Patents by Inventor Michael Wardley

Michael Wardley 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).

  • Publication number: 20080110641
    Abstract: Apparatus, such as a liner, adapted to be hung in a downhole tubular such as casing is described. The apparatus includes one or more circumferentially distributed abrasive portions, arranged to be movable radially outwards by a dimple former or an expander. In an embodiment, the abrasive portions are provided on disks moveable in recesses in the outer diameter of the apparatus being hung. In an embodiment, the apparatus is hung by operating a dimple former provided on the running tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2005
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Paul Howlett, Michael Wardley, Graeme Marr
  • Publication number: 20080017375
    Abstract: Apparatus for use above and below a restriction in a well bore and a method of operation is described. The apparatus comprises an upper element, such as a wiper, operable in the well bore above the restriction and a lower element, which may be a lower wiper, operable in the well bore below the restriction. A drop ball sized to pass through the restriction is released from the upper element and thereby passes through the restriction to operate the lower element. In one embodiment, the apparatus is incorporated into a running tool, which may be used to hang liners by dimple forming.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Inventor: Michael Wardley
  • Patent number: 6443247
    Abstract: A casing drilling shoe adapted for attachment to a casing string and comprising an outer drilling section constructed of a relatively hard material such as steel and an inner section constructed of a readily drillable material such as aluminum. The drilling shoe further includes a device for controllably displacing the outer drilling section to enable the shoe to be drilled through using a standard drill bit and subsequently penetrated by a reduced diameter casing string or liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Wardley
  • Patent number: 6062326
    Abstract: A casing shoe (30) for use in guiding a casing into a wellbore comprises a generally cylindrical body (2) having a box portion (34) at its rearward end for connection to a casing string and having a generally rounded nose portion (36) at its forward end. The forward end of the shoe includes cutting structures (42, 44) in the form of raised flutes extending along the sides of the cylindrical body and on the nose portion. The flutes may be provided with cutting elements such as polycrystalline diamond compact elements (48) at least at the forward ends of the flutes (42) extending along the cylindrical body. These flutes may also be configured to serve as stabilising pads, and additional stabilising pads (38) may also be provided. The nose portion may include fluid passages (50). The shoe may be adapted to be capable of being drilled through, such as by forming the nose portion from a drillable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Enterprise Oil plc
    Inventors: Philip Strong, Michael Wardley