Patents by Inventor Emmet F. Brieger

Emmet F. Brieger 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: 20170030175
    Abstract: Four methods are described for inducing high differential pressures across perforations in wells traversing earth formations. Nitrogen, N2, or another inert gas is introduced into the well under pressure (via the annulus and/or the tubing), thereby lowering the fluid column and setting up conditions for lowering the hydrostatic pressure above the formation. The formation is then subjected to sudden exposure to the lowered hydrostatic pressure, either through use of a pressure-actuated surge valve or through sudden bleed-off of the N2 gas. In both cases, a sudden release of well fluid pressure into the tubing string and/or annulus produces an implosion force and surges the perforations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Emmet F. BRIEGER, Leesa M. BRIEGER
  • Patent number: 6296058
    Abstract: A system for inducing implosion shock forces on perforation traversing earth formations with fluid pressure where an implosion tool is selected relative to a shut in well pressure and a tubing pressure to have a large and small area piston relationship in a well tool so that at a predetermined tubing pressure the pistons move a sufficient distance to open an implosion valve which permits a sudden release of well fluid pressure into the tubing string and produces an implosion force on the perforations. A pressure gauge on the well tool records tubing pressure and well pressure as a function of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Inventor: Emmet F. Brieger
  • Patent number: 5006013
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a built-up granular structure having a stable moisture content controlled upper layer. The preferred granular structure includes an improved fine aggregate upper surface layer, a coarse aggregate reservoir layer having a topmost application of perforate adhesive material, and a dry moisture barrier layer having a topmost impervious layer. The entire layered structure is supported by any firm base including compacted soil or an existing playing court structure. A containment wall having screened drainage inlets/outlets surrounds the periphery of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Assignee: Burco, Inc.
    Inventors: Herman F. Burkstaller, Emmet F. Brieger
  • Patent number: 4817710
    Abstract: The present invention includes devices for absorbing shock in a tool string within a borehole. These components may serve together in a variety of configurations to form a shock absorbing system. A longitudinal shock absorber is connected in the tool string. The longitudinal shock absorber includes compressible members utilized to damp longitudinal movement. A radial shock absorber is connected in the tool string. The radial shock absorber includes resiliently mounted contact pads for contacting the sides of the borehole to damp radial movement. A carrier assembly is utilized to provide a shock absorbing mounting for particularly delicate components such as gauges, and to damp any shock which might be transmitted thereto from either a radial or longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: A. Glen Edwards, David S. Wesson, Emmet F. Brieger
  • Patent number: 4756371
    Abstract: A perforation apparatus is coupled to a tubing string and is eccentrically positioned in a casing in a well bore by eccentering devices so that annular sealing rings along the length of the apparatus sealingly engage the casing. Shaped charge devices are arranged in pairs so that a pair of shaped charges produces, when detonated, a horizontal and an inclined perforation which intersect in the earth formations behind the casing. One of the perforations extends through a sealing ring to the interior of the perforating apparatus and one of the perforations opens to the casing. By applying differential pressure between the fluid in the casing and the inside of the tubing, for example by running the tubing dry, hydraulic jetting of fluid is produced in one perforation with a fluid return though the other perforation to the tubing string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Inventor: Emmet F. Brieger
  • Patent number: 4749039
    Abstract: Method and apparatus by which a gun firing head is maintained free of debris. An upper tubing string runs downhole in a cased borehole to a packer device. A jet gun, having a firing head located at the upper end thereof, is connected to a lower tubing string. A vent assembly is connected in series relationship within the lower string, and underlies the packer device. A barrier is contained within the lower tubing in underlying relationship to the vent and isolates the tubing interior immediately above the gun from contact with well fluids. A gun firing device is run from the surface, downhole through the packer device, and penetrates the barrier to gain access to the gun firing head, whereupon the gun is detonated, thereby perforating the casing and penetrating the payzone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1988
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Roy R. Vann, Emmet F. Brieger, Flint R. George, Edward A. Colle, Jr., Hilton B. Jones
  • Patent number: 4702168
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a sidewall core gun attached to the lower end of a drill string, enabling the taking of core samples from within a deviated borehole. The gun also includes an improved charge assembly, including a detonatable core and one or more deflagratable cartridge assemblies for propelling a coring bullet from the gun to the sidewall of the borehole. Coring bullets imbedded in the sidewall remain connected to the gun via steel cables, whereby the bullets may be retrieved by raising the drill string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1987
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Edward A. Colle, Jr., Donald N. Yates, Jr., Emmet F. Brieger
  • Patent number: 4693317
    Abstract: The present invention includes devices for absorbing shock in a tool string within a borehole. These components may serve together in a variety of configurations to form a shock absorbing system. A longitudinal shock absorber is connected in the tool string. The longitudinal shock absorber includes compressible members utilized to damp longitudinal movement. A radial shock absorber is connected in the tool string. The radial shock absorber includes resiliently mounted contact pads for contacting the sides of the borehole to damp radial movement. A carrier assembly is utilized to provide a shock absorbing mounting for particularly delicate components such as gauges, and to damp any shock which might be transmitted thereto from either a radial or longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1987
