Lawrence James Behrmann

US Patent:

6397947, Jun 4, 2002

Filed:

May 4, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/564840

Inventors:

Lawrence A. Behrmann - Houston TX
Jorge E. Lopez de Cardenas - Sugar Land TX
Robert A. Parrott - Houston TX

Assignee:

Schlumberger Technology Corporation - Sugar Land TX

International Classification:

E21B 43117

US Classification:

166297, 166 551, 175 46, 102310

Abstract:

A method includes arranging shaped charges in a perforating gun to produce perforation holes in a helical pattern that is defined in part by a phase angle; and choosing four adjacent perforation holes to be created that are adjacent nearest neighbors. The distances are determined between three of the four adjacent perforation holes to be created. A standard deviation is minimized between the three adjacent perforation holes. The phase angle is set based on the minimization.

US Patent:

6428724, Aug 6, 2002

Filed:

Jan 3, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/476894

Inventors:

William J. Lukasavage - Pearland TX
Karri A. Brock - Santa Fe TX
Lawrence A. Behrmann - Houston TX
Wallace E. Voreck - Sparta NJ

Assignee:

Schlumberger Technology Corporation - Sugar Land TX

International Classification:

C06B 2506

US Classification:

264 34, 264117, 23313 R, 23313 FB, 149 92, 540475

Abstract:

A process for forming granules (e. g. , alpha-HMX containing granules) from at least one particulate material comprises the steps of: (a) selecting particulates (e. g. , alpha-HMX particulates) having a particle size distribution; and (b) fluidizing the particulates, whereby particulates agglomerate to form granules. Optionally, the particulates can be coated with one or more second materials, such as energetic materials or fuels. If one or more of the second materials comprise polymerizable monomers, the process can optionally further comprise the step of polymerizing those monomers in situ, either before or after the granule is formed.

US Patent:

6520258, Feb 18, 2003

Filed:

Jul 21, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/621159

Inventors:

Wenbo Yang - Sugar Land TX
Brenden M. Grove - Missouri City TX
Lawrence A. Behrmann - Houston TX
Alfredo Fayard - Sugar Land TX
Daniel C. Markel - Pearland TX

Assignee:

Schlumberger Technology Corp. - Sugar Land TX

International Classification:

E21B 2902

US Classification:

166297, 166 55, 102312

Abstract:

An apparatus and method is provided to provide structural support for explosives (e. g. , shaped charges) in a tool (e. g. , a perforating gun). An encapsulant surrounds at least portions of the explosives to provide structural support for the explosives. The encapsulant contains a porous material, such as porous cement or polymer.

US Patent:

6554081, Apr 29, 2003

Filed:

Jul 21, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/620980

Inventors:

James E. Brooks - Manvel TX
Wenbo Yang - Sugar Land TX
Brenden M. Grove - Missouri City TX
Ian C. Walton - Sugar Land TX
Manish Kothari - Stafford TX
Lawrence A. Behrmann - Houston TX
Alfredo Fayard - Sugar Land TX
Daniel C. Markel - Pearland TX
Wallace E. Voreck - Sparta NJ

Assignee:

Schlumberger Technology Corporation - Sugar Land TX

International Classification:

E21B 43117

US Classification:

175 454, 166 551, 166297, 102310, 102312

Abstract:

An apparatus and method is provided to reduce interference resulting from activation of explosive devices. One type of interference is charge-to-charge interference, and another type of interference is pre-shock interference between a detonating cord and an explosive, such as a shaped charge. 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. In another arrangement, a shock barrier may be positioned between a detonating cord and an explosive to reduce pre-shock interference. In yet another feature, an encapsulant may be provided around one or more shaped charges to enhance structural support for the shaped charges.

US Patent:

6598682, Jul 29, 2003

Filed:

Mar 1, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/797209

Inventors:

Ashley B. Johnson - Sugar Land TX
James E. Brooks - Manvel TX
Lawrence A. Behrmann - Houston TX
Adinathan Venkitaraman - Houston TX
Ian Walton - Sugar Land TX
Anthony P. Vovers - Houston TX
Vladimir Vaynshteyn - Sugar Land TX
Dinesh R. Patel - Sugar Land TX
Michael W. Fruge - Katy TX

Assignee:

Schlumberger Technology Corp. - Sugar Land TX

International Classification:

E21B 2900

US Classification:

166370, 166297, 166311, 166 551, 166163

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. In yet another arrangement, a method of creating an underbalance condition comprises controlling wellbore pressure at least in a perforating interval to achieve a target level, configuring a perforating gun to achieve a target detonation pressure in the perforating gun upon detonation, and creating an underbalance condition in the perforating interval of the wellbore when the perforating gun is shot.

US Patent:

6622630, Sep 23, 2003

Filed:

Apr 11, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/546160

Inventors:

Wenbo Yang - Sugar Land TX
Jason H. Mai - Houston TX
Lawrence A. Behrmann - Houston TX

Assignee:

Schlumberger Technology Corporation - Sugar Land TX

International Classification:

C06O 500

US Classification:

1022754, 1022756, 1022757, 1022758, 1022755

Abstract:

A booster to relay a detonation train from a detonating cord to another booster includes an explosive and a shell. The shell has an open end to receive an end of the detonating cord and an indented closed end that is adapted to form a projectile to strike the other booster when the explosive detonates. The explosive may include at least fifty percent by weight of NONA, and in some embodiments, the explosive may be primarily NONA.

US Patent:

6732798, May 11, 2004

Filed:

Dec 11, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/316614

Inventors:

Ashley B. Johnson - Cambridge, GB
Lawrence A. Behrmann - Houston TX
Wenbo Yang - Sugar Land TX
Fokko Harm Cornelis Doornbosch - Sola, NL

Assignee:

Schlumberger Technology Corporation - Sugar Land TX

International Classification:

E21B 4311

US Classification:

166297, 166311, 166 551

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for controlling a transient underbalance condition is provided. Transient underbalance can be enhanced by using a porous material, such as a porous solid, around the explosive device. The porous material contains a volume to receive wellbore fluids in response to activation of the explosive device. This causes a local drop in pressure, which enhances the transient underbalance effect. In another application, it is desired to reduce the transient underbalance effect. This is accomplished by reducing the pressure drop generated as a result of explosive detonation. In one arrangement, the shot density is reduced by using solid masses.

US Patent:

6874579, Apr 5, 2005

Filed:

Feb 11, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/776153

Inventors:

Ashley B. Johnson - Cambridge, GB
Lawrence A. Behrmann - Houston TX, US
Wenbo Yang - Sugar Land TX, US
Fokko Harm Cornelis Doornbosch - Sola, NL

Assignee:

Schlumberger Technology Corp. - Sugar Land TX

International Classification:

E21B043/116
E21B029/00

US Classification:

166298, 166 551, 166386, 175 454

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.