Patents Examined by Frank S. Tsay
  • Patent number: 7207397
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus facilitating logging-while-drilling (LWD) using a multi-pole acoustic transmitter source. The multi-pole transmitter source enables measurement of formation velocities, including shear wave velocities through formations that are slower than velocities through local fluids. The methods and apparatus may be utilized for LWD and wireline seismic surveys in which both the seismic or acoustic source and receivers are both deployed in a borehole, but may also be used for VSPs (vertical seismic profiling).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichiro Miyamoto, Atsushi Saito
  • Patent number: 7198106
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and system for the remediation and enhancement of secondary recovery gas from a natural gas well and geologic formation. The present invention employs the use of protic and aprotic solvents which are injected in sequence into the well and geologic formation. The protic and aprotic solvents are injected into the well bore and progress through the geologic fissures and pores of the geologic formation. After reacting with the downhole and geologic formation deposits, the solvent solute, containing the remaining solvent, dissolved solids and debris, and any remaining components are extracted from the well and formation resulting in improved gas well flow rate through the formation and well bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Inventors: John Hayhurst, Brian Holt
  • Patent number: 7188683
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for continuously supplying drilling fluid down a bore hole while adding or removing tubulars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Coupler Developments Limited
    Inventor: Laurence John Ayling
  • Patent number: 7185702
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a method for stimulating hydrocarbon production in a subterranean formation, comprising: introducing a peroxide-generating compound into a desired location in a subterranean formation, wherein the peroxide-generating compound is substantially mechanically isolated from the subterranean formation until the peroxide-generating compound reaches the desired location; and allowing the peroxide-generating compound to generate peroxide in the desired location in the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew E. Blauch, Thomas D. Welton, Gary P. Funkhouser, Scott A. Berning
  • Patent number: 7185719
    Abstract: A drilling system for drilling a bore hole into a subterranean earth formation, wherein at least a portion of the mud flow from the primary mud pump is diverted to the mud discharge outlet, thereby creating a backpressure system to readily increase annular pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Egbert Jan van Riet
  • Patent number: 7182160
    Abstract: The drill string element has at least one bearing zone for bearing against the wall of the borehole during drilling. The bearing zone comprises at least one bearing segment extending in the axial direction and having an outside surface that is cylindrical and of constant diameter greater than the diameter of any other portion of the surface of the element, and also having a guide zone that is circularly symmetrical about the axis of the drill string element. The bearing zone preferably also has a drilling fluid activation zone extending axially in a disposition adjacent to the bearing segment. The guide zone presents a radius of curvature not less than one-third the outside diameter of the bearing segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: S.M.F. International
    Inventor: Jean Boulet
  • Patent number: 7178611
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a system for directional drilling within a wellbore includes a drill string having an upper portion, a lower portion, a bent motor coupled to the lower portion, and a drill bit coupled to bent motor, and a clutch assembly disposed between the upper and lower portions. The clutch assembly is operable to disengage the upper and lower portions of the drill string and allow the upper portion to rotate while the lower portion does not rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: CDX Gas, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph A. Zupanick
  • Patent number: 7172037
    Abstract: A drilling control system provides, in one aspect, advisory actions for optimal drilling. Such a system or model utilizes downhole dynamics data and surface drilling parameters, to produce drilling models used to provide to a human operator with recommended drilling parameters for optimized performance. In another aspect, the output of the drilling control system is directly linked with rig instrumentation systems so as to provide a closed-loop automated drilling control system that optimizes drilling while taking into account the downhole dynamic behavior and surface parameters. The drilling models can be either static or dynamic. In one embodiment, the simulation of the drilling process uses neural networks to estimate some nonlinear function using the examples of input-output relations produced by the drilling process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Dmitriy Dashevskiy, John D. Macpherson, Vladimir Dubinsky, Pat McGinley
  • Patent number: 7172019
    Abstract: A mono-diameter wellbore casing. The mono-diameter wellbore casing is formed by plastically deforming and radially expanding a first tubular member within a wellbore. A second tubular member is then plastically deformed and radially expanded in overlapping relation to the first tubular member. The second tubular member and the overlapping portion of the first tubular member are then radially expanded again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Robert Lance Cook, Lev Ring, Edwin A. Zwald, Andrei Gregory Filippov, Kevin K. Waddell
  • Patent number: 7172025
    Abstract: A system for lining a section of a wellbore with an expandable tubular element is provided. The system includes an elongate string extending into the wellbore, the string being provided with the tubular element in the unexpanded form thereof whereby the tubular element surrounds a lower portion of the string. The string is further provided with an expander arranged at a lower end part of the tubular element and anchoring means for anchoring an upper end part of the tubular element in the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Jörg Ernst Eckerlin
  • Patent number: 7168506
    Abstract: The invention includes, in its various aspects and embodiments, a method and apparatus for multiplexing data on-bit in a drilling operation. The apparatus comprises a bit; a plurality of transducers situated on the bit; and an analog multiplexer situated on the on the bit and capable of receiving the output of the transducers, multiplexing the received outputs, and transmitting the multiplexed outputs. The method comprises taking a plurality of measurements of at least one down-hole drilling condition at a bit of a drill string; generating a plurality of analog signals representative of the measurements; and multiplexing the analog signals at the bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: ReedHycalog, L.P.
