Cementing, Plugging Or Consolidating Patents (Class 166/285)
  • Patent number: 11898439
    Abstract: A double-layered wellbore tubular assembly includes a first wellbore tubular configured to be lowered into and installed within a wellbore. The first wellbore tubular has an inner diameter and defines a first hollow volume. The assembly includes a second wellbore tubular configured to be lowered into and installed within the first hollow volume of the first wellbore tubular. The second wellbore tubular has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the first wellbore tubular. The second wellbore tubular installed within the first hollow volume defines a tubing-to-tubing annulus (TTA) between an outer wall of the second wellbore tubular and an inner wall of the first wellbore tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Ahmed Abdulaziz Al-Mousa, Omar M. Al Hamid, Mohamed A. Al Ammari
  • Patent number: 11884872
    Abstract: Described herein are methods of cementing at least a portion of a well comprising feeding a magnetorheological cementitious slurry to a well and applying a magnetic field to the magnetorheological cementitious slurry concurrent with at least a portion of said feeding step to cause a mechanical response in said magnetorheological cementitious slurry in the well. Also disclosed herein are methods of temporarily blocking at least a portion of a well comprising providing a magnetorheological fluid in a well, applying a magnetic field to cause a mechanical response in said magnetorheological fluid thereby blocking at least a portion of the well, and removing the magnetic field to unblock the portion of the well. Also disclosed herein is a magnetorheological cement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventors: Eric Van Oort, Kenneth M. Cowan, Sriramya Duddukuri Nair, Raissa Ferron
  • Patent number: 11828129
    Abstract: A wellbore plug container includes a body with an interior to house a lower plug and an upper plug; a manifold system in fluid communication with the interior of the body; a first valve assembly to direct fluid flow into the interior of the body; and a second valve assembly to direct fluid flow into the interior of the body; a tubular connection to connect the body and manifold system to a casing for use with a wellbore; fluid flow is first directed below the lower plunger via the manifold system; the lower plunger assembly is retracted in a second step and fluid flow is directed to below the upper plunger assembly and above the lower plug, thereby causing the lower plug to launch; and fluid flow is diverted to above the upper plug after retraction of the upper plunger assembly in a third step to launch the upper plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Inventors: Henry E. Rogers, Nicolas Rogozinski
  • Patent number: 11767732
    Abstract: A plugging system for plugging a cased well in a single trip downhole. The plugging system may include a tool string positionable within the cased well and including a bore and a downhole tool coupled to the tool string. The downhole tool may include a first perforating gun, an upper resettable packer, a lower resettable packer, and a flow-through assembly. The first perforating gun may be operable to perforate the casing of the cased well. When the downhole tool is positioned in the cased well, the upper resettable packer may be uphole of the first perforating gun. When the downhole tool is positioned in the cased well, the lower resettable packer may be downhole of the first perforating gun. The flow-through assembly may be positioned between the upper resettable packer and the lower resettable packer and operable to flow fluids into a bore of the cased well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Edward Harms
  • Patent number: 11746648
    Abstract: A downhole tool includes a bore isolation valve, a sensor configured to receive to a downlink signal, an annular pressure sensor, a valve actuation mechanism coupled to the bore isolation valve and responsive to the downlink signal, a pressure relief mechanism configured to provide a negative pressure pulse signal indicative of the annular pressure by venting fluid from a bore of the tool body, and a battery. A method includes drilling a well with a drill bit coupled to an on demand annular pressure tool initially in a deactivated mode, and activating the tool by a downlink signal when fluid flow out of the annulus drops below the fluid flow into the well to close a bore of the tool, pressurizing the drill string, holding pressure in the drill string, measuring annular pressure with the tool, and sending a negative pressure pulse signal indicative of the annular pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: Richard Mark Pye
  • Patent number: 11634954
    Abstract: A system for controlling surge pressure and deployed into a wellbore drilled using a managed pressure drilling technique includes auto-fill float equipment allowing flow into a liner casing string, a drillpipe diverter providing a flow path between a drillpipe landing string and an annulus, and a drillpipe flow restrictor selectively blocking the flow path from the top of the drillpipe landing string while allowing fluid to be displaced up the liner casing string and into the annulus. The drillpipe flow restrictor and the drillpipe diverter are convertible to provide a flow path from the wellbore through the auto-fill float equipment to a top surface while blocking flow through the diverter into the annulus. The auto-fill float equipment is convertible to block the flow path from the wellbore into the liner casing string, while allowing fluid to flow from the liner casing string into the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: FRANK'S INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventors: John Christopher Jordan, Joseph Jude Boudreaux, Roland Taylor Hennigan, Tony Wooley, Keith Thomas Lutgring
