US3602307A — Apparatus and method for gravel packing wells

Claim 1

Independent Claim 105 words

A method of gravel packing a liner in a wellbore comprising the steps of: (a) lowering and locating a liner assembly in the wellbore on a tubing string, said liner assembly comprising a production liner and a closure plug retrievably mounted in the upper end of said production liner; (b) separating said tubing string and said liner assembly; (c) flowing an aggregate material through said tubing string at a pressure sufficient to pack the aggregate material about the outer periphery of said production liner, said closure plug preventing the aggregate material from entering the interior of said production liner; and (d) retrieving said closure plug.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 105 words

A method of gravel packing a liner in a wellbore comprising the steps of: (a) lowering and locating a liner assembly in the wellbore on a tubing string, said liner assembly comprising a production liner and a closure plug retrievably mounted in the upper end of said production liner; (b) separating said tubing string and said liner assembly; (c) flowing an aggregate material through said tubing string at a pressure sufficient to pack the aggregate material about the outer periphery of said production liner, said closure plug preventing the aggregate material from entering the interior of said production liner; and (d) retrieving said closure plug.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 56 words

The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of flowing an aggregate material through the tubing string is performed with the lower end of the tubing string located above the liner assembly and the volume of aggregate material is sufficient to provide a packed zone in the wellbore which substantially covers the liner assembly.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 45 words

The method as recited in claim 2 wherein the step of flowing the aggregate material through the tubing string is followed by the step of lowering the tubing string while circulating fluid therethrough to remove aggregate material disposed above said production liner from the wellbore.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said closure plug is retrieved on said tubing string.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 109 words

A liner setting apparatus comprising: a plug member adapted to be retrievably connected to the upper end of a production liner and serving to prevent the entry of fluid therein when connected thereto; a retrieving member adapted to be connected to the lower end of a tubing string; first connection means for joining said plug member and said retrieving member, said first conneCtion means being releasable to permit separation of said retrieving member and said plug member; a second connection means for joining said retrieving member to said plug member after said first connection means has been released and being operative to retrieve said plug member from said liner.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 109 words

A liner setting apparatus comprising: a plug member adapted to be retrievably connected to the upper end of a production liner and serving to prevent the entry of fluid therein when connected thereto; a retrieving member adapted to be connected to the lower end of a tubing string; first connection means for joining said plug member and said retrieving member, said first conneCtion means being releasable to permit separation of said retrieving member and said plug member; a second connection means for joining said retrieving member to said plug member after said first connection means has been released and being operative to retrieve said plug member from said liner.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 38 words

The invention as recited in claim 5 wherein said first connection means includes frangible means which is rupturable by the application of a shear force in a direction tending to separate the plug member and the retrieving member.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 86 words

The invention as recited in claim 6 wherein said retrieving member has formed therethrough an axial opening, said opening being in fluid communication with the interior of said tubing with said retrieving member connected to said tubing, said plug member being sized to be received in said opening and including means for pressure sealing said opening when joined to said retrieving member by said frangible means so that fluid pressure in said tubing applies a shear force on said plug member for rupturing said frangible means.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 24 words

The invention as recited in claim 7 wherein said opening provides a flow area at least equal to the flow area of said tubing.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 42 words

The invention as recited in claim 6 wherein said plug member is adapted to be connected to said liner by a left-hand threaded connection, and said second connection means includes a right-hand threaded connection between said plug member and said retrieving member.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 57 words

The invention as recited in claim 9 wherein said retrieving member is in the form of a hollow sleeve and adapted to slidingly receive portions of said plug member, said member having a flow passage extending axially therethrough and a one-way valve mounted in said flow passage to permit only upward flow of fluid through said passage.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 119 words

A liner setting apparatus comprising: an outer retrieving member adapted to be connected to the lower end of a tubing string and having an axial opening formed therein; an inner plug member adapted to be mounted on the upper end of a production liner, said inner plug member being detachable from said liner; frangible means interconnecting said outer member and said inner plug member and being rupturable by the application of pressure internally of said tubing string to permit separation of said members; said plug member and said retrieving member having mating portions for rejoining said members after said frangible means has been ruptured to permit detachment of said plug member from said liner by manipulation of said tubing.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 119 words

A liner setting apparatus comprising: an outer retrieving member adapted to be connected to the lower end of a tubing string and having an axial opening formed therein; an inner plug member adapted to be mounted on the upper end of a production liner, said inner plug member being detachable from said liner; frangible means interconnecting said outer member and said inner plug member and being rupturable by the application of pressure internally of said tubing string to permit separation of said members; said plug member and said retrieving member having mating portions for rejoining said members after said frangible means has been ruptured to permit detachment of said plug member from said liner by manipulation of said tubing.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1974-08-30	1975-03-01	1975-08-31	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1978-08-30	1979-03-01	1979-08-31	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1982-08-30	1983-03-01	1983-08-31	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Apparatus and method for gravel packing wells

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