Robert C O'Brien

US Patent:

7096938, Aug 29, 2006

Filed:

May 20, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/441521

Inventors:

Michael A. Carmody - Houston TX, US
Robert S. O'Brien - Katy TX, US

Assignee:

Baker-Hughes Incorporated - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 23/01

US Classification:

166134, 166207, 166217

Abstract:

A slip for an expanding hanger or patch is disclosed. The slip is mounted over the hanger body and has an internal profile that nests within a mating profile on the exterior of the hanger. When a compressive force is applied to the hanger, it shrinks longitudinally and as a result the slip is cammed radially to the extent the inside diameter of the surrounding tubing permits. When the swage is advanced, the diameter of the hanger increases forcing the slip into preferably penetrating contact with the inside wall of the surrounding tubular.

US Patent:

7255176, Aug 14, 2007

Filed:

Jun 5, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/455466

Inventors:

Mark K. Adam - Houston TX, US
Robert S. O'Brien - Katy TX, US
Michael A. Carmody - Houston TX, US
Mathew J. Jabs - Houston TX, US
David A. Garcia - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

Baker Hughes Incorporated - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 29/00

US Classification:

166380, 166384

Abstract:

A variety of approaches to reducing or eliminating “end effect” or the tendency of tubular ends to reduce in diameter after expansion are disclosed. Some involve pre-bending the ends outwardly while others involve removing material internally or/and externally near the ends. Yet other approaches feature weakening the ends in other ways including penetration of the tubular material using openings of various shapes including slots or/and holes where the openings are between the tube ends or where they can extend on one or both ends all the way to the end of the tubular. Inserts that are softer than the tube material can be placed near the ends. If there is an end effect, then the protruding material can be pushed out of the way or broken off.

US Patent:

7367390, May 6, 2008

Filed:

Mar 29, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/392205

Inventors:

Michael A. Carmody - Houston TX, US
Robert S. O'Brien - Katy TX, US

Assignee:

Baker Hughes Incorporated - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 23/01

US Classification:

166207, 166217

Abstract:

A slip for an expanding hanger or patch is disclosed. The slip is mounted over the hanger body and has an internal profile that nests within a mating profile on the exterior of the hanger. When a compressive force is applied to the hanger, it shrinks longitudinally and as a result the slip is cammed radially to the extent the inside diameter of the surrounding tubing permits. When the swage is advanced, the diameter of the hanger increases forcing the slip into preferably penetrating contact with the inside wall of the surrounding tubular.

US Patent:

7370699, May 13, 2008

Filed:

Feb 7, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/349014

Inventors:

Mark K. Adam - Houston TX, US
Michael A. Carmody - Houston TX, US
Mathew J. Jabs - Houston TX, US
Robert S. O'Brien - Katy TX, US
Dennis G. Jiral - Katy TX, US
Harold E. Payne - Tomball TX, US

Assignee:

Baker Hughes Incorporated - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 43/10

US Classification:

166207, 166384

Abstract:

An apparatus to protect the mounting area of casing and a locating profile and optionally a sliding sleeve valve and a flow path from the outside of the valve to the annulus when subsequent attachment of an expanded liner is intended and the expanded liner is to be cemented in place. A barrier sleeve, nose, and outer sleeve define a sealed cavity having a loose incompressible material inside that covers the mounting location on the casing. A locating profile and an optional sliding sleeve valve and a flow path from the outside of the valve to the annulus can be provided. The cementing of the casing takes place through the barrier sleeve. After the cementing, the sleeve and nose are drilled out and the incompressible material is removed to the surface with the drill cuttings. A liner is inserted in the casing and is preferably expanded into sealing contact with the mounting location on the casing. After expansion a cement retainer positioned at the bottom of the expanded liner and the sliding sleeve located either above the mounting location of the liner in the casing shoe or in the liner below the mounted top section allow cement to be delivered outside the expanded liner and the displaced wellbore fluid to return into the casing through so that the liner can be cemented.

US Patent:

7380604, Jun 3, 2008

Filed:

Feb 7, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/348753

Inventors:

Mark K. Adam - Houston TX, US
Michael A. Carmody - Houston TX, US
Mathew J. Jabs - Houston TX, US
Robert S. O'Brien - Katy TX, US
Dennis G. Jiral - Katy TX, US
Harold E. Payne - Tomball TX, US

Assignee:

Baker Hughes Incorporated - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 33/14
E21B 23/02

US Classification:

166285, 166380, 166207

Abstract:

An apparatus protects the mounting area of casing and a locating profile and optionally a sliding sleeve valve and a flow path from the outside of the valve to the annulus when subsequent attachment of an expanded liner is intended and the expanded liner is to be cemented in place. A barrier sleeve, nose, and outer sleeve define a sealed cavity having a loose incompressible material inside that covers the mounting location on the casing. A locating profile and an optional sliding sleeve valve and a flow path from the outside of the valve to the annulus can be provided. The cementing of the casing takes place through the barrier sleeve. After the cementing, the sleeve and nose are drilled out and the incompressible material is removed to the surface with the drill cuttings. A liner is inserted in the casing and is preferably expanded into sealing contact with the mounting location on the casing. After expansion the liner can be cemented.

US Patent:

7458422, Dec 2, 2008

Filed:

Feb 7, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/349015

Inventors:

Mark K. Adam - Houston TX, US
Michael A. Carmody - Houston TX, US
Mathew J. Jabs - Houston TX, US
Robert S. O'Brien - Katy TX, US
Dennis G. Jiral - Katy TX, US
Harold E. Payne - Tomball TX, US

Assignee:

Baker Hughes Incorporated - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 43/10
E21B 33/13

US Classification:

166290, 166207, 1662428

Abstract:

A liner is inserted in the casing and is preferably expanded into sealing contact with the mounting location on the casing. After expansion a cement retainer positioned at the bottom of the expanded liner and the sliding sleeve located either above the mounting location of the liner in the casing shoe or in the liner below the mounted top section allow cement to be delivered outside the expanded liner and the displaced wellbore fluid to return into the casing through so that the liner can be cemented. The cement retainer can be delivered with either the liner or the expansion tools to allow expansion and cementing in a single trip. A shifting tool can be run on the expansion string to actuate the sliding sleeve and if necessary to allow for cement to be pumped from the drill string into the annulus through the sliding sleeve. The cement retainer can be milled out in a separate trip.

US Patent:

7552768, Jun 30, 2009

Filed:

Jul 26, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/493286

Inventors:

Robert S. O'Brien - Katy TX, US

Assignee:

Baker Hughes Incorporated - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 33/12

US Classification:

166179

Abstract:

A packer that uses an element that swells to the set position is disclosed having a device that boosts the set force of the swollen element against the borehole. The force is axially applied at one end or two and preferably comprises a cone driven by a stored or applied force such that the cone is driven between the element and the mandrel that supports the element. Initiation of the boost force can be varied in its timing and the power behind the cone can come from a variety of sources such as a spring, hydrostatic pressure, or applied forces, to name a few. The movement of the cone is locked to prevent reversal of its motion when the packer is set. The swelling enhances the engagement of the element to the cone to minimize relative movement between them.

US Patent:

7585002, Sep 8, 2009

Filed:

Feb 25, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/065814

Inventors:

Eric J. Curley - Houston TX, US
Mark K. Adam - Houston TX, US
Leopoldo S. Gomez - Humble TX, US
Robert S. O'Brien - Katy TX, US
John L. Baugh - College Station TX, US

Assignee:

Baker Hughes Incorporated - Houston TX

International Classification:

F16L 25/00

US Classification:

285333, 285334, 2853824

Abstract:

An expandable tubular pin and box connection is described having a feature of trapping the pin nose after preferably deforming the pin nose plastically in an outward direction away from the longitudinal axis of the connection. The box end is held away from the pin wall before expansion so that its tendency to curl inwardly upon expansion causes it to bend against the pin wall for sealing with it. The thread profile is also optimized to reduce flank separation as a result of expansion.