Perforating, Weakening, Bending Or Separating Pipe At An Unprepared Point Patents (Class 166/297)
  • Publication number: 20120018156
    Abstract: A method for perforating a formation material proximate to a wellbore involving lowering a perforating gun string comprising a perforating gun and a gas-generating device downhole, providing wellbore fluid around the perforating gun, and providing a volume of gas proximate the perforating gun, by the gas-generating device, wherein the volume of gas is configured to reduce the shock produced upon firing of the perforating gun.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brenden M. Grove, Jeremy P. Harvey
  • Patent number: 8101874
    Abstract: A watertight junction box includes a box body, a lower floating plate, an upper floating plate, a lock cap, a modular cable inserted into the box body and kept in contact with sharp copper contacts, a holding down plate for holding down an external power wire on the upper floating plate to cause electric contact between the external power wire and the sharp copper contacts, and a predetermined amount of silicon rubber filled in between the lower and upper floating plate that is deformed to wrap about the connection area between the sharp copper contacts and the external power wire when the lock cap is tightly fastened to the box body to force down the holding down plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Smart Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jerry S. C. Yang
  • Publication number: 20120000656
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing oil from a well comprises a flexible semi-circular shaped skirt with an indentation. A plurality of rods is secured to the skirt and form radially emanating channels in the skirt. The skirt is secured to a hollow drill string via the indentation. The drill string has a drill bit at one end, a distal section above the drill bit, and a holding section above the distal section to which the skirt is operatively coupled. A movable sleeve is selectively wrapped around the skirt to keep the skirt in a closed position. A release that is interactive with the sleeve selectively allows the skirt to move from the closed position to an open position, and an outer area covered by the skirt increases as the skirt moves from the closed position to the open position. The open skirt abuts against and plugs the well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventor: Basimah Khulusi
  • Publication number: 20110290486
    Abstract: System, devices, and methods are described relating to the treatment (e.g., perforating, fracturing, foam stimulation, acid treatment, cement treatment, etc.) of well-bores (e.g., cased oil and/or gas wells). In at least one example, a method is provided for treatment of a region in a well, the method comprising: positioning, in a well-bore, a packer above the region of the well-bore, fixing, below the region, an expansion packer, treating the region, the treatment fixing the packer, moving the expansion packer, and moving the packer after the moving of the expansion packer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: Pioneer Natural Resources USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Dustin Howard, Phillip Mandrell, Marty Stromquist
  • Patent number: 8066072
    Abstract: A tubular introduced into a wellbore is perforated at pre-selected locations after the tubular has been cemented into place. The locations of the perforations are determined by modeling inflow performance of a stimulation fluid within the formation. The inflow performance parameters include reservoir porosity, permeability, pressure, damage skin and intrusion depth, perforation diameter and penetration depth or perforation crushed zone damage and intrusion depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Maersk Olie OG Gas A/S
    Inventor: Peter Lumbye
  • Patent number: 8066083
    Abstract: A perforating apparatus (190) used to perforate a subterranean well. The perforating apparatus (190) includes a generally tubular gun carrier (106) and a charge holder (192) rotatably mounted within the gun carrier (106). At least one shaped charge (102) is mounted in the charge holder (192) and is operable to perforate the well upon detonation. A dynamically adjustable weight system (194) including a plurality malleable weight members (196) is operably associated to the charge holder (192). The dynamically adjustable weight system (194) is operable to adjust the center of gravity (120) of the charge holder (192) such that gravity will cause the charge holder (192) to rotate within the gun carrier (106) to position the at least one shaped charge (102) in a desired circumferential direction relative to the well prior to perforating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Hales, Allison E. Novak, John D. Burleson
  • Patent number: 8061425
    Abstract: A perforating apparatus (240) used to perforate a subterranean well. The perforating apparatus (240) includes a generally tubular gun carrier (106) and a charge holder (242) rotatably mounted within the gun carrier (106). At least one shaped charge (246) is mounted in the charge holder (242) and is operable to perforate the well upon detonation. A dynamically adjustable weight system including a weight tube (250) that is selectively rotatable relative to the charge holder (242) is operable to adjust the center of gravity (120) of the charge holder (242) such that gravity will cause the charge holder (242) to rotate within the gun carrier (106) to position the at least one shaped charge (246) in a desired circumferential direction relative to the well prior to perforating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Hales, Allison E. Novak, John D. Burleson
  • Patent number: 8061431
    Abstract: Pressure cycle operated apparatus and methods. A method of actuating a firing head includes the steps of: reciprocably displacing an actuator piston of the firing head, the displacing step including the piston being alternately pressure balanced and unbalanced; and igniting a combustible material in response to the piston displacing step. A method of generating electricity includes: reciprocably displacing a piston, the displacing step including the piston being alternately pressure balanced and unbalanced; and generating electricity in response to the piston displacing step. A firing head includes an actuator piston separating at least two chambers; a check valve which permits one-way flow between the chambers; a flow restrictor which restricts flow between the chambers; a biasing device which biases the piston toward one of the chambers; and a firing pin releasing device which releases a firing pin in response to displacement of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall S. Moore, John H. Hales
  • Publication number: 20110278007
    Abstract: A system and method for accessing an annulus within a wellhead assembly while the annulus is pressurized. The system includes a tubular body with an attached valve assembly and adapter. The adapter to the wellhead assembly with a sealed annular fitting. The body houses a selectively extendable plunger assembly rotatable by an attached motor. A bit or milling device is provided on the end of the plunger assembly, so that selectively extending the plunger assembly through the valve assembly and adapter contacts the bit against the wellhead assembly. An opening is formed through the wellhead assembly with the rotating bit allowing access to the annulus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Howell, David Daniel Comeaux, Richard Porteous, Mariusz Karp
  • Patent number: 8056632
    Abstract: A perforating gun that is usable with a well includes at least one perforating charge and a initiator. The initiator includes an explosive ballistic train to the perforating charge(s). The initiator is adapted to physically misalign components of the ballistic train to prevent inadvertent firing of the perforating charge(s) and physically realign the components to arm the ballistic train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Goodman
  • Publication number: 20110272157
    Abstract: An apparatus including a body, a mandrel disposed at least partially within the body, and a spring. The spring maintains the mandrel in a retracted position within the body until a predetermined pump rate is applied. The spring allows the mandrel to move to an extended position when the predetermined pump rate is applied. The spring returns the mandrel to the retracted position within the body when the predetermined pump rate is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventor: Benjamin M. Banack
  • Patent number: 8042613
    Abstract: A drilling head, method of drilling, and use of the drilling head, for reboring a stuck valve or drilling into the formation downhole and, in particular a drilling tool having a drilling head and a driving unit. The drilling head includes a hole saw beside a drill bit for cutting out a piece from the stuck valve. A drilling system includes the drilling tool and a driving tool for moving the drilling tool downhole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Weltec A/S
    Inventors: Jørgen Hallundbaek, Sven Karsten Jensen, Thomas Sune Andersen
  • Patent number: 8037934
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in deployment of downhole tools is disclosed. Preferably, the apparatus includes at least an in-ground well casing, a housing providing a hermetically sealed electronics compartment, a tool attachment portion, and a first flow through core. The housing is preferably configured for sliding communication with the well casing. The hermetically sealed electronics compartment secures a processor and a location sensing system, which communicates with the processor while interacting exclusively with features of the well casing to determine the location of the housing within the well casing. A preferred embodiment further includes a well plug affixed to the tool attachment portion, the well plug includes a second flow through core capped with a core plug with a core plug release mechanism, which upon activation provides separation between the second flow through core and the core plug, allowing material to flow through said first and second flow through cores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Intelligent Tools IP, LLC
    Inventor: Dennis A. Strickland
  • Patent number: 8020620
    Abstract: Methods of making and using wellbore casing are described, one method comprising providing a plurality of flow-through passages in a portion of a casing while the casing is out of hole; temporarily plugging the flow-through passages with a composition while out of hole; running the casing in hole in a wellbore intersecting a hydrocarbon-bearing formation; and exposing the composition to conditions sufficient to displace the composition from the flow-through passages while in hole. Methods of using the casing may include pumping a stimulation treatment fluid through the casing string and into a formation through the flow-through passages in the first casing joint; plugging the flow-through passages in the first casing section; and exposing a second casing joint of the casing string to conditions sufficient to displace the composition from the flow-through passages in the second casing joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: John Daniels, George Waters, Mark Norris, J. Ernest Brown, Ian D. Bryant, Kevin Mauth, Jason Swaren
  • Patent number: 8020619
    Abstract: Methods for severing tubing having a cable extending along its length include lowering a first cutting torch into the tubing to a desired location, igniting the first cutting torch, and directing cutting fluids in a circumferential arc to form a first cut in the tubing and sever the cable. A second cutting torch can be lowered and positioned relative to the first cut, and ignited to direct cutting fluids radially to cut the tubing all around the circumference, enabling retrieval of the tubing. The need for precise positioning and alignment of the torches to sever both the cable and tubing is thereby eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Robertson Intellectual Properties, LLC
    Inventors: Michael C. Robertson, William Boelte
  • Patent number: 8015921
    Abstract: An electronic blasting capsule which includes a housing which contains a propellant, a fuse, a sensor for detecting the position of the housing in a capsule delivery path, an energy arrangement for obtaining energy from an external energy source, and a controller, responsive to the sensor and the energy arrangement, for firing the fuse to initiate the propellant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Sandvik Mining and Construction RSA (PTY) Ltd.
    Inventors: Jarmo Leppanen, Ockert Oosthuizen
  • Publication number: 20110209871
    Abstract: A downhole tool gun string assembly comprises a first perforating gun operable to generate a first pressure at a first location in a wellbore, wherein the first perforating gun comprises a first plurality of perforating charges; a second perforating gun operable to generate a second pressure at a second location in the wellbore, wherein the second pressure is different from the first pressure and the second perforating gun comprises a second plurality of perforating charges, and wherein at least one of the second plurality of perforating charges is operably associated with a secondary pressure generator, where the first perforating gun and the second perforating gun are configured to maintain a pressure at a selected location in the wellbore below a threshold when the first and second perforating guns are activated substantially concurrently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Cam Van Le, Darren Ross Barlow, Jeffrey Alan Nelson
  • Patent number: 8006762
    Abstract: A downhole oilfield completion method comprises determining a surge profile for a wellbore and assembling a downhole completion tool having an interior surge volume and comprising a surge attenuation system operable to reduce a surge of the downhole completion tool based at least in part on the surge profile. The method also comprises running the downhole completion tool into the wellbore and surging the wellbore by admitting wellbore fluid into the interior surge volume, the surge reduced at least in part by the surge attenuation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Burleson, John H. Hales, Clinton C. Quattlebaum
  • Patent number: 8002035
    Abstract: A perforating apparatus (170) used to perforate a subterranean well. The perforating apparatus (170) includes a generally tubular gun carrier (106) and a charge holder (172) rotatably mounted within the gun carrier (106). At least one shaped charge (102) is mounted in the charge holder (172) and is operable to perforate the well upon detonation. A dynamically adjustable weight system (174) is operably associated to the charge holder (172). The dynamically adjustable weight system (174) includes a plurality of longitudinally extending tubes (176) that are operable to contain a weighted material therein and are operable to adjust the center of gravity (120) of the charge holder (172) such that gravity will cause the charge holder (172) to rotate within the gun carrier (106) to position the at least one shaped charge (102) in a desired circumferential direction relative to the well prior to perforating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Hales, Allison E. Novak, John D. Burleson
  • Patent number: 7997353
    Abstract: An apparatus for perforating wells has perforating charges and a means for retaining the perforating charges in a first array The first array has a first maximum cross sectional area; and means for expanding the perforating charges into a second three dimensional array The second array has a second maximum cross sectional area larger than the first maximum cross sectional area. Also an apparatus for perforating wells has a plurality of perforating charges and a means for retaining the perforating charges in a first array The first array has a primary axis and a first maximum cross sectional area and the perforating charges having firing directions oriented approximately perpendicular to the primary axis; and means for expanding the perforating charges into a second array, the second array has a second maximum cross sectional area larger than the first.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Luis Ochoa
