Patents by Inventor Michael D. Wroblicky

Michael D. Wroblicky 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: 11834936
    Abstract: A firing head configured to initiate the firing of an element in a perforating gun. The firing head includes an insert having a bore extending along a longitudinal direction X; a percussion detonator facing the bore and including an explosive material that is configured to detonate; a firing pin located partially in the bore; and a retention mechanism located on the firing pin and preventing the firing pin to move along the longitudinal direction X into the bore. The retention mechanism includes a degradable material that is configured to chemically react with a well fluid so that the retention mechanism degrades until freeing the firing pin so that the firing pin moves along the longitudinal direction X into the bore and strikes the percussion detonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: GEODYNAMICS, INC.
    Inventor: Michael D. Wroblicky
  • Publication number: 20220034204
    Abstract: A testing system for a shaped charge of a perforating gun, the testing system including a housing; a casing assembly located inside the housing; a perforating gun having at least one shaped charge, the perforating gun being located within the casing assembly; a sample material located within the housing, and in direct contact with the casing assembly; a wellbore accumulator in direct contact with the casing assembly and configured to supply a first fluid, at a wellbore pressure, inside the casing assembly; and a formation accumulator in direct contact with the sample material and configured to supply a second fluid, at a formation pressure, on the sample material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Seth POWERS, Michael D. WROBLICKY, Chris POOL, Jarrod Henry PEARSON, John T. HARDESTY
  • Publication number: 20210388698
    Abstract: A firing head configured to initiate the firing of an element in a perforating gun. The firing head includes an insert having a bore extending along a longitudinal direction X; a percussion detonator facing the bore and including an explosive material that is configured to detonate; a firing pin located partially in the bore; and a retention mechanism located on the firing pin and preventing the firing pin to move along the longitudinal direction X into the bore. The retention mechanism includes a degradable material that is configured to chemically react with a well fluid so that the retention mechanism degrades until freeing the firing pin so that the firing pin moves along the longitudinal direction X into the bore and strikes the percussion detonator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventor: Michael D. WROBLICKY
  • Patent number: 10612340
    Abstract: A wellbore plug isolation system and method for positioning plugs to isolate fracture zones in a horizontal, vertical, or deviated wellbore is disclosed. The system/method includes a wellbore casing laterally drilled into a hydrocarbon formation, a wellbore setting tool (WST) that sets a large inner diameter (ID) restriction sleeve member (RSM), and a restriction plug element (RPE). The WST is positioned along with the RSM at a desired wellbore location. After the WST sets and seals the RSM, a conforming seating surface (CSS) is formed in the RSM. The CSS is shaped to engage/receive RPE deployed into the wellbore casing. The engaged/seated RPE isolates heel ward and toe ward fluid communication of the RSM to create a fracture zone. The RPE's are removed or left behind prior to initiating well production without the need for a milling procedure. A large ID RSM diminishes flow constriction during oil production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: GEODYNAMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Philip Martin Snider, Kevin R. George, John T. Hardesty, Michael D. Wroblicky, Nathan G. Clark, James A. Rollins, David S. Wesson
  • Patent number: 10480276
