Patents Examined by Nicole Coy
  • Patent number: 11549342
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include gravel pack assemblies, method to bypass a fluid restrictor during gravel packing operations, and methods to control fluid flow during and after gravel packing operations. In one embodiment, a gravel pack assembly including a flow restrictor that is coupled to a downhole string that is deployed in a borehole is disclosed. The flow restrictor forms a first fluid passageway from the borehole to an internal cavity of the string. The gravel pack assembly includes a fluid bypass portion having a first chamber, a sealing member inserted into the first chamber; and an actuation assembly operable to actuate the sealing member. The fluid bypass portion forms a second fluid passageway from the borehole to the internal cavity of the downhole string prior to actuation of the actuation assembly. After actuation of the actuation assembly, fluid flow through the second fluid passageway is restricted by the sealing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Michael Greci, Michael Linley Fripp, Caleb Thomas Warren
  • Patent number: 11542773
    Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system for inserting and securing a high pressure transition tube of a fluid transfer tool assembly into a positive position whereby the seal element is packed off in the wellhead set point. Once attached the transition tube is pushed to contact the bit guide, secondary seal or bore machine prep. A lower nose compression seal is seated against transition tube and compressed using an energizer seal to isolate and protect lower pressure wellhead and well control equipment from the higher rated frack pressures or pushing the transition tube and lower nose isolation compression seal to contact the bit guide, secondary seal or bore prep. Pressure is applied to push a seal against the lower and upper compression ring locking them in place preventing movement to form a compression seal and isolating the high pressure passing through the transition tube protecting the wellhead assembly and well control equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Inventor: Don Atencio
  • Patent number: 11542796
    Abstract: Provided herein, is magnetic catch assembly that may be utilized with and/or incorporated into lubricator of a wellhead. The magnetic catch assembly permits maintaining a plunger within the lubricator without requiring any moving mechanical components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: PCS FERGUSON, INC.
    Inventors: Paul T. Roberts, Christopher A. Velasquez
  • Patent number: 11525311
    Abstract: A system and method for hydraulic isolation of a downhole powered system. The system and method include a sliding sleeve, venting assemblies with venting ports, and check valves associated with a vent body, and an isolation sleeve, isolation valve, and integral packer for controlling fluid flow through the motor and pump assembly of the powered system. Also disclosed is a wet connect mandrel modified to receive the isolation sleeve, the isolation sleeve preferably capable of permitting the passage of tools therethrough and capable of preventing fluid through the inlet of the mandrel. The mandrel may also be outfitted with a built in sliding sleeve. The sleeves, valves and packer can be actuated mechanically, hydraulically or electrically. Electrical actuation can be facilitated using the power from an adjacent wet connect mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: ACCESSESP UK LIMITED
    Inventors: Dwayne Leismer, Rogelio Cantu
  • Patent number: 11525310
    Abstract: A method of assembling an optical fiber cable on production casing includes positioning the optical fiber cable against a production casing at a hole of a well site, and affixing the optical fiber cable against the production casing by applying an adhesive to the production casing to secure the optical fiber cable against the production casing. The method further includes applying pressure to the adhesive to adhesively bond the optical fiber cable to the production casing along a length of the production casing while the production casing is being run-in-hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Vandellyn Park, Mikko Jaaskelainen
  • Patent number: 11519248
    Abstract: Gas and liquid velocities of fluid in a lift gas assisted well system are estimated by adding liquid and gas tracers downhole and monitoring their travel time over a known distance. Based on estimated velocities, a slip factor is obtained that represents relative velocities of the gas and liquid in the fluid. A flow regime of the fluid is identified based on the slip factor. The flow regime is optionally altered by adjusting one or more operational parameters of the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: SILVERWELL TECHNOLOGY LTD.
