Patents by Inventor Ram K. Bansal
Ram K. Bansal 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).
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Patent number: 9353587Abstract: A flow sub for use with a drill string includes: a tubular housing having a longitudinal bore formed therethrough and a flow port formed through a wall thereof; a bore valve operable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the bore valve allows free passage through the bore in the open position and isolates an upper portion of the bore from a lower portion of the bore in the closed position; and a sleeve disposed in the housing and movable between an open position where the flow port is exposed to the bore and a closed position where a wall of the sleeve is disposed between the flow port and the bore; and a bore valve actuator operably coupling the sleeve and the bore valve such that opening the sleeve closes the bore valve and closing the sleeve opens the bore valve.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2012Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: Ram K. Bansal, Joe Noske, Miroslav Mihalj, Bill Menard, Thomas F. Bailey, David Pavel, Gerald Wes Don Buchanan, Geoff George, David Vieraitis
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Patent number: 9151124Abstract: A method for drilling a wellbore includes drilling the wellbore by injecting drilling fluid into a top of a tubular string disposed in the wellbore at a first flow rate and rotating a drill bit. The tubular string includes: the drill bit disposed on a bottom thereof, tubular joints connected together, a longitudinal bore therethrough, a port through a wall thereof, and a sleeve operable between an open position where the port is exposed to the bore and a closed position where a wall of the sleeve is disposed between the port and the bore. The method further includes moving the sleeve to the open position; and injecting drilling fluid into the port at a second flow rate while adding a tubular joint(s) to the tubular string. The injection of drilling fluid into the tubular string is continuously maintained between drilling and adding the joint(s).Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2014Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: David Iblings, Thomas F. Bailey, Ram K. Bansal, Adrian Steiner, Michael J. Lynch, Simon J. Harrall
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Publication number: 20150275606Abstract: A method for milling a tubular cemented in a wellbore includes deploying a bottomhole assembly (BHA) into the wellbore through the tubular, the BHA comprising a window mill; and extending arms of the window mill and radially cutting through the tubular, thereby forming a window through the tubular, wherein a body portion of each window mill arm engages and stabilizes from an inner surface of the tubular after a blade portion of each window mill arm cuts through the tubular.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2015Publication date: October 1, 2015Inventors: Richard SEGURA, Thomas BAILEY, David J. BRUNNERT, Ram K. BANSAL, Andrew ANTOINE
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Publication number: 20150240582Abstract: A flow sub for use with a drill string includes a tubular housing having a longitudinal bore therethrough and a flow port through a wall thereof and a ball. The ball is disposed in the housing above the flow port, has a bore therethrough, and is rotatable relative to the housing between an open position where the ball bore is aligned with the housing bore and a closed position where a wall of the ball blocks the housing bore. The flow sub further includes a seat disposed in the housing above the ball for sealing against the ball wall in the closed position and a sleeve disposed in the housing and movable between an open position where the flow port is exposed to the housing bore and a closed position where a wall of the sleeve is disposed between the flow port and the housing bore.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2015Publication date: August 27, 2015Inventors: Ram K. BANSAL, Geoff GEORGE, Gerald Wes Don BUCHANAN, Justin CUNNINGHAM, Eisenhower DE LEON, Joe NOSKE, Lev RING, Jerlib J. LEAL
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Publication number: 20150176347Abstract: A method of deploying a jointed tubular string into a subsea wellbore includes lowering the tubular string into the subsea wellbore from an offshore drilling unit. The tubular string has a slip joint. The method further includes, after lowering, anchoring a lower portion of the tubular string below the slip joint to a non-heaving structure. The method further includes, while the lower portion is anchored: supporting an upper portion of the tubular string above the slip joint from a rig floor of the offshore drilling unit; after supporting, adding one or more joints to the tubular string, thereby extending the tubular string; and releasing the upper portion of the extended tubular string from the rig floor. The method further includes: releasing the lower portion of the extended tubular string from the non-heaving structure; and lowering the extended tubular string into the subsea wellbore.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2014Publication date: June 25, 2015Inventors: Ram K. BANSAL, Lev RING, Don M. HANNEGAN
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Patent number: 9022117Abstract: A method for milling a tubular cemented in a wellbore includes deploying a bottomhole assembly (BHA) into the wellbore through the tubular, the BHA comprising a window mill; and extending arms of the window mill and radially cutting through the tubular, thereby forming a window through the tubular, wherein a body portion of each window mill arm engages and stabilizes from an inner surface of the tubular after a blade portion of each window mill arm cuts through the tubular.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2011Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: Richard Segura, Thomas Bailey, David J. Brunnert, Ram K. Bansal, Andrew Antoine
