Patents Examined by Kenneth L. Thompson
  • Patent number: 10900285
    Abstract: A downhole-type device includes a fluid-end with a fluid rotor configured to move or be rotated by wellbore fluids. A fluid stator surrounds and supports the fluid rotor. A first bearing couples the fluid rotor to the fluid stator. A second bearing couples the fluid rotor to the fluid stator. An electric machine includes an electrical rotor rotably coupled to the fluid rotor. The electric rotor is configured to rotate in unison with the fluid rotor. An electrical stator surrounds and supports the electric rotor. A lubrication system is fluidically coupled to the downhole-type device. The lubrication system includes a topside pressure pump. A downhole-type distribution manifold is within a wellbore. The distribution manifold fluidically connects to the topside pressure pump, the first bearing, and the second bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Upwing Energy, LLC
    Inventors: David Biddick, Patrick McMullen, Herman Artinian
  • Patent number: 10900334
    Abstract: A tool string includes a perforating gun including a signal conductor, a sub that includes a sub housing including a first bulkhead receptacle extending into the sub housing from a first end, a second bulkhead receptacle extending into the sub housing from a second end, and a switch receptacle positioned between the first bulkhead receptacle and the second bulkhead receptacle, a first bulkhead connector, and a second bulkhead connector, and a switch positionable in the switch receptacle, wherein the switch is configured to establish an electrical connection with the signal conductor of the perforating gun in response to coupling of the sub with the perforating gun, and wherein the switch receptacle is isolated from fluid pressure external of the switch receptacle when the first bulkhead connector is positioned in the first bulkhead receptacle and the second bulkhead connector is positioned in the second bulkhead receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: G&H Diversified Manufacturing LP
    Inventors: Benjamin Vascal Knight, James Edward Kash, Joe Noel Wells
  • Patent number: 10900312
    Abstract: A method can include deploying a plugging device into a well, the plugging device including a body, and an outer material enveloping the body and having a greater flexibility than a material of the body, and conveying the plugging device by fluid flow into engagement with the opening, the body preventing the plugging device from extruding through the opening, and the outer material blocking the fluid flow between the body and the opening. In another method, the plugging device can include at least two bodies, and a washer element connected between the bodies, the washer element being generally disk-shaped and comprising a hole, a line extending through the hole and connected to the bodies on respective opposite sides of the washer element, the washer element preventing the plugging device from being conveyed through the opening, and the washer element blocking the fluid flow through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: THRU TUBING SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Gary P. Funkhouser, Brock W. Watson, Andrew M. Ferguson, Jenna N. Robertson, Roger L. Schultz
  • Patent number: 10900287
    Abstract: A steering assembly includes an outer housing and a drive shaft extended longitudinally within the outer housing and defining a plurality of pockets. A plurality of torque transfer features transfer torsional loads from the outer housing to the drive shaft, each torque transfer feature including a shank received within a corresponding one of the plurality of pockets. One or more elastic mounts positioned within each pocket interpose the shank and an inner wall of each pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Fraser A. Wheeler, Geoffrey A. Samuel
  • Patent number: 10900315
    Abstract: A hanger system for a well includes a pipe spool and a tubing hanger removably coupled to the pipe spool. The pipe spool includes a spool housing defining a cylindrical spool bore extending longitudinally through the spool housing, an electrical port in the spool housing with an electrical port opening in an inner surface of the spool housing, a communication port in the spool housing with a communication port opening in the inner surface of the spool housing, and a control port in the spool housing having a control port opening in the inner surface of the spool housing. The communication port connects to a communication module, the control port connects to a control fluid supply, and the electrical port connects to a power supply. The tubing hanger includes a hanger housing, and an electrical conduit, communication conduit, and control conduit extending through the hanger housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Jinjiang Xiao
  • Patent number: 10890049
    Abstract: A downhole communication valve containing a piston and chamber which allows hydrostatic testing of a casing or tubing string multiple times before permanently opening communication ports to the exterior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: COLT PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventor: Mark B. Nichols
  • Patent number: 10883359
    Abstract: Methods and tools for cutting a component in a wellbore are include use of a downhole tool that is tripped into a wellbore. The downhole tool includes at least one sensor that determines whether a quality of a cement around casing satisfies a predetermined standard. The casing is cut to remove an axial section of the casing and the at least one sensor determines whether at least a segment of the axial section of the casing remains adhered to the cement after the casing is cut. A casing removal tool can be activated to remove any remaining segments of casing in the axial section. A plug can be formed in the area where the axial segment of the casing was removed. The downhole tool may include a cutting tool with a laser, abrasive jet, or other cutting element shielded from wellbore debris by a fluid stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Wellbore Integrity Solutions LLC
    Inventors: David A. Stokes, James Bain, Walter E. Friedl, Douglas A. Pipchuk
  • Patent number: 10883344
    Abstract: Example systems and methods are described that operate to open screen joints using mechanically-generated perforations for beginning fluid production. In an example system, a screen joint is deployed in a production tubing within a wellbore. The screen joint includes a screen element and a blank housing that are coupled to an exterior surface of a non]perforated base pipe. Further, the screen joint includes a locator profile positioned along an interior surface of the non]perforated base pipe. A perforator is deployed within the screen joint that includes a mechanical perforator and a locator for engaging with the locator profile to position the mechanical perforator under the blank housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Michael Greci, Brandon Thomas Least, Thomas J. Frosell
  • Patent number: 10883331
    Abstract: A ram assembly is disclosed. The ram assembly includes a ram wedge, a blade, and a ram seat. The ram wedge has a tubular cavity therethrough for receiving the tubular. The ram wedge is slidably positionable in the ram channel between a retracted and an extended position, and has rails extending therefrom. The blade is positionable about the tubular cavity, the blade carried by the ram wedge to cuttingly engage the tubular. The ram seat is positionable in the housing about the passage, and has a hole for receiving the tubular therethrough. The ram seat also has an outer surface interlockingly engageable with the rails as the ram wedge moves relative thereto whereby a gap is reduced therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.
    Inventors: James A. Douty, Jeffrey Thomas Melancon
  • Patent number: 10876041
    Abstract: A method of treating a material to achieve at least one of reducing surface wettability of the material or reducing fluid transport through the material includes exposing the material to a composition including a solution of a polymer portion and carbon dioxide for a period of time. The polymer portion includes at least one of a polyfluoroacrylate or a copolymer of a fluoroacrylate and a comonomer. A pressure of the composition is maintained above the cloud point of the polymer portion at a concentration thereof in the carbon dioxide for the period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: University of Pittsburgh—Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventor: Robert M. Enick
  • Patent number: 10876367
    Abstract: The present disclosure is for a vibratory downhole rotary apparatus. The apparatus includes a cylindrical hollow body, a stator disposed within the cylindrical hollow body and a rotor disposed within the stator. The apparatus also includes a flow resistance system to vary the resistance of fluid flow through the apparatus to increase and decrease backpressure across the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Thru Tubing Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Schultz, Brock Watson
  • Patent number: 10876382
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for extracting gas from a reservoir including a well bore having a large cross sectional area which may be determined by dividing a target flow rate of the reservoir by an actual sustained flow rate and multiplying a result by a flow path area for the actual sustained flow rate. A method of converting a well of a low pressure gas reservoir is further provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Inventor: Kurt Carleton
  • Patent number: 10876377
    Abstract: A multilateral entry tool enables an operator to identify a target lateral wellbore, and efficiently guide a bottom hole assembly (BHA) into the target lateral for diagnostic, servicing or other wellbore operations. The multilateral entry tool provides independent control over both kick-over and orientation mechanisms such that the operator may either pivot the BHA without rotating, or rotate the BHA without pivoting. The BHA may be rotated in either direction, and the degree that the BHA can be pivoted may be fully adjustable. Sensors on the entry tool may penult the operator to verify a successful lateral entry, and the BHA may be straightened to reduce drag as the BHA is advanced into the lateral wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Philippe Quero, Eric Bivens
  • Patent number: 10876372
    Abstract: A housing of a dual rubber cartridge attaches at least one rubber to an inner barrel for rotation with the inner barrel. A first rubber and a second rubber may attach to the housing for quick installation of the rubbers. The user removes the housing to remove and replace the two rubbers. The user may then replace the original housing with a second housing on which new rubbers are installed. The housing enables the user to quickly replace the rubbers to reduce down time of the drilling operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: PRUITT TOOL & SUPPLY CO.
    Inventors: Grant Pruitt, Cris Braun
  • Patent number: 10871043
    Abstract: A spill container to be mounted below a rig floor. The spill container includes a collapsible concave container having an open top for catching fluid spilled on the rig floor, and a circular bottom opening adapted to receive a tubular member extending through the rig floor and downward below the concave container. The side walls of the concave container extend from the open top to the circular bottom opening. The open top of the concave container has a plurality of hangers extending there about to mount to the rig floor. An outer circumference of the open circular bottom opening has a plurality of hooks attached thereto for mounting to circular rings through which the tubular member extends outwardly therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Inventor: Randy Marquez
  • Patent number: 10865617
    Abstract: A one-way energy retaining device including a body, at least a portion of which comprises a degradable material; a protrusion extending radially from the body that allows movement of the device along a separate structure in a first direction and prevents movement along the separate structure in the opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Guijun Deng, Lei Zhao, Zhihui Zhang, Zhiyue Xu
  • Patent number: 10865610
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for the implementation of a flexible tubular structure made of reformable composite material, designed for passing from a first folded configuration to a second longitudinally developed operating configuration using a tapered profile slidingly engageable inside the tubular structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: ENI S.p.A.
    Inventors: Stefano Carminati, Domenico Antonio Di Renzo, Mauro Favaretto, Massimo Zampato
  • Patent number: 10865640
    Abstract: A system, downhole tool, and method for lowering the downhole tool having a compact antenna test range (CATR) system into a wellbore in a geological formation to monitor a property downhole in the wellbore via the downhole tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Jose Oliverio Alvarez
  • Patent number: 10865619
    Abstract: A method of plugging a well in a plug and abandonment procedure includes providing a tubing in a wellbore, in a location for a well plug, the tubing is provided with an internal cable section placed inside of the tubing, and forming a plug in the well in said location for the well plug across the width of the tubing and a surrounding wellbore annulus to create a permanent barrier without pulling the tubing from the wellbore. The step of forming the plug includes substantially removing the internal cable section inside the tubing and forming a fluid-tight seal in the tubing where the internal cable section has been removed, for separating, on either side of the seal, first and second fluid volumes of the tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: STATOIL PETROLEUM AS
    Inventors: Pål Viggo Hemmingsen, Gjermund Grimsbo
  • Patent number: 10844681
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a cutter tool for cutting tubulars from the inside thereof. The tubulars can be an oil well or a gas well, pipeline or other type of tubular. The cutter tool can include a housing that is insertable within the tubular and a cutting member that is receivable within the housing. The cutting member has a first end and a second end with the first end for cutting the tubular. The tool also includes a first shaft with a first shaft-end and a second shaft-end. The first shaft-end is releasably connectable to the housing. The tool also includes a second shaft that is connectable with the second end of the cutting member. The cutting member is moveable within the housing between a retracted position and an extended-and-cutting position by movement of the second shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: 2072677 ALBERTA LTD.
    Inventors: Travis Nester, Shawn Lelek