    Inventor: Joel David Shaw
  • Patent number: 11512561
    Abstract: A junction for use in a multilateral completion system is presented. The junction comprises a metal sealant applicable to a lateral component of the multilateral completion system. The metal sealant is expanding in response to hydrolysis and after activation forms a seal and an anchor with a well casing or tubing of the multilateral completion system. The metal sealant is expanding in response to one of an alkaline earth metal hydrolysis and a transition metal hydrolysis. More specifically, the metal sealant is expanding in response to one of magnesium hydrolysis, aluminum hydrolysis, calcium hydrolysis, and calcium oxide hydrolysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Linley Fripp, Mark C. Glaser, Stephen Michael Greci
  • Patent number: 11505996
    Abstract: A system and a method are for positioning a drilling rig arranged to drill in a ground. The system has a positioning jig including at least one coupling portion; a drilling rig including at least two coupling portions; and at least two anchoring elements including an upper coupling portion and a lower coupling portion. The lower coupling portion of the anchoring element is arranged to be releasably fixed to the ground. The upper coupling portion of the anchoring element is arranged to be connected to the coupling portion of the positioning jig and to the coupling portion of the drilling rig, so that the upper coupling portion of the anchoring element can optionally be connected to the positioning jig or the drilling rig.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Comrod AS
    Inventor: Ole Gunnar Fjelde
  • Patent number: 11506018
    Abstract: Control valves can allow a well operator to steer a drill string. An exemplary control valve can include a valve body with an axial bore and a radial orifice in fluid communication with the axial bore, wherein flow passing through the axial bore passes through the radial orifice and into a piston flow channel to be in fluid communication with a piston bore to exert pressure against a piston movable within the piston bore, the piston being coupled a steering pad for applying force against the wellbore wall. A rotary valve element is disposed within the axial bore and including an actuation flow channel, wherein the rotary valve element is rotatable with respect to the axial bore to change flow through the actuation channel and the radial orifice to modify fluid pressure within the piston flow channel that is exerted against the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Olumide O. Odegbami
  • Patent number: 11492851
    Abstract: A hybrid drill bit includes both fixed cutting elements and an adjustable cutting structure thereon. An adjustment mechanism is provided to allow an axial position of cutting elements at a leading end of the adjustable cutting structure to be adjusted with respect to an axial position of the fixed cutting elements. The adjustable cutting structure may include counter rotational cutting members mounted obliquely with respect to a bit body rotational axis, and the adjustment mechanism may dynamically support the adjustable cutting structure such that the axial position of the cutting elements may be adjusted as the drill bit is in operation within a wellbore. The axial position may be adjusted by altering a weight applied to the drill bit within the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Christopher Grosz
  • Patent number: 11473372
    Abstract: A method performed during a run-in-hole process for a casing section includes applying pressure to a cable against an outer portion of the casing section. Additionally, the method includes ultrasonic welding the cable to the outer portion of the casing section while the pressure is applied to the cable against the outer portion of the casing section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Mikko Jaaskelainen
  • Patent number: 11466556
    Abstract: A system and method for stall recovery of mud motors may be implemented in a steering control system. The stall recovery system and method may involve automatic detection of a stall of a mud motor during drilling controlled by the steering control system, and may respond to the stall in a rapid and controlled manner to avoid or minimize damage to the mud motor, such as by immediately reducing mud pressure and stopping rotary drilling, if used, faster than a typical human operator could perform. The stall recovery system and method may farther take actions to automatically restart drilling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: HELMERICH & PAYNE, INC.
