Patents Examined by Daniel P Stephenson
  • Electrically operated chemical stick launcher
    Patent number: 11566484
    Abstract: A chemical stick launcher includes a stack of vertically mounted low voltage electrically operated valves providing spaces between the valves for chemical sticks. The valves are manipulated by a controller to drop sticks from the compartments between the valves after suitable time delays so the launcher can supply chemicals to a hydrocarbon well over a period of time. The stack is insulated to reduce the operating temperature of the launcher and thereby allow a wider variety of chemical compositions to be used. The low voltage electrically operated valves include a front panel providing a visual indicator of whether the valves are open or closed. The valves are mounted on the stack so the front panels face in the same direction so a standing person can see all the indicators from a single position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Inventor: James E. Cutler
  • Hydraulic fracturing plan and execution of same
    Patent number: 11560770
    Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing plan executable by a hydraulic fracturing system to hydraulically fracture a plurality of oil and gas wells. In one or more embodiments, the execution of the hydraulic fracturing plan implements the following steps: communicating fluid to a first well via a manifold and a first valve, the first valve being associated with both the manifold and the first well; and, in response to determining that the fluid communicated via the manifold has satisfied one or more conditions: opening a second valve; communicating fluid to a second well via the second valve; and closing the first valve after opening the second valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: DOWNING WELLHEAD EQUIPMENT, LLC
    Inventors: Jordan Kuehn, Austin Johnson, Ronnie B. Beason, Nicholas J. Cannon
  • Drill string mountable wellbore cleanup apparatus and method
    Patent number: 11560773
    Abstract: A drill pipe mountable wellbore cleaning tool apparatus includes a support sleeve that is mounted to a drill pipe joint in between the connector end portions of the drill pipe joint. Centralizers are attached to the opposing ends of the support sleeve and the support sleeve carries one or more debris cleaning tools in between the centralizers. At least one locking clamp is attached to the cylindrical portion next to a said centralizer, and prevents the support sleeve from moving longitudinally along the drill pipe joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Odfjell Well Services Norway AS
    Inventors: Simon Leiper, Kevin Robertson
  • Orienting sub
    Patent number: 11555385
    Abstract: An orienting sub including a hub retainer, a gun sleeve, a locking sleeve, and an electric conductor assembly. In several embodiments, the orienting sub couples a first perforating gun to a second perforating gun. The first perforating gun, the second, perforating gun, and the orienting sub may together form a well perforating system for perforating a wellbore that traverses a subterranean oil and gas formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: OSO PERFORATING, LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy Ursi, Daniel Schmidt, Tobias Hartman
  • Apparatus for clearing a plugged control line
    Patent number: 11549338
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (20) for clearing a plugged control line (12), in particular for clearing a plugged surface controlled sub-surface safety valve (11) control line (12), the apparatus (20) comprising a connecting means (27) configured to connect the apparatus (20) to an upstream end of the plugged control line (12); and a pumping means (21, 22) configured to pump a dissolvent (30) through the connecting means (27) into the control line (12) to build up dissolvent pressure in the control line (12). The invention further comprises a bore system and a method for clearing a plugged control line (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Abu Dhabi National Oil Company
    Inventor: Abdallah Sobhi Alhalabi
  • Multi-tooth jaw, torque stopper device and repair kit thereof for preventing rotation of downhole tools suspended in wellbore casing
    Patent number: 11542762
    Abstract: A multi-tooth jaw for a torque stopper device prevents rotation of downhole tools suspended in a wellbore casing. The jaw includes a base for positioning adjacent an outside wall of the torque stopper and a hinge connection allowing the jaw to pivot around an axis of rotation running lengthwise through the base. The jaw further includes a plurality of radial tips, i.e., teeth, each a different distance from the axis of rotation. When viewed from a side with the axis of rotation being a point around which the jaw pivots, the tips are in ascending order of distance with a first, leading tip having a shortest distance from the axis of rotation as the jaw pivots from a stowed to a deployed position. A torque stopper device with the multi-tooth jaw supports a range of casing internal diameters. A repair kit allows swapping a one-tooth jaw with the multi-tooth jaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Excalibre Downhole Tools Ltd.
