Patents by Inventor Larry Grigar
Larry Grigar 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).
-
Patent number: 8186425Abstract: A downhole propellant gas generator includes a propellant assembly that comprises a plurality of individual lengths of an energetic material packed in a selected configuration and at least one initiator. A method for creating a pressure pulse includes igniting an initiator, wherein the one or more initiators are packed with a plurality of individual lengths of an energetic material in a propellant assembly; igniting the plurality of individual lengths of the energetic material subsequent to the igniting of the one or more initiators. A method for stimulating a well includes disposing in the well a propellant gas generator having a propellant assembly that comprises a plurality of individual lengths of an energetic material, and at least one initiator packed among the plurality of individual lengths of the energetic material; igniting the at least one initiator, which in turn ignites the plurality of individual lengths of the energetic material.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2009Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Moises Enrique Smart, Larry Grigar
-
Patent number: 8118098Abstract: A technique is provided to facilitate fluid flow and pressure control in a well with an interventionless flow valve system. The valve system is coupled to a well component string deployed downhole in a wellbore. The valve system controls flow and pressure between an interior and exterior of the string and comprises a valve controlled by an activation device. The activation device is responsive to a unique pressure and time signal transmitted downhole.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2006Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Joe C. Hromas, Larry Grigar
-
Publication number: 20110073325Abstract: A downhole oilwell toolstring having an adapter having a male threaded portion, a longitudinally extending tubular female housing having a female threaded portion on an inner surface of the housing, a first end located proximate to the female threaded portion, a second end located distal to the female threaded portion, and a recessed groove extending around the circumference of the interior surface of the female housing at a location between the first end the female threaded portion. The adapter has a first end that is distal from the threaded portion and a second end that is proximate to the threaded portion, and a recessed groove extending around the outer circumference of the adapter at a location between the threaded portion and the first end of the adapter. The female housing is connected with the male adapter by way of the female threaded portion and the male threaded portion engaging one another. A ring is located in the recessed groove in the adapter and the recessed groove in the female housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2009Publication date: March 31, 2011Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Steven Henderson, Larry Grigar, Tommie Dunn, Kerry Hamilton, Rebecca A. Santiago
-
Publication number: 20090223668Abstract: A downhole propellant gas generator includes a propellant assembly that comprises a plurality of individual lengths of an energetic material packed in a selected configuration and at least one initiator. A method for creating a pressure pulse includes igniting an initiator, wherein the one or more initiators are packed with a plurality of individual lengths of an energetic material in a propellant assembly; igniting the plurality of individual lengths of the energetic material subsequent to the igniting of the one or more initiators. A method for stimulating a well includes disposing in the well a propellant gas generator having a propellant assembly that comprises a plurality of individual lengths of an energetic material, and at least one initiator packed among the plurality of individual lengths of the energetic material; igniting the at least one initiator, which in turn ignites the plurality of individual lengths of the energetic material.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2009Publication date: September 10, 2009Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Moises Enrique Smart, Larry Grigar
-
Publication number: 20090151589Abstract: A method of dampening stress waves propagated from the detonation of an explosive device in a wellbore to protect a device positioned downhole including the steps of positioning a shock dissipater between an explosive device and a package; detonating the explosive device propagating a stress wave toward the shock dissipater and the package; and reflecting a portion of the stress wave in the shock dissipater. The shock dissipater may have one or more interface formed between materials of dissimilar acoustic impedances. The shock dissipater may reflect a compressive portion of the stress wave at one interface and a tensile portion of the stress wave at another interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2007Publication date: June 18, 2009Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Steven W. Henderson, Larry Grigar
-
Patent number: 7493958Abstract: A technique that is usable with a well includes running a production string into the well so that the production string extends through a first isolated zone of the well and at least into a second isolated zone that is located farther into the well than the first isolated zone. The production string includes integrated perforating charges. The technique also includes firing the perforating charges inside the first zone; and after the firing, maintaining fluid isolation between the first isolated zone and a passageway of the production string. The passageway communicates well fluid from the second isolated zone.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2005Date of Patent: February 24, 2009Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Joe C. Hromas, Larry Grigar
-
Patent number: 7487833Abstract: Safety apparatus is disclosed for providing ballistic train interruption in a perforating system. The safety apparatus comprises a generally tubular shaped housing having first and second ends which are fabricated to permit the housing to be positioned at any location in the perforating system. The apparatus comprises first and second ballistic sections in the housing and a third ballistic section which is rotatably mounted in the housing to move between a disarmed position and an armed position based on downhole pressure. Upon retrieval of the perforating system from the wellbore, the safety apparatus functions to return a third ballistic section to its disarmed position. Additionally, apparatus is provided to permanently disable the third ballistic section to insure that no inadvertent detonation of the guns occurs when retrieving the system from a wellbore.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2006Date of Patent: February 10, 2009Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Larry Grigar, Joe C. Hromas
-
Patent number: 7353871Abstract: A release tool adapted to be connected between a perforating gun and a tubing for releasing the perforating gun from the tubing after detonation of the perforating gun, the tool including a housing in connection with the tubing, the housing having an axial bore; an axially shiftable member in connection between the housing and a perforating gun; a seal member positioned in the axial bore of the housing, the axially shiftable member positioned through the seal member; a frangible member maintaining the axially shiftable member in connection between the housing and the perforating gun until the frangible member is shatter disconnecting the shiftable member; and a mechanism for equalizing the pressure across the seal member after the axially shiftable member is disconnected allowing the perforating gun to separate from the housing.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2005Date of Patent: April 8, 2008Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Joe C. Hromas, Larry Grigar
-
Publication number: 20070272410Abstract: A technique is provided to facilitate fluid flow and pressure control in a well with an interventionless flow valve system. The valve system is coupled to a well component string deployed downhole in a wellbore. The valve system controls flow and pressure between an interior and exterior of the string and comprises a valve controlled by an activation device. The activation device is responsive to a unique pressure and time signal transmitted downhole.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2006Publication date: November 29, 2007Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Joe C. Hromas, Larry Grigar
-
Publication number: 20070267195Abstract: Safety apparatus is disclosed for providing ballistic train interruption in a perforating system. The safety apparatus comprises a generally tubular shaped housing having first and second ends which are fabricated to permit the housing to be positioned at any location in the perforating system. The apparatus comprises first and second ballistic sections in the housing and a third ballistic section which is rotatably mounted in the housing to move between a disarmed position and an armed position based on downhole pressure. Upon retrieval of the perforating system from the wellbore, the safety apparatus functions to return a third ballistic section to its disarmed position. Additionally, apparatus is provided to permanently disable the third ballistic section to insure that no inadvertent detonation of the guns occurs when retrieving the system from a wellbore.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2006Publication date: November 22, 2007Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Larry Grigar, Joe Hromas
-
Patent number: 7278484Abstract: A technique to install a tool in a well includes running the tool into the well and fixing the tool to the well with a fixing agent without pumping the fixing agent through a central passageway of the tool. The tool may be a perforating gun that includes a casing body that includes a longitudinal axis. The perforating gun may also include a fin and a perforating charge. The fin radially extends from the casing body, and the perforating charge is attached to the fin and is oriented to generate a perforation jet in a radial direction away from the longitudinal axis of the casing body.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2006Date of Patent: October 9, 2007Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Mark Vella, Joe C. Hromas, Bennie Gill, Larry Grigar, Steven W. Henderson
-
Publication number: 20070044964Abstract: A system that is usable with a well includes tubular body, at least one perforating charge that is disposed on the tubular body and at least one screen section that is disposed on the tubular body. The perforating charge(s) and the screen sectional(s) are adapted to be run downhole in a single trip into the well with the tubular body.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2005Publication date: March 1, 2007Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Larry Grigar, Joe Hromas
-
Publication number: 20070034375Abstract: A technique to install a tool in a well includes running the tool into the well and fixing the tool to the well with a fixing agent without pumping the fixing agent through a central passageway of the tool. The tool may be a perforating gun that includes a casing body that includes a longitudinal axis. The perforating gun may also include a fin and a perforating charge. The fin radially extends from the casing body, and the perforating charge is attached to the fin and is oriented to generate a perforation jet in a radial direction away from the longitudinal axis of the casing body.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2006Publication date: February 15, 2007Applicant: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Mark Vella, Joe Hromas, Bennie Gill, Larry Grigar, Steven Henderson
-
Patent number: 7152676Abstract: A technique to install a tool in a well includes running the tool into the well and fixing the tool to the well with a fixing agent without pumping the fixing agent through a central passageway of the tool. The tool may be a perforating gun that includes a casing body that includes a longitudinal axis. The perforating gun may also include a fin and a perforating charge. The fin radially extends from the casing body, and the perforating charge is attached to the fin and is oriented to generate a perforation jet in a radial direction away from the longitudinal axis of the casing body.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2003Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Mark Vella, Joe C. Hromas, Bennie Gill, Larry Grigar, Steven W. Henderson
-
Publication number: 20060048940Abstract: A release tool and method of use for releasing tools (such as perforating guns) from tool strings (such as perforating strings) after use in well bore operations. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2005Publication date: March 9, 2006Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Joe Hromas, Larry Grigar
-
Publication number: 20050178554Abstract: A technique that is usable with a well includes running a production string into the well so that the production string extends through a first isolated zone of the well and at least into a second isolated zone that is located farther into the well than the first isolated zone. The production string includes integrated perforating charges. The technique also includes firing the perforating charges inside the first zone; and after the firing, maintaining fluid isolation between the first isolated zone and a passageway of the production string. The passageway communicates well fluid from the second isolated zone.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2005Publication date: August 18, 2005Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Joe Hromas, Larry Grigar
-
Publication number: 20050109508Abstract: A technique to install a tool in a well includes running the tool into the well and fixing the tool to the well with a fixing agent without pumping the fixing agent through a central passageway of the tool. The tool may be a perforating gun that includes a casing body that includes a longitudinal axis. The perforating gun may also include a fin and a perforating charge. The fin radially extends from the casing body, and the perforating charge is attached to the fin and is oriented to generate a perforation jet in a radial direction away from the longitudinal axis of the casing body.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2003Publication date: May 26, 2005Inventors: Mark Vella, Joe Hromas, Bennie Gill, Larry Grigar, Steven Henderson