Patents by Inventor Lars HOVDA
Lars HOVDA 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: 20240110459Abstract: The invention relates to a cementing tool for use in oil and gas well decommissioning operations, in particular so called perforate, wash and cement procedures. The tool (1) is designed for running in a well on drill string and for jetting cement through previously formed perforations in the casing (10) to fill the outer annulus (9) with cement. The tool (1) has a cylindrical wall (3) which is formed from steel (11) and elastomeric (5) elements, whereby it is expandable between a first diameter in which it may be run down the well and a second, larger diameter deployed during cementing operations. (FIG. 2).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2023Publication date: April 4, 2024Inventors: Lars HOVDA, James C. STEVENS, Dan MUELLER, Praveen GONUGUNTLA
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Patent number: 11879305Abstract: The invention relates to a cementing tool for use in oil and gas well decommissioning operations, in particular so called perforate, wash and cement procedures. The tool (1) is designed for running in a well on drill string and for jetting cement through previously formed perforations in the casing (10) to fill the outer annulus (9) with cement. The tool (1) has a cylindrical wall (3) which is formed from steel (11) and elastomeric (5) elements, whereby it is expandable between a first diameter in which it may be run down the well and a second, larger diameter deployed during cementing operations.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2021Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANYInventors: Lars Hovda, James C. Stevens, Dan Mueller, Amal Phadke, Praveen Gonuguntla
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Publication number: 20230332480Abstract: The invention relates to a method of conducting a perf wash cement (“P/W/C”) abandonment job in an offshore oil or gas well annulus, in particular the washing or cementing operation using a rotating head with nozzles dispensing wash fluid or cement at pressure. A new design of bottom hole assembly is proposed in which the cementing tool has a relatively large diameter in order to optimize pressure whilst the wash tool has a relatively small diameter. The wash process, for a number of reasons, appears to be less sensitive to tool diameter and making the wash tool smaller reduces the overall risk of stuck pipe.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2023Publication date: October 19, 2023Inventors: Lars HOVDA, Dan MUELLER, James C. STEVENS, Amal PHADKE, Praveen GONUGUNTLA
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Publication number: 20230228173Abstract: The invention relates to a method of conducting a perf wash cement (“P/W/C”) abandonment job in an offshore oil or gas well annulus (2), in particular the washing or cementing operation using a rotating head (6, 8) with nozzles (7, 9) dispensing wash fluid or cement at pressure. Certain values of parameters of a washing or cementing job have been found surprisingly to affect the quality of the job, or the degree to which they affect the quality of the job has been unexpected. These include including rotation rate of the tool, the direction of translational movement of the tool, and the volume flow rate and pressure per nozzle of cement or wash fluid (and hence nozzle size).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2023Publication date: July 20, 2023Inventors: Rick WATTS, Stein HAAVARDSTEIN, Lars HOVDA, James C. STEVENS, Dan MUELLER, Brett Borland, Amal PHADKE, Praveen GONUGUNTLA
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Patent number: 11686175Abstract: The invention relates to a method of conducting a perf wash cement (“P/W/C”) abandonment job in an offshore oil or gas well annulus, in particular the washing or cementing operation using a rotating head with nozzles dispensing wash fluid or cement at pressure. A new design of bottom hole assembly is proposed in which the cementing tool has a relatively large diameter in order to optimize pressure whilst the wash tool has a relatively small diameter. The wash process, for a number of reasons, appears to be less sensitive to tool diameter and making the wash tool smaller reduces the overall risk of stuck pipe.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2021Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANYInventors: Lars Hovda, Dan Mueller, James C. Stevens, Amal Phadke, Praveen Gonuguntla
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Patent number: 11608718Abstract: The invention relates to a method of conducting a perf wash cement (“P/W/C”) abandonment job in an offshore oil or gas well annulus (2), in particular the washing or cementing operation using a rotating head (6, 8) with nozzles (7, 9) dispensing wash fluid or cement at pressure. Certain values of parameters of a washing or cementing job have been found surprisingly to affect the quality of the job, or the degree to which they affect the quality of the job has been unexpected. These include including rotation rate of the tool, the direction of translational movement of the tool, and the volume flow rate and pressure per nozzle of cement or wash fluid (and hence nozzle size).Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2021Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANYInventors: Rick Watts, Stein Haavardstein, Lars Hovda, James C. Stevens, Dan Mueller, Brett Borland, Amal Phadke, Praveen Gonuguntla
