Patents Examined by Lamia Quaim
  • Patent number: 11773676
    Abstract: A whipstock assembly (12) for use in deviating a wellbore (10) of a well is disclosed, the whipstock assembly comprising a whipstock (18) having an inclined deflection surface (20); a milling assembly (14) comprising a mill (16) for milling a window (49) in a wall (48) of the wellbore and forming a rathole (50) extending from the wellbore; a releasable joint (22; 122) by which the milling assembly is releasably connected to the whipstock, so that the milling assembly can be separated from the whipstock within the wellbore and subsequently deflected towards the wellbore wall by the deflection surface of the whipstock; at least one sensor (188) provided in the milling assembly, for measuring at least one parameter of the rathole, the at least one parameter relating to a trajectory of the rathole; and a communication device (190) associated with the at least one sensor, for communicating data relating to the at least one parameter to an operator of the milling assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: OILTOOLSTEQ LTD
    Inventors: William Brown-Kerr, Andrew John Watson
  • Patent number: 11773711
    Abstract: Systems and methods determine friction in a borehole during drilling operations. A drilling system applies oscillatory angular movement at the top of a drill string in a wellbore during drilling by the drilling system, and measures a torque applied to the drill string and an angular position of the drill string. Based on the measured torque and the measured angular position, the drilling system computes a friction between the borehole and the drill string. This can be repeated during drilling of the wellbore to determine multiple friction values, corresponding to various depths of the borehole. Based on the computed friction, the drilling system can perform one or more actions resulting in modified drilling operation. The systems and methods also include oscillating a casing in the borehole, measuring the torque and angular position of the casing, and determining a friction value, which can be repeated to develop a wellbore friction profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Magnetic Variation Services LLC
    Inventors: Stefan Maus, Zackary Whitlow, Jin Sun
  • Patent number: 11753891
    Abstract: A casing mill including a first milling configuration having a first blade for milling a first casing section, and a second milling configuration having a second blade, the second blade being an ultra-high expansion blade for milling a second casing section. A wellbore system including a borehole in a subsurface formation, two nested casings disposed within the borehole, a string disposed within the casings, a casing mill disposed within or as a part of the string and including a first milling configuration having a first blade for milling a first casing section, and a second milling configuration having a second blade, the second blade being an ultra-high expansion blade for milling a second casing section, the second casing section being radially outwardly disposed of the first casing section, and a stroking tool disposed between the first milling configuration and the second milling configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: David Alexander, Andrew Ponder, Knut Inge Dahlberg
  • Patent number: 11732575
    Abstract: An oil well orphan well casing locator primarily used for locating abandoned well heads below ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Inventors: Ronald Horning, Jr., Brian Wright
  • Patent number: 11725484
    Abstract: Drill hole sequence planning equipment 14 includes a position determining module 18 for determining an initial location of a mobile drill rig 12. A selection module 24 selects a destination location for the drill rig 12. A corridor establishment module 26 establishes a corridor between the initial location of the drill rig 12 and its destination location, the corridor having a selected width. A processing unit 28 is responsive to the modules 18, 24 and 26 for selecting a hole location of each hole within the corridor to be drilled by the drill rig 12 sequentially as it moves from its initial location to its destination location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Technological Resources Pty Limited
    Inventor: Florian Oppolzer
  • Patent number: 11713670
    Abstract: A system for locating a casing collar includes a drill pipe sub-assembly with a drill pipe segment and detection apparatus. The detection apparatus includes a bypass port disposed in a wall of the drill pipe segment; an annular sleeve which directs fluid through the bypass port and into a drill pipe segment interior portion; an actuator which opens and closes the bypass port; and two magnetized coils which generate an electromagnetic field. The actuator closes the bypass port in response to a predetermined voltage generated by the magnetized coils when they displace past a casing collar. Also included are a weight loss detection device which detects a loss of weight in the drill pipe segment, and a depth determination device which determines a depth of the casing collar, based on detected loss of weight. Also disclosed and described are a related method and drill pipe sub-assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: Abdul Halim Ab. Hamid
  • Patent number: 11708734
    Abstract: A swivel anchor of a drill string comprises a slip arrangement, comprising a slip body and at least one slip element; upper and lower connections attachable to further components, wherein the slip arrangement is rotatable about a longitudinal axis with respect to the upper and lower connections and a slip joint, comprising upper and lower components, wherein the upper and lower components may move relative to each other parallel with a longitudinal axis, between an open and closed positions, wherein in the open position a longitudinal displacement between the upper and lower components is greater than when the slip joint is in the closed position, and wherein when the slip joint is in the closed position, the swivel anchor length is less than when in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Inventor: Bruce McGarian
