Patents Examined by Daniel P Stephenson
  • Patent number: 11828146
    Abstract: An injection well system is disclosed. The injection well system includes an injection wellhead having a lower master ball valve disposed at a first lower portion of the injection wellhead, an injection wellbore connected to the first lower portion of the injection wellhead, and a nonmetallic check valve disposed below the Earth's surface and at a pre-determined location of the injection wellbore, where the nonmetallic check valve, when closed, isolates the injection wellhead from a second lower portion of the injection wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Saud F. Al-Sadhan, Khaled Ali Al-Sayed
  • Patent number: 11821285
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for dropping a ball, plug or dart during oil and gas well operations (e.g., cementing operations) employs a specially configured valving member with curved and flat portions that alternatively direct fluid flow through a bore or opening in the valving member via an inner channel or around the periphery of the valving member in an outer channel. In one embodiment, the ball(s), dart(s) or plug(s) are contained in a sliding sleeve that shifts position responsive to valve rotation. An optional indicator indicates to a user or operator that a ball or plug has passed a selected one of the valving members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: GULFSTREAM SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Phil Barbee
  • Patent number: 11814917
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating vibration in a downhole tubular, in which the apparatus includes a pulse valve that is configured to open and close intermittently, so as to intermittently vary pressure of a fluid that flows into the downhole tubular and thereby generate vibration in the downhole tubular, and a driver coupled to the pulse valve and configured to open and close the pulse valve. The driver is powered by a source of energy that is not in fluid communication with the downhole tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: INNOVEX DOWNHOLE SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Justin Kellner
  • Patent number: 11814930
    Abstract: A wash tool comprises a mandrel with a central annulus and one or more lateral bores and one or more ring-shaped rotary hubs positioned about the mandrel adjacent to the one or more lateral bores. The rotary hubs comprise lateral bores perpendicular to the lateral bores of the mandrel such that pressurized fluid introduced to the central annulus of the mandrel impacts the inner surface of the rotary hubs and forces them to rotate, delivering pressurized fluid to the inner surface of a wellbore or tubular. The wash tool is modular and can be attached to a top sub or bottom sub, and may be used with or without a wireline. When used with a wireline, the wireline is insulated from the wash fluid by means of a tie-back and multiple seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: WRIGHT'S IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: David C. Wright, John W. Angers, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11802464
    Abstract: A segmented cone expansion ring and expansion system including the ring, the ring including a plurality of segments each segment of the plurality of segments having opposing load walls, each load wall including one of a projection or a recess receptive of the projection, the projection having a neck portion and a rounded anchor portion and the recess having a rounded geometry and a set of dimensions complementary to the projection and that defines a clearance fit for the projection within the recess. A method for expanding a tubular member including introducing the expansion system a tubular member and loading the load walls of the plurality of segments of the ring while not loading the projections and recesses of the plurality of segments. A borehole system including an expansion system disposed within the borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey Williams
  • Patent number: 11795789
    Abstract: A tool includes a main body with one or more segments. Each of the one or more segments includes an outer wall, an inner volume defined within the outer wall and a pre-perforated spear mounted at the outer wall. The tool also includes one or more acoustic transducers which induce sonoluminescence in the inner volume, wherein pressure resulting from the induced sonoluminescence causes the pre-perforated spear to be ejected from the outer wall. A related method includes providing such a tool, inserting it to a wellbore and ejecting it from the outer wall as noted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: Sameeh Issa Batarseh
  • Patent number: 11795794
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling operation of a well, of which the method includes receiving an operation setting for operation of a system that provides lift gas into and produces gas from the well, monitoring operation of the system using a first controller, determining, using the first controller, that the system is not operating at the operation setting, and in response to determining that the system is not operating at the operation setting, sending, using a two-way communication link from the first controller to a second controller, a control signal to the second controller. The control signal is configured to cause the second controller to modify an operation of a compressor of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Epic Lift Systems LLC
