Patents by Inventor Brian J. Ritchey

Brian J. Ritchey has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10844695
    Abstract: A treatment tool can include a housing with longitudinal passages, a valve that controls flow between sections of one passage, another valve that controls flow between the one passage and a section of another passage, and a locking device that prevents the first valve from being transitioned to an open configuration from a closed configuration. A method can include flowing a fluid through a passage of a service string and into an annulus about a screen, the fluid entering the screen and flowing to another annulus via another passage of the service string, then installing a plug in the first passage, thereby preventing flow through the first passage to the annulus about the screen, and creating at least one pressure differential across the plug, thereby preventing flow from an interior of the screen to the other annulus and permitting flow from the first passage to the screen interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Candido Castro, Joshua M. Hornsby, Brian J. Ritchey
  • Patent number: 10822900
    Abstract: A positioning tool can include a mandrel and an engagement device reciprocably disposed on the mandrel. The engagement device can include at least one engagement member and at least one landing dog. The mandrel can displace relative to the engagement device in response to engagement between the engagement member and at least one internal profile in an outer tubular string, and the landing dog can extend outward in response to displacement of the mandrel in a selected longitudinal direction relative to the engagement device. A system for use in a well can include a tubular string and a positioning tool reciprocably disposed in the tubular string. The positioning tool can include a landing dog that extends outward from a retracted position to engage one or more internal profiles of the tubular string, in response to a pattern of reciprocation of the positioning tool in the tubular string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Jason J. Brasseaux, Brian J. Ritchey, Joshua M. Hornsby
  • Publication number: 20190120025
    Abstract: A treatment tool can include a housing with longitudinal passages, a valve that controls flow between sections of one passage, another valve that controls flow between the one passage and a section of another passage, and a locking device that prevents the first valve from being transitioned to an open configuration from a closed configuration. A method can include flowing a fluid through a passage of a service string and into an annulus about a screen, the fluid entering the screen and flowing to another annulus via another passage of the service string, then installing a plug in the first passage, thereby preventing flow through the first passage to the annulus about the screen, and creating at least one pressure differential across the plug, thereby preventing flow from an interior of the screen to the other annulus and permitting flow from the first passage to the screen interior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Candido CASTRO, Joshua M. HORNSBY, Brian J. RITCHEY
  • Patent number: 10227848
    Abstract: A treatment tool can include a housing with longitudinal passages, a valve that controls flow between sections of one passage, another valve that controls flow between the one passage and a section of another passage, and a locking device that prevents the first valve from being transitioned to an open configuration from a closed configuration. A method can include flowing a fluid through a passage of a service string and into an annulus about a screen, the fluid entering the screen and flowing to another annulus via another passage of the service string, then installing a plug in the first passage, thereby preventing flow through the first passage to the annulus about the screen, and creating at least one pressure differential across the plug, thereby preventing flow from an interior of the screen to the other annulus and permitting flow from the first passage to the screen interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Candido Castro, Joshua M. Hornsby, Brian J. Ritchey
  • Patent number: 10167700
    Abstract: A system can include a tubular string having at least two internal profiles, and a valve assembly reciprocably disposed in the tubular string. The valve assembly is actuated to a closed configuration in response to displacement of the valve assembly through one internal profile, and the valve assembly is actuated to an open configuration in response to displacement of the valve assembly through another internal profile. A method of gravel packing a well can include displacing a service string in opposite longitudinal directions within a completion assembly, the service string including a valve assembly that selectively restricts flow through a longitudinal flow passage of the service string, opening the valve assembly as the valve assembly displaces in one longitudinal direction, and closing the valve assembly as the valve assembly displaces in the opposite longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Jason J. Brasseaux, Brian J. Ritchey, Joshua M. Hornsby
  • Patent number: 10087724
    Abstract: A gravel pack system can include a manifold having at least three flow passages isolated from each other, with each of the passages intersecting a same lateral cross-section. A method can include displacing a service string, thereby controlling flow through ports that provide communication with a manifold exterior, the manifold including at least three flow passages, one port providing communication between one passage and the manifold exterior, and another port providing communication between another passage and the manifold exterior, and in one position of the service string, the one passage is in communication with a well annulus via another port providing communication with the manifold exterior, and the one passage is in communication with another well annulus via the one port, the annuli being isolated from each other by a packer, and the other port is in a seal bore and disposed longitudinally between the other ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Brian J. Ritchey
  • Patent number: 9988876
    Abstract: A valve assembly can include a generally tubular housing, a mandrel reciprocably disposed in the housing and operative to displace a valve closure in response to relative displacement between the mandrel and the housing, an engagement device reciprocably disposed externally on the housing and secured relative to the mandrel, so that the mandrel displaces with the engagement device, and a biasing device that biases the mandrel and engagement device in a selected longitudinal direction. A system can include a tubular string and a valve assembly reciprocably disposed in the tubular string, the valve assembly including a valve that selectively restricts flow through a longitudinal passage. The valve closes in response to displacement of the valve assembly in a selected longitudinal direction relative to the tubular string, and the valve opens in response to displacement of the valve assembly in the same longitudinal direction relative to the tubular string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Jason J. Brasseaux, Brian J. Ritchey, Joshua M. Hornsby
  • Publication number: 20170241235
