Expro Americas, LLC

Power Well Services, L.p.

Power Chokes, Inc.

John McCaskill

David Anthony Schmidt

Robert Frank Schmidt

Donald Glynn Sims

Scott Charles

Danny Spencer

Michael James Sims

Thomas E Neal

Michael James Taylor

Gary L Horn

John McHardy

A system and method for maintaining fluid pressure within a well bore includes: (a) an axially reciprocable choke; (b) a mud pump; (c) a programmable controller in communication with the choke and providing operational control of the axial reciprocation of the choke to maintain a set point choke pressure; (d) the controller configured to associate a drilling set point choke pressure within the well bore with a drilling pump rate and associate a predetermined connection set point choke pressure within the well bore with a pump rate; and (e) a mud pump monitor configured to communicate with the mud pump and the programmable controller, measure the pump rate of the pump, and communicate the measured pump rate to the programmable controller.

System for controlling wellbore pressure during pump shutdowns

A strainer system having two separate strainers positioned in parallel, where one strainer can be cleaned while still permitting normal flow through the other strainer. The system flow circuit is arranged so that a high pressure backwashing flow can be applied to one strainer while the other strainer is providing its normal straining function. The backwashed strainer is then isolated by valves so that its access flange can be removed and the particulate buildup within the valve plug cleaned out. The strainer is then returned to service following the replacement of the access flange. In this manner, it is possible to alternate between the two strainers so that continuous flow can be maintained to the hydraulic choke located downstream of the strainer system.

Flow system for a hydraulic choke solids strainer

The invention contemplates a strainer based upon a four-way, two-position rotary cylindrical plug valve having a hollow plug. The normal entry port for the sealing plug of the plug valve is a circular radial hole passing from the exterior of the plug into the interior cavity of the plug. The normal exit port for the sealing plug is a regular array of small holes across from and coaxial with the normal entry hole. The ports for the valve body are in two pairs positioned at 90&#xb0; from each other, with the axes of the ports lying in the same transverse plane as the ports of the valve plug.

Solids strainer system for a hydraulic choke

An embodiment of the invention involves a method for servicing a choke valve that includes disconnecting a choke actuator and at least one internal valve component engaged therewith from the choke valve body of the choke valve and moving the same in a generally linear path away from the choke valve body along the axis of the choke valve body.

Apparatus and methods for servicing a hydraulic choke

The present invention relates to an apparatus for use in field servicing a choke valve system. The apparatus is used for lifting, manipulating, and handling the heavy components of hydraulic choke valves. The apparatus includes an elongated track, a choke valve support structure, a trolley that selectably reciprocates along a length of the trolley, and an attachment mechanism for attaching a choke actuator to the trolley.

Manipulator system for servicing a hydraulic choke

The present invention relates to a mechanism for preventing damage to the actuator of a hydraulic choke valve in the event of excessive backpressure on the outlet of the choke. The backpressure relief device is applicable to a choke valve which meters flow from a high pressure annular region around the axially reciprocable choke throttling member into a low pressure exit channel coaxial with the throttling member. In particular, a shearable means is used to connect the reciprocable control shank of the actuator to the throttling valve member of the choke valve. In the event of excessive pressure on the exit channel of the choke valve, the shearable means will shear, thereby fully opening the valve and permitting the excessive pressure to escape. The shearable means is readily replaced so that the valve easily can be put back into operating condition.

Shear mechanism for backpressure relief in a choke valve

The invention contemplates a simple coupling means for interfacing linear acting actuator shafts with valves or hydraulic chokes. The coupling means of the present invention allows either an actuator or an interconnected valve or choke to be rapidly, safely, and efficiently interchanged with a replacement part. The present invention is broadly applicable to a wide variety of actuator types having rectilinear motion outputs and to a large variety of valve and choke types which are operated by linear motions, including gate valves with or without balanced stems.

Growing community of inventors

Jersey Village, TX, United States of America

John McCaskill