Operating Valve, Closure, Or Changeable Restrictor In A Well Patents (Class 166/373)
  • Patent number: 12129836
    Abstract: A geothermal well includes a borehole formed in a geologic formation. The borehole includes a first portion extending from a first end to a second end and a second portion intersecting the first portion at a first depth. The second portion is exposed to the formation for heating a fluid flowing in the second portion. The well includes an outer string disposed in the first portion where a lower end of the outer string is disposed above the first depth. The well includes an inner string disposed though the outer string and an annulus formed between the inner string and the outer string. The well includes a choke fluidly coupled to at least one of the annulus or the inner string. The choke is configured to regulate return flow of the heated fluid to maintain surface backpressure above a boiling pressure of the heated fluid at surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Eric Van Oort, Pradeepkumar Ashok, Dongmei Chen
  • Patent number: 12123283
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively connecting a first fluid communication region to a further fluid communication region are disclosed. The apparatus comprises an elongate housing, locatable in a wellbore, comprising a first end portion associated with a first fluid communication region; a sheath member axially slidable within the housing and biased towards the first end portion via at least one biasing element; and an elongate shuttle member axially slidable within the housing and slidably locatable in a sealed relationship or non-sealed relationship with the sheath member; wherein the biasing element provides a predetermined biasing force that determines a threshold pressure which must be exceeded by a fluid pressure in the first fluid communication region to permit axial movement of the sheath member away from the first fluid communication region or towards a further fluid communication region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventor: Graeme David Simpson
  • Patent number: 12116856
    Abstract: A detection system includes a pressure sensor configured to contact an annular elastomer component of an annular BOP, wherein the pressure sensor is configured to generate a first signal indicative of a contact pressure with the annular elastomer component. The detection system also includes a piston stroke sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of a piston stroke distance. The detection system further includes a controller configured to receive the first signal from the pressure sensor and the second signal from the piston stroke sensor and analyze respective changes in the contact pressure and respective changes in the piston stroke distance to determine a condition of the annular BOP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Olivier Amsellem, Stephane Hoareau, Hikmet Andic, Mathieu Dauphin, Matthew Givens, Estelle Espinosa
  • Patent number: 12078020
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of well control system for drilling an oil or gas well safely and efficiently by providing a mechanical actuator capable of transmitting a rotational force downhole, and converting the rotational force to an axial force for the purpose of operating downhole equipment, including subsurface safety valves, compressible bladder valves, and sliding sleeve valves. Because the actuator is mechanical and not hydraulic as in conventional equipment, the force applied is independent of the depth at which it is applied, overcoming a major deficiency seen in comparable hydraulic systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Hughes Tool Company LLC
    Inventor: William James Hughes
  • Patent number: 12065905
    Abstract: Valve assemblies are disclosed for use in the oil and gas industry. A disclosed valve assembly includes a housing having a bore; a valve member arranged within the housing which is movable relative to the bore between open and closed positions. The valve member includes a cutting feature and a sealing surface; a cutting component that cooperates with the cutting feature when the valve member is in moved to the closed position; a first seal element arranged within the housing and providing a first seal relative to the sealing surface; and a second seal element arranged within the housing and providing a second seal relative to the sealing surface. The second seal element is movable relative to the housing bore between first and second positions. A corresponding method of controlling communication along a bore of a housing is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: Expro North Sea Limited
    Inventors: Kris Manett, Linda Yeats
  • Patent number: 12006793
    Abstract: A device for wellbore operations is configured to self-determine its downhole location in a wellbore in real-time and to self-activate upon arrival at a preselected target location. In embodiments, the device is configured to self-determine its direction of travel and self-deactivates if the device determines that it is not travelling in the downhole direction. In embodiments, the device has a flowback valve that blocks fluid flow therethrough when the device is inactivated but permits fluid flow through the device to exit at the device's trailing end when the device is activated. In embodiments, at least a portion of the device is dissolvable in the presence of wellbore fluids. In embodiments, at least a portion of the device is coated with a protective coating to shield the device from treatment fluids. A downhole tool having a pass-through constriction configured to be overcome by the device is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Advanced Upstream Ltd.