  • Patent number: 7997332
    Abstract: A method of severing a drill string or other tubular string that includes lowering a torch into the drill string, positioning the torch at a joint in the drill string, such that the joint may have a pin component engaged with a box component, igniting the torch to produce cutting fluids, and directing the cutting fluids into the joint in a direction that is along a length of the drill string to cut the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Robertson Intellectual Properties, LLC
    Inventor: Michael C. Robertson
  • Patent number: 7987911
    Abstract: An oil and gas well shaped charge perforator is provided comprising a housing, a high explosive, and a liner with a further insert liner where the high explosive is positioned between the liner and the housing. In use the high explosive will collapse the liner and insert causing two cutting jets to form. The insert may substantially cover the surface area of the liner or it may over only partially cover the liner, such as the apical portion of the liner or the base portion of liner. Alternatively the insert may be varied in thickness across the surface area of the liner. Typically the thickness of the liner may be between 1 and 10% of the liner diameter and the thickness of the insert may be between 1 and 200% of the thickness of the liner. The insert may be produced during the manufacture of the liner, but preferably the liner will be a retro fitted item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Qinetiq Limited
    Inventors: Mark R Rhodes, Stephen Wheller, Anthony J Whelan, Michael R Hoar, Neil Cole
  • Patent number: 7984761
    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: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Frank F. Chang, Lawrence A. Behrmann, Ian C. Walton, Keng Seng Chan
  • Publication number: 20110174486
    Abstract: A wellbore perforation tool is provided. The tool comprises an explosive charge, a tool body containing the explosive charge, and a flowable material carried with the tool. The flowable material is released by detonation of the explosive charge and, after perforation of the tool body by the explosive charge to form an aperture in the tool body, flows to form at least a partial barrier of the aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Jerry L. Walker, John H. Hales
  • Patent number: 7980308
    Abstract: A downhole tool used in the pressure isolation of adjacent subterranean formations. The downhole tool may comprise flow restriction devices along the outer circumference for impeding flow along the length of the tool. The tool may further comprise a perforating gun and an accumulator. Impeding flow along the length of the tool provides a dynamic flow restriction within the wellbore that precludes fluid flowing from one subterranean zone to an adjacent zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: William D. Myers, Jr., Alphie S. Wright
  • Patent number: 7980309
    Abstract: A system (100) for selective activation of explosive devices (126, 128, 130, 132) includes a surface controller (102), a downhole controller (106) operable to communicate bidirectionally with the surface controller over a first communication link (108) and a plurality of downhole remote units (114, 116, 118, 120) operable to communicate bidirectionally with the downhole controller (106) over a second communication link (112). One or more sensors (162) are operably associated with the downhole controller (106) and one of the explosive devices (126, 128, 130, 132) is operably associated with each of the downhole remote units (114, 116, 118, 120) such that, responsive to a detonation event, the sensors (162) detect the intensity level of the detonation which is communicated from the downhole controller (106) to the surface control (102) over the first communication link (108).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald L. Crawford
  • Publication number: 20110146988
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating a downhole tubular string into two parts. The apparatus includes a receptacle operably associated with a first part of the downhole tubular string and a mandrel operably associated with a second part of the downhole tubular string. First and second sleeves each having a profile are slidably positioned between the receptacle and the mandrel and are operable to be securably coupled to the mandrel in first and second positions relative to the mandrel. First and second rings are respectively positioned between the profiles of the first and second sleeves and the profiled surface of the receptacle. The first and second rings are operable to initially limit longitudinal movement of the receptacle relative to the mandrel, to prevent tubular string recoil during operation and to allow longitudinal movement of the receptacle relative to the mandrel after operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Jody R. McGlothen
