Patents by Inventor Christopher C. Hoelscher

Christopher C. Hoelscher has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20200284125
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an perforating device for use within a wellbore. The perforating device comprises a center member having a length, an expansion tool positioned about the center member along at least a portion of the length, and a plurality of perforating guns positioned about the expansion tool, each of the plurality of perforating guns configured to carry one or more explosive shaped charges. The expansion tool is configured to move the plurality of perforating guns radially outward toward a wellbore target of a wellbore it is configured to be positioned within.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Richard Ellis Robey, Christopher C. Hoelscher, James Wight, Joseph Todd MacGillivray
  • Publication number: 20200208485
    Abstract: Provided is a shaped charge for use in a radial cutter. The shaped charge, in one example, includes a circular charge formed into a predetermined shape, the predetermined shape selected to form a concave edge. The circular charge, in this example, is formed from a Triaminotrinitrobenzene based material. The shaped charge, in this example, additionally includes a liner shaped to extend along the concave edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher C. Hoelscher, Jason Paul Metzger
  • Patent number: 10633955
    Abstract: A well screen for use in a subterranean well can include a filter with a nano-particle reinforcement. A method of constructing a well screen can include treating a filter with a nano-particle reinforcement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher C. Hoelscher, Aaron J. Bonner
  • Publication number: 20200088013
    Abstract: An apparatus and method according to which a perforating gun includes a volume fill body. The volume fill body is positioned in the space between a charge tube and a carrier tube. The fill body occupies at least part, and sometimes all, of the free volume space between the charge tube and carrier tube thereby reducing the free volume space. In certain downhole applications, large free volume space can lead to significant reductions in wellbore pressure, causing dynamic underbalance, which is undesirable. The presence of the volume fill body prevents, or at least reduces, dynamic underbalance and its effects. Also, the volume fill body aligns the charge tube with the carrier tube, further assisting perforation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Brenden Michael Grove, Richard Ellis Robey, Christopher C. Hoelscher
  • Patent number: 10415353
    Abstract: A perforating gun apparatus for use in a wellbore comprising at least one explosive component and a disintegration-resistant porous material. The disintegration-resistant porous material minimizes fluid shock propagation from a perforated reservoir resulting from the inrush of fluid and debris. A system and method of minimizing fluid shock propagation effects in a perforating gun apparatus using a disintegration-resistant porous material to attenuate fluid pressure waves during a perforation operation in a subterranean well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Richard Ellis Robey, Allan Zhong, Wesley Neil Ludwig, Christopher C. Hoelscher
  • Publication number: 20190271214
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a first cluster of perforator guns positioned circumferentially around a central longitudinal axis at a first axial position. The apparatus includes a second cluster of perforator guns positioned circumferentially around the central longitudinal axis at a second axial position. The first and second clusters are configured in a closed position while the apparatus is being lowered to a perforator position in a wellbore. After the apparatus is lowered to the perforator position, the first and second clusters are to move to an expanded position and the first cluster is to move axially such that the first cluster and the second cluster at least partially overlap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Inventors: Richard Ellis Robey, Christopher C. Hoelscher
  • Patent number: 10329885
    Abstract: A perforating apparatus incorporating a selective self-sealing material is disclosed for sealing exit holes in a wall of the apparatus resulting from perforation operations. The perforating apparatus traps debris produced during downhole perforation operations and prevents the debris from entering the wellbore which avoids the need for remedial operations to remove debris from the wellbore. The self-sealing material may be disposed within the perforating apparatus adjacent to an interior surface of the wall or the self-sealing material may be disposed outside the perforating apparatus adjacent to an exterior surface of the wall. The self-sealing material may include an expandable polymer material, a swelling elastomer, a rubber and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffery Richard Acker, Christopher C. Hoelscher
  • Patent number: 10151180
    Abstract: A low-debris low-interference semi-solid well perforator having selectively variable free volume and method for providing such is disclosed according to one or more embodiments. The perforator may include a charge tube holding an independently floating axial stack of selectively variable divider segments, each having one or more concavities formed in upper and lower sides. The segments are arranged so that concavities of adjacent segments form sockets, into which shaped charges are located. The segments provide support to minimize deformation of shaped charge cases yet provide less than 360 degrees circumferential contact about the shaped charges to form selectively variable voids for collecting debris and spall resulting from detonation. The voids and floating segments attenuate detonation shock interference. A debris guard prevents debris from entering the wellbore. Relieving slots in the debris guard attenuates transmission of shock interference through the debris guard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Richard E. Robey, Christopher C. Hoelscher
  • Patent number: 10060234
    Abstract: A low-debris low-interference semi-solid well perforator having selectively variable free volume and method for providing such is disclosed according to one or more embodiments. The perforator may include a charge tube holding an independently floating axial stack of selectively variable divider segments, each having one or more concavities formed in upper and lower sides. The segments are arranged so that concavities of adjacent segments form sockets, into which shaped charges are located. The segments provide support to minimize deformation of shaped charge cases yet provide less than 360 degrees circumferential contact about the shaped charges to form selectively variable voids for collecting debris and spall resulting from detonation. The voids and floating segments attenuate detonation shock interference. A debris guard prevents debris from entering the wellbore. Relieving slots in the debris guard attenuates transmission of shock interference through the debris guard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Richard E. Robey, Christopher C. Hoelscher
  • Publication number: 20180195372
    Abstract: A perforating gun apparatus for use in a wellbore comprising at least one explosive component and a disintegration-resistant porous material. The disintegration-resistant porous material minimizes fluid shock propagation from a perforated reservoir resulting from the inrush of fluid and debris. A system and method of minimizing fluid shock propagation effects in a perforating gun apparatus using a disintegration-resistant porous material to attenuate fluid pressure waves during a perforation operation in a subterranean well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Richard Ellis ROBEY, Allan ZHONG, Wesley Neil LUDWIG, Christopher C. HOELSCHER
  • Publication number: 20170191354
    Abstract: A perforating apparatus incorporating a selective self-sealing material is disclosed for sealing exit holes in a wall of the apparatus resulting from perforation operations. The perforating apparatus traps debris produced during downhole perforation operations and prevents the debris from entering the wellbore which avoids the need for remedial operations to remove debris from the wellbore. The self-sealing material may be disposed within the perforating apparatus adjacent to an interior surface of the wall or the self-sealing material may be disposed outside the perforating apparatus adjacent to an exterior surface of the wall. The self-sealing material may include an expandable polymer material, a swelling elastomer, a rubber and combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffery Richard ACKER, Christopher C. HOELSCHER
  • Publication number: 20170145798
    Abstract: A low-debris low-interference semi-solid well perforator having selectively variable free volume and method for providing such is disclosed according to one or more embodiments. The perforator may include a charge tube holding an independently floating axial stack of selectively variable divider segments, each having one or more concavities formed in upper and lower sides. The segments are arranged so that concavities of adjacent segments form sockets, into which shaped charges are located. The segments provide support to minimize deformation of shaped charge cases yet provide less than 360 degrees circumferential contact about the shaped charges to form selectively variable voids for collecting debris and spall resulting from detonation. The voids and floating segments attenuate detonation shock interference. A debris guard prevents debris from entering the wellbore. Relieving slots in the debris guard attenuates transmission of shock interference through the debris guard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Richard E. Robey, Christopher C. Hoelscher
  • Publication number: 20150129199
    Abstract: A well screen for use in a subterranean well can include a filter with a nano-particle reinforcement. A method of constructing a well screen can include treating a filter with a nano-particle reinforcement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Christopher C. Hoelscher, Aaron J. Bonner