Patents Examined by Giovanna C Wright
  • Patent number: 10487607
    Abstract: A fracturing system includes a fracturing spool that mounts onto a wellhead assembly for injecting fracturing fluid into a well beneath the wellhead assembly. The fracturing system includes an isolation sleeve and fracturing spool. The isolation sleeve inserts in an axial bore of the fracturing spool, and has a lower end that extends into the wellhead to isolate and protect portions of the wellhead assembly from the fracturing fluid. A groove in an inner surface of the fracturing spool receives an annular seal for sealing between the isolation sleeve and fracturing spool. Injecting a viscous fluid into the groove energizes the seal, and blocks high pressure fracturing fluid from flowing between the isolation sleeve and fracturing spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: GE Oil & Gas Pressure Control LP
    Inventors: Saurabh Kajaria, Khang V. Nguyen, Todd B. Adams
  • Patent number: 10480271
    Abstract: A system and method for covering a cellar at a wellhead to prevent and control fluids and gases from the cellar. The covering includes a mat that circumscribes a wellhead tubular that projects upward from the cellar. A split seam in the mat extends radially from the opening to the mat outer periphery which allows the mat to be placed around the wellhead tubular. A fastener joins the ends of the mat that meet at the split seam. The mat includes a collar, which mounts to the mat along the opening and extends axially away from an upper surface of the mat. The collar is secured to the wellhead tabular with a strap. Two discharge lines project through the mat into the cellar, one for pumping into the cellar, and one for withdrawing fluid that has collected in the cellar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Mohammad Saud Al-Badran
  • Patent number: 10480257
    Abstract: A system for relieving lateral stress on rods within a wellbore. A flexible sucker rod coupling has a top connecting member threadedly attached to a ball shank housing. The ball shank housing houses in a ball and socket fashion, a ball shank which extends out of the ball shank housing, defining a swivel gap to allow swivel movement. The ball shank is threadedly attached to a lower connection member. Both ends of the coupling threadedly attaches to an adjacent sucker rod within the wellbore. The ball shank is secured to the ball shank housing to ensure that the ball shank and the ball shank housing rotate together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Inventor: Randy Downing
  • Patent number: 10472953
    Abstract: An apparatus having a skid, a boom having a first end attached to the skid and pivotable around an axis proximate the first end such that a second end of the boom raises and lowers relative to the skid, and a room mounted on the skid. The apparatus may further include a raisable apparatus supported by the second end of the boom and having one or more plug panels configured to connect to one or more first cables. The apparatus may also include second cables routed from the raisable apparatus and attached to and supported at least in part by the boom, wherein the second cables may be configured to provide electrical power to the raisable apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Jacques Orban
  • Patent number: 10458185
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in a wellbore is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment includes a rotatable member, a thrust bearing coupled to the rotatable member, wherein the thrust bearing includes a bearing stack that further includes a unitary inner race member that includes a number of axially spaced inner races around an outer surface of the unitary inner race member. A set of bearing elements is placed in each inner race, and a separate outer race secures each set of bearing elements in each inner race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventor: Marcel Brand
  • Patent number: 10458195
    Abstract: There is provided a downhole tool comprising a locator. The locator includes a wellbore coupler for becoming releasably retained relative to a locate profile; and a wellbore coupler release opposer configured for opposing release of the wellbore coupler from the retention relative to the locate profile. While the opposing of the release of the wellbore coupler from the retention relative to the locate profile is being effected by the wellbore coupler release opposer, relative displacement between the wellbore coupler release opposer and the wellbore coupler is effectible, with effect that the opposing is defeated. The locator also includes a displacement impeder for impeding the relative displacement between the wellbore coupler release opposer and the wellbore coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: NCS Multistage Inc.
    Inventors: Tim Johnson, Michael Werries
  • Patent number: 10458192
    Abstract: A drilling machine having: a string of telescopic rods provided with an excavation tool; a winch having a drum associated with a motor; a flexible pulling element connected on the one hand to the drum and on the other hand to the string of telescopic rods; a manual control element of the winch that can assume a first position, a second position and a third position; a control system configured for controlling the motor, in a first operating mode, so as to unwind the flexible pulling element from the drum when the manual control element is in the first position, wind the flexible pulling element on the drum in order to raise the string of telescopic rods when the manual control element is in the second position, stop the drum when the manual control element is in the third position; wherein it comprises a first manual selector adapted to select a second operating mode, and in that the control system is configured for controlling the motor, in the second operating mode, so as to wind the flexible pulling elemen
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: SOILMEC S.P.A.
    Inventor: Alessio Zanichelli
  • Patent number: 10450858
    Abstract: There is provided a gap sub-assembly for electrically isolating an upstream portion of a drill string from a downstream portion of the drill string. The gap sub-assembly includes a first sub; a second sub; and a non-conductive isolation between the first sub and the second sub, the non-conductive isolation being interposed between respective shoulders of the first sub and the second sub and being interposed between respective threads of a male end of the first sub and a female end of the second sub, the non-conductive isolation comprising an insulative wrapping between at least the respective threads of the first and second subs, wherein connecting the female end of the second sub to the male end of the first sub over the insulative wrapping electrically isolates the respective threads of the first and second subs. A method for assembling such a gap sub-assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Mostar Directional Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: John Petrovic, Victor Petrovic, Matthew R. White, Neal P. Beaulac
  • Patent number: 10450804
    Abstract: A method of designing a drill bit is disclosed. The method includes determining a location of a bit coordinate system in a wellbore coordinate system and generating a bit profile based on an angular coordinate around a wellbore axis of a wellbore and the location of the bit coordinate system. The bit profile is based on a cutting edge of a first cutting element on an exterior portion of a first blade. The method also includes determining a cutting layer volume based on the bit profile and identifying a weak zone based on the cutting layer volume being less than a predefined minimum cutting layer volume. The method includes determining a location for a second cutting element on the exterior portion of a second blade based on the weak zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Shilin Chen
  • Patent number: 10443342
    Abstract: A method of sealing an annulus around a drill-pipe when drilling down-hole includes providing a deflated packer on a drill-pipe when drilling down-hole; opening one or more ports to the packer using a ball-activated valve; and circulating drilling fluid to inflate said packer through said one or more ports, to thereby form a seal in the annulus around the drill-pipe. An apparatus to carry out this method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: STATOIL PETROLEUM AS
    Inventors: Morten Eidem, Rune Haugom
  • Patent number: 10443335
    Abstract: A tubing hanger for supporting a tubing string from a wellhead includes a unified mandrel having an upper mandrel coupled to an axially aligned lower mandrel by multiple separate connections. The upper mandrel includes an external shoulder, and a lower mandrel includes a threaded segment configured to couple to the tubing string. The first connection is configured to restrain axial movement between the upper and lower mandrel and to transfer toque between the upper mandrel and the lower mandrel in at least a first rotational direction. The second connection is configured to transfer toque between them in at least a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction, to prevent the first connection from loosening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: Javier Adolfo Garcia Finol, Glen George Martinka, S. M. Mamun Ur Rashid
  • Patent number: 10443355
    Abstract: Provided are systems for connecting a control line to an intelligent tool positioned below a lateral borehole junction in accordance with the disclosure and the illustrated FIGURES. An example system comprises a lateral deflector. The lateral deflector comprises a lateral deflector body, a lateral deflector top coupled to the lateral deflector body, a deflection surface, and a feedthrough which is covered by the lateral deflector top when the lateral deflector top is coupled to the lateral deflector body. The lateral deflector top is removable and configured to be decoupled from the lateral deflector body. The system further comprises a tubular string, a control line connector head coupled to the tubular string, a first control line coupled to the feedthrough and descending downhole of the lateral borehole junction, and a second control line coupled to the control line connector head and descending downhole from the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark C. Glaser
  • Patent number: 10443325
    Abstract: Method and system for pipe conveyed logging (PCL) operations in which the drillpipe conveys a logging tool. The method and system coordinate operation of a wireline winch and drilling rig control systems to synchronize their operation, and/or the method and system attenuate the pull force applied to an upper end of the cable and transmit the attenuated force toward a lower end of the cable to reduce the risks of premature cable release and cable damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Shunfeng Zheng, Vishwanathan Parmeshwar
  • Patent number: 10443361
