Patents by Inventor Richard D. Kent
Richard D. Kent 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: 7096937Abstract: A flow completion system for controlling the flow of fluid from a well bore comprises a tubing spool which includes a central bore that extends axially therethrough and a production outlet which communicates with the central bore. A tubing hanger is supported in the central bore and includes a production bore that extends axially therethrough and a production passageway that communicates between the production bore and the production outlet. A first closure member is positioned in the production bore above the production passageway, and a first metal seal is positioned concentrically between the tubing hanger and the central bore above the production passageway. In addition, a second closure member is positioned in the production bore above the first closure member, and a second metal seal is positioned concentrically between the tubing hanger and the central bore above the first seal.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2004Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Christopher D. Bartlett, Christopher E. Cunningham, Richard D. Kent, Nicholas Gatherar, David Harrold
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Patent number: 7069988Abstract: A flow completion system for controlling the flow of fluid from a well bore, the flow completion system comprising a tubing spool which includes a central bore that extends axially therethrough and a production outlet which communicates with the central bore; a tubing hanger which is supported in the central bore and which includes a production bore that extends axially therethrough and a production passageway that communicates between the production bore and the production outlet, the tubing hanger supporting a tubing string which extends into the well bore and defines a tubing annulus surrounding the tubing string; a first closure member which is positioned in the production bore above the production passageway; a first annular seal which is positioned between the tubing hanger and the central bore above the production passageway; wherein the first closure member and the first seal comprise a first pressure-containing barrier between the well bore and a surrounding environment; a second closure member whichType: GrantFiled: October 10, 2003Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Christopher D. Bartlett, Christopher E. Cunningham, Richard D. Kent, Nicholas Gatherar, David Harrold
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Patent number: 7025132Abstract: A flow completion apparatus comprises a wellhead housing installed at an upper end of a well bore and a tubing spool connected over the wellhead housing. The tubing spool includes a central bore extending axially therethrough, a production outlet communicating with the central bore and an annulus passageway communicating with the tubing annulus. A tubing hanger is supported in the central bore and includes a production bore extending axially therethrough and a production passageway communicating between the production bore and the production outlet. The tubing spool comprises a workover passageway extending between the annulus passageway and a portion of the central bore located below the top of the tubing hanger. Furthermore, the tubing hanger comprises an annulus bore extending between the workover passageway and the top of the tubing hanger.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2003Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Richard D. Kent, Michael R. Tierney, Gregory L. Glidden, Christopher E. Cunningham, Christopher D. Bartlett
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Publication number: 20040188083Abstract: A flow completion system for controlling the flow of fluid from a well bore comprises a tubing spool which includes a central bore that extends axially therethrough and a production outlet which communicates with the central bore. A tubing hanger is supported in the central bore and includes a production bore that extends axially therethrough and a production passageway that communicates between the production bore and the production outlet. A first closure member is positioned in the production bore above the production passageway, and a first metal seal is positioned concentrically between the tubing hanger and the central bore above the production passageway. In addition, a second closure member is positioned in the production bore above the first closure member, and a second metal seal is positioned concentrically between the tubing hanger and the central bore above the first seal.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2004Publication date: September 30, 2004Applicant: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Christopher D. Bartlett, Christopher E. Cunningham, Richard D. Kent, Nicholas Gatherar, David Harrold
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Publication number: 20040104024Abstract: A flow completion apparatus comprises a wellhead housing installed at an upper end of a well bore and a tubing spool connected over the wellhead housing. The tubing spool includes a central bore extending axially therethrough, a production outlet communicating with the central bore and an annulus passageway communicating with the tubing annulus. A tubing hanger is supported in the central bore and includes a production bore extending axially therethrough and a production passageway communicating between the production bore and the production outlet. The tubing spool comprises a workover passageway extending between the annulus passageway and a portion of the central bore located below the top of the tubing hanger. Furthermore, the tubing hanger comprises an annulus bore extending between the workover passageway and the top of the tubing hanger.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2003Publication date: June 3, 2004Applicant: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Richard D. Kent, Michael R. Tierney, Gregory L. Glidden, Christopher E. Cunningham, Christopher D. Bartlett
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Publication number: 20040074636Abstract: A flow completion system for controlling the flow of fluid from a well bore, the flow completion system comprising a tubing spool which includes a central bore that extends axially therethrough and a production outlet which communicates with the central bore; a tubing hanger which is supported in the central bore and which includes a production bore that extends axially therethrough and a production passageway that communicates between the production bore and the production outlet, the tubing hanger supporting a tubing string which extends into the well bore and defines a tubing annulus surrounding the tubing string; a first closure member which is positioned in the production bore above the production passageway; a first annular seal which is positioned between the tubing hanger and the central bore above the production passageway; wherein the first closure member and the first seal comprise a first pressure-containing barrier between the well bore and a surrounding environment; a second closure member whichType: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2003Publication date: April 22, 2004Applicant: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Christopher D. Bartlett, Christopher E. Cunningham, Richard D. Kent, Nicholas Gatherar, David Harrold
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Patent number: 6681850Abstract: A flow completion system for controlling the flow of fluid from a well bore, the flow completion system includes a tubing spool which includes a central bore that extends axially therethrough and a production outlet which communicates with the central bore. A tubing hanger includes a production bore that extends axially therethrough and a production passageway that communicates between the production bore and the production outlet and a first closure member which is positioned in the production bore above the production passageway. A first annular seal which is positioned between the tubing hanger and the central bore above the production passageway including first pressure-containing barrier between the well bore and a surrounding environment.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2003Date of Patent: January 27, 2004Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Christopher D. Bartlett, Christopher E. Cunningham, Richard D. Kent, Nicholas Gatherar, David Harrold
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Patent number: 6655455Abstract: A flow completion system for controlling the flow of fluid from a well bore, the flow completion system comprising a tubing spool, a tubing hanger supporting a tubing string which extends into the well bore and defines a tubing annulus surrounding the tubing string; a first closure member which is positioned in the production bore above the production passageway; a first annular seal wherein the first closure member and the first seal comprise a first pressure-containing barrier between the well bore and a surrounding environment; a second closure member which is positioned in the production bore above the first closure member; and a second annular seal wherein the second closure member and the second seal comprise a second pressure-containing barrier between the well bore and the environment; and wherein both the first and the second barriers are associated with the tubing hanger.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2002Date of Patent: December 2, 2003Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Christopher D. Bartlett, Christopher E. Cunningham, Richard D. Kent, Nicholas Gatherar, David Harrold
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Publication number: 20030178202Abstract: A flow completion system for controlling the flow of fluid from a well bore, the flow completion system comprising a tubing spool which includes a central bore that extends axially therethrough and a production outlet which communicates with the central bore; a tubing hanger which is supported in the central bore and which includes a production bore that extends axially therethrough and a production passageway that communicates between the production bore and the production outlet, the tubing hanger supporting a tubing string which extends into the well bore and defines a tubing annulus surrounding the tubing string; a first closure member which is positioned in the production bore above the production passageway; a first annular seal which is positioned between the tubing hanger and the central bore above the production passageway; wherein the first closure member and the first seal comprise a first pressure-containing barrier between the well bore and a surrounding environment; a second closure member whichType: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2003Publication date: September 25, 2003Applicant: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Christopher D. Bartlett, Christopher E. Cunningham, Richard D. Kent, Nicholas Gatherar, David Harrold
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Patent number: 6612368Abstract: A flow completion apparatus comprises a wellhead housing installed at an upper end of a well bore and a tubing spool connected over the wellhead housing. The tubing spool includes a central bore extending axially therethrough, a production outlet communicating with the central bore and an annulus passageway communicating with the tubing annulus. A tubing hanger is supported in the central bore and includes a production bore extending axially therethrough and a production passageway communicating between the production bore and the production outlet. An annular seal is positioned between the tubing hanger and the central bore above the production passageway, and the tubing spool comprises a workover passageway extending between the annulus passageway and a portion of the central bore located above the seal. Furthermore, the tubing hanger comprises an annulus bore extending between the workover passageway and the top of the tubing hanger.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2001Date of Patent: September 2, 2003Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Richard D. Kent, Michael R. Tierney, Gregory L. Glidden, Chistopher E. Cunningham, Christopher D. Bartlett
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Publication number: 20020189813Abstract: A flow completion system for controlling the flow of fluid from a well bore, the flow completion system comprising a tubing spool which includes a central bore that extends axially therethrough and a production outlet which communicates with the central bore; a tubing hanger which is supported in the central bore and which includes a production bore that extends axially therethrough and a production passageway that communicates between the production bore and the production outlet, the tubing hanger supporting a tubing string which extends into the well bore and defines a tubing annulus surrounding the tubing string; a first closure member which is positioned in the production bore above the production passageway; a first annular seal which is positioned between the tubing hanger and the central bore above the production passageway; wherein the first closure member and the first seal comprise a first pressure-containing barrier between the well bore and a surrounding environment; a second closure member whichType: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2002Publication date: December 19, 2002Inventors: Christopher D. Bartlett, Christopher E. Cunningham, Richard D. Kent, Nicholas Gatherar, David Harrold
