Patents Examined by William Neuder
  • Completion of lateral well bores
    Patent number: 7069996
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the completion of lateral well bores and provides a method comprising the steps of installing a datum device in a main well bore so as to provide a datum height above the lateral: making a completion string (10) comprising a lateral lining (11), a window element (14) at an upper end of the lining (11), a swivel joint (15) located between the lining (11) and the window element (14), and a datum device engaging member (21) located above the window element (14); running the completion through the main well bore and into the lateral; rotating the window element (14) to place the window at a desired angular position; and running the completion string home to engage the datum device engaging member (21) with the datum device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce McGarian
  • Method and apparatus for monitoring and recording of the operating condition of a downhole drill bit during drilling operations
    Patent number: 7066280
    Abstract: An improved drill bit for use in drilling operations in a wellbore comprising a bit body including a plurality of bit legs, each supporting a rolling cone cutter, a lubrication system for a rolling cone cutter, at least one lubrication sensor for monitoring at least one condition of said lubricant during drilling operations, and an electronics member in the bit body for recording data obtained form said lubrication sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Eric Charles Sullivan, Theodore Edward Zaleski, Jr., Scott Ray Schmidt, Don Quy Nguyen, Glenn R. Zadrapa, Timothy K. Marvel, Daniel E. Ruff
  • Cementing manifold assembly
    Patent number: 7066249
    Abstract: Apparatus for cementing a string of tubulars in a borehole comprises an enclosure having a bore therethrough, an axially fixed sphere canister having a sphere aperture therethrough, a sphere valve member having a valve body disposed internally of said bore, and a sphere disposed in said sphere aperture, wherein said sphere valve member has a hold position closing said sphere aperture and a drop position opening said sphere aperture to release said sphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Simson
  • Expanded downhole screen systems and method
    Patent number: 7066271
    Abstract: An improved system and method is disclosed for expanding a fluid permeable tubular downhole in an open hole completion. A high quality borehole is first drilled using a bottomhole assembly having a long gauge bit and a short bit-to-bend ratio. A fluid-permeable tubular is then inserted into an open-hole portion of the wellbore and preferably expanded in place. The expandable tubular may include an external filtering medium. Hydrocarbons may pass from the formation through the expanded fluid permeable tubular and into the borehole, to be recovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: ChenKang David Chen, Daniel David Gleitman, M. Vikram Rao
  • Apparatus and method for installation of subsea well completion systems
    Patent number: 7063157
    Abstract: A method for installing a subsea completion system comprises installing a conductor housing on the sea floor, landing a wellhead in the conductor housing, securing a BOP to the wellhead, landing a casing hanger in the wellhead through the BOP, connecting a tubing hanger to a THRT, landing the tubing hanger in the wellhead or the casing hanger through the BOP, installing a wireline plug in the tubing hanger production bore through the THRT, retrieving the THRT, retrieving the BOP, securing an ROSL to the christmas tree, landing the christmas tree on the wellhead, and retrieving the wireline plug from the tubing hanger production bore using the ROSL.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher D. Bartlett
  • Model HCCV hydrostatic closed circulation valve
    Patent number: 7063152
    Abstract: Devices and methods for methods for cleaning of excess cement from a production assembly as well as from the annulus surrounding the production assembly. A hydrostatic closed circulation valve (HCCV) assembly is described that is primarily actuatable between open and closed positions by varying hydraulic pressure in the flowbore of the production assembly. The valve assembly is useful for selectively circulating working fluid into the annulus from the flowbore of the production assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Joseph C. H. Yeo, Anthony J. Orchard, Keith E. Lewis, Christopher L. Weaver
  • Multi-layer deformable composite construction for use in a subterranean well
    Patent number: 7063163
    Abstract: A multi-layer deformable composite construction. In a described embodiment, a method of expanding a structure in a wellbore includes the steps of: positioning the structure in an unexpanded configuration in the wellbore, the structure including a wall made up of multiple layers; expanding the structure to an expanded configuration while permitting relative displacement between the layers; and then preventing relative displacement between the layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Steele, John C. Gano
  • Automatic drilling system
    Patent number: 7059427
    Abstract: An automatic drilling system is disclosed which includes an electric servo motor operatively coupled to a winch brake control, a servo controller operatively coupled to the servo motor, and a drum position encoder rotationally coupled to a winch drum. The controller is adapted to operate the servo motor in response to measurements of position made by the encoder so that a selected rate of rotation of the drum is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Noble Drilling Services Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Power, Gerhard P. Glaser
  • Drilling assembly and method
    Patent number: 7059429
    Abstract: The present invention provides a drilling assembly and method that is especially useful for a bottom hole drilling assembly for drilling a borehole through an earth formation. In one embodiment, the drilling assembly is preferably comprised of a tungsten alloy which is sufficiently plastic to be able to withstand the bending, torsional, and compressive stresses which occur in a bottom hole drilling assembly. The tungsten alloy weight section may be axially moveable with respect to an outer tubular and when mounted within the bottom hole assembly, acts to place the outer tubular in tension to provide a stiffer bottom hole assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Strataloc Technology Products, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce L. Taylor, Richard A. Nichols, Larry G. Palmer, Marvin Gregory
  • System and method for treating wells
    Patent number: 7055606
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for utilizing both a wellbore completion and a formation treatment system. The formation treatment system comprises a bypass that directs well treatment fluid around the wellbore completion. The bypass protects the wellbore completion from potentially corrosive or erosive well treatment fluids which, in turn, allows the wellbore completion to remain downhole during the introduction of well treatment fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Peter A. Goode, Claude J. Vercaemer
