Patents by Inventor Britt O. Braddick

Britt O. Braddick 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).

  • Publication number: 20040194972
    Abstract: An expansion-set fluid production assembly transfers well fluids from a casing string 12 to a production tubing string 112. A tubular anchor 72 and tubular expander 70 may be positioned downhole on a running tool at a desired depth along the casing string 12. An actuator assembly 10 may forcibly move the tubular expander 70 into the tubular anchor 72, expanding the tubular anchor 72 to seal and secure the tubular anchor 72 against the casing string 12. The running tool actuator assembly 10 may be removed, leaving the expanded tubular anchor 72 and tubular expander 70 downhole. A seal nipple 122 may be sealed with the tubular expander 70 and to the production tubing string 112. Fluids may then be recovered from the wellbore through the casing string 12, through the fluid production assembly, and into the production tubing string 112.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: Britt O. Braddick
  • Publication number: 20040173356
    Abstract: A subsea riser disconnect assembly 10 may be actuated from a drilling rig DR by axial movement of an upper riser 35 relative to a lower riser 28, for disconnecting the upper riser 35 from the lower riser 28. A subsea riser valve assembly 20 may be actuated from the drilling rig DR by axial movement of the upper riser 35 relative to the lower riser 28, for sealing an interior portion of the lower riser 28 and well bore WB below the subsea riser valve assembly 20. A drill pipe disconnect 30 may be actuated from a drilling rig DR, either onshore or offshore, for disconnecting an upper portion of drill pipe 236 from a lower portion of drill pipe 240. The drill pipe disconnect 30 may be actuatable by hydraulic and/or mechanical forces applied to the drill pipe disconnect 30 from the drilling rig DR. The drill pipe disconnect 30 may be compatible for use with or without the subsea riser disconnect assembly 10 and/or the subsea riser valve assembly 20.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventors: Eddie E. Dore, Britt O. Braddick
  • Patent number: 6763893
    Abstract: A system for forming a patch in a well at a location along a tubular string which has lost sealing integrity includes a central patch body 60, an upper expander body 52 carrying an upper seal 50 or 56, and a lower expander body 98 carrying a lower seal 102, 104. The running tool includes an inner mandrel 14 axially moveable relative to the central patch body, and one or more pistons 20, 30, 20A axially moveable relative to the inner mandrel in response to fluid pressure within the running tool. Top expander 48 is axially moveable downward relative to the upper expander body in response to movement of the one or more pistons, and a bottom expander 120 is axially moveable upward relative to a lower expander body. After the upper expander body and a lower expander body have been moved radially outward into sealing engagement with a downhole tubular string, the running tool is retrieved to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: TIW Corporation
    Inventor: Britt O. Braddick
  • Publication number: 20040016544
    Abstract: A system for forming a patch in a well at a location along a tubular string which has lost sealing integrity includes a central patch body 60, an upper expander body 52 carrying an upper seal 50 or 56, and a lower expander body 98 carrying a lower seal 102, 104. The running tool includes an inner mandrel 14 axially moveable relative to the central patch body, and one or more pistons 20, 30, 20A axially moveable relative to the inner mandrel in response to fluid pressure within the running tool. Top expander 48 is axially moveable downward relative to the upper expander body in response to movement of the one or more pistons, and a bottom expander 120 is axially moveable upward relative to a lower expander body. After the upper expander body and a lower expander body have been moved radially outward into sealing engagement with a downhole tubular string, the running tool is retrieved to the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventor: Britt O. Braddick
  • Patent number: 6622789
    Abstract: A system for forming a patch in a well at a location along a tubular string which has lost sealing integrity includes a central patch body 60, an upper expander body 52 carrying an upper seal 50 or 56, and a lower expander body 98 carrying a lower seal 102, 104. The running tool includes an inner mandrel 14 axially moveable relative to the central patch body, and one or more pistons 20, 30, 20A axially moveable relative to the inner mandrel in response to fluid pressure within the running tool. Top expander 48 is axially moveable downward relative to the upper expander body in response to movement of the one or more pistons, and a bottom expander 120 is axially moveable upward relative to a lower expander body. After the upper expander body and a lower expander body have been moved radially outward into sealing engagement with a downhole tubular string, the running tool is retrieved to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: TIW Corporation
