Screen With Valve, Closure, Changeable Restrictor Or Portion Removable In Well Patents (Class 166/205)
  • Patent number: 12130394
    Abstract: A sensing optical fiber includes multiple waveguides or cores to allow sensing of multiple measurands using a single fiber. The fiber can be a dual clad fiber having a single mode core and a multi-mode core disposed radially or circumferentially about the single mode core. A dual clad fiber coupler couples source light from a DAS interrogator and a DTS interrogator into the dual clad fiber in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul Stopford, Surya Simanjuntak, Dmitry Kortukov
  • Patent number: 11851982
    Abstract: A well tool can include a body and at least one barrier element. The barrier element can include a pyrolytically degradable material that is positionable to block a flow of fluid across the body within a wellbore and to degrade by pyrolysis over time within the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Linley Fripp, Charles Timothy Smith, Chad William Glaesman
  • Patent number: 11795797
    Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for increasing production performance in a Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage system. In one implementation, an upper mating unit of an inverted shroud assembly is received with a lower mating unit of the inverted should assembly in a slidable relationship. The upper mating unit is coupled to a pump-intake assembly. The lower mating unit is coupled to a motor-seal assembly. The slidable relationship secures the pump-intake assembly to the motor-seal assembly. A motor of the motor-seal assembly is directly cooled by opening the motor to a production well based on an exterior attachment of the motor-seal assembly relative to an inverted shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventor: Kyle Robert Ehman
  • Patent number: 11466681
    Abstract: A downhole pump includes a housing, a plunger that is disposed within the housing, and a rod that is secured to the plunger. The housing includes a magnet that is disposed at an uphole end of the housing. The plunger includes a traveling valve that is disposed at a downhole end of the plunger. The rod includes a conducting shaft that is attached to an uphole end of the plunger. The conducting shaft is configured to extend a magnetic field generated by the magnet when the conducting shaft is positioned adjacent the magnet to magnetically force the traveling valve into an open state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Amr Mohamed Zahran, Syed Muhammad Bin Syed Taha, Bagus Wahyu Setiadi, Mohammed Ahmed Alsayed
  • Patent number: 11428079
    Abstract: A method and systems for sand control in wells are described in examples. An example uses a prepack screen assembly comprising an inner screen comprising openings having an inner size and an outer screen comprising openings having an outer size. Packing material is disposed between the inner screen and the outer screen comprising pores with a pore size that is selected based, at least in part, on the outer size, the inner size, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Charles S. Yeh, Timothy K. Ellison, Tracy J. Moffett, Michael D. Barry, Andy J. Veselka, Elizabeth L. Templeton-Barrett
  • Patent number: 11306555
    Abstract: Presented herein are apparatus and methods that alleviate incidence of stuck pipes in downhole environments. In some embodiments, the apparatus and methods described herein include a drill pipe for drilling operations including: a dissolvable layer deposited on a portion of an outer surface of the drill pipe; and a tunnel connected to the dissolvable layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Ibrahim Abdullah Althowiqeb
  • Patent number: 11299965
    Abstract: Completion systems and methods to complete a well are disclosed. A method to complete a well includes installing a casing across a plurality of zones of a well. The casing includes an opening and a sleeve positioned inside the casing. The method also includes shifting the sleeve from a first position to a second position to uncover the opening to provide fluid communication from a zone of the plurality of zones to the casing. After shifting the sleeve from the first position to the second position, the method includes flowing a screen assembly having a filter inside the casing and toward the sleeve. The method further includes positioning the filter around the opening and sealing the screen assembly around the opening to confine fluid flow through the opening to flow through the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Linley Fripp, Zachary William Walton, John Todd Broome
  • Patent number: 11162489
    Abstract: An electro-magnet pump jack including a base, a plurality of electro-magnetic coils, a cylinder, and a pump tube. The plurality of electro-magnetic coils is circular and stacked on top of one another. The coils are attached to a power source. The coils are configured to be turned on gradually moving up and down the stack creating a magnetic charge. The cylinder acts like a piston where the electro-magnets force the cylinder up and down. The cylinder has a guide tube that is secured through the middle of the pump jack. The cylinder is attached to a pump tube. The pump tube runs into the ground and controls the pump in the oil field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Inventor: Kix Huddleston
  • Patent number: 11053788
    Abstract: Systems and method for separating hydrocarbon fluids from water and solid material within a main tubular of a subterranean well include locating a transducer assembly within the subterranean well, the transducer assembly including a plurality of piezo electric transducers spaced along a length of the main tubular. Standing acoustic waves are generated with the plurality of piezo electric transducers, the standing acoustic waves passing through the main tubular transverse to the central axis. A number of loops of the standing acoustic waves decrease in a direction of flow of fluids through the main tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Amr Abdel-Fattah, Brian A. Roth, Wessam A. Busfar
  • Patent number: 10927656
    Abstract: The invention is related to a system which has been developed to obtain gas from the gas hydrate formations that are found under the frozen layers of earth in the cold regions or sea floor/slopes and comprises a drilling machine (3) that performs drilling by means of a drilling bit (33) after being lowered into the drilled well, drilling machine lowering and controlling equipment (1) which allow said drilling machine (3) to be lowered into the well and supply power and control to the system (A), and a stripped production tubing (4) with plugs (41) in which the water level and water level dependent pressure and gas pressure are controlled, which allows for the dissociation of the formation into gas and water and forming a cavern (6), and in which the gas separated from the gas hydrate formation reaches the surface; and to the method presented by using said system (A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Inventor: Osman Zuhtu Goksel
  • Patent number: 10890057
    Abstract: A method and system for enhancing petroleum production are provided, in which a fracturing operation can be conducted in a formation through a string and then petroleum is displaced from the fractured formation by selectively injecting fluid into selected fractures in the formation while other non-selected fractures remain without fluid injection. The injected fluid flows out into the fractured formation and enhances recovery from the non-selected fractures. Petroleum is selectively collected from the non-selected fractures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: NCS Multistage, LLC
    Inventors: Warren Foster Peter MacPhail, Wolfgang Friedrich Johann Deeg
  • Patent number: 10830028
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a flow of a fluid between a wellbore tubular and a formation may include a frac tool having at least one port in selective fluid communication with the formation, and an inflow control device having a flow control path configured to provide a predetermined pressure drop for a flowing fluid. The inflow control device may have a flow coupler configured to provide selective fluid communication with the at least one port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Bennett M. Richard, Gonzalo Garcia
  • Patent number: 10808500
    Abstract: Various systems, methods, and devices are disclosed for handling contaminants in a wellbore or riser. A washpipe debris trap (WPDT) traps contaminants traveling up a wellbore from a downhole location, and the WPDT may serve as an indicator for a breached screen in a downhole location. A marine riser reversing tool (MRRT) may reverse the flow of fluid between a workstring conduit and an annulus between the workstring and the wellbore such that fluid rises to the wellhead with greater velocity. A bi-directional chamber trap (BDCT) may be utilized in a wellbore operation to remove contaminants from a fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Spoked Solutions LLC
    Inventor: Bryce Elliott Randle
  • Patent number: 10563491
    Abstract: Downhole pumps may include, at the inlet, a component that reduces the amount of water taken up by the pump. For example, a downhole assembly may include a tool string that includes a fluid pump, a fluid intake subassembly, a motor, and a downhole control system each coupled such that a fluid flowing into the fluid intake assembly is conveyed to the fluid pump; one or more inlets defined in the fluid intake subassembly; a flow line fluidly coupled to at least one of the one or more inlets and containing a filter component that contains a filter media at least partially coated with a relative permeability modifier (RPM), wherein the fluid flowing through the flow line contacts the RPM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew Wade Oehler, Larry Steven Eoff
  • Patent number: 10458210
    Abstract: A method of forming a screen assembly includes arranging a first end portion of each of a plurality of rib members into a rib alignment jig, positioning a sleeve about the rib alignment jig with an inner surface of the sleeve abutting the first end portion of each of the plurality of rib members, and resistance welding the sleeve to the first end portion of each of the plurality of rib members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Jai Kishan Koli, Aaron C. Hammer
  • Patent number: 10408035
    Abstract: An intake for a downhole pump includes an outer tubular member having a central axis. In addition, the intake includes an inner tubular member disposed within the outer tubular member. The inner tubular member is radially spaced from the outer tubular member to form an outer annular flow path radially positioned between the inner tubular member and the outer tubular member. Further, the intake includes a central shaft rotatably disposed within the inner tubular member. The central shaft is radially spaced from the inner tubular member to form an inner annular flow path radially positioned between the central shaft and the inner tubular member. Still further, the intake includes a plurality of inlet apertures extending radially through the outer tubular member and in fluid communication with the outer annular flow path. Each of the plurality of inlet apertures has a circumferential width W between 5% and 50% of a total circumference of the outer tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: EOG RESOURCES, INC.
