Patents Examined by Blake Michener
  • Patent number: 11808145
    Abstract: A fluid signal generator configured to produce fluid pulses in a fluid column of a wellbore are described. The fluid pulses represent data and/or other information to be transmitted from a downhole device, such as a fluid plug apparatus located within the borehole of the wellbore, to one or more other devices located away from the downhole device, including devices located above a surface of the wellbore. The fluid plug may be configured to provide a fluid seal between a first portion of the wellbore and a second portion of the wellbore prior to and during a fluid treatment procedure being performed on the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Linley Fripp, Sean Christopher Canning, Daniel Keith Moeller
  • Patent number: 11795763
    Abstract: A downhole drilling tool, forming part of a subterranean drilling system, may include at least one plate secured to an exterior of an elongate body. Electronics may be disposed between the plate and the body to be protected by the plate while still readily accessible. A dynamic element may be radially extendable from the plate to engage an inner wall of a borehole being drilled. If this radially-extendable element becomes worn or damaged from this engagement, the plate may be replaced. More expensive components of the drilling tool may be contained within the elongate body, rather than the plate, thus reducing replacement frequency. Additionally, plates including unique features may be employed at different times without altering the underlying elongate body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Marshall, Steven G. Villareal, Michael George Azar, Scott Richard Woolston
  • Patent number: 11795783
    Abstract: A method of identifying hydrocarbon production information is disclosed. In in a first hydrocarbon management environment, a first audio signal is detected and a characteristic acoustic fingerprint is identified therefrom. The fingerprint is stored in a memory, along with identifying information associated with the first signal. A second audio signal is detected and a characteristic acoustic fingerprint is identified therefrom. The fingerprints are compared, and if the fingerprints match the identifying information of the first audio signal is assigned to the second audio signal. A notification regarding the matching of the characteristic acoustic fingerprints of the first and second audio signals is issued.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
    Inventors: David J. Schmidt, Krishnan Kumaran, Donald Allen Burnett
  • Patent number: 11781391
    Abstract: A method of cleaning production tubing in a producing petroleum well comprising the steps: i) providing collection tool configured for both selectively collecting debris while residing downhole to obtain collected debris as well as selectively releasing collected debris while residing downhole; ii) lowering collection tool to specific location at certain depth into production tubing of the producing petroleum well where there is at least a partial choking of local production flow due to accumulated debris deposited on production tubing; iii) collecting accumulated debris with collection tool to obtain collected debris; iv) pulling collection tool to production zone of production tubing or downstream of production zone where there will be enough production flow during production to ensure lifting capacity for collected debris; and v) releasing collected debris into production zone of production tubing to obtain released debris being lifted by production flow when production is running.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Altus Invervention (Technologies) AS
    Inventor: Lasse Haugland
  • Patent number: 11781405
    Abstract: A method of deliquification of production wells includes placing an artificial lift tool in a gas wellbore, where the artificial lift tool includes a rack and multiple piezoelectric transducers. The rack includes multiple trays. Each piezoelectric transducer of the multiple piezoelectric transducers is positioned on a respective tray of the multiple trays. The method further includes providing, by a pump, a liquid on surfaces of the multiple piezoelectric transducers and providing, by a signal source, an electrical signal to the multiple piezoelectric transducers. The method also includes generating, by the multiple piezoelectric transducers, acoustic waves from the electrical signal, where at least some of the liquid provided to the multiple piezoelectric transducers is atomized by the acoustic waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Richard Jaure, Cole Thomas Brinkley, Farid George Mitri, Jonathon Crain Boudreaux, James Thomas Stiernberg, Dennis John Harris
  • Patent number: 11773710
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium that stores instructions executable by one or more processors, in which the instructions cause the one or more processors to determine a threshold value associated with an axial acceleration oscillation amplitude at a drill bit, in which the drill bit is a part of a drilling system. The instructions further cause the one or more processors to receive an operating parameter value of the drilling system, compare the operating parameter value with the threshold value, and adjust an operation of the drilling system in response to comparing the operating parameter value with the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Benjamin Peter Jeffryes, Adam Ian Bowler
  • Patent number: 11767715
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an underreamer. In one aspect, the underreamer comprises a body, the body comprising at least one pocket therein, the underreamer further comprising at least one cutter secured with respect to the body, at least one actuating mechanism for moving the cutter between a retracted position in the pocket, and an extended position in which only the cutter projects from the body. In one aspect, the or each actuating mechanism comprises a piston for driving extension of the cutter, and a linkage to a cutter arm with respect to which the cutter is mounted, and a return spring for biasing the cutter to the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: TRANSCO MANUFACTURING AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
    Inventors: Roy Estes, George Fyfe
  • Patent number: 11753920
    Abstract: A parallel gas separator apparatus and method used in an electric submersible pump (ESP) system includes two or more internal mechanical separation chambers which operate in parallel to significantly increase both the processing capacity of the gas separator and the liquid production rate of the ESP system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: MINGO MANUFACTURING INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Raymond L. Witten
  • Patent number: 11753910
    Abstract: A variable flow resistance system for use with a subterranean well includes a first flow path configured to receive a fluid, a sensor configured to measure a property of the fluid received into the first flow path, and an actuator configured to control an inflow rate of the fluid received into the first flow path based upon the property of the fluid measured by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Jules Frosell, Michael Linley Fripp, Zahed Kabir, Zachary Ryan Murphree
  • Patent number: 11725459
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a multiple ridge diamond compact for a drill bit, comprising a hard alloy substrate (cemented carbide substrate) (102) and a diamond composite layer (101), wherein an end surface of the diamond composite layer is provided with at least two ridges angled relative to each other, and converging ends of two adjacent ridges extend to an edge of the diamond composite layer (101) so as to form a concave cutting edge portion on the edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: KINGDREAM PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
    Inventors: Qiang Liu, Guanfu Tu, Hong Xu
  • Patent number: 11719084
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that enable efficient well completion operations and provide the ability of flushing the wellbore before, during and after a fracturing or treatment operation, such that a resettable plug and associated bottom hole assembly is not trapped or buried by fluids and particulates in the hole and the sealing element of the resettable plug is not damaged. Systems and methods which mitigate and prevent accumulation of fluids and particulates above a resettable plug are also provided. Systems and methods for delivering pressurized fluid to a subterranean formation are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Inventors: Jeffrey Bruce Wensrich, Sam Noam Schroit
  • Patent number: 11708749
    Abstract: A downhole device for installation in a petroleum well, comprising a sensor, a controller and a power source. The device further comprises an acoustic speaker configured to output a sound signal from the downhole device to a fiber optic cable in the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Petroleum Technology Company AS
    Inventor: Erling Kleppa
  • Patent number: 11702914
    Abstract: A system for producing fluids from a wellbore extending from a well surface to a fluid-producing formation has a Y-tool installed in fluid communication with the tubing string placed in the wellbore. A pump, which may be an electric submersible pump (ESP), is installed in the Y-tool for lifting fluids from the formation to the surface. A blanking plug is positioned in the tubing string between the upper and lower connections of the Y-tool. A flushing port extends through a wall of the tubing string, positioned above and near the upper end of the blanking plug when in its operating position, and a flushing tube is located in the annular space between the tubing string and the wellbore casing. The flushing tube is in fluid communication with the flushing port and extends from the flushing port to the well surface. Flushing fluid is pumped downhole through the flushing tube to agitate and disperse any accumulated sand, scale and other particulate matter on top of the blanking plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Hussain Al Majid, Jawad M. Al Khalifah
  • Patent number: 11702890
    Abstract: A cutting element may include a fluid passage passing through the cutting element. The cutting element may further include a cutting edge and an aperture proximate the cutting edge. The aperture may be coupled to the fluid passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Christopher W. Lane, Umesh Prasad, Eric C. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 11704453
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for selecting a drill bit design that reduces or eliminates bit induced stick-slip. In some embodiments, each of a set of test drill bits is correlated with stick-slip events, wherein each of the test drill bits has a different design pattern comprising a combination of structural attributes. The design pattern stick-slip correlation includes, for each of the test drill bits, detecting variations in motion of the test drill bit during drilling operation. Stick-slip for each of the test drill bits is detected based on the detected variations in motion of the test drill bits during operation. The correlation further includes in response to detecting stick-slip, recording a stick-slip event in association with the corresponding test drill bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Shilin Chen
  • Patent number: 11692416
    Abstract: A piston for use in a rotary steerable system includes a body formed from a first material. A sealing surface extends around the circumferential wall of the body. The sealing surface is formed from a plurality of layers of a second material. The second material is harder than the first material. The piston can be within a downhole piston assembly that also includes a housing, and the piston being longitudinally movable in a bore in the housing. A method for producing a piston includes preparing a piston formed from a first material, with the piston including a first end. A sealing surface is applied to the piston using laser cladding, with the sealing surface including a second material harder than the first material. The sealing surface is finished to a sealing surface diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Anan Noel
  • Patent number: 11692402
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a drill bit including a bit body and a blade extending from the bit body. The blade includes a first element protruding from a surface of the blade and a second element protruding from the surface of the blade. The first element and the second element are each configured to extend or retract relative to the surface of the blade and are coupled to each other such that when the second element retracts relative to the surface of the blade, the first element extends relative to the surface of the blade. The first element is disposed within a first pocket formed in the surface of the blade, and the second element is disposed within a second pocket formed in the surface of the blade. A communication channel is formed between the first pocket and the second pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Clark, Kelley Plunkett, Curtis Lanning
  • Patent number: 11692438
    Abstract: A method including, without removing a BHA from a wellbore of a well extending into a formation, extending, into an interior flow bore of the BHA, a first component of a wet latch assembly to provide an extended first component of the wet latch assembly, conveying downhole via a wireline cable, from a surface through an interior flow bore provided by a drill string, a second component of the wet latch assembly, and coupling the second component of the wet latch assembly with the extended first component of the wet latch assembly such that an electrical connection is established between the first component and the second component and between the BHA and the surface via the wireline cable, and testing the formation with a formation tester of the BHA, while providing power and/or data telemetry for the formation tester via the wet latch assembly and the wireline cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Jones, Darren George Gascooke, Anthony Herman Van Zuilekom, Glenn Andrew Wilson
  • Patent number: 11692437
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a ferrite for use in a resistivity logging tool includes providing an uncured ferrite material, and pressing the uncured ferrite material into a channel to form the ferrite. The channel is defined on a surface of a bobbin associated with the resistivity logging tool, and the channel can be arcuate and extend at an angle offset from a central axis of the bobbin. The uncured ferrite material is then cured in place within the channels on the bobbin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Chase Griffing, Jin Ma, Michael Bittar
  • Patent number: 11692418
    Abstract: A flow control device including a flow channel having a housing defining an inside surface, the inside surface having an irregular helical structure of constant orthogonal cross-sectional dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Zhihui Zhang, Bin Zhu, Guijun Deng, Zhiyue Xu, Ronnie Russell