Patents Examined by Giovanna Wright
  • Patent number: 11661795
    Abstract: Methods and systems for optimizing timing for drilling and tripping operation. An example method may include receiving a plurality of sensor data characterizing rig equipment and tripping status. The method may include identifying a plurality of multi-thread rig states based on the plurality of sensor data. The method calculates a plurality of optimal rig state characteristics (RSCs), wherein the plurality of optimal RSCs are calculated based on the plurality of sensor data as it relates to the plurality of multi-thread rig states. The method also performs a tripping operation with the rig equipment after applying the plurality of optimal RSCs. The method may also gather a plurality of updated sensor data from the rig equipment during the tripping operation for a recalculation of the plurality of optimal RSCs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Lei Wang, Melissa M. Lee, Jonathan B. Barry, Paul E. Pastusek
  • Patent number: 11655699
    Abstract: A spallation drilling apparatus is also disclosed that uses jets of hot fluid for drilling. This is compatible with drilling wells in high temperature zones, such as a lava dome. A simplified pyrolysis reactor for use in a lava dome is also disclosed, in which the dome functions to contain the reaction, and the apparatus to facilitate pyrolysis is far more compact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Inventor: David Alan McBay
  • Patent number: 11646631
    Abstract: A tool includes a device including a housing and a rotor, the rotor to rotate about a longitudinal axis, and an axial gap generator including a stator assembly positioned adjacent to the rotor. The axial gap generator generates a voltage signal as a function of a gap spacing between the stator assembly and the rotor, the gap spacing being parallel to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Upwing Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick McMullen, Herman Artinian
  • Patent number: 11639661
    Abstract: A system for tracking and steering a downhole tool using an augmented reality device. A tracker tracks the location of a downhole tool as it moves underground and transmits data to the device, while one or more sensors measure a position and orientation of the device. The device analyzes the data received from the tracker and the sensors and generates a virtual image of the downhole tool. The virtual image is displayed on the device at its detected location relative to the ground surface and relative to the position of the device. The position of the displayed virtual image is modified in response to updated information from the tracker or the sensors. Virtual images representing various parameters of the drilling operation are also displayed on the device in juxtaposition with the virtual image of the downhole tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley S. Marshall, Scott B. Cole, Jacob Harman, Klayton Day Jones, Brian K. Bailey, Víctor D. Cámara Puerto
  • Patent number: 11630233
    Abstract: A method may comprise forming a data matrix, extracting chromatographs of a mud filtrate and a formation fluid, extracting concentration profiles of the mud filtrate and the formation fluid, and decomposing a data set on an information handling machine using a bilinear model. A system may comprise a downhole fluid sampling tool and an information handling tool. The downhole fluid sampling tool may comprise one or more multi-chamber sections, one or more fluid module sections, one or more gas chromatographers, wherein the one or more gas chromatographers are disposed in the one or more fluid module sections, and an information handling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Ojo Olapade, Bin Dai, Christopher Michael Jones
  • Patent number: 11623263
    Abstract: A bending apparatus for coiled tubing protects the entire path of coiled tubing from the reel to the injector, while still protecting a main controlled bend from the reel to the injector. The bending apparatus includes a conduit having a bend portion and a flexible portion. The main controlled bend is isolated in the bend portion, while a smaller adjustment bend is designed for the flexible portion. The changes in the upright angle from dispensing coiled tubing from different levels of the reel no longer cause damage. The changes in the lateral angle from dispensing coiled tubing from both sides of the reel no longer cause damage. A table mount can also be added to allow more adjustment for changes in the lateral angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Inventor: Kristian Martin
  • Patent number: 11619129
    Abstract: Various apparatus or methods are arranged to determine a first isotope ratio of an effluent drilling fluid, wherein the effluent drilling fluid is a drilling fluid after the drilling fluid has interacted with a plasma discharge produced via one or more electrodes of a drill bit of a pulsed power drill string disposed in a borehole. A second isotope ratio is estimated based on the first isotope ratio and a downhole reaction generated by the plasma discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Mathew Dennis Rowe
  • Patent number: 11619096
    Abstract: The present invention provides a drill assembly that includes a drill for drilling rock, a support for supporting the drill, and a valve for releasably securing the support and drill together. The valve is adapted to receive a fluid from a pump means and controllably provide the drill and the support with the fluid for operation of the drill and the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: UGT Group Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Max Scott
  • Patent number: 11619098
    Abstract: A tool for building a wellbore includes a tool body with a flow passage extending axially therethrough, a piston chamber formed radially through the tool body that intersects the flow passage of the tool body, a piston disposed in the piston chamber, at least one actuation element that exerts a force between the piston and the piston chamber, and a sleeve disposed within the flow passage of the tool body that includes at least one cutout. When the sleeve is in a first position within the tool body, the cutout is axially offset from the piston, and when the sleeve is in a second position, the cutout is axially aligned with the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: Belgacem Becha
  • Patent number: 11613929
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for imparting and limiting hypocycloidal, lateral, and torsional forces onto drill bits are provided, including hypocycloidal bearings for limiting hypocycloidal motion, lateral impulse mechanisms for imparting lateral movement to a drill bit, and torsional impulse mechanisms for imparting torsional movement to a drill bit. The methods systems, and apparatus may decrease friction, increase drilling efficiency, and provide additional benefits to drilling systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: XR Dynamics LLC
    Inventors: David P. Miess, Michael V. Williams, James Dudley
  • Patent number: 11613939
    Abstract: A method of using a bowl protector assembly includes lowering the bowl protector assembly with a running and retrieving tool into a wellhead located at a surface of a well, whereby a removable upper module of the bowl protector assembly is damaged, wherein the bowl protector assembly comprises the removable upper module and a lower module and the removable upper module comprises tool engagement features to pair with the running and retrieving tool. The method further includes raising the bowl protector assembly out of the wellhead and replacing the damaged removable upper module with an undamaged removable upper module. The method further includes lowering the bowl protector assembly comprising the undamaged removable upper module with the running and retrieving tool into the wellhead and placing the bowl protector assembly on a load shoulder within the wellhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Mansour Abdullah Alamer
  • Patent number: 11608695
    Abstract: A coiled tubing injector system may include a coiled tubing injector guide configured for guiding coiled tubing into a coiled tubing injector and a remotely adjustable guide mechanism. The remotely adjustable guide mechanism may include a guide mount configured for adjustably securing the coiled tubing injector guide to a frame of the coiled tubing injector and a drive mechanism configured for remotely adjusting a position of the guide mount relative to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: NOV INTERVENTION AND STIMULATION EQUIPMENT US, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Scott Steffenhagen, Mike Xiaolei Lu, Matthew Stephen Lane
  • Patent number: 11603719
    Abstract: A utility umbilical module may include an expandable frame, a plurality of extendable fluid lines arranged on the expandable frame and configured for fluid coupling between a utility plant and a drill rig, an expandable and retractable electrical system configured for electrically coupling a utility plant to a drill rig, and a ground engaging portion configured for over-the-road transport of the module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.
