Patents Examined by Steven MacDonald
  • 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
  • Patent number: 11136869
    Abstract: The positions of hydraulic fractures may be detected during multistage reservoir stimulation operations. Fracturing fluid is injected into a well at a pressure above the fracturing pressure to produce at least one hydraulic fracture. Then, a marker slug is injected into the well. Next, additional fracturing fluid is injected into the well. When the marker slug enters at least one of the hydraulic fractures, a detectable pressure response is observed, and the position of a hydraulic fracture may be detected from the volume of fracturing fluid injected after injection of the marker slug. The marker slug is a fluid that has a viscosity and/or density that is different from the fracturing fluids injected before and after the marker slug. This technique may be combined with other well operations, such as plugging at least one hydraulic fracture or creating at least one new hydraulic fracture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Sergey Vladimirovich Semenov, Anatoly Vladimirovich Medvedev, Fedor Nikolaevich Litvinets
  • Patent number: 11125038
    Abstract: A method and system of validating orientation of a core obtained by drilling the core from a subsurface body of material, the method including: a) determining that vibration from drilling is below a nominated level, b) recording data relating to orientation of the core to be retrieved, the data recorded using a downhole core orientation data recording device, c) separating the core from the subsurface body, and d) obtaining from the core orientation data recording device an indication of the orientation of the core based on the recorded data obtained when the vibration from drilling was below the nominated level and before the core was separated from the subsurface body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Globaltech Corporation Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Khaled Hejleh, Gordon Stewart, Brett James Wilkinson, Michael Alan Klass, Johan Anwar
  • Patent number: 11111752
    Abstract: A downhole tool including a body having a hydraulic fluid chamber, and a flexible multi-layer barrier impermeable to gas and water mounted at the body separating the hydraulic fluid chamber from fluids external to the body. The flexible multi-layer barrier including a first elastomeric layer, a second elastomeric layer, and a gas impermeable layer arranged between the first elastomeric layer and the second elastomeric layer, the gas impermeable layer being formed from a metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Karsten Fuhst, Volker Peters, Christian Preiser, Nils Schneider, Ingo Roders, Natalja Wendt, Sebastian Jung, Thomas Kruspe
  • Patent number: 11111738
    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: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ibrahim El Mallawany, Lorenzzo B. Minassa, Henry P. Lindner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11091959
    Abstract: A downhole oscillation tool includes a Moineau-type positive displacement pulse motor and a valve assembly for use in a drill string. The pulse motor includes a rotor configured to nutate within the bore of a stator. The rotor has at least two helical lobes that extend the length of the rotor, and the stator bore defines at least three helical lobes that extend the length of the stator. The valve assembly includes a first valve plate connected to the bottom end of the rotor and abuts the second valve plate to form a sliding seal. The second valve plate is fixedly coupled to the stator and remains stationary. First valve ports extend axially through the first valve plate, and second valve ports extend axially through the second valve plate. The first valve ports and second valve ports intermittently overlap as the first valve plate slides across the second valve plate to create pulses in the drilling fluid which is pumped through the tool to power the motor and valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: REME TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Alan Sicilian, Faraz Ali, Avinash Cuddapah
  • Patent number: 11085278
    Abstract: A flow transported obturating tool for actuating a valve in a wellbore includes a housing including a first engagement member and a second engagement member, wherein the first and second engagement members each include an unlocked and a locked position, and a core disposed in the housing, wherein the core is configured to actuate both the first engagement member and the second engagement member between the unlocked and locked positions, wherein, when the first engagement member is in the locked position, the first engagement member is configured to locate the obturating tool at a predetermined axial position in the valve, wherein, when the second engagement member is in the locked position, the second engagement member is configured to shift the valve from an open position to a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: ABD Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Neil H. Akkerman, John A. Barton
  • Patent number: 11078771
    Abstract: Methods are provided for determining the location and height of cement in a subterranean borehole region using pulsed neutron capture (PNC) logging tools. The methods include obtaining a pre-cementing data set, placing in the borehole region a cement slurry that includes a liquid a thermal neutron absorbing material, obtaining a post-cementing data set, comparing the pre-cementing data set and the post-cementing data set to determine the location of the cement, and correlating the location of the cement to a depth measurement of the borehole to determine the location and height of the cement placed in the borehole region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Xiaogang Han, Harry D. Smith, Jr., Robert Duenckel, Jeremy Zhang
  • Patent number: 11078745
    Abstract: There is provided a plurality of injection stations, wherein each one of the injection stations, independently, comprising: a housing; a port extending through the housing; a flow control member configured for displacement for effecting at least opening of the port such that, when the injection station is integrated within a wellbore string that is disposed within a wellbore of a subterranean formation, and treatment fluid is being supplied through a wellbore string passage of the wellbore string, injection of the supplied treatment fluid into the subterranean formation is effected through the port; and a deployable seat, mounted to the housing, and including an aperture, and configured such that, when the seat is deployed in a deployed position, the seat is configured for receiving a respective plug for seating of the respective plug over the aperture of the seat; such that a plurality of plugs are respective to the injection stations, wherein each one of the plugs is respective to a deployable seat of a one
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: NCS Multistage Inc.
    Inventors: Don Getzlaf, Tim Johnson, Brock Gillis
  • Patent number: 11066885
    Abstract: A fluid-actuated lock pin securing wellhead devices within a wellhead assembly comprising a radial cylindrical passage in a wellhead assembly accepting a movable lock pin having an internal retainer limiting the lock pin protrusion into a wellbore, an external retainer preventing the lock pin from externally exiting the passage, and a fluid cavity, the lock pin with a seal preventing fluid from escaping from the wellbore, a fluid, a fluid pump applying pressure directly to the lock pin, a pressure control retaining the fluid pressure to maintain the lock pin in position, and a pin retractor to disengage the lock pin from the wellbore whereby the apparatus is configured to apply pressure directly to the lock pin displacing the lock pin inside in the well head assembly and extending into the wellbore to engage internal wellhead devices and hold fixedly in place, until the pressure is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Inventor: Michael D. Scott
  • Patent number: 11060385
    Abstract: An artificial lift system including a tubular extending into a wellbore. The tubular includes a first end arranged at a surface of a formation, a second end terminating in the wellbore, and an intermediate portion. The intermediate portion includes a plurality of gas lift valves. A jet pump is fluidically connected to the second end of the tubular. A liquid supply conduit includes a terminal end arranged at the first end of the tubular and a gas supply conduit includes a terminal end portion arranged at the first end of the tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy Daniel VanDam, Brian Reeves
  • Patent number: 11053773
    Abstract: A system (10) delivers of a flowable substance S to a remote location through a conduit (144). The system (10) has a body 12 with first and second portions (14,16) and at least two plugs (P1, P2) associated with the body (12) so that in a first configuration the plugs (P1, P2) are spaced apart and form a sealed region (20) for holding a volume of the substance S, and, in a second configuration at least the second plug (P2) is disposed in the second portion wherein the substance S can flow in a downstream direction past or through the second plug and out of the body (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Australian Mud Company Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Andrew Beach, Justin Bergh, Scott Sholer, Gavin McLeod