Patents by Inventor Douglas J. Murray
Douglas J. Murray 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: 20020157826Abstract: A method and apparatus to provide a large bore hook hanger system incorporating sand exclusion at a junction in a multilateral wellbore includes the running of a lateral liner having an expandable sleeve positioned thereon to bridge a milled window from the lateral borehole to the primary borehole, expandable sleeve including a pre-machined window and a hook to hang the liner from the primary borehole. The hook further acts to center the pre-machined window in the expandable sleeve to provide access to the primary wellbore. The expandable sleeve is preferably covered on its outer surface with an elastomeric material and is outwardly concentric to an expandable packer for run-in. Once the expandable sleeve is positioned at the appropriate location in the junction, the expandable packer is inflated thus permanently deforming the expandable sleeve into contact with the open hole of the lateral borehole thereby preventing sand or gravel ingress to the primary borehole.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2002Publication date: October 31, 2002Inventors: Alan MacKenzie, Sebastian J. Wolters, Douglas J. Murray
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Patent number: 6450255Abstract: Several downhole flow control devices are disclosed which are meterable and are also capable of shutting of a particular zone in a well. The several embodiments include a multiple valve body, a toroidal inflatable valve, and a series of related choke systems. The downhole flow control choke mechanisms each include a downhole electronics package to provide programming or decision making capacity as well as motor actuation systems. Each choke mechanism also includes a system whereby the device can be converted to manual operation and actuated by a conventional shifting tool.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2001Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Michael A. Carmody, Kevin R. Jones, Robert J. Coon, Douglas J. Murray, Mark E. Hopmann, Steven L. Jennings, Brian A. Roth
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Publication number: 20020100588Abstract: A relatively thin walled sleeve having a premachined window is disposed at a casing window in a wellbore. The sleeve is set in place with the casing or on a separate run wherein the running tool also includes a dog to align the sleeve premachined window with the casing window both linearly and rotationally in the wellbore. The sleeve is swedged in place in part or completely and a subsequent run provides a lateral liner which extends through both the premachined window and the casing window and seals against the premachined window which will then prevent sand entering the wellbore.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2002Publication date: August 1, 2002Inventors: Douglas J. Murray, John J. Johnson, Enrique M. Proano
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Patent number: 6419026Abstract: A method and apparatus to provide a large bore hook hanger system incorporating sand exclusion at a junction in a multilateral wellbore includes the running of a lateral liner having an expandable sleeve positioned thereon to bridge a milled window from the lateral borehole to the primary borehole, expandable sleeve including a pre-machined window and a hook to hang the liner from the primary borehole. The hook further acts to center the pre-machined window in the expandable sleeve to provide access to the primary wellbore. The expandable sleeve is preferably covered on its outer surface with an elastomeric material and is outwardly concentric to an expandable packer for run-in. Once the expandable sleeve is positioned at the appropriate location in the junction, the expandable packer is inflated thus permanently deforming the expandable sleeve into contact with the open hole of the lateral borehole thereby preventing sand or gravel ingress to the primary borehole.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2000Date of Patent: July 16, 2002Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Alan MacKenzie, Sebastian J. Wolters, Douglas J. Murray
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Publication number: 20020062956Abstract: A self-lubricating swage expands tubulars and includes a primary swaging tool supported on a mandrel that has a lubricious capacity or a primary swaging tool supported on a mandrel and a nose swage member supported on an end of the mandrel. In the latter the nose swage member is fabricated of, is coated with or otherwise includes and applies a lubricious material that smears onto a surface coming into contact with the nose swage member. The smearing of the lubricious material facilitates the sliding of the swaging member as it contacts the inner walls of the tubular.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2001Publication date: May 30, 2002Inventors: Douglas J. Murray, William M. Bailey
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Publication number: 20020053433Abstract: A cement diverter system and method for cementing a junction in a wellbore wherein a cementing operation and reverse circulating operation are achievable in a single run in the hole.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2001Publication date: May 9, 2002Inventors: Alan Mackenzie, Aubrey C. Mills, Douglas J. Murray
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Publication number: 20020027002Abstract: Several downhole flow control devices are disclosed which are meterable and are also capable of shutting of a particular zone in a well. The several embodiments include a multiple valve body, a toroidal inflatable valve, and a series of related choke systems. The downhole flow control choke mechanisms each include a downhole electronics package to provide programming or decision making capacity as well as motor actuation systems. Each choke mechanism also includes a system whereby the device can be converted to manual operation and actuated by a conventional shifting tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2001Publication date: March 7, 2002Inventors: Michael A. Carmody, Kevin R. Jones, Robert J. Coon, Douglas J. Murray, Mark E. Hopmann, Steven L. Jennings, Brian A. Roth
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Publication number: 20020011340Abstract: A multilateral reference point sleeve includes a tubular member configured to be received in a tubing string of a wellbore. The tubular member has an uphole end and a downhole end. The uphole end is angled to define an orientation profile, and the orientation profile has an orientation slot extending therefrom. A method for orienting a tool in a wellbore includes running the multilateral reference point sleeve into the casing in the wellbore, anchoring the sleeve to an inner surface of the casing, running the tool into the tubing string, causing a pin on the tool to engage the orientation profile on the sleeve, and causing the pin on the tool to engage the orientation slot on the orientation profile.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2001Publication date: January 31, 2002Inventor: Douglas J. Murray
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Publication number: 20020011339Abstract: A through-tubing multilateral system for downhole oil drilling operations includes a tubing extension positioned in a downhole end of a tubing string in a wellbore and an anchoring system configured and positioned to anchor the tubing extension in the wellbore. The tubing extension is dimensioned to accommodate the installation of a multilateral junction therein and has an outside diameter that is less than an inside diameter of the tubing string. The tubing extension has a body portion configured to be tubular in structure and a thin walled section attached to one end of the body portion. The thin walled section has a wall thickness that is less than a wall thickness of the body portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2001Publication date: January 31, 2002Inventor: Douglas J. Murray
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Patent number: 6334486Abstract: Several downhole flow control devices are disclosed which are meterable and are also capable of shutting of a particular zone in a well. The several embodiments include a multiple valve body, a toroidal inflatable valve, and a series of related choke systems. The downhole flow control choke mechanisms each include a downhole electronics package to provide programming or decision making capacity as well as motor actuation systems. Each choke mechanism also includes a system whereby the device can be converted to manual operation and actuated by a conventional shifting tool.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2000Date of Patent: January 1, 2002Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Michael A. Carmody, Kevin R. Jones, Robert J. Coon, Douglas J. Murray, Mark E. Hopmann, Steven L. Jennings, Brian A. Roth
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Publication number: 20010054504Abstract: Several downhole flow control devices are disclosed which are meterable and are also capable of shutting of a particular zone in a well. The several embodiments include a multiple valve body, a toroidal inflatable valve, and a series of related choke systems. The downhole flow control choke mechanisms each include a downhole electronics package to provide programming or decision making capacity as well as motor actuation systems. Each choke mechanism also includes a system whereby the device can be converted to manual operation and actuated by a conventional shifting tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2001Publication date: December 27, 2001Inventors: Michael A. Carmody, Kevin R. Jones, Robert J. Coon, Douglas J. Murray, Mark E. Hopmann, Steven L. Jennings, Brian A. Roth
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Publication number: 20010054505Abstract: Several downhole flow control devices are disclosed which are meterable and are also capable of shutting of a particular zone in a well. The several embodiments include a multiple valve body, a toroidal inflatable valve, and a series of related choke systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2001Publication date: December 27, 2001Inventors: Michael A. Carmody, Kevin R. Jones, Robert J. Coon, Douglas J. Murray, Mark E. Hopmann, Steven L. Jennings, Brian A. Roth
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Patent number: 6260616Abstract: Several downhole flow control devices are disclosed which are meterable and are also capable of shutting of a particular zone in a well. The several embodiments include a multiple valve body, a toroidal inflatable valve, and a series of related choke systems. The downhole flow control choke mechanisms each include a downhole electronics package to provide programming or decision making capacity as well as motor actuation systems. Each choke mechanism also includes a system whereby the device can be converted to manual operation and actuated by a conventional shifting tool.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1998Date of Patent: July 17, 2001Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Michael A. Carmody, Kevin R. Jones, Robert J. Coon, Douglas J. Murray, Mark E. Hopmann, Steven L. Jennings, Brian A. Roth
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Patent number: 6041857Abstract: Several motor driven embodiments are discussed which provide linear motion to a downhole flow control device. The embodiments employ ball screw assemblies or lead screw assemblies. A device for rotational actuation of a downhole flow control device is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 1997Date of Patent: March 28, 2000Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Michael A. Carmody, Kevin R. Jones, Robert J. Coon, Douglas J. Murray, Mark E. Hopmann, Steven L. Jennings, Wayne Welch, Jeffry Edwards, David Martin
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Patent number: 6012526Abstract: Junctions in multilateral well structures are sealed by employing a variety of degrees of premachined components and a variety of sealing embodiments, including casing segments having premachined windows, side pocket members which are adapted to reside within the string during run in and move laterally to the deployed position, woven members, cement filled ECPs, etc. Also disclosed is a downhole milling device which cuts a window in a casing segment or other material based upon a predetermined geometric pattern imposed upon the cutting tool by an integral template.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 1997Date of Patent: January 11, 2000Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Steven L. Jennings, James Kenneth Whanger, Arne Larsen, John L. Baugh, Brian Wood, Christopher L. Gann, Darrin Willauer, Mark W. Brockman, David G. Forsyth, Gerald D. Lynde, Douglas J. Murray, Edwin Schubrick, James K. Jackson, William K. Brown
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Patent number: 5944108Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method for multilateral completion and cementing (i.e., sealing) the juncture between primary and lateral wellbores. The completion method of the present invention addresses the issue of cementation and sealing of junctures between vertical and lateral wellbores. It is desirable to have the ability to re-enter each lateral wellbore as well as maintain the option to perform any function that could be done in a single wellbore. For this reason, cemented and sealed lateral wellbores are desirable so that normal isolation, stimulation or any other operation can be achieved. The method allows sealing and reworking of either wellbores with single laterals or multiple laterals and provides safe durable junctions therebetween. The method of this invention utilizes a "hook" liner hanger system.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: John L. Baugh, David E. Hirth, Douglas J. Murray
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Patent number: 5906238Abstract: Several downhole flow control devices are disclosed which are meterable and are also capable of shutting of a particular zone in a well. The several embodiments include a multiple valve body, a toroidal inflatable valve, and a series of related choke systems. The downhole flow control choke mechanisms each include a downhole electronics package to provide programming or decision making capacity as well as motor actuation systems. Each choke mechanism also includes a system whereby the device can be converted to manual operation and actuated by a conventional shifting tool.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 1997Date of Patent: May 25, 1999Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Michael A. Carmody, Kevin R. Jones, Robert J. Coon, Douglas J. Murray, Mark E. Hopmann, Steven L. Jennings, Brian A. Roth
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Patent number: 5832996Abstract: A downhole controller for a flow control device. The controller is responsive to commands from the surface or from downhole and controls the flow device using a four way solenoid actuated spool valve and a hydraulically actuated piston system connected to the flow control device.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 1997Date of Patent: November 10, 1998Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Michael A. Carmody, Kevin R. Jones, Robert J. Coon, Douglas J. Murray, Mark E. Hopmann, Steven L. Jennings
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Patent number: 5549161Abstract: A shifting tool is disclosed which allows movement of a shifting sleeve, to be followed by an additional force applied to ensure complete stroking of the shifting sleeve. This is accomplished by a shifting key to normally shift the shifting sleeve, followed by an overpull key which engages while the shifting key is still engaged. Once a predetermined force has been applied to the overpull key, the force applied from the surface is removed so that the tool may disengage from the sleeve. Subsequent manipulation, without necessarily any removal from the wellbore, if it does not result in a reengagement, provides feedback that the shifting sleeve has, in fact, shifted its full stroke. An emergency release is available which actuated by an overpull force beyond a predetermined level, applied while the overpull key is engaged for an emergency release from the shifting sleeve.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 1995Date of Patent: August 27, 1996Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Alfredo Gomez, William M. Richards, Douglas J. Murray
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Patent number: 5425424Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing through a casing without perforation are disclosed. The casing can be rotated while it is cemented and includes a multiplicity of sliding sleeve valves. Each of the valves selectively covers a plurality of pistons, each of which preferably has a rupture disc mounted therein. A pressure-regulating device is provided in association with each rupture disc to ensure retention of sufficient internal pressure in the tubing such that all discs eventually burst without any short circuiting through the discs which ruptured earlier. The outward movement of the pistons acts to assist in fracturing the formation. Thereafter, the pressure used to rupture the discs aids in further channeling the fluid energy of the fluid rupturing the discs, as well as putting additional pressure on the movable pistons to further stress fracture the formation.As the piston is pumped outward, the grease that is held captive within the piston assembly is forced outward through a bladder.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 1994Date of Patent: June 20, 1995Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Paul A. Reinhardt, Douglas J. Murray