Patents by Inventor Carl A. Helms

Carl A. Helms 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: 20210355776
    Abstract: A downhole apparatus comprises a casing string with a frangible disk positioned therein. A flow barrier is connected in the casing string and spaced downwardly from the frangible disk. The frangible disk and the flow barrier define a buoyancy chamber. The sliding sleeve will impact and shatter the frangible disk into a plurality of pieces that will pass downwardly in the casing after the casing has been lowered to a desired depth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventors: Min Mark Yuan, Stephen Allen Yeldell, Lonnie Carl Helms, Frank Vinicio Acosta, Rajesh Parameshwaraiah
  • Patent number: 11174701
    Abstract: Remedial wellbore operations can be performed using metal material coated with a layer that is controllably activated to release the metal material downhole in a wellbore. At least a portion of the wellbore can be plugged or sealed using the metal material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: William Cecil Pearl, Jr., Samuel J. Lewis, Frank Vinicia Acosta Villarreal, Lonnie Carl Helms
  • Publication number: 20210332664
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for reverse circulation cementing a tubular string in a wellbore. One such method includes reverse circulating cement slurry down an annulus defined between the tubular string and the wellbore. During the reverse circulation, a flow control device located in the tubular string is closed to prevent, or at least reduce, flow of the cement slurry from the annulus into the tubular string. The closure of the flow control device causes a pressure pulse in the wellbore. After the flow control device is closed, the reverse circulation is stopped. During a time interval between the closure of the flow control device and the stoppage of the reverse circulation, a shock absorber associated with the flow control device absorbs the pressure pulse in the wellbore so that a pressure in the wellbore is maintained within an acceptable range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: Simon David TURTON, Paul Joseph JONES, John SINGH, Michael Linley FRIPP, Lonnie Carl HELMS
  • Publication number: 20210324701
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses of the present disclosure generally relate to dissolvable plugs for separating fluids in a wellbore. A dissolvable plug includes a first end comprising a first fluid barrier. The first fluid barrier includes a polymer film. The dissolvable plug also includes a second end opposite to the first end. The second end comprises a second fluid barrier. The second fluid barrier comprises a polymer film. The dissolvable plug includes a solid structure made of a sand and salt mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel Jason Lewis, Paul Joseph Jones, Lonnie Carl Helms
  • Publication number: 20210317721
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a dual plug system, comprising a bottom plug, wherein the bottom plug comprises: a bottom plug mandrel; a plurality of first fins; and a first seat; wherein the plurality of first fins is disposed between a first end and a second end of the bottom plug mandrel, wherein the first seat is disposed at the second end; a top plug, wherein the top plug comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the top plug comprises: a top plug mandrel; a plurality of second fins; a collar; and a sleeve; wherein the plurality of second fins is disposed around the top plug mandrel covering at least a portion of the length of the top plug mandrel, wherein the collar is coupled to the top plug mandrel; and a connector, wherein the connector is coupled to the first end of the top plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: Handoko Tirto Santoso, Lonnie Carl Helms, Tor Sigve Saetre, Frank Vinicia Acosta, Thomas Zachary Vonk, Rajesh Parameshwaraiah
  • Patent number: 11142994
    Abstract: A downhole apparatus comprises a casing string with a removable plug therein to block flow therethrough. A flow barrier is positioned in the casing below the removable plug and the removable plug and the flow barrier defining a buoyancy chamber therebetween. A debris barrier positioned above the removable plug comprises a rigid annular ring with a flexible diaphragm covering the center opening defined by the annular ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Min Mark Yuan, Lonnie Carl Helms, Mayur Narain Ahuja, Ishwar Dilip Patil, Frank Vinicio Acosta, Clayton Reed Bonn
  • Patent number: 11105166
    Abstract: A downhole apparatus comprises a casing string with a fluid barrier connected in the casing string. A degradable plug is positioned in the casing string above the fluid barrier. The degradable plug and fluid barrier define upper and lower ends of a buoyancy chamber in the casing string. The degradable plug may be degraded to leave an open bore through the casing string after the casing string is lowered into a wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Min Mark Yuan, Lonnie Carl Helms, Mayur Narain Ahuja, Ishwar Dilip Patil, Rajesh Parameshwaraiah
  • Publication number: 20210254430
    Abstract: A downhole apparatus comprises a casing string with a removable plug therein to block flow therethrough. A flow barrier is positioned in the casing below the removable plug and the removable plug and the flow barrier defining a buoyancy chamber therebetween. A debris barrier positioned above the removable plug comprises a rigid annular ring with a flexible diaphragm covering the center opening defined by the annular ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: Min Mark Yuan, Lonnie Carl Helms, Mayur Narain Ahuja, Ishwar Dilip Patil, Frank Vinicio Acosta, Clayton Reed Bonn
  • Publication number: 20210246759
    Abstract: A reverse cementing apparatus having a reverse cementing body with an internal bore, the reverse cementing body being coupleable to the downhole end of a casing pipe. The apparatus may further have a valve actuable from a closed to an open configuration, the closed configuration obstructing flow of fluid through the internal bore of the reverse cementing body. The valve may be configured to obstruct flow in an uphole direction during deployment but permit flow in the downhole direction. The apparatus further includes a port provided extending through a wall of the reverse cementing valve body from the internal bore to external the reverse cementing body, a fluid communication channel extending from the port to the internal bore. An actuable barrier member may be provided which is actuable to a closed position obstructing flow of fluid through the port upon actuation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Jinhua Cao, Michael Linley Fripp, Tor Sigve Saetre, Lonnie Carl Helms
  • Patent number: 11072990
    Abstract: A downhole apparatus has a casing string and a degradable plug positioned in the casing string to block flow therethrough. An upper membrane covers an upper end of the degradable plug. The upper membrane is made up of a plurality of separable membranes. A lower membrane covers a lower end of the degradable plug and is comprised of a plurality of separable membranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Min Mark Yuan, Ishwar Dilip Patil, Mayur Narain Ahuja, Lonnie Carl Helms, Clayton Reed Bonn
  • Publication number: 20210222512
    Abstract: Remedial wellbore operations can be performed using metal material coated with a layer that is controllably activated to release the metal material downhole in a wellbore. At least a portion of the wellbore can be plugged or sealed using the metal material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: William Cecil Pearl, JR., Samuel J. Lewis, Frank Vinicia Acosta Villarreal, Lonnie Carl Helms
  • Publication number: 20210222547
    Abstract: A conductive path can be formed using metal material coated with a layer that is controllably activated to release the metal material downhole in the wellbore. The conductive path can be used to communicate signals or power downhole in the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: William Cecil Pearl, JR., Samuel J. Lewis, Lonnie Carl Helms
  • Publication number: 20210164324
    Abstract: A downhole apparatus comprises a casing string with a removable plug therein to block flow therethrough. A flow barrier is positioned in the casing below the removable plug and the removable plug and the flow barrier define a buoyancy chamber therebetween. A debris barrier positioned above the removable plug has a plurality of fragments interspersed in a stretchable material and includes a frangible disc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: Lonnie Carl Helms, Min Mark Yuan, Mayur Narain Ahuja, Ishwar Dilip Patil, Byong Jun Kim, Rajesh Parameshwaraiah
  • Publication number: 20210148185
    Abstract: A downhole apparatus comprises a casing string with a removable plug therein to block flow therethrough. A flow barrier is positioned in the casing below the removable plug and the removable plug and the flow barrier defining a buoyancy chamber therebetween. A debris barrier positioned above the removable plug comprises a rigid annular ring with a flexible diaphragm covering the center opening defined by the annular ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Lonnie Carl Helms, Min Mark Yuan, Mayur Narain Ahuja, Ishwar Dilip Patil, Byong Jun Kim, Rajesh Parameshwaraiah
  • Patent number: 11008838
    Abstract: Switchable cross-over systems, devices, and methods for cementing well walls are provided. A switchable cross-over device includes a tool body and a flow sleeve. The tool body includes a main tool path separable into uphole and downhole tool paths and an auxiliary chamber containing uphole and downhole annular ports. The flow sleeve is within the auxiliary chamber and movable between conventional and reverse circulation positions. In the conventional circulation position, the uphole and downhole tool paths are in fluid communication and the uphole annular port is in fluid communication with the downhole annular port through the auxiliary chamber. In the reverse circulation position, the flow sleeve forms first and second auxiliary flow paths in the auxiliary chamber, the uphole tool path and the downhole annular port are in fluid communication via the first auxiliary flow path, and the downhole tool path is in fluid communication with the uphole annular port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Bo Gao, Lonnie Carl Helms, Aniruddha Gadre, Yuzhu Hu, Gary Makowiecki
  • Publication number: 20210131222
    Abstract: A downhole apparatus comprises a casing string with a removable plug therein to block flow therethrough. A flow barrier is positioned in the casing below the removable plug and the removable plug and the flow barrier defining a buoyancy chamber therebetween. A debris barrier positioned above the removable plug includes a frangible disk. A stretchable connecting ring is connected to the frangible disk and to the casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Lonnie Carl Helms, Min Mark Yuan, Mayur Narain Ahuja, Ishwar Dilip Patil, Rajesh Parameshwaraiah
  • Patent number: 10995583
    Abstract: A downhole apparatus comprises a casing string with a removable plug therein to block flow therethrough. A flow barrier is positioned in the casing below the removable plug and the removable plug and the flow barrier defining a buoyancy chamber therebetween. A debris barrier positioned above the removable plug includes a frangible disk. A stretchable connecting ring is connected to the frangible disk and to the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Lonnie Carl Helms, Min Mark Yuan, Mayur Narain Ahuja, Ishwar Dilip Patil, Rajesh Parameshwaraiah
  • Publication number: 20210123317
    Abstract: A downhole apparatus has a casing string and a degradable plug positioned in the casing string to block flow therethrough. An upper membrane covers an upper end of the degradable plug. The upper membrane is made up of a plurality of separable membranes. A lower membrane covers a lower end of the degradable plug and is comprised of a plurality of separable membranes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Inventors: Min Mark Yuan, Ishwar Dilip Patil, Mayur Narain Ahuja, Lonnie Carl Helms, Clayton Reed Bonn
  • Patent number: 10989013
    Abstract: A downhole apparatus comprises a casing string with a removable plug therein to block flow therethrough. A flow barrier is positioned in the casing below the removable plug and the removable plug and the flow barrier defining a buoyancy chamber therebetween. A debris barrier positioned above the removable plug comprises a rigid annular ring with a flexible diaphragm covering the center opening defined by the annular ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Lonnie Carl Helms, Min Mark Yuan, Mayur Narain Ahuja, Ishwar Dilip Patil, Byong Jun Kim, Rajesh Parameshwaraiah
  • Publication number: 20210062616
    Abstract: A buoyancy assist tool and a fluid barrier in a casing string define a buoyancy chamber therebetween. The buoyancy assist tool has a housing connected in the casing string with a retaining sleeve detachably connected in the housing. The retaining sleeve is movable from a first to a second position in the housing. A flapper disk is positioned in the housing and covers an upper end of the retaining sleeve in the first position of the retaining sleeve. In the second position of the retaining sleeve the flapper disk is in a retracted position out of the flow path through the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Rajesh Parameshwaraiah, Lonnie Carl Helms, Min Mark Yuan, Handoko Tirto Santoso