`
`EXHIBIT 1013
`
`PACKERS PLUS ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
`
`WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL, LLC, et al.
`V.
`
`NO. cv.44,964
`
`HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES,
`INC. and HALLIBURTON GROUP
`CANADA,
`Plaintiffs
`
`VS.
`
`PACKERS PLUS ENERGY SERVICES,
`INC; PACKERS PLUS ENERGY
`SERVICES, INC. USA; PACKERS PLUS
`ENERGY SERVICES (U.'S.A.) LIMITED
`PARTNERSHIP; -DANIEL THEMIG;
`PETER KRABBEN; and KENNETH
`PALTZAT.
`Defendants
`
`§
`
`IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF
`
`MIDLAND COUNTY, TEXAS
`
`238m. JUDICIAL DISTRICT
`
`FIRST SUPPI.EM'ENT
`
`E V.
`
`August 21, 2008
`
`RC_RAP00001595
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`
`
`Tgglg of Qantggts
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`I.
`
`Opening Comments
`
`...........
`
`......... .,..............
`
`......
`
`11.
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`Cased Hole vs Open Hole ..............................
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`...............
`
`pg
`
`.3
`
`pg.
`
`4
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`III. Conception of Packer'with_ Rockseal II hydraulic set packer
`
`features ......................................................................................... ..
`
`pg. 9
`
`Iv.
`
`Evidence withheld by expert & Halliburton ._ ............... pg. 10
`
`Functionality of Rockseal II hydraulic set»
`V.
`packer..............................
`........
`................................
`
`.....
`
`......... .. pg. 11
`
`a.
`
`b.
`
`c.
`
`d.
`
`faclcing Elements ..............................
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`....................
`
`pg. 12
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`Actuation Device.................. ................................ .. pg. 16
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`Locking Device...................
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`....................................... .. pg. 15
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`Anti-preset Device. ........
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`......................
`
`...........
`
`.... .. pg. 17
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`VI. Prior Art: ............
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`............................. .,............................... .. pg.'21
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`VII. Patent ‘505 and Application ‘863 ..........................
`
`.... ..
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`pg. 23
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`VIII. Themig Contract .......................
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`..................................
`
`pg. 24
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`IX.
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`Patentability
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`.................................................................. .. pg. 27
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`X.
`
`conclusions
`
`...................
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`....................,.., ..................... .. pg. 28
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`Attachments
`
`1. Brown Oil Tools HS-16-1 catalog pages (zpages)
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`2. 1.7.5. Patent 4,716,967 (9 pages)
`
`3. US. Patent 4,791,992‘ (12 pages)
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`4. U.S. Patent 5,197,547 (18 pages)
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`5. U.S. Patent 5,775,429 (14 pages)
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`6. U.S. Patent 6,543,545 (9 pages)
`
`ts)
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`RC_RAP00001596
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`
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`‘I.
`
`Opening Comments
`
`I hereby incorporate by reference my prior Affidavit tiled in support ofPackers Plus’
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`Response to I-Ial1r“ourto.n,"s Partial Motion‘ for Summary Judgement and all opinions
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`expressed in it,. as wellas all exhibits and attachments to my Affidavit. This
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`supplemental report is being submitted in ad'dition“to my originai report dated April 27,
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`2007 and my Affidavit dated May 19, 2008. The purpose of this supplemental report is
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`to correct errors and misrepresentations, shed light and provide clarity on many issues
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`that Mr. William Ber-ryman, plaintiffs expert witness, vi/rites about in his original report
`dated March 18.. 2007 and his suppiementnl report submitted in August of2008!
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`Mr. Berryman has "taken great liberties in his reports that couidbe misleading to a person
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`that is not skilled in the art of oil and gas well completion and the tools that are applied
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`for this purpose.
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`It is critical to the integrity of this case that those thatpresent themselves as experts must
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`put forth facts, evidence, experience and opinions in an objective, forthright, and
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`transparent manner. Due to this it is important that I clarify and correct some things that
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`have been inaccurately documented by others. As a point of clarity I must refute a liethat
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`has been put forth by Mr. Berrymzm in his supplemental report. On page 40 of his
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`«supplemental report Mr.jBerryman states that he and I agree “that the Rockseal invention
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`is an invention‘, development, and innovation under 'I'l1emig’s‘ contract." His statementgis
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`a lie. I have not, in any report, afifidavit, or by any other means, whether verbal or
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`written, characterized the Rookseal II hydraulic set paclceras an invention, development,
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`or innovation, and therefore do not agree with his opinion.
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`RC_RAP00001597
`
`
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`Also, it has recently come to light that there is evidence that Mr. Berryman and
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`Halliburton should have been supplying through the discovery processin this case.
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`‘II.
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`Ogen hole versus Cased hole
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`Mr. Berryman has. expended significant effort in attempting to show that tools that were
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`initially’ designed for cased hole -would not be applicable for use in open hole. This point
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`could be construed as intentionally misleading.
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`it is importantto‘ have an understanding of what -constitutes cased hole as well as open
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`hole in order to provide clarity to the situation at hand. Open ‘hole is .a borehole that is
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`drilled through the ‘fonnations of earth. The open hole remains as ‘open hole until some
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`sortof pipe, whether made of steel or other material, is inserted into the ‘open hole in
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`order to provide stability to the borehole. Once the pipe, typically referred to as casing in
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`the industry, is installed" inside ofthe open hole than the portion of the open hole that
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`contains‘ the supporting casing is referred to as cased hole.
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`Open hole and cased hole are both substantieilly circular in cross section. The only
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`substantial difference is that the inner wall of cased hole is typically made of steel and the
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`inner wall of the open hole is made from formations ofearth, or rock. Tools that are
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`initially designed for cased hole are manufactured to perform in substantially circular
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`cross section holes that arehard enough and strong enough to provide necessary support
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`for sealing (typically createdby some sort of packing element) and anchoring (typicaily
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`RC_RAP00001598
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`
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`created by some sort of slip andrcone mechanism). It is worth noting that not every tool
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`designed for sealing requires an anchoring device on the tool. Ifanchoring is required for
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`£1 specific application, then anchoring may be provided by a separate tool in the same
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`string of tools or in combination with the single element on a single tool. And, not every
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`tool that is designed to be an anchor requiresa sealing mechanism.
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`The stability of the open hole is largely dependent upon the fonnationsiin which open
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`hole exists. Rock formations in many cases are extremely hard and stable. In these cases
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`the rock is highly compressed due to pressure exerted on the took over millions ofyears
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`of formation. There are also sand formations that can be less consolidated and less
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`stable. These lesststable fornmtions are more susceptible to having “wash outs” or areas
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`that are substantially non circular in cross section atter being drilled.
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`The hard rock formations, once drilled, typically provide a circular cross section conduit,
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`just as a cased hole does. in these types ofhard fonnations a too} that was designed for
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`use in cased hole may be used in open hole. The fact is that many tools, including
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`anchoring mechanisms and packing elements, that were initially designed for cased hole,
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`with no contemplation ofbeing used in open hole, have been used in open hole
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`successfully. It is a fact that many tools which utilized compression set elastomeric solid
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`packing elements have been used in open hole. Mr. Berryman, in his original report,
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`indicated that these types of packing element arrangements were initially designed for
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`cased hole and that they are now being used in open hole. In fact this is exactly what
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`Guiberson /Halliburton has done successfully for many years by use ofits original
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`RC_RAP00001599
`
`
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`Wizard type packer designs. Mr. Berryman has excluded these «facts from his
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`supplemental report.
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`It is noteworthy to point outthet downhole tools are often utilized his way in which they
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`were not originally intended. And doing so does not necessarily constitute innovation,
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`invention, or development. It is not my intention, at this point in the report, to convey
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`that the prior art tools have the same functionality that is contained in the Rockseal II
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`hydraulic set packer, the Benrfoot, and the Wizard 111 packers. My intention is to convey
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`the fact that downhole tools which were initially designed for cased hole can be. and have
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`been, utilized in open hole. I have personal experience of such installations and look
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`forward to testifying as such at trial.
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`In addition to my experience and knovvledge of casedhole and open hoie tools, there are
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`other references that can be used to substantiate my opinions. Included in this report are
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`patents which have been issued that provide language regarding the use of “hook -wall"
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`packers, known by those skilled in the artvto be regarded as cased hole tools, as open hole
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`packers. Hnlliburton has patents that reveal this type of language which could lead one to
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`opine that Hallihurton agrees with my assessment regarding the applicability of‘cased
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`hole packets in open hole.
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`The first patent that substantiates my opinion is 11.3. patent is 4,716,967. The patent
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`states “27:’ere are. however, some parts aflheworld where oilfield completions are
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`lzabitually in the open hole. For exanzple, in Ken!ucky., the Sm;/Zzce hole is drilled with
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`RC_RAP00001600
`
`
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`mm! and surface pipe set to close ’0flflllfbCe watersands. Below the Sm;/hoe pipe, the
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`hole is typically drilled with air. either by using a cable tool rig or an air rotary rig. [fa
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`productive section is etzoozmtered, the well begins toproduce through the baloee line so
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`that the an-tozmt and type ofproduction can be estimated. lfit is desired to complete a
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`well in this section, the bit is retnavedfirom the hole, and tubing is run into the well. A
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`hook wall packer is seated against the wall ofthe‘ bore hole ‘and the well is producer! up
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`the tubing string in a somewhat unusual manner ‘which happens to be typicalfor this
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`area. .” This language is selfexpiantmry and it-is my opinion that anvexpjert skilled in the
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`art of packets would opine that it is typical in certain parts of the world to run a hook wall
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`packer (that was designed for use in eased hole) in open hole.
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`The second patent. that substantiates my opinion is U.S. patent #5,1’97,S47 which applies
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`to a wirelinc set packer tool arrangement. The patent states, “so the packer is capable of
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`being set by a wireline pressure setting assembly when the packer tool is positionecl ‘in
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`the opening in a tubular member _or1‘n open hole in so well bare without requt'rz'ngfurther
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`manipulation ofthe packer tool. ” This language refers to a packet that is shown in the
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`patent figures to have anchoring and sealing mechanisms that are the same as those that
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`have been designed for cased hole. It is my opinion that the term “tubutar member"
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`could refer to a well casing, whether casing or productitm tubing. The patent language
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`substantiates"that this type dfpacker tool may be applied in open hole.
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`The third patent that substantiates my opinion is U.S. patent #S,775,429 which applies to
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`packer seaiing element that may be applied for manyapplications. The patent abstract
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`RC_RAP00001601
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`
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`states, “For example, the packer can be applied to plugs, 10 llzraugla tubing mamlrals.
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`and to other well tools in open hole or in cased wellbore ca1;figz:rations.” Again, this
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`patent reveals the fact that a specific type of mechanism may be appliedlo both cased
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`hole and open hole.
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`The fourth patent that substantiates my opinion is US patent #6,49i,IO4, which is
`assigned to Halliburton. Itvrefers to a string of tools that include an open hole packet.
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`The patent states, “The open-hale packer can be ofany lciud generally known in the art,
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`such as a "hook-wall "packer. but is preferably a not:-mtating‘ iigflarable packer.” It is
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`my opinion that this is an admission that a “hook-wall" packer can work in open hole
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`assuming that the open hole is in a "form that. will ‘allow itto perform satisfactorily.
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`The fifih patent that substantiates my opinion is U.S patent #6,543,545, which is also
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`assigned to‘ Halliburton. Italso refers to 8 string of tools that include an open hole
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`packer. The application of the tool string in this patent differs from the purpose of the
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`tool string mentioned in the previous paragraph, however it also refers to useof an open
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`hole packer as part of the tool string. The patent states, “Si:::ilar{)2, the open-hole packer
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`may be ofany type known in the art such as a "haul: wall" packer are non-rotating
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`inflatable packer." It is my opinion that this is another admission that a “hook—waIl"
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`packer can work in open hole assuming that the opcnhole is in a form that will allow it to
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`perform satisfactorily.
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`RC_RAP00001602
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`
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`Based on this infonnation, it may be assumed that any expert who denies the idea that
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`cased hoie tools can be, and have been, applied in open hole would be one.‘ who has a lack
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`of knowledge, a lack of experience, or is not forthcoming with regard to this area of
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`expertise.
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`111.
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`Conception ofgzlcker with fiocksenl II mdraulic set gnciger feaglres
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`Benyman has stated in his supplemental "report that a packer’ that contains the
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`features of the Rockseal II hydraulic set packer, or the features themselves were
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`conceived or invented by Themig. Mr. Berrymarrs supplemental report makes this
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`inaccurate insinuation at least 16 times.
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`It is well known in the industry that the customer ofthe service company often times
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`pushes the service company to tweak its existing tools in order to create something that
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`the customer feels may be more applicable for the specific downhole environment that
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`exists in the customers wells. After many years of utilizing certain types of the tools
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`many customers become intirnately familiar with specific types oftools and can submit
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`ideas on how to ‘tweak, tools in order. to solve customer specific issues.
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`In this case a packer with all ofthe features of the Rockseal ‘II hydraulic set packer was
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`conceived by :1 Husky Oil engineer, Marty Muir. Marty Muir specifically told Dale
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`Fuller and Dan Thcmig that he wanted a packer with all of the features that have become
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`the Rockseal I] hydraulic set packer, the Bcerfeot packer (sold by Innicor, formerly Polar
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`RC_RAP00001603
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`
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`Completions), and the Wizard 11] packer (soldby Halliburton). Mary Muir, having
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`intimate knowledge ofthe inner workings of the G-77 packer, specifically requested to
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`Themig that Halliburtojn manufacture a packer for 'Husky"s application that utilized most
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`ofthe features of the (3-77, except to make the small change of removing the upper slips
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`and .exchanging the lower Slips with a second packing element. Mr. Benymaxfs Reports
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`completely omit any discussion of this packer concept by Mr. Muir; nor does he refer to
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`‘any of the evidence showing that Mr. Thenxig disclosed the concept to Halliburton as
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`early as 1998. This constitutes a serious omissionfrom Mr. Berry-.man’s Reports.
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`IV.
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`Evidence with
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`db. sex ert &tH Ill
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`:1
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`on"
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`Brown Oil Tools was selling dual element packers -as early as 1962. It also had at least
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`one patent that showsa dual element packer. Brown's I-IS-16-1. hydraulic set packer was
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`sold for many years and was in Brown's marketing catalog from at least 1962 until 1969.
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`1 came across this information‘ by a contact thatl worked with at Baker Hughes in years
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`past. The Brown HS-16-l hydraulic set packer is an isolation packet that has the
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`following fimctionalityz dual packing elements, spaced apart, on a single body;
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`hydraulically actuated between the packing elements, locking mechanism, and a
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`mechanism for reducing premature setting while running in the hole.
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`Mr. Bexryman should have beennware of the existence ofthis tool because he was the
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`vice president of engineering at Baker Service Tools at the time Brown Oil Tools was
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`acquired and integrated into thc~Baker product lines. Many of the Brown Oil Tools
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`10
`
`RC_RAP00001604
`
`
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`products were integrated into the division of Baker Service Tools. As a vice president of
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`engineering at Baker at the time this integration took place Mr. ‘Be:-ryman should have
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`reviewed the Brown Oil Tool product lines for determining which tools would be
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`integrated, replaced, redundant or obsolete.
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`Additionally, Halliburton (Dresser) was assigned a patent (U.S. patent # 4,791,992) on a
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`sl‘ip—less packer that references a Brown Oil 'l‘o.ol‘s dual clement packer patent (U.8.
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`patent # 3,122,205). Halliburton should have supplied this evidence during the discovery
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`process of this case.
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`V.
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`Functiolralitv of Rockscal §_I_ hxdruulig set gaggger
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`The Rockscal II hydraulic set packer. the Bearfoot packet, and the Wizard I11 packer
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`incorporate the same Afimctionality. These tools were designed specifically for
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`applications‘ that did not'require external anchoring devices within the tool. The reason
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`for this is that the application in which these tools were designed to be run assumed that
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`there would be an anchoring ‘device in a separate tool that was run above these tools that
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`would set inside the cased hole‘ that was located uphole from the open hole in which the
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`Rockseal II hydraulic set packer, Bearfoot packer, or Wizard Ill packer would he set.
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`The features of these packers include: two sealing elements spaced apart, hydraulic
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`actuation between the scaling elements, locking mechanism, an nnt‘i—preset, all on a single
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`body. All of these features also existed in the Brown HS-16-1 packer. How these
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`features are constructed -is a decision left to the designer. It is possible for a designer to
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`come up with an idea on how to construct a specific feature, however, it is more often the
`
`ll
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`RC_RAP00001605
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`
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`case that the designer utilize construction methods that he/she maybe familiar with due
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`to his/her experience with other tools that are in the stream of commerce. In this case all
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`of-the features. ofthe above mentioned tools were constructed by use of pulalically known
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`methods, and as a matter of faetall of these features have been used together in another
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`tool.
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`n.
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`‘Packing flements
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`Tliere have long been different types of packing elements utilized on packers within
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`the oil and gasindustry. Compression set elements (like those used on the Rockseal
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`II hydraulic set packer, the Bearfoot packer, the Wizard II packer, Wizard In packer,
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`and Brown HS-16-1 packer), cup type elements (swab cup type), and inflatahletype
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`elements are.the;3rnost recognized types ofpacker elenientsin the industry. There
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`are other types and variations, but these are the most recognized and most usedin the
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`industry. Compression set elements have long been used in both eased hole and open
`hole applications. Mr. Br-.rryma_n confesses that the type ofelements used for the
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`Rockseal II hydraulic set packerand Wizard II packer were initially designed with the
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`intent of being used in cased hole. And now they have been applied. in open hole. I
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`agree with Mr. Berryman"s adrnissionthet packing elements, ‘as well as other types of'
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`features that were initially designed for cased hole can he applied in open hole.
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`Compression set elements were deployed in open hole before inflatable elements
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`were developed. Compression set elements have some short comings in some open
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`hole applications. Those applications where compression. set elements may not be
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`reliable include, but are not limited to: open hole applications ‘where the open hole
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`.12
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`RC_RAP00001606
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`
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`diameter is significantly larger than the. cased hole: uphole from the open hole, open
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`hole applications in which the open hole is not in a hard rock formation that may be
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`conducive to wash out, or open hole applications in which the open hole may he so
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`soft that the formation will move away from the setting element therefore not
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`allowing the compression set element to maintain thenecessary stored energy for
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`providing sealing integrity. Inflatable elements were initially designed in order to
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`solve the issues sometimes encountered with the compression set elements when used
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`in certain open hole. applications. Inflatable elements are elastic bladders that can be
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`filled with different types of fluid media. Inflatable elements have been made in
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`many lengths and with varying cliemetrical expansion ratios in an attempt to seal in
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`specific customer open hole conditions". It is also well known in the industry that
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`inflatable elements have been utilized in cased hole. An application for an inflatable
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`element in cased holeiis provided when the packer must pass a significantly smaller
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`diameterin the well bore and be set in a large diameter’ that resides somewhere below
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`smaller diameter restriction. Through tubing tools are well known in the industry and
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`often incorporate inflatable elements because the ppaclcer must deploy through a
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`smaller production tubing string and set and seal reliably in the well casing that is
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`below the bottom end of the production tubing string".
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`The compression set element of the type used by the Rockseel '11 hydraulic set packer
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`is not unique’ in anyway in comparison to other compression set elements. To state
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`-that it is somehow unique inany way that makes itvmore applicable to open hole is
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`simply misleading and totally. inaccurate. The fact is that there are l00‘s of
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`13
`
`RC_RAP00001607
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`
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`compression set elements that function in exactly the same way as the element ‘type
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`utilized on the Rockseal Ilhydraulic set packer. The reliability 'ofthe’type of
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`compression set packing element utilized‘ on the Rookseal II hydraulic set. packer is
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`totally dependent on the characteristics of the open hole in which it is applied.
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`The redundant nature of providing two, or more packing elements on a single packer
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`is helpfiil in open hole if abnormalities exist in concentrated areas. It is also helpful
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`in cased hole as there may be existence of abnormalities in cased. hole. In many cases
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`the well casing in which a packer isset may have an abnonnatity, or a void, areas!
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`the each endof a joint (a singleypipe) of easing. Other abnormalities that may exist in
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`well casing may be caused by the following: excessive rotating of a drill string inside
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`the well casing. 21 manufacturing defect within the casing, failure ofthe well casing
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`due to fonnation movement, failure of the ‘well casing due to excessive tensile or
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`compressive loading, failure of the well easing‘ due to internal or external pressure, or
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`corrosion of the well casing clue to incompatible well fluids. The point to be taken
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`from this is that redundant'pac_l<ing elements improve reliability in cased hole and
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`open "hole; In fact, in any well application, ifthere is greater opportunity for
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`abnonnttlities to exist where n packer preferred to be set, then there a greater need for
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`more effective sealing ‘area, and one way to accomplish this is through packing
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`element redundancy. This is not a concept that is unique to open hole.
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`Another advantage of dual packing elements is the fact that the packet components
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`that reside between the packing elements may be protected from producing fluids
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`14
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`RC_RAP00001608
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`over time, thus reducing corrosion issues that may impact the mechanical locking of
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`the packer after setting. Also, ‘protection. from corrosion may assist in the retrieval of
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`the packer at a later date.
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`Mr. Benyman makes the point in his supplemental report that the dual elements may
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`somehow increase the amount ofpressure that the packer may hold by virtue of a
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`“two-stage sealing system". This point is completely misleading as itis my
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`experience from testing 100's of compression set pacldng elements that a
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`compression set packing element typically does not hold significantptessure once it
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`begins to leak. And, because the “null zone" is so smallin volume, essentially all of
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`the pressure that is opposite of the lealcing element would quicldy fill the “null zone”
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`causing the holding element to withstand‘ all of the pressure that was opposite of the
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`leaking element. Even it is-possible that the “two-stage sealing system” would
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`perform as Ivlr. Berryrnan has indicated then many packers in existence‘ include the
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`“two-stage sealing system". Obviously, the Brown HS-16-1 would perform in the
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`same way. Also, many retrievable service packers include a. packing element stuck
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`that utilizes multiple packing elements that are separated by at least a small spacer.
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`These packers would also satisfy the concept of u “two-stagecl sealing system" even
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`though they may have 8: smaller “null zone".
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`To characterize the type ofpacking element utilized by the Rocks-eal ll hydraulic set
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`packer as unique in comparison to other compression set elements is inaccurate.
`
`15
`
`RC_RAP00001609
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`
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`b. Actuation Device
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`The actuation device-utilized by the Rcckseal ll hydraulic set packet was not
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`conceived by Themig. Utilizing an actuating device that is hydraulically manipulated
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`is yery common in the industry. Many tools, which are referenced in my earlier
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`submitted affidavit, utilize a hydraulic setting device that sits between two packing
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`elements. The Brown HS-16'-I packer utilizes the same type of setting mechanism. It
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`is over'lapping.. Thesetting mechanism ensures that the full setting force is imparted
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`to both sides of the actuating device, just as in the Rockseal If hydraulic set packer.
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`This type of actuation device-‘is applicable to dual elementpackers, single element
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`packers, and other types of tools for use in cased hole and open hole. It is not only
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`applicable to open hole. Halhburton‘-s WizardiIII.‘which is functionally the same as
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`the Rocksecl II hydraulic se.t.pac'ker utilizes the same type of actuation device that is
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`used in the G-77.
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`c. Locking Device.
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`Most compression set packing element packers (including the Brown HS-16-1) have
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`a locking mechanism for storing the energyinto the packing element after it is set and
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`the setting force is removed. The type "of mechanical lock utilized in the Rockseal I1
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`hydraulic set packer has been used in a large number ofM compression set packers. It is
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`a ratcheting type lock. There have‘ been many different type of locking mechanisms
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`used to store energy in packing elements or other devices. The type of locking
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`mechanism used is simply a design choice made by the designer. The locking
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`mechanism utilized by the Brown HS»-16-1 is common to packers manufactured by
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`16
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`RC_RAP00001610
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`many other companies. The=extern'a‘l slips utilized on the Brown HS—l-‘6-l creates a
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`lock that will continuously bite into the wall ofthc borehole as the tool strokes,
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`therefore there isnc slack that must be absorbed by the packing elements. The
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`Brown H846-1 utilizes this type of lock because it was designed with the additional
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`feature of providing anchoring in the wellbore. This locking mechanism will work in
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`open hole or cased hole.
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`I know this to be a fact based on experience setting cast iron
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`bridge plugs in open hole where extemnl slips were used as the mechanical locking
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`mechanism. The fact that the.~Brown HS~l6.~1 was designed with on additional
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`anchoring feature allowed for the packer to perform satisfactorily without an
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`additional internal lock. If it were determined that a slip—.less~ packer were desired
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`then it would be obvious to any experienced designer that the extemal slips could be
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`replaced with the same internal locking mechanism used in many other packers in
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`orderto store energy in the set packing elements.
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`(1; Anti-greset device
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`Antt’~preset devices are used on most packer designs. Their function is simply to
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`allow a pecker to deployed to the desired setting depth within the wellbore without
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`premature actuation, and then to Lmloclc the setting mechanism so the packer can be
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`set at that point. It would be misleading to represent that tools intended for cased
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`hole do not benefit from having such a device. If it were true that a cased hole packer
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`would not benefit from such a device, then the Guiberson/Halliburtou G-77 would not
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`have incorporated. such a device. This is further substantiated-»Mr. Be-rryman's
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`l7
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`RC_RAP00001611
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`assertion that “The G-77 is a cased—l:oIe tooi and is not desigtzedfor use in open-hole
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`qppIicat1'0ns" (pg 28 ofhis supplemental report).
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`An anti-preset device is simply it mechanism that resists premature setting of a tool
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`due to drag, caused by an obstruction, during the installation process. The obstruction
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`may be atight spot. in thehole, whether cased or open. Drag may be caused by
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`deviation of the well bore, whether in cased hole or open hole. It is well known in the
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`industry that horizontal wellsare drilled and may be cased into the horizontal! section,
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`or left as open hole depending on the competenceof the‘. formation. The point that
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`must be made is that cased hole tools and open hole tools alike must be able to resist
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`premature setting while running into horizontal sections ofa well. Many types of
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`isolation packers, as well as other types of anchoring devices include a device for
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`resisting premauzre setting. ‘It is lefi to the discretion of the designer to choose a type
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`of mechanism that will work for a given design. For a -given design there are usually
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`«several types of devices that are available-to the designer to choose fiom in order to
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`provide resistance against premature actuation. A few of these are J-slot mechanisms,
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`a locking collet, split rings, segmented rings, ball (or dog) andgroove, and shear pins
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`(or screws). In the case of the Rockseal II hydraulic set packer, premature actuation is
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`accomplished by using a “ball and groove’? device that has been utilized in many
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`different tools, including packers, for many years. Sloane Muscrofi has stated in his
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`affidavit dated.February I4, 2005, ‘iln my opirziou, based on my experience in the
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`oilfield services industry, the application ofthese teclmiques amlprinciples to
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`Packers’PIu,r' baIl—activated disrronnects and ball-aualgroove anti-preset system is
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`18
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`RC_RAP00001612
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`not 1'nventz've q_fa11y new idea. ~ It is merely the application oflong-standing ideas and
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`teclutiques la a parIicu.’ar reqza'remem." Mr. Muscroft submits many exhibits (at
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`least 7) in his affidavit as proof that many tools that have ‘been in the stream of
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`commerce have utilized 5. ball and groove device for the purpose ofreclucing
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`incidences of premature actuation.
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`Based an my knowledge of other tools that utilize the same mechanism and the
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`submission of this evidence from Mr. Muscro1't,_I agree with Mr. Muscrofvs assertion
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`that use of a ball and gcoove device in reduce premature actuation in the Rockseal I1
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`hydraulic set packet is not unique in any way.
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`The G-77 utilizes a mechanism for reducing prcmalmeiactuation that is similar to that
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`of Rockseal II. hydraulic set packer. Regarding the 6-77, Mr. Berryman, in his
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`supplemental report (p. 28) confesses that there are components other than the sealing
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`element that require some means to hold the components in position until tubing
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`pressure is applied to the packer. He goes on to state “_z‘fs.uch' means were not
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`provided, the cone could be_'/breed up under the slip while the tool is being lowered
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`into a well, potentially extemiiug the slips into engagerrzerit with the casing and
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`cazising damage'tothe1ooI?’. “Extending the slips" refers to unwanted premature
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`actuation of the tool, Additionally, Mr‘. Berryman -ignores that the upper external
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`setting piston must also be locked. If it is not ioclced and the tool is run in a highly
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`deviated well, then the upper external. setting piston could cause premature setting of
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`the sealing element and the upper slip and cone.
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`19
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`RC_RAP00001613
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`The anti-preset device utilized in the G.—77’could have been ‘utilized in the Roclcseal ll
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`hydraulic set packet and the tool. would function in exactly the same way. As a
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`matter of fact, I believe that the device utilized in the G-77 provides. a more robust
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`lock, capable ofhandling aihigher load that would created by obstructions in. the
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`wellbore. The reason is that the CH7 lock provides a larger bearing surface on which
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`to distribute undesired loads while running into the well. The ball and groove device
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`creates point loading on the halls and mating part. Point loading provides less
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`hearing for distributing the load, meaning the ball and groove mechanism would fail.
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`at :1 lower load fora comparably sized mechanism.
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`I-Ia1liburton’s Wizard III, which is fiincfionally the same as the'R,oekseal II", hydraulic
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`set packer, utilizes the same type of anti-preset device that is -used in the G—7"I.
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`20
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`RC_RAP00001614
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`VI.
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`Prior art
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`In his supplemental report Mr. Berryman has submitted -an opinion that all of the tools
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`that have been submitted as prior art are somehow different than the Rockseal ll
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`hydraulic set packer. The fact ofthe matter is that all of the submitted prior art is
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`pertinent and represent