Abstract: A pressurizable assembly which comprises first and second assemblies. The first assembly has a plurality of cam grooves while the second assembly is size and shaped to intimately receive and mate with the first assembly. The second assembly has a connection member a plurality of radially mounted locking pin mechanisms for interacting with one of the plurality of spaced apart cam grooves. Axial movement of the second assembly, toward and away from the first assembly, causes the plurality of locking pin mechanisms to follow along the cam grooves to an intermediate locking position which locks the second assembly with the first assembly, while a subsequent axial movement of the second assembly, toward and away from the first assembly, causes the plurality of locking pin mechanisms to follow along the plurality of cam grooves and disengage the second assembly from the first assembly.
Abstract: A method may include monitoring, for two or more well heads of a hydraulic fracturing system, an operation or a state of one or more subsystems of the hydraulic fracturing system. The hydraulic fracturing system may include one or more fracturing rigs, one or more blending equipment, one or more power sources electrically connected to a first subset of the one or more fracturing rigs, or one or more fuel sources fluidly connected to a second subset of the one or more fracturing rigs, and one or more missile valves. The hydraulic fracturing system may further include one or more zipper valves, one or more well head valves, and multiple well heads. The method may further include controlling, based on an operation schedule for the hydraulic fracturing system and based on monitoring the operation or the state, fluid pressures at the two or more well heads for continuous pumping.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 11, 2022
Date of Patent:
January 2, 2024
Assignee:
Caterpillar Inc.
Inventors:
Todd R. Kabrich, Andy Publes, Casey A. Otten, Brandon J. Mabe, Perry D. Converse, Jason T. Herlehy
Abstract: A valve guide for a fracturing pump valve assembly, the valve guide include a ring member having one or more blades. The one or more blades project inward from an annular ring of the ring member, a first side of the one or more blades defining a central space of the ring member, the central space configured to contain a cross-sectional portion of a valve post of the valve assembly therein and the first side extending parallel to a long axis length of the valve post. Valve assemblies and hydraulic fracturing systems including the valve guide are also disclosed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 14, 2018
Date of Patent:
January 2, 2024
Assignee:
Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
Inventors:
Jim Basuki Surjaatmadja, Timothy Holiman Hunter
Abstract: An apparatus for selectably injecting materials into a well comprises an elongate inner casing having first and second sets of selectably closable passages therethrough and an outer casing extending between the first and second ends surrounding the inner casing so as to form an annular cavity therebetween. The first end of the outer casing is sealably connected to the inner casing and the second end of the outer casing has a free edge proximate to the second set of passages. The first set of passages extends through the inner casing into the annular cavity such that fluid passing through either of the first or second sets of passages enters an exterior of the apparatus at a common location.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 25, 2019
Date of Patent:
December 26, 2023
Inventors:
Shane Sargent, Matthew McCarthy, Sean Borschneck
Abstract: A control system for controlling extraction of landfill gas, comprising: at least one sensor configured to measure one or more characteristics of landfill gas; at least one flow control mechanism disposed in well piping and configured to control flow of the landfill gas through the well piping; and at least one processor configured to: obtain a measured concentration of a first gas in landfill gas; determine whether the measured concentration of the first gas is either less than a first threshold concentration or greater than a second threshold concentration; when it is determined that the measured concentration is less than the first threshold concentration, control the at least one flow control mechanism to reduce flow rate of landfill gas; and when it is determined that the concentration is greater than the second threshold concentration, control the at least one flow control mechanism to increase the flow rate of landfill gas.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 1, 2023
Date of Patent:
December 26, 2023
Assignee:
Loci Controls, Inc.
Inventors:
Andrew Campanella, Joseph G. Michels, Peter Quigley, Ian Martin
Abstract: Systems and processes for subsea marine managed pressure operations. One system includes a modified riser joint configured to fluidly connect inline with one or more riser joints. The modified riser joint and the one or more riser joints are connected to form a riser connecting a floating vessel with a wellhead. The system further includes a subsea pressure management sub-system configured to be operatively and fluidly connected to the modified riser joint at a subsea location.
Abstract: Embodiments of a system, controller, and method for operating a plurality of pumps for a turbine driven fracturing pump system used in hydraulic fracturing are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method of operating a plurality of pumps associated with a hydraulic fracturing system includes receiving a demand Hydraulic Horse Power (HHP) signal. The demand HHP signal may include the Horse Power (HP) required for the hydraulic fracturing system to operate and may include consideration for frictional and other losses. The method further includes operating available pump units at a percentage of rating below Maximum Continuous Power (MCP) level, based at least in part on the demand HHP signal. Furthermore, the method may include receiving a signal for loss of power from one or more pump units. The method further includes operating one or more units at MCP level and operating one or more pump units at Maximum Intermittent Power (MIP) level to meet the demand HHP signal.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 13, 2023
Date of Patent:
December 26, 2023
Assignee:
BJ Energy Solutions, LLC
Inventors:
Tony Yeung, Ricardo Rodriguez-Ramon, Diankui Fu, Warren Zemlak, Samir Nath Seth, Joseph Foster
Abstract: This disclosure is directed to initiating adjustment of an operation associated with an underwater drilling system, which may include receiving at least one underwater image; identifying the reference object in the at least one underwater image, wherein a position of the reference object is fixed relative to an underwater borehole or an underwater cloud; determining a first parameter associated with the reference object; identifying the underwater cloud in the at least one underwater image; determining a second parameter associated with the underwater cloud; adjusting the second parameter associated with the underwater cloud based on the first parameter associated with the reference object; and initiating an adjustment of the operation associated with the underwater drilling system based on the adjusted second parameter associated with the underwater cloud.
Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for providing on-site electrical power to a fracturing operation, and an electrically powered fracturing system. Natural gas can be used to drive a turbine generator in the production of electrical power. A scalable, electrically powered fracturing fleet is provided to pump fluids for the fracturing operation, obviating the need for a constant supply of diesel fuel to the site and reducing the site footprint and infrastructure required for the fracturing operation, when compared with conventional systems.
Abstract: An automated zipper manifold with remotely and independently controlled and monitored valves, wherein second pressure transducers are positioned on the zipper manifold and are configured to determine a flow analysis across the valve.
Abstract: A control system for controlling extraction of landfill gas, comprising: at least one sensor configured to measure one or more characteristics of landfill gas; at least one flow control mechanism disposed in well piping and configured to control flow of the landfill gas through the well piping; and at least one processor configured to: obtain a measured concentration of a first gas in landfill gas; determine whether the measured concentration of the first gas is either less than a first threshold concentration or greater than a second threshold concentration; when it is determined that the measured concentration is less than the first threshold concentration, control the at least one flow control mechanism to reduce flow rate of landfill gas; and when it is determined that the concentration is greater than the second threshold concentration, control the at least one flow control mechanism to increase the flow rate of landfill gas.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 1, 2023
Date of Patent:
December 19, 2023
Assignee:
Loci Controls, Inc.
Inventors:
Andrew Campanella, Joseph G. Michels, Peter Quigley, Ian Martin
Abstract: Described herein are systems, apparatuses, methods and computer-readable media that monitor and evaluate the density of a slurry of materials provided to a wellbore. Such systems and methods may be used when a volume of solids used in a hydraulic fracturing process is mixed with a volume of fluid when the slurry of materials is formed according to a hydraulic fracturing rule. This slurry may then be provided to the wellbore such that a hydraulic fracturing process may be completed. Here the solids may include a specific type of sand, a proppant material, or other material. Fluids used to make the slurry may include water, chemicals, or other liquids. A density of the slurry may be identified based on measurements that identify a mass of solids and volume of fluid that are provided to form the slurry.
Abstract: This disclosure presents processes for controlling a hydraulic fracturing operation at a wellbore. The processes can (1) determine a system rate-of-change of power limit (ROCL) to be supplied to one or more loads, where the system ROCL is based on an individual ROCL for one or more individual power sources; (2) determine an allowable rate-of-change (ROCA) for the one or more loads such that the system ROCL is not exceeded; and (3) control the hydraulic fracturing operation based on the ROCA for the one or more loads.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 5, 2022
Date of Patent:
December 12, 2023
Assignee:
Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
Inventors:
Glenn Howard Weightman, Timothy Holiman Hunter, Madhur Kohli
Abstract: Some methods of producing hydrocarbons from a formation include pressurizing a formation by pumping fluid into a portion of a wellbore having one or more first fractures in fluid communication with the formation, while the formation is pressurized, restricting fluid communication between the formation and the wellbore via the first fracture(s), and, while fluid communication between the formation and the wellbore via the first fracture(s) is restricted, producing hydrocarbons from the formation via one or more second fractures of the wellbore that are in fluid communication with the formation. Some methods include, while fluid communication between the formation and the wellbore via the first fracture(s) is restricted, creating the second fracture(s).
Abstract: A tensioning system includes a combined rope gripper and tension cylinder. A rope passes through the combined rope gripper and tension cylinder. Once the length and/or tension of the rope has been adjusted, a reel lock handle can be actuated to prevent further rotation of the reel. The combined rope gripper and tension cylinder can be actuated to hold the rope. The combined rope gripper and tension cylinder can also be actuated to reduce or prevent the release of tension in the rope.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 10, 2023
Date of Patent:
November 21, 2023
Assignee:
Trendsetter Vulcan Offshore, Inc.
Inventors:
James V. Maher, Ricky Brown, Daniel McCelvey, Donald La Vigne
Abstract: A mixing and discharging device, a mixing and discharging system and a fracturing system are provided. The mixing and discharging device comprises a main shell, an impeller structure and a main shaft. The main shell comprises a top cover; the impeller structure is in the main shell; the main shaft is configured to drive the impeller structure to rotate, penetrates through the top cover and extends into the main shell; a bottom end of the main shaft is in the main shell and is fixed on the impeller structure, and the bottom end of the main shaft is separated from the shell.
Abstract: A subsea hydrocarbon flowline system (300) is disclosed. The flowline system has a hydrocarbon flowline (302); an electric trace heating system (304) arranged along at least a part-length of the flowline to control the temperature of hydrocarbon fluid flowing in the flowline; and a power input connector (Pin) configured for receiving electrical power from an electrical power providing system for powering the electric trace heating system. The electric trace heating system has a first three-phase trace heating cable (C?) and a second three-phase trace heating cable (C?), each trace heating cable extending between the power input connector and a cable termination (T?; T?) where phase conduits (L1?, L2?, L3?; L1?, L2?, L3?) of the trace heating cable are Y-connected and terminate in a neutral connection point (LN?; LN?).
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 8, 2021
Date of Patent:
November 14, 2023
Inventors:
Sigurd Moe, Rafael Taouil, Jonny Emil Andersson, Nicholas Gatherar
Abstract: Systems and methods of the present disclosure relates to propelling downhole tractors in wellbores. A downhole tractor drive module comprises an output shaft; a harmonic drive gear driven by the output shaft; and at least one wheel, wherein the harmonic drive gear is operable to control torque supplied to the at least one wheel.
Abstract: A method for pumping a liquid-gas mixture into a subsurface well includes introducing gas into a liquid at a first pressure to generate a mixture. The mixture is pumped through a first positive displacement pump to a second pressure greater than the first pressure. The mixture at the second pressure is pumped through at least a second positive displacement pump to a third pressure greater than the second pressure. The mixture is moved into the subsurface well at at least the third pressure.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 8, 2022
Date of Patent:
November 14, 2023
Assignee:
RHEOVEST, LLC
Inventors:
Nathan R. Hutchings, Timothy Blaine Whisenhunt
Abstract: A system for compressing casing gas from a hydrocarbon well is provided. The hydrocarbon well has a wellhead, a production string that produces fluids from a hydrocarbon formation, and a casing string that receives the production string. The wellhead is connected to a pipeline that transports the produced fluids. The system has a liquid conduit that receives liquids liquid from a source of liquid, a casing gas conduit that receives casing gas from the casing string, an outlet conduit, and a pump that is capable of pumping a liquid/gas mixture. The pump is in fluid communication with the liquid conduit and the casing gas conduit, such that the inlet receives liquid from the liquid conduit and casing gas from the casing gas conduit and an outlet connected to the pipeline.