Patents by Inventor Lawrence A. Behrmann

Lawrence A. Behrmann 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: 20110132608
    Abstract: A downhole tool assembly for use in a wellbore includes a tubular body carrying an explosive which is selectively detonated to create a dynamic underbalance or overbalance effect in the wellbore. The tubular body has opposite ends provided with plug assemblies including plug elements movable between a normally collapsed state and an actuable expanded state. The plug elements are adapted to be actuated to the expanded state between the tubular body and an outer extent of the wellbore before the creation of the dynamic underbalance or overbalance effect to isolate a discrete segment of the wellbore to which the dynamic underbalance or overbalance effect is confined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Adil Mahallab Al Busaidy, Karim Al Sayed, Fokko H. C. Doornbosch, Carlos E. Baumann, Lawrence A. Behrmann, Harvey Williams, Andrew J. Martin
  • Publication number: 20110094406
    Abstract: A shaped charge includes a charge case; a liner; an explosive retained between the charge case and the liner; and a primer core disposed in a hole in the charge case and in contact with the explosive, wherein at least one of the case, the liner, the primer core, and the explosive comprising a material soluble in a selected fluid. A perforation system includes a perforation gun, comprising a gun housing that includes a safety valve or a firing valve, wherein the safety valve or the firing valve comprises a material soluble in a selected fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Manuel P. Marya, Wenbo Yang, Lawrence A. Behrmann, Steven W. Henderson, Robert Ference
  • Patent number: 7909115
    Abstract: A shaped charge includes: a charge case; an explosive disposed inside the charge case; and a liner for retaining the explosive in the charge case, wherein the liner is fabricated from a material soluble with a selected dissolving fluid (e.g., an acid, an acid matrix, an injection fluid, a completion fluid, and/or a wellbore fluid). A method for perforating in a well includes the steps of: disposing a perforating gun in the well, wherein the perforating gun comprises a shaped charge having a charge case, an explosive disposed inside the charge case, and a liner for retaining the explosive in the charge case, wherein the liner is fabricated from a material soluble with a selected dissolving fluid; detonating the shaped charge to form a perforation tunnel in a formation zone; and exposing the material comprising the liner to the selected dissolving fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Brenden Grove, Ian Walton, Lawrence A. Behrmann
  • Publication number: 20110056362
    Abstract: A shaped charge includes a cup-shaped casing defining an interior volume; a liner located within the interior volume; an explosive disposed between the liner and the casing; and a reactive material disposed between the liner and the casing. A method for generating a dynamic overbalance inside a wellbore includes disposing a perforation gun in the wellbore; and detonating a shaped charge in the perforation gun, wherein the shaped charge includes a cup-shaped casing defining an interior volume, a liner located within the interior volume, an explosive disposed between the liner and the casing, and a reactive material disposed between the liner and the casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wenbo Yang, Lawrence A. Behrmann
  • Patent number: 7896077
    Abstract: A transient overbalance condition is created in a wellbore interval such that a pressure of the wellbore interval is greater than a reservoir pressure in surrounding formation. Creating the transient overbalance condition causes a near-wellbore region of the formation to increase in pressure. The pressure in the wellbore interval is reduced at a rate that produces a relative underbalance condition in which the pressure in the wellbore interval is less than the pressure of the near-wellbore region of the formation, but the pressure in the wellbore interval is greater than the reservoir pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Behrmann, Brenden M. Grove, Raymond J. Tibbles, Jeremy Harvey
  • Publication number: 20110042089
    Abstract: An underbalanced perforating system is disclosed for use in openhole completions to maximize the wellbore and matrix cleanup efficiency, to connect natural fracture patterns, and/or to enable application of new drilling fluid technology in difficult subsurface environments. The perforating system can be used for any hydrocarbon bearing formations with any lithology.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Frank F. Chang, Lawrence A. Behrmann, Ian C. Walton, Keng Seng Chan
  • Publication number: 20100319520
    Abstract: A perforating device has an elongated tubular housing and a loading device supporting a plurality of shaped charges. The loading device and the shaped charges are located inside the housing. A volume reduction device is adapted to fit within the loading device and to conform to the profile of the shaped charges thereby filling open volume in the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Harvey Williams, Lawrence A. Behrmann, Jerry D. Campbell, Ronald Lutz
  • Patent number: 7845410
    Abstract: An underbalanced perforating system is disclosed for use in openhole completions to maximize the wellbore and matrix cleanup efficiency, to connect natural fracture patterns, and/or to enable application of new drilling fluid technology in difficult subsurface environments. The perforating system can be used for any hydrocarbon bearing formations with any lithology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Frank F. Chang, Lawrence A. Behrmann, Ian C. Walton, Keng Seng Chan
  • Publication number: 20100269676
    Abstract: Wellbore perforating devices are disclosed. In one example, a wellbore perforating device includes a plurality of shaped charges and a holder that holds the plurality of shaped charges so that upon detonation the charges intersect a common plane extending transversely to the holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Behrmann, Francois Black
  • Patent number: 7775279
    Abstract: An apparatus that is usable with a well includes a perforating system that is adapted to be fired downhole in the well. The perforating system includes a component, which includes an alloy that has a negative corrosion potential and is unable to passivate, or self-protect, while deployed in the well. The component is adapted to disintegrate to form substantially no debris in response to the firing of the perforating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Manuel Marya, Wenbo Yang, Lawrence A. Behrmann, Steven W. Henderson, Robert Ference, Brindesh Dhruva
  • Publication number: 20100169019
    Abstract: Methods for estimating an unknown value for a dynamic under-balance condition are herein disclosed. The unknown value may be a well property value, or may be a transient pressure characteristic. Embodiments of the method include selecting at least one transient pressure characteristic and selecting at least one well property value. A correlation between the at least one transient pressure characteristic and at least one well property value is obtained. The unknown value is estimated by applying at least one known transient pressure characteristic or at least one known well property value to the obtained correlation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lang Zhan, Jeremy P. Harvey, Brenden M. Grove, Harvey A. R. Williams, Lawrence A. Behrmann
  • Publication number: 20100163238
    Abstract: A perforating system having a perforating gun with a tubular gun housing defining an inner volume and extending in an axial direction. A shaped charge is held in a loading tube. The loading tube is located in the gun housing. The loading tube extends along the axial direction. The shaped charge faces in a firing direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction. A portion of the gun housing adjacent to the shaped charge in the firing direction is a perforating portion for removal upon firing of the shaped charge. An eccentralizer member extends from the perforating gun in a second direction that is substantially opposite and parallel with the firing direction. A first retainer part extends from an outer surface of the gun housing adjacent to the perforating portion. A second retainer part extends from the outside of the gun housing adjacent to the perforating portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lang Zhan, Jean-Luc Lafontan, Harvey Williams, Jeremy P. Harvey, Brenden Grove, Lawrence A. Behrmann
  • Publication number: 20100044044
    Abstract: A method of perforating a well includes selecting a desired transient underbalanced condition, configuring a perforating gun string to achieve the transient underbalanced condition, deploying the perforating gun is a wellbore, and firing the perforating to achieve the transient underbalanced condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ashley B. Johnson, Lawrence A. Behrmann, Wenbo Yang, Fokko Harm Cornelis Doornbosch, Ian C. Walton
  • Patent number: 7640986
    Abstract: A perforating gun has a gun carrier extending in a longitudinal direction and a loading tube located within the gun carrier. The loading tube extends in the longitudinal direction and a shape charge is supported by the loading tube. The shape charge has a casing, an explosive, and a liner, the casing opening in a first direction and having a centerline extending in the first direction, the first direction being essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. A liquid implant is located adjacent to the shape charge in the first direction and intersecting the centerline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Behrmann, Brenden M. Grove
  • Publication number: 20090151948
    Abstract: A perforating gun, having a gun carrier extending in a longitudinal direction; a loading tube located within the gun carrier, the loading tube extending in the longitudinal direction; a shape charge being supported by the loading tube, the shape charge having a casing, an explosive, and a liner, the casing opening in a first direction and having a centerline extending in the first direction, the first direction being essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction; and a liquid implant, the liquid implant being located adjacent to the shape charge in the first direction and intersecting the centerline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Behrmann, Brenden M. Grove
  • Publication number: 20090151949
    Abstract: An apparatus that is usable with a well includes a perforating system that is adapted to be fired downhole in the well. The perforating system includes a component, which includes an alloy that has a negative corrosion potential and is unable to passivate, or self-protect, while deployed in the well. The component is adapted to disintegrate to form substantially no debris in response to the firing of the perforating system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Manuel Marya, Wenbo Yang, Lawrence A. Behrmann, Steven W. Henderson, Robert Ference, Brindesh Dhruva
  • Publication number: 20090114382
    Abstract: A shaped charge includes: a charge case; an explosive disposed inside the charge case; and a liner for retaining the explosive in the charge case, wherein the liner is fabricated from a material soluble with a selected dissolving fluid (e.g., an acid, an acid matrix, an injection fluid, a completion fluid, and/or a wellbore fluid). A method for perforating in a well includes the steps of: disposing a perforating gun in the well, wherein the perforating gun comprises a shaped charge having a charge case, an explosive disposed inside the charge case, and a liner for retaining the explosive in the charge case, wherein the liner is fabricated from a material soluble with a selected dissolving fluid; detonating the shaped charge to form a perforation tunnel in a formation zone; and exposing the material comprising the liner to the selected dissolving fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brenden Grove, Ian Walton, Lawrence A. Behrmann
  • Publication number: 20090084552
    Abstract: A transient overbalance condition is created in a wellbore interval such that a pressure of the wellbore interval is greater than a reservoir pressure in surrounding formation. Creating the transient overbalance condition causes a near-wellbore region of the formation to increase in pressure. The pressure in the wellbore interval is reduced at a rate that produces a relative underbalance condition in which the pressure in the wellbore interval is less than the pressure of the near-wellbore region of the formation, but the pressure in the wellbore interval is greater than the reservoir pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Behrmann, Brenden M. Grove, Raymond J. Tibbles, Jeremy Harvey
  • Publication number: 20090078420
    Abstract: A perforator charge includes a case formed of a material blend that includes a reactive material that is activated during explosive detonation of the perforator charge. An explosive and a liner are contained in the case, with the liner to collapse in response to detonation of the explosive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard T. Caminari, Lawrence A. Behrmann
  • Publication number: 20090078144
    Abstract: A liner for a shaped charge is disclosed which comprises a plurality of portions, where at least one portion is composed of powder materials. In one embodiment, the liner comprises two portions that are composed of different powder materials, while alternative embodiments of the liner comprise three portions or four portions. When the shaped charge is used in a perforating gun, reactive powder materials may be added to the plurality of portions of the liner to optimize the penetration or the enhancement of the perforating tunnel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Behrmann, Wenbo Yang