Patents Examined by Caroline Butcher
  • Patent number: 9206678
    Abstract: Systems and methods for fracturing multiple zones in a wellbore are provided. Cement can be pumped through a work string into a first annulus formed between a liner and a wall of the wellbore. One or more first contact valves in the liner can be opened with the work string. Fluid can flow through the work string and the one or more first contact valves to fracture a first zone. One or more second contact valves in the liner can be opened with the work string. Fluid can flow through the work string and the one or more second contact valves to fracture a second zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Gary L. Rytlewski
  • Patent number: 9194182
    Abstract: The rotary percussive device includes a casing forming a support, a striking mechanism equipped with a longitudinal body, rotatably mounted in the casing along the axis of the body, including a cylinder extending along the axis of the body, a striking piston slidingly mounted inside the cylinder and intended to strike a shank coupled to a drill rod, and a distribution device arranged to control an alternating movement of the striking piston along the axis of the body, and a motor arranged to drive the body of the striking mechanism in rotation along an axis of rotation substantially coinciding with the axis of the body. The striking mechanism includes a closing lid mounted on the body and arranged to close one of the ends of the body, the closing lid being coupled in rotation to an output shaft of the motor and at least partially including the distribution device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: MONTABERT
    Inventor: Jean-Sylvain Comarmond
  • Patent number: 9194192
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for limiting movement of gripping members of an elevator are provided. The apparatus includes a locking arm coupled to one or more of the gripping members and configured to move in a first direction when the gripping members move toward engagement with a tubular and to move in a second direction when the gripping members move away from engagement with the tubular. The apparatus also includes a first engagement member configured to move between a disengaged position, in which the first engagement member and the locking arm are relatively moveable, and an engaged position, in which the first engagement member allows the locking arm to move in the first direction but restrains the locking bar from moving in the second direction by more than a selected distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Frank's International, LLC
    Inventors: Donald E. Mosing, Jeremy Richard Angelle, John Erick Stelly
  • Patent number: 9187955
    Abstract: A locking clutch to selectively transmit torque from a stator of a downhole tool to a rotor of the downhole tool includes at least one locking pawl disposed upon the rotor, wherein the at least one locking pawl comprises a load path, at least one pivot axis, and a mass center, wherein the at least one locking pawl is biased into an engaged position by a biasing mechanism, wherein the at least one locking pawl transmits force from the stator to the rotor along the load path when in the engaged position, and wherein centrifugal force urges the at least one locking pawl into a disengaged position when the rotor is rotated above a disengagement speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: James Edmond Beylotte, Lance D. Underwood
  • Patent number: 9181784
    Abstract: An apparatus for characterizing well effluents comprises coiled tubing, an artificial lift mechanism attached to the coiled tubing and a logging tool fitted with sensors capable of characterizing well effluents associated with operation of the artificial lift mechanism. Also a method for characterizing well effluents that includes lowering a logging tool fitted with a multitude of sensors capable of characterizing well effluents with a cable and lowering an artificial lift mechanism on coiled tubing capable of flowing well effluent past the logging tool. Further a method for treating a well including characterizing well effluents by lowering a logging tool fitted with a multitude of sensors capable of characterizing well effluents on a cable and lowering an artificial lift mechanism on coiled tubing capable of flowing well effluent past the logging tool; and injecting a treatment into a desired formation selected using information obtained while characterizing the well effluents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Bruno Barbosa Alves, Hisham Abou El Azm
  • Patent number: 9181767
    Abstract: A downhole bypass tool that includes an inlet for receiving fluid into a housing of the bypass tool is described herein. The bypass tool also includes a flow directing apparatus disposed in the housing for directing fluid to flow into an operational flow path of a vibratory tool. The vibratory tool is at least partially disposed within the hosing of the bypass tool. The flow directing apparatus operates to selectively bypass the operational flow path of the vibratory tool such that the fluid bypasses the operational flow path of the vibratory tool and flows out of an outlet of the bypass tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Thru Tubing Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Schultz, Andy Ferguson
  • Patent number: 9163470
    Abstract: A multiple activation-device launching system for a cementing head comprises a launcher body comprising at least one launching chamber and a device chamber, the launching chamber sized to receive one or more activation devices therein, the launching chamber in fluid communication with a power source for launching the activation device into the device chamber. The launching system may further comprise a pressure sensor, a pressure-relief device or a flow-measurement device, or combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Philippe Gambier, Greg Giem, Joel Rondeau, Chris Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 9145736