    Abstract: A multi-shot explosive charge includes a plurality of chambers divided by shared walls between adjacent chambers. Explosive material within at least one of the chambers creates an explosive force in an outward direction upon detonation and a perforating jet through the open end of the chamber. A perforating charge includes at least one explosive material producing explosive forces, upon detonation that collide within the chamber to create a perforating jet. Such perforating charge may be a chamber(s) within a multi-shot explosive charge, or an individual charge. First and second explosive materials can have the same or different compositions and detonation rates that together with the arrangement of materials within the chamber create the collision of forces. A plurality of multi-shot explosive charge or stand-alone perforating charges with colliding forces can be interconnected in an array, and can be included in a perforating gun(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: IdeasCo LLC
    Inventor: Joseph Sites
  • Patent number: 10436013
    Abstract: A wellbore assembly is provided that can include a first motor housing assembly member and a second motor housing assembly member that can bend relative to the first motor housing assembly at a bend location. The assembly can also include a first inclinometer positioned on assembly side of the bend location to determine a first inclination and a second inclinometer positioned on a second side of the bend location to determine a second inclination. Based on the first and second inclinations, the amount of bend or bend direction of the second motor housing assembly member relative to the first motor housing assembly member can be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Gustav Edward Lange
  • Patent number: 10428611
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for in-situ stabilization of unconsolidated sediment in core samples are disclosed. The core sampling apparatus includes a corer having an inner wall, an outer wall, and a plurality of impregnation tubes disposed between the inner and the outer wall, wherein the impregnation tubes are parallel to a central axis of the corer. The method for sampling a core includes extracting a core sample using a corer, and in-situ stabilizing unconsolidated sediment in the core sample within the corer by impregnating the core sample with a resin. The resin is supplied through a plurality of impregnation tubes disposed between the walls of the corer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Nikolaos A. Michael, Maher I. Marhoon, Peng Lu
  • Patent number: 10422191
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a travel joint includes a tube disposed at one end of the travel joint and a mandrel disposed at an opposite end of the travel joint. The mandrel is partially disposed in a hollow portion of the tube, and the tube and the mandrel are axially slidable relative to each other to extend or compress the travel joint. The travel joint also may include a housing coupled to the tube and disposed around the mandrel and a locking mechanism between the housing and the mandrel disposed in a position to selectively lock the mandrel and the tube in an axial position relative to each other to partially compress the travel joint. In some embodiments, the travel joint may include a fluid brake having a fluid chamber disposed between the mandrel and the tube to dampen axial movement between the mandrel and tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: William Mark Richards
  • Patent number: 10422196
    Abstract: A system includes a rotatable fluid distribution system having a first block and a second block, the first block is configured to receive a supply of pressurized fluid, the second block is configured to distribute the supply of pressurized fluid to one or more actuators of a running tool, a wellhead component, or both, and the first block and the second block are configured to rotate with respect to one another about an axis to adjust which of the one or more actuators of the running tool, the wellhead component, or both, receives the supply of pressurized fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Levert, Jr., Kyle Sommerfeld
  • Patent number: 10422205
    Abstract: Adaptable systems for a surface pumping unit that includes a low inertia pumping unit mechanism having a pneumatic counterbalance assembly are described, as well as methods for the use of such systems for subterranean fluid recovery. The system is capable of being integrated with well management automation systems, thereby allowing for response to active control commands, and automatically altering and/or maintaining a counterbalance force in the pumping unit by adding or removing air mass from a containment vessel associated with the pumping unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Lufkin Industries, LLC
    Inventor: David W. Doyle
  • Patent number: 10415359
    Abstract: Well completion technology is disclosed for accounting for fracture surface roughness. A frack fluid is pumped into the wellbore to form a fracture in a formation surrounding a wellbore. In one example, a method for completing a wellbore comprises determining a fracture surface roughness for a given formation rock, and for a give fracture fluid or pumping schedule or both, prior to hydraulic fracturing. A fracture fluid and/or a pumping schedule is selected based on the determined fracture surface roughness and formation characteristics. The selected fracture fluid is pumped into the wellbore, with the selected pumping schedule, to create a desired fracture network in the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Enhanced Production, Inc.
    Inventor: Sidney J. Green