    Inventors: Steven C. Kennedy, Brian Hill
  • Patent number: 10385654
    Abstract: A system and method for sealing a multilateral junction in an oil well is described. Molten material, such as a eutectic or non-eutectic alloy, flows into the junction area and forms a durable seal upon cooling. An expanding alloy may be utilized, which expands upon solidification and which has a melting temperature that is higher than the maximum anticipated well temperature. The alloy is placed within a cavity in the well and held at a temperature above the melting point of the alloy, after which the alloy is cooled down to the ambient well temperature and solidifies and expands within the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventor: John Gibb
  • Patent number: 10287863
    Abstract: A pressure-up blow-down method for recovering oil from an underground hydrocarbon formation, comprising the steps of: injecting an injection fluid into alternatingly-spaced multiple-induced fractures which extend radially outwardly and along a horizontal portion of a wellbore in the formation; ceasing injection of said injection fluid; recovering to surface oil which flows from remaining of the multiple induced fractures into the wellbore; and successively repeating the foregoing steps one or more times. Gas preferentially is initially used as the injection fluid and after one successive iteration water is then used. A sliding sleeve or sleeves which may be selectively slid open and closed within the wellbore in accordance with the method to allow and prevent, at various time periods in the method, fluid communication with fluid injection fractures and oil production fractures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: IOR Canada Ltd.
    Inventor: Conrad Ayasse
  • Patent number: 10280713
    Abstract: Various systems, methods, and devices are disclosed for handling contaminants in a wellbore or riser. A washpipe debris trap (WPDT) traps contaminants traveling up a wellbore from a downhole location, and the WPDT may serve as an indicator for a breached screen in a downhole location. A marine riser reversing tool (MRRT) may reverse the flow of fluid between a workstring conduit and an annulus between the workstring and the wellbore such that fluid rises to the wellhead with greater velocity. A bi-directional chamber trap (BDCT) may be utilized in a wellbore operation to remove contaminants from a fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Spoked Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Bryce Elliott Randle, Ronald Emerson Burger, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10156118
    Abstract: A method of removing a wellbore isolation device comprises: introducing the isolation device into the wellbore, wherein at least a portion of the wellbore isolation device comprises: a first material; and a coating, wherein the coating: completely surrounds at least the first material prior to introduction of the isolation device into the wellbore. The coating can be made from: a frangible substance that loses structural integrity after introduction of the isolation device into the wellbore via application of a force; a substance that undergoes a phase transformation at the phase transformation temperature of the substance after a period of time has elapsed since introduction of the isolation device into the wellbore; or at least an anode of a galvanic system comprising the anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte, wherein the anode undergoes galvanic dissolution after introduction of the isolation device into the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Fripp, Zachary R. Murphree, Zachary W. Walton
  • Patent number: 10145222
    Abstract: A screen system having a first screen sub including a first base pipe wrapped with a first screen section; a second screen sub including a second base pipe wrapped with a second screen section; and a pipe coupling assembly joining the first and second base pipes. A section of filter material extends between the first and second screen sections, and extends over the pipe coupling assembly, thereby forming an annular flow path from the first screen section to the second screen section over the pipe coupling assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Superior Energy Services, LLC
    Inventors: Eddie Glenn Bowen, Kevin Andrew Smith, Anthony Thomas
  • Patent number: 10100615
    Abstract: Various systems, methods, and devices are disclosed for handling contaminants in a wellbore or riser. A washpipe debris trap (WPDT) traps contaminants traveling up a wellbore from a downhole location, and the WPDT may serve as an indicator for a breached screen in a downhole location. A marine riser reversing tool (MRRT) may reverse the flow of fluid between a workstring conduit and an annulus between the workstring and the wellbore such that fluid rises to the wellhead with greater velocity. A bi-directional chamber trap (BDCT) may be utilized in a wellbore operation to remove contaminants from a fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Spoked Solutions LLC
    Inventor: Bryce Elliott Randle
  • Patent number: 10066459
    Abstract: Zone isolation is a leading concern for operators that wish to fluidly treat a well. By utilizing a ported sliding sleeve assembly that is highly resistant to leaking after being opened and closed through multiple cycles a wellbore may be accessed at any ported sliding sleeve assembly location without plugging the wellbore below the ported sliding sleeve assembly and will allow any ported sliding sleeve assembly to be accessed in any order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: NOV Completion Tools AS
    Inventor: Roger Antonsen
  • Patent number: 9982505
    Abstract: Well operating elements and related methods are described. One embodiment may take the form of a method that includes deploying a well operating element having first and second components into a well bore, wherein the second component is soluble in the selected wellbore environment and whose rate and/or location of dissolution is at least partially controlled by structure of the first component. This abstract allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure. It will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gary Rytlewski, Ashish Sharma
  • Patent number: 9976384
    Abstract: An apparatus deploys on a casing and has a toe with first and second ports for communicating with a wellbore. A packing element between the ports is actuatable to isolate portions of the wellbore. The toe operates in a first condition for run-in to prevent fluid communication through the ports, although washdown can flow through a toe port. Once installed, the toe operates in a second condition for cementation when the first plug is deployed to the toe. In this condition, the toe actuates the packing element, permits fluid communication through the first port, and prevents fluid communication through the second port. After cementation, the toe operates in a third condition for fracture and completion operations when the second plug is deployed. The toe in this condition prevents fluid communication through the first port, but permits fluid communication through the second port downhole of the set packing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Eugene L. Resweber
  • Patent number: 9920601
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a flow of a fluid between a wellbore tubular and a wellbore annulus includes an inflow control device having an opening in fluid communication with a bore of the wellbore tubular, a first particulate control device forming a first fluid stream conveyed to the inflow control device; and at least one degradable flow blocker blocking fluid flow through the inflow control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Carrejo, Adriana Hightower, Tarik Abdelfattah, Nadine Macklin
  • Patent number: 9725988
    Abstract: A well screen system for use in a wellbore has an elongate base pipe and a screen encircling the base pipe. The screen is configured to filter against passage of particulate into a center bore of the base pipe. The base pipe has a fluid impermeable portion exterior to the screen. A cover sleeve resides over the fluid impermeable portion of the base pipe. A drain tube with a fluid permeable sidewall resides exterior to the base pipe and screen, affixed to the cover sleeve. The drain tube is adapted to communicate fluid from the wellbore around the fluid impermeable portion to the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: John C. Gano
  • Patent number: 9695675
    Abstract: A screen assembly can be used for “gravel pack” or “frac pack” operations and can then withstand high rate injections. The disclosed screen assembly is able to withstand the flow of the packing operation by not allowing fluid passage from the annulus to inside the screen assembly. Then, the screen assembly can be opened and facilitate high rate injection for the life of the well. To achieve this, the disclosed screen assembly does not allow slurry flow to enter the screen assembly during the packing operation. Then, after the packing is completed, the screen assembly provides enough open flow area so that a high injection rate with solid content can be introduced into the annulus without eroding the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher A. Hall
  • Patent number: 9488039
    Abstract: A gravel pack system includes a tool string having an inner string member, an outer string member, and a passage arranged between the outer string member and the inner string member. A packing element is provided on the outer string member. A first valve is coupled to one of the outer string member and the inner string member outwardly of the packing element in a downhole direction. The first valve fluidically connects the passage and the open hole wellbore. The first valve is configured and disposed to shift from a closed position to an open position. A second valve is coupled to one of the outer string member and the inner string member outwardly of the packing element in an uphole direction. The second valve selectively fluidically connects the passage and the open hole wellbore. The second valve shifts from an open position to a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Vasily G. Eliseev
  • Patent number: 9416651
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method of using the apparatus for surface confirmation of opening of downhole ports in a downhole environment. The apparatus includes a tubular region that has an inner diameter. The tubular region includes at least two production ports and at least one non-production port. The non-production port includes a housing that has at least one chemical tracer. The apparatus also includes a cutter operable for opening the production ports and non-production port. The apparatus further includes a launcher for launching the cutter and a receiver for receiving the cutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Majed N. Al-Rabeh
  • Patent number: 9187977
    Abstract: A system for stimulating a multi-zone well includes a tubular body apportioned into at least a first zone and a second zone. The system has a first set of plugs placed in pre-drilled holes along the tubular body within the first zone. The plugs in the first set of plugs are fabricated to substantially dissolve upon contact with an acidic stimulation fluid within a first selected time. The system also has a second set of plugs placed in pre-drilled holes along the tubular body within the second zone. The plugs in the second set of plugs are fabricated to substantially dissolve upon contact with the acidic fluid within a second selected time that is greater than the first selected time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Jose Oliverio Alvarez, Michael T. Hecker
  • Patent number: 9027637
    Abstract: A well system has a fluid flow path for the inflow of production fluid. An inflow control device is disposed within the fluid flow path. The inflow control device has at least first and second fluid passageways. A first plug is disposed within the first fluid passageway and is operable to restrict fluid flow therethrough. The first plug is operably removable from the first fluid passageway responsive to a first stimulus. A second plug is disposed within the second fluid passageway and is operable to restrict fluid flow therethrough. The second plug is operably removable from the second fluid passageway responsive to a second stimulus, wherein the first stimulus is different from the second stimulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James Jun Kang, Michael Linley Fripp
  • Patent number: 9010417
    Abstract: An assembly of screens made of connected joints with exterior bypasses that span the threaded connections among the joints features common fluid connections for the bypasses adjacent joint threaded ends that are connected with a coupling. A mandrel spans from one joint to the next inside the threaded coupling and is sealed to the respective bases pipes on opposed ends of the coupling. At each end of the mandrel the surrounding base pipe has openings from the common fluid connection where the bypasses terminate to define an annular flow path between pairs of common fluid connections. The bypasses can have slanted gravel outlet passages or no gravel openings at all. The bypasses can span over screen or blank pipe with an option to mount a shroud over the generally parallel bypasses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Luis A. Garcia, Britain A. Fisher, Elmer R. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20150060084
    Abstract: A technique facilitates regulation of flow through a flow control device to improve a well operation, such as a production operation. The technique utilizes a flow control device which has a valve positioned in a housing for movement between flow positions. The different flow positions allow different levels of flow through a primary flow port. At least one flow regulation element is used in cooperation with and in series with the valve to establish a differential pressure acting on the valve. The differential pressure is a function of fluid properties and is used to autonomously actuate the flow control device to an improved flow position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Terje Moen, Andrzej T. Tunkiel
  • Publication number: 20150034329
    Abstract: A downhole tool (10) and method for controlling fluid flow into and/or from a formation zone (FZ), the downhole tool (10) comprising a sliding sleeve device (12) disposed between, and forming a fluid coupling between a first screen (14) and a second screen (16), the sliding sleeve device (12) configured to provide axial fluid communication between the screens (14, 16) and to provide selective lateral passage of fluid through the screens (14, 16) into a throughbore (24,36,42) of the downhole tool (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: Petrowell Limited
    Inventors: Andrew McGeoch, Liam Watt Clark Goodall, Sean Stewart, John Sladic, Shawn Rabel
  • Publication number: 20150034323
    Abstract: A technique facilitates a more desirable inflow distribution of fluid along a tubing string deployed in a wellbore. The technique comprises providing a tubing string with a plurality of flow control devices and conveying the tubing string downhole into the wellbore. An injection fluid is pumped down along an interior of the tubing string and out through the plurality of flow control devices for entry into the surrounding formation. Based on a function of this injection flow, the flow areas of the flow control devices are adjusted to improve the subsequent distribution of inflowing fluids. The injection and the subsequent adjustment of flow areas as a function of the injection flow through each flow control device may be repeated for continued improvement, e.g. continued optimization, of the inflow distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Robin M. Greene, Terje Moen
  • Publication number: 20150034334
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an inflow control device for controlling the flow of fluid into a well tubular structure arranged in a borehole, comprising a tubular part for mounting as part of the well tubular structure, an aperture provided in a wall of the tubular part, and a hollow valve member rotatably received inside the tubular part, the hollow valve member comprising an orifice in a wall thereof, and an outer surface of the hollow valve member being spherical and the orifice being adapted to fluidly communicate with the aperture when the inflow control device is in an open position, whereby the aperture is in fluid communication with an inside of the tubular part, wherein the hollow valve member comprises a spherical first valve part and a spherical second valve part adapted to be assembled inside the tubular part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Jørgen Hallundbæk, Tomas Sune Andersen
  • Patent number: 8939201
    Abstract: A space filler material is used to prevent accumulation of debris that could later foul the operation of adjacent moving parts. In one application a void space that is subsequently closed by actuated parts is initially filled with a material that is highly compressible and has voids that allow it to compress without undue resistance to part movement when the void volume is reduced. Ideally, the pores or voids in the material itself are small enough to keep most if not all the debris from entering and making the space filling material too rigid to collapse under part movement. In an alternative application, the material can be in an annular space such as a seal bore and it can keep debris from getting past the seal bore while allowing hydrostatic pressure across itself thereby helping it to maintain its position until moved such as by shifting of an inner string to which it is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Edward J. O'Malley
  • Publication number: 20150021019
    Abstract: A fluid flow control system includes a flow control assembly having a fluid flow path for a flowing fluid. First and second flow control components are disposed in parallel in the fluid flow path, the first having a positive flowrate response to decreasing fluid viscosity and the second having a negative flowrate response to decreasing fluid viscosity. A valve is disposed in the fluid flow path in downstream series with the first and second flow control components. The valve has first and second inlet paths for fluid from the first and second flow control components, respectively, such that decreasing the fluid viscosity of the flowing fluid increases a ratio of the flowrate through the first control component to the flowrate through the second flow control component and such that when the ratio reaches a predetermined level, the valve autonomously shifts from an open position to a closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Jan Veit
  • Patent number: 8936094
    Abstract: An example flow control device includes a body having an inlet and an outlet and a flow chamber extending therebetween. The flow chamber is configured to convey a fluid composition comprising a desired and an undesired fluid from the inlet to the outlet. A nozzle is arranged at the outlet and in fluid communication with the flow chamber, and at least one helical groove is defined along at least a portion of an axial length of the flow chamber. The at least one helical groove is configured to impart rotational motion to the fluid composition and thereby force at least some of the undesired fluid into the at least one helical groove and slow a progress of the undesired fluid along the axial length of the flow chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon Thomas Least, Stephen Michael Greci
  • Publication number: 20150000927
    Abstract: A “passive” apparatus and method for isolating flow within a thermal wellbore wherein inflow apertures are plugged with a temporary fusible alloy plug that can be selectively removed by increasing the wellbore temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicants: ConocoPhilips Company, Total E&P Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Garret Madell, John Lowell Stalder, Jesse Stevenson
  • Patent number: 8893809
    Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for controlling a flow of a fluid between a wellbore tubular and a formation may utilize a particulate control device positioned external to the wellbore tubular and a flow control device having a retrievable flow restriction element that controls a flow parameter of a fluid flowing between the particulate control device and a bore of the wellbore tubular. The flow control device may be re-configured in the wellbore and/or be used to inject a fluid into the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Jack E. Charles, Benn A. Voll, Matthew Shane Clews, Eddie G. Bowen
  • Publication number: 20140332229
    Abstract: A flow control device comprises a fluid pathway configured to provide fluid communication between an exterior of a wellbore tubular and an interior of the wellbore tubular, a flow restriction disposed in the fluid pathway, a one-way valve disposed in the fluid pathway to substantially block fluid flow from the interior of the wellbore tubular to the fluid pathway and to allow fluid flow from the fluid pathway to the interior of the wellbore tubular, and an inflatable seal disposed between an opening to the interior of the wellbore tubular and the fluid pathway, wherein the inflatable seal is configured to inflate to substantially block the fluid pathway in response to a fluid pressure differential between the interior of the wellbore tubular and the exterior of the wellbore tubular that exceeds a predefined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Stephen Michael Greci
  • Patent number: 8881803
    Abstract: A desander system for a wellbore for separating wellbore fluid from particulate. The system having a dip tube nipple, a dip tube, base tubing connecting around the dip tube having base tubing perforations, two collars affixed to the base tubing, two weld rings affixed to the base tubing, a screen jacket mounted over the base tubing perforations, and a Venturi centrifugal helical desander having a Venturi tube with a bore connected to the base tubing. The Venturi tube having a plurality of spiral fins configured to flow particulate around the tube and a desander tube connected to the Venturi tube for flowing wellbore fluid over the outside of the Venturi tube causing a vortex while simultaneously allowing particulate to fall out while simultaneously allowing cleaned fluid to flow up the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Inventor: Cavin B. Frost
  • Publication number: 20140318811
    Abstract: A screen assembly including one or more screen members that correspondingly form one or more flow paths. The one or more flow paths are discrete from a tubular with which the one or more screen members are associated, but in fluid communication with an axial passageway of the tubular. A method of using a screen assembly is also included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Robert O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20140305630
    Abstract: A well system has a fluid flow path for the inflow of production fluid. An inflow control device is disposed within the fluid flow path. The inflow control device has at least first and second fluid passageways. A first plug is disposed within the first fluid passageway and is operable to restrict fluid flow therethrough. The first plug is operably removable from the first fluid passageway responsive to a first stimulus. A second plug is disposed within the second fluid passageway and is operable to restrict fluid flow therethrough. The second plug is operably removable from the second fluid passageway responsive to a second stimulus, wherein the first stimulus is different from the second stimulus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James Jun Kang, Michael Linley Fripp
  • Publication number: 20140305658
    Abstract: A contoured boss for conforming to an outer surface of a tubular member for deployment within a subterranean formation, the contoured boss comprising a valve receiving body having a contoured outer surface that extends radially outward from an outer surface of the tubular member; and passage for receiving a valve, the passage extending through the valve receiving body. A method for facilitating stimulation treatments in completions and a method of centering a tubular member having an outer surface within a borehole are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Spitzenberger, Stuart R. Keller
  • Publication number: 20140262321
    Abstract: A wireless actuation system comprises a transmitter, an actuation system comprising a receiving antenna, and one or more sliding members transitional from a first position to a second position. The transmitter is configured to transmit an electromagnetic signal, and the sliding member prevents a route of fluid communication via one or more ports of a housing when the sliding member is in the first position. The sliding member allows fluid communication via the one or more ports of the housing when the sliding member is in the second position, and the actuation system is configured to allow the sliding member to transition from the first position to the second position in response to recognition of the electromagnetic signal by the receiving antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael L. Fripp, Aaron J. Bonner
  • Publication number: 20140262322
    Abstract: A completion joint 100 has two sand control jackets 120A-B connected on each end of an intermediately-mounted inflow control device 130. Both jackets 120A-B communicate with a housing chamber 155 through dedicated open end-rings 140A-B. The basepipe's flow openings 118 are isolated from this housing chamber 155 by a sleeve 160 fitted with flow ports 170. The housing 150 is removable to allow access to the flow ports 170 for pinning to configure the ports 170 open or closed for a given implementation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Charles S. Yeh, Tracy J. Moffett, John S. Sladic, Christopher A. Hall, Stephen McNamee
  • Patent number: 8833445
    Abstract: Assemblies, systems, and methods to facilitate gravel packing of a wellbore having a flow restricting device are described. The assemblies, systems, and methods can include a flow restricting device and an alternative-path gravel packing system to provide a gravel pack about the flow restricting device. The assemblies, systems, and methods can allow uniform and complete annular sand control pack placement together with reduced flow of unwanted fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Wallace Techentien, Harvey Joseph Fitzpatrick, Jr.