    Abstract: A wellbore plug isolation system and method for positioning plugs to isolate fracture zones in a horizontal, vertical, or deviated wellbore is disclosed. The system/method includes a wellbore casing laterally drilled into a hydrocarbon formation, a wellbore setting tool (WST) that sets a large inner diameter (ID) restriction sleeve member (RSM), and a restriction plug element (RPE). The WST is positioned along with the RSM at a desired wellbore location. After the WST sets and seals the RSM, a conforming seating surface (CSS) is formed in the RSM. The CSS is shaped to engage/receive RPE deployed into the wellbore casing. The engaged/seated RPE isolates heel ward and toe ward fluid communication of the RSM to create a fracture zone. The RPE's are removed or left behind prior to initiating well production without the need for a milling procedure. A large ID RSM diminishes flow constriction during oil production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: GEODYNAMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Philip Martin Snider, Kevin R. George, John T. Hardesty, Michael D. Wroblicky, Nathan G. Clark, James A. Rollins, David S. Wesson
  • Patent number: 10221654
    Abstract: An arming apparatus for arming a downhole tool in a wellbore casing comprising an arming member and a holding device. The arming member is disposed within an outer housing of the downhole tool and the holding device is mechanically coupled to the arming member. When a ball deployed into the wellbore casing passes through the downhole tool in a downhole direction and moves back in an uphole direction due to reverse flow, the ball engages on the holding device and functions the arming member such that a pressure actuating device in the downhole tool is armed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: GEODYNAMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Dennis E. Roessler, Varun Garg, Kevin R. George, Michael D. Wroblicky, Raymond C. Shaffer, John T. Hardesty, Philip M. Snider, David S. Wesson
  • Patent number: 10180037
    Abstract: A wellbore plug isolation system and method for positioning plugs to isolate fracture zones in a horizontal, vertical, or deviated wellbore is disclosed. The system/method includes a wellbore casing laterally drilled into a hydrocarbon formation, a wellbore setting tool (WST) that sets a large inner diameter (ID) restriction sleeve member (RSM), and a restriction plug element (RPE). The RPE includes a first composition and a second composition that changes phase or strength under wellbore conditions. After a stage is perforated, RPEs are deployed to isolate toe ward pressure communication. The second composition changes phase to create flow channels in the RPE during production. In an alternate system/method, the second composition changes phase or strength thereby deforming the RPE to reduce size and pass through the RSM's. The RPEs are removed or left behind prior to initiating well production without the need for a milling procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: GEODYNAMICS, INC.
    Inventors: John T. Hardesty, Michael D. Wroblicky, Philip M. Snider
  • Publication number: 20180171741
    Abstract: A wellbore plug isolation system and method for positioning plugs to isolate fracture zones in a horizontal, vertical, or deviated wellbore is disclosed. The system/method includes a wellbore casing laterally drilled into a hydrocarbon formation, a wellbore setting tool (WST) that sets a large inner diameter (ID) restriction sleeve member (RSM), and a restriction plug element (RPE). The WST is positioned along with the RSM at a desired wellbore location. After the WST sets and seals the RSM, a conforming seating surface (CSS) is formed in the RSM. The CSS is shaped to engage/receive RPE deployed into the wellbore casing. The engaged/seated RPE isolates heel ward and toe ward fluid communication of the RSM to create a fracture zone. The RPE's are removed or left behind prior to initiating well production without the need for a milling procedure. A large ID RSM diminishes flow constriction during oil production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Philip Martin Snider, Kevin R. George, John T. Hardesty, Michael D. Wroblicky, Nathan G. Clark, James A. Rollins, David S. Wesson
  • Patent number: 9689232
    Abstract: An actuating apparatus for actuating a downhole tool in a wellbore casing comprising an actuating member and a holding device. The actuating member disposed within an outer housing of the downhole tool and the holding device mechanically coupled to the arming member. When a ball deployed into the wellbore casing passes through the downhole tool in a downhole direction and moves back in an uphole direction due to reverse flow, the ball engages on the holding device and functions the actuating member such that a port in the downhole tool is exposed to uphole pressure and actuates the actuating member to travel in an uphole direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: GEODYNAMICS, INC.
    Inventors: John T. Hardesty, Kevin R. George, Raymond C. Shaffer, Michael D. Wroblicky, Dennis E. Roessler, Varun Garg, Philip M. Snider, David S. Wesson
  • Publication number: 20170058634
    Abstract: An arming apparatus for arming a downhole tool in a wellbore casing comprising an arming member and a holding device. The arming member disposed within an outer housing of the downhole tool and the holding device mechanically coupled to the arming member. When a ball deployed into the wellbore casing passes through the downhole tool in a downhole direction and moves back in an uphole direction due to reverse flow, the ball engages on the holding device and functions the arming member such that a pressure actuating device in the downhole tool is armed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: GEODynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis E. Roessler, Varun Garg, Kevin R. George, Michael D. Wroblicky, Raymond C. Shaffer, John T. Hardesty, Philip M. Snider, David S. Wesson
  • Publication number: 20170058638
    Abstract: An actuating apparatus for actuating a downhole tool in a wellbore casing comprising an actuating member and a holding device. The actuating member disposed within an outer housing of the downhole tool and the holding device mechanically coupled to the arming member. When a ball deployed into the wellbore casing passes through the downhole tool in a downhole direction and moves back in an uphole direction due to reverse flow, the ball engages on the holding device and functions the actuating member such that a port in the downhole tool is exposed to uphole pressure and actuates the actuating member to travel in an uphole direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: GEODynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Hardesty, Kevin R. George, Raymond C. Shaffer, Michael D. Wroblicky, Dennis E. Roessler, Varun Garg, Philip M. Snider, David S. Wesson
  • Publication number: 20160356137
    Abstract: A restriction plug element and method for positioning plugs to isolate fracture zones in a horizontal, vertical, or deviated wellbore is disclosed. The restriction plug element includes a partial hollow passage with an interior end. The partial passage enables the plug element to seat in a restriction sleeve member during treatment and subsequently degrade to form a complete hollow passage. The complete flow channel dissolves or degrades not only the outside but also the inside of the wall of the restriction plug element. Initially the flow is restricted by the closed end in the partial hollow passage and over time the flow channel opens up by degradation and allows fluid to pass through in either direction. During back flow in the well new fluid is circulated into the well and the restriction plug element continues to degrade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Applicant: GEODynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Hardesty, Michael D. Wroblicky
  • Patent number: 9273535
    Abstract: A hydraulic time delay system and method in a wellbore tool is disclosed. The system/method includes an actuation mechanism which allows pressure to act on a functional piston in the wellbore tool. The movement of the piston is restrained by a partially or filled reservoir which is allowed to exhaust through a flow restriction element. The restriction element comprises standard metal tubing with a known inner diameter and is cut to an exact length as predicted by fluid dynamic modeling. A time delay and rate of piston movement desired for the downhole tool, between a trigger event such as pressure and a functional event, can be tuned with parameters that include the length and diameter of the tubing, reservoir fluid viscosity and number of tubes in parallel. In another embodiment, a secondary plugging element added to the reservoir controls the rate of piston movement and time delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: GEODYNAMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin R. George, Philip Martin Snider, John T. Hardesty, Michael D. Wroblicky, James A. Rollins, Nathan G. Clark, Jarrod Henry Pearson, David S. Wesson
  • Publication number: 20160047195
    Abstract: A wellbore plug isolation system and method for positioning plugs to isolate fracture zones in a horizontal, vertical, or deviated wellbore is disclosed. The system/method includes a wellbore casing laterally drilled into a hydrocarbon formation, a wellbore setting tool (WST) that sets a large inner diameter (ID) restriction sleeve member (RSM), and a restriction plug element (RPE). The RPE includes a first composition and a second composition that changes phase or strength under wellbore conditions. After a stage is perforated, RPEs are deployed to isolate toe ward pressure communication. The second composition changes phase to create flow channels in the RPE during production. In an alternate system/method, the second composition changes phase or strength thereby deforming the RPE to reduce size and pass through the RSM's. The RPEs are removed or left behind prior to initiating well production without the need for a milling procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Applicant: GEODYNAMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Philip Martin Snider, John T. Hardesty, Michael D. Wroblicky, Nathan G. Clark, David S. Wesson
  • Publication number: 20160047193