    Inventor: Britt O. Braddick
  • Publication number: 20030102127
    Abstract: A system for forming a patch in a well at a location along a tubular string which has lost sealing integrity includes a central patch body 60, an upper expander body 52 carrying an upper seal 50 or 56, and a lower expander body 98 carrying a lower seal 102, 104. The running tool includes an inner mandrel 14 axially moveable relative to the central patch body, and one or more pistons 20, 30, 20A axially moveable relative to the inner mandrel in response to fluid pressure within the running tool. Top expander 48 is axially moveable downward relative to the upper expander body in response to movement of the one or more pistons. In one embodiment, a bottom expander sleeve 210 is axially moveable upward relative to a lower expander body, and a top expander sleeve 230 is axially moved downward relative to an upper expander body. The expander sleeves may remain downhole to radially support the downhole tubular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventor: Britt O. Braddick
  • Patent number: 6557637
    Abstract: A subsea riser disconnect assembly 10 may be actuated from a drilling rig DR by axial movement of an upper riser 35 relative to a lower riser 28, for disconnecting the upper riser 35 from the lower riser 28. A subsea riser valve assembly 20 may be actuated from the drilling rig DR by axial movement of the upper riser 35 relative to the lower riser 28, for sealing an interior portion of the lower riser 28 and well bore WB below the subsea riser valve assembly 20. A drill pipe disconnect 30 may be actuated from a drilling rig DR, either onshore or offshore, for disconnecting an upper portion of drill pipe 236 from a lower portion of drill pipe 240. The drill pipe disconnect 30 may be actuatable by hydraulic and/or mechanical forces applied to the drill pipe disconnect 30 from the drilling rig DR. The drill pipe disconnect 30 may be compatible for use with or without the subsea riser disconnect assembly 10 and/or the subsea riser valve assembly 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: TIW Corporation
    Inventors: Eddie E. Dore, Britt O. Braddick
  • Patent number: 6360821
    Abstract: A whipstock assembly 10, 110 for setting within a casing C includes a whipstock body 12, 112 having a whipstock diversion face 24, 124 for diverting a tool with respect to the casing. At least one wedge member 32, 132, 133 is moveable relative to the whipstock body and supports one or more wedge slips, 34, 36, 134, 136 thereon for anchored engagement with the casing. The wedge member has a whipstock body engaging surface 98 for sliding engagement with a lower wedge engaging surface 96 on the whipstock body. An elongate rod or other actuation member 40 moves the at least one wedge member from the run in position to the set position. According to the method of the invention, the whipstock and anchor assembly may be run into the well through a tubing string then set in the casing. The whipstock assembly may be of the type which is retrievable to the surface after having been set in the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: TIW Corporation
    Inventor: Britt O. Braddick
  • Patent number: 6167961
    Abstract: A whipstock assembly 10 for setting within a casing C on an anchor A diverts a cutting mill M to cut a window in the casing. The whipstock assembly is passed through a restriction positioned above the location where the whipstock assembly is set, is lowered past the restriction in a run in position, and is set within the casing in a set position. The whipstock assembly includes an upper whipstock body 20 having a ramp surface 22, 26, a middle lower whipstock body 60 having a concave guiding face 72, and a lower whipstock body 110 having a concave whipstock diversion face 112. A lower hinge member 118 is provided for positioning the concave whipstock diversion face for diverting the cutting mill, and at least one whipstock positioning member 80, 100 engages the casing when in the set position for positioning the middle whipstock body guiding face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: TIW Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. Pollard, Britt O. Braddick
  • Patent number: 5785133
    Abstract: An assembly for drilling multiple laterals (26) from a borehole and into a formation includes a whipstock assembly having a radially movable lug (82). An elongate tubular secured within the borehole has one or more non-ferrous portions (30) and a ferrous portion (52) adjacent and below a respective non-ferrous portion. A locator (54) is fixed within each ferrous portion at a desired axial spacing relative to the non-ferrous portion. According to the method of the invention, the whipstock assembly is lowered below the locator (54) and pulled upwardly to rotate the whipstock assembly to a selected azimuth within the tubular. The lug (82) on the whipstock assembly fits within the locator to axially position the whipstock face (97) within the non-ferrous portion of the tubular. A drill bit (96) engages the whipstock face and drills a window through the non-ferrous portion of the tubular and then into the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: TIW Corporation
