Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving reservoir communication includes, in one arrangement, use of one or more chambers to create an underbalance condition and/or a fluid surge in the wellbore. In another arrangement, a tool string comprises a packer, a circulating valve, and an atmospheric chamber, in which the circulating valve, when open, is adapted to vent a lower wellbore region below the packer when the packer is set, and the atmospheric chamber is capable of being operated to create an underbalance condition below the packer. In yet another arrangement, an apparatus comprises a subsea wellhead equipment including a blow-out preventer, choke line filled with a low density fluid, and a kill line filled with a heavy fluid. The choke line is adapted to be opened to create an underbalance condition in the wellbore.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 1, 2001
Date of Patent:
July 29, 2003
Assignee:
Schlumberger Technology Corp.
Inventors:
Ashley B. Johnson, James E. Brooks, Lawrence A. Behrmann, Adinathan Venkitaraman, Ian Walton, Anthony P. Vovers, Vladimir Vaynshteyn, Dinesh R. Patel, Michael W. Fruge
Abstract: The Invention relates to novel fluids and techniques to optimize/enhance the production of hydrocarbon from subterranean formations (e.g., “completion fluids”), in particular, fluids and techniques are disclosed and claimed which remove wellbore damage and near-wellbore damage in the form of coating formed from drilling and production-related operations (“filtercake”); the techniques can be applied either by themselves or in conjunction with other completion operations, such as gravel packing; preferred embodiments are chelating agent and enzyme systems in a viscoelastic surfactant (VES) matrix.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 20, 2000
Date of Patent:
May 27, 2003
Assignee:
Schlumberger Technology Corporation
Inventors:
Mark E. Brady, Wayne W. Frenier, Palathinkara S. Vinod
Abstract: A reinforced elastomeric bag for use within an electric submergible motor protector comprises a bag body formed from elastomeric material, such as fluoride co- and ter-polymers, butadiene copolymers, ethylene propylene diene methylene-based polymers, and combinations thereof; and a reinforcing material, such as tetrafluroethylene, aromatic p-polyamides, aromatic o,m-polyamides, fiberglass, ferrous metal, nonferrous metal, and combinations thereof. The reinforcing material is in the form of particles, threads and/or a weave that is dispersed within, bonded to or layered within the elastomeric material in a manner to improve the tear resistance of the bag at elevated temperatures encountered within wellbores.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 22, 1996
Date of Patent:
March 25, 2003
Inventors:
Timothy B. Bruewer, Edine M. Heinig, Steve C. Kennedy
Abstract: A shaped charge capsule includes an open-ended casing and a ring. The casing is adapted to house an explosive, and the casing includes a shoulder to receive a cap to close the casing. A rim of the casing at least partially surrounds the shoulder. The ring is adapted to be placed radially inside the rim and crimped with the rim to secure the cap to the casing. The ring is adapted to melt above an approximate predetermined temperature to release the cap from the casing. The cap may alternatively be secured to the casing by an adhesive that decomposes above the approximate predetermined temperature threshold.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 18, 1999
Date of Patent:
September 24, 2002
Assignee:
Schlumberger Technology Corporation
Inventors:
Daniel C. Markel, Karen M. Spenley, Charles A. Sjogren, David E. Sewell