Patents Examined by Steven A Macdonald
  • Expansion chamber
    Patent number: 10920501
    Abstract: An expansion chamber for use on a tubular includes a shell that is configured to be attached to the tubular by a bonding material, the shell having a port configured to receive the bonding material therethrough and into a cavity of the shell. The expansion chamber also includes a tube unit configured to be placed in the cavity of the shell, the tube unit having a tube with a port that is in fluid communication with the port of the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: INNOVEX DOWNHOLE SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: David E. Y. Levie, Richard Ronald Baynham
  • Downhole anchor
    Patent number: 10920510
    Abstract: An anchoring apparatus (110) for use in a wellbore, comprises at least one movable wall engaging member (120) for engaging a wall of a wellbore, wherein the at least one movable wall engaging member (120) is movable from a retracted position to an expanded position to engage the wall, and from the expanded position to a retracted position to disengage the wall. Provision of one or more wall engaging members (120) being movable from an expanded position to a retracted position allows the anchoring apparatus to be retrieved from the wellbore, and in particular, from an open hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD U.K. LIMITED
    Inventors: Philip C G Egleton, Stephen Reid
  • Pressure response fracture port tool for use in hydraulic fracturing applications
    Patent number: 10920528
    Abstract: A pressure response fracture port tool and method for its use reliably provides a noticeable indication at surface to an operator as to when the flow port is opened. The tool includes an outer housing and a sliding sleeve which resides within the outer housing. The outer housing has a first and second set of flow ports. The inner mandrel moves between a first position and a third position to expose the flow ports to the wellbore. The first set of flow ports, with its smaller area relative to the second set of flow ports, creates a noticeable pressure increase or spike that can be observed at surface when exposed to the wellbore. The second set of flow ports creates a noticeable pressure drop when it is exposed to the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Watson Well Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Roger Watson, Nevin Dahl
  • Flow control devices in SW-SAGD
    Patent number: 10920545
    Abstract: A particularly effective well configuration that can be used for single well steam assisted gravity drainage (SW-SAGD) wherein steam flashing through production slots is prevented by including passive inflow control devices (ICDs) or active interval control valves in the completion. A thermal packer separates the injection and production segments of a horizontal well having a toe and a heel, and the ICDs can be evenly spaced or can decrease towards the heel. The cumulative steam to oil ratio (CSOR) of the SW-SAGD well is thus lowered, as compared to the same well without passive flow control devices or active interval control valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Wheeler, David A. Brown
  • Dual device apparatus and methods usable in well drilling and other operations
    Patent number: 10920505
    Abstract: A trailer-mounted drilling rig incorporates a dual top drive apparatus and a plurality of lifting assemblies useable for decreasing connection time of pipe segments useable during well drilling or other well operations, and methods of connecting pipe segments useable during well drilling or other operations. The plurality of lifting assemblies operatively connected to the dual top drive apparatus and a first lifting assembly is capable of moving a first top drive vertically inline with a wellbore while a second lifting assembly is capable of independently moving a second top drive vertically out of alignment with the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: RAPTOR RIG LTD.
    Inventor: Reginald Waye Layden
  • Real-time bottom-hole flow measurements for hydraulic fracturing with a doppler sensor in bridge plug using DAS communication
    Patent number: 10920580
    Abstract: A system and method for obtaining real time down hole flow measurements and proppant concentrations between perforations and/or perforation clusters during hydraulic fracturing in multistage stimulated wells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman R. Warpinski, Mikko Jaaskelainen, Kenneth James Smith, Brian Park
  • Apparatus and method for cutting casings
    Patent number: 10808481
    Abstract: A tool for cutting a tubular includes a housing, a first blade having a first cutting surface, and a second blade having a second cutting surface. The first blade and the second blade are configured to move between an extended position and a retracted position. The first blade and the second blade are disposed in the housing in the retracted position. The first cutting surface and the second cutting surface overlap in the retracted position. In another embodiment, a tool for cutting a tubular in a wellbore, includes a housing having a longitudinal axis; a pin connected to the housing and disposed on a first side of the longitudinal axis; and a blade including a cutting surface, the blade configured to move between an extended position and a retracted position about the pin, wherein the cutting surface is disposed at least in part on a second side of the longitudinal axis in the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: William Allen Schultz, Jr.
  • Differential pressure actuation tool and method of use
    Patent number: 10794135
    Abstract: An improved downhole tool for use in wellbores. In some embodiments, the tool has a first position wherein fluids entering the tool can exit via two or more flow passages, and a second position wherein some of the two or more flow passages are blocked such that fluids in the tool exit via the remaining unblocked flow passages. In other embodiments, the tool has a first position wherein fluids entering the tool are directed to some of the two or more flow passages, and a second position wherein fluids entering the tool are directed to the remaining flow passages. The tool is transitionable between the first and second positions by alternately ceasing or decreasing fluid flow to the tool and introducing or increasing fluid flow to the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Inventor: Charles Abernethy Anderson
  • Protective shrouds for sand control screen assemblies
    Patent number: 10781672
    Abstract: A sand control screen assembly having a protective shroud or jacket that provides a controlled offset between the shroud and a filter medium. The sand control screen assembly also includes a base pipe having a drainage layer positioned therearound for preventing the flow of particulate material of a predetermined size therethrough and allowing the flow of production fluids therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Antonio Lazo, Namhyo Kim
  • Downhole tool with assembly for determining seal integrity
    Patent number: 10774614
    Abstract: A downhole well device for positioning within a well having a fluid, comprising an outer casing comprising a port, an inner casing at least partially located within the outer casing, seals between the inner casing and the outer casing, a rupture disk located in the port, a substance located in a space between the rupture disk and the inner casing, wherein the substance is exothermically reactive with the fluid, and a sensor configured to detect an exothermic reaction within the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul D. Ringgenberg
  • Protective shrouds for sand control screen assemblies
    Patent number: 10767449
    Abstract: A sand control screen assembly having a protective shroud or jacket that provides a controlled offset between the shroud and a filter medium. The sand control screen assembly also includes a base pipe having a drainage layer positioned therearound for preventing the flow of particulate material of a predetermined size therethrough and allowing the flow of production fluids therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Antonio Lazo, Namhyo Kim
  • Rotor catch assembly
    Patent number: 10760352
    Abstract: A catch assembly is provided for a downhole motor assembly of a drilling system. The catch assembly may include a catch basket that may be coupled to a saver sub. The saver sub may be coupled to a stator tube housing a rotor of a downhole motor. The rotor knob may be coupled to the rotor and include a flange that may be positioned in the catch basket. The flange may be positioned uphole of an internal shoulder of the catch basket. Subsequent to a connection failure in or near the stator tube, the flange may engage the internal shoulder of the catch basket to prevent the rotor from falling downhole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: John Keith Savage
  • Lock ring segments biased into locked position while retained in position with an exterior profile
    Patent number: 10760363
    Abstract: Ratchet locking segments permit one direction relative movement and then prevent reverse movement to hold a set position of a tool. The segments are axially supported in a surrounding housing using an exterior profile on each segment meshing with a conforming profile on the outer housing. The meshing is loose to allow the segments the ability to move radially while supported axially. Biasing of opposed ratcheting segments toward each other is provided by a spring or springs at opposed axial ends of each segment or within the exterior profile between the axial ends. The end biasing can be done with coiled springs or bent tabs that store potential energy when assembled or with wave springs between the segment outer profile and a surrounding outer housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Andy Tom, Christopher R. Hern, Frank J. Maenza, Mahmoud Marzouk, Jeffrey C. Williams
  • Intelligent pressure control devices and methods of use thereof
    Patent number: 10753169
    Abstract: A pressure control device may include a body having a central axis extending therefrom; at least one rotatable seal within the body, the rotatable seal configured to seal against a tubular extending through the pressure control device along the central axis and rotate within the body with the tubular; at least one coil within the body wrapped at least once around the central axis, wherein the at least one coil is configured to send characteristics of the tubular to a controller; an outlet to divert fluid from an annulus, wherein the outlet being located axially below the at least one rotatable seal, wherein the controller is configured to control the at least one rotatable seal and its engagement against the tubular based on the characteristics of the tubular received by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Babak Bob Arefi, Shunfeng Zheng, Jacques Orban, Vishwanathan Parmeshwar, Dursun Sedat Kilic, Ray Cummins
  • Advanced inground operations, system and associated apparatus
    Patent number: 10738592
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods are described for purposes of initiating a response to detection of an adverse operational condition involving a system including a drill rig and an inground tool. The response can be based on an uphole sensed parameter in combination with a downhole sensed parameter. The adverse operational condition can involve cross-bore detection, frac-out detection, excessive downhole pressure, a plugged jet indication and drill string key-holing detection. A communication system includes an inground communication link that allows bidirectional communication between a walkover detector and the drill rig via the inground tool. Monitoring of inground tool depth and/or lateral movement can be performed using techniques that approach integrated values. Bit force based auto-carving is described in the context of an automated procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Merlin Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert W. Chau, Benjamin John Medeiros, Craig Caswell
  • Dynamic sensing of the top of cement (TOC) during cementing of a well casing in a well bore
    Patent number: 10738590
    Abstract: A well casing is cemented in a well bore in a subterranean formation by pumping cement slurry down into the well casing so that the cement slurry flows up into an annulus surrounding the well casing. While pumping the cement slurry, the position of the top of the cement slurry in the annulus is sensed, and the rise of the sensed position of the top of the cement slurry in the annulus is recorded as a function of time. The recording is analyzed to evaluate the cement job. For example, the analysis may indicate a problem addressed by adjusting a cement plan for a future cement job, and the analysis may indicate a need to repair a location of the set cement by perforating the well casing at the location to be repaired, and pumping cement slurry down the well casing to fill the location to be repaired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC.
    Inventors: Krishna M. Ravi, Mark W. Roberson, Scott Goodwin
  • Drill bits with stick-slip resistance
    Patent number: 10738537
    Abstract: A drill bit includes a bit body and one or more cutters positioned on the bit body at select locations. At least one vibrational device is positioned on the bit body to impart vibration to the bit body and thereby mitigate stick-slip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Robello Samuel, Mark Evans Williams
  • Reduced trip well system for multilateral wells
    Patent number: 10731417
    Abstract: A method includes conveying a washover whipstock coupled to an orienting latch anchor into a parent wellbore lined with casing and securing the orienting latch anchor to the casing. A washover tool couples to and removes the washover whipstock from the parent wellbore, and thereby exposes a releasable orienting coupling of the orienting latch anchor. A workover whipstock coupled to a junction isolation tool is then conveyed into the parent wellbore and the workover whipstock is coupled to the orienting latch anchor at the releasable orienting coupling. The junction isolation tool is separated from the workover whipstock and advanced into the lateral wellbore, following which the junction isolation tool is retracted back into the parent wellbore to be re-attached to the workover whipstock to remove the workover whipstock from the parent wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Srinivasa Prasanna Vemuri, Matthew Bradley Stokes
  • Releasable connection mechanism for use within a well
    Patent number: 10704339
    Abstract: A releasable connection mechanism for use downhole with a tubular member includes a collet, a collet stop, and a ring housing. The collet is configured to engage the tubular member, the collet stop is axially movable with respect to the collet between a disengaged position to not engage the collet and an engaged position to engage the collet, and the ring housing is selectively axially movable with respect to the collet. In the disengaged position, the collet is configured to move with respect to the ring housing to engage the ring housing and prevent the collet from disengaging the tubular member when the collet is tensioned with respect to the tubular member. In the engaged position, the collet is configured to remain axially stationary with respect to the ring housing and disengage the tubular member when the collet is tensioned with respect to the tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ibrahim El Mallawany, Lorenzzo B. Minassa, Henry P. Lindner, Jr.
  • Automated wash systems for a progressing cavity pump system
    Patent number: 10689963
    Abstract: An automated wash system for use with a progressing cavity (PC) pump system. The automated wash system includes a wash fluid source and a wash valve. The wash valve is in fluid communication with the wash fluid source and an annulus of a well casing of the PC pump system and is operably coupled to the controller. Upon receipt of a command to initiate a wash cycle, the controller opens the wash valve to enable wash fluid to be directed into the annulus and increases a speed of a PC pump of the PC pump system to effect cleaning of the well casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: BRISTOL, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas Matthew Mills