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US3789923A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method and apparatus for modifying a well to provide gas lift production

Assignee: Baker Hughes Holdings LLC
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Filing: 1971-12-17
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Granted: 1974-02-05
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Expires: 1991-12-17
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Abstract

Abstract In the method, a perforating device equipped with perforation forming means is lowered through a conventional tubing string and locked with a collar recess at a predetermined subsurface location. On a second trip, a remotely operable actuating device is lowered into engagement with the perforating device and operated to actuate the perforating device which in turn forms perforations through the wall of the surrounding tubing string. On the return leg of the second trip, the perforating device is unlocked and removed from the tubing string along with the attached actuating device. On a third trip, a gas lift valve is lowered through the tubing and anchored with the same collar recess to provide regulated valving of fluids flowing through the perforations. The apparatus includes a perforating device and a separate actuating device. The actuating device is lowered into engagement with the perforating device following locking of the perforating device with a subsurface collar recess. The actuating device is surface operated to ignite a charge carried in the perforating device which produces a cutting jet stream to form perforations in the surrounding tubing string. The perforating and actuating devices are locked together for removal as a unit. The apparatus includes a gas lift valve provided with radially movable collar recess anchoring members and axially spaced, self expanding seal members for respectively anchoring the valve with the collar recess and providing a seal above and below the perforations whereby the valve regulates the flow of fluids through the perforations.

Inventors

  • 👤 H Garrett

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-07 22:18
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B29/00; E21B29/02; E21B43/00; E21B43/12; E21B43/121; E21B43/122

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim 124 words
A system for performing subsurface operations in a tubing string comprising: a. a perforating device configured for axial movement through said tubing string; b. perforating means included in said perforating device and operable by an actuating means for forming one or more perforations in said tubing string; c. locking means included in said perforating device for locking said perforating device at a subsurface location within said tubing string; d. actuating means for operating said perforating means; and e. releasable engagement means included in said actuating means for engaging said actuating means with said perforating device after said perforating device is locked to said tubing string and for releasing said perforating device from said tubing string after said one or more perforations have been formed.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 124 words
A system for performing subsurface operations in a tubing string comprising: a. a perforating device configured for axial movement through said tubing string; b. perforating means included in said perforating device and operable by an actuating means for forming one or more perforations in said tubing string; c. locking means included in said perforating device for locking said perforating device at a subsurface location within said tubing string; d. actuating means for operating said perforating means; and e. releasable engagement means included in said actuating means for engaging said actuating means with said perforating device after said perforating device is locked to said tubing string and for releasing said perforating device from said tubing string after said one or more perforations have been formed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 64 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein: a. said perforating means includes ignitable charge means for discharging to form one or more radial openings through said tubing string; b. said perforating means includes impact responsive discharge control means for discharging said ignitable charge means; and c. said actuating means includes remotely operable impact means for delivering an impact to said discharge control means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 50 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said locking means includes remotely operable radially movable locking members movable between outer and inner radial positions to respectively anchor to and release from said tubing string whereby said perforating device may be selectively engaged with and disengaged from said tubing string.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 69 words
A system as defined in claim 1 for use in a tubing string of the type formed from a plurality of tubular sections connected to each other at their ends by collars wherein said locking means includes radially movable collar locking means remotely operable to be moved radially outwardly for locking said perforating device with a collar recess formed at the junction of two sections of said tubing string.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 59 words
A system as defined in claim 4 wherein: a. said perforating means includes ignitable charge means for forming a radial opening in said tubing; b. said perforating means includes impact responsive discharge control means for discharging said ignitable charge means; and c. said actuating means includes remotely operable impact means for delivering an impact to said discharge control means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 54 words
A system as defined in claim 4 wherein: a. said collar locking means includes a plurality of radially movable locking dogs; and b. said locking means includes axially movable setting sleeve means movable to a first axial position for retaining said locking dogs in a radially outward position in engagement with a collar recess.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 70 words
A system as defined in claim 6 wherein said setting sleeve means is movable to a second axial position for permitting radial retraction of said locking dogs from said radially outward position and further including remotely releasable holding means for temporarily retaining said setting sleeve means in said first position and, when released, for releasing said setting sleeve means for movement to said second position have been inserted after ''''position.''''
Claim 9
Independent Claim 216 words
A system for performing subsurface operations in a tubing string comprising: a. a perforating device configured for axial movement through said tubing string. b. perforating means included in said perforating device and operable by an actuating means for forming one or more perforations in said tubing string; c. locking means included in said perforating device for locking said perforating device at a subsurface location within said tubing string, said locking means including remotely operable radially movable locking members movable between outer and inner radial positions to respectively anchor to and release from said tubing string whereby said perforating device may be selectively engaged with and disengaged from said tubing string; d. a setting mechanism releasably connected with said perforating means, said mechanism including biasing means for urging said locking members to their other radial position before said perforating device is locked to said tubing string and release means for releasing said setting mechanism from said perforating device after said device is locked to said tubing string; and e. ratcheting means connected with said setting mechanism permitting said locking members to withdraw radially from a collar recess to their inner radial position when said perforating device is moved downwardly through said tubing string while preventing such withdrawal when said perforating device is moved upwardly through said string.
Claim 10
Independent Claim 216 words
A system for performing subsurface operations in a tubing string comprising: a. a perforating device configured for axial movement through said tubing string. b. perforating means included in said perforating device and operable by an actuating means for forming one or more perforations in said tubing string; c. locking means included in said perforating device for locking said perforating device at a subsurface location within said tubing string, said locking means including remotely operable radially movable locking members movable between outer and inner radial positions to respectively anchor to and release from said tubing string whereby said perforating device may be selectively engaged with and disengaged from said tubing string; d. a setting mechanism releasably connected with said perforating means, said mechanism including biasing means for urging said locking members to their other radial position before said perforating device is locked to said tubing string and release means for releasing said setting mechanism from said perforating device after said device is locked to said tubing string; and e. ratcheting means connected with said setting mechanism permitting said locking members to withdraw radially from a collar recess to their inner radial position when said perforating device is moved downwardly through said tubing string while preventing such withdrawal when said perforating device is moved upwardly through said string.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 69 words
A system as defined in claim 8 for use in a tubing string of the type formed from a plurality of tubular sections connected to each other at their ends by collars wherein said locking means includes radially movable collar locking means remotely operable to be moved radially outwardly for locking said perforating device with a collar recess formed at the junction of two sections of said tubing string.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 46 words
A system as defined in claim 8 wherein: a. said perforating means includes ignitable charge means for discharging to form one or more radial openings through said tubing string; and b. said perforating means includes impact responsive discharge control means for discharging said ignitable charge means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 38 words
A system as defined in claim 8 wherein said engagement means includes safety members for preventing separation of said perforating device and said setting means until after said locking members have been moved to their radially outer position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 54 words
A system as defined in claim 8 further including releasable engagement means in said perforating means for engaging an actuating means with said perforating device after said perforating device is locked to said tubing string and for releasing said perforating device from said tubing string after said one or more perforations have been formed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 69 words
A system as defined in claim 12 for use in a tubing string of the type formed from a plurality of tubular sections connected to each other at their ends by collars wherein said locking means includes radially movable collar locking means remotely operable to be moved radially outwardly for locking said perforating device with a collar recess formed at the junction of two sections of said tubing string.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3496953A Cited
US3530948A Cited
US3642070A Cited
US3656562A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1977-02-04 1977-08-06 1978-02-05 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1981-02-04 1981-08-06 1982-02-05 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1985-02-04 1985-08-06 1986-02-05 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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