    Inventor: Edward L. Moore
  • Method to produce a stable downhole plug with magnetorheological fluid and cement
    Patent number: 11542776
    Abstract: Methods for producing a plug in a wellbore within a downhole environment are provided. The method includes introducing a magnetorheological fluid into the wellbore and exposing the magnetorheological fluid to a magnetic field to form a base plug within the wellbore. The base plug contains a viscoelastic solid derived from the magnetorheological fluid. The method also includes introducing a cement slurry into the wellbore and onto the base plug and forming a cement plug on the base plug from the cement slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Siva Rama Krishna Jandhyala, Ganesh Shriniwas Pangu
  • Convertible and addressable switch assembly for wellbore operations
    Patent number: 11542793
    Abstract: A convertible and addressable switch assembly incudes an interface (I/O) configured to connect to a controller along a telemetry system; and a processor connected to the interface (I/O). The processor is configured to receive a command from the controller, along the telemetry system, to change a first value of a mode status variable to a desired second value, wherein the first value is associated with a first operating mode of the switch assembly and the second value is associated with a second operating mode, which is different from the first operating mode; change the first value to the second value within the switch assembly; and store in a non-volatile memory, at the switch assembly, the second value of the mode status variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: GEODYNAMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Roger Archibald, Brad Perry
  • Method and apparatus for dropping a pump down plug or ball
    Patent number: 11519243
    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: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: GULFSTREAM SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Phil Barbee
  • Intelligently characterizing reservoirs via fluorescent imaging rock cuttings
    Patent number: 11512576
    Abstract: A method includes taking at least one image of a plurality of returned cuttings from a well using a fluorescent imaging camera, analyzing the at least one image with an imaging processing system to obtain detection data including a calculated percentage of a first emitted fluorescent light to formation cuttings, sending the detection data to an analysis and control program to correlate the returned cuttings with a depth in the well, and automatically controlling at least one drilling parameter for drilling the well based on the detection data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Klemens Katterbauer, Alberto Marsala, Nouf Jabri, Vera Solovyeva
  • Methods for well construction and completion
    Patent number: 11506022
    Abstract: There is provided a method for well construction comprising the steps of: a first phase of the well construction, in which a bottom hole assembly, BHA, with a first drill is used for drilling, and a conductor casing is lowered into the well and cemented; a second phase of the well construction, in which a second drill is used for drilling, wherein a production adapter base, PAB, is installed in parallel with lowering a blowout preventer, BOP; and a third phase of the well construction in which a third drill is used for drilling, for the steps of landing and geonavigation inside a reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: PETROLEO BRASILEIRO S.A.—PETROBRAS
    Inventors: Ricardo Freire Grandi, Renan da Silva Costa, Otavio Campos de Araujo, Leonardo Marazzo Garcia, Kris Pernasetti Dunlop, Jose Ricardo Brigido de Moura Filho, Joao Paulo Sanseverino Abdu, Joao Marcelo Mussi Baptista, Gustavo Salgueiro de Oliveira, Giovani Ferreira Machado, George Souza Costa, Frederico Ferreira Chaves Vaz, Ednaldo Goncalves de Moura, Cristiane Koslinski, Carolina Bertholdo da Cunha, Aliel Faria Riente, Antonio Carlos Ramos Junior, Alexandre Campos Manhaes
  • Dissolvable object with a cavity and a fluid entry point
    Patent number: 11499391
    Abstract: A dissolvable untethered object for use inside a well fluid includes an internal cavity and a fluid entry point. The internal cavity contains a gas. The fluid entry point is closed and selectively openable so that the internal cavity can be filled with the well fluid flowing through the fluid entry point. A dissolving rate of the dissolvable untethered object is modified after contact of the well fluid inside the internal cavity with the dissolvable untethered object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: SOLGIX, INC
    Inventor: Gregoire Max Jacob
  • Method and apparatus of controlling drilling for rock burst prevention in coal mine roadway
    Patent number: 11492891
    Abstract: A method for controlling drilling for rock burst prevention drilling in a coal mine roadway is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignees: LIAONING UNIVERSITY, NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yishan Pan, Lianpeng Dai
  • Real-time polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) bit condition evaluation using acoustic emission technology during downhole drilling
    Patent number: 11486202
