Patents by Inventor Hubert E. Halford

Hubert E. Halford 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: 8146682
    Abstract: A method of removing a restriction in a tubular located in a well includes providing a drilling assembly with a drill bit and a reamer, the reamer having a cutting structure for removing the restriction; drilling through a lower portion of the tubular; expanding the reamer at a location below the restriction; and urging the reamer back toward the restriction to remove the restriction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Bill Rhinehart, Thomas M. Redlinger, Thurman B. Carter, Wei Xu, Hubert E. Halford, Martin Stulberg
  • Patent number: 7823665
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for milling an item in a wellbore. The method and apparatus including providing a milling tool having one or more blades which are geometrically configured to resist deflection by distributing cutting forces in multiple directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Sullivan, Thomas M. Redlinger, Hubert E. Halford, Thomas F. Bailey
  • Patent number: 7487835
    Abstract: A method is provided that allows the operator to re-enter a primary wellbore from a lateral wellbore after the lateral wellbore has been completed. The method generally comprises the steps of locating a cutting device such as a milling bit adjacent a tubular such as a liner within a wellbore, rotating the milling bit while maintaining an axial position of the milling bit relative to the liner to initiate an opening, and rotating and axially advancing the milling bit to complete the opening. In addition, a bottom hole assembly that facilitates re-entry into the primary wellbore from a lateral wellbore is provided. The bottom hole assembly generally includes a drill collar or other heavy pipe structure, and a mill. The mill has a body and cutting structures. The cutting structures apply lateral force against a surrounding pipe to form an initial lip through the wall of the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Thurman B. Carter, Jr., Robert E. Robertson, Hubert E. Halford, Thomas M. Redlinger
  • Publication number: 20080245532
    Abstract: A method of removing a restriction in a tubular located in a well includes providing a drilling assembly with a drill bit and a reamer, the reamer having a cutting structure for removing the restriction; drilling through a lower portion of the tubular; expanding the reamer at a location below the restriction; and urging the reamer back toward the restriction to remove the restriction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: Bill Rhinehart, Thomas M. Redlinger, Thurman B. Carter, Wei Xu, Hubert E. Halford, Martin Stulberg
  • Publication number: 20080035377
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for milling an item in a wellbore. The method and apparatus including providing a milling tool having one or more blades which are geometrically configured to resist deflection by distributing cutting forces in multiple directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Michael Sullivan, Thomas M. Redlinger, Hubert E. Halford, Thomas F. Bailey
  • Patent number: 5806600
    Abstract: A whipstock has been invented that has a whipstock body, a concave connected to or formed integrally of the whipstock body, and connection apparatus for releasably connecting the whipstock body to another member. In one aspect the another member is anchor apparatus and the connection apparatus has a shearable member shearable to release the whipstock from the anchor apparatus that initially anchors the whipstock in a wellbore (or in a tubular member).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Inventor: Hubert E. Halford, Sr.