Packer Or Plug Locked Expanded Patents (Class 166/182)
  • Patent number: 12129725
    Abstract: A clamp for a line including a body, and a control line contact surface, the clamp being responsive to a selected input to facilitate displacement of the line. An expandable tool including a component having a first dimension prior to activation and a second dimension after activation, a control line disposed adjacent the component, and a clamp initially securing the control line, the clamp comprising at least one of 1) a fastener and 2) a body, at least a portion of either of which being responsive to a selected input to facilitate displacement of the control line. A method for deploying a tool with a control line including securing the control line to the tool, reacting the at least a portion of the clamp to the input, and displacing the control line. A borehole system including a borehole in a formation, and an expandable tool disposed in the borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Aaron C. Hammer, John Wakefield
  • Patent number: 11713644
    Abstract: A packer assembly includes a mandrel and a packing element disposed about the mandrel. Upper and lower recovery sleeves are disposed about the mandrel and extend between the mandrel and respective upper and lower ends of the packing element. The upper and lower recovery sleeves each have a recovery profile embedded within the packing element. Upper and lower backup assemblies are movably disposed about the respective upper and lower recovery sleeves, adjacent to the respective upper and lower ends of the packing element. The packer assembly includes at least one release mechanism. When setting the packer assembly in a bore, the packing element is axially compressed between the upper and lower backup assemblies to contact the bore wall, and the upper and lower backup assemblies splay outwards. Upon release, the packing element and backup assemblies retract, thereby facilitating retrieval of the packer assembly from the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Wilbert Mitchell, Gary Duron Ingram
  • Patent number: 11661813
    Abstract: An element includes an elastomer having a temperature rating of at least 400° F. for enhanced geothermal system applications. The elastomer element may be manufactured via an additive manufacturing process, and the elastomer element may be a component of an isolation plug assembly having a plurality of structural components that may also be manufactured via the additive manufacturing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Huilin Tu, Mitchell Gamble, Laurent Alteirac, Bhushan Pendse
  • Patent number: 11459843
    Abstract: A space-out mechanism that may be used in a tubing hanger system to install a tubing hanger and rigidize the tubing hanger and a casing hanger within a wellhead housing in a single trip is provided. The space-out mechanism may include two pieces that are configured to rotate against each other such that the axial length of the space-out mechanism can be adjusted to remove any axial gaps created in the installation of the tubing hanger or rigidizing of the tubing hanger and casing hanger within the wellhead housing. The two pieces of the space-out mechanism may include a ramp ring and a piston. The ramp ring and piston may each have ramp surfaces that rotate and bear against each other until the system is rigidized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris D. Bartlett, David Scantlebury, Rick Murphy, Andrew Mitchell, Fife B. Ellis, Gregory Norwood
  • Patent number: 11261686
    Abstract: A tubing hanger assembly including an outer hanger body (8) lands on a load shoulder (10) of a tubing head. Additionally, an inner hanger body (9) having at least one inner hanger groove (19) moves vertically up and down with respect to the outer hanger body and engages at least one downhole device. A first latch ring (11) expands into a groove (12) of the tubing head to lock the outer hanger body in position and a sleeve (14) with a plurality of grooves (20) is disposed between the outer hanger body and the inner hanger body of the tubing hanger assembly. Furthermore, a second latch ring (15), disposed between the sleeve and the inner hanger body, expands into or collapse out of the at least one inner hanger groove (19) and the plurality of grooves (20) on the sleeve (14), and the second latch ring (15) is a tension loading support for the inner hanger body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Baca, Roman Chirko, Cassandra E. Weimer
  • Patent number: 11125336
    Abstract: A sealing system includes a housing defining a bore having an internal surface. A rotatable shaft is rotatably disposed in the bore and includes an annular groove disposed in an exterior surface of the rotatable shaft. The annular groove includes a groove bottom and a pair of lateral sidewalls. A seal is formed as a cylindrical annular thermoplastic body having an axial length greater than an axial length of the annular groove and which is bent into a V-shaped cross-section and received in the annular groove so that opposite ends of the seal are disposed in opposite bottom corners of the annular groove. A peak portion of the V-shaped cross section extends radially outward of the annular groove and is engaged with the internal surface of the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership
    Inventor: Raymond L. Szparagowski
  • Patent number: 11028666
    Abstract: An isolation tool that is installed in a well by a setting tool to isolate at least a portion of the well. Preferably, the isolation tool is a plug and the plug and setting tool are configured to prevent premature setting of the plug. Preferably, the plug includes one or more portions that directly connect the plug to a setting tool wherein the one or more portions of the plug shear during setting of the plug in an operating position. In a most preferred form, the plug includes first and second longitudinally spaced portions that directly connect the plug to a setting tool wherein the first and second portions shear during setting of the plug in an operating position. In a most preferred form, the plug and setting tool are configured so that no portion of the setting tool shears during the installation of the plug, separation of the plug from the setting tool and removal of the setting tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Target Completions LLC
    Inventor: Michael Thomas Sommers
  • Patent number: 10844687
    Abstract: An annulus seal for sealing an interface between a wellhead housing and a casing hanger. The annulus seal includes a central body portion, a first seal leg extending from the central body portion in a first direction and a second seal leg extending from the central body portion in the first direction across from the first seal leg. The first seal leg sealingly engages the casing hanger, and the second seal leg sealingly engages the wellhead housing. At least one of the first seal leg or the second seal leg includes at least one of a first cavity at least partially extending into the respective seal leg from the first direction or a second cavity at least partially extending into the respective seal leg from the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: GE Oil & Gas Pressure Control LP
    Inventors: Alejandro Rodela, Joseph Pallini, Andrew Ingram, Greg Dunn
  • Patent number: 10669830
    Abstract: Embodiments of a sleeve assembly, used for stimulating multiple stages in a completion string has a lower shifting sleeve and an upper shifting sleeve and stimulation ports formed therebetween. The sleeves are caused to shift by progressively larger objects pumped through a bore of the completion string and engaging seats formed thereon. The seat on the lower sleeve is a releasable seat. When shifted the lower sleeve opens the stimulation ports. The seat on the upper sleeve is sized to accept the same size object as is required to engage and shift the lower sleeve on the stage uphole therefrom to close the ports. Thereby, stimulation ports are opened and closed without increasing a number of objects required to stimulate the wellbore. Further, as the ports at each stage below the stage being stimulated are closed, the objects are not required to isolate the bore therebelow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: Lewis Facca, Graham Styler, Andrew Sushko, William Tait, D. J. Radmanovich, Mike Bellavance
  • Patent number: 10414851
    Abstract: Provided is a rubber member for downhole tools, of which a decrease rate of 50% strain compressive stress after immersion for 24 hours in 150° C. water relative to 50% strain compressive stress before immersion is not less than 5%, and preferably not less than 50%. The rubber member is suitable for a seal member, ball sealer, ball seat, and a protecting member. Also provided is a downhole tool comprising the rubber member, and a method for recovering a hydrocarbon resource using the downhole tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: KUREHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeo Takahashi, Masayuki Okura
  • Patent number: 10280715
    Abstract: The invention relates to an interlock and setting section for a downhole tool system, the interlock and setting section comprising: a shifting profile located within a throughbore of the downhole tool system, wherein the shifting profile is capable of being coupled to by a shifting tool in the throughbore of the downhole tool system, in order to move the shifting profile with respect to the downhole tool system; a load connector member coupled to the shifting profile and further coupled to a load setting member arranged to deliver a load to a tool as required; wherein there is further provided a selective locking mechanism to selectively lock at least the load setting member to at least one of the downhole tool system and the shifting profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Iain MacLeod, Andrew John Elrick, Stephen Reid
  • Patent number: 10233713
    Abstract: An embodiment of a tubing or casing hanger seal assembly includes a first carrier ring, a first energizing ring coupled to the first carrier ring and configured to set a first seal of the seal assembly in response to the application of a first load to the seal assembly, and a first lock ring configured to secure the first seal to the tubing or casing hanger in response to the application of the first load to the seal assembly, wherein the first carrier ring and the first lock ring include corresponding angled engagement profiles for providing a radial force against the first lock ring relative a central axis of the seal assembly in response to the application of the first load to the seal assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Minnock, Hao Bin Huang
  • Patent number: 10202818
    Abstract: A sealing assembly configured to seal within an annulus, the sealing assembly including a support body including a backing ring having a substantially wavy sectional shape, and a plurality of ribs extending radially outwardly from the backing ring; and, a sealing member supported on the support body, the sealing member including a radially exterior sealing component, at least a portion of the radially exterior sealing component disposed between adjacent ribs on a radial exterior surface of the hacking ring, and, a radially interior sealing component disposed on a radial interior surface of the backing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Ryan Hern, Daniel Ewing, Guijun Deng
  • Patent number: 10184311
    Abstract: A wellhead assembly has a casing hanger for supporting a string of casing, the casing hanger having an external upward-facing shoulder. A radially movable annular lockdown member is carried on the shoulder for movement between a retracted position while the casing hanger is being run and an expanded position. In the expanded position, the lockdown member is in engagement with a lockdown profile shoulder in a wellhead housing. A casing hanger seal is carried by the casing hanger above the lockdown member. The casing hanger seal has a lower extension that includes a connection leg and a nose ring. The nose ring has a cam surface that engages and moves the lockdown member to the expanded position while the casing hanger seal is being lowered into a set position. Slots are formed in the extension to reduce the axial stiffness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: VETCO GRAY, LLC
    Inventors: Aniruddha D. Gadre, Mayur Mansukh, Joseph W. Pallini, David Lawrence Ford, Baozhi Zhu
  • Patent number: 10138699
    Abstract: A system including a hanger lock system, including a positive lock system, including a load ring configured to engage a first tubular, and a lock ring configured to energize the load ring, a tool including a first piston configured to couple to a second tubular, a second piston configured to couple to the lock ring to energize the load ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis P. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 10113384
    Abstract: A system including a first tubular, a second tubular configured to rest within a bore of the first tubular, a multi-metal seal system configured to seal a space between the first tubular and the second tubular, wherein the multi-metal seal system includes, a first metal seal portion with a first angled surface and a second angled surface, a second metal seal portion with a third angled surface, and a third metal seal portion with a fourth angled surface, wherein the first angled surface selectively engages the third angled surface at a first angled interface and the second angled surface selectively engages the fourth angled surface at a second angled interface, and wherein the first and second angled interfaces are configured to drive the first metal seal portion radially away from the second and third metal seal portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis P. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 9982502
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a seal assembly for sealing and locking a casing hanger to a wellhead includes a lower seal body, an upper seal body connected to the lower seal body, an inner lock ring disposed between the upper seal body and the lower seal body, an external lock ring engaging the upper seal body, and an energizing ring. The lower seal body is structured and arranged to form a seal with the casing hanger and the wellhead. The upper seal body includes a load portion that overhangs a load shoulder of the casing hanger. At least a portion of the energizing ring is disposed within an inner groove disposed within the upper seal body. The energizing ring locks the inner lock ring into forcible engagement with the casing hanger, and locks the external lock ring into engagement with the wellhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Nelson, Bruce J. Witwer, Blake T. DeBerry
  • Patent number: 9732582
    Abstract: A wellbore system includes a sealing assembly for creating an annular seal between wellbore members. The sealing assembly includes a wicker profile defined a first sealing surface for engaging and embedding into a radially adjacent, second sealing surface. The wicker profile includes a first section having a first hardness and a second section adjacent to the first section and having a second hardness greater than the first hardness. Both the first and second sections of wickers are embedded into the second sealing surface, and can thus provide a high degree of both sealing and lockdown performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: VETCO GRAY INC.
    Inventors: Mayur Mansukh, Aniruddha D. Gadre, David Lawrence Ford, Baozhi Zhu, Robert Du
  • Patent number: 9534465
    Abstract: A method of completing a well includes lowering a wellhead onto a base at an upper end of the well. A hub with internal threads and an external circumferential stepped recess is secured to external threads of the wellhead. A blowout preventer assembly with an annular locking member having a plurality of locking elements is landed on the hub, and the locking elements are engaged with the recess of the hub. The well is drilled through the blowout preventer assembly to a greater depth then the blowout preventer assembly and the hub are removed. A threaded flange with a plurality of bolt holes spaced around the flange is secured to the external threads of the wellhead and a wellhead member is bolted to the bolt holes of the threaded flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: GE Oil & Gas Pressure Control LP
    Inventors: Khang V. Nguyen, Saurabh Kajaria, Knox F. Wright, Sheila A. Adkinson
  • Patent number: 8973921
    Abstract: A sealing member including a body having a recess; one or more backups extending from the body and tapering over a length thereof; and a sealing element disposed in the recess, the element including one or more steps, each step being adjacent one of the one or more backups and on a surface of the sealing element intended to make contact with a target sealing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: James C. Doane
  • Patent number: 8955605
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure pertain to a mandrel for a downhole tool that may include a body having a proximate end with a first outer diameter and a distal end with a second outer diameter; a first set of threads disposed on the distal end; and a transition region formed on the body between the proximate end and the distal end. In aspects, the mandrel may be made from filament wound composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: National Boss Hog Energy Services, LLC
    Inventor: Duke VanLue
  • Patent number: 8915305
    Abstract: A packer tool has safety devices to prevent premature and reverse setting and release operations. The safety devices are independent of shear-pin safety systems. Confined annular segments prevent a setting actuator piston from moving absent tool-setting hydraulic pressure. The setting pressure first moves a cylinder in an opposite direction to unroof the segments allowing them to exit confinement and free the piston to set the packing and the anchor slips. Release safety pins extend radially inward from a packing-holder collar into short slots formed on a mandrel surface, preventing the mandrel from being turned. Previous set motion causes the pins to leave the slots thereby freeing the mandrel to turn only after the tool has been set. A third safety device comprises an expanded ring which is dragged by the release cone during release motion until it lodges in a circumferential groove in the mandrel, locking against reverse movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Texproil S.R.L.
    Inventor: Horacio Daniel Burgos
  • Patent number: 8839872
    Abstract: A plug for sealing a conduit. The plug comprises a housing, a setting member, at least one anchor and at least one seal element. Rotation of the setting member with respect to the housing in a setting direction sets the at least one anchor and the at least one seal element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Petrowell Limited
    Inventor: Daniel Purkis
  • Patent number: 8783340
    Abstract: A setting tool comprises a slow stroke mandrel configured for engagement with an inner mandrel of a packer; a latching member configured to provide a releasable engagement between the setting tool mandrel and the inner mandrel of the packer; a centralizing member, wherein the centralizing member is slidingly disposed about the setting tool mandrel; a collet coupled to the centralizing member, wherein the collet is configured to engage the slow stroke mandrel; a driving member comprising a piston, wherein the piston is coupled to the centralizing member; a setting sleeve coupled to the centralizing member, wherein the setting sleeve is configured to engage a packer setting sleeve shoulder of the packer. The engagement between the collet and the slow stroke mandrel is configured to control the stroke speed of the setting sleeve when the piston is selectively energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Edward Harms, William Mark Richards
  • Patent number: 8607861
    Abstract: A downhole tool includes a first portion having a first metal protrusion configured to seal against a first metal surface and a second portion having a second metal protrusion configured to seal against a second metal surface. A ratcheting device includes a first element having a plurality of grooves, and a second element having at least two sets of teeth, wherein one of the at least two sets of teeth engages the plurality of grooves. Additionally, a method of forming a downhole seal includes disposing in a wellbore a downhole tool including an inner tubular, a lock ring, a lower ring, an upper ring, an insert ring, and a deformable element. The method further includes moving a wedge sleeve axially downward with respect to the downhole tool such that the wedge sleeve engages the deformable ring and forces a first metal protrusion on the deformable element into contact with an outer tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Saylor, III, Sudarsanam Chellappa
  • Patent number: 8181708
    Abstract: Through the combination of at least two polymer families, and the optimization of other components, a rubber compound has been developed for use in downhole applications that will swell in water-based fluids. A cellulose component, such as carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC), is used together with an acrylate copolymer (AC) that can increase the swelling capacity of an acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) in water. The amount of swelling achieved depends on physical boundaries and limitations, the salinity of the water, and the temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: James R. Korte, John J. Thurston, James Edward Goodson
  • Patent number: 8061420
    Abstract: An isolation tool for use in a tubular. The isolation tool comprising gripping members and sealing members to engage and seal the isolation tool to an inner wall of the tubular at a desired location in the tubular. The isolation tool further comprising a locking system that allows the isolation tool to be set in a desired position within the tubular. The locking system prevents the isolation tool from any further movement which would unset it from the desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Inventor: Keith Hadley
  • Patent number: 7963322
    Abstract: Devices and methods for setting a packer inside a wellbore with little appreciable reduction of the useable area of the wellbore. The outer casing or liner of the wellbore contains one or more integrated casing coupler joints having an increased diameter chamber portion. A large bore packing element is carried within the increased diameter chamber portion. The packing element may be selectively actuated to form a seal against an interior tubular member. Because the packing element is located within the chamber portion of the casing coupler, the packer may be set while saving useable cross-sectional area within the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Bennett M. Richard, Edward O'Malley, Yang Xu, Peter Fay, Larry Urban
  • Publication number: 20110073328
    Abstract: An actuation assembly (100, 300) for actuating a downhole tool (200) having a tool housing (202) and an actuation member (208). The actuation assembly (100, 300) includes a downhole power unit (100) and a stroke extender (300). A power unit housing (150) is operably associated with an extender housing (302). A moveable shaft (130) of the power unit (100) is operably associated with an extender mandrel (304). The extender housing (302) is operably associated with the tool housing (202) and the actuation member (208). The extender mandrel (304) is operably associated with the actuation member (208) such that oscillatory movement of the moveable shaft (130) relative to the power unit housing (150) causes oscillatory movement of the extender mandrel (304) relative to the extender housing (302) which causes progressive movement in one direction of the actuation member (208) relative to the tool housing (202), thereby actuating the downhole tool (200).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Jack Gammill Clemens, Wesley Neil Ludwig, James Dan Vick, JR.
  • Patent number: 7909107
    Abstract: A high capacity running tool sets and internally tests a casing hanger packoff during the same trip. The running tool has a stem and a body. The body is secured by threads to the stem of the running tool so that rotation of the stem relative to the body will cause the stem to move longitudinally. An engagement element connects the tool body to the casing hanger by engaging the inner surface of the casing hanger. Longitudinal movement of the stem relative to the body moves the engaging element between inner and outer positions and lines up ports in the stem and in the body for setting and testing functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas P. Gette
  • Patent number: 7909109
    Abstract: An anchoring device for tool is disclosed that can be positioned downhole and used in casing. The anchoring device can have an architecture that supports installation by running downhole and into engagement with a recess formed in the casing. The anchoring device can support the use of weak materials such as plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Tesco Corporation
    Inventors: Per G. Angman, Maurice W. Slack
  • Publication number: 20110017472
    Abstract: Plug assemblies such as sealing devices comprise a vent tube disposed above the sealing device. The vent tube is selectively place in, and out of, fluid communication with a lower zone of a wellbore so that during curing of cement or other sealing material disposed on top of the sealing device, gas is permitted to flow from the lower zone to the surface of the wellbore. As a result, the likelihood of gas corrupting or otherwise leaking around the interface of the sealing element with the wall of the wellbore is decreased. After the cement has cured, fluid communication between the vent pipe and the lower zone is closed to isolate the lower zone from the upper zone disposed above the sealing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventor: David W. Maxwell
  • Patent number: 7832472
    Abstract: A tubing string assembly is disclosed for fluid treatment of a wellbore. The tubing string can be used for staged wellbore fluid treatment where a selected segment of the wellbore is treated, while other segments are sealed off. The tubing string can also be used where a ported tubing string is required to be run in in a pressure tight condition and later is needed to be in an open-port condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Jon Themig
  • Patent number: 7779926
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Rocky A. Turley, W. John McKeachnie
  • Patent number: 7779908
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement for affixing an expandable packer 22, 32 in a hole 30, wherein the arrangement includes a piston-and-cylinder device 11, 12 with which the piston can be caused to move in the cylinder with the aid of a pressurized medium. Expansion of the packer is effected with the aid of the movement of the piston 11, by transferring the force generated by piston movement to an expandable part 24, 34 of the packer 22, 32 so that said part will expand. Expansion of the packer results in the packer being firmly affixed in the hole by means of friction. The arrangement also includes an elongate main body 1 that has a through-penetrating aperture extending in the longitudinal direction of the body. The main body 1 has a front end 3, which faces inwardly of the hole when fastening the packer and towards the packer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Craelius AB
    Inventors: Jan Eriksson, Sten-Åke Petersson
  • Patent number: 7779905
    Abstract: A well tool with multi-stage remedial system improves the durability of a subterranean well tool having an expanded elastomeric member, such as a packer, for use inside a tubular member. The well tool with multi-stage remedial system has a plurality of mandrel members shiftable within the tubular member for anchoring and for setting the seal system. A floating tandem mounted annularly around the lower mandrel members has one end (upon shifting) proximate an end of the seal system, and the floating tandem has an opening to ambient bottom-hole-pressure of the subterranean well. A locking tandem is interposed with the floating tandem and at least one of the lower mandrel members. The floating tandem and the locking tandem together assist in abating elastomeric member extrusion under high temperature, high pressure environments as well as other conditions lending to failure within the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: High Pressure Integrity, Inc.
    Inventors: James V. Carisella, Kevin Morrill
  • Publication number: 20100170681
    Abstract: A plug (10) for sealing a conduit is described. The plug comprises a housing (42), a setting member (14), at least one anchor (16) and at least one seal element (18). Rotation of the setting member with respect to the housing in a setting direction sets the at least one anchor and the at least one seal element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: PETROWELL LIMITED
    Inventor: Daniel Purkis
  • Publication number: 20100116489
    Abstract: A wellhead seal assembly forms a metal-to-metal seal between inner and outer wellhead members. A metal seal ring has inner and outer walls separated by a slot. An energizing ring has a C-ring captured on its outer surface. When the energizing ring is moved farther into the slot, the C-ring is forced from its pocket and engages a profile on the seal ring, locking the energizing ring to the seal assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventor: John E. Nelson
  • Patent number: 7703525
    Abstract: A system and method for perforating and fracturing enables sealing device on a working string to be actuated to substantially block passage of fluids through the wellbore. Without removing the working string from the wellbore, the working string is released from the sealing device, the wellbore is perforated, and the wellbore pressurized up-hole of the sealing device to fracture the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary A. Wilcox, Porter Underwood, Scott Harvey
  • Patent number: 7694746
    Abstract: Devices and methods for setting a packer inside a wellbore with little appreciable reduction of the useable area of the wellbore. The outer casing or liner of the wellbore contains one or more integrated casing coupler joints having an increased diameter chamber portion. A large bore packing element is carried within the increased diameter chamber portion. The packing element may be selectively actuated to form a seal against an interior tubular member. Because the packing element is located within the chamber portion of the casing coupler, the packer may be set while saving useable cross-sectional area within the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Bennett M. Richard, Edward O'Malley, Yang Xu, Peter Fay, Larry Urban
  • Patent number: 7673693
    Abstract: A zonal isolation device comprises a packer assembly and an internal setting mechanism operable to actuate the packer assembly from an unset position to a set position, wherein the zonal isolation device is resettable and retrievable. Another zonal isolation device comprises a packer assembly, a setting mechanism operable to actuate the packer assembly from an unset position to a set position in response to hydraulic pressure alone, and a locking mechanism operable to lock and unlock the packer assembly from the set position in response to hydraulic pressure alone. A method for setting a zonal isolation device within a well bore comprises running the zonal isolation device in an unset position within the well bore on a work string, applying a differential pressure between the work string and the well bore, and actuating the zonal isolation device to a set position in response to the differential pressure alone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Standridge, Cleo (John) Clayton Holland, Kevin Ray Manke
  • Publication number: 20090044957
    Abstract: A tool that is easily convertible from a frac plug to a bridge plug is disclosed. The tool comprises a mandrel with a mule shoe connected to the lower end thereof. A closing ball is disposed in a cavity defined by the mule shoe. The mandrel is threaded to receive a plug at or near the upper end thereof to convert the frac plug to a bridge plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: Robert Clayton, Jesse Porter
  • Patent number: 7341111
    Abstract: Bridge plug and setting assembly may be used in a well with a tubular therein to control flow through the tubular. A plurality of fluid powered units 16, 24 are suspended in a well from a work string 14 for exerting a driving force. A plug member 50 is suspended below the plurality of fluid powered units. The plug member 50 is axially movable relative to an expansion sleeve 40 in response to the driving force to radially expand the sleeve 40 into sealing engagement with both the plug member 50 and the tubular 12. A release mechanism 68 is provided for releasing the one or more fluid powered units from the plug member and the expansion sleeve once set in the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: TIW Corporation
    Inventors: Tommy Wayne Van, Britt O. Braddick
  • Patent number: 7204305
