Patents by Inventor Rocky A. Turley

Rocky A. Turley 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: 20100084127
    Abstract: A non-metallic element system is provided as part of a downhole tool that can effectively seal or pack-off an annulus under elevated temperatures. The element system can also resist high differential pressures without sacrificing performance or suffering mechanical degradation, and is considerably faster to drill-up than a conventional element system. In one aspect, the composite material comprises an epoxy blend reinforced with glass fibers stacked layer upon layer at about 30 to about 70 degrees. In another aspect, a mandrel is formed of a non-metallic polymeric composite material. A downhole tool, such as a bridge plug, frac-plug, or packer, is also provided. The tool comprises a support ring having one or more wedges, an expansion ring, and a sealing member positioned with the expansion ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Rocky A. Turley, Craig Fishbeck, Rami Al Oudat, Patrick J. Zimmerman, Charles D. Parker, Michael R. Niklasch, William J. Eldridge, Roland Freihet, William F. Hines, III, Bill Murray
  • Publication number: 20100084126
    Abstract: A non-metallic element system is provided as part of a downhole tool that can effectively seal or pack-off an annulus under elevated temperatures. The element system can also resist high differential pressures without sacrificing performance or suffering mechanical degradation, and is considerably faster to drill-up than a conventional element system. In one aspect, the composite material comprises an epoxy blend reinforced with glass fibers stacked layer upon layer at about 30 to about 70 degrees. In another aspect, a mandrel is formed of a non-metallic polymeric composite material. A downhole tool, such as a bridge plug, frac-plug, or packer, is also provided. The tool comprises a support ring having one or more wedges, an expansion ring, and a sealing member positioned with the expansion ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Rocky A. Turley, Craig Fishbeck, Rami Al Oudat, Patrick J. Zimmerman, Charles D. Parker, Michael R. Niklasch, William J. Eldridge, Roland Freihet, William F. Hines, III, Bill Murray
  • Publication number: 20100084078
    Abstract: A non-metallic element system is provided as part of a downhole tool that can effectively seal or pack-off an annulus under elevated temperatures. The element system can also resist high differential pressures without sacrificing performance or suffering mechanical degradation, and is considerably faster to drill-up than a conventional element system. In one aspect, the composite material comprises an epoxy blend reinforced with glass fibers stacked layer upon layer at about 30 to about 70 degrees. In another aspect, a mandrel is formed of a non-metallic polymeric composite material. A downhole tool, such as a bridge plug, frac-plug, or packer, is also provided. The tool comprises a support ring having one or more wedges, an expansion ring, and a sealing member positioned with the expansion ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Rocky A. Turley, Craig Fishbeck, Rami Al Oudat, Patrick J. Zimmerman, Charles D. Parker, Michael R. Niklasch, William J. Eldridge, Roland Freihet, William F. Hines, III, Bill Murray
  • Patent number: 7690436
    Abstract: A wellbore pressure isolation apparatus is deployed in a wellbore and has a sealing element that can be activated to seal against an interior surface of a surrounding tubular. Once set, a ball valve in the apparatus restricts upward fluid communication through the apparatus, and another ball valve in the apparatus can restrict downward fluid communication through the apparatus. These ball valve can have disintegratable balls intended to disintegrate in wellbore conditions after different periods of time. To facilitate deployment of the apparatus in a horizontal section of the well bore, the apparatus has a plurality of rollers positioned on a distal end. In addition, the apparatus has a ring disposed about the body between the distal body portion and an adjacent body portion. The ring has an outside diameter at least greater than that of the adjacent body portion to facilitate pumping of the apparatus in the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb Inc.
    Inventors: Rocky Turley, John McKeanchnie
  • Publication number: 20090000792
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a bridge plug for isolating portions of a downhole casing is provided comprising a retrievable upper mandrel assembly and a lower mandrel assembly coupled to the upper mandrel assembly, wherein the lower mandrel assembly comprises a drillable material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventors: Rocky A. Turley, Joseph R. Garcia
  • Publication number: 20080271898
    Abstract: A wellbore pressure isolation apparatus is deployed in a wellbore and has a sealing element that can be activated to seal against an interior surface of a surrounding tubular. Once set, a ball valve in the apparatus restricts upward fluid communication through the apparatus, and another ball valve in the apparatus can restrict downward fluid communication through the apparatus. These ball valve can have disintegratable balls intended to disintegrate in wellbore conditions after different periods of time. To facilitate deployment of the apparatus in a horizontal section of the well bore, the apparatus has a plurality of rollers positioned on a distal end. In addition, the apparatus has a ring disposed about the body between the distal body portion and an adjacent body portion. The ring has an outside diameter at least greater than that of the adjacent body portion to facilitate pumping of the apparatus in the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: WEATHERFORD/LAMB, INC.
    Inventors: Rocky A. Turley, John McKeanchnie
  • Patent number: 7434627
    Abstract: A system for facilitating the insertion of a tool into a wellbore, especially a non-vertical wellbore. In one embodiment a tool is fixable in a wellbore and includes centralizing, friction-reducing members that serve to keep the body of the tool off the walls of the wellbore. In another embodiment the tool includes a wiper ring that partially fills an annular area formed between the centered tool and the wellbore walls. The surface of the ring facing the upper end of the wellbore provides fluid resisting piston surface and permits the centered tool to be pumped down the wellbore more effectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Rocky A. Turley, John W. McKeachnie
  • Patent number: 7389823
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a bridge plug for isolating portions of a downhole casing is provided comprising a retrievable upper mandrel assembly and a lower mandrel assembly coupled to the upper mandrel assembly, wherein the lower mandrel assembly comprises a drillable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Rocky A. Turley, Joseph R. Garcia
  • Publication number: 20080128133
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an adapter kit for use between a setting tool and a wellbore plug. In one embodiment, a method for setting a plug in a cased wellbore is provided. The method includes deploying a tool string in the wellbore using a run-in string, the tool string comprising: a setting tool coupled to the run-in string, an adapter kit, comprising an adapter sleeve, and a plug comprising a sealing member. The method further includes actuating the setting tool, wherein the setting tool exerts a force on the adapter sleeve which transfers the force to the plug, thereby expanding the sealing member into engagement with an inner surface of the casing. The method further includes separating the setting tool from the plug, wherein the adapter sleeve remains with the plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Rocky A. Turley, W. John McKeachnie
  • Patent number: 7350582
    Abstract: The present invention generally provides a pressure isolation plug for managing a wellbore with multiple zones. The pressure isolation plug generally includes a body with a bore extending therethrough, a first disintegratable ball sized and positioned to restrict upward fluid flow through the bore, wherein the disintegratable ball disintegrates when exposed to wellbore conditions for a first amount of time. The plug also includes a second ball sized and positioned to restrict downward fluid flow through the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: W. John McKeachnie, Michael McKeachnie, Scott Williamson, Rocky A. Turley
  • Publication number: 20070074873
    Abstract: The present invention generally provides a pressure isolation plug for managing a wellbore with multiple zones. The pressure isolation plug generally includes a body with a bore extending therethrough, a first disintegratable ball sized and positioned to restrict upward fluid flow through the bore, wherein the disintegratable ball disintegrates when exposed to wellbore conditions for a first amount of time. The plug also includes a second ball sized and positioned to restrict downward fluid flow through the bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Publication date: April 5, 2007
    Inventors: W. McKeachnie, Michael McKeachnie, Scott Williamson, Rocky Turley
  • Publication number: 20070039160
    Abstract: A non-metallic element system is provided which can effectively seal or pack-off an annulus under elevated temperatures. The element system can also resist high differential pressures without sacrificing performance or suffering mechanical degradation, and is considerably faster to drill-up than a conventional element system. In one aspect, the composite material comprises an epoxy blend reinforced with glass fibers stacked layer upon layer at about 30 to about 70 degrees. A downhole tool, such as a bridge plug, frac-plug, or packer, is also provided. The tool comprises a first and second support ring having one or more tapered wedges, a first and second expansion ring, and a sealing member disposed between the expansion rings and the support rings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Publication date: February 22, 2007
    Inventors: Rocky Turley, Craig Fishbeck, Rami Oudat, Patrick Zimmerman, Charles Parker, Michael Niklasch, William Eldridge, Roland Freihet, William Hines, Bill Murray
  • Publication number: 20060278405
    Abstract: A system for facilitating the insertion of a tool into a wellbore, especially a non-vertical wellbore. In one embodiment a tool is fixable in a wellbore and includes centralizing, friction-reducing members that serve to keep the body of the tool off the walls of the wellbore. In another embodiment the tool includes a wiper ring that partially fills an annular area formed between the centered tool and the wellbore walls. The surface of the ring facing the upper end of the wellbore provides fluid resisting piston surface and permits the centered tool to be pumped down the wellbore more effectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Publication date: December 14, 2006
