Office Action 1: Non-Final Rejection (2025-05-12)
Rejection types: 103 - Obviousness, 112 - Written Description/Enablement

CLAIMS:
WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1\. A method performed at a rotary table of a rig, the method comprising the steps of: lifting a whipstock assembly at the rig, the whipstock assembly having a whipstock and a lead mill connected together by a releasable operational connection; running the whipstock assembly at least partially through the rotary table of the rig; supporting the whipstock assembly at the rotary table of the rig using an apparatus by: supporting portions of the whipstock and the lead mill with a support member of the apparatus, supporting the support member on a base member of the apparatus, and supporting the base member at the rotary table; connecting a milling assembly to the lead mill of the whipstock assembly; unsupporting the lead mill and the whipstock assembly from the support member; and running the whipstock assembly and the milling assembly through the rotary table.
2\. The method of claim 1, wherein lifting the whipstock assembly and running the whipstock assembly at least partially through the rotary table of the rig comprises engaging an elevator of the rig on a lifting sub connected to the lead mill on the whipstock assembly; and wherein connecting the milling assembly to the lead mill of the whipstock assembly comprises removing the lifting sub and threading a coupling of the milling assembly to the lead mill.
3\. The method of claim 1, wherein supporting the base member of the apparatus at the rotary table comprises engaging drive pins on the base member in slots of a drive bushing of the rotary table.
4\. The method of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a body support member configured to supporting a body of the whipstock and being removably connected to the base member, the method comprising, before lifting, disconnecting the body support member from the apparatus, and removing the body support member from supporting the body of the whipstock.
5\. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of lifting the whipstock assembly, running the whipstock assembly at least partially through the rotary table of the rig, supporting the support member on the base member, and supporting the base member at the rotary table comprise: lifting the whipstock assembly having the apparatus supported thereon, the apparatus having the support member connected to the base member; running the whipstock assembly at least partially through the rotary table of the rig; and landing the base member of the apparatus at the rotary table.
6\. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of lifting the whipstock assembly, running the whipstock assembly at least partially through the rotary table of the rig, supporting the support member on the base member, and supporting the base member at the rotary table comprise: lifting the whipstock assembly having the support member of the apparatus supported thereon; separately placing the base member at the rotary table; running the whipstock assembly at least partially through the base member placed at the rotary table of the rig; and landing the support member on the base member.
7\. The method of claim 6, wherein landing the support member on the base member comprises inserting an end of the support member in a receptacle disposed on the base member.
8\. The method of claim 1, wherein supporting the whipstock assembly on the rig using the apparatus comprises at least one of: engaging the whipstock on a support shoulder of the support member; engaging the whipstock on a base shoulder of the base member; and engaging the lead mill on a clamp shoulder of a clamp.
9\. The method of claim 1, wherein unsupporting the lead mill and the whipstock assembly from the support member comprises at least one of: disconnecting the whipstock assembly from the support member; unfastening a first mount on the support member from the whipstock; removing a second mount of the support member from the lead mill; and unclamping a clamp on the second mount of the support member from the lead mill.
10\. The method of claim 1, wherein before running the whipstock assembly and the milling assembly through the rotary table, the method comprises marking relative orientation of the milling assembly and the whipstock assembly.
11\. A method of assembling a bottom hole assembly for transport to a rig, the method comprising: engaging a portion of a whipstock of the bottom hole assembly on a first mount of a support member of an apparatus; engaging a portion of a lead mill of the bottom hole assembly on a second mount of the support member of the apparatus; connecting the lead mill to the whipstock with a releasable operational connection; and transporting the bottom hole assembly to the rig for deployment by supporting the whipstock, the lead mill, and the releasable operational connection with the support member.
12\. An apparatus used for transporting a bottom hole assembly to a rig and used for supporting the bottom hole assembly at a rotary table of the rig, the bottom hole assembly having a whipstock and a lead mill, the lead mill and the whipstock being connected together by a releasable operational connection, the apparatus comprising: a support member removably supporting the releasable operational connection between the whipstock and the lead mill, the support member having first and second mounts, the first mount configured to releasably engage a portion of the whipstock, the second mount configured to releasably engage a portion of the lead mill; and a base member being configured to position at the rotary table of the rig with an end of the whipstock extending through the base member, the base member being configured to support the support member.
13\. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein to releasably engage the portion of the whipstock, the first mount comprises at least one of: a first flange configured to affix with a fastener to a side of the whipstock; and a second flange having a shoulder configured to vertically support a complementary shoulder on the whipstock.
14\. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein to releasably engage the portion of the lead mill, the second mount comprises a flange against which a lifting sub of the lead mill positions.
15\. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein to releasably engage the portion of the lead mill, the second mount comprises a clamp configured to clamp about a neck of the lead mill.
16\. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the clamp comprises at least one of: a shoulder to support an upset in the neck of the lead mill; and a plurality of set screws threadeable against the neck of the lead mill.
