Patents Examined by Brad Harcourt
  • Patent number: 11795769
    Abstract: An assembly for use in subsurface drilling includes a downhole probe supported by a centralizer. The centralizer comprises a tubular member that extends around the downhole probe. A wall of the centralizer is fluted to provide inward contact points that support the downhole probe and outward contact points that bear against a bore wall of a section of drill string. The downhole probe may be supported for substantially its entire length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Inventors: Aaron W. Logan, Justin C. Logan, Patrick R. Derkacz
  • Patent number: 11788376
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus according to which a first valve is opened, or kept open, the first valve being part of a wellhead including a flow component above the first valve. The method may further include detecting a state of the first valve and, in response to detecting the state of the first valve, metering an amount of grease to the first valve. In addition, or instead, the method may further include opening, or keeping open, a second valve, the second valve being operably coupled to the wellhead and positioned above the flow component, and, after opening, or keeping open, each of the first and second valves, detecting whether the second valve is open or closed, in response to detecting that the second valve is open, preventing the first valve from being closed, and in response to detecting that the second valve is closed, allowing the first valve to be closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: DOWNING WELLHEAD EQUIPMENT, LLC
    Inventors: Ronnie B. Beason, Nicholas J. Cannon, Joel H. Young, Brian A. Baker, Austin C. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11788396
    Abstract: An electric driven hydraulic fracking system is disclosed. A pump configuration that includes the single VFD, the single shaft electric motor, and the single hydraulic pump that is mounted on the single pump trailer. The single VFD converts the electric power of at least 13.8 kV to a VFD rated voltage level of at least 4160V and drives the single shaft electric motor at the VFD voltage level of up to 4160V to control the operation of the single shaft electric motor and the single hydraulic pump. The single shaft electric motor drives the single hydraulic pump with the rotation at the rated RPM level of at least 750 RPM. The single hydraulic pump continuously pumps the fracking media into the well at the HP level of at least 5000 HP. The single hydraulic pump operates on a continuous duty cycle to continuously pump the fracking media at the HP level of at least 5000 HP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: National Service Alliance—Houston LLC
    Inventors: John Fischer, John J. Crosetto, David Kubricht, Richard Cheatham, Jeffrey Pollack, Chad Lawman, David Todd, Tyler Nolen
  • Patent number: 11788357
    Abstract: An extendable member diagnostic assembly determines performance of one or more components of a rotary steerable system. Based on the determined performance, an operation can be altered, such as a drilling operation. Performance may be based on measurements received from one or more sensors associated with components of the extendable member diagnostic assembly. For example, performance may be based on the time to transition a valve between states where the valve controls actuation of an extendable member, downhole temperature, downhole pressure or any other factors that affect performance of components that are used to perform the drilling operation. A controller receives the measurements from the one or more sensors and updates baseline parameters to determine an accurate performance. Using real time data to determine performance increases efficiency of an operation by eliminating unnecessary replacement of components and indicating that a downhole tool should be retrieved prior to failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ravi P. Nanayakkara, Neelesh V. Deolalikar, Larry DeLynn Chambers, Richard Thomas Hay
  • Patent number: 11781419
    Abstract: Methods and system are provided for measuring parameters while drilling a wellbore using a coiled tubing drilling apparatus. An exemplary system includes an instrumented mandrel including a notch in an outer surface of the instrumented mandrel, and an indentation at each end of the notch. A sensor package in the system includes a sensor, a tubular assembly, and a mounting bracket at each end of the tubular assembly. The sensor package is sized to fit in the notch, with each of the mounting brackets fitting in one of the indentations at each end of the knot, and wherein the sensor package is substantially flush with the instrumented mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignees: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Alberto F. Marsala, Eric Donzier, Emmanuel Tavernier
  • Patent number: 11781389
    Abstract: A bottom hole assembly has a tubular component with an axis, a first axial end, a second axial end and a poppet valve assembly mounted in the second axial end. An orifice retainer is mounted inside the tubular component adjacent the first axial end. The orifice retainer has a retainer first axial end, a retainer second axial end opposite the retainer first axial end and an orifice pocket adjacent the retainer second axial end. The orifice retainer is installed in and can be removed from the first axial end of the tubular component, opposite the poppet valve assembly. In addition, an orifice is mounted in the orifice pocket of the orifice retainer. The orifice operates in conjunction with the poppet valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignees: ERDOS MILLER, INC., BLACK DIAMOND OILFIELD RENTALS, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Miller, David Cramer, Steven Paul Howard