    Inventors: Tom Watkins, Jeyhun Najafov, Ratish Suhas Kadam, Henryk Kozlow
  • Patent number: 12006787
    Abstract: A casing valve is disclosed that includes a first component configured to connect to a casing string, a second component configured to connect to the casing string, a mandrel disposed between the first component and the second component, the mandrel having a plurality of ports, a housing disposed outside of the mandrel, the housing having a plurality of ports, a piston disposed between the mandrel and the housing and configured to move in a first direction from a first position that forms a barrier between the ports of the mandrel and the ports of the housing to a second position that is adjacent to the ports of the mandrel and the ports of the housing and a dissolvable component configured to restrain the piston in the first position and to dissolve when exposed to a fluid to release the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: SUMMIT CASING SERVICES, LLC
    Inventors: Colten T. Francis, Ian Beckett, Andrew M. Eldridge
  • Patent number: 12000248
    Abstract: A valve arrangement for injection of an injection fluid in a process fluid tubing, comprising an inlet part connectable to an injection fluid source, an outer housing that is connectable to a process fluid tubing and comprising at least one outlet opening that enables a fluid communication between an interior of the outer housing and a process fluid tubing, and a first valve device comprising a first valve member that is arranged in the outer housing and movable within the outer housing in a longitudinal direction, and said first valve member is arranged to control an inflow of injection fluid into the valve arrangement by being movable between a closed position and an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY COMPANY AS
    Inventor: Kristian Harestad
  • Patent number: 11959347
    Abstract: A dump bailer for being filled with a flowable material in a lubricator assembly and for depositing the flowable material in a wellbore, wherein the dump comprises a filling valve for filling flowable material into the dump bailer and a means for orientation of the dump bailer along a longitudinal axis. The invention also relates to a lubricator assembly configured to allow filling a flowable material into a dump bailer positioned within the lubricator assembly, wherein the lubricator assembly comprises an inlet for injection of flowable material and a guide for providing the dump bailer with a correct position and orientation. The invention further relates to a method for filling a flowable material into a dump bailer positioned within a lubricator assembly and for depositing the flowable material in a wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Altus Intervention (Technologies) AS
    Inventors: Lasse Haugland, Espen Osaland, Bard Martin Tinnen
  • Patent number: 11946494
    Abstract: An actuator includes a housing defining an inlet port, a piston and a return spring disposed within the housing, and an elastically deformable element. The return spring is configured to apply a biasing force to the piston to move the piston to a spring return position. A first fluid pressure applied to the inlet port moves the piston against the biasing force of the return spring to a first actuated position in which the piston indirectly engages a stop portion of the actuator housing. A second fluid pressure, greater than the first fluid pressure, applied to the inlet port moves the piston against the elastically deformable element to compress the elastically deformable element to move the piston to a second actuated position beyond the first actuated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: SWAGELOK COMPANY
    Inventors: William H. Glime, III, Branden W. Keeper
  • Patent number: 11922103
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a method, apparatus, and computer program product for improving production of an oil well. For example, one disclosed embodiment includes a system that includes at least one processor and at least one memory coupled to the at least one processor and storing instructions that when executed by the at least one processor performs operations for generating a model of a wellbore in a wellbore simulator. The at least one processor further executes an algorithm that determines optimal parameters for inflow control devices (ICD) along a horizontal portion of the wellbore. The determined optimal parameters of the inflow control devices would yield a substantially uniform approach of at least one of water and gas along the horizontal portion of the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Landmark Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Andrey Filippov, Vitaly Khoriakov
  • Patent number: 11920428
    Abstract: Some systems and methods include a tubular defining a passageway, one or more packers coupled to the tubular, and two or more valves coupled to the tubular. Some such systems are operable by increasing pressure within the passageway such that, responsive to the increasing pressure, one or more first ones of the valves open and fluid flows from the passageway, through the first valve(s), and into one or more first fractures of the wellbore, and reducing pressure within the passageway such that, responsive to the reducing pressure, the first valve(s) close and one or more second ones of the valves open and hydrocarbons flow from one or more second fractures of the wellbore, through the second valve(s), and into the passageway. The first and second valves can be unidirectional valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Inventor: Xuebing Fu
  • Patent number: 11920434
    Abstract: A method comprising operating a first valve arrangement and a second valve arrangement from a locked first configuration, in which the first port is closed and the second port is closed, to a locked second configuration, in which the first port is open and the second port is closed, wherein the first valve arrangement comprises one or more locking devices configured to lock a first valve member of the first valve arrangement in place relative to the tubular body. The method comprising operating the first valve arrangement and the second valve arrangement from the locked second configuration to a third configuration, in which the first port is closed and the second port is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Halliburton Manufacturing and Services Limited
    Inventors: Stephen Edmund Bruce, David Grant, Scott E. Wallace, Ewan Smith
  • Patent number: 11920432
    Abstract: A toe valve for use in a wellbore includes: a tubular mandrel; a housing extending along a periphery of the mandrel; couplings for assembly as part of a casing or liner string; and a valve piston. The valve piston is: disposed in an annulus formed between the housing and the mandrel, movable between an open position and a closed position, and disposed between a valve port of the housing and a valve port of the mandrel in the closed position. The toe valve further includes: an atmospheric chamber for facilitating movement of the valve piston to the open position; a vent port formed through the housing and in fluid communication with the atmospheric chamber; and a flow control device disposed in the vent port and operable to prevent fluid flow from the wellbore into the atmospheric chamber and allow fluid flow from the atmospheric chamber into the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Inventor: Alexander Craig Mackay
  • Patent number: 11920427
    Abstract: A method of operating a subsea production system (1), the system comprising a subsea tree (2) connected to a subsea well (3), a production tubing (4) in the well (3), and an electrically operable electric downhole safety valve (5), wherein the method comprises, in case of malfunction in operation of the electric downhole safety valve (5), the steps of installing a hydraulically operable insert hydraulic downhole safety valve (6) within the production tubing (4); connecting the insert hydraulic downhole safety valve (6) to the fluid line (10) at a point of setting (7) in the subsea well (3); operating the insert hydraulic downhole safety valve (6) by using the fluid line (10) which extends from an input port (11) at a position outside of the subsea tree (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Inventors: Sigurd Moe, John A. Johansen
  • Patent number: 11891886
    Abstract: The proposed technology relates to methods and devices for selective treatment of wellbores that allows treating several intervals of a productive formation in a single trip. The proposed device for implementing the method includes a mechanical anchor, hydraulic fracturing port, packers and a perforator disposed in the device's bottom part. It is lowered into a well casing to the depth of productive formation. Working fluid is supplied to the perforator via a tubing string, the well casing is perforated, and caverns are washed out. The device is positioned so that the perforation interval is situated between the packers, fixed in the well casing by the anchor, and working fluid is then cut off. Hydraulic fracturing fluid is supplied, and the productive formation's interval is isolated from the well casing's annulus by activation of the packers. Hydraulic fracturing is executed, and the device is removed from the well casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Inventor: Salavat Anatolyevich Kuzyaev
  • Patent number: 11846138
    Abstract: A hydraulic oscillation tool with variable stage, small pressure drop and strong impact based on radio frequency identification is provided. It includes a conversion connector, a disc spring upper bracket, a disc spring housing, a disc spring group, a multi-stage piston shaft, an upper piston sleeve, a first radial sealing ring, a double-female-buckle piston sleeve, a double-male-buckle piston sleeve, a second radial sealing ring, a double-female-buckle lower piston sleeve, an end piston, an impacting connector, a power housing, a power shaft end cap, a high torque turbine, a power shaft, a lower connector, a rotating valve, a bearing supporting ring, and a turbine special bearing. The hydraulic oscillation tool realizes the low pressure drop and strong impact, and thus the problems that with the continuous increase of horizontal length, excessive pressure drop will make the annular pressure drop sharply, and drilling fluid circulation is difficult are solved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Southwest Petroleum University
    Inventors: Xiaohua Zhu, Changshuai Shi, Feilong Cheng
  • Patent number: 11814928
    Abstract: A valve assembly that can be deployed in a subterranean well that includes a valve adapted to selectively isolate a region of the subterranean well, and a separating apparatus. The separating apparatus may further include at least one member being formed from a functional material and at least two sleeves connected by the at least one member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ganesh Balasubramanian, Ashish Sharma
  • Patent number: 11814917
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating vibration in a downhole tubular, in which the apparatus includes a pulse valve that is configured to open and close intermittently, so as to intermittently vary pressure of a fluid that flows into the downhole tubular and thereby generate vibration in the downhole tubular, and a driver coupled to the pulse valve and configured to open and close the pulse valve. The driver is powered by a source of energy that is not in fluid communication with the downhole tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: INNOVEX DOWNHOLE SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Justin Kellner
  • Patent number: 11795786
    Abstract: Downhole electrical energy harvesting and communication in systems for well installations having metallic structure carrying electric current, for example CP current. In some instances there is a harvesting module (4) electrically connected to the metallic structure (2) at a first location and to a second location spaced from the first location, the first and second locations being chosen such that, in use, there is a potential difference therebetween due to the electric current flowing in the structure (2); and the harvesting module (4) being arranged to harvest electrical energy from the electric current. In addition or alternatively, there may be communication apparatus (4, 5, 6) for communication by modulation of the current, for example CP current, in the metallic structure (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: METROL TECHNOLOGY LTD.
    Inventors: Shaun Compton Ross, Leslie David Jarvis, Steven Martin Hudson
  • Patent number: 11782098
    Abstract: A frac dart including a pressure housing, a mechanically actuated magnetic sensor including a first magnet outside of the pressure housing, a signal generator inside the pressure housing and in operable communication with the first magnet, and an electrical counter disposed in the frac dart responsive in increments to the signal generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Eugene Stolboushkin, YingQing Xu, Daniel M. Cousin
  • Patent number: 11761319
    Abstract: A method of producing subterranean fractures in geologic formations having a significant amount of water present (a wet well) and/or at deep locations (1.5-2 miles or more) for the extraction of hydrocarbons therefrom includes flowing an explosive hydrophobic emulsion mixture to protect the air and fuel mixture subsequently flowed into a well hole. The build-up of pressure using a multiple plate restriction orifice assembly eventually causes auto-ignition of the air and fuel mixture which fractures the formation for recovery of the hyrdrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Twin Disc, Inc.
    Inventor: Edwin E. Wilson
  • Patent number: 11761284
    Abstract: In a subsea blowout preventer stack system having a structural system and one or more accumulators providing a pressurized hydraulic supply wherein the accumulators comprise a compressed gas supply and a hydraulic fluid chamber in one or more vertical bottles, a method of using the one or more vertical bottles of the accumulators as structural members of the structural system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Inventor: Benton Frederick Baugh
  • Patent number: 11761305
    Abstract: An apparatus for selectively opening a passage through a downhole casing comprises an elongate cylindrical housing defining a central bore therein and having at least one passage extending therethrough between the central bore and an exterior of the housing, the housing being configured to be located in line within a downhole casing, a ball seat slidably located within the central bore so as to be operable to selectively cover or uncover the at least one passage and a sealing sleeve slidably located within the central bore between an open and closed position wherein the sealing sleeve valve covers the at least one passage in the closed position and uncovers the at least one passage in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew McCarthy, Steven Taitinger
  • Patent number: 11713673
    Abstract: Detector device (10) mounts to a drilling rig (12) to sense sound or vibration signalled from downhole. The device (10) has a transmitter (10,20) to transmit data and/or an alert relating to sensed sound and/or vibration associated with deployment and/or positioning of a tool downhole. The device (10) recognises that one or more predetermined events or a pattern of events or one or more particular sound and/or vibration signatures occur(s). Downhole device (36) has a transmitter (38) transmitting a signal indicating a sensed pressure, position or motion change downhole. Communication between the downhole device and the device at the surface to determine depth or distance e.g. time of flight of a signal emitted by one device and the return signal from the other device or from the send and received times of the signal between the two devices based on their respective timers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Globaltech Corporation Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Gordon Stewart
