Anchor Actuated By Fluid Pressure Patents (Class 166/120)
  • Patent number: 11965400
    Abstract: A launch point lift gas velocity control system and method of use, the system operating to maintain minimal well bore lift conditions through injection gas regulation. In one aspect, the minimal wellbore conditions enable a gas-liquid mixture or a downhole tool at a selectable well bore launch point to depart from a targeted launch point lift gas velocity and ascend up the well bore. The launch point may be adjusted to account for variability with time and wellbore location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Well Master Corporation
    Inventor: David A. Green
  • Patent number: 11965391
    Abstract: An assembly includes a cone having a tapered outer surface, a slips assembly positioned at least partially around the tapered outer surface of the cone, and a sealing ring positioned at least partially around the tapered outer surface of the cone. The slips assembly directly engages the sealing ring, such that the slips assembly is configured to transmit a setting force to the sealing ring, which moves the sealing ring on the tapered outer surface of the cone and expands the sealing ring radially outward. The assembly includes an anti-seal ring positioned adjacent to the sealing ring and around the cone. The anti-seal ring is driven along the tapered outer surface of the cone by engagement with the sealing ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: INNOVEX DOWNHOLE SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Nick Tonti, Carl Martin, Justin Kellner
  • Patent number: 11905776
    Abstract: A setting tool for actuating a downhole plug in a wellbore includes a housing, a piston positioned at least partially within the housing wherein the piston defines an internal firing chamber that is in fluid communication with an exhaust port, an expansion chamber positioned between an outer surface of the piston and an inner surface of the housing wherein the exhaust port is configured to convey combustion products along a combustion flowpath extending from the firing chamber and into the expansion chamber, and an exhaust diffuser distinct from the piston and the housing and including an exhaust passage and at least one baffle face, the baffle face configured to redirect the flow of combustion products along the combustion flowpath and channel the flow of combustion products into the exhaust passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: G&H Diversified Manufacturing LP
    Inventors: Steven Zakharia, Ryan Ward, Benjamin Vascal Knight, Joe Noel Wells
  • Patent number: 11828130
    Abstract: A release mechanism for a mechanically locked wiper plug system is provided. The release mechanism may utilize a shifting sleeve to rotate or pivot a release.sub, thus: disengaging a load shoulder and releasing the plug system, in some embodiments, the plug system may be mechanically locked to a running tool via corresponding slotted load shoulders in the running tool and on a release sub. The release sub may be connected: to an actuation sleeve via shear screws. Furthermore, the actuation sleeve may contain a guide consisting of one or more helical slotted guides which interact with the release sub shear screws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.
    Inventor: Jacob S. Warneke
  • Patent number: 11686177
    Abstract: The well system includes a casing and production tubing and a control unit that can receive measurements of temperature and pressure of fluid in the tubing-casing annulus (TCA). A subsurface safety valve (SSSV) connected to the tubing can switch to an open or closed state in response to a change in pressure of the fluid. An expected thermal expansion or contraction of the TCA fluid is calculated based on the received measurements, and the control unit determines, based on the expected thermal expansion or contraction and on a calculated TCA volume, a volume necessary to be added to or released from the TCA to maintain the fluid within an optimal pressure range. The control unit can also receive an indication of an emergency condition and transmit a signal to activate a release valve to release from the TCA a volume of fluid sufficient to cause the SSSV to close.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Fuad A. AlSultan, Abdulrahman Mishkhes, Hisham I. Al-Shuwaikhat
  • Patent number: 11603734
    Abstract: A support ring prevents an elastomer seal from extruding. The support ring is expanded and supports the expanded seal, preventing the elastomer seal failing due to extrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: CNPC USA Corporation
    Inventors: Jianpeng Yue, Matthew Patsy, Anthony Tran, Jianhui Xu, Peng Cheng
  • Patent number: 11591874
