Patents Examined by Kristyn A Hall
  • Patent number: 11719068
    Abstract: A straddle packer for proppant-laden fracturing fluids has a slotted frac sub with a proppant filtration plug body that excludes proppant in the fracturing fluid from a central passage of the straddle packer downhole from the slotted frac hub. Pressure equalization sleeve filters exclude an entry of debris in a well bore through pressure equalization ports of the straddle packer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: EXACTA-FRAC ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Joze John Hrupp, Ahmed Mohamed Saeed
  • Patent number: 11719059
    Abstract: The modular managed pressured drilling system provides multiple skids with individual chokes and PRVs on the skids. These skids secure to one another to construct a modular MPD system that provides the proper equipment for the drilling operation. An inlet flow junction and an outlet flow junction are secured to each skid. The flow junctions provide multiple ports to provide different pathways for the drilling fluid through the flow junctions. The flow junctions may direct the fluid through a first choke, a second choke, a pressure relief valve, or a bypass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: PRUITT TOOL & SUPPLY CO.
    Inventors: Martyn Parker, Benjamin Micah Spahn
  • Patent number: 11719075
    Abstract: A downhole turbine may include a stator disposed in a turbine housing, a rotor disposed between the stator and the turbine housing and wherein the rotor includes an outer housing, a gap that separates the stator and the rotor, wherein the gap is oil filled, and one or more blades disposed on the outer housing between the turbine housing and the rotor. The downhole turbine may further include a compressible medium attached to the outer housing between the stator and the outer housing, wherein the compressible medium is separated from the stator by the gap, and one or more magnets attached to an inner surface of the compressible medium, wherein the one or more magnets are separated from the stator by the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Imran Sharif Vehra, Nataraj Chinnappan
  • Patent number: 11719056
    Abstract: Techniques described herein relate to a method for identifying downhole conditions during a drilling operation using a vibratory separator. The method includes calibrating a sensor system attached to the vibratory separator by periodically measuring the G-force acting on the vibratory separator functioning under steady-state operating parameters. The method also includes determining the relationship between the G-force acting on the vibratory separator and the flow rate and rate of penetration (ROP) for the drilling operation by measuring the G-force acting on the vibratory separator functioning under different non-steady-state operating parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Catalin D. Ivan, William C. Morris, Jr., Jason Z. Gahr, Patrick E. Goschy
  • Patent number: 11713630
    Abstract: A directional drill vice and associated methods are shown. A directional drill and associated methods are also shown. Examples of directional drill stem configurations include gripping jaws configured with a common jaw pivot. Examples of directional drill stem configurations also include a slot in a vice frame to allow lateral insertion of a drill stem segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: TT Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: John A. Olander
  • Patent number: 11702913
    Abstract: An annulus safety valve assembly for controlling gas flow in a wellbore annulus that includes a passage, a check valve in the passage, and an actuator that is selectively changed between first and second states. The actuator is bi-stable, and requires no energy to remain in either state. When the actuator is put into one of the states, the check valve configuration is changed from one way flow to two way flow. Reconfiguring the check valve into the two way flow configuration vents lift gas from inside the annulus that is below the check valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: SILVERWELL TECHNOLOGY LTD.
    Inventor: Joel David Shaw
  • Patent number: 11702894
    Abstract: A robotic apparatus (1) for performing drill floor operations comprises a support arrangement (2) and at least one manipulator arm (6). The at least one manipulator arm (6) is configured to carry an end effector (11) configured to manipulate one or more of tubing, tools and/or equipment on a drill floor (d) or pipe deck of an oil and gas rig in order to perform a given drill floor operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: NOBLE DRILLING A/S
    Inventor: Jesper Holck
  • Patent number: 11702893
    Abstract: A drill string connect tool comprises a housing having first and second sections. The first section has a first recess, and the second section has a second recess. The tool and the first and sections may be in a connected configuration or a disconnected configuration. The connect tool comprises at least one tension member placeable within, and suitable to transfer tensile forces between, the first and second sections when in the connected configuration. A retaining member can retain the tension member within the first and second recesses. The retaining member is selectively dissolvable by a dissolving fluid, while the remaining components of the tool can withstand the dissolving fluid. When exposed to a dissolving fluid, the retaining member dissolves, allowing the tension member to exit the first and second recesses, thereby actuating the tool to the disconnected configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Inventor: Nathan Smith
  • Patent number: 11697990
    Abstract: Provided here are methods and system to detect an untethered device in a wellhead. The untethered device includes a housing, a transducer, and one or more sensors configured to measure data along the subterranean well. The transducer emits acoustic signals that are received by microphones on the surface of the wellhead. Based on these acoustic signals, the location of the untethered device is determined and appropriate valves may be opened or closed by an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Huseyin Rahmi Seren, Max Deffenbaugh
  • Patent number: 11692400
    Abstract: A first characteristic of a first discharge of electrodes of a pulse power drilling assembly in a borehole of a subterranean formation is determined. The first characteristic is based on a measurement of the first discharge. A second characteristic of a second discharge of the electrodes is determined. The second discharge occurs after the first discharge, and the second characteristic is based on a measurement of the second discharge. A difference between the first characteristic and the second characteristic is determined. A boundary layer of the subterranean formation is determined based on the difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Eugene Cammack, Boguslaw Wiecek
  • Patent number: 11692405
    Abstract: For a side pocket mandrel that has a primary flow bore and an offset side pocket, a method for installing a guide sleeve begins with the step of compressing the guide sleeve to reduce an outer diameter of the guide sleeve. The method continues with the step of inserting the guide sleeve into a section of the primary flow bore that has a first inner diameter (D1). The method continues with the steps of allowing the guide sleeve to radially expand such that the outer diameter of the guide sleeve matches the first diameter, pushing the guide sleeve further into the primary flow bore to a guide sleeve section that has a second inner diameter (D2) that is larger than the first inner diameter (D1), and allowing the guide sleeve to radially expand to capture the guide sleeve within the guide sleeve section of the primary flow bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventor: Donavan Brown
  • Patent number: 11686189
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to apparatus and methods for regulating flow from a geological formation, and associated components thereof. In one implementation, an apparatus for regulating a multi-phase fluid stream flowing from a subterranean geological formation includes a conduit. The conduit includes an outer wall, a primary flow path for a fluid stream, and a first restriction having a throat portion. A first return path includes a return channel, and the return channel is fluidly connected to the primary flow path through a return inlet and a return outlet. The apparatus includes a gas siphon port formed in the outer wall of the conduit, and a gas siphon path extending from the conduit. The gas siphon path is fluidly connected to the gas siphon port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Forum US, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Webber, Alfredo Vazquez, Wrom Demn Olalla
  • Patent number: 11680460
    Abstract: A well system may include a tubing string positioned downhole in a wellbore defining an annulus between the tubing string and a wellbore. An annular safety valve may be positioned at the surface of the wellbore for controlling a passage of gas through the annular safety valve into the annulus. The annular safety valve may include an inductive coupler that is coupled to a power source at the surface via a power line for powering the annular safety valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Newton
  • Patent number: 11674387
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method of evaluating characteristics of an earth formation, comprising deploying a packer assembly in a borehole penetrating an earth formation, the packer assembly comprising an instrumented inflatable packer element including fiber optic sensors; inflating the instrumented inflatable packer elements; detecting, using the fiber optic sensors, events occurring in the earth formation; and transmitting data corresponding to the detected events to a surface processing system. The disclosure also relates to a packer element and a instrumented packer assembly system. The disclosure may enable to derive formation characteristic in several configurations such as a stress test or a hydraulic fracturing configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hugues Dupont, Thomas Berard, Colin Allan Wilson, Pierre-Yves Corre
  • Patent number: 11674352
    Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing system has a pump driven by an electrically powered motor. The pump pressurizes fluid which is piped into a wellbore to fracture a subterranean formation. The pump and motor are mounted on a trailer that is hitched to a tractor. A platform assembly is mounted onto the trailer, and which is selectively moveable between deployed and stowed configurations. The platform assembly includes a platform, a lateral rail assembly mounted to the platform, and gates on the forward and aft ends of the platform. The rail assembly and gates define a safety barrier to prevent operations personnel from falling off the platform. In the stowed configuration the platform assembly is anchored in place over wheels on the trailer. In the deployed configuration, the platform assembly provides work surface so that operations personnel can readily access the pump on the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Jared Oehring, Brandon Neil Hinderliter
  • Patent number: 11668157
    Abstract: A clamp assembly device for connecting a rotating control device bearing assembly to a main body of a rotating control device. The device includes clamp members configured to retain the bearing assembly in place on the main body, a clamp actuator for driving clamping and unclamping of the clamp members and a lock pin controlled by a lock pin actuator. The lock pin actuator is configured to lock and unlock the clamp assembly device by moving the pin between locked and unlocked positions along an axis substantially parallel with the axis of rotation of the bearing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Reform Energy Services Corp.
    Inventors: Ronald James Downie, Joel Victor-David Dunbar
  • Patent number: 11668179
    Abstract: A method of estimating a stability value of a rotating downhole component includes rotating the downhole component at a varying first rotary speed, the varying first speed having a plurality of first rotary speed values, and identifying an oscillation of the downhole component. The method also includes acquiring measurement data from a sensor, the measurement data indicative of a measured parameter related to the oscillation of the downhole component at the plurality of first rotary speed values, and estimating the stability value of the rotating downhole component as a function of an operational parameter based on the acquired measurement data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Andreas Hohl, Vincent Kulke
  • Patent number: 11661836
    Abstract: An automated slide drilling system (ASDS) may be used with a drilling rig system to control slide drilling. The ASDS may autonomously control slide drilling without user input during the slide drilling. The ASDS may further support a transition from rotary drilling to slide drilling to rotary drilling without user input during the transitions. The ASDS may also support user input and user notifications for various steps to enable manual or semi-manual control of slide drilling by a driller or an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Motive Drilling Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Benson, Teddy Chen, Joshua Miles Brinkley, John Jeremy Cantwell, Eric Alan Nolte, Robert Tyler Quarles, Sashmit Bhaduri, Zarko Bizaca, Kevin Mims, Brian Stokeld
  • Patent number: 11661843
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining a lithology of a subterranean formation into which a wellbore has been drilled. The method includes receiving a set of measurement logs including one or more measurement logs, each representing a measured characteristic of the wellbore plotted according to depth. The method also includes segmenting the wellbore into regions based on identified change of trend in one or more of the measurement logs of the set, and sub-segmenting at least one region into zones based on detection of appearance or disappearance of a rock type in the cuttings percentage log, The method also includes determining, in each zone, a location, length and rock type of one or more layers based on a total percentage of each rock type in the zone in the cuttings percentage log and at least one of the additional measurement logs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sophie Androvandi, Maurice Ringer, Karim Bondabou
  • Patent number: 11655679
    Abstract: A downhole tool for use in a downhole drill string is provided. The downhole tool includes a rotor movably coupled within a stator, and a drive shaft movably coupled within a bearing housing. The drive shaft has a first end coupled with the rotor and a second end coupled with a drill bit. Bearing assemblies interfaces engagement between the drive shaft and the bearing housing, including polycrystalline diamond elements, each with an engagement surface, and an opposing engagement surface of a non-superhard metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: XR Reserve LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Prevost, Michael V. Williams, Edward C. Spatz, Michael R. Reese, William W. King, David P. Miess