  • Patent number: 11629103
    Abstract: A method of designing a cement slurry may include: (a) selecting at least a cement and concentration thereof, water and concentration thereof, and, optionally, at least one supplementary cementitious material and a concentration thereof, such that a cement slurry comprising the cement, the water, and, if present, the at least one supplementary cementitious material, meet a density requirement; (b) calculating a thickening time of the cement slurry using a thickening time model; (c) comparing the thickening time of the cement slurry to a thickening time requirement, wherein steps (a)-(c) are repeated if the thickening time of the cement slurry does not meet or exceed the thickening time requirement, wherein the selecting comprises selecting different concentrations and/or different chemical identities for the cement and/or the supplementary cementitious material than previously selected, or step (d) is performed if the thickening time of the cement slurry meets or exceeds the thickening time requirement; and p
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Siva Rama Krishna Jandhyala, John Paul Bir Singh, Thomas Jason Pisklak
  • Patent number: 11624260
    Abstract: A cement wiper plug for deployment in casing with an inner radius has a central axis, a leading end, and a trailing end opposite the leading end. The wiper plug includes an elongate body. In addition, the wiper plug includes a first plurality of axially adjacent annular fins mounted to the body. Each fin extends radially outward from the body and each fin extends circumferentially about the body. The first plurality of fins includes a first fin and a second fin axially adjacent the first fin. The second fin is axially positioned between the first fin and the trailing end. The first fin and the second fin are configured to contact each other in the casing. The second fin is configured to bias the first fin radially outward and axially forward toward the leading end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: EOG RESOURCES, INC.
    Inventors: James Greer Nanney, Logan Daniel Farmar
  • Patent number: 11598166
    Abstract: A float equipment assembly includes an inner string that provides a fluid flow path through the float equipment assembly. The float equipment assembly also includes an opening through which a fluid flowing through the inner string exits the float equipment assembly. The float equipment assembly further includes a moveable member, which when repositioned, isolates the inner string. The float equipment assembly further includes a dissolvable material that initially prevents repositioning of the moveable member, where the moveable member is repositioned after a threshold portion of the dissolvable material has dissolved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Michael Novelen, Caleb Thomas Warren, Thomas Owen Roane, Thomas J Frosell
  • Patent number: 11591882
    Abstract: An oil or gas production method forms a wellbore in a rock formation, wherein the wellbore including a lateral portion, and the method introduces a plurality of perforation diverters into the wellbore, wherein each perforation diverter in the plurality of diverters includes circuitry for determining a pressure proximate the perforation diverter, and the method measures a respective pressure proximate each perforation diverter and within the lateral portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Zipfrac LLC
    Inventor: Frederic D. Sewell
  • Patent number: 11566514
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling bottomhole pressure in a wellbore during cementing includes a sensor positionable to measure pressure in the bottomhole of the wellbore, a controllable valve, and a controller. The controller may be positionable to receive pressure measurements from the sensor and control the controllable valve to maintain a specified pressure in the wellbore based on the pressure measurements. The apparatus may be positionable in a bottomhole portion of the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Yan Luo, Javier Enrique Pozzo Huerta, Adan Hernandez Herrera
  • Patent number: 11555139
    Abstract: A method of cementing may include: measuring a feeding rate of water and a feeding rate of cement blend into a cement blender; calculating a cement retarder feeding rate and/or an accelerator feeding rate using a thickening time model, wherein the thickening time model uses at least a thickening time requirement, the feeding rate of water, and the feeding rate of cement blend, to calculate the cement retarder feeding rate and/or the accelerator feeding rate; introducing a cement retarder at the cement retarder feeding rate and/or an accelerator at the accelerator feeding rate into the cement blender; mixing at least the water, cement blend, and at least one of the cement retarder and/or the accelerator in the cement blender to provide a cement slurry; and placing the cement slurry in a wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John Paul Bir Singh, Siva Rama Krishna Jandhyala, Keith Edward Blaschke