    Inventors: Mark J. Murray, Britt O. Braddick
  • Patent number: 5769167
    Abstract: A thru tubing whipstock assembly 10 may be set within a casing string CS after passing through the lower end of a smaller diameter tubing string TS. Once set within the casing string CS, the whipstock face 18 on whipstock body 12 may divert a rotatable bit B for cutting a window in the casing string CS. The whipstock assembly 10 includes an anchor A below the whipstock body 12 for securing the set whipstock assembly within the casing string. A hinge assembly 14 below the whipstock body 12 may be pivoted from a run-in position for passing through the tubing string to a set position for positioning the whipstock face 18 for engagement with the bit B. A wedge assembly 38 is provided at the upper end of whipstock body 12 and is also movable from a run-in position to a set position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: TIW Corporation
    Inventor: Britt O. Braddick
  • Patent number: 5765756
    Abstract: A fluid jetting arrangement for fluid jetting a surface including a body (B) to receive jetting nozzle extenders (NE) which in one embodiment comprise a plurality of jetting nozzle extenders having voids there between providing surfaces for controlling the relative extension of the jetting nozzle extenders for moving a jetting nozzle extender having a jetting nozzle (16) with orifice (O) therein to position the jetting nozzle with the orifice (O) to fluid jet a surface and another embodiment wherein the jetting nozzle extender (NE) is integrally formed and positioned in the body (B) to fluid jet a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: TIW Corporation
    Inventors: Gary D. Jordan, Martin A. Stulberg, Britt O. Braddick
  • Patent number: 5758723
    Abstract: A thru-tubing centralizer 10, 102 positioned along a tubular T after passing through a small diameter tubing string TS centralizes the tubular within a large diameter casing string CS. The centralizer includes a body 12, 112 having a throughbore 14 for transmitting fluid through the centralizer, such that a drill motor M and rotatable bit B may be suspended from the tubular T below the centralizer. The centralizer includes a piston 20, 136 and arm support sleeve 30, 130 each movable axially between a set position and a released position in response to increased fluid pressure in the throughbore of the centralizer body. The compression spring 40, 156 biases an arm support sleeve to a set position, such that a plurality of circumferentially spaced upper arms 50, 116 and a corresponding plurality of circumferentially spaced lower arms 60, 126 are each inclined with respect to the centralizer body to maintain the centralizer in a set position for engaging the casing string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: TIW Corporation
    Inventors: David Dwayne Saucier, Britt O. Braddick
  • Patent number: 5678635
    Abstract: A bridge plug assembly 10 contracts radially inwardly to pass through tubing string T and then expands radially outwardly in response to axially compressive forces to set within a casing string C. Upper and lower independently moveable slips 52 and 54 of the anchor mechanism 12 engage casing C. The packoff mechanism 14 includes a plurality of upper sealing members 160, 162, 164 and a plurality of lower sealing members 166, 168, 170 having varying elasticity such that at least some of the sealing members overlap other sealing members when the bridge plug 10 is compression set in the casing C. The bridge plug assembly 10 is retained in a contracted position for passing downwardly through tubing T, then expanded for sealing engagement with casing C. The bridge plug 10 may be run-in with a setting tool ST and may be subsequently released by a releasing tool RT to drop within the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: TIW Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth S. Dunlap, Britt O. Braddick
  • Patent number: 5647436
    Abstract: A mill kick out apparatus comprises a whipstock and a starter mill. The whipstock has a lower end pivotally connected to a supporting assembly, an upper end, an outer side for disposition adjacent one side of a well wall, and an inner side diametrically opposite the outer side. The outer side has a vertically elongate upper portion angularly disposed with respect to a lower portion thereof, whereby the upper portion may abut the one side of the well wall when the lower portion is inclined downwardly and inwardly with respect thereto. The inner side is configured to be disposed at a first downward and inward angle with respect to the one side of the well wall when the one side so abuts the upper portion of the outer side of the whipstock. A lug projects generally radially inwardly from the inner side of the whipstock adjacent the upper end and has a generally radially inwardly facing surface disposed at a second downward and inward angle with respect to the one side of the well wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: TIW Corporation
    Inventor: Britt O. Braddick
