Patents Examined by C. Wallace
  • Patent number: 11761283
    Abstract: A core barrel sealing structure includes a core barrel, a drilling machine outer barrel, a chain mail-type flap valve and a trigger mechanism. The flap valve includes a valve seat and a chain mail-type valve flap. The trigger mechanism includes a trigger inner barrel and a trigger block. The trigger block is arranged in a through hole in a sidewall of the trigger inner barrel, and an inner wall of the drilling machine outer barrel is provided with a recessed opening adapted to the trigger block. When the core barrel is located in the valve seat, the valve flap is opened by 90° and is located between the trigger inner barrel and the drilling machine outer barrel. When the core barrel is lifted upwards, the valve flap returns to a top face of the valve seat to make sealing contact with a sealing face of a valve opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignees: SHENZHEN UNIVERSITY, SICHUAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Heping Xie, Ling Chen, Mingzhong Gao, Jun Guo, Zhilong Zhang, Zetian Zhang, Yiqiang Lu, Cong Li, Zhiqiang He
  • Patent number: 11761266
    Abstract: A system includes hoisting cables for raising or lowering an oil rig mast, a support, and hoisting sheaves rotatably mounted on the support. The hoisting cables are wound at least in part about the hoisting sheaves during a process of raising or lowering the mast. Also included are measurement devices which measure angular displacement of the hoisting sheaves during a process of raising or lowering the mast with the hoisting cables. Further included is a signaling device which produces a signal if the measured angular displacement of the hoisting sheaves does not correspond to one or more reference values. A related method includes measuring angular displacement of the hoisting sheaves; comparing measured angular displacement of the hoisting sheaves with one or more reference values; and producing a signal if the measured angular displacement of the hoisting sheaves does not correspond to the one or more reference values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: Fathalla Shalouf
  • Patent number: 11761279
    Abstract: An actuator for setting a downhole tool comprises a first propellant configured to be ignited by an igniter, and a second propellant configured to be ignited by combustion of the first propellant, the first propellant abutting the second propellant such that the first propellant covers an axial end of the second propellant. The first propellant is configured to combust more quickly than the second propellant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: INNOVEX DOWNHOLE SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Nick Tonti, Jeffery Kitzman
  • Patent number: 11761281
    Abstract: A power charge for actuating a wellbore tool. Combustion of the power charge generates gas and corresponding gas pressure within the wellbore tool and the power charge and wellbore tool are configured for providing a path to an expansion chamber for the gas pressure. A body of the power charge may have the shape of a regular polygonal cylinder, thus defining flow-paths for the expanding gas. The power charge may include a cylinder of energetic material and an interior space formed within the energetic material and configured for receiving an igniter and/or ignition material. Ignition of the igniter or ignition material results in combustion of the power charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Joern Olaf Loehken, Liam McNelis, Denis Will
  • Patent number: 11753881
    Abstract: A system comprising a rig, a fingerboard, a first sensor, and a second sensor, with the first sensor positioned on an opposite side of the entrance from the second sensor, where the first sensor and the second sensor are used to detect when a tubular enters or exits the fingerboard and to detect a parameter of the tubular, such as diameter of the tubular, speed of the tubular, and an angle of entry of the tubular. A method comprising sensing, via first and second sensors, when a tubular is entering a fingerboard through an entrance of the fingerboard, restricting movement of a top drive at an elevated position until the first and second sensors sense the tubular entering the fingerboard, and enabling movement of the top drive when the first and second sensors sense the tubular entering the fingerboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Nabors Drilling Technologies USA, Inc.
    Inventors: John Patterson, Scott Boone
  • Patent number: 11753900
    Abstract: An activation control module utilizes gravity and/or centrifugal acceleration to move a mechanical element that controls, activates or deactivates a mechanical or hydraulic mechanism, for use with a downhole tool such as a drilling tool or reamer in a wellbore. In embodiments, the activation control module described herein may utilize a combination of centrifugal acceleration and/or gravity due to an inclination of the downhole tool to move a valve, which turns off pressure to a hydro-mechanical system. The activation control modules may be utilized in applications where very little space is available for larger mechanisms. Further, the activation control modules do not require expensive and complex electro-mechanical systems, reducing or eliminating the need for batteries, wiring, electronics, motors, pumps and the like. Moreover, the activation control modules described herein do not require the use of a turbine, a centrifugal clutch or a linear actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Van Jordan Brackin, Jacob H. Kronman, Curtis Clifford Lanning
  • Patent number: 11746627
    Abstract: A method for controlling a flow of one or more fluids from a formation into a production tubing, includes measuring fluid properties of the one or more fluids passing through one or more fluidic oscillators of a flowmeter device disposed on the production tubing, adjusting the flow in a flow area based on the fluid properties through an inflow control device coupled to the production tubing and is in fluid communication with the flow meter device, and controlling, in response to change in the fluid properties, actuation of the inflow control device to adjust the flow by a controller coupled to the inflow control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Mikko K. Jaaskelainen
  • Patent number: 11739598
    Abstract: A leveling assembly that is capable of lubrication without separating the individual leveling plates. The leveling assembly comprising: a first plate having a convex curved surface having a curvature, the first plate defining a central bore therethrough; a second plate having a concave curved surface shaped to mate with the convex curved surface; the second plate defining a central bore therethrough. One of the first or second plates defines a lubrication passageway extending from a first opening on an exterior surface thereof to a second opening on the curved surface, and a lubrication groove extending from the second opening to the central bore of the plate with the lubrication passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Redhead Services, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Brandon Lee Rodgers, Jarod Lane Shelton
  • Patent number: 11732552
    Abstract: A scale sampler plunger having an upper end and a downhole end for a plunger lift system in a tubing string comprising: a solid cylindrical member at the upper end of the scale sampler plunger configured to remove a plurality of contaminants in the tubing string; a lower sub at the downhole end of the scale sampler plunger threaded to the solid cylindrical member, wherein the lower sub comprises a first section threaded to a second section extending axially from the first section; wherein a fluid stream carrying solids flows from the tubing string into an entry opening located in the second section; a deflector disposed in a chamber in the lower sub, wherein the deflector causes the fluid stream carrying solids to deposit the solids in the chamber in the lower sub; and an anchor disposed in the entry opening, wherein the anchor is fastened to the deflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Fatimah H. AlNasser, Jose Daniel Valbuena Fuenmayor, Gustavo Ariel Alvarez
  • Patent number: 11732581
    Abstract: A method includes positioning a downhole acquisition tool in a wellbore in a geological formation. The method includes operating a pump module to gather information for a fluid outside of the downhole acquisition tool that enters the downhole acquisition tool from a first flowline, a second flowline, or both while the downhole acquisition tool is within the wellbore. Operating the pump module includes controlling a valve assembly to a first valve configuration that enables the fluid to flow into the downhole tool via the first flowline fluidly coupled to a first pump module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Miroslav Slapal, Christopher Albert Babin, Daniel Palmer, Kai Hsu, Anthony Robert Holmes Goodwin, Julian Pop, Nathan Mathew Landsiedel, Adriaan Gisolf
  • Patent number: 11725494
    Abstract: A system and method of directionally steering a bottom hole assembly (“BHA”) by receiving data indicative of a directional trend of the BHA and a projection to bit depth; determining a location of the BHA based on the received data; comparing the location of the BHA to a planned drilling path to identify an amount of deviation; automatically creating a modified drilling path based on the amount of deviation and a predicted trend of a downhole parameter; detecting a trend of the downhole parameter while drilling along the modified drilling path; and automatically creating a further modified drilling path when the trend of the downhole parameter is a reversal of the predicted trend of the downhole parameter. The predicted trend of the downhole parameter is an increase of a d-exponent factor or a d-exponent-corrected factor with an increase in depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: NABORS DRILLING TECHNOLOGIES USA, INC.
