Patents Examined by Steven MacDonald
  • Patent number: 12209463
    Abstract: An apparatus, which is for connecting a first tubular and a second tubular in a downhole environment, includes a first component having a first component uphole end and a first component downhole end. The first component uphole end includes an uphole connection configured to connect to the first tubular. The apparatus includes a second component having a second component uphole end and a second component downhole end. The second component uphole end includes an extending portion and the second component downhole end includes a downhole connection configured to connect to the second tubular. The apparatus includes a weak point connection releasably connecting the first component downhole end to the second component uphole end. The weak point connection is releasable by applying uphole force on the first tubular, and the extending portion of the second component is exposed uphole by release of the weak point connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Oscar David Bautista Sayago, Suliman M. Azzouni
  • Patent number: 12209474
    Abstract: A lubricator for a well system comprises at least one piston and at least one piston plug. The at least one piston is axially slidable within the lubricator along a lubricator axis. The at least one piston comprises a piston alignment contour of a surface of the at least one piston. The at least one piston plug is configured to limit an extent of axial displacement of the at least one piston, and comprises a piston plug alignment contour of a surface of the piston plug. The piston alignment contour and the piston plug alignment contour are configured to mate and automatically circumferentially align the at least one piston and the at least one piston plug about the axis upon travel of the at least one piston along the axis toward the at least one piston plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: HESHKA OIL
    Inventor: Malcolm Perschke
  • Patent number: 12209477
    Abstract: A casing pressure test tool assembly includes a well extending from a top end to a downhole end, the well having a receptacle; a wireline tool to run into the well; a casing test plug positioned downhole of the wireline tool, the casing test plug having a plug body extending from a first end to a second end; and a wireline setting tool adapter connecting the wireline setting tool and the casing test plug; the casing test plug releases from the wireline setting tool upon application of a separation force between the wireline setting tool adapter and the plug body; the casing test plug seals within the receptacle of the well; and the casing test plug, once sealed within the receptacle, allows for casing pressure testing operations of the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2024
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Inventors: Daniel Lee Schmidt, Todd Anthony Stair, Chris Champeaux
  • Patent number: 12188333
    Abstract: Provided is a frac window system, a well system, and a method. The frac window system, in at least one aspect, includes an elongated tubular having a first end and a second end with an opening defined in a wall of the elongated tubular between the first end and the second end, the wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the opening in the wall is configured to align with a window of a first wellbore casing, and a spacer window sleeve positioned within the elongated tubular, the spacer window sleeve including a tubular having a first tubular end and a second tubular end with a second opening defined in a second wall of the tubular between the first tubular end and the second tubular end, the second wall having a second inner surface and a second outer surface, wherein the second opening in the second wall is configured to at least partially align with the opening in the wall of the elongated tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: David Joe Steele
  • Patent number: 12173573
    Abstract: Provided, in one aspect, is an anchoring subassembly, a well system, and a method. The anchoring subassembly, in one aspect, includes a mandrel, and an isolation element positioned about the mandrel, the isolation element configured to move between a radially retracted state, a fully radially expanded state, and a relaxed radially expanded state. The anchoring subassembly, in one aspect, further includes a ratch latch body coupled to the isolation element, the ratch latch body configured to hold the isolation element in the fully radially expanded state, and a relief feature coupled to the ratch latch body, the relief feature configured to shear to release stored energy in the isolation element and thereby allow the isolation element to move from the fully radially expanded state to the relaxed radially expanded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Aihua Liang, Wesley P. Dietz, Alireza Yazdanshenas
  • Patent number: 12173575
    Abstract: The purpose of the invention is to provide in situ treatment and flow diversion of contaminated groundwater without the need for an external energy source. The primary means by which contaminated groundwater is treated in situ within a subsurface environment is through the use of the use of the modular SubflowRx and interrelated components that work together or independently to control groundwater flow outside the system as well as diverting contaminated groundwater inside the system for extended treatment. The present disclosure provides embodiments, examples, and advantages of how the components work to achieve this common purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: Alexander Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: W. Joseph Alexander
  • Patent number: 12173572
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a ballast that is configured to couple to an untethered downhole tool. The ballast includes a composite material. The composite material includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes metallic particles. The first portion is configured to, while the ballast is coupled to the untethered downhole tool, provide weight to the untethered downhole tool to lower the untethered downhole tool into a well formed in a subterranean formation. The second portion includes a polymer matrix. The metallic particles of the first portion are distributed throughout the polymer matrix of the second portion. The second portion is configured to dissolve in response to being exposed to downhole fluid within the well at specified downhole conditions, thereby releasing the metallic particles of the first portions from the polymer matrix that has dissolved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Huseyin Rahmi Seren, Max Deffenbaugh, Mohamed Larbi Zeghlache
  • Patent number: 12173574
    Abstract: A wellbore tubular flotation device comprises a housing having a locking element disposed thereon. The housing is shaped to move through an interior of a wellbore tubular segment. The locking element is shaped to engage the interior of the wellbore tubular segment. The locking element comprises a locking mechanism configured to urge the locking element into contact with the interior of the wellbore tubular. A burst disk is engaged with the housing and is shaped to close the tubular segment to fluid flow. A release mechanism is configured to reverse the urging of the locking mechanism when a release tool is moved through the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: Deep Casing Tools, Ltd.
    Inventors: David John Stephenson, Tomasz Jozef Walerianczyk
  • Patent number: 12173580
    Abstract: A well tool performs an operation in an oil/gas well. The well tool is insertable into a bore including a guide groove in an inner surface of the bore. The well tool includes: a mandrel having a longitudinal direction and a radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction; and an orientation system for longitudinal and rotational orientation of the well tool with respect to the bore. The well tool further includes an outer housing arranged radially outside the mandrel. The orientation system includes: a radial opening provided in the outer housing; a finger sleeve including a longitudinally extending resilient finger with a distal part and a proximal part connected to the finger sleeve. The finger sleeve is arranged radially between the mandrel and the outer housing. The distal part includes a first wedge-shaped portion and a second wedge-shaped portion both extending in the outwards radial direction and tapering away from each other in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: Interwell Norway AS
    Inventor: Petter Thorrud Larsen
  • Patent number: 12168930
    Abstract: A short radius drilling tool and a trajectory-controllable lateral drilling tool and method, including a lateral drilling section with high passing ability and a power transmission section, wherein the lateral drilling section with high passing ability can drill the extension well section of a short to ultra-short radius well section that extends laterally from a main wellbore. The designed trajectory-controllable lateral drilling tool allows a wellbore to be subjected to directional drilling with a short to ultra-short radius from a tail end or any position of the original wellbore trajectory, and then implements lateral extension drilling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Inventor: Xiaoyue Wan
  • Patent number: 12163405
    Abstract: An apparatus configured to be positioned on a tubular string in a wellbore formed in a subsurface formation. The apparatus comprises a generator assembly disposed on the tubular string and configured to output power to a downhole tool. The generator assembly includes a first generator configured to output a first power to the downhole tool. The generator includes a second generator configured to function as an exciter for the first generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan W. McChesney, Gregory T. Werkheiser, Gordon McLeary
  • Patent number: 12146378
    Abstract: A method of dispensing a plug can include deploying the plug into a tubular string including a plug dispenser tool, and applying a pressure differential across the plug, thereby discharging the plug into an annulus surrounding the plug dispenser tool. A plug dispenser tool can include an outer housing having a plug discharge port that provides fluid communication between an exterior of the outer housing and a flow passage extending longitudinally through the plug dispenser tool, and a piston slidably disposed in the outer housing between a closed position in which the piston blocks fluid flow through the plug discharge port, and an open position in which fluid flow through the plug discharge port is permitted. A system can include a plug dispenser tool configured to discharge the plug into an annulus surrounding the plug dispenser tool in response to a predetermined pressure differential applied across the plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: THRU TUBING SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: James C. Tucker, Roger L. Schultz, Brett A. Fears, Gary P. Funkhouser
  • Patent number: 12146375
    Abstract: An apparatus with a straddle packer for use within a wellbore. The straddle packer can include a tubular body comprising a first bore and a second bore and a first sealing element configured to seal against an inner surface of a casing installed within the wellbore. A second sealing element configured to seal against the inner surface of the casing, and the second bore can be located between the first sealing element and the second sealing element. An obstruction disposed in association with the tubular body, wherein the obstruction is movable between a first position in which the obstruction opens the second bore and a second position in which the obstruction closes the second bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Chatelet, Jean-Christophe Auchere, Dominique Sabina, Christophe Michaud, Fabio Cecconi
  • Patent number: 12139982
    Abstract: Methods and an apparatuses are for determining at least one property of a wellbore fluid system. A measurement apparatus having one or more pipe sections is provided, a drilling fluid is communicated through the pipe section, at least one density which is associated with at least one condition of pressure and temperature of the drilling fluid in the pipe section is measured, and the density of the drilling fluid is measured to determine the property of the wellbore fluid system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Norce Innovation AS