    Abstract: A system and a method for installing a liner conduit in a borehole. The system includes a packer assembly, a running tool or a packer assembly and a running tool. The method uses a packer assembly and a running tool for installing a liner conduit in a borehole. The system and the method both use pressure to perform functions relating to the system and the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen E. Ricalton, Davor Majkovic
  • Patent number: 7147052
    Abstract: Various embodiments of an improved downhole disconnect tool are provided, some of which may include a first housing releasably connected to a second housing, a first piston releasably connected to the first housing, and a second piston releasably connected to the second housing. Various fluid communication ports and ball seats may be provided in various combinations in the first and second pistons and in the second housing to enable remote control of the tool by circulating one or more balls into engagement with one or more of the ball seats to disconnect the first housing from the second housing, and thereby disconnect any structures connected to the first and second housings, respectively. Other features and aspects of the invention are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Zafer Erkol
  • Patent number: 7086481
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for isolating a wellbore condition such as formation pressure during a wellbore operation. The invention has particular application in connection with underbalanced drilling. In one arrangement, a formation isolation apparatus is provided that serves as a selectively actuatable plug. The plug in one aspect is selectively set and released by a setting/releasing tool. The setting/releasing tool includes a system for setting the plug in the wellbore, and a system for releasing the plug from the wellbore. The setting/releasing tool is releasably connected to the plug. Thus, after the plug has been set, the setting/releasing tool may be removed from the wellbore. The plug includes a flapper valve that is restrained in its open position by the setting/releasing tool. Removal of the setting/releasing tool from the wellbore allows the flapper valve to close, thereby isolating pressures in the wellbore below the flapper valve. The plug is wireline retrievable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb
    Inventors: David Hosie, Mike A. Luke
  • Patent number: 7011153
    Abstract: Various embodiments of an improved downhole disconnect tool are provided, some of which may include a first housing releasably connected to a second housing, a first piston releasably connected to the first housing, and a second piston releasably connected to the second housing. Various fluid communication ports and ball seats may be provided in various combinations in the first and second pistons and in the second housing to enable remote control of the tool by circulating one or more balls into engagement with one or more of the ball seats to disconnect the first housing from the second housing, and thereby disconnect any structures connected to the first and second housings, respectively. Other features and aspects of the invention are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Zafer Erkol
  • Patent number: 6926088
    Abstract: The present invention is to a pre-selected set of packer tools having J tools and on/off tools (“stingers” and “washovers”) with varying strokes and varying set and release directions to enable the operator to individually address the various packers. By increasing the amount of travel necessary to set and/or release the subsequent packer tools, it is possible to select which tool is being manipulated or operated upon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Team Oil Tools, LLC
    Inventor: Donald W. Tinker
  • Patent number: 6915858
    Abstract: A latching assembly for a lower collar on an inflatable is provided. After deflation, the lower collar is engaged to the mandrel so that the deflated inflatable can be advanced with other connected downhole equipment, such as screens to be expanded, in a location further downhole without swabbing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: David A. Dolyniuk, George S. Arnold
  • Patent number: 6779600
    Abstract: A hydrostatically set packer is disclosed. The actuating piston is locked for run in by a lock sleeve and lock dog arrangement. When the desired depth is reached well pressure is built up to break a rupture disc to allow hydrostatic pressure to act on one side of a lock sleeve. The other side of the lock sleeve is exposed to a chamber under atmospheric or low pressure. Movement of the lock sleeve releases the lock dog allowing piston movement to set the packer. The lock sleeve has a labyrinth seal so that seal leakage below a predetermined level will not prematurely activate the piston lock and prematurely set the packer. A variety of designs for the labyrinth are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: BAker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: James King, Edward Wayne Welch, Jr.