David B Hearn

US Patent:

44837216, Nov 20, 1984

Filed:

Dec 27, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/565262

Inventors:

David D. Hearn - Richardson TX

Assignee:

Atlantic Richfield Company - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

B23K 704

US Classification:

148 96

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for cutting a series of patterns spaced along the length of a tubular member (e. g. drill collar). A cutting torch is positioned and manuevered within the bore of the pipe so that all cutting is done in an inside-to-outside direction. All slag formed by the cutting action is blown away from the pipe and does not collect within the pipe bore as in previous cutting operations of this type. Further, since there is no cross-wash of the torch, there is no substantially no heat buildup in the pipe during cutting which allows proper preheating of the pipe thereby alleviating cold cuts in the pattern.

US Patent:

49132296, Apr 3, 1990

Filed:

May 13, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/193963

Inventors:

David D. Hearn - Richardson TX

Assignee:

Atlantic Richfield Company - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

E21B 3316
F16L 3708

US Classification:

166156

Abstract:

Connectors for connecting coilable tubing and other relatively thin walled tubing strings to downhole tools are provided which are releasable to permit withdrawal of the tubing without a member connected to the tubing that is substantially larger in diameter than the tubing itself. One embodiment of the connector includes a body member having plural collet fingers which are engagable with the tubing distal end through cooperating circumferential grooves and lands. The collet fingers are retained in gripping engagement with the tubing by a retainer sleeve having a piston head which catches a pump down ball to block a flow passage in the retainer and allow a fluid pressure force to shear plural shear screws which hold the retainer in the finger engaging position. Alternate embodiments includes recesses formed in the wall of the tubing for receiving ball keys which are held in registration with the recesses by the connector body and a cooperating slidable sleeve member.

US Patent:

51137038, May 19, 1992

Filed:

Aug 9, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/564932

Inventors:

David D. Hearn - Richardson TX

Assignee:

Atlantic Richfield Company - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

E21B 4300

US Classification:

73151

Abstract:

The lower end of a wellbore tubing string or a change in diameter of a wellbore component may be sensed by an apparatus connectable to the end of an elongated coilable tubing for insertion into the tubing string and responsive to movement of the apparatus into or out of the end of the tubing string to effect a change in flow of fluid being conducted through the coilable tubing. The apparatus includes opposed arms engageable with the bore of the tubing string and engageable with a piston member to effect closure of ports in the apparatus to change the flow of fluid through the tubing in response to movement of the arms into or out of the end of the tubing string. Alternate embodiments include bypass passages for conducting pressure fluid to a packer or wellbore tool.

US Patent:

47621869, Aug 9, 1988

Filed:

Nov 5, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/927780

Inventors:

James A. Dech - Plano TX
David D. Hearn - Richardson TX
Frank J. Schuh - Plano TX
John H. Striegler - Richardson TX

Assignee:

Atlantic Richfield Company - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

E21B 708

US Classification:

175 61

Abstract:

Medium curvature deviated wellbores having a radius of curvature in the range of 200 feet to 400 feet are drilled with downhole drilling assemblies for drilling the curved wellbore portion and for correcting or holding the horizontal wellbore portion and which are connected to the end of a drillstem made up of elongated elastically bendable drillstem members which may be cyclically compressively stressed during rotation of the drillstem. The elastically bendable drillstem members are characterized by joint forming portions at opposite ends of an elongated tubular body and which are of a diameter which minimizes the tendency for the drillstem to buckle during drilling. Spaced apart stress bearing sleeves are attached to or integrally formed with the tubular body and are of a diameter greater than the body and preferably equal to the diameter of the tool joint portions. The drillstem is made up of the elastically bendable compressive service drillstem members extending through the curved and horizontal portions of the wellbore and heavy walled drill pipe or drill collars are provided in the drillstem in the vertical hole portion to impose compressive loads on the drillstem through the curved portion of the wellbore.

US Patent:

57946973, Aug 18, 1998

Filed:

Nov 27, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/757857

Inventors:

John R. Wolflick - McKinney TX
James L. Cawvey - Anchorage AK
Jerry L. Brady - Anchorage AK
John R. Whitworth - Broken Arrow OK
David D. Hearn - Anchorage AK

Assignee:

Atlantic Richfield Company - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

E21B 4338
E21B 4340

US Classification:

166265

Abstract:

A system and a method for producing increased quantities of oil from an oil well producing a mixture of oil and gas through a well bore penetrating an oil bearing formation containing a gas cap zone and an oil bearing zone by separating at least a portion of the gas from the mixture of oil and gas downhole in an auger separator to produce a separated gas and an oil enriched mixture; compressing at least a portion of the separated gas downhole to a pressure greater than the pressure in the gas cap zone to produce a compressed gas; and, injecting the compressed gas into the gas cap and, recovering at least a major portion of the oil enriched mixture.

US Patent:

48993204, Feb 6, 1990

Filed:

Apr 29, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/188728

Inventors:

David D. Hearn - Richardson TX
Eric S. Pasternack - Plano TX
Daniel J. Segalman - Plano TX

Assignee:

Atlantic Richfield Company - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

G01V 100

US Classification:

367 35

Abstract:

A downhole tool carries an inflatable packer by means of which radial pressure may be applied to the surrounding formation. Transducers within the packer measure the radial direction and extent of formation displacements responsive to such pressure. In this way one can determine the directions of maximum and minimum horizontal in-situ formation stress.

US Patent:

44769458, Oct 16, 1984

Filed:

Feb 10, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/465407

Inventors:

David D. Hearn - Richardson TX

Assignee:

Atlantic Richfield Company - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

E21B 1922

US Classification:

175203

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for drilling and/or working in a drainhole wellbore which extends laterally from a primary wellbore which utilizes flexible hose which can be deployed into the primary wellbore and recovered from the primary wellbore in a coiled fashion, and uses apparatus for coiling, deploying and recovering the flexible hose which includes a rotatable drum operatively connected with a movable beam and guide means. The beam and guide means are utilized to position the flexible hose over the primary wellbore in such a manner that essentially only vertical external forces and essentially no lateral external forces are applied to the apparatus thereby eliminating the need to rigidly fix the apparatus to the earth or other support means when in use.

US Patent:

46535985, Mar 31, 1987

Filed:

Nov 23, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/674377

Inventors:

Frank J. Schuh - Dallas TX
David D. Hearn - Richardson TX

Assignee:

Atlantic Richfield Company - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

E21B 708

US Classification:

175 75

Abstract:

In deep drainhole drilling, a specially oriented drill collar of generally elliptic cross section is combined with a drill bit, a downhole motor and means adapted to deflect the bit to drill the build section of the drainhole curving at a medium angle of 2. degree. to 50. degree. per hundred feet. Preferably, the drill collar is at least twenty feet long. The elliptic drill collar is oriented in a manner such that the minor axis of the ellipse lies generally in the direction of the intended curve of the build interval. For the desired vertical build, this places the locus of the minimum axis of the ellipse toward the vertical and the locus of major axis toward the horizontal when the curved interval of the drainhole approaches horizontal. Preferably, the minor axis is at least twenty percent shorter than the major axis. An elliptic drill collar combined and oriented in this manner will produce significant torsional resistance because the bending moment required to deflect the collar about its minimum axis is significantly less than with a collar deflected about its major axis.