Disassembling Well Part Patents (Class 166/377)
  • Patent number: 12139987
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are downhole tubular disconnect assemblies. Those downhole tubular disconnect assemblies may each include: a parting sub having a thin wall section; a cutting segment coupled to an outer surface of the thin wall section; an ignition assembly coupled to the parting sub and the cutting segment; a sleeve disposed over the thin wall section of the parting sub and the cutting segment; and a cap coupled to the parting sub and abutted against the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Inventors: Paul James Wilson, Robert Bradley Cook, Daniel Teen, Glenn Mitchel Walls
  • Patent number: 11933589
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a holding device for a detonation initiation system is disclosed. The holding device includes an initiator holder having a longitudinal internal cavity. The longitudinal internal cavity is configured to retain an initiator and an electrical cable in electrical contact with the initiator. The holding device further includes a plurality of retention fingers configured for retaining a shaped charge adjacent the initiator. The plurality of retention fingers define a shaped charge receiving portion that may be configured to receive shaped charges of different shapes. The holder may be formed from a thermoplastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH
    Inventor: Joerg Bergmann
  • Patent number: 11885190
    Abstract: An apparatus for cutting sections of a wellbore tubular includes a housing shaped to enable movement along an interior of the tubular. The housing has an upper end arranged to connect to a conveyance and a lower end comprising a guide. Cutting materials are disposed in the housing and arranged to cut the wellbore tubular in two, longitudinally spaced apart circumferential cuts and at least one longitudinal cut extending between the circumferential cuts. The cutting materials are arranged to create the circumferential cuts simultaneously or with a time delay chosen to optimize energy created when cutting. A method for cutting wellbore tubulars includes positioning the apparatus at a selected position in the wellbore and actuating the cutting materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: AARBAKKE INNOVATION, A.S.
    Inventors: Henning Hansen, Tarald Gudmestad, Luqmanul Shafiee, Siti Rahman
  • Patent number: 11885187
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed that use a control line to expand a piston that shears pins to disconnect a latching system for wellbore operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas James Wakerley, Krishna Trisal, Farid Afandiyev, Ilyana Sergeevna Afanasyeva
  • Patent number: 11536118
    Abstract: A method of avoiding a frac hit in a hydrocarbon producing field. The method comprises locating a parent wellbore in the hydrocarbon producing field, and then locating a child wellbore in the hydrocarbon producing field. The method also includes running a perforating gun assembly into the child wellbore, wherein the perforating gun assembly comprises a first perforating gun and a second perforating gun, with each defining a gun barrel housing having a first end and an opposing second end. The assembly also includes a tandem sub, with the tandem sub having first and second opposing ends defining a threaded connector, and each end having a side port configured to receive an alignment screw. The method also comprises linearly aligning charges of each of the first and second perforating guns, wherein all charges are aligned in a single direction by rotating one or both of the respective perforating guns relative to the tandem sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: XConnect, LLC
    Inventors: Shelby L. Sullivan, Aaron Holmberg
  • Patent number: 11421517
    Abstract: A system for diverting fluid in a borehole string includes an object configured to be deployed in the borehole string. The borehole string includes a plurality of fluid ports defining a plurality of zones along a length of the borehole string, each fluid port extending from a fluid conduit in the borehole string to at least one of: an annular region of the borehole string and a subterranean region. The object is configured to be advanced by a fluid to a fluid port to obstruct the fluid port and divert the fluid in the borehole string to another fluid port. The object includes a core portion made from a first material having a first property, and an outer portion at least partially surrounding the core portion and made from a second material, the second material being deformable and having a second property that is different than the first property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Juan Carlos Flores Perez, Edward O'Malley
  • Patent number: 11401034
    Abstract: An aerial vehicle for delivering a package. The aerial vehicle having a package deployment system coupled to the aerial vehicle. The package deployment system having a spool coupled to the aerial vehicle, a lowering line fixedly coupled to the spool at a first end, the lowering line having a second end secured to a grasping device, and a cutting device coupled to one of the spool or the lowering line. The aerial vehicle also having a package coupled to the grasping device and a monitoring system couple to one of the aerial vehicle or the package deployment system. The package deployment system is configured to deliver the package at a delivery location. The cutting device is configured to sever the lowering line to deliver the package. A method for delivering a package with an aerial vehicle having the package deployment system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Donald R. High, John J. O'Brien, Robert Cantrell, Brian Mchale, Justin Schuhardt
  • Patent number: 11396782
    Abstract: A window cutting system includes a whipstock having an outer surface, an inner surface, a recess, and a passage extending through the outer surface and the inner surface in the recess. A window mill is connected to the whipstock. The window mill includes a body having a tip portion, a pressure compartment formed in the tip portion, and an axial passage extending though the tip portion from the pressure compartment. A pin connects the window mill and the whipstock. The pin is arranged in the pressure compartment and extends through the axial passage and the passage into the recess. The pin is axially shiftable relative to the window mill and the whipstock when exposed to pressure in the pressure compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Ahmed AlAdawy, Naeem-Ur-Rehman Minhas, Asok Janardhanan Nair, Raghava Raju Lakhamraju
  • Patent number: 11378387
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to systems and methods for locating, measuring, counting or aiding in the handling of drill pipes 106. The system 100 comprises at least one camera 102 capable of gathering visual data 150 regarding detecting, localizing or both, pipes 106, roughnecks 116, elevators 118 and combinations thereof. The system 100 further comprises a processor 110 and a logging system 114 for recording the gathered visual data 150. The method 200 comprises acquiring visual data 150 using a camera 106, analyzing the acquired data 150, and recording the acquired data 150.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: HELMERICH & PAYNE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Peter A. Torrione
  • Patent number: 11313185
    Abstract: A differential iron roughneck for making or breaking a pipe connection includes: at least one first gripping cylinder for delivering torque to a first pipe; at least one second gripping cylinder for delivering and receiving torque to and from a second pipe; and a differential gearbox including: a primary shaft delivering torque to the at least one first gripping cylinder; and a secondary shaft receiving torque from the at least one second gripping cylinder, where the primary shaft and the secondary shaft rotate at different speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Amjad Alshaarawi, Haytham H. Alhamed, Meshari M. Alshalan, Abdulwahab Al-Johar, Mohammad Saud Al-Badran
  • Patent number: 11268375
    Abstract: An imaging agent, a method of production of the imaging agent, and the use of the imaging agent for microseismic monitoring of subterranean formations such as those generated during hydraulic fracturing. The acoustic emitting agent is tailorable for emission delay to ensure placement and frequency emission profiles for well region differentiation. This monitoring tool is highly useful in gas, oil, and geothermal well defining and stimulation monitoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Powdermet, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian S. Werry, Brian Doud, Andrew Sherman
  • Patent number: 11220871
    Abstract: A method for removing a drill string from a wellbore, the drill string comprising a plurality of pipe segments, the wellbore and the drill string defining an annulus, the annulus and the drill string containing a fluid, comprises: a) determining a desired dry pipe length; b) calculating a hydrostatic pressure for a column of fluid having a height corresponding to the desired dry pipe length; c) injecting into the drill string a gas having a pressure at least as great as the pressure calculated in step b) so as to displace fluid from an upper portion of drill string, thereby creating a dry pipe portion, wherein the length of the dry pipe portion corresponds to the desired dry pipe length; d) preventing fluid from flowing from the annulus into the drill string; and e) removing at least a part of the dry pipe portion from the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Inventor: Ronald Thorsten Eckmann
  • Patent number: 11162309
    Abstract: A top drive unit including a top drive housing, a drive stem disposed in the top drive housing, a carrier configured to axially move the drive stem relative to the top drive housing, and a drive mechanism for rotating the drive stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Bjoern Thiemann
  • Patent number: 11136866
    Abstract: A releasable tool using an electronic motor to drive a differential to engage or release a quick change sub that may be coupled to additional downhole tools, such as a perforating gun string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Hunting Titan, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Holodnak, Garrett M. Hohmann, Santos D. Ortiz, Gene McBride, Sridhar Rajaram, George King
  • Patent number: 10982950
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to systems and methods for locating, measuring, counting or aiding in the handling of drill pipes 106. The system 100 comprises at least one camera 102 capable of gathering visual data 150 regarding detecting, localizing or both, pipes 106, roughnecks 116, elevators 118 and combinations thereof. The system 100 further comprises a processor 110 and a logging system 114 for recording the gathered visual data 150. The method 200 comprises acquiring visual data 150 using a camera 106, analyzing the acquired data 150, and recording the acquired data 150.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Helmerich & Payne Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Peter A. Torrione
  • Patent number: 10890048
    Abstract: A method of drilling a wellbore includes drilling the wellbore through a formation by injecting drilling fluid through a drill string and rotating a drill bit. The drill string includes a shifting tool, a receiver in communication with the shifting tool, and the drill bit. The method further includes retrieving the drill string from the wellbore through a casing string until the shifting tool reaches an actuator. The casing string includes an isolation valve in an open position and the actuator. The method further includes sending a wireless instruction signal to the receiver. The shifting tool engages the actuator in response to the receiver receiving the instruction signal. The method further includes operating the actuator using the engaged shifting tool, thereby closing the isolation valve and isolating the formation from an upper portion of the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Joe Noske, Roddie R. Smith, Paul L. Smith, Thomas F. Bailey, Christopher L. Mcdowell, Frederick T. Tilton
  • Patent number: 10858898
    Abstract: A setting tool for setting an auxiliary tool in a well, the setting tool including a housing having a floating piston, the floating piston separating the housing into a pressure chamber, located upstream the floating piston, and a hydraulic chamber located downstream the floating piston; an internal plug having an upstream end attached to the floating piston and having a downstream end extending into the hydraulic chamber; and a cover-insert member covering the downstream end of the internal plug. The internal plug has an internal passage that fluidly communicates (1) with an internal passage through the floating piston, at one end, and (2) with a port at the other end, and the port is covered by the cover-insert member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: GEODYNAMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Wayne Rosenthal, Jeremy Castaneda
  • Patent number: 10704364
    Abstract: A coupler includes a housing having a bore therethrough, a lock member at least partially disposed within the bore of the housing and longitudinally movable relative to the housing between a locked position and an unlocked position, and an actuator at least partially disposed within the housing and configured to move the lock member. In another embodiment, a combined multi-coupler system includes a housing having a bore therethrough, an adapter of a tool dock, and a locking assembly including a lock member at least partially disposed within the bore of the housing and longitudinally movable relative to the housing between a locked position and an unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Aicam Zouhair
  • Patent number: 10619429
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for an integrated flush-mount spider and power-tong apparatus comprising a flush-mount spider integrated with an attached power-tong and electronic load cell torque monitor. The power-tong applies rotation in opposite directions to make-up and breakout the pipe string. The flush mount spider holds the lower pipe string in place and serves as a backup tong to prevent rotation of the lower pipe string. The addition of a pipe spinner allows the integrated flush-mount spider and power-tong apparatus to replace a top drive for advancing a wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Odfjell Well Services Norway AS
    Inventor: David L. Sipos
  • Patent number: 10479473
    Abstract: A reusable frangible joint includes a first part having a hemispherical convex surface, and a second part defined by a reversely identical mating hemispherical concave surface. The convex and concave surfaces of the joint are secured and held together in compression until a predetermined applied load causes the joint to fail. The joint includes at least one replaceable fastener that rigidly secures and holds the respective concave and convex surfaces together. The fastener, designed to be the only part of the joint configured to fail, is sheared apart under the predetermined load, which results in separation of the concave and convex parts from one another irrespective of from which direction or to which part the impact load is applied. The failed fastener can then be replaced, wherein the frangible joint becomes immediately reusable, as having incurred no other damage by the impact load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Insitu, Inc
    Inventors: Chad Stuart Kossar, Bradley Yeomans, Matthew Grubb
  • Patent number: 10450827
    Abstract: A borehole plug or packer for treating is designed to be flowed back to a surface location after use. When the treatment is concluded pressure from above is relieved or lowered, and well fluid is flowed back, so that the plug or plugs disengages at slips designed to resist differential pressure from above. The application of differential pressure from below causes the lower slips to release one or more of such plugs in the hole into specialized sub surface or surface capture equipment so that well pressure is relieved before removal of the plugs from specialized subsurface or surface capture equipment. Packers or plugs are captured above, below or at a wellhead in a receptacle. Production ensues without milling with the captured plugs or packers in place or removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Tristan R. Wise, Zachary S Silva, Elias Pena, Hector O. Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 10400539
