Patents by Inventor Graham HITCHCOCK

Graham HITCHCOCK 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: 11898437
    Abstract: A method includes creating a chamber within an annulus between a wellbore casing and a drillpipe. An upper boundary of the chamber includes a seal and a lower boundary of the chamber includes a liquid surface and determining a volume of the chamber at a first time. The method further includes determining the volume of the chamber includes measuring, using a pressure gauge, a first pressure within the chamber, changing an amount of a gas in the chamber, and measuring, using the pressure gauge, a second pressure within the chamber. The method further includes determining a first volume of gas within the chamber based on the first and second pressure measurements and the change in the amount of gas, and determining a first fluid level based on the first volume of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Jianhui Xu, Bodong Li, Guodong Zhan, Chinthaka P. Gooneratne, Timothy Eric Moellendick, Graham Hitchcock
  • Patent number: 11867012
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a first body, a second body, a shear pin, and a divider. The first body includes a coupling. The second body includes a cutter blade. The shear pin is configured to hold the position of the second body relative to the first body in an open position. The coupling is configured to couple the first body to the second body in a closed position. In the open position, the apparatus defines first and second flow paths for fluids and solids to pass through the apparatus. The first flow path is defined through the first body and through an inner bore of the divider. The second flow path is defined through the first body and through an annulus surrounding the divider. In the closed position, the second flow path is closed, such that solids remain in the annulus surrounding the divider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Graham Hitchcock, Michael Affleck, Aslan Bulekbay
  • Patent number: 11867028
    Abstract: A wellbore gauge cutter apparatus includes a sampling body defining a central recess extending from an inlet at a first end to an outlet at a second end. The apparatus further includes a gauge cutter connected to the sampling body configured to dislodge particles from an inner wall of a wellbore. The sampling body includes an inner wall defining the central recess, a hollow cylindrical divider having a central aperture, a first flow path defined in the central aperture of the hollow cylindrical divider, a second flow path defined between an outer wall of the hollow cylindrical divider and the inner wall of the sampling body, and a fluid permeable screen arranged in the first flow path or the second flow The fluid permeable screen is configured to collect a portion the particles dislodged by the gauge cutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Aslan Bulekbay, Graham Hitchcock, Saad Al-Driweesh, Ali J. Aljasim
  • Patent number: 11761275
    Abstract: System and methods for delivering objects formed of a solid material into a circulation fluid of a subterranean well include a volume transfer container. The volume transfer container has an inlet port, an outlet port, and a charge access opening sized to provide for the filling of the volume transfer container with the objects. A discharge line extends from a pump assembly to the volume transfer container. A transfer line extends from the volume transfer container to the drilling assembly, providing a fluid flow path from the volume transfer container to the drilling assembly that is free of any pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Graham Hitchcock, Michael Affleck, Pratyush Singh
  • Patent number: 11709118
    Abstract: A testing apparatus for testing a fluid and a loss control material (LCM) is provided. The testing apparatus includes a testing chamber having an upstream end, a downstream end, a device central axis, and a general flow direction. The testing chamber includes a chamber body having an upstream cap, a downstream cap, a first chamber wall, and a second chamber wall. The first chamber wall has a first diameter and in part defines a first chamber interior, the second chamber wall has a second diameter, the first diameter is less than the second diameter, and both the first chamber wall and the second chamber wall are positioned relative to one another such that an annulus is defined in part in between. The traversal of the fluid and the LCM along the fluid flow path is restricted by a flow restriction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Graham Hitchcock, Michael Anthony Affleck, Christopher Thomas Wrighton
  • Publication number: 20230193745
    Abstract: A method is disclosed. The method includes creating a chamber within an annulus between a wellbore casing and a drillpipe, wherein an upper boundary of the chamber comprises a seal and a lower boundary of the chamber comprises a liquid surface and determining a volume of the chamber at a first time. Determining the volume of the chamber includes measuring, using a pressure gauge, a first pressure within the chamber, changing an amount of a gas in the chamber, measuring, using the pressure gauge, a second pressure within the chamber, and determining a first volume of gas within the chamber based on the first and second pressure measurements and the change in the amount of gas. The method further includes determining a first fluid level based on the first volume of the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicants: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY, Aramco Overseas Company UK Ltd
    Inventors: Jianhui Xu, Bodong Li, Guodong Zhan, Chinthaka P. Gooneratne, Timothy Eric Moellendick, Graham Hitchcock
  • Publication number: 20230175335
