US3612192A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cryogenic drilling method
Assignee: JAMES C MAGUIRE JR
•
Filing: 1969-04-14
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Granted: 1971-10-12
•
Expires: 1989-04-14
Abstract
Abstract A process for air drilling by cooling the air to cryogenic temperatures, forcing the cooled air down the drill column and up the well bore. The cold air will cause the well bore to freeze eliminating many of the problems in air drilling such as water influx and sloughing of shale. The process will also permit efficient use of the electric drill. The process may also be applied to other gaseous drilling fluids such as, for example, natural gas, nitrogen, propane, neon and the like.
Inventors
- 👤 James C Maguire Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 20:27
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B21/00; E21B21/16; E21B33/00; E21B33/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
21 words
A method as described in claim 1 further characterized by precooling said compressed gas by the exhausted gas from said borehole.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method, as described in claim 2 wherein said exhausted gas is filtered prior to cooling said compressed gas.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as described in claim 1 wherein said gas is cooled to at least minus 200* F.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method as described in claim 1 wherein said gas is air.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as described in claim 1 wherein said gas is natural gas.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as described in claim 1 wherein said gas is inert gas of the class consisting of nitrogen, neon and the like.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as described in claim 1 wherein said gas is compressed to approximately 600 to 1,500 p.s.i. and said compressed gas is cooled by turboexpander polytropically to between 50 to 100 p.s.i.a.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
81 words
In a method for gas drilling a well utilizing an electric drill motor connected to a drill string on the down hole end; an improvement comprising a. injecting a gas having a temperature of at least minus 175* F. at the up hole end of said drill string whereby said cryogenic gas will cool said drill, cool said well bore, freezing said water in said well bore wall and lift the chips fractured by said drill out of said well bore.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method as described in claim 9 wherein said cooled gas is made by a. compressing a gas b. dehydrating said compressed gas c. expanding said gas to a pressure wherein the temperature of said gas is at least minus 175* F. or colder.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as described in claim 9 wherein said gas is from a class consisting of nitrogen, propane or natural gas.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US2915285A
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Cited
US3424254A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-10-11 | 1975-04-12 | 1975-10-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-11 | 1979-04-12 | 1979-10-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-11 | 1983-04-12 | 1983-10-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |