Patents Examined by Lamia Quaim
  • Patent number: 11384616
    Abstract: A multi-string section milling tool has a longitudinally extending tubular body with mill carriers carrying hardened cutters that pivotally extend from a mill window in the tubular body by upward movement of a drive plunger. A downwardly biased piston mounted to the upper end of a flow tube is slidably inserted through a stationary thimble below the piston. The lower end of the flow tube is attached to a drive plunger which is pivotally attached to drive yoke links pivotally attached the mill carriers. The piston and thimble creates a pressure chamber in the milling tool. Fluid pressure in the pressure chamber moves the piston, flow tube and drive plunger upward to pivotally extend the drive yoke links and mill carriers radially outward through the mill window. Cessation of fluid pressure in the pressure chamber retracts the mill carriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Dynasty Energy Services, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Ruttley, Gerald J. Cronley
  • Patent number: 11377925
    Abstract: Method of plugging a hydrocarbon well by a through-tubing technique are described. The method allows the tubing to be left in place. Only a short (<2 m) section is cut, milled, perforated, ruptured and expanded, or combinations thereof. A blocking device is sent downhole to block a bottom of the plug section, and bismuth alloy pellets dropped onto the blocking device. A heater is deployed to melt the bismuth alloy pellets. Next, the alloy liquid is allowed to cool and solidify. During solidification, the alloy expands and fills the section of well to be plugged or a portion thereof. Once primary and secondary barriers are in place, the well can be closed and the Christmas tree removed. A rock-to-rock plug can be set by removing or partially removing the tubular and outer casing, or just inner casing/tubulars can be removed if the exterior cement and casing are of sufficient quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Dan Mueller, Geir Ove Titlestad, David D. Hearn, Curtis G. Blount, Rick D. Watts, Randall S. Shafer, Dale R. Doherty
  • Patent number: 11371321
    Abstract: An apparatus for drilling a secondary borehole includes a whipstock assembly configured to be deployed in a primary borehole, the whipstock assembly including a whipstock ramp, and a drilling assembly connected to a borehole string. The drilling assembly includes a drill bit connected to an articulated string portion having a plurality of connected sections configured to move laterally with respect to one another, and the articulated string portion is configured to be diverted by the whipstock ramp in a lateral direction to initiate drilling of a secondary borehole from the primary borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jose Iguaz, Ronald Phillips
  • Patent number: 11352849
    Abstract: A deflector assembly for an object in a well. The deflector assembly may include a tubular housing and a core plug. The tubular housing may include a window through a wall of the tubular housing, a deflector below the window. The deflector may include a cavity extending through an axial length of the deflector and a deflector angled surface that is shaped to direct the object toward the window. The core plug may be removably coupleable within the cavity and include a receptacle and a second angled surface that is shaped to direct the object toward the window. The second angled surface is aligned with the deflector angled surface. The core plug may be coupleable with the deflector so as to rotate with the deflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Hepburn, Stuart A. Telfer
  • Patent number: 11346211
    Abstract: Systems and methods for conducting a well intervention operation in a well include positioning a conveyance into the well for the well intervention operation, calculating a predicted force based at least in part on a length of the conveyance that is positioned at a depth in the well, measuring a measured force for the conveyance at the depth in the well, and comparing a predicted force for the conveyance at the depth in the well with the measured force in real time to determine if the predicted force is within a predetermined range of the measured force in real time. The method further includes generating an alert if the predicted force is not within the predetermined range of the measured force in real time, and continuing with the well intervention operation if the predicted force is within the predetermined range of the measured force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Lori A. Newhouse
  • Patent number: 11319778
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method according to which debris is cleaned from a casing that extends within a wellbore. The method generally includes running a downhole tool into the casing, the downhole tool comprising an isolation tool, a setting tool, and a casing scraper. Debris is then cleaned from an inner surface of the casing at a depth interval using the casing scraper. After cleaning the debris from the inner surface of the casing, the isolation tool is set against the inner surface of the casing at the depth interval using the setting tool to isolate a zone of the wellbore. After setting the isolation tool against the inner surface of the casing, a wellbore operation is performed in which isolation of the zone of the wellbore is required. The downhole tool is then drilled out of the casing using a drill bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Garry Martin Howitt
  • Patent number: 11306541
    Abstract: A drill bit (11) for the drilling, in particular the rotary percussive drilling, of a hole, in particular a tap hole of a melting furnace, the drill bit (11) comprising a drill head (10), which has at least one hard material insert (16), and a base body (12) for connecting the drill bit to a driving element, the hard material insert (16) being inserted into a seat, which is formed in an axial end face (13) of the drill head (10), in such a manner that at least a head cutting edge (18) of the hard material insert (16) protrudes beyond the axial end face (13), wherein the seat has a flank portion and a mating flank portion located opposite the flank portion, between which the hard material insert (16) is disposed, the flank portion, which is disposed opposite a recess formed in the hard material insert (16), being provided with a material projection (35) which is at least partially made of a welding material, is bonded to the drill head (10) via the welding material and protrudes into the recess so as to establ
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: TMT TAPPING-MEASURING-TECHNOLOGY SARL
    Inventors: Romain Clesen, Gerhard Meier
  • Patent number: 11293243
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for installing a deflector in a primary wellbore and confirming lateral wellbore access. The hydraulic retrieving tool is coupled to the interior of the deflector and introduced into the primary wellbore. The hydraulic retrieving tool comprises a bullnose, a plurality of retractable deflective pads, and a retractable dog. The deflector comprises a deflection surface. The hydraulic retrieving tool is decoupled from the interior of the deflector at a depth in the primary wellbore by retracting the dog and the plurality of deflective pads. The hydraulic retrieving tool is removed from the interior of the deflector. The dog and the plurality of deflective pads on the hydraulic retrieving tool are expanded when the hydraulic retrieving tool is removed from the interior of the deflector. The hydraulic retrieving tool drifts at least a portion of the deflection surface to determine if there is lateral wellbore access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Franklin Charles Rodriguez, Morten Falnes, Neil Hepburn
  • Patent number: 11274536
    Abstract: A thermal fluid generator utilizes a plasma energy heat source to generate steam, and combine the steam with nitrogen gas. Combined flow streams of steam and heated nitrogen are injected downhole into subterranean reservoir to thermally stimulate the flow of hydrocarbons (such as, for example, residual oil) from a reservoir, while also increasing fluid pressure in the reservoir. The thermal fluid generator can be located at the earth's surface, or positioned downhole within a wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: VIPERA, INC.
    Inventor: James Landry
  • Patent number: 11274543
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the technical field of rock mechanics, and in particular to a method for accurately measuring a reopening pressure of hydraulic fracturing induced fracture in a deep borehole. The method includes: pumping a fluid into a sealed inner space of a drilling pipe for energy storage; and opening a valve at a lower end of the drilling pipe such that energy is released from the fluid in the inner space of the drilling pipe under the action of pressure to inject the fluid into a test interval. In the method according to the present disclosure, a fluid is pumped into an inner space of a drilling pipe so that the inner space of the drilling pipe is used as a high-pressure fluid pump to inject the fluid in the inner space of the drilling pipe to the test interval until the closed fracture is reopened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Institute of Geomechanics, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences
    Inventors: Qunce Chen, Chongyuan Zhang, Dongsheng Sun, Xianghui Qin, Wen Meng, Quan Li, Ming Jin
  • Patent number: 11274531
    Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for restraining a firing pin using a bushing for use in a downhole switch that is armed using the explosive energy of a previously detonated shaped charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Hunting Titan, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel Sansing
  • Patent number: 11268329
    Abstract: A slickline that includes both electrically conductive and fiber optic capacity. The slickline includes a fiber optic thread or bundle of threads that may be surrounded by an electrically conductive member such as split half shells of copper elements. Further, these features may be disposed in a filler matrix so as to provide a cohesiveness the core of the slickline. So, for example, the line may be more effectively utilized in downhole applications such as coiled tubing operations, without undue concern over collapse or pinhole issues emerging in the line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joseph Varkey, David Kim, Maria Grisanti, Montie W. Morrison, Burcu Unai Altintas, Sheng Chang
  • Patent number: 11248430
    Abstract: A multi-string section milling tool has a longitudinally extending tubular body with mill carriers carrying hardened cutters that pivotally extend from a mill window in the tubular body by upward movement of a drive plunger. A downwardly biased piston mounted to the upper end of a flow tube is slidably inserted through a stationary thimble below the piston. The lower end of the flow tube is attached to a drive plunger which is pivotally attached to drive yoke links pivotally attached the mill carriers. The piston and thimble creates a pressure chamber in the milling tool. Fluid pressure in the pressure chamber moves the piston, flow tube and drive plunger upward to pivotally extend the drive yoke links and mill carriers radially outward through the mill window. Cessation of fluid pressure in the pressure chamber retracts the mill carriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: DYNASTY ENERGY SERVICES, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Ruttley, Gerald J. Cronley
  • Patent number: 11236588
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for verifying a well model, comprising the steps of receiving stored well data of an existing well, forming a model based on the received well data, submerging a tool for performing a work task into the existing well, wherein the tool is arranged to sense present well characteristics when submerged, receiving tool data corresponding to the presently sensed well characteristics from the tool, said tool data representing downhole properties relevant to downhole operation and performance of the tool, and performing a confirmation check by comparing the well data of the model with the tool data. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a well model verifying apparatus, to a well model verifying system and to a computer readable storage medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: WELLTEC A/S
    Inventors: Jens Barfoed, Malene Ulleriks Nielsen
  • Patent number: 11230916
    Abstract: A technique facilitates use of tools downhole during well operations. According to an embodiment, the technique employs a frac stack which may be coupled to a wellhead. The frac stack may include a flow control device which opens and closes a bore extending through the wellhead. A lubricator may be coupled to the frac stack. The lubricator includes a tool trap which opens and closes to facilitate controlled movement of a tool along the bore. A tool position detection system is used to detect a position of the tool in the tool trap to ensure, for example, removal of the tool from the frac stack before closure of the flow control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yang Chen, Charles Deible, Corey Ray
  • Patent number: 11193367
    Abstract: A method of 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: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventors: Ge Jin, Kyle R Krueger, Baishali Roy
  • Patent number: 11187059
    Abstract: A downhole tool comprises a hollow body having a wall and a port in the wall, and a closing sleeve movable relative to the body to open and close the port. A seal is provided between the body and the sleeve and is configured to hold differential pressure. An isolation member may be deployed in the tool to isolate the seal from differential pressure and close the port. The isolation member may be deployed following initiation of a tool activation process, a successful outcome of the process being translating the closing sleeve and closing the port, and positioning the seal to hold a differential pressure. If it is detected that the outcome has not been achieved, the isolation member is deployed to isolate the seal from differential pressure and close the port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Churchill Drilling Tools Limited
    Inventor: Andrew Philip Churchill
  • Patent number: 11187073
    Abstract: An apparatus for protecting an electronics module used in a borehole may include an enclosure disposed along a drill string. The electronics module may be attached to the enclosure by at least one joint. The at least one joint allows a predetermined bending between the electronics module and the enclosure that does not mechanically overload the electronics module. In some embodiments, the joint may be a ball joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Carsten Haubold, Joachim Treviranus, Tim Mueller, Andreas Peter
  • Patent number: 11180971
    Abstract: A flow restrictor for restricting flow in an annulus, the flow restrictor comprising a body and a restrictor assembly mounted on the body, wherein the restrictor assembly is actuatable between a run-in configuration and a set configuration in which at least a portion of the restrictor assembly is radially splayed to thereby substantially restrict flow in the annulus, and wherein the flow restrictor is actuatable by fluid flow over the restrictor assembly above a threshold flow rate to actuate the restrictor assembly from the run-in configuration to the set configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Alan Craigon, Philip C G Egleton, Stephen Reid, Andrew John Elrick, Santiago Galvez Porta
  • Patent number: 11180986
    Abstract: Discrete wellbore devices, hydrocarbon wells including a downhole communication network and the discrete wellbore devices, and systems and methods including the same are disclosed herein. The discrete wellbore devices include a wellbore tool and a communication device. The wellbore tool is configured to perform a downhole operation within a wellbore conduit that is defined by a wellbore tubular of the hydrocarbon well. The communication device is operatively coupled for movement with the wellbore tool within the wellbore conduit. The communication device is configured to communicate with a downhole communication network that extends along the wellbore tubular via a wireless communication signal. The methods include actively and/or passively detecting a location of the discrete wellbore device within the wellbore conduit. The methods additionally or alternatively include wireless communication between the discrete wellbore device and the downhole communication network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Timothy I. Morrow, Renzo M. Angeles Boza, Bruce A. Dale