Patents Examined by Hoang Dang
  • Flow control system for use in a well
    Patent number: 7464761
    Abstract: A technique is provided to control flow in a well. A well completion comprises one or more flow control valve systems coupled by an electric line and a hydraulic line. Each flow control valve system comprises a flow control valve responsive to hydraulic input via the hydraulic line and an electro-mechanical device. The electro-mechanical device is responsive to inputs via the electric line and is used to control hydraulic input to the corresponding flow control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Pierre Hosatte, Thomas D. MacDougall, Stephane Hiron, Michael J. Bertoja
  • Downhole pressure pulse activated by jack element
    Patent number: 7464772
    Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a method has steps for forming a wellbore with a tool string bit having a body intermediate a shank and a working face. The bit body has a fluid passageway and at least a portion of a jack element is disposed within the body. The jack element also has an end forming at least a portion of a relief mechanism in the fluid passageway and a distal end substantially protruding from the working face. The bit connected to a tool string is deployed into a wellbore. Fluid is passed through the fluid passageway. A bottom of the wellbore is destructed by pulsing the fluid traveling through the passageway by opening and closing the relief mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Carla Hendengren
  • Downhole impeller device
    Patent number: 7455113
    Abstract: A downhole impeller device for use within a well, comprising: a body connectable to a drill string and having an external diameter smaller than the well diameter so as to form an annulus between the body and the well; and one or more impeller members extending from the outer surface of the body such that rotation of the or each impeller member impels drilling fluid within the annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Hamdeen Incorporated Limited
    Inventor: Richard Keith Booth
  • Downhole turbine
    Patent number: 7451835
    Abstract: In one aspect, a downhole assembly has a downhole tool string component with a bore adapted to accommodate drilling mud. A fluid barrier is disposed within the bore and has a cylindrical portion substantially aligned with the bore. A drive shaft is sealed within and substantially coaxial with the cylindrical portion and has a first magnet disposed on its outer surface. A turbine assembly is disposed around the cylindrical portion of the fluid barrier and has an inner diameter and outer surface. The outer surface of the turbine assembly has a plurality of turbine blades. The inner diameter of the turbine assembly has a second magnet disposed within a region defined by the turbine blades and is in magnetic communication with the first magnet of the drive shaft, wherein when the drilling mud engages the turbine blades the first and second magnets rotate the drive shaft with the turbine assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Daryl Wise, David Lundgreen, Nathan Nelson, Scott Dahlgren
  • Advanced expandable reaming tool
    Patent number: 7451836
    Abstract: An expandable reaming tool including at least two reamer pads connected to a tool body. The reamer pads are adapted to be displaced between a retracted position and an expanded position. At least one spiral blade is formed on at least one reamer pad. A plurality of cutting elements are disposed on the at least one spiral blade. An expandable reaming tool including at least two reamer pads connected to a tool body. The reamer pads are adapted to be displaced between a retracted position and an expanded position. At least one blade is formed on the at least two reamer pads. A plurality of cutting elements are disposed on the at least one blade and at least one gage protection element is disposed on a gage surface of the at least one blade. The plurality of cutting elements are arranged so as to enable the expandable reaming tool to backream a formation in a wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl M. Hoffmaster, David K. Truax, Timothy P. Beaton
  • Openhole perforating
    Patent number: 7451819
    Abstract: An underbalanced perforating system is disclosed for use in openhole completions to maximize the wellbore and matrix cleanup efficiency, to connect natural fracture patterns, and/or to enable application of new drilling fluid technology in difficult subsurface environments. The perforating system can be used for any hydrocarbon bearing formations with any lithology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Frank F. Chang, Lawrence A. Behrmann, Ian C. Walton, Keng Seng Chan
  • Advanced expandable reaming tool
    Patent number: 7451837
    Abstract: An expandable reaming tool including at least two reamer pads connected to a tool body. The reamer pads are adapted to be displaced between a retracted position and an expanded position. At least one spiral blade is formed on at least one reamer pad. A plurality of cutting elements are disposed on the at least one spiral blade. An expandable reaming tool including at least two reamer pads connected to a tool body. The reamer pads are adapted to be displaced between a retracted position and an expanded position. At least one spiral blade is formed on at least one reamer pad. A plurality of cutting elements are disposed on the at least one blade and at least one gage protection element is disposed on a gage surface of the at least one blade. The plurality of cutting elements are arranged so as to enable the expandable reaming tool to backream a formation in a wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl M. Hoffmaster, David K. Truax, Timothy P. Beaton