    Abstract: A packer for anchoring and sealing to a tubular in a well, the packer including a packer element, an anchoring arrangement, a setting mechanism and a release mechanism. The release mechanism holds a thin-walled section of tubing in the packer in tension using a biasing mechanism. On severing the tubing, the bias releases an engagement mechanism which allows the anchor arrangement and the packing element to move relative to the body and thereby unset the packer. An embodiment of a dual bore packer is described. A method of well isolation is described, with an assembly including the dual bore packer. The primary bore forms the short string and a secondary bore forms the long string. By severing the short string the integrity of the long string is maintained to pull lower devices on the long string and the short string does not require tension below the packer to release.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: VIKING COMPLETION TECHNOLOGY FZCO
    Inventors: Bartosz Krupski, Simon Peter Leiper, David Mills, William Morrison
  • Patent number: 11572750
    Abstract: A liner hanger having one: or more enhanced Socking assemblies is provided. The liner hanger includes a liner hanger body, lower slips, upper slips, a packer cone, and a seal that seals an annulus between the liner hanger and an outer casing, The one or more enhanced locking assemblies may include: a packer cone locking assembly that prevents all components of the liner hanger from actuating until it is unlocked; a slips locking assembly that prevents the lower slips from being actuated until it is unlocked; guide rails that prevent. the lower slips and/or the upper slips from being wedged in a radially outward direction during run in; and a floating cone locking assembly that releases the packer cone from being coupled to a spacer of the liner hanger when it is unlocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis W. Payne, Jacob S. Warneke, Steven M. Zakharia
  • Patent number: 11473395
    Abstract: Valve systems and methods for inserting into a casing in a downhole environment are provided. A valve system includes a tool mandrel, a check valve assembly, and a setting system. The setting system includes a sealing element, wedges, slips, and a set nut. Each of the wedges and slips includes an inner surface slidable along the outer surface of the tool mandrel. Each wedge includes a primary angled surface and a secondary angled surface. The wedges are located between the slips and the secondary angled surface of one wedge is in contact to the secondary angled surface of the other wedge. Each of the slips includes an outer surface including gripping elements configured to grip an inner surface of the casing. Also, each of the slips includes an angled side surface configured to engage with the primary angled surface of the wedge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen A. Yeldell, Kevin W. Ardoin, Lonnie C. Helms, Min M. Yuan, Frank Acosta
  • Patent number: 11408258
    Abstract: A firing head assembly is described. The firing head assembly includes a tubular housing, upper piston and lower pistons, and a compressible member arranged within a lumen of the tubular housing and positioned between the upper and lower pistons. According to an aspect, the assembly includes a safety assembly that includes a sleeve having a zigzag shaped slot therein. The safety assembly may include a key that radially extends from a surface of one of the pistons, through the zigzag shaped slot. The distance between the upper and lower pistons may be adjusted by adjusting a pressure inside the tubular housing and a second pressure outside the tubular housing. The upper and lower pistons may function to operatively adjust the arrangement of the key within the zigzag shaped slot to activate the firing head assembly to either trigger an explosive reaction or to not trigger the explosive reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Haron Preiss, Eric Mulhern
  • Patent number: 11268358
    Abstract: Methods include positioning a downhole completion assembly in a tubular conduit of a downhole tubular of a hydrocarbon well. The downhole completion assembly includes a downhole sub-assembly and an uphole sub-assembly. The methods also include forming a fluid seal within the tubular conduit with the downhole sub-assembly, decoupling the uphole sub-assembly from the downhole sub-assembly, translating the uphole sub-assembly in an uphole direction, perforating the downhole tubular with the uphole sub-assembly, translating the uphole sub-assembly in a downhole direction, coupling the uphole sub-assembly to the downhole sub-assembly, ceasing the fluid seal, and translating the downhole completion assembly in the uphole direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Rami Jabari, P. Matthew Spiecker, Michael C. Romer, Michael T. Hecker, Timothy J. Hall
  • Patent number: 11255154
    Abstract: A method of setting a tandem releasable bridge plug system in a casing includes assembling a tandem bridge plug string including a lower bridge plug on a lower, disconnectable connector, an upper bridge plug on an upper, disconnectable connector which both are initially disabled by a lock and unlockable from topsides, and running in the tandem plug string on a drill pipe string until the lower plug is at its setting target depth; setting and shutting the lower plug; disconnecting the upper plug from the lower plug; pulling up the upper plug to its upper setting target depth; enabling the upper plug by releasing the lock; setting and shutting the upper plug; disconnecting the drill pipe string from the upper plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: ARCHER OILTOOLS AS
    Inventors: Jan-Ove Fagna, Eirik Andre Revheim
  • Patent number: 11203915
    Abstract: A valve collar for a downhole packer includes a flow path. The flow path includes an opening valve and closing valve. The valve collar further includes a lockout valve piston. The lockout valve piston is positioned such that in an unset position, the flow path is open and in a set position, the flow path is blocked by the lockout valve piston. The lockout valve piston may be adapted to be shifted from the unset position to the set position by a pressure spike inside the valve collar. The lockout valve piston may be held in the unset position by a temporary restraint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: TAM INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Caleb Kelley, Eugene Resweber, Nathaniel Harris, Reid Poynor
  • Patent number: 11199482
    Abstract: The invention relates to a probe for sampling a drilling fluid comprising a handle extending along an axis, and a sampling head located at a first end of the handle, the head defining an inner space opening outward through an opening. The head comprises a filtration device comprising a filtering wall disposed through the opening; and an extraction duct extending into the handle and opening into the inner space of the head. The filtration device comprises a cleaning blade designed to sweep an outer face of the filtering wall, the blade being mounted to move in translation in a direction parallel to the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: EXCELLENCE LOGGING FRANCE
    Inventors: Louis Sourice, Samuel Giraudet
  • Patent number: 11193347
    Abstract: A slip insert is provided. The slip insert may include a concave surface formed therein. An edge can be formed between a first two-dimensional planer surface and the concave surface. The slip insert may include an edge formed between an intersection of a first two-dimensional planer surface and a second two-dimensional planer surface extending form the concave surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: PETROQUIP ENERGY SERVICES, LLP
    Inventors: Roddie R. Smith, Robert Joe Coon
  • Patent number: 11180973
    Abstract: A circulation test tool and method of performing a circulation test in a wellbore during single-trip casing cutting and removal. An anchor mechanism (20), a mechanical-set retrievable packer (22) and a cutting mechanism (18) allow gripping and cutting of casing (14) with the mechanical set-retrievable packer (22) being set after the cut to carry out the circulation test. The well is kept under control during the cut by application of tension on the drill string to set the packer (22) at any time. The arrangement provides full annulus flow pass at the packer during cutting. Embodiments describe additional features of a drill to dress a cement plug or a settable bridge plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: ARDYNE HOLDINGS LIMITED
    Inventors: George Telfer, Alan Fairweather
  • Patent number: 11168535
    Abstract: A single-set anti-extrusion ring has a plurality of ring segments with a mating face on each end. Each mating face has a 3-dimensionally curved topology and the first mating face is a mirror image of the second mating face so the ring segments fit together to form and anti-extrusion ring without gaps in an unexpanded condition, and no straight path through the anti-extrusion ring in an expanded condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: EXACTA-FRAC ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Ahmed Mohamed Saeed
  • Patent number: 11149523
    Abstract: A toe sleeve that is configured to disconnect from casing. More specifically, a toe sleeve that is configured to shear from casing creating a dynamic opening that does not get plugged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Vertice Oil Tools
    Inventors: Mohamed Ibrahim Saraya, Stephen Parks, Michael Lo
  • Patent number: 11142990
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a packer assembly and a well system. In one embodiment, a packer assembly includes an inner mandrel; a packing element at least partially surrounding the inner mandrel; a packing element activation sleeve coupled to the packing element; a hydrostatic setting assembly engageable with the packing element activation sleeve; and a hydraulic setting assembly positioned between the packing element and the hydrostatic setting assembly. The hydrostatic setting assembly includes a hydrostatic piston; a hydrostatic prop piston engageable to push the hydrostatic piston to engage the packing element activation sleeve; and a hydrostatic locking mechanism to maintain the hydrostatic piston in a locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohammed Kamal Fadhil, Cynthia Strickland Tuckness, Jeremy Lynn Stanley, Bruce Alan Moore
  • Patent number: 11078754
    Abstract: A well bore integrity test tool (10) and method of pressure integrity testing a well bore by performing positive and negative pressure tests in a well bore in multiple locations in the well and on the same trip as other operations in the well bore. The tool includes a resettable anchor mechanism (20) and a tension set packer assembly (22). An embodiment of performing a dress-off, integrity testing, casing cutting and pulling in a single trip for well abandonment is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: ARDYNE HOLDINGS LIMITED
    Inventors: George Telfer, Alan Fairweather, Michael Wardley, James Linklater
  • Patent number: 11072985
    Abstract: Disclosed is an assembly for disconnecting portions of a downhole tubular string, such as a drill stem or drill string, and removing an upper portion of the tubular string from the lower stuck portion in a well. The disconnect assembly includes a connection between joints of two portions of the tubular string. The assembly includes two tubular members and an inner sleeve having two splines each with different angular pitches or teeth counts. The assembly may include a rotary shouldered threaded connection, wherein the two tubular portions are disconnectable at the rotary shouldered threaded connection in the assembly. The assembly may include a sleeve lock, a selective no-go for landing in a profile, and a selectively deployable unlocking and unblocking tool for activating the assembly. The assembly may include connectable cylindrical members other than downhole tubulars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Inventors: Neil H. Akkerman, John A. Barton
  • Patent number: 11053762
    Abstract: Methods of plugging a hydrocarbon well by using degradable plugs plus a degradable tape to ensure pressure testing to 10,000 psi. When the plug is no longer needed, a degradation fluid or fluids are pumped downhole and that fluid or fluids degrade the degradable plugs and degradable tape, thus avoiding the production of any solids large enough to clog or block equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventors: Gregory E. Gill, Charles Colpitt
  • Patent number: 11035188
    Abstract: An anchor module has an inner mandrel having a through bore, a slips device, upper and lower slips supports, and a spring device radially outside of the inner mandrel. The slips device is biased to a run state. A fluid actuation system counteracts the biasing force and includes a lower piston axially displaceable within a lower fluid chamber, an upper piston axially displaceable within an upper fluid chamber, and a fluid restriction provided in the bore. A lower fluid line is provided between the bore and the lower fluid chamber. The upper and lower pistons are connected to the lower slips device. An upper fluid line is between the bore and the upper fluid chamber. A cross sectional area of the fluid bore at the entrance of the upper fluid line smaller than the cross sectional area of the fluid bore at the entrance of the lower fluid line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Interwell Norway AS
    Inventor: Markus Morland
  • Patent number: 10989022
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a coupler assembly and method for conveying a single piece liner hanger body. In one embodiment, the coupler assembly includes a nut, a load transfer sleeve, a locking dog retainer, a garter spring, a locking dog, a collet, an outer collet mandrel, and a collet prop mandrel. As described herein, components of the coupler assembly are assembled and installed within the inner diameter of the single piece liner hanger body for engaging with a liner hanger sub-assembly attached to a miming tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Allen Kohn, Carlos Alberto Moreno, Odee Paul Daigle, Ryan Thomas Humphrey
  • Patent number: 10982503
    Abstract: A modular pressure cylinder for a downhole tool has an active mandrel tube that supports a modular pressure cylinder. Pistons of the modular pressure cylinder are respectively interconnected and cylinder walls of modular pressure cylinder are respectively interconnected. When fluid is pumped through a tubing string into the downhole tool, the pistons are urged in one direction while the cylinder walls are urged in an opposite direction along an axis of the active mandrel tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: EXACTA-FRAC ENERGY SERVICES. INC.
    Inventor: Joze John Hrupp
  • Patent number: 10954732
    Abstract: A BHA features an MWD tool connected to a running tool supporting a whipstock that is connected to an open hole anchor. The anchor is flow set and after the anchor is set the running tool collets release from the whipstock to allow cement to be pumped through the anchor to hold the set position. The collets are released from the whipstock also with flow and after the anchor has been set. One way is to use nozzles in series. Another is to run in with a ball on the anchor seat, set the anchor and blow out the ball seat so flow can again be used to release the running tool collets. Another is suspending a ball above the anchor seat, releasing the ball with pressure cycle, open another flow passage to allow collet release of the whipstock. Finally, pressure can be used to release the running tool collets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory L. Hern, James S. Trahan, Jason L. Cullum, Ewoud J. Hulsewe, Christopher R. Hern
  • Patent number: 10947799
    Abstract: Downhole setting systems and methods for setting downhole tools in subterranean formations. An example downhole setting system comprises a downhole setting assembly and a downhole tool configured to be set by the downhole setting assembly. The downhole setting assembly comprises a setting piston, and a mating element that physically constrains the setting piston from translating; the mating element configured to release and permit the setting piston to translate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Eddie Eddieberto Perez, Christopher Robert Delzell
  • Patent number: 10927638
    Abstract: A wellbore isolation is introduced into a wellbore and includes an elongate body defining an interior and comprising an upper sub, a lower sub, and a mandrel extending therebetween. A sealing element is disposed about the mandrel and upper and lower slip assemblies are positioned on opposing axial ends of the sealing element. A setting piston is positioned within a piston chamber defined by the lower sub and the mandrel, and a mandrel plugging device is positioned within the mandrel. The mandrel plugging device plugs the interior and transitions between occluding setting ports defined in the mandrel and exposed the setting ports to facilitate fluid communication between the interior and the piston chamber. The interior is pressurized to actuate the setting piston and set the lower slip assembly, and further pressurized to move the mandrel and set the upper slip assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Dale Ezell, Beauford Sean Mallory
  • Patent number: 10920526
    Abstract: Hydraulic setting tools, packer setting systems, and methods thereof are provided. The hydraulic setting tool includes a mandrel containing a main flow path, a piston housing surrounding at least a portion of the mandrel, and a piston disposed between the piston housing and the mandrel. A cavity is defined at least partially between the piston, the piston housing, and the mandrel. The tool also includes a port passing through the mandrel and configured to provide fluid communication between the main flow path and of the cavity, and an isolation sleeve located within the mandrel and movable along the main flow path between a closed position and an opened position to control the fluid communication between the main flow path and the cavity via the port. A remotely activated valve is located downstream from the isolation sleeve along the main flow path and controls the fluid passing therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Abdel Hamid Rawhi Abeidoh, Colby Munro Ross
  • Patent number: 10883326
    Abstract: A hydraulic anchoring assembly (10, 10a), and method of its use, for anchoring and sealing an insertable progressing cavity pump on rods in a well. The assembly (10, 10a) has one or more cup seals (42, 42a), upstream of one or more inflatable packers (14, 14a) upstream of one or more hydraulic slips (16). The cup seals (42, 42a) provide a pressure differential for inflation of the upstream most inflatable packer (14), which in turn provides a pressure differential for the downstream inflatable packer(s) (14a) to inflate to produce a fluid tight seal between the insertable progressing cavity pump and the well. In highly deviated wells the up seals (42, 42a) can be used to pump the hydraulic anchoring assembly (10, 10a) down the well in situations where the rods would otherwise buckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Inventor: Francis John Guillena Ford
  • Patent number: 10822915
    Abstract: A method of setting a tandem releasable bridge plug system in a casing includes assembling a tandem bridge plug string including a lower bridge plug and an upper bridge plug. Both the upper bridge plug and the upper connector are initially disabled by a lock and unlockable from topsides; running in the tandem plug string on a drill pipe string until the lower plug is at its setting target depth in the casing; setting and shutting the lower plug; disconnecting the upper plug from the lower plug; pulling up the upper plug to its upper setting target depth in the casing, enabling the upper plug by releasing the lock; venting annulus gas to a central bore of the upper plug through a radial aperture below a packer of the upper plug and below a ball valve; shutting said ball valve in said central bore the upper plug; and disconnecting the drill pipe string from the upper plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: ARCHER OILTOOLS AS
    Inventors: Jan-Ove Fagna, Eirik André Revheim
  • Patent number: 10822911
    Abstract: A straddle packer has a multicomponent mandrel with an active mandrel component. A modular pressure cylinder reciprocates within a limited range over the active mandrel component. Pistons the modular pressure cylinder are respectively interconnected and cylinder walls of modular pressure cylinder are respectively interconnected. When fluid is pumped through a tubing string into the straddle packer, the pistons are urged in one direction along an axis of the active mandrel component while the cylinder walls are urged in an opposite direction along the axis to simultaneously compress spaced-apart packers of the straddle packer to a packer set condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: EXACTA-FRAC ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Joze John Hrupp
  • Patent number: 10808493
    Abstract: A technique facilitates temporary locking of a mechanical packer to prevent inadvertent actuation of the mechanical packer. The mechanical packer may be set via manipulation of a setting mandrel which works in cooperation with a releasable locking mechanism. The releasable locking mechanism may be initially locked against the setting mandrel and held in place via a piston, e.g. an annular piston, received in a piston chamber, e.g. an annular chamber surrounding the setting mandrel. The piston may be selectively shifted via pressure applied in the piston chamber so as to release the releasable locking mechanism, thus enabling actuation of the mechanical packer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Quangen Du, Brian John Bethscheider
  • Patent number: 10753173
    Abstract: A retrievable packer device for use in a wellbore includes first and second end rings configured to be mounted on a base member and a deformable sleeve extending from the first end ring to the second end ring and configured to extend around the base member. A swellable sleeve is mounted on the deformable sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Swellfix B.V.
    Inventors: Benn Voll, Barry Huffer, Colin Mackie, Neil Anderson
  • Patent number: 10689930
    Abstract: A dual-action hydraulically operable anchor includes a hydraulic anchor body for positioning a whipstock in a wellbore. A split clamp retains an upper sub and the hydraulic anchor body. A lower cap guides the hydraulic anchor within the wellbore. The floating mandrel transmits a hydraulic fluid into the fixed housing, transmitting compressive force from the upper hydraulic piston or from mechanical force applied to the whipstock above and adjoining the hydraulic anchor. The lower hydraulic piston operates along the floating mandrel using transmitted hydraulic fluid. A T-slot adapter and a slip move from a flush position along the fixed housing to an extended position along the fixed housing such that the slip firmly engages the wellbore to hold the hydraulic anchor and the whipstock in a fixed position for providing a path for lateral drilling outside the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Inventors: John Lloyd Crabb, Charles H. Dewey, Antonio Garza
  • Patent number: 10677015
    Abstract: Wellbore isolation devices may be produced with wear bands and slips having modified surfaces to change the frictional properties between these components and the surrounding wellbore surface. A wellbore isolation device may include: a mandrel; slips disposed circumferentially about the mandrel and in a first position along the mandrel. The slips comprise particles coupled thereto forming a modified surface. The particles comprise at least some sharp protrusions. At least one packer element is disposed along the mandrel and in a second position along the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Linley Fripp, John Charles Gano, Zachary William Walton
  • Patent number: 10605027
    Abstract: A downhole wellbore isolation tool includes an elastomeric sealing element for engaging a casing member or another tubular member in a wellbore. The isolation tool includes one or more expandable slips for gripping the tubular member and holding the isolation tool in place. The sealing element has an axial end in direct contact with an abutment surface of the expandable slip such that the slip limits, if not eliminates, unwanted extrusion of the sealing element, e.g., upon setting of the isolation tool. The expandable slips may be constructed of a plurality of slip elements, and the elastomeric sealing element may flow into gaps defined between the slip elements when the isolation tool is set. The slip segments and other components of the isolation tool may be constructed of a dissolvable material to facilitate removal of the isolation tool from the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Zachary William Walton, Michael Linley Fripp, Michael James Jurgensmeier, John C. Gano
  • Patent number: 10597986
