Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.

Halliburton Company

Wesley J Burris, Ii

Michael Linley Fripp

Paul David Ringgenberg

John Hudson Hales

John Patrick Rodgers

Kenneth L Schwendemann

Vincent Paul Zeller

Darrin N Towers

John J Goiffon

Phillip M Starr

Neal Gregory Skinner

Joseph Michael Karigan

Jon B Christensen

William H Shoffner

A downhole tool for use in a well bore comprises an onboard navigation system for determining the location of the tool within the well bore, wherein the tool is moved along at least a partial length of the well bore via an external force. A method of locating a downhole tool in a well bore comprises deploying the tool along at least a partial length of the well bore via an external force, and self-determining the location of the tool without receiving communications from the surface. In an embodiment, the tool is a well bore zonal isolation device.

Downhole tool with navigation system

A method of servicing a well bore comprises deploying into the well bore a zonal isolation device operable to self-set at a sensed location, and self-setting the zonal isolation device to hold at the sensed location without receiving command communications from the surface, wherein the zonal isolation device is deployed along at least a partial length of the well bore via an external force. Another method of servicing comprises deploying into the well bore a tool operable to self-activate at one or more locations, and self-navigating the tool to determine the one or more locations without receiving communications from the surface, wherein the tool is moved along at least a partial length of the well bore via an external force.

Methods of servicing a well bore using self-activating downhole tool

A circulating valve and associated methods of using same provide control of fluid flow within a subterranean well. In a described embodiment, a circulating valve includes a fluid pressure storage chamber in fluid communication with the exterior of the valve. When positioned in a wellbore, fluid pressure in an annulus between the valve and the wellbore is stored in the storage chamber. A subsequent, relatively rapid, increase in the annulus fluid pressure causes the valve to operate.

Annulus pressure referenced circulating valve

Disclosed are improved apparatus and methods of separation and control of drilling fluids in under-balanced drilling. Separation is conducted at reduced pressures to improve gas separation efficiencies. Preferably, separation is performed in multiple steps of pressure drops to eliminate foaming and to enhance gas removal. Solids are removed from the shaped bottom of a separation pressure chamber by creating a slurry and fluidizing and agitating the slurry to enhance solids removal.

Apparatus and methods of separation of materials in an under-balanced drilling operation

Apparatus including a releasable lock is provided. In a described embodiment, a valve assembly includes a ball valve, a piston, and a releasable lock. The releasable lock prevents operation of the ball valve until a predetermined fluid pressure is applied to the exterior of the apparatus.

Apparatus having a releasable lock

A method of well testing, including treating, whereby a testing string including a tool bore closure valve is run into the well bore with the valve in an open mode, the string may be automatically filled, a packer may be pressure tested without cycling the tool bore closure valve, and fluids may be spotted into the testing string, displacing wellbore fluids from the bottom of the testing string, prior to running the test.

Method of well testing

The high pressure gauge carrier of the present invention uses an outer gauge carrier housing having disposed therein a pressure-tight inner housing carrying a temperature gauge in the interior thereof. The inner housing is substantially filled with a compressible liquid, and the pressure tight connections of the inner housing incorporated metal to metal seals in order to eliminate the failure of elastomeric seals at the elevated temperatures encountered by the gauge carrier.

High pressure gauge carrier

A preferred embodiment of a method for developing a single set of time intervals for controlling a memory device effectively utilizes a histograph having two parallel time lines with the same scale. One time line has a series of minimum time periods, each corresponding to when a respective event might occur. The other time line has a series of maximum time periods during which the respective events might occur. Time segments are defined between corresponding minimum and maximum time periods and sample rates and ratios are assigned to each time segment. At each start and end time of a period, the possible sample rates needed at that time are compared and the fastest sample rate is selected. The ratios are similarly analyzed, and the minimum ratio is selected. Consecutively occurring sample rates having the sample value are grouped into respective time intervals. The resulting time intervals, sample rates and ratios are entered into an electronic memory device which thereafter operates to obtain the desired information at the selected ratios and sample rates during the respective time intervals.

Control method for a recording device

A lost-motion valve actuator which provides the ability to run a tool bore closure valve in a testing string into a well in an open mode, apply pressure to the well annulus surrounding the string without cycling the valve, thereafter reduce pressure, closing the valve subsequent to the initial pressure increase, and subsequently opening the valve with pressure increases and closing it with pressure decreases, thus permitting the tool bore closure valve to subsequently respond in a normal manner (open on pressure increase, close on pressure decrease) to pressure changes in the annulus subsequent to the first pressure increase/decrease cycle.

Lost-motion valve actuator

A downhole safety valve has a ball valve element which is closed in response to an increase in well annulus pressure and which may be re-opened in response to an increase in tubing pressure.

Pump open safety valve and method of use

A float collar for use in inner string cementing operations for well casing where it is desired to open or close the float collar to control the fluids in the casing and on the exterior of the casing. The float collar comprises a float valve collar having a sliding type valve assembly located therein which is capable of being actuated as desired during the inner string well casing cementing operations.

Growing community of inventors

Flower Mound, TX, United States of America

Wesley J Burris, Ii