Patents by Inventor Piro Shkurti

Piro Shkurti 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: 11933132
    Abstract: A ball-in-place plug configured to isolate formation zones within a wellbore includes an anchoring subassembly configured to secure the ball-in-place plug in the wellbore and a flow control subassembly configured to control the flow of fluid through the plug. The flow control subassembly is configured to allow bidirectional flow of fluid through the ball-in-place plug before the ball-in-place plug is activated, and wherein the flow control subassembly is configured to permit only unidirectional flow of fluid through the ball-in-place plug after the ball-in-place plug is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Longbow Completion Services, LLC
    Inventors: Piro Shkurti, Christopher Crews, Shawn Witt
  • Patent number: 10435982
    Abstract: A downhole plug having a plug body which includes (i) a base cylinder with a first outward facing locking surface and a central bore formed there through, (ii) a single set of circumferentially spaced slip ramps formed on the base cylinder, and (iii) slip guides positioned between the slip ramps, the slip guides having a second inward facing locking surface. The plug includes a single set of slips which a plurality of slip wedges with each slip wedge engaging a slip ramp. A slip compression cap is configured to urge the slip wedges along the slip ramps and the slip compression cap includes a locking ring having a third outward facing locking surface. A compression shoulder is configured to move a ratchet ring into contact with the first locking surface on the base cylinder and the ratchet ring includes a fourth inward facing locking surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Superior Energy Services, LLC
    Inventors: Piro Shkurti, Gustavo Andrew Oliveira, Iain Greenan
  • Publication number: 20170268310
    Abstract: A downhole plug having a plug body which includes (i) a base cylinder with a first outward facing locking surface and a central bore formed there through, (ii) a single set of circumferentially spaced slip ramps formed on the base cylinder, and (iii) slip guides positioned between the slip ramps, the slip guides having a second inward facing locking surface. The plug includes a single set of slips which a plurality of slip wedges with each slip wedge engaging a slip ramp. A slip compression cap is configured to urge the slip wedges along the slip ramps and the slip compression cap includes a locking ring having a third outward facing locking surface. A compression shoulder is configured to move a ratchet ring into contact with the first locking surface on the base cylinder and the ratchet ring includes a fourth inward facing locking surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Piro Shkurti, Gustavo Andrew Oliveira, Iain Greenan
  • Patent number: 9752412
    Abstract: A toe valve having an outer tubular member, including at least one outer flow port, and an inner tubular member positioned at least partially within the outer tubular member and including a central flow passage. An indexing mechanism is positioned within the outer tubular member and there is a flow path allowing fluid pressure from the central passage to act against a first side of the indexing mechanism. A biasing device acts on a second side of the indexing mechanism and the indexing mechanism is configured to allow communication between the central flow passage and the outer flow port after the indexing mechanism is subject to a plurality of pressure cycles within the central flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Superior Energy Services, LLC
    Inventors: Piro Shkurti, Gustavo Oliveira, Iain Greenan
  • Publication number: 20160298420
    Abstract: A toe valve having an outer tubular member, including at least one outer flow port, and an inner tubular member positioned at least partially within the outer tubular member and including a central flow passage. An indexing mechanism is positioned within the outer tubular member and there is a flow path allowing fluid pressure from the central passage to act against a first side of the indexing mechanism. A biasing device acts on a second side of the indexing mechanism and the indexing mechanism is configured to allow communication between the central flow passage and the outer flow port after the indexing mechanism is subject to a plurality of pressure cycles within the central flow passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventors: Piro Shkurti, Gustavo Oliveira, Iain Greenan
  • Patent number: 9404330
    Abstract: A system includes a tubular string and a hollow ball. The tubular string is adapted to be deployed downhole in a well and includes a seat. An activation ball adapted to be deployed in the well to lodge in the seat. The ball includes an outer shell that forms a spherical surface. The outer shell forms an enclosed volume therein, and the outer shell is formed from a metallic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Tracy Speer, Piro Shkurti, John Chrysostom Wolf
  • Publication number: 20160032684
    Abstract: An object counting mechanism for a downhole tool which includes a tool housing having a central passage and a seat configured to selectively catch an object passing through the central passage. An activating mechanism is configured to move the seat from a first state allowing the object to pass through the seat into a second state for catching the object on the seat. A rotating sleeve causes the activating mechanism to move the seat into the second state after a given degree of rotation of the rotating sleeve. At least one contact surface is spaced apart from the seat and positioned to engage the object passing through the central passage, thereby effecting a limited rotation of the rotating sleeve at each passage of an object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Piro Shkurti, Gustavo Oliveira, Iain Greenan
  • Patent number: 9045963
    Abstract: An isolation device for a frac plug, the isolation device including a ball seat having a seating surface and a ball configured to contact the seating surface, wherein a profile of the seating surface corresponds to a profile of the ball. A frac plug including a mandrel having an upper end and a lower end, a sealing element disposed around the mandrel, and a ball seat disposed within a central bore of the mandrel, wherein the ball seat includes a seating surface having a non-linear profile. A method of isolating zones of a production formation, the method including setting a frac plug between a first zone and a second zone, disposing a ball within the frac plug, and seating a ball in a ball seat of the frac plug, the ball seat including a seating surface having a profile that substantially corresponds to the profile of the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Piro Shkurti, John C. Wolf
  • Publication number: 20140174728
    Abstract: A system includes a tubular string and a hollow ball. The tubular string is adapted to be deployed downhole in a well and includes a seat. An activation ball adapted to be deployed in the well to lodge in the seat. The ball includes an outer shell that forms a spherical surface. The outer shell forms an enclosed volume therein, and the outer shell is formed from a metallic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Tracy Speer, Piro Shkurti, John Chrysostom Wolf
  • Patent number: 8701787
    Abstract: An expandable backup ring includes an outer surface, an inner surface having a plurality of protrusions projecting radially inwardly, and a plurality of segments, the segments defined by a plurality of outer surface cuts. The plurality of outer surface cuts extends radially inwardly from the outer surface and partially into each of the plurality of protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Piro Shkurti, John C. Wolf
  • Patent number: 8469088
    Abstract: A drillable bridge plug includes a mandrel having external splines disposed on an outer surface of the mandrel, a sealing element disposed around the mandrel, an upper cone disposed around the mandrel proximate an upper end of the sealing element, and a lower cone disposed around the mandrel proximate the lower end of the sealing element, wherein an inner surface of the lower cone comprises internal splines configured to engage the external splines. The drillable bridge plug also includes an upper and a lower slip assembly disposed around the mandrel, and an upper and lower ring assembly each including a first segmented barrier ring, a second segmented barrier ring, and a back-up ring disposed proximate sealing element. Methods include a method of setting the drillable bridge plug and a method of removing the drillable bridge plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Piro Shkurti, John C. Wolf
  • Publication number: 20120217025
    Abstract: An expandable backup ring includes an outer surface, an inner surface having a plurality of protrusions projecting radially inwardly, and a plurality of segments, the segments defined by a plurality of outer surface cuts. The plurality of outer surface cuts extends radially inwardly from the outer surface and partially into each of the plurality of protrusions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Piro SHKURTI, John C. WOLF
  • Publication number: 20120006562
    Abstract: A system includes a tubular string and a hollow ball. The tubular string is adapted to be deployed downhole in a well and includes a seat. An activation ball adapted to be deployed in the well to lodge in the seat. The ball includes an outer shell that forms a spherical surface. The outer shell forms an enclosed volume therein, and the outer shell is formed from a metallic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventors: Tracy Speer, Piro Shkurti, John Chrysostom Wolf
  • Patent number: 8047280
    Abstract: A downhole tool for isolating zones in a well, the tool including a mandrel, a sealing element disposed around the mandrel, and an upper cone disposed around the mandrel proximate an upper end of the sealing element. The tool further including an upper slip assembly disposed around the mandrel adjacent a sloped surface of the upper cone, a lower cone disposed around the mandrel proximate a lower end of the sealing element, a lower slip assembly disposed around the mandrel adjacent a sloped surface of the lower cone, and two element end rings. Further, the tool includes a first element end ring disposed adjacent the upper end of the sealing element and a second element end ring disposed adjacent the lower end of the sealing element, and two element barrier assemblies, each assembly disposed adjacent one of the two element end rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Lap T. Tran, William M. Roberts, Piro Shkurti, George J. Melenyzer
  • Publication number: 20110259610