    Abstract: A borehole plug or packer for treating is designed to be flowed back to a surface location after use. When the treatment is concluded pressure from above is relieved or lowered, and well fluid is flowed back, so that the plug or plugs disengages at slips designed to resist differential pressure from above. The application of differential pressure from below causes the lower slips to release one or more of such plugs in the hole into specialized sub surface or surface capture equipment so that well pressure is relieved before removal of the plugs from specialized subsurface or surface capture equipment. At least one apparatus is used to bridge transitions in wellbore dimension on the way to the surface and close the gaps to allow produced formation fluid to continue taking a packer or plug past the well diameter transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Tristan R. Wise, Zachary S. Silva, Elias Pena, Hector O. Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 10385682
    Abstract: A method for communicating in a borehole includes running a pipe or tubing into a borehole the pipe or tubing conveying a sensor, running a wireline through the pipe or tubing, connecting the wireline with the sensor, attaching a converter sub to the pipe or tubing, communicating to surface information on the wireline in a method different than wireline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Hermanus J. Nieuwoudt, Daniel A. Funes
  • Patent number: 10344556
    Abstract: A method can include increasing a pressure differential from an interior to an exterior of a packer, thereby deactivating a lock that prevents setting of the packer, and applying a compressive load to a tubular string, thereby setting the packer. A packer can include an annular seal that extends radially outward in response to a compressive load applied to opposite ends of the packer, and a lock that prevents relative longitudinal displacement between sections of the packer, the lock including a radially displaceable piston. In another packer, an inner mandrel can have circumferentially spaced apart engagement structures that are engageable with other circumferentially spaced apart engagement structures, displacement of one packer section relative to another packer section in a longitudinal direction being prevented when the engagement structures are engaged, and such displacement being permitted when the engagement structures are rotationally misaligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Arthur W. Meeks, Matthew D. Garcia, Albert Odell, II
  • Patent number: 10337275
    Abstract: Annular sealing structure associated with at least one annular support for sealing off against well casing said sealing structure including a first O-ring and at least two spaced annular sealing surfaces against which the O-ring seals in addition to sealing off against well casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Inventor: David M. Miller
  • Patent number: 10301888
    Abstract: A travel joint comprises an outer housing, an inner mandrel, a first release device positioned between the outer housing and the inner mandrel, and a second release device positioned between the outer housing and the inner mandrel. The first release device is configured to actuate from the locked position to the unlocked position in response to a fluid pressure supplied to the first release device. The second release device is configured to selectively prevent and allow relative axial movement between the outer housing and the inner mandrel in response to an axial force applied to at least one of the outer housing or the inner mandrel, and the first release device is configured to prevent the application of the axial force to actuate the second release device in the locked position and allow the axial force to actuate the second release device in the unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: William Mark Richards, Timothy Edward Harms
  • Patent number: 10087728
    Abstract: In combination, an inverted electric submersible pump (ESP) sized to fit within a downhole production path and a coiled tubing string. The coiled tubing string has an internal bore, and one or more supply lines housed within the internal bore and connected between surface and the inverted ESP. The inverted ESP has a pump section and a motor section, the motor section disposed above the pump section, and the pump section having one or more inlet ports and one or more outlet ports. At least one sealing element is positioned between the one or more inlet ports and the one or more outlet ports and is sized to seal against the downhole production path. A coiled tubing connection sealably connects the motor section to the coiled tubing string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Petrospec Engineering Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald V. Chalifoux
  • Patent number: 10077615
    Abstract: A sound absorber mountable between a drilling apparatus and a drill bit. The sound absorber defines an absorber axis therealong. The sound absorber includes a sleeve defining a chamber extending axially therealong, the chamber defining axially opposed chamber proximal and distal ends, the chamber being delimited by a chamber peripheral wall extending between the chamber proximal and distal ends and a chamber distal end wall provided at the chamber distal end, the sleeve defining a sleeve aperture leading to the chamber at the chamber proximal end. A piston is mounted to the sleeve so that at least part of the piston is in the chamber, the piston being reciprocatingly movable substantially axially along the sleeve, the piston defining axially opposed piston proximal and distal ends An absorbing system includes a first resilient element provided in the chamber between the piston distal end and the chamber distal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: ASDR CANADA INC.
    Inventor: Stephen Authier
  • Patent number: 10030486
    Abstract: A system and method for performing a flexible liner eversion into, or an inversion out from, a low-permeability borehole. A flexible liner may be installed by eversion down a subterranean borehole in order to selectively seal the borehole. Such a liner may be removed from the borehole by inverting it up the borehole. Water is removed by pumping from the borehole beneath the lowest end of the borehole, to facilitate eversion of the liner. Water is added, by pumping water into the borehole beneath the lowest end of the liner, to permit or facilitate inversion of the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Inventor: Carl E. Keller
  • Patent number: 9945191
    Abstract: A jack and push/pull apparatus is provided by attaching to a wellhead an extendable/contractible horseshoe-shaped jack assembly of sufficient diameter to surround and act upon the tubing or casing to be manipulated in the well, the linear action of the assembly being powered between an extended and a retracted position, the assembly having at least one tube-gripping mechanism at the end of the assembly away from the wellhead attachment. Tubing is inserted into the well bore through the assembly and the wellhead, and when injection forces are desired tube-gripping means grip the tubing being injected and the apparatus is powered to a retracted position, forcing the grasped tubing into the well. The operation may be reversed to pull tubing or casing. The assembly can be simply added to the rig while tubing is present on and above the rig's floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignees: 1440072 ALBERTA LTD.
    Inventors: Conrad Petrowsky, Thomas Follett, Blake Johnson
  • Patent number: 9914872
    Abstract: Embodiments of proppants are described herein. In one embodiment, a proppant for hydraulic fracturing includes a proppant body. The proppant body has a length (L) and an outside diameter (D), and the proppant body length (L) to the proppant body outside diameter (D) ratio (L/D) is about 0.3 to about 5.0. The proppant body includes a space frame, and the space frame includes a plurality of rigid members creating a plurality of openings allowing fluid to flow through the proppant thereby increasing permeability. In another embodiment, a proppant for hydraulic fracturing includes a substantially cylindrical proppant body with a substantially circular cross-sectional area and an internal flow path with a substantially circular cross-sectional.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Clyde Dean Wehunt, Amit Kumar Singh
  • Patent number: 9752401
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a release device (10) for releasably connecting a downhole object (80), such as a running tool or a plug, to a setting tool, the release device extending between a proximal end (10a) adapted to be coupled to the setting tool and a distal end (10b) adapted to be coupled to the downhole object, the release device comprising a base element (16) extending in a longitudinal direction and a connecting element arranged in continuation of the base element, the connecting element (11) constituting the distal end of the release device and being adapted to be coupled to the downhole object, wherein the connecting element is releasably coupled to the base element by an activatable release mechanism (60). Further, the invention relates to a downhole setting tool for setting an object in a wellbore and to a method for disconnecting a downhole object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Welltec A/S
    Inventors: Jørgen Hallundbæk, Rasmus Sommer
  • Patent number: 9738199
    Abstract: A BOP cart includes a platform including at least one mounting position adapted to receive the bottom of a BOP and a cart back extending generally perpendicular to the platform. The cart back includes at least one mounting feature positioned to secure the BOP to the BOP cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Nabors Drilling USA, LP
    Inventors: Ralph Shamas, Todd Fox
  • Patent number: 9726003
    Abstract: The invention provides a system for automatic control of the drilling an oil well. The system includes an autodrilling interface enabling parameter input data to be input and enabling the display of system output data, a controller, a hydraulic control system and at least one sensor configured to the hydraulic control system. The controller receives parameter input data from the autodrilling interface and at least one sensor and provides output instructions to the hydraulic control system such that the hydraulic control system operates to control drilling based on controller instructions and sensor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Ensign Drilling Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Pettapiece, Wayne Kipp
  • Patent number: 9657539
    Abstract: An automated roughneck may include a backup tong and a makeup tong. The makeup tong and backup tong may be selectively movable relative to one another. The makeup tong and backup tong may include spinner and gripper assemblies respectively adapted to make up and break out threaded connections. The automated roughneck may be configurable to be removable from the drill string in a lateral direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: NABORS CORPORATION SERVICES
    Inventors: Ashish Gupta, Vladimir Scekic, Padira Reddy, Brian Ellis, Faisal Yousef, Chris Magnuson, Larry Heighington
  • Patent number: 9631447
    Abstract: A method is for removing casing from a well. The method includes setting a first sealing element into fluid-sealing engagement with the inside of the casing, lowering a flow-through string into the well, a cutting tool and a second, reversibly expandable sealing element being connected to the string, forming perforations into the casing by means of said cutting tool, expanding the second, expandable sealing element into fluid-sealing engagement with the inside of the casing, passing a pressurized fluid through the string and into the annulus via the perforations, so that the viscous and/or solid mass is displaced up the annulus, cutting the casing around its entire circumference; and pulling a length of the casing up from the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Well Technology AS
    Inventors: Arne Gunnar Larsen, Patrick Andersen, Roy Inge Jensen, Arnt Olav Dahl, Morten Myhre
  • Patent number: 9556693
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a disconnecting tool (1) for disconnecting a drill pipe from a lower casing in a bore-hole and having an axial extension along a centre line (2), comprising an axial force generator (4) comprising a first part (5) and a second part (6) and providing an axial movement of the second part in relation to the first part along the axial extension, a wireline (3) powering the axial force generator, and an element (7) comprising a leading part (8) and a trailing part (9), the second part being connected with the trailing part, wherein a fluid channel (10) extends from the leading part to the trailing part for letting fluid through or pass the element when the second part is moved in relation to the first part of the force generator during disconnection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: WELLTEC A/S
    Inventor: Jørgen Hallundbæk
  • Patent number: 9394750
    Abstract: A collet coupling for electric submersible pump shafts is provided. An example coupling for joining two shafts includes a tubular coupling member, and collet for fixing the coupling to a shaft via expandable fingers with ribs for latching into a groove on each shaft. Shoulders in the groove transmit axial load forces between the two shafts through the ribs, fingers, and collet. An example method includes attaching one end of the coupling to a shaft of an ESP unit already installed in a well, adjusting an axial reach of a threaded collet for attachment to a second shaft of an upper ESP unit, and engaging ribs of the collet into a groove of the second shaft to couple the two shafts. A sliding retainer allows quick release. An axial deviation distance may be factory-stamped on the ESP units for quick length adjustment and installation of collet couplings in the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sergey Pisetskiy, Arthur I Watson
  • Patent number: 9309729
    Abstract: A tool is for clamping a saver sub assembly of the drive shaft of a top drive drilling machine, in which a tong, which is arranged to fixedly hold the saver sub assembly by releasable abutment against a portion of the saver sub assembly, is arranged on an upper portion of a frame which, in a position of use, is rotationally rigidly fixed to and projects from a support, the frame being provided with a through-going center opening arranged to receive a substantial portion of the saver sub assembly. A method of replacing a saver sub assembly on the drive shaft of a top drive drilling machine is described as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Quality Technical Group AS
    Inventor: Audun Sjursaether
  • Patent number: 9243479
    Abstract: A lateral is gravel packed without a junction in place in a single trip into the wellbore. A disconnect is provided between the isolation packer in the lateral and a main bore packer. The inner string assembly in the gravel packing completion releases a disconnect with a shift tool and then releases the main bore packer so that the inner string assembly takes out the main bore packer and the upper portion of the disconnect when pulling out of the hole. A junction is then placed into the main and lateral legs with a packer having a seal bore into which the production string is sealingly stabbed to produce out of the main bore and/or the just completed lateral.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Kjell Nygardsvoll, Mark E. Ramey
  • Patent number: 9206648
    Abstract: A system and method facilitate sidetracking by eliminating one or more trips downhole. A sidetracking system includes a whipstock assembly and a stinger assembly. The stinger assembly has a stinger which extends at least partially through the whipstock assembly. The stinger is coupled to a sub of the sidetracking system by a releasable latch mechanism, such as a shear pin or collet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles H. Dewey, John E. Campbell, Shantanu N. Swadi, Philip M. Gregurek
  • Patent number: 9057246
    Abstract: Present embodiments are directed to a tubular catcher system configured to detect a falling tubular through a drilling rig and grip the tubular before it drops into the wellbore. A sensor configured to detect the velocity or acceleration of the tubular activates an actuation mechanism when the velocity or acceleration exceeds a specific threshold, indicating a falling tubular. The actuation mechanism forces a gripping mechanism into contact with the tubular, catching the tubular and sending energy from the tubular to a hydropneumatic shock absorber coupled to the actuation mechanism and/or the gripping mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Tesco Corporation
    Inventor: Jonathan Brian O'Blenes
  • Patent number: 9051787
    Abstract: Devices and methods are described for quickly connecting and disconnecting a conduit to a port. A quick connect coupling is described for quickly connecting and disconnecting a cement supply conduit to the port of a top drive cement swivel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: David F. Laurel, Douglas K. Baugher, Charles J. Pate, II, Kurt R. Koenig
  • Publication number: 20150144354
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards, in general, retrieval tools operable for conveyance within a wellbore extending below a wellsite surface, and methods of using such retrieval tools. One such retrieval tool comprises an annular member operable to receive a conveyance terminating at a downhole tool lodged within the wellbore. The annular member may subsequently receive and engage a portion of the downhole tool. The retrieval tool also comprises a flapper selectively operable to sever the conveyance if the downhole tool cannot be dislodged from the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Larry Victor Cooper, Robert M. Ramsey
  • Publication number: 20150136417
    Abstract: A rigidizer and method for its use in supporting a tubular string during handling operations. The rigidizer includes upper and lower sleeves which pivotally open and close to clamp about the string. The upper and lower sleeves are rigidly connected by a number of structural telescopic legs that allow adjustment to different lengths for accommodating different strings. The rigidizer is installed on the string when the string is in a horizontal position and provides structural support to thin-walled components during upending and handling. Once the string is vertically oriented, the rigidizer is removed prior to being run into a marine riser or well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Stingray Offshore Solutions LLC
    Inventor: Matthew S. Elliott
  • Publication number: 20150129239
    Abstract: A packing apparatus including at least one sealing surface formed from a degradable material. The degradable material may be a biodegradable polymer such as polyglocolic acid, polylactic acid, or their copolymers. The body of the packing apparatus may also be formed from a degradable material. The packing apparatus may be deployed in a subterranean well and disposed of without milling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Bennett M. Richard
  • Publication number: 20150107850
    Abstract: An automated, electric tong system and methods usable for making-up and breaking out threaded connections between tubular members, wherein the electric tong system comprises a power tong for applying torque and rotating the upper tubular member, a backup tong for gripping tubulars, and a lift assembly for vertically moving the electric tong system into proper position to grip the upper and lower tubulars. The power and backup tongs and lift assembly of the electric tong system are integrated into a single transportable unit and operated by three separate electrical motors, controlled by a single driver. The backup tong is located below the power tong and comprises a pneumatic cylinder, which operates a backup door, and a linear actuator driven by an electric motor for use in latching the backup tong door in a closed position and applying or releasing a clamping force to a tubular, during make-up or break-out operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Frank's International, LLC
    Inventors: Donald E. Mosing, Vernon J. Bouligny
  • Publication number: 20150107849
    Abstract: A method tor completing a well includes drilling a well through a wellhead having an annular bowl protector inserted therein. The bowl protector lias an internal recess. A lower end of a casing string is lowered through the bowl protector. A centrahzer having a plurality of lugs on an outer surface is installed on a retrieval joint of casing of the casing string. The retrieval joint of casing and the eentralizer is lowered so the logs engage the internal recess of the bowl protector. The retrieval joint of casing is raised to lift the centralker and bowl protector out of the wellhead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: GE Oil & Gas Pressure Control LP
    Inventor: Bashir Mohammad Koleilat
  • Publication number: 20150101826
    Abstract: An automated roughneck may include a backup tong and a makeup tong. The makeup tong and backup tong may be selectively movable relative to one another. The makeup tong and backup tong may include spinner and gripper assemblies respectively adapted to make up and break out threaded connections. The automated roughneck may be configurable to be removable from the drill string in a lateral direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Ashish Gupta, Vladimir Scekic, Padira Reddy, Brian Ellis, Faisal Yousef, Chris Magnuson, Larry Heighington
  • Patent number: 9004181
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for a law profile rotating control device (LP-RCD) and its housing mounted on or integral with an annular blowout preventer seal, casing, or other housing. The LP-RCD and LP-RCD housing can fit within a limited space available on drilling rigs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventors: Don M. Hannegan, Thomas F. Bailey, James W. Chambers, Simon J. Harrall