Patents by Inventor David J. Steele
David J. Steele 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).
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Publication number: 20080142219Abstract: Casing expansion and formation compression for permeability plane orientation. A method of forming at least one increased permeability plane in a subterranean formation includes the steps of: installing a casing section in a wellbore intersecting the formation; expanding the casing section in the wellbore; and then injecting a fluid into the formation, the injecting step being performed after the expanding step is completed. Another method includes the steps of: applying an increased compressive stress to the formation, the compressive stress being radially directed relative to a wellbore intersecting the formation; and then piercing the formation radially outward from the wellbore, thereby initiating the increased permeability plane.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2006Publication date: June 19, 2008Inventors: David J. Steele, Travis W. Cavender, Roger L. Schultz, John C. Gano
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Patent number: 7320366Abstract: A system and method for assembly of downhole equipment in a subterranean well. In a described embodiment, a method of assembling an apparatus in a subterranean well includes the steps of: positioning an expandable shell in the well; expanding the shell in the well; and then interconnecting multiple portions of the apparatus to each other within the expanded shell.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2005Date of Patent: January 22, 2008Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: David J. Steele, Jody R. McGlothen
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Patent number: 7299878Abstract: A high pressure multiple branch wellbore junction. A wellbore junction system includes a wellbore junction with at least three bores extending therethrough. Exits of the three bores are axially spaced apart. At least two deflectors are formed on the wellbore junction. The deflectors are axially spaced apart, and each of the deflectors is aligned with a respective lateral exit of the bores.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2003Date of Patent: November 27, 2007Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventor: David J. Steele
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Patent number: 7275598Abstract: An uncollapsed expandable wellbore junction and associated methods. In a described embodiment, a method of creating an expanded pressure vessel in a subterranean well includes the step of expanding the pressure vessel in the well, thereby increasing a dimension of the vessel, without prior decreasing of the dimension.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2004Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventor: David J. Steele
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Patent number: 7234526Abstract: An expanding wellbore junction system, apparatus and methods are provided for forming a sealed wellbore intersection in a subterranean well. In one described method, an expandable wellbore junction is expanded within an under-reamed cavity in a wellbore. Intersecting tubular legs of the wellbore junction are then drifted using a drifting apparatus. A deflection device may be used to direct a drift of the drifting apparatus into a selected one of the wellbore junction legs.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2004Date of Patent: June 26, 2007Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: David J. Steele, Ernest C. Bailey, Jody R. McGlothen
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Patent number: 7225875Abstract: A multi-layered wellbore junction. In a described embodiment, a method of forming an expanded chamber in a subterranean well includes the steps of: positioning multiple chamber sidewall layers in the well; and expanding the layers in the well to form the expanded chamber.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2004Date of Patent: June 5, 2007Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: David J. Steele, John M. Kolker, Hendrik M. Stoltz, Gerald E. Kent
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Patent number: 7216718Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 24, 2006Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: David J. Steele, John C. Gano
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Patent number: 7063163Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 24, 2004Date of Patent: June 20, 2006Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: David J. Steele, John C. Gano
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Patent number: 7000695Abstract: An expanding wellbore junction system, apparatus and methods are provided for forming a sealed wellbore intersection in a subterranean well. In one described method, an expandable wellbore junction is expanded within an under-reamed cavity in a wellbore. Intersecting tubular legs of the wellbore junction are then drifted using a drifting apparatus. A deflection device may be used to direct a drift of the drifting apparatus into a selected one of the wellbore junction legs.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2002Date of Patent: February 21, 2006Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: David J. Steele, Ernest C. Bailey, Jody R. McGlothen
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Patent number: 6935422Abstract: An expanding wellbore junction system, apparatus and methods are provided for forming a sealed wellbore intersection in a subterranean well. In one described method, an expandable wellbore junction is expanded within an under-reamed cavity in a wellbore. Intersecting tubular legs of the wellbore junction are then drifted using a drifting apparatus. A deflection device may be used to direct a drift of the drifting apparatus into a selected one of the wellbore junction legs.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2004Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: David J. Steele, Ernest C. Bailey, Jody R. McGlothen
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Patent number: 6915855Abstract: An expanding wellbore junction system, apparatus and methods are provided for forming a sealed wellbore intersection in a subterranean well. In one described method, an expandable wellbore junction is expanded within an under-reamed cavity in a wellbore. Intersecting tubular legs of the wellbore junction are then drifted using a drifting apparatus. A deflection device may be used to direct a drift of the drifting apparatus into a selected one of the wellbore junction legs.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2004Date of Patent: July 12, 2005Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: David J. Steele, Ernest C. Bailey, Jody R. McGlothen
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Patent number: 6863130Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 21, 2003Date of Patent: March 8, 2005Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: David J. Steele, John C. Gano
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Patent number: 6854522Abstract: The present disclosure addressed apparatus and methods for forming an annular isolator in a borehole after installation of production tubing. Annular seal means are carried in or on production tubing as it is run into a borehole. In conjunction with expansion of the tubing, the seal is deployed to form an annular isolator. An inflatable element carried on the tubing may be inflated with a fluid carried in the tubing and forced into the inflatable element during expansion of the tubing. Reactive chemicals may be carried in the tubing and injected into the annulus to react with each other and ambient fluids to increase in volume and harden into an annular seal. An elastomeric sleeve, ring or band carried on the tubing may be expanded into contact with a borehole wall and may have its radial dimension increased in conjunction with tubing expansion to form an annular isolator.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2002Date of Patent: February 15, 2005Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Michael M. Brezinski, Gregory B. Chitwood, Ralph H. Echols, Gary P. Funkhouser, John C. Gano, William D. Henderson, Paul I. Herman, Marion D. Kilgore, Jody R. McGlothen, Ronald J. Powell, Alex Procyk, Thomas W. Ray, Michael W. Sanders, Roger L. Schultz, David J. Steele, Robert S. Taylor, Bradley L. Todd, Cynthia Tuckness
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Publication number: 20040182568Abstract: An expanding wellbore junction system, apparatus and methods are provided for forming a sealed wellbore intersection in a subterranean well. In one described method, an expandable wellbore junction is expanded within an under-reamed cavity in a wellbore. Intersecting tubular legs of the wellbore junction are then drifted using a drifting apparatus. A deflection device may be used to direct a drift of the drifting apparatus into a selected one of the wellbore junction legs.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2004Publication date: September 23, 2004Applicant: Halliburton Energy ServicesInventors: David J. Steele, Ernest C. Bailey, Jody R. McGlothen
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Publication number: 20040182579Abstract: An expanding wellbore junction system, apparatus and methods are provided for forming a sealed wellbore intersection in a subterranean well. In one described method, an expandable wellbore junction is expanded within an under-reamed cavity in a wellbore. Intersecting tubular legs of the wellbore junction are then drifted using a drifting apparatus. A deflection device may be used to direct a drift of the drifting apparatus into a selected one of the wellbore junction legs.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2004Publication date: September 23, 2004Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: David J. Steele, Ernest C. Bailey, Jody R. McGlothen
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Publication number: 20040182578Abstract: An expanding wellbore junction system, apparatus and methods are provided for forming a sealed wellbore intersection in a subterranean well. In one described method, an expandable wellbore junction is expanded within an under-reamed cavity in a wellbore. Intersecting tubular legs of the wellbore junction are then drifted using a drifting apparatus. A deflection device may be used to direct a drift of the drifting apparatus into a selected one of the wellbore junction legs.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2004Publication date: September 23, 2004Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: David J. Steele, Ernest C. Bailey, Jody R. McGlothen
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Publication number: 20040140103Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2003Publication date: July 22, 2004Inventors: David J. Steele, John C. Gano
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Patent number: 6729410Abstract: A multiple tube structure provides enhanced utilization of limited cross-sectional area in a wellbore. In a described embodiment, a tube system includes multiple tubular members rigidly attached to each other along axial lengths thereof. The tubular members are configured so that they conform to an interior of a generally D-shaped portion of a circle.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2002Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventor: David J. Steele
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Patent number: 6712148Abstract: Specially designed apparatus is utilized to provide convenient isolation of a wellbore junction from pressure and corrosion during an acid fracturing stimulation process performed in a main or branch wellbore portion downhole from the junction. The apparatus has an outer tubular portion which may be installed, in a single trip into the main wellbore, in a straddling and sealing relationship with the junction, and an inner tubular structure sealingly and removably received within the outer tubular structure. Fracturing acid may be pumped directly down the main wellbore, and then to the formation to be stimulated, via the interior of the outer tubular structure, after the removal of the inner tubular structure subsequent to its use in facilitating a downhole pressure test of a lower end seal portion of the outer tubular structure.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2002Date of Patent: March 30, 2004Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Steven R. Fipke, Ernest C. Bailey, David J. Steele, Travis W. Cavender
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Publication number: 20040055758Abstract: The present disclosure addressed apparatus and methods for forming an annular isolator in a borehole after installation of production tubing. Annular seal means are carried in or on production tubing as it is run into a borehole. In conjunction with expansion of the tubing, the seal is deployed to form an annular isolator. An inflatable element carried on the tubing may be inflated with a fluid carried in the tubing and forced into the inflatable element during expansion of the tubing. Reactive chemicals may be carried in the tubing and injected into the annulus to react with each other and ambient fluids to increase in volume and harden into an annular seal. An elastomeric sleeve, ring or band carried on the tubing may be expanded into contact with a borehole wall and may have its radial dimension increased in conjunction with tubing expansion to form an annular isolator.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2002Publication date: March 25, 2004Inventors: Michael M. Brezinski, Gregory B. Chitwood, Ralph H. Echols, Gary P. Funkhouser, John C. Gano, William D. Henderson, Paul I. Herman, Marion D. Kilgore, Jody R. McGlothen, Ronald J. Powell, Alex Procyk, Thomas W. Ray, Michael W. Sanders, Roger L. Schultz, David J. Steele, Robert S. Taylor, Bradley L. Todd, Cynthia Tuckness