Above Ground Parts Patents (Class 166/379)
  • Patent number: 11428057
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present disclose, an interlock system for a mobile drilling machine. The interlock system has a sensor assembly used to determine a drill string status, an operator interface for receiving a deck wrench disengagement input, and a control module. The control module may be used to receive the deck wrench disengagement input from the operator interface, receive the drill string status from the sensor assembly, determine from the drill string status that a drill string component engaged by the deck wrench is connected to a drill string or a drill head, and disengage the deck wrench from the drill string component engaged by the deck wrench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLC
    Inventors: Carl J. Moberg, Ross L. Hoult
  • Patent number: 11371307
    Abstract: The modular bowl system provides a detachable bowl top and a modular bottom. The bowl top detaches to allow for easy repair of the bowl system should the bowl top become damaged. The detachable modular bottom securing to the bowl body for attaching the bowl body to the annular. The modular bottom provides a fixed attachment or a rotatable attachment of the bowl body with the annular. The modular bottom provides different sized bottom flanges for attachment to different sized annulars. The bowl body rotates for positioning of the bowl and the outlets and the inlet of the bowl for attachment to the flow line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: PRUITT TOOL & SUPPLY CO.
    Inventors: Grant Pruitt, Cris Braun, Andrew Lloyd Plowman
  • Patent number: 11352203
    Abstract: A thief hatch assembly for a storage tank includes a housing and a cover that rests on an upper surface of the housing to seal and maintain a pressure within the storage tank. The thief hatch cover is configured to open at a predetermined set pressure to relieve excess pressure from the storage tank. The thief hatch assembly is attached to the storage tank using blind threaded mounting holes to prevent escape of gases from the storage tank through the mounting holes. In one embodiment, the blind threaded holes are provided in a flange adapter that mounts between the thief hatch housing and the storage tank. In another embodiment, the blind threaded holes are provided in a flange adapter that is welded to the storage tank. In another embodiment, the blind threaded holes are provided in the base of the thief hatch housing. Seals are provided between the mounting surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Inventor: Jess D. Anderson
  • Patent number: 11286737
    Abstract: Certain aspects and features of the disclosure relate to a hydraulic connector for use in a wellbore, for example, with or as part of a disconnect tool. The hydraulic connector can isolate hydraulic fluids in upper and lower hydraulic lines using hydraulic pistons. The pistons in the upper and lower parts of the hydraulic connector interconnect mechanically when the connector is engaged and communicate pressure without transferring hydraulic fluid across the interface. The hydraulic fluid can therefore remain confined within the upper and lower hydraulic lines even when the disconnect tool is disengaged, reducing or eliminating incidents of hydraulic fluid leaking or spilling into the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Mohan Gunasekaran
  • Patent number: 11142970
    Abstract: A bit changer assembly includes a bit basket actuator assembly configured to be coupled to a drill rig. The bit basket actuator assembly includes an actuator, a guiderail, and a bit basket that is movably coupled to the guiderail via actuation of the actuator. The bit changer assembly also includes a bit carousel configured to be coupled to the drill rig, such that the bit carousel is rotatably and vertically moveable relative to the drill rig.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: JOY GLOBAL SURFACE MINING INC
    Inventors: Jason E. Gaska, Samuel F. Haworth
  • Patent number: 11142969
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a stand-building process of which the method includes engaging a first tubular using an elevator, hoisting the first tubular by raising the elevator, lowering the first tubular into a spider by lowering the elevator, engaging the first tubular using the spider, disengaging the first tubular from the elevator after engaging the first tubular using the spider, engaging a second tubular using the elevator, hoisting and lowering the second tubular into engagement with the first tubular, connecting together the first and second tubulars, and disengaging the spider from the first tubular after connecting together the first and second tubulars. At all times during the stand-building process, a sequential step control system locks an open/close control of the elevator control, or locks an open/close control of the spider control, or locks both, depending on a step of the stand-building process being performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: FRANK'S INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventors: Dax Neuville, Brian Begnaud, Cory Cole
  • Patent number: 11103904
    Abstract: A well head cover and assembly is disclosed. The well head cover includes a top discharge section; a bottom engagement section; and a middle section interconnecting the top and bottom sections. The top section includes a sleeve of a predetermined length to prevent the well head cover from tilting when installed on a conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: PumpOne Environmental, LLC
    Inventors: Brent Devinney, Kerry Shawn Devinney, Jeff Perry
  • Patent number: 11053753
    Abstract: An offshore subsea wellbore activities system and method wherein use is made of a tower and a motion arm assembly with vertical drive adapted to move the motion arm along a vertical motion arm rail relative to the tower. Also use is made of a wellbore activities device comprising a riser tension frame having an upper frame section, a lower frame section provided with a riser attachment device adapted to attach a riser to said lower frame section so as to extend in a firing line, and a vertical riser load bearing structure, e.g. formed by struts. The wellbore activities device further comprises a coiled tubing injector, a wireline lubricator, and one or more pressure control devices associated with the coiled tubing injector and/or the wireline lubricator received by and individually movable within the riser tension frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: ITREC B.V.
    Inventors: Diederick Bernardus Wijning, Joop Roodenburg
  • Patent number: 10995563
    Abstract: A mobile, coiled tubing drilling apparatus with a rotary drill head, includes a non-rotating mast on a mobile platform. The mast has mounted thereon an injector below a coiled tubing reel. The injector defines an operational axis for the coiled tubing. The rotary drill head is pivotally mounted on the injector so as to be movable between a retracted position away from the operational axis and an operating position in line with the operational axis. The rotary drill head includes a top swivel for non-rotating connection to the coiled tubing and a bottom spindle for rotating connection to a pipe section. The top swivel and the bottom spindle provide fluid communication between connected coiled tubing and connected pipe section during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: MINEX CRC LTD
    Inventors: Søren Pham Søe, Shane Lee Fox
  • Patent number: 10947806
    Abstract: A sleeve and plug launcher for launching a sleeve and plug down an oil or gas well includes sleeve and plug holders, a support plate beneath the open bottoms of the sleeve and plug holders, an aperture positioned in the support plate and a sleeve and plug discharge connectable to a well head of a well and positioned below the aperture. When one of the sleeve and plug holders stops over the aperture in the support plate, a sleeve and plug in the sleeve and plug holders drops through the aperture and is directed into a wellhead by the sleeve and plug discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: STONEWALL ENERGY CORP.
    Inventor: Darren Johnson
  • Patent number: 10907424
    Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a tubular string includes a rig drilling bail, a joint bail extender, and a device. The joint bail extender is rigidly coupled to the rig drilling bail. The device is coupled to the first joint bail extender and configured to engage a tubular segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: FRANK'S INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventors: Keith Lutgring, Logan Smith, Nicholas Guidry
  • Patent number: 10900315
    Abstract: A hanger system for a well includes a pipe spool and a tubing hanger removably coupled to the pipe spool. The pipe spool includes a spool housing defining a cylindrical spool bore extending longitudinally through the spool housing, an electrical port in the spool housing with an electrical port opening in an inner surface of the spool housing, a communication port in the spool housing with a communication port opening in the inner surface of the spool housing, and a control port in the spool housing having a control port opening in the inner surface of the spool housing. The communication port connects to a communication module, the control port connects to a control fluid supply, and the electrical port connects to a power supply. The tubing hanger includes a hanger housing, and an electrical conduit, communication conduit, and control conduit extending through the hanger housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Jinjiang Xiao
  • Patent number: 10890034
    Abstract: A combination of a drilling installation for drilling a well and a control and signal lines deployment module is disclosed. The drilling installation includes a rig floor slip device adapted to be cleared from a well centre opening to create a clear space around the well centre opening. The combination includes a temporary workspace floor, adapted to be mounted in the clear space at a level below a rig floor surface and to provide a workspace floor for an operator standing in said clear space on the work space floor, allowing the operator to secure at a securing level said one or more control/and or signal lines externally to a second tubulars string suspended from a module slip device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: ITREC B.V.
    Inventors: Diederick Bernardus Wijning, Joop Roodenburg
  • Patent number: 10890037
    Abstract: A slips positioning apparatus for a wellhead installation is installed in a fixed position relative to the blow out preventer and allows releasable locking of the slips relative to well center and driving movement of the slips relative to well center. The slips positioning apparatus includes a slips-mounting structure for accepting connection of the slips; an installation structure for mounting the apparatus rigidly above the blow out preventer and relative to well center. The installation structure is a plate that defines a first plane. The apparatus further includes a first and a second linear guides configured for movement of the slips-mounting structure relative to the installation structure along respective first and second directions in planes substantially parallel with the first plane; and first and second linear actuators for moving the slips-mounting structure respectively along the first and second linear guides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Inventors: Jason Peter Clarke, Daniel John Clarke
  • Patent number: 10876372
    Abstract: A housing of a dual rubber cartridge attaches at least one rubber to an inner barrel for rotation with the inner barrel. A first rubber and a second rubber may attach to the housing for quick installation of the rubbers. The user removes the housing to remove and replace the two rubbers. The user may then replace the original housing with a second housing on which new rubbers are installed. The housing enables the user to quickly replace the rubbers to reduce down time of the drilling operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: PRUITT TOOL & SUPPLY CO.
    Inventors: Grant Pruitt, Cris Braun
  • Patent number: 10851608
    Abstract: The modular bowl system provides a detachable bowl top and a modular bottom. The bowl top detaches to allow for easy repair of the bowl system should the bowl top become damaged. The detachable modular bottom securing to the bowl body for attaching the bowl body to the annular. The modular bottom provides a fixed attachment or a rotatable attachment of the bowl body with the annular. The modular bottom provides different sized bottom flanges for attachment to different sized annulars. The bowl body rotates for positioning of the bowl and the outlets and the inlet of the bowl for attachment to the flow line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: PRUITT TOOL & SUPPLY CO.
    Inventors: Grant Pruitt, Cris Braun, Andrew Lloyd Plowman
  • Patent number: 10822907
    Abstract: A wellhead assembly includes an outer wellhead member having a bore and an inner wellhead member located in the bore, defining an annular pocket between the outer and inner wellhead members. A sealing assembly is located within the annular pocket, the sealing assembly having an annular seal and an energizing ring. The energizing ring engages inner and outer legs of the annular seal to push the inner and outer legs into sealing engagement with the inner and outer wellhead members. A retainer nut is threadingly attached to the free end of the outer leg of the sealing assembly. Mating grooves are located on one of an inner diameter of the retainer nut and an outer diameter of the energizing ring and mating protrusions located on the other. The mating protrusions mate with the mating grooves to prevent relative axial movement between the energizing ring and the annular seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: VETCO GRAY INC.
    Inventors: Robert Jen-Yue Du, Dinesh Narayan, Durai Balaji, David Lawrence Ford, Baozhi Zhu, Krishnanand Anandan, Kendra Limbrick
  • Patent number: 10774616
    Abstract: Systems and methods for extinguishing a hydrocarbon well include a housing with an inner chamber sized for placement over a wellhead member. The inner chamber extends from a base of the housing to a roof of the housing. An extinguishing materials injection system is operable to deliver extinguishing materials to the inner chamber of the housing. A valve is located at the roof of the housing. A ram sealing system is located at the base of the housing. The ram sealing system has a pair of rams, each ram having an engaging surface. The engaging surface is sized and shaped to seal around the wellhead member when the ram sealing system is in a closed position. The pair of rams are rotationally attached to a ram body. An arm link rotationally links each ram to the ram body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: Mohammad Saud Al-Badran
  • Patent number: 10689934
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing operations on a well include first and second flow control devices positioned between upper and lower sections of a conduit. An upper connector assembly engaged with the upper section includes connectors adapted for connection to a chemical stimulation device, a blowout preventer, or other well intervention apparatuses. A lower connector assembly engaged with the lower section includes connectors adapted for connection to a chemical stimulation device, a running tool, wellbore conduits, or other well intervention apparatuses. The two connector assemblies, above and below the flow control devices, enable sequential or simultaneous operations to be performed, and can enable operations to be performed independent of the state of the flow control devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Inventor: David C. Wright
  • Patent number: 10619430
    Abstract: A drilling device having a drill drive, a positioning means, a receiving part, a clamping means, and a control unit. The receiving part holds a first drill rod element with a first thread region. The clamping means is positioned on the drill drive for holding at least a second drill rod element having a second thread region. The control unit actuates the drill drive and the positioning means to screw the first and second thread regions together. A distance measuring means detects an adjustment distance of the drill drive along a guide as an actual value. The control unit determines an adjustment distance as a nominal value from a detected revolution speed of the drill drive during screwing and a predetermined thread constant. The control unit determines a difference from the nominal and actual values, and uses the difference to adjust the drill drive and/or the positioning means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: PRAKLA Bohrtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Stephan Schaipp, Rudolf Wolf
  • Patent number: 10544643
    Abstract: A well stimulation system includes an inlet fluid conduit connected to a manifold, and a first wellhead assembly connected to the manifold, wherein the wellhead assembly includes a frac tree, a wellhead coupled to the frac tree, wherein the wellhead is in fluid communication with a first well, wherein the frac tree of the first wellhead assembly is configured to inlet a stimulation fluid from the manifold to the first well along a first fluid flowpath extending through the frac tree, wherein the frac tree of the first wellhead assembly is configured to outlet well fluid from the first well to the manifold along the first fluid flowpath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas G. Roesner, Bruce A. Hogg
  • Patent number: 10480272
    Abstract: An isolation flange assembly including a body including a receptacle disposed therein, and a first seal assembly disposed in the receptacle of the body, wherein the first seal assembly is configured to sealingly engage an inner surface of the receptacle of the body and an outer surface of a tubular member extending into the receptacle of the body, wherein the first seal assembly includes an annular radially outer seal, and an annular radially inner seal in engagement with the outer seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis P. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 10352106
    Abstract: A retention, transportation and positioning cradle for a blowout preventer. The cradle includes a frame surrounding a circumference of the blowout preventer, with the frame having an opening for receipt or removal of the blowout preventer. A lift connecter mechanism on the frame connects to a lift mechanism. A pivoting gate encloses the opening on the frame. A plurality of rollers on an upper support surface of the frame engages the blowout preventer permitting rotation of the blowout preventer with respect to the cradle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Woolslayer Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dewayne Vogt, Shelby Heidemann
  • Patent number: 10287833
    Abstract: A combination of a carrier block and gripper block is disclosed. The gripper block includes a first side and a second side spaced apart from the first side, and an upper surface spanning the distance between the first side and the second side. The upper surface includes a gripping surface. The gripper block includes at least one recess positioned in at least one of the first side and the second side of the gripper block, the at least one recess including an engagement surface. A retention device includes a retention feature proximate the first end and extending laterally away from a longitudinal axis of the retention device. The carrier block includes at least one retention recess disposed at least partially through the carrier block, the at least one retention recess being configured to receive a second end of the retention device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Coil Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Cecil Hassard, Marijana Juric, Bruce Lovstrom
  • Patent number: 10167694
    Abstract: Conveying a releasable assembly between latched and unlatched configurations with an outer housing can include connecting the releasable assembly to a running tool, so the assembly can be conveyed with the running tool, and disconnecting the assembly from the running tool. At least one of the connecting and disconnecting steps can include actuating an iris mechanism. A pressure control device can include an annular seal and a latch that releasably secures the annular seal relative to an outer housing, the latch including a grip member that grips a surface and prevents relative rotation. Another pressure control device can include an annular seal connected to and rotatable with an inner mandrel, and a bearing that permits relative rotation between the annular seal and the outer housing. A structure rotates with the inner mandrel, the structure including a flow inductive profile exposed to a bearing lubricant flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Tuong T. Le
  • Patent number: 10119346
    Abstract: A tool for making up and breaking out a drill string at an exit side of a bore. The tool includes a fixed vise and a moveable vise for torqueing a pipe joint, a roller assembly for threading and unthreading adjacent sections of pipe, and a retainer assembly to retain a detached pipe section. The components of the tool are mounted on a frame, which is pivotally connected to a hydraulic machine such as an excavator. Thus, the tool may be manipulated to remove and add sections of pipe to a drill string remote from the primary horizontal directional drill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: American Augers, Inc.
    Inventors: Guy Randall, Jared E. Bird, Richard Gentry
  • Patent number: 10094192
    Abstract: A wellhead assembly includes a wellhead housing having a bore with a wellhead housing sidewall and a longitudinal axis. A hanger lands in the bore, the hanger having a hanger sidewall. Parallel circumferentially extending hanger sidewall ridges are located on the hanger sidewall. Each of the hanger sidewall ridges have upper and lower flanks that converge to a crest. Hanger sidewall bands are located between adjacent ones of the hanger sidewall ridges. A metal seal ring has an outer seal surface in metal-to-metal sealing engagement with the wellhead housing sidewall and an inner seal surface in metal-to-metal sealing engagement with the hanger sidewall bands. Crests of the hanger sidewall ridges embed into the inner seal surface to restrict relative movement between the hanger and the seal ring. A recess extends through each of the hanger sidewall ridges from the upper flank to the lower flank to allow any fluid trapped between the hanger sidewall ridges to flow out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Vetco Gray, LLC
    Inventors: David L. Ford, Guaraci Bornia, Hugo Lopes, Ricardo Silva
  • Patent number: 10053942
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing operations on a well include first and second flow control devices positioned between upper and lower sections of a conduit. An upper connector assembly engaged with the upper section includes connectors adapted for connection to a chemical stimulation device, a blowout preventer, or other well intervention apparatuses. A lower connector assembly engaged with the lower section includes connectors adapted for connection to a chemical stimulation device, a running tool, wellbore conduits, or other well intervention apparatuses. The two connector assemblies, above and below the flow control devices, enable sequential or simultaneous operations to be performed, and can enable operations to be performed independent of the state of the flow control devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Inventor: David C. Wright
  • Patent number: 9976365
    Abstract: An apparatus to support a tubular member such as pipes, in particular in deep drilling, in particular in the field of oil and gas production, for instance in deep drilling. A plurality of linear actuators for moving clamp elements are orientated with their actuator axis in a cone angle of a sliding surface for the clamp elements. The linear actuators are positioned in the clamp elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: FORUM B + V OIL TOOLS GMBH
    Inventors: Andre Vierke, Arno Gruess, Frederik Stoldt
  • Patent number: 9952119
    Abstract: A drilling assembly including a sensor coupled to a gear, the gear in direct or indirect rotational communication with a component of drilling assembly, such as a bull gear or a pipe handler. The drilling assembly further including a logic device configured to calculate a wear status of the drilling assembly, indicating wear of one or more components of the drilling assembly. The logic device can also be configured to calculate an alignment value of the gear for engagement of a locking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Canrig Drilling Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Godwin Simanjuntak, Michael Macklin
  • Patent number: 9903168
    Abstract: A tubular handling apparatus including a tubular member running tool adapted to provide load-bearing, and preferably torquing, capacity upon the gripping of a tubular is provided. The running tool includes a slotted member having a plurality of elongated slots, a recessed member associated with the slotted member and having a plurality of recesses, and a plurality of gripping elements disposed between the slotted member and recessed member. Each such gripping element is adapted to move with an engaged tubular so as to grip the tubular. A tubular member elevator associated to the running tool, as well as related floor slips, are also encompassed. Methods of casing running are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignees: First Subsea Limited, Nabors Drilling Technologies USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian C. Ellis, Craig C. Weems, Faisal J. Yousef, Beat Kuttel
  • Patent number: 9890607
    Abstract: A system, in certain embodiments, includes a casing head and a tubing hanger disposed within the casing head and supported by a first retaining feature of the casing head. The tubing hanger is configured to support a tubing string. The system also includes a guide string hanger disposed within the casing head and supported by a second retaining feature of the casing head independent of the first retaining feature. The guide string hanger is configured to support a guide string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: David Joseph Hanlin, Bradley Mitchell Mandziak
  • Patent number: 9845646
    Abstract: A pipe handler trailer assists with the handling of very large and heavy pipes that are regularly raised to and lowered from an elevated surfaces. A height adjustment assembly sets the maximum height that a skidway will reach when a lift cylinder is fully extended and lift arms are thereby rotated. Located within lift arms are toothed racks. An adjustment block couples the skidway to lift arms through the racks and also supports locking blocks that have teeth complementary to the teeth on the racks. A lock will vary from firm contact with the inner wall of lift arms to having a gap there between. When the lock engages the inner wall of the lift arm this drives the complementary teeth into secure engagement with the rack teeth, which can then rigidly support heavy load without motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Liberty Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Forrest L. Dahmes, Paul K. Danielson
  • Patent number: 9797214
    Abstract: A wellhead assembly has a casing hanger for supporting a string of casing, the casing hanger having an external upward-facing shoulder. A shoulder ring is mounted on the shoulder. A radially movable annular lockdown member is carried on the shoulder ring for movement between a refracted position while the casing hanger is being run and an expanded position for engaging an interior surface of a wellhead housing. A casing hanger seal is carried by the casing hanger above the lockdown member. The casing hanger seal has a nose on a lower end that engages and moves the lockdown member to the expanded position while the casing hanger seal is being lowered into a set position. The shoulder ring is formed of a material of greater yield strength than the shoulder. Flow channels between the shoulder and the shoulder ring assist in flowing debris from above the shoulder to below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: VETCO GRAY INC.
    Inventors: Aniruddha D. Gadre, Mayur Mansukh, David Lawrence Ford
  • Patent number: 9784055
    Abstract: A polish rod alignment and stabilization device preserves stuffing box packing and protects the polish rod of an oil well sucker rod string by guiding and aligning the polish rod as it reciprocates within the stuffing box thereby reducing lateral motion of the polish rod reciprocates up and down. Embodiments of the invention may also wipe the polish rod of debris as it reciprocates within the device. The alignment device utilizes a rod centralizer to which a stuffing box is made up. The centralizer has a second end to which an alignment barrel depends, either by direct connection or by utilization of a barrel adapter. The alignment barrel is disposed within the uppermost portion of the tubing string of the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Black Gold Pump and Supply, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Bair, Scott Sakakura
  • Patent number: 9768603
    Abstract: A lightning protection system for a tower of a wind turbine is provided. The tower includes a reinforced concrete tower wall in which a plurality of electrically conductive structural reinforcing elements are embedded during construction. The lightning protection system includes a plurality of the structural reinforcing elements connected in an electrically conductive manner with each other and with a ground terminal. Further, a method of incorporating such a lightning protection system in a reinforced concrete tower, and a wind turbine with such a lightning protection system is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Martin Johan Smith Jensen, Bastian Lewke, Kaj Olsen
  • Patent number: 9758984
    Abstract: A demolishing method utilizes an aggregate stack demolishing scaffold apparatus mounted to an upper part of an aggregate stack including four smoke funnels arranged adjacent to each other. An uneven scaffold including one plate-shaped upper scaffold portion is placed on an upper end of each smoke funnel. A lower scaffold portion is coupled to the upper scaffold portion and located in lower positions in the smoke funnels with the upper scaffold portion being placed on the upper ends of the smoke funnels. A chain block suspends and supports the uneven scaffold from and on an inner wall of each smoke funnel, and adjusts a suspending height. With this configuration, the upper scaffold portion is located on the upper ends of the smoke funnels, and thus there is no possibility of contact between the scaffolds in the smoke funnels causing a worker to lose his balance, thereby improving safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: BESTERRA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshihide Yoshino, Yoshiaki Aoki
  • Patent number: 9759019
    Abstract: A tubular joint elevator includes a ringed portion configured to lift a tubular joint. The elevator includes an elevating mechanism disposed adjacent to the ringed portion, and configured to elevate the tubular joint. In some embodiments, the elevator includes first, second, and third doors. The elevator includes a first locking member, and the first door includes a first locking recess. The first locking member is axially displaceable between an advanced position and a retracted position such that it is either received in or separated from the first locking recess. The third door includes a locking pin, and the first door comprises a locking hole. The third door is longitudinally displaceable between a first position and a second position such that the locking pin is either separated from, or received in, the locking hole. Methods of using the same are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Canrig Drilling Technology, Ltd.
    Inventors: Stanislaw Casimir Sulima, Beat Küttel, Faisal J. Yousef
  • Patent number: 9752396
    Abstract: In one aspect the invention provides a support structure for use on a rig floor and for supporting a unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead, the support structure comprises a first section, a second section and a central passage of sufficient diameter to allow passage of the tubular components therethrough. When the first section and the second section are assembled together, said sections together are suitable to support said unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Inventor: Brian Tucken
  • Patent number: 9725996
    Abstract: An electric submergible pumping system that includes a pump having a pump discharge; a motor; a power crossover assembly including a first top flange having a generally circular opening in the center, an upper tubular portion connected to the first top flange portion, an intermediate tubular portion including two generally rectangular shaped windows for intake suction for production fluids, a lower tubular portion having a hollow space in a center portion, and a first lower flange having a circular shape connected to the lower tubular portion. The system also includes a crossover base disposed at a lower part of the power crossover assembly, the crossover base including a base neck, a guide tube, a conductor terminal, a second top flange, and a second lower flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: ALKORAYEF PETROLEUM COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Woon Yung Lee, Ying Xue
  • Patent number: 9637984
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for installing control lines and pipe into a well. The pipe-holding spider that is normally mounted on the rig floor is adapted for easy disassembly and reassembly when the pipe slips within the spider are not engaged with the outer surface of the pipe string so that upon disassembly, a control line guide becomes vertically movable. The control line guide is adapted for being controllably elevated to a distance above the rig floor, thereby providing personnel access to a portion of the length of the pipe string below the elevated control line guide and above the rig floor for securing control line to the pipe string using a fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Frank's International, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Michael Webre, Vernon Joseph Bouligny, Jr., Brian David Begnaud, Mark Stephen Sibille
  • Patent number: 9470069
    Abstract: Subsea well assembly having a Xmas tree (107, 207) and wellhead (103). From a tubing hanger (113) a tubing extends into the well. A part of a production flow passage extends vertically from the tubing hanger (113) in a vertical bore (111) of the Xmas tree. A fail close production master valve (PMV) (117) is arranged in the production flow passage. The tubing hanger (113) is arranged below the Xmas tree (107), such as in the wellhead (103). The Xmas tree (107) exhibits a branch (115) that deviates from the vertical bore (111), which branch constitutes part of the production flow passage. The fail close type production master valve (PMV) (117) is arranged in the branch (115).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Aker Subsea AS
    Inventor: Robert Stubbeman
  • Patent number: 9464520
    Abstract: Apparatus and corresponding method for remotely communicating with a device in a wellbore, comprising: an oilfield tubular handling apparatus (200); partial toroidal coil sections (304) integrated with the oilfield tubular handling apparatus, wherein the partial toroidal coil sections form a toroidal coil upon a tubular member (102) with the handling apparatus; and a microcontroller for communicating with the device via at least one of signals transmitted or received through the tubular member using the toroidal coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Sorin Gabriel Teodorescu, Hallvard Svadberg Hatloy, Tarald Gudmestad, Lev Ring
  • Patent number: 9388659
    Abstract: A backup wellhead adapter for a subsea wellhead that is positioned between an existing blowout preventer system and the wellhead. The adapter is a dual housing assembly that includes a primary housing longitudinally aligned over a secondary housing. The primary and secondary housings include lower bodies and upper necks that have identical diameters. During assembly, the existing primary blowout preventing system is initially connected to the neck on the primary housing. The lower body of the secondary housing is connected to a ram assembly connected to the wellhead connector or connected directly to the wellhead connector. When a blowout occurs, the primary housing is disconnected from the secondary housing to expose the upper neck of the secondary housing upon which a replacement primary blowout preventing system or cap may be attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Inventors: David B. Redden, Frank McCormack, Larry E Huskins
  • Patent number: 9359838
    Abstract: A connection lift system for handling oil and gas drilling tubular components includes a core component and a ring-shaped component. A range of ring-shaped components may be screwed onto the core component. The ring-shaped component may be configured based on the tubular component to be handled, and the core may be compatible with lifting equipment. A method for handling tubular components is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: VALLOUREC TUBE-ALLOY, LLC.
    Inventor: Layton R. Bull
  • Patent number: 9341024
    Abstract: A floating offshore facility for offshore hydrocarbon production, comprising an upper deck, a lower deck, a well bay comprising a plurality of drilling slots and a plurality of production slots surrounding said drilling slots, a cart supporting a drilling riser and being movable together with said drilling riser inside the opening of the plurality of the drilling slots, and a drilling rig movable above the well bay to drill the well through the drilling riser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Total SA
    Inventor: Philippe Labrugere
  • Patent number: 9341025
    Abstract: A floating offshore facility for offshore hydrocarbon production, comprising an upper deck, a lower deck, a well bay comprising a plurality of drilling slots and a plurality of production slots surrounding said drilling slots, a cart (20) supporting a drilling riser and being movable together with said drilling riser inside the opening of the plurality of the drilling slots, and a drilling rig movable above the well bay to drill the well through the drilling riser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Total SA
    Inventor: Philippe Labrugere
  • Patent number: 9316062
    Abstract: A triple-sealed ESP connection provides a first seal at the upper end of a coiled tubing to limit the migration of vapors from the interior of the coiled tubing into the annulus at a wellhead and a second seal to prevent migration of the vapors from the annulus of the wellhead to the exterior surface of the wellhead. This triple-sealed arrangement can be accomplished by providing a threaded connection on an upper end of the coiled tubing to which is attached the sealable shroud for the electrical conductor splice which sealably connects with the wellhead thereby providing a sealed upper end to the coiled tubing and a second seal on the shroud and a seal at the wellhead. The second seal in both cases is the seal that can be either a metal-to-metal or other type of compressive seal arrangement or a sealed tubing arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: QUICK CONNECTORS, INC.
    Inventors: Tod D. Emerson, Jerry L. Reeves, Michael E. Daugherty, Leroy Cantu
  • Patent number: 9309730
    Abstract: An apparatus including a coiled tubing unit coupled to a drilling rig, and an enclosure surrounding the coiled tubing unit. The coiled tubing unit may include a coiled tubing reel and a coiled tubing injector, wherein the injector may move relative to the coiled tubing reel. The coiled tubing unit is configured to move relative to the drilling rig in both longitudinal and lateral directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: NABORS ALASKA DRILLING, INC.
    Inventors: Donovan Korach, Drew Byers
  • Patent number: 9284808
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing operations on a well include first and second flow control devices positioned between upper and lower sections of a conduit. An upper connector assembly engaged with the upper section includes connectors adapted for connection to a chemical stimulation device, a blowout preventer, or other well intervention apparatuses. A lower connector assembly engaged with the lower section includes connectors adapted for connection to a chemical stimulation device, a running tool, wellbore conduits, or other well intervention apparatuses. The two connector assemblies, above and below the flow control devices, enable sequential or simultaneous operations to be performed, and can enable operations to be performed independent of the state of the flow control devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Inventor: David Wright