    Abstract: A treatment tool can include a housing with longitudinal passages, a valve that controls flow between sections of one passage, another valve that controls flow between the one passage and a section of another passage, and a locking device that prevents the first valve from being transitioned to an open configuration from a closed configuration. A method can include flowing a fluid through a passage of a service string and into an annulus about a screen, the fluid entering the screen and flowing to another annulus via another passage of the service string, then installing a plug in the first passage, thereby preventing flow through the first passage to the annulus about the screen, and creating at least one pressure differential across the plug, thereby preventing flow from an interior of the screen to the other annulus and permitting flow from the first passage to the screen interior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Candido CASTRO, Joshua M. HORNSBY, Brian J. RITCHEY
  • Publication number: 20170218712
    Abstract: A positioning tool can include a mandrel and an engagement device reciprocably disposed on the mandrel. The engagement device can include at least one engagement member and at least one landing dog. The mandrel can displace relative to the engagement device in response to engagement between the engagement member and at least one internal profile in an outer tubular string, and the landing dog can extend outward in response to displacement of the mandrel in a selected longitudinal direction relative to the engagement device. A system for use in a well can include a tubular string and a positioning tool reciprocably disposed in the tubular string. The positioning tool can include a landing dog that extends outward from a retracted position to engage one or more internal profiles of the tubular string, in response to a pattern of reciprocation of the positioning tool in the tubular string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Jason J. BRASSEAUX, Brian J. RITCHEY, Joshua M. HORNSBY
  • Publication number: 20170218724
    Abstract: A valve assembly can include a generally tubular housing, a mandrel reciprocably disposed in the housing and operative to displace a valve closure in response to relative displacement between the mandrel and the housing, an engagement device reciprocably disposed externally on the housing and secured relative to the mandrel, so that the mandrel displaces with the engagement device, and a biasing device that biases the mandrel and engagement device in a selected longitudinal direction. A system can include a tubular string and a valve assembly reciprocably disposed in the tubular string, the valve assembly including a valve that selectively restricts flow through a longitudinal passage. The valve closes in response to displacement of the valve assembly in a selected longitudinal direction relative to the tubular string, and the valve opens in response to displacement of the valve assembly in the same longitudinal direction relative to the tubular string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Jason J. BRASSEAUX, Brian J. RITCHEY, Joshua M. HORNSBY
  • Publication number: 20170218723
    Abstract: A system can include a tubular string having at least two internal profiles, and a valve assembly reciprocably disposed in the tubular string. The valve assembly is actuated to a closed configuration in response to displacement of the valve assembly through one internal profile, and the valve assembly is actuated to an open configuration in response to displacement of the valve assembly through another internal profile. A method of gravel packing a well can include displacing a service string in opposite longitudinal directions within a completion assembly, the service string including a valve assembly that selectively restricts flow through a longitudinal flow passage of the service string, opening the valve assembly as the valve assembly displaces in one longitudinal direction, and closing the valve assembly as the valve assembly displaces in the opposite longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Jason J. BRASSEAUX, Brian J. RITCHEY, Joshua M. HORNSBY
  • Publication number: 20170198556
    Abstract: A gravel pack system can include a manifold having at least three flow passages isolated from each other, with each of the passages intersecting a same lateral cross-section. A method can include displacing a service string, thereby controlling flow through ports that provide communication with a manifold exterior, the manifold including at least three flow passages, one port providing communication between one passage and the manifold exterior, and another port providing communication between another passage and the manifold exterior, and in one position of the service string, the one passage is in communication with a well annulus via another port providing communication with the manifold exterior, and the one passage is in communication with another well annulus via the one port, the annuli being isolated from each other by a packer, and the other port is in a seal bore and disposed longitudinally between the other ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventor: Brian J. RITCHEY
  • Publication number: 20170145780
    Abstract: An apparatus installs downhole in a surrounding tubular. A first shoulder on a mandrel of the apparatus is movable toward a second shoulder. A plurality of stacked rings are disposed about the mandrel and are spaced between the first and second shoulders. A first of the stacked rings decreases in spacing in response to the movement of the first shoulder toward the second shoulder, and a second of the stacked rings expands outward from the mandrel in response to the decrease in spacing. A slip disposed on the stacked rings is movable away from the mandrel toward the surrounding tubular in response to the outward expansion. The apparatus can be a plug, a bridge plug, a fracture plug, a packer, a permanent packer, a retrievable packer, a sump packer, and a sealbore packer. Additionally, the apparatus can include a completion assembly with packer and screen supported on the mandrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Candido Castro, Brian J. Ritchey
  • Patent number: 9447661
    Abstract: An apparatus and method allow gravel pack slurry to be placed in a borehole annulus from the toe towards the heel to reduce the pressure acting upon the heel of the borehole during the gravel placement operation. By reducing the pressure on the heel, the gravel pack slurry may be placed in longer sections of the borehole in a single operation. Additionally, excess slurry in the inner string can be disposed in the borehole annulus around the shoe track of the apparatus, and fluid returns can flow up the apparatus through a bypass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: John P. Broussard, Christopher A. Hall, Patrick J. Zimmerman, Brian J. Ritchey, Ronald van Petegem
  • Publication number: 20130008652
    Abstract: An apparatus and method allow gravel pack slurry to be placed in a borehole annulus from the toe towards the heel to reduce the pressure acting upon the heel of the borehole during the gravel placement operation. By reducing the pressure on the heel, the gravel pack slurry may be placed in longer sections of the borehole in a single operation. Additionally, excess slurry in the inner string can be disposed in the borehole annulus around the shoe track of the apparatus, and fluid returns can flow up the apparatus through a bypass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: WEATHERFORD/LAMB, INC.
    Inventors: John P. Broussard, Christopher A. Hall, Patrick J. Zimmerman, Brian J. Ritchey, Ronald van Petegem