    Inventors: Marcus Sherwin McCoo, Oscar Vega, Roy H. McIntyre, Alexander Saldana
  • Patent number: 11603754
    Abstract: A housing defines a through passage along its length and is configured to support a group of electrical isolators surrounding the through passage to form an electrically isolating break in a drill string such that each isolator of the group of isolators is subject to no more than a compressive force responsive to extension and retraction of the drill string. The housing defines a housing cavity to receive an electronics package having a signal port and is configured for electrical connection of the signal port across the electrically isolating break. A housing lid can cooperate with a main housing body to define elongated slots for purposes of enhancing the emanation of a locating signal. A housing arrangement can support electrical connections from an electronics package to bridge an electrically isolating gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Merlin Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert W. Chau, Kenneth J. Theimer
  • Patent number: 11598170
    Abstract: A fishing operation may include actuating a blind ram above the wellhead to seal around the wireline; pulling out a portion of the wireline out of the wellhead; cutting the portion of the wireline; rigging up a coiled tubing blowout preventer on top of the blind ram; connecting a wire within a coiled tubing to the wireline; connecting a coiled tubing bottom hole assembly to the coiled tubing; opening the blind ram and running in hole the coiled tubing into the wellbore; pulling, with the wire, the wireline inside the coiled tubing as the coiled tubing is lowered into the wellbore; lowering the coiled tubing to reach a depth within the wellbore containing a stall or stuck point in the tubular string; cutting the wireline with a wire cutter of the coiled tubing bottom hole assembly; and pulling out the coiled tubing with the wireline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: Mohammad W. Alsaleh
  • Patent number: 11598154
    Abstract: A wellbore tool is conditioned between downhole deployments with a substantially continuous application of a conditioning fluid within the tool. Selectively removable caps connect to ends of the tool after its removal from the wellbore. If the tool is part of a downhole string, the caps are added after the tool is decoupled from the remainder of the string. The conditioning fluid is introduced into the tool through a fitting on one of the end caps; and while a fitting on the other end cap is opened to vent fluids resident within the tool. The caps are in sealing contact with a housing of the tool to retain the conditioning fluid inside the tool. A fluid supply system at the well site provides the conditioning fluid. Example conditioning fluids include a fracturing fluid, a completion fluid, a diluent, a solubilizing agent, an anti-scaling agent, a pH buffer, a liquid freezing point depressant, corrosion and oxidation inhibitors, oxygen scavengers, biocides, surfactants, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Sven Hoegger, Helmuth Sarmiento Klapper, Peter Schorling, Erik Bartscherer
  • Patent number: 11585181
    Abstract: A head for a well tubular. The well tubular head includes features that may be applied to a casing head or a tubing head. The well tubular head includes a bowl tubular reversibly connected with a casing connector. The bowl tubular is adapted for connecting with an uphole component of an equipment stack or other system. The bowl tubular includes a hanger profile for receiving a casing hanger or tubing hanger. The casing connector is adapted for connecting with the casing. The bowl tubular and the casing connector may be replaced independently of each other. Removable connection points for flow lines may be included on the well tubular head to facilitate changing flow lines or flow line connection points. The bowl tubular may include a drive system for rotating tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: 2170775 Alberta Ltd.
    Inventor: Clint Roger Sabatier
  • Patent number: 11566509
    Abstract: A proportional integral derivative (PID) controller implements control over a drilling system based on an integral term and a proportional term. The integral term is the integral of an operating drilling fluid pressure compared to a target drilling fluid pressure. The proportional term is the difference between an operating weight on bit and a target weight on bit. The sum of the proportional term and the integral term is multiplied by a controller parameter to determine a surface rate of penetration. A drill pipe lowering rate may be changed based on the determined surface rate of penetration, and the process may repeat in an iterative cycle until the integral term is reduced to an acceptable degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Benjamin Peter Jeffryes
  • Patent number: 11560783
    Abstract: A properly calibrated load-cell is critical for the safe operation of a rod-pumping system. Load readings are utilized for shutdown thresholds, and incorrect measurements can cause those safe load limits to be exceeded. Correct surface load, combined with position measurement, is also important for the diagnosis of the complete pumping system. The diagnostic method for calculating down-hole conditions presents an interesting opportunity to validate surface load measurements, even from the incorrect load measurements themselves. The calculated down-hole dynamometer card will be transposed on a distinct diagonal with respect to both load and position, if the input surface load measurements are incorrect. A load offset can then be identified from this shifting and the surface load measurements can be corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Inventor: Walter Phillips
  • Patent number: 11560767
    Abstract: A running tool having an annulus seal assembly and casing hanger attached thereto may be sent into to the wellhead to lock and preload the casing hanger in a single trip. The running tool may be rotated a first time to drop the annulus seal assembly on the casing hanger, a first pressure may be applied axially above the annulus seal assembly to set the annulus seal assembly, the running tool may be rotated a second time to close a gap between the annulus seal assembly and the wellhead, and a second pressure may be applied axially above the annulus seal assembly to preload the casing hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan William Phillips, Justin Rodriguez, Jasmeet S. Johar, David Mcvay, Marlon Arboleda, Joseph Graham