Patents by Inventor David S. Wesson

David S. Wesson 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: 9803455
    Abstract: A shaped charge comprising a case, a liner positioned within the case, and an explosive filled within the case. The liner is shaped with a subtended angle ranging from 100° to 120° about an apex, a radius, and an aspect ratio such that a jet formed with the explosive creates an entrance hole in a well casing. The jet creates a perforation tunnel in a hydrocarbon formation, wherein a diameter of the jet, a diameter of the entrance hole diameter, and a width and length of the perforation tunnel are substantially constant and unaffected with changes in design and environmental factors such as a thickness and composition of the well casing, position of the charge in the perforating gun, position of the perforating gun in the well casing, a water gap in the wellbore casing, and type of the hydrocarbon formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: GEODYNAMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Wenbo Yang, Philip M Snider, John T Hardesty, David S Wesson
  • Publication number: 20170275973
    Abstract: An optimal perforating gun method for accurate perforation in a deviated/horizontal wellbore is disclosed. The method includes a gun string assembly (GSA) deployed in a wellbore with shaped charges arranged in rows in a cluster and a total number of the shaped charges is equal to a total number of the rows. A total number of charges for each cluster in a stage is selected with the best statistical probability for a desired number of perforations in the cluster. The number of charges and the number of rows per each cluster in a stage is optimized such that there is a maximum probability of perforating into a low compression region in an upward and downward direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Applicant: GEODynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: John T Hardesty, David S Wesson
  • Patent number: 9765601
    Abstract: A shaped charge that includes a case, a liner positioned within the case, and an explosive filled within the case. The liner is shaped with a subtended angle ranging from 100° to 120° about an apex, a radius, and an aspect ratio such that a jet formed with the explosive creates an entrance hole in a well casing. The jet creates a perforation tunnel in a hydrocarbon formation, wherein a diameter of the jet, a diameter of the entrance hole diameter, and a width and length of the perforation tunnel are substantially constant and unaffected with changes in design and environmental factors such as a thickness and composition of the well casing, position of the charge in the perforating gun, position of the perforating gun in the well casing, a water gap in the wellbore casing, and type of the hydrocarbon formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: GEODYNAMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Wenbo Yang, Philip M Snider, John T Hardesty, David S Wesson
  • Patent number: 9752406
    Abstract: A wellbore plug isolation system and method for positioning plugs to isolate fracture zones in a horizontal, vertical, or deviated wellbore is disclosed. The system/method includes a wellbore casing laterally drilled into a hydrocarbon formation, a wellbore setting tool (WST) that sets a large inner diameter (ID) restriction sleeve member (RSM), and a restriction plug element (RPE). The RPE includes a first composition and a second composition that changes phase or strength under wellbore conditions. After a stage is perforated, RPEs are deployed to isolate toe ward pressure communication. The second composition changes phase to create flow channels in the RPE during production. In an alternate system/method, the second composition changes phase or strength thereby deforming the RPE to reduce size and pass through the RSM's. The RPEs are removed or left behind prior to initiating well production without the need for a milling procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: GEODYNAMICS, INC.
    Inventors: John T. Hardesty, Philip M. Snider, David S. Wesson
  • Patent number: 9725993
    Abstract: A shaped charge that includes a case, a liner positioned within the case, and an explosive filled within the case. The liner is shaped with a subtended angle ranging from 100° to 120° about an apex, a radius, and an aspect ratio such that a jet formed with the explosive creates an entrance hole in a well casing. The jet creates a perforation tunnel in a hydrocarbon formation, wherein a diameter of the jet, a diameter of the entrance hole diameter, and a width and length of the perforation tunnel are substantially constant and unaffected with changes in design and environmental factors such as a thickness and composition of the well casing, position of the charge in the perforating gun, position of the perforating gun in the well casing, a water gap in the wellbore casing, and type of the hydrocarbon formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: GEODYNAMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Wenbo Yang, Philip M Snider, John T Hardesty, David S Wesson
  • Publication number: 20170204713
    Abstract: By removing material of low permeability from within and around a perforation tunnel and creating at least one fracture at the tip of a perforation tunnel, injection parameters and effects such as outflow rate and, in the case of multiple perforation tunnels benefiting from such cleanup, distribution of injected fluids along a wellbore are enhanced. Following detonation of a charge carrier, a second explosive event is triggered within a freshly made tunnel, thereby substantially eliminating a crushed zone and improving the geometry and quality (and length) of the tunnel. In addition, this action creates substantially debris-free tunnels and relieves the residual stress cage, resulting in perforation tunnels that are highly conducive to injection under fracturing conditions for disposal and stimulation purposes, and that promote even coverage of injected fluids across the perforated interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: Matthew Robert George BELL, David S. WESSON, Nathan Garret CLARK, John Thomas HARDESTY
  • Publication number: 20170198565
    Abstract: A sleeve actuation method for actuating sleeves in a reverse direction. The method includes a use of stored energy created by injecting into a connected region of a well such that the stored energy is used to actuate a tool installed in a wellbore casing that is either heel ward or uphole of the connected region. The tool actuated in a direction from toe end to heel end while the tool reconfigures to create a seat for seating plugging elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Applicant: GEODynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip M. Snider, David S. Wesson
  • Patent number: 9702222
    Abstract: A seat forming apparatus for use in a downhole tool comprising a driving member and a seating restriction. The driving member and the seating restriction are mechanically disposed within an outer housing of the downhole tool. When the driving member drives into the seating restriction, the seating restriction or the driving member bend or buckle inwards to form a seat in the downhole tool. The inner diameter of the seat is configured to allow a restriction element to be seated in the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: GEODYNAMICS, INC.
    Inventors: John T. Hardesty, Philip M. Snider, David S. Wesson
  • Patent number: 9689232
    Abstract: An actuating apparatus for actuating a downhole tool in a wellbore casing comprising an actuating member and a holding device. The actuating member disposed within an outer housing of the downhole tool and the holding device mechanically coupled to the arming member. When a ball deployed into the wellbore casing passes through the downhole tool in a downhole direction and moves back in an uphole direction due to reverse flow, the ball engages on the holding device and functions the actuating member such that a port in the downhole tool is exposed to uphole pressure and actuates the actuating member to travel in an uphole direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: GEODYNAMICS, INC.
    Inventors: John T. Hardesty, Kevin R. George, Raymond C. Shaffer, Michael D. Wroblicky, Dennis E. Roessler, Varun Garg, Philip M. Snider, David S. Wesson
  • Patent number: 9650866
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a time delay in injection of pressured fluid into a geologic formation. The apparatus comprises a toe valve activated by fluid pressure that opens ports after a predetermined time interval to allow fluid to pass from a well casing to a formation. The controlled time delay enables casing integrity testing before fluid is passed through the ports. This time delay also allows multiple valves to be used in the same well casing and provide a focused jetting action to better penetrate a concrete casing lining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: GEODYNAMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin R. George, James A. Rollins, John T. Hardesty, David S. Wesson
  • Patent number: 9644460
    Abstract: By removing material of low permeability from within and around a perforation tunnel and creating at least one fracture at the tip of a perforation tunnel, injection parameters and effects such as outflow rate and, in the case of multiple perforation tunnels benefiting from such cleanup, distribution of injected fluids along a wellbore are enhanced. Following detonation of a charge carrier, a second explosive event is triggered within a freshly made tunnel, thereby substantially eliminating a crushed zone and improving the geometry and quality (and length) of the tunnel. In addition, this action creates substantially debris-free tunnels and relieves the residual stress cage, resulting in perforation tunnels that are highly conducive to injection under fracturing conditions for disposal and stimulation purposes, and that promote even coverage of injected fluids across the perforated interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: GEODynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Robert George Bell, David S. Wesson, Nathan Garret Clark, John Thomas Hardesty
  • Patent number: 9617826
    Abstract: A catch-and-engage tool conveyed with a well casing for use in a wellbore comprising an outer housing having flow ports therethrough, a functioning apparatus disposed within the outer housing comprising a movable member/sleeve and a holding device, a blocking apparatus disposed within the outer housing comprising a blocking member configured to block one or more flow ports in a first position, a seating apparatus positioned upstream of the blocking apparatus configured to form a seat in the tool. When a ball deployed into the well casing passes through the tool in a downstream direction and moves back in an upstream direction, the restriction element engages onto the holding device and moves the movable member such that a port in exposed to uphole pressure and the blocking member travels to a second position in a reverse direction unblocking flow ports and enabling fluid communication to the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: GEODYNAMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Dennis E. Roessler, Kevin R. George, Varun Garg, John T. Hardesty, Raymond C. Shaffer, Philip M. Snider, David S. Wesson
  • Patent number: 9611721
    Abstract: A sleeve actuation method for actuating sleeves in a reverse direction. The method includes a use of stored energy created by injecting into a connected region of a well such that the stored energy is used to actuate a tool installed in a wellbore casing that is either heel ward or uphole of the connected region. The tool actuated in a direction from toe end to heel end while the tool reconfigures to create a seat for seating plugging elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: GEODYNAMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Philip M Snider, David S Wesson
  • Publication number: 20170058640
    Abstract: A seat forming apparatus for use in a downhole tool comprising a driving member and dog elements that are disposed and movable within an outer housing of the downhole tool. The dog elements align in grooves recessed in the outer housing of the downhole tool in a first position and disengage from the grooves in a second position. The driving member travels in a reverse direction and enable the dog elements to move from the first position to the second position and form a seat in the downhole tool. The seat formed has an inner diameter smaller than the restriction element to allow the restriction element to be seated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: GEODynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis E. Roessler, Philip M. Snider, David S. Wesson
  • Publication number: 20170058639
    Abstract: A seat forming apparatus for use in a downhole tool comprising a driving member and a seating restriction is disclosed. The driving member and the seating restriction are mechanically disposed within an outer housing of the downhole tool. When the driving member drives into the seating restriction, the seating restriction or the driving member bend or buckle inwards to form a seat in the downhole tool. The inner diameter of the seat is configured to allow a restriction element to be seated in the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: GEODynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Hardesty, Raymond C. Shaffer, Dennis E. Roessler, Varun Garg, Kevin R. George, Philip M. Snider, David S. Wesson
  • Publication number: 20170058634
    Abstract: An arming apparatus for arming a downhole tool in a wellbore casing comprising an arming member and a holding device. The arming member disposed within an outer housing of the downhole tool and the holding device mechanically coupled to the arming member. When a ball deployed into the wellbore casing passes through the downhole tool in a downhole direction and moves back in an uphole direction due to reverse flow, the ball engages on the holding device and functions the arming member such that a pressure actuating device in the downhole tool is armed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: GEODynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis E. Roessler, Varun Garg, Kevin R. George, Michael D. Wroblicky, Raymond C. Shaffer, John T. Hardesty, Philip M. Snider, David S. Wesson
  • Publication number: 20170058643
    Abstract: A sleeve actuation method for actuating sleeves in a reverse direction. The method includes a use of stored energy created by injecting into a connected region of a well such that the stored energy is used to actuate a tool installed in a wellbore casing that is either heel ward or uphole of the connected region. The tool actuated in a direction from toe end to heel end while the tool reconfigures to create a seat for seating plugging elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: GEODYNAMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Philip M. Snider, David S. Wesson
  • Publication number: 20170058641
    Abstract: A multiple tool reverse flow system and method in a wellbore casing for use in a wellbore is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of catch-and-release tools and a catch-and-engage tool, wherein the catch-and-release tools allow a restriction element to pass through in a downstream direction and engage and then allow the restriction element to pass through in an upstream direction. The catch-and-engage tool allows the restriction element to pass through only in a downstream direction, engage and restrict travel of the restriction element in an upstream direction. The catch-and-engage tool forms a seat on an upstream end is positioned upstream of all of catch-and-release tools. The restriction element passes through all the tools in a downstream direction and moves back in an upstream direction and actuates each of the tools one at a time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: GEODynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Hardesty, Philip M. Snider, David S. Wesson
  • Publication number: 20170058638
    Abstract: An actuating apparatus for actuating a downhole tool in a wellbore casing comprising an actuating member and a holding device. The actuating member disposed within an outer housing of the downhole tool and the holding device mechanically coupled to the arming member. When a ball deployed into the wellbore casing passes through the downhole tool in a downhole direction and moves back in an uphole direction due to reverse flow, the ball engages on the holding device and functions the actuating member such that a port in the downhole tool is exposed to uphole pressure and actuates the actuating member to travel in an uphole direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: GEODynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Hardesty, Kevin R. George, Raymond C. Shaffer, Michael D. Wroblicky, Dennis E. Roessler, Varun Garg, Philip M. Snider, David S. Wesson
  • Publication number: 20170058642
    Abstract: A catch-and-engage tool conveyed with a well casing for use in a wellbore comprising an outer housing having flow ports therethrough, a functioning apparatus disposed within the outer housing comprising a movable member/sleeve and a holding device, a blocking apparatus disposed within the outer housing comprising a blocking member configured to block one or more flow ports in a first position, a seating apparatus positioned upstream of the blocking apparatus configured to form a seat in the tool. When a ball deployed into the well casing passes through the tool in a downstream direction and moves back in an upstream direction, the restriction element engages onto the holding device and moves the movable member such that a port in exposed to uphole pressure and the blocking member travels to a second position in a reverse direction unblocking flow ports and enabling fluid communication to the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: GEODynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis E. Roessler, Kevin R. George, Varun Garg, John T. Hardesty, Raymond C. Shaffer, Philip M. Snider, David S. Wesson