Patents by Inventor Floyd R. Simonds
Floyd R. Simonds 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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Patent number: 10253602Abstract: A well screen assembly has a base pipe and one or more screen sections attached to the outer surface of the base pipe. The assembly also has one or more shunt tubes attached to the base pipe via top and bottom rings. The shunt tubes can be attached to the screen sections via B-rings and may be transport tubes or packing tubes. Connections are used for securing a jumper tube to adjoining shunt tubes of adjoining screen sections of the wellscreen assembly, which may be used in open or cased holes. At a well site, the joints of the wellscreens have timed threads so that the various shunt tubes can be aligned with one another along the assembly as the joints are made up. The connections of the present disclosure allow operators to install a jumper tubes between shunt tubes at the joint without needing to tighten fasteners or assembly components.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2014Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: Michael J. Rodrigue, Floyd R. Simonds
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Patent number: 9938802Abstract: An apparatus for installation in a borehole comprises a well component and a sleeve. The well component has a through-bore and is permeable to the borehole. For example, the well component can be a well screen having a perforated basepipe with a filter disposed thereabout or can be a liner defining a plurality of openings therein. The sleeve is disposed external to the well component. The sleeve is at least temporarily impermeable to obstruct the well component during run in the borehole and becomes permeable in response to an agent, such as a hydrochloric acid, a hydrofluoric acid, an acid stimulation, a wellbore fluid, or a drilling fluid, for example.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2016Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: John S. Sladic, Floyd R. Simonds, Paul Day
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Patent number: 9677383Abstract: A gravel pack apparatus for a wellbore has a shunt tube disposed along the apparatus near a wellscreen. The shunt tube is typically composed of stainless steel and has an internal passage for conducting slurry. Along its length, the tube has flow ports for passing the conducted slurry into the wellbore. The exit ports can use erosion inserts composed of erodible material, barrier inserts having breakable barriers, flow nozzles with external sheaths or caps, erosion-resistant bushings disposed on the flow nozzles, etc. The tube can also include a tube body having the exit ports and flow nozzles integrally formed thereon. The tube body can couple end-to-end with sections of shunt tube.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2014Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: John S. Sladic, Stephen McNamee, John Broussard, Christopher A. Hall, Floyd R. Simonds
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Publication number: 20160222767Abstract: An apparatus for installation in a borehole comprises a well component and a sleeve. The well component has a through-bore and is permeable to the borehole. For example, the well component can be a well screen having a perforated basepipe with a filter disposed thereabout or can be a liner defining a plurality of openings therein. The sleeve is disposed external to the well component. The sleeve is at least temporarily impermeable to obstruct the well component during run in the borehole and becomes permeable in response to an agent, such as a hydrochloric acid, a hydrofluoric acid, an acid stimulation, a wellbore fluid, or a drilling fluid, for example.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2016Publication date: August 4, 2016Inventors: John S. Sladic, Floyd R. Simonds, Paul Day
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Publication number: 20150233216Abstract: A well screen assembly has a base pipe and one or more screen sections attached to the outer surface of the base pipe. The assembly also has one or more shunt tubes attached to the base pipe via top and bottom rings. The shunt tubes can be attached to the screen sections via B-rings and may be transport tubes or packing tubes. Connections are used for securing a jumper tube to adjoining shunt tubes of adjoining screen sections of the wellscreen assembly, which may be used in open or cased holes. At a well site, the joints of the wellscreens have timed threads so that the various shunt tubes can be aligned with one another along the assembly as the joints are made up. The connections of the present disclosure allow operators to install a jumper tubes between shunt tubes at the joint without needing to tighten fasteners or assembly components.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2014Publication date: August 20, 2015Inventors: Michael J. Rodrigue, Floyd R. Simonds
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Patent number: 9004155Abstract: Passive completion optimization with fluid loss control. A completion string includes a set of well tools interconnected as a portion of the completion string, the well tools including a well screen assembly, at least one valve which controls fluid communication between an interior and exterior of the string, and two packer assemblies, each of the packer assemblies including at least one swellable seal element, and the packer assemblies longitudinally straddling the valve and the screen assembly. Another completion string includes a set of well tools interconnected as a portion of the completion string, the well tools including two packer assemblies, a well screen assembly, and the screen assembly including an inflow control device which restricts fluid flow through the screen assembly, each of the packer assemblies including a swellable seal element, and the packer assemblies longitudinally straddling the screen assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2007Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Christopher J. Chalker, Jody R. McGlothen, Robert K. Buckner, Tommy L. Stambaugh, Floyd R. Simonds
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Patent number: 8981957Abstract: Remote operation of downhole tools in a subterranean wellbore is performed by inserting untethered, mobile devices sequentially into the wellbore. The mobile devices can include motive means, power supply, communication and data storage means, etc. In one embodiment, the method comprises maneuvering a first mobile device into proximity with a downhole tool, the device powering the tool. The first device is then removed, such as by flowing up or dissolving. The now-powered tool is used to perform a test or other operation. A second mobile device is maneuvered into proximity with the downhole tool and data is transferred. The second device is retrieved with the data or, using on-board logic devices, provides “if-then” commands to the downhole tool. Alternately, a third mobile device can be used to power and transfer commands to the tool. The method can be used for various tasks, such as opening bypass ports on ICD valves.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2012Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: John C. Gano, Luke W. Holderman, Michael Fripp, Jean Marc Lopez, Floyd R. Simonds
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Publication number: 20140262332Abstract: A well screen assembly has a base pipe and one or more screen sections attached to the outer surface of the base pipe. The assembly also has one or more shunt tubes attached to the base pipe via top and bottom rings. The shunt tubes can be attached to the screen sections via B-rings and may be transport tubes or packing tubes. Connections are used for securing a jumper tube to adjoining shunt tubes of adjoining screen sections of the wellscreen assembly, which may be used in open or cased holes. At a well site, the joints of the wellscreens have timed threads so that the various shunt tubes can be aligned with one another along the assembly as the joints are made up. The connections of the present disclosure allow operators to install a jumper tubes between shunt tubes at the joint without needing to tighten fasteners or assembly components.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Stephen McNamee, Michael J. Rodrigue, Floyd R. Simonds
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Publication number: 20140238657Abstract: A gravel pack apparatus for a wellbore has a shunt tube disposed along the apparatus near a wellscreen. The shunt tube is typically composed of stainless steel and has an internal passage for conducting slurry. Along its length, the tube has flow ports for passing the conducted slurry into the wellbore. The exit ports can use erosion inserts composed of erodible material, barrier inserts having breakable barriers, flow nozzles with external sheaths or caps, erosion-resistant bushings disposed on the flow nozzles, etc. The tube can also include a tube body having the exit ports and flow nozzles integrally formed thereon. The tube body can couple end-to-end with sections of shunt tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2014Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: John S. Sladic, Stephen McNamee, John Broussard, Christopher A. Hall, Floyd R. Simonds
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Publication number: 20130222148Abstract: Remote operation of downhole tools in a subterranean wellbore is performed by inserting untethered, mobile devices sequentially into the wellbore. The mobile devices can include motive means, power supply, communication and data storage means, etc. In one embodiment, the method comprises maneuvering a first mobile device into proximity with a downhole tool, the device powering the tool. The first device is then removed, such as by flowing up or dissolving. The now-powered tool is used to perform a test or other operation. A second mobile device is maneuvered into proximity with the downhole tool and data is transferred. The second device is retrieved with the data or, using on-board logic devices, provides “if-then” commands to the downhole tool. Alternately, a third mobile device can be used to power and transfer commands to the tool. The method can be used for various tasks, such as opening bypass ports on ICD valves.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2012Publication date: August 29, 2013Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.Inventors: John C. Gano, Luke W. Holderman, Michael Fripp, Jean Marc Lopez, Floyd R. Simonds
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Patent number: 8302681Abstract: Construction of well screens utilizing pre-formed annular-shaped elements. A well screen includes a filter layer configured to filter fluid flowing through the well screen and a drainage layer which radially supports the filter layer, the drainage layer including multiple individual annular-shaped elements. Another well screen includes a drainage layer configured to support the filter layer, with the drainage layer including at least one cavity molded therein. Another well screen includes a base pipe and a layer made up of multiple individual annular-shaped elements stacked coaxially on the base pipe. A cavity is formed in at least one of the elements.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2011Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Michael L. Fripp, Floyd R. Simonds, Jean-Marc Lopez, Syed Hamid, Donald G. Kyle, Jason Dykstra