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Publication number: 20220056783Abstract: The invention relates to a cementing tool for use in oil and gas well decommissioning operations, in particular so called perforate, wash and cement procedures. The tool (1) is designed for running in a well on drill string and for jetting cement through previously formed perforations in the casing (10) to fill the outer annulus (9) with cement. The tool (1) has a cylindrical wall (3) which is formed from steel (11) and elastomeric (5) elements, whereby it is expandable between a first diameter in which it may be run down the well and a second, larger diameter deployed during cementing operations. (FIG. 2).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2021Publication date: February 24, 2022Inventors: Lars HOVDA, James C. STEVENS, Dan MUELLER, Amal PHADKE, Praveen GONUGUNTLA
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Publication number: 20220056780Abstract: The invention relates to a cementing tool (1) and method for setting a cement plug. Instead of the conventional “balanced plug”, the technique involves pumping cement whilst pulling and rotating the tool. The cementing tool (1) includes nozzles (9) for jetting cement which are located in a relatively narrow region (8) of the tool and a larger diameter choke region (5) proximal of the nozzles (9). The end of the tool (11) is closed off and tapered. The tool is passed down the well to a location where it is desired to set a plug, then cement is injected whilst rotating and withdrawing the tool. The jets of cement help displace existing fluid in the well thereby reducing mixing of the existing fluid with the cement, The choke region (5) increases the flow energy, whilst the tapered end (11) helps prevent disruption to the cement as the tool is withdrawn.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2021Publication date: February 24, 2022Inventors: Lars HOVDA, Dan MUELLER, James C. STEVENS, Amal PHADKE
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Publication number: 20220056782Abstract: The invention relates to a method of conducting a perf wash cement (“P/W/C”) abandonment job in an offshore oil or gas well annulus, in particular the washing or cementing operation using a rotating head with nozzles dispensing wash fluid or cement at pressure. A new design of bottom hole assembly is proposed in which the cementing tool has a relatively large diameter in order to optimize pressure whilst the wash tool has a relatively small diameter. The wash process, for a number of reasons, appears to be less sensitive to tool diameter and making the wash tool smaller reduces the overall risk of stuck pipe.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2021Publication date: February 24, 2022Inventors: Lars HOVDA, Dan MUELLER, James C. STEVENS, Amal PHADKE, Praveen GONUGUNTLA
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Publication number: 20210388696Abstract: The invention relates to a method of conducting a perf wash cement (“P/W/C”) abandonment job in an offshore oil or gas well annulus (2), in particular the washing or cementing operation using a rotating head (6, 8) with nozzles (7, 9) dispensing wash fluid or cement at pressure. Certain values of parameters of a washing or cementing job have been found surprisingly to affect the quality of the job, or the degree to which they affect the quality of the job has been unexpected. These include including rotation rate of the tool, the direction of translational movement of the tool, and the volume flow rate and pressure per nozzle of cement or wash fluid (and hence nozzle size).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2021Publication date: December 16, 2021Inventors: Rick WATTS, Stein HAAVARDSTEIN, Lars HOVDA, James C. STEVENS, Dan MUELLER, Brett BORLAND, Amal PHADKE, Praveen GONUGUNTLA
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Patent number: 11136862Abstract: The invention relates to a method of conducting a perf wash cement (“P/W/C”) abandonment job in an offshore oil or gas well annulus (2), in particular the washing or cementing operation using a rotating head (6, 8) with nozzles (7, 9) dispensing wash fluid or cement at pressure. Certain values of parameters of a washing or cementing job have been found surprisingly to affect the quality of the job, or the degree to which they affect the quality of the job has been unexpected. These include including rotation rate of the tool, the direction of translational movement of the tool, and the volume flow rate and pressure per nozzle of cement or wash fluid (and hence nozzle size).Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2019Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANYInventors: Rick Watts, Stein Haavardstein, Lars Hovda, James C. Stevens, Dan Mueller, Brett Borland, Amal Phadke, Praveen Gonuguntla
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Patent number: 10975657Abstract: The invention relates to the decommissioning of hydrocarbon wells. It concerns the artificial promoting or inducing of creep in the overburden formation 3 surrounding an oil well 1, so that the formation rock 3 encroaches against the casing 5 to form a seal. This avoids the need to plug the annulus between the casing 5 and formation 3 with cement. The overburden may be caused to creep by reducing the pressure in the annulus, by applying heat to the overburden rock or by stressing the rock repeatedly to cause fatigue in the rock 3.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2019Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANYInventors: Rick D. Watts, Dianne Tompkins, Helen Haneferd, Lars Hovda, Edvard Omdal, Hardy Hartmann Nielsen, Lars Vedvik, Tove Husby
