Patents Examined by Steven A Macdonald
  • Patent number: 11255145
    Abstract: A rigid chain actuator (201) including a tool body (203) having a bore (204) with a chain (206) at least partially disposed in a housing (211) coupled to the tool body. Additionally, the rigid chain actuator includes a chain extension/retraction mechanism to extend the chain from the housing into the bore and recoil the chain from the bore into the housing. Furthermore, the chain may translate a force onto at least one wellbore tool through the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Simen Christian Florus Rønne, Josué Vasconcelos Monteiro, Jr., Lincoln Facundo, H. Brian Skeels, Ole Eddie Karlsen, Luis Felipe, Vidar Sten-Halvorsen
  • Patent number: 11255157
    Abstract: A chemical injection valve can include a valve stem, flow between sections of a flow passage being prevented and permitted in respective closed and open positions of the valve stem, a resilient primary seal that prevents flow through an annular gap surrounding the valve stem in the closed position, and a bypass passage in communication with the annular gap and a flow passage section, and in communication with another flow passage section in the open position. A chemical injection system can include a chemical treatment pumped through a chemical injection valve and into an interior of a tubular string, and the chemical injection valve including a valve stem and a bypass passage extending between a flow passage section and an annulus surrounding the valve stem, the annulus being positioned longitudinally between a resilient primary seal and a metal secondary seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Zlatko X. Salihbegovic, Lance Racca, Donald M. King
  • Patent number: 11255139
    Abstract: Sealing/locking rod safety clamp systems and components are provided. In some embodiments, the systems can comprise a locking rod clamp, a lockable drive motor shaft, and locking shaft rams. Methods of use of sealing/locking rod safety clamp systems and components are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: RISUN OILFLOW SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventor: Andrew Wright
  • Patent number: 11236592
    Abstract: A valve system for use in a wellbore, comprising a side pocket mandrel having a main bore for alignment with a wellbore tubular and a laterally offset side pocket bore separated from the main bore by an internal wall, the laterally offset side pocket bore comprising a first receptacle for a first device and a second receptacle for a second device, the internal wall having an opening through which each of the first device and the second device is independently retrievable. There is also provided a side pocket mandrel, a hydrocarbon well and a method of operating a hydrocarbon well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY COMPANY AS
    Inventor: Kristian Korbøl Josefsen
  • Patent number: 11236597
    Abstract: System and methods for customizing fracturing fluids downhole for real-time optimization of micro-fracturing operations are provided. Downhole operating conditions are monitored during a micro-fracturing operation along a portion of a wellbore within a subterranean formation, based on downhole measurements collected by sensors of a downhole formation tester. Injection parameters for a fracturing fluid to be injected from a bulk storage chamber of the downhole formation tester into the subterranean formation are determined based on the downhole operating conditions. Signals for customizing the fracturing fluid using one or more fluid additives stored within corresponding fluid storage chambers of the downhole formation tester are transmitted to a controller of the downhole formation tester, based on the injection parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Syed Muhammad Farrukh Hamza, Anthony Van Zuilekom, Loan Vo, Dipti Singh
  • Patent number: 11230920
    Abstract: A technique facilitates detection of tubing leaks. The technique provides early detection of tubing leaks based on downhole sensing in a borehole, e.g. a wellbore. For example, a downhole sensor or sensors may be positioned to obtain downhole measurements of desired parameters, such as flowing pressure and flow rate. The downhole sensing may be used to identify departures from baseline parameters. Monitoring of those departures enables early detection of tubing leaks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Inventor: Lawrence Camilleri
  • Patent number: 11230905
    Abstract: A downhole apparatus comprises a casing string with a removable plug therein to block flow therethrough. A flow barrier is positioned in the casing below the removable plug and the removable plug and the flow barrier define a buoyancy chamber therebetween. A debris barrier positioned above the removable plug has a plurality of fragments interspersed in a stretchable material and includes a frangible disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Lonnie Carl Helms, Min Mark Yuan, Mayur Narain Ahuja, Ishwar Dilip Patil, Byong Jun Kim, Rajesh Parameshwaraiah
  • Patent number: 11208869
