US3795282A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Well flushing method
Assignee: Cities Service Oil Co
•
Filing: 1972-08-31
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Granted: 1974-03-05
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Expires: 1992-08-31
Abstract
Abstract Method of flushing debris from a well wherein an upper section of the well hole has a significantly larger diameter than the lower end. Drilling fluid is normally supplied through a drilling bit, but additional fluid can also be supplied from another source so that the total amount of fluid being pumped to the hole is substantially in excess of that which can be supplied through the bit alone. Upward thrust of drilling fluid in the larger, upper section of the hole is significantly increased, thus overcoming the settling rate of debris therein so that it becomes entrained in the circulated drilling fluid and is hence discharged from the top of the hole while suspended in the fluid.
Inventors
- 👤 D Oliver
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 05:25
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B21/00; E21B21/10; E21B21/103
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
In the drilling of a well wherein an upper section of the well hole has a significantly larger diameter than the lower end and a drilling fluid is circulated from the bottom to the top of the well hole by injection through a drilling bit, the method of flushing debris out of the well hole which has a settling rate that overcomes the upward thrust of drilling fluid injected through the drilling bit and which passes through the upper section of the hole having a larger diameter, said method comprising introducing additional drilling fluid into the hole from a source other than the drilling bit and hence in a quantity greater than can be supplied through the bit alone, raising the upward thrust of fluid in the upper section of the hole having a larger diameter, overcoming the settling rate of debris therein, discharging debris from the upper section of the hole while entrained in the fluid introduced into the well hole, and preventing the falling of debris into the lower end of the well hole.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
In the drilling of a well wherein an upper section of the well hole has a significantly larger diameter than the lower end and a drilling fluid is circulated from the bottom to the top of the well hole by injection through a drilling bit, the method of flushing debris out of the well hole which has a settling rate that overcomes the upward thrust of drilling fluid injected through the drilling bit and which passes through the upper section of the hole having a larger diameter, said method comprising introducing additional drilling fluid into the hole from a source other than the drilling bit and hence in a quantity greater than can be supplied through the bit alone, raising the upward thrust of fluid in the upper section of the hole having a larger diameter, overcoming the settling rate of debris therein, discharging debris from the upper section of the hole while entrained in the fluid introduced into the well hole, and preventing the falling of debris into the lower end of the well hole.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein fluid is introduced from a fluid channel through the wall of the drilling string, said channel being located above the drilling bit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the supply of additional fluid is shut off during drilling and is turned on prior to raising the drilling bit into the larger, upper portion of the hole.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein fluid from the source other than the bit is introduced into the well hole near the bottom of the upper section having a larger diameter than the lower section.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2312018A
Cited
US2765146A
Cited
US2828107A
Cited
US2882020A
Cited
US3116800A
Cited
US3198256A
Cited
US3334697A
Cited
US3552412A
Cited
US3667557A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-03-04 | 1977-09-03 | 1978-03-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-04 | 1981-09-03 | 1982-03-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-04 | 1985-09-03 | 1986-03-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |