Patentability Search Report-Comprehensive (Basic Report)

Client Ref. No.: XXXXXXXXXX

For: Client

May 11, 20XX

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Client Logo

Table of Content

1 Search Overview & Background..........................................................................................32 Search Scope.......................................................................................................................3

2.1 Objective of the Search................................................................................................3

2.2 Assumptions.................................................................................................................3

2.3 Data Sources.................................................................................................................3

3 Relevance Criteria...............................................................................................................43.1 Relevant Results...........................................................................................................4

3.2 Related Results.............................................................................................................4

3.3 Interesting Results........................................................................................................4

4 Search Results.....................................................................................................................54.1 Key Features to be mapped..........................................................................................5

4.2 Details of Search Results..............................................................................................6

4.2.1 Relevant Results....................................................................................................6

4.2.2 Related Results......................................................................................................7

4.2.3 Interesting Results...............................................................................................10

5 Methodology.................................................................................................................... 146 Search Strategy.................................................................................................................15

6.1 Search Strings.............................................................................................................15

6.2 Term Set.....................................................................................................................15

6.3 Relevant Classes Identified.........................................................................................16

6.4 Glossary of Specific Search Operators Used...............................................................16

7 Sanity List (Documents not included in this report)..........................................................178 Non-Disclosure..................................................................................................................179 Disclaimer......................................................................................................................... 17

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1 Search Overview & Background

Client asked The Patent Search Firm to conduct a Prior Art Search to identify patent and non-patent references that could affect the novelty of the invention that is related to ‘Method and Apparatus for Drilling with Casing’.

TPSF has gone through the invention and has developed the following understanding:

An apparatus for use with a top drive to handle a tubular comprises a top drive adapter connected to and rotatable by the top drive. The top drive adapter includes a plurality of radially movable retaining members for gripping the tubular.

VARIANT COVERAGE SEARCH LANGUAGE

Comprehensive

Patent Search in 92+ Countries [25+ Countries Full Texts] English + German + FrenchNon-Patent Search

2 Search Scope

2.1 Objective of the Search

The objective of our search will be to capture documents that disclose drilling using top drive system.

2.2 Assumptions

Assumptions1. Thomson Innovation and Questel Orbit databases were used for conducting Patent searches.2. Google, Google Scholar and Science-Direct were used for conducting non-patent searches.3. The term 'Patent' has been used as a collective term for Patents and Published Applications.4. The comprehensiveness of this search has been governed by the upper cap on the effort to be invested.5. This search has been carried out as per our Comprehensive Variant and covers in 92 jurisdictions using keywords in English, German & French languages.

2.3 Data Sources

Data SourcesFor Bibliographic Data (including title, abstract):MicroPatentQuestel OrbitEspacenetGoogle Patents

For Non-Patent Searches:GoogleGoogle ScholarScience-Direct

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3 Relevance Criteria

Documents identified from the search were manually analyzed and tagged as relevant, related and interesting. Provided below is the description of each category

3.1 Relevant ResultsThose patent and non-patent references were considered as Relevant that disclosed an apparatus for use with a top drive to handle a tubular comprises a top drive adapter connected to and rotatable by the top drive. The top drive adapter includes a plurality of radially movable retaining members for gripping the tubular.

3.2 Related ResultsThose patent and non-patent references were considered as Related that disclosed an apparatus for use with a top drive to handle a tubular comprises an adapter connected to the top drive. The adapter includes retaining members for gripping the tubular. It may disclose that the retaining members are radially movable.

3.3 Interesting ResultsThose patent and non-patent references which appeared to be potentially related, however, could not be categorized as relevant or related were marked as Interesting Results. Note that this list has just been provided to give you an idea of what else exists in the art and is not meant to be comprehensive.

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4 Search Results

4.1 Key Features to be mapped

The following pointers have been identified based on the novelty elements. All the relevant and/or related results identified in the search are mapped on these key features to properly depict their significance.

An apparatus for use with a top drive to handle a tubular comprising:1. A top drive adapter connected to and rotatable by the top drive.2. The top drive adapter includes a plurality of radially movable retaining members for gripping

the tubular.

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4.2 Details of Search Results

4.2.1 Relevant ResultsThis is the list of most relevant hits available in the art for the given invention identified in the search. Please note that the focus was on identifying the closest hits and not on identifying all the hits comprehensively. Accordingly, the list might not be comprehensive and there might be more documents that are similar (i.e., having the equal or slightly lower relevance) to the documents listed below. Also, the search is restricted to English, German and French keywords in 92 jurisdictions.

1. US4867236

Title Publication Date

Filing Date

Priority Date

Inventor/ Author Assignee

COMPACT CASING TONGS FOR USE ON TOP HEAD DRIVE EARTH DRILLING MACHINE

September 19, 1989

October 6, 1988

October 9, 1987

HANEY KEITH M;LINGAFELTER JERRY K

W N APACHE

AbstractCompact casing tongs include a tube which is secured to a connector, the connector in turn being supported and rotated by a quill of a top head drive assembly. The lower end of the tube regidly supports a set of cams which define multiple recesses. A jaw is mounted in each recess, and each of the jaws is connected to a brake ring positioned outside the tube. By externally braking the brake ring while the quill connector body is rotated the jaws are shifted out of the recesses to grip the exterior of a casing positioned within the tube. The tube is dimensioned to ensure that the jaws engage the body of the casing beneath the upper collar of the casing.Drawing

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4.2.2 Related ResultsThis is the list of closely related hits available in the art for the given invention identified in the search. Please note that the focus was on identifying the closest hits and not on identifying all the hits comprehensively. Accordingly, the list might not be comprehensive and there might be more documents that are similar (i.e., having the equal or slightly lower relevance) to the documents listed below. Also, the search is restricted to English, German and French keywords in 92 jurisdictions.

2. USRE41759

Title Publication Date

Filing Date

Priority Date

Inventor/ Author Assignee

LOCKABLE SWIVEL APPARATUS AND METHOD

September 28, 2010

December 27, 1997

December 31, 1996

HELMS CHARLES M

SPECIALTY RENTAL TOOLS & SUPPLY L;OIL STATES ENERGY SERVICES

AbstractA lockable swivel (4) for use in drilling applications which allows the operator to selectively engage and disengage the swivel (4). The lockable swivel (4) is comprised of a locking mandrel (7) carried in a body (3) which engages, upon actuation, splined surfaces (20, 21) within the swivel mandrel (5) thereby locking the two together. Various methods for the use of the lockable swivel (4) in wireline and other drilling operations are demonstrated.Drawing

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3. JP3820314

Title Publication Date

Filing Date

Priority Date Inventor/ Author Assignee

VERTICAL HOLE EXCAVATION METHOD, VERTICAL HOLE DRILLING RIG AND SUBTERRANEAN STRUCTURE CONSTRUCTION METHOD

September 13, 2006

April 17, 1998

April 17, 1998

UEDA KUNIO;CHIKASAWA REIKICHI;TAMURA KATSUMI;KUSUMI HIROSHI;ODA HISAKAZU;TAKEUCHI HIROKI

UEDA KIKO;NISSHIN KISO KOGYO;HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY

AbstractPROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a shaft excavation technique capable of using a long casing in the shaft excavation technique in which an adapter is held and the casing is pushed in.SOLUTION: This shaft excavator is provided with an adapter 4 provided with a connection part 4b which has a grip part 4a and can connect a casing 2 having a larger diameter than that of the grip part 4a in a lower end part, a main band 5 for gripping the adapter, a rotary drive device such as a hydraulic motor 8 driving and rotating the main band 5, and a thrust cylinder 6 lifting and lowering the main band 5, and the main band 5 is lowered while rotating it to push the casing 2 into the ground and dig a shaft. In this case, a subband 9 for gripping the adapter gripping the grip part 4a of the adapter 4 is arranged at a lower position of the main band 5 and is attached to a base frame 10, and the adapter 4 is constituted in such a way that the grip part 4a has an allowance part 4c in which the main band 5 is moved in the vertical direction when it is inserted into these bands 5, 9.Drawing

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4. US6739397

Title Publication Date Filing Date Priority

DateInventor/ Author Assignee

CONTINUOUS CIRCULATION DRILLING METHOD

May 25, 2004

November 13, 2001

October 15, 1996

AYLING LAURENCE J

COUPLER DEVELOPMENTS

Abstract Methods and apparati are disclosed for continuous circulation of drilling fluids while adding or removing tubulars to and from a drill string, and also for continuing drilling during the addition or removal of tubulars to and from the drill string.

Drawing

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4.2.3 Interesting ResultsThis list is just indicative in nature to give you some idea of what else is available in the art. Note that the list is not meant to be comprehensive.

5. US4762187

Title Publication Date

Filing Date

Priority Date

Inventor/ Author Assignee

INTERNAL WRENCH FOR A TOP HEAD DRIVE ASSEMBLY

August 9, 1988

July 29, 1987

July 29, 1987

HANEY KEITH M

W N APACHE;W N APACHE WICHITA FALLS TX

Abstract:An internal wrench for an earth drilling machine of the type having a mast, a top head drive assembly mounted for movement along the mast and a quill rotated by the top head drive assembly includes a body having an upper end and a lower end sized to fit within a length of casing. The upper end of the body is mounted to the quill for rotation with the quill and several jaws are mounted to the lower end of the body to move between an extended position in which the jaws engage in interior surface of the casing to rotate the casing with the body, and a retracted position in which the jaws are out of engagement with the interior surface. The jaws are selectively moved between the extended and retracted positions in response to rotation of the body by a system which includes a drag ring which operates the jaws and a friction brake which engages the drag ring. A plug is mounted to an intermediate portion of the body to mate with threads at the upper end of the casing to seal off the casing. Followers on selected jaws automatically retract the jaws when the body is lowered into the casing to mate the plug with the threads at the upper end of the casing.Drawings

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6. US5388651

Title Publication Date

Filing Date

Priority Date

Inventor/ Author Assignee

TOP DRIVE UNIT TORQUE BREAK-OUT SYSTEM

February 14, 1995

April 20, 1993

April 20,

1993

BERRY JOE R

BOWEN TOOLS;NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO

Abstract:A torque break-out system for a top drive drilling unit in a drilling rig. The torque break-out system includes a splined sub which is connected to a tubular member of the top drive drilling unit. A collar is positioned circumferentially around the splined sub. The collar has a plurality of interrupted splines in reciprocal relationship to interrupted splines on the splined sub. The collar is positioned by a pivot member having a pair of arms rotatably connected to the collar and a lift cylinder connected to the pivot member. The lift cylinder positions the pivot member between a first position in which the interrupted splines of the splined sub and the collar are not in substantial horizontal alignment and a second position in which the interrupted splines of the splined sub and the collar are in substantial horizontal alignment. The system includes a back-up wrench assembly having a vertical opening through which the drill string is received. A pair of extendible rams are attached to the back-up wrench assembly. A plurality of dies are attached to the rams. The rams are capable of extending towards the drill string so that the drill string is grippingly engaged by the plurality of dies. A torque member is non-rotatably connected to the back-up wrench assembly and to a cylinder pivot member. Rotation of the top drive unit relative to the drill string is accomplished by positioning the collar such that the interrupted splines of the splined sub and the collar are in horizontal alignment with each other.Drawings

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7. US5297833

Title Publication Date

Filing Date

Priority Date Inventor/ Author Assignee

APPARATUS FOR GRIPPING A DOWN HOLE TUBULAR FOR SUPPORT AND ROTATION

March 29, 1994

February 25, 1993

November 12, 1992

WILLIS CLYDE A;DURRETT CLYDE D

W N APACHE

Abstract:An apparatus for gripping a down hole tubular for support and rotation, or a string of such tubulars, includes a body element adapted to be rotated at high torques either by a top head drive or a rotary table of an earth drilling machine. Gripping elements are mounted in a central cavity of the body element, and each gripping element includes a lower gripping portion shaped to engage a tapered shoulder of a length of drill pipe to support the drill pipe and an upper gripping portion shaped to engage the tool joint of the drill pipe to rotate the drill pipe. First guides are secured between the body element and the lower gripping portions in the central cavity, and these first guides are oriented to approach one another toward a lower portion of the body element. Second guides are secured between the upper and lower gripping portions, and these second guides are oriented to approach one another at an acute angle with respect to the axis. Links are secured to the gripping elements such that initial downward movement of the links forces the lower gripping portions radially inwardly along the first guides and further downward movement of the links after the lower gripping portions have seated against the down hole tubular forces the upper gripping portions radially inwardly along the second guides. The disclosed apparatus serves as a combination elevator, make-up/break-out tong or wrench set, spinner, and drill string rotation mechanism. It is fully compatible with remote control and automation.Drawings

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8. US6581698

Title Publication Date Filing Date Priority

DateInventor/ Author Assignee

DRILLING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DRILLING A WELL

June 24, 2003

August 19, 1999

August 19, 1998

DIRKS THORSTEN

DIRKS THORSTEN

Abstract:A drilling machine for a drilling rig and a drilling rig which can be used for exploratory drillings and producing wells, particularly in hydrocarbon deposits, both onshore and offshore. The drilling machine includes a base, on or in which a top drive is displaceable axially to the longitudinal axis of the base and a pipe-handling apparatus which is movable, especially by sliding, perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the base and which grips the drilling pipe. The base is pivotably and/or rotatably mounted in the region of the foot, and it is possible for a virtually continuous drilling process to be carried out using a combination of two drilling machines.Drawings

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5 Methodology

The following methodology was adopted for performing the Invalidity search:

MethodologyTask Details OutputStep IUnderstanding

TPSF developed a thorough understanding of the technology area and client’s requirements to prepare a strategy for the report

A preliminary strategy for the search was prepared including keyword-based search, citations search, assignee/inventor name search

Step II aKeyword-based Patent Searching

TPSF generated a list of keywords to be used for conducting the patent and non-patent search for the project, as per the preliminary search strategy. Further, the list of search strategy was used to perform patent searches on Thomson Innovation, Questel Orbit patent databases.The patents obtained from the search were analyzed to identify relevant/ related patents.

A set of relevant/related patents

Step II bInventor / Assignee Searching

TPSF conducted Inventor/Assignee search analysis for relevant/related patents.

A set of relevant/related patents

Step II cClass based Searching

TPSF conducted searches using relevant IPC / CPC classes, with broad key strings to capture any additional patents relevant to the domain.

A set of relevant/related patents

Step II dPatent Citations Searching

TPSF conducted Forward-Backward and Backward-Forward citation analysis for relevant/related patents obtained from the searches II a, II b and II c.

A set of relevant/related patents

Step IIINon-Patent Searching

The search strings prepared for the patent search were modified to adapt to searching syntax for non-patent searches. Searches were carried out on Google to obtain a list of non-patent documents matching the keyword criteria. These non-patent documents were screened on the basis of free-information (mostly abstract).

A set of relevant/related non-patent literature

Step IVDeliverable Preparation

An MS Word Document containing the project overview, search strategy, relevance criteria, and the results was prepared.

MS Word Deliverable

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6 Search Strategy

The following search strings, some combinations and/or some syntactical variations of them were used to conduct searches on Thomson Innovation and Questel Orbit to extract patents for analysis or extract other relevant information to assist in searching.

Similarly, syntactical variations of these strings were run on non-patent databases as well.

6.1 Search Strings

S. No. Search String

1

Claims, Title, Abstract:(Top drive term sets) 5D (Adapter term sets)

ANDFull text:(Gripping term sets) 5D (Adapter term sets)

2

Claims, Title, Abstract:(Top drive term sets)

ANDAny Classification: E21B+

6.2 Term Set

Keyword Based Search

Term Set Keywords

Top drive ((top? 2D drive?) OR (power+ 2D swivel) OR Top-Drive- OR (entraînement D supérieur) OR Top-Kopfantrieb OR Kraftdreh OR (puissance 2D pivotant))

Adapter

(hous+ OR case+ OR shell+ OR (outer 2D surface+) OR winch+ OR box+ OR adapter? OR chamber+ OR adaptor? (torque? D head?) OR wrench? OR logement OR Gehäuse OR coquille OR Schale OR Außenfläche OR (surface D extérieure) OR boîte OR adaptateur OR Kammer OR chambre OR treuil OR Winde OR Schraubenschlüssel OR clé OR (tête 2D couple) OR Drehmomentkopf)

Gripping

(grasp+ OR grip+ OR jaw+ OR grout+ OR hold+ OR hook+ OR brac+ OR embed+ OR lock+ OR Clasp+ OR clamp+ OR Griff OR comprehension OR passionnant OR Greif- OR Kiefer OR mâchoire OR ciment OR Fugenmörtel OR Besitz OR tenue OR crochet OR Haken OR Klammer OR entretoise OR embarqués OR sperren OR bloquer OR fermoir OR verrouillage OR Klemm)

Tubular (tubular+ OR tube+ OR tubing_type OR pipe+ OR piping+ OR tubiform+ OR casing? OR tubulaire OR Rohr? OR tuyau OR Rohrleitungen OR tuyauterie OR Schlauchtyp OR Gehäuse)

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6.3 Relevant Classes Identified

The following Classes were used in combination with the term sets provided above:

Class Definitions

E21B+ Fixed constructions >> earth drilling; mining >> earth drilling, e.g. Deep drilling; obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells

6.4 Glossary of Specific Search Operators Used

Operators Definitions

+ Any number of characters (in Questel Orbit)

nW Search for words in the same sentence and appearing within n words of one another, in the written order. If n is omitted, the number defaults to one (in Questel Orbit)

nD Search for words in the same sentence and appearing within n words of one another, but in either order. If n is omitted, the number defaults to one (in Questel Orbit)

S Search terms occur in the same sentence (in Questel Orbit)

P Search for words in the same paragraph (in Questel Orbit)

ADJn Search for words in the same sentence and appearing within n words of one another, in the written order. If n is omitted, the number defaults to one (in Thomson Innovation)

NEARn Search for words in the same sentence and appearing within n words of one another, but in either order. If n is omitted, the number defaults to one (in Thomson Innovation)

SAME Search for words in the same paragraph (in Thomson Innovation)

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7 Sanity List (Documents not included in this report)

Please note that below listed documents are usually not included in the report for prior art searches unless specifically mentioned by the client to include them:

Any patent (or non-patent) document(s) and its family that has been shared by the client are not included in the final report.

However, please note that we do provide citations of documents that have been shared by the client.

Any document that has been asked by the client to exclude from our search and analysis are not included in the final report.

8 Non-Disclosure

The Patent Search Firm or any subsidiary of The Patent Search Firm (Together, “The Patent Search Firm "), or any of their directors, officers, employees, agents or representatives (Together, "PERSONNEL") promise that all client information shall be treated as confidential material, where no part of your information will be used for any purpose whatsoever outside of the intended purpose of completing the search.  The Patent Search Firm will neither use, nor cause others to use, nor divulge to third parties un-affiliated with The Patent Search Firm, all or any part of your information, in any way, without your express written consent.

9 Disclaimer

The validity search for the subject patent has been conducted based only on the keywords listed in the document which in turn have been derived from the key features of the invention mentioned in the document. Furthermore, the information contained herein has been obtained from data sources believed to be reliable. The Patent Search Firm disclaims all warranties as to the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of such information. No opinion is expressed or implied. Finally, the search results identified are only up to the date of this report. You should consider the search to be a reasonable expenditure of time and money to determine if the patent can be invalidated in view of the search results. The Patent Search Firm strives to ensure the accuracy and completeness of our research services. However, because of the subjective nature of such research and possible incomplete data supplied to us, we cannot warrant that our search reports are 100% complete or error-free.

Neither The Patent Search Firm nor any of their PERSONNEL provides legal services or legal advice in any part of the world. Since The Patent Search Firm is not a law firm, it does not and cannot render legal services or legal advice to the general public and is not engaged in the practice of law.

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