17\. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the base member comprises a shoulder configured to vertically support a complementary shoulder on the whipstock.
18\. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a body member removably connected to the base member, wherein the support member, the base member, and the body member connected together are configured to support the whipstock, the lead mill, and the releasable operational connection for transporting the bottom hole assembly.
19\. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein: the support member is releasably connected to the base member as a unit, and the support member and the base member are connected together as the unit for transporting and supporting the bottom hole assembly; or the support member is a separate component from the base member, the support member is used for transporting the bottom hole assembly at the rig, the base member is supported at the rotary table of the rig, and the support member is supported by the base member for supporting the bottom hole assembly at the rig.
20\. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the base member comprises at least one of: a receptacle configured to receive an end of the support member therein for support the bottom hole assembly at the rig; one or more drive pins extending therefrom and configured to engage in slots of a master drive bushing in the rotary table at the rig; and one or more drive pins are removably disposed on the base member or are movable between extended and retracted conditions on the base member.

OFFICE ACTION:
DETAILED ACTION
Notice of AIA  Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Drawings
The drawings are objected to because
Figures 3A, 3B,, 5C, 6A, 6B, 8B-11B: These figures appear to be CAD drawings which has caused these drawings to have shading, including solid black shading, in the USPTO filing system. The shading makes it difficult to distinguish the different features of the invention. These figures should be black and white drawings such as Figures 2A and 2B. See 37 CFR 1.84(a)(1) and (m).
Figures 13A, 13B, 14A, , 15A, 22B: These figures have solid black shading areas which are not permitted. See 37 CFR 1.84(m).
Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. Any amended replacement drawing sheet should include all of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet, even if only one figure is being amended. The figure or figure number of an amended drawing should not be labeled as “amended.” If a drawing figure is to be canceled, the appropriate figure must be removed from the replacement sheet, and where necessary, the remaining figures must be renumbered and appropriate changes made to the brief description of the several views of the drawings for consistency. Additional replacement sheets may be necessary to show the renumbering of the remaining figures. Each drawing sheet submitted after the filing date of an application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d). If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance.
Claim Objections
Claim 12 is objected to because of the following informalities:
Claim 12, line 10: This line should read “a base member being configured to be positioned…”
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of 35 U.S.C. 112(a):
(a) IN GENERAL.—The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor or joint inventor of carrying out the invention.
The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of pre-AIA  35 U.S.C. 112:
The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention.
Claim 11 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), first paragraph, as failing to comply with the written description requirement. The claim(s) contains subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to reasonably convey to one skilled in the relevant art that the inventor or a joint inventor, or for applications subject to pre-AIA  35 U.S.C. 112, the inventor(s), at the time the application was filed, had possession of the claimed invention.
Regarding claim 11 (lines 9-11), there is no support for the limitation “transporting the bottom hole assembly to the rig for deployment by supporting the whipstock, the lead mill, and the releasable operational connection with the support member.” because this limitation suggests that the “support member” is somehow transporting “the whipstock, the lead mill, and the releasable operational connection”; however, the specification discusses that “support member 110 supports the attachment of the lead mill 52 to the whipstock assembly 30 to protect the shear bolt or other releasable operational connection 25 and the hydraulic line from damage during transportation and handling” (at least pp[0102]). There is no discussion of the support member 110 itself transporting the whipstock, the lead mill, and the releasable operational connection by “supporting” these elements.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b)  CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 10 and 11 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA  35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Regarding claim 10, is unclear how the limitation “marking relative orientation of the milling assembly and the whipstock assembly“ should be interpreted because it is unclear what structure and/or axis the orientation of the milling assembly and the whipstock assembly are being marked relative to. For example, the claim does not specify whether the orientation of the milling assembly and the whipstock assembly are marked relative to each other or relative to a different structure.
Regarding claim 11 (lines 9-11), the scope of  the limitation “transporting the bottom hole assembly to the rig for deployment by supporting the whipstock, the lead mill, and the releasable operational connection with the support member.” is unclear because this limitation suggests that the “support member” is somehow transporting “the whipstock, the lead mill, and the releasable operational connection”; however, the specification discusses that “support member 110 supports the attachment of the lead mill 52 to the whipstock assembly 30 to protect the shear bolt or other releasable operational connection 25 and the hydraulic line from damage during transportation and handling” (at least pp[0102]). There is no discussion of how the “support member” is able to transport the “the whipstock, the lead mill, and the releasable operational connection”. As such, it is unclear what is structurally required by the claim such that the “support member” is able to both transport and support “the whipstock, the lead mill, and the releasable operational connection”.
The Examiner acknowledges that the disclosure discusses the “support member”  provides support to the “the whipstock, the lead mill, and the releasable operational connection” during transportation. Therefore, for examination purposes, the Examiner will interpret the above limitation as the “support member” supporting the whipstock, the lead mill, and the releasable operational connection” during transportation.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
Claim(s) 1 and 5  are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over  Bell (U.S. Publication No. US 20120241144) in view of Brown-Kerr et al. (U.S. Publication No. 20210372219).
Regarding claim 1, Bell teaches a method performed at a rotary table of a rig, the method comprising the steps of:
lifting a whipstock assembly (whipstock assembly 50 is lifted and suspended to be lowered; pp[0049], Fig. 14) at the rig (107),  the whipstock assembly having a whipstock (58) and a lead mill (tubular member 28 is a “lead mill” because it can comprise a drill bit that is guided by the whipstock; pp[0003]) connected together by a releasable operational connection (body 14 of whipstock if connected to 28 with shear studs 32; Fig. 7, pp[0036]);
running the whipstock assembly (50) at least partially through the guide frames (108) of the rig (107; Figs. 17, 18);
supporting the whipstock assembly at the guide frames of the rig using an apparatus (combination of 18 and 88; Figs. 14, 18, 19) by:
supporting portions of the whipstock and the lead mill with a support member of the apparatus (nose 18 supports the whipstock 50 and tubular member 28 by allowing these elements to be anchored to 80; pp[0051], [0053], Fig. 7) supporting the support member (18) on a base member (88) of the apparatus, and supporting the base member at the guide frame (“as the exemplary nose 18 moves into the anchor 80, the exemplary setting ring 88 lands on the upper end 81 of the anchor 80”. Thus, the base member 80 is support at the guide frame 108; Fig. 14, 18, 19, pp[0051]);
connecting a milling assembly (drill bit; pp[0003]) to the lead mill  (28) of the whipstock assembly (50);
unsupporting the lead mill and the whipstock assembly from the support member (when 28 and 50 are suspended over 107, they are “unsupported” by the support member 18 because 18 is not yet coupled to anchor 80; Fig. 14, pp[0049]); and
running the whipstock assembly (50) and the milling assembly (28) to the rig (28 and 50 run and set at the rig 107; Fig. 19, pp[0049]).
However, Bell is silent regarding the drive means to rotate the drilling assembly and whipstock assembly. Therefore, Bell fails to teach a rotary table and running the whipstock assembly and the milling assembly through the rotary table which forces one of ordinary skill in art to look elsewhere to select specific drive means.
Brown-Kerr, drawn to a whipstock assembly, discloses running the whipstock assembly and the milling assembly through the rotary table (“the drill string including the whipstock assembly 12 is rotated from surface, for example by a rotary table (not shown) on the rig 46.” As such, the drill string and whipstock have been run through the rotary table to extend into the wellbore 10; Fig. 1, pp[0110]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the method of Bell by selecting the specific drive means, i.e. a rotary table as taught by Brown-Kerr, with a reasonable expectation of success, in order to drive the drillstring and whipstock from the surface which will orient the whipstock in the wellbore and allow the drill bit to drill (pp[0103],[0110], Brown-Kerr).
Regarding claim 5, the combination of Bell and Brown-Kerr teaches the method of claim 1.
In light of the above modification, Bell further teaches wherein the steps of lifting the whipstock assembly, running the whipstock assembly at least partially through the rotary table of the rig, supporting the support member on the base member, and supporting the base member at the rotary table comprise: lifting the whipstock assembly (whipstock assembly 50 is lifted and suspended to be lowered; pp[0049], Fig. 14) having the apparatus (18, 88) supported thereon (50), the apparatus having the support member (18) connected to the base member (88); running the whipstock assembly at least partially through the rotary table of the rig; and landing the base member of the apparatus at the rotary table (Elements 18 and 88 are coupled to the whipstock 50. As such, when the whipstock 50 of Bell is lowered into the wellbore with the rotary table at the surface, the elements 18 and 88 will also extend through the wellbore such that they are located at the rotary table.).
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 12-20 are allowed.
Claims 2-4 and 6-9 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Claim 10 would be allowable if rewritten to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action and to include all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Claim 11 has not been rejected over prior art but the claim is not allowable due to the 112(a)  and (b) rejections above.
Regarding claim 11, Bell teaches engaging a portion of a whipstock (50; Fig.3) of a bottom hole assembly (combination of 28 and 50; Fig. 7) on a first mount (upper clamp 30; Fig. 7, pp[0038]) of a support member (upper and lower clamps 30) of an apparatus (22); engaging a portion of a lead mill (tubular member 28 which can comprise a drill bit; pp[0003]) of the bottom hole assembly on a second mount (lower clamp 30; Fig. 7) of the support member of the apparatus (22);
connecting the lead mill (28) to the whipstock (50) with a releasable operational connection (shear studs 32; Figs. 7, 8,pp[0038]); and
Bell is silent regarding transporting the bottom hole assembly to the rig for deployment by supporting the whipstock, the lead mill, and the releasable operational connection with the support member.
Instead, Bell’s support member are clamps which only support the coupling between the whipstock and the lead mill. Furthermore, the shear studs support/maintain the clamps in place, not the other way around. It would not be obvious to modify Bell with the above features because it would require significant redesign to the structure and operation of Bell which may prevent the apparatus of Bell from operating as intended. Furthermore, no prior art was found, alone or in combination with Bell, to teach the above features. Therefore, modifying Bell with the above limitations would be based on impermissible hindsight reasoning.
Regarding claim 12, Bell teaches an apparatus used for transporting a bottom hole assembly to a rig and used for supporting the bottom hole assembly at a rotary table of the rig, the bottom hole assembly having a whipstock (50; Fig. 7) and a lead mill (28), the lead mill and the whipstock being connected together by a releasable operational connection (30; Fig. 7, pp[0038]), the apparatus comprising:
a support member (32; pp[0038]) removably supporting the releasable operational connection (32 maintain the clamps 30 in position until 32 are sheared; pp[0038]) between the whipstock (50) and the lead mill (28), the support member (32) having first (upper stud 32 on upper clamp 30; Fig. 7) and second mounts (lower stud 32 on lower claim 30), the first mount (upper 32) configured to releasably engage a portion of the whipstock (50; Fig. 7), the second mount (lower 32) configured to releasably engage a portion of the lead mill (28); and
a base member (18,89; Fig. 10, 13A, 13B).
Bell is silent regarding the base member being configured to be positioned at the rotary table of the rig with an end of the whipstock extending through the base member, the base member being configured to support the support member.
Instead, the base member of Bell extends through an end of the whipstock. It would not be obvious to modify Bell with all of the above features because such a modification will prevent the whipstock of Bell from operating as intended. For example, the base member of Bell comprises rods that extend through an end of the whipstock to control the movement of the deflector. Modifying the base member and whipstock of Bell as claimed above may prevent these elements from operating as intended. Furthermore, no prior art was found, alone or in combination with Bell, to teach the above features. Therefore, modifying Bell with the above limitations would be based on impermissible hindsight reasoning.
Conclusion
Prior art not relied upon but pertinent to the instant case:
Pennison et al. (U.S. Patent No. 7610965): Drawn to an apparatus with movable arms for moving flexible line at a well site.
Hayes et al. (U.S. Publication No. 20050161227): Drawn to an apparatus comprising arms with clamps to attach control lines to a tubular.

APPLICANT REBUTTAL: REMARKS IN RESPONSE TO THE OFFICE ACTIONGENERAL REMARKSClaims 1-20 are pending.DRAWINGSThe drawings are objected to because Figures 3A, 3B, 5C, 6A, 6B, 8B-11B, 13A, 13B, 14A, 15A, and 22B have solid black shading areas.Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are filed herewith. In particular, replacement sheets (4/29), (6/29), (8/29), (10/29), (11/29), (12/29), (13/29), (15/29), (16/29), (17/29), and (26/29) include corrected Figures 3A- 3B, 5C, 6A-6B, 8B-8E, 9A-9E, 10A-10B, 11A-11B, 13A-13B, 14A, 15A, and 22B.With these corrections, the Applicant requests that the objection to the drawings be reconsidered and withdrawn.CLAIM OBJECTIONSClaim 12 is objected to due to an informality.Claim 12 has been amended to read "a base member being configured to be positioned..." With this correction, the Applicant requests that the objection to claim 12 be reconsidered and withdrawn.ALLOWABLE SUBJECT MATTER1.   Claims 12-20 are allowed.2.   Claims 2-4 and 6-9 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.Independent claim 1 has been amended to include limitations consistent with allowable claim 2 so that claim 1 and those claims depending therefrom are believed to be allowable.3.   Claim 11 has not been rejected over prior art but the claim is not allowable due to the 112(a) and 112(b) rejections.Independent claim 11 has been amended to address the 112(a) and 112(b) rejections so claim 11 is believed to be allowable.CLAIM REJECTIONS - 35 USC § 112 1.   Claim  11 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA), first paragraph. The rejection indicates that there is no support for the limitation "transporting the bottom hole assembly to the rig for deployment by supporting the whipstock, the lead mill, and the releasable operational connection with the support member." Claim 11 has been amended to rearrange the limitations so that claim 11 recites "supporting the whipstock, the lead mill, and the releasable operational connection with the support member for transportation of the bottom hole assembly to the rig for deployment." This is consistent with the present specification, such as described in ¶[0074] ("The cradle 101 along with the assembled equipment can be transported together to a jobsite and can then be used by crewmembers on the rig to handle and deploy the bottom hole assembly downhole."); ¶[0121] ("For shipping, the equipment can be loaded/secured into a shipping container or the like to be transported to a rig site."); ¶[0139] ("...the process 250 may include transporting the bottom hole assembly (20) to the rig for deployment by supporting the whipstock (32), the lead mill (52), and the releasable operational connection (25) with the support member (110) (block 208)."); etc.With this clarification, the Applicant requests that the rejection of claim 11 under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA), first paragraph, be reconsidered and withdrawn.2.   