Patents Examined by Blake E Michener
  • Patent number: 10246967
    Abstract: A downhole system for use in a wellbore that includes a work string having a downhole end; a setting sleeve coupled with the downhole end; and a downhole tool engaged with the setting sleeve during run-in, the downhole tool further including a mandrel, a first slip, a first cone, a sealing element, and a lower sleeve coupled with the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Downhole Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Evan Lloyd Davies, Duke VanLue
  • Patent number: 10246968
    Abstract: A method for cementing a tubular string into a wellbore includes: running the tubular string into the wellbore using a workstring having a deployment assembly; delivering an opener activator through the workstring to the deployment assembly, thereby launching an opener plug from the deployment assembly; pumping the opener activator and plug to a stage valve of the tubular string, thereby opening the stage valve; pumping cement slurry into the workstring; pumping a closer activator through the workstring behind the cement slurry, thereby launching a closer plug from the deployment assembly; and pumping the closer activator and plug to the open stage valve, thereby driving the cement slurry into an annulus between the tubular string and the wellbore and closing the stage valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Weatherford Netherlands, B.V.
    Inventors: Marcel Budde, Peter Endenburg, Ivan Andre Barannikow
  • Patent number: 10240441
    Abstract: A perforating tool includes a charge holder connected to a work string and a perforator fixed in a charge holder disposed along the work string. The perforator includes a cylindrical case, an explosive material, a metal cap, and a detonating cord. The case has a bulkhead at a first end, an open mouth at a second end, and an interior volume. The first end includes a post having a slot. The explosive material is disposed in the interior volume. The metal cap covers the open mouth of the case and has a disk section defined by a separator ring. The separator ring has a structurally weakened zone that encircles the disk section. The detonating cord is received in the slot of the post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: OWEN OIL TOOLS LP
    Inventors: Shaun Geerts, James Kinsey, Matthew C. Clay
  • Patent number: 10240417
    Abstract: The present invention provides a tool (1) for removing metal debris from a well bore, comprising a magnet element (2), rotation generating means (5), a debris removal unit (3) and a debris container (6), wherein the magnet element comprises a cylinder-shaped housing (10) having a first end (7) and a second end (8); the debris removal unit (3) comprises a first helix-shaped longitudinal guide element (4) arranged around the cylinder-shaped housing; the rotation generating means (5) are operably connected to the cylinder-shaped housing or the first helix-shaped longitudinal guide element; the debris container (6) comprises a first opening (9) arranged at the second end (8) of the cylinder-shaped housing, wherein the cylinder-shaped housing (10), or the first helix-shaped longitudinal guide element (4), is rotatable around its centerline (C), and configured such that metal debris accumulating on the cylinder-shaped housing during use is guided by the first helix-shaped longitudinal guide element towards the firs
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Norse Oiltools AS
    Inventor: Jan Stangeland
  • Patent number: 10232493
    Abstract: Polycrystalline diamond cutting elements having enhanced thermal stability, drill bits incorporating the same, and methods of making the same are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a cutting element includes a substrate having a metal carbide and a polycrystalline diamond body bonded to the substrate. The polycrystalline diamond body includes a plurality of diamond grains bonded to adjacent diamond grains by diamond-to-diamond bonds and a plurality of interstitial regions positioned between adjacent diamond grains. At least a portion of the plurality of interstitial regions comprise a non-catalyst material, a catalyst material, metal carbide, or combinations thereof. At least a portion of the plurality of interstitial regions comprise non-catalyst material that coats portions of the adjacent diamond grains such that the non-catalyst material reduces contact between the diamond and the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Diamond Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Allen Long, Andrew Gledhill
  • Patent number: 10233733
    Abstract: A cross over tool includes, a first tubular forming part of a structure having a channel formed radially through a wall thereof and having a passageway formed longitudinally through the wall. The tool includes a second tubular forming part of a tool string, the second tubular is positionable radially of the first tubular, and has a port through a wall thereof, the port is alignable with the channel. The crossover tool is configured such that while the a port is aligned with the a channel fluid can flow through an inside of the tool string radially through the a port and the a channel and back into the inside of the tool string and through the a passageway and through an annular space defined between the tool string and the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: James A. Smith, Robert S. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 10227850
    Abstract: Flow control devices for regulating fluid flow from a subterranean formation by utilizing materials containing hydrophilic surfaces in a flow path of formation fluids. The flow control device comprises a tubular body, a flow path, and a material having a hydrophilic surface disposed within the flow path to restrict the flow of water. Methods of making and systems utilizing the flow control devices are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Devesh K. Agrawal, Anil K. Sadana, Gaurav Agrawal
  • Patent number: 10227825
    Abstract: A hydraulic jetting assembly is provided herein. The jetting assembly includes a jetting hose, with a jetting nozzle at its distal end. The jetting nozzle comprises a tubular stator body having a fluid discharge slot, and a tubular rotor body residing within a bore of the stator body. The jetting nozzle has one or more bearings residing between the stator body and the surrounding rotor body to accommodate relative rotational movement. The jetting nozzle includes a proximal end configured to sealingly connect to an end of a jetting hose, and to receive a high pressure jetting fluid. Preferably, the nozzle has an outer diameter that is equivalent to or slightly larger than an outer diameter of the jetting hose. Preferably, the jetting assembly has at least three actuator wires configured to induce a controlled bending moment at its distal end, thereby providing for a steerable downhole tool. Jetting collars may be placed along the jetting hose to overcome drag force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: COILED TUBING SPECIALTIES, LLC
    Inventor: Bruce L. Randall
  • Patent number: 10221657
    Abstract: Embodiments of a reciprocating tool, used to engage and clear obstructions in a wellbore, have a biasing spring located externally about an axially reciprocating and rotatable sleeve to act between the rotatable sleeve and the non-rotatable mandrel to bias the rotatable sleeve to an extended position. During a drill out operation, a non-rotatable sleeve, connected to the mandrel for telescoping over the mandrel and the rotatable sleeve during a downstroke of the mandrel, guides a drill string for drill-out of at least the mandrel and other internal components. Positioning the biasing spring external to the rotating sleeve and downhole of the non-rotating sleeve prevents engaging the spring with the drill string. The rotating sleeve provides an internal guide for the drill out string to further avoid engagement with the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: LONGHORN CASING TOOLS INC.
    Inventor: Randy Gosselin
  • Patent number: 10214977
    Abstract: An automated pipe tripping apparatus includes an outer frame and an inner frame. The inner frame includes a tripping slips and iron roughneck. The automated pipe tripping apparatus may, in concert with an elevator and drawworks, trip in a tubular string in a continuous motion. The tripping slips and iron roughneck, along with the inner frame, may travel vertically within the outer frame. The weight of the tubular string is transferred between the tripping slips and the elevator. The iron roughneck may make up or break out threaded connections between tubular segments, the upper tubular segment supported by the elevator and the lower by the tripping slips. An automated pipe handling apparatus may remove or supply sections of pipe from or to the elevator. A control system may control both the automated pipe tripping apparatus and the elevator and drawworks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ensco Services Limited
    Inventor: Rick Pilgrim
  • Patent number: 10214990
    Abstract: Safety device (10) for a fluid production well, comprising a valve (58) used to seal a passage, and which can move between an open position of the passage (52) and a closed position of the passage (52); and connecting biasing means (92) for permanently biasing the valve (58) towards the closed position thereof. The device comprises holding means (42) for holding the valve (58) in its open position against permanent biasing means (92), and actuating means (42, 44) which are configured to actuate the holding means (42), on reception of a maintenance signal, to generate: *a first displacement of the movement element (98) from the active valve biasing position to an intermediate valve biasing position, in which the valve (58) remains in its open position; and *a subsequent second return displacement of the movement element (58) from the intermediate valve biasing position to the active valve biasing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: GEOSERVICES EQUIPEMENTS, ROISSY EN FRANCE
    Inventors: Francois Joseph Girardi, François Chevillard
  • Patent number: 10208579
    Abstract: Oil and gas recovery includes selecting a previously used oil or gas containing layer in which cumulative perforation was utilized, closing micro cracks over a thickness of the oil or gas containing layer, carrying out slotting of the oil or gas containing layer to form slots, producing micro cracks over the thickness of the oil or gas containing layer, carrying out hydraulic fracturing of the oil or gas containing layer, and withdrawing oil or gas from the oil or gas containing layer with maintaining of a pressure in the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Inventors: Leon Marmorshteyn, Yuri Frankel, Eugenia Kesler
  • Patent number: 10208580
    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: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Motive Drilling Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Todd W. Benson, Teddy C. Chen, David Lee Simpson
  • Patent number: 10208564
    Abstract: A rupture assembly that may be employed in the oilfield industry facilitates the deployment of a tubing string in a well. The rupture assembly may be installed at the bottom of the tubing string for the purpose of trapping air in a lateral section of the tubing, between the rupture assembly and an upper sealing assembly. As a result, the buoyant force in the lateral section reduces the drag encountered while running the tubing through the casing, thereby significantly reducing rig time, or permitting operations where none were possible previously. Once at landing depth, surface pressure may be added to burst and remove the seal and rupture assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: NCS MULTISTAGE INC.
    Inventors: John Ravensbergen, Juan Montero
  • Patent number: 10196882
    Abstract: A method for gas well deliquification, an installation for gas well deliquification, and a granular sorbent material are provided. The gas well deliquification method includes introducing granular sorbent material in a gas well having liquid to be removed and/or vapor thereof; contacting the granular sorbent material with the liquid and/or vapor thereof in the gas well, thereby causing sorption of at least part of the liquid and/or vapor thereof by the granular sorbent material; and lifting of the granular sorbent material with sorbed liquid and/or vapor thereof at least partly by the gas stream to a wellhead of the gas well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: NEDERLANDSE ORGANISATIE VOOR TOEGEPAST-NATUURWETENSCHAPPELIJK ONDERZOEK TNO
    Inventors: Arjen T. De Jong, Garrelt Jan Niels Alberts
  • Patent number: 10196889
    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: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Motive Drilling Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Todd W. Benson, Teddy Chen
  • Patent number: 10184296
    Abstract: A technique facilitates drilling of wellbores with a steerable system having a plurality of pads which may be selectively actuated in a lateral direction to apply a side force. Application of the side force is used to steer a drill bit. A valve system is positioned to control delivery of actuating fluid under pressure to individual pads in a manner that enables steering of the drill bit. The valve system allows drilling along a desired curve by controlling the flow of actuating fluid under pressure to specific steering pads at specific angular positions. The valve system also allows drilling along a desired trajectory by preventing exposure of the pads to the pressurized actuating fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nobuyoshi Niina, Oleg Polyntsev
  • Patent number: 10184326
    Abstract: A perforating system for creating perforations that azimuthally circumscribe an inner wall of a wellbore, and that are at substantially the same depth in the wellbore. The perforating system includes perforating assemblies that are housed in a gun body and spaced axially apart. The perforating assemblies have shaped charges positioned at selective angles around an axis of the gun body and at substantially the same axial location in the gun body. Bulkheads are provided between adjacent shaped charges, so that initiating the shaped charges forms angularly spaced apart perforations in a tubular in which the perforating system is inserted. Pressurizing the wellbore with fracturing fluid extends the perforations into fractures, where the fractures are normal to an axis of the wellbore and in a plane of minimum stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Baker Hughes, a GE Company LLC
    Inventor: Juan Carlos Flores
  • Patent number: 10184157
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a perforation gun casing includes providing a perforation gun housing that has a wall of nominal thickness and at least one scallop. Each scallop is a portion of the wall having a reduced thickness relative to the nominal wall thickness. The process also includes applying a selective annealing process to the perforation gun casing. The selective annealing process affects the material properties of the scallop but generally does not substantially affect the material properties of the portions of the wall having a nominal thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Holly, Wei Zhang, Muralidhar Seshadri
  • Patent number: 10167675
    Abstract: Polycrystalline diamond cutting elements having enhanced thermal stability, drill bits incorporating the same, and methods of making the same are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a cutting element includes a substrate having a metal carbide and a polycrystalline diamond body bonded to the substrate. The polycrystalline diamond body includes a plurality of diamond grains bonded to adjacent diamond grains by diamond-to-diamond bonds and a plurality of interstitial regions positioned between adjacent diamond grains. At least a portion of the plurality of interstitial regions comprise lead or lead alloy, a catalyst material, metal carbide, or combinations thereof. At least a portion of the plurality of interstitial regions comprise lead or lead alloy that coat portions of the adjacent diamond grains such that the lead or lead alloy reduces contact between the diamond and the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Diamond Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Allen Long, Andrew Gledhill