  • Patent number: 11773694
    Abstract: Wireless multi-stage completions for providing power to and telemetry communication with downhole device(s) are provided. A power generation system can be disposed along a production string to power downhole devices. The power generation system can be driven by annulus fluid flow or production fluid flow and converts the fluid flow to electrical energy. The power generation system can be retrievably disposed in a side pocket mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alain Guelat, Debasmita Basak, Dinesh Patel, Christophe Rayssiguier, Bertrand Mancelle
  • Patent number: 11767723
    Abstract: A downhole transducer assembly capable of being safely operated at a variety of pressures and depths may include a turbine rotatable by a fluid pressure differential rotationally fixed to a rotor in a generator. To reduce the rotational speed of the turbine and rotor, a pressure regulator may limit a fluid pressure differential by controlling the volumetric flow. One or more nozzles may be configured to automatically regulate a nozzle diameter, and therefore the pressure drop across the nozzle. A surge protector may be connected to the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Edward George Parkin, Scott Richard Woolston, Jonathan D. Marshall, David C. Hoyle, Jim Shumway
  • Patent number: 11761282
    Abstract: A through-bore spool apparatus for use in deploying multiple spoolable media in a bore is disclosed. The through-bore spool apparatus comprises a first spool comprising a first spool axis and a first spoolable medium wound around the first spool axis, and a second spool comprising a second spool axis and a second spoolable medium wound around the second spool axis. The first and second spoolable media are de-spoolable simultaneously from the respective first and second spools during movement of the through-bore spool apparatus along a bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: WELL-SENSE TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventor: Daniel George Purkis
  • Patent number: 11761308
    Abstract: The disclosure provides for systems and methods for controlling fluid flow into a power generation section of a tool string. In one aspect, multiple flow kits are fluidly coupled with a turbine, and flow of fluid into the turbine is regulated by selectively opening valves coupled with the flow kits. In another aspect, a valve is fluidly coupled with the turbine, and flow of fluid through the valve and into the turbine is regulated by opening, partially opening, closing, or partially closing the valve in response to measured operational parameter data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Harmel Defretin, Ahmed Morsy
  • Patent number: 11761267
    Abstract: A telemetry tool comprising a tube comprising a side wall comprising an exterior side wall surface spaced a distance apart from an interior side wall surface. The tube comprises first and second flanged end connectors suitable for connecting the tube in a telemetry tool string, the tube comprising a major and minor axial bore. The minor axial bore being enclosed within the side wall. The exterior side wall surface is circular in cross section and the interior side wall surface comprises a substantially kidney shaped cross section forming a convex portion of the side wall. The minor axial bore may be enclosed within the convex portion of the side wall. The tool further comprises inductive couplers disposed within the convex portion of the side wall. Alternatively, the inductive couplers may be disposed within the end connectors. The couplers are connected by a cable running through the minor axial bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Inventor: Joe Fox
  • Patent number: 11761323
    Abstract: A drill bit may comprise a bit body including an electronic housing, one or more electronics coupled within the electronic housing, a transducer housing coupled to the electronic housing, a first transducer seated in the transducer housing, a first pressure tube extending through the bit body and coupled to the transducer housing, and a floating ball in the first pressure tube. A method may comprise allowing a drilling fluid to move through a first entrance and into a pressure tube formed in a bit body of the drill bit, allowing the drilling fluid to exert a force on a floating ball placed within the pressure tube, allowing the floating ball to transmit the force to a fluid placed within the pressure tube on an opposing side of the floating ball from the drilling fluid, and measuring pressure of the fluid with a first transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Bradley David Dunbar
  • Patent number: 11761315
    Abstract: There is provided system and methods for restimulating a hydrocarbon producing well using water and pressures below the closure pressure, which results in production rates approaching the initial production rate of the well. There is provided multiple restimulation techniques using water based fluids at or below the closure pressure of the well, which results in production rates approach that of the prior rate upon stimulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Borehole Seismic, LLC.
    Inventor: Bo Howell
  • Patent number: 11753890
    Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein enable the automation of perforation gun deployment to a downhole location in a well at an oilfield. For example, at least one perforation gun may be deployed into the well with a conveyance line coupled to a head of a downhole tool string that includes the at least one perforation gun, and advanced with pump assistance from at least one pump unit at the oilfield. Deployment of the at least one perforation gun may be adjusted by a coordinated controller in an automated manner based at least in part on monitoring of a pump rate of the at least one pump unit and a tension at a head of the downhole tool string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Clinton D. Chapman, Florence Binet, Richard L. Christie, Francois Daube, Pavel Vasilev, David Berg
  • Patent number: 11753907
    Abstract: A downhole tool includes a housing and a housing chamber. The housing chamber is separated from a fluid chamber by a seal. The seal maintains a pressure differential between the housing chamber and the fluid chamber. A pressure adjuster between the housing chamber and the fluid chamber maintains the pressure differential below a maximum pressure differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Edward George Parkin, Julien Steimetz, Cecily Millwater, Michael Pearce
  • Patent number: 11753921
    Abstract: An apparatus for, and method of identifying a potential problem with a bottom hole assembly (“BHA”) combination that is used in a drilling operation. The method includes monitoring, using a sensor, an actual drilling parameter; comparing the actual drilling parameter to a target drilling parameter to determine a deviation; creating, in response to the deviation and by a feedback control loop system that references an electronic database, instructions thereby omitting variability associated with human input in creating the instructions; monitoring, using the controller, a change in the deviation; determining that the change in the deviation is below a threshold; and determining, based on the change in the deviation being below the threshold, that there is a potential problem with the BHA combination. The BHA combination comprises a mud motor and a drill bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: NABORS DRILLING TECHNOLOGIES USA, INC.
    Inventors: Austin Groover, Scott Coffey, Drew Curran, Adam Lacroix
  • Patent number: 11746628
    Abstract: A multi-stage downhole tool movement control system and method of use, such as a multi-stage movement control system to control the speed of a set of plunger tools when operating within a tubing string of a wellbore, such as when rising within a tubing string of a wellbore. The plunger tools operate in designated stages or zones of a tubing string. In one embodiment, the plunger tools are separated by one or more partitioning tools which transfer accumulated fluid between plungers. In one aspect, the multi-stage downhole tool movement control system includes a system controller operating to control a system valve to regulate the plunger tool speed of a selected plunger. The system controller settings are based on a set of system parameters and characteristics of the selected plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Well Master Corporation
    Inventor: David A. Green
  • Patent number: 11746638
    Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying a status of components of hydraulic fracturing units including a prime mover and a hydraulic fracturing pump to pump fracturing fluid into a wellhead via a manifold may include a diagnostic control assembly. The diagnostic control assembly may include sensors associated with the hydraulic fracturing units or the manifold, and a supervisory control unit to determine whether the sensors are generating signals outside a calibration range, determine whether a fluid parameter associated with an auxiliary system of the hydraulic fracturing units is indicative of a fluid-related problem, determine whether lubrication associated with the prime mover, the hydraulic fracturing pump, or a transmission of the hydraulic fracturing units has a lubrication fluid temperature greater than a maximum lubrication temperature, or determine an extent to which a heat exchanger assembly associated with the hydraulic fracturing units is cooling fluid passing through the heat exchanger assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: BJ Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Tony Yeung, Ricardo Rodriguez-Ramon, Andres Alvarez
  • Patent number: 11732577
    Abstract: A control module for operation of downhole well tools and apparatuses is disclosed. The control module can control multiple tools, electronics, subs, etc. based on one electronic input and optionally one hydraulic input from the wellhead or surface. The control module can transmit along selected electronic lines and optionally hydraulic lines in order to control specific apparatuses of the downhole well tools. By allowing a single electronic line from the surface or shut in to control multiple tools, total electronic complexity is reduced. A three conductor control module can control operations of up to twelve downhole tools, and a two conductor control module can control operations of up to six downhole tools, in some embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Lorenzzo Breda Minassa, Aswin Balasubramanian
  • Patent number: 11725462
    Abstract: Electrical wet connection (EWC) with multiple power and communication lines for connecting Logging While Drilling tools (LWD) and/or Measurement While Drilling tools (MWD) is described. The contacts between the modules may be made by, for example, using pressure bulkheads to ensure protection of the tools if the pressure protection is reduced or lost. The contacts may be locked together in a convenient manner to eliminate downhole vibrations and/or shocks. The may make the signal transmission quality approaching, as good as, or even better than wireline tools. The connection may be sealed from the well muds under high pressure and this protection may be enhanced such as by doubling or even tripling for extreme reliability in difficult environments. The designs described herein may advantageously allow for a large amount in collar lengths to be compensated and/or provide two degrees of freedom-rotational and/or may be longitudinal for ready connection on the well site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Well Resolutions Technology
    Inventor: Borislav J. Tchakarov