  • Patent number: 5647437
    Abstract: This arrangement and method enables a window to be milled in casing (C) without first removing smaller diameter tubing (T) from the casing (C). An expandable anchor (A) has movable members (14), (19) on top expander (8) and bottom expander (12) which support slip means (21) in retracted position to enable passage through smaller diameter tubing (T) extending into larger diameter casing (C). Actuation of a work string (HSS or WSS) in a manner well known to those skilled in the art expands, or moves the members to secure the slip means and anchor (A) in larger diameter casing C. A whipstock tool including a whipstock W, a hinge assembly H, a centering device, and an orienting sub (OS). A latch assembly (LA) is then run on a workstring (WS) through the smaller diameter tubing (T) and engaged in orienting slot (7) in the riser 2 of Anchor A and a mill (57) on the workstring mills a window in the casing when the workstring is moved along the whipstock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: TIW Corporation
    Inventors: Britt O. Braddick, Allen Kent Rives
  • Patent number: 5595247
    Abstract: Retrievable window cutting apparatus and method include a whipstock assembly 160 and anchor assembly 10. Whipstock assembly 160 and anchor assembly 10 contract radially inwardly to pass through tubing string T and then expand radially outwardly to operate in casing C. Upper and lower independently moveable slips 24 and 26 engage casing C. Whipstock assembly 160 includes hinge assembly 170 that can be set for operation with a milling assembly 270. Cooperation between shear members in setting tool WSS, working string adaptor 180, hinge assembly 170, and anchor assembly 10 provide for keeping whipstock assembly 160 and anchor assembly 10 in a contracted position for passing downwardly through tubing T, expansion in casing C, and subsequent retrieval through tubing T.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: TIW Corporation
    Inventor: Britt O. Braddick
  • Patent number: 5566762
    Abstract: This arrangement and method enables a window to be milled in casing (C) without first removing smaller diameter tubing (T) from the casing (C). An expandable anchor (A) has movable members (14), (19) on top expander (8) and bottom expander (12) which support slip means (21) in retracted position to enable passage through smaller diameter tubing (T) extending into larger diameter casing (C). Actuation of a work string (HSS or WSS) in a manner well known to those skilled in the art expands, or moves the members to secure the slip means and anchor (A) in larger diameter casing C. A whipstock tool including a whipstock W, a hinge assembly H, a centering device, and an orienting sub (OS). A latch assembly (LA) is then run on a workstring (WS) through the smaller diameter tubing (T) and engaged in orienting slot (7) in the riser 2 of Anchor A and a mill (57) on the workstring mills a window in the casing when the workstring is moved along the whipstock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: TIW Corporation
    Inventors: Britt O. Braddick, Allen K. Rives
  • Patent number: 5551509
    Abstract: A mill kick out apparatus comprises a whipstock and a starter mill. The whipstock has a lower end pivotally connected to a supporting assembly, an upper end, an outer side for disposition adjacent one side of a well wall, and an inner side diametrically opposite the outer side. The outer side has a vertically elongate upper portion angularly disposed with respect to a lower portion thereof, whereby the upper portion may abut the one side of the well wall when the lower portion is inclined downwardly and inwardly with respect thereto. The inner side is configured to be disposed at a first downward and inward angle with respect to the one side of the well wall when the one side so abuts the upper portion of the outer side of the whipstock. A lug projects generally radially inwardly from the inner side of the whipstock adjacent the upper end and has a generally radially inwardly facing surface disposed at a second downward and inward angle with respect to the one side of the well wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: TIW Corporation
    Inventor: Britt O. Braddick
  • Patent number: RE36526
    Abstract: Retrievable window cutting apparatus and method include a whipstock assembly 160 and anchor assembly 10. Whipstock assembly 160 and anchor assembly 10 contract radially inwardly to pass through tubing string T and then expand radially outwardly to operate in casing C. Upper and lower independently moveable slips 24 and 26 engage casing C. Whipstock assembly 160 includes hinge assembly 170 that can be set for operation with a milling assembly 270. Cooperation between shear members in setting tool WSS, working string adaptor 180, hinge assembly 170, and anchor assembly 10 provide for keeping whipstock assembly 160 and anchor assembly 10 in a contracted position for passing downwardly through tubing T, expansion in casing C, and subsequent retrieval through tubing T.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: TIW Corporation
    Inventor: Britt O. Braddick