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a first body, a second body, a shear pin, and a divider. The first body includes a coupling. The second body includes a cutter blade. The shear pin is configured to hold the position of the second body relative to the first body in an open position. The coupling is configured to couple the first body to the second body in a closed position. In the open position, the apparatus defines first and second flow paths for fluids and solids to pass through the apparatus. The first flow path is defined through the first body and through an inner bore of the divider. The second flow path is defined through the first body and through an annulus surrounding the divider. In the closed position, the second flow path is closed, such that solids remain in the annulus surrounding the divider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2021
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Graham Hitchcock, Michael Affleck, Aslan Bulekbay
  • Publication number: 20230175328
    Abstract: System and methods for delivering objects formed of a solid material into a circulation fluid of a subterranean well include a volume transfer container. The volume transfer container has an inlet port, an outlet port, and a charge access opening sized to provide for the filling of the volume transfer container with the objects. A discharge line extends from a pump assembly to the volume transfer container. A transfer line extends from the volume transfer container to the drilling assembly, providing a fluid flow path from the volume transfer container to the drilling assembly that is free of any pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Graham Hitchcock, Michael Affleck, Pratyush Singh
  • Patent number: 11585176
    Abstract: A method and a tool for sealing cracked casing cement are described. In a wellbore in which a casing is deployed, the casing and the wellbore define an annulus sealed with a casing cement. The method includes vibrating a portion of the casing cement adjacent an outer wall of the casing. The portion of the casing cement includes multiple discrete cracks. Vibrating the casing cement connects the discrete cracks to form a crack network. After vibrating the casing cement to form the crack network, a sealant is injected into the crack network through the casing. The sealant seals the crack network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Graham Hitchcock
  • Patent number: 11473396
    Abstract: Systems and methods for sealing a lost circulation zone associated with a subterranean well include a drill string with a circulating port and a lost circulation material. A lost circulation shape is a hollow body having an outer skin and an open interior chamber. The outer skin includes a plurality of perforations that extend through the outer skin, providing fluid communication between an exterior of the lost circulation shape and the open interior chamber. The plurality of perforations are sized to prohibit a passage of lost circulation material between the exterior of the lost circulation shape and the open interior chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: Graham Hitchcock
  • Publication number: 20220307338
    Abstract: A method and a tool for sealing cracked casing cement are described. In a wellbore in which a casing is deployed, the casing and the wellbore define an annulus sealed with a casing cement. The method includes vibrating a portion of the casing cement adjacent an outer wall of the casing. The portion of the casing cement includes multiple discrete cracks. Vibrating the casing cement connects the discrete cracks to form a crack network. After vibrating the casing cement to form the crack network, a sealant is injected into the crack network through the casing. The sealant seals the crack network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventor: Graham Hitchcock
  • Patent number: 11454082
    Abstract: An exemplary dissolvable assembly is provided. The dissolvable assembly includes a skeleton made from a first material, and a body made from a second material, wherein the first material and the second material dissolve at different rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Sakethraman Mahalingam, Graham Hitchcock, Daniele Colombo, Jianhui Xu
  • Patent number: 11435274
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining rheology characteristics of a drilling fluid include a drop-in unit sized to fit within a flowline of a drilling fluid circulation system upstream of a mud shaker. The drop-in unit has an entry funnel having an end plate with an opening through the end plate. The entrance of the entry funnel has an outer diameter that is larger than a diameter of the opening through the end plate. An instrumentation tubular is an elongated member with an inner bore that is in fluid communication with the opening through the end plate. The instrumentation tubular includes a downstream sensor and an upstream sensor. The upstream and downstream sensors are operable to sense a parameter of the drilling fluid traveling through the instrumentation tubular for calculating a change of viscosity of the drilling fluid within the flowline between a first time and a second time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Graham Hitchcock, Michael Affleck
  • Publication number: 20220213761
    Abstract: A wellbore gauge cutter apparatus includes a sampling body defining a central recess extending from an inlet at a first end to an outlet at a second end. The apparatus further includes a gauge cutter connected to the sampling body configured to dislodge particles from an inner wall of a wellbore. The sampling body includes an inner wall defining the central recess, a hollow cylindrical divider having a central aperture, a first flow path defined in the central aperture of the hollow cylindrical divider, a second flow path defined between an outer wall of the hollow cylindrical divider and the inner wall of the sampling body, and a fluid permeable screen arranged in the first flow path or the second flow The fluid permeable screen is configured to collect a portion the particles dislodged by the gauge cutter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Aslan Bulekbay, Graham Hitchcock, Saad Al-Driweesh, Ali J. Aljasim
  • Patent number: 11371301
    Abstract: Methods and systems for sealing a lost circulation zone associated with a subterranean include determining geophysical data of the lost circulation zone. An available range of lost circulation shape data and an available range of lost circulation material data is provided. The geophysical data, the available range of lost circulation shape data, and the available range of lost circulation material data are part of a fixed data set. An initial lost circulation mix is determined from the fixed data set. An initial drill string downhole flow rate and an initial annulus uphole flow rate are determined and an initial loss volume is calculated. The initial lost circulation mix is delivered into the subterranean well. A revised drill string downhole flow rate and a revised annulus uphole flow rate are determined and a revised loss volume is calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Graham Hitchcock, Sakethraman Mahalingam
  • Patent number: 11332997
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a drill bit having a frangible drive shaft, a thread cutting surface formed on an outer surface of the drill bit, a conical swage formed on the drill bit, the conical swage having a conical shape, and a seal plug coupled to the drill bit, the seal plug removable from the drill bit. A method includes penetrating an inner surface and an outer surface of the casing with a drill point of the drill bit thereby forming a hole, threadingly engaging the seal plug with the hole wall, disengaging the seal plug from a drive shaft of the drill bit assembly, retracting the drill bit assembly through the seal plug, and engaging an outer surface of a conical swage with an inner surface of the seal plug and radially expanding the seal plug as the conical swage is retracted through the hole wall, thereby sealing the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: Graham Hitchcock
  • Publication number: 20220065068
    Abstract: An exemplary dissolvable assembly is provided. The dissolvable assembly includes a skeleton made from a first material, and a body made from a second material, wherein the first material and the second material dissolve at different rates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Sakethraman Mahalingam, Graham Hitchcock, Daniele Colombo, Jianhui Xu
  • Publication number: 20220065067
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a drill bit having a frangible drive shaft, a thread cutting surface formed on an outer surface of the drill bit, a conical swage formed on the drill bit, the conical swage having a conical shape, and a seal plug coupled to the drill bit, the seal plug removable from the drill bit. A method includes penetrating an inner surface and an outer surface of the casing with a drill point of the drill bit thereby forming a hole, threadingly engaging the seal plug with the hole wall, disengaging the seal plug from a drive shaft of the drill bit assembly, retracting the drill bit assembly through the seal plug, and engaging an outer surface of a conical swage with an inner surface of the seal plug and radially expanding the seal plug as the conical swage is retracted through the hole wall, thereby sealing the hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Applicant: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: Graham Hitchcock
  • Patent number: 11225843
    Abstract: A composite drill pipe including an inner pipe having a first diameter, an outer pipe having a second diameter greater than the first diameter, and a plurality of flow channels formed between the inner pipe and the outer pipe. The plurality of flow channels are formed by a plurality of walls extending radially between an outer diameter of the inner pipe and an inner diameter of the outer pipe. A method of forming a composite drill pipe includes pultruding a drill pipe comprising an inner pipe having a first diameter, an outer pipe having a second diameter greater than the first diameter, and a plurality of flow channels formed between the inner pipe and the outer pipe. The method also includes providing a multi-directional reinforcement over an outer diameter of the outer pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Graham Hitchcock
  • Publication number: 20210381942
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining rheology characteristics of a drilling fluid include a drop-in unit sized to fit within a flowline of a drilling fluid circulation system upstream of a mud shaker. The drop-in unit has an entry funnel having an end plate with an opening through the end plate. The entrance of the entry funnel has an outer diameter that is larger than a diameter of the opening through the end plate. An instrumentation tubular is an elongated member with an inner bore that is in fluid communication with the opening through the end plate. The instrumentation tubular includes a downstream sensor and an upstream sensor. The upstream and downstream sensors are operable to sense a parameter of the drilling fluid traveling through the instrumentation tubular for calculating a change of viscosity of the drilling fluid within the flowline between a first time and a second time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Graham HITCHCOCK, Michael AFFLECK