    Inventors: Fergus Hopwood, Christopher Robert Novosad
  • Patent number: 11459871
    Abstract: Tagging bottom utilizing an automated control system and downhole tools may include determining, by a computer processor, that a drill bit has reached a predetermined distance from a bottom of a wellbore, in response to determining that the bit has reached the predetermined depth, transmitting a rate of penetration set point to reduce a lowering speed of the drill bit, directing the drill bit based on the rate of penetration, determining, by the computer processor, that the rate of penetration is stable, in response to the determining that the rate of penetration has stabilized, automatically taring a surface weight on the drill bit and a differential pressure, and in response to determining that the bit is within a predetermined off bottom range, monitoring for a true bottom based on one or more parameter triggers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: Ryan J. Hanford, Christopher P. Mullin, Benjamin Facker, Cole Wong, Francisco Ocegueda-Hernandez
  • Patent number: 11441373
    Abstract: A tool for use within a subterranean well extending from a wellhead to a subterranean location, wherein the wellhead resides at a first temperature and the subterranean well increases in temperature in a direction from the wellhead to the subterranean location, increasing from the first temperature to a higher second temperature, includes a component including a meltable material. The meltable material is configured to have a solid first state while the meltable material is at the first temperature. The meltable material in the first state has one or more mechanical properties sufficient to avoid mechanical failure of the component and is configured to have a second state when the meltable material is at the second temperature. The meltable material in the second state is lacking the one or more mechanical properties necessary to avoid mechanical failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Expro Americas, LLC
    Inventor: Kerry G. Daly
  • Patent number: 11441390
    Abstract: Systems and methods include a computer-implemented method for performing an advanced control policy for a group of wells. Choke settings are applied to one or more control elements of each well in a group of wells. Rig control settings are applied to the group of wells. The rig control settings define, for each rule in a set of rules: a rule count limiting a number of times a rule is to be executed in a simulation run and a rule frequency identifying a time frequency by which the rule is to be executed during the simulation run. Settings are received for targets and constraints for the group of wells. The simulation run is executed for the group of wells using the choking settings, the rig control settings, and the settings for of the targets and constraints for the group of wells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Ghazi Dhafer AlQahtani, Shahid Manzoor, Hisham Salem, Tareq Shaalan, Zhen Chen
  • Patent number: 11434726
    Abstract: Self-winding power generating device, system, and method are disclosed. The device includes a mechanical winding knob for receiving mechanical energy from a downhole environment, a gear train including a plurality of gears engaged with each other, wherein a first gear in the gear train is operatively connected to the mechanical winding knob, and configured to receive mechanical energy from the mechanical winding knob and transfer the mechanical energy to a second gear in the gear train, a spiral spring attached to one of the gears in the gear train, the spiral spring configured to self-wind and store the mechanical energy upon receiving the mechanical energy from the first gear, and a power generation unit configured to receive the mechanical energy from a last of the plurality of gears and convert the mechanical energy into electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Chinthaka Pasan Gooneratne, Bodong Li
  • Patent number: 11414981
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject technology relate to a sensor container for a downhole tool. The sensor container can be mountable in a receiver space on a carrier that is insertable into a wellbore. The sensor container can comprise a container body having a receiving space to which a shock-sensitive sensor is couplable. Further, the sensor container can comprise a shock absorber positioned at a lateral side thereof. The shock absorber can be configured to buffer shock forces and vibration forces acting thereupon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian David Breaux
  • Patent number: 11414935
    Abstract: An intervention system is provided. The intervention system comprises a cable being configured to be lowered into a wellbore, said cable having an inner tube enclosing one or more electrical conductors, and an outer tube surrounding the inner tube. The intervention system further comprises a downhole tool being connected to a distal end of the cable and being configured to pull the cable into the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Welltec A/S
    Inventor: Carsten Nesgaard
  • Patent number: 11414961
    Abstract: A well cleaning tool includes a positioning device configured to control a position of the well cleaning tool within a well, a rotatable brush assembly configured to scrape a wall of the well, a capture device configured to catch debris dislodged from the wall by the rotatable brush assembly, and a fluid delivery assembly configured to deliver a cleaning fluid to the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Inventors: Mustafa A. Al-Huwaider, Shouxiang Mark Ma, Nader H. Hwety
  • Patent number: 11401785
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of natural gas production, and discloses a well structure for natural gas hydrate production, which comprises: a natural gas production well (12); an injection well (4) capable of extending into a geothermal reservoir and injecting a heat-carrying fluid; a curved connecting well (7), the inlet end of the curved connecting well (7) is connected to the outlet end of the injection well (4); a hydrate production horizontal well (10), which may be arranged in a shallow hydrate reservoir (9), the curved connecting well (7) and the hydrate production horizontal well (10) are connected by an ascending well section (8). With the above technical scheme, the high curvature connected well connecting the horizontal well and the vertical well can be located in the bottom layer below the hydrate reservoir, enhancing the stability and production efficiency of the gas hydrate production well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignees: CHINA UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM (EAST CHINA), SELSKAPET GUDME STAD AS, CIMC OFFSHORE ENGINEERING RESEARCH INSTITUTE CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Baojiang Sun, Ove Tobias Gudmestad, Xuefeng Li, Dahui Liu, Litao Chen