Patents Examined by Elizabeth Gitlin
  • Patent number: 9359835
    Abstract: A pipe drive system includes a gripping device configured to couple with a pipe element. A housing of the gripping device is configured to extend over and at least partially around a distal end of the pipe element. Torsional clamp devices are configured to engage an outer circumferential surface of the pipe element with frictional engagement features that extend radially inward from the housing. A sealing mechanism is configured to shift a pipe seal relative to the housing and into engagement with the distal end of the pipe element and to facilitate fluid flow through the gripping device into the pipe element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: TESCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Everett Leman, Ryan Thomas Bowley, Edgar Fernando Yajure, Doug Greening
  • Patent number: 9359847
    Abstract: High productivity core drilling systems include a drill string, an inner core barrel assembly, an outer core barrel assembly, and a retrieval tool that connects the inner core barrel assembly to a wireline cable and hoist. The drill string comprises multiple variable geometry drill rods. The inner core barrel assembly comprises a non-dragging latching mechanism, such as a fluid-driven latching mechanism that contains a detect mechanism that retains the latches in either an engaged or a retracted position. The inner core barrel assembly also comprised high efficiency fluid porting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Longyear TM, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher L. Drenth
  • Patent number: 9347277
    Abstract: A wireline configurable well logging instrument is connected to a drill pipe carrier and movable from a retracted position to an extended position. The drill pipe carrier is positioned on a pipe string that may comprise a portion of wired pipes communicatively coupled at each joint. Communication between the drill pipe carrier and the well logging instrument includes the use of inductive couplers, wires and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Reza Taherian, Harold Steven Bissonnette, Chris Del Campo, Laurent Villegas, Shardul Sarhad
  • Patent number: 9347265
    Abstract: A gear system has a gear housing and a lower planetary carrier disposed in the gear housing, the lower planetary carrier being adapted to rotate relative to the gear housing. A top drive system is operatively coupled to the gear system, the top drive system having a top drive shaft that is adapted to be driven by the gear system. A single bearing that is adapted to facilitate rotation of the lower planetary carrier is positioned between the gear housing and the lower planetary carrier. A motor apparatus is operatively coupled to and adapted to drive the gear system by rotating the lower planetary carrier relative to the gear housing, wherein a rotational axis of the single bearing is adapted to move in a lateral translational direction with respect to the gear housing while the motor apparatus is rotating the lower planetary carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: Bastiaan De Jong, Arthur William Braman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9341048
    Abstract: A screen assembly for removing particulates from a fluid in a well bore said well bore being provided with a tubing for transport of fluids inside the tube, said tube being provided with sliding sleeve doors through which the fluids flow from the well bore external the tube and into the tube. The screen assembly comprises a filter arranged external the tubing and covering the sliding sleeve doors, such that the filter prevents particles above a predefined size from entering through the sliding sleeve doors: The screen assembly further comprises a supportive tube having apertures allowing well bore fluids to pass. Furthermore said filter is arranged on the inner side of said supportive tube, such that the filter is placed between the supportive tube and the tube with the sliding sleeve doors. The filter is made from ceramic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: MAERSK OLIE OG GAS A/S
    Inventor: Wilhelmus Hubertus Paulus Maria Heijnen
  • Patent number: 9328608
    Abstract: Implementations include a core barrel assembly having a driven latch mechanism. The driven latch mechanism can lock the core barrel assembly axially and rotationally relative to a drill string. The driven latch mechanism can include a plurality of wedge members positioned on a plurality of driving surfaces. Rotation of the drill string can cause the plurality of wedge members to wedge between an inner diameter of the drill string and the plurality of driving surfaces, thereby rotationally locking the core barrel assembly relative to the drill string. Implementations of the present invention also include drilling systems including such driven latch mechanisms, and methods of retrieving a core sample using such drilling systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Longyear TM, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher L. Drenth, George Iondov, George Ibrahim
  • Patent number: 9328598
    Abstract: Systems and methods for stimulating a plurality of zones of a subterranean formation to increase production of reservoir fluids therefrom. The subterranean formation contains a well that includes a liner that defines a liner conduit, and the systems and methods include stimulating the plurality of zones with a stimulation assembly that is present within the liner conduit without requiring removal of the stimulation assembly from the liner conduit. The stimulation assembly includes a perforation device, which is configured to selectively form one or more perforations in a plurality of portions of the liner, and a resettable sealing device, which is configured to fluidly isolate the plurality of portions of the liner from a plurality of respective downhole portions of the liner. The fluid isolation provides for selective introduction of a stimulant fluid to a selected zone of the subterranean formation that is associated with a corresponding portion of the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Manh V. Phi, Stuart R. Keller, Chris E. Shuchart
  • Patent number: 9322257
    Abstract: A radio frequency applicator and method for heating a geological formation is disclosed. A radio frequency source configured to apply a differential mode signal is connected to a coaxial conductor including an outer conductor pipe and an inner conductor. The inner conductor is coupled to a second conductor pipe through one or more metal jumpers. One or more current chokes, such as a common mode choke or antenna balun, are installed around the outer conductor pipe and the second conductor pipe to concentrate electromagnetic radiation within a hydrocarbon formation. The outer conductor pipe and the second conductor pipe can be traditional well pipes for extracting hydrocarbons, such as a steam pipe and an extraction pipe of a steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) system. An apparatus and method for installing a current choke are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: HARRIS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Francis Eugene Parsche
  • Patent number: 9309735
    Abstract: Methods and systems for facilitating actuation of downhole components by filtering actuation fluid and by preventing inoperability due to plugging. A well component is deployed downhole into a wellbore and operated via an actuator moved by a flow of fluid. A filter system is mounted in the flow of fluid to remove debris before the flow of fluid reaches the actuator. The filter system further comprises a pressure release member that opens when sufficient pressure builds up due to plugging of the filter system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Steven L. Anyan
  • Patent number: 9291034
    Abstract: A tool for selectively treating a wellbore with fluid that includes a tubing string having a sidewall defining an inner bore, the sidewall comprising a flow area having at least one fluid flow port that permits fluid flow through the sidewall. Fluid is prevented from flowing through the flow area when a closure is in a closed position. When in the open position, fluid flows through the flow area. An axial seal is connected to the closure to selectively close the inner bore against fluid pressure to apply the predetermined opening force to move the closure to the open position. A releasable connector connects the axial seal to the closure and a retrieval tool attachment releases the axial seal from the closure upon application of a predetermined release force by a retrieval tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Logan Completion Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Don Turner, Grant George
  • Patent number: 9291044
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting a fracturing operation using a wellbore fracturing assembly. The assembly may be mechanically set and released from a wellbore using a coiled tubing string to conduct a fracturing operation adjacent an area of interest in a formation. The assembly may include an unloader for equalizing pressure between the assembly and the wellbore, a pair of spaced apart packers for straddling the area of interest, an injection port disposed between the packers for injecting fracturing fluid into the area of interest, and an anchor for securing the assembly in the wellbore. After conducting the fracturing operation, the assembly may be relocated to another area of interest to conduct another fracturing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Murphy, Gary D. Ingram, Simon J. Harrall
  • Patent number: 9291038
    Abstract: A system for injecting high pressure abrasive fluid into an abrasive jet tool in a wellbore comprises an abrasives hopper; a slurry tank connected to the abrasives hopper; a low pressure abrasive pump connected to the slurry tank; a first high pressure vessel connected to the low pressure pump through a first high pressure valve; a high pressure non-abrasive pump connected to the first high pressure vessel through a second high pressure valve; and an abrasive jet tool connected to the first high pressure vessel through a third high pressure valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: TD TOOLS, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Dotson, Henry Wohltjen
  • Patent number: 9279297
