Patents by Inventor Gary D. Ingram
Gary D. Ingram 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: 20260103952Abstract: A traction tool is operable with fluid flow from coiled tubing for use in a wellbore. The traction tool includes a mandrel, a driver, at least one piston, and a motor. The driver is rotatably disposed on the mandrel and can be movable between retracted and extended conditions when the at least one piston is actuated. The driver in the extended condition is configured to engage inside the wellbore. The piston is adjacent to the driver and is actuated by the fluid flow from the mandrel. The motor is also actuated by the fluid flow from the mandrel. The motor imparts rotation to the piston and the drive, which can be supported by bearings on the tool's mandrel. Tracks on the driver arranged at an angle transverse to a longitudinal axis of the tool allow the rotating driver to spiral inside the wellbore and advance the traction tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2024Publication date: April 16, 2026Inventors: Gary D. Ingram, Keith Adams, Detlef Boss
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Patent number: 12601257Abstract: A method can include deploying into a well a fluid sampler tool including a fluid sampler, a sampler valve, a controller and a sensor, and the controller operating the sampler valve in response to a sensed well parameter being within a predetermined well parameter range. A fluid sampler tool can include a fluid sampler, a sampler valve, a controller and a carrier configured to connect the fluid sampler tool in a tubular string, the controller being enclosed within a chamber that is externally accessible on the carrier.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2020Date of Patent: April 14, 2026Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLCInventors: Ahmed Abdalla Elsorsar, Benoit Pinson, Blake L. Alfson, Gadi Fishel, Gary D. Ingram
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Patent number: 12601232Abstract: A traction tool is operable with fluid flow from coiled tubing for use in a wellbore. The traction tool includes a mandrel, a driver, at least one piston, and a motor. The driver is rotatably disposed on the mandrel and can be movable between retracted and extended conditions when the at least one piston is actuated. The driver in the extended condition is configured to engage inside the wellbore. The piston is adjacent to the driver and is actuated by the fluid flow from the mandrel. The motor is also actuated by the fluid flow from the mandrel. The motor imparts rotation to the piston and the drive, which can be supported by bearings on the tool's mandrel. Tracks on the driver arranged at an angle transverse to a longitudinal axis of the tool allow the rotating driver to spiral inside the wellbore and advance the traction tool.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2024Date of Patent: April 14, 2026Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: Gary D. Ingram, Keith Adams, Detlef Boss
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Patent number: 12258826Abstract: A traction tool is operable with fluid flow from coiled tubing for use in a wellbore. The traction tool includes a mandrel, a driver, at least one piston, and a motor. The driver is rotatably disposed on the mandrel and can be movable between retracted and extended conditions when the at least one piston is actuated. The driver in the extended condition is configured to engage inside the wellbore. The piston is adjacent to the driver and is actuated by the fluid flow from the mandrel. The motor is also actuated by the fluid flow from the mandrel. The motor imparts rotation to the piston and the drive, which can be supported by bearings on the tool's mandrel. Tracks on the driver arranged at an angle transverse to a longitudinal axis of the tool allow the rotating driver to spiral inside the wellbore and advance the traction tool.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2023Date of Patent: March 25, 2025Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: Keith Adams, Detlef Boss, Gary D. Ingram
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Publication number: 20240328268Abstract: A traction tool is operable with fluid flow from on coiled tubing for use in a wellbore. The traction tool includes a mandrel, a driver, at least one piston, and a motor. The driver is rotatably disposed on the mandrel and can be movable between retracted and extended conditions when the at least one piston is actuated. The driver in the extended condition is configured to engage inside the wellbore. The piston is adjacent to the driver and is actuated by the fluid flow from the mandrel. The motor is also actuated by the fluid flow from the mandrel. The motor imparts rotation to the piston and the drive, which can be supported by bearings on the tool's mandrel. Tracks on the driver arranged at an angel transverse to a longitudinal axis of the tool allow the rotating driver to spiral inside the wellbore and advance the traction tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2023Publication date: October 3, 2024Inventors: Keith ADAMS, Detlef BOSS, Gary D. INGRAM
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Patent number: 11993999Abstract: A well barrier can include an annular seal element, an anti-extrusion backup having radially inward and radially outward portions, and a biasing device that exerts a biasing force against the radially outward portion of the anti-extrusion backup. A method of operating a well barrier can include setting the well barrier by decreasing a longitudinal distance between abutments of the well barrier, thereby compressing a seal element between the abutments, and unsetting the well barrier by increasing the longitudinal distance between the abutments and radially inwardly retracting an anti-extrusion backup positioned longitudinally between the seal element and one of the abutments. Another well barrier can include an annular seal element, an anti-extrusion backup, an abutment displaceable relative to the seal element to compress the seal element, a sleeve reciprocable relative to the abutment, and a biasing device that biases the sleeve toward the anti-extrusion backup.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2021Date of Patent: May 28, 2024Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLCInventors: Michael W. Mitchell, Gary D. Ingram
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Publication number: 20220112803Abstract: A method can include deploying into a well a fluid sampler tool including a fluid sampler, a sampler valve, a controller and a sensor, and the controller operating the sampler valve in response to a sensed well parameter being within a predetermined well parameter range. A fluid sampler tool can include a fluid sampler, a sampler valve, a controller and a carrier configured to connect the fluid sampler tool in a tubular string, the controller being enclosed within a chamber that is externally accessible on the carrier.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2020Publication date: April 14, 2022Inventors: Ahmed Abdalla ELSORSAR, Benoit PINSON, Blake L. ALFSON, Gadi FISHEL, Gary D. INGRAM
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Publication number: 20220106854Abstract: A well barrier can include an annular seal element, an anti-extrusion backup having radially inward and radially outward portions, and a biasing device that exerts a biasing force against the radially outward portion of the anti-extrusion backup. A method of operating a well barrier can include setting the well barrier by decreasing a longitudinal distance between abutments of the well barrier, thereby compressing a seal element between the abutments, and unsetting the well barrier by increasing the longitudinal distance between the abutments and radially inwardly retracting an anti-extrusion backup positioned longitudinally between the seal element and one of the abutments. Another well barrier can include an annular seal element, an anti-extrusion backup, an abutment displaceable relative to the seal element to compress the seal element, a sleeve reciprocable relative to the abutment, and a biasing device that biases the sleeve toward the anti-extrusion backup.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2021Publication date: April 7, 2022Inventors: Michael W. MITCHELL, Gary D. INGRAM
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Patent number: 11236579Abstract: A well barrier can include an annular seal element, an anti-extrusion backup having radially inward and radially outward portions, and a biasing device that exerts a biasing force against the radially outward portion of the anti-extrusion backup. A method of operating a well barrier can include setting the well barrier by decreasing a longitudinal distance between abutments of the well barrier, thereby compressing a seal element between the abutments, and unsetting the well barrier by increasing the longitudinal distance between the abutments and radially inwardly retracting an anti-extrusion backup positioned longitudinally between the seal element and one of the abutments. Another well barrier can include an annular seal element, an anti-extrusion backup, an abutment displaceable relative to the seal element to compress the seal element, a sleeve reciprocable relative to the abutment, and a biasing device that biases the sleeve toward the anti-extrusion backup.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2020Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: Michael W. Mitchell, Gary D. Ingram
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Publication number: 20210140265Abstract: A well barrier can include an annular seal element, an anti-extrusion backup having radially inward and radially outward portions, and a biasing device that exerts a biasing force against the radially outward portion of the anti-extrusion backup. A method of operating a well barrier can include setting the well barrier by decreasing a longitudinal distance between abutments of the well barrier, thereby compressing a seal element between the abutments, and unsetting the well barrier by increasing the longitudinal distance between the abutments and radially inwardly retracting an anti-extrusion backup positioned longitudinally between the seal element and one of the abutments. Another well barrier can include an annular seal element, an anti-extrusion backup, an abutment displaceable relative to the seal element to compress the seal element, a sleeve reciprocable relative to the abutment, and a biasing device that biases the sleeve toward the anti-extrusion backup.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2020Publication date: May 13, 2021Inventors: Michael W. MITCHELL, Gary D. INGRAM
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Patent number: 10760372Abstract: A well tool can include an annular seal and a radial expansion mechanism having radially retracted and radially expanded configurations, the annular seal being longitudinally displaceable relative to the radial expansion mechanism in the radially retracted configuration. A method of setting a well tool can include positioning the well tool in a well, the well tool including an annular seal and a radial expansion mechanism, and then longitudinally displacing the annular seal to a radially outward position relative to the radial expansion mechanism. A well system can include a well tool including an annular seal, a radial expansion mechanism, an inner mandrel assembly and a setting sleeve, and a setting tool that produces a relative longitudinal displacement between the setting sleeve and the inner mandrel assembly, the annular seal radially outwardly overlying the radial expansion mechanism in response to the relative longitudinal displacement.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2018Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: Justin R. Scruggs, Gary D. Ingram
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Publication number: 20200199965Abstract: A well tool can include an annular seal and a radial expansion mechanism having radially retracted and radially expanded configurations, the annular seal being longitudinally displaceable relative to the radial expansion mechanism in the radially retracted configuration. A method of setting a well tool can include positioning the well tool in a well, the well tool including an annular seal and a radial expansion mechanism, and then longitudinally displacing the annular seal to a radially outward position relative to the radial expansion mechanism. A well system can include a well tool including an annular seal, a radial expansion mechanism, an inner mandrel assembly and a setting sleeve, and a setting tool that produces a relative longitudinal displacement between the setting sleeve and the inner mandrel assembly, the annular seal radially outwardly overlying the radial expansion mechanism in response to the relative longitudinal displacement.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2018Publication date: June 25, 2020Inventors: Justin R. SCRUGGS, Gary D. INGRAM
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Patent number: 9759040Abstract: A system for fracturing a hydrocarbon bearing formation includes a valve including a tubular housing having a bore therethrough and one or more flow ports formed through a wall thereof. One or more locator tags are embedded in the housing, and a sleeve is disposed in the housing and movable relative thereto between an open and a closed position. The system also includes a shifting tool comprising a shifter movable between an extended position and a retracted position and operable to engage the valve sleeve. The shifting tool includes a lock that keeps the shifter extended in the locked position and allows the shifter to retract in the unlocked position. The shifting tool also includes an antenna for detecting the locator tags, and an electronics package in communication with the antenna and the actuator for operating the actuator in response to detection of the locator tags.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2014Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: Minh-Tuan Nguyen, Gary D. Ingram
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Patent number: 9291044Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting a fracturing operation using a wellbore fracturing assembly. The assembly may be mechanically set and released from a wellbore using a coiled tubing string to conduct a fracturing operation adjacent an area of interest in a formation. The assembly may include an unloader for equalizing pressure between the assembly and the wellbore, a pair of spaced apart packers for straddling the area of interest, an injection port disposed between the packers for injecting fracturing fluid into the area of interest, and an anchor for securing the assembly in the wellbore. After conducting the fracturing operation, the assembly may be relocated to another area of interest to conduct another fracturing operation.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2009Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLCInventors: Robert Murphy, Gary D. Ingram, Simon J. Harrall
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Patent number: 9267348Abstract: Methods and apparatus for conducting fracturing operations using a wellbore fracturing assembly are described. The assembly may be mechanically set and released from a wellbore using a coiled tubing string. The assembly may include a pair of spaced apart packers for straddling the area of interest, an injection port disposed between the packers for injecting fracturing fluid into the area of interest, and an anchor for securing the assembly in the wellbore. At least one of the packers includes a pressure balanced mandrel. After conducting the fracturing operation, the assembly may be relocated to another area of interest to conduct another fracturing operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2011Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: Gary D. Ingram, William D. Friend, Jr., Walter Stone Thomas Fagley, IV
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Publication number: 20150176369Abstract: A system for fracturing a hydrocarbon bearing formation includes a valve including a tubular housing having a bore therethrough and one or more flow ports formed through a wall thereof. One or more locator tags are embedded in the housing, and a sleeve is disposed in the housing and movable relative thereto between an open and a closed position. The system also includes a shifting tool comprising a shifter movable between an extended position and a retracted position and operable to engage the valve sleeve. The shifting tool includes a lock that keeps the shifter extended in the locked position and allows the shifter to retract in the unlocked position. The shifting tool also includes an antenna for detecting the locator tags, and an electronics package in communication with the antenna and the actuator for operating the actuator in response to detection of the locator tags.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2014Publication date: June 25, 2015Inventors: Minh-Tuan NGUYEN, Gary D. INGRAM
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Patent number: 8186446Abstract: A method and apparatus for setting a packer assembly having an upper packer and a lower packer in a wellbore in a single trip into a wellbore is provided. The packer assembly is configured to be retrieved from the wellbore using a retrieval tool in a single trip into the wellbore. The retrieval tool is configured to be released from the packer assembly while in the wellbore during a retrieval process in the event that the packer assembly will not release from the wellbore or is otherwise prevented from removal from the wellbore.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2009Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Gary D. Ingram, Jacob K. Bramwell, Walter Stone Thomas Fagley, IV, Robert S. Beeman, Carol Ann LaPlante Beeman, legal representative
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Publication number: 20120090858Abstract: Methods and apparatus for conducting fracturing operations using a wellbore fracturing assembly are described. The assembly may be mechanically set and released from a wellbore using a coiled tubing string. The assembly may include a pair of spaced apart packers for straddling the area of interest, an injection port disposed between the packers for injecting fracturing fluid into the area of interest, and an anchor for securing the assembly in the wellbore. At least one of the packers includes a pressure balanced mandrel. After conducting the fracturing operation, the assembly may be relocated to another area of interest to conduct another fracturing operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2011Publication date: April 19, 2012Inventors: Gary D. Ingram, William D. Friend, JR., Walter Stone Thomas Fagley, IV
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Publication number: 20100243254Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting a fracturing operation using a wellbore fracturing assembly. The assembly may be mechanically set and released from a wellbore using a coiled tubing string to conduct a fracturing operation adjacent an area of interest in a formation. The assembly may include an unloader for equalizing pressure between the assembly and the wellbore, a pair of spaced apart packers for straddling the area of interest, an injection port disposed between the packers for injecting fracturing fluid into the area of interest, and an anchor for securing the assembly in the wellbore. After conducting the fracturing operation, the assembly may be relocated to another area of interest to conduct another fracturing operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2009Publication date: September 30, 2010Inventors: Robert MURPHY, Gary D. Ingram, Simon J. Harrall
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Publication number: 20100243270Abstract: A method and apparatus for setting a packer assembly having an upper packer and a lower packer in a wellbore in a single trip into a wellbore is provided. The packer assembly is configured to be retrieved from the wellbore using a retrieval tool in a single trip into the wellbore. The retrieval tool is configured to be released from the packer assembly while in the wellbore during a retrieval process in the event that the packer assembly will not release from the wellbore or is otherwise prevented from removal from the wellbore.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2009Publication date: September 30, 2010Inventors: Gary D. Ingram, Jacob K. Bramwell, Walter Stone Thomas Fagley, IV, Robert S. Beeman, Carol Ann LaPlante Beeman