Patents by Inventor Wilfred Provost

Wilfred Provost 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: 12281546
    Abstract: A downhole tool including a gravel pack assembly, a remotely addressable actuator connected to the gravel pack assembly, and a valve responsive to the actuator, the valve opening and closing a washdown path through the tool. A method for gravel packing a borehole including running a tool to a target depth in the borehole, flowing washdown fluid through the tool, sending an electric signal to the actuator to close the valve, and flowing through a cross over port of the gravel pack assembly. A borehole system including a borehole in a subsurface formation, a tool disposed within the borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Herb Dhuet, Daniel J. Turick, Richard Ochoa, Jason Fuxa, Wilfred Provost
  • Publication number: 20250084710
    Abstract: A completion string, including an upper completion having a shifting tool, and a lower completion having a hydraulic releaser and a valve responsive to the shifting tool. A method for completing a well, including running the completion string in a borehole, establishing pressure integrity, applying tubing pressure to release the hydraulic releaser, and shifting the valve. A method for completing a well, including running an upper completion connected to a lower completion into a borehole, releasing a hydraulic releaser with applied tubing pressure, and shifting a valve in the lower completion with movement of the upper completion. A wellbore system, including a borehole in a subsurface formation, an upper completion and a lower completion in the borehole, a hydraulic releaser connecting the upper completion to the lower completion, the hydraulic releaser being responsive to applied tubing pressure to releaser the upper completion from the lower completion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Inventors: Wilfred Provost, Herb Dhuet, Michael Johnson
  • Publication number: 20250012155
    Abstract: A biaser including a tubular body having a longitudinal axis, an outside surface, and an inside surface. A first plurality of openings extend from the outside surface to the inside surface, with adjacent ones of the openings each defining a beam extending at a first angle other than along the tubular body axis. A second plurality of openings in the body extend from the outside surface to the inside surface, with adjacent ones of the openings each defining a beam extending at a second angle that is other than along the tubular body axis and other than at the first angle. A method for making the biaser, includes depositing material and fusing the material together according to the geometry of the biaser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2023
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Inventors: Carlos Manuel Guerrero, Wilfred Provost, Joshua Raymond Snitkoff, Chad Yates
  • Patent number: 12163391
    Abstract: An actuator including an impulse generation arrangement including an atmospheric pressure chamber, and a valve connected fluidly to the chamber, a prime mover arrangement including a device piston, and a hydrostatic pressure source, and a hydraulic chamber disposed between and fluidically connecting the impulse generation arrangement and the prime mover arrangement. A method for actuating a downhole tool including signaling the trigger in an actuator, opening the atmospheric chamber of the actuator, causing a low pressure pulse in the actuator, and moving the device piston with the pulse. A borehole system including a borehole in a subsurface formation, a string in the borehole, and the actuator disposed within or as a part of the string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventor: Wilfred Provost
  • Publication number: 20240318519
    Abstract: An actuator including an impulse generation arrangement including an atmospheric pressure chamber, and a valve connected fluidly to the chamber, a prime mover arrangement including a device piston, and a hydrostatic pressure source, and a hydraulic chamber disposed between and fluidically connecting the impulse generation arrangement and the prime mover arrangement. A method for actuating a downhole tool including signaling the trigger in an actuator, opening the atmospheric chamber of the actuator, causing a low pressure pulse in the actuator, and moving the device piston with the pulse. A borehole system including a borehole in a subsurface formation, a string in the borehole, and the actuator disposed within or as a part of the string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2023
    Publication date: September 26, 2024
    Inventor: Wilfred Provost
  • Patent number: 12071839
    Abstract: A fracture tool and a system includes a housing having a port, a sleeve disposed adjacent the housing and movable relative to the housing between a first position where the sleeve blocks the port and a second position where the sleeve unblocks the port, and a biaser operably connected between the housing and the sleeve. The biaser biases the sleeve to the first position. A method for fracturing a formation and producing a fluid includes opening a fracture sleeve, shifting a pressure-operated valve from an unarmed position to an armed position based upon the opening of the fracture sleeve. The method further includes applying fracture pressure to the formation, allowing the fracture sleeve to automatically close, actuating the valve with applied pressure, and flowing fluid through the valve. A borehole system including a borehole in a subsurface formation, and a fracture and production system disposed in the borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jason Fuxa, Wilfred Provost
  • Publication number: 20240125212
    Abstract: A downhole tool including a gravel pack assembly, a remotely addressable actuator connected to the gravel pack assembly, and a valve responsive to the actuator, the valve opening and closing a washdown path through the tool. A method for gravel packing a borehole including running a tool to a target depth in the borehole, flowing washdown fluid through the tool, sending an electric signal to the actuator to close the valve, and flowing through a cross over port of the gravel pack assembly. A borehole system including a borehole in a subsurface formation, a tool disposed within the borehole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Herb Dhuet, Daniel J. Turick, Richard Ochoa, Jason Fuxa, Wilfred Provost
  • Patent number: 11946347
    Abstract: A cross-over tool including a housing having an extension port therein, a gravel pack port sleeve having a gravel pack port structure and a seal disposed at a radially inward surface of the port structure, and an activation sleeve having an opening therein, the activation sleeve being in dynamic sealing contact with the seal of the port structure. A borehole system including a borehole in a subsurface formation, a completion string in the borehole, and a tool disposed in the completion string. A method for gravel packing a borehole including releasing the housing from a latch connected to a workstring, applying tension to the activation sleeve with the workstring, and aligning the opening of the activation sleeve with the gravel pack port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Wilfred Provost
  • Patent number: 11939829
    Abstract: A setting tool for actuating a downhole component includes an inner tubular configured to be connected in fluid communication with a borehole string, a housing configured to define a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber isolated from the first fluid chamber and in fluid communication with the inner tubular, and a setting piston in pressure communication with the second fluid chamber. The setting tool includes a metering module coupled to the housing and disposed at an end of the first fluid chamber, the metering module including a fluid path forming a restriction therein, and an outlet connected to the fluid path. The outlet is configured to be opened to permit fluid to flow out of the first chamber at a controlled rate to generate a differential pressure between the first and second chambers that causes the setting piston to apply a gradually increasing force on the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Wilfred Provost
  • Publication number: 20240084682
    Abstract: A fracture tool and a system includes a housing having a port, a sleeve disposed adjacent the housing and movable relative to the housing between a first position where the sleeve blocks the port and a second position where the sleeve unblocks the port, and a biaser operably connected between the housing and the sleeve. The biaser biases the sleeve to the first position. A method for fracturing a formation and producing a fluid includes opening a fracture sleeve, shifting a pressure-operated valve from an unarmed position to an armed position based upon the opening of the fracture sleeve. The method further includes applying fracture pressure to the formation, allowing the fracture sleeve to automatically close, actuating the valve with applied pressure, and flowing fluid through the valve. A borehole system including a borehole in a subsurface formation, and a fracture and production system disposed in the borehole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2022
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Jason Fuxa, Wilfred Provost
  • Publication number: 20240003228
    Abstract: A cross-over tool including a housing having an extension port therein, a gravel pack port sleeve having a gravel pack port structure and a seal disposed at a radially inward surface of the port structure, and an activation sleeve having an opening therein, the activation sleeve being in dynamic sealing contact with the seal of the port structure. A borehole system including a borehole in a subsurface formation, a completion string in the borehole, and a tool disposed in the completion string. A method for gravel packing a borehole including releasing the housing from a latch connected to a workstring, applying tension to the activation sleeve with the workstring, and aligning the opening of the activation sleeve with the gravel pack port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventor: Wilfred Provost
  • Patent number: 11808130
    Abstract: An actuator including a housing defining a volume changeable chamber therein, the volume changeable chamber being divided into a first volume changeable subchamber, a second volume changeable subchamber, a separator disposed between the first volume changeable subchamber and the second volume changeable subchamber, the separator initially preventing mixing of substances in the first volume changeable subchamber and in the second volume changeable subchamber and at a selected time allowing fluid movement between the first and second volume changeable subchamber. A method for actuating a tool including triggering a separator between a first volume changeable subchamber having a first substance therein and a second volume changeable subchamber having a second substance therein within a housing containing the first volume changeable subchamber and the second volume changeable subchamber. A borehole system including a borehole in a subsurface formation, and an actuator disposed in the borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Wilfred Provost
  • Patent number: 11732536
    Abstract: A setting and retrieval mechanism for a well tool including a mandrel, a body lock ring disposed on the mandrel, a body lock ring engagement member engaged and disengagable with the body lock ring, and a setting load and retrieval sleeve disposed on the mandrel and having an engagement member support region and an engagement member release region. A method for retrieving a downhole tool including moving a setting and retrieval sleeve to position an engagement member release region of the setting and retrieval tool to allow disengagement of an engagement member with a body lock ring, placing a tensile force on the setting and retrieval sleeve, disengaging the engagement sleeve from the body lock ring under the impetus of the tensile force on the setting and retrieval sleeve, and releasing captured energy in the downhole tool by the disengaging and the tensile force on the setting and retrieval sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Wilfred Provost
