Patents by Inventor Robert Nicholas Worrall
Robert Nicholas Worrall 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: 9074436Abstract: A method of installing a sensor in a borehole drilled through underground formations, wherein the borehole is drilled with a hollow drill string formed from a series of pipe sections connected end-to-end, a drill bit being positioned at one end of the drill string and having a closure member that provides an opening between the borehole and the inside of the drill string, the method comprising: drilling the borehole to a predetermined; partially withdrawing the drill string from the borehole so that the drill bit is positioned above the predetermined depth; lowering a sensor inside the drill string by means of a cable; operating the closure so that the sensor can pass out of the drill string into the borehole; and progressively withdrawing the drill string and drill bit from the borehole over the cable so as to leave the sensor in the borehole.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2009Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Douwe Johannes Runia, Robert Nicholas Worrall
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Patent number: 8833441Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a cable suspended pumping system. In one embodiment, a method of producing fluid from a reservoir includes deploying a pumping system into a wellbore to a location proximate the reservoir using a cable. The pump assembly includes a motor, an isolation device, a pump, and a power conversion module (PCM). The method further includes setting the isolation device, thereby rotationally fixing the pumping system to a tubular string disposed in the wellbore and isolating an inlet of the pump from an outlet of the pump; supplying a DC power signal from the surface to the PCM via the cable; and supplying a second power signal to the motor, thereby operating the pump and pumping reservoir fluid from the reservoir to the surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2009Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Zeitecs B.V.Inventors: Lance I. Fielder, Robert Nicholas Worrall
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Patent number: 8770271Abstract: A pumping system includes a submersible high speed electric motor operable to rotate a drive shaft; a high speed pump rotationally fixed to the drive shaft; an isolation device operable to expand into engagement with a tubular string, thereby fluidly isolating an inlet of the pump from an outlet of the pump and rotationally fixing the motor and the pump to the tubular string; and a cable having two or less conductors, a strength sufficient to support the motor, the pump, and the isolation device, and in electrical communication with the motor. A maximum outer diameter of the motor, pump, isolation device, and cable is less than or equal to two inches.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2013Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Zeitecs B.V.Inventors: Lance I. Fielder, Robert Nicholas Worrall
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Patent number: 8443900Abstract: A method of unloading liquid from a reservoir includes deploying a pumping system into a wellbore to a location proximate the reservoir using a cable. The pumping system includes a motor, an isolation device, and a pump. The method further includes setting the isolation device, thereby rotationally fixing the pumping system to a tubular string disposed in the wellbore and isolating an inlet of the pump from an outlet of the pump; supplying a power signal from the surface to the motor via the cable, thereby operating the pump and lowering a liquid level in the tubular string to a level proximate the reservoir; unsetting the isolation device; and removing the pump assembly from the wellbore using the cable.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2009Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Zeitecs B.V.Inventors: Lance I. Fielder, Robert Nicholas Worrall
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Publication number: 20110315445Abstract: A method of installing a sensor in a borehole drilled through underground formations, wherein the borehole is drilled with a hollow drill string formed from a series of pipe sections connected end-to-end, a drill bit being positioned at one end of the drill string and having an closure that is operable to provide an opening between the borehole and the inside of the drill string, the method comprising: drilling the borehole to a predetermined depth using the drill string and bit; partially withdrawing the drill string from the borehole so that the drill bit is positioned above the predetermined depth; lowering a sensor inside the drill string by means of a cable; operating the closure so that the sensor can pass out of the drill string into the borehole; and progressively withdrawing the drill string and drill bit from the borehole over the cable so as to leave the sensor in the borehole.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2009Publication date: December 29, 2011Applicant: THRUBIT B.V.Inventors: Douwe Johannes Runia, Robert Nicholas Worrall
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Publication number: 20100288501Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an electric submersible pumping system for dewatering gas wells. In one embodiment, a method of unloading liquid from a reservoir includes deploying a pumping system into a wellbore to a location proximate the reservoir using a cable. The pumping system includes a motor, an isolation device, and a pump. The method further includes setting the isolation device, thereby rotationally fixing the pumping system to a tubular string disposed in the wellbore and isolating an inlet of the pump from an outlet of the pump; supplying a power signal from the surface to the motor via the cable, thereby operating the pump and lowering a liquid level in the tubular string to a level proximate the reservoir; unsetting the isolation device; and removing the pump assembly from the wellbore using the cable.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2009Publication date: November 18, 2010Inventors: Lance I. Fielder, Robert Nicholas Worrall
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Publication number: 20100288493Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a cable suspended pumping system. In one embodiment, a method of producing fluid from a reservoir includes deploying a pumping system into a wellbore to a location proximate the reservoir using a cable. The pump assembly includes a motor, an isolation device, a pump, and a power conversion module (PCM). The method further includes setting the isolation device, thereby rotationally fixing the pumping system to a tubular string disposed in the wellbore and isolating an inlet of the pump from an outlet of the pump; supplying a DC power signal from the surface to the PCM via the cable; and supplying a second power signal to the motor, thereby operating the pump and pumping reservoir fluid from the reservoir to the surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2009Publication date: November 18, 2010Inventors: Lance I. Fielder, Robert Nicholas Worrall
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Patent number: 7810583Abstract: A drilling system comprising a pipe comprising a first end and a second end; a drill bit near a first end of the pipe, adapted to drill a hole in a formation; a pipe rotator near a second end of the pipe adapted to rotate the pipe; and a pump connected to the pipe between the first end and the second end, the pump adapted to transport a fluid from the first end of the pipe to the second end of the pipe, the pump comprising a first portion adapted to rotate with the pipe and a second portion adapted to remain stationary relative to the pipe.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2007Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Michael Ruggier, Robert Nicholas Worrall
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Patent number: 7640965Abstract: A method is provided of in-situ casting well equipment wherein a metal is used which expands upon solidification. A body of such metal is placed in a cavity in a well. Before or after placing the metal in the cavity in the well, the body is brought at a temperature above the melting point of the metal. The metal of the body in the cavity is solidified by cooling it down to below the melting point of the metal.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2006Date of Patent: January 5, 2010Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Martin Gerard Rene Bosma, Erik Kerst Cornelissen, Klisthenis Dimitriadis, Mike Peters, Robert Nicholas Worrall
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Publication number: 20090145662Abstract: A drilling system comprising a pipe comprising a first end and a second end; a drill bit near a first end of the pipe, adapted to drill a hole in a formation; a pipe rotator near a second end of the pipe adapted to rotate the pipe; and a pump connected to the pipe between the first end and the second end, the pump adapted to transport a fluid from the first end of the pipe to the second end of the pipe, the pump comprising a first portion adapted to rotate with the pipe and a second portion adapted to remain stationary relative to the pipe.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2007Publication date: June 11, 2009Inventors: Michael Ruggier, Robert Nicholas Worrall
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Publication number: 20090134102Abstract: The invention provides a separator for the removal of solids from a drilling liquid, the separator comprising a tube settler (4) through which the drilling liquid can flow and beneath which a particle collection container is arranged for collecting solids separated from the liquid in the tube settler, wherein the solids collection container is a transportable container that is separate or separable from the tube settler. The invention further provides a process for the removal of solids from a drilling liquid using a separator, in which process a drilling liquid comprising solids is set to flow through a tube settler in order to allow the solids to settle out, thereby obtaining a solids depleted drilling liquid and an accumulation of solids. The invention also provides for the use of a separator comprising a tube settler to remove solids from a drilling liquid.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2007Publication date: May 28, 2009Inventors: Anthony Robert Cousins, Robert David Eden, Robert Nicholas Worrall
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Patent number: 7527095Abstract: A method of creating a zonal isolation above a target zone in an underground wellbore comprises: inserting a slurry injection tubing into the wellbore; arranging within an annular space surrounding said tubing an particle accumulation means, such as an expandable screen or an area where the slurry velocity is reduced; and pumping a slurry comprising a carrier fluid and granular material down via the slurry injection tubing and the target zone and then up into the annular space, such that at least some granular material accumulates and forms an elongate zonal isolation in the annular space between the target zone and the particle accumulation means, which zonal isolation is removable and exerts a limited radial force to the surrounding formation, thereby reducing the risk of formation damage.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2004Date of Patent: May 5, 2009Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Andreas Bloess, Martin Gerard Rene Bosma, Erik Kerst Cornelissen, Michael Caspar Gunningham, Cornelis Jan Kenter, Robert Nicholas Worrall
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Patent number: 7282663Abstract: An automated method for forge welding tubulars including heating the tubular ends to be joined in a welding chamber while the heated tubular ends are maintained aligned and parallel relative to each other and at a small spacing, whereupon the heated tubular ends are pressed together while a reducing shield gas is injected into the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2003Date of Patent: October 16, 2007Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Robert Andrew Alford, Johannis Josephus Den Boer, Anthony Thomas Cole, Klisthenis Dimitriadis, Michalakis Efthymiou, Rama Krishna Siva Gunturi, Robert Nicholas Worrall, Djurre Hans Zijsling, Ali Joseph Cox
