US3746097A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Subsurface blowout prevention
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-10-16
•
Granted: 1973-07-17
•
Expires: 1990-10-16
Abstract
Abstract In a tool and method for automatic subsurface closure of a well to prevent blowout conditions, the tool including a movable sealing means and a fluid-flow control means positioned above the sealing means, the movable sealing means being adapted to shut in the well in response to a subsurface pressure condition, the fluid flow control means automatically providing an opening for circulating drilling fluid above the sealed off area, the improvement comprising: an elongated mandrel adapted to allow the movement of the drill string after the sealing means effectively shuts in the well, a pressure sampling valve to monitor the external pressure of the fluid below the activated sealing means, and a mechanical release mechanism adapted to operate the fluid flow control means thereby mechanically contracting the sealing means.
Inventors
- 👤 J Mott
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 12:39
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B33/00; E21B33/10; E21B33/12; E21B17/00; E21B21/00; E21B21/10; E21B33/127
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
206 words
An elongated tool connectable to a string of liquid conducting hollow members for insertion into a wellbore, said tool comprising: a hollow outer mandrel; inflatable sealing means mounted on said outer mandrel; pressure control means mounted on said outer mandrel below said sealing means and being operatively coupled to said sealing means; said pressure control means a. having means for inflating said sealing means when the outside ambient pressure outside the tool in the wellbore becomes greater than the inside ambiEnt pressure inside the inner bore of the tool, b. having means for deflating said sealing means when said outside ambient pressure below said sealing means becomes less than said inside ambient pressure, and c. being operable solely in response to changes in the pressure difference between said outside and inside pressures; a hollow inner mandrel extending through said outer mandrel, said inner mandrel being connectable between said hollow members, each end of said outer mandrel being sealingly and slidably mounted on said inner mandrel to allow said inner mandrel to be movable relative to said outer mandrel, and said inner mandrel defining an upper port for establishing fluid communication between the inner bore of said inner mandrel and the inner bore of said outer mandrel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
206 words
An elongated tool connectable to a string of liquid conducting hollow members for insertion into a wellbore, said tool comprising: a hollow outer mandrel; inflatable sealing means mounted on said outer mandrel; pressure control means mounted on said outer mandrel below said sealing means and being operatively coupled to said sealing means; said pressure control means a. having means for inflating said sealing means when the outside ambient pressure outside the tool in the wellbore becomes greater than the inside ambiEnt pressure inside the inner bore of the tool, b. having means for deflating said sealing means when said outside ambient pressure below said sealing means becomes less than said inside ambient pressure, and c. being operable solely in response to changes in the pressure difference between said outside and inside pressures; a hollow inner mandrel extending through said outer mandrel, said inner mandrel being connectable between said hollow members, each end of said outer mandrel being sealingly and slidably mounted on said inner mandrel to allow said inner mandrel to be movable relative to said outer mandrel, and said inner mandrel defining an upper port for establishing fluid communication between the inner bore of said inner mandrel and the inner bore of said outer mandrel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The tool of claim 1 including, disabling means coupled to said pressure control means to disable said control means when said tool is initially inserted into said wellbore, and said disabling means changing to enabling means when said inside ambient pressure becomes greater than said outside ambient pressure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
87 words
The tool of claim 1 including, normally closed, first fluid communication means mounted on said outer mandrel above said sealing means, and said communication means open to establish fluid communication between the inside and outside of said tool above said sealing means after said sealing means have effectively sealed off the wellbore around said tool, and the pressure below said sealing means becomes greater than the pressure above said sealing means, and said inside ambient pressure remains less than said outside ambient pressure below said sealing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The tool of claim 3 including, second fluid communication means in said outer mandrel for maintaining fluid communication between said inner mandrel and said pressure control means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The tool of claim 4 wherein said first fluid communication means is closed when said second communication means is and vice versa.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The tool of claim 5 wherein said second fluid communication means is open when said sealing means is inflated thereby allowing an increase in the pressure inside said inner mandrel to operate on said control means to thereby deflate said sealing means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The tool of claim 6 wherein said upper port is in fluid communication with said second communication means when said inner mandrel is moved to an elevated position relative to said outer mandrel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The tool of claim 7 wherein said upper port is in direct fluid communication with said first communication means when said inner mandrel is positioned below said elevated position by a first predetermined distance.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The tool of claim 5 wherein said first communication means includes a circulating valve having a body portion coupled to said sealing means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
