Patents Examined by Blake Michener
  • Downhole devices and associated apparatus and methods
    Patent number: 11499374
    Abstract: A drill bit for drilling a bore, the drill bit comprising: an outer housing; a primary cutting structure defining a cutting plane of a first diameter; a flow path arranged to let drilling fluid flow through the drill bit; and a deployable blade assembly at least partially located within the outer housing, the deployable blade assembly comprising a cutting structure and being arranged to be axially movable from a first position, in which the deployable cutting structure is recessed with respect to the primary cutting structure, towards the cutting plane, to a second position; wherein when the deployable blade assembly is in the second position, the deployable cutting structure defines a cutting diameter which is less than or equal to the first diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Inventors: Alastair Henry Walter Macfarlane, Rory McCrae Tulloch, Matthew Shaw, Brad Ivie
  • Direct well casing deployment of downhole blower system
    Patent number: 11486236
    Abstract: This disclosure describes various implementations of a downhole-blower system that can be used to boost production in a wellbore. The downhole-blower system includes a blower and an electric machine coupled to the blower that can be deployed in a wellbore, and that can, in cooperation, increase production through the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Upwing Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Herman Artinian
  • Fixed cutting structure-composite cone drill bit
    Patent number: 11486201
    Abstract: A fixed cutting structure-composite cone drill bit includes a drill bit body, a fixed cutting structure, and at least one cone. The cone and the fixed cutting structure are disposed on the drill bit body. The cone is rotatably connected to the drill bit body by means of a bearing structure. The distance from the outermost tooth or back cone of the at least one cone to the front side surface of the fixed cutting structure La??R/3, and the distance from the outermost tooth or back cone of the at least one cone to the rear side surface of the fixed cutting structure Lb??R/3. In the composite drill bit, the distance from the cone to the front/rear side surface of the fixed cutting structure is short, the gap between the cone and the fixed cutting structure is small, transition between cutting structure is smooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignees: CHENGDU HAIRUI ENERGY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD, SOUTHWEST PETROLEUM UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yuchun Kuang, Qin Wang, Lian Chen, Zhiming Shi
  • Downhole methods
    Patent number: 11485902
    Abstract: A method for the fracking or stimulation of a hydrocarbon-bearing formation, said method comprising the steps of: providing a wellbore in need of stimulation; inserting a plug in the wellbore at a predetermined location; inserting a perforating tool and a spearhead or breakdown acid into the wellbore; positioning the tool at said predetermined location; perforating the wellbore with the tool thereby creating a perforated area; allowing the spearhead acid to come into contact with the perforated area for a predetermined period of time sufficient to prepare the formation for fracking or stimulation; removing the tool from the wellbore; and initiating the fracking of the perforated area using a fracking fluid. Also disclosed is a corrosion inhibiting composition for use with the acid composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: FLUID ENERGY GROUP LTD
    Inventors: Clay Purdy, Markus Weissenberger
  • Working machine and method for working the ground
    Patent number: 11473375
    Abstract: The invention relates to a working machine and a method for working the ground with the working machine, having a mast, along which, by means of a positioning means, a rotary head is moved vertically, by which a telescopic Kelly rod having at least two Kelly bars is displaced and guided. According to the invention the Kelly bars are locked or unlocked automatically by means of a control, wherein by means of a first detection means a rotation angle of at least one Kelly bar is detected and/or by means of a second detection means a force, torque or pressure change is detected in a hydraulic system. By the control a locking and/or unlocking of the Kelly bars is determined depending on the detected rotation angle and/or the detected change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: BAUER MASCHINEN GmbH
    Inventors: Sebastian Bauer, Christian Fischer, Andreas Schober
  • Drilling apparatus using a self-adjusting deflection device and deflection sensors for drilling directional wells
    Patent number: 11459828
    Abstract: An apparatus for drilling a directional wellbore is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment includes a drive for rotating a drill bit, a deflection device that enables a lower section of the drilling assembly to tilt about a member of the deflection device within a selected plane when the drilling assembly is substantially rotationally stationary to allow drilling of a curved section of the wellbore when the drill bit is rotated by the drive and wherein the tilt is reduced when the drilling assembly is rotated to allow drilling of a straighter section of the wellbore, and a tilt sensor that provides measurements relating to tilt of the lower section. A controller determines a parameter of interest relating to the tilt for controlling drilling of the directional wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, LLC
    Inventors: Volker Peters, Andreas Peter, Christian Fulda, Heiko Eggers, Harald Grimmer
  • Fluid separation using immersed hydrophilic and oleophilic ribbons
    Patent number: 11448056
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating fluids and controlling flow of production fluid includes a diversion assembly configured to receive production fluid produced from a subterranean region, the diversion assembly including an inflow conduit in fluid communication with a first outflow conduit and a second outflow conduit, the first outflow conduit in fluid communication with a surface location. The apparatus also includes a separation assembly including a hydrophilic ribbon and an oleophilic ribbon configured to be immersed in the production fluid, at least part of the hydrophilic ribbon and the oleophilic ribbon configured to move with the production fluid, the oleophilic ribbon configured to redirect a flow of hydrocarbons into the first outflow conduit, and the hydrophilic ribbon configured to redirect a flow of water-based fluid into the second outflow conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Rocco DiFoggio
  • Floating gas lift method
    Patent number: 11434732
    Abstract: A method for floating gas lift includes injecting natural gas from a FSRU into an annulus of an oil well, wherein the FSRU is fluidly coupled to the oil well, and the natural gas is pressurized for gas lift using at least one pump onboard the FSRU. An apparatus for floating gas lift includes a FSRU including a pump system having a high pressure (HP) LNG discharge and a regasification system including HP gaseous natural gas discharge fluidly coupled to an annulus of a downhole well, and production tubing that lifts a combined production fluid, the combined production fluid including downhole formation fluid entering the inside of the production tubing through perforations in the well casing and a production tubing inlet, and gaseous natural gas discharged from the FSRU entering the inside of the production tubing through the annulus and a valve in the production tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Excelerate Energy Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Henry George Kleemeier, Daniel Horacio Bustos, Kenneth Hugh McGeachie, Graeme David Trotter
  • Drilling assembly using a self-adjusting tilt device and sensors for drilling directional wellbores
    Patent number: 11428047
    Abstract: An apparatus for drilling a directional wellbore is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment includes a drive for rotating a drill bit, a deflection device that enables a lower section a drilling assembly to tilt within a selected plane when the drilling assembly is substantially rotationally stationary to allow drilling of a curved section of the wellbore when the drill bit is rotated by the drive and wherein the tilt is reduced when the drilling assembly is rotated to allow drilling of a straighter section of the wellbore, and a sensor that provides measurements relating a direction of the drilling assembly for drilling the wellbore along a desired direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Volker Peters, Andreas Peter, Christian Fulda, Heiko Eggers, Harald Grimmer
  • Filter tools and methods of filtering a drilling fluid
    Patent number: 11421494
    Abstract: A filter tool for a wellbore may include an outer housing, a filtration system, at least one filter tool sensor, and a filter motor. The outer housing may have an interior wall comprising at least one port and an exterior wall defining an exterior surface of the filter tool. The exterior wall may be movable between a first position in which the exterior wall covers the at least one port in the interior wall and a second position in which the exterior wall uncovers the at least one port in the interior wall. The interior wall of the outer housing and the filtration system may cooperate to define a collection chamber. The filter motor may move the exterior wall of the outer housing between the first position and the second position. Embodiments also include systems and methods employing the filter tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Ahmed Haider Al Bayat, Omar M. Alhamid
  • Apparatuses and systems for regulating flow from a geological formation, and related methods
    Patent number: 11421518
    Abstract: Systems and apparatuses for regulating a multi-phase fluid stream flowing from a subterranean geological formation, and related methods are described herein. The system and apparatus generally include a conduit defining a flow path for the fluid stream, the conduit further defining a first restriction having a throat portion, and the conduit further defining a first return path including an inlet positioned downstream of the first restriction and an outlet positioned upstream of the inlet of the first return path. Related methods include placing the apparatus or system within a wellbore conduit defined by a wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: FORUM US, INC.
    Inventors: Lance Fielder, Kyle Robert Meier, Avinash Gopal Dharne, Robert P. Fielder, III
  • Drilling apparatus using a sealed self-adjusting deflection device for drilling directional wells
    Patent number: 11421480
    Abstract: An apparatus for drilling directional wellbores is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment includes a drive for rotating a drill bit, a deflection device that enables a lower section of a drilling assembly to tilt about a member of the deflection device within a selected plane when the drilling assembly is substantially rotationally stationary to allow drilling of a curved section of the wellbore when the drill bit is rotated by the drive and wherein the tilt is reduced when the drilling assembly is rotated to allow drilling of a straighter section of the wellbore, and at least one seal that isolates at least a surface of the member from outside environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Volker Peters, Andreas Peter, Christian Fulda, Heiko Eggers, Harald Grimmer
  • Hole opener for directional drilling
    Patent number: 11421482
    Abstract: A hole opener configured for use with a directional drilling rig and the hole opener includes a shaft and slots that extends along the shaft. Blades extend radially outward from the shaft and are each received within one of the slots to couple the blades to the shaft for rotation with the shaft and to space the blades apart around the shaft. The hole opener further includes saddles. Each of the saddles includes a slot that receives one of the blades to couple the saddle to the blade and the shaft for rotation with the blade and the shaft. The saddles each include a recess. The hole opener further includes cutters and each of the cutters is received within one of the recesses of the saddles to couple the cutters to the shaft for rotation with the shaft and to space the cutters around the longitudinal axis of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Precise Drilling Components Ltd
    Inventors: Cody D. Graham, Jeffrey S. Mueller
  • Drilling bottom hole methods for loss circulation mitigation
    Patent number: 11414933
    Abstract: A drilling bottom hole assembly for loss circulation mitigation includes a drill bit configured to drill a wellbore in a formation. The drill bit is attached to a drill string. The wellbore includes a high-loss circulation zone into which drilling fluid is lost during drilling the wellbore. An under reamer is attached to the drill string upstring of the drill bit. The under reamer is downhole of the high-loss circulation zone. The under reamer, in response to actuation, is configured to widen a diameter of the high-loss circulation zone. An expansion assembly is connected to the under reamer. The expansion assembly surrounds the drill string upstring of the under reamer. The expansion assembly is configured to cover the high-loss circulation zone after the diameter of the high-loss circulation zone is widened by the under reamer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Khalifah M. Amri, Abdulrahman Anwar Al Essa, Shaohua Zhou
  • Down well pipe cutter having a plurality of cutting heads
    Patent number: 11414944
    Abstract: A cutting head assembly uses multiple cutting heads directing ultra-high pressure fluid in different directions towards an inner surface of a pipe to be cut in order to complete a full cut of the pipe while rotating or revolving the multiple cutting heads less than 360 degrees relative to central axis. The ultra-high pressure fluid mixes with abrasive inside fittings on or near each of the nozzles to further assist with cutting through the pipe. Some cutting head assemblies have two nozzles, while other cutting head assemblies have three or four nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: TERYDON, INC.
    Inventors: Terry D. Gromes, Sr., Gary L. Manack, Jr.
  • System and apparatus comprising a guide for a gripping tool and method of using same
    Patent number: 11401758
    Abstract: Apparatus, system and method for guiding a gripping tool into a structure to be gripped. In one aspect, the apparatus comprises a nubbin and a guide structure fixed to the nubbin. In a second aspect, the system comprises the apparatus and a target structure to be gripped by the gripping tool. In a third aspect, the method comprises coupling the nubbin to a target structure to be gripped by a gripping tool and moving a leading portion of the gripping tool through the apparatus and into the target structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: William Thomas Phillips, Inc.
    Inventor: William Thomas Phillips
  • Cutting element with reduced friction
    Patent number: 11401749
    Abstract: A cutting element comprises a cylindrical substrate, a table bonded to the substrate, a working surface on the top of the table, and a plurality of dimples on the working surface. The table is made of super-abrasive material. The super-abrasive material can be PCD. Surface patterns of the table can reduce contact friction between the rock and the cutting element. Therefore, heat on the table can be reduced and thermal damage to the table is decreased. This results in improved cutting element service life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignees: CNPC USA CORPORATION, Beijing Huamei Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Cheng, Jiaqing Yu, Jianhua Guo, Jie Li, Xihui Hu, Yonghong Wang
  • Shrouded screw device for removing and depositing material
    Patent number: 11401748
    Abstract: A shrouded screw apparatus includes an outer tube, a telescoping inner tube, an auger bit, and an anti-rotation pin. The outer tube has a first sidewall defining a first interior chamber. The first sidewall has an opening defined therethrough. The inner tube is positioned in the first interior chamber. The inner tube has a second sidewall defining a second interior chamber. The second sidewall has a longitudinal groove defined therein. The inner tube is configured to extend from and retract within the first interior chamber of the outer tube. The auger bit is positioned in the second interior chamber and is rotatably coupled to the inner tube. The anti-rotation pin is coupled to the first sidewall of the outer tube and extends inwardly into the first interior chamber. The pin engages the longitudinal groove of the inner tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Inventor: Evan A. Kontras
  • Device temperature gradient control
    Patent number: 11396794
    Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring a parameter of interest in a borehole in an earth formation are provided. The systems include a downhole sensor having a first sensor component with a first temperature and a second sensor component with a second temperature, the downhole sensor disposed on a downhole component. A temperature control system is configured with a thermal control mechanism operatively connected to at least one of the first and second sensor components. The thermal control mechanism is configured to maintain a temperature difference between the first temperature and the second temperature below a pre-determined temperature difference. The downhole sensor is configured to measure the parameter of interest when the temperature difference is below the pre-determined temperature difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Gunnar Tackmann, Tobias Kischkat, Thomas Kruspe, Peter Rottengatter
  • Tandem cement retainer and bridge plug
    Patent number: 11391113
    Abstract: A downhole tool assembly including a bridge plug and a cement retainer in tandem to be deployed into a wellbore on the same run or trip for remedial cementing of the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Ahmed Al-Mousa, Marius Neacsu, Ahmed A. Al-Ramadhan