Patent US3630282A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3630282A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Methods and apparatus for perforating earth formations
Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp
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Filing: 1970-05-20
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Granted: 1971-12-28
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Expires: 1990-05-20
Abstract
Abstract This application discloses new and improved methods for perforating earth formations and then cleaning debris and the like from such perforations. To practice the present invention, a new and improved perforator is provided with one or more pairs of like or similar perforating devices operatively arranged for producing perforations in an earth formation which are selectively directed so that each pair of perforations will be in fluid communication with each other. An enclosed low-pressure chamber is coupled to one of the perforating devices in each set and a seal is arranged around the perforating axis of this perforating device for at least limiting the direct entrance of well bore fluids into the perforation produced thereby. In this manner, upon operation of each pair of the perforating devices, well bore fluids will be drawn into the perforation produced by the other perforating device and be swept through the intercommunicating perforations into the low-pressure chamber for cleaning debris and loose formation materials from the perforations.
Inventors
- 👤 C P Lanmon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 21:52
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/11; E21B43/116; E21B43/117; E21B37/00; E21B37/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A method for completing a well bore containing fluids and traversing earth formations and comprising the steps of: isolating a plurality of spaced surfaces along the well bore from the well bore fluids; perforating said spaced surfaces to provIde a number of passages into the earth formations which are isolated form the well bore fluids; perforating a plurality of exposed surfaces along the well bore and adjacent to said spaced surfaces to provide a number of open passages into the earth formations which are respectively directed in relation to said isolated passages to be effectual for communicating therewith; and, while said spaced surfaces are still isolated, coupling a receiver at a pressure less than that of the well bore fluids into said isolated passages for drawing well bore fluids into said open passages and back out of said isolated passages into said receiver to clean said passages.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
147 words
A method for completing a well bore containing fluids and traversing earth formations and comprising the steps of: isolating a plurality of spaced surfaces along the well bore from the well bore fluids; perforating said spaced surfaces to provIde a number of passages into the earth formations which are isolated form the well bore fluids; perforating a plurality of exposed surfaces along the well bore and adjacent to said spaced surfaces to provide a number of open passages into the earth formations which are respectively directed in relation to said isolated passages to be effectual for communicating therewith; and, while said spaced surfaces are still isolated, coupling a receiver at a pressure less than that of the well bore fluids into said isolated passages for drawing well bore fluids into said open passages and back out of said isolated passages into said receiver to clean said passages.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said spaced surfaces are distributed longitudinally along the well bore.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said spaced surfaces are distributed longitudinally along the well bore and the exposed surfaces are alternately distributed along the well bore between said spaced surfaces.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the number of said isolated passages is equal to the number of said open passages so that only one of each of said open passages will establish communication with only one of said isolated passages adjacent thereto.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said spaced surfaces are distributed at longitudinal intervals along the well bore and the exposed surfaces are alternately distributed therebetween.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said spaced surfaces and said exposed surfaces are longitudinally aligned with one another.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 1 wherein each of one set of said passages is directed along an axis substantially normal to the wall of the well bore and each of the other set of said passages is directed along an axis substantially intersecting the axis of the adjacent passage of said one set.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein a separate receiver is coupled to each of said isolated passages
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the well bore fluids include liquids having an elevated hydrostatic pressure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the well bore fluids include gases at an elevated pressure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said open passages and said isolated passages are simultaneously produced.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said open passages are produced before said isolated passages
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said isolated passages are produced before said open passages.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said passages are produced in an alternating sequence.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
146 words
A method for completing a well bore containing fluids and traversing an earth formation and comprising the steps of: isolating a first surface of the well bore from the well bore fluids and from a second adjacent surface of the well bore; perforating through one of said surfaces and into the formation to provide a first passage therein; perforating through the other of said surfaces and into the formation to provide a second passage therein directed relative to said first passage to be effectual for establishing fluid communication therebetween; and, thereafter, coupling a receiver at a pressure less than that of the well bore fluids to said isolated surface and the passage therein for drawing well bore fluids into the other passage and out through the passage in said isolated surface into said receiver to flush unwanted material out of said passages and into said receiver.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
146 words
A method for completing a well bore containing fluids and traversing an earth formation and comprising the steps of: isolating a first surface of the well bore from the well bore fluids and from a second adjacent surface of the well bore; perforating through one of said surfaces and into the formation to provide a first passage therein; perforating through the other of said surfaces and into the formation to provide a second passage therein directed relative to said first passage to be effectual for establishing fluid communication therebetween; and, thereafter, coupling a receiver at a pressure less than that of the well bore fluids to said isolated surface and the passage therein for drawing well bore fluids into the other passage and out through the passage in said isolated surface into said receiver to flush unwanted material out of said passages and into said receiver.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said first and second passages are respectively directed along converging axes.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 15 wherein one of said passages is directed along a first axis substantially normal to the wall of the well bore and the other of said passages is directed along a second axis which substantially approaches an intersection with said first axis.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said passages are sequentially produced.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said passages are produced substantially simultaneously.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said first surface is longitudinally spaced from said second surface and is vertically aligned therewith.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the well bore fluids include liquids having an elevated hydrostatic pressure.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the well bore fluids include gases at an elevated pressure.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said passages are respectively produced by shaped charge perforating devices so that said unwanted material may include debris deposited in said passages by said shaped charge perforating devices.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
199 words
A method for perforating a cased well bore containing fluids and traversing earth formations and comprising: enclosing a first perforating device within a hollow carrier having an outstanding member on one side thereof and in alignment with said first perforating device; mounting a second perforating device on said carrier and directing said second perforating device along an axis substantially intersecting the axis of said first perforating device; placing said carrier into a cased well bore and urging said carrier laterally to position said outstanding member against the adjacent wall of the well casing; lowering said carrier into the well bore while said outstanding member is maintained against the adjacent casing wall to abrade said outstanding member into a curvature substantially complementary with the curvature of the casing wall; and actuating said perforating devices to produce first and second substantially intersecting passages in the earth formations with said first passage being substantially isolated from the well bore fluids by the complemental fit of said outstanding member with the casing wall and said second passage being in communication with the well bore fluids for inducing a flow of such fluids through said passages and into said carrier to clean said passages.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
199 words
A method for perforating a cased well bore containing fluids and traversing earth formations and comprising: enclosing a first perforating device within a hollow carrier having an outstanding member on one side thereof and in alignment with said first perforating device; mounting a second perforating device on said carrier and directing said second perforating device along an axis substantially intersecting the axis of said first perforating device; placing said carrier into a cased well bore and urging said carrier laterally to position said outstanding member against the adjacent wall of the well casing; lowering said carrier into the well bore while said outstanding member is maintained against the adjacent casing wall to abrade said outstanding member into a curvature substantially complementary with the curvature of the casing wall; and actuating said perforating devices to produce first and second substantially intersecting passages in the earth formations with said first passage being substantially isolated from the well bore fluids by the complemental fit of said outstanding member with the casing wall and said second passage being in communication with the well bore fluids for inducing a flow of such fluids through said passages and into said carrier to clean said passages.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 28 wherein said perforating devices are shaped charges.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1974-12-27 | 1975-06-28 | 1975-12-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-27 | 1979-06-28 | 1979-12-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-27 | 1983-06-28 | 1983-12-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |