Patents Examined by Kipp C Wallace
  • Load cell for a tong assembly
    Patent number: 11136838
    Abstract: A load cell for use with a tong assembly includes a body; a chamber formed in the body; and a strain gauge disposed in the chamber. The load cell also includes a first eye for pivotal coupling to the tong assembly, and a second eye for pivotal coupling to the tong assembly. An optional biasing member is disposed around the second eye for biasing the body relative to the tong assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Martin Liess
  • Terminal modules for downhole formation testing tools
    Patent number: 11125081
    Abstract: A method includes positioning a downhole acquisition tool in a wellbore in a geological formation. The method includes operating a pump module to gather information for a fluid outside of the downhole acquisition tool that enters the downhole acquisition tool from a first flowline, a second flowline, or both while the downhole acquisition tool is within the wellbore. Operating the pump module includes controlling a valve assembly to a first valve configuration that enables the fluid to flow into the downhole tool via the first flowline fluidly coupled to a first pump module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Miroslav Slapal, Christopher Albert Babin, Daniel Palmer, Kai Hsu, Anthony Robert Holmes Goodwin, Julian Pop, Nathan Mathew Landsiedel, Adriaan Gisolf
  • Flow control device for controlling flow based on fluid phase
    Patent number: 11125050
    Abstract: A flow control device can include water in a chamber, the chamber having a variable volume, a flow restricting member which displaces in response to a change in the chamber volume, and a biasing device which influences a pressure in the chamber. A method of controlling flow of steam in a well can include providing a flow control device which varies a resistance to flow in the well, the flow control device including a chamber having a variable volume, water disposed in the chamber, and a biasing device. The biasing device influences the chamber volume. Another flow control device can include water in a chamber, the chamber having a variable volume, a flow restricting member which displaces in response to a change in the chamber volume, and a biasing device which reduces a boiling point of the water in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Fripp, John C. Gano, Zachary R. Murphree
  • Focused formation sampling method and apparatus
    Patent number: 11125083
    Abstract: A focused sampling method comprising: allocating fluid flow from a guard zone through a guard line and from a sample zone through a sample line, the guard zone being positioned at least partially concentrically about the sample zone and the guard zone, and the sample zone being in fluid communication with a formation; pumping, via a common line, a combined fluid flow from the formation through to a discard line for a pre-sampling time period, the combined flow comprising the fluid flow allocated from the guard zone into the guard line and the fluid flow allocated from the sample zone into the sample line; subsequent the pre-sampling time period, discontinuing flow from the guard line into the common line, such that the combined flow comprises only the fluid flow from the sample line; and introducing the combined flow comprising the fluid flow from the sample line into a sample chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Jones, Darren George Gascooke, Anthony Herman Van Zuilekom, Marcelo Civarolo
  • Compositions and methods for servicing subterranean wells
    Patent number: 11118095
    Abstract: Treatment fluids containing salts, surfactants, mutual solvents and fibers may be used to remove wellbore filter cakes that have been deposited by drilling fluids. The drilling fluids may be water-base, oil-base, synthetic-base or emulsions. The fibers may be selected from polylactic acid, celluloses, polyesters, polyvinyl alcohols and polyethylene terephthalates. A combination of straight and crimped fibers is present in the treatment fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Diankui Fu, Kong Teng Ling, Daniel Thomas Melice
  • Wellbore annular safety valve and method
    Patent number: 11111764
    Abstract: A method includes deploying a tubing having a tubing bore in a casing in a wellbore, the tubing including a cup packer forming an annular barrier across a tubing-casing annulus separating the tubing-casing annulus into an upper annulus and a lower annulus, the cup packer having a fluid conduit extending substantially parallel to the tubing bore, and a barrier valve coupled with the fluid conduit to permit one-way fluid flow from the upper annulus to the lower annulus, communicating a fluid from the upper annulus through the barrier valve to the lower annulus, and closing the barrier valve in response to pressure in the upper annulus being less than pressure in the lower annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Oystein Molstre
  • Estimating formation properties from drill bit motion
    Patent number: 11111783
    Abstract: A method for formation property prediction may comprise drilling a borehole into a formation using a drill bit, measuring one or more parameters of drill bit motion, and inputting the one or more parameters of the drill bit motion into a formation property prediction model which outputs one or more properties of the formation. Another method may for forming a formation property model may comprise acquiring one or more formation properties and one or more parameters of drill bit motion, forming one or more data packets, and correlating the one or more data packets in the database to form the formation property prediction model that predicts a formation property based at least in part on drill bit measurements. A system may comprise a drill bit, gyroscope unit coupled to the drill bit in a known positional relationship, a magnetometer unit coupled to the drill bit, and an information handling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: John Leslie Wisinger, Jr.
  • Release lugs for a jarring device
    Patent number: 11105169
    Abstract: A release mechanism for a jarring tool is formed by a plurality of segmented release lugs. Each lug includes a plurality of axial spaced projections on an inner surface and a plurality of grooves on an outer surface. The projections have either different widths or are separated by varying distances and releasably engage corresponding grooves in a mandrel located within a housing of the tool. The release lugs are positioned between a trigger sleeve and the mandrel. The release lugs may be supported by an annular ring member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Inventor: Robert W. Evans
  • Carbon sequestration system and method
    Patent number: 11105186
    Abstract: A system for injecting a portion of a fluid waste into a well includes a fluid waste processor configured to receive the fluid waste and process the fluid waste for storage in the well, a primary sensor coupled to the fluid waste processor at a primary location, the primary sensor being configured to measure a fluid flow rate of the fluid waste, a hydrocarbon content of the fluid waste at or proximal to the primary location of the primary sensor being determined, and a data processor configured to determine an amount of carbon sequestered in the well based at least in part on a combination of the fluid flow rate and the hydrocarbon content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: MILESTONE ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, LLC
    Inventors: Gabriel Rio, Jason Larchar, Steve Bills
  • Non-explosive downhole perforating and cutting tools
    Patent number: 11091972
    Abstract: A non-explosive downhole tool for creating openings in tubulars and or earthen formations includes a carrier holding a non-explosive material, such as thermate, a head connected with the carrier and having a port to eject a product of the ignited material from the head and a communication path extending from the material to the port and a moveable member in a closed position blocking the communication path and in an open position opening the communication path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hongfa Huang, Delbert Taylor
  • Bit breaker technology
    Patent number: 11085254
    Abstract: The invention provides a bit breaker comprising a plate that bounds a pipe slot. The bit breaker has two jaws that are at least generally parallel and that respectively define two working surfaces located on opposite sides of the pipe slot. The jaws are each mounted removably to the plate. In some embodiments, the invention is an assembly that further includes a pipe, tool section, tool or pipe joint received in the pipe slot. The pipe, tool section, tool or pipe joint has formed therein two crosswise grooves located on opposite sides of the pipe, tool section, tool or pipe joint. In some embodiments, the plate defines two fixed arms and a fixed base leg, with the two jaws mounted respectively against the two fixed arms. The bit breaker can have an adjustable arm such that the pipe slot can be surrounded about 360 degrees by the bit breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: FALCON TOOLS, LLC
    Inventors: Bradley A. Odegard, Christopher J. Kutzer
  • Tong assembly with door position sensors
    Patent number: 11085253
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a tong assembly having position sensors for controlling door opening and closing sequence. The tong assembly includes a back section, an outer door section movably coupled to the back section, a first actuator configured to move the outer door section between an open position and a closed position, an inner door section movably coupled to the back section, a second actuator configured to move the inner door section between an open position and a closed position, a first sensor positioned to measure a position of the outer door section; and a second sensor positioned to measure a position of the inner door section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Heidi N. Cline, John D. Hooker, II, Karsten Heidecke, Bjoern Thiemann, Michael Wiedecke
  • Apparatus and methods for well intervention
    Patent number: 11066903
    Abstract: A downhole tool string for conveying within a wellbore, including an engagement device for engaging a downhole feature located within the wellbore, a first actuator for applying a substantially non-vibrating force to the engagement device while the engagement device is engaged with the downhole feature, and a second actuator for applying a vibrating force to the engagement device while the engagement device is engaged with the downhole feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas MacDougall, Mark Milkovisch, Todor Sheiretov
  • Spring loaded inner diameter opening ball seat
    Patent number: 11066894
    Abstract: A frac sleeve assembly for use in a downhole operation and method of use are disclosed. The frac sleeve assembly includes a sleeve movable within a housing and a ball seat movable within the sleeve. The sleeve includes a pin adjusting element. The ball seat includes a seat tooth disposed at a fluid passage of the ball seat for seating a ball, and a pin associated with the seat tooth. Motion of the ball seat within the sleeve causes the pin adjusting element to move the pin to adjust the seat tooth to release the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Matthew Stone
  • Flexible fracturing line with removable liner
    Patent number: 11066913
    Abstract: A fracturing fluid delivery system having a fracturing line with a flexible liner is provided. In one embodiment, a method includes moving a flexible polymeric liner through a bore of a fracturing line to a position in which the flexible polymeric liner extends along an inner wall of a flexible pipe body of the fracturing line. The method also includes securing the flexible polymeric liner in the bore of the fracturing line, such as by attaching the flexible polymeric liner to an opposing surface of the fracturing line. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Kirk P. Guidry, Aleem A. Khokhar
  • Method and apparatus for pinching control lines
    Patent number: 11053763
    Abstract: A control line pinching mechanism can include a pinching sleeve, a clamping sleeve, a tubing, a control line, and a pinching block. The clamping sleeve can have a slot. A control line can extend between the tubing and the slot of the clamping sleeve. A pinching block can be disposed within the slot of the clamping sleeve. The pinching sleeve can be movable relative to the slot from a released position to a pinching position in which the pinching sleeve contacts and radially compresses the pinching block against the control line to pinch the control line against the tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ratish Suhas Kadam, Abhay Raghunath Bodake, Mukesh Bhaskar Kshirsagar
  • Integrated control system for a well drilling platform
    Patent number: 11047182
    Abstract: An integrated control system (ICS) for a well drilling platform is provided, which well drilling platform has a plurality of control systems and devices. The ICS includes an ICS controller is in communication with a master control. The ICS controller includes a memory device coupled to a processor. Instructions executed by the processor cause the ICS controller to: communicate with each of the control systems to determine a status of each of the control systems; cause the master control display to display status information for at least one of the control systems; in response to an operator input perform a well drilling platform function, the function requiring a coordinated state between a first control system and at least a second control system, configure the first control system and the second control system into a coordinated state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: ADS SERVICES LLC
    Inventors: Anand Parthasarathy, Richard J. Todd, Scott Charles
  • Compression-set straddle packer with fluid pressure-boosted packer set
    Patent number: 11035189
    Abstract: A compression-set straddle packer with fluid pressure-boosted packer set has a two-part multicomponent mandrel and a multicomponent sliding sleeve that reciprocates within a limited range on an upper part of the two-part multicomponent mandrel. A two-part lower packer element compression sleeve in a lower part of the two-part multicomponent mandrel reciprocates on a packer element piston mandrel component and pressure-boosts compression of a lower packer element when high-pressure fluid is pumped into the straddle packer. A bias element constantly resists relative movement between the multicomponent mandrel and the multicomponent sliding sleeve and balances pressure-boost between the lower packer element and an upper packer element supported by the upper part of the two-part multicomponent mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: EXACTA-FRAC ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Joze John Hrupp
  • Fishing neck for plunger
    Patent number: 11028661
    Abstract: A fishing neck for a plunger comprises a head portion, a neck portion, a lower portion, and a plurality of ribs. The head portion has a cylindrical configuration with an outer peripheral surface and an outer diameter. The neck portion also has a cylindrical configuration with an outer peripheral surface and an outer diameter, but the outer diameter is less than the outer diameter of the head portion. The neck portion extends from the head portion. The lower portion extends from the neck portion, which is opposite the head portion, and is connectable to a plunger. The lower portion has an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of the neck portion. A plurality of ribs projects from the outer peripheral surface of the neck portion and extends helically from the head portion to the lower portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Tri-Lift Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Kegin
  • Frac plug with integral setting tool
    Patent number: 11015408
    Abstract: A system combining a setting tool and a frac plug into one assembly thus producing a much shorter and more reliable assembly. More specifically, a downhole assembly comprising a plug section, which itself comprises a top sub, a bottom sub, a slip, and an elastomeric element. The downhole assembly further comprises a power section comprising a body comprising a power charge and one or more ignitors, a firing head, a shearing pin, and a setting tool piston. Additionally, the downhole assembly comprises a check valve, wherein the check valve is positioned downhole from the power charge and inside the setting tool piston; a mandrel comprising a hydraulic chamber and a ball, wherein the mandrel is positioned inside and adjacent to the setting tool piston and the top sub; and a dog.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: PetroQuip Energy Services, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Joe Coon, Roddie R. Smith, John Lee Emerson