Patents Examined by Tara Schimpf
  • Patent number: 11891888
    Abstract: A measurement tool may be positioned downhole in a wellbore for measuring formation properties and drilling mud properties during a drilling operation. The measurement tool may include a body and an antenna. The body may include magnets for generating a magnetic field and a transmitter for transmitting a radiofrequency pulse. The antenna may be positioned proximate to the body to measure properties using nuclear magnetic resonant frequencies. The antenna may measure formation properties in a first volume of a formation using a first frequency. The antenna may measure drilling mud properties in a second volume in a borehole using a second frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Songhua Chen, Rebecca Jachmann
  • Patent number: 11891878
    Abstract: A downhole temporary pressure isolation tool configured to withstand very high gas pressures at high temperatures may be achieved by a variety of configurations, processes, and techniques. In particular implementations, a barrier valve having one or more frangible discs configured to resist fluid flow in a particular specified duration. In some implementations, the barrier valve may achieve a V0 rating. In one embodiment, for example, a barrier valve may prevent the passage of fluid (i.e., gas and/or liquid) at 15,000 psi and a temperature of 400 degrees F. for at least 15 minutes. If the barrier valve has two frangible ceramic discs, it may prevent the passage of fluid from two directions for at least 15 minutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: NINE DOWNHOLE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: W. Lynn Frazier, Steven Bailey, Ronald Abt
  • Patent number: 11885215
    Abstract: Provided is a gauge mandrel, a sensing system, and a well system. The gauge mandrel, in one aspect, includes a tubular having a length (Lt), an internal diameter (Di) and a width (W), the internal diameter (Di) and the width (W) defining a sidewall thickness (t), the tubular defining a primary fluid passageway. The gauge mandrel, in accordance with this aspect, further includes a gauge cavity extending along at least a portion of the length (Lt) of the tubular and located entirely within the sidewall thickness (t), the gauge cavity having an insertion end configured to accept a gauge sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Louis Francis Lafleur
  • Patent number: 11873686
    Abstract: A downhole tool has a main body that is cylindrical and includes a top coupling that couples to a drill string. A second body that is cylindrical is positioned at least partially within the main body. The second body has a bottom coupling that couples to a drill bit. Springs are positioned within the downhole tool and transmit an axial force to the drill bit. A first set of grooves is formed on an interior of the main body, and a second set of grooves is formed on an exterior of the second body. Balls travel within the first and second sets of grooves. At least some of the balls simultaneously engage the main body and the second body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: GENERAL DOWNHOLE TOOLS, LTD.
    Inventors: Michael Harvey, David Devlin, Jovan Vrcar
  • Patent number: 11866906
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hollow boring auger for use for poles, including a first and second mounting part moveably connected, one to the other, to substantially encircle the pole. A first and second auger part are also included, correspondingly attachable to the first and second mounting part, to substantially encircle the pole, A rotation apparatus associated with the mounting parts and the auger parts is included such that in use the auger parts can be rotated about the pole to bore a hollow trench about the pole. The invention also relates to a method of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Inventor: Eric Alan Falkenhagen
  • Patent number: 11867016
    Abstract: A downhole robotic fishing tool includes a main body configured to be positioned in a wellbore and an intermediate body connected to a downhole end of the main body by an upper articulating joint. A robotic hand is connected to a downhole end of the intermediate body by a lower articulating joint. The robotic hand is configurable between an open configuration and a closed configuration and includes a palm, a robotic thumb and a robotic finger attached at their respective proximal ends to the palm in opposition. When in the closed configuration, the distal ends of the thumb and finger are within a grasp center area centered on a center point defined by an intersection of a grasping axis and an opposition axis of the robotic hand. A camera is positioned on the palm that has an optical axis that intersects the grasp center area proximate the center point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Fuad A. AlSultan, Ahmed J. AlSultan, Abdulrahman Mishkhes
  • Patent number: 11852004
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for controlling the operation of an industrial machine (e.g., a drill) based on a determined attribute of a pipe. A sensor is configured to generate an output signal related to a characteristic of the pipe. The characteristic of the pipe can be the presence or absence of a pipe, a weight of the pipe, etc. A controller receives the output signal from the sensor and determines an attribute of the pipe based on the output signal from the sensor. In some embodiments, the attribute of the pipe is a wall thickness of the pipe. In some embodiments, the controller determines the wall thickness of the pipe based on a difference between an initial weight for the pipe and a current or present weight of the pipe. In some embodiments, the controller determines the wall thickness of the pipe based on a difference between an initial diameter of the pipe and a current or present diameter of the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Joy Global Surface Mining Inc
    Inventor: Samuel Haworth
  • Patent number: 11851951
    Abstract: A system and method for evaluating a wellbore involves drawing fluid from a surrounding formation into an isolated portion of the wellbore, collecting the fluid in the isolated portion, and directing the sampled fluid to surge tanks on surface through a string of coiled tubing. The system and method includes measuring fluid properties, such as density and viscosity; and observing fluid flow characteristics, such as the fluid pressure, the fluid flowrate, and changes in the fluid flowrate. Based on the measured fluid properties and observed characteristics a determination is made if the wellbore is a candidate for a drill stem test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Bandar Al-Malki, Mohammed Al-Atigue, Asim Al-Khuwayr
  • Patent number: 11840905
    Abstract: A method of closing a stage tool in a wellbore includes releasing a closing tube into the wellbore; attaching the closing tube to the stage tool; and expanding the closing tube, thereby closing a port of the stage tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Stephanie Dianne Wind, James Frederick Wilkin, Douglas Brian Farley
  • Patent number: 11834944
    Abstract: An electronics module or “puck” is positioned in a recess formed in the outer surface of a downhole tool. The puck body includes a flange segment having a first outer diameter, and an adjacent seal-engaging segment having an outer diameter that is less than the outer diameter of the flange segment. An annular seal is disposed about the seal-engaging segment and seals between the puck and the perimeter wall of the recess. A cover ring is disposed over an intermediate segment of the puck body, capturing the seal between the cover and the flange segment. A retainer ring is employed to selectively engage and disengage the perimeter wall of the recess, retaining the puck, seal and covering ring in the recess. A method for installation and removal of the puck is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: Aaron Schen, Jacob Riddel
  • Patent number: 11828136
    Abstract: In artificial lift production systems, a reduction in pressure and temperature as production fluids migrate to the surface can cause a buildup in the production tubing that reduces or stops production. To remove buildup, an ESP can be operated at low efficiency and low flow operating conditions to generate heat in the pump. The heat increases the temperature of the production fluid in the pump. When the heated production fluid is transported to the surface, the fluid increases the temperature of the production tubing resulting in a melting of the solidified wax blocking the production tubing. As the wax melts, the production fluid carries it toward the surface. Over time, the heated production fluid will melt enough solidified wax to open the production tubing to a full flow capacity, thus allowing standard production operation to continue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Charles De Long, Donn J. Brown, Ketankumar Kantilal Sheth
  • Patent number: 11828170
    Abstract: There are described devices and methods for use, for example, with signaling in a well, e.g. using a well structure of the well. Such signaling may include the communication of power and/or data signals. The devices and methods used may assist with efficient and/or effective communication of such signals. In some examples, there is described deployable devices and methods, e.g. a deployable device for signaling contact in a well, and methods associated therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: EXPRO NORTH SEA LIMITED
    Inventors: David Robert Elliott, Stephen James Beale, Thomas Lempriere Searight, Christopher Lambert
  • Patent number: 11828139
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing power to devices at a well site employ a linear alternator to generate power at a well site. The linear alternator is mounted on a pump at the well site and uses the up-and-down motion of the pump to generate power. The pump may be a nodding donkey head pump or other sucker rod pump mechanisms that operate based on linear vertical motion. The linear vertical motion drives a linear rotor back and forth through a linear stator to induce current in the linear alternator. This allows the linear alternator to convert a portion of the mechanical work performed by the pump into electrical energy that can be supplied to the devices. In some embodiments, the pump-mounted linear alternator can be equipped with a position sensor to directly measure a vertical position of the pump as the alternator travels up and down with the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Systems USA, Inc.
    Inventors: James Redmond, Zackery Sobin
  • Patent number: 11828154
    Abstract: A system includes a cyclonic separator that separates a first production fluid into a lighter phase and a heavier phase and a pipe that transports the lighter phase from a first exit of the cyclonic separator to an annulus. The pipe includes an inlet fluidly connected to the cyclonic separator, a first outlet fluidly connected to the annulus, and a second outlet fluidly connected to the annulus. The system also includes a low pressure recombination zone that reintroduces the lighter phase to the heavier phase, thereby forming a second production fluid. The low pressure recombination zone transports the second production fluid to a well exit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Rayan A. Alrabaei, Musa Alnafisah, Mohammed Noui-Mehidi, Mohammed H. Alkhaldi
  • Patent number: 11814935
    Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for increasing accuracy of firing perforating charges in an oil well casing. In one implementation, a body of an orientation device has a first portion and a second portion. An opening extends through a center of the body from a first lateral surface to a second lateral surface, and the opening is configured to receive a perforating gun string. An outer perimeter surface extends about the center of the body from the first lateral surface to the second lateral surface. The outer perimeter surface has a first shape associated with the first portion and a second shape associated with the second portion. The second shape forms a base portion configured to maintain the perforating gun string in an orientation by preventing rotation of the perforating gun string. The orientation corresponds to a predetermined perforating charge direction of the perforating gun string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Jesse J. Constantine, Robert Hand, Neal Adams
  • Patent number: 11814951
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining properties of fluid flowing into a well includes an inflow channel providing a path for fluid to a pipe, a heater arranged to heat at least part of the fluid in the inflow channel, and a temperature sensor arranged to measure the temperature of the fluid in the inflow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: STATOIL PETROLEUM AS
    Inventors: Robert Aasheim, Dominik Andreas Breu, Frank Møller Nielsen, Bjarne Bugten, Kjetil Johannessen, Einar Skavland Idsø, Lisbeth Vold
  • Patent number: 11814933
    Abstract: A method for actuation of a downhole device includes rotating a drill pipe relative to a cylindrical pipe disposed coaxially within the drill pipe. First segments including a first material are disposed on the inner surface of the drill pipe. Second segments including a degradable material are disposed on the outer surface of the cylindrical pipe, with each of the second segments aligned with a corresponding first segment. The first material and the degradable material are insoluble in the downhole fluid, and a solubility of the degradable material in a solvent is greater than a solubility of the first material in the solvent. The method includes generating a first electrical signal pattern during rotation of the drill pipe; introducing the solvent into the drill pipe, in which the degradable material degrades responsive to introduction of the solvent; and generating a second electrical signal pattern after introduction of the solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Jothibasu Ramasamy, Chinthaka Pasan Gooneratne, Jianhui Xu
  • Patent number: 11808151
    Abstract: A flow collar for use on a dual rod drill rod assembly includes an uphole end defined in part by a first interior portion having a first interior diameter and a downhole end defined in part by a second interior portion having a second interior diameter that is larger than the first interior diameter. The flow collar further includes a plurality of radially-extending peripheral fluid passages extending through the flow collar to the second interior portion. An outer rod interfacing surface defines a continuous annular surface with a constant outer diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Michael D. Langenfeld, Jacob Richard Smith
  • Patent number: 11802478
    Abstract: A distributed acoustic system (DAS) may include an interrogator that includes two or more lasers, a pulser module disposed after and connected to each of the two or more lasers, a wavelength division multiplexer (WDM), wherein each of the pulser modules are connected to the WDM as inputs, and a downhole fiber attached to the WDM as an output and wherein the downhole fiber includes at least one sensing fiber. A method for increasing a sampling frequency may include identifying a length of a downhole fiber connected to an interrogator, generating and launching a light pulse from each of the two or more lasers the pulser module, and delaying an output from the pulser module into the downhole fiber by k N seconds, where k is a pulse repetition interval of the pulser module and N is equal to the two or more lasers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Ellmauthaler, John Laureto Maida, Jr., Glenn Andrew Wilson
  • Patent number: 11802480
    Abstract: An example method for determining downhole conditions in a subterranean formation during a drilling operation may include introducing non-formation gas into a flow of drilling fluid through a fluid conduit in fluid communication with a drill string disposed within a borehole in the subterranean operation. The non-formation gas may be received from the flow of drilling fluid through a return line in fluid communication with the borehole. A downhole condition may be determined based, at least in part, on the received non-formation gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: W. V. Andrew Graves, Mathew D. Rowe