Patents by Inventor Daniel Keith Moeller

Daniel Keith Moeller 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: 12680415
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a frac plug to be positioned inside casing of a wellbore formed in a subsurface formation. The frac plug is configured to expand to contact an inner wall of the casing and maintain, via one or more components coupled with the frac plug, a position while the frac plug is expanded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2026
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam J. Milne, Daniel Keith Moeller, Donald Ray Smith
  • Patent number: 12486734
    Abstract: Provided herein are embodiments of a frac plug for use downhole in a wellbore, a system, and a method for creating a pressure differential in the wellbore or performing an operation downhole in the wellbore. In one embodiment a plug for use within a wellbore comprises a mandrel; and a flow restrictor positioned within an inner diameter of the mandrel. In one embodiment, a method may include positioning a frac plug at a depth inside a casing of a wellbore formed in a subsurface formation, wherein one or more components are coupled with the frac plug, the frac plug comprising: a mandrel; and a flow restrictor positioned within the mandrel; setting the frac plug to contact an inner wall of the casing; and creating a pressure differential within the wellbore with the flow restrictor of the plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2024
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2025
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Keith Moeller
  • Patent number: 12480374
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a singular tubular structure to be positioned inside casing of a wellbore formed in a subsurface formation, wherein the singular tubular structure is configured to expand to contact an inner wall of the casing and provide differential pressure integrity in the wellbore while an isolating component is positioned in the singular tubular structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2024
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2025
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam J. Milne, Daniel Keith Moeller, Donald Ray Smith
  • Patent number: 12410702
    Abstract: Exemplary toe sleeve embodiments, for example for hydrocarbon wellbore casing, can have a closure mechanism with at least two different operations for opening. For example, the closure mechanism may include a degradable element and a non-degradable element. The degradable element may be configured to maintain closure of the toe sleeve during pressure testing, while the non-degradable element may be rated to open at a lower pressure once the degradable element has degraded. This approach may allow effective pressure testing of the casing, while ensuring that the toe sleeve can be opened effectively without risk of damage to the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2024
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2025
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean Canning, Joseph Ray Collins, Daniel Keith Moeller
  • Publication number: 20250263992
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a singular tubular structure to be positioned inside casing of a wellbore formed in a subsurface formation, wherein the singular tubular structure is configured to expand to contact an inner wall of the casing and provide differential pressure integrity in the wellbore while an isolating component is positioned in the singular tubular structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2024
    Publication date: August 21, 2025
    Inventors: Adam J. Milne, Daniel Keith Moeller, Donald Ray Smith
  • Publication number: 20250264000
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a frac plug to be positioned inside casing of a wellbore formed in a subsurface formation, wherein the frac plug is configured to expand to contact an inner wall of the casing and maintain, via one or more components coupled with the frac plug, a position while the frac plug is expanded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2024
    Publication date: August 21, 2025
    Inventors: Adam J. Milne, Daniel Keith Moeller, Donald Ray Smith
  • Publication number: 20250237135
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to toe sleeve embodiments, for example for hydrocarbon wellbore casing, having a closure mechanism with at least two different operations for opening. For example, the closure mechanism may include a degradable element and a non-degradable element. The degradable element may be configured to maintain closure of the toe sleeve during pressure testing, while the non-degradable element may be rated to open at a lower pressure once the degradable element has degraded. This approach may allow effective pressure testing of the casing, while ensuring that the toe sleeve can be opened effectively without risk of damage to the casing. Related systems and method are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2024
    Publication date: July 24, 2025
    Inventors: Sean Canning, Joseph Ray Collins, Daniel Keith Moeller
  • Patent number: 12031404
    Abstract: A frac plug defines a central passage therethrough and is movable from an unset to a set position in a well casing. A single slip ring assembly is supported by the bottom shoe and a slip wedge is positioned in slidable relationship to the single slip ring assembly. A sealing element is supported by the slip wedge. A deformable ball seat is movable axially relative to the sealing element and the sealing element is expandable radially outwardly to engage and seal against the well casing upon the application of a force applied thereto by the deformable ball seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoguang Allan Zhong, Shobeir Pirayeh Gar, Daniel Keith Moeller
  • Patent number: 12018545
    Abstract: A frac plug has a bottom shoe, a single slip ring supported by the bottom shoe, a slip wedge positioned above the slip ring and axially movable relative to the slip wedge, a radially outwardly expandable sealing element supported by the slip wedge and a deformable backup shoe fixed to the sealing element. The deformable backup shoe has a cap covering at least a portion of a top surface of the sealing element and an outer leg extending along at least a portion of an outer surface of the sealing element. A ball seat is insertable into the radially outwardly expandable sealing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoguang Allan Zhong, Shobeir Pirayeh Gar, Daniel Keith Moeller
  • Publication number: 20240117702
    Abstract: A treatment operation can be performed in a wellbore. A zonal isolation device, such as a frac plug, can be set within a tubing string in the wellbore to isolate one zone from another zone. The plug can include a slip system and a sealing element located circumferentially around an inner mandrel of the plug. The sealing element can include an outer shell that surrounds an inner core. The outer shell can be made from a material having a high Young's modulus, while the inner core can have a very low Young's modulus. The outer shell can prevent premature deformation and expansion of the sealing element during run in. The outer shell and inner core can wholly or partially disintegrate in a desired a period of time after setting of the plug in the tubing string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Keith MOELLER, Adam J. MILNE
  • Patent number: 11808145
    Abstract: A fluid signal generator configured to produce fluid pulses in a fluid column of a wellbore are described. The fluid pulses represent data and/or other information to be transmitted from a downhole device, such as a fluid plug apparatus located within the borehole of the wellbore, to one or more other devices located away from the downhole device, including devices located above a surface of the wellbore. The fluid plug may be configured to provide a fluid seal between a first portion of the wellbore and a second portion of the wellbore prior to and during a fluid treatment procedure being performed on the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Linley Fripp, Sean Christopher Canning, Daniel Keith Moeller
  • Publication number: 20230203912
    Abstract: A frac plug has a bottom shoe, a single slip ring supported by the bottom shoe, a slip wedge positioned above the slip ring and axially movable relative to the slip wedge, a radially outwardly expandable sealing element supported by the slip wedge and a deformable backup shoe fixed to the sealing element. The deformable backup shoe has a cap covering at least a portion of a top surface of the sealing element and an outer leg extending along at least a portion of an outer surface of the sealing element. A ball seat is insertable into the radially outwardly expandable sealing element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Xiaoguang Allan Zhong, Shobeir Pirayeh Gar, Daniel Keith Moeller
  • Publication number: 20230203911
    Abstract: A frac plug defines a central passage therethrough and is movable from an unset to a set position in a well casing. A single slip ring assembly is supported by the bottom shoe and a slip wedge is positioned in slidable relationship to the single slip ring assembly. A sealing element is supported by the slip wedge. A deformable ball seat is movable axially relative to the sealing element and the sealing element is expandable radially outwardly to engage and seal against the well casing upon the application of a force applied thereto by the deformable ball seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Xiaoguang Allan Zhong, Shobeir Pirayeh Gar, Daniel Keith Moeller
  • Publication number: 20230132593
    Abstract: A fluid signal generator configured to produce fluid pulses in a fluid column of a wellbore are described. The fluid pulses represent data and/or other information to be transmitted from a downhole device, such as a fluid plug apparatus located within the borehole of the wellbore, to one or more other devices located away from the downhole device, including devices located above a surface of the wellbore. The fluid plug may be configured to provide a fluid seal between a first portion of the wellbore and a second portion of the wellbore prior to and during a fluid treatment procedure being performed on the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Michael Linley Fripp, Sean Christopher Canning, Daniel Keith Moeller
  • Patent number: 10655430
