Central Support Has Shoulders Expanding Sealing Portion, Or Telescopes Patents (Class 166/196)
  • Patent number: 11480022
    Abstract: A jarring tool used to dislodge a stuck tubular string or bottom hole assembly within an underground wellbore. Tubular strings with which the tool may be used may be formed from drill pipe, jointed pipe, or coiled tubing. A funnel element is placed underground either within, or as part of, a tubular string. A deformable ball may be seated within the funnel element to block fluid from passing within the tubular string. Hydraulic pressure may build within the tubular string until it exceeds the pressure the ball can withstand. This will cause the ball to deform and be expelled through the funnel element. With no ball to block its flow, fluid will be rapidly released through the funnel element. The rapid release of fluid will cause a powerful jarring or jolting to the tubular string or bottom hole assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: HydraShock, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Kevin Dewayne Jones
  • Patent number: 10822898
    Abstract: A settable device including a radially enlargeable portion, a force retention pathway operably connected to the radially enlargeable portion to maintain a setting force to the radially enlargeable portion, a material disposed within the force retention pathway of the device, the material retaining force when in solid form and disengaging force retention when in fluid form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventor: James Doane
  • Patent number: 10767434
    Abstract: A hydraulic connector type “Titus”, applicable in oil production and extraction operations in the seabed, is able to provide connection between cylindrical bodies (WCT and a wellhead, for example). The locking system has a primary hydraulic circuit and the unlocking system has primary and secondary hydraulic circuits. However, the pre-load adjustment system is performed through the friction self-locking angle, being the parallel locking the mechanism determining to prevent the accidental unlocking of the connector, including when exposed to vibration. The connector has a set of jaws, one main actuator hydraulic piston, pressurization chambers, secondary piston, sealing elements, an external liner, a lower guide, a two-part top cover, attachment screws, a two-part ring, conical surface and hydraulic fluid lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Inventor: Alejandro Andueza
  • Patent number: 10724311
    Abstract: A downhole tool includes a tool member having a radially outer surface and a radially inner surface. The radially inner surface includes an angled section. A drive member is axially spaced from the tool member. The drive member includes a radially outer surface portion and a radially inner surface portion. The radially outer surface portion includes an angled portion. A seal element is provided on the drive member. The seal element includes a first portion coupled to the radially outer surface portion and a second portion that is radially outwardly disengagable from the radially outer surface portion in response to one of fluid pressure and fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Yash Parekh, Barbara Pratt
  • Patent number: 10428950
    Abstract: A packing assembly for a valve includes a first segment having at least one first guiding surface, and a second segment having at least one second guiding surface in engagement with at least a portion of the at least one first guiding surface. A shape-memory member couples the first and second segments. The shape-memory member may be formed of a material that is responsive to changes in temperature, so that, in response to a change in temperature, the shape-memory member may cause relative movement of the first and second segments in a first direction. In response to the movement, the first and second guiding surfaces may cause relative displacement of the first and second segments in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: ATOMIC ENERGY OF CANADA LIMITED / ÉNERGIE ATOMIQUE DU CANADA LIMITÉE
    Inventors: Mathew Stevenson, Fabrice Guerout, Rick Boor
  • Patent number: 10408006
    Abstract: A slip cover for downhole logging tools to prevent the tools from becoming lodged during extraction and a method of retrieving a lodged logging tool in a wellbore are disclosed. In some implementations, the slip cover may include a generally cylindrical polymeric sleeve having an inside diameter greater than an outside diameter of a generally cylindrical well logging tool to which the sleeve is to be applied and having one or more perforations disposed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Jones, Darren Gascooke
  • Patent number: 10337269
    Abstract: A velocity string system includes a lock mandrel. A seal bore assembly attached to the lock mandrel runnable in a production string; and a velocity string sealable in the seal mandrel and separately runnable in the production string. A method for installing a velocity string system in a production string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Henry Bisset, Donald Ingvardsen, Firman Amberg
  • Patent number: 10316607
    Abstract: A pressure containment device includes a sealing element. The sealing element includes a longitudinal axis, a substantially annular cross-section arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, a radially inwardly facing interior surface having a plurality of recesses, a radially outwardly facing exterior surface, a first end surface having a plurality of recesses, and a second end surface. The first end surface and the second end surface are each arranged to extend from the radially inwardly facing interior surface to the radially outwardly facing exterior surface. The first end surface and the second end surface are arranged at opposite ends of the sealing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: MANAGED PRESSURE OPERATIONS PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Christian Leuchtenberg, Alexander John MacGregor, George Michaud, Saravanan Sundaramoorthy
  • Patent number: 10267114
    Abstract: A jarring tool used to dislodge a stuck tubular string or bottom hole assembly within an underground wellbore. Tubular strings with which the tool may be used may be formed from drill pipe, jointed pipe, or coiled tubing. A funnel element is placed underground either within, or as part of, a tubular string. A deformable ball may be seated within the funnel element to block fluid from passing within the tubular string. Hydraulic pressure may build within the tubular string until it exceeds the pressure the ball can withstand. This will cause the ball to deform and be expelled through the funnel element. With no ball to block its flow, fluid will be rapidly released through the funnel element. The rapid release of fluid will cause a powerful jarring or jolting to the tubular string or bottom hole assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: HydraShock, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Kevin Dewayne Jones
  • Patent number: 10100595
    Abstract: A tubing or casing hanger seal assembly is disclosed including an actuation sleeve to be mounted on a tubing hanger, a shoulder member to be mounted on the tubing hanger, and a seal assembly disposed between the actuation sleeve and the shoulder member. The seal assembly includes a first set or pair of seals engaged at a tapered interface, and a second set or pair of seals engaged at a tapered interface. Radial sectional areas can differ between seals of the seal pairs. Further, the first set of seals can be coupled to the second set of seals such that the first and second sets of seals are energized by the same setting motion of the actuation sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis P. Nguyen, Jose Roberto Navar
  • Patent number: 10094198
    Abstract: A sealing system includes a packing element having a groove in a surface thereof. The packing element is adapted to form a double hump configuration upon compression. The sealing system may include a first ring member disposed a first end of the packing element, a second ring member is disposed at a second end of the packing element, a first seal ring is disposed laterally outward of the first ring member, and a second seal ring is disposed laterally outward of the second ring member. A first inner back-up ring is disposed laterally outward of the first seal ring. The first inner back-up ring includes slots. A first outer back-up ring is disposed adjacent the first inner back-up ring and includes slots, wherein that slots in the first outer back-up ring are offset from the slots in the first inner back-up ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Thom T. Nguyen, Rocky A. Turley
  • Patent number: 9745809
    Abstract: A liner hanger top packer comprising a body and, an adjusting sleeve, a retaining apparatus, a base-sealing apparatus, a base-hanging apparatus and a locking mechanism sleeved sequentially from top to bottom on the body. The locking mechanism is arranged between the base-sealing apparatus and the base-hanging apparatus. The locking mechanism comprises a locking ball sleeve, a ball socket, and a steel ball. As the lower part of the liner hanger top packer is met with friction, the arrangement of the steel ball restricts relative axial movements between an upper gauge ring of the base-sealing apparatus, the locking ball sleeve, and an upper conical body of the base-hanging apparatus, the friction transmitted to the upper conical body is not transmitted to a lower gauge ring of the base-sealing apparatus, is transmitted to the upper gauge ring via the steel ball, and is transmitted to the adjusting ring via the retaining apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignees: STARSE ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY (GROUP) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Huian Yi, Bingzhou Tian, Shanyin Chen, Baisong Ding, Zhien Zan, Boren Li, Miaoren Liu, Fangju Ye, Qizun Yi, Guangli Chen
  • Patent number: 9670747
    Abstract: An annulus sealing arrangement includes, at least one member positionable within an annulus, a first radial dimension of the at least one member is initially less than a second radial dimension defined by the annulus, and a plurality of plates in operable communication with the at least one member initially positioned with surfaces of the plurality of plates forming acute angles relative to an axis defined by the annulus, at least a first portion of each of the plurality of plates perimetrically overlapping a second portion of at least one other of the plurality of plates positioned perimetrically adjacent thereto, the annulus sealing arrangement is configured such that increases in the first radial dimension cause the acute angles to increase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Antonio C. Ruffo
  • Patent number: 9650860
    Abstract: A technique involves a packer formed as an expandable packer with an internal expandable bladder. The expandable bladder is formed with a section that is radially enlarged relative to an axial end of the expandable bladder when the bladder is in a relaxed state. The bladder configuration enables use of a reduced expansion ratio while still allowing expansion of the packer to a desired large diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Pessin, Pierre-Yves Corre, Guillaume Boutillon
  • Patent number: 9500061
    Abstract: Downhole tools for use in oil and gas production which degrade into non-toxic materials, a method of making them and methods of using them. A frac ball and a bridge plug comprised of polyglycolic acid which can be used in fracking a well and then left in the well bore to predictably, quickly, and safely disintegrate into environmentally friendly products without needing to be milled out or retrieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Inventors: W. Lynn Frazier, Garrett Frazier, Derrick Frazier
  • Patent number: 9422786
    Abstract: A hybrid-tieback seal assembly and methods for tying a well back to the surface or subsea well head are disclosed. A method to tie a well back to the surface or subsea well head comprises running a hybrid-tieback seal assembly into a wellbore, the hybrid-tieback seal assembly comprising one or more anchoring bodies, one or more packer seal assemblies; and a device for creating a pressure differential in a tieback string, wherein the tieback string is coupled to the hybrid-tieback seal assembly. The method further comprises landing a casing hanger in a well head, increasing pressure in the tieback string, setting the anchoring bodies and one or more packer seal assemblies within at least one of a previously installed liner hanger system and a host casing above a previously installed hanger system, and testing the hybrid-tieback seal assembly down an annulus between the host casing and the tieback string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Yokley, Curtis W. Payne
  • Patent number: 8910722
    Abstract: Arrangements and packer devices having anti-extrusion backup rings that are expanded radially outwardly by a setting mechanism that lies proximate the elastomeric packer element that is being protected against extrusion. The setting mechanism can be a slip assembly that has a radially expandable slip element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: David S. Bishop, Douglas J. Lehr
  • Patent number: 8844621
    Abstract: A retrievable well packer for downhole operations, comprising an upper mandrel and a lower mandrel connected through a quick threaded connection, a hydraulic actuating assembly for downwardly moving under fluid pressure, a packing assembly for sealing against the well, first coupling mechanism between the upper mandrel and the hydraulic actuating assembly and second coupling mechanism between the lower mandrel and the hydraulic actuating assembly, with the second coupling mechanism connecting the lower mandrel and the hydraulic actuating assembly against rotation but permitting relative axial movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventor: Gustavo Ignacio Carro
  • Patent number: 8800648
    Abstract: A seal, in certain embodiments, includes a seal body having a groove on a face of the seal body. The face is configured to contact a surface of a separate component to form a seal. The groove interrupts continuity of the face between a first face portion and a second face portion. In addition, the groove enables material deformation laterally between the first face portion and the second face portion. Furthermore, the groove increases contact stress at corners between opposite walls of the groove and the respective first and second face portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher George Kocurek, Daniel Ryan Quates
  • Patent number: 8727027
    Abstract: An expandable downhole seal includes a sealing portion and a deflecting portion adapted to move axially relative to each other to effect radial displacement of the sealing portion, wherein at least one of the sealing portion and the deflecting portion includes a swelling material. In use, radial expansion of the downhole seal may be achieved by the radial displacement of the sealing portion in combination with swelling of the swellable material. A support member is provided to support the sealing portion and deflecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Swellfix B.V.
    Inventors: Paul Schilte, John Dewar, Arie Vliegenthart
  • Patent number: 8631878
    Abstract: A ring like seal assembly for a wellhead assembly that seals between a pair of coaxial tubulars. The seal assembly includes a spring member for exerting an axial force on the seal. The spring member projects from an end of the seal assembly substantially parallel to the axis of the seal assembly and is compressed when installing the seal assembly between the tubulars. Compressing the spring member maintains an axial force on the seal assembly to keep the seal assembly radially deformed so that it can maintain sealing contact with both coaxial tubulars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventor: Khanh A. Duong
  • Patent number: 8627894
    Abstract: A ring member for a downhole apparatus includes a swellable material selected to increase in volume on exposure to at least one triggering fluid. The ring member is configured to cooperate with a swellable member disposed on a body of the apparatus, and may function as a gauge ring or a retaining member. The ring member is secured to the apparatus via a coupling arrangement which couples the body to an adjacent well string section. The ring member is threaded into the well string. Alternately, the ring member may be disposed over an upstanding formation such as a coupling sleeve by clamping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Swelltec Limited
    Inventors: Kim Nutley, Brian Nutley
  • Publication number: 20130341051
    Abstract: A wellhead assembly having an inner tubular insertable into an outer tubular. A packoff is provided on an outer surface of the inner tubular for sealing between the inner and outer tubulars. The packoff includes an energizing ring, a U-shaped seal member, and a nut for retaining the seal member against the energizing ring. The seal member includes legs that are spaced apart by interaction with the energizing ring. The outer tubular has a bore wall that is profiled so that when the inner tubular is inserted into the outer tubular, an outer leg of the seal member is spaced radially outward from the bore wall until the inner tubular is landed in the outer tubular. When the inner tubular member is landed, a portion of the bore wall adjacent the outer leg tapers radially inward into sealing contact with the outer leg of the seal member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: Vetco Gray, Inc.
    Inventors: William Thompson Higgins, John E. Nelson, Chau Hoang
  • Patent number: 8607883
    Abstract: A swellable packer for use in a subterranean well can include a seal element with a swellable material which contracts in response to temperature decrease, and a temperature compensator which applies increased force to the seal element in response to temperature decrease. A method of compensating for thermal contraction of a swellable material in a subterranean well can include a temperature of the swellable material increasing in response to installing the swellable material in the well, and a temperature compensator applying an increased force in response to a temperature decrease occurring after the temperature increasing step. A well tool for use in a subterranean well can include a swellable material and a temperature compensator which applies an increased force when the swellable material contracts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Alf Kolbjørn Sevre
  • Patent number: 8602116
    Abstract: A downhole retrievable dual directional isolation tool is provided. The down hole tool comprises a mandrel, a compressor concentric with the mandrel, and a packing element disposed around the mandrel, wherein a body section of the packing element is asymmetrical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: James Crabb
  • Publication number: 20130306330
    Abstract: Arrangements and packer devices having anti-extrusion backup rings that are expanded radially outwardly by a setting mechanism that lies proximate the elastomeric packer element that is being protected against extrusion. The setting mechanism can be a slip assembly that has a radially expandable slip element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: David S. Bishop, Douglas J. Lehr
  • Patent number: 8567492
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide a packer for use within a conduit, such as casing, having non-extrusion rings. The non-extrusion ring is comprised of rigid segments, a support ring and an elastic matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Inventor: Max White
  • Patent number: 8561710
    Abstract: A tool for setting an annular seal, including an inner body, a first outer body coaxial with the longitudinal axis, and a second outer body coaxial with the longitudinal axis, wherein the second outer body is coupled to the first outer body. The inner body is configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the tool and is configure to bias a retaining ring, the first outer body is configured to couple to a potion of the mineral extraction system, and the second outer body is configured to move along the longitudinal axis to bias the annular seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis P. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8479809
    Abstract: An antiextrusion backup system includes an inner expandable backup ring having a first set of slots. An outer expandable backup ring having a second set of slots wherein the outer expandable back up ring is rotationally locked to the inner expandable backup ring to prevent an extrusion gap in an expanded condition of the backup rings. A method for operating within a tubular is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Graham E. Farquhar
  • Patent number: 8464800
    Abstract: A method of forming a downhole apparatus comprises the steps of providing a body having a longitudinal axis and forming an expanding portion on the body from multiple layers of a partially or substantially cured material around the longitudinal axis of the body. The material is selected to increase in volume on exposure to at least one predetermined fluid, such as a wellbore fluid. Apparatuses formed by the method include wellbore packers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Swelltec Limited
    Inventors: Kim Nutley, Brian Nutley
  • Patent number: 8403036
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in a wellbore is provided. The apparatus comprises a mandrel, a sealing element carried on the mandrel, the sealing element being radially expandable from a first run-in diameter to a second set diameter in response to application of axial force on the sealing element, and an extrusion limiting assembly carried on the mandrel and proximate the sealing element. The extrusion limiting assembly comprises a plurality of separate segments and a first circumferential band that retains the plurality of segments in a ring shape and substantially covers an outer circumferential surface of the plurality of segments while in a run-in condition of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam K. Neer, Emil Havelka, Lloyd Crockford
  • Patent number: 8381809
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide a packer for use within a conduit, such as casing, having a non-extrusion ring. The non-extrusion ring is comprised of hard segments and an elastic matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Inventor: Max White
  • Patent number: 8376044
    Abstract: A plug device for closing of a pipe bore where the plug comprises an exterior sleeve formed in a flexible material, and a setting mechanism, and where the setting mechanism comprises wedges which between their passive position and their active position are displaced along a curved path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Aker Well Service AS