The tool of claim 9 wherein said second fluid communication means includes an operating valve having a body portion coupled to the body portion of said circulating valve to allow the body portions of said circulating and operating valves to move in unison.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
The tool of claim 10 wherein said second fluid communication means defines an elongated second chamber between said inner and outer mandrels for conducting fluid from said inner mandrel through said upper port and said second communication means to said first sensing element.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
The tool of claim 11 wherein said second chamber fluidly communicates with said first fluid communication means to allow fluid circulation between the inside and outside of said tool subsequent to the establishment of an effective seal by said sealing means against the wall of said wall bore.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The tool of claim 12 including intermediate seal means between said inner and outer mandrels adapted to seal off said upper port from said second chamber dependent upon the relative longitudinal positions of said mandrels.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The tool of claim 13 wherein said seal means include a top end seal and a Bottom end seal to seal off said second chamber.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
52 words
The tool of claim 9 wherein the first communication means includes a second differential-pressure sensing element movably mounted on said outer mandrel, and said second sensing element assisting in maintaining said circulating valve closed when the pressure inside said inner mandrel is greater than the ambient outside pressure above said sealing means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The tool of claim 15 wherein said second sensing element is a piston movably mounted on said outer mandrel.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
50 words
The tool of claim 1 including, releasable securing means for coupling said inner mandrel to said outer mandrel, said securing means being released by said pressure difference, and said inner mandrel being longitudinally movable relative to said outer mandrel only after said sealing means, in use, seals off said wellbore.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
57 words
The tool of claim 17 including, normally closed third fluid communication means mounted on said inner mandrel below said sealing means for establishing fluid communication between said inner mandrel and said borehole and, said third communication means opening upon the upward movement of said inner mandrel relative to said outer mandrel by a second predetermined longitudinal distance.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
92 words
The tool of claim 18 wherein the movement of said inner mandrel relative to said outer mandrel by an amount less than said second predetermined distance allows said third communication means to remain closed, said second communication means to remain closed, said first communication means to remain open, said upper port to be in direct communication with said second communication means, and said second communication means to be sealed off from said first communication means whereby a suitable substance can be circulated downwardly through said inner mandrel to shut in said wellbore.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
42 words
The tool of claim 18 wherein said third communication means includes a pressure-sampling valve having a body portion fixedly secured to said inner mandrel, and said inner mandrel defines a bottom port for maintaining direct fluid communication with said third communication means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
61 words
The tool of claim 20 wherein said third communication means includes a third differential-pressure sensing element, said third sensing element assisting in maintaining said pressure sampling valve closed when the pressure inside said inner mandrel is greater than the ambient outside pressure below said sealing means, and said inner mandrel defines an intermediate port fluidly communicating with said third sensing element.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The tool of claim 21 wherein said third communication means include a spring for biasing said third sensing element in a direction to assist in maintaining said pressure-sampling valve closed.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
77 words
The tool of claim 1 including, a normally closed third communication means between said inner mandrel and the outside of said tool below the sealing means, operating means mounted on the upper end of said inner mandrel to mechanically close said first communication means while opening said third communication means, whereby an increase in pressure inside said inner mandrel will cause said pressure control means to be isolated thereby to prevent the deflating of said sealing means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The tool of claim 23 wherein said operating means is a top connector for connecting said inner mandrel to a top hollow member.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
32 words
The tool of claim 1 wherein said sealing means define a first chamber; a liquid filling said chamber; and said control means controlling the pressure of the liquid in said first chamber.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
The tool of claim 25 wherein said control means include: a first differential-pressure sensing element responsive to said pressure difference, and a mechanism controlled by said first sensing element.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
The tool of claim 25 wherein said sealing means includes an inflatable element adapted to seal off said wellbore when said first chamber becomes pressurized.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
The tooL of claim 26 wherein said first sensing element is a piston mounted on said outer mandrel for longitudinal movement.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