    Inventor: Jason Williams
  • Patent number: 11795790
    Abstract: A frame for a shaped charge has a body with a cylindrical configuration, the body having a central passage along an axis thereof and a track extending in a direction parallel to the axis for installing and removing a shaped charge, the track having a snap structure. The frame provides a slide-in snap-in charge receptacle for a shaped charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Erick Lowe, Alexander Lee
  • Patent number: 11788392
    Abstract: A method for selectively optimizing water chemistry within a wellbore may include positioning a system tubing in the wellbore. The system tubing may include an electrochemical cell, a first chamber, and a second chamber. The method may also include injecting a fluid into the electrochemical cell and directing an electrical current into the electrochemical cell wherein the fluid separates by charge into a first fluid and a second fluid. The method may also include passing the first fluid into the first chamber and the second fluid into the second chamber. Also, the method may include rotating the system tubing, wherein the first fluid flows from the first chamber to the wellbore through a first radial conduit and the second fluid flows from the second chamber to the wellbore through a second radial conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Amani O. Alghamdi, Subhash C. Ayirala, Ali Abdallah Alyousef
  • Patent number: 11781421
    Abstract: Methods, devices and systems are disclosed for magnetically ranging while drilling with a coiled tubing unit or drill pipe by way of a an electrically conducive but environmentally electrically insulated wire installed through a coiled tubing spool or drill pipe complete with electrically insulative subs in the coiled tubing bottom hole assembly or drill pipe. The method and systems allow for the injection of excitation current into the formation by way of selectively electrifying various drill stem components, thereby facilitating current collection on a target tubular which radially emanates a magnetic field about the target well tubular(s). The method and devices allow for the construction of complex downhole current injection configurations which allow for modification of the bottom hole assembly to maximize target well signal generation in the presence of adverse environmental conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Gunnar LLLP
    Inventor: Clinton Moss
  • Patent number: 11761749
    Abstract: A strain magnification apparatus can have a first section and a second section coupled with the first section. The second section can have a lower stiffness relative to the first portion and a strain gauge coupled thereto. The first section is operable to be coupled to a tool experiencing strain and the tool is formed from a material having lower elasticity than the second section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Yi Pan, Jeffrey Gerard Thomas, John Leslie Wisinger, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11753896
    Abstract: A ball dropper assembly includes a main body, a sealing piston, and a magazine assembly. The main body includes a main bore, angle bore, and transverse bore formed therethrough. The transverse bore is fluidly coupled to the main bore through the angle bore. The sealing piston is positioned within the transverse bore. Seal rings are positioned between the main body and the sealing piston on either side of the angle bore. The magazine assembly includes a magazine body and a carrier piston. The magazine body is mechanically coupled to the main body. The carrier piston has a carrier hole formed therein and is mechanically coupled to the sealing piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: CACTUS WELLHEAD, LLC
    Inventors: Jerod Bushman, Brenton Greska
  • Patent number: 11754069
    Abstract: A lubricator for a plunger lift system includes a tubular body, a shift rod housing, a first spring, and a second spring. The shift rod housing disposed in the tubular body and has a chamber. The shift rod has a first portion slidably disposed in the chamber and a second portion projecting from a first end of the shift rod housing. A distal end of the second portion of the shift rod is engageable with a shift valve of a bypass plunger. The first spring disposed in the chamber to absorb an impact force applied to the shift rod by the shift valve. The second spring disposed in the tubular body between a portion of the shift rod housing and a portion of the tubular body to absorb an impact force applied to the shift rod housing by a plunger body of the bypass plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Tri-Lift Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Kegin
  • Patent number: 11746631