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Publication number: 20150101812Abstract: A mill for use in a wellbore includes a tubular housing having a bore therethrough and a plurality of eccentrically arranged pockets formed in a wall thereof and an arm disposed in each pocket. Each arm has a body portion and a blade portion extending from an outer surface of the body portion and is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The mill further includes cutters disposed along each blade portion and a block disposed in each pocket and connected to the housing. Each block has a guide engaged with a mating guide of the respective body portion and an inner passage for providing fluid communication between the housing bore and the respective pocket. The mill further includes an actuator for extending the arms.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2014Publication date: April 16, 2015Inventors: Ram K. BANSAL, Mohammed Aleemul HAQ, Thomas F. BAILEY, Richard J. SEGURA, Ian SMITH
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Patent number: 8955619Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include methods and apparatus for dynamically controlling pressure within a wellbore while forming the wellbore. In one aspect, one or more pressure control apparatus are used to maintain desired pressure within the wellbore while drilling the wellbore. In another aspect, pressure is dynamically controlled while drilling using foam to maintain a substantially homogenous foam flow regime within the wellbore annulus for carrying cuttings from the wellbore.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2005Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Frederick T. Tilton, David M. Haugen, Kevin W. Smith, David J. Brunnert, Thomas F. Bailey, Tom Fuller, Roy W. Rooyakkers, Ram K. Bansal, Graham Skinner
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Publication number: 20140182943Abstract: A method for drilling a wellbore includes drilling the wellbore by injecting drilling fluid into a top of a tubular string disposed in the wellbore at a first flow rate and rotating a drill bit. The tubular string includes: the drill bit disposed on a bottom thereof, tubular joints connected together, a longitudinal bore therethrough, a port through a wall thereof, and a sleeve operable between an open position where the port is exposed to the bore and a closed position where a wall of the sleeve is disposed between the port and the bore. The method further includes moving the sleeve to the open position; and injecting drilling fluid into the port at a second flow rate while adding a tubular joint(s) to the tubular string. The injection of drilling fluid into the tubular string is continuously maintained between drilling and adding the joint(s).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2014Publication date: July 3, 2014Applicant: WEATHERFORD/LAMB, INC.Inventors: David IBLINGS, Thomas F. BAILEY, Ram K. BANSAL, Adrian STEINER, Michael J. LYNCH, Simon J. HARRALL
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Publication number: 20140144706Abstract: A method for drilling a wellbore includes drilling the wellbore by advancing the tubular string longitudinally into the wellbore; stopping drilling by holding the tubular string longitudinally stationary; adding a tubular joint or stand of joints to the tubular string while injecting drilling fluid into a side port of the tubular string, rotating the tubular string, and holding the tubular string longitudinally stationary; and resuming drilling of the wellbore after adding the joint or stand.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2014Publication date: May 29, 2014Applicant: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Thomas F. BAILEY, Mark A. MITCHELL, David PAVEL, Lev RING, Ram K. BANSAL, David IBLINGS
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Patent number: 8720545Abstract: A method for drilling a wellbore includes drilling the wellbore by injecting drilling fluid into a top of a tubular string disposed in the wellbore at a first flow rate and rotating a drill bit. The tubular string includes: the drill bit disposed on a bottom thereof, tubular joints connected together, a longitudinal bore therethrough, a port through a wall thereof, and a sleeve operable between an open position where the port is exposed to the bore and a closed position where a wall of the sleeve is disposed between the port and the bore. The method further includes moving the sleeve to the open position; and injecting drilling fluid into the port at a second flow rate while adding a tubular joint(s) to the tubular string. The injection of drilling fluid into the tubular string is continuously maintained between drilling and adding the joint(s).Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2011Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: David Iblings, Thomas F. Bailey, Ram K. Bansal, Adrian Steiner, Michael Lynch, Simon J. Harrall
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Publication number: 20140116712Abstract: A wellbore cleaning tool for removing irregularities along the inner surface of a wellbore tubular may include a top sub, a cutting assembly, and a bottom sub. The tool is operable to remove irregularities, such as debris, burrs, and jagged edges, along the inside of the wellbore tubular, and thereby provide a clean, inner surface finish. The tool may be actuated into a retracted position, an extended position, and/or a deactivated position.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2012Publication date: May 1, 2014Applicant: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Ram K. Bansal, Arthur Warren Meeks, Mohammed Aleemul Haq, Bin Xiao, Miroslav Mihalj, David Peter Kippie, Thomas F. Bailey
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Patent number: 8627890Abstract: A method for drilling a wellbore includes drilling the wellbore by advancing the tubular string longitudinally into the wellbore; stopping drilling by holding the tubular string longitudinally stationary; adding a tubular joint or stand of joints to the tubular string while injecting drilling fluid into a side port of the tubular string, rotating the tubular string, and holding the tubular string longitudinally stationary; and resuming drilling of the wellbore after adding the joint or stand.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2011Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Thomas F. Bailey, Mark A. Mitchell, David Pavel, Lev Ring, Ram K. Bansal, David Iblings