    Abstract: Provided is a packer plug. The packer plug, in this example, may include an engagement member having a no go feature configured to engage a no go shoulder of an associated packer assembly. The packer plug, in the example, further includes a nose cone having one or more nose cone openings coupled proximate a downhole end of the engagement member, and a check valve coupled proximate the engagement member. The check valve, engagement member, and nose cone, in this example, create a fluid path between a lower end and an upper end of the packer plug. Further to this example, the check valve is configured to allow downhole fluid to pass uphole through the fluid path as the packer plug is being pushed downhole, but substantially prevent uphole fluid from passing downhole through the fluid path as the packer plug is being pulled uphole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Owen Roane, Antonio Rosas, Zheng Guan
  • Patent number: 11208873
    Abstract: A switch sub adapter configured to connect a switch sub to a perforating gun assembly. The switch sub adapter includes a tubular body having first threads that connect to the switch sub and second threads that connect to the perforating gun assembly; a first internal chamber formed at a first end of the adapter; a second internal chamber formed at a second end of the adapter; a conduit connecting the first internal chamber to the second internal chamber; and a dart having a tip located in the conduit and a base part located in the second internal chamber. The dart is formed from a compliant material that deforms in response to pressure resulting from detonation of charges associated with the perforating gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Bakken Ball Retrieval LLC
    Inventor: Shelby Lee Sullivan
  • Patent number: 11209558
    Abstract: Method for characterizing subterranean formation is described. One method involves injecting a fluid into an active well of the subterranean formation at a pressure sufficient to induce one or more hydraulic fractures. Measuring, via a pressure sensor, a poroelastic pressure response caused by inducing of the one or more hydraulic fractures. The pressure sensor is in at least partial hydraulic isolation with the one or more hydraulic fractures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventor: Nicolas Patrick Roussel
  • Patent number: 11208865
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a downhole straddle assembly for straddling over a zone downhole in a well, the straddle assembly comprising a plurality of tubular sections mounted end to end in succession to form one tubular pipe having a first end tubular section forming a first open end of the tubular pipe, and a second end tubular section forming a second open end of the tubular pipe, said tubular pipe having an outer diameter, wherein the tubular section mounted to the first end tubular section is a first expandable metal sleeve being more pliant than the first end tubular section, and the tubular section mounted with the second end tubular section is a second expandable metal sleeve being more pliant than the second end tubular section. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a downhole straddle system for straddling over a zone downhole in a well and to a downhole straddle method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: WELLTEC OILFIELD SOLUTIONS AG
    Inventor: Paul Hazel
  • Patent number: 11199071
    Abstract: A buoyancy assist tool has an outer case with a rupture disk assembly connected therein. The buoyancy assist tool defines the upper end of a buoyancy chamber in a well casing. A sleeve in the outer case traps the rupture disk membrane after it has ruptured to provide full bore flow through the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Lonnie Carl Helms, Kevin Wendell Ardoin, Stephen Allen Yeldell, Julio Alberto Cornejo, Frank Vinicio Acosta, Saul Emmanuel Vazquez Niebla, Rafael Hernandez
  • Patent number: 11199064
    Abstract: Embodiments of a debris catcher and a debris catching system are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a debris catching system comprises a plug and a debris catcher, the debris catcher including at least a debris catching sleeve, a running tool coupled to the debris catching sleeve, the running tool including an uphole end and a downhole end, and further wherein the uphole end of the running tool is configured to slide to engage a downhole end of the debris catching sleeve and form a collection base of the debris catcher; and a coupling rod attached to the uphole end of the running tool, the coupling rod configured to engage a downhole setting device; wherein the plug is removably coupled with the downhole end of the running tool during downhole deployment of the debris catching system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Winfred Cajiles, Paul Gregory James, Julie Dawn Taylor, Ronald George Taylor
  • Patent number: 11193359
    Abstract: Herein are provided tools and processes for extracting oil from subterranean formation. The processes can include lightening the oil in the formation prior to extraction by the addition of a nanogas solution. The tools include injectors for the formation of the nanogas solution within the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: NANOGAS TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey K Hardin, Scott A Fiedler
  • Patent number: 11180966
    Abstract: A sub with internal components that are configured to shift, wherein a plurality of subs may be run in hole with the same inner diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Vertice Oil Tools Inc.
