Baker Hughes Corporation

Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.

Michael W Holcombe

David E Rothers

John Lindley Baugh

Paulo S Tubel

Steven C Owens

Steve C Owens

Brett W Bouldin

Douglas Julius Lehr

Robert William Gissler

Albert A Mullins, Ii

Richard Thomas Hay

James C Doane

Daniel George Purkis

William David Henderson

Mark Anthony Sitka

Randal Thomas Beste

Ronald G Earles

Imran Sharif Vehra

Jeffrey Bowden Lasater

John R Hardin

Mark McCorry

Sergei Sharonov

Robert Chapman Ross

Jeffrey B Lasater

An inductive coupling system including a mandrel and an inner sleeve and outer housing that surround and rotate relative to the mandrel. The system also includes a mandrel electronics system and a housing electronics system that communicate electronically using a mandrel inductive coupler and a housing inductive coupler. The mandrel electronics system may also communicate with equipment on the surface. Alternatively, the system may include a mandrel and first and second mandrel electronics systems in different mandrel sections. The first and second mandrel electronics systems communicate electronically using a mandrel inductive coupler. Also alternatively, the system may include a mandrel and an inner sleeve and outer housing that surround and rotate relative to the mandrel. The system also includes a mandrel electronics system and a housing electronics system that communicate electronically using a housing inductive coupler.

Inductive coupling system

A method and apparatus for communicating coded messages in a wellbore between a transmission node and a reception node is provided. The coded messages are messages are impressed upon a fluid column which extends between the transmission node and the reception node. A transmission apparatus is provided at the transmission node which is in communication with the fluid column, for altering pressure of the fluid column to generate at least a portion of the coded message. A reception apparatus is provided at the reception node. The reception apparatus includes a rigid structural component with an exterior surface which is in direct contact with fluid column and an interior surface which is not in contact with the fluid column, and a sensor assembly which detects elastic deformation of the rigid structural component. The transmission apparatus is utilized to alter pressure of the fluid column in a predetermined pattern to generate at least one coded message. The reception apparatus is utilized to detect the coded message in the fluid column through changes in elastic deformation of the rigid structural component.

Method and apparatus for communicating coded messages in a wellbore

A downhole tractor is provided that includes a housing and a first wheel assembly coupled to the housing that is operable to translate away from the housing in a first direction. The first wheel assembly has a first electric motor, a first wheel, and a first reduction gear assembly coupled between the first electric motor and the first wheel. A second wheel assembly is coupled to the housing and is operable to translate away from the housing in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction. The second wheel assembly has a second electric motor, a second wheel, and a second reduction gear assembly coupled between the second electric motor and the second wheel. A fluid ram is coupled to the first and second wheel assemblies for selectively translating the first and second wheel assemblies toward and away from the housing. A first controller is provided for controlling the flow of current to the first and second electric motors. On-board and surface control systems may be incorporated to permit selective active of the wheels assemblies. In addition, couplings and connectors employing shape-memory materials may be included to secure the tractor to coiled tubing or a wireline.

Downhole tractor

A disconnect tool includes a housing that has a first segment and a second segment. A first collet is coupled to the first segment and has a first plurality of fingers, each of the first plurality of fingers is bendable between a first position in which the fingers engage the first segment and prevent relative sliding movement between the first and second segments and a second position in which the fingers do not engage the first segment and do not prevent relative sliding movement between the first and second segments. A first piston is positioned in the housing and has a third position wherein the piston engages and prevents the fingers from bending from the first position, and a fourth position wherein the piston does not engage and prevent the fingers from bending from the first position. The disconnect tool includes means for selectively retaining the first piston in the third position and means for moving the first piston from the third position to the fourth position. On-board and surface control systems may be incorporated to permit selective active of the disconnect mechanism. In addition, couplings and connector employing shape-memory materials may be included to secure the tool to coiled tubing and a wireline.

Disconnect tool

A wellbore remote control system is disclosed which includes (1) a transmission apparatus for generating at least one acoustic transmission having a particular transmission frequency, (2) a reception apparatus which includes an electronic circuit (preferably digital) which detects and identifies the acoustic transmissions, and which provides an actuation signal to an electrically-actuated wellbore tool if a match is detected.

Method and apparatus for remote control of wellbore end devices

A plurality of downhole control systems interconnected by a network including a server for monitoring and controlling network communications. Each downhole control system is associated with a zone in one or more wells. The downhole control systems communicate directly with each other transferring information and commands as necessary. The downhole server monitors network communications to resolve data collisions and provides supervisory functions.

Well control systems employing downhole network

An apparatus and method of dropping a pumpdown plug or ball is revealed. The assembly can be integrally formed with a plug-dropping head or can be an auxiliary feature that is mounted to a plug-dropping head. The release mechanism is actuated by remote control, employing intrinsically safe circuitry. The circuitry, along with its self-contained power source, actuates a primary control member responsive to an input signal so as to allow component shifting for release of the pumpdown plug or ball. Multiple plug-dropping heads can be stacked, each responsive to a discrete release signal. Actuation to drop the pumpdown ball or plug is accomplished even while the components are rotating or are moving longitudinally. Using the apparatus and method of the present invention, personnel do not need to climb up in the derrick to actuate manual valves. There is additionally no need for a rig floor-mounted control panel with hydraulic lines extending from the control panel to remotely located valves for plug or ball release.

Remote control for a plug-dropping head

Electrical generating apparatus is provided which connects to the production tubing. In a preferred embodiment, this apparatus includes a housing having a primary flow passageway in communication with the production tubing. The housing also includes a laterally displaced side passageway communicating with the primary flow passageway such that production fluid passes upwardly towards the surface through the primary and side passageways. A flow diverter may be positioned in the housing to divert a variable amount of production fluid from the production tubing and into the side passageway. In accordance with an important feature of this invention, an electrical generator is located at least partially in or along the side passageway. The electrical generator generates electricity through the interaction of the flowing production fluid.

Downhole apparatus for generating electrical power in a well

Remote control plug-dropping head

An apparatus and method of dropping a pumpdown plug or ball is revealed. The release mechanism is actuated by remote control, employing intrinsically safe circuitry. The circuitry, along with its self-contained power source, actuates a primary control member responsive to an input signal so as to allow component shifting for release of the pumpdown plug or ball. Multiple plug-dropping heads can be stacked, each responsive to a discrete release signal. Actuation to drop the pumpdown ball or plug is accomplished even while the components are rotating or are moving longitudinally.

Remote control for well tool

A downhole tool, comprising one or more separate packers and sliding sleeves in the preferred embodiment, is actuable from a nonelectrical signal transmitted from the surface to the tool. The signal is received at the tool by a control system located within the tool. The control system operates in conjunction with a power supply in the tool to accomplish tool actuation. In the preferred embodiment, the valve member is temporarily retained in a sealing position, isolating pressure in one chamber from a different pressure in an adjacent chamber. The valve member or piston is temporarily retained by a high-strength fiber, such as Kevlar.RTM., in the preferred embodiment. The control system actuates the power source to heat a resistance heating wire, which causes failure in the fiber. Other mechanisms to trigger pressure-equalization can be used. The fiber can be cut by a cutter actuated electrically. The piston can be retained by solder which is melted electrically. The piston can be designed to be substantially in pressure balance so that the fiber can effectively hold the piston in place until it is rendered inoperative by heating up a resistance wire from the power supply as triggered by the control circuit. Once the fiber fails, the piston is released and the pressure is equalized. The pressure-equalization can be used to shift a setting sleeve to set a packer or to open or close a sliding sleeve valve. Different valves can be actuated in series, using different control signals, or in parallel, using one control signal. In the alternative, the same valve can be actuated to open and then to close, depending on the procedures desired. The resistance wire is threaded into the fiber cable to ensure effective transmission of the heat for proper release of the piston when desired.

Method & apparatus for actuating a downhole tool

A flexible battery pack for providing electrical power to a downhole tool is provided. The battery pack may be mounted in any orientation and about the interior or exterior circumference of the tool. It may further be used to provide a plurality of voltage or current levels to the tool.

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

Michael W Holcombe