US3720267A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Well production method for permafrost zones
Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Co
•
Filing: 1972-04-05
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Granted: 1973-03-13
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Expires: 1992-04-05
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for producing a warm fluid from a well through casing, the casing passing through a permafrost zone, wherein the permafrost is insulated from melting by the combined use of vacuum and solid thermal insulation.
Inventors
- 👤 W Allen
- 👤 Velle J Le
- 👤 F Schuh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 06:05
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L59/00; F16L59/14; F16L59/16; F16L59/18; E; E21; E21B; E21B33/00; E21B33/10; E21B36/00; E21B36/003; F16L1/00; F16L1/024; F16L1/026; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S166/00; Y10S166/901
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
In a method for producing a warm fluid through a casing zone in a wellbore in the earth, the wellbore passing through a zone of permafrost that can be melted in part upon continued exposure to said warm fluid, the improvement comprising providing a plurality of spaced apart vacuum zones along the length of said casing zone in said permafrost zone thereby establishing a plurality of vacuum zones wherein each pair of adjacent vacuum zones has an uninsulated space therebetween, providing in at least one of said uninsulated spaces between adjacent vacuum zones a solid insulation material to provide substantially continuous insulation through said permafrost zone, and producing said warm fluid through said casing zone to the earth''surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
In a method for producing a warm fluid through a casing zone in a wellbore in the earth, the wellbore passing through a zone of permafrost that can be melted in part upon continued exposure to said warm fluid, the improvement comprising providing a plurality of spaced apart vacuum zones along the length of said casing zone in said permafrost zone thereby establishing a plurality of vacuum zones wherein each pair of adjacent vacuum zones has an uninsulated space therebetween, providing in at least one of said uninsulated spaces between adjacent vacuum zones a solid insulation material to provide substantially continuous insulation through said permafrost zone, and producing said warm fluid through said casing zone to the earth''surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
118 words
In a method for producing a warm fluid through a casing zone in a wellbore in the earth, the wellbore passing through a zone of permafrost that can be melted in part upon continued exposure to said warm fluid, the improvement comprising providing a plurality of spaced apart vacuum zones along the length of said casing zone in said permafrost zone thereby establishing a plurality of vacuum zones wherein each pair of adjacent vacuum zones has an uninsulated space therebetween, providing in at least one of said uninsulated spaces between adjacent vacuum zones a solid insulation material to provide substantially continuous insulation through said permafrost zone, and producing said warm fluid through said casing zone to the earth''surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
118 words
In a method for producing a warm fluid through a casing zone in a wellbore in the earth, the wellbore passing through a zone of permafrost that can be melted in part upon continued exposure to said warm fluid, the improvement comprising providing a plurality of spaced apart vacuum zones along the length of said casing zone in said permafrost zone thereby establishing a plurality of vacuum zones wherein each pair of adjacent vacuum zones has an uninsulated space therebetween, providing in at least one of said uninsulated spaces between adjacent vacuum zones a solid insulation material to provide substantially continuous insulation through said permafrost zone, and producing said warm fluid through said casing zone to the earth''surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said vacuum zones have established therein a vacuum in the range of from about 100 to about 10 5 millimeters of mercury.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein said warm fluid is at least one of petroleum oil and petroleum gas at a temperature greater than 32*F., and the temperature at the permafrost face of said well bore is no greater than 32*F.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3397745A
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US3380530A
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US3613792A
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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) | 1976-03-12 | 1976-09-11 | 1977-03-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-12 | 1980-09-11 | 1981-03-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-12 | 1984-09-11 | 1985-03-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |