
  • Patent number: 11105160
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to fluid compensated downhole connectors and connection systems employing an intensified dielectric fluid compensation. Also disclosed is a permanent downhole fluid compensated electrical connector assembly employing an intensified dielectric fluid compensation. The present disclosure is also directed to a field bypass connector system for a downhole completion tool, such as a packer, and a retrievable wet connect system also employing intensified dielectric fluid compensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: ACCESSESP UK LIMITED
    Inventors: Dwayne Leismer, Andras Bencze, Rogelio Cantu, Matthew Paul Benham
  • Patent number: 11098556
    Abstract: Downhole assemblies and methods for isolating a wellbore. A downhole tool can include a body having a bore or flowpath formed therethrough, and one or more sealing members disposed therein. The one or more sealing members can include an annular base and a curved surface having an upper face and a lower face, wherein one or more first radii define the upper face, and one or more second radii define the lower face, and wherein, at any point on the curved surface, the first radius is greater than the second radius. The sealing members can be disposed within the bore of the tool using one or more annular sealing devices disposed about the one or more sealing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Nine Energy Service, Inc.
    Inventor: W. Lynn Frazier
  • Patent number: 11098538
    Abstract: A carrier system may be used to position a wireline tool within a wellbore. The system includes a wireline tool carrier disposed on the end of a coiled tubing string. The wireline carrier tool includes a tubular member and stabilizers which secure the wireline tool within an internal passageway of the tubular member. The internal passageway defines a fluid flow path which facilitates fluid communication between the coiled tubing string and any device or wellbore portion below the wireline tool carrier. As the system is advanced within the wellbore fluid is conveyed around the wireline tool through the fluid flow path to remove obstructions that would otherwise inhibit the placement of the wireline tool within a deviated wellbore. Fluid conveyed through the system and around the wireline tool may also be used to perform various well stimulation and intervention functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: John Leslie Wisinger, Jr., Jonathan Peter Zacharko
  • Patent number: 11098561
    Abstract: The disclosure improves the analysis of the hydraulic fracturing (HF) break down process of a well system. The analysis can use as inputs collected HF data such as the HF fluid pressure, HF fluid flow rate, and HF fluid composition over one or more time intervals. In some aspects, the perforation parameters and stratigraphic well placement can also be used as inputs. The analysis can also use as inputs the HF model inputs that were used in collecting the HF data. The analysis can determine an effectiveness parameter of the received inputs. HF model inputs can be selected that would best fit a HF job plan goal for the current well system. In some aspects, the HF model inputs can be communicated to a well system controller of the current well system to further direct HF job plan operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir Nikolayevich Martysevich, Ronald Glen Dusterhoft, Jianfu Ma
  • Patent number: 11099584
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for stabilizing gas/liquid flow in a vertical conduit by utilizing one or more flow stabilizing devices positioned inside the conduit along a structural support tube. The flow stabilizing devices are configured and dimensioned to accelerate the velocity of the flowing two-phase fluid mixture in the conduit to sustain upward liquid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Maher Maqbool Shariff, Regis Didier Alain Vilagines, Olanrewaju Malcolm Oshinowo
  • Patent number: 11091998
    Abstract: A tool for monitoring conditions within a subterranean well includes a first body segment, the first body segment being an elongated member with an axial protrusion having a reduced outer diameter. A second body segment is sized for mating with the first body segment. A metal specimen circumscribes the axial protrusion of the first body segment so that an outer diameter surface of the metal specimen defines an outer diameter of the tool. A connection assembly releasably secures the first body segment to the second body segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Vladimir Jovancicevic, Sunder Ramachandran, Amro Mukhles, Irfan Syafii
  • Patent number: 11085267
    Abstract: A Frac plug with multiple pump down rings, wherein the outer diameter of the pump down rings is smaller than that of the inner diameter of the casing, which may not allow a seal to be formed across the casing. Systems may also include a rupture disc within the Frac plug that is positioned adjacent to an atmospheric chamber, which allows the rupture disc to be removed based on a known pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Inventors: Mohamed Ibrahim Saraya, Stephen Parks, Mike Los, Alex Goodwin
  • Patent number: 11085283
    Abstract: An apparatus associated with a drilling rig includes a surface steerable system for controlling drilling direction of a bottom hole assembly (BHA). The surface steerable system is configured to receive drilling rig parameters from the BHA. A database stores historical data related to the drilling rig. The historical data relates to previously tracked operations of the drilling rig. The surface steerable system is further configured to perform a plurality of tracking functions with respect to the drilling rig parameters. The plurality of tracking functions cause the surface steerable system to track drilling rig parameters from sensors associated with the drilling rig, access the database of the historical data relating to previously tracked operations of the drilling rig and control operating functions of the drilling rig responsive to at least one of the drilling rig parameters from the sensors associated with the drilling rig and the historical data from the database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: MOTIVE DRILLING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Todd W. Benson, Teddy C. Chen
  • Patent number: 11066896
    Abstract: A radially expandable backup ring (50) with relatively rigid segments (56) and relatively resilient segments (58) that are integral with one another to circumferentially urge the relatively rigid segments (56) together when the backup ring (50) expands. The backup ring (50) may radially expand to reduce or eliminate a radial gap between the backup ring (50) and a radially inwardly facing surface of a corresponding cased wellbore (22) to prevent or minimize axial extrusion of a corresponding sealing member (32), such as a compressible packer seal of a cased-hole retrievable packer assembly. The relatively resilient segments (58) allow the backup ring (50) to elastically expand and retract to prevent axial extrusion of the sealing member (32). The relatively rigid support segments (54) may be axially aligned with a corresponding relatively resilient segment (58) of the backup ring to prevent axial extrusion of the sealing member (32) through the corresponding relatively resilient segment (58).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy David Heiman, James Richard Hanson, William Brooks Frederick
  • Patent number: 11066919
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is shown for measuring diameter of sucker rods during reworking of an oil well. Diameters are compared to known data tables to determine if a sucker rod should be replaced. If undue wear has occurred to the guides, the sucker rod will be replaced. If wear is excessive, additions guides will be added to the replacement sucker rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Optimum Innovation & Logistics, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Wallace, David Pena, Albert Munsinger
  • Patent number: 11060356
    Abstract: A cutter for a drill bit includes: a substrate for mounting the cutter to the drill bit; and a cutting table. The cutting table: is made from a superhard material, is mounted to the substrate, has an interface with the substrate at a lower end thereof, and has a working face at an upper end thereof. The working face has a protruding center section and a plurality of protruding ribs. Each rib extends radially outward from the center section to a side of the cutting table. Each rib has a triangular profile formed by a pair of inclined side surfaces and a ridge connecting opposing ends of the side surfaces. The working face further has a plurality of recessed bases located between adjacent ribs and each extending inward from the side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: VAREL INTERNATIONAL IND., L.L.C.
    Inventors: Bruno Cuillier De Maindreville, Patricia Ann Neal, Samer Tawfiq Alkhalaileh
  • Patent number: 11060363
    Abstract: A mandrel assembly secures to a mandrel and drill pipe to start the drill pipe through the RCD. The mandrel assembly attaches to different drill pipe configurations via an attachment finger. The attachment finger secures the mandrel to the drill pipe. The attachment finger inserts into the attachment aperture of the mandrel and the drill pipe to secure the mandrel with the drill pipe. Once attached, the user removes the mandrel by pulling the mandrel away from the drill pipe via removal apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: PRUITT TOOL & SUPPLY CO.
    Inventors: Grant Pruitt, Cris Braun, Shawn McBride, Benjamin Micah Spahn
  • Patent number: 11047222
    Abstract: A system and method for surface steerable drilling are provided. In one example, the method includes monitoring operating parameters for drilling rig equipment and bottom hole assembly (BHA) equipment for a BHA, where the operating parameters control the drilling rig equipment and BHA equipment. The method includes receiving current inputs corresponding to performance data of the drilling rig equipment and BHA equipment during a drilling operation and determining that an amount of change between the current inputs and corresponding previously received inputs exceeds a defined threshold. The method further includes determining whether a modification to the operating parameters has occurred that would result in the amount of change exceeding the defined threshold and identifying that a problem exists in at least one of the drilling rig equipment and BA equipment if no modification has occurred to the operating parameters. The method includes performing a defined action if a problem exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: MOTIVE DRILLING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Todd W. Benson, Teddy C. Chen, David Lee Simpson
  • Patent number: 11047189
    Abstract: A launching system for an autonomous unit (RAU) carrying a logging tool for oil and gas well logging robotic, said system comprising a main body provided with first and second control valves and a draining valve, sensors and a end cap electrically connected to a control room for transmission of the data collected by the logging tool carried by the RAU, said End Cap collecting data and charging the electrical battery of the robotic autonomous unit (RAU) carrying said logging tool to be launched by said main body and performing a schedule of logging tasks in the well; and a connection for a wellhead. The method for installation and uninstallation of the autonomous unit in the said system as well as a rescue system for the said robotic autonomous unit in case of hindered motion of the RAU for any reason are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: INSFOR—INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR ROBOTICS LTDA.—ME
    Inventors: Paulo Dore Fernandes, Julio Quadrio de Moura Guedes, Alexandre Ormiga Galvão Barbosa, Daniel Zacarias Freitas
  • Patent number: 11047211
    Abstract: A system and method for deployment of an isolation seal assembly wherein an isolation seal assembly is releasably attached to a reverse circulation debris removal tool. The system includes a debris removal tool having a head with an elongated snorkel extending from the head; and an isolation seal assembly attached to the head with a shear device so that the snorkel protrudes past the end of the isolation seal assembly. The isolation seal assembly further includes a tubular with a latch adjacent a first end, an external seal below the latch, and openings formed along tubular between latch and the seal. The debris removal tool is used to engage the isolation seal assembly with a lower completion assembly. The openings in the isolation seal assembly permit the debris removal tool to continue to function after the isolation seal assembly is engaged with the lower completion assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jameel U. Rahman, Danny P. Lewis, Colby M. Ross, Peter R. Maher
  • Patent number: 11035199
    Abstract: Provided are electric safety valves and methods of use. An electric safety valve comprises an electric actuator positioned in an interior chamber of the electric safety valve; the interior chamber comprising a dielectric fluid and being pressure and temperature compensated with a flow passage extending axially through the electric safety valve. The pressure and temperature compensation is performed via a compensating subassembly in pressure communication with the interior chamber thereby providing a section-balanced electric safety valve. The electric safety valve further comprises a protective sleeve separating the interior chamber from the flow passage. The electric safety valve further comprises at least one compression spring rod coupled to a closure member capable of restricting or preventing fluid flow through the flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James Dan Vick, Jr., Bruce Edward Scott
  • Patent number: 11028684
    Abstract: A system and method for surface steerable drilling are provided. In one example, the system receives toolface information for a bottom hole assembly (BHA) and non-survey sensor information corresponding to a location of the BHA in a borehole. The system calculates an amount of incremental progress made by the BHA based on the non-survey sensor information and calculates an estimate of the location based on the toolface information and the amount of incremental progress. The system repeats the steps of receiving toolface information and non-survey sensor information and calculating an amount of incremental progress to calculate an estimate of a plurality of locations representing a path of the BHA from a first survey point towards a second sequential survey point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Motive Drilling Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd W. Benson, Teddy Chen
  • Patent number: 11008841
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for electromagnetic heating of a hydrocarbon formation is presented. The apparatus is a radio frequency antenna module in a radio frequency antenna for delivering electromagnetic energy generated by a generator into the hydrocarbon formation. The antenna module comprises: a conductive member; at least one conductive sheath with a first and second end surrounding at least one portion of the conductive member; at least one electrical coupler electrically coupled to the conductive member and the at least one conductive sheath for receiving the electrical energy; and an electrically insulating seal inserted at the first and second end of each of the at least one conductive sheath between the conductive member and the conductive sheath to maintain an enclosed cavity defined by the conductive member, the conductive sheath and the electrically insulating seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Acceleware Ltd.
    Inventors: Thomas Apperley, Michal M. Okoniewski
  • Patent number: 11008855
    Abstract: A method for determining a location of a proppant in a subterranean formation includes obtaining a first set of data in a wellbore using a downhole tool. The proppant is pumped into the wellbore after the first set of data is obtained. The proppant is pumped while or after the subterranean formation is fractured. A second set of data is obtained in the wellbore using the downhole tool after the proppant is pumped into the wellbore. The first set of data and the second set of data include a gravitational field measurement. The first and second sets of data are compared, and in response to the comparison, the location of the proppant in the subterranean formation is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventor: Souvik Mukherjee