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Patent number: 7281592Abstract: A method and system for introducing a fluid into a borehole, in which there is arranged a tubular drill string including a drill bit, wherein the drill bit is provided with a passageway between the interior of the drill string and the borehole, and with a removable closure element for selectively closing the passageway in a closing position, and wherein there is further provided a fluid injection tool comprising a tool inlet and a tool outlet, the method comprising passing the fluid injection tool through the drill string to the closure element, and using it to remove the closure element from the closing position, passing the fluid injection tool outlet through the passageway, and introducing the fluid into the borehole from the interior of the drill string through fluid injection tool into the borehole.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2002Date of Patent: October 16, 2007Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Douwe Johannes Runia, David George Livesey Smith, Robert Nicholas Worrall
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Patent number: 7207398Abstract: A rotary drill bit assembly suitable for directionally drilling a borehole into an underground formation, the drill bit assembly having a bit body extending along a central longitudinal bit-body axis, and having a bit-body face at its front end, wherein an annular portion of the bit-body face is provided with one or more chip-making elements; a pilot bit extending along a central longitudinal pilot-bit axis, the pilot bit being partly arranged within the bit body and projecting out of the central portion of the bit-body face, the pilot bit having a pilot-bit face provided with one or more chip-making elements at its front end; a joint means arranged to pivotably connect the pilot bit to the bit body so that the bit-body axis and the pilot-bit axis can form a variable diversion angle; and a steering means arranged to pivot the pilot bit in order to steer the direction of drilling.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2002Date of Patent: April 24, 2007Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Douwe Johannes Runia, David George Livesey Smith, Robert Nicholas Worrall
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Patent number: 7152657Abstract: A method is provided of in-situ casting well equipment wherein a metal is used which expands upon solidification. A body of such metal is placed in a cavity in a well. Before or after placing the metal in the cavity in the well, the body is brought at a temperature above the melting point of the metal. The metal of the body in the cavity is solidified by cooling it down to below the melting point of the metal.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2002Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Martin Gerard Rene Bosma, Erik Kerst Cornelissen, Klisthenis Dimitriadis, Mike Peters, Robert Nicholas Worrall
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Publication number: 20040238221Abstract: A rotary drill bit assembly suitable for directionally drilling a borehole into an underground formation, the drill bit assembly having a bit body extending along a central longitudinal bit-body axis, and having a bit-body face at its front end, wherein an annular portion of the bit-body face is provided with one or more chip-making elements; a pilot bit extending along a central longitudinal pilot-bit axis, the pilot bit being partly arranged within the bit body and projecting out of the central portion of the bit-body face, the pilot bit having a pilot-bit face provided with one or more chip-making elements at its front end; a joint means arranged to pivotably connect the pilot bit to the bit body so that the bit-body axis and the pilot-bit axis can form a variable diversion angle; and a steering means arranged to pivot the pilot bit in order to steer the direction of drilling.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2004Publication date: December 2, 2004Inventors: Douwe Johannes Runia, David George Livesey Smith, Robert Nicholas Worrall
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Publication number: 20040238218Abstract: A method and system for introducing a fluid into a borehole, in which there is arranged a tubular drill string including a drill bit, wherein the drill bit is provided with a passageway between the interior of the drill string and the borehole, and with a removable closure element for selectively closing the passageway in a closing position, and wherein there is further provided a fluid injection tool comprising a tool inlet and a tool outlet, the method comprising passing the fluid injection tool through the drill string to the closure element, and using it to remove the closure element from the closing position; passing the fluid injection tool outlet through the passageway, and introducing the fluid into the borehole from the interior of the drill string through fluid injection tool into the borehole.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2004Publication date: December 2, 2004Inventors: Douwe Johannes Runia, David George Livesey Smith, Robert Nicholas Worrall
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Publication number: 20040232207Abstract: An automated method for forge welding tubulars including heating the tubular ends to be joined in a welding chamber while the heated tubular ends are maintained aligned and parallel relative to each other and at a small spacing, whereupon the heated tubular ends are pressed together while a reducing shield gas is injected into the chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2003Publication date: November 25, 2004Inventors: Robert Andrew Alford, Johannis Josephus Den Boer, Anthony Thomas Cole, Klisthenis Dimitriadis, Michalakis Efthymiou, Rama Krishna Siva Gunturi, Robert Nicholas Worrall, Djurre Hans Zijsling, Ali Joseph Cox
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Publication number: 20040149418Abstract: A method is provided of in-situ casting well equipment wherein a metal is used which expands upon solidification, the method comprising the steps of: placing a body of said metal in a cavity in the well; bringing said body at a temperature above the melting point of the metal; cooling down said body to below the melting point of the metal, thereby solidifying the metal of said body in the cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2003Publication date: August 5, 2004Inventors: Martin Gerard Rene Bosma, Erik Kerst Cornelissen, Klisthenis Dimitriadis, Mike Peters, Robert Nicholas Worrall