    Abstract: A wellbore plug isolation system and method for positioning plugs to isolate fracture zones in a horizontal, vertical, or deviated wellbore is disclosed. The system/method includes a wellbore casing laterally drilled into a hydrocarbon formation, a wellbore setting tool (WST) that sets a large inner diameter (ID) restriction sleeve member (RSM), and a restriction plug element (RPE). The WST is positioned along with the RSM at a desired wellbore location. After the WST sets and seals the RSM, a conforming seating surface (CSS) is formed in the RSM. The CSS is shaped to engage/receive RPE deployed into the wellbore casing. The engaged/seated RPE isolates heel ward and toe ward fluid communication of the RSM to create a fracture zone. The RPE's are removed or left behind prior to initiating well production without the need for a milling procedure. A large ID RSM diminishes flow constriction during oil production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Applicant: GEODYNAMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Philip Martin Snider, Kevin R. George, John T. Hardesty, Michael D. Wroblicky, Nathan G. Clark, James A. Rollins, David S. Wesson
  • Publication number: 20160047194
    Abstract: A wellbore plug isolation system and method for positioning plugs to isolate fracture zones in a horizontal, vertical, or deviated wellbore is disclosed. The system/method includes a wellbore casing laterally drilled into a hydrocarbon formation, a wellbore setting tool (WST) that sets a large inner diameter (ID) restriction sleeve member (RSM), and a restriction plug element (RPE). The RPE includes a first composition and a second composition that changes phase or strength under wellbore conditions. After a stage is perforated, RPEs are deployed to isolate toe ward pressure communication. The second composition changes phase to create flow channels in the RPE during production. In an alternate system/method, the second composition changes phase or strength thereby deforming the RPE to reduce size and pass through the RSM's. The RPEs are removed or left behind prior to initiating well production without the need for a milling procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Applicant: GEODYNAMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Philip M. Snider, John T. Hardesty, Michael D. Wroblicky, David S. Wesson
  • Publication number: 20160047198
    Abstract: A wellbore plug isolation system and method for positioning plugs to isolate fracture zones in a horizontal, vertical, or deviated wellbore is disclosed. The system/method includes a wellbore casing laterally drilled into a hydrocarbon formation, a wellbore setting tool (WST) that sets a large inner diameter (ID) restriction sleeve member (RSM), and a restriction plug element (RPE). The RPE includes a first composition and a second composition that changes phase or strength under wellbore conditions. After a stage is perforated, RPEs are deployed to isolate toe ward pressure communication. The second composition changes phase to create flow channels in the RPE during production. In an alternate system/method, the second composition changes phase or strength thereby deforming the RPE to reduce size and pass through the RSM's. The RPEs are removed or left behind prior to initiating well production without the need for a milling procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Applicant: GEODYNAMICS, INC.
    Inventors: John T. Hardesty, Michael D. Wroblicky, Philip M. Snider
  • Patent number: 9243472
    Abstract: A wellbore plug isolation system and method for positioning plugs to isolate fracture zones in a horizontal, vertical, or deviated wellbore is disclosed. The system/method includes a wellbore casing laterally drilled into a hydrocarbon formation, a wellbore setting tool (WST) that sets a large inner diameter (ID) restriction sleeve member (RSM), and a restriction plug element (RPE). The WST is positioned along with the RSM at a desired wellbore location. After the WST sets and seals the RSM, a conforming seating surface (CSS) is formed in the RSM. The CSS is shaped to engage/receive RPE deployed into the wellbore casing. The engaged/seated RPE isolates heel ward and toe ward fluid communication of the RSM to create a fracture zone. The RPE's are removed or left behind prior to initiating well production without the need for a milling procedure. A large ID RSM diminishes flow constriction during oil production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: GEODYNAMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Philip Martin Snider, Kevin R. George, John T. Hardesty, Michael D. Wroblicky, Nathan G. Clark, James A. Rollins, David S. Wesson
  • Patent number: 9062543
    Abstract: A wellbore plug isolation system and method for positioning plugs to isolate fracture zones in a horizontal, vertical, or deviated wellbore is disclosed. The system/method includes a wellbore casing laterally drilled into a hydrocarbon formation, a wellbore setting tool (WST) that sets a large inner diameter (ID) restriction sleeve member (RSM), and a restriction plug element (RPE). The WST is positioned along with the RSM at a desired wellbore location. After the WST sets and seals the RSM, a conforming seating surface (CSS) is formed in the RSM. The CSS is shaped to engage/receive RPE deployed into the wellbore casing. The engaged/seated RPE isolates heel ward and toe ward fluid communication of the RSM to create a fracture zone. The RPE's are removed or left behind prior to initiating well production without the need for a milling procedure. A large ID RSM diminishes flow constriction during oil production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: GEODYANMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Philip Martin Snider, Kevin R. George, John T. Hardesty, Michael D. Wroblicky, Nathan G. Clark, James A. Rollins, David S. Wesson
  • Publication number: 20150007994
    Abstract: Disclosed is an open-hole casing perforation tool having projecting fins around the circumference of a mandrel that have firing mechanisms and shape charges to allow flexible operation of geological formation fracturing at desired predetermined locations in an oil or gas well bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Charles E. Lancaster, Michael D. Wroblicky, John T. Hardesty