Michael R Ritter

US Patent:

20020070503, Jun 13, 2002

Filed:

Dec 8, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/733632

Inventors:

Patrick Zimmerman - Houston TX, US
Michael Ritter - Conroe TX, US
Donald Greenlee - Murchison TX, US

International Classification:

E21B033/03

US Classification:

277/337000

Abstract:

A high temperature and high pressure packer and method for sealing an annulus in a wellbore is provided. The packer can withstand temperatures up to 450 F. and differential pressures up to 15,000 psi. In one aspect, the packer comprises a body; and a sealing system disposed about the body including an element having an anti-extrusion ring at an end thereof, wherein the sealing system is compressible in length and expandable in outer diameter to seal the annulus. In another aspect, the method comprises running a body into the wellbore, the body comprising a sealing system comprising an element and an anti-extrusion ring, wherein the element is disposed about the body proximate the anti-extrusion ring, and wherein an extrusion ring is disposed substantially on an inner diameter of the anti-extrusion ring; flowing the extrusion ring radially outward and axially across the body in a direction opposite the element to fill a portion of the annulus; and radially expanding the element to fill a remaining portion of the annulus.

US Patent:

20030188860, Oct 9, 2003

Filed:

Apr 4, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/116772

Inventors:

Patrick Zimmerman - Houston TX, US
Rocky Turley - Houston TX, US
William Eldridge - Cypress TX, US
Michael Ritter - Conroe TX, US
Gary Ingram - Richmond TX, US
Thomas Nguyen - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.

International Classification:

E21B023/06

US Classification:

166/181000, 166/123000

Abstract:

A releasing mechanism for releasing a hydraulically actuated setting tool from a downhole tool is provided. Preferably, the downhole tool to be released is a wellbore sealing tool such as a bridge plug, packer or inflatable packer. The releasing mechanism comprises an adapter having a body, a connector above the body connected to the setting tool, and a lower portion. The releasing mechanism further comprises a releasable connection which releasably connects the lower portion of the adapter to a mandrel within the bridge plug or other sealing tool. In one embodiment, the releasable connection defines a frangible body disposed within the plane of the circumferential bore of the bridge plug mandrel. In another arrangement, the releasable connection defines both a frangible body and threaded collet fingers which releasably engage matching threads on the outer surface of the mandrel of the bridge plug or other wellbore sealing tool.

US Patent:

20040036225, Feb 26, 2004

Filed:

Apr 30, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/426938

Inventors:

Michael Ritter - Conroe TX, US
James Rochen - Waller TX, US
Patrick Zimmerman - Houston TX, US
Donald Greenlee - Murchison TX, US

International Classification:

E21B033/03

US Classification:

277/328000

Abstract:

The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and a method for sealing a wellbore. In one aspect, a sealing apparatus for use in a wellbore is provided. The apparatus includes a compressible sealing member disposed around a body and an anchoring device. The apparatus further includes an anti-extrusion assembly having at least one flexible segment and one seal ring disposable a each end of the compressible sealing member, wherein the anti-extrusion assembly is constructed and arranged to form a barrier around the ends of the compressible sealing member upon expansion thereof. In another aspect, a downhole tool for sealing an annulus of a wellbore is provided. In yet another aspect, a method for sealing a wellbore is provided.

US Patent:

20040244966, Dec 9, 2004

Filed:

Jun 6, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/457065

Inventors:

Patrick Zimmerman - Houston TX, US
David Ward - Houston TX, US
Michael Ritter - Conroe TX, US

International Classification:

E21B023/06

US Classification:

166/118000

Abstract:

The present invention provides a slip system for frictionally engaging a temporarily set body, such as a packer or a whipstock, within a wellbore. The slip system comprises (1) a plurality of slips; (2) a tubular slip ring for holding the individual slips at an end; and (3) a tubular cone body having beveled surfaces for receiving the individual slips when the slip system is actuated. Each slip has a first end that defines a tail, and a second opposite end that defines a slip body. The tail and the slip body are integral, meaning that the intermediate shank portion of prior art slips is essentially removed. In its place, a dovetail geometry is provided within the tail, creating an increased tail width at the end of the tail opposite the slip body. The slip ring has a plurality of pockets, with each pocket being dimensioned to receive the dovetailed configuration of the tail on the respective slips.