Patents Examined by Kristyn A Hall
  • Patent number: 11603733
    Abstract: A partially dissolvable plug is to be deployed in a position in a wellbore formed in a subsurface formation. The partially dissolvable plug comprises a first portion comprising a dissolvable material that is to dissolve over time after exposure to a downhole ambient environment in the wellbore and a second portion comprising a non-dissolvable material that is to create a flow restriction as the flow of fluid passes through the partially dissolvable plug. The first portion is to prevent a flow of fluid from downhole to a surface of the wellbore until at least a portion of the dissolvable material is dissolved. A flow rate is to be determined based on a detected change in a downhole attribute that is to change in response to the flow of fluid passing through the partially dissolvable plug after at least a portion of the partially dissolvable plug is dissolved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Mikko K. Jaaskelainen, Cole Aaron Grandjean
  • Patent number: 11603710
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in maintaining a desired orientation of an implement is provided. The apparatus includes orientation sensing equipment operable to sense the orientation of the implement, and an orientation indicator operable to be mounted relative to the implement, the orientation indicator having a plurality of indication portions, and when the orientation indicator is mounted relative to the implement, the indication portions are positioned so as to be visible from different locations around the implement. In use, when the orientation of the implement deviates from the desired orientation, one or more indication portions provide a visible indication of a direction in which the implement has deviated from the desired orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: SEWELL POWER TRANSFER PTY LTD
    Inventor: Samuel John Sewell
  • Patent number: 11603739
    Abstract: A wireline system includes an operations cabin with a plurality of electrical devices, and a winch that includes an electric winch motor operable to drive a drum to manipulate a wireline cable. A first engine and a first electric generator are each arranged within the operations cabin and generate electrical power, a second electric generator driven by a second engine via a power takeoff to generate electrical power, and an umbilical extends from the operations cabin to an external energy source to provide electrical power. A battery pack is arranged within the operations cabin and includes rechargeable batteries communicably coupled to the electric generators and the umbilical, wherein the battery pack solely provides electrical power to the electric winch motor and the electrical devices, and wherein the electric generators and the external energy source provide electrical power to recharge the rechargeable batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Texas Wireline Manufacturing
    Inventors: Mark Alan Petty, Dawn Marie Petty
  • Patent number: 11603708
    Abstract: A linkage assembly for a drilling machine includes a first arm, a second arm, an actuation member, and a connector assembly. A first end of the first arm is pivotally coupled to a positioning member at a first pivot joint. A first end of the second arm is pivotally coupled to a feed table at a second pivot joint. A first end of the actuation member is pivotally coupled to the feed table at a third pivot joint. The connector assembly is fixedly coupled to a second end of the first arm, and pivotally coupled to a second end of the second arm and a second end of the actuation member. The linkage assembly is adapted to pivot the feed table relative to the positioning member about a pivot axis based on movement of the actuation member between an extended position and a retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLC.
    Inventor: Sudhagar Selvam
  • Patent number: 11598165
    Abstract: An automated drilling-fluid additive system and method for on-site real-time analysis and additive treatment of drilling fluid to be injected into a well. The drilling fluid includes returned drilling fluid intended to be re-used, which has a variety of viscosity and other qualities resulting from its various preceding use. The target drilling fluid will have a variety of viscosity and other qualities depending upon and changing with various phases of drilling operations and various conditions encountered. The drilling fluid is analyzed in real time as it flows into the automated drilling-fluid additive system, and various additives are added to and thoroughly blended with the drilling fluid as needed to achieve the desired result. The blended drilling fluid is discharged from the automated drilling-fluid additive system in the proper condition for injection into a well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Inventor: Kyle Collins
  • Patent number: 11598179
    Abstract: A system is provided for providing power and/or communication to/from a downhole device by inductively coupling a coupling conductor within a receiver to a core conductor of a tubing encased conductor (TEC). The receiver has an elongated housing arranged physically proximate or touching an outer surface of the TEC. A coupling conductor is disposed within the housing, extends substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing, and further extends longitudinally and in close proximity to a core conductor housed within the TEC when the housing is arranged physically proximate or touching the outer surface of the TEC. This exposes the coupling conductor to a magnetic field formed externally to the TEC to excite a current in the coupling conductor. In one or more embodiments, the receiver further includes a coupling to electrically couple the downhole device to the coupling conductor and deliver the current to the downhole device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Glen P. Breerwood, Paul Gregory James
  • Patent number: 11598202
    Abstract: A pulse power drilling system includes a pulse power drill string to be positioned in a borehole formed in a subsurface formation. The pulse power drill string is to drill the borehole based on periodic pulsing of an electrical discharge into the subsurface formation. The pulse power drill string includes a generator to generate electrical power, an electrode to emit the electrical discharge out to the subsurface formation based on the electrical power, and a controller communicatively coupled to the generator and the electrode. The controller is to control at least one discharge parameter of the electrical discharge to encode a data communication within the electrical discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Jesus Jason Sedano
  • Patent number: 11598155
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a bit condition in a drilling operation comprises a processor unit and a non-transitory computer-readable memory communicatively coupled to the processing unit and comprising computer-readable program instructions executable by the processing unit for: obtaining signals representative of at least vibrations of a drilling mast having at least one bit during a drilling operation; interpreting the signals into vibration values; continuously monitoring the vibration values in real time; and assessing and outputting a condition of the bit as a function of the continuous monitoring of the vibration values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: THE ROYAL INSTITUTION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING/MCGILL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Faramarz (Ferri) P. Hassani, Hamed Rafezi
  • Patent number: 11591897
    Abstract: An anti-jam control system for mobile drilling machines is disclosed. The anti-jam control system may include a method for automatically clearing a jam during an automatic drilling mode of a mobile drilling machine including a drill bit mounted on a drill string. The method may include: monitoring a feed rate of the drill bit during the automatic drilling mode; and automatically initiating an anti-jam operation when the feed rate is below a predetermined feed rate threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLC
    Inventors: Carl J. Moberg, Timo Diekmann, Ross L. Hoult, Cary Gist, Rajesh R. Gunda
  • Patent number: 11578583
    Abstract: A method comprises determining a measure of drilling efficiency, such as a friction factor or mechanical specific energy, of a drill bit used in a drilling operation of a wellbore and performing video analytics of at least one video that includes a substantially complete view of the wear surfaces of a drill bit to determine drill bit wear of the drill bit that is a result of the drilling operation of the wellbore. The method includes determining a cause of the drill bit wear based on the measure of drilling efficiency and the drill bit wear determined by performing video analytics. Based on correlation or modeling of drill bit wear and the measure of drilling efficiency, drill bit wear can be predicted and some types of drilling dysfunction mitigated in subsequent drilling runs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Landmark Graphics Corporation
    Inventor: Robello Samuel
  • Patent number: 11572757
    Abstract: A backup ring for a seal assembly including a body having a radially outer surface and a radially inner surface, an opening in the body extending from the radially outer surface toward the radially inner surface, the opening being receptive to a line to guide and protect the line. A wellbore system including a borehole in a subsurface formation, a string disposed in the borehole, a seal system disposed in the string, the system including a backup ring comprising a body having a radially outer surface and a radially inner surface and an opening in the body extending from the radially outer surface toward the radially inner surface, the opening being receptive to a line to guide and protect the line and a method for running a line along a seal system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Matt Krueger, Frank Maenza, Dennis Jiral, Chee Kong Yee, Daniel Sequera
  • Patent number: 11572766
    Abstract: A waveform energy generation system, the system including at least one joint of production casing, and one or more energy generators residing along the joint of production casing. The energy generators are configured to be in substantial mechanical contact with a subsurface formation within a wellbore. The energy generators may include either explosive devices or a piezo-electric material. The system also includes a signal transmission system. The signal transmission system is used to send control signals from the surface down to the energy generators for activation at the formation's resonant frequency. Methods of enhancing the permeability of a rock matrix within a subsurface formation using the wellbore as an energy generator are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventor: Steve Lonnes
  • Patent number: 11572784
    Abstract: Layered coating applications for sensing telemetry are provided. An example method can include depositing an optical waveguide on an inner surface of a wellbore tool, the optical waveguide including a first layer of low refractive-index material, a second layer of high refractive-index material applied to a first surface of the first layer, and a third layer of low refractive-index material applied to a second surface of the second layer; configuring non-uniformities at one or more locations of the optical waveguide, the non-uniformities configured to reflect or scatter light at angles relative to a site of interaction between the light and the non-uniformities; determining a reflection and/or transmission pattern of light propagated through the optical waveguide and reflected or scattered by the non-uniformities; and based on the reflection and/or transmission pattern of the light, determining one or more conditions associated with of the wellbore tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Christopher Michael Jones
  • Patent number: 11572785
    Abstract: Systems and methods include a method used in drilling wells. A three-dimensional (3D) uncertainty cube is generated for a subsurface geological structure containing a well target for drilling operations of a well. The 3D uncertainty cube defines an uncertainty of a geological position relative to a 3D structural model. The 3D uncertainty cube is dynamically updated in real time while drilling the well, including parameterizing the 3D uncertainty cube for a distance ahead of a drill bit. A probability that the well target will be hit is determined using the 3D uncertainty cube. The drilling operations of the well are dynamically re-planned and re-steered based on the updated 3D uncertainty cube, including updating a direction of the drilling operations of the well using the 3D uncertainty cube and the probability. Drilling and acquiring new information are continued to iteratively continue dynamic updates and continued drilling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Simon A. Stewart
  • Patent number: 11566470
    Abstract: An apparatus, a method for positioning a rock drilling, and a rock drilling rig is provided. The rock drilling rig includes a mobile drilling platform and a drilling mast connected to the drilling platform. The drilling platform is levelled vertically before initiating drilling. The apparatus determines the needed vertical levelling requirement. The levelling causes displacement of a drilling tool line passing through a drilling tool. The apparatus estimates the displacement and provides aid for the operator to position the drilling platform in order to compensate for the estimated displacement distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Sandvik Mining and Construction Oy
    Inventors: Eemeli Haverinen, Heikki Tapola, Juha Lassila, Mervi Avelin, Tuomo Hirsikangas
  • Patent number: 11560787
    Abstract: A stand-alone apparatus for determining the level (X) of liquid (F) in oil boreholes (P) overcomes the need of a pressurized gas source. A loudspeaker-type electroacoustical transducer (11) both emits characteristic acoustical signals through the mouth of the borehole and detects the return of an echo from the surface of the liquid downhole for clocking the time-interval between emission and return to determine the level of the liquid. To overcome the limited power inherent in a loudspeaker-type transducer relative to masking borehole acoustic noise, a method of operation correlates the intensity amplitude of the detected echo with the emitted signal. Another solution comprises repeating emission and detection cycles a number of n times and then adding or integrating the n curves into a resulting curve which is filtered. The detected liquid level may be used for determining the submergence and regulating the speed of a pump in the borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Inventors: Mariano Andrés Hunkeler, Pablo Oscar Severini, Leoncio Del Pozo, Juan José Malo
  • Patent number: 11560762
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to elevator locking system apparatus and methods, and associated components thereof. In one implementation, a slip-type elevator assembly includes an elevator body including one or more slips configured to grip a tubular, and a first door pivotably coupled to the elevator body. The slip-type elevator assembly includes a second door pivotably coupled to the elevator body, the first door and the second door movable between an open position and a closed position. The slip-type elevator assembly also includes a locking system including a bolt movable between an unlocked position and a locked position. In the unlocked position the bolt is disposed in a first cavity formed in the first door. In the locked position a first portion of the bolt is disposed in the first cavity and a second portion of the bolt is disposed outside of the first cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Forum US, Inc.
    Inventors: Arno Gruess, Frederik Stoldt, Andre Vierke
  • Patent number: 11549312
    Abstract: The invention relates to reamers used in downhole oil well drilling operations, particularly in reaming while drilling applications. Presented is a reamer having an interior channel which runs along an elongate axis of the entire body of the reamer, wherein there are openings along both ends of the reamer, exposing the interior channel. Additionally presented in the reamer are a plurality of paths extending parallel to the interior channel along the exterior of the body of the reamer, and running in a helical pattern along the entirety of the exterior of the body of the reamer. Disposed within the helical paths are a plurality of cutting inserts, which cutting inserts are enabled to provides a uniform cutting surface against a well bore, which preferably improves cutting action and reduces strain on the reamer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Inventor: Duane Shotwell
  • Patent number: 11542809
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring strain in a polished rod of a beam pump unit includes a body having an upper wide section, a lower wide section, and a narrow section having a reduced width in comparison to each of the upper and lower wide sections. A bore is formed in the narrow section. The apparatus also includes at least two connectors configured to connect the body to the rod. The bore is positioned between the two connectors in a direction that is parallel to an axis of the rod. The apparatus further includes a strain gauge positioned in the bore, so as to measure strain in the rod between the two points of connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: NOVEN, INC.
    Inventors: Mahmut Sengul, Mario Ruscev
  • Patent number: 11542785
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing flowback fluids produced during a flowback process in a well are provided. The system includes a well formed in a target zone in a hydrocarbon reservoir, where the well also extends to a disposal zone. The system also includes a check valve or zonal isolation systems. The method includes selecting a disposal zone, directing the formation of a well extending through a target zone and a disposal zone, transporting the flowback fluid from the target zone to the disposal zone during the flowback process, and selectively plugging the well near the disposal zone to prevent migration of the flowback fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Inventors: Osama Abdelhamid, Khaled Faleh