  • Patent number: 11613965
    Abstract: A downhole deployment and isolation system may be used to deploy a completion string, service the well, and isolate the lower completion string, optionally in a single trip. The lower completion string may be run into the well with a valve in an open condition, such as a ball valve propped open by a mandrel. The mandrel may be operable to both disconnect the work string from the lower completion string and to close the valve upon disconnecting such as by removing the mandrel from the ball. The valve may be remotely reopened with fluid pressure form surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Francois Chevallier, Ibrahim El Mallawany
  • Patent number: 11613961
    Abstract: A fluid control device includes a housing, a fluid channel defined within the housing, the fluid channel having an inlet, and a restriction assembly. The restriction assembly includes a cantilever device disposed within the fluid channel and defining a restricted fluid path, the cantilever device configured to deform to reduce an area of the restricted fluid path and restrict a flow rate of fluid flowing therethrough based on a property of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Ameen Malkawi, Shiv Shankar Sangaru, Raghava Raju Lakhamraju, Ahmed AlAdawy, Naeem-Ur Minhas, Hedy Suherdiana, Robbie Arsyadanie
  • Patent number: 11578562
    Abstract: A valve assembly for integration within a wellbore string disposed within a subterranean reservoir is provided. The valve assembly includes a valve housing having one or more injection ports for establishing fluid communication between a central passage and the reservoir. The valve assembly includes a valve sleeve operatively mounted within the valve housing and comprising a fluid channel adapted to establish fluid communication between the central passage and the injection ports, and configured to create a fluid flowrate restriction. The valve assembly has a flow adjuster connectable to the valve sleeve, and is selectively arranged to align an opening with the fluid channel and allow fluid to flow from the fluid channel through the opening to the injection port, wherein connecting the flow adjuster to the valve sleeve defines a flow length of the fluid channel to adjust the fluid restriction created by the fluid channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Inventors: Brock Gillis, Juan Montero, Jonathan Raasch
  • Patent number: 11555376
    Abstract: Ball valves, methods to close a ball valve, and methods to form a well barrier are discussed. A ball valve includes a valve housing and a ball that is rotatably movable from an open position to a closed position. The ball valve also includes an actuation mechanism operable to rotate the ball from the open position to the closed position, where a fluid passage of the ball is not aligned with a fluid passage of the valve housing while the ball is in the closed position. The ball valve further includes a sleeve disposed in the valve housing and operable to shift from a first position to a second position to actuate the actuation mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter DW Inglis, Katherine Ann Davies
  • Patent number: 11549334
    Abstract: A flow stopper has an elongated shape for positioning in a tubular cavity of a check valve. The elongated shape has a concave section such that the flow stopper can impact a line running along an inner surface of a housing forming the tubular cavity in a lengthwise direction of the tubular cavity. The concave section allows the flow stopper to impact the housing with a first point of contact and a second point of contact on the line, and the two points of contact are separated by a gap where the flow stopper does not contact the housing. The flow stopper may include a first and a second ball where the balls are connected by a stem. The flow stopper may also include a plurality of balls that are not connected to each other. The flow stopper may include a ball connected to a stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: QSO Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan Lee Beeton
  • Patent number: 11530596
    Abstract: Fluid flow control devices and downhole floats are presented. A fluid flow control device includes a port and a rotatable component that rotates about an axis in response to fluid flow from the port. The fluid flow control device also includes an outlet port that provides a fluid passageway out of the rotatable component. The fluid flow control device further includes a float positioned within the rotatable component, where the float is shiftable from an open position to a closed position, and where the float restricts fluid flow through the outlet port while the float is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Wesley McChesney, Stephen Michael Greci, Richard Decena Ornelaz
  • Patent number: 11512551
    Abstract: A work string and method of performing a downhole operation is disclosed. The work string includes a first tool having a first ball seat configured to activate when a first activation pressure is applied to a plug seated at the first ball seat, and a second tool having a second ball seat configured to activate when a second activation pressure is applied to the plug when seated at the second ball seat, wherein the first activation pressure is different than the second activation pressure. A plug is dropped through a string in a wellbore. The first activation pressure is applied when the plug is at the first tool to activate the first tool. The second activation pressure is applied when the plug is at the second tool to activate the second tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: David Alexander, Daniel R. Hart, Andrew D. Ponder, Irvin Turcios
  • Patent number: 11512559
    Abstract: A toe valve (1) comprising; a housing (200) having an interior and exterior; a sliding sleeve (8); a counter mechanism (2) comprising a cylinder, a ratchet piston (11, 27) with first and second ends, and a ratchet shaft (14, 28) connected to the second end; a trigger assembly (3) comprising a trigger housing, and a release piston (19), wherein the trigger assembly (3) is arranged between the counter mechanism (2) and the sliding sleeve (8), and wherein the release piston (19) is configured to activate the sliding sleeve (8), and the ratchet shaft (14, 28) is configured to activate the release piston (19), wherein the toe valve (1) further comprises; a closed chamber (15) enclosing the ratchet shaft (14, 28) and defined at least partly by the cylinder comprising a chamber fluid with a chamber pressure (P2); an inlet pressure port (6) configured to be in communication with a wellbore fluid with a wellbore pressure (P1), and wherein the first end of the ratchet piston (11, 27) is in fluid communication with the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: TCO AS
    Inventor: Jan Tore Tveranger
  • Patent number: 11448040
    Abstract: Provided is a fluid loss device, a well system, and a method for fracturing a well system. The fluid loss device, in this aspect, includes a dissolvable member coupled to an opening sleeve, the dissolvable member operable to fix the opening sleeve in a first opening sleeve position when an internal prop sleeve is in the first prop sleeve position and for a period of time after the internal prop sleeve moves to the second prop sleeve position, and then dissolve triggering the opening sleeve to move from the first opening sleeve position to the second opening sleeve position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ibrahim El Mallawany, Francois Chevallier
  • Patent number: 11448047
    Abstract: An adjustable flow control device. In one aspect, the flow control device comprises a base pipe having one or more openings extending from an exterior to an interior of the base pipe; and a movable sleeve positioned along the interior of the base pipe, the movable sleeve having one or more associated openings extending from an exterior to an interior of the movable sleeve, and configured to rotate to a first position that aligns a first of the base pipe openings with a first of the movable sleeve openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Wesley McChesney, Gordon McLeary, David Symon Grant
  • Patent number: 11441403
    Abstract: A method of improving production in a steam assisted gravity drainage operation, the method including positioning a tubular system within a borehole, the tubular system including a plurality of inflow control devices; injecting steam into a formation to assist in drainage of targeted resources from the formation; receiving fluids at an inlet of the inflow control devices; and regulating thermal conformance in the formation by choking liquids at the inflow control devices when the liquids have a subcool lower than a predetermined subcool at a selected drawdown pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventor: Eugene Stolboushkin
  • Patent number: 11401781
    Abstract: Stimulation sleeve (1) for well intervention in a subterranean wellbore, comprising: a housing (10) having a through channel (11) with a first end (11a) and a second end (11b), and one or more flow ports (14), and a sliding sleeve (13) disposed axially movable within the housing (10) to open or close said flow ports (14). Said sliding sleeve (13) is equipped with at least a first obturator seat (15) for receipt of a obturator (17) to partially or fully close fluid communication in the through channel (11) of the housing (10), and a time delay mechanism (20) to allow the sliding sleeve (13) to axially travel in the housing (10) at a predetermined speed to open or close said flow ports (14). The invention also discloses a method for well completion in a subterranean wellbore using a sliding sleeve (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Superstage AS
    Inventors: Anthony Kent, Jan Tore Tveranger
  • Patent number: 11384621
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the flow of a fluid from a subterranean well zone to a pipe located within a bore in the well zone. The apparatus comprises an elongate tubular body having an interior passage and a valve passage extending between an exterior of the tubular body and the interior passage with a sliding sleeve adapted to selectably cover and uncover the valve passage. A chamber is formed on one end of the sliding sleeve with an elongate narrow passage extending thereto from the exterior of the tubular body, wherein a pressure drop of the fluid through the elongate narrow passage is adapted to move the sliding sleeve between a closed and an open position. A flow restrictor between the chamber and the interior passage of the tubular body has a pressure drop dependent only upon a flow rate of the fluid therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Inventor: Curtis Ring
  • Patent number: 11359442
    Abstract: A tubular for downhole use including a wall defining an inner bore; a fluidic passageway formed within the wall that is fluidically isolated from the inner bore; a portion of the wall being located between the inner bore and the fluid passageway and configured to maintain fluidic isolation between the inner bore and the fluid passageway until an opening is formed through the portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Jason Edwards
  • Patent number: 11352853
    Abstract: A system and method directed to performing a single trip cementing operation at spaced out locations within a hydrocarbon zone during the construction of a wellbore using a wellbore fluid communication tool. In an embodiment, the tool is deployed on a tubular string above the hydrocarbon zone and comprises a housing including at least one radial port, a seal assembly, an outer sleeve assembly having a door assembly operable to translate across the seal assembly while closed, an inner mandrel and a seat assembly. The tool facilitates the placement of cement within a wellbore annulus from an uphole position in lieu of at the bottom of the wellbore thereby minimizing the pressure required to perform cementing job. At the same time, the ability for the door assembly to translate across the seal assembly while closed ensures the seal is not damaged from repetitive opening and closing of the door assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Ross Maddux, Gary Kohn
  • Patent number: 11332990
    Abstract: A downhole catcher device comprises a catching mechanism which is configured to be transferable between a first mode and a second mode. The catching mechanism is further configured for passing by a first operation element if the catching mechanism is in the first mode and for catching a second operation element if the catching mechanism is in the second mode. The transfer between the first and the second mode is triggered (or effected) by a downhole tool which is operated by the second operation element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Schoeller-Bleckmann Oilfield Equipment AG
    Inventor: Nathan Strilchuk
  • Patent number: 11326420
    Abstract: A gravel pack flow path used to flow slurry fluids during a gravel pack phase may be closed or at least limited with a swellable metallic material prior to a production phase. An example apparatus may include a base pipe, a screen disposed about the base pipe, an inflow control device having an ICD flow path in fluid communication with an outer annulus between the screen and base pipe. The gravel pack flow path defined in part by perforations in a base pipe or by a secondary housing. A swellable metallic material is activated to close the gravel pack flow path in response to a reactive fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Williams Cho, Stephen Michael Greci
  • Patent number: 11306560
    Abstract: A flow control apparatus is provided comprising: a housing including a port; a housing passage disposed within the housing; a flow control member, displaceable, relative to the port, for effecting opening of the port; and a co-operating member. The flow control member and the co-operating member are co-operatively configured such that displacement of the flow control member, relative to the port, is with effect that a force is applied by the flow control member to the co-operating member, with effect that a seating surface is obtained for receiving a flow communication interference body that is being conducted through the housing passage. The seating surface is obtained in response to a deformation effected by the applied force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: NCS Multistage Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Werries, Brock Gillis, Tim Johnson, Ramin Tajallipour
  • Patent number: 11306561
    Abstract: A completion assembly defines a throughbore and comprises an isolation valve configurable between an open state (permitting fluid to flow through the throughbore) and a closed state (preventing fluid from flowing through the throughbore). A method for use in installing the assembly into a wellbore in a single trip comprises running the assembly into the wellbore with the valve in the open state until a downhole end of the assembly reaches a target position; injecting a fluid through the throughbore and the valve when the valve is in the open state; configuring the valve into the closed state; and performing a pressure integrity test of the throughbore above the valve. The valve is configurable between the open and closed states without any requirement for the valve to be mechanically engaged by an activation member or a tool whilst the valve receives power from a power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Franklin, Euan Murdoch, Christopher Munro
  • Patent number: 11299945
    Abstract: A counter including a housing disposed about a tubular creating a space therebetween, a piston disposed in the space and responsive to pressure up events in the tubular to compress a transfer chamber, a supply chamber fluidly attached to the transfer chamber; a trigger chamber fluidly attached to the transfer chamber wherein sequential pressure events cause the piston to move fluid from the supply chamber to the trigger chamber. A counter including a fluid incrementing configuration, an activation member in fluid force communication with the fluid incrementing configuration, the activation member having a first position where a fluid port is blocked and a second position where the fluid port is unblocked, the fluid port being fluid pressure connected to a tool to be actuated when the activation member is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Geoffrey Warlick, Sean Gaudette, Bradley Kellogg, Taylor Broussard
  • Patent number: 11280161
    Abstract: A frac sleeve assembly and method of operation. The frac sleeve assembly includes a ball seat that retains a frac ball. The ball seat moves within a sleeve. The sleeve includes a profile that separates the first half and the second half to allow passage of the frac ball through the ball seat when the ball seat moves within the sleeve. Alternatively, the ball seat has a ring for receiving the frac ball and the sleeve has a protrusion that selectively engages a shifting pin to move the ring with respect to a ridge to release the ball from the ball seat when the ball seat moves within the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Matthew Stone
  • Patent number: 11280189
    Abstract: A suspended fluid sampling and monitoring system includes a BOP, the BOP attached to a wellhead. The BOP is positioned above a wellbore. The suspended fluid sampling and monitoring system further includes a TEC, the TEC connected to a sensor package. The TEC and sensor package extend through the BOP into the wellbore. The suspended fluid sampling and monitoring system also includes a fluid sample line, the fluid sample line extending through the BOP into the wellbore. The suspended fluid sampling and monitoring system also includes a fluid sample intake and filtration device, the fluid sample intake and filtration device mechanically coupled to the fluid sample line within the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: GAS SENSING TECHNOLOGY CORP.
    Inventor: Michael Siefert
  • Patent number: 11274664
    Abstract: An actuation device may include a plurality of actuation units disposed about an axis. Each actuation unit of the plurality of actuation units may include a shape memory alloy component, an auxetic material component operationally coupled to the shape memory alloy component, and a power source operationally coupled to the shape memory alloy component. Additionally, the actuation device may include a control system operationally coupled to the power source, the control system is configured to actuate the shape memory alloy component through the power source. Further, when actuated, the shape memory alloy component moves in a direction outward from the axis to pull the auxetic material component, and the auxetic material component expands in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the shape memory alloy component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: H. Brian Skeels
  • Patent number: 11274526
    Abstract: A technique facilitates wellbore operations and utilization of wellbore equipment, e.g. equipment comprising actuation devices for downhole tools. According to an embodiment, the system comprises a pump solution for an electrically control device, e.g. an electrically controlled valve. The system may comprise hydraulic circuitry which utilizes bellows to effectively enclose the hydraulic circuitry. Consequently, the system enables an electrically control downhole system having components hydraulically actuated via a closed loop hydraulic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Benoit Deville, Srinivas Poluchalla, Virinchi Mallela, Marian Faur, Charley Martinez
  • Patent number: 11261698
    Abstract: Flow control systems are described for variably resisting flow of a fluid composition dependent on the surface energy of the fluid composition. Surface energy is a measure of the wettability of a surface with a particular the fluid. Surface energy dependent flow resistors of the present disclosure include a support structure extending across and/or filling a control passageway such that the surface area exposed to a fluid may be maximized. The flow control systems described may autonomously distinguish between fluid compositions having high and low proportions of a desired fluid component even when the fluid compositions have substantially equal viscosities. Flow control valves are described which may be employed in downhole production and injection equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Linley Fripp, Stephen Michael Greci, Larry Steven Eoff