    Inventor: Eric Cayeux
  • Patent number: 12139975
    Abstract: A system, such as a bottom hole assembly, having a central body (18), at least one hydrostatically-actuatable assembly (50) configured to extend radially outward from the central body (18), the hydrostatically-actuatable assembly (50) having at least one N piston body (76) exposed to hydrostatic pressure; a plurality of passive structures (54), each of which is: configured to extend radially outward from the central body (18); and circumferentially spaced from the at least one hydrostatically-actuatable assembly (50) and another one of the plurality of passive structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: D-TECH UK LTD
    Inventor: Christian Menger
  • Patent number: 12134967
    Abstract: A gyroscope assembly is maintained in a park position during drilling activities. In the park position, a sensitive axis of a gyroscope in the gyroscope assembly is perpendicular or approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of a downhole tool. Maintaining the park position during drilling activities reduces the drift bias caused by overloading the input signal of the gyroscope due to rotation of the downhole tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Makito Katayama, Julien Steimetz, Joffroy Dominique Daniel Urbain, Zainab Orooq
  • Patent number: 12134945
    Abstract: A frangible disk sub including a housing, a break mechanism disposed in the housing a carrier movably disposed in the housing, a frangible disk supported by the carrier and movable with the carrier into contact with the break mechanism, and a release mechanism restraining movement of the carrier until a threshold load is exceeded. A method for rupturing a frangible disk including exceeding a threshold load with on the sub, releasing the release mechanism, moving the carrier and the frangible disk toward and into contact with the break mechanism, and rupturing the frangible disk with the break mechanism. A borehole system including a borehole in a subsurface formation, a string in the borehole, and a frangible disk sub disposed within or as a part of the string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Brandon Decuir, Donavan Brown, Nicholas S. Conner, Edward J. Kossa, Frank Maenza
  • Patent number: 12129725
    Abstract: A clamp for a line including a body, and a control line contact surface, the clamp being responsive to a selected input to facilitate displacement of the line. An expandable tool including a component having a first dimension prior to activation and a second dimension after activation, a control line disposed adjacent the component, and a clamp initially securing the control line, the clamp comprising at least one of 1) a fastener and 2) a body, at least a portion of either of which being responsive to a selected input to facilitate displacement of the control line. A method for deploying a tool with a control line including securing the control line to the tool, reacting the at least a portion of the clamp to the input, and displacing the control line. A borehole system including a borehole in a formation, and an expandable tool disposed in the borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Aaron C. Hammer, John Wakefield
  • Patent number: 12123276
    Abstract: A method for improving sealing in boreholes includes temperature controlling seals to maintain sealing loading by managing temperature of the seal to a target temperature range. A borehole system includes a borehole in a subsurface formation, a string in the borehole, a seal tool in contact with the string and temperature controller within or in thermal proximity to the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Ewing, Guijun Deng, Anil Sadana, Anton Kovalchuk, Ping Duan, Jason Harper
  • Patent number: 12110776
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating of gas from liquids in a wellbore, the apparatus enabling the receiving of wellbore fluids into two or more production separation chambers, operating in parallel. The apparatus further enabling the receiving of production separation chamber fluids into a production pipe through a thief jet port disposed in a lower chamber beneath the production separation chambers. The apparatus further enabling extraction of bottom hole gas fluids in the wellbore from under the two or more production separation chambers and disposing the gas fluids back into the wellbore above the two or more production separation chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: MODICUM, LLC
    Inventor: Gary V. Marshall