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: 20090032258
    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: October 15, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Frank F. Chang, Lawrence A. Behrmann, Ian C. Walton, Keng Seng Chan
  • Patent number: 7451819
    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: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Frank F. Chang, Lawrence A. Behrmann, Ian C. Walton, Keng Seng Chan
  • Patent number: 7428921
    Abstract: A well treatment system of the present invention includes a housing forming a sealed surge chamber, and a surge charge disposed within the sealed surge chamber, wherein the surge charge is adapted upon activation to penetrate the housing and to not penetrate material exterior of the housing. Fluid communication is created between the surge chamber and the wellbore when the housing is penetrated by the surge charge. The penetration permits wellbore fluid to flow quickly into the surge chamber. Fluid flow into the surge chamber may enhance a surge of flow from the formation into the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Brenden M. Grove, Mark C. Duhon, Lawrence A. Behrmann, Claude D. Jones
  • Patent number: 7287589
    Abstract: A well treatment system of the present invention includes a housing forming a sealed surge chamber, and a surge charge disposed within the sealed surge chamber, wherein the surge charge is adapted upon activation to penetrate the housing and to not penetrate material exterior of the housing. Fluid communication is created between the surge chamber and the wellbore when the housing is penetrated by the surge charge. The penetration permits wellbore fluid to flow quickly into the surge chamber. Fluid flow into the surge chamber may enhance a surge of flow from the formation into the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Brenden M. Grove, Mark C. Duhon, Lawrence A. Behrmann, Claude D. Jones
  • Patent number: 7284612
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in a wellbore includes running a tool string to an interval of the wellbore, and activating a first component in the tool string to create a transient underbalance pressure condition in the wellbore interval. Additionally, a second component in the tool string is activated to create a transient overbalance pressure condition in the wellbore interval, or vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Wanchai Ratanasirigulchai, Lawrence A. Behrmann, Andrew J. Martin, Kenneth R. Goodman
  • Publication number: 20070079960
    Abstract: A well treatment system of the present invention includes a housing forming a sealed surge chamber, and a surge charge disposed within the sealed surge chamber, wherein the surge charge is adapted upon activation to penetrate the housing and to not penetrate material exterior of the housing. Fluid communication is created between the surge chamber and the wellbore when the housing is penetrated by the surge charge. The penetration permits wellbore fluid to flow quickly into the surge chamber. Fluid flow into the surge chamber may enhance a surge of flow from the formation into the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brenden Grove, Mark Duhon, Lawrence Behrmann, Claude Jones
  • Patent number: 7182138
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving reservoir communication includes, in one arrangement, causing creation of tunnels in surrounding formation of a well interval, and applying treatment fluid to the tunnels. A local transient underbalance condition is created in the well interval after creation of the tunnels in the formation and application of the treatment fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Behrmann, Joseph A. Ayoub, Ian Walton, Adinathan Venkitaraman, Frank F. Chang
  • Publication number: 20070034369
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in a wellbore includes running a tool string to an interval of the wellbore, and activating a first component in the tool string to create a transient underbalance pressure condition in the wellbore interval. Additionally, a second component in the tool string is activated to create a transient overbalance pressure condition in the wellbore interval, or vice versa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Publication date: February 15, 2007
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Wanchai Ratanasirigulchai, Lawrence Behrmann, Andrew Martin, Kenneth Goodman
  • Publication number: 20060266551
    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 comprises a material reactive with a component of an earth formation. A method for perforating in a well includes 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 includes a material that can react with a component of an earth formation; detonating the shaped charge to form a perforation tunnel in a formation zone; and allowing the material comprising the liner to react with the component of the earth formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wenbo Yang, Lawrence Behrmann
  • Patent number: 7121340
    Abstract: An apparatus for reducing the post-detonation pressure of a perforating gun, the apparatus including a perforating gun carrying at least one explosive charge, wherein when the explosive charge is detonated the explosive charge produces a pressurized detonation gas, and a mechanism for reducing the pressure of the detonation gas proximate the perforating gun. The detonation gas pressure is desirably reduced in a time frame sufficient to create a dynamic underbalance condition to facilitate a surge flow of fluid from a reservoir into a wellbore. The pressure reduction mechanism may include singularly or in combination a heat sink to reduce the temperature of the detonation gas, a reactant to recombine with the reactant gas and reduce the molar density of the detonation gas, and a physical compression mechanism to utilize the waste energy of the detonation gas to create work, simultaneously reducing the temperature of the gas and the molar density of the detonation gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Brenden M. Grove, Lawrence A. Behrmann, Ian C. Walton, Philip Kneisl, Andrew T. Werner
  • Patent number: 6966377
    Abstract: An apparatus and method includes positioning a string in a wellbore, the string having a surge chamber. A closure member is provided below the well surface, with the surge chamber defined at least in part by the closure member. At least one port to the chamber is opened to create a fluid surge into the surge chamber and a local low pressure condition in a wellbore region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Ashley B. Johnson, Lawrence A. Behrmann, Wenbo Yang, Fokko Harm Cornelis Doornbosch, Ian C. Walton
  • Publication number: 20050236183
    Abstract: An apparatus for reducing the post-detonation pressure of a perforating gun, the apparatus including a perforating gun carrying at least one explosive charge, wherein when the explosive charge is detonated the explosive charge produces a pressurized detonation gas, and a mechanism for reducing the pressure of the detonation gas proximate the perforating gun. The detonation gas pressure is desirably reduced in a time frame sufficient to create a dynamic underbalance condition to facilitate a surge flow of fluid from a reservoir into a wellbore. The pressure reduction mechanism may include singularly or in combination a heat sink to reduce the temperature of the detonation gas, a reactant to recombine with the reactant gas and reduce the molar density of the detonation gas, and a physical compression mechanism to utilize the waste energy of the detonation gas to create work, simultaneously reducing the temperature of the gas and the molar density of the detonation gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Publication date: October 27, 2005
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brenden Grove, Lawrence Behrmann, Ian Walton, Philip Kneisl, Andrew Werner
  • Publication number: 20050167108
    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: March 22, 2005
    Publication date: August 4, 2005
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Frank Chang, Lawrence Behrmann, Ian Walton, Keng Chan
  • Patent number: 6896059
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided to reduce interference resulting from activation of explosive devices. To reduce interference, one or more shock impeding elements are placed proximal one or more explosives to impede propagation of shock caused by detonation of the explosives. The shock impeding elements include a porous material, such as a porous liquid or solid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp.
    Inventors: James E. Brooks, Wenbo Yang, Brenden M. Grove, Ian C. Walton, Lawrence A. Behrmann
  • Patent number: 6874579
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of perforating and surging a section of the wellbore includes running a perforating gun into the well on a string having an isolation valve above the perforating gun, closing the valve, and perforating the well with the isolation valve closed so that the formation is isolated from the well surface. An underbalance pressure is provided above the isolation valve, and then, the isolation valve is opened to surge the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Ashley B. Johnson, Lawrence A. Behrmann, Wenbo Yang, Fokko Harm Cornelis Doornbosch
  • Publication number: 20050061506
    Abstract: A well treatment system of the present invention includes a housing forming a sealed surge chamber, and a surge charge disposed within the sealed surge chamber, wherein the surge charge is adapted upon activation to penetrate the housing and to not penetrate material exterior of the housing. Fluid communication is created between the surge chamber and the wellbore when the housing is penetrated by the surge charge. The penetration permits wellbore fluid to flow quickly into the surge chamber. Fluid flow into the surge chamber may enhance a surge of flow from the formation into the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Publication date: March 24, 2005
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brenden Grove, Mark Duhon, Lawrence Behrmann, Claude Jones
  • Publication number: 20040231840
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in a wellbore includes running a tool string to an interval of the wellbore, and activating a first component in the tool string to create a transient underbalance pressure condition in the wellbore interval. Additionally, a second component in the tool string is activated to create a transient overbalance pressure condition in the wellbore interval, or vice versa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wanchai Ratanasirigulchai, Lawrence A. Behrmann, Andrew J. Martin, Kenneth R. Goodman
  • Publication number: 20040159432
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of perforating and surging a section of the wellbore includes running a perforating gun into the well on a string having an isolation valve above the perforating gun, closing the valve, and perforating the well with the isolation valve closed so that the formation is isolated from the well surface. An underbalance pressure is provided above the isolation valve, and then, the isolation valve is opened to surge the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventors: Ashley B. Johnson, Lawrence A. Behrmann, Wenbo Yang, Fokko Harm Cornelis Doornbosch
  • Publication number: 20040159434
    Abstract: An apparatus and method includes positioning a string in a wellbore, the string having a surge chamber. A closure member is provided below the well surface, with the surge chamber defined at least in part by the closure member. At least one port to the chamber is opened to create a fluid surge into the surge chamber and a local low pressure condition in a wellbore region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventors: Ashley B. Johnson, Lawrence A. Behrmann, Wenbo Yang, Fokko Harm Cornelis Doornbosch
  • Publication number: 20040099418
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving reservoir communication includes, in one arrangement, causing creation of tunnels in surrounding formation of a well interval, and applying treatment fluid to the tunnels. A local transient underbalance condition is created in the well interval after creation of the tunnels in the formation and application of the treatment fluids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Behrmann, Joseph A. Ayoub, Ian Walton, Adinathan Venkitaraman, Frank F. Chang