  • Patent number: 11692431
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and products for downhole operations. Embodiments include downhole tools comprising an outer member configured for conveyance in the borehole; a pressure barrel positioned inside the outer member; a substantially cylindrical pod positioned inside the pressure barrel; and at least one downhole electronic component mounted between the exterior surface and the frame. The pod comprises at least one rigid outer surface forming an exterior surface of the pod and supported by a central frame extending across a diameter of the pod, such as a plurality of outer rigid surfaces. The pod may include a plurality of coupled rigid elongated semicircular metallic shells, wherein each shell of the plurality comprises a rigid outer surface of the plurality of outer rigid surfaces. Each of the at least one downhole electronic component may be sealingly enclosed within a corresponding shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Joachim Treviranus, Stephan Wink, Olaf Gaertner, Daniel Porzig, Tim Mueller, Andreas Peter
  • Patent number: 11686194
    Abstract: Methods and systems for assessing cross-well interference and/or optimizing hydrocarbon production from a reservoir by obtaining low frequency DAS and DTS data and pressure data from a monitor well, when both the monitor and production well are shut-in, and then variably opening the production well for production, and detecting the temperature and pressure fluctuations that indication cross-well interference, and localizing the interference along the well length based on the low frequency DAS data. This information can be used to optimize well placement, completion plans, fracturing plans, and ultimately optimize production from a given reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventors: Ge Jin, Kyle R Krueger, Baishali Roy
  • Patent number: 11668164
    Abstract: Provided is a self-deflecting multilateral junction, a method, and a well system. The self-deflecting multilateral junction, in one aspect, includes a deflection device having an uphole end and a downhole end, the deflection device including a main tubular, a first flow path off the main tubular and operable to couple to a wellbore, a second flow path off the main tubular and operable to couple to a lateral wellbore, the second flow path having a lateral seal bore, and a deflecting ramp. The self-deflecting multilateral junction, according to this aspect, further includes a lateral stinger positioned within the main tubular and releasably coupled to the deflection device, the lateral stinger including a nose end configured to extend into the second flow path, a valve member, and a lateral seal for engaging the lateral seal bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Lars Petter Larsen
  • Patent number: 11661822
    Abstract: Systems and methods of the present disclosure relate to protecting a control line as it passes through a junction in a downhole environment. A retractable transition joint (RTJ) comprises at least two members. A first member is operable to retract into a second member. A tubular extends through the first and second members. The tubular comprises a distal end that is removably attached to a distal end of the second member. The first and second members are operable to receive the control line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Eulalio De Jesus Rosas Fermin, Justin Mark Roberts, David Joe Steele
  • Patent number: 11634981
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a gauge cutter, a lead impression block (LIB), a locking pin, and a locking device. The gauge cutter has a gauge cutter tubular body, a gauge cutter head, and an orifice. The LIB has an LIB body and an LIB head. The LIB is fixed in a first position within the orifice of the gauge cutter by being connected to an inner circumferential surface of the gauge cutter tubular body using a shear pin. The locking pin is disposed around the LIB body. The locking device is disposed around the inner circumferential surface of the gauge cutter tubular body and is configured to mate with the locking pin to hold the LIB in a second position within the gauge cutter. The second position includes a portion of the LIB body located within the orifice and the LIB head located outside of the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Sanjiv Kumar, Muhammad Imran Javed
  • Patent number: 11629557
    Abstract: A downhole motor includes a driveshaft assembly including a driveshaft housing and a driveshaft rotatably disposed within the driveshaft housing, and a bearing assembly including a bearing housing and a bearing mandrel rotatably disposed within the bearing housing, wherein the bearing mandrel is configured to couple with a drill bit, wherein the bearing assembly is configured to provide a first flowpath extending into a central passage of the bearing mandrel from an annulus formed between the bearing mandrel and the bearing housing and a second flowpath separate from the first flowpath, that extends through a bearing of the bearing assembly that is disposed radially between the bearing mandrel and the bearing housing, wherein a plurality of rotary seals are positioned radially between the bearing mandrel and the bearing housing to form an sealed chamber that is spaced from the bearing of the bearing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: Nicholas Ryan Marchand, Jeffery Ronald Clausen
  • Patent number: 11624262
    Abstract: Provided is a multilateral junction (MLT), a well system, and a method for forming a well system. The MLT, in one aspect, includes a y-block having a housing with a single first bore and second and third bores extending therein, the second and third bores defining second and third centerlines. The MLT, in this aspect, further includes a mainbore leg having a first mainbore leg end coupled to the second bore and a second opposing mainbore leg end, and a lateral bore leg having a first lateral bore leg end coupled to the third bore and a second opposing lateral bore leg end. In this aspect, the mainbore leg and the lateral bore leg are twisted with respect to the second and third bore such that a first plane taken through centerlines of the second opposing mainbore leg end and the second opposing lateral bore leg end is angled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: David Joe Steele, Srinivasa Prasanna Vemuri, Stacey Blaine Donovan, Morten Falnes, Wesley Paul Dietz, Christian Alexander Ramirez
