US3753257A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Well monitoring for production of solids
Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Co
•
Filing: 1972-02-28
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Granted: 1973-08-14
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Expires: 1992-02-28
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for determining when solid particles are produced with a well fluid by utilizing a conductive means which is immersed in the produced well fluid and which is in a known conductive state, said conductive means being adversely affected as to its conductive state when exposed to solid particles such as sand in the well fluid.
Inventors
- 👤 T Arnold
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 14:02
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
Apparatus for determining whether solid particles are being produced from a well in the earth comprising a wellhead means, at least one production outlet pipe operably connected to said wellhead means, at least one fluid conducting means in the interior of at least one of said outlet pipes, means for establishing a known pressure state in said conducting means, and sensing means operably connected to said conducting means to sense any change in said known pressure state due to erosion of said conducting means by the impingement of solid particles thereon.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
Apparatus for determining whether solid particles are being produced from a well in the earth comprising a wellhead means, at least one production outlet pipe operably connected to said wellhead means, at least one fluid conducting means in the interior of at least one of said outlet pipes, means for establishing a known pressure state in said conducting means, and sensing means operably connected to said conducting means to sense any change in said known pressure state due to erosion of said conducting means by the impingement of solid particles thereon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for establishing said known pressure state is means for maintaining a known amount of fluid under known pressure conditions in said conducting means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said fluid conducting means carries a fluid at a pressure lower than the pressure in said outlet pipe.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said fluid is a gas.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
10 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said gas is air.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said lower pressure is a vacuum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said fluid conducting means carries a fluid at a pressure higher than the pressure in said outlet pipe.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said fluid is a gas.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
10 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said gas is air.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein there is an alarm means operably connected to said sensing means so that said alarm is actuated when said change in said known pressure state occurs.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for determining whether solid particles are being produced from a well comprising producing well fluid from said well, establishing a confined fluid conductive zone of known pressure state in said produced well fluid, monitoring the pressure in said conductive zone to determine when said known pressure state is altered by solid particles encountering said conductive zone in quantities sufficient to physically affect said conductive zone and cause a change in said known pressure state.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for determining whether solid particles are being produced from a well comprising producing well fluid from said well, establishing a confined fluid conductive zone of known pressure state in said produced well fluid, monitoring the pressure in said conductive zone to determine when said known pressure state is altered by solid particles encountering said conductive zone in quantities sufficient to physically affect said conductive zone and cause a change in said known pressure state.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein said solid particles are sand.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein said conductive zone conducts a known fluid at a known pressure which is different from the pressure of said produced well fluid, and sensing when said known pressure changes due to said solid particles piercing said conductive zone so that the pressure in said conductive zone can equalize with the pressure of said well fluid.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 13 wherein said known pressure is less than the pressure of said produced well fluid.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 14 wherein said known fluid is a gas.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method according tO claim 15 wherein said gas is air.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 14 wherein said lower pressure is a vacuum.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 13 wherein said known pressure is greater than the pressure of said produced well fluid.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 18 wherein said known fluid is a gas.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method according to claim 19 wherein said gas is air.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein an alarm is activated when said known pressure state is altered.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3197724A
Cited
US3264561A
Cited
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Cited
US3358229A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-13 | 1977-02-12 | 1977-08-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-13 | 1981-02-12 | 1981-08-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-13 | 1985-02-12 | 1985-08-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |