Patents by Inventor Stephen Michael Greci

Stephen Michael Greci 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: 11614756
    Abstract: Embodiments for controlling flow rates within a well system are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a first flow control configuration is determined including determining flow profiles for a plurality of zones each including at least one flow control device. Contaminant intake classifications associated with one or more of the zones are generated based on the first flow control configuration and a first contaminant level detected for a combined flow comprising inflow from the zones. A second flow control configuration for the zones is generated based on the contaminant intake classifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Michael Greci, Michael Linley Fripp, Richard Decena Ornelaz
  • Patent number: 11608713
    Abstract: A frac sleeve system includes a well casing with a tubular wall having a frac port defined there through for hydraulic fracturing. A sleeve within the well casing includes a sleeve body. The sleeve is mounted for axial movement relative to the tubular wall of the well casing among three positions including: a closed position in which the sleeve body blocks the frac port, a frac position in which the sleeve body clears the frac port so the frac port is open for hydraulic fracturing there through, and a production position in which the sleeve at least partially blocks the frac port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Linley Fripp, Stephen Michael Greci, Richard Decene Ornelaz, Zachary William Walton
  • Patent number: 11578498
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for setting posts of columns in to the ground are provided. Expandable metals in response to hydrolysis that tend to fill in spaces and cavities, even over time, which is a useful feature when setting columns into the ground. A hydrolyzing fluid can be supplied, as necessary, to cause the hydrolysis of the expanding metal, or supplied by ground water. Upon hydrolysis, the expanding metal expands around the column to adhere and grip the column securely, while the metal may also expand outwardly to increase cross-sectional bulk lending to a more overall stabilization of a set column. The expandable metal may be provided as a solid sleeve drivable into the ground with a post, as an auger that can be used to turn a column into the ground or, as a rod that can be driven through the interior of a column into the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Michael Greci, Luke William Holderman
  • Patent number: 11572496
    Abstract: A method includes providing an expandable metal slurry downhole in a wellbore. The expandable metal slurry includes granules of an expandable metal material suspended or dispersed in a fluid. Further, the method includes positioning the expandable metal slurry within the wellbore such that the granules of the expandable metal material in the expandable metal slurry are activatable to expand and form a seal within the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Linley Fripp, Paul Joseph Jones, Stephen Michael Greci
  • Publication number: 20230035567
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include methods to monitor expansion of a metallic sealant deployed in a wellbore, methods to monitor downhole fluid displacement, and downhole metallic sealant measurement systems. The method to monitor expansion of a downhole metallic sealant includes deploying a metallic sealant deployed along a section of a wellbore. The method also includes exposing the metallic sealant to a reacting fluid to initiate a galvanic reaction. The method further includes measuring a change in temperature caused by the galvanic reaction. The method further includes determining an amount of expansion of the metallic sealant based on the change in the temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Linley FRIPP, Stephen Michael GRECI, John Todd BROOME
  • Patent number: 11566494
    Abstract: A wellbore assembly can include a completion string having a side pocket. A downhole device can be positioned within the side pocket of the completion string. The downhole device can have a first end sized and shaped for coupling to a tool for inserting and removing the downhole device in the side pocket while the completion string is positioned downhole in a wellbore. The downhole device can be an electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Michael Greci, Michael Linley Fripp
  • Patent number: 11560768
    Abstract: Methods for positioning an expandable metal sealing element in the wellbore. An example method includes an expandable metal sealing element having a reactive metal and disposed in a location. The method further includes actuating a washout prevention element, contacting the expandable metal sealing element with a fluid that reacts with the reactive metal to produce a reaction product having a volume greater than the reactive metal, and allowing the washout prevention element to prevent at least a portion of the reaction product from flowing away from the location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Linley Fripp, Stephen Michael Greci, Abdel Hamid R Abeidoh, Christopher Michael Pelto
  • Publication number: 20230017192
    Abstract: Seal elements for establishing fluid seals in a wellbore may be constructed of expandable metal materials. For example, an elongated gland of expandable metal may replace some or all the components in a packing stack of a locking mandrel. The gland may be recessed within the locking mandrel, or narrower than a seal bore of a landing nipple, such that the gland is protected from damage as the locking mandrel passes through landing nipples to reach a target landing nipple. The expandable metal may be induced to chemically react with a brine or other water-based fluid to form metal hydroxides and may thus create a seal with the target landing nipple.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: James Dan Vick, JR., Stephen Michael Greci, Michael Linley Fripp
  • Patent number: 11549342
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include gravel pack assemblies, method to bypass a fluid restrictor during gravel packing operations, and methods to control fluid flow during and after gravel packing operations. In one embodiment, a gravel pack assembly including a flow restrictor that is coupled to a downhole string that is deployed in a borehole is disclosed. The flow restrictor forms a first fluid passageway from the borehole to an internal cavity of the string. The gravel pack assembly includes a fluid bypass portion having a first chamber, a sealing member inserted into the first chamber; and an actuation assembly operable to actuate the sealing member. The fluid bypass portion forms a second fluid passageway from the borehole to the internal cavity of the downhole string prior to actuation of the actuation assembly. After actuation of the actuation assembly, fluid flow through the second fluid passageway is restricted by the sealing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Michael Greci, Michael Linley Fripp, Caleb Thomas Warren
  • Patent number: 11549332
    Abstract: Provided, in one aspect, is a fluid flow device. The fluid flow device may include a housing having at least one fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet. The fluid flow device according to this aspect may further include a flexible tube positioned within the housing, the flexible tube defining a fluid flow path, the flexible tube operable to have a first diameter (d1) when the flexible tube encounters a first pressure from fluid within the housing and a second different diameter (d2) when the flexible tube encounters a second greater pressure within the housing, the first diameter (d1) and second different diameter (d2) configured to provide a constant flow of the fluid out of the at least one fluid outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ibrahim El Mallawany, Stephen Michael Greci
  • Patent number: 11542795
    Abstract: Isolation plugs may be installed in a wellbore flow control device to temporarily close a flow path therethrough. The isolation plugs may be installed in threaded openings often provided to for access to nozzles or other flow restrictors in the flow control devices. The isolation plugs may initially be locked in a closed configuration while being run in hole and may be unlocked in response to the application of a predetermined activation pressure. Once unlocked, the isolation plug may not immediately move to an open configuration but may continue holding pressure to permit circulation and washdown operations to be conducted. The activation pressure may be reduced to a second predetermined threshold to lock the isolation plug in the open configuration wherein flow is permitted through the flow control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Weiqi Yin, William David Henderson, Stephen Michael Greci
  • Patent number: 11543049
    Abstract: A fluid flow control device includes a rotatable component for rotating about an axis in response to fluid flow from an inlet port of the fluid flow control device. A float component is positioned within the rotatable component and connected to the rotatable component by a hinge. The hinge provides for movement of the float component relative to the rotatable component between (i) an open position that enables fluid flow from the inlet port to an outlet port of the rotatable component, and (ii) a closed position that restricts fluid flow through a flow passage from the inlet port to the outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Michael Greci, Michael Linley Fripp
  • Publication number: 20220412210
    Abstract: A wellbore tracer system can include a first tracer including a first type of metal ions, a second tracer including a second type of metal ions, and a detector positioned proximate to a surface of the wellbore. The first tracer can be positioned at a different section of the wellbore than the second tracer. The detector can analyze a sample of produced wellbore fluid to identify the section of the wellbore that is a source of the produced wellbore fluid based on determining which of the first type of metal ions or the second type of metal ions is present in the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Linley Fripp, Chad W. Glaesman, Stephen Michael Greci
  • Publication number: 20220403714
    Abstract: Provided, in one aspect, is a float for use with a fluid flow control device. The float, in at least one aspect, includes a fluid impermeable exterior, and a base material having one or more cavities positioned within the fluid impermeable exterior, the base material formed using an additive manufacturing process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Ryan W. McChesney, Stephen Michael Greci, Michael Linley Fripp
  • Patent number: 11530596
    Abstract: Fluid flow control devices and downhole floats are presented. A fluid flow control device includes a port and a rotatable component that rotates about an axis in response to fluid flow from the port. The fluid flow control device also includes an outlet port that provides a fluid passageway out of the rotatable component. The fluid flow control device further includes a float positioned within the rotatable component, where the float is shiftable from an open position to a closed position, and where the float restricts fluid flow through the outlet port while the float is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Wesley McChesney, Stephen Michael Greci, Richard Decena Ornelaz
  • Publication number: 20220397021
    Abstract: A flow control system selectively regulates production of a fluid from a well. The flow control system includes a plurality of flow control devices, each flow control device rotatable by a portion of the fluid and selectively directing the portion of the fluid through an outlet of the flow control device based on the density of the fluid. The system further includes a regulator valve controlled at least in part by the portion of fluid exiting the outlet of the flow control device. The regulating valve regulates production of a remaining portion of the fluid from the well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventors: Ibrahim EL MALLAWANY, Michael Linley FRIPP, Stephen Michael GRECI
  • Patent number: 11519239
    Abstract: Methods for traversing an expandable metal sealing element. An example method includes positioning an expandable metal sealing element in a wellbore; wherein the expandable metal sealing element includes a reactive metal and a void extending axially through at least a portion of the expandable metal sealing element. The method further includes disposing a line in the void and contacting the expandable metal sealing element with a fluid that reacts with the reactive metal to produce a reaction product having a volume greater than the reactive metal, wherein the reaction product seals around the line while it is disposed in the void.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Michael Greci, Michael Linley Fripp, Gregory Scott Cunningham, Darrell Wayne Adkins
  • Publication number: 20220381106
    Abstract: Provided is a downhole tool, a method for sealing within a well system, and a well system. The downhole tool, in at least one aspect, includes a tubular, and a collection of individual separate chunks of expandable metal positioned about the tubular, the collection of individual separate chunks of expandable metal comprising a metal configured to expand in response to hydrolysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Stephen Michael Greci, Michael Linley Fripp, Brandon T. Least
  • Publication number: 20220380999
    Abstract: Provided is a support structure and a method for manufacture thereof. The support structure, in one aspect, includes first and second expanded metal structural pillars positioned within the ground by a distance (d1), the first and second expanded metal structural pillars comprising a metal that has expanded in response to hydrolysis. In at least one other aspect, the support structure includes one or more beams spanning the first and second expanded metal structural pillars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Stephen Michael Greci, Luke William Holderman, Brandon T. Least
  • Publication number: 20220381107
    Abstract: Provided is a downhole tool, a method for sealing within a well system, and a well system. The downhole tool, in at least one aspect, includes a tubular, and one or more expandable metal seal elements placed about the tubular. In at least one aspect, the one or more expandable metal seal elements comprise a metal configured to expand in response to hydrolysis and have a surface-area-to-volume ratio (SA:V) of at least 2 cm?1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Stephen Michael Greci, Michael Linley Fripp, Brandon T. Least