    Inventors: Marcel Boucher, Aaron Schen, Craig Ivie, Brett Stanes
  • Patent number: 7168498
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for transferring torque on a rig. The apparatus comprises a central body having a central passage, and a first plurality of splines formed within the central passage and a second plurality of splines formed on a bottom sub, and wherein the first plurality of splines and the second plurality of splines cooperate to engage and transfer the torque applied to the central body. A third plurality of splines may be formed within the central passage, and a fourth plurality of splines formed on a top sub may be included that cooperates to engage and transfer the torque applied to the cental body with the third plurality of splines. In one of the preferred embodiments, the top sub is connected to a top drive of a rig. The apparatus may further comprise a first threaded cap engaging that contains an opening in communication with the central passage. A wireline is disposed within the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Inventor: Anthony R. Boyd
  • Patent number: 7152678
    Abstract: An isolation system for producing oil and gas from one or more formation zones and methods of use are provided comprising one or more pressure activated valve and one or more tool shiftable valve. The tool shiftable valve may be actuated before or after actuation of the pressure activated valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: BJ Services Company, U.S.A.
    Inventors: DeWayne Turner, Marvin Bryce Traweek, Dick Ross
  • Patent number: 7152698
    Abstract: A lockable motor assembly for use in a well bore comprises a stator, a rotor rotatably mounted within the stator, and a selectively removable flow restriction means. The lockable motor assembly may further comprise holding means for rotationally fixing the rotor to the stator. The flow restriction means limits the flow rate of fluid downstream of the rotor, thereby substantially balancing hydraulic pressure above and below the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles H. Dewey
  • Patent number: 7147068
    Abstract: The steel drill string attached to a drilling bit during typical rotary drilling operations used to drill oil and gas wells is used for a second purpose as the casing that is cemented in place during typical oil and gas well completions. Methods of operation are described that provide for the efficient installation of a cemented steel cased well wherein the drill string and the drill bit are cemented into place during one single drilling pass down into the earth. Methods are provided to selectively cause a drilling trajectory to change during drilling with casing. A one-way cement valve is installed near the drill bit of the drill string that allows the cement to set up efficiently under ambient hydrostatic conditions while the drill string and drill bit are cemented into place during one single drilling pass into the earth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Weatherford / Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: William Banning Vail, III
  • Patent number: 7143844
    Abstract: An earth penetrating apparatus includes a cutting tool and a sensor housing. A radar unit, rate sensor unit, processor, and transmitter are provided in the sensor housing. An antenna arrangement is coupled to the radar unit and configured for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals in a relatively forward and/or lateral looking direction relative to a distal end of the cutting tool. The rate sensor unit may include one or both of a gyroscope and an accelerometer. The processor receives radar data from the radar unit indicative of subsurface strata and obstacles respectively located generally forward and/or lateral of the cutting tool, and receives displacement data from the rate sensor unit indicative of one or both of longitudinal and rotational displacement of the cutting tool. The transmitter is configured for transmitting one or both of the radar data and the displacement data to an aboveground location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Kevin L. Alft, Gregory W. Draper, Hans Kelpe
  • Patent number: 7140434
    Abstract: A sensor for installation in an underground well having a casing or tubing installed therein, the sensor comprising: a sensor body that can be installed in a hole formed in the casing or tubing so as to extend between the inside and outside of the casing or tubing; sensor elements located within the body and capable of sensing properties of an underground formation surrounding the well; and communication elements located within the body and capable of communicating information between the sensor elements and a communication device in the well; wherein the sensor body also includes a portion that can be sealed to the casing or tubing to prevent fluid communication between the inside and the outside of the casing or tubing through the hole when the sensor body is installed therein. The invention also provides systems incorporating such sensors, methods for installing sensors and applications of such systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Christian Chouzenoux, Jacques Jundt, Philippe Salamitou
  • Patent number: 7137450
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electric-hydraulic power unit. In one illustrative embodiment, the power unit comprises a body having a movable pressure barrier positioned therein, the movable pressure barrier defining first and second chambers therein, a configurable flow path in fluid communication with the first and second chambers, and at least one valve for configuring the flow path in a first state wherein fluid may flow within the flow path only in a direction from the first chamber toward the second chamber, and a second state wherein fluid within the flow path may flow in both directions between the first and second chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Johansen, Vidar Sten Halvorsen, Michael R. Williams
  • Patent number: 7137461
    Abstract: A masonry or rock drilling tool suitable for use with a rotary hammer has a drilling head (4, 104) at a forward end of the tool. A forwardly extending cutting plate (6, 106) is fitted or formed on the drilling head (4, 104). First and second opposing axially extending channels (36, 38, 136, 138) are formed on the circumferential periphery of the drilling head. The tool has a clamping shank (2, 102) at a rearward end of the tool suitable for fitment within a tool holder of a rotary hammer. An intermediate helical conveying portion (10, 110) extends between the drilling head and the clamping shank. The intermediate helical conveying portion has at least four helically extending flutes (14a–d, 114a–d) separated by corresponding helically extending webs (12a–d, 112a–d). The first of the axially extending channels extend axially rearwardly from a forward facing face of the drilling head into two of the four flutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Black & Decker, Inc.
    Inventor: Markus Meierhofer
  • Patent number: 7134506
    Abstract: A deformable member can be used in a well tool for use in downhole oil/gas wells. In one embodiment, a deformable member (46) is described which is deformable between undeformed and deformed positions, and comprises a generally hollow cylindrical body (48) defining a wall (50). The wall (50) includes three circumferential lines of weakness in the form of grooves, with two grooves (52, 54) provided in an outer surface (56) of the member wall (50), and the other groove (58) provided in an inner surface (60). The member (46) is deformed outwardly by folding about the lines of weakness (52, 54, 56) and is used in particular to obtain sealing contact with a tube in which the member (46) is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Peter Barnes Moyes