    Abstract: An isolation device for a frac plug, the isolation device including a ball seat having a seating surface and a ball configured to contact the seating surface, wherein a profile of the seating surface corresponds to a profile of the ball. A frac plug including a mandrel having an upper end and a lower end, a sealing element disposed around the mandrel, and a ball seat disposed within a central bore of the mandrel, wherein the ball seat includes a seating surface having a non-linear profile. A method of isolating zones of a production formation, the method including setting a frac plug between a first zone and a second zone, disposing a ball within the frac plug, and seating a ball in a ball seat of the frac plug, the ball seat including a seating surface having a profile that substantially corresponds to the profile of the ball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Piro SHKURTI, John C. WOLF
  • Publication number: 20100326650
    Abstract: A downhole tool for isolating zones in a well, the tool including a mandrel, a sealing element disposed around the mandrel, an upper cone disposed around the mandrel proximate an upper end of the sealing element, an upper slip assembly disposed around the mandrel adjacent a sloped surface of the upper cone, a lower cone disposed around the mandrel proximate a lower end of the sealing element, a lower slip assembly disposed around the mandrel adjacent a sloped surface of the lower cone, two element end rings, a first element end ring disposed adjacent the upper end of the sealing element and a second element end ring disposed adjacent the lower end of the sealing element, and two element barrier assemblies, each assembly disposed adjacent one of the two element end rings is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Lap T. Tran, William M. Roberts, Piro Shkurti, George J. Melenyzer
  • Patent number: 7810558
    Abstract: A downhole tool for isolating zones in a well includes a mandrel, a sealing element disposed around the mandrel, an upper cone disposed around the mandrel proximate an upper end of the sealing element, an upper slip assembly disposed around the mandrel adjacent a sloped surface of the upper cone, a lower cone disposed around the mandrel proximate a lower end of the sealing element, a lower slip assembly disposed around the mandrel adjacent a sloped surface of the lower cone, and two element end rings. The two element end rings include a first element end ring disposed adjacent the upper end of the sealing element and a second element end ring disposed adjacent the lower end of the sealing element. The downhole tool includes two element barrier assemblies; each assembly disposed adjacent one of the two element end rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Piro Shkurti, Lap T. Tran, William M. Roberts, George J. Melenyzer
  • Publication number: 20100132960
    Abstract: A drillable bridge plug includes a mandrel having external splines disposed on an outer surface of the mandrel, a sealing element disposed around the mandrel, an upper cone disposed around the mandrel proximate an upper end of the sealing element, and a lower cone disposed around the mandrel proximate the lower end of the sealing element, wherein an inner surface of the lower cone comprises internal splines configured to engage the external splines. The drillable bridge plug also includes an upper and a lower slip assembly disposed around the mandrel, and an upper and lower ring assembly each including a first segmented barrier ring, a second segmented barrier ring, and a back-up ring disposed proximate sealing element. A method of setting the drillable bridge plug and a method of removing the drillable bridge plug are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Piro Shkurti, John C. Wolf
  • Publication number: 20080190600
    Abstract: A downhole tool for isolating zones in a well, the tool including a mandrel, a sealing element disposed around the mandrel, an upper cone disposed around the mandrel proximate an upper end of the sealing element, an upper slip assembly disposed around the mandrel adjacent a sloped surface of the upper cone, a lower cone disposed around the mandrel proximate a lower end of the sealing element, a lower slip assembly disposed around the mandrel adjacent a sloped surface of the lower cone, two element end rings, a first element end ring disposed adjacent the upper end of the sealing element and a second element end ring disposed adjacent the lower end of the sealing element, and two element barrier assemblies, each assembly disposed adjacent one of the two element end rings is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Piro Shkurti, Lap T. Tran, William M. Roberts, George J. Melenyzer
  • Patent number: 7401651
    Abstract: A method for performing a service operation within a wellbore extending into a formation comprises sealing a first length of the wellbore to define a first isolated formation zone, flowing a pressurized fluid through a tubular string into the first isolated formation zone, and unsealing the first length of the wellbore without venting the pressurized fluid from the tubular string or awaiting depressurization of the first isolated formation zone. An assembly connected to a tubular string for performing a service operation in a wellbore comprises a mandrel with a flowbore in fluid communication with the tubular string, an upper sealing device, a lower sealing device, a selectively operable valve that enables or prevents fluid communication between the flowbore and the wellbore, and a selectively closeable bypass flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventor: Piro Shkurti