Claims 10 and 11 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA), second paragraph, as being indefinite.Regarding claim 10, the rejection indicates that it is unclear how the limitation "marking relative orientation of the milling assembly and the whipstock assembly" should be interpreted. Claim 10 has been amended to recite "marking an orientation of the whipstock assembly relative to the milling assembly." With this clarification, the Applicant requests that the rejection of claim 10 under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA), second paragraph, be reconsidered and withdrawn.Regarding claim 11, the scope of the limitation "transporting the bottom hole assembly to the rig for deployment by supporting the whipstock, the lead mill, and the releasable operational connection with the support member" is unclear. As acknowledged, the disclosure discusses how the "support member" supports the whipstock, the lead mill, and the releasable operational connection for transportation.Therefore, claim 11 has been clarified to recite "supporting the whipstock, the lead mill, and the releasable operational connection with the support member for transportation of the bottom hole assembly to the rig for deployment." With this clarification, the Applicant requests that the rejection of claim 11 under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA), second paragraph, be reconsidered and withdrawn.PRIOR ART CLAIM REJECTIONSClaims 1 and 5 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Bell (US20120241144) in view of Brown-Kerr (US20210372219).Independent claim 1 has been amended to include limitations consistent with claim 2. In particular, claim 1 is directed to a method performed at a rotary table of a rig. In the method, a whipstock assembly is lifted at the rig by engaging a component of the rig on a removable portion of the whipstock assembly. The whipstock assembly has a whipstock and a lead mill connected together by a releasable operational connection. The whipstock assembly is run at least partially through the rotary table of the rig. The whipstock assembly is supported at the rotary table of the rig using an apparatus by: supporting portions of the whipstock and the lead mill with a support member of the apparatus, supporting the support member on a base member of the apparatus, and supporting the base member at the rotary table. A milling assembly is connected to the lead mill of the whipstock assembly by removing the removable portion from the whipstock assembly and threading the milling assembly to the lead mill on the whipstock assembly. The lead mill and the whipstock assembly are unsupported from the support member, and the whipstock assembly and the milling assembly are run through the rotary table.Bell in view of Brown-Kerr fails to teach or suggest a method in as complete detail and as arranged in claim 1.Bell discloses how a whipstock 50 connected to a tubular 28 can be run down to a stump 106 of an anchor 80 at a mud-line jacket structure 107 on the sea floor or mud line 102. An elongated nose 18 of the whipstock 50 has a weight-set setting ring 88 that engages the stump 106. Set down weight shifts the weight-set setting ring 88, which pushes a deflector 58 on the whipstock 50 outward. Shear studs 32 are sheared, and clamps 30 with separate to allow the tubular 28 to move down along the slide surface 40 of the whipstock 50. The deflector 58 can then help guide the tubular 28 away from the whipstock 50, such as to a new target wellbore location 112. See Bell at ¶¶[0038], [0050]-[0053] and Figs. 14-19. Brown-Kerr is simply cited for teaching a rotary table and running a whipstock assembly and a milling assembly through a rotary table. See Action at 6.Bell and Brown-Kerr at least fail to teach or suggest lifting a whipstock assembly at a rig by engaging a component of the rig on a removable portion of the whipstock assembly, as required by claim 1. Moreover, Bell and Brown-Kerr at least fail to teach or suggest, while the whipstock assembly is supported at a rotary table of the rig using an apparatus, connecting a milling assembly to a lead mill of the whipstock assembly by removing a removable portion from the whipstock assembly and threading the milling assembly to the lead mill on the whipstock assembly, as required by claim 1. Accordingly, claim 1 and those claims depending therefrom are believed to be patentable over Bell in view of Brown-Kerr.CONCLUSIONNo fees are believed to be due at this time. The undersigned representative requests any extension of time that may be deemed necessary to further the prosecution of this application. Should any fees be due for any reason, the undersigned representative authorizes the Commissioner to charge any additional fees that may be required, or credit any overpayment, to Deposit Account No.603139, referencing 230-0823US.To facilitate the resolution of any issues or questions presented by this paper, Applicants respectfully request that the Examiner directly contact the undersigned by phone to further the discussion, reconsideration, and allowance of the claims.Respectfully submitted, /Sean McDermott/ Sean McDermott Reg. No. 49,000 Submitted Electronically Via EFS Web Cabello Hall Zinda, PLLC Customer No. 90116 801 Travis St, Suite 1610 Houston, Texas 77002 Voice: 832-631-9990 Fax: 832-631-9991

NEXT OFFICE ACTION: EXAMINER'S AMENDMENT
Notice of AIA  Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Reasons for Allowance
Claims 1-20 are allowed.
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance:
Regarding claims 1, 11 and 12, see reasons for allowance in the Non-Final Rejection (05/12/2025) and the Applicant’s persuasive remarks filed on 06/16/2025.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee.  Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
Conclusion

CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref US20120241144A1: Claims:
A whipstock assembly useful for guiding a tubular member to a location proximate to an existing well bore, the whipstock assembly including an elongated body having an internal space, a longitudinal axis extending from its upper end to its lower end and an outer slide surface extending at least partially along the longitudinal axis, the outer slide surface being inclined at least partially between the upper and lower ends of the elongated body and useful to slideably engage and guide the tubular member as it moves downwardly along the elongated body, the whipstock assembly comprising; at least one cut-out formed in the elongated body proximate to the outer slide surface; and an extendable deflector disposed at least partially within the internal space of the elongated body in a retracted position and configured to be movable at least partially through said cut-out to a deployed position, wherein said extendable deflector in said deployed position protrudes at least partially out of the elongated body through said cut-out, said extendable deflector having a deflector surface, wherein when said extendable deflector is in said deployed position, said deflector surface is longitudinally aligned with the outer slide surface of the elongated body, at least partially inclined at an outwardly sloping angle that is greater than the incline angle of the outer slide surface of the elongated body and slideably engageable with the tubular member, at least one rigid biasing member engageable with said extendable deflector and configured to prevent said extendable deflector from moving back in the direction of said at least one cut-out while in said deployed position, whereby said extendable deflector in said deployed position is configured to support the tubular member while guiding it farther away from the existing well bore than the outer slide surface as the tubular member passes downwardly along the elongated body and said extendable deflector.
at least one cut-out formed in the elongated body proximate to the outer slide surface; and
an extendable deflector disposed at least partially within the internal space of the elongated body in a retracted position and configured to be movable at least partially through said cut-out to a deployed position, wherein said extendable deflector in said deployed position protrudes at least partially out of the elongated body through said cut-out,
said extendable deflector having a deflector surface, wherein when said extendable deflector is in said deployed position, said deflector surface is longitudinally aligned with the outer slide surface of the elongated body, at least partially inclined at an outwardly sloping angle that is greater than the incline angle of the outer slide surface of the elongated body and slideably engageable with the tubular member,
at least one rigid biasing member engageable with said extendable deflector and configured to prevent said extendable deflector from moving back in the direction of said at least one cut-out while in said deployed position,
whereby said extendable deflector in said deployed position is configured to support the tubular member while guiding it farther away from the existing well bore than the outer slide surface as the tubular member passes downwardly along the elongated body and said extendable deflector.
The whipstock assembly of claim 1 wherein said extendable deflector is configured to prevent the tubular member from moving out of alignment with the longitudinal axis of the elongated body when the tubular member is slideably engaged with said extendable deflector.
The whipstock assembly of claim 2 wherein said deflector surface is at least partially concave and said extendable deflector is located proximate to the lower end of the elongated body.
The whipstock assembly of claim 3 wherein said extendable deflector in said retracted position is disposed entirely within the internal space of the elongated body.
The whipstock assembly of claim 1 wherein said extendable deflector includes upper and lower ends, further including at least one hinge pin engaged between the elongated body of the whipstock and said upper end of said extendable deflector, wherein said extendable deflector is pivotable about said at least one hinge pin, further wherein said at least one biasing member and said extendable deflector are configured so that at least one said biasing member will push said lower end of said extendable deflector out of at least one said cut-out to move said extendable deflector into said deployed position.
The whipstock assembly of claim 5 wherein said at least one biasing member includes at least one rod.
The whipstock assembly of claim 1 wherein said extendable deflector includes upper and lower ends, further including at least one hinge pin engaged between the elongated body of the whipstock and said lower end of said extendable deflector, wherein said extendable deflector is pivotable about said at least one hinge pin, further wherein said at least one biasing member and said extendable deflector are configured so that at least one said biasing member will flip over said upper end of said deflector to move said extendable deflector out of at least one said cut-out into said deployed position.
The whipstock assembly of claim 7 wherein said at least one biasing member includes two rods.
The whipstock assembly of claim 1 wherein the whipstock assembly is configured to be landed in an anchor associated with the existing well bore, wherein at least one said biasing member is configured to move said extendable deflector into said deployed position upon landing the whipstock assembly in the anchor.
The whipstock assembly of claim 9 wherein the existing well bore is a subsea well bore and the anchor is a stump disposed proximate to the sea floor, the stump having an upper end, the whipstock assembly further including an elongated nose extending below the elongated body and being configured to be inserted into the stump, and at least one setting ring engaged with at least one said biasing member and slideably movable over an upper portion of said elongated nose, said setting ring being configured to land upon the upper end of the stump and cause at least one said biasing member to move said extendable deflector from said retracted position to said deployed position as said elongated nose is inserted into the stump.
an elongated nose extending below the elongated body and being configured to be inserted into the stump, and
at least one setting ring engaged with at least one said biasing member and slideably movable over an upper portion of said elongated nose, said setting ring being configured to land upon the upper end of the stump and cause at least one said biasing member to move said extendable deflector from said retracted position to said deployed position as said elongated nose is inserted into the stump.
The whipstock assembly of claim 10 wherein at least one said setting ring is weight-actuated and configured to move said extendable deflector into said deployed position due to the weight of at least one among the elongated whipstock body and the tubular member.
The whipstock assembly of claim 1 wherein said extendable deflector is at least one among hydraulically and pneumatically actuated to move from said retracted position to said deployed position.
The whipstock assembly of claim 1 wherein the tubular member is a conductor pipe, the whipstock assembly is configured to be landed in an anchor disposed at the top of the existing well bore and multiple mud-line jacket structural components are disposed proximate to the anchor, further wherein said extendable deflector and said deflector surface are shaped and sized and oriented when said extendable deflector is in said deployed position to guide the tubular member to a location that is clear of the anchor and the mud-line jacket structural components.
The whipstock assembly of claim 13 wherein said extendable deflector is configured in said retracted position to allow passage of the whipstock assembly through at least one pipe guide during deployment thereof to the existing well bore.
The whipstock assembly of claim 1 wherein the whipstock assembly is configured to be landed in a stump disposed at the top of the existing well bore and said extendable deflector and said deflector surface are shaped and sized and oriented when said extendable deflector is in said deployed position to guide the tubular member away from the center of the existing well bore a distance of up to approximately 150 percent of the diameter of the stump.
The whipstock assembly of claim 1 wherein said extendable deflector includes upper and lower ends and a cam profile proximate to said lower end thereof, and further wherein at least one said biasing member includes at least one rod having a cam profile engageable with said cam profile of said deflector.
Apparatus useful for guiding a conductor pipe away from mud-line jacket structural components that are associated with an existing well bore at an offshore hydrocarbon drilling site and located proximate to the stump of the existing well bore at or near the mud-line, the apparatus comprising: an elongated whipstock body; a deflector initially disposed within said elongated whipstock body and moveable to a deployed position, wherein said deflector in said deployed position protrudes at least partially out of said elongated whipstock body; and at least one non-spring acting biasing member engageable with said deflector and configured to prevent said deflector in said deployed position from moving back in the direction of said elongated whipstock body, whereby said deflector in said deployed position is configured to support the weight of the conductor pipe while guiding it away from the mud-line jacket structural components.
an elongated whipstock body;
a deflector initially disposed within said elongated whipstock body and moveable to a deployed position, wherein said deflector in said deployed position protrudes at least partially out of said elongated whipstock body; and
at least one non-spring acting biasing member engageable with said deflector and configured to prevent said deflector in said deployed position from moving back in the direction of said elongated whipstock body,
whereby said deflector in said deployed position is configured to support the weight of the conductor pipe while guiding it away from the mud-line jacket structural components.
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said elongated whipstock body includes upper and lower ends and an outer slide surface extending at least partially therebetween, said outer slide surface being inclined at least partially between said upper and lower ends of said elongated whipstock body and useful to slideably engage and guide the conductor pipe as it moves downwardly along the said elongated whipstock body, wherein said deflector includes a deflector surface, wherein when said deflector is in said deployed position, said deflector surface is aligned with said outer slide surface of said elongated whipstock body, at least partially inclined at an outwardly sloping angle that is greater than the incline angle of said outer slide surface and slideably engageable with the conductor pipe.
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said deflector includes an upper end and a lower end and is pivotably connected with said elongated whipstock body, further wherein said at least one biasing member includes at least one rod.
The apparatus of claim 17 further including an elongated nose extending below the elongated whipstock body and being configured to be inserted into the stump and at least one setting ring engaged with at least one said biasing member and slideably movable over an upper portion of said elongated nose, said setting ring being configured to land upon the upper end of the stump and cause at least one said biasing member to move said deflector into said deployed position as said elongated nose is inserted into the stump.
Ref US20210372219A1: Claims:
A whipstock assembly for use in deviating a wellbore of a well, the whipstock assembly comprising: a whipstock having an inclined deflection surface; a milling assembly comprising a mill for milling a window in a wall of the wellbore and forming a rathole extending from the wellbore; a releasable joint by which the milling assembly is releasably connected to the whipstock, so that the milling assembly can be separated from the whipstock within the wellbore and subsequently deflected towards the wellbore wall by the deflection surface of the whipstock; at least one sensor provided in the milling assembly, for measuring at least one parameter of the rathole, the at least one parameter relating to a trajectory of the rathole; and a communication device associated with the at least one sensor, for communicating data relating to the at least one parameter to an operator of the milling assembly.
a whipstock having an inclined deflection surface;
a milling assembly comprising a mill for milling a window in a wall of the wellbore and forming a rathole extending from the wellbore;
a releasable joint by which the milling assembly is releasably connected to the whipstock, so that the milling assembly can be separated from the whipstock within the wellbore and subsequently deflected towards the wellbore wall by the deflection surface of the whipstock;
at least one sensor provided in the milling assembly, for measuring at least one parameter of the rathole, the at least one parameter relating to a trajectory of the rathole; and
a communication device associated with the at least one sensor, for communicating data relating to the at least one parameter to an operator of the milling assembly.
A whipstock assembly as claimed in claim 1 , in which the at least one sensor is selected from the group comprising: an inclination monitoring sensor for monitoring an inclination of the rathole; and an azimuth monitoring sensor for monitoring an azimuth of the rathole.
A whipstock assembly as claimed in claim 1 , in which at least one sensor is provided which is for monitoring a milling parameter.
A whipstock assembly as claimed in claim 3 , in which the at least one sensor is selected from the group comprising: a vibration monitoring sensor; a shock monitoring sensor; and a sensor for measuring one or more of rotation, torque and weight of or on the mill.
A whipstock assembly as claimed in claim 1 , in which at least one sensor is provided which is for measuring at least one formation parameter, the parameter selected from the group comprising gamma ray/radiation, porosity and density.
A whipstock assembly as claimed in claim 1 , comprising a mounting unit containing the at least one sensor and the communication device, the mounting unit being releasably mountable to a component of the milling assembly.
A whipstock assembly as claimed in claim 6 , in which the mounting unit comprises a housing containing the at least one sensor and the communication device, the housing being releasably mountable to the milling assembly component.
A whipstock assembly as claimed in claim 7 , in which the housing comprises a housing body containing the at least one sensor and the communication device, and a housing cap which is sealingly mountable to the housing body.
A whipstock assembly as claimed in claim 1 , in which the releasable joint comprises a first part mounted to the milling assembly and a second part mounted to the whipstock.
A whipstock assembly as claimed in claim 9 , in which the releasable joint is a shear bolt, one of the first and second parts being a bolt portion, and the other one of the first and second parts being a head portion, a shear zone being provided on the head portion which, on shearing, separates the joint into a first section comprising a part of the head portion and a second section comprising a further part of the head portion and the bolt portion.
A whipstock assembly as claimed in claim 1 , in which the at least one sensor and the communication device are mounted within the releasable joint.
A whipstock assembly as claimed in claim 11 , in which the releasable joint comprises a first part mounted to the milling assembly and a second part mounted to the whipstock, and in which the at least one sensor and the communication device are mounted within the first part of the releasable joint.
A whipstock assembly as claimed in claim 12 , comprising a mounting unit containing the at least one sensor and the communication device, the mounting unit being releasably mountable within the first part of the releasable joint.
A whipstock assembly as claimed in claim 1 , in which the at least one sensor and the communication device are mounted within the mill.
A whipstock assembly as claimed in claim 14 , comprising a mounting unit containing the at least one sensor and the communication device, the mounting unit being releasably mountable within the mill.
A whipstock assembly as claimed in claim 14 , in which: the mill is a starter mill provided at a leading end of the milling assembly; the milling assembly comprises at least one window mill which is spaced along the assembly from the leading end; and at least one sensor and communication device are mounted within each of the starter mill and the at least one window mill.
the mill is a starter mill provided at a leading end of the milling assembly;
the milling assembly comprises at least one window mill which is spaced along the assembly from the leading end; and
at least one sensor and communication device are mounted within each of the starter mill and the at least one window mill.
A whipstock assembly as claimed in claim 1 , in which the milling assembly comprises at least one stabiliser, and in which the at least one sensor and the communication device are mounted within the stabiliser.
A whipstock assembly as claimed in claim 17 , comprising a mounting unit containing the at least one sensor and the communication device, the mounting unit being releasably mountable within the stabiliser.
A whipstock assembly as claimed in claim 17 , in which the milling assembly comprises a plurality of stabilisers, and in which at least one sensor and communication device are mounted within each stabiliser.
A whipstock assembly as claimed in claim 1 , comprising a source of power for providing power to operate the at least one sensor and the communication device, in which the power source is provided in the milling assembly.
A whipstock assembly as claimed in claim 20 , comprising a mounting unit comprising a housing containing the at least one sensor and the communication device, the housing being releasably mountable to the milling assembly, and in which the housing contains the power source.
A whipstock assembly as claimed in claim 1 , comprising a data storage device associated with the sensor for storing the data, the data storage device being provided in the milling assembly.
A whipstock assembly as claimed in claim 22 , comprising a mounting unit comprising a housing containing the at least one sensor and the communication device, the housing being releasably mountable to the milling assembly, the housing containing the data storage device.
A whipstock assembly as claimed in claim 22 , in which the communication device comprises a communication interface associated with the data storage device, for receiving the data.
A whipstock assembly as claimed in claim 24 , in which the communication device comprises a data transmitter for transmitting data to the operator, the data transmitter being associated with the communication interface for receiving data from the data storage device.
A whipstock assembly as claimed in claim 24 , in which the communication interface is adapted to be connected to a further data interface so that the data can be downloaded.
A releasable joint for releasably connecting a milling asse
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