Abstract Two hollow hemispheres diametrically drilled to fit around a pipe casing, and exteriorly flanged for bolting together to isolate a section of said casing intermediate its ends, said hemispheres being drilled through in a plurality of places to receive drills for penetrating steel and cement. Respective nipples are exteriorly secured to the hemispheres around each drill hole. A screw cap may be used to close each nipple when not in use. In operation a valve may be attached to the nipple and a drill inserted therein for drilling through the concentric metal and cement casings of the casing pipe and the production tubing strings in the center thereof. If a hollow drill has been used it can remain in place, otherwise it is withdrawn. A plastic snake of a flexibility and size to pack around the tubing strings is forced into the drilled hole to isolate the drilled break in the tubing strings from the rest of the casing and the strings above the break. Cement and mud is pumped through connecting hoses and the installed valve into the drilled hole to stop up the well. If well pressure is great, a plurality of drills up to the number of drill holes in the hemispheres can be used to effect a plurality of penetrations into the pipe casings for pumping a larger volume per minute of stopping material into the casing and the lower part of the tubing strings. A second species of the invention comprises a cylindrical member divided diametrically into halves for bolting together around a pipe casing. Drill holes are defined through the cylinder walls, and nipples are secured therearound similar to the ones described for the hemispheres. Where six or less drill holes are required this species is the preferred one.
An apparatus for cutting off a flow of gas and oil from a wild producing well having tubing strings encased in a pipe casing, said apparatus comprising in combination: two semiannular means having respective external flanges that are adapted to bolt together for enclosing an area of pipe casing, said semiannular means being diametrically drilled to fit around said pipe casing, and radially drilled to define at least one entrance thereinto for access to said enclosed area of said pipe casings; tubular means for engaging fixtures mounted externally thereon and in line with said entrance; a hollow drill adapted to be received in said tubular means and entrance for drilling a hole in said pipe casing and cutting said tubing strings; flexible snake means of a diameter for inserting through said hollow drill and into said drilled hole in the pipe casing to pack in and around said cut tubing strings and isolate the upper parts of said tubing strings from the lower parts; and hose means connecting said tubular means with a pressurized source of mud and cement for pumping into said drilled casing and tubing strings to stop the well flow.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
193 words
An apparatus for cutting off a flow of gas and oil from a wild producing well having tubing strings encased in a pipe casing, said apparatus comprising in combination: two semiannular means having respective external flanges that are adapted to bolt together for enclosing an area of pipe casing, said semiannular means being diametrically drilled to fit around said pipe casing, and radially drilled to define at least one entrance thereinto for access to said enclosed area of said pipe casings; tubular means for engaging fixtures mounted externally thereon and in line with said entrance; a hollow drill adapted to be received in said tubular means and entrance for drilling a hole in said pipe casing and cutting said tubing strings; flexible snake means of a diameter for inserting through said hollow drill and into said drilled hole in the pipe casing to pack in and around said cut tubing strings and isolate the upper parts of said tubing strings from the lower parts; and hose means connecting said tubular means with a pressurized source of mud and cement for pumping into said drilled casing and tubing strings to stop the well flow.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said semiannular means comprises: two hollow hemispheres whose external cooperating flanges are peripheral.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said semiannular means comprises two semicylinders.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
75 words
An apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said tubular means for engaging fixtures and reinforcing said semiannular means comprises a nipple having oppositely disposed ends, one of which is flanged with bolt holes defined therein, and the other is exteriorly threaded, said nipple being bolted to said semiannular means through said flange bolt holes and into cooperatively tapped holes in said semiannular means and engaging a fitting threaded to cooperate with its threaded end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A tubular means for engaging fixtures as described in claim 4 wherein said fitting comprises a shutoff valve having an operating handle for opening and closing a through passageway defined in said valve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
102 words
An improved method of cutting off a flow of gas and oil from a wild well having tubing strings encased in a pipe casing and comprising the steps: isolating an area of pipe casing intermediate the ends thereof; drilling at least one hole through said isolating means into said pipe casing and through the tubing strings therein; inserting flexible blocking means into said drill hole to pack around said cut tubing strings to isolate the upper parts from the lower parts; and pumping mud and cement into said drill hole and lower part of said tubing strings to stop up the well.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
102 words
An improved method of cutting off a flow of gas and oil from a wild well having tubing strings encased in a pipe casing and comprising the steps: isolating an area of pipe casing intermediate the ends thereof; drilling at least one hole through said isolating means into said pipe casing and through the tubing strings therein; inserting flexible blocking means into said drill hole to pack around said cut tubing strings to isolate the upper parts from the lower parts; and pumping mud and cement into said drill hole and lower part of said tubing strings to stop up the well.