    Abstract: A drilling tool for drilling a wellbore in a formation, where the drilling tool includes: a drill bit comprising a cutting element, a sensor array, and a controller. The sensor array includes: an acoustic emissions (AE) sensor configured to measure an acoustic signal generated during drilling of the formation by the cutting element and a load sensor configured to measure an applied load by the cutting element on the formation. The controller is communicably connected to the sensor array and configured to determine a toughness of the cutting element using the acoustic signal, the applied load, and a wear state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Jianhui Xu, Guodong Zhan, Bodong Li, Chinthaka P. Gooneratne, Arturo Magana Mora, Timothy Eric Moellendick
  • Modular perforating gun system
    Patent number: 11480038
    Abstract: A modular, stackable charge holder for a perforating gun assembly. The charge holder may include a retention socket for locking a detonating cord in place, and a male connector end and a female connector end for connecting to other modular component(s). The retention socket may include oppositely disposed retention arms, each having a shaped sidewall portion and a corresponding flange extending transversely from a top section of the retention arm. The male and female connector ends may respectively include a phasing protrusion and a phasing hole arranged to facilitate various phase angles between components, and a centrally oriented knob connector and a central bore adapted to interconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Eitschberger
  • Hydraulic override for confined space
    Patent number: 11466536
    Abstract: A wellhead valve control system includes a removable actuator adapted to couple to a valve, the valve being operable via a first operational mode. The system also includes an actuator element associated with the removable actuator, the actuator element operable to modify the first operational mode of the valve to a second operational mode, the second operational mode being different from the first operational mode. The system further includes a control panel, positioned remotely from the valve, the control panel configured to control the actuator element to adjust a valve position in the second operational mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Vault Pressure Control, LLC
    Inventor: Saurabh Kajaria
  • Downhole debris removal apparatus including a modular knockout chamber
    Patent number: 11466542
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a downhole debris removal apparatus, a method for assembling a downhole debris removal apparatus, and a well system including the same. The downhole debris removal apparatus, in one aspect, includes a crossover sub, the crossover sub having a first sub end with one of a sub pin thread or sub box thread, a second sub end with the other of the sub box thread or sub pin thread, and a fluid passageway extending from the first sub end to the second sub end. The downhole debris removal apparatus, according to this aspect, further includes a debris removal tube having a first tube end and a second tube end, the first tube end removably engaged with the crossover sub between the first sub end and the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd J. Roy, Peter Reid Maher
  • Autonomous soil sampler
    Patent number: 11460378
    Abstract: An autonomous soil sampling device. The device including a vehicle for generally autonomously navigating a given area for sampling and adapted with systems to generally avoid obstacles during maneuvering. The device including a soil sampling system designed for placement on a platform of the vehicle and including an extraction arm having a probe and auger to probe into the soil for extracting a quantity of soil. The extraction arm received on a housing and including a pair of rails to enable movement of the probe and auger and a collection bucket for depositing the quantity of extracted soil into a packaging assembly for collection, labeling, and storage of the individual samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Inventor: Troy Fiechter
  • Relieving high annulus pressure using automatic pressure relief system
    Patent number: 11459851
    Abstract: A fluid conduit defines a fluid passage from a well annulus to a venting system. A first pressure safety valve is positioned within the fluid passage. The first pressure safety valve is configured to open at a first set pressure. A second pressure safety valve is fluidically connected in series with the first pressure safety valve. The second pressure safety valve is configured to open at a second set pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Fahmi Aulia
  • Shoe track assembly system and method of use
    Patent number: 11459874
    Abstract: A shoe track assembly system includes an elongated casing body extending from a first end to a second end and having a guide nose engaged with the second end; a first valve secured within the elongated casing body and at a position directly above the guide nose; a bottom plug landing seat extending into the elongated casing body at a position above the first valve; and a top plug landing seat extending into the elongated casing body at a position above the bottom plug landing seat; the system is to receive casing pressure test and act as a wall barrier system preventing cement or formation fluid from entering the casing without relying on shoe track cement integrity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Inventors: Todd Stair, Henry E. Rogers, Jimmy Venizelos, Carlos Valdez