  • Well stimulation tool and method for inserting a backpressure plug through a mandrel of the tool
    Patent number: 7055632
    Abstract: A well stimulation tool includes a well stimulation tool mandrel with an axial bore having an internal diameter large enough to permit a backpressure plug to be run through the mandrel into a tubing mandrel, such as a tubing hanger or a casing mandrel, to which the well stimulation tool mandrel is secured. This permits well stimulation to be performed through a tubing string suspended in the well by the tubing mandrel, without requiring wireline services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: H W C Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: L. Murray Dallas
  • Guide rail system for a power tool
    Patent number: 7055624
    Abstract: A guide rail system (1) for a power tool (2), has at least two axially extending guide rails (3, 3?), at least one guide slide (4, 4?) displaceable on the guide rails (3, 3?) having a coupling part (5a, 5b) for securing the power tool (2), a base plate (6) with a rail coupling part (7a, 7b) and a rail junction (8) displaceable on one of a guide rails (3) relative to the other guide rail (3?), wherein the rail junction (8) has a coupling part (5a, 5b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Rudolf Reitberger
  • Well stuffing box packing
    Patent number: 7055593
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are apparatus and methods for sealing a well stuffing box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Lappintech, LLC
    Inventor: Scott C. Lappin
  • Well pump capsule
    Patent number: 7051815
    Abstract: In the well assembly of the invention, a downhole pump assembly has an intake and a discharge outlet. A capsule enclosing the pump assembly selectively isolates the pump assembly from well fluid by way of a flow control device. A conduit having open upper and lower ends extends sealingly through the capsule for accessing a portion of the well below the capsule. The invention also includes a method of pumping fluid from a well wherein a pump assembly enclosed in a capsule is protected from pressure. In this method, the pump is shut off and well fluid is blocked from the interior of the capsule. Pressure is then applied to the well fluid surrounding the capsule, the capsule isolating the pump assembly from the pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Floyd D. Ireland, Janislene S. Ferreira
  • Three in one combined power unit for nitrogen system, fluid system, and coiled tubing system
    Patent number: 7051818
    Abstract: A single tractor unit is provided for pulling a trailer, in which the tractor itself drives a plurality of hydraulic motors which control a crane unit, a coiled tubing injection unit, and the pumps and motors associated with a liquid nitrogen system which is used for injecting gaseous hydrogen into a workover well with coiled tubing. In an alternative mode, the liquid nitrogen system is replaced with nitrogen generators or tanks of compressed nitrogen gas. In another alternative embodiment, a separate engine, preferably mounted with the other equipment on a trailer, skid, or barge, replaces the single tractor engine for driving the plurality of hydraulic motors. In yet another embodiment, a single engine drives a plurality of well treating systems on an off-shore installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: P.E.T. International, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. Crawford, Edward R. Lamb
  • Fracturing tool having tubing isolation system and method
    Patent number: 7051812
    Abstract: A formation treatment tool assembly is conveyed within a well casing by a tubing string and has a housing defining treatment fluid supply and discharge passages and a fluid injection port through which treatment fluid is directed from the supply passage into a packer isolated casing interval and a fluid inlet port permitting flow from the isolated casing interval to the fluid discharge passage. Spaced straddle packer elements of the tool are energized to establish sealing engagement with the well casing and define an isolated casing interval and are de-energized to retract from sealing engagement with the well casing and permit tubing conveyance. A dump valve connected with the tool housing is opened to permit flow of treatment fluid from the isolated casing interval through the treatment fluid discharge passage and is closed to confine treatment fluid to the isolated casing interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp.
    Inventors: L. Michael McKee, David M. Eslinger, Keith A. Ryder
  • Packer with integral cleaning device
    Patent number: 7048055
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods and apparatus for sealing a tubular. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a packer having a body, a sealing element, and a cleaning device operatively connected to the body. In one aspect, the apparatus may clean a surface of the tubular before the sealing element expanded into contact therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: David E. Hirth
  • Method of selecting tubular members
    Patent number: 7048062
    Abstract: A method of selecting tubular members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Lev Ring, Robert Donald Mack, Andrei Gregory Filippov
  • Wellbore casing repair
    Patent number: 7048067
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for repairing a wellbore casing (100). An opening (115) in a wellbore casing (100) is located using a logging tool (310). An expandable tubular member (370) is then positioned in opposition to the opening (115) in the wellbore casing (100). The expandable tubular member (370) is then radially expanded into intimate contact with the wellbore casing (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Robert Lance Cook, David P. Brisco, R. Bruce Stewart, Reece E. Wyant, Lev Ring, James Jang Woo Nahm, Richard Haut, Robert D. Mack, Alan B. Duell, Andrei Gregory Filippov, Kenneth Michael Cowan, William Joseph Dean
  • Shot direction indicating device
    Patent number: 7044236
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention discloses a shot indication device that indicates the orientation of a downhole tool that is inside of a wellbore at a particular time. The shot indication device can also be used to determine the orientation of a perforating gun with shaped charges at the instant the shaped charges are detonated. The shot indication device is comprised of an indicator housing secured within the downhole tool. Formed within the indicator housing is an annulus whose axis is parallel to the axis of the downhole tool. Disposed inside of the annulus is an indicator element that freely moves about the circumference of the annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Morten Iversen, Kenneth Latveit, Knut Henriksen, Kristian Vargervik, Tim V. Sampson