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: A. Glen Edwards, David S. Wesson, Emmet F. Brieger
  • Patent number: 4635733
    Abstract: Method and apparatus by which a gun firing head is maintained free of debris. An upper tubing string runs downhole in a cased borehole to a packer device. A jet gun, having a firing head located at the upper end thereof, is connected to a lower tubing string. A vent assembly is connected in series relationship within the lower string, and underlies the packer device. A barrier is contained within the lower tubing in underlying relationship to the vent and isolates the tubing interior immediately above the gun from contact with well fluids. A gun firing device is run from the surface, downhole through the packer device, and penetrates the barrier to gain access to the gun firing head, whereupon the gun is detonated, thereby perforating the casing and penetrating the payzone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1987
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Roy R. Vann, Emmet F. Brieger, Flint R. George, Edward A. Colle, Jr., Hilton B. Jones
  • Patent number: 4612992
    Abstract: Two or more spaced formations located downhole in a borehole are completed by employment of a string of perforating guns and by making a single trip to the wellbore. An upper and a lower gun device are tied together by a connecting tubing. The length of the tubing spaces the guns apart a selected amount. The gun string is run downhole and actuated, whereby the casing is perforated adjacent to the two spaced formations. Detonation of the upper gun forces an upper movable member associated with the connecting tubing to generate a pressure wave which is received by a lower movable member located at the upper end of the lower gun. The lower member is connected to cause detonation of the lower gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1986
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Roy R. Vann, Emmet F. Brieger
  • Patent number: 4609056
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a sidewall core gun attached to the lower end of a drill string, enabling the taking of core samples from within a deviated borehole. The gun also includes an improved charge assembly, including a detonatable cord and one or more deflagratable cartridge assemblies for propelling a coring bullet from the gun to the sidewall of the borehole. Coring bullets imbedded in the sidewall remain connected to the gun via steel cables, whereby the bullets may be retrieved by raising the drill string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1986
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Edward A. Colle, Jr., Donald N. Yates, Jr., Emmet F. Brieger
  • Patent number: 4564076
    Abstract: A pipe string with a valve, pressure responsive member, packer, firing mechanism and perforating gun are suspended within a well to complete the well. The packer is set to form an upper and lower annulus, and the valve and pressure responsive member are disposed above the packer in the upper annulus. A signal transmission member extends from the pressure responsive member to the firing mechanism in the lower annulus. The valve is initially closed to prevent fluid flow through the flow bore of the pipe string. The upper annulus is pressurized to open the valve and create a pressure differential across the pressure responsive member. The pressure responsive member then transmits a signal through the signal transmission member to the firing mechanism to actuate the firing mechanism and detonate the perforating gun. Hydrocarbons from the formation then flow through the perforations and up the flow bore of the pipe string to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1986
    Assignee: GEO Vann, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy R. Vann, Emmet F. Brieger
  • Patent number: 4538680
    Abstract: A perforating gun is suspended downhole in a cased borehole, in underlying relationship relative to a packer device, and adjacent to a hydrocarbon-bearing formation to be completed. A connecting tubing interconnects the gun with the packer device, and includes a rupture barrier therebetween which prevents debris from accumulating within a gun firing head. An upper tubing string is removably connected to the packer device and forms a passageway which extends from the surface of the earth, down through the packer, and to the gun firing head. The upper tubing string includes a seal means and an extension tube which sealingly engages the packer device and penetrates the rupture barrier to provide a passageway through which the gun can be fired from the surface of the earth. This combination of elements prevents malfunction of the gun when the tool is left downhole for an appreciable length of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1985
    Assignee: Geo Vann, Inc.
    Inventors: Emmet F. Brieger, Flint R. George, Edward A. Colle, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4529038
    Abstract: A tool for use downhole in a borehole for carrying out a backsurging method whereby existing open perforations are cleaned. The tool comprises an annular body having spaced cylindrical walls, each of which reciprocatingly receives spaced pistons which move individually relative to one another. A port is formed through each of the walls of each of the cylinders with the first port being normally closed by a first piston and the second port being normally open. The second piston is moved to close the second port. The tool is placed on the end of a tubing string or within a tool string and run downhole into the borehole. A packer device enables the pressure between the lower annulus, the upper annulus, and the tubing to be adjusted relative to one another. A bar is then dropped down the tubing string, contacts the second piston and moves the second piston to cover the second port. The tubing pressure is reduced to provide a pressure differential between the lower annulus and the interior of the tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1985
    Assignee: GEO Vann, Inc.
    Inventor: Emmet F. Brieger
  • Patent number: 4510999
    Abstract: A cased borehole has a perforating gun suspended in underlying relationship relative to a packer device. A tubing string has a seal assembly connected to the lower end thereof, and an extension tube downwardly extends from the seal assembly. A seal housing is connected to the packer and receives the seal assembly therewithin. The tubing string is run downhole until the end of the extension tube is in proximity of a gun firing head while the seal assembly is unseated from the housing, so that the fluid in proximity of the gun firing head is displaced with clean fluid which flows from the surface, down the tubing string, and out of the end of the extension tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1985
    Assignee: Geo Vann, Inc.
    Inventors: Flint R. George, Emmet F. Brieger
  • Patent number: 4501331
    Abstract: A packer actuated vent assembly comprising an outer barrel attached to a packer body, and a mandrel extension attached to the lower end of the mandrel of the packer. A valve means on the mandrel extension has a slidable valve element which slidably engages a medial portion of the outer peripheral surface of the mandrel and normally is in the opened position. The valve element has a boss thereon which engages a shoulder on the barrel and is thereby moved from the opened to the closed position when the packer mandrel, and therefore the mandrel extension, is properly manipulated to seat the packer. This combination of elements enables a tubing string to be run downhole into a borehole with the tubing string in the open configuration, so that fluid contained within the annulus flows through the opened valve means into the tubing string, thereby balancing the fluid pressure on either side of the tubing string; and when the packer is set, the interior of the tubing string is isolated from the borehole annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1985
    Assignee: GEO Vann, Inc.
    Inventor: Emmet F. Brieger
  • Patent number: 4498541
    Abstract: A perforating gun is suspended downhole in a cased borehole, in underlying relationship relative to a packer device, and adjacent to a hydrocarbon-bearing formation to be completed. A connecting tubing interconnects the gun with the packer device, and includes a rupture barrier therebetween which prevents debris from accumulating within a gun firing head. An upper tubing string is removably connected to the packer device and forms a passageway which extends from the surface of the earth, down through the packer, and to the gun firing head. The upper tubing string includes a seal means and an extension tube which sealingly engages the packer device and penetrates the rupture barrier to provide a passageway through which the gun can be fired from the surface of the earth. This combination of elements prevents malfunction of the gun when the tool is left downhole for an appreciable length of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1985
    Assignee: GEO Vann
    Inventors: Emmet F. Brieger, Flint R. George, Edward A. Colle, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4497366
    Abstract: A packer actuated vent assembly comprising an outer barrel attached to a packer body, and a mandrel extension attached to the lower end of the mandrel of the packer. A valve means on the mandrel extension has a slidable valve element which slidably engages a medial portion of the outer peripheral surface of the mandrel and normally is in the opened position. The valve element has a boss thereon which engages a shoulder on the barrel and is thereby moved from the opened to the closed position when the packer mandrel, and therefore the mandrel extension, is properly manipulated to seat the packer. This combination of elements enables a tubing string to be run downhole into a borehole with the tubing string in the open configuration, so that fluid contained within the annulus flows through the opened valve means into the tubing string, thereby balancing the fluid pressure on either side of the tubing string; and when the packer is set, the interior of the tubing string is isolated from the borehole annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1985
    Assignee: Geo Vann, Inc.
    Inventor: Emmet F. Brieger
  • Patent number: 4436155
    Abstract: A well cleanup and completion apparatus and technique. A packer is located downhole in a borehole, and a tool string comprising a one-way vent assembly and a one-way circulating valve assembly is connected above a perforating gun. The tool string is used to run the gun downhole through the packer until the gun arrives at a location adjacent to the formation to be perforated. During this time, the packer assembly must be in a configuration which admits flow from the lower to the upper annulus. Cleaning fluid is circulated down the entire tool string to the one-way circulating valve assembly located immediately above the firing head of the gun, thereby displacing fluid from the lower annulus, and cleaning any debris from the gun firing head. The packer is next closed, the gun detonated, whereupon the formation is perforated and production fluid flows through the perforations, up the lower annulus, into the one-way vent assembly located below the packer, into the tubing, and to the surface of the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1984
    Assignee: GEO Vann, Inc.
    Inventor: Emmet F. Brieger
  • Patent number: 4287946
    Abstract: A formation tester apparatus for use in a well bore for multiple testing of pressures of earth formation fluids and the taking of a fluid sample, including pad and shoe means selectively operable for sealingly engaging a well bore. Upon sealing engagement of the pad means with the wall of a well bore, a fluid sample is ingested into an expanding chamber while its pressure is sensed. Upon completion of the pressure test, the pad means is retracted from the wall of a well bore, and the expanding chamber contracts to expel the fluid sample. The pressure test may be repeated any number of times. The expanding chamber includes a piston operated with fluid pressure used to actuate the pad means. A choke delays the application of pressure to the piston until after the pad means seals on the wall of the well bore. When a fluid sample is desired, the fluid pressure used to actuate the pad means is increased to operate a first valve means which connects the pad means of a water cushion sampling chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1981
    Inventor: Emmet F. Brieger