  • Patent number: 11624263
    Abstract: A method and a lateral entry guide tool for deploying a work string in a wellbore defining a window and a lateral wellbore extending from the window are described. The work string and the tool are run through the wellbore to a distance above the window. A locator subassembly is activated to detect the window. The tool is run through the wellbore in a downhole direction from the distance above the window past the window. After the locator subassembly indicates that the tool is past the window, a window entry depth is determined based a depth at which the window was detected. The work string is pulled back to position the tool at the window entry depth. A positioning subassembly is activated. The work string is run through the window while adjusting and calibrating the positioning subassembly as the work string pass through the window into the lateral wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Mohammad A. Madan, Talal A. Shihabuddin, Omar M. Alhamid
  • Patent number: 11603726
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and system, and a method of using the same, comprising An apparatus comprising: a first outer pipe; a central housing attached to the first outer pipe, an annular piston that can impact a brittle barrier, the annular piston comprising an impact surface; a brittle barrier, wherein the brittle barrier is separated from the impact surface by a distance, and wherein the brittle barrier comprises a set of materials; and a second outer pipe attached to the central housing, wherein the central housing is positioned between the first outer pipe and the second outer pipe; wherein the brittle barrier is positioned within one or more of the central housing and the second outer pipe; wherein the annular piston is attached to one or more of the first outer pipe and the central housing via a releasable fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: RUBICON OILFIELD INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Harris, Kenneth Anton, Brandon Goodman
  • Patent number: 11591860
    Abstract: A drilling system includes a drill string for connecting with a drill bit for drilling a borehole, a fixed stabilizer fixed on the drill string, and an active stabilizer including a body and actuators connecting the body and the drill string. The actuators are capable of driving the drill string away from a center of the borehole with a displacement. The body has an outer surface for contacting a wall of the borehole, an inner surface facing the drill string, and at least one guiding portion projecting from the inner surface and each defining at least one groove. The drill string includes at least one sliding portion slidable within the at least one groove respectively to constrain movement between the drill string and the active stabilizer along an axial direction of the drill string and guide movement between the drill string and the active stabilizer perpendicular to the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Zhiguo Ren, Xu Fu, Stewart Blake Brazil, Chengbao Wang
  • Patent number: 11572763
    Abstract: A collapsible bullnose assembly may include a mandrel, a bullnose secured to a distal end of the mandrel, a lower ramp disposed about the mandrel adjacent the bullnose and having a first ramped surface, and an upper ramp slidably disposed around and releasably secured to the mandrel. The upper ramp may have a second ramped surface axially offset from the first ramped surface. The collapsible bullnose assembly may further include a collapsible guide member having opposing ends initially supported on the first and second ramped surfaces and protruding radially outwardly of the bullnose. The collapsible guide member may be actuatable to a radially collapsed orientation in response to axially shifting the upper ramp along the mandrel to a released position away from the lower ramp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Shu Yi Dione Seet
  • Patent number: 11566492
    Abstract: A downhole tool for cleaning debris from an inner surface of a downhole casing that includes an inner mandrel moveable within the casing; and a scraper mandrel movably coupled to the outside of the inner mandrel by the engagement of a lug within a groove, the scraper mandrel including a scraper blade positioned on an outside of the scraper mandrel. Longitudinal movement of the scraper mandrel relative to the inner mandrel causes the lug to move within the groove, causing the scraper mandrel and the scraper blade to rotate relative to the inner mandrel and clean debris from the inner surface of the casing. The longitudinal movement is achieved by restraining movement of the scraper mandrel relative to the inner mandrel by contacting the debris with a scraper blade on the outside of the scraper mandrel, causing the scraper mandrel to move longitudinally relative to the inner mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Reid Maher, Brittany Morgan Emerson
  • Patent number: 11566480
    Abstract: A method for identifying anomalous mud flow includes determining an operating rate of a mud pump discharging to a pipe string in a wellbore. Mud returned from the wellbore is moved to a first metering tank. Mud is moved from the first transfer tank to a mud storage tank using a first pump having a flow rate directly related to an operating rate thereof. A first parameter related to volume of mud in the first metering tank is measured. Anomalous mud flow is identified by detecting changes in the operating rate of the first pump wherein the operating rate is adjusted to maintain the first parameter substantially constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Noble Drilling Services Inc.
    Inventors: Robert van Kuilenburg, Young-Wan Hong