    Inventors: Scott Gilbert Boone, Brian Ellis, Colin Gillan, Beat Küttel
  • Patent number: 11725500
    Abstract: Method for characterizing subterranean formation is described. One method includes inducing one or more fractures in a portion of the subterranean formation. Determining a poroelastic pressure response due to the inducing of the one or more fractures. The poroelastic pressure response is measured by a sensor that is in at least partial hydraulic isolation with the portion of the subterranean formation. Monitoring closure of the one or more fractures via the poroelastic pressure response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventors: Nicolas Patrick Roussel, Horacio Florez, Adolfo Antonio Rodriguez, Samarth Agrawal
  • Patent number: 11725506
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling the operation of an offset well located near an active well that is undergoing a hydraulic fracturing operation that may produce a fracture driven interference (FDI) event to the offset well. The method includes providing an FDI intervention system that includes a computer-implemented predictive model for determining a risk of the FDI event occurring during the hydraulic fracturing operation, calculating a risk-weighted FDI event cost of the FDI event impacting production from the offset well, and calculating a defensive intervention implementation cost to apply a defensive intervention on the offset well to mitigate harm from an FDI event. The method includes calculating a cost comparison based on a comparison of the defensive intervention implementation cost and the risk-weighted FDI event cost. The method concludes with automatically controlling the operation of the offset well with the FDI intervention system based on the cost comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alireza Shahkarami, Robert Klenner, Hayley Stephenson, Mahendra Joshi, Glen Murrell, Ghazal Izadi
  • Patent number: 11725457
    Abstract: One or more apparatuses are described for drilling, and related methods. The apparatus can include a mast articulation mechanism supported by a base structure, an elongated mast, and a mast actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Watson, Incorporated
    Inventors: Douglas A. Watson, Joshua N. Keck
  • Patent number: 11708736
    Abstract: A well tool assembly to cut a wellhead gate valve by water jetting includes a water jetting head lowered into a wellhead tree coupled to a wellbore. The head includes a housing, an orifice plate and a jetting port. The housing defines a tubular region to receive water. The orifice plate is positioned within the tubular region downstream of a first end and upstream of a second end of the housing, and defines an orifice to accelerate a flow rate of the water received at a first flow rate upstream of the orifice plate to a second flow rate, greater than the first, downstream of the plate. At the second flow rate, the water can mill a gate valve within the wellhead. The jetting port is downstream of the orifice plate, and can receive the water at the second flow rate and guide the received water to the gate valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Amro Mukhles, Fahmi Aulia
  • Patent number: 11708757
    Abstract: A wireline conveyed, gas driven setting tool configured to set downhole tools including, without limitation, frac plugs, bridge plugs, cement retainers and packers. The setting tool is functioned by selectively igniting a power charge inside of a firing head. As the power charge burns, it generates gas that acts upon a piston area to stroke the setting tool. A dampening media, as well an optimized flow area at or near the distal end of the setting tool, act to slow the setting stroke. A mobile testing assembly can confirm that a setting tool or other associated equipment was manufactured and assembled properly, and is fit for service, prior to running the setting tool a well bore. The mobile testing assembly and testing method can be employed in a shop or other manufacturing facility, or on a well site or other remote location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: FORTRESS DOWNHOLE TOOLS, LLC
    Inventor: M. Joseph Montgomery
  • Patent number: 11708746
    Abstract: A system includes a solids catcher that is centered with respect to a central axis of a tubing. The system includes an inner annulus, an outer annulus, and a chamber between the inner annulus and the outer annulus. A solids accumulation zone is formed in the chamber. A pump disposed offset from the central axis of the tubing. The pump is fluidly connected to the solids catcher through the outer annulus. A fluid stream carrying solids flowing from the pump. The fluid stream carrying solids is configured to follow a path delimited by the outer annulus and the chamber until the fluid stream deposits the solids in the solids accumulation zone and departs the solids catcher via the inner annulus into a tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Jinjiang Xiao, Hattan M. Banjar
  • Patent number: 11686179
    Abstract: A rotatable plate is configured to be coupled to a rotary table of a rig floor. The rotatable plate defines a central passage through which a tubular can be passed. Multiple arms each have a first end rotably coupled to the rotatable plate. The arms are hinged such that a distal end of the arms, away from the rotatable plate, are configured to move towards or away from the passage. Each of arms extends away from the rotatable plate towards the passage. The arms are biased away from the passage. Rollers are rotably coupled to one of the distal ends of the arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Amer Hamoud Al Harthi
  • Patent number: 11686160
    Abstract: A washing and doping mechanism includes a bushing that is configured to engage a tubular that is in a substantially vertical orientation. The bushing is configured to rotate, thereby causing the tubular to rotate about a central longitudinal axis of the tubular. The washing and doping mechanism also includes a sprayer configured to spray a fluid onto the tubular in the substantially vertical orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Joe Rodney Berry, Thomas K. van der Zwet, Michael Brzezniak
  • Patent number: 11674383
    Abstract: A hydrophone array tool as described herein is configured to locate leakages throughout a borehole with improved accuracy using acoustic beamforming techniques with acoustic velocity estimation. An acoustic beamforming processor generates an initial beamforming map and corresponding initial estimated leakage location using acoustic measurements throughout the borehole. The acoustic beamforming processor generates additional beamforming maps at the initial estimated leakage location, each additional beamforming map corresponding to an acoustic velocity within a range of anticipated acoustic velocities. An acoustic velocity estimator determines an acoustic velocity corresponding to a beamforming map with spatial statistics that indicate a most prominent leakage location. The acoustic beamforming processor updates the leakage location according to this beamforming map for improved accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Yadong Wang, Yao Ge, Xiang Wu