Patents by Inventor Phil Barbee

Phil Barbee 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: 20110232923
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for dropping a ball, plug or dart during oil and gas well operations (e.g., cementing operations) employs a specially configured tool body assembly having valving members (e.g., safety or kelly values) and valving members holding plugs, balls, or darts to be dropped. In one embodiment, the ball(s), dart(s) or plug(s) are contained in a sliding sleeve that shifts position responsive to valve rotation. An optional indicator indicates to a user or operator that a ball or plug has passed a selected one of the valving members. A transmitter (or transceiver) provides an ability to generate a wireless signal that is received by receivers (or transceivers) on the tool body assembly. Each receiver (or transceiver) controls an electrical actuator that engages a valving member or the indicator. Wireless signals can be used to open or close a valve or to reset a “tripped” indicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: GULFSTREAM SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Phil Barbee, Michael Mire, Joey Naquin
  • Publication number: 20110132625
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for dropping a ball, plug or dart during oil and gas well operations (e.g., cementing operations) employs a specially configured valving member with curved and flat portions that alternatively direct fluid flow through a bore or opening in the valving member via an inner channel or around the periphery of the valving member in an outer channel. In one embodiment, the ball(s), dart(s) or plug(s) are contained in a sliding sleeve that shifts position responsive to valve rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventor: Phil Barbee
  • Patent number: 7918278
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for dropping a ball, plug or dart during oil and gas well operations (e.g., cementing operations) employs a specially configured valving member with curved and flat portions that alternatively direct fluid flow through a bore or opening in the valving member via an inner channel or around the periphery of the valving member in an outer channel. In one embodiment, the ball(s), dart(s) or plug(s) are contained in a sliding sleeve that shifts position responsive to valve rotation. An optional indicator indicates to a user or operator that a ball or plug has passed a selected one of the valving members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Gulfstream Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Phil Barbee
  • Publication number: 20110048712
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for dropping a ball, plug or dart during oil and gas well operations (e.g., cementing operations) employs a specially configured valving member with curved and flat portions that alternatively direct fluid flow through a bore or opening in the valving member via an inner channel or around the periphery of the valving member in an outer channel. In one embodiment, the ball(s), dart(s) or plug(s) are contained in a sliding sleeve that shifts position responsive to valve rotation. An optional indicator indicates to a user or operator that a ball or plug has passed a selected one of the valving members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventor: Phil Barbee
  • Patent number: 7841410
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for dropping a ball, plug or dart during oil and gas well operations (e.g., cementing operations) employs a specially configured valving member with curved and flat portions that alternatively direct fluid flow through a bore or opening in the valving member via an inner channel or around the periphery of the valving member in an outer channel. In one embodiment, the ball(s), dart(s) or plug(s) are contained in a sliding sleeve that shifts position responsive to valve rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Gulfstream Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Phil Barbee
  • Publication number: 20100089594
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for dropping a ball, plug or dart during oil and gas well operations (e.g., cementing operations) employs a specially configured valving member with curved and flat portions that alternatively direct fluid flow through a bore or opening in the valving member via an inner channel or around the periphery of the valving member in an outer channel. In one embodiment, the ball(s), dart(s) or plug(s) are contained in a sliding sleeve that shifts position responsive to valve rotation. An optional indicator indicates to a user or operator that a ball or plug has passed a selected one of the valving members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventor: Phil Barbee
  • Patent number: 7607481
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for dropping a ball, plug or dart during oil and gas well operations (e.g., cementing operations) employs a specially configured valving member with curved and flat portions that alternatively direct fluid flow through a bore or opening in the valving member or around the periphery of the valving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Gulfstream Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Phil Barbee
  • Publication number: 20080283251
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for dropping a ball, plug or dart during oil and gas well operations (e.g., cementing operations) employs a specially configured valving member with curved and flat portions that alternatively direct fluid flow through a bore or opening in the valving member or around the periphery of the valving member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventor: Phil Barbee
  • Publication number: 20080283244
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for dropping a ball, plug or dart during oil and gas well operations (e.g., cementing operations) employs a specially configured valving member with curved and flat portions that alternatively direct fluid flow through a bore or opening in the valving member via an inner channel or around the periphery of the valving member in an outer channel. In one embodiment, the ball(s), dart(s) or plug(s) are contained in a sliding sleeve that shifts position responsive to valve rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: GULFSTREAM SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Phil Barbee
  • Patent number: 7172028
    Abstract: A reciprocating hydraulic slickline pump for use in a wellbore. The pump comprises a pump member. The pump member is reciprocated axially by slickline in order to form an upstroke and downstroke. The pump is configured such that it pressurizes fluid within a workstring assembly during the pump's downstroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Phil Barbee, Corey E. Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20050126791
    Abstract: A reciprocating hydraulic slickline pump is provided. The pump comprises a pump member. The pump member is reciprocated axially by slickline in order to form an upstroke and downstroke. The pump is configured such that it pressurizes fluid within a workstring assembly during the pump's downstroke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Inventors: Phil Barbee, Corey Hoffman
  • Patent number: 5620050
    Abstract: A hydraulic oil and gas well downhole packer apparatus for use in a well casing below a wellhead and in combination with a coil tubing unit provides a tool body having a longitudinally extending tool bore and an upper end portion that connects to the lower free end of the coiled tubing unit during use. The tool body includes an inner elongated hollow mandrel with a hydraulic piston movable disposed upon the external surface of the mandrel. The piston is movable between an initial "running" position and a final "setting" position. An external sleeve is engaged by the piston when it moves between the running and setting positions, the external sleeve engaging slips that expand to anchor the tool body to the well casing. An annular packer member is expandable responsive to sliding movement of the external sleeve and is positioned below the slips for forming a seal between the tool body and the casing at a position near the lower end portion of the tool body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Inventor: Phil Barbee
  • Patent number: 5522463
    Abstract: A downhole oil well pump apparatus is useful for lifting oil from the lower end of production tubing adjacent the formation to the earth's surface. The apparatus includes a tool body that can be lowered into the oil well to a level that contains oil that is to be pumped. Packers are used to close off the tubing below the tool body. The tool body includes a bladder that flexes between expanded and contracted positions. The tool body includes a production channel for transmitting oil from the bladder to the earth's surface. Valves above and below the bladder control fluid flow from the bladder to the production channel. The bladder is driven with pressurized gas such as butane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Inventor: Phil Barbee
  • Patent number: 5377749
    Abstract: A hydraulic oil and gas well downhole packer apparatus for use in a well casing below a wellhead and in combination with a coil tubing unit provides a tool body having a longitudinally extending tool bore and an upper end portion that connects to the lower free end of the coiled tubing unit during use. The tool body includes an inner elongated hollow mandrel with a hydraulic piston movable disposed upon the external surface of the mandrel. The piston is movable between an initial "running" position and a final "setting" position. An external sleeve is engaged by the piston when it moves between the running and setting positions, the external sleeve engaging slips that expand to anchor the tool body to the well casing. An annular packer member is expandable responsive to sliding movement of the external sleeve and is positioned below the slips for forming a seal between the tool body and the casing at a position near the lower end portion of the tool body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Inventor: Phil Barbee
  • Patent number: 5370180
    Abstract: A coil tubing supported jacking tool can be used to remove articles that are stuck in an oil and gas well casing bore. The coil tubing unit transmits pressurized fluid to the tool body. At its lower end, the tool body grips the stuck article. A piston chamber expands to set slips for anchoring the tool body to the well casing. The piston then moves upwardly away from the slips, pulling the stuck article free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Inventor: Phil Barbee