    Abstract: A wellbore is formed by using an apparatus that may include a shaft having an end portion, a drill bit body tiltable about the end portion, and at least one actuator configured to apply a tilting force to the drill bit body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Andreas Peter, Johannes Witte, Michael Koppe, Joachim Treviranus
  • Patent number: 9140076
    Abstract: A top drive torque track system includes a first elongate track with a male end. The male end includes a pin housing and a movable locking pin capable of being biased by a biasing member to extend out of the pin housing and to extend laterally from the male end. The torque track system includes a second elongate track having a female end configured to mate with the male end. The female end has a locking socket extending laterally within the female end. The locking socket is configured to receive the movable locking pin. The movable locking pin is configured to engage the locking socket to attach the first elongate track to the second elongate track when the male end of the first elongate track is inserted into the female end of the second elongate track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: TESCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nathan James Mahoney, Martin Harthoorn
  • Patent number: 9140102
    Abstract: Systems for determining hydraulic fracture geometry and/or areal extent of an area of interest in a reservoir, are provided. An embodiment of a system can include downhole acoustic receiver equipment isolated from fracturing operations in a lower portion of a first wellbore, and fracturing equipment located in a second wellbore connected to the first wellbore. Communications between surface equipment in the downhole acoustic receiver equipment is provided through a communications conduit bypass that permits well operations in the second wellbore without interfering with communications between the surface equipment and the downhole acoustic receiver equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Kirk M. Bartko, Brett Wayne Bouldin
  • Patent number: 9133687
    Abstract: A tubing pressure insensitive, pressure compensated actuator system includes a housing having a bore therein. A force transmitter sealingly moveable within the bore. The force transmitter defining with the bore two fluid chambers. The two fluid chambers being in fluid communication with each other, one at each longitudinal end of the force transmitter. An activator in one or both of the two fluid chambers and operatively connected to the force transmitter. At least two seals sealingly positioned between the housing and the force transmitter. One of the seals disposed near one end of the force transmitter and another of the seals disposed near another end of the force transmitter. A separate compensation piston disposed in the housing so as to expose one end of the compensation piston to tubing pressure and to expose the other end of the compensation piston to a fluid volume including the fluid chambers. Also included is a method for reducing force requirements of an actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: James T. Sloan, Ronald J. Garr, Robert McDaniel, Don A. Hopmann, David E. Schneider
  • Patent number: 9127535
    Abstract: A deliquification pump for deliquifying a well comprises a fluid end pump adapted to pump a fluid from a wellbore. In addition, the deliquification pump comprises a hydraulic pump adapted to drive the fluid end pump. The hydraulic pump includes a first internal pump chamber and a first pump assembly disposed in the first chamber. The first pump assembly includes a piston having a first end, a second end, and a throughbore extending between the first end and the second end. In addition, the first pump assembly includes a first wobble plate including a planar end face axially adjacent the second end of the piston and a slot extending axially through the first wobble plate. The first wobble plate is adapted to rotate about the central axis relative to the housing to axially reciprocate the piston and cyclically place the throughbore of the piston in fluid communication with the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: BP CORPORATION NORTH AMERICA INC.
    Inventors: Robert A. Coyle, William Michel, Louis-Claude Porel, Alistair Gill, Paul Ellerton, David Fielding
  • Patent number: 9127507
    Abstract: A rotatable downhole cutting tool configured for enhanced drive consistency in low power circumstances. The tool is equipped with a hydraulic axial drive actuator suitable for use in wireline deployment. The actuator itself includes a reciprocating piston with a ball screw that threadably interfaces a ball nut for dampening the axial drive imparted by the piston. As such, even though hydraulically driven at generally well under about 10 horsepower, bounce in the axial drive is substantially eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Jensen, Ruben Martinez
  • Patent number: 9121266
    Abstract: One or more burst disks, for isolating downhole communication between a tubular and a hydrocarbon-bearing formation, are fit with a shaped explosive charge. Detonation of the shaped charge is initiated by the rupture of the burst disk. In a system for stimulating the formation, one or more sets of two or more shaped charge, enhanced burst disks are located at a location along the tubular corresponding to a selected interval for stimulation. The enhanced burst disks can be fit with a chamber of known pressure for establishing a known and significant pressure differential across the burst disk for enabling substantially simultaneous rupture at the selected interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: TRICAN WELL SERVICE LTD.
