Patents Examined by Kenneth Thompson
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Patent number: 7987908Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include methods and apparatus for treating a formation with fluid using a downhole progressive cavity pump (“PCP”). In one aspect, the direction of the PCP is reversible to pump treatment fluid into the formation. In another aspect, two or more PCP's are disposed downhole and reversible to allow a chemical reaction downhole prior to the treatment fluid entering the formation. In yet another aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a method of flowing treatment fluid downhole using one or more downhole PCP's. Treatment of the formation with the fluid and production of hydrocarbon fluid from the formation may both be conducted using the same downhole PCP operating in opposite rotational directions. In an alternate embodiment, one or more downhole PCP's may be utilized in tandem with one or more surface pumps.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2006Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventor: E. Lee Colley, III
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Patent number: 7987904Abstract: A well cellar system includes a substantially planar base plate, the base defining an aperture sized to receive a conductor pipe. The planar base plate is an integral structural member which, in conjunction with the seal between the base plate and the wall and the riser and the conductor, are sufficiently robust to support the weight of the conductor pipe and its auxiliary equipment. The sealed well cellar is afforded with a laterally extending flange which serves as an anti-buoyancy anchor. A anti-buoyancy port allows the upward floatation pressure to be balanced out by water pressure within the cellar during placement to avoid floatation. A sacrificial anode housing is provided with a removable lid and holes for allowing passage of electrolyte. Although the preferred embodiments of sealed well cellars are metal and plastic, a cementaceous embodiment is also envisioned.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2008Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Inventor: James A. Rose
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Patent number: 7987915Abstract: A circulator sub tool and fluid saver with a system and method for dispensing and circulating fluid in a well bore having a threaded packer sub with a quick coupler body, and wherein diameters for each annulus of the quick coupler body and the sub body are substantially identical enhancing laminar flow through the threaded packer sub.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2009Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Express Energy Services Operating, LPInventors: Richard Jay Wiggins, Truman Randall Davis
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Patent number: 7987924Abstract: A system and method of making up and breaking out a dual-member drill string. The system comprises a spindle, a spindle carriage and a drive frame. The drive frame provides thrust to the spindle, while the spindle carriage provides rotation. The spindle has an outer spindle and an inner spindle, and is adapted to connect to a pipe section having an outer pipe section and an inner pipe section. Inner joints are geometrically shaped, while outer joints are threaded. When making up dual member drill string, the spindle is advanced, with the outer spindle rotating, and the inner spindle rotating in alternating directions, or “dithering.” A float sensor and a processor are used in tandem to cooperatively couple the inner spindle with the inner pipe sections and the outer spindle with the outer pipe sections.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2009Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: The Charles Machine Works, Inc.Inventors: Bradley E. Mitchell, Geoff D. Koch
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Patent number: 7984769Abstract: A method for the directional control of a rock-drilling ma-chine, the drilling unit (1) of the rock-drilling machine, which is located in a borehole (2), comprising at least a pi-lot drill bit (6) or an underreamer drill bit (8), the drill bit(s) (6, 8) being driven by an electric motor (10) via a gearbox (12), and the drill bit(s) (6, 8) being moved into the rock (3) by means of a feeding rod (4) extending from a feeding machine at the outside the borehole (2), and the drill bit(s) (6, 8), gearbox (12) and motor (10) being pivoted in a controlled manner about a steering axis (18) which is approximately perpendicular to the center axis (26) of the feeding rod (4).Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2007Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Assignee: Norwegian Hard Rock Drilling ASInventors: Sigurd Kjell Haughom, Kjeli Knutsen
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Patent number: 7980334Abstract: Diamond-bonded constructions include a diamond-bonded body having a thermally stable region extending a distance below a diamond-bonded body surface. The thermally stable region comprises a matrix phase of bonded-together diamond crystals, and interstitial regions comprising a reaction product. The reaction product is formed by reaction between the diamond crystals and a reactive material. The reactant is a carbide former and the reaction product is a carbide. The diamond-bonded body includes a further diamond region extending from the thermally stable region that comprises the matrix phase and a Group VIII metal disposed within interstitial regions of the matrix phase. The thermally stable region is substantially free of a catalyst material used to initially form the diamond-bonded body. The diamond-bonded body may include a material layer formed from the reaction product that is disposed on a surface of the diamond-bonded body thermally stable region.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2007Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Smith International, Inc.Inventors: Georgiy Voronin, J. Daniel Belnap
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Patent number: 7980328Abstract: The invention provides rotary steerable devices and methods for use of rotary steerable devices. One aspect of the invention provides a rotary steerable device including: a cylinder configured for rotation in a wellbore, the cylinder having a slot and a gauge; and at least one cam received in the slot. The cam is configured for selective actuation between a first position, wherein the cam lies within the gauge of the cylinder, and a second position, wherein the cam is displaced out of the gauge of the cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2008Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: John Hallworth, Steve Hart, Kjell Haugvaldstad, Laurent Allias, Bertrand Lacour, Riadh Boualleg
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Patent number: 7980300Abstract: A drillable bridge plug comprising a mandrel, a sealing element disposed around the mandrel, a plurality of backup rings adjacent the sealing element, a lower slip assembly disposed around the mandrel, an upper slip assembly disposed around the mandrel, an upper cone adjacent the upper slip assembly and engaged with the mandrel with at least one axial locking apparatus and at least one rotational locking apparatus, and a lower cone adjacent the lower slip assembly and engaged with the mandrel with at least one axial locking apparatus and at least one rotational locking apparatus. A drillable bridge plug comprising a mandrel and at least one slip assembly at least partially made of a material having less than 10% elongation.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2008Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Smith International, Inc.Inventors: William M. Roberts, James A. Simson, George J. Melenyzer
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Patent number: 7980298Abstract: A wedge device for clamping of pipes and tools during petroleum production, this wedge device comprising an annular mounting element arranged for connection to a deck or a rotary table, where a plurality of man wedges, with associated clamps and displaceable with respect to the annular mounting element, encircle the vertical central axis of the wedge device, and where the clamp is located on an auxiliary wedge displaceably or rotatably coupled to the main wedge.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2007Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: V-Tech ASInventor: Helge-Ruben Halse
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Patent number: 7980311Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for equalizing pressure in a gas well are provided. A jar device is coupled to a pump deployed in a gas well between areas of low pressure and high pressure. The jar device includes a mandrel and a no-go sleeve. A jarring tool is operated to transfer an axial force onto the jar device that is large enough to shear a shearable connection between the mandrel and no-go sleeve and thereby cause the mandrel to slide from a first position to a second position with respect to the no-go sleeve. A seal that seals between the no-go sleeve and mandrel when the mandrel is located in the first position is unsealed as a result of the movement of the mandrel and thereby fluid communication is allowed between the area of high pressure and low pressure. This allows for easier retrieval of the pump.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2009Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Michael A. Dowling, Jason Kamphaus, Harryson Sukianto, Alain P. Dorel, Joseph Varkey
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Patent number: 7980327Abstract: The invention provides for systems and methods of enhancing crude oil recovery providing an array of electromagnetic receiver antennae arranged and operated in conjunction with an array of far field electromagnetic transmitter antennae for mapping subsurface features of a reservoir. Mapping is performed according to the relative intensities, frequencies, phase shifts, and/or other reflected signal parameters of the reflections received by the receiver antennae (relative to the transmit signals) associated with a given location or target area within a reservoir. Such mapping aids in determining an optimal location of a production well or the location of an auxiliary well relative to the production well.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2009Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Vincent Benischek, Michael Currie, Rajneeta Basantkumar, Gennady Lyasko
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Patent number: 7980787Abstract: A method for tensioning for oil and natural gas floating platforms and floating vessels using a plurality of self contained dual pressure cylinders for adjusting simultaneously low and high pressures in low pressure and high pressure channels. The method can be used on a floating structure to dampen the effects of sea waves and wind load between casing from a well and the floating structure.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2009Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: ATP Oil & Gas CorporationInventors: David Trent, Robert Magee Shivers, III, Charles C. Trent
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Patent number: 7975761Abstract: Methods and devices with biasing force for sealing a well. Such a device is a blowout preventer has a body including a cavity having first and second recesses, a ram block configured to move inside the cavity, a top seat provided in the first recess and configured to seal the well when the ram block is closed, a wear plate provided in the second recess and configured to contact the ram block when the ram block moves inside the cavity over the wear plate, and a biasing element provided inside the cavity and configured to apply a biasing force on at least one of the top seat, the ram block or the wear plate to increase the sealing of the well.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2008Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Hydril USA Manufacturing LLCInventors: Michael Wayne Berckenhoff, Eugene Charles Chauviere, III, Dustin Dean Gass
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Patent number: 7971652Abstract: A device for use in actuating a valve to control the flow of fluids through a flow tube comprises a stationary ring surrounding the flow tube, the ring having an inner diameter greater than an outer diameter of the flow tube. An interior of the ring and an exterior of the flow tube have complementary screw threads. At least three actuators are equally circumferentially spaced along an exterior of the ring. When activated an actuator induces a screw thread on the interior of the ring to engage a screw thread on the exterior of the flow tube such that the flow tube is moved in an axial direction relative to the ring.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2008Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventor: Baha Tulu Tanju