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Patent number: 8196653Abstract: Construction of well screens utilizing pre-formed annular-shaped elements. A well screen includes a filter layer configured to filter fluid flowing through the well screen and a drainage layer which radially supports the filter layer, the drainage layer including multiple individual annular-shaped elements Another well screen includes a drainage layer configured to support the filter layer, with the drainage layer including at least one cavity molded therein. Another well screen includes a base pipe and a layer made up of multiple individual annular-shaped elements stacked coaxially on the base pipe. A cavity is formed in at least one of the elements.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2009Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Michael L. Fripp, Floyd R. Simonds, Jean-Marc Lopez, Syed Hamid, Donald G. Kyle, Jason Dykstra
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Publication number: 20120024520Abstract: Construction of well screens utilizing pre-formed annular-shaped elements. A well screen includes a filter layer configured to filter fluid flowing through the well screen and a drainage layer which radially supports the filter layer, the drainage layer including multiple individual annular-shaped elements. Another well screen includes a drainage layer configured to support the filter layer, with the drainage layer including at least one cavity molded therein. Another well screen includes a base pipe and a layer made up of multiple individual annular-shaped elements stacked coaxially on the base pipe. A cavity is formed in at least one of the elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2011Publication date: February 2, 2012Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.Inventors: Michael L. Fripp, Floyd R. Simonds, Jean-Marc Lopez, Syed Hamid, Donald G. Kyle, Jason Dykstra
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Publication number: 20100252250Abstract: Construction of well screens utilizing pre-formed annular-shaped elements. A well screen includes a filter layer configured to filter fluid flowing through the well screen and a drainage layer which radially supports the filter layer, the drainage layer including multiple individual annular-shaped elements Another well screen includes a drainage layer configured to support the filter layer, with the drainage layer including at least one cavity molded therein. Another well screen includes a base pipe and a layer made up of multiple individual annular-shaped elements stacked coaxially on the base pipe. A cavity is formed in at least one of the elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2009Publication date: October 7, 2010Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.Inventors: Michael L. Fripp, Floyd R. Simonds, Jean-Marc Lopez, Syed Hamid, Donald G. Kyle, Jason Dykstra
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Publication number: 20090065195Abstract: Passive completion optimization with fluid loss control. A completion string includes a set of well tools interconnected as a portion of the completion string, the well tools including a well screen assembly, at least one valve which controls fluid communication between an interior and exterior of the string, and two packer assemblies, each of the packer assemblies including at least one swellable seal element, and the packer assemblies longitudinally straddling the valve and the screen assembly. Another completion string includes a set of well tools interconnected as a portion of the completion string, the well tools including two packer assemblies, a well screen assembly, and the screen assembly including an inflow control device which restricts fluid flow through the screen assembly, each of the packer assemblies including a swellable seal element, and the packer assemblies longitudinally straddling the screen assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2007Publication date: March 12, 2009Inventors: Christopher J. Chalker, Jody R. McGlothen, Robert K. Buckner, Tommy L. Stambaugh, Floyd R. Simonds
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Publication number: 20080041588Abstract: Inflow control devices for sand control screens. An inflow control device for restricting flow into a passage of a tubular string in a wellbore includes at least two of a flow restrictor section, a fluid discriminator section and a reverse flow preventer section, and the inflow control device is configured so that fluid which flows between an exterior of the tubular string and the passage also flows through each of the at least two sections. A well screen or liner includes a filter or inlet portion and an inflow control device including a flow restrictor section, a fluid discriminator section, and a reverse flow preventer section, the inflow control device being configured so that fluid which flows through the filter portion also flows through the flow restrictor, fluid discriminator and reverse flow preventer sections.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2007Publication date: February 21, 2008Inventors: William M. Richards, William D. Henderson, Geirmund Saetre, Floyd R. Simonds, William J. Martin
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Patent number: 6491106Abstract: A method is provided for controlling operation of a subsurface hydraulically operated well tool. In a described embodiment, a surface controlled subsurface safety valve is controlled utilizing two control lines. The control lines are hydraulically connected to respective ones of two pistons in the safety valve. Pressure applied to either of the two pistons is capable of independently operating the safety valve. In normal operation, pressure is applied to both of the pistons. However, when a failure occurs in one of the control lines, the other may still be used to operate the safety valve.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2001Date of Patent: December 10, 2002Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventor: Floyd R. Simonds