With Disparate Below Ground Feature Patents (Class 166/55.1)
  • Patent number: 8584763
    Abstract: A wellbore apparatus includes a connector sub assembly having a body, the body having a first end adapted to couple to a first perforating sub component and a second, axially opposed end adapted to couple to a second perforating sub component. The connector sub body defines a cavity proximate the second end of the connector sub body; and a flow path in fluid communication with the cavity and a location exterior to the wellbore apparatus. The apparatus includes a valve residing in the flow path and actuatable to block or allow fluid flow from the cavity, through the flow path, to the location exterior to the wellbore apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John H Hales, John D Burleson
  • Patent number: 8584772
    Abstract: A shaped charge includes a charge case; an explosive disposed inside the charge case; and a liner for retaining the explosive in the charge case, wherein the liner comprises a material reactive with a component of an earth formation. A method for perforating in a well includes disposing a perforating gun in the well, wherein the perforating gun comprises a shaped charge having a charge case, an explosive disposed inside the charge case, and a liner for retaining the explosive in the charge case, wherein the liner includes a material that can react with a component of an earth formation; detonating the shaped charge to form a perforation tunnel in a formation zone; and allowing the material comprising the liner to react with the component of the earth formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Wenbo Yang, Lawrence A. Behrmann
  • Patent number: 8561697
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in deployment of downhole tools is disclosed. Preferably, the apparatus includes at least an in-ground well casing, a housing providing a hermetically sealed electronics compartment, a tool attachment portion, and a first flow through core. The housing is preferably configured for sliding communication with the well casing. The hermetically sealed electronics compartment secures a processor and a location sensing system, which communicates with the processor while interacting exclusively with features of the well casing to determine the location of the housing within the well casing. A preferred embodiment further includes a well plug affixed to the tool attachment portion, the well plug includes a second flow through core capped with a core plug with a core plug release mechanism, which upon activation provides separation between the second flow through core and the core plug, allowing material to flow through said first and second flow through cores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Intelligent Tools IP, LLC
    Inventor: Dennis A. Strickland
  • Patent number: 8555764
    Abstract: A downhole tool gun string assembly comprises a first perforating gun operable to generate a first pressure at a first location in a wellbore, wherein the first perforating gun comprises a first plurality of perforating charges; a second perforating gun operable to generate a second pressure at a second location in the wellbore, wherein the second pressure is different from the first pressure and the second perforating gun comprises a second plurality of perforating charges, and wherein at least one of the second plurality of perforating charges is operably associated with a secondary pressure generator, where the first perforating gun and the second perforating gun are configured to maintain a pressure at a selected location in the wellbore below a threshold when the first and second perforating guns are activated substantially concurrently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Cam Van Le, Darren Ross Barlow, Jeffrey Alan Nelson
  • Patent number: 8528643
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices related to downhole wellbore operations such as drilling and completing wells in an earth formation include a laser device. For example, a method may include characterizing a subterranean formation, selecting an orientation of an aperture based on characteristics of the subterranean formation, and using a laser to form an aperture of the selected orientation in the wall of the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger L. Schultz, Loyd E. East, Harold G. Walters, Billy Wilson McDaniel, Mohamed Y. Soliman, Neal Gregory Skinner
  • Patent number: 8490686
    Abstract: A method of mitigating perforating effects produced by well perforating can include causing a shock model to predict perforating effects for a proposed perforating string, optimizing a compliance curve of at least one proposed coupler, thereby mitigating the perforating effects for the proposed perforating string, and providing at least one actual coupler having substantially the same compliance curve as the proposed coupler. A well system can comprise a perforating string including at least one perforating gun and multiple couplers, each of the couplers having a compliance curve, and at least two of the compliance curves being different from each other. A method of mitigating perforating effects produced by well perforating can include interconnecting multiple couplers spaced apart in a perforating string, each of the couplers having a compliance curve, and selecting the compliance curves based on predictions by a shock model of shock generated by the perforating string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Rodgers, Marco Serra, Timothy S. Glenn, John D. Burleson
  • Patent number: 8464794
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices related to downhole wellbore operations, such as drilling and completing wells in an earth formation, include a laser device. A first portion of a subterranean formation can be characterized, the first portion being at a first location. A first orientation of an aperture can be selected based on the characteristics of the first portion of the subterranean formation. A laser beam can be used to create the aperture having the first orientation. A second portion of the subterranean formation can be characterized, the second portion being at a second location different from the first location. A second orientation, different from the first orientation, can be selected based on the characteristics of the second portion of the subterranean formation. The laser beam can be moved to the second location and can be used to form the aperture having the second orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger L. Schultz, Loyd E. East, Harold G. Walters, Billy W. McDaniel, Mohamed Y. Soliman, Neal G. Skinner
  • Patent number: 8393393
    Abstract: A method of mitigating perforating effects produced by well perforating can include causing a shock model to predict perforating effects for a proposed perforating string, optimizing a compliance curve of at least one proposed coupler, thereby mitigating the perforating effects for the proposed perforating string, and providing at least one actual coupler having substantially the same compliance curve as the proposed coupler. A well system can comprise a perforating string including at least one perforating gun and multiple couplers, each of the couplers having a compliance curve, and at least two of the compliance curves being different from each other. A method of mitigating perforating effects produced by well perforating can include interconnecting multiple couplers spaced apart in a perforating string, each of the couplers having a compliance curve, and selecting the compliance curves based on predictions by a shock model of shock generated by the perforating string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Rodgers, Marco Serra, Timothy S. Glenn, John D. Burleson
  • Patent number: 8381822
    Abstract: A wellbore apparatus includes a connector sub assembly having a body, the body having a first end adapted to couple to a first perforating sub component and a second, axially opposed end adapted to couple to a second perforating sub component. The connector sub body defines a cavity proximate the second end of the connector sub body; and a flow path in fluid communication with the cavity and a location exterior to the wellbore apparatus. The apparatus includes a valve residing in the flow path and actuatable to block or allow fluid flow from the cavity, through the flow path, to the location exterior to the wellbore apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Hales, John D. Burleson
  • Publication number: 20130037268
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for wellbore perforation in which a laser beam at a downhole location of a wellbore is directed to a target area of a wellbore wall to be perforated. The laser beam is guided through a longitudinally extensible nozzle onto the target area and a purge fluid is introduced into the longitudinally extensible nozzle, thereby longitudinally extending the nozzle toward the target area. The purge fluid in the longitudinally extensible nozzle is passed through a purge fluid outlet of the nozzle onto the target area, thereby removing debris from the target area generated by the laser beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: GAS TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Mark S. KLEEFISCH, Iraj SALEHI
  • Patent number: 8365814
    Abstract: A perforating system, comprising a perforating gun with shaped charges, and a pre-detonation orientation apparatus and method. The pre-detonation orientation device comprises an orientation device in communication with the firing means of the perforating gun. Detonation of the shaped charges can be contingent upon the perforating gun orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Freeman L. Hill, Tim W. Sampson, John D. Macpherson
  • Publication number: 20130025844
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in deployment of downhole tools is disclosed. Preferably, the apparatus includes at least an in-ground well casing, a housing providing a hermetically sealed electronics compartment, a tool attachment portion, and a first flow through core. The housing is preferably configured for sliding communication with the well casing. The hermetically sealed electronics compartment secures a processor and a location sensing system, which communicates with the processor while interacting exclusively with features of the well casing to determine the location of the housing within the well casing. A preferred embodiment further includes a well plug affixed to the tool attachment portion, the well plug includes a second flow through core capped with a core plug with a core plug release mechanism, which upon activation provides separation between the second flow through core and the core plug, allowing material to flow through said first and second flow through cores.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: INTELLIGENT TOOLS IP, LLC
    Inventor: Intelligent Tools IP, LLC
  • Patent number: 8336437
    Abstract: A perforating gun assembly for use in a wellbore. The perforating gun assembly includes a carrier gun body and a charge holder disposed within the carrier gun body. A plurality of shaped charges are supported within the carrier gun body. A secondary pressure generator is operably associated with at least one of the shaped charges. The secondary pressure generator optimizes the wellbore pressure regime immediately after detonation of the shaped charges by controlling the dynamic underbalance created by the empty gun chambers to prevent excessive dynamic underbalance which may detrimentally effect the perforating operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Darren Ross Barlow, Cam Van Le, James Marshall Barker
  • Publication number: 20120298363
    Abstract: A perforating system that transfers a detonation wave between adjacent perforating guns by converting shockwave energy to electrical energy. An explosive is provided on an end of a detonating cord that is coupled to shaped charges, so that a detonation wave traveling in the detonation cord will initiate detonation in the shaped charges and then in the high explosive. The explosive is disposed adjacent a pair of members that are energized so that a magnetic field is formed between the members. When the explosive detonates, the resulting shock wave pushes one of the members into the space between the members to compress the magnetic field. Compressing the magnetic field produces an electrical potential usable to initiate a detonation wave in another detonating cord for perpetuating the detonation wave along the perforating system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Tim W. Sampson, William Harvey
  • Patent number: 8302693
    Abstract: A free falling drop sub carries an explosive tool such as a shaped charge pipe cutter or well perforator. The drop sub includes an aperture plugging element to isolate an upper pipe string from a lower pipe string. An upper pipe string fluid pressure actuated valve element retained by shear pins is released to admit the upper string pressure against a pressure displaced firing pin. Displacement of the firing pin initiates detonation of the explosive tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Inventors: Don Umphries, Gabe Williger
  • Patent number: 8276656
    Abstract: A perforating gun, according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure, comprises a loading tube and a plurality of charges mounted in the loading tube with at least a portion of the plurality of charges being tilted relative to an axis of the loading tube. Wherein the plurality of tilted charges are tilted relative to the axis to create a selected reactive dynamic force on the perforating gun to counter a detrimental force on the perforating gun in response to detonation of the plurality of charges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Goodman
  • Patent number: 8272439
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in deployment of downhole tools is disclosed. Preferably, the apparatus includes at least an in-ground well casing, a housing providing a hermetically sealed electronics compartment, a tool attachment portion, and a first flow through core. The housing is preferably configured for sliding communication with the well casing. The hermetically sealed electronics compartment secures a processor and a location sensing system, which communicates with the processor while interacting exclusively with features of the well casing to determine the location of the housing within the well casing. A preferred embodiment further includes a well plug affixed to the tool attachment portion, the well plug includes a second flow through core capped with a core plug with a core plug release mechanism, which upon activation provides separation between the second flow through core and the core plug, allowing material to flow through said first and second flow through cores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Intelligent Tools IP, LLC
    Inventor: Dennis A. Strickland
  • Patent number: 8210105
    Abstract: A method for detonation of a plug device in a fluid environment is described, which is in contact with a body, such as an ignition pellet, and it is characterized in that a number of pressure increases are exerted against the plug device, whereby each pressure increase causes a movement of a piston (10) which is radially arranged in a casing (12), which causes the casing (12) to move a fixed distance inward in the plug device with each pressure increase, up until the displacement of the casing (12) causes the piston to be displaced into a cavity (38), and the fluid environment enters the plug device via an inlet. Also described is a plug device which is in contact with a body, such as an ignition pellet, where the plug device is arranged to detonate after a number of pressure increases that are exerted against the plug device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: TCO AS
    Inventor: Stig Ove Bjørgum
  • Publication number: 20120132439
    Abstract: Presented is a system and method for disconnecting a plurality of wireline tools from a string of wireline tools while maintaining operation of the wireline tools remaining with the string of wireline tools. The disconnection is non-destructive and allows a reconnection of the disconnected tools after retrieval from the well. The system also enables testing of the disconnection mechanism before deploying the wireline tool string into the well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: SONDEX WIRELINE LIMITED
    Inventors: James David RATCLIFFE, Timothy GILL, Peter WITHERS, Lee STROBEL, Graham CHADWICK
  • Patent number: 8162051
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in deployment of downhole tools is disclosed. Preferably, the apparatus includes at least an in-ground well casing, a housing providing a hermetically sealed electronics compartment, a tool attachment portion, and a first flow through core. The housing is preferably configured for sliding communication with the well casing. The hermetically sealed electronics compartment secures a processor and a location sensing system, which communicates with the processor while interacting exclusively with features of the well casing to determine the location of the housing within the well casing. A preferred embodiment further includes a well plug affixed to the tool attachment portion, the well plug includes a second flow through core capped with a core plug with a core plug release mechanism, which upon activation provides separation between the second flow through core and the core plug, allowing material to flow through said first and second flow through cores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Intelligent Tools IP, LLC
    Inventor: Dennis A. Strickland
  • Patent number: 8157022
    Abstract: An apparatus string for use in a wellbore has a plurality of activation modules having first and second ends and containing devices to be activated/initiated downhole. An apparatus string also has a plurality of initiator modules where at least initiator is operatively connected to each activation module and is addressable. Each initiator module may have a safety initiator which when the initiator module is addressed initiates the firing of the shaped charges in the gun module to which it is operatively connected. A wireless transmitter is operatively connected in and integral to the apparatus string for use in transmitting signals to address any initiator module in the apparatus string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Bertoja, Luis Ochoa, Kenneth R. Goodman
  • Patent number: 8146669
    Abstract: A method for installing a horizontal or inclined subsurface heater includes placing a heating section of a heater in a horizontal or inclined section of a wellbore with an installation tool. The tool is uncoupled from the heating section. A lead in section is mechanically and electrically coupled to the heating section of the heater. The lead-in section is located in an angled or vertical section of the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Stanley Leroy Mason
  • Patent number: 8136584
    Abstract: A tubing punch and setting tool (TPST), operating on a single run for improved well bore intervention. The tool includes a setting tool for connecting to and setting a reference tool in a tubing string, a punch tool for punching holes in the tubing string wall, and actuation means to trigger the sequencing of the setting tool and the punch tool. The tool can be run on wireline, e-line or coiled tubing and allows a reference tool to be run and set on the same trip as punching holes in the tubing string. The reference tool can be an anchor tool. With the distance known accurately between the anchor tool and the punched holes, a shortened retrofit gas lift straddle can be deployed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Red Spider Technology Limited
    Inventors: William Stephen Burnett, Irvine Cardno Brown
  • Publication number: 20120043068
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a blowout preventer (BOP) system with a ram having a shear blade with a shear blade profile to shear a tubular member disposed in the BOP. The shear blade profile can include a stress concentrator and centering shaped surface. The stress concentrator and the centering shaped surface can be laterally offset from a centerline of ram travel and on opposite sides of the centerline. An opposing second shear blade can have a mirror image of the shear blade profile with the stress concentrator and centering shaped surface reversed to the orientation of the first shear blade. Further, the ram can include a mandrel with a mandrel profile for the tubular member to deform around during the shearing process and to reduce an overall lateral width of the sheared tubular member in the BOP through-bore to allow retrieval of the deformed sheared tubular member from the BOP.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: T-3 PROPERTY HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventor: Douglas JAHNKE
  • Publication number: 20120043083
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a blowout preventer (BOP) system with a ram having a shear blade with a shear blade profile to shear a tubular member disposed in the BOP. The shear blade profile can include a stress concentrator and centering shaped surface. The stress concentrator and the centering shaped surface can be laterally offset from a centerline of ram travel and on opposite sides of the centerline. An opposing second shear blade can have a mirror image of the shear blade profile with the stress concentrator and centering shaped surface reversed to the orientation of the first shear blade. Further, the ram can include a mandrel with a mandrel profile for the tubular member to deform around during the shearing process and to reduce an overall lateral width of the sheared tubular member in the BOP through-bore to allow retrieval of the deformed sheared tubular member from the BOP.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: T-3 PROPERTY HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventor: Douglas JAHNKE
  • Patent number: 8113119
    Abstract: An explosive tool is disclosed. The explosive tool comprises a body structure, a charge, a detonator to ignite the charge via propagation of thermal energy, a pressure actuated safety to prevent propagation of sufficient thermal energy to ignite the charge when the pressure actuated safety is subjected to a surface pressure and to not prevent propagation of sufficient thermal energy to ignite the charge when the pressure actuated safety is subjected to at least a predefined pressure threshold, and a temperature actuated safety to prevent propagation of sufficient thermal energy to ignite the charge when the temperature actuated safety is subjected to a surface temperature and to not prevent propagation of sufficient thermal energy to ignite the charge when the temperature actuated safety is subjected to at least a predefined temperature threshold. The charge, the detonator, the pressure actuated safety, and the temperature actuated safety are contained within the body structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald L. Crawford
  • Publication number: 20110308797
    Abstract: A system for positioning a downhole tool along a pipe string, the system having a series of seating subs inserted along the length of the pipe string wherein each seating sub has a seating aperture disposed around its internal periphery so as to form a bore plug seat of smaller diameter than the diameter of the pipe. The seating apertures are given distinctive diameters that are consecutively arranged along the pipe string length so that the aperture diameters decrease with increasing depth. A drop assembly having an aperture plugging diameter selected to pressure seal a selected aperture includes a bore pressure activated by-pass valve and firing head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventors: Don Umphries, Gabe Williger
  • Publication number: 20110284246
    Abstract: A downhole tool used in the pressure isolation of adjacent subterranean formations. The downhole tool may comprise flow restriction devices along the outer circumference for impeding flow along the length of the tool. The tool may further comprise a perforating gun and an accumulator. Impeding flow along the length of the tool provides a dynamic flow restriction within the wellbore that precludes fluid flowing from one subterranean zone to an adjacent zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: William D. Myers, Alphie S. Wright
  • Patent number: 8061425
    Abstract: A perforating apparatus (240) used to perforate a subterranean well. The perforating apparatus (240) includes a generally tubular gun carrier (106) and a charge holder (242) rotatably mounted within the gun carrier (106). At least one shaped charge (246) is mounted in the charge holder (242) and is operable to perforate the well upon detonation. A dynamically adjustable weight system including a weight tube (250) that is selectively rotatable relative to the charge holder (242) is operable to adjust the center of gravity (120) of the charge holder (242) such that gravity will cause the charge holder (242) to rotate within the gun carrier (106) to position the at least one shaped charge (246) in a desired circumferential direction relative to the well prior to perforating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Hales, Allison E. Novak, John D. Burleson
  • Patent number: 8037934
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in deployment of downhole tools is disclosed. Preferably, the apparatus includes at least an in-ground well casing, a housing providing a hermetically sealed electronics compartment, a tool attachment portion, and a first flow through core. The housing is preferably configured for sliding communication with the well casing. The hermetically sealed electronics compartment secures a processor and a location sensing system, which communicates with the processor while interacting exclusively with features of the well casing to determine the location of the housing within the well casing. A preferred embodiment further includes a well plug affixed to the tool attachment portion, the well plug includes a second flow through core capped with a core plug with a core plug release mechanism, which upon activation provides separation between the second flow through core and the core plug, allowing material to flow through said first and second flow through cores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Intelligent Tools IP, LLC
    Inventor: Dennis A. Strickland
  • Patent number: 8006762
    Abstract: A downhole oilfield completion method comprises determining a surge profile for a wellbore and assembling a downhole completion tool having an interior surge volume and comprising a surge attenuation system operable to reduce a surge of the downhole completion tool based at least in part on the surge profile. The method also comprises running the downhole completion tool into the wellbore and surging the wellbore by admitting wellbore fluid into the interior surge volume, the surge reduced at least in part by the surge attenuation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Burleson, John H. Hales, Clinton C. Quattlebaum
  • Patent number: 8002026
    Abstract: Electronic time delay apparatuses and methods of use are disclosed. An explosive or propellant system, which may be configured as a well perforating system includes an electronic time delay assembly comprising an input subassembly, an electronic time delay circuit, and an output subassembly. The input subassembly is activated by an external stimulus, wherein an element is displaced to activate an electronic time delay circuit. The electronic time delay circuit comprises a time delay device coupled with a voltage firing circuit. The electronic time delay circuit counts a time delay, and, upon completion, raises a voltage until a threshold firing voltage is exceeded. Upon exceeding the threshold firing voltage, a voltage trigger switch will break down to transfer energy to an electric initiator to initiate an explosive booster within the output subassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Arrell, Jr., Ronald S. Borja, William J. Slade, Francois X. Prinz
  • Patent number: 7980309
    Abstract: A system (100) for selective activation of explosive devices (126, 128, 130, 132) includes a surface controller (102), a downhole controller (106) operable to communicate bidirectionally with the surface controller over a first communication link (108) and a plurality of downhole remote units (114, 116, 118, 120) operable to communicate bidirectionally with the downhole controller (106) over a second communication link (112). One or more sensors (162) are operably associated with the downhole controller (106) and one of the explosive devices (126, 128, 130, 132) is operably associated with each of the downhole remote units (114, 116, 118, 120) such that, responsive to a detonation event, the sensors (162) detect the intensity level of the detonation which is communicated from the downhole controller (106) to the surface control (102) over the first communication link (108).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald L. Crawford
  • Patent number: 7980308
    Abstract: A downhole tool used in the pressure isolation of adjacent subterranean formations. The downhole tool may comprise flow restriction devices along the outer circumference for impeding flow along the length of the tool. The tool may further comprise a perforating gun and an accumulator. Impeding flow along the length of the tool provides a dynamic flow restriction within the wellbore that precludes fluid flowing from one subterranean zone to an adjacent zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: William D. Myers, Jr., Alphie S. Wright
  • Publication number: 20110146988
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating a downhole tubular string into two parts. The apparatus includes a receptacle operably associated with a first part of the downhole tubular string and a mandrel operably associated with a second part of the downhole tubular string. First and second sleeves each having a profile are slidably positioned between the receptacle and the mandrel and are operable to be securably coupled to the mandrel in first and second positions relative to the mandrel. First and second rings are respectively positioned between the profiles of the first and second sleeves and the profiled surface of the receptacle. The first and second rings are operable to initially limit longitudinal movement of the receptacle relative to the mandrel, to prevent tubular string recoil during operation and to allow longitudinal movement of the receptacle relative to the mandrel after operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Jody R. McGlothen
  • Publication number: 20110132607
    Abstract: A technique that is usable with a well includes providing a string that includes a tubing conveyed perforating (TCP) gun. The technique includes using a downhole component of the string to communicate uphole an indication of at least a depth or an orientation of the gun.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Guillaume Lahitette, Robert J. Ingham, Michael J. Bertoja, Vincent Pequignot
  • Publication number: 20110127028
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in deployment of downhole tools is disclosed. Preferably, the apparatus includes at least an in-ground well casing, a housing providing a hermetically sealed electronics compartment, a tool attachment portion, and a first flow through core. The housing is preferably configured for sliding communication with the well casing. The hermetically sealed electronics compartment secures a processor and a location sensing system, which communicates with the processor while interacting exclusively with features of the well casing to determine the location of the housing within the well casing. A preferred embodiment further includes a well plug affixed to the tool attachment portion, the well plug includes a second flow through core capped with a core plug with a core plug release mechanism, which upon activation provides separation between the second flow through core and the core plug, allowing material to flow through said first and second flow through cores.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: INTELLIGENT TOOLS IP, LLC
    Inventor: Dennis A. Strickland
  • Publication number: 20110108263
    Abstract: A wellbore apparatus includes a connector sub assembly having a body, the body having a first end adapted to couple to a first perforating sub component and a second, axially opposed end adapted to couple to a second perforating sub component. The connector sub body defines a cavity proximate the second end of the connector sub body; and a flow path in fluid communication with the cavity and a location exterior to the wellbore apparatus. The apparatus includes a valve residing in the flow path and actuatable to block or allow fluid flow from the cavity, through the flow path, to the location exterior to the wellbore apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: John H. Hales, John D. Burleson
  • Patent number: 7934558
    Abstract: A perforating apparatus (100) used to perforate a subterranean well. The perforating apparatus (100) includes a generally tubular gun carrier (106) and a charge holder (104) rotatably mounted within the gun carrier (106). At least one shaped charge (102) is mounted in the charge holder (104) and is operable to perforate the well upon detonation. A dynamically adjustable weight system (124) is operably associated to the charge holder (104). The dynamically adjustable weight system (124) is operable to adjust the center of gravity (120) of the charge holder (104) such that gravity will cause the charge holder (104) to rotate within the gun carrier (106) to position the at least one shaped charge (102) in a desired circumferential direction relative to the well prior to perforating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Hales, Allison E. Novak, John D. Burleson
  • Publication number: 20110067854
    Abstract: A downhole release tool for use in conjunction with multiple select-fire perforating guns and a method for electronically actuating the release tool using either positive or negative control voltage. In a preferred embodiment, the release tool employs operating circuitry that allows actuation of the release tool by either a positive or a negative voltage at an absolute magnitude greater than the absolute magnitude of positive or negative voltages used to arm or fire the perforating guns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: LYLE G. LOVE, MICHAEL W. DOBRINSKI, FRANK L. LEZU, JR., JOHN R. HARRIS, BRIAN S. BUFFINGTON, SANFORD E. STARK
  • Publication number: 20110061864
    Abstract: A system for positioning a wireless pipe recovery tool in a wellbore, the system having a series of locator pipe subs inserted along the length of a pipe string in a wellbore, wherein each locator pipe sub has a seat disposed around its internal periphery so as to form an aperture of s smaller diameter than the diameter of the pipe sub. The pipe subs have apertures of varied diameter and are consecutively arranged along the pipe string so that the aperture diameters decrease with increasing depth. A locator housing selected from a plurality of locator housings of varied outer diameter is attached to the wireless pipe recovery tool, the outer diameter of the locator housing selected to be slightly larger than the aperture in which the tool is intended to seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventors: Don Umphries, Gabe Williger
  • Patent number: 7905286
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for forming and sealing a hole in the sidewall of a borehole are provided. The method may include conveying a carrier into the borehole, forming the hole in the sidewall using a bit, and sealing at least a portion of the hole by leaving at least a portion of the bit in the hole. An apparatus includes a carrier conveyable into the borehole, and a bit disposed on the carrier that forms the hole in a sidewall, the bit including a sealing portion that seals at least a portion of the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael J. Moody, John M. Michaels
  • Patent number: 7896077
    Abstract: A transient overbalance condition is created in a wellbore interval such that a pressure of the wellbore interval is greater than a reservoir pressure in surrounding formation. Creating the transient overbalance condition causes a near-wellbore region of the formation to increase in pressure. The pressure in the wellbore interval is reduced at a rate that produces a relative underbalance condition in which the pressure in the wellbore interval is less than the pressure of the near-wellbore region of the formation, but the pressure in the wellbore interval is greater than the reservoir pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Behrmann, Brenden M. Grove, Raymond J. Tibbles, Jeremy Harvey
  • Publication number: 20110024116
    Abstract: A perforating system having annular connectors for attachment between adjacent perforating guns and connectors. The connectors include male and female connectors with respective outer and inner contact surfaces. The connectors also include attachment for electrical detonators and/or booster charges for transferring ballistic detonations between the perforating gun and connector sub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Jason McCann, Mark Sloan, James A. Weekley
  • Publication number: 20110011587
    Abstract: According to a preferred embodiment, a dynamic underbalance device has a longitudinally extending tool string including an underbalance part. A first overbalance part is above the underbalance part and a second overbalance part below the underbalance part. Upon application of underbalance from the underbalance part and overbalance from the overbalance part, the overbalance and underbalance interact to isolate the underbalance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Adil Mahallab Al Busaidy
  • Publication number: 20110000669
    Abstract: A perforating gun assembly for use in a wellbore. The perforating gun assembly includes a carrier gun body and a charge holder disposed within the carrier gun body. A plurality of shaped charges are supported within the carrier gun body. A secondary pressure generator is operably associated with at least one of the shaped charges. The secondary pressure generator optimizes the wellbore pressure regime immediately after detonation of the shaped charges by controlling the dynamic underbalance created by the empty gun chambers to prevent excessive dynamic underbalance which may detrimentally effect the perforating operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Darren Ross Barlow, Cam Van Le, James Marshall Barker
  • Patent number: 7861784
    Abstract: A downhole oilfield completion method comprises determining a surge profile for a wellbore and assembling a downhole completion tool having an interior surge volume and comprising a surge attenuation system operable to reduce a surge of the downhole completion tool based at least in part on the surge profile. The method also comprises running the downhole completion tool into the wellbore and surging the wellbore by admitting wellbore fluid into the interior surge volume, the surge reduced at least in part by the surge attenuation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Burleson, John H. Hales, Clinton C. Quattlebaum
  • Patent number: 7845410
    Abstract: An underbalanced perforating system is disclosed for use in openhole completions to maximize the wellbore and matrix cleanup efficiency, to connect natural fracture patterns, and/or to enable application of new drilling fluid technology in difficult subsurface environments. The perforating system can be used for any hydrocarbon bearing formations with any lithology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Frank F. Chang, Lawrence A. Behrmann, Ian C. Walton, Keng Seng Chan
  • Patent number: 7828051
    Abstract: An improved perforating gun having a tubular housing, a tubular carrier and a charge carried by the tubular carrier. The tubular carrier comprises an inside diameter, an outside diameter and an opening disposed between the inside diameter and the outside diameter. The charge comprises a forward end positioned in the opening between the inside diameter and the outside diameter. The tubular carrier increases a collapsible-pressure rating for the housing and positions the charge closer to the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry L. Walker
  • Patent number: 7814970
    Abstract: A downhole tool deployment apparatus is disclosed, which preferably includes at least an in-ground well casing, a depth determination device providing a hermetically sealed electronics compartment, tool attachment portions, and a first flow through core. The depth determination device is preferably configured for sliding communication with the well casing. The hermetically sealed electronics compartment secures a processor and a location sensing system, which communicates with the processor while interacting exclusively with features of the well casing to determine the location of the depth determination device within the well casing. A preferred embodiment further includes a well plug affixed to the tool attachment portion, the well plug includes a second flow through core capped with a core plug with a core plug release mechanism, which upon activation provides separation between the second flow through core and the core plug, allowing material to flow through said first and second flow through cores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Intelligent Tools IP, LLC
    Inventor: Dennis A. Strickland