  • Method and system for return of drilling fluid from a sealed marine riser to a floating drilling rig while drilling
    Patent number: 7448454
    Abstract: A floating rig or structure for drilling in the floor of an ocean using a rotatable tubular includes a seal housing having a rotatable seal connected above a portion of a marine riser fixed to the floor of the ocean. The seal rotating with the rotating tubular allows the riser and seal housing to maintain a predetermined pressure in the system that is desirable in underbalanced drilling, gas-liquid mud systems and pressurized mud handling systems. The seal is contemplated to be either an active seal or a passive seal. A flexible conduit or hose is used to compensate for relative movement of the seal housing and the floating structure because the floating structure moves independent of the seal housing. A method for use of the system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Darryl A. Bourgoyne, Don M. Hannegan
  • Turbodrill with asymmetric stator and rotor vanes
    Patent number: 7448455
    Abstract: A turbodrill has rotor vanes and stator vanes that are asymmetric with respect to each other. The rotor blade on which the rotor vanes are disposed has a reaction of less than about 0.5. A method of designing a turbodrill comprises optimizing a first design of stator vanes and optimizing a second design of rotor vanes using computational fluid analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Natanael, Kenneth M. Nevlud, Timothy P. Beaton, James Beylotte
  • Gas operated pump for hydrocarbon wells
    Patent number: 7445049
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for improving production from a wellbore are provided. In one embodiment, a downhole pump for use in a wellbore includes a chamber for accumulating formation fluids and a valve assembly for filling and venting gas to and from the chamber. In another embodiment, a gas operated pump for moving wellbore fluids in a wellbore includes a chamber for accumulating wellbore fluids, wherein the chamber in fluid communication with a production tubular and a surface mounted valve assembly in fluid communication with the chamber, wherein the valve assembly adapted to regulate gas flow to or from the chamber. In another embodiment, the valve assembly comprises a removable control valve disposed in a housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: William F. Howard, Darren J. Wiltse, William C. Lane
  • Optical sensor use in alternate path gravel packing with integral zonal isolation
    Patent number: 7441605
    Abstract: Devices and methods for monitoring wellbore conditions while conducting hydrocarbon production within a wellbore, particularly an open-hole wellbore, having multiple zones within. A production tubing string assembly is made up having a plurality of packers for sealing within an open-hole wellbore having multiple individual zones. The production tubing string includes production nipples and one or more fiber optic sensor lines disposed upon the outside of the production tubing string. The sensor line or lines are disposed through the packers using a pass-through system so as to provide unbroken sensing line(s) to the surface of the wellbore. This allows temperature, pressure or other wellbore conditions to be monitored at the surface in each of the individual zones of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Martin P. Coronado, Elmer R. Peterson
  • Fracking multiple casing exit laterals
    Patent number: 7441604
    Abstract: A method of fracking multiple laterals sequentially is described. It allows the drilling rig to be moved off site as the laterals are fracked. Thereafter, they can all be produced simultaneously. The laterals begin from a main lateral that is already oriented in the producing zone and preferably exit in a coplanar manner so as to extend immediately into the producing formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Rickey J. Green
  • Expandable fluted liner hanger and packer system
    Patent number: 7441606
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus create an attachment and a seal between two tubular members in a wellbore. An expandable assembly includes a packer and liner hanger to be expanded into a surrounding tubular. The packer can be a longitudinally corrugated packer and can have a sealing element disposed on an outer surface thereof. The liner hanger can include a plurality of formations extending outward along an outer surface of the liner hanger to form interspaces for longitudinal fluid flow between the formations. In operation, an expansion tool moves axially through an inner diameter of the expandable assembly to expand the liner hanger with a fluted expander and subsequently the packer with a substantially uniform outer diameter cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick Maguire
  • Tin seat for rock drill insert
    Patent number: 7434635
    Abstract: A rock drilling bit includes at least one button having a button sidewall and button bottom, the button sidewall and the button bottom having a button sidewall geometry and a button bottom geometry, respectively. The rock drilling bit further comprises a bit body having at least one button-receiving hole having a hole sidewall and a hole bottom, the hole sidewall and the hole bottom having a hole sidewall geometry complementary to the button sidewall geometry and a hole bottom geometry, and a deformable seat compressed between the buttom bottom and the hole bottom so that the seat conforms to a hole bottom geometry and the button bottom geometry. The seat comprises tin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Sandvik Intellectual Property AB
    Inventors: Rob A. Simmons, Matthew Floyd Shofner
  • Apparatus for preventing pollution of subterranean water
    Patent number: 7434615
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for preventing pollution of a groundwater borehole, which increase water-tightness. The apparatus for preventing pollution of a groundwater borehole has a structure that both sides of an underwater motor pump supported by a first intake pipe having a groundwater borehole for discharging groundwater to the outside are all supported inside a second intake pipe connected with the first intake pipe. The apparatus always maintains balance of the motor pump inside the intake pipes, thereby preventing displacement occurring by supporting only a side of the motor pump like the prior arts, and preventing water leakage and providing watertight efficiency by maintaining the close contact efficiency of an induction pipe connector mounted inside the second intake pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Inventor: Guen Mook Ahn
  • Downhole turbine
    Patent number: 7434634
    Abstract: In one aspect, a downhole assembly has a downhole tool string component with a bore adapted to accommodate drilling mud. A fluid barrier is disposed within the bore and has a cylindrical portion substantially aligned with the bore. A drive shaft is sealed within and substantially coaxial with the cylindrical portion and has a first magnet disposed on its outer surface. A turbine assembly is disposed around the cylindrical portion of the fluid barrier and has an inner diameter and outer surface. The outer surface of the turbine assembly has a plurality of turbine blades. The inner diameter of the turbine assembly has a second magnet disposed within a region defined by the turbine blades and is in magnetic communication with the first magnet of the drive shaft, wherein when the drilling mud engages the turbine blades the first and second magnets rotate the drive shaft with the turbine assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Daryl Wise, David Lundgreen, Nathan Nelson, Scott Dahlgren
  • Surface instrumentation configuration for drilling rig operation
    Patent number: 7434630
    Abstract: One embodiment includes an apparatus comprising a surface slip to support drill tubing and having a communications instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Vimal V. Shah, Donald G. Kyle
  • Surface controlled subsurface lateral branch safety valve
    Patent number: 7434613
    Abstract: A surface controlled subsurface lateral branch safety valve provides flow control for each branch wellbore in a multilateral well. In a described embodiment, a completion system for a well having an intersection between parent and branch wellbores includes an apparatus having multiple passages formed therethrough. One passage provides fluid communication between opposite ends of the apparatus in the parent wellbore, and another passage provides guidance for drilling the branch wellbore. The apparatus further includes a flow control device, such as a surface controlled subsurface safety valve, which selectively controls fluid communication with the branch wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry L. Restarick, Jody R. McGlothen
  • Multi-lock adapters for independent screwed wellheads and methods of using same
    Patent number: 7428931
    Abstract: A multi-lock adapter used to inject high-pressure well stimulation fluids through an independent screwed wellhead includes an adapter pin having a central passageway with an internal diameter at least as large as a passageway through the wellhead. A lockdown flange secures the adapter pin to a casing mandrel of the wellhead. The lockdown flange ensures that stress on connection points to the screwed independent wellhead due to elevated fluid pressures used for well stimulation procedures does not exceed engineered specifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Stinger Wellhead Protection, Inc.
    Inventors: Bob McGuire, L. Murray Dallas
  • Well treatment system and method
    Patent number: 7428921
    Abstract: A well treatment system of the present invention includes a housing forming a sealed surge chamber, and a surge charge disposed within the sealed surge chamber, wherein the surge charge is adapted upon activation to penetrate the housing and to not penetrate material exterior of the housing. Fluid communication is created between the surge chamber and the wellbore when the housing is penetrated by the surge charge. The penetration permits wellbore fluid to flow quickly into the surge chamber. Fluid flow into the surge chamber may enhance a surge of flow from the formation into the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Brenden M. Grove, Mark C. Duhon, Lawrence A. Behrmann, Claude D. Jones