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Patent number: 6494257Abstract: A flow completion system for controlling the flow of fluid from a well bore, the flow completion system comprising a tubing spool which includes a central bore that extends axially therethrough and a production outlet which communicates with the central bore; a tubing hanger which is supported in the central bore and which includes a production bore that extends axially therethrough and a production passageway that communicates between the production bore and the production outlet, the tubing hanger supporting a tubing string which extends into the well bore and defines a tubing annulus surrounding the tubing string; a first closure member which is positioned in the production bore above the production passageway; a first annular seal which is positioned between the tubing hanger and the central bore above the production passageway; wherein the first closure member and the first seal comprise a first pressure-containing barrier between the well bore and a surrounding environment; a second closure member whichType: GrantFiled: March 22, 2001Date of Patent: December 17, 2002Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Christopher D. Bartlett, Christopher E. Cunningham, Richard D. Kent, Nicholas Gatherar, David Harrold
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Patent number: 6488083Abstract: A tubing hanger for a flow completion system which comprises a Christmas tree connected above a wellhead housing that includes a central bore in which the tubing hanger is supported, the tubing hanger comprising a generally annular body; a production bore which extends generally axially through the body; an annulus bore which extends generally axially through the body; the annulus bore comprising a generally lateral first branch which is connected to a generally axial second branch; and a closure member which includes a gate that is moveable generally axially across the first branch between an open position in which a hole in the gate is aligned with the first branch and a closed position in which the hole is offset from the first branch.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2001Date of Patent: December 3, 2002Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Christopher D. Bartlett, Christopher E. Cunningham, Richard D. Kent, Nicholas Gatherar
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Patent number: 6453995Abstract: A tubing hanger incorporates a flow control valve that is ordinarily found in a horizontal christmas tree. A branch passage forming a production fluid outlet has a mouth that intersects with a vertical production bore. A valve closure element in the form of a rotatable sleeve or saddle is disposed in the bore for co-operation with a seat disposed in the branch passage. Rotation of the sleeve, e.g. by a shaft extending through a crown plug, brings a hole into or out of alignment with the seat to control production fluid flow. In other embodiments, the sleeve is axially movable.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2001Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas Gatherar, Richard D. Kent
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Publication number: 20020000315Abstract: A flow completion apparatus for controlling the flow of fluid through a tubing string which extends into a well bore and defines a tubing annulus surrounding the tubing string, the flow completion apparatus comprising a wellhead housing which is installed at an upper end of the well bore; a tubing spool which is connected over the wellhead housing and which includes a central bore that extends axially therethrough, a production outlet which communicates with the central bore, and an annulus passageway which communicates with the tubing annulus; a tubing hanger which is supported in the central bore, is connected to an upper end of the tubing string, and includes a production bore which extends axially therethrough and a production passageway which communicates between the production bore and the production outlet; a first closure member which is positioned in the production bore above the production passageway; and a first annular seal which is positioned between the tubing hanger and the central bore above tType: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2001Publication date: January 3, 2002Inventors: Richard D. Kent, Michael R. Tierney, Gregory L. Glidden, Christopher E. Cunningham, Christopher D. Bartlett
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Publication number: 20020000322Abstract: A flow completion system for controlling the flow of fluid from a well bore, the flow completion system comprising a tubing spool which includes a central bore that extends axially therethrough and a production outlet which communicates with the central bore; a tubing hanger which is supported in the central bore and which includes a production bore that extends axially therethrough and a production passageway that communicates between the production bore and the production outlet, the tubing hanger supporting a tubing string which extends into the well bore and defines a tubing annulus surrounding the tubing string; a first closure member which is positioned in the production bore above the production passageway; a first annular seal which is positioned between the tubing hanger and the central bore above the production passageway; wherein the first closure member and the first seal comprise a first pressure-containing barrier between the well bore and a surrounding environment; a second closure member whichType: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2001Publication date: January 3, 2002Inventors: Christopher D. Bartlett, Christopher E. Cunningham, Richard D. Kent, Nicholas Gatherar, David Harrold
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Publication number: 20010054507Abstract: The invention is directed to a tubing hanger for a flow completion system which comprises a Christmas tree connected above a wellhead housing that includes a central bore in which the tubing hanger is supported, the tubing hanger comprising a generally annular body; a production bore which extends generally axially through the body; an annulus bore which extends generally axially through the body; the annulus bore comprising a generally lateral first branch which is connected to a generally axial second branch; and a closure member which includes a gate that is moveable generally axially across the first branch between an open position in which a hole in the gate is aligned with the first branch and a closed position in which the hole is offset from the first branch.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2001Publication date: December 27, 2001Inventors: Christopher D. Bartlett, Christopher E. Cunningham, Richard D. Kent, Nicholas Gatherar
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Publication number: 20010042619Abstract: A tubing hanger incorporates a flow control valve that is ordinarily found in a horizontal christmas tree. A branch passage forming a production fluid outlet has a mouth that intersects with a vertical production bore. A valve closure element in the form of a rotatable sleeve or saddle is disposed in the bore for co-operation with a seat disposed in the branch passage. Rotation of the sleeve, e.g. by means of a shaft extending through a crown plug, brings a hole into or out of alignment with the seat to control production fluid flow. In other embodiments, the sleeve is axially movable.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2001Publication date: November 22, 2001Inventors: Nicholas Gatherar, Richard D. Kent