    Inventor: Scott Sherman
  • Patent number: 9121271
    Abstract: A system and method for a conformance control treatment for a subterranean reservoir are disclosed. The system and method include performing tracer analysis between an injection well and a production well. A flow capacity and storage capacity curve is constructed from the tracer analysis. A storage capacity associated with a threshold residence time is determined using the flow capacity and storage capacity curve. A conformance control treatment is determined for the storage capacity associated with the threshold residence time. A chemical slug is injected into the injection well to increase the flow resistance in high permeability regions of a subterranean reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventor: George Michael Shook
  • Patent number: 9115558
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method of performing a plurality of operations in a wellbore with one direction of flow. A multicycle open/close valve (MCOCV) responsive to a plurality of flow rates is placed in a bottom hole assembly (BHA) and is used to perform abrasive perforating of a wellbore or cleanout of the wellbore using one direction of flow. At one or more first flow rates, the MCOCV is configured to operate in a first operating mode to abrasive perforate the wellbore. At one or more second flow rates, the MCOCV is configured to operate in a second operating mode to cleanout the wellbore. In an embodiment, the MCOCV includes a J-slot sequencing mechanism responsive to a sequence of flow rates to cycle the MCOCV through a plurality of operating modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Stang Technologies Ltd.
    Inventor: Jonathan Michael Stang
  • Patent number: 9109435
    Abstract: Methods for forming a wellbore may include placing an upper section of inside a lower section of a parent liner; positioning an upper sealing member and a lower sealing member in the wellbore to form a pressure chamber, and expanding the second liner using the pressure chamber. The sealing members move axially relative to one another and the second liner has an inner bore that is hydraulically isolated from the pressure chamber. A related apparatus may include upper and lower sealing members that cooperate to form a pressure chamber that is hydraulically isolated from an inner bore of the second liner. A work string may include the sealing members, a connector that extends through the pressure chamber and the second liner; and an expander. The expander expands the second liner in response to the axial separation of the sealing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Keven O'Connor, Joerg Lehr
  • Patent number: 9080436
    Abstract: An electrical submersible pumping (ESP) system for use in a wellbore that can be assembled in the wellbore. Upper and lower pump tandems are fitted with connectors that align the tandems when coupled in the wellbore. The connectors on the lower tandems have bores with enlarged openings on upward facing surfaces. Downward pointing pins are on lower facing surfaces of the connectors on the upper tandems. The cross sectional area of each bore decreases with distance away from the openings, so that as the pins insert into the bores the pins move along a helical path that in turn rotates the upper tandem into a designated azimuth and into alignment with the lower tandem. Properly aligning the upper and lower tandems couples respective drive and driven shafts in the tandems as the upper tandem lands on the lower tandem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Steven K. Tetzlaff, Lance Robinson
  • Patent number: 9080415
    Abstract: An annular barrier system for expanding an annular barrier in an annulus between a well tubular structure and an inside wall of a borehole downhole includes an annular barrier having a tubular part for mounting as part of the well tubular structure. The annular barrier further has an expandable sleeve surrounding the tubular part, at least one end of the expandable sleeve being fastened in a fastener of a connection part in the tubular part. The annular barrier system also comprises a tool for expanding the expandable sleeve by letting a pressurized fluid through a passage in the tubular part into a space between the expandable sleeve and the tubular part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: WELLTEC A/S
    Inventors: Jørgen Hallundbæk, Paul Hazel
  • Patent number: 9068441
    Abstract: A method and device for fracturing a subterranean formation by projecting a bullet assembly into the formation and then reacting energetic material within the bullet assembly. The bullet assembly can be part of a charge device that is in a perforating gun. A delay fuse can be included so the energetic material reaction begins after the bullet assembly reaches the end of its travel in the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Timothy Sampson