  • Patent number: 11686176
    Abstract: A circulation sleeve including a housing, a mandrel disposed at least partially within the housing, the mandrel and the housing together configured to respond to pressure applied to the sleeve from radially outward of the housing by moving the housing to a position relative to the mandrel where a treatment port through a radial wall of the mandrel is exposed outside of the housing and to respond to fluid flow rate within the mandrel to move the housing to a position relative to the mandrel where the treatment port is disposed within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Wilfred Provost
  • Patent number: 11506028
    Abstract: A recirculating gravel pack system includes a tubular member having an outer surface, an inner surface defining a flow path, a first opening extending from the inner surface through the outer surface and a second opening, spaced from the first opening extending from the inner surface through the outer surface. A screen is positioned about the tubular member spaced from the outer surface defining a passage that is selectively fluidically connected to the second opening. A return tube extends between the screen and the outer surface running axially along the tubular member. The return tube includes a first end defining an inlet arranged in the passage and a second end defining an outlet positioned in a low-pressure zone outside the passage downhole from the first opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Wilfred Provost
  • Publication number: 20220298875
    Abstract: A setting and retrieval mechanism for a well tool including a mandrel, a body lock ring disposed on the mandrel, a body lock ring engagement member engaged and disengagable with the body lock ring, and a setting load and retrieval sleeve disposed on the mandrel and having an engagement member support region and an engagement member release region. A method for retrieving a downhole tool including moving a setting and retrieval sleeve to position an engagement member release region of the setting and retrieval tool to allow disengagement of an engagement member with a body lock ring, placing a tensile force on the setting and retrieval sleeve, disengaging the engagement sleeve from the body lock ring under the impetus of the tensile force on the setting and retrieval sleeve, and releasing captured energy in the downhole tool by the disengaging and the tensile force on the setting and retrieval sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventor: Wilfred Provost
  • Publication number: 20220259942
    Abstract: A circulation sleeve including a housing, a mandrel disposed at least partially within the housing, the mandrel and the housing together configured to respond to pressure applied to the sleeve from radially outward of the housing by moving the housing to a position relative to the mandrel where a treatment port through a radial wall of the mandrel is exposed outside of the housing and to respond to fluid flow rate within the mandrel to move the housing to a position relative to the mandrel where the treatment port is disposed within the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventor: Wilfred Provost
  • Patent number: 11333005
    Abstract: A one-trip screen installation and cleaning system includes a tubular supporting a screen. The tubular has an inner surface defining a flow bore positioned radially inwardly of the screen. At least one actuator extends radially inwardly from the inner surface and is positioned axially offset relative to the screen. The at least one actuator includes at least one actuator surface. A wash pipe is arranged in the flow bore. The wash pipe includes a bypass valve including a selectively openable outlet port, a spray cleaning device arranged axially outwardly of the selectively openable outlet port, and an inflow control valve arranged between the selectively openable outlet port and the spray cleaning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Wilfred Provost, Colin Andrew, Jesse Gerber
  • Publication number: 20220056787
    Abstract: A recirculating gravel pack system includes a tubular member having an outer surface, an inner surface defining a flow path, a first opening extending from the inner surface through the outer surface and a second opening, spaced from the first opening extending from the inner surface through the outer surface. A screen is positioned about the tubular member spaced from the outer surface defining a passage that is selectively fluidically connected to the second opening. A return tube extends between the screen and the outer surface running axially along the tubular member. The return tube includes a first end defining an inlet arranged in the passage and a second end defining an outlet positioned in a low-pressure zone outside the passage downhole from the first opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventor: Wilfred Provost
  • Publication number: 20220049581
    Abstract: A one-trip screen installation and cleaning system includes a tubular supporting a screen. The tubular has an inner surface defining a flow bore positioned radially inwardly of the screen. At least one actuator extends radially inwardly from the inner surface and is positioned axially offset relative to the screen. The at least one actuator includes at least one actuator surface. A wash pipe is arranged in the flow bore. The wash pipe includes a bypass valve including a selectively openable outlet port, a spray cleaning device arranged axially outwardly of the selectively openable outlet port, and an inflow control valve arranged between the selectively openable outlet port and the spray cleaning device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Wilfred Provost, Colin Andrew, Jesse Gerber