Baker Hughes Corporation

Weatherford/lamb, Inc.

Xtreme Well Technology Limited

Rotojar Innovations Limited

Schlumberger Technology Corporation

Welleng Science and Technology Ltd.

Zeroth Technology Limited

Rotojar Limited

Peak Well Systems Limited

Peter Barnes Moyes

David Graham Hosie

David Michael Haugen

Richard Lee Giroux

Albert C Odell, Ii

David J Brunnert

Mark J Murray

Tuong Thanh Le

Frederick Thomas Tilton

Patrick Glen Maguire

Gregory Guy Galloway

Brent James Lirette

Jeffrey Charles Saponja

Bryan Virge Butler

Gregory H Chitty

R K Bansal

Darcy Nott

Ramkumar K Bansal

Stefan Neil Lewis Stewart

A thrust bearing is described comprising first and second bearing assemblies () rotatable relative to each and a plurality of axially arranged bearing stages () formed between the first and second bearing assemblies (). Each bearing stage comprises a first load shoulder () provided on the first bearing assembly (), a second load shoulder () provided on the second bearing assembly (), a bearing structure () defined between the first and second load shoulders; and an extrudable component () forming part of the bearing structure. Wherein axial load applied between the first and second bearing assemblies () in a first relative axial direction is transmitted between respective pairs of first and second load shoulders via the extrudable components () of respective bearing structures (). The extrudable components () provide for load balancing between each bearing stage ().

Thrust bearing

A jarring apparatus includes first and second jarring assemblies which are axially moveable relative to each other between first and second axial configurations, and a thrust assembly interposed between the first and second jarring assemblies to limit relative axial movement therebetween at the second axial configuration and permit axial loading in one axial direction to be transferred between the first and second jarring assemblies via the thrust assembly. The apparatus further includes a jarring mass axially moveable within the jarring apparatus in reverse first and second directions upon relative rotation between the first and second jarring assemblies.

Jarring apparatus

A sealing method and sealing arrangement is described. The sealing arrangement comprises a body and first and second sealing elements mounted thereon. The sealing elements are each movable between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration and are configured to move from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration in response to an axial compression. The second sealing element is however maintained in its retracted configuration until the first sealing element has moved from its retracted configuration to its extended configuration. The sequential extension of the sealing elements can deform to assume the extended configuration under compression and the progression and the form of the deformation can be arranged to improve the quality of the seal achieved. An extended sealing element in engagement with the bore wall may also serve as an anchor or retainer and facilitate application of a compression force to an intermediate sealing element.

Seal arrangement

A valve apparatus, such as a downhole valve apparatus, includes a housing having a flow path therein and a valve member mounted within the housing and being operable between closed and open configurations to control flow along the flow path. An actuator assembly is moveable from a first position to a second position to sequentially perform first and second actuation functions, the first actuation function being associated with the operation of an auxiliary system, and the second actuation function opening the valve member from its closed configuration.

Valve apparatus

The invention provides a downhole initiator tool () for use in initiating a downhole operation, and a method of use. The downhole initiator tool comprises a mandrel (), an initiator assembly (), and an anchor assembly () mounted on the mandrel. The anchor assembly comprises a radially extendable anchor member () for engaging an outer bore structure. The anchor assembly and the mandrel are axially moveable relative to each other in a first axial direction to sequentially extend the anchor member and activate the initiator assembly.

Downhole tool

A jarring apparatus includes first and second jarring assemblies rotatable relative to each other. A first impact surface is provided on the first jarring assembly and a second impact surface is provided on the second jarring assembly, wherein, in use, the first and second impact surfaces are biased together. A first lifting structure is rotatably fixed relative to the first jarring assembly and a second lifting structure is rotatably fixed relative to the second jarring assembly, the first and second lifting structures being configured to cooperate during relative rotation therebetween to cause cyclical relative displacement in one axial direction to define a lifting phase and relative displacement in a reverse axial direction to define a dropping phase. The first and second lifting structures are axially fixed relative to their associated jarring assembly during the lifting phase to provide axial separation between the first and second impact surfaces, and the second lifting structure is axially released relative to the second jarring assembly prior to initiation of the dropping phase to permit the first and second impact surfaces to be axially impacted together.

A downhole valve () comprises a housing and first and second sleeve assemblies (and) mounted within the housing () and defining an axial pocket () therebetween, wherein the first and second sleeve assemblies are arranged to be moved axially relative to each other. A valve member () is mounted within the axial pocket and is rotatable about a rotation axis in response to relative axial movement of the first and second sleeve assemblies from a closed position in which fluid flow through the downhole valve is restricted towards an open position in which fluid flow through the downhole valve is increased or permitted. An interface arrangement () axially extends from the second sleeve assembly and engages the valve member via an interface mechanism for converting relative axial movement of the first and second sleeve assemblies to rotation of the valve member.

Downhole valve

A downhole jarring apparatus for use in jarring an object in a bore comprises a first jarring portion including a first impact surface and a second jarring portion including a second impact surface. The apparatus includes a rotatable jarring arrangement operable to translate a rotational drive movement to cause relative axial movement of the first and second impact surfaces to establish axial impact therebetween.

A releasable connector apparatus is provided for permitting a releasable connection with an object. The apparatus comprises a connector assembly which includes a connector member moveable between connection and disconnection configurations to facilitate a releasable connection with an object. A connector mandrel comprising a support surface is movable relative to the connector assembly such that alignment of the support surface and the connector member locks said connector member in its connected configuration, and misalignment of the support surface and the connector member permits the connector member to be moved towards its disconnected configuration. A limit arrangement of the apparatus is configurable from an activated state in which movement of the connector mandrel is limited to a first range of movement over which alignment of the support surface with the connector member is maintained, to a deactivated state in which movement of the connector mandrel is permitted beyond the first range of movement to allow misalignment of the support surface and the connector member.

Connection apparatus

The invention provides an actuator assembly for a downhole tool and a method of use. The actuator assembly comprises an actuator device, which includes a housing and a piston element movable with respect to the housing. First and second fluid paths are configured to couple first and second sides of the piston element to at least one source of fluid pressure in a drive module, and an actuator member is configured to be coupled to a downhole device. The actuator member is movable between a first position and a second position to operate the downhole device in response to a force acting on the piston element. The actuator assembly comprises a pressure release mechanism which is operable to equalise pressure between the first and second fluid paths of the actuator device. The invention may be used in conjunction with a valve module which includes the pressure release mechanism, and the valve member preferably comprises a forward flow position, in which a first side of the piston element is pressurised to urge the piston element in a first direction, and a reverse flow position in which a second side of the piston element is pressurised to urge the piston element in a second direction, opposite the first direction. A preferred embodiment of the invention is setting tool incorporating the actuator assembly.

Downhole actuator device, apparatus, setting tool and methods of use

An apparatus for use in a fluid conduit comprises a plurality of segments arranged along a longitudinal axis, each segment comprising an extendable structure configured for extension in a lateral direction relative to the longitudinal axis, wherein the apparatus is configured for the sequential initiation of lateral extension of the extendable structures of at least two segments. At least two segments may be configured to define different maximum extended dimensions in the lateral direction and may include adjacent support surfaces which provide mutual support for one another when the at least two segments are laterally extended. The apparatus may be configured to form a seal, an anchor, a supporting structure and/or a flow restriction in a fluid conduit.

Apparatus for use in a fluid conduit

A downhole tool includes a slip member having an actuation surface, a bracing surface and an engagement surface. The slip member is pivotable about a pivot axis such that it can move between retracted and extended configurations. When the slip member is in the extended configuration, the engagement surface engages a bore wall. The downhole tool also includes a wedge member that has a wedge surface. The wedge member and the slip member are configured to move relative to each other such that the wedge surface of the wedge member engages the actuation surface of the slip member to cause the slip member to pivot about the pivot axis.

A downhole jarring apparatus for use in jarring an object in a bore includes a first jarring portion including a first impact surface and a second jarring portion including a second impact surface. The apparatus includes a rotatable jarring arrangement operable to translate a rotational drive movement to cause relative axial movement of the first and second impact surfaces to establish axial impact therebetween.

A method for setting a barrier within a wellbore comprises deploying a first plug assembly () into a wellbore on a running string, wherein the first plug assembly comprises an extendable arrangement (), and then setting the first plug assembly within the wellbore by extending the extendable arrangement. A settable medium is injected via the running string into the wellbore above the first plug assembly. To be accompanied, when published, with FIG.F

Growing community of inventors

Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom

Peter Barnes Moyes