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Patent number: 7971637Abstract: A well surface control system for use with various types of work strings such as, but not limited to, drill strings, coiled tubing, snubbing pipe, electric line, production tubing, and wireline. The system includes a main housing with a main bore extending from one end to the other. The main housing is equipped with a side port which communicates with the main bore between the two ends. The main housing is also equipped with two valves for controlling fluid and/or gas flows through the main bore and for severing a component of a work string running through the main bore. The first valve is positioned between the side port and one end of the main housing and the second valve is positioned between the side port and the other end of the main housing. Attached to each end of the main housing is a saver sub, with means for temporarily locking the saver subs to the main housing to prevent circular and longitudinal movement of the saver subs in relation to the main housing.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2009Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: Devin International, Inc.Inventors: Bryan Lee Duhon, Wayne Ducote
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Patent number: 7971645Abstract: Bottom hole assemblies for cutting windows in wellbore casing comprise a window mill, a first upper mill, a second upper mill, and a third upper mill. The first mill has an outer diameter that is smaller than the outer diameters of the window mill and the second and third upper mills. The first upper mill is disposed above the window mill at a distance measuring approximately twenty to thirty-seven percent of the distance measured from the window mill to the third upper mill. The second upper mill is disposed above the window mill at a distance measuring approximately fifty-five to seventy-five percent of the distance measured from the window mill to the third upper mill. The third upper mill is disposed above the window mill at a distance measuring approximately one-hundred twenty to one-hundred thirty percent of the length of a ramp of a whipstock for guiding the mills.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2009Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventor: Suhas S. Verma
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Patent number: 7971657Abstract: A system for handling drill cuttings conveys cuttings slurry into bulk tanks via a conduit. The bulk tanks have an un-pressurized interior volume that receives the slurry. A conveyance member positioned inside the bulk tank forces the slurry out of a discharge port at the bottom of the bulk tank. One suitable conveyance member is a screw-type conveyor coupled to a motor that applies a vertical motive force to the slurry. The bulk tanks hold the cuttings slurry until it can be discharged via the discharge port to a transport vessel for processing or disposal. For offshore operations, the system includes a separation unit on the rig that forms the cuttings slurry from fluid returning from the wellbore and a cuttings flow unit that conveys the slurry effluent from the separation unit to the bulk tanks. In one arrangement, a controller and sensors control the flow of slurry into the bulk tanks.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2005Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Glynn Hollier, Brett Boyd
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Patent number: 7967071Abstract: Apparatus and method for a providing a completion assembly for running at an end of a completion string which provides a remotely operable tubing mounted valve used to control the flow of fluids through the tubing in hostile well conditions. The tubing mounted completion assembly has a tubular body for connection in the string below a production packer with a through bore from a first inlet and a first outlet coaxially aligned with the string; a downhole electronic actuating mechanism, a downhole hydraulic pump and a hydraulically operated ball valve member. The actuating mechanism operates the hydraulic pump to provide a hydraulic control line to control movement the valve member from a first position, where the member is open and a through bore is created between the inlet and outlet of the assembly, to a second position, where the valve seals the throughbore and, finally, back to the first position.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2009Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Red Spider Technology LimitedInventor: Irvine C. Brown
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Patent number: 7963319Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to methods and apparatuses for gripping and shearing a downhole cable. In one embodiment, a line cutter mandrel includes: a tubular mandrel; a pocket disposed along an outer surface of the mandrel and longitudinally coupled to the mandrel; a channel disposed through the pocket for receiving a cable; and a line cutter. The line cutter includes a blade, is operable to engage an outer surface of the cable in a gripping position, is operable to at least substantially sever the cable with the blade in a cutting position, and is operable from the gripping position to the cutting position by relative longitudinal movement between the cable and the pocket.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2009Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: Weatherford/LAMB, Inc.Inventors: Guy A. Daigle, John J. Grunbeck
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Patent number: 7963340Abstract: Disclosed herein is a temporary well isolation device, which is sealingly disposable in downhole tubing, and which has a housing with an axial passage. The temporary well isolation device also has frangible barrier element within the housing, where the frangible barrier element is sealingly engaged in the passage blocking fluid flow through the passage. The frangible barrier element bears a load from fluid pressure. The temporary well isolation device also has a disengageable constraint in contact with a frangible barrier element so as to redirect the load on the frangible barrier element from a first component of the load to a second component of the load, thereby preventing rupture of the frangible barrier element. Also disclosed herein is a method for disintegrating a frangible barrier element disposed in a passage of a temporary well isolation device.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2009Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Bernt Gramstad, Terje Baustad, Tarald Gudmestad