    Abstract: A downhole tool subassembly having an outer sleeve with a first set of apertures extending from an inner bore through an external surface of the outer sleeve. The downhole tool subassembly further includes a pin coupled to the outer sleeve and extending inward from the inner bore of the outer sleeve, and an inner sleeve slidingly engaged with the with outer sleeve. The inner sleeve has a slot and a second set of apertures extending from a sleeve bore of the inner sleeve through an external surface of the inner sleeve, and is operable to restrict flow across the first set of apertures when the inner sleeve is in a first position. The pin engages the slot, which includes a first tracking path and a second tracking path. The slot also includes a first transition path extending from the first tracking path to the second tracking path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Lee Strohla, Matthew Ryan Gray, Daniel Keith Moeller
  • Patent number: 10633949
    Abstract: A diverter assembly includes a tubing segment and one or more sleeve members disposed therein. The tubing segment includes apertures that are selectively alignable with apertures of an inner sleeve disposed within the tubing segment. The tubing segment includes a series of stops (e.g., shear pins) to arrest movement of the first sleeve within the bore of the tubing segment. A first one or more ball seats are included in the first sleeve such that deployment of a first ball and pressurization of the well above the first ball causes a first set of shear pins to fail, thereby allowing the first sleeve to slide downhole to cause apertures of the sleeve to align with apertures of the tubing segment, thereby causing fluid to flow to an annulus between the tubing segment and wellbore wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: David Jon Tilley, Phillip Michael Morgan, James Todd Johnson, Michael Rick Johnson, Nicholas Lee Strohla, Matthew Ryan Gray, Daniel Keith Moeller
  • Patent number: 10513907
    Abstract: A downhole tool subassembly has an outer sleeve with a first set of apertures extending from an inner bore of the outer sleeve. An intermediate sleeve positioned is within the outer sleeve and defines an intermediate flow path extending from an inner bore of the intermediate sleeve to a cavity formed between the uphole portion of the outer sleeve and the downhole portion of the intermediate sleeve. An inner sleeve is positioned within the intermediate sleeve and has an external sealing portion that restricts flow across the intermediate flow path when the downhole tool is in a first configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Lee Strohla, Matthew Ryan Gray, Daniel Keith Moeller
  • Publication number: 20190284899
    Abstract: A diverter assembly includes a tubing segment and one or more sleeve members disposed therein. The tubing segment includes apertures that are selectively alignable with apertures of an inner sleeve disposed within the tubing segment. The tubing segment includes a series of stops (e.g., shear pins) to arrest movement of the first sleeve within the bore of the tubing segment. A first one or more ball seats are included in the first sleeve such that deployment of a first ball and pressurization of the well above the first ball causes a first set of shear pins to fail, thereby allowing the first sleeve to slide downhole to cause apertures of the sleeve to align with apertures of the tubing segment, thereby causing fluid to flow to an annulus between the tubing segment and wellbore wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: David Jon Tilley, Phillip Michael MORGAN, James Todd JOHNSON, Michael Rick JOHNSON, Nicholas Lee Lee STROHLA, Matthew Ryan GRAY, Daniel Keith MOELLER
  • Publication number: 20190106964
    Abstract: A downhole tool subassembly has an outer sleeve with a first set of apertures extending from an inner bore of the outer sleeve. An intermediate sleeve positioned is within the outer sleeve and defines an intermediate flow path extending from an inner bore of the intermediate sleeve to a cavity formed between the uphole portion of the outer sleeve and the downhole portion of the intermediate sleeve. An inner sleeve is positioned within the intermediate sleeve and has an external sealing portion that restricts flow across the intermediate flow path when the downhole tool is in a first configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Inventors: Nicholas Lee STROHLA, Matthew Ryan Gray, Daniel Keith Moeller
  • Publication number: 20180245426
    Abstract: A downhole tool subassembly having an outer sleeve with a first set of apertures extending from an inner bore through an external surface of the outer sleeve. The downhole tool subassembly further includes a pin coupled to the outer sleeve and extending inward from the inner bore of the outer sleeve, and an inner sleeve slidingly engaged with the with outer sleeve. The inner sleeve has a slot and a second set of apertures extending from a sleeve bore of the inner sleeve through an external surface of the inner sleeve, and is operable to restrict flow across the first set of apertures when the inner sleeve is in a first position. The pin engages the slot, which includes a first tracking path and a second tracking path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: Nicholas Lee STROHLA, Matthew Ryan Gray, Daniel Keith Moeller