  • Patent number: 11519258
    Abstract: A method of pressure testing a casing string in a reverse cementing operation in a wellbore can include: introducing the casing string and a downhole tool installed within the casing string into the wellbore, wherein the downhole tool comprises a fluid flow path defined by an inner diameter of the downhole tool; introducing a cement composition into an annulus located between a wall of the wellbore and an outside of the casing string; causing the fluid flow path of the downhole tool to close against fluid flow from the annulus into at least a portion of the casing string; and increasing pressure within the portion of the casing string that is closed against fluid flow from the annulus. The fluid flow path can be closed by shifting an inner sleeve to close a flapper valve or flow ports, a bridge plug, a packer, or a ball and a ball seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Lonnie Carl Helms, Jinhua Cao
  • Patent number: 11428065
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for oil production by increasing resistance of borehole wall for improving an energy utilization rate of injection gas includes injecting gas into an oil reservoir so that a gas pressure in the oil reservoir reaches an initial oil reservoir pressure. The initial oil seepage pressure is present at a position where the inside of the production well is in communication with the oil reservoir. The initial oil seepage pressure is less than the initial oil reservoir pressure. The method also includes monitoring gas production and oil production of the production well and increasing the initial oil seepage pressure to an increased oil seepage pressure when a ratio of the gas production to the oil production is higher than a predetermined ratio. The increased oil seepage pressure is smaller than the initial oil reservoir pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Petrochina Company Limited
    Inventors: Xinglong Chen, Qingxin Song, Zhidong Yang, Shanyan Zhang, Zemin Ji, Yulong Pu
  • Patent number: 11390567
    Abstract: A method of designing a cement slurry comprising: (a) selecting at least a cement and concentration thereof, a water and concentration thereof, and one or more chemical additives concentration thereof such that a cement slurry formed from the cement, one or more chemical additives, and the water meet a density requirement; (b) calculating a thickening time of the cement slurry at the wellbore temperature using a thickening time model; (c) comparing the thickening time of the cement slurry to a thickening time requirement and performing steps (a)-(c) if the thickening time of the cement slurry does not meet or exceed the thickening time requirement, wherein the step of selecting comprises selecting different concentrations and/or different chemical identities for the cement and/or one or the more chemical additives than previously selected, or performing step (d) if the thickening time of the cement slurry meets or exceeds the thickening time requirement; and (d) preparing the cement slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Siva Rama Krishna Jandhyala, John Paul Bir Singh
  • Patent number: 11384614
    Abstract: A running tool includes a tool body having a fluid conduit, and an actuation assembly including an actuator member connected to a release mechanism, the actuator member moveable in an axial direction from a first position to a second position to cause the release mechanism to disengage with a downhole component. The actuation assembly includes a first pressure chamber in pressure communication with the fluid conduit, where the running tool is configured to be activated to release the downhole component by applying fluid pressure to the first pressure chamber to generate an actuation force that moves the actuator member to the second position. The running tool also includes a second pressure chamber in pressure communication with the same fluid conduit. The second pressure chamber is configured to receive borehole fluid from the fluid conduit during deployment and apply a balancing force to the actuator member during the deployment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Elliott Tuttle, James Fraser
  • Patent number: 11346176
    Abstract: A plug for Plug and Abandonment (P&A) operations. The plug is a two-part plug of bismuth-based alloy and resin, allowing for sealing of an oil well using two different mechanisms with a shorter plug. The sealing can be rock-to-rock and/or cast-in-place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventor: Randall S. Shafer
  • Patent number: 11346190
    Abstract: A downhole tool for applying a force to a component in a borehole penetrating a subsurface formation includes an acoustic transducer configured to receive an acoustic signal. The tool also includes a spring having a spring force, a spring force retention device defining a perimeter having a gap and in mechanical communication with the component where the spring force retention device being configured to retain the spring force, and a gap member configured to be disposed in the gap. The tool further includes a force generator coupled to the gap member and in operable communication with the acoustic receiver and configured to operate in response to receiving the acoustic signal to withdraw the gap member from the gap to cause the spring force retention device to release the spring force thereby applying the spring force to the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Rogers, Charles Meador, Keven O'Connor, Steve Cortez
  • Patent number: 11326414
    Abstract: A hydraulic jar includes a tubular housing having central bore and an exterior. The housing includes a passage from the central bore to the exterior. A mandrel is axially movable within the housing, forming an annular space between the mandrel and the housing that includes a timing fluid. The mandrel includes an interior axial space that permits the flow of a drilling fluid. A timing device is fixed to the mandrel in the annular space. A trigger is capable of blocking the flow of drilling fluid through the axial space in the mandrel, and the mandrel moves axially in the housing when the trigger engages the mandrel. The timing device causes the mandrel to move at a first speed and at a second speed to create the impulse. The drilling fluid exits the central bore through the opening after the mandrel moves past the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Osado Innovations LLC
    Inventor: Shea Keller Wesson
  • Patent number: 11293276
    Abstract: Hydrocarbon wells that include interrogation devices positioned within a fracture and methods of monitoring at least one property of a fracture. The hydrocarbon wells include a wellbore that extends within a subsurface region and a fracture that extends from the wellbore. The hydrocarbon wells also include a plurality of interrogation devices entrained within a carrier fluid and positioned within the fracture and a downhole communication device positioned within the wellbore and proximal the fracture. The methods include flowing the interrogation devices into the fracture and conveying the excitation signal into the fracture. The methods also include receiving the excitation signal with the interrogation devices and generating a plurality of corresponding resultant signals with the interrogation devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Kevin H. Searles, Ted A. Long
  • Patent number: 11216600
    Abstract: A polish analysis platform is disclosed. The polish analysis platform may receive a set of parameters for a proposed engine. The set of parameters may include: a quantity of hours of operation for the proposed engine, and a power output for the proposed engine. The polish analysis platform may determine an end of injection for the proposed engine based on the set of parameters. The polish analysis platform may generate a virtual instance of the proposed engine. The virtual instance may be configured with the end of injection. The polish analysis platform may simulate operation of the proposed engine using the virtual instance. Output of simulating the operation of the proposed engine may include a liner polish of a liner. The polish analysis platform may perform one or more manufacturing-related actions regarding the proposed engine based on the output of simulating the operation of the proposed engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon Bowditch, Scott Ullrich
  • Patent number: 11208885
    Abstract: A system for cementing a wellbore having a casing string disposed in the wellbore is provided. The system includes a cement tool, a fiber optic cable, and a computing device. The cement tool is operable to be deployed down the wellbore through a casing string from a surface during cementing process of the wellbore. The cement tool includes a tool sensor. The fiber optic cable is coupled with the cement tool such that the fiber optic cable spans the wellbore from the cement tool to the surface. The fiber optic cable is communicatively coupled with the tool sensor. The computing device is communicatively coupled with the fiber optic cable and is operable to receive and process signals from the tool sensor via the fiber optic cable during the cementing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Lee Stokely, John Laureto Maida, Jr., Krishna M. Ravi
  • Patent number: 11208867
    Abstract: A system for use in performing a reverse cementing operation in a downhole well operation and creating a sectional separation within a well casing and a process completion indicator. The system comprising a well casing, and a magnetic element, and a plurality of magnetizable particles. The magnetic element is coupled with a radial, interior section of the well casing and the plurality of magnetizable particles couple with the magnetic element forming an impediment between a first and second section of the well casing. The impediment creates a detectable resistive force. The magnetizable particles and the at least one magnet form a contiguous and porous wall and the resistive force creates a pressure spike at a surface of the well in response to the interaction of a cement slurry pumped into an annulus of a wellbore and the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Tamal Kumar Sen, Rahul Nandkumar Jadhav, Ganesh Shriniwas Pangu
  • Patent number: 11168541
    Abstract: A screen assembly includes a pipe forming a first passageway and a first plurality of passageways extending between internal and external surfaces of the pipe to define a first portion of the pipe; a tubular disposed about the first portion, wherein the tubular forms a second passageway and a second plurality of passageways extending between external and internal surfaces of the tubular; and a housing concentrically disposed about the tubular to form a chamber that is between the tubular and the housing and that is in fluid communication with a screen jacket exit. When in a first configuration, dissolvable plugs are accommodated within the second plurality of passageways to fluidically isolate the external surface of the tubular from the first passageway. When in the second configuration, the screen jacket exit is in fluid communication with the first passageway via the chamber and the first and second plurality of passageways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Brian Scott
  • Patent number: 11136865
    Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated construction method of fracturing and tertiary oil recovery for low-permeability reservoir, including the following steps: dividing the target layer into several fracturing intervals; determining the amount of fracturing fluid required for the target fracturing interval; determining the flow rate of the target fracturing interval; determining the pumping construction procedure for the target fracturing interval; perforating the target fracturing interval; injecting oil displacement fracturing fluid into the target fracturing interval for fracturing construction; wherein the oil displacement fracturing fluid is a fracturing fluid to which an oil displacement agent is added.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: YANGTZE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Weichu Yu, Qingwen Zeng, Ying Zhang, Xiangsong Xiao, Shanwen Yu
  • Patent number: 11078750
    Abstract: A system for cementing a tubular within a wellbore includes a connector; a tubular housing attached to the connector and disposed in the tubular; and a plug disposed in the tubular housing and releasably attached to the tubular housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Richard Lee Giroux
  • Patent number: 11072991
    Abstract: A degradable plug device for a pipe has an outer plug body and an inner plug for preventing fluid flow through the pipe until the inner plug has been removed from the outer plug body. The outer plug body and the inner plug are of a degradable material. The inner plug has a chamber with at least one port to the exterior of the inner plug. The exposed surfaces of the degradable plug have a protective layer thereon. The inner plug is disposable in at least a first position, in which the inner plug prevents the fluid flow through the pipe. The inner plug is adapted to undergo, in use, a degradation initiation operation such that fluid is able to enter the chamber via the at least one port to initiate corrosion or dissolution of the inner plug from inside the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Robertson Intellectual Properties, LLC
    Inventors: George Bruce Martin, Michael C. Robertson, Antony F. Grattan, Douglas J. Streibich
  • Patent number: 11008838
    Abstract: Switchable cross-over systems, devices, and methods for cementing well walls are provided. A switchable cross-over device includes a tool body and a flow sleeve. The tool body includes a main tool path separable into uphole and downhole tool paths and an auxiliary chamber containing uphole and downhole annular ports. The flow sleeve is within the auxiliary chamber and movable between conventional and reverse circulation positions. In the conventional circulation position, the uphole and downhole tool paths are in fluid communication and the uphole annular port is in fluid communication with the downhole annular port through the auxiliary chamber. In the reverse circulation position, the flow sleeve forms first and second auxiliary flow paths in the auxiliary chamber, the uphole tool path and the downhole annular port are in fluid communication via the first auxiliary flow path, and the downhole tool path is in fluid communication with the uphole annular port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Bo Gao, Lonnie Carl Helms, Aniruddha Gadre, Yuzhu Hu, Gary Makowiecki
  • Patent number: 11008054
    Abstract: A method of preventing a rollover situation for an articulated vehicle, specifically in relation to the forward vehicle section of the articulated vehicle, is disclosed. A corresponding control unit and a computer program for such an articulated vehicle is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB
    Inventor: Roland Kvist
  • Patent number: 10995607
    Abstract: A system is for pressure testing a barrier in a well from below. The system has a first barrier, a second barrier located below the first barrier in the wellbore, a confined testing space located between said first and second barriers in the well, and a fluid reservoir. The system further has a pressurizing member for pressurizing fluid from said fluid reservoir and for transferring said pressurized fluid into said confined testing space, a pressure sensor for measuring pressure in relation to said confined space; and a pressure data receiver for receiving data from said pressure sensor. There is also described a method for pressure testing a barrier in a well from below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Well-Set P&A AS
    Inventors: Nader Behjat, Grant Knight, Craig Usher
  • Patent number: 10982125
    Abstract: Methods for using cement compositions in subterranean formations are provided. In some embodiments, the methods comprise introducing a first treatment fluid comprising a first base fluid and a metal oxide into a wellbore penetrating at least a portion of a subterranean formation; introducing a spacer fluid into the wellbore that separates the first treatment fluid from at least a second treatment fluid; introducing the second treatment fluid into the wellbore, wherein the second treatment fluid comprises a second base fluid and a soluble salt; allowing the first treatment fluid to contact the second treatment fluid to form a cement mixture; and allowing the cement mixture to at least partially set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald L. Whitfill, Sharath Savari, Reem Alburaikan, Waseem Abdulrazzaq, Dale E. Jamison
  • Patent number: 10975662
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a tubular valve assembly for cement completion of wellbores and methods of using the tubular valve assemblies are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Modern Wellbore Solutions Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyle Klam
  • Patent number: 10975657
    Abstract: The invention relates to the decommissioning of hydrocarbon wells. It concerns the artificial promoting or inducing of creep in the overburden formation 3 surrounding an oil well 1, so that the formation rock 3 encroaches against the casing 5 to form a seal. This avoids the need to plug the annulus between the casing 5 and formation 3 with cement. The overburden may be caused to creep by reducing the pressure in the annulus, by applying heat to the overburden rock or by stressing the rock repeatedly to cause fatigue in the rock 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventors: Rick D. Watts, Dianne Tompkins, Helen Haneferd, Lars Hovda, Edvard Omdal, Hardy Hartmann Nielsen, Lars Vedvik, Tove Husby
  • Patent number: 10954747
    Abstract: A sliding valve has a valve body, a sliding sleeve received in a longitudinal bore of the valve body, and a collet receivable in a longitudinal bore of the sliding sleeve. The valve body has one or more fluid ports on an uphole portion of the sidewall thereof. The sliding sleeve is movable between an uphole closed position closing the one or more fluid ports and a downhole open position opening the one or more fluid ports. The collet comprises a metal portion about an uphole end of the collet, and a ball seat having a ball-seat surface radially inwardly sloped from uphole to downhole at an acute slope angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the collet. The metal portion is radially outwardly expandable under a radially outward pressure to form a metal-to-metal seal at the interface between the collet and the sliding sleeve when the collet is received in the sliding sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Inventor: Sean P. Campbell
  • Patent number: 10954753
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for coupling a first component to a second component of a tool coupler. A first component includes a ring coupler having mating features and rotatable between first and second positions; an actuator to rotate the ring coupler between the positions; and a second component comprising a profile complementary to the ring coupler. A method includes inserting a central shaft of the first component into a housing of the second component; rotating a ring coupler around the central shaft; and engaging mating features of the ring coupler with a profile. A method also includes clamping a profile using the ring coupler and a second ring coupler. A method also includes moving a second ring coupler vertically relative to the housing to engage a profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Ernst Fuehring, Martin Liess
  • Patent number: 10941644
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods and systems for downhole well integrity reconstruction in a hydrocarbon reservoir. One method for downhole well integrity reconstruction in a hydrocarbon reservoir includes: positioning, a laser head at a first subterranean location, wherein the laser head is attached to a tubular inside of a wellbore; directing, by the laser head, a laser beam towards a leak on the wellbore; and sealing the leak using the laser beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Mohammad Aljubran, Hussain AlBahrani, Sameeh Issa Batarseh, Timothy E. Moellendick
  • Patent number: 10927661
    Abstract: A system for continuous determination of annulus pressure in subsurface wells comprises one or more electro acoustic technology sensor assemblies permanently installed in each annulus surrounding a subsurface well; and a fiber optic cable in close proximity to the electro acoustic technology sensor assemblies and in communication with a surface distributed acoustic fiber optic interrogator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Mikko Jaaskelainen, Jason Edward Therrien, Seldon David Benjamin
  • Patent number: 10920531
    Abstract: An internal completion string is anchored within a closed casing valve of a production liner in a wellbore. The internal completion string comprises a packer and a shifting tool. The production liner comprises a casing valve having a port and a moveable member. The annulus defined between the production liner and the internal completion string is sealed, and the shifting tool is remotely operated to move the moveable member away from the port, thereby opening the casing valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Huh, Josh Belleville, Jessica Schulte
  • Patent number: 10907085
    Abstract: Methods, compositions, and systems that use swellable glass particles to reduce fluid flow in subterranean formations are included. An example method may comprise introducing swellable glass particles into a zone of a subterranean formation; contacting the swellable glass particles with a resin composition in the zone; and allowing the resin composition to harden in the zone whereby flow through the zone is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiten Chatterji, Gregory Robert Hundt, Thomas Singh Sodhi, Darrell Chad Brenneis
  • Patent number: 10871051
    Abstract: A portion of a wellbore is drilled in a subterranean formation, using a drilling string (140) disposed within a casing string (130) and extending through a cement retainer (150) disposed within the casing string. The drilling string can be retracted into the casing string to a location fully above the cement retainer, and subsequently the casing string can be cemented in the wellbore whereby maintaining the drilling string inside the casing in the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: SHELL OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Daniele Di Crescenzo, William Robert Portas
  • Patent number: 10851616
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for preparing a casing of a subterranean well and injecting a sealing mixture therein. The apparatus comprises an elongate body extending between top and bottom ends connectable to a wireline at the top and having a plurality of nozzles extending therethrough proximate to the bottom. A plurality of scrapers within the body each have a first retracted position and a second radially extended position engageable with the casing. A cavity is operable to contain the sealing mixture and a piston is movable therein so to eject the sealing mixture through the nozzles. The method comprises positioning the body in the well at a location to be sealed, extending the scrapers to engage with the casing, displacing the body so to scrape against the casing and retracting the scrapers. The piston is displaced so to eject the sealing mixture through the nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Inventors: Peter Knight, Grant George, Curtis Ring
  • Patent number: 10836949
    Abstract: Described herein are methods of cementing at least a portion of a well comprising feeding a magnetorheological cementitious slurry to a well and applying a magnetic field to the magnetorheological cementitious slurry concurrent with at least a portion of said feeding step to cause a mechanical response in said magnetorheological cementitious slurry in the well. Also disclosed herein are methods of temporarily blocking at least a portion of a well comprising providing a magnetorheological fluid in a well, applying a magnetic field to cause a mechanical response in said magnetorheological fluid thereby blocking at least a portion of the well, and removing the magnetic field to unblock the portion of the well. Also disclosed herein is a magnetorheological cement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventors: Eric van Oort, Kenneth M Cowan, Sriramya Duddukuri Nair, Raissa Ferron
  • Patent number: 10808520
    Abstract: A test plug is proposed for inspecting the integrity of a cement plug or other barrier in an abandoned oil and/or gas production wellbore as well as its own sealing performance. The test plug employs a pair of expandable seals for sealing off an annular space between the seals, the plug and surrounding inner surface of the wellbore. Furthermore, it employs a pump for pumping fluid through a fluid channel traversing the plug into or from an intermediate wellbore section between the plug and the barrier. Valves are provided for closing the fluid channel after the pressure in the intermediate wellbore section has reached a selected level. Pressure gauges monitor a pressure in the intermediate wellbore section and in the annular space during a selected period of time. The monitored pressure is stored in a memory device and/or transmitted to a barrier and seal integrity monitoring display at the earth surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: SHELL OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: Jasper Jacob Willem Taal
  • Patent number: 10793764
    Abstract: A cementitious binder, includes a hydraulic binder in an amount in the range from 50 to 80% by weight of the cementitious binder; a first siliceous based material in an amount in the range from 0.5 to 35% by weight of the cementitious binder, the first siliceous based material having a (SiO2)/(Al2O3) ratio by weight greater than 2.5; a second siliceous based material in an amount in the range from 10 to 25% by weight of the cementitious binder, the second siliceous based material being different from the first siliceous based material and having (a) a (SiO2)/(Al2O3) ratio by weight greater than 10 and (b) a BET specific surface area greater than 5 m2/g; and an aluminum based material in the range from 0 to 10% by weight of the cementitious binder and having a (SiO2)/(Al2O3) ratio by weight lower than 2.5, wherein 0.09<AlEFF/(AlEFF+SiEFF)<0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: HOLCIM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Nikolaos Vlasopoulos, Jeffrey Chen
  • Patent number: 10787880
    Abstract: A method for sealing perforation tunnels in a well includes steps of pumping an initial volume of fluid into the well, mixing expandable material into a carrier fluid to form an expandable fluid mixture, pumping the expandable fluid mixture into the well to force the expandable material into the perforation tunnels in the well, and holding the expandable material under a hold pressure in the perforation tunnels for a cure period to form perforation plugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Inventor: Steve Wehrenberg
  • Patent number: 10774613
    Abstract: A method for casing a subsea wellbore includes running a tieback casing string into the subsea wellbore using a workstring including first, second, and third wiper plugs. The method further includes: launching a first release plug or tag into the workstring; pumping cement slurry into the workstring, thereby driving the first release plug or tag along the workstring; after pumping the cement slurry, launching a second release plug or tag into the workstring; and pumping chaser fluid into the workstring, thereby driving the release plugs or tags and cement slurry through the workstring. The release plugs or tags engage and release the respective wiper plugs from the workstring. The first wiper plug or release plug ruptures, thereby allowing the cement slurry to flow therethrough. The method further includes: stabbing the tieback casing string into a liner string; and retrieving the workstring, the workstring still including the third wiper plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Gerard Gaspard, Douglas Brian Farley
  • Patent number: 10760408
    Abstract: Methods and systems to initiate downhole operations in a borehole include deploying a first structure at least partially in the borehole, moving a second structure at least partially along the first structure, wherein at least one of the first structure and the second structure is equipped with a sensor and the other of the first and second structure is equipped with a marker detectable by the sensor, detecting a critical event that is related to an interaction of the sensor and the marker, measuring a time-since-critical event, determining a time delay based on the time-since-critical event, transmitting, with a telemetry system, data from the earth's subsurface to the earth's surface indicating that the critical event has been detected, and initiating a downhole operation by using the determined time delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Eli William Adetola, Markus Hempel, Thorsten Regener, Matthias Wauer
  • Patent number: 10760347
    Abstract: A system for offline suspension of a tubular including a first well having a first wellbore and a cellar formed at the surface of the first well with a rig movable from the first well to a second well. Additionally, a tubular string extending into the first well and a tubular support structure above the cellar of the first well, wherein the tubular support structure supports a weight of the tubular string such that the tubular is suspended from the tubular support structure independent from the rig and through a securing equipment configured to secure the first well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Babak Bob Arefi, Jacques Orban
  • Patent number: 10760373
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include a retrievable bridge plug assembly. The retrievable bridge plug assembly includes a sealing element that is elastically deformable to expand radially outward when the sealing element experiences axial compression and at least one anti-extrusion device positioned downhole from the sealing element. The at least one anti-extrusion device includes a shoulder that in operation maintains contact with the sealing element. Also included in the at least one anti-extrusion device is a plurality of anti-extrusion petals positioned downhole from the shoulder that expand radially outward from the anti-extrusion device. Additionally, the at least one anti-extrusion device includes an expandable sleeve surrounding the plurality of anti-extrusion petals that covers extrusion gaps of the plurality of anti-extrusion petals when the plurality of anti-extrusion petals expand radially outward from the anti-extrusion device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Phan, Jack Gammill Clemens, Mark Holly
  • Patent number: 10738547
    Abstract: A borehole tool, having a cylindrical body, the cylindrical body having an upper shank, a lower shank, and a component tool disposed between the upper shank and the lower shank, wherein the tool is configured to have an outer surface airfoil configuration, whereby lift is created as fluid passes along the cylindrical body. The component tool can be a combination stabilizer tool, a reamer tool and a cutting removal tool, wherein the stabilizer tool is configured as a helical stabilizing blade and reamer blade, a flow path disposed between the helices of the stabilizing and reamer blade, the stabilizing and reamer blade further comprising a reamer cutting element disposed where an edge of the stabilizing and reamer blade meets the flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Inventor: Ernest Newton Sumrall