    Inventors: Mohamed Ibrahim Saraya, Alex Goodwin
  • Patent number: 11174693
    Abstract: A downhole assembly is disclosed. The downhole assembly includes a tube disposed in a wellbore, and a shroud coupled to and disposed around the circumference of the tube to form an annulus between an inner surface of the shroud and an outer surface of the tube. The downhole assembly further includes a flow control device disposed in the annulus, and a degradable plug disposed in the annulus and positioned to prevent fluid flow between the annulus and the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Linley Fripp, John Charles Gano, Jean Marc Lopez
  • Patent number: 11168534
    Abstract: A well bridge plug assembly includes a sub body to be positioned in a well, the sub body including an internal fluid pathway extending from a downhole end of the sub body to an uphole end of the sub body. The sub body flows well fluid through the internal fluid pathway in an uphole direction from the downhole end toward the uphole end. A plug nose positioned at the downhole end of the sub body includes an aperture fluidly connected to the internal fluid pathway of the sub body. A flapper element in the internal fluid pathway moves between an open position and a closed position to selectively seal the internal fluid pathway from fluid flow, and a sealing element circumscribing a portion of the sub body selectively seals against a wall of a wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignees: Saudi Arabian Oil Company, Interwell Norway AS
    Inventors: Ibrahim Mohamed El-Zefzafy, Abdullah Ali Al-Ghamdi, Mohammed Al-Suliman, Kay Ivan Steinsheim Rovik
  • Patent number: 11168541
    Abstract: A screen assembly includes a pipe forming a first passageway and a first plurality of passageways extending between internal and external surfaces of the pipe to define a first portion of the pipe; a tubular disposed about the first portion, wherein the tubular forms a second passageway and a second plurality of passageways extending between external and internal surfaces of the tubular; and a housing concentrically disposed about the tubular to form a chamber that is between the tubular and the housing and that is in fluid communication with a screen jacket exit. When in a first configuration, dissolvable plugs are accommodated within the second plurality of passageways to fluidically isolate the external surface of the tubular from the first passageway. When in the second configuration, the screen jacket exit is in fluid communication with the first passageway via the chamber and the first and second plurality of passageways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Brian Scott
  • Patent number: 11162306
    Abstract: A wet mate connection can include two connector assemblies, each connector assembly including at least one connector and a protective barrier displaceable between closed and open positions, and one connector assembly including an engagement device that displaces the protective barrier of the other connector assembly from the closed position to the open position in response to engagement between the connector assemblies. A method of making a connection between lines in a well can include installing a connector assembly, then installing another connector assembly, each connector assembly including a connector and an alignment profile, then axially compressing the connector assemblies, thereby opening protective barriers for the respective connectors, operatively connecting the connectors, and engaging the alignment profiles, thereby maintaining rotational alignment of the connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Tore Simonsen, Tore Grødem
  • Patent number: 11149511
    Abstract: A running tool assembly for installing a seal assembly in a wellhead housing includes a mandrel configured to couple with a conveyance string and including a central passage, a first piston slidably disposed about the mandrel and configured to releasably couple with the seal assembly, and a second piston slidably disposed in the central passage of the mandrel and including an annular seal that sealingly engages an inner surface of the central passage, wherein, when the running tool assembly is disposed in the wellhead housing, the second piston is configured to set an axially settable component in response to a pressurization of the central passage of the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert Cridland, Gavin Robottom