  • 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: 20110132607
    Abstract: A technique that is usable with a well includes providing a string that includes a tubing conveyed perforating (TCP) gun. The technique includes using a downhole component of the string to communicate uphole an indication of at least a depth or an orientation of the gun.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Guillaume Lahitette, Robert J. Ingham, Michael J. Bertoja, Vincent Pequignot
  • Publication number: 20110127035
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of abandoning a petroleum well (1) which is provided with at least one measuring device (21) which by means of a communication means (9, 23) is arranged to be able to communicate measured results to a receiver device (29) located at a surface (5) of the well (1), where the method comprises to terminate the communication means (9, 23) in a first communication coupling (91?) located in a portion of the well (1) above an upper well barrier (11) so that the receiver device (29) being supplied with a fourth communication coupling (94?) which complementary fits with said first communication coupling (91?), may selectively be connected to or disconnected from the measuring device (21) for communication of data out from the well (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventors: Henning Hansen, Terje Wilberg, Kaj Stokkeland
  • Patent number: 7946344
    Abstract: An assembly for producing oil and/or gas through a well traversing stacked oil and/or gas bearing earth layers comprises a series of expandable packers and integrated perforating gun and sandscreen assemblies mounted on a production tubing such that each integrated perforating gun and sandscreen assembly is located adjacent an oil and/or gas bearing earth layer and at least one expandable packer is located between a pair of adjacent oil and/or gas bearing earth layers, and at least one inflow opening arranged in the wall of the production tubing adjacent to each sandscreen assembly. The integrated perforating gun and sandscreen assemblies are installed in a single run into the well such that uncontrolled fluid and/or sand influx into the well before installation of the sandscreens and expandable packers is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Stephen Richard Braithwaite, Johannes Cornelis Maria Van Dongen
  • Publication number: 20110100627
    Abstract: A perforating apparatus (170) used to perforate a subterranean well. The perforating apparatus (170) includes a generally tubular gun carrier (106) and a charge holder (172) rotatably mounted within the gun carrier (106). At least one shaped charge (102) is mounted in the charge holder (172) and is operable to perforate the well upon detonation. A dynamically adjustable weight system (174) is operably associated to the charge holder (172). The dynamically adjustable weight system (174) includes a plurality of longitudinally extending tubes (176) that are operable to contain a weighted material therein and are operable to adjust the center of gravity (120) of the charge holder (172) such that gravity will cause the charge holder (172) to rotate within the gun carrier (106) to position the at least one shaped charge (102) in a desired circumferential direction relative to the well prior to perforating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: John H. Hales, Allison E. Novak, John D. Burleson
  • Patent number: 7934558
    Abstract: A perforating apparatus (100) used to perforate a subterranean well. The perforating apparatus (100) includes a generally tubular gun carrier (106) and a charge holder (104) rotatably mounted within the gun carrier (106). At least one shaped charge (102) is mounted in the charge holder (104) and is operable to perforate the well upon detonation. A dynamically adjustable weight system (124) is operably associated to the charge holder (104). The dynamically adjustable weight system (124) is operable to adjust the center of gravity (120) of the charge holder (104) such that gravity will cause the charge holder (104) to rotate within the gun carrier (106) to position the at least one shaped charge (102) in a desired circumferential direction relative to the well prior to perforating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Hales, Allison E. Novak, John D. Burleson
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20110094743
    Abstract: A perforating apparatus (190) used to perforate a subterranean well. The perforating apparatus (190) includes a generally tubular gun carrier (106) and a charge holder (192) rotatably mounted within the gun carrier (106). At least one shaped charge (102) is mounted in the charge holder (192) and is operable to perforate the well upon detonation. A dynamically adjustable weight system (194) including a plurality malleable weight members (196) is operably associated to the charge holder (192). The dynamically adjustable weight system (194) is operable to adjust the center of gravity (120) of the charge holder (192) such that gravity will cause the charge holder (192) to rotate within the gun carrier (106) to position the at least one shaped charge (102) in a desired circumferential direction relative to the well prior to perforating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: John H. Hales, Allison E. Novak, John D. Burleson
  • Publication number: 20110094744
    Abstract: A perforating apparatus (240) used to perforate a subterranean well. The perforating apparatus (240) includes a generally tubular gun carrier (106) and a charge holder (242) rotatably mounted within the gun carrier (106). At least one shaped charge (246) is mounted in the charge holder (242) and is operable to perforate the well upon detonation. A dynamically adjustable weight system including a weight tube (250) that is selectively rotatable relative to the charge holder (242) is operable to adjust the center of gravity (120) of the charge holder (242) such that gravity will cause the charge holder (242) to rotate within the gun carrier (106) to position the at least one shaped charge (246) in a desired circumferential direction relative to the well prior to perforating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: John H. Hales, Allison E. Novak, John D. Burleson
  • Publication number: 20110088946
    Abstract: Pressure cycle operated apparatus and methods. A method of actuating a firing head includes the steps of: reciprocably displacing an actuator piston of the firing head, the displacing step including the piston being alternately pressure balanced and unbalanced; and igniting a combustible material in response to the piston displacing step. A method of generating electricity includes: reciprocably displacing a piston, the displacing step including the piston being alternately pressure balanced and unbalanced; and generating electricity in response to the piston displacing step. A firing head includes an actuator piston separating at least two chambers; a check valve which permits one-way flow between the chambers; a flow restrictor which restricts flow between the chambers; a biasing device which biases the piston toward one of the chambers; and a firing pin releasing device which releases a firing pin in response to displacement of the piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Randall S. MOORE, John H. HALES
  • Patent number: 7926566
    Abstract: Disclosed herein relates to a single piece tubular member. The tubular member having a non-radially displaceable portion and a radially displaceable portion, the radially displaceable portion being movable to a position of similar radial displacement as that of the non-radially displaceable portion and a position of relatively large radial displacement in comparison to the non-radially displaceable portion. The tubular member also having at least one cutting arrangement disposed at the radially displaceable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Larry T. Palmer
  • Patent number: 7918279
    Abstract: A technique of forming perforations in a wellbore. The formation of perforations is carefully controlled by a perforating device to create a series of sequential perforations in a desired arrangement. The perforating device is lowered to a desired location in the wellbore and then moved incrementally to enable sequential perforations in the desired arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Leising, Robert Michael Ramsey, Howard L. McGill
  • Patent number: 7913758
    Abstract: A method for completing an oil and gas well completion is provided. The perforators (10, 11) may be selected from any known or commonly used perforators and are typically deployed in a perforation gun. The perforators are aligned such that the cutting jets (12, 13) and their associated shockwaves converge towards each other such that their interaction causes increased fracturing of the rock strata. The cutting jets may be also be aligned such that the cutting jets are deliberately caused to collide causing further fracturing of the rock strata. In Ian alternative embodiment of the invention there is provided a shaped charge liner with at least two concave regions, whose geometry is selected such that upon the forced collapse of the liner a plurality of cutting jets is formed which jets are convergent or are capable of colliding in the rock strata.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Qinetiq Limited
    Inventors: Stephen Wheller, Michael R Hoar
  • Patent number: 7913761
    Abstract: A method for perforating a subterranean formation includes positioning a shaped charge and a reactant composite material in a carrier; positioning the carrier in the wellbore; detonating the shaped charge; and disintegrating the reactant composite material using a shock generated by the detonated shaped charge. The method may also include initiating a first deflagration by using carbon and heat resulting from the detonation of the shaped charge and an oxygen component of the disintegrated reactant composite material. A system for performing the method may include a carrier, a shaped charge positioned in the carrier; and a reactant composite material positioned in the carrier. The reactant composite material may be configured to disintegrate upon detonation of the shaped charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Owen Oil Tools LP
    Inventors: Dan Pratt, Joseph Haney, Thomas C. Montanez, Matthew Clay
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7909099
    Abstract: The invention relates to oil production stimulation methods and can be used for both reservoirs with fractures resulting from the fracturing procedure and reservoirs with naturally occurring fractures, for which the fracturing procedure is not mandatory. A material which expands while hardening or setting, is injected into the near-wellbore region of a cased well, into the space between the casing and the reservoir, and the wellbore is then perforated. A material having an expansion degree sufficient for application of pressure to the wellbore walls and for keeping at least one fracture open is used as the material which expands while hardening or setting. After the perforation has been done, the reservoir is hydraulically fractured. For naturally fractured reservoirs, the fracturing procedure is not mandatory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Marc Jean Thiercelin
  • Patent number: 7905285
    Abstract: A perforating gun and one or more volume-receiving surge canisters can be actuated at a time delay after perforation for creating a dynamic underbalance condition to aid in directing debris out of the perforations and fractures and into the wellbore. A timer and triggering device actuate one or more canisters in parallel or series after a pre-determined time delay or delays which can be related to wellbore conditions following perforation. Use of propellant-type perforating gun further benefits from favorable propellant burn conditions for forming perforations and followed thereafter by a perforation-cleaning underbalance pressure conditions characterized by one or more of an increased rate of change depression of the pressure in the adjacent annulus, a greater magnitude of pressure depression and a longer duration of underbalance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Precision Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Cuthill
  • 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: 20110024116
    Abstract: A perforating system having annular connectors for attachment between adjacent perforating guns and connectors. The connectors include male and female connectors with respective outer and inner contact surfaces. The connectors also include attachment for electrical detonators and/or booster charges for transferring ballistic detonations between the perforating gun and connector sub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Jason McCann, Mark Sloan, James A. Weekley
  • Patent number: 7878246
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for perforating a well with a perforating fluid comprising a viscoelastic surfactant that essentially stops fluid leak-off after perforation in an overbalanced condition. Another aspect of the invention provides the perforating fluid in itself. The well has a wellbore defined by a generally cylindrical casing in at least a portion of the wellbore (i.e., the wellbore is cased, although it is not necessary cased in its entire length). The wellbore passes through a subterranean formation that comprises hydrocarbon formation fluids (such as oil and/or gas), at least in certain strata. The method comprises placing a perforating device in a wellbore which includes at least one explosive perforating charge that can be detonated in order to perforate the casing and allow the formation fluids to enter the wellbore. The casing is located between the subterranean formation and the perforating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Mathew M. Samuel, Yerik Balabatyrov, Frank F. Chang, Martin Griffith, Liz Morris
  • Patent number: 7878242
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a method and/or apparatus for deploying wireline tools with a non-electric string. In one embodiment, a method of determining a free point of a tubular string stuck in a wellbore includes deploying a tool string in the stuck tubular with a non-electric string. The free point assembly includes a battery, a controller, and a free point tool. The method further includes activating the free point tool by the controller. The free point tool contacts an inner surface of the stuck tubular string. The method further includes applying a tensile force and/or torque to the stuck tubular string; and measuring a response of the tubular string with the free point tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin L. Gray
  • Patent number: 7874365
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for treating multiple interval well bores. More particularly, an isolation assembly may be used to allow for zonal isolation to allow treatment of selected productive or previously producing intervals in multiple interval well bores. One example of a method for treating a multiple interval well bore includes the steps of: introducing an isolation assembly to a well bore, the isolation assembly comprising a liner, one or more sleeves and a plurality of swellable packers, wherein the sleeves and swellable packers are disposed about the liner; deploying a shifting tool inside the liner, where the sleeves are configured so as to provide open, closed and open to screen positions when actuated by the shifting tool. An open position allows for treatment of the well bore while an open to screen position allows for receiving fluid from the well bore. A closed position re-establishes zonal isolation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Inc.
    Inventors: Loyd E. East, Jr., Perry Wayne Courville, Richard Altman, Robert Clayton