The tool of claim 28 wherein said mechanism includes a piston adapted to move in said first chamber.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
38 words
The tool of claim 28 including, locking means for initially securing said mechanism to said outer mandrel, and said locking means releasing said mechanism when the pressure inside said inner mandrel becomes greater than the outside ambient pressure.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
26 words
The tool of claim 30 wherein the movement of said first sensing element exerts a downward force against said locking means to release said locking means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
42 words
The tool of claim 31 wherein said inner mandrel, subsequent to the release of said locking means and the establishment of an effective seal in said wellbore by said sealing means, is free to reciprocate and rotate relative to said outer mandrel.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
30 words
The tool of claim 32 including a check valve positioned near the bottom end of said inner mandrel to prevent fluid from the wellbore from entering into said inner mandrel.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
163 words
A hollow well tool connectable to a string of hollow members for circulating fluid between said string and an opening, said tool comprising: a packer which, in normal use, is contracted to allow unrestricted fluid circulation between said string and said opening, said packer being susceptible of radial expansion to seal off said opening, said packer having a resilient member with an outer surface which, in use, engages the wall of said opening and forms a sealing surface therewith, pressure responsive control means coupled to said packer, said control means, in normal use, being deactivated and becoming activated when the outside ambient pressure becomes relatively high, said control means, when activated, enabling said packer to radially expand, an outer hollow mandrel operatively supporting said packer and said pressure responsive means, and a hollow inner mandrel carrying said outer mandrel, said inner mandrel, in use, being connectable between said tubular members and being susceptible of longitudinal movement or rotation relative to said outer mandrel.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
163 words
A hollow well tool connectable to a string of hollow members for circulating fluid between said string and an opening, said tool comprising: a packer which, in normal use, is contracted to allow unrestricted fluid circulation between said string and said opening, said packer being susceptible of radial expansion to seal off said opening, said packer having a resilient member with an outer surface which, in use, engages the wall of said opening and forms a sealing surface therewith, pressure responsive control means coupled to said packer, said control means, in normal use, being deactivated and becoming activated when the outside ambient pressure becomes relatively high, said control means, when activated, enabling said packer to radially expand, an outer hollow mandrel operatively supporting said packer and said pressure responsive means, and a hollow inner mandrel carrying said outer mandrel, said inner mandrel, in use, being connectable between said tubular members and being susceptible of longitudinal movement or rotation relative to said outer mandrel.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for controlling a well having a borehole filled with a fluid including: lowering a string of hollow members into said borehole, one of said hollow members comprising a detachable and expandable sealing means; continuously monitoring the outside ambient pressure outside said sealing means relative to the inside pressure inside said string; using a predetermined value of the pressure difference between the outside and inside pressures to cause said sealing means to radially expand; detaching said sealing means from said one hollow member; and moving said string relative to said sealing means.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for controlling a well having a borehole filled with a fluid including: lowering a string of hollow members into said borehole, one of said hollow members comprising a detachable and expandable sealing means; continuously monitoring the outside ambient pressure outside said sealing means relative to the inside pressure inside said string; using a predetermined value of the pressure difference between the outside and inside pressures to cause said sealing means to radially expand; detaching said sealing means from said one hollow member; and moving said string relative to said sealing means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 35 and, using another value of said pressure difference to cause said sealing means to contract.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 36 and, reciprocating said string relative to said sealing means.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 36 and, rotating said string relative to said sealing means.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 35, and establishing fluid communication between said string and said borehole above the expanded sealing means; circulating fluid through said drill string after said fluid communication is established; and increasing the weight of said circulating fluid until said sealing means become contracted.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 39 including: raising said string to establish fluid communication between said borehole below said sealing means and the inside of said string, and measuring the ambient pressure outside said string and below said expanded sealing means.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 39 including, lowering said string to close said first fluid communication.
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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) | 1976-07-16 | 1977-01-15 | 1977-07-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-16 | 1981-01-15 | 1981-07-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-16 | 1985-01-15 | 1985-07-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |