Expansible Anchor Or Casing Patents (Class 166/206)
  • Publication number: 20140174761
    Abstract: A shifting tool for use in shifting axial position of a shiftable element in a well. The tool comprises a linkage mechanism configured to translate an independent axial force into a dedicated radial force applied to expansive elements thereof. Thus, the elements may radially expand into engagement with the shiftable element free of any substantial axial force imparted thereon. As such, a more discretely controllable shifting actuation may be attained, for example, as directed from an oilfield surface. Indeed, real-time intelligent feedback may also be made available through use of such elements in conjunction with the noted linkage mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Max E. Spencer, Philip C. Stevenson, Ruben Martinez
  • Publication number: 20140166312
    Abstract: A weight down tool comprises a central mandrel configured to be coupled to a wellbore tubular, an outwardly extending indicator disposed about the central mandrel, and a plurality of radially expandable weight down lugs configured to engage a lower restriction and prevent downwards movement of the central mandrel with respect to the lower restriction when disposed in an expanded position. The indicator is configured to retract inwards in response to moving through an upper restriction in a downwards direction to expand the weight down lugs into the expanded position in response to moving through the lower restriction in an upwards direction. The weight down lugs are configured to retract out of the expanded position in response to moving through the upper restriction in an upwards direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: William Mark Richards, Thomas Jules Frosell
  • Publication number: 20140166314
    Abstract: A lock assembly including a plurality of dogs, each dog having a load bearing surface and a first interconnection feature. An extender body is operatively arranged for radially transitioning the plurality of dogs between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. The load bearing surface of each dog is operatively arranged in the extended configuration for engaging against a shoulder of a radially adjacent structure for supporting the lock assembly. A mandrel is included having a second interconnection feature operatively arranged to dimensionally overlap the first interconnection feature of the dogs when transitioned to the extended configuration for enabling the mandrel to be supported by the dogs. A method of locking radially adjacent components is also included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Steven S. Black
  • Patent number: 8714270
    Abstract: An anchor assembly (400) for anchoring a downhole tool in a wellbore tubular. The anchor assembly (400) includes a plurality of slip arm assemblies each having first and second arms (412, 414) hingeably coupled together. The first and second arms (412, 414) each have teeth (418, 426) on one end. A first sleeve (402) is rotatably associated with each of the first arms (412) and a second sleeve (404) is rotatably associated with each of the second arms (414) such that the anchor assembly (400) has a running configuration in which the slip arm assemblies are substantially longitudinally oriented and an operating configuration in which the first and second arms (412, 414) of each slip arm assembly form an acute angle relative to one another such that the teeth (418, 426) of the first and second arms (412, 414) define the radially outermost portion of the anchor assembly (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Gammill Clemens, Wesley Neil Ludwig, John Patrick Rodgers, Edwin A. Eaton, Marco Serra
  • Patent number: 8714243
    Abstract: An expansion tool for use in a wellbore includes an expansion surface made up of a concave portion, a convex portion and a straight section therebetween. The straight section is formed according to a formula Y=(1.26) (X)?0.13, where X is the wall thickness of a tubular and Y is the length of the straight section. The concave portion and the convex portion have an arc length extending the concave portion to a trailing edge of the tool. The concave and convex portions are radius-shaped. The arrangement of the shapes and their relation to each other reduces relatively high and low contact pressures and lessens the effects of axial bending in a tubular or a connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. DeLange, Scott H. Osburn, Varadaraju Gandikota, Ghazi J. Hashem
  • Publication number: 20140116678
    Abstract: A device and method that allows a gravel slurry to placed in a wellbore from the toe towards the heel to reduce the pressure acting upon the heel of the wellbore during the gravel placement operation. By reducing the pressure acting upon the heel gravel slurry may be placed in longer sections of the wellbore in a single operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Broussard, Christopher A. Hall, Patrick Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 8678083
    Abstract: A liner hanger uses a spirally shaped slip member that makes at least one revolution about the mandrel being expanded. The slip member is disposed in a groove with tapered end walls that approach each other during radial mandrel expansion due to shrinkage of said mandrel in the longitudinal direction. The shrinkage binds the slip to the mandrel as the slip member approaches the surrounding tubular. The tapered side walls of the groove moving together cam out the slip member into enhanced contact with the surrounding tubular to support the liner or other string below the hanger. The slip member and groove have preferably the same pitch to allow easy mounting with an applied rotational force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard Y. Xu
  • Patent number: 8662163
    Abstract: A drilling rig with rig buffer storage and optional surge tank for receiving and processing drill cuttings and waste made of a drilling rig, having a tank in a frame with an inlet and an outlet, a moveable weir for expanding to accommodate additional drill cuttings, a central sweep member for cutting the drill cuttings and waste opposite a peripheral outer ring with peripheral cutting members, a controller for controlling rates of flow into and out of the rig buffer storage and the central sweep member rotation via a motor with reduction gear and wherein a first transportation system moves waste from the well bore to the rig buffer storage and a second transportation system moves cut waste and cut drill cuttings to a post treatment system, a skip, or a vessel for transport to another location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: KMC Oil Tools B.V.
    Inventors: Joseph Daniel Farrar, Perry Don Lyman
  • Patent number: 8656991
    Abstract: A clog free waste removal system for removing waste or drilling cuttings from a wellbore at the rate that waste is being produced having an incoming transportation system, a rig buffer, and optional surge tank, an outgoing transportation system, and post treatment device or transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: KMC Oil Tools B.V.
    Inventors: Joseph Daniel Farrar, Perry Don Lyman
  • Publication number: 20140041881
    Abstract: A liner assembly (100) includes a drill string (120) to drill a borehole (105) in a formation (110). The liner assembly further includes a liner assembly releasably coupled to the drill string to move with the drill string in the borehole while the drill string drills, and to be released from the drill string in the borehole after the drill string drills to a depth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventors: Ronald Johannes Dirksen, James H. Dudley, Kenneth D. Caskey, Joseph D. Parlin
  • Publication number: 20140041857
    Abstract: An anchoring and sealing device includes at least one slip, a seal and a tubular in operable communication with the at least one slip and the seal. The anchoring and sealing device is configured to cause radial movement of the at least one slip into anchoring engagement with a structure and to cause radial movement of the seal into sealing engagement with the structure in response to longitudinal compression of the anchoring and sealing device. The anchoring and sealing device is also configured to maintain anchoring and sealing engagement with the structure without additional components remaining in contact therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: YingQing Xu, Gregory Lee Hern, Douglas J. Lehr
  • Publication number: 20140034335
    Abstract: A downhole apparatus having a radially expanding portion and a support structure are described. The support structure comprises an attachment means for coupling to the apparatus and a support portion configured to be deployed from a first unexpanded condition to a second expanded condition by expansion of the apparatus. In one aspect of the invention, the downhole apparatus is expanded by exposing the swellable material to at least one predetermined fluid, and the support structure abuts the swellable material in its expanded form. A method of use and its application to a well packer, a hanging member, an anchor and a centralising apparatus are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Swelltec Limited
    Inventors: Kim Nutley, Brian Nutley
  • Patent number: 8627885
    Abstract: A swage is made from segments that slide relatively to each other to go from a run in dimension to a maximum or built dimension when the segments move into alignment. The angle of inclination of the sliding axis between the members is less than the swaging angle for the pipe on the exterior of the segments so that once the segments are aligned and driven into a tubular for swaging they are precluded from extending into misalignment to clear an obstruction. In this manner a minimum drift is provided or the swage simply stalls. The swage in a tubular goes to the predetermined maximum dimension using the sliding surfaces that are at an angle to bear the radial reaction forces from the tubular more directly, thereby reducing the contact forces and the resulting friction. The edge connections reduce bending which can cause segment binding as the swage is built in the tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Mark K. Adam, Keven M. O'Connor, Jeffrey C. Williams
  • Publication number: 20140008068
    Abstract: Casing assemblies and methods of using the casing assemblies to isolate selected sections of a subterranean wellbore are provided. Also provided are methods of fabricating the casing assemblies. The casing assemblies comprise one or more water-swellable tubular collars disposed around the exterior surface of a conduit, such as a wellbore casing. The water-swellable collars are formed from a material comprising sodium bentonite, a swelling inhibitor and reinforcing fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Craig H. Benson, Ivan Kornienko, Nygmet Ibadildin
  • Publication number: 20130299192
    Abstract: A disintegrable tubular anchoring system comprises a frustoconical member; a sleeve with at least one first surface being radially alterable in response to longitudinal movement of the frustoconical member relative to the sleeve, the first surface being engagable with a wall of a structure; a seal with at least one second surface being radially alterable; and a seat having a land being sealingly engagable with a removable plug runnable thereagainst. The frustoconical member, sleeve, seal, and seat are disintegrable and independently comprise a metal composite which includes a cellular nanomatrix comprising a metallic nanomatrix material; and a metal matrix disposed in the cellular nanomatrix. A process of isolating a structure comprises disposing the disintegrable tubular anchoring system in the structure; radially altering the sleeve to engage a surface of the structure; and radially altering the seal to the isolate the structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Zhiyue Xu, YingQing Xu, Gregory Lee Hern, Bennett M. Richard
  • Publication number: 20130269955
    Abstract: Downhole apparatus comprises a base pipe and a plurality of non-concentric pressure deformable chambers mounted externally on the pipe. The chambers may be inflated to increase the diameter of the apparatus and engage and support a surrounding bore wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventor: Paul David Metcalfe
  • Patent number: 8555963
    Abstract: A gripper assembly for anchoring a tool within a downhole passage and for possibly assisting movement of the tool within the passage. The gripper assembly includes an elongated mandrel and flexible toes that can be radially displaced to grip onto the surface of the passage. The toes are displaced by the interaction of a driver slidable on the mandrel and a driver interaction element on the toes. In one embodiment, the toes are displaced by the interaction of rollers and ramps that are longitudinally movable with respect to one another. In another embodiment, the toes are displaced by the interaction of toggles that rotate with respect to the toes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: WWT International, Inc.
    Inventors: Duane Bloom, Norman Bruce Moore, Rudolph Ernst Krueger, V
  • Publication number: 20130255962
    Abstract: A downhole circulating valve includes a generally tubular outer housing having an axially extending internal passageway including an internal seat and at least one generally radially extending opening formed through the housing intersecting the internal seat. A valve element is rotatably disposed within the internal passageway. The valve element has an axially extending internal bore and a head portion disposed at least partially within the internal seat. The head portion includes at least one generally radially extending seal element. The valve element has a first position relative to the housing, wherein the seal element is not aligned with the opening, thereby allowing fluid communication between the opening and the internal passageway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Jimmie Robert Williamson, Leo G. Collins, David L. Reesing, Russell Irving Bayh, III
  • Publication number: 20130255934
    Abstract: A downhole circulating valve includes a generally tubular outer housing having an axially extending internal passageway including an internal seat and at least one generally radially extending opening formed through the housing intersecting the internal seat. A valve element is rotatably disposed within the internal passageway. The valve element has an axially extending internal bore and a head portion disposed at least partially within the internal seat. The head portion includes at least one generally radially extending seal element. The valve element has a first position relative to the housing, wherein the seal element is not aligned with the opening, thereby allowing fluid communication between the opening and the internal passageway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Jimmie Robert Williamson, Leo G. Collins, David L. Reesing, Russell Irving Bayh, III
  • Publication number: 20130248204
    Abstract: A method for reverse circulating a tool upwardly through a wellbore, the method including: providing a manipulator tool including an upper end and a lower end, conveying the manipulator tool down hole to a position adjacent a downhole tool, using the manipulator tool to manipulate the downhole tool, and reversing fluid flow through the well to create a pressure differential about at least one of the manipulator tool and the downhole tool such that the at least one of the manipulator tool and the downhole tool is lifted upwardly through the wellbore. A manipulator tool for use in a reverse circulating method is also described as are a tool catcher, a tool catching assembly and a tool catching method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert M. Tessari, Barry J. Tate, Tommy M. Warren
  • Publication number: 20130233535
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a segmented seat for use in wellbore servicing systems, comprising an annular-shaped seat with an upward facing surface for receiving an obturator, the seat defining a central passageway. The segments are locked together at their faces by protrusions and matching recesses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: KENDALL LEE PACEY
  • Publication number: 20130220644
    Abstract: Disclosed is a downhole completion assembly for sealing and supporting an open hole section of a wellbore and filtering fluids passing therethrough. One system includes a sealing structure arranged within the open hole section and being movable between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration, the sealing structure having one or more perforations defined therein, and a filter device arranged about the sealing structure so as to radially overlap the one or more perforations, the filter device being configured to screen fluids passing through the one or more perforations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130220642
    Abstract: Disclosed is a downhole completion assembly for sealing and supporting an open hole section of a wellbore. One downhole completion system includes a sealing structure movable between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration, wherein, when in the contracted configuration, the sealing structure is able to axially traverse production tubing extended within a wellbore, a conveyance device coupled to the sealing structure and configured to transport the sealing structure through the production tubing and to an open hole section of the wellbore, and a deployment device operably connected to the sealing structure and configured to radially expand the sealing structure from the contracted configuration to the expanded configuration when the sealing structure is arranged in the open hole section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130220640
    Abstract: Disclosed is a downhole completion assembly for sealing and supporting an open hole section of a wellbore and providing flow control through the downhole completion assembly. One downhole completion system includes a first sealing structure arranged within an open hole section of a wellbore and being movable between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration, a second sealing structure arranged axially adjacent the first sealing structure and also being movable between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration, and a flow control device arranged between the first and second sealing structures and configured to provide a flow path for fluids to communicate between a surrounding subterranean formation and an interior of the downhole completion system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130220643
    Abstract: Disclosed is a downhole completion assembly for sealing and supporting an open hole section of a wellbore. The system may include a sealing structure movable between contracted and expanded configurations, a truss structure also movable between contracted and expanded configurations, wherein, when in their respective contracted configurations, the sealing and truss structures are each able to axially traverse production tubing extended within a wellbore, a conveyance device operably coupled to the sealing and truss structures and configured to transport the sealing and truss structures in their respective contracted configurations through the production tubing and to an open hole section of the wellbore, and a deployment device operably connected to the sealing and truss structures and configured to radially expand the sealing and truss structures from their respective contracted configurations to their respective expanded configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130220594
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a tube-in-tube system comprising: (a) an outer conduit having a proximal end and a distal end, and (b) an inner conduit having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the inner conduit is disposed within the outer conduit, wherein the proximal end of the inner conduit is in fluid communication with a first aperture, and the proximal end of the outer conduit is in fluid communication with a second aperture, and the distal ends of the inner and outer conduits are in fluid communication with each other and to a third aperture. The present invention also provides for a split toroidal borehole clamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: The Regents of the University of California
  • Publication number: 20130220641
    Abstract: Disclosed is a downhole completion assembly for sealing and supporting an open hole section of a wellbore. One downhole completion system includes a first sealing structure having opposing first and second ends and being arranged within an open hole section of a wellbore, the first sealing structure being movable between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration, and a second sealing structure having opposing first and second ends and being arranged proximate the first sealing structure within the wellbore, the second sealing structure also being movable between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration, wherein, when in their respective expanded configurations, the first and second sealing structures are frustoconical in shape and the first end of the second sealing structure is at least partially nested within the second end of the first sealing structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130213672
    Abstract: A downhole apparatus having a radially expanding portion and a support structure are described. The support structure comprises an attachment means for coupling to the apparatus and a support portion configured to be deployed from a first unexpanded condition to a second expanded condition by expansion of the apparatus. In one aspect of the invention, the downhole apparatus is expanded by exposing the swellable material to at least one predetermined fluid, and the support structure abuts the swellable material in its expanded form. A method of use and its application to a well packer, a hanging member, an anchor and a centralising apparatus are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: Swelltec Limited
    Inventor: Swelltec Limited
  • Publication number: 20130206392
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fracturing tool anchor adapted for use with a work string in a wellbore. In one embodiment, the anchor has a housing with a central passage and an uphole and downhole end. The housing has a plurality of ports positioned circumferentially around the housing and along the length of the housing. The ports each contain an engagement member, such as a piston, and a return spring. The engagement member is adapted to extend radially outward when the anchor is pressure activated, to engage the wall of the casing or wellbore. The present application is also directed to a fracturing tool anchor that does not need to be pressure activated and utilizes slips as the engagement members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventor: Scott Sherman
  • Patent number: 8499844
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus include tubing expanded to create a seal in an annulus surrounding the tubing. The tubing includes a sealing material selected to cause forming of undulations in a diameter of the tubing upon expansion of the tubing. Various factors of the sealing material such as deviations in its thickness influence sealing performance of the tubing with the sealing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Varadaraju Gandikota, Lev Ring
  • Publication number: 20130186644
    Abstract: A mechanical counting device for actuating a plurality of output devices, the device comprising: linear indexing means adapted to count a plurality of actuating signals and to cause actuation of the output devices when a predetermined number of actuating signals for each output device has been received, wherein the mechanical counting device is adapted to cause actuation of a particular device when a different predetermined number of actuating signals has been received such that the output devices are sequentially actuable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: PETROWELL LIMITED
    Inventor: Petrowell Limited
  • Publication number: 20130186649
    Abstract: A tool setting arrangement includes a mandrel, and a tool positionable at the mandrel. The tool includes, a cone, and at least one slip in operable communication with the cone configured to radially expand to set the tool when the slip is moved relative to the cone with at least a setting load. The at least one slip has a portion configured to engage with a feature of the mandrel such that movement of the mandrel relative to the cone causes the at least one slip to move relative to the cone, at least one of the portion and the feature is configured to release at a release load to disengage the mandrel from the tool. The release load is selected to be greater than the setting load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Inventors: YingQing Xu, Levi B. Oberg, Gregory Lee Hern, Ellen E. Read
  • Publication number: 20130180706
    Abstract: An expandable device comprising a plurality of expandable cells. The cells may be bistable cells or other types of cells that are expanded from a contracted position towards an expanded position. Additionally, the cells may be combined with locking mechanisms to hold the structure in an expanded position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Serices, Inc.
    Inventors: Barrie Hart, Craig D. Johnson, L. McD Schetky, Peter Besselink
  • Publication number: 20130175051
    Abstract: A lock assembly including a mandrel having at least one window therein. At least one dog corresponds to the at least one window and is radially extendable therethrough. The at least one dog is operatively arranged for engaging at least one feature of a tubular radially disposed with the mandrel. At least one seal element is arranged for sealing the mandrel with respect to the tubular and operatively positioned with respect to the at least one dog for maintaining the mandrel solely in compression against the at least one dog during fluid pressure loading on the mandrel in either longitudinal direction with respect to the lock assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Douglas J. Murray, Alfredo Gomez
  • Patent number: 8479843
    Abstract: A system for drilling a wellbore into an earth formation comprises an expandable tubular element extending into the wellbore, wherein a lower end portion of the wall of the tubular element extends radially outward and in an axially reverse direction so as to define an expanded tubular section extending around a remaining tubular section of the tubular element. The expanded tubular section is extendable by downward movement of the remaining tubular section relative to the expanded tubular section whereby said lower end portion of the wall bends radially outward and in an axially reverse direction. A drill string extends through the remaining tubular section into the wellbore, such that a space is formed between the drill string and the remaining tubular section, and the system further comprises sealing means arranged to seal said space from an open-hole lower section of the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Petrus Cornelis Kriesels
  • Publication number: 20130146309
    Abstract: A shifting tool and method of shifting a downhole device that requires only a minimal profile or no profile to engage and move the movable portion of the tool. The invention comprises a ported housing assembly and at least one friction pad alignable with said at least one port and radially movable through the port between a first pad position and a second pad position. In the second pad position, the friction pad extends outside said outer diameter of said housing assembly to engage the targeted downhole device. A mandrel positioned through the ported housing has a first section with a first outer diameter and a second section with a second outer diameter, said second outer diameter being greater than said first outer diameter. The mandrel is movable between a first mandrel position and a second mandrel position. In the second mandrel position, the second outer diameter supports the friction pads in the second pad position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: Summit Downhole Dynamics, Ltd.
    Inventor: Summit Downhole Dynamics, Ltd.
  • Patent number: 8449222
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for installing tubular foundation elements having open ends, in particular (mono)piles, in an underwater ground formation, comprising an hydraulic driver, an anvil, and an adaptor for transmitting energy from the anvil to the toe of the foundation element, which adaptor fits inside the tubular foundation element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: IHC Holland IE B.V.
    Inventor: Jan Albert Westerbeek
  • Patent number: 8443881
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an expandable liner hanger capable of being expanded into a surrounding casing. In one aspect, an expandable tubular system is provided. The system includes an expandable tubular. The system further includes an expansion swage for expanding the expandable tubular, wherein the expansion swage is deformable from a compliant configuration to a smaller substantially non-compliant configuration. Additionally, the system includes a restriction member disposed on an exterior surface of the expandable tubular, wherein expansion of the expandable tubular in the location of the restriction member deforms the expansion swage from the compliant configuration to the smaller substantially non-compliant configuration. In another aspect, a method of expanding a liner hanger using a cone is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon Thomson, Lev Ring, Varadaraju Gandikota, Paul Andrew Reinhardt, Mike A. Luke, David S. Li
  • Publication number: 20130098621
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fracturing system for fracturing a formation surrounding a well tubular structure, comprising a tubular part to be mounted as a part of the well tubular structure, the tubular part being made of metal, an expandable sleeve made of metal, the sleeve having a wall thickness and surrounding the tubular part, a fastening means for connecting the sleeve with the tubular part, and an aperture in the tubular part or the fastening means. Furthermore, the invention relates to a fracturing method for fracturing a formation surrounding a well tubular structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventors: Jørgen Hallundbæk, Paul Hazel
  • Publication number: 20130081803
    Abstract: An apparatus including a downhole tool for conveyance in a wellbore extending into a subterranean formation. The downhole tool includes a feature to physically interface a sidewall of the wellbore, and first and second setting pistons each extendable from the downhole tool opposite the feature. The downhole tool also includes a rigid member spanning and extendable with the first and second setting pistons, wherein a length of the rigid member is variable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Inventors: Chen Tao, Thomas W. Meyer
  • Patent number: 8403035
    Abstract: A sealing and/or anchoring element for use in pipelines. The sealing and/or anchoring element includes at least one helical element disposed around a string section, with the helical element being configured so as to be able to expand radially towards an inner wall of the pipeline as the circumferential diameter thereof is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: I-Tec AS
    Inventors: Frank Akselberg, Per Olav Haughom
  • Patent number: 8393387
    Abstract: An anchor system includes an anchoring device. The anchoring device is operably connected to at least one of a restriction indicator and a load isolation device each of which include a release member that releases at a selected load in order to ensure setting of the anchor at a desired location. A method is included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Stephen K. Harmon, Christopher W. Guidry, Marcelle H. Hedrick, Brett W. Hrabovsky, Guruswami Navin
  • Publication number: 20130048305
    Abstract: A slip element, including a substrate at least partially formed from a material degradable upon exposure to a fluid; and an outer surface disposed on the substrate. A method of removing a slip element including exposing a substrate of the slip element to a downhole fluid for degrading the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Zhiyue Xu, Richard YingQing Xu
  • Patent number: 8356663
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a swage assembly that is movable from a compliant configuration having a first shape to a substantially non-compliant configuration having a second shape. In one aspect, an expansion swage for expanding a wellbore tubular is provided. The expansion swage includes a body and a solid cone disposed on the body. The expansion swage further includes a deformable cone disposed on the body, wherein the solid cone is made from a first material and the deformable cone is made from a second material and wherein the deformable cone is movable relative to the body when the expansion swage is in a compliant configuration. In another aspect, a method of expanding a wellbore tubular is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Lev Ring, Varadaraju Gandikota, Mike A. Luke, David S. Li
  • Patent number: 8353354
    Abstract: A crawler system for an earth boring system comprises at least two expandable tools along a common axis and spaced apart from each other along the common axis by a piston cylinder device. The at least two expandable tools comprise a mandrel comprising a tubular body and an outer diameter, a plurality of blades, and a slidable sleeve capable of manipulating the plurality of blades into collapsed and expanded positions. The plurality of blades of one of the at least two expandable tools expand to an expanded position and engage a borehole wall. The piston cylinder device anchors against the engagement between the borehole wall and one of the at least two expandable tools to axially translate the other of the at least two expandable tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Scott S. Dahlgren, Jonathan Marshall
  • Publication number: 20120285678
    Abstract: A running tool (10) for inserting and setting an assembly into a bore in a well, the tool comprising a main body (11) having a hydraulic cylinder (12) for actuating one or more locking elements (60, 61) on the main body for, in use, reaction with the bore, an outer sleeve (40) rotatably mounted on the main body, a rotatable mandrel (13) to which, in use, torque is applied and means (42, 43, 44) for transmitting the torque from the mandrel to the outer sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Edward T. Thornburrow, Gavin P. Robottom
  • Publication number: 20120279709
    Abstract: A downhole locator apparatus, including a tool body having a central axis defined therethrough, and at least one locator lug radially expandable from the tool body, in which the at least one locator lug is configured to be received in an annular groove formed in an inner surface of a casing string, in which the at least one locator lug is configured to move radially between a retracted position and an expanded position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: James Bain, Murray Fearn, Brian Cruickshank, Charles Dewey, Mahavir Nagaraj
  • Patent number: 8261818
    Abstract: A self-inserting seal assembly that sets a seal at a well component to allow for pressure testing of the well component. The seal assembly can be landed on a well component with an ROV. A seal is located on the lower portion of a lower body in the assembly. A set of outer dogs lock with a grooved mating profile formed on the well component to lock the outer housing to provide a reaction point for setting the seal, which may require several thousand pounds of force. A set of inner dogs lock with a grooved mating profile formed on the inner diameter of the outer housing. This locks the lower body to the outer housing to ensure the seal remains set in place. After the well component is pressure tested, the seal assembly can be unlocked and retrieved from the well via an ROV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Pallini, Rockford D. Lyle, Chii-Ren Lin
  • Publication number: 20120193088
    Abstract: A tubular is an expandable compliant anchoring and sealing tubular. In one embodiment, the expandable complaint anchoring and sealing tubular is located on a cladding string, a liner hanger, a packer or a bridge plug. The expandable compliant anchoring and sealing tubular has grooves and protrusions both on external and internal surfaces of the tubular with external protrusions positioned against internal grooves and internal protrusions against external grooves in a radial direction. Upon radial expansion of the expandable compliant anchoring and sealing tubular, the external protrusions may be disposed in high interference contact with the surrounding casing or wellbore providing an anchoring and sealing relationship. This tubular configuration may be used when precise internal diameter of the surrounding casing or wellbore is unknown. The expandable compliant anchoring and sealing tubular may provide dimensional adjustability by bending of the groove spans in a radial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: MOHAWK ENERGY LTD.
    Inventors: Scott A. Benzie, Alessandro O. Caccialupi, Andrei G. Filippov
  • Patent number: 8230914
    Abstract: An anchor tool for anchoring a downhole tool within a casing, a well, or any other downhole, hollow space. The tool has a longitudinal tool body with a center axis extending through the tool body in the center of the body, a first recess, a second recess, a third recess, and a fourth recess in the tool body; and a first anchor, a second anchor, a third anchor, and a fourth anchor. The first anchor is provided in the first recess, and so forth, and the anchors are outwards movable in the recesses for anchoring the tool. Each anchor provided in the recesses extends through the tool body transverse to and across the center axis and the anchors and the corresponding recesses are situated in the tool body for providing a symmetrical anchoring of the anchor tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Weltec A/S
    Inventors: Jørgen Hallundbaek, Rasmus Sommer