Means For Perforating, Weakening, Bending Or Separating Pipe At An Unprepared Point Patents (Class 166/55)
  • Patent number: 11946330
    Abstract: A downhole actuator (16) includes a piston (15) within a chamber (17) on which fluid can act on either side to hydraulically activate the actuator. A hydrostatic equilibrium device (18) and a valve (14) are mounted around the hydraulic actuator. With a radial port (28) of the hydrostatic equilibrium device closed and the valve closed to seal the string, pumping fluid through the string operates the actuator. Pressure overbalance prevents movement of the piston (15). The radial port (28) is opened to drain fluid from the string until equilibrium is reached with the annular volume and the piston (15) can be moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: ARDYNE HOLDINGS LIMITED
    Inventors: David Stewart, James Linklater, George Telfer
  • Patent number: 11898425
    Abstract: An integrated detonation assembly of a perforating unit includes a detonator assembly and a charge assembly. The detonator assembly is positioned in the outer housing and comprises a bulkhead connected to the outer housing; a charge connector connected to the bulkhead, the charge connection having a connection end; a detonator carried by the charge connector; and a trigger coupled to the detonator and to a remote actuator. The charge assembly is insertable into the outer housing, and comprises a charge tube to support shaped charges therein; a charge feedthru; and a receiver. The receiver is at an opposite end of the charge tube, and has a receptacle shaped to matingly receive the connection end of the charge connector and to engage the trigger whereby, upon insertion of the charge assembly into the outer housing, the receiver is oriented and communicatively secured to the detonator assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: GR Energy Services Management, LP
    Inventors: James William Anthony, Cameron Michael Bryant, Vadim Akhmadikin
  • Patent number: 11821291
    Abstract: A tubular perforating apparatus includes a nozzle section comprising a nozzle head located therein and adjacent a combustible fuel material. The nozzle head includes an internal cavity and a nozzle portion including an opening on one side of the nozzle portion that directs the cutting fluids out the internal cavity in a first radial direction to produce a reaction force on the apparatus in an opposite second radial direction. The reaction force moves the apparatus in the second radial direction to be against an inner wall of the tubular and temporarily anchors the apparatus against the inner wall. The nozzle head is movable via the pressure and the cutting fluids from a closed position within the nozzle section to an open position in which the nozzle portion protrudes out of the nozzle section so that the opening is exposed to the tubular for directing the cutting fluids onto the tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Robertson Intellectual Properties, LLC
    Inventor: Michael C. Robertson
  • Patent number: 11692409
    Abstract: A shear ram system includes an upper block coupled to a first arm, the upper block positioned to transition from a first location outside a bore to a second location within the bore, the upper block including an upper blade having a cutout formed at a radially outward end, the cutout having a cutout profile. The shear ram system also includes a lower block coupled to a second arm, the lower block positioned to transition from the first location outside the bore to the second location within the bore, the lower block including a gap control arm including a wear insert arranged axially higher than a lower blade, the gap control arm having an arm profile that substantially conforms to the cutout profile. The wear insert of the gap control arm is configured to engage the cutout when the upper block and the lower block are moved to the second location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Ingram, Connor Cook
  • Patent number: 11661823
    Abstract: A perforating gun may include a gun carrier extending in an axial direction and a tandem seal adapter (TSA). The gun carrier having a maximum outer carrier diameter. The TSA may include a first TSA region having a first TSA outer diameter, a second TSA region having a second TSA outer diameter, and a shoulder surface formed between an outer surface of the first TSA region and an outer surface of the second TSA region. The second TSA outer diameter may be larger than the first TSA outer diameter and smaller than the maximum outer carrier diameter. A portion of the gun carrier may abut with the shoulder surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Haron Preiss, Thilo Scharf, Liam McNelis, Eric Mulhern, David C. Parks, Christian Eitschberger
  • Patent number: 11619109
    Abstract: A method of sealing one or more leak paths includes positioning an isolation plug in a production tubing. The production tubing is disposed within a wellbore casing assembly, each extending into a subsurface. The wellbore casing assembly includes a production casing. A tubing/casing annulus is disposed between the production casing and the production tubing. The one or more leak paths are fluidly coupled to the production tubing and the tubing/casing annulus and the isolation plug is positioned at a depth location below the one or more leak paths. The method also includes perforating the production tubing at a depth location above the isolation plug to form one or more sealant injection holes fluidly coupling the production tubing and the tubing/casing annulus and directing a sealant into the production tubing such that the sealant enters the tubing/casing annulus through the one or more sealant injection holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Mohammed Sameer Almajed, Ahmed Mohammed Alghuryafi, Mohammed A Asiri, Mohammed A Atwi
  • Patent number: 11486234
    Abstract: A detonator module provides for the use of a wide range of different addressable switches for use in perforating guns. The detonator module permits pre-assembly of a desired addressable switch and conforms the electrical connectivity to a particular perforating gun. In this manner, nearly any addressable switch can be used from any manufacturer despite having different sizes or wiring layouts. The pre-assembled detonator module can be safely shipped due to a safety shunt that can be removed on site prior to installation into a perforating gun. In one sense, the detonator module permits conformance of multiple different types of addressable switches to a particular type or model of perforating gun, permitting flexible choice of addressable switch for a particular project.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph T. MacGillivray
  • Patent number: 11377938
    Abstract: Techniques of the present disclosure relate to downhole perforation operations using fluid containing hollow spheres. A method comprising: disposing a perforating apparatus in a volume of hollow particles in a wellbore; and detonating the perforating apparatus to collapse a portion of the hollow particles to increase flow through at least one perforation resulting from a detonation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale E. Jamison, Brian Alan Evans, Denise Nicole Benoit, Daniel Joshua Stark
  • Patent number: 11187060
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a control valve. A primary line is pressurized to move according to an operating sequence to move a first piston within a first housing from a reset position to a close position such that a first control valve is switched to a closed state. The primary line is pressurized according to the operating sequence to move the first piston within the first housing from the close position to an open position such that the first control valve is switched to an open state. The secondary line is pressurized according to the operating sequence to move the first piston within the first housing back into the reset position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Lorenzzo Breda Minassa, Jonathan Joubran
  • Patent number: 11118419
    Abstract: A wellbore control device comprising a housing (1) defining a throughbore (2) for receiving a tubular, a first gate (4) having a first hole (6) and a second gate (3) having a second hole (5), piston rods (12a,12b) operably connected to the first and second gates (4,5), the first and second gates (3,4) being supported by the housing (1) and movable transverse to the throughbore (2) between an open position and a closed position, wherein the open position the first and second holes (5,6) are aligned with the throughbore (2), and wherein the gates (3,4) in the closed position split an upper portion (2?) of the throughbore (2) completely from a lower portion (2?) of the throughbore (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: ELECTRICAL SUBSEA & DRILLING AS
    Inventor: Erik Norbom
  • Patent number: 11053766
    Abstract: A shear ram system includes an upper block positioned to transition from a first location outside a bore to a second location within the bore, the upper block including a blade control arm having a first contact surface. The shear ram system includes a lower block positioned to transition from the first location outside the bore to the second location within the bore, the lower block including a second contact surface proximate the first contact surface. The shear ram system includes a progressive gap between the first contact surface and the second contact surface larger at a first end than at a second end such that a first gap distance at the first end is greater than a second gap distance the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: HYDRIL USA DISTRIBUTION LLC
    Inventors: Brian Scott Baker, Kevin Sweeney, Andrew Ingram, Jamie Gamble
  • Patent number: 11028664
    Abstract: A blowout preventer has a main body having a through bore. A housing is mounted to the main body and defines a passage connected to and transverse to the through bore. An isolation ring cutter is initially disposed around the through bore and closes the passage to fluid flow. The isolation ring cutter is movable along the passage and has an opening coincident with the through bore. A piston and gate are disposed in the passage spaced apart from the isolation ring cutter. A propellant charge is disposed between the piston and an end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Kinetic Pressure Control Ltd.
    Inventors: Bobby James Gallagher, Billy Jack Gallagher
  • Patent number: 11021926
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method are provided for isolating a portion of a tubing string in a hydrocarbon well. The portion of isolated tubing string can be used to set a packer or test tubing integrity hydrostatically. The apparatus includes a dissolvable valve that is installed in a nipple and positioned below the portion of tubing string. The dissolvable valve includes a ball seat for receiving a dissolvable ball. When the dissolvable ball is dropped into the tubing string and seated on the ball seat of the dissolvable valve, the portion of tubing string is isolated from a second portion of tubing string below the nipple. Wellbore fluids in the hydrocarbon well dissolve the dissolvable valve and the dissolvable ball to leave behind a nipple without any restrictions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: PETROFRAC OIL TOOLS
    Inventors: Roddie R. Smith, Tony Flores, Lee Emerson, Robert Joe Coon
  • Patent number: 10975670
    Abstract: A perforating gun for use in oil and gas operations. The gun is carried to a desired area of a wellbore using only fluid pressure. The gun comprises a charge housing disposed within a removable sleeve. The charge housing comprises a plurality of shaped charges in communication with one or more sensors. The sensors are programmed to initiate the detonation sequence of the shaped charges upon measuring set parameters. Upon detonation, the gun fragments into a plurality of pieces that may be washed away from the detonation site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Tenax Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin Dewayne Jones
  • Patent number: 10851607
    Abstract: A technique facilitates deployment and operation of a casing hanger. A ratchet mechanism may be positioned between the casing hanger and a running tool. The ratchet mechanism may comprise a center body section located between a first cam, e.g. a lower cam, and a second cam, e.g. an upper cam. The first cam is constructed for releasable engagement with the casing hanger and the second cam is constructed for engagement with the running tool. The first cam has a cam profile which causes rotation of the casing hanger when the running tool is rotated in a first direction and which causes the ratchet mechanism to release from the casing hanger when the running tool is rotated in a second direction. Additionally, the second cam also may have a cam profile configured to force the ratchet mechanism toward the casing hanger when the running tool is rotated in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: James Cavanagh
  • Patent number: 10801288
    Abstract: A safety valve assembly for extradition of hydrocarbons includes a valve body including a passage duct, configured to be traversed by a production and/or drilling line. The valve body includes housings for a punch and counter-punch, arranged diametrically opposite to one another with a common longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the valve. The punch slides linearly in a controlled manner in the housing along the axis which intersects the longitudinal axis of the pipe, and the counter-punch slides linearly in a controlled manner in the housing along the axis which intersects the longitudinal axis of the pipe. The punch and counter-punch are configured to allow the counter-punch to slidingly receive the punch in its interior to create two different shearing planes. The counter-punch includes a hollow part to slidingly receive the section of tubular material and the punch, in the linear movement during the shearing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: ENI S.p.A.
    Inventors: Claudio Molaschi, Alberto Maliardi, Alessio Nista
  • Patent number: 10761324
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for uncovering a branch of a pipe system that is renovated with a lining tube, comprising the following steps, in particular in this sequence: a) providing an uncovering device in the renovated pipe and arranging the uncovering device in front of the branch to be uncovered; b) virtually representing for a user the branch that is concealed by the lining tube; and c) uncovering the branch by the user by means of the uncovering device, based on the virtual representation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: PIPETRONICS GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Christian Noll, Herbert Wind
  • Patent number: 10753184
    Abstract: A firing head assembly for a well tool includes a shaft, a piston head, a biasing member, and a housing. The shaft has a nose and a terminal end. The shaft also includes a first shoulder and a second shoulder formed between the nose and the terminal end. The piston head slides along the shaft and is positioned between the retaining element and the first shoulder. The biasing member is mounted on the shaft and positioned between the piston head and the second shoulder. The housing has a bore in which the shaft, the piston head, and biasing member are disposed. The housing includes an opening allowing fluid communication between the housing bore and the borehole fluid external to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Owen Oil Tools LP
    Inventors: Timothy E. LaGrange, Jeffrey Gartz, Rockford A. Linville
  • Patent number: 10711555
    Abstract: A wellbore control device includes a housing defining a throughbore which can receive a tubular, a first gate with a first hole, and a second gate with a second hole. The first gate and the second gate are supported by the housing and and can perform a movement transverse to the throughbore between an open position and a closed position. The movement of the first gate and the second gate from the open position to the closed position splits the throughbore into an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper position and the lower positing being completely separate from each other. The first hole and the second hole are aligned substantially co-axially with the throughbore in the open position. A part of at least one of the first hole and the second hole remains aligned with the throughbore in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: ELECTRICAL SUBSEA & DRILLING AS
    Inventor: Erik Norbom
  • Patent number: 10689937
    Abstract: A blowout preventer includes a body containing upper and lower ram assemblies. The body defines a surface pressure area above the upper rams and a wellbore pressure area between the upper and lower rams. An upper passageway communicates an outside of the body with the surface pressure area and a lower passageway communicates the outside with the wellbore pressure area. A valve adjacent the outside surface allows communication between the areas for pressure equalization. A bonnet is removed from the body by unfastening a flange from a face of the body and extending the flange from an assembled configuration to an extended configuration, thereby exposing a tool receiving surface on a ram change piston, wherein the piston communicates with the body and the flange. The tool surface is engaged for manipulating and disengaging the piston from one of the body and the flange, thereby facilitating removal of the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: HORN EQUIPMENT COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Hoby R. Horn, Scott A. Spurlin, Stephen Kolby Hambright
  • Patent number: 10422195
    Abstract: In aspects, the present disclosure provides a perforating gun that includes a carrier tube, and a charge tube assembly. The carrier tube includes a bore and a groove formed along an inner surface. The charge tube assembly is disposed in the bore of the carrier tube and includes a charge tube, an alignment end plate, an insertion end plate, a retention member, shaped charges, and a detonating cord. The charge tube has a plurality of shaped charge openings, a plurality of post openings, a first end, and a second end. The alignment end plate is connected to the first end of the charge tube. The insertion end plate is connected to the second end of the charge tube. The shaped charges are disposed in each of the shaped charge openings. Each shaped charge has a post projecting out of one post opening. The detonating cord is connected to each of the projecting posts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: OWEN OIL TOOLS LP
    Inventors: Timothy E. LaGrange, Jeremy Ursi, Jeffrey D. Wood, Morris Stone
  • Patent number: 10260297
    Abstract: A subsea wellbore system is disclosed in which a return fluid flows from a wellbore to the surface via an annulus between a drill string and a casing and then between the drill string and a riser, wherein the system includes a device configured to prevent flow of the return fluid flowing through the annulus between the drill string and the riser, and a bypass line configured to divert the flow of the return fluid from the annulus between the drill string and the riser to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Derek Mathieson, Colin Bickersteth
  • Patent number: 10233716
    Abstract: A ram blowout preventer (“BOP”) may be used for sealing about an object positioned in a vertical bore extending through the BOP. The ram BOP includes a body comprising a vertical bore extending through the body and a ram cavity intersecting the bore, a ram assembly movable laterally into and out of the BOP vertical bore and comprising a ram body, and an opposing ram assembly movable laterally into and out of the BOP vertical bore and comprising a ram body and a seal body coupled to the ram body, wherein the seal body comprises a seal configured to seal the entirety of the BOP vertical bore. The seal can be located on the upper and/or lower portion of the seal body to provide for bi-directional sealing across the BOP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignees: Cameron International Corporation, Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Johannes van Wijk, Melvyn F. Whitby
  • Patent number: 10174877
    Abstract: A pipe tool positioning system for efficiently inserting, positioning, and orienting a tool for use within a pipe. The pipe tool positioning system generally includes a sleeve with a receiver opening adapted to receive and removably retain a tool such as a grinder or the like. The sleeve includes radially-offset bladders extending outwardly from its outer surface. Each of the bladders may be individually inflated and/or deflated to aid in positioning of the tool within a pipe. A control unit may be provided with controllers for individually controlling each of the bladders. A camera may also be included adjacent to the sleeve to feed a display included with the control unit. By utilizing the present invention, various tools may efficiently be inserted and positioned for use within a pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Inventor: Jeffrey M. Tanner
  • Patent number: 10000994
    Abstract: A multi-shot explosive charge includes a plurality of chambers divided by shared walls between adjacent chambers. Explosive material within at least one of the chambers creates an explosive force in an outward direction upon detonation and a perforating jet through the open end of the chamber. A perforating charge includes at least one explosive material producing explosive forces, upon detonation that collide within the chamber to create a perforating jet. Such perforating charge may be a chamber(s) within a multi-shot explosive charge, or an individual charge. First and second explosive materials can have the same or different compositions and detonation rates that together with the arrangement of materials within the chamber create the collision of forces. A plurality of multi-shot explosive charge or stand-alone perforating charges with colliding forces can be interconnected in an array, and can be included in a perforating gun(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: IdeasCo LLC
    Inventor: Joseph Sites
  • Patent number: 9932795
    Abstract: Present embodiments of the disclosure are directed to a seal assembly for generating a seal between two opposing shear blades of a ram unit after shearing a tubular. The seal assembly may include at least a wiper, a sealing element, and an energizer. The wiper may clean a surface of a shear blade as the blade moves relative to the seal assembly. The sealing element may include an elastomeric material that can be deformed into engagement with the shear blade to generate the seal. The energizer may be a hard component that energizes the sealing element against the cleaned surface of the shear blade as the blade moves further relative to the seal assembly. The wiper may clean the sealing surface of the blade by removing debris from the surface prior to the energizer activating the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Axon Pressure Products, Inc.
    Inventors: William Rinehart Holland, Jr., Jess W. Shows, Bradford S. Franks
  • Patent number: 9879498
    Abstract: Present embodiments of the disclosure are directed to a blowout preventer having a ram unit designed to shear wellbore tubulars with a range of diameters. The ram unit may include a first shear block having a first blade profile, and a second shear block having a second blade profile. The blade profiles may each feature an angled portion for contacting the wellbore tubular. The angled portion of the first blade profile may be a different size (e.g., width dimension) than the angled portion of the second blade profile. This may enable the larger angled portion to support a smaller tubular while contact points on the smaller angled portion apply a force for shearing the tubular. With larger tubulars, an initial edge of the blade profile with the smaller angled portion may support the tubular while contact points on the larger angled portion apply a force for shearing the tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Axon Pressure Products, Inc.
    Inventor: William Rinehart Holland, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9863224
    Abstract: An isolation system is disclosed that contains: a lower wet connect portion, a central production tubing, an isolation device associated with the central production tubing, and at least one communication line, wherein the at least one communication line is associated with the lower wet connect portion and is disposed through an inside diameter of the isolation device. Further, a method for isolating a lower completion is disclosed that includes: conveying an isolation assembly to the lower completion, the isolation assembly including: a lower wet isolation device; and routing the at least one communication line through an inside diameter of the isolation device. Further a completion system is disclosed that contains a lower completion system and an isolation system associated with the lower completion system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: David S. Bishop, John E. Britt, Kim Tijerina, Kirby G. Schrader, Connor S. George, Marc N. Samuelson, Kelly D. Ireland, Rockni Van Clief, Christian F. Bayne, David A. Bilberry
  • Patent number: 9828826
    Abstract: An isolation system is disclosed that contains a lower wet connect portion; a central production tubing; an isolation device associated with the central production tubing, and at least one control line. Further at least one control line is associated with the lower wet connect portion and is disposed through an inside diameter of the isolation device. Further method for isolating a lower completion is disclosed that includes conveying an isolation assembly to the lower completion, the isolation assembly including a lower wet connect portion, at least one control line, a central production tubing, and an isolation device, and routing the at least one control line through an inside diameter of the isolation device. Further completion system is disclosed that contains a lower completion system and an isolation system associated with the lower completion system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: David S. Bishop, John E. Britt, Kim Tijerina, Kirby Glen Schrader, Conner S. George, Marc N. Samuelson, Kelly D. Ireland, Rockni Van Clief, Christian F. Bayne, David A. Bilberry
  • Patent number: 9822602
    Abstract: A shear ram assembly for use in a BOP stack. The shear ram assembly includes a ram block disposed within the shear ram housing and having a forward end facing the bore, the ram block movable between an open position, in which the ram block is retracted away from the bore, and a closed position, in which the ram block is extended toward the bore. The blade has a forward surface, a rear surface, a lower shearing edge, and an upper edge, the blade attached to the forward face of the ram block by fasteners extending at an angle relative to an upper surface of the ram block through a portion of the ram block and into the rear surface of the blade, the rear surface of the blade angled so that it is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: HYDRIL USA DISTRIBUTION, LLC
    Inventors: Julia Anne Bleck, Brian Scott Baker, Devasish Choudhury, Richard Lee Stringfellow
  • Patent number: 9732576
    Abstract: As compared to a BOP, a compact lightweight cutting system may have two gates with cutters moveable in opposite directions to cut drill pipe. The system utilizes a relatively short stroke and relatively less hydraulic oil for subsea operation. An opening through the gates surrounds the wellbore in the open position. The cutting elements are mounted within the openings. The piston rods and pistons are vertically offset with respect to each other. The compact cutting system with a gate valve can be used to substitute for a BOP to significantly reduce the size and weight required in an intervention system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Worldwide Oilfield Machine, Inc.
    Inventors: Reddi Udaya Bhaskara Rao, Tom McCreadie
  • Patent number: 9644444
    Abstract: A ram block includes an upper ram arm, a lower ram arm, a packer channel, and a packer disposed at least partially within the packer channel. The packer includes a skeletal member that is configured to couple to the upper ram arm and the lower ram arm to oppose vertical separation of the ram arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: Johnny Everett Jurena
  • Patent number: 9580984
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for penetrating a downhole target within a wellbore include providing a body with a longitudinal axis, a first end, and a second end into a wellbore, the body having a nozzle at the first end. The nozzle is adapted to project a medium, such as molten thermite, in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, such as in a downhole direction. An initiation source is usable to consume a fuel load associated with the body to cause projection of the medium in a direction generally parallel to the axis of the wellbore, to affect an obstruction in the wellbore. A series of such apparatus can be used in succession, such that the actuation of each preceding apparatus enhances the effect of each subsequent apparatus on the obstruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Robertson Intellectual Properties, LLC
    Inventors: Michael C Robertson, William F. Boelte, Douglas J. Streibich
  • Patent number: 9541230
    Abstract: A pipe tool positioning system for efficiently inserting, positioning, and orienting a tool for use within a pipe. The pipe tool positioning system generally includes a sleeve with a receiver opening adapted to receive and removably retain a tool such as a grinder or the like. The sleeve includes radially-offset bladders extending outwardly from its outer surface. Each of the bladders may be individually inflated and/or deflated to aid in positioning of the tool within a pipe. A control unit may be provided with controllers for individually controlling each of the bladders. A camera may also be included adjacent to the sleeve to feed a display included with the control unit. By utilizing the present invention, various tools may efficiently be inserted and positioned for use within a pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Inventor: Jeffrey M. Tanner
  • Patent number: 9494001
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a downhole tool comprising a tool housing for accommodating components of the downhole tool, the tool housing comprising; a first tool housing part having a first end face and a second end face, and an activation unit removably connected with the first tool housing part, the activation unit comprising: a second tool housing part, and a closing member removably connected with the second tool housing part, wherein the second tool housing part and the closing member together constitute a fluid-tight chamber wherein a fluid is retained, the fluid-tight chamber housing mechanical and/or hydraulic and/or electrical components, and wherein the activation unit may be separated from the first tool housing part while the closing member is connected with the second tool housing part. The invention further relates to a downhole system and to a method of performing services of a downhole tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: WELLTEC A/S
    Inventor: Jørgen Hallundbæk
  • Patent number: 9422796
    Abstract: A device and method for use is provided to provide a port in a tubular without using explosives or a mechanical apparatus. By the utilization of the chemical cutter described herein the decision on the type of completion equipment to be implemented may be delayed or modified as the well creation progresses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Kerry Gordon Daly
  • Patent number: 9416610
    Abstract: An apparatus for performing abrasive jet perforating in a well comprises a generally cylindrically shaped tube with a side, an upper portion, and a lower portion; a plurality of smooth holes drilled into the side of the tube; abrasive jets mounted in at least some of the plurality of smooth holes; protective plates mounted in the side of the tube and surrounding the abrasive jets to hold the abrasive jets in place; wafers recessed into pockets on the protective plates and surrounding the abrasive jets to protect the abrasive jets from damage due to rebound of abrasive-carrying fluid slurry ejected by the abrasive jets; and fasteners securing the protective plates to the side of the tube and positioned away from the rebound of abrasive-carrying fluid slurry ejected by the abrasive jets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: TD TOOLS, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas L. Dotson
  • Patent number: 9353595
    Abstract: Systems and methods for quick access and control of a blown-out well or well that is flowing uncontrollably into the environment. Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a re-entry of the casing of the blown-out well below the mud line and the inoperable blowout preventer. The present invention also provides a method to re-enter a production, or injection well, either subsea below the mud line or above the mud line for surface facility applications. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a miniature wellbore is created from the outer casing through the various smaller casing strings into the final wellbore to protect the structural integrity of the well. Once the casing is safely penetrated, coil tubing and or kill weight fluid can be introduced to stop the uncontrolled flow of reservoir fluid. The well can then be sealed with cement and abandoned as normal practice dictates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL MARINE CONTRACTORS LLC
    Inventors: Iain Duncan, Martin Davidson
  • Patent number: 9341041
    Abstract: A cutting device, safety valve and method are for severing an object in the safety valve for a well, wherein the cutting device is structured for incorporation in the safety valve. The cutting device and the safety valve comprise a housing having a through bore structured for passing the object therethrough. The cutting device/safety valve comprises at least one induction coil device disposed in the housing, and around at least a portion of the bore of the housing. The induction coil device is directed inwards in the direction of the bore and is structured for optional, cutting-promoting heating, hence thermal structural weakening, of the object when located vis-à-vis the induction coil device. The induction coil device is structured in a manner allowing it to be connected to at least one electric power source for supply of electric power for heating. The housing comprises a heat-insulating portion disposed between the induction coil device and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Smart Installations AS
    Inventor: Petter Birkeland
  • Patent number: 9316078
    Abstract: Induction shearing may be used to cut a drillpipe at an undersea well. Electromagnetic rings may be built into a blow-out preventer (BOP) at the seafloor. The electromagnetic rings create a magnetic field through the drillpipe and may transfer sufficient energy to change the state of the metal drillpipe to shear the drillpipe. After shearing the drillpipe, the drillpipe may be sealed to prevent further leakage of well contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: TRANSOCEAN INNOVATION LABS LTD
    Inventors: Gerard M. Ludtka, John Wilgen, Roger Kisner, Timothy Mcintyre
  • Patent number: 9267351
    Abstract: A downhole tool member for hydrocarbon resource recovery, comprising a shaped body of a polyglycolic acid resin having a weight average molecular weight of at least 70,000, having an effective thickness which is ½ or more of a critical thickness of surface decomposition, and exhibiting a thickness reduction rate in water which is constant with respect to time. As a result, it has become possible to more accurately design the strength and time up to the collapse of the downhole tool member which forms the whole or a part of a downhole tool for developing or repairing downholes for recovery of hydrocarbon resources, such as oil and gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: KUREHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masayuki Okura, Hikaru Saijo, Katsumi Yoshida, Hiroyuki Sato
  • Publication number: 20150144341
    Abstract: A technique facilitates forming cavities, e.g. perforations, into a geological formation. A jetting tool is moved downhole into a borehole, and an abrasive fluid is pumped down through the jetting tool. The abrasive fluid is discharged under pressure through a plurality of jetting nozzles to form jets of the abrasive fluid which act against a surrounding wall, e.g. a casing or other borehole wall. The jetting nozzles, and thus the jets, are oriented such that a rebound effect of the jets does not detrimentally impact the jetting tool. Consequently, the jets can be used to cut perforations through the surrounding wall and into the formation without eroding or otherwise detrimentally affecting components of the jetting tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Victor Mayer, Vladimir Zhuk, Mark Oettli, Oscar Rivas Diaz
  • Publication number: 20150144340
    Abstract: Embodiments herein include a casing cutting tool comprising a top mandrel operatively coupled to a conveyance; a first retractable wedge operatively coupled to the top mandrel; a jetting tool operatively coupled to the retractable wedge, the retractable wedge thereby interposing the top mandrel and the jetting tool, wherein the jetting tool has one or more jetting nozzles arranged thereon; and a bottom terminal operatively coupled to the jetting tool, the jetting tool thereby interposing the retractable wedge and the bottom terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim B. Surjaatmadja, Leldon Mark Farabee, Jorn Tore Giskemo
  • Patent number: 9038521
    Abstract: A geological perforating tool (gun) shape charges disposed at an angle that provides an improvement over other known embodiments by accurately securing the charges in the tool to facilitate reliable, reproducible focus of the shaped charges. Charges are disposed on metal strips fitted into slots that are precision cut at predetermined angles in a tool barrel circumference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: GEODYNAMICS, INC.
    Inventors: James A. Rollins, Kevin R. George, Nathan Clark
  • Patent number: 9022104
    Abstract: Techniques for shearing a tubular of a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation with a blowout preventer are provided. The blowout preventer has a housing with a hole therethrough for receiving the tubular. The techniques relate to a blade assembly including 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, and a retractable guide carried by the ram block and slidably movable therealong. The restractable guide has a guide surface for urging the tubular into a desired location in the blowout preventer as the ram block moves to the engagement position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: Frank Benjamin Springett, Christopher Dale Johnson, Shern Eugene Peters, Eric Trevor Ensley
  • Patent number: 9022116
    Abstract: A shaped charge pipe cutter is constructed with the cutter explosive material packed intimately around an axially elongated void space that is continued through a heavy wall boss portion of the upper thrust disc. The boss wall is continued to within a critical initiation distance of a half-cuter junction plane. An explosive detonator is positioned along the void space axis proximate of the outer plane of the upper thrust disc. Geometric configurations of the charge thrust disc and end-plate concentrate the detonation energy at the critical initiation zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Inventors: William T. Bell, James G. Rairigh
  • Publication number: 20150114644
    Abstract: A downhole tool conveyed via tubing within a wellbore at a wellsite comprises a hydraulic tool driven by fluid pumped to the hydraulic tool via the tubing. The downhole tool further comprises a valve in fluid communication between the tubing and the hydraulic tool. The valve is configurable in the wellbore between an expanded position, establishing a bypass diverting at least a portion of the pumped fluid away from the hydraulic tool, and a compressed position, closing the bypass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Mark C. Oettli, L. Michael McKee, Robert L. Bucher, III, Mohammad Hajjari
  • Publication number: 20150101812
    Abstract: A mill for use in a wellbore includes a tubular housing having a bore therethrough and a plurality of eccentrically arranged pockets formed in a wall thereof and an arm disposed in each pocket. Each arm has a body portion and a blade portion extending from an outer surface of the body portion and is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The mill further includes cutters disposed along each blade portion and a block disposed in each pocket and connected to the housing. Each block has a guide engaged with a mating guide of the respective body portion and an inner passage for providing fluid communication between the housing bore and the respective pocket. The mill further includes an actuator for extending the arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Ram K. BANSAL, Mohammed Aleemul HAQ, Thomas F. BAILEY, Richard J. SEGURA, Ian SMITH
  • Publication number: 20150096745
    Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for controlling a downhole operation is disclosed. A tool is operated to perform the downhole operation at a selected downhole location using a first value of an operation parameter of the tool. A magnetostrictive probe is used to determine a temperature profile along a section of a wellbore related to the operation being performed using the first value of the operation parameter. At least one temperature of the temperature profile is compared to a selected threshold. The operation parameter is altered to a second value based on the comparison of the temperature profile to the selected threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ke Wang, Zhiyue Xu, Carlos A. Prieto
  • Publication number: 20150083424
    Abstract: A system for injecting high pressure abrasive fluid into an abrasive jet tool in a wellbore comprises an abrasives hopper; a slurry tank connected to the abrasives hopper; a low pressure abrasive pump connected to the slurry tank; a first high pressure vessel connected to the low pressure pump through a first high pressure valve; a high pressure non-abrasive pump connected to the first high pressure vessel through a second high pressure valve; and an abrasive jet tool connected to the first high pressure vessel through a third high pressure valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas L. Dotson, Henry Wohltjen