    Abstract: A flow management and separation system for a wellbore having a horizontal section, vertical section and intermediate build section, a production tubing, and an annulus surrounding the production tubing, is combined with a primary vertical lift device disposed in the intermediate build section or a heel segment of the horizontal section. The fluid flow management system may be located adjacent to and downhole from the primary vertical lift device. The system includes an intake to an intake passage, to receive produced fluids from the reservoir; a wavebreaker for calming produced fluid flow; a fluidseeker having a rotatable inlet extension having a weighted keel and an internal bypass passage in fluid communication with the intake flow passage; and a separator for separating gas and liquid phases uphole from the fluidseeker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Cleantek Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Laing, Geoff Steele, Pawandeep Khaira, John Barrett, Mathew Barrett, Lowell Chapman
  • Patent number: 11732551
    Abstract: A fully electrically controlled intelligent subsurface safety valve is provided, including an upper joint, a lower joint, a magnetic switch, an upper electromagnetic suction module, a central flow pipe, a magnetic piston ring, a lower electromagnetic suction module, a rebound flap valve mechanism, a displacement sensor, a temperature and pressure sensor, a flow sensor, and a power communication composite cable connector. With the magnetic assisted reset of the two electromagnetic suction modules, the safety valve closes more quickly in emergency situations, improving the reliability of the safety valve. By using a magnetic excitation switch, the safety valve can be quickly opened and closed, and the open or close state can be maintained independently, saving energy consumption in the control system. The present disclosure can better meet the needs of onshore and offshore oil and gas production operations and gas storage operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Southwest Petroleum University
    Inventors: Yang Tang, Na Xie, Minghai Zhou, Jinhai Zhao, Guangjie Yuan, Guohai Yuan, Jinzhong Wang, Chenglin Wang, Xiang Gao, Guorong Wang, Fu Deng, Liming Fan, Rutao Ma
  • Patent number: 11732554
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a universal plug in cartridge detonator capability in box-by-box perforating guns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Hunting Titan, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Dyess, Jason Hoang Mai, Richard Wayne Bradley, Joshua Blake Howk
  • Patent number: 11732555
    Abstract: A downhole perforation system includes a ballistic device having an first end and a second end, the ballistic device carrying an explosive material. The system further includes a shock absorption device coupled to at least one of the first or second end of the ballistic device and configured to absorb at least a portion of impact energy produced from detonation of the explosive material. The shock absorption device includes a shock absorption module which includes a viscoelastic body and a rigid structure molded within the viscoelastic body. The rigid structure is configured to break or deform when impacted by a threshold amount of impact energy. Broken or deformed portions of the rigid structure are contained within the viscoelastic body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventor: Saeed Rafie
  • Patent number: 11725482
    Abstract: A tubular cleaning system includes a housing having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a recess. A deployable tool is arranged in the recess. A motor is arranged in a cavity formed the housing between the outer surface and the inner surface. An actuator is operatively connected between the motor and the deployable tool. The motor is selectively activated through a signal to extend the deployable tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Tuan Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11719079
    Abstract: A perforating torch includes a thermal igniter assembly, a compressed grain magazine, and a perforating head assembly. The compressed grain magazine is coupled to the thermal igniter. The perforating head assembly includes a port. A port plug may be positioned in the port. A rupture disc may be positioned between the compressed grain magazine and the perforating head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: CHAMMAS PLASMA CUTTERS LLC
    Inventors: Todd Joseph Watkins, Jian Zhang, Michel Chammas
  • Patent number: 11713673
    Abstract: Detector device (10) mounts to a drilling rig (12) to sense sound or vibration signalled from downhole. The device (10) has a transmitter (10,20) to transmit data and/or an alert relating to sensed sound and/or vibration associated with deployment and/or positioning of a tool downhole. The device (10) recognises that one or more predetermined events or a pattern of events or one or more particular sound and/or vibration signatures occur(s). Downhole device (36) has a transmitter (38) transmitting a signal indicating a sensed pressure, position or motion change downhole. Communication between the downhole device and the device at the surface to determine depth or distance e.g. time of flight of a signal emitted by one device and the return signal from the other device or from the send and received times of the signal between the two devices based on their respective timers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Globaltech Corporation Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Gordon Stewart