    Abstract: A technique facilitates hanging of a liner in a borehole. According to the technique, a liner hanger and a liner may be deployed downhole into a borehole. A wellbore anchoring device of the liner hanger is initially actuated to engage a surrounding surface and to resist downward movement of the liner. Additionally, a hold down anchor is subsequently actuated to resist upward movement of the liner. The hold down anchor may be released via mechanical manipulation of the liner hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Travis Raymond Burke, James Hall, Raghavendar Ranganathan, Srihari Chebolu, David E. Hirth
  • Patent number: 10590732
    Abstract: A packer for sealing in a tubular includes a mandrel on which a packing element is disposed between booster pistons. Each piston defines a sealed chamber with housed areas of the mandrel. A setting force compresses packing element between the booster piston, which shear free. Ratchet mechanisms including ratchet sleeves and body lock rings disposed between the pistons and the housed areas initially allow the pistons to move in a direction away from the packing element, which expands the respective sealed chamber. Thereafter, in response to a pressure differential across the respective sealed chamber, the ratchet mechanisms each permit urging of the respective piston toward the packing element while preventing retraction of respective piston in the opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Gary Duron Ingram
  • Patent number: 10584558
    Abstract: A packer comprising a mandrel having a radially directed port disposed therein and a passageway axially disposed therein and a packer element disposed around a portion of the mandrel. The packer further includes a housing disposed around a portion of the mandrel creating an annulus area between the mandrel and the housing, the housing is disposed adjacent to the packer element to squeeze the packer element and axially expand the annulus area when fluid flows through the radially directed port and into the annulus area above a fluid pressure threshold. The packer can be included in a downhole assembly having an upper packer and a lower packer. A method of using the packer includes placing the packer into a wellbore to seal one zone from another and pumping fluid into the packer to set the packer element against a casing in the wellbore. A method of using the assembly that incorporates the upper packer and the lower packer is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Thru Tubing Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Manke
  • Patent number: 10538981
    Abstract: A setting tool for use in setting plugs downhole using opposing pistons to axially compress a plug, thereby causing it to radially expand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Inventors: Johnny Covalt, Rick Smith
  • Patent number: 10533390
    Abstract: An annular barrier has a tubular part, and a downhole expandable tubular to be expanded in an annulus downhole from a first outer diameter to a second outer diameter to abut against an inner face of a casing or borehole. The downhole expandable tubular has a first end section, a second end section and an intermediate section between the first end section and the second end section, the downhole expandable tubular surrounding the tubular part. Each end section of the downhole expandable tubular is connected with the tubular part and extends along a longitudinal axis, and defines an annular barrier space between the tubular part and the downhole expandable tubular. The tubular is made from one metal tubular blank of one metal material, the metal material of the end sections having a higher yield strength than the metal material of the intermediate section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: WELLTEC OILFIELD SOLUTIONS AG
    Inventors: Ricardo Reves Vasques, Dean Richard Massey
  • Patent number: 10513898
    Abstract: A setting mechanism for a liner hanger to be secured within the casing of an oil/gas well includes an expandable hydraulic chamber a portion of which is connected to a setting collar positioned around the liner hanger. Expansion of the chamber will cause the setting collar to radially move one or more slips having a gripping surface into contact with an inner surface of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Allamon Properties LLC
    Inventors: Jerry P. Allamon, Javier E. Bolivar
  • Patent number: 10513917
    Abstract: A method of fracturing a formation penetrated by a wellbore, the method includes fracturing the formation by increasing an annulus pressure in the wellbore above a fracture initiation pressure. The method also includes decreasing the annulus pressure below a fracture closure pressure, and re-fracturing the formation by increasing the annulus pressure in the wellbore above the fracture initiation pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Nebojsa Kostic, Eric Bivens, Loyd E. East, Jr., Ronald G. Dusterhoft
  • Patent number: 10472914
    Abstract: A system includes a hanger running tool and a pressure port. The hanger running tool includes an upper body, a lower body disposed about the upper body, a first lock ring disposed between the upper body and the lower body, the first lock ring comprising a tapered top surface, a first push ring disposed between the upper body and the lower body, the first push ring comprising a tapered bottom surface that interfaces with the tapered top surface of the first lock ring, an upper piston disposed about the upper body, and a lower piston disposed about the first lock ring, the first push ring, and the lower body, extending axially downward. The pressure port is in fluid communication with a volume between the upper piston and the lower piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis P. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 10472921
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a packer device (1) for sealing against an inner surface of a surrounding pipe or casing string (4), preferably for isolating zones or sections in an oil well, comprising a tubing body (3) and at least one sealing element (7a, b), where a cylinder/piston arrangement (2) comprises a cylinder (5) having a closed volume containing a fluid, such as a gas or liquid, arranged to expand when exposed to heat thereby exerting a mechanically pressure on movable elements (12), initially locked in a fixed position by means of at least one fixing element, such as a shear member (6), and where the movable elements (12) are adapted to be released into an operative state at a predetermined axial force, exerted by the closed volume in the cylinder (5), resulting in that the at least one sealing element (7a, b) is pressed radially outwardly in such a way that it seals the packer device (1) against the surrounding pipe-/casing string (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Vanguard Oil Tools & Services LLC
    Inventors: Len Barton, Mats Johansson, Borre Loviknes
  • Patent number: 10443346
    Abstract: A new cement valve is disclosed for use in the production of an oil or gas well where hydraulic fracturing has been employed. In particular, the embodiments include a cement valve having a reclosable valve. When properly located, a first piston sleeve is hydraulically actuated to open the cement ports on the tool. After the cement has been pumped through the tool and the cement ports to a wellbore annulus, a blocking ball is dropped to stop flow through the tool. The tool is internally pressurized. The pressure overcomes shear pins to force downward movement of a ball housing inside the cement valve. This movement translates a travelling pin along a guide path, which rotates a ball valve inside the ball housing, releasing the blocking ball to open up the internal flow path through the cement valve at the same time the cement ports are closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: DLA-Desheim Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Abney, Valeriy Kasyanenko
  • Patent number: 10428623
    Abstract: A ball dropping system includes a ball retention feature. The ball retention feature includes an ejection arrangement blocked from activating in a first condition of the ball dropping system, activatable in a second condition of the ball dropping system, and activated to eject a ball from the ball dropping system that is releasably secured by the ball retention feature in a third condition of the ball dropping system. A setting sleeve is movable from a first position to a second position with respect to the ejection arrangement. The setting sleeve has the first position to block the ejection arrangement from activating in the first condition of the ball dropping system. The setting sleeve is movable to the second position to render the ejection arrangement activatable in the second condition of the ball dropping system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventor: Zachary Silva
  • Patent number: 10400556
    Abstract: A cementless downhole completion system including an annular barrier with a tubular metal part being mounted as part of a first well tubular metal structure arranged in a borehole in a formation and the annular barrier is arranged opposite an impermeable cap layer in the formation. A downhole completion system for completing a well having a top, comprising a formation comprising a cap layer, a borehole extending through the cap layer to provide an inner cap layer face and, a first well tubular metal structure arranged in the borehole comprising a first annular barrier and a second annular barrier. In the expanded position, the expandable tubular of the first annular barrier overlaps the cap layer and the expandable tubular of the second annular barrier overlaps the cap layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Welltec Oilfield Solutions AG
    Inventor: Paul Hazel
  • Patent number: 10400529
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for anchoring a morphable tubular in a wellbore in which an anchoring system is arranged around the circumference of an expandable portion of the tubular member. The anchoring system has a gripper element with oppositely arranged inclined surfaces and wedge elements having inclined surfaces mutually arranged on either side of the gripper element with at least one of the wedge elements being a beam spring. Following morphing of the tubular member the anchoring system is configured to maintain the gripper element in a radially extended position by action of the at least one beam spring and thereby increase the load bearing capacity of the morphed tubular member in the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Damien Gerard Patton