Ronald E Beaufort

US Patent:

6347674, Feb 19, 2002

Filed:

Dec 3, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/453996

Inventors:

Duane Bloom - Anaheim CA
Norman Bruce Moore - Aliso Viejo CA
Ronald E. Beaufort - Laguna Niguel CA

Assignee:

Western Well Tool, Inc. - Tustin CA

International Classification:

E21B 404

US Classification:

175 51, 175 98, 175104

Abstract:

A downhole drilling tractor for moving within a borehole comprises a tractor body, two packerfeet, two aft propulsion cylinders, and two forward propulsion cylinders. The body comprises aft and forward shafts and a central control assembly. The packerfeet and propulsion cylinders are slidably engaged with the tractor body. Drilling fluid can be delivered to the packerfeet to cause the packerfeet to grip onto the borehole wall. Drilling fluid can be delivered to the propulsion cylinders to selectively provide downhole or uphole hydraulic thrust to the tractor body. The tractor receives drilling fluid from a drill string extending to the surface. A system of spool valves in the control assembly controls the distribution of drilling fluid to the packerfeet and cylinders. The valve positions are controlled by motors. A programmable electronic logic component on the tractor receives control signals from the surface and feedback signals from various sensors on the tool.

US Patent:

6427786, Aug 6, 2002

Filed:

Jun 5, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/874836

Inventors:

Ronald E. Beaufort - Laguna Niguel CA
Norman Bruce Moore - Aliso Viejo CA
Duane Bloom - Anaheim CA

Assignee:

Western Well Tool, Inc. - Anaheim CA

International Classification:

E21B 404

US Classification:

175 99, 175 51

Abstract:

A tractor for moving within a borehole comprises an elongated tractor body and two propulsion assemblies that are longitudinally movably engaged with the body. The tractor body has annular pistons configured to receive hydraulic thrust to propel the body longitudinally. Each propulsion assembly includes a gripper and one or more propulsion cylinders. The gripper has an actuated position in which the gripper limits relative movement between the gripper and the inner surface of the borehole, and a retracted position in which the gripper permits substantially free relative movement between the gripper and the inner surface of the borehole. Each propulsion cylinder contains one of the pistons. The tractor includes a control assembly having a plurality of valves and hydraulic circuitry which control the sequencing of fluid distribution to the propulsion cylinders, and of the actuation and retraction of the grippers. A throttle valve controls the fluid flowrate to the pistons. Load control valves permit limiting of the movement of the pistons relative to the grippers, by applying a fluid pressure force opposing longitudinal movement of each piston.

US Patent:

6467557, Oct 22, 2002

Filed:

Jul 31, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/629493

Inventors:

R. Ernst Krueger - Houston TX
N. Bruce Moore - Aliso Viejo CA
Ronald E. Beaufort - Laguna Niguel CA
Duane T. Bloom - Anaheim CA

Assignee:

Western Well Tool, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 47024

US Classification:

175 45, 175 51, 175 98, 175104, 166255 R

Abstract:

A long reach rotary drilling assembly comprises an elongated conduit extending through a bore in an underground formation, a drill bit for being rotated to drill the bore, a 3-D steering tool on the conduit for steering the drill bit, and a tractor on the conduit for applying force to the drill bit. The steering tool includes a telemetry section, a rotary section, and a flex section assembled as an integrated system in series along the length of the tool. The flex section comprises a flexible drive shaft to which a bending force is applied when making inclination angle adjustments. The rotary section includes a deflection housing which rotates for making azimuth angle adjustments. The telemetry section receives inclination and azimuth angle steering commands together with actual inclination and azimuth angle feedback signals for controlling operation of the flex section and rotary section to steer the drilling assembly along a desired course. The tractor includes a gripper which can assume a first position that engages an inner surface of the bore and limits relative movement of the gripper relative to the inner surface. The gripper can also assume a second position that permits substantially free relative movement between the gripper and the inner surface of the bore.

US Patent:

6470974, Oct 29, 2002

Filed:

Apr 13, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/549326

Inventors:

N. Bruce Moore - Aliso Viejo CA
R. Ernst Krueger - Houston TX
Ronald E. Beaufort - Laguna Niguel CA

Assignee:

Western Well Tool, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 47024

US Classification:

175 45, 175 26, 175 74, 1662552

Abstract:

A steering tool for extended-reach directional drilling in three dimensions comprises a mud pulse telemetry section, a rotary section, and a flex section assembled as an integrated system in series along the length of the tool. The flex section comprises a flexible drive shaft and a deflection actuator for applying hydraulic pressure along the length of the shaft for bending the shaft when making inclination angle adjustments during steering. The rotary section comprises a rotator housing coupled to the deflection housing for rotating the deflection housing for making azimuth angle adjustments during steering. The onboard mud pulse telemetry section receives inclination and azimuth angle steering commands together with actual inclination and azimuth angle feedback signals during steering for use in controlling operation of the flex section and rotary section for steering the tool along a desired course. The steering tool can change inclination and azimuth angles either simultaneously or incrementally while rotary drilling.

US Patent:

6478097, Nov 12, 2002

Filed:

Jul 26, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/916478

Inventors:

Duane Bloom - Anaheim CA
Norman Bruce Moore - Aliso Viejo CA
Ronald E. Beaufort - Laguna Niguel CA

Assignee:

Western Well Tool, Inc. - Anaheim CA

International Classification:

E21B 404

US Classification:

175 51, 175 98, 175104

Abstract:

A downhole drilling tractor for moving within a borehole comprises a tractor body, two packerfeet, two aft propulsion cylinders, and two forward propulsion cylinders. The body comprises aft and forward shafts and a central control assembly. The packerfeet and propulsion cylinders are slidably engaged with the tractor body. Drilling fluid can be delivered to the packerfeet to cause the packerfeet to grip onto the borehole wall. Drilling fluid can be delivered to the propulsion cylinders to selectively provide downhole or uphole hydraulic thrust to the tractor body. The tractor receives drilling fluid from a drill string extending to the surface. A system of spool valves in the control assembly controls the distribution of drilling fluid to the packerfeet and cylinders. The valve positions are controlled by motors. A programmable electronic logic component on the tractor receives control signals from the surface and feedback signals from various sensors on the tool.

US Patent:

6601652, Aug 5, 2003

Filed:

Jul 31, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/919669

Inventors:

Norman Bruce Moore - Costa Mesa CA
Ronald E. Beaufort - Laguna Niguel CA
Rudolph E. Krueger - Newport Beach CA

Assignee:

Western Well Tool, Inc. - Anaheim CA

International Classification:

E21B 418

US Classification:

166381, 166 50, 175 94, 175 99

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for propelling a tool having a body within a passage. The tool includes a gripper including at least a gripper portion which can assume a first position that engages an inner surface of the passage and limits relative movement of the gripper portion relative to the inner surface. The gripper portion can also assume a second position that permits substantially free relative movement between the gripper portion and the inner surface of the passage. The tool includes a propulsion assembly for selectively continuously moving the body of the tool with respect to the gripper portion while the gripper portion is in the first position. This allows the tool to move different types of equipment within the passage. For example, the tool advantageously may be used in drilling processes to provide continuous force to a drill bit. This enables the drilling of extended horizontal boreholes.

US Patent:

6708783, Mar 23, 2004

Filed:

Oct 28, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/282481

Inventors:

N. Bruce Moore - Aliso Viejo CA
R. Ernst Krueger - Houston TX
Ronald E. Beaufort - Laguna Niguel CA

Assignee:

Western Well Tool, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 47024

US Classification:

175 45, 175 26, 175 74, 1662552

Abstract:

A steering tool for extended-reach directional drilling in three dimensions comprises a mud pulse telemetry section, a rotary section, and a flex section assembled as an integrated system in series along the length of the tool. The flex section comprises a flexible drive shaft and a deflection actuator for applying hydraulic pressure along the length of the shaft for bending the shaft when making inclination angle adjustments during steering. The rotary section comprises a rotator housing coupled to the deflection housing for rotating the deflection housing for making azimuth angle adjustments during steering. The onboard mud pulse telemetry section receives inclination and azimuth angle steering commands together with actual inclination and azimuth angle feedback signals during steering for use in controlling operation of the flex section and rotary section for steering the tool along a desired course. The steering tool can change inclination and azimuth angles either simultaneously or incrementally while rotary drilling.

US Patent:

6745854, Jun 8, 2004

Filed:

Nov 5, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/290069

Inventors:

Duane Bloom - Anaheim CA
Norman Bruce Moore - Aliso Viejo CA
Ronald E. Beaufort - Laguna Niguel CA

Assignee:

Western Well Tool, Inc. - Anaheim CA

International Classification:

E21B 404

US Classification:

175 51

Abstract:

A downhole drilling tractor for moving within a borehole comprises a tractor body, two packerfeet, two aft propulsion cylinders, and two forward propulsion cylinders. The body comprises aft and forward shafts and a central control assembly. The packerfeet and propulsion cylinders are slidably engaged with the tractor body. Drilling fluid can be delivered to the packerfeet to cause the packerfeet to grip onto the borehole wall. Drilling fluid can be delivered to the propulsion cylinders to selectively provide downhole or uphole hydraulic thrust to the tractor body. The tractor receives drilling fluid from a drill string extending to the surface. A system of spool valves in the control assembly controls the distribution of drilling fluid to the packerfeet and cylinders. The valve positions are controlled by motors. A programmable electronic logic component on the tractor receives control signals from the surface and feedback signals from various sensors on the tool.