    Abstract: A stabilizer to suppress unwanted pivotal movement in pipe handling equipment suspended from bails. The stabilizer can contain either or both adjustable contacting members and non-adjustable contacting members which are rigidly connected to a portion of the pipe handling equipment. The adjustable contacting members contact the bails on one or both sides of the bail(s) to suppress motion of the elevator relative to the bail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Inventors: Jeremy R. Angelle, Donald E. Mosing, Oren M. Bowden
  • Patent number: 9260936
    Abstract: A bridge plug or packer assembly includes a mandrel. At least one sealing element is provided on the mandrel. A pair of backup rings is provided on the mandrel on respective sides of the at least one sealing element. Each of the pair of backup rings has a single spiraled ring groove. A pair of pressure-applying elements is provided on the mandrel on respective sides of the pair of backup rings, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventor: Christopher A. Branton
  • Patent number: 9234397
    Abstract: A plurality of rows of locking dogs are provided with housing flexibility between rows to allow them to share a shear loading while leaving enough structural integrity in the housing to define the windows through which the dogs emerge. The dogs can also have extensions with a surface that grippingly engages the housing adjacent the window on extension of the dogs such that loads can transfer from the housing into the extension and into the profile in which the dog is disposed rather than passing the shear stress through the window edge into the dog that is in the profile. The dog configuration can also share the load on multiple contact surfaces of the housing to reduce stress at each contact location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Peter J. Fay, Marcus A. Avant
  • Patent number: 9234394
    Abstract: The low friction wireline standoff reduces or eliminates contact of the wireline cable with the borehole wall during the logging operation. The low friction wireline standoff comprises external wheels mounted on two finned half shells that clamp onto the wireline with precision cable inserts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Inventors: Guy Wheater, Stuart Huyton
  • Patent number: 9234410
    Abstract: For controlling a hydrocarbons production installation, comprising at least one hydrocarbons production string activated by a gas injection using a gas injection choke, and a production choke on the string, a method comprises a production phase during which the position of at least one of the chokes is adjusted by cascaded control loops. The loops are driven according to continuously or sequentially developing setpoint parameters. The installation can be controlled more accurately and quickly than in the prior art, as a cascade control loop architecture makes it possible to simplify each of the loops in order to increase the speed of implementation, while still taking account of a greater number of setpoint parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: TOTAL S.A.
    Inventor: Pierre Lemetayer
  • Patent number: 9228401
    Abstract: Borehole conditions can be determined using distributed measurement data. Real time data measurements can be taken from sensors distributed along the length of a drill string to assess various conditions or properties of the borehole. In particular, the distributed data can be used for example, to track the progress of a chemical pill or also track the location of different types of borehole fluids, and also to determine the hole size or volume of the borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignees: BP Corporation North America Inc., BP Exploration Operating Company Limited
    Inventors: Stephen T. Edwards, Christopher J. Coley, Michael L. Edwards, Donald F. Shafer, Mark W. Alberty
  • Patent number: 9228400
    Abstract: An apparatus to alter the flow of a fluid (e.g., drilling fluid, mud, cement, etc.) in a wellbore by creating turbulence in the flowing fluid. The apparatus includes a plurality of blade members extending outward from an elongated member. The elongated member is attached to the exterior surface of a tubular that is then positioned in a wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: ANTELOPE OIL TOOL & MFG. CO.
    Inventors: Jean P. Buytaert, Troy McDaniel
  • Patent number: 9222310
    Abstract: Apparatus for clearing particles from a lateral drilling operation in strata beside a well. The drilling apparatus is part of a down hole unit and is configured for extending from a lateral opening of the unit into a lateral passage in the adjacent strata, and the operation of the drilling apparatus discharges particles from the lateral passage toward the lateral opening. The invention deflects or redirects the particles discharged from the lateral passage, away from the lateral opening, to prevent clogging or blocking of an internal passage or elbow through the down hole unit, using a pressurized fluid such as a gas or an emulsion. The pressurized fluid can also be configured for carrying the particles upwardly through the well to the surface, and for reducing or removing a hydrostatic head in the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Latjet Systems LLC
    Inventor: Jasper N. Peters