US3633674A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods and apparatus for inhibiting the entrance of loose formation materials into a well bore
Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp
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Filing: 1970-10-14
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Granted: 1972-01-11
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Expires: 1990-10-14
Abstract
Abstract As a representative embodiment of the invention disclosed herein, an elongated flexible tubular screen is dependently coupled to a ported tubular mandrel having one or more collapsible centralizers mounted thereon and a fishing neck on its closed upper end. The tool is lowered through a production string and into a previously perforated interval of the well bore below the packer and the lower end of the tubular screen is rested on the bottom of the well bore or a plug previously set below the perforated interval. The tool is then lowered further so that the weight of the mandrel will collapse the tubular screen into a coil around the internal wall of the casing but still leave the ports in the tubular mandrel extending well above the uppermost perforations of the perforated interval. Thus, should the well subsequently produce sand or other unconsolidated formation materials, the coiled screen will be covered with such loose materials to provide a filter bed around the screen. In this manner, the connate fluids which are subsequently produced will be strained through the filtering media and pass on through the tubular screen and the perforated mandrel thereabove.
Inventors
- 👤 Emmet F Brieger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 22:38
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/02; E21B43/08; E21B43/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
222 words
A method for inhibiting the production of loose formation materIals from a well bore having a production string disposed therein and terminating above a perforated interval of the well bore traversing an earth formation containing such loose formation materials and comprising the steps of: lowering a tubular body having an elongated flexible tubular screen dependently coupled thereto and a flow passage in said body through said production string and into said perforated interval for resting the lower end of said tubular screen on a surface defining the lower limit of said perforated interval and positioning said flow passage above the upper limit of said perforated interval; lowering said body still further into said well bore for imposing the weight of said body onto the upper end of said tubular screen to collapse said tubular screen into a helix around the walls of said perforated interval; producing an initial quantity of connate fluids from said earth formation for drawing loose formation materials into said perforated interval until said tubular screen is believed to be covered with said loose materials to provide a filtering media of said loose materials around said tubular screen; and, thereafter, producing additional connate fluids from said earth formation through said filtering media and into said tubular screen for straining subsequently entering loose formation materials from said additional connate fluids.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
222 words
A method for inhibiting the production of loose formation materIals from a well bore having a production string disposed therein and terminating above a perforated interval of the well bore traversing an earth formation containing such loose formation materials and comprising the steps of: lowering a tubular body having an elongated flexible tubular screen dependently coupled thereto and a flow passage in said body through said production string and into said perforated interval for resting the lower end of said tubular screen on a surface defining the lower limit of said perforated interval and positioning said flow passage above the upper limit of said perforated interval; lowering said body still further into said well bore for imposing the weight of said body onto the upper end of said tubular screen to collapse said tubular screen into a helix around the walls of said perforated interval; producing an initial quantity of connate fluids from said earth formation for drawing loose formation materials into said perforated interval until said tubular screen is believed to be covered with said loose materials to provide a filtering media of said loose materials around said tubular screen; and, thereafter, producing additional connate fluids from said earth formation through said filtering media and into said tubular screen for straining subsequently entering loose formation materials from said additional connate fluids.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said initial quantity of connate fluids is produced at a lower rate than the production rate of said additional connate fluids.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the combined lengths of said tubular screen and said body are sufficient to leave at least said flow passage above said upper limit of said perforated interval after said tubular screen is collapsed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said initial quantity of connate fluids is produced at a lower rate than the production rate of said additional connate fluids.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
176 words
A method for installing a screen in a well bore having a production string disposed therein and terminating above a perforated interval of the well bore traversing an earth formation containing loose formation materials and comprising the steps of: coupling a suspension cable to a tubular body having a lateral flow passage therein and an elongated flexible tubular screen dependently coupled thereto and in fluid communication with said flow passage, said tubular screen having an overall length greater than the height of said perforated interval above a surface defining its lower limit; lowering said tubular body and screen on said cable through said production string and into said perforated interval for positioning said flow passage above the upper limit of said perforated interval; and releasing said cable from said tubular body for dropping said tubular body onto said tubular screen to collapse said tubular screen into a helical configuration coiled upwardly around the walls of said perforated interval and support said tubular body with its said flow passage above said upper limit of said perforated interval.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
176 words
A method for installing a screen in a well bore having a production string disposed therein and terminating above a perforated interval of the well bore traversing an earth formation containing loose formation materials and comprising the steps of: coupling a suspension cable to a tubular body having a lateral flow passage therein and an elongated flexible tubular screen dependently coupled thereto and in fluid communication with said flow passage, said tubular screen having an overall length greater than the height of said perforated interval above a surface defining its lower limit; lowering said tubular body and screen on said cable through said production string and into said perforated interval for positioning said flow passage above the upper limit of said perforated interval; and releasing said cable from said tubular body for dropping said tubular body onto said tubular screen to collapse said tubular screen into a helical configuration coiled upwardly around the walls of said perforated interval and support said tubular body with its said flow passage above said upper limit of said perforated interval.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
185 words
Well-completion apparatus adapted for installation in a perforated interval of a well bore traversing an earth formation containing loose formation materials and having a production string terminating thereabove for providing communication to the surface, and comprising: an elongated rigid tubular body having a flow passage therein between the lower end of said body and an upper portion thereof; an elongated tubular screen formed of a flexible, finely meshed, fluid-pervious material having its upper end dependently coupled to said lower end of said body and its lower end blocked so that the sole fluid communication into said tubular screen is by way of said fluid-pervious material defining the wall surfaces of said tubular screen, said length and material of said tubular screen being cooperatively selected to enable said tubular screen to collapse into a helical configuration whenever the weight of said body is imposed on said upper end of said tubuLar screen; and means on the upper end of said body adapted for releasable connection to a suspension cable for lowering said body and tubular screen through a production string and into a perforated interval therebelow.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
185 words
Well-completion apparatus adapted for installation in a perforated interval of a well bore traversing an earth formation containing loose formation materials and having a production string terminating thereabove for providing communication to the surface, and comprising: an elongated rigid tubular body having a flow passage therein between the lower end of said body and an upper portion thereof; an elongated tubular screen formed of a flexible, finely meshed, fluid-pervious material having its upper end dependently coupled to said lower end of said body and its lower end blocked so that the sole fluid communication into said tubular screen is by way of said fluid-pervious material defining the wall surfaces of said tubular screen, said length and material of said tubular screen being cooperatively selected to enable said tubular screen to collapse into a helical configuration whenever the weight of said body is imposed on said upper end of said tubuLar screen; and means on the upper end of said body adapted for releasable connection to a suspension cable for lowering said body and tubular screen through a production string and into a perforated interval therebelow.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The well-completion apparatus of claim 6 further including centralizing means cooperatively arranged on said body for maintaining said body coaxially disposed in a well bore.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The well-completion apparatus of claim 6 wherein the length of said tubular screen is selected to be greater than the overall length of a perforated interval of a well bore in which said apparatus is to be installed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The well-completion apparatus of claim 8 wherein the length of said body is selected to position said upper portion thereof above the upper limit of a perforated interval into which said tubular screen has been collapsed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The well-completion apparatus of claim 6 further including a coil spring coaxially fitted within said tubular screen and operatively arranged for preventing the flattening of said tubular screen once it has been collapsed into said helical configuration.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-10 | 1975-07-12 | 1976-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-10 | 1979-07-12 | 1980-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-10 | 1983-07-12 | 1984-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |