Patents Examined by Nicholas D Wlodarski
  • Patent number: 11952865
    Abstract: A flow control valve configured to be positioned in a tubing in a borehole formed in a subsurface formation, wherein the flow control is used to regulate a flow of an injection fluid into the subsurface formation based on a vapor-transition characteristic of a fluid contained within a chamber of the flow control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Linley Fripp, Fraser Murray, Stephen Michael Greci
  • Patent number: 11933141
    Abstract: Systems and methods of the present disclosure relate to wellbore scraping operations. A method comprises running a scraper tool into a wellbore with blades retracted; dropping a ball into an expandable seat of the scraper tool to build pressure; pumping fluid into the scraper tool to deploy a mandrel to compress a spring to rotate a j-slot to a second position from a first position to extend the blades; building pressure until the ball is released from the expandable seat; and moving the mandrel to a third position on the j-slot to lock the extended blades in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: David Allen Dockweiler
  • Patent number: 11920429
    Abstract: An injection valve including a housing, a fluid channel in the housing, and a check valve disposed in the housing and responsive to fluid pressure in the channel to move the check valve in a direction opposite the direction of fluid flow through the channel. A method for injecting fluid into a volume including pressurizing a fluid to be injected, conveying the pressurized fluid to a space about a check valve between a check valve nose and a stem seal; and moving the check valve in a direction opposite a direction of injection fluid flow. A borehole system including a borehole in a subsurface formation, a string disposed within the borehole, and an injection valve disposed within or as a part of the string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Yuh Loh
  • Patent number: 11905811
    Abstract: A fluid conduit system includes a trunk line and a manifold header coupled to the trunk line. The manifold header has a first bore in fluid communication with the trunk line and a second bore intersecting the first bore. A first manifold valve is coupled to the manifold header. A second manifold valve is coupled to the first manifold valve. A fracture header is coupled to the second manifold valve. A plurality of connection rods is coupled to the manifold header and to the fracture header. Each connection rod extends through a corresponding hole in the first manifold valve and a corresponding hole in the second manifold valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: SAFOCO, INC.
    Inventors: David Lymberopoulos, Andrew Allen Kadavy, Peter Lanh Ly
  • Patent number: 11885223
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for preventing drill string drag. Rotation encoders are provided for tracking the rotation of an inner and outer member of a dual-member drill string. Based upon the drilling conditions, the readings of the encoder can detect when the inner member is dragging on the outer member. When such a drag condition is detected, a processor can trigger remedial measures, which may include increasing a rotation rate of the inner member, sending a warning signal, stopping operation, or a combination of these.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg L. Slaughter, Jr., Joseph G. Greenlee, Joe Glenn Worlow
  • Patent number: 11846152
    Abstract: A mechanical jar including a housing, a piston disposed in the housing and responsive to applied fluid pressure to move in a first direction relative to the housing, a biasing arrangement disposed in the housing and configured to bias the piston in a second direction opposite the first direction, and a restraint configured to prevent movement of the piston in the second direction until a threshold force is applied to the restraint by the piston, whereafter the piston suddenly moves in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: James Smith
  • Patent number: 11834915
    Abstract: A downhole tool operable to connect within a downhole tool string. The downhole tool may include a first sub, a second sub, and a movable joint movably connecting the first sub and the second sub to facilitate relative angular movement between the first sub and the second sub. The downhole tool may be operable to connect together a first portion of the tool string and a second portion of the tool string and facilitate relative angular movement between the first portion of the tool string and the second portion of the tool string when the downhole tool is connected within the tool string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: IMPACT SELECTOR INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventors: James Patrick Massey, Jeremy Todd Morrison
  • Patent number: 11828128
    Abstract: A bell nipple includes a downhole end configured to sealingly couple to an uphole-end of a blow-out preventer. An uphole end of the bell nipple includes a first set of threads along an inner surface of the bell nipple. A thread saver is configured to be received by the uphole end. The thread saver is configured to protect the first set of threads from impact. An extension sub is configured to be received by the uphole end. The extension sub includes a downhole end with a second set of threads configured to engage with the first set of threads. An uphole end of the extension sub includes a third set of threads configured receive a well tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Ahmed Al-Mousa, Bader M. Alahmad
  • Patent number: 11821280
    Abstract: A remote locking system for a blowout preventer (BOP) includes a locking mechanism configured to move to adjust the remote locking system between an unlocked configuration in which the remote locking system enables movement of a ram of the BOP and a locked configuration in which the remote locking system blocks movement of the ram of the BOP. The remote locking system also includes a gear assembly coupled to the locking mechanism, a motor coupled to the gear assembly, and an electronic controller configured to provide a control signal to activate the motor to drive the locking mechanism to move via the gear assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sebastien Poveda, Jean-Luc Pujol, Nathaniel Pettibone
  • Patent number: 11814926
    Abstract: An assembly and a method of setting a plug in a borehole. The assembly includes a first lock, a second lock axially separated from the first lock. The plug is located between the first lock and the second lock. A bore of the assembly passes through the first lock, the second lock and the plug. A ball is dropped through the bore and activates the first lock and the second lock to allow the plug to rotate into a set configuration in the borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Andres Sosa
  • Patent number: 11808104
    Abstract: A pressure energised seal for a wellhead, in particular, provides a seal of an annulus between an inner wellhead casing member and an outer wellhead casing member. The wellhead incorporates a clamping arrangement whereby the outer member is arranged to be deflected radially inwardly in order to grip and secure the inner member within the bore of the outer member. Also, a seal for use in such a clamping arrangement. In particular, the seal includes a sealing lip which locates within a groove provided in the outer clamping surface of the inner member. A seal is activated and created as the outer member is clamped inwardly since this causes the outer member to compress the inner member and to reduce the diameter of the inner member. Also, a well and a method of sealing an annulus in a well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Plexus Holdings, PLC
    Inventors: Craig Francis Bryce Hendrie, Bernard Herman Van Bilderbeek, Brent Harrald
  • Patent number: 11788375
    Abstract: A backup ring includes a plurality of segments defined by a plurality of slots, wherein each segment is defined by a sequential pair of the plurality of slots, and a resilient matrix material that at least partially fills each slot of the plurality of slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Robert Matthew Graham
  • Patent number: 11788356
    Abstract: A downhole motor or pump assembly that includes a housing that includes a metal. A stator that includes an elastomer compound with an uncured plasticizer is secured and sealed within the housing using an adhesive system that includes an adhesive and a dried film thickness of 2.5 mil to 7 mil. The assembly also includes a rotor rotatable within the stator. The motor or pump is operable by rotation of the rotor within the stator. In the case of a motor assembly, the motor assembly may be part of a drilling assembly that includes a drillstring and a drill bit to drill a borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Byong Jun Kim, Reece Goldsberry
  • Patent number: 11788410
    Abstract: A method for managing a sequestration fluid including sequestering a fluid in a subsurface formation downhole of a caprock and downhole of a seal in a borehole, targeting a sample of formation fluid in the borehole uphole of the caprock and uphole of the seal in the borehole. A sequestration system including a borehole in a formation, the borehole extending downhole of a caprock, a string disposed in the borehole, a seal between the string and a wall of the borehole uphole of the caprock, and a port in the string uphole of the seal and the caprock, the port having access to a portion of the formation uphole of the caprock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Gabriel Casanova
  • Patent number: 11773670
    Abstract: A control mechanism of a core drilling rig includes a central rod (14) and an outer barrel (23). The central rod (14) passes through, from the rear to the front, the inner cavities of a fluid channel activation module, an outer barrel unlocking module, a flow diverging module, and a coring barrel connecting module. The coring barrel connecting module comprises a core tube connecting pipe (62), a core ring bearing (63), a bearing inner ring (64), a ball A (6211) and a ball B (6411). The core tube connecting pipe (62) is connected at the front side thereof to the coring barrel (65). The bearing inner ring (64) is inside the core tube connecting pipe (62). The core ring bearing (63) is connected to an inner wall of the outer barrel (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignees: SHENZHEN UNIVERSITY, SICHUAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Mingzhong Gao, Heping Xie, Ling Chen, Jun Guo, Zhilong Zhang, Zetian Zhang, Ru Zhang, Yiqiang Lu, Cong Li, Zhiqiang He
  • Patent number: 11773672
    Abstract: A system and method set a liner hanger in a borehole by actuating a hydraulic setting mechanism on the hanger to engage slips in the borehole. A setting tool runs the hanger into position. A reserve volume of the tool holds a clean fluid separate from the borehole. A piston of the tool has a tool volume for the fluid. During run in, pressure in the tool volume is balanced to hydrostatic pressure by drawing actuation fluid from the reserve volume to the tool volume through a check valve. To set the hanger, a plug is engaged on a seat in the tool, tubing pressure is applied behind the engaged plug, and the seat is unlocked. With more applied pressure, the piston moves, reduces the tool volume, and intensifies pressure of the clean fluid communicated to the hanger's setting mechanism. Over-pressure can be handled by a venting valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Frank D. Kalb, Eric D. Alonzo, Alexey Petrenko
  • Patent number: 11767718
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide systems and methods for minimizing deceleration of downhole tools when the downhole tools are pumped down into wellbores through drill pipe in an untethered manner. For example, embodiments described herein include a hydraulic downhole tool deceleration system that includes a hydraulic decelerator configured to be affixed to a downhole tool string pumped down through drill pipe during operation. The hydraulic decelerator is configured to contact a hard shoulder while traveling through the drill pipe, and to limit an initial magnitude of deceleration of the downhole tool string caused at the initial moment of contact of the hydraulic decelerator against the hard shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Julien Toniolo, Simon Mattias Flander
  • Patent number: 11753904
    Abstract: A valve includes a body having a wall including an outer surface, an inner surface defining a passage, an opening extending from the passage through the outer surface. The outer surface includes a recess. A valve sleeve is arranged in the passage and is selectively positioned over the opening. A valve actuator module is detachably mounted in the recess. The valve actuator module includes a housing having an inlet fluidically exposed to the passage, an outlet fluidically exposed to the valve sleeve, and a valve member arranged between the inlet and the outlet. The valve member includes an actuator delay mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Taylor Broussard
  • Patent number: 11746600
    Abstract: A drill bit comprises a first and a second body received within the first body. Each of the first body and second body has a respective crown, each crown having an inner and an outer operative circumference. The outer operative circumference of the second body and the inner operative circumference of the first body can define a first volume that can receive a tubular core sample. The second body can define a break surface that breaks the tubular core sample into core pieces. The drill bit can be employed in a borehole with a reverse circulation system that pumps fluid around an outer surface of the bit, and returning fluid can carry the core pieces out of the borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: LONGYEAR TM, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher L. Drenth, Andrew Robert Corona
  • Patent number: 11739603
    Abstract: A core detection device of a coring instrument includes a base body and a core switch mechanism provided on the base body. The base body is provided with a core channel communicated with a core barrel. The core switch mechanism includes a detection portion, a connecting rod assembly and a travel switch which are sequentially arranged and connected along a length direction of the coring instrument. The detection portion is rotatably installed on the base body and one end thereof is extended into the core channel, so that a core passing through the core channel pushes the detection portion to rotate. The connecting rod assembly can be pulled by the rotating detection portion to trigger the travel switch to operate. The core switch mechanism adopts a slider-connecting rod structure, and the kinematic pairs are mainly a sliding pair and a rotating pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignees: China National Offshore Oil Corporation, China Oilfield Services Limited
    Inventors: Zhibin Tian, Lin Huang, Zanqing Wei, Shusheng Guo, Yongren Feng, Xingfang Wu, Tiemin Liu, Yong Jiang, Bin Gao, Peng Sun, Shiwei Zong, Jianyong Zhang, Aijun Zhang