    Inventor: John Arild Ostevik
  • Patent number: 8336634
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are sealing assemblies which include a mandrel; an inner element formed around the mandrel; an outer element formed around the inner element; and a plurality of slats arranged between the inner and outer elements. The slats have a friction-reducing agent on the surface of the slats. Also disclosed herein are methods for zonal isolation within a wellbore. The methods include providing a mandrel; providing an inner element formed around the mandrel; providing an outer element formed around the inner element; providing a plurality of slats arranged between the inner and outer elements; and axially compressing the inner element and the outer element to radially expand the inner element and outer element. The slats have a friction-reducing agent on their surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: William D. Eatwell, Jason A. McCann
  • Patent number: 8327929
    Abstract: A support assembly for a deformable sealing element of a downhole tool such as a packer, bridge plug or straddle. The support assembly has first and second support devices at each end of the sealing element with each device having an elastically deformable support member adapted to be located between the respective end of the sealing element and an actuating member of the downhole tool. Additionally, a guide member with an inclined guide surface is provided such that the support member travels along the inclined surface when a force is exerted by the actuating member to expand the sealing element radially into abutment with a surface downhole. The support member moves radially outwards to support the respective end of the sealing element during deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Red Spider Technology Limited
    Inventors: Michael A. Reid, William S. Burnett
  • Publication number: 20120241162
    Abstract: A seal seals an annulus in a subsea assembly between a wellhead and a casing hanger landed on a shoulder within a bore of the wellhead. The seal includes a casing hanger seal ring disposed within the annulus. The seal ring engaged with an inner diameter surface of the wellhead, and engaged with an outer diameter surface of the casing hanger so that the seal ring prevents flow through the annulus. A lockdown slip ring is secured to a lower end of the seal ring so that, when the seal ring is energized, the lockdown slip ring engages a substantially smooth inner diameter surface portion of the wellhead and a substantially smooth outer diameter surface portion of the casing hanger to limit upwards axial movement of the casing hanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: VETCO GRAY INC.
    Inventors: Chad Eric Yates, David L. Ford, Daniel Caleb Benson
  • Publication number: 20120217025
    Abstract: An expandable backup ring includes an outer surface, an inner surface having a plurality of protrusions projecting radially inwardly, and a plurality of segments, the segments defined by a plurality of outer surface cuts. The plurality of outer surface cuts extends radially inwardly from the outer surface and partially into each of the plurality of protrusions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Piro SHKURTI, John C. WOLF
  • Publication number: 20120186802
    Abstract: System, devices, and methods are described relating to the treatment (e.g., perforating, fracturing, foam stimulation, acid treatment, cement treatment, etc.) of well-bores (e.g., cased oil and/or gas wells). In at least one example, a method is provided for treatment of a region in a well, the method comprising: positioning, in a well-bore, a packer above the region of the well-bore, fixing, below the region, an expansion packer, treating the region, the treatment fixing the packer, moving the expansion packer, and moving the packer after the moving of the expansion packer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: Pioneer Natural Resources USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Dustin Howard, Phillip Mandrell, Marty Stromquist
  • Patent number: 8167033
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide a packer for use within a conduit, such as casing, having a non-extrusion ring. The non-extrusion ring is comprised of hard segments and an elastic matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Inventor: Max White
  • Publication number: 20120055669
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a parameter of a subterranean formation using swellable materials is disclosed. The system may include a sensor device configured to detect a parameter of a subterranean formation. The system may also include a swellable material configured to position the sensor device toward a surface of the subterranean formation by swelling of the swellable material. The system may further include a telescoping section coupled to the sensor device and emplaced in the swellable material. The telescoping section may be configured to extend with the positioning of the sensor device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventors: Stewart A. Levin, Ron G. Dusterhoft, Jim Longbottom, Norman R. Warpinski, James D. Vick, JR.
  • Patent number: 8109340
    Abstract: A packer device includes an elastomeric packer element which is seated upon an inner sleeve that surrounds a central inner mandrel. The inner sleeve and the inner mandrel are oriented at an angle of departure with respect to the central axis of the tool, thereby providing a ramp assembly which helps to set the packer device. An anchor ring and a retaining ring are located on opposite axial sides of the packer element and contact the surrounding tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: James C. Doane, Samuel I. Robinson
  • Publication number: 20120006532
    Abstract: A configurable insert for a downhole tool. The configurable insert can have a body having a bore formed therethrough, at least one shear groove disposed on the body, wherein the body separates at the shear groove when exposed to a predetermined force, applied by a threadably engaged component therewith, at least one shoulder disposed within the bore, the shoulder formed by a transition between a larger inner diameter and a smaller inner diameter of the bore, wherein the shoulder is adapted to receive one or more impediments at least partially within the bore, and one or more threads disposed on an outer surface of the body for connecting the body to a downhole tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventor: W. Lynn Frazier
  • Patent number: 8087459
    Abstract: A packer provides multiple seals when deployed downhole. Exposed to an activating agent, a swellable element on the packer's mandrel expands radially outward to form a seal with the borehole wall. Deformable elements, are disposed on the mandrel adjacent the swellable element. These deformable elements deform outward to the surrounding borehole wall to at least partially isolate the downhole annulus and the swellable element. Bias units releasable affixed on the tool adjacent the deformable elements can deform the elements. These bias units can be released either by swelling of the swellable element or by fluid pressure. Once released, the bias units are axially biased toward the deformable elements to deform them. In this way, the packer can form multiple seals with the borehole wall, and the deformable elements can isolate the swellable element from the downhole annulus, which can keep the swellable element from degrading or being overly extruded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Rebecca Caldwell, Patrick J. Zimmerman, Robert Coon, Henry Joe Jordan, Jr., David Ward
  • Patent number: 8083001
    Abstract: A gage ring assembly to provide support to an anti-extrusion containment ring in a packer device including a compression ring and a plurality of interlocking arcuate segments which form a substantially unbroken support wall when in a set condition. A first set of segments each have a wedge-shaped body that is wider at a proximal axial end than it is at its distal axial end. A second set of segments preferably each have a wedge-shaped body wider at its distal axial end than it is at its proximal axial end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Nicholas S. Conner, Frank J. Maenza
  • Patent number: 8074723
    Abstract: A ring member for a downhole apparatus includes a swellable material selected to increase in volume on exposure to at least one triggering fluid. The ring member is configured to cooperate with a swellable member disposed on a body of the apparatus, and may function as a gauge ring or a retaining member. The ring member is secured to the apparatus via a coupling arrangement which couples the body to an adjacent well string section. The ring member may be threaded into the well string. Alternately, the ring member may be disposed over an upstanding formation such as a coupling sleeve by clamping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Swelltec Limited
    Inventors: Kim Nutley, Brian Nutley
  • Patent number: 8047278
    Abstract: A method to connect a lifting assembly to a bore of a downhole tubular includes providing a communication tool to a distal end of the lifting assembly, the communication tool comprising a body assembly, an engagement assembly, a valve assembly and a seal assembly, sealingly engaging a first portion of the seal assembly in the bore of the downhole tubular, selectively permitting fluid to flow between the lifting assembly and the downhole tubular with the valve assembly, and disengaging the first portion of the seal assembly from the bore of the downhole tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Pilot Drilling Control Limited
    Inventors: George Swietlik, Burney J. Latiolais, Jr., Robert Large
  • Patent number: 8037942
    Abstract: A resettable antiextrusion system including a backup ring, a ramp in operable communication with the backup ring, and a gauge ring attached to the ramp. A method for sealing a tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Justin P. Vinson, Paul Madero
  • Publication number: 20110247835
    Abstract: A downhole retrievable dual directional isolation tool is provided. The down hole tool comprises a mandrel, a compressor concentric with the mandrel, and a packing element disposed around the mandrel, wherein a body section of the packing element is asymmetrical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: James Crabb
  • Patent number: 7971640
    Abstract: The invention refers to a device for sealing an annular space formed between an outer cylindrical element (4) having an end closure (16) and an inner pipe (1) extending within the outer element and having a free end. The invention incorporates a packer element (2) being slidably disposed around said pipe (1), an actuation element (6) adapted for telescopic assembly around the outer surface of the pipe (1) and slidable from a first position to a second position, a conical ring (12) adapted for installation on the pipe (1), where the actuation element (6) comprises an abutment element (10) designed for abutment against said packer (2), and an actuation pipe (8) extending beyond the pipe (1) first end when the actuation element (6) is in said first position. The invention also refers to a method for sealing the annular space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Rune Freyer
  • 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