Patents by Inventor Neil Hepburn

Neil Hepburn 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: 7213652
    Abstract: A sealed branch wellbore transition joint. In a described embodiment, a completion system for a well having a branch wellbore extending outwardly from a window in a parent wellbore includes a tubular string having a portion positioned within the window, and a sealing material on the tubular string portion. The sealing material swells in the well to thereby form a seal between the tubular string portion and the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Hepburn, Steven R. Fipke
  • Publication number: 20060266531
    Abstract: A sealed branch wellbore transition joint. A method of completing a well having intersecting wellbores includes the steps of: positioning a diverter in a wellbore; diverting an assembly from the wellbore into another wellbore; and swelling a sealing material on the assembly, so that a seal is formed between the assembly and the diverter. A completion system for a well having intersecting wellbores includes a diverter positioned in a wellbore, an assembly extending laterally across the wellbore, and a sealing material on the assembly. The sealing material is swollen so that a seal is formed between the assembly and the diverter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Neil Hepburn, Frode Berge, Karl Demong
  • Patent number: 6926102
    Abstract: Subsea controlled milling apparatus and methods. In a described embodiment, a method of controlling displacement of a cutting device conveyed on a tubular string in a subterranean well includes the steps of: interconnecting an apparatus in the tubular string, the apparatus including an axial advancement device and an anchoring device; actuating the anchoring device to anchor the apparatus in the well; applying a pressure differential to the advancement device, thereby displacing the cutting device relative to the apparatus; and operating the cutting device to cut a structure in the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Hess, Neil Hepburn, Benji Smith, John J. Guerrero, Ian W. Thackwray
  • Publication number: 20050167109
    Abstract: A sealed branch wellbore transition joint. In a described embodiment, a completion system for a well having a branch wellbore extending outwardly from a window in a parent wellbore includes a tubular string having a portion positioned within the window, and a sealing material on the tubular string portion. The sealing material swells in the well to thereby form a seal between the tubular string portion and the window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Publication date: August 4, 2005
    Inventors: Neil Hepburn, Steven Fipke
  • Patent number: 6907930
    Abstract: A multilateral well construction and sand control completion. In a described embodiment, a well completion includes first and second wellbores intersecting at an intersection; an assembly positioned in the second wellbore, the assembly including a packer and a well screen, the packer being sealingly engaged with the second wellbore; and a wellbore connector sealingly connected to the assembly, the wellbore connector also being sealingly engaged in the first wellbore on opposite sides of the intersection, and the wellbore connector isolating the intersection from fluid flow through the assembly in the second wellbore and from fluid flowing through the wellbore connector between the opposite sides of the intersection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis W. Cavender, Thomas O. Roane, Neil Hepburn
  • Publication number: 20040168829
    Abstract: Subsea controlled milling apparatus and methods. In a described embodiment, a method of controlling displacement of a cutting device conveyed on a tubular string in a subterranean well includes the steps of: interconnecting an apparatus in the tubular string, the apparatus including an axial advancement device and an anchoring device; actuating the anchoring device to anchor the apparatus in the well; applying a pressure differential to the advancement device, thereby displacing the cutting device relative to the apparatus; and operating the cutting device to cut a structure in the well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Joseph E. Hess, Neil Hepburn, Benji Smith, John J. Guerrero, Ian W. Thackwray
  • Publication number: 20040149444
    Abstract: A multilateral well construction and sand control completion. In a described embodiment, a well completion includes first and second wellbores intersecting at an intersection; an assembly positioned in the second wellbore, the assembly including a packer and a well screen, the packer being sealingly engaged with the second wellbore; and a wellbore connector sealingly connected to the assembly, the wellbore connector also being sealingly engaged in the first wellbore on opposite sides of the intersection, and the wellbore connector isolating the intersection from fluid flow through the assembly in the second wellbore and from fluid flowing through the wellbore connector between the opposite sides of the intersection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Travis W. Cavender, Thomas O. Roane, Neil Hepburn
  • Patent number: 6749026
    Abstract: A method of forming a downhole connection between tubular strings includes the step of crimping the tubular strings together. The tubular strings may be positioned in the same wellbore, or the tubular strings may be positioned in different intersecting wellbores during the crimping step. One of the tubular strings may be expanded outwardly within the other tubular string prior to the crimping step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ray C. Smith, Neil Hepburn
  • Publication number: 20030178197
    Abstract: A method of forming a downhole connection between tubular strings includes the step of crimping the tubular strings together. The tubular strings may be positioned in the same wellbore, or the tubular strings may be positioned in different intersecting wellbores during the crimping step. One of the tubular strings may be expanded outwardly within the other tubular string prior to the crimping step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Ray C. Smith, Neil Hepburn