Patent US3756318A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3756318A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Well completion in friable sands
Assignee: Mobil Oil AS
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Filing: 1971-06-30
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Granted: 1973-09-04
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Expires: 1991-06-30
Abstract
Abstract This specification discloses a well completion system for use in unconsolidated formations and a process for producing fluids from wells penetrating such formations. A well is provided that extends into the unconsolidated formation and has an open production interval that communicates with the formation. A sand retainer is installed adjacent a lower portion of the open production interval. The sand retainer extends from the lower extremity of the open production interval upward to an intermediate location of the open production interval. Fluids are produced from the well at a rate such that sand arches are formed and the formation is stabilized, thus permitting a high rate of production of hydrocarbons with a minimum production of sand from that portion of the unconsolidated formation above the sand retainer. Concomitantly therewith fluids are produced from the formation through the sand retainer, which sand retainer controls the flow of sand from the portion of the formation adjacent the sand retainer.
Inventors
- 👤 N Stein
- 👤 L Jones
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 11:18
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/02; E21B43/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of producing fluids from an unconsolidated formation, said formation being penetrated by a substantially vertical well having an open production interval communicating with said unconsolidated formation, comprising: a. producing fluids from said formation into said substantially vertical well through a sand retainer located adjacent a lower portion of said open production interval, said sand retainer terminating at its upper extremity at an intermediate location of said open production interval; and b. concomitantly with step (a) producing fluids from said formation into said substantially vertical well through an upper portion of said open production interval above said sand retainer.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of producing fluids from an unconsolidated formation, said formation being penetrated by a substantially vertical well having an open production interval communicating with said unconsolidated formation, comprising: a. producing fluids from said formation into said substantially vertical well through a sand retainer located adjacent a lower portion of said open production interval, said sand retainer terminating at its upper extremity at an intermediate location of said open production interval; and b. concomitantly with step (a) producing fluids from said formation into said substantially vertical well through an upper portion of said open production interval above said sand retainer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said sand retainer is located adjacent no more than the lower 75 percent of said open production interval.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said sand retainer comprises a gravel pack.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of producing hydrocarbons and water contained in an unconsolidated formation, said hydrocarbons being underlain by bottom water, said formation being penetrated by a well having an open production interval communicating with said unconsolidated formation, the steps comprising: producing hydrocarbons and water from said formation into said well through a sand retainer located adjacent a lower portion of said open production interval, said sand retainer extending from the lower extremity of said open production interval upward to approximately the uppermost level to which a water cone will rise from said bottom water; and producing hydrocarbons from said formation into said well through an upper portion of said open production interval above said sand retainer.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of producing hydrocarbons and water contained in an unconsolidated formation, said hydrocarbons being underlain by bottom water, said formation being penetrated by a well having an open production interval communicating with said unconsolidated formation, the steps comprising: producing hydrocarbons and water from said formation into said well through a sand retainer located adjacent a lower portion of said open production interval, said sand retainer extending from the lower extremity of said open production interval upward to approximately the uppermost level to which a water cone will rise from said bottom water; and producing hydrocarbons from said formation into said well through an upper portion of said open production interval above said sand retainer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said sand retainer comprises a gravel pack.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said gravel pack extends from the lower extremity of said open production interval upward for no more than 75 percent of said open production interval.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
134 words
A method of producing fluids from an unconsolidated formation, said formation being penetrated by a well having an open production interval communicating with said unconsolidated formation, comprising: a. forming a sand retainer in said well adjacent a lower portion of said open production interval, said sand retainer extending from the lower extremity of said open production interval and terminating at its Upper extremity at an intermediate location of said open production interval; b. producing fluids at a first rate from said well until sand-free production is attained; c. repeating step (b) at incremental higher production rates until a production rate is attained at which sand-free production is no longer attained; and d. producing fluids from said well at a production rate slightly less than said rate at which sand-free production is no longer attained.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
134 words
A method of producing fluids from an unconsolidated formation, said formation being penetrated by a well having an open production interval communicating with said unconsolidated formation, comprising: a. forming a sand retainer in said well adjacent a lower portion of said open production interval, said sand retainer extending from the lower extremity of said open production interval and terminating at its Upper extremity at an intermediate location of said open production interval; b. producing fluids at a first rate from said well until sand-free production is attained; c. repeating step (b) at incremental higher production rates until a production rate is attained at which sand-free production is no longer attained; and d. producing fluids from said well at a production rate slightly less than said rate at which sand-free production is no longer attained.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said sand retainer comprises a gravel pack.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said gravel pack is adjacent no more than the lower 75 percent of said open production interval.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
60 words
A substantially vertical well extending from the surface of the earth and penetrating an unconsolidated formation, said substantially vertical well having an open production interval communicating with said unconsolidated formation and having a sand retainer located adjacent a lower portion of said open production interval and terminating at its upper extremity at an intermediate location of said open production interval.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
60 words
A substantially vertical well extending from the surface of the earth and penetrating an unconsolidated formation, said substantially vertical well having an open production interval communicating with said unconsolidated formation and having a sand retainer located adjacent a lower portion of said open production interval and terminating at its upper extremity at an intermediate location of said open production interval.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The well of claim 10 wherein said sand retainer comprises a gravel pack.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The well of claim 11 wherein said gravel pack is located adjacent no more than the lower 75 percent of said open production interval.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2434239A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-03 | 1977-03-05 | 1977-09-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-03 | 1981-03-05 | 1981-09-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-03 | 1985-03-05 | 1985-09-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |