Guiding Or Aligning Feature Patents (Class 166/85.5)
  • Patent number: 12060753
    Abstract: The present application pertains to a coiled tubing injector system. The system comprises a coiled tubing injector; an injector tilt configured to be mounted to a trailer wherein the injector tilt is configured to receive the coiled tubing injector; a securing mechanism to secure the coiled tubing injector to the injector tilt; and a sensor configured to detect whether the securing mechanism is positioned to substantially secure the coiled tubing injector to the injector tilt. Advantageously, the system is configured such that the injector can only be tilted if the sensor detects that securing mechanism is positioned to substantially secure the coiled tubing injector to the injector tilt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Inventors: M. Brett Witte, Randall Dean Behrens, Michael Bailey
  • Patent number: 12024957
    Abstract: A conductor assembly comprising a conductor of an offshore platform and a guide surrounding the conductor. The guide extending from an upper end to a lower end and having a main portion therebetween, a stabilising body defining a bore extending therethrough, the conductor extending through the bore of the stabilising body, the stabilising body provided between the conductor and the guide optionally the stabilising body comprising an inner body and an outer body. In this way, the conductor is allowed to move vertically within the guide with the only moving surfaces in contact being an outer surface of the inner body and the inner surface of the outer body, thus mitigating or eliminating abrasion of the conductor and/or guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Mako Offshore Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Killeen, Elizabeth Killeen, Ewen Cameron
  • Patent number: 12000220
    Abstract: Some embodiments may include a coil tubing injector, which may include: a cylinder-rod assembly including at least one cylinder rod operably coupled to a first load beam and a second load beam, the at least one cylinder rod to change a separation distance between the first load beam and the second load beam; opposing grippers; and at least one additional beam, at least one link, a set of gears, or control valves to maintain a parallel orientation of the load beams relative to each other during operation of the at least one cylinder rod, the at least one additional beam, the at least one link, or the set of gears operably coupled to at least one of the load beams or the control valves coupled to hydraulic piping to hydraulically operate the cylinder-rod assemblies independently. Other embodiments may be disclosed and/or claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: ENTRO INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Harlan B. Smith, Shawn R. Smith
  • Patent number: 11933118
    Abstract: A method of building and operating a land-based drilling rig with a high-capacity mast include providing a platform collapsed on a substructure over a proposed well drilling location and building the high-capacity mast in a horizontal condition by attaching a lower portion of the high-capacity mast to the platform. The high-capacity mast having an opening formed therein sized to accommodate four Range 2 pipes or three Range 3 pipes. The high-capacity mast may be raised from the horizontal condition to a vertical condition by pushing the side of the high-capacity mast to pivot the high-capacity mast about a pivot point on the platform. The platform may be raised from a collapsed condition to a raised condition over the substructure. Some implementations include dual racking boards on the high-capacity mast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Nabors Drilling Technologies USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Padira Reddy, Ashish Gupta
  • Patent number: 11851958
    Abstract: A pivoting guide arch is provided. The guide arch includes a guide having a curved portion to receive a coiled tube and to guide the tube as the tube traverses between a reel and a wellbore. The guide arch also includes a support structure extending from a first end of the guide that is configured to mechanically support the guide, and a swivel mount that is rotatably coupled to a wellhead to enable the guide and support structure to pivot about an axis of the wellhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Philippe Quero, Eric Bivens
  • Patent number: 11525310
    Abstract: A method of assembling an optical fiber cable on production casing includes positioning the optical fiber cable against a production casing at a hole of a well site, and affixing the optical fiber cable against the production casing by applying an adhesive to the production casing to secure the optical fiber cable against the production casing. The method further includes applying pressure to the adhesive to adhesively bond the optical fiber cable to the production casing along a length of the production casing while the production casing is being run-in-hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Vandellyn Park, Mikko Jaaskelainen
  • Patent number: 11519228
    Abstract: A trigger mechanism is provided for a passive rotating jointed tubing injector having gripper blocks for moving connected, segmented oilfield tubulars axially into or out of horizontal, extended-reach oil and natural gas wells that may contain pressurized fluid or gas to complete for production, work over and service the wells, utilizing an operation commonly known as snubbing. The trigger mechanism can open the gripper blocks when a tapered upset section of increasing diameter on the tubulars is encountered that would not otherwise fully open and operate the gripper blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: AUTOMATED RIG TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventors: David Louis Richard, Harold James Miller, Ivan Amic, Christopher Jason Serran, Jason Brent Schroeder, Alejandro Dino Chavez
  • Patent number: 11401756
    Abstract: A method of building and operating a land-based drilling rig with a high-capacity mast include providing a platform collapsed on a substructure over a proposed well drilling location and building the high-capacity mast in a horizontal condition by attaching a lower portion of the high-capacity mast to the platform. The high-capacity mast having an opening formed therein sized to accommodate four Range 2 pipes or three Range 3 pipes. The high-capacity mast may be raised from the horizontal condition to a vertical condition by pushing the side of the high-capacity mast to pivot the high-capacity mast about a pivot point on the platform. The platform may be raised from a collapsed condition to a raised condition over the substructure. Some implementations include dual racking boards on the high-capacity mast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: NABORS DRILLING TECHNOLOGIES USA, INC.
    Inventors: Padira Reddy, Ashish Gupta
  • Patent number: 11028651
    Abstract: A drilling rig includes a base section, a first section, a second section, a third section and a fourth section. For the base section upper region, a fixed pulley block and a guide pulley are installed. Except for the fourth section-crown block section, each section lower region is installed with a lifting lug for a movable pulley block installation for substantially vertical lifting. The crown block section is installed substantially vertical; the subsequent section is located substantially horizontal with the section front pillar upper region connecting to the previous section front pillar lower region. The previous section is substantially vertical lifted to draw the next section skidding into the base section and lifting substantially vertical with the previous section pillar lower region connected to the next section pillar upper region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: SICHUAN HONGHUA PETROLEUM EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Rui Luo, Ting Zhang, Xiaowu Ou, Qionghua Yang, Yuegang Xu, Guixuan Li, Hongke Xia, Wei Zhang
  • Patent number: 10858893
    Abstract: A mobile well service unit has a structural frame with a front end and a rear end, and defining an axis between the front end and the rear end; a platform mounted at the front end or the rear end of the structural frame and configured to move up and down relative to the structural frame; and ground engaging members mounted to the structural frame and configured to permit the mobile well service unit to move laterally, relative to the axis, across a ground surface. A method of use involves translating the unit laterally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Inventor: Adam Toma
  • Patent number: 10669790
    Abstract: A device includes a base configured to be coupled to a storage segment of a pipe support assembly. The device also includes an arm configured to be coupled to the base. The arm is configured to provide lateral support to a pipe when the pipe is disposed in a storage area adjacent to a first portion of the storage segment. The arm is also configured to move in a horizontal direction from a first location in which an end of the arm is disposed at a first horizontal distance from the storage segment to a second location in which the end of the arm is disposed at second horizontal distance from the storage segment when a force greater than or equal to a predetermined level is applied to the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Ensco International Incorporated
    Inventors: Ryan Keith Berger, Jerame Paul King, Kari Nicole Sharp, Juan Carlos Serna, John Nelson Royston, Justin Dow Alcorn, Cristobal Pedro Forray, Karoline Bowen Jones
  • Patent number: 9611717
    Abstract: A wellhead assembly includes an annulus access valve (AAV) disposed in a wellhead hanger. Upper and lower annulus access bores intersect the bore at upper and lower ports. The AAV includes a body that reciprocates within the bore between open and closed positions. Hydraulic fluid moves the body between the open and closed positions. Axially spaced apart upper and lower apertures are formed through the body outer surface allow communication to a chamber within the body. When in the open position, the upper and lower apertures respectively register with the inlet and outlet ports so that the upper and lower annulus access bores are in communication through the AAV. When in the closed position, a solid portion of the body registers with one of the inlet or outlet ports, thereby blocking communication through the AAV between the upper and lower annulus access bores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: GE OIL & GAS UK LIMITED
    Inventor: Mathew Frank Lockwood
  • Publication number: 20150007979
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for retaining rig slips gripping a drill pipe through a bore of a flow control device. The apparatus includes a plate and a support means. The plate has an aperture that constricts the rig slips against passing trough the aperture. The support means attaches the plate to the flow control device, such that the axis of the drill pipe and the bore are substantially parallel with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventor: Michael Boyd
  • Patent number: 8899315
    Abstract: A wellhead system includes a bypass sleeve for temporarily isolating portions of a wellhead assembly from pressurized fracing fluid. The bypass sleeve may include a generally tubular body having a tool interface, a lock ring disposed at least partially around the body, and an anti-rotation device coupled to the body. The anti-rotation device includes a resilient member disposed in a cavity in the body, and an anti-rotation member biased away from the body by the resilient member. The anti-rotation member extends radially outward from the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis P. Nguyen, Jay Patrick Painter
  • Patent number: 8887801
    Abstract: A stabilizer to suppress unwanted pivotal movement in pipe handling equipment suspended from bails. The stabilizer can contain either or both adjustable contacting members and non-adjustable contacting members which are rigidly connected to a portion of the pipe handling equipment. The adjustable contacting members contact the bails on one or both sides of the bail(s) to suppress motion of the elevator relative to the bail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Frank's International, LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy R. Angelle, Donald E. Mosing, Oren M. Bowden
  • Patent number: 8863831
    Abstract: The Free Mandrel System, Protected Casing is to be applied in the petroleum industry for selective injection of fluids, liquids or gases, in different formations while keeping the casing isolated from fluid pressure. As it is hydraulically driven by the injection fluid, an operator can handle the provided surface valves. The system includes five assemblies: Surface, Transport, Free Mandrel, Fixed Bottom Hole and Complementary. The Free Mandrel Assembly is the dynamic main device that carries all the Injection valves together, one for each formation, from the Fixed Bottom Hole to the surface in 30? and vice versa. As this operation is performed many times in the well lifetime, it allows a cumulative time and money saving. Workover equipment is only used for installing the system and for fixing the required packers. Formation Pressure is kept at any time when the system is either operated, set up, or pulled up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Inventor: Eladio Juan Bassa
  • Patent number: 8839852
    Abstract: An excavator is provided, in which the excavator includes a head that is slidably mounted on a leader, and a position fixture assembly slidable along the leader via the head. The position fixture includes a support plate including a groove in it top surface, with a first rod slidable within the groove. The position fixture also including a locking unit that serves to engage a base member, allowing the base member to be elevated when the head is elevated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Inventor: Suk-Shin In
  • Publication number: 20140238659
    Abstract: The articulated wireline hole finder is a modular device which attaches to the bottom of a wireline logging tool-string to aid conveyance down irregular shaped and/or deviated boreholes which possess features such as ledges, washouts, and contractions, that might otherwise terminate full descent of the tool-string to the bottom of the borehole and thereby compromise the wireline data acquisition objectives. Elements of the articulated wireline hole finder may include a low friction roller nose assembly and spacer sub, an articulated spring joint, that transfers tool-string weight and directs lateral movement of the roller nose towards hole center, and a pair of five arm centralizers that possess a wide dynamic range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventors: Guy Wheater, Stuart Huyton
  • Patent number: 8807219
    Abstract: A blade assembly of a blowout preventer for shearing a tubular of a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation is provided. The blowout preventer has a housing with a hole therethrough for receiving the tubular. The blade assembly includes a ram block movable between a non-engagement position and an engagement position about the tubular, a blade carried by the ram block for cuttingly engaging the tubular, a retractable guide carried by the ram block and slidably movable therealong, and a release mechanism for selectively releasing the guide to move between a guide position for guiding engagement with the tubular and a cutting position a distance behind the blade for permitting the blade to cuttingly engage the tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: Frank Benjamin Springett, Christopher Dale Johnson, Shern Eugene Peters, Eric Trevor Ensley
  • Patent number: 8794336
    Abstract: The invention concerns a tool for a tool for connecting an end of a first pipeline (22) to an end of a second pipeline (3) supported by a subsea structure (1) and being provided by at least two guide elements (11, 12). The tool comprising means for connecting the pipelines, and it comprises a receiving portion (32) provided to accommodate the end of the first pipeline in a slideable manner, and guiding means comprising at least two guiding sections (34, 35) extending from receiving portion (32). Each guiding section has an end arranged with an attachment portion (36, 37) interfacing with the guide elements (11, 12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: FMC Kongsberg Subsea AS
    Inventor: Knut H{dot over (a)}vard Bekkevold
  • Patent number: 8763708
    Abstract: A rotating breech lock rotates tubing to distribute wear caused by a rotating or reciprocating rod of an artificial lift system. The rotating breech lock has a spool that disposes on a wellhead. A bowl element disposes in the spool's bore, and a hanger fits into the spool and lands on the bowl element with a thrust bearing. Above the hanger, a load ring fits against the hanger with a bearing, and a hold-down sleeve and locking pins hold the load ring against the hanger. The spool has a worm that mates with a wheel defined about the hanger so turning the worm by a ratchet or other mechanism rotates the hanger. Internally, the hanger has a bore with opposing shoulders separated by gaps. A mandrel couples to the tubing and disposes up into the hanger. Protrusions or keys on the hanger can selectively align with the gaps and the shoulders depending on how the mandrel is rotated in the hanger bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Travis, Scott Menard, Brandon M. Cain, Ping Cai, Michael Mosher
  • Patent number: 8752636
    Abstract: A tubular gripping assembly for use with a top drive to handle a tubular includes a tubular gripping tool having a mandrel and gripping elements operatively coupled to the mandrel; and a link assembly attached to the mandrel, wherein a load of the link assembly is transferred to the mandrel. The tubular gripping assembly may also include one or more of a swivel having selectively actuatable seals, a thread compensator to facilitate tubular make-up, or a wedge lock release apparatus to facilitate the release of gripping elements from the tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Liess, John D. Hooker, II, Reinhard Grosch, Thomas Kotschy, Andreas Carlsson
  • Publication number: 20140158374
    Abstract: One embodiment provides an adjustable guide 10a to steer the end 90 of a pipe string 88 into position to be engaged and supported by a pipe gripping apparatus such as, for example, an externally gripping elevator assembly 10. The adjustable guide 10a may comprise a plurality of angularly distributed guide inserts 30, each having a sloped surface 30A to engage a pipe end 90. Another embodiment provides an adjustable guide 60a to steer a pipe connection into position to pass through a spider 60. The guide inserts 30, 80 of an adjustable guide may be controllably positionable to together form a guide that is concentric with the bore of the tapered bowl of an elevator assembly or a spider. One embodiment comprises a guide insert retainer 11 having a plurality of channels 28, each slidably receiving a guide insert 30 and positionable by rotation of a threaded shaft 40.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: FRANK'S CASING CREW AND RENTAL TOOLS, INC.
    Inventors: Jeremy Richard Angelle, Donald E. Mosing, John Erick Stelly
  • Publication number: 20140138081
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a well service rig for tripping rods and tubulars. The well service rig includes a service rig base unit, a mast coupled to the well service rig base unit movable between a folded position and an upright position, a vertical guide mounted to the mast, and a traveling block system coupled to the vertical guide at a first end and configured to travel up and down at least a portion of a length of the vertical guide. The traveling block system is couplable to a rod, a tubular, or both at a second end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: KEY ENERGY SERVICES, LLC
    Inventors: Derrek Yorga, Derrick Jackson, Paul Knapp, Dave Richard, Minhao Yin, Harold James Miller
  • Patent number: 8720581
    Abstract: A production flow base (1) for possible future branched connection onto a production manifold (10) in order to provide for the connection of at least two production jumpers extending from respective subsea Xmas trees onto the production manifold (10), is shown. The production flow base (1) is arranged as a retrofit module connectable to a single inboard hub (11) prearranged on the production manifold (10). The production flow base (1) includes a frame structure (2), piping (3), at least one connector (4) and guiding means (9). The frame structure (2) is arranged for landing on a supporting arrangement (12) projecting from a manifold structure (10). The piping (3) forms a branch terminating in a connector (4) and at least two outboard hubs (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Aker Subsea AS
    Inventor: Geir Olav Berg
  • Patent number: 8720578
    Abstract: An orientation joint for a subsea landing string equipped to maintain both unitary and telescoping configurations. For example, the joint may maintain a unitary configuration to provide continuous orientation definition while lowering a landing string within a blowout preventer (BOP). Additionally, the orientation joint may be configured to telescope and provide an appropriately sized uniform outer diameter surface to enable a sealing engagement with an aligned ram of the BOP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: David C. Allensworth, Josh Rayner
  • Patent number: 8689888
    Abstract: An outer wellhead member has a bore with a first profile portion and an annular recess. A tubular inner wellhead member with a centralizer/overpull ring is lowered into the outer wellhead member. The centralizer/overpull ring is biased to expand outward to engage the bore of the outer wellhead member to center the inner wellhead member within the bore as the inner wellhead member is lowered through the bore. The recess of the outer wellhead member is adapted to receive the centralizer/overpull ring and oppose axial movement of the centralizer/overpull ring to enable an upward test pull of the inner wellhead member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Sibu Varghese, Ryan Herbel, Dien Nguyen, Javier Garcia
  • Publication number: 20140083676
    Abstract: A magnetic-latch stabbing guide apparatus is presented enabling a first drill pipe to connect with a second drill pipe. The magnetic-latch stabbing guide easily attached to the first drill pipe and facilitates connection between the first drill pipe and the second drill pipe. During the connection process, the magnetic-latch stabbing guide easily detaches from the two drill pipes without physical manipulation of the magnetic-latch stabbing guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Inventor: Daniel Pete Miner
  • Publication number: 20140048249
    Abstract: A coiled tubing guide-in device is applied to oil field coiled tubing operation and used for guiding a coiled tubing into injector head gripper blocks. The coiled tubing guide-in device mainly consists of a slip connecting head, a locking sleeve, a floating sleeve, a guide head, and a traction steel rope. In the structure of the slip connecting head, a cone of an expansion plug is arranged in a slip sleeve. A lower end of a tightening nut is a convex spherical body. At a lower end of the tightening nut, an end of a traction steel rope is fixed in a rectangular groove at the lower end of the tightening nut through a threaded pin. In the structure of the locking sleeve, an upper end surface of a spherical support body is a concave spherical surface. An inner conical sleeve and an outer conical clamping sleeve are arranged in a cylindrical space. A spherical head is fixed on inner screw threads of the spherical support body. The number of combined locking bodies ranges from 4 to 15.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicants: China National Petroleum Corporation, Jianghan Machinery Research Institute, DR, CNPC, Drilling Research Institute , CNPC
    Inventors: Sanpo Zhang, Tieli Liu, Zaisi Zhu, Dafei Wu, Gang Luo
  • Patent number: 8636087
    Abstract: A Drill-To-The-Limit (DTTL) drilling method variant to Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) applies constant surface backpressure, whether the mud is circulating (choke valve open) or not (choke valve closed). Because of the constant application of surface backpressure, the DTTL method can use lighter mud weight that still has the cutting carrying ability to keep the borehole clean. The DTTL method identifies the weakest component of the pressure containment system, such as the fracture pressure of the formation or the casing shoe leak off test (LOT). With a higher pressure rated RCD, such as 5,000 psi (34,474 kPa) dynamic or working pressure and 10,000 psi (68,948 kPa) static pressure, the limitation will generally be the fracture pressure of the formation or the LOT. In the DTTL method, since surface backpressure is constantly applied, the pore pressure limitation of the conventional drilling window can be disregarded in developing the fluid and drilling programs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Don M. Hannegan, Thomas F. Bailey, Melvin T. Jacobs, Nicky A. White, Carel W. Hoyer
  • Publication number: 20130341004
    Abstract: A mobile rig for use in lowering a string comprising joints of a conduit into a well is provided with a rig transporter comprising a motorized unit, a mast assembly, a pivotal connection on the mast assembly with respect to the rig transporter. At least one hydraulic arm is pivotally mounted to the rig transporter and the mast assembly operable to move the mast to an upright position and for lowering the mast to a substantially horizontal position for transportation. In one embodiment, a top drive is mounted in the mast which is raised and lowered with the mast whereby the top drive is transported in the mast in the substantially horizontal position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: Complete Production Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark J. Flusche
  • Publication number: 20130341041
    Abstract: An upper mast fixture for positioning a tubular received from a pipe handling system for use with a top drive having a rotor utilized to connect with pipe. The upper mast fixture is utilized to assist and/or provide alignment of a threaded connection on a top of said pipe with said top drive rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: Complete Production Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark J. Flusche
  • Publication number: 20130341036
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning a wellhead or BOP stack with a mast assembly comprising a sensor which provides an initial alignment between a mast and a wellhead or BOP stack. A mast assembly is transported to a well site by a rig carrier which positions the mast assembly adjacent a wellhead, or BOP stack. The mast assembly is raised to an upright position whereby a rear portion of the mast extends over the wellhead. Sensors mounted to the top drive, crow, well head, or mast can be used to align the mast with the wellhead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: Complete Production Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark J. Flusche
  • Publication number: 20130341052
    Abstract: A pressure control apparatus and methodology related to a drilling operation has a housing such as, for example, a bearing assembly configured to engage an item of oilfield equipment being delivered through the oilfield pressure control apparatus. The housing has an upper and/or a lower portion with a seal element coupled to the upper and/or lower portion and configured to seal around the item of oilfield equipment. A guide is coupled proximate the seal element. The guide is configured to support and/or limit lateral deflection of the seal element during the lateral deflection of the seal element created by movement of the item of oilfield equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Thomas F. Bailey, James W. Chambers
  • Publication number: 20130299189
    Abstract: An apparatus including a base, and a drilling tower pivotally coupled to the base to pivot the drilling tower between first and second pivot positions. The drilling tower includes a first portion, and a second portion pivotally coupled to the first portion to pivot the second portion between third and fourth pivot positions when the drilling tower is in the first pivot position. According to another aspect, a method includes pivotally coupling a drilling tower to a base, which includes providing a first portion of the drilling tower, pivotally coupling a second portion of the drilling tower to the first portion of the drilling tower, and pivotally coupling the first portion of the drilling tower to the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: Nabors Drilling International Limited
    Inventors: Padira REDDY, Ashish Gupta, Sean M. Bailey
  • Patent number: 8550169
    Abstract: A connector (1) for connecting components of a subsea system, the connector comprising male and female components (3, 2), guide means (11) for assisting preliminary orientation of the male component within the female component and means (18; 20; 21) for drawing the male component into the female component and latch means (22) for securing the male component within the female component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Subsea Technologies Group Limited
    Inventors: David Ernest McKay, Drummond Lawson, Malcolm George Cameron Milne
  • Patent number: 8550174
    Abstract: An apparatus for centering a first tubular with respect to a second tubular at a wellhead in which the apparatus has a frame, a gripping member extending outwardly of the frame and suitable for gripping the first tubular, and a guide member connected to the frame and extending outwardly therefrom. The guide member is positioned below the gripping member. The guide member has a slot therein suitable for receiving a portion of the second tubular therein. The slot of the guide member has a center vertically aligned with a center of the gripping member. The guide member is pivotally connected to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: T&T Engineering Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith J. Orgeron, Axel Sigmar
  • Patent number: 8550170
    Abstract: A retrievable flow module (RFM) apparatus is provided. In one embodiment, the RFM apparatus is a standalone assembly configured to mate with a subsea device, such as a production tree. The RFM apparatus may include a frame within which various flow control and monitoring elements are disposed. The frame may have an alignment system that enables the RFM apparatus to horizontally mate with the tree. Because the RFM apparatus provides for the collocation of flow control and monitoring elements within a standalone assembly, deployment or retrieval of the flow control and monitoring elements may be accomplished in single operation. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Edmund McHugh, Finbarr Evans, Tobias Voelkel
  • Patent number: 8544539
    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: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: David Joseph Hanlin, Jr., Bradley Mitchell Mandziak
  • Publication number: 20130186640
    Abstract: An apparatus to attach a control line to a tubular member, in which the apparatus includes a control line arm having a first control line guide coupled thereto, and a base having a second control line guide coupled thereto, with the control line arm coupled to the base and movable with respect to the base. The control line arm may be movable between a raised position and a collapsed position with respect to the base, and the control line arm may be at least one of slidably coupled and rotatably coupled to the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: FRANK'S CASING CREW AND RENTAL TOOLS, INC.
    Inventor: Frank's Casing Crew and Rental Tools, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130153213
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and a method to grip a tubular member and sense wear for a pipe handling apparatus. The system includes a pipe handling apparatus having a bore formed therein with an axis defined therethrough, a pipe guide disposed adjacent to an opening of the bore of the pipe handling apparatus, and a wear sensor coupled to the pipe guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: FRANK'S CASING CREW AND RENTAL TOOLS, INC.
    Inventors: Jeremy Richard Angelle, Robert Thibodeaux, John Erick Stelly
  • Patent number: 8443895
    Abstract: A travel joint (100) for space out operations in a wellbore. The travel joint (100) includes a generally tubular mandrel assembly (112) and a generally tubular housing assembly (102) slidably disposed about the mandrel assembly (112). The mandrel assembly (112) included an infinite slot (118) and at least one axial slot (120). A lock assembly (128) is positioned between the mandrel assembly (112) and the housing assembly (102). The lock assembly (128) is operable to selectively prevent and allow relative axial movement between the mandrel assembly (112) and the housing assembly (102). A floating lug ring (140) is positioned between the mandrel assembly (112) and the housing assembly (102). The floating lug ring (140) includes at least one lug (142) and is operable to rotate relative to the mandrel assembly (112) and the housing assembly (102) when the lug (142) travels in the infinite slot (118).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Edward Harms
  • Patent number: 8434548
    Abstract: A system for removably mounting a drum to a winch assembly comprises a drum assembly, a frame defining at least a portion of a mounting base for the drum, at least one connector for connecting the drum assembly to the mounting base, a lifting apparatus releasably attached to the drum assembly, and at least one guide member releasably attached to the frame and engaging with the lifting apparatus for directing the drum assembly away from the frame when the drum assembly is removed therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Stephane Breard, Dominique Aubry
  • Patent number: 8413728
    Abstract: A break-out assembly includes a slide wrench assembly, and a slide wrench rotator assembly which rotates the slide wrench assembly in response to actuating first and second rotator assembly cylinders. The first and second rotator assembly cylinders are actuated in opposed directions. The break-out assembly includes a clamp assembly having opposed arm assemblies which are rotatable about separate pivot points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Drilling Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Timothy W. Ledbetter, Steven B. Tweedie, James M. Benson, Maureen A. Bohac, Iain A. Peebles
  • Publication number: 20130043047
    Abstract: A system for setting and retrieving a tool including a tubular having a first profile and a tool haing a second profile, the first and second profiles complementarily formed and engagable together for enabling the tool to be located in a borehole with respect to the tubular, the first profile or the second profile at least partially formed from a degradable material, the degradable material degradable upon exposure to a downhole fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Peter J. Fay
  • Patent number: 8376042
    Abstract: A method and vessel for installing an expandable tubular in a subsea wellbore, wherein said expandable tubular is assembled from expandable tubular segments, said expandable tubular being adapted to be expanded diametrically when positioned in said wellbore by means of expansion tooling, wherein a multitude of expandable tubular segments are provided, and wherein use is made of a surface vessel, said vessel comprising: at least one assembly station adapted for the assembly of at least one intermediate tubular assembly by interconnection of multiple expandable tubular segments, an intermediate tubular assembly suspension storage device adapted for storage of one or more intermediate tubular assemblies, said intermediate tubular assemblies being suspended from the vessel into the water by said storage device, a guide and handling system for intermediate tubular assemblies, said guide and handling system having an entry and an exit, said entry being spaced from said exit, the entry being arranged and adapted t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: ITREC B.V.
    Inventors: Diederick Bernardus Wijning, Joop Roodenburg
  • Patent number: 8365834
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a tubular gripping assembly for use with a top drive to handle a tubular includes a tubular gripping tool having a mandrel and gripping elements operatively coupled to the mandrel; and a link assembly attached to the mandrel, wherein a load of the link assembly is transferred to the mandrel. In another embodiment, the tubular gripping assembly includes a swivel having selectively actuatable seals. In yet another embodiment, the tubular gripping assembly includes a thread compensator to facilitate tubular make-up. In yet another embodiment, the tubular gripping assembly includes a wedge lock release apparatus to facilitate the release of gripping elements from the tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Liess, John D. Hooker, II, Reinhard Grosch, Thomas Kotschy, Andreas Carlsson
  • Patent number: 8360159
    Abstract: A rotating control device has a bowl including a central passage configured for having a bearing assembly positioned therein. A bowl sleeve ledge is integral the bowl within the central passage. The bowl sleeve is removably disposed within the central passage. Movement of the bowl sleeve along a length of the central passage is constrained by the bowl sleeve ledge and movement of the bowl sleeve radially with respect to the length of the central passage is constrained by a central passage surface. A sealing device of a first configuration is engaged between an exterior surface of the bowl sleeve and the central passage surface. The bearing assembly has an exterior surface of its outer barrel engaged with the interior surface of the bowl sleeve. A sealing device of a second configuration is engaged between the interior surface of the bowl sleeve and the exterior surface of the outer barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Hampton IP Holding Co. LLC
    Inventor: Theresa J. Williams
  • Patent number: 8307889
    Abstract: The present application is directed to an assembly for controlling an annulus between tubulars. The assembly comprising a first annular member securable to the outer tubular; a second annular member securable to the first annular member; wherein each of the first and second annular members have eccentric bores therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Inventor: Randy Lewkoski
  • Patent number: 8267183
    Abstract: The current invention relates to an improved gripper for use within a coiled tubing injector unit. The improved gripper comprises a carrier for securing the gripper to the chain drive mechanism of the coiled tubing injector unit and a gripping shoe carried by the carrier. The improved gripper provides a carrier and a gripping shoe designed to permit quick and easy removal and replacement of the gripping shoe in the field during operation of the coiled tubing injector unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Serva Group LLC
    Inventors: Johnnie B. Maschek, Jr., Carl Stephen Lammons