    Inventors: Rocky Turley, John McKeachnie
  • Patent number: 7124831
    Abstract: A non-metallic element system is provided which can effectively seal or pack-off an annulus under elevated temperatures. The element system can also resist high differential pressures without sacrificing performance or suffering mechanical degradation, and is considerably faster to drill-up than a conventional element system. In one aspect, the composite material comprises an epoxy blend reinforced with glass fibers stacked layer upon layer at about 30 to about 70 degrees. A downhole tool, such as a bridge plug, frac-plug, or packer, is also provided. The tool comprises a first and second support ring having one or more tapered wedges, a first and second expansion ring, and a sealing member disposed between the expansion rings and the support rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Rocky A. Turley, Craig Fishbeck, Rami Al Oudat, Patrick J. Zimmerman, Charles D. Parker, Michael R. Niklasch, William J. Eldridge, Roland Freihet, William F. Hines, III, Bill Murray
  • Publication number: 20060131031
    Abstract: The present invention generally provides a pressure isolation plug for managing a wellbore with multiple zones. The pressure isolation plug generally includes a body with a bore extending therethrough, a first disintegratable ball sized and positioned to restrict upward fluid flow through the bore, wherein the disintegratable ball disintegrates when exposed to wellbore conditions for a first amount of time. The plug also includes a second ball sized and positioned to restrict downward fluid flow through the bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Publication date: June 22, 2006
    Inventors: W. McKeachnie, Michael McKeachnie, Scott Williamson, Rocky Turley
  • Publication number: 20060124307
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a bridge plug for isolating portions of a downhole casing is provided comprising a retrievable upper mandrel assembly and a lower mandrel assembly coupled to the upper mandrel assembly, wherein the lower mandrel assembly comprises a drillable material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventors: Rocky Turley, Joseph Garcia
  • Patent number: 7036602
    Abstract: A bridge plug for isolating portions of a downhole casing is provided comprising a retrievable upper mandrel assembly and a lower mandrel assembly coupled to the upper mandrel assembly, wherein the lower mandrel assembly comprises a drillable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Rocky A. Turley, Joseph R. Garcia
  • Publication number: 20050189104
    Abstract: A non-metallic element system is provided which can effectively seal or pack-off an annulus under elevated temperatures. The element system can also resist high differential pressures without sacrificing performance or suffering mechanical degradation, and is considerably faster to drill-up than a conventional element system. In one aspect, the composite material comprises an epoxy blend reinforced with glass fibers stacked layer upon layer at about 30 to about 70 degrees. A downhole tool, such as a bridge plug, frac-plug, or packer, is also provided. The tool comprises a first and second support ring having one or more tapered wedges, a first and second expansion ring, and a sealing member disposed between the expansion rings and the support rings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Publication date: September 1, 2005
    Inventors: Rocky Turley, Craig Fishbeck, Rami Oudat, Patrick Zimmerman, Charles Parker, Michael Niklasch, William Eldridge, Roland Freihet, William Hines, Bill Murray
  • Publication number: 20050121201
    Abstract: A bridge plug for isolating portions of a downhole casing is provided comprising a retrievable upper mandrel assembly and a lower mandrel assembly coupled to the upper mandrel assembly, wherein the lower mandrel assembly comprises a drillable material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Publication date: June 9, 2005
    Inventors: Rocky Turley, Joseph Garcia
  • Publication number: 20040216871
    Abstract: Inflatable packer assemblies and bridge plugs that incorporate selective components made of a composite material, thereby providing improvements in weight, drillability and corrosion resistance. A through-tubing packer assembly is described having end sleeves fashioned partially from composite material of high strength fiber and polymer resin. The inflatable packer element has longitudinal ribs fashioned from composite material with a specialized cross-section having a larger cross-section of rib material in locations where additional bending resistance is required and permits additional elastomeric material to be placed about the ribs in sealing areas. An external casing packer is also described having a composite valve assembly and central mandrel formed primarily of composite material. The mandrel includes metallic fittings for threaded attachments to be made.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Luis E. Mendez, James E. Goodson, Yusheng Yuan, Martin P. Coronado, Rocky A. Turley