Patents by Inventor Micah L. Schutz

Micah L. Schutz 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).

  • Method and apparatus for gravel packing with a pressure maintenance tool
    Patent number: 6575246
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing a gravel pack operation includes a bypass mechanism (e.g., a bypass valve) that is actuatable between plural positions. The bypass mechanism is part of a tool assembly, with the bypass mechanism providing different flow paths through the tool assembly corresponding to the plural positions of the bypass mechanism. For example, if the bypass mechanism is in a first position, an elevated pressure is communicated from an annular region outside a tool string to a target wellbore section. On the other hand, if the bypass mechanism is in the second position, the elevated pressure is communicated from inside the tool string to the target wellbore section. In either position, an overbalance condition is maintained in the target wellbore section so that swabbing effects are reduced or eliminated due to movement of the tool assembly during a gravel pack operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick W. Bixenman, Steven L. Anyan, Micah L. Schutz, James A. Pramann, II
  • Method and apparatus for gravel packing with a tool that maintains a pressure in a target wellbore section
    Publication number: 20020036087
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing a gravel pack operation includes a bypass mechanism (e.g., a bypass valve) that is actuatable between plural positions. The bypass mechanism is part of a tool assembly, with the bypass mechanism providing different flow paths through the tool assembly corresponding to the plural positions of the bypass mechanism. For example, if the bypass mechanism is in a first position, an elevated pressure is communicated from an annular region outside a tool string to a target wellbore section. On the other hand, if the bypass mechanism is in the second position, the elevated pressure is communicated from inside the tool string to the target wellbore section. In either position, an overbalance condition is maintained in the target wellbore section so that swabbing effects are reduced or eliminated due to movement of the tool assembly during a gravel pack operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Publication date: March 28, 2002
    Inventors: Patrick W. Bixenman, Steven L. Anyan, Micah L. Schutz, James A. Pramann