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Publication number: 20130068532Abstract: A flow sub for use with a drill string includes: a tubular housing having a longitudinal bore formed therethrough and a flow port formed through a wall thereof; a bore valve operable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the bore valve allows free passage through the bore in the open position and isolates an upper portion of the bore from a lower portion of the bore in the closed position; and a sleeve disposed in the housing and movable between an open position where the flow port is exposed to the bore and a closed position where a wall of the sleeve is disposed between the flow port and the bore; and a bore valve actuator operably coupling the sleeve and the bore valve such that opening the sleeve closes the bore valve and closing the sleeve opens the bore valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2012Publication date: March 21, 2013Inventors: Ram K. BANSAL, Joe NOSKE, Miroslav MIHALJ, Bill MENARD, Thomas F. BAILEY, David PAVEL, Gerald Wes Don BUCHANAN, Geoff GEORGE, David VIERAITIS
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Publication number: 20110220357Abstract: A method for milling a tubular cemented in a wellbore includes deploying a bottomhole assembly (BHA) into the wellbore through the tubular, the BHA comprising a window mill; and extending arms of the window mill and radially cutting through the tubular, thereby forming a window through the tubular, wherein a body portion of each window mill arm engages and stabilizes from an inner surface of the tubular after a blade portion of each window mill arm cuts through the tubular.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2011Publication date: September 15, 2011Inventors: Richard Segura, Thomas Bailey, David J. Brunnert, Ram K. Bansal, Andrew Antoine
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Patent number: 8016033Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for drilling a wellbore includes injecting drilling fluid into a top of a tubular string disposed in the wellbore at a first flow rate. The tubular string includes: a drill bit disposed on a bottom thereof, tubular joints connected together, a longitudinal bore therethrough, and a port through a wall thereof. The drilling fluid exits the drill bit and carries cuttings from the drill bit. The cuttings and drilling fluid (returns) flow to the surface via an annulus defined between the tubular string and the wellbore. The method further includes rotating the drill bit while injecting the drilling fluid; remotely removing a plug from the port, thereby opening the port; and injecting drilling fluid into the port at a second flow rate while adding a tubular joint or stand of joints to the tubular string. The injection of drilling fluid into the tubular string is continuously maintained between drilling and adding the joint or stand to the drill string.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2008Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: David Iblings, Thomas F. Bailey, Ram K. Bansal, Adrian Steiner, Michael Lynch, Simon J. Harrall
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Patent number: 7997340Abstract: The present invention involves methods and apparatus for permanent downhole deployment of optical sensors. Specifically, optical sensors may be permanently deployed within a wellbore using a casing string. In one aspect, one or more optical sensors are disposed on, in, or within the casing string. The optical sensors may be attached to an outer surface of the casing string or to an inner surface of the casing string, as well as embedded within a wall of the casing string. The optical sensors are capable of measuring wellbore parameters during wellbore operations, including completion, production, and intervention operations.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2009Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: Weatherford/LAMB, Inc.Inventors: Francis X. Bostick, III, David G. Hosie, Michael Brian Grayson, Ram K. Bansal
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Publication number: 20110155379Abstract: A method for drilling a wellbore includes drilling the wellbore by advancing the tubular string longitudinally into the wellbore; stopping drilling by holding the tubular string longitudinally stationary; adding a tubular joint or stand of joints to the tubular string while injecting drilling fluid into a side port of the tubular string, rotating the tubular string, and holding the tubular string longitudinally stationary; and resuming drilling of the wellbore after adding the joint or stand.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2011Publication date: June 30, 2011Inventors: THOMAS F. BAILEY, MARK A. MITCHELL, DAVID PAVEL, LEV RING, RAM K. BANSAL, DAVID IBLINGS
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Publication number: 20100078164Abstract: The present invention involves methods and apparatus for permanent downhole deployment of optical sensors. Specifically, optical sensors may be permanently deployed within a wellbore using a casing string. In one aspect, one or more optical sensors are disposed on, in, or within the casing string. The optical sensors may be attached to an outer surface of the casing string or to an inner surface of the casing string, as well as embedded within a wall of the casing string. The optical sensors are capable of measuring wellbore parameters during wellbore operations, including completion, production, and intervention operations.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2009Publication date: April 1, 2010Inventors: FRANCIS X. BOSTICK, III, David G. Hosie, Michael Brian Grayson, Ram K. Bansal
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Patent number: 7665543Abstract: The present invention involves methods and apparatus for permanent downhole deployment of optical sensors. Specifically, optical sensors may be permanently deployed within a wellbore using a casing string. In one aspect, one or more optical sensors are disposed on, in, or within the casing string. The optical sensors may be attached to an outer surface of the casing string or to an inner surface of the casing string, as well as embedded within a wall of the casing string. The optical sensors are capable of measuring wellbore parameters during wellbore operations, including completion, production, and intervention operations.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2007Date of Patent: February 23, 2010Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Francis X. Bostick, III, David G. Hosie, Michael Brian Grayson, Ram K. Bansal