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Publication number: 20200063527Abstract: The invention relates to the decommissioning of hydrocarbon wells. It concerns the artificial promoting or inducing of creep in the overburden formation 3 surrounding an oil well 1, so that the formation rock 3 encroaches against the casing 5 to form a seal. This avoids the need to plug the annulus between the casing 5 and formation 3 with cement. The overburden may be caused to creep by reducing the pressure in the annulus, by applying heat to the overburden rock or by stressing the rock repeatedly to cause fatigue in the rock 3.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2019Publication date: February 27, 2020Inventors: Rick D. WATTS, Dianne TOMPKINS, Helen HANEFERD, Lars HOVDA, Edvard OMDAL, Hardy Hartmann NIELSEN, Lars VEDVIK
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Publication number: 20200040707Abstract: The invention relates to a method of conducting a perf wash cement (“P/W/C”) abandonment job in an offshore oil or gas well annulus (2), in particular the washing or cementing operation using a rotating head (6, 8) with nozzles (7, 9) dispensing wash fluid or cement at pressure. Certain values of parameters of a washing or cementing job have been found surprisingly to affect the quality of the job, or the degree to which they affect the quality of the job has been unexpected. These include including rotation rate of the tool, the direction of translational movement of the tool, and the volume flow rate and pressure per nozzle of cement or wash fluid (and hence nozzle size).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2019Publication date: February 6, 2020Inventors: Rick WATTS, Stein HAAVARDSTEIN, Lars HOVDA, James C. STEVENS, Dan MUELLER, Brett BORLAND, Amal PHADKE, Praveen GONUGUNTLA
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Patent number: 10508515Abstract: The invention relates to the decommissioning of hydrocarbon wells. It concerns the artificial promoting or inducing of creep in the overburden formation 3 surrounding an oil well 1, so that the formation rock 3 encroaches against the casing 5 to form a seal. This avoids the need to plug the annulus between the casing 5 and formation 3 with cement. The overburden may be caused to creep by reducing the pressure in the annulus, by applying heat to the overburden rock or by stressing the rock repeatedly to cause fatigue in the rock 3.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2018Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANYInventors: Rick D. Watts, Dianne Tompkins, Helen Haneferd, Lars Hovda, Edvard Omdal, Hardy Hartmann Nielsen, Lars Vedvik
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Patent number: 10087716Abstract: The invention relates to the decommissioning of hydrocarbon wells. It concerns the artificial promoting or inducing of creep in the overburden formation 3 surrounding an oil well 1, so that the formation rock 3 encroaches against the casing 5 to form a seal. This avoids the need to plug the annulus between the casing 5 and formation 3 with cement. The overburden may be caused to creep by reducing the pressure in the annulus, by applying heat to the overburden rock or by stressing the rock repeatedly to cause fatigue in the rock 3.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2016Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANYInventors: Tove Husby, Rick D. Watts, Dianne Tompkins, Helen Haneferd, Lars Hovda
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Publication number: 20180171754Abstract: The invention relates to the decommissioning of hydrocarbon wells. It concerns the artificial promoting or inducing of creep in the overburden formation 3 surrounding an oil well 1, so that the formation rock 3 encroaches against the casing 5 to form a seal. This avoids the need to plug the annulus between the casing 5 and formation 3 with cement. The overburden may be caused to creep by reducing the pressure in the annulus, by applying heat to the overburden rock or by stressing the rock repeatedly to cause fatigue in the rock 3.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2018Publication date: June 21, 2018Inventors: Tove HUSBY, Rick D. WATTS, Dianne TOMPKINS, Helen HANEFERD, Lars HOVDA
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Publication number: 20160237779Abstract: The invention relates to the decommissioning of hydrocarbon wells. It concerns the artificial promoting or inducing of creep in the overburden formation 3 surrounding an oil well 1, so that the formation rock 3 encroaches against the casing 5 to form a seal. This avoids the need to plug the annulus between the casing 5 and formation 3 with cement. The overburden may be caused to creep by reducing the pressure in the annulus, by applying heat to the overburden rock or by stressing the rock repeatedly to cause fatigue in the rock 3.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2016Publication date: August 18, 2016Inventors: Tove HUSBY, Rick D. WATTS, Dianne TOMPKINS, Helen HANEFERD, Lars HOVDA