Patents by Inventor Gregory H. Chitty

Gregory H. Chitty 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: 7654319
    Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for handling fluids returning from a well. The fluids are introduced into a separator and a separated gas stream is recovered or recycled. The gas stream may comprise more than one phase. The separated gas stream is urged through a multiphase pump before it is recovered. Alternatively, the return fluids may pass through a multiphase pump before it is introduced into the separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory H. Chitty, Jeffrey Charles Saponja, David Graham Hosie
  • Publication number: 20080121392
    Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for handling fluids returning from a well. The fluids are introduced into a separator and a separated gas stream is recovered or recycled. The gas stream may comprise more than one phase. The separated gas stream is urged through a multiphase pump before it is recovered. Alternatively, the return fluids may pass through a multiphase pump before it is introduced into the separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventors: Gregory H. Chitty, Jeffrey Charles Saponja, David Graham Hosie
  • Patent number: 7178592
    Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for handling fluids returning from a well. The fluids are introduced into a separator and a separated gas stream is recovered or recycled. The gas stream may comprise more than one phase. The separated gas stream is urged through a multiphase pump before it is recovered. Alternatively, the return fluids may pass through a multiphase pump before it is introduced into the separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory H. Chitty, Jeffrey Charles Saponja, David Graham Hosie
  • Patent number: 7066247
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method for removing hydrocarbons and other material from a wellbore. In one aspect, a method of drilling a sub-sea wellbore is provided. The method includes circulating a drilling fluid through a drill string from a surface of the sea to a drill bit in the wellbore. The method further includes pumping the fluid and drill cuttings from the sea floor to the surface with a multiphase pump having at least two plungers operating in a predetermined phase relationship. In another aspect, a fluid separator system having a first and a second plunger assembly is provided. The fluid separator system includes at least one fluid line for removing a fluid portion from the at least one plunger assembly and at least one gas line for removing gas from the first and a second plunger assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan V. Butler, Gregory H. Chitty, Darcy Nott, Jeffrey C. Saponja, Peter B. Moyes
  • Patent number: 6966367
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method for removing hydrocarbons and other material from a wellbore. In one aspect, a method of drilling a sub-sea wellbore is provided. The method includes circulating a drilling fluid through a drill string from a surface of the sea to a drill bit in the wellbore. The method further includes pumping the fluid and drill cuttings from the sea floor to the surface with a multiphase pump having at least two plungers operating in a predetermined phase relationship. In another aspect, a fluid separator system having a first and a second plunger assembly is provided. The fluid separator system includes at least one fluid line for removing a fluid portion from the at least one plunger assembly and at least one gas line for removing gas from the first and a second plunger assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan V. Butler, Gregory H. Chitty, Darcy Nott, Jeffrey C. Saponja, Peter B. Moyes
  • Patent number: 6929068
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a well servicing system for cleaning out of a well in which a compressed inert gas, produced by the non-cryogenic separation of air is delivered to the region of the well where particulate matter has collected that inhibits the ability of the well to produce.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory H. Chitty
  • Publication number: 20040031622
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method for removing hydrocarbons and other material from a wellbore. In one aspect, a method of drilling a sub-sea wellbore is provided. The method includes circulating a drilling fluid through a drill string from a surface of the sea to a drill bit in the wellbore. The method further includes pumping the fluid and drill cuttings from the sea floor to the surface with a multiphase pump having at least two plungers operating in a predetermined phase relationship. In another aspect, a fluid separator system having a first and a second plunger assembly is provided. The fluid separator system includes at least one fluid line for removing a fluid portion from the at least one plunger assembly and at least one gas line for removing gas from the first and a second plunger assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventors: Bryan V. Butler, Gregory H. Chitty, Darcy Nott, Jeffrey C. Saponja, Peter B. Moyes
  • Publication number: 20040007131
    Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for handling fluids returning from a well. The fluids are introduced into a separator and a separated gas stream is recovered or recycled. The gas stream may comprise more than one phase. The separated gas stream is urged through a multiphase pump before it is recovered. Alternatively, the return fluids may pass through a multiphase pump before it is introduced into the separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: Gregory H. Chitty, Jeffrey Charles Saponja, David Graham Hosie
  • Publication number: 20030085036
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a system and method for using a gas in a well. In one aspect, the system includes a source of fluid and at least one multiphase pump for transporting the fluid. The system further includes a separator for separating phases in the fluid and an injector for injecting the gas into the well. The gas may be used for kicking off a shut-in well by the simultaneous injection of the gas into the shut-in well and the reduction of the wellhead pressure. The gas may also be used for maintaining production of the well, cleaning out the well or lightening the wellbore fluid in riser system. In another aspect, the invention provides a portable multiphase pump system. In yet another aspect, the invention provides a method for recycling gas from a wellbore fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventors: Glen A. Curtis, Gregory H. Chitty
  • Publication number: 20030075320
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method for cleaning out of a well in which a compressed inert gas, produced by the non-cryogenic separation of air is delivered to the region of the well where particulate matter has collected that inhibits the ability of the well to produce.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Applicant: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory H. Chitty
  • Patent number: 6494262
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method for cleaning out of a well in which a compressed inert gas, produced by the non-cryogenic separation of air is delivered to the region of the well where particulate matter has collected that inhibits the ability of the well to produce.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory H. Chitty