US3830305A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of well production in permafrost
Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Co
•
Filing: 1974-02-21
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Granted: 1974-08-20
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Expires: 1994-02-21
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for drilling, completing, and/or producing a well through a permafrost zone wherein a liquid such as water is either introduced into a thawed region of the permafrost to prevent compaction of the permafrost or liquid is removed from a thawed region in the permafrost zone to prevent the generation of abnormal pressure on a wellbore and/or apparatus therein should the liquid freeze. A method for completing a well in a permafrost zone wherein a pipe is run into the wellbore adjacent to the casing and the pipe is perforated after placement in the wellbore to provide means for introducing liquid into and removing liquid from the permafrost zone.
Inventors
- 👤 T Perkins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 20:08
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/11; E21B33/00; E21B33/10; E21B33/13; E21B33/14; E21B36/00; E21B36/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for producing a well through a permafrost zone wherein at least one thawed region in said permafrost zone occurs and the liquid in said at least one thawed region is subject to refreezing, the improvement comprising removing freezable liquid from at least one of said thawed regions, said liquid being removed in an amount sufficient to prevent the buildup of abnormal pressures on said wellbore and any apparatus therein due to the refreezing of said liquid.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for producing a well through a permafrost zone wherein at least one thawed region in said permafrost zone occurs and the liquid in said at least one thawed region is subject to refreezing, the improvement comprising removing freezable liquid from at least one of said thawed regions, said liquid being removed in an amount sufficient to prevent the buildup of abnormal pressures on said wellbore and any apparatus therein due to the refreezing of said liquid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said liquid is essentially water.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein casing is present in said wellbore in said permafrost zone and sufficient liquid water is removed to prevent physical damage to said casing when the remaining liquid water refreezes into ice.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said liquid is not removed in an amount sufficient to cause substantial compaction of said permafrost.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
A metHod according to claim 1 wherein said liquid is aqueous.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said liquid is disposed of at the earth''s surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said liquid is disposed of elsewhere under the earth''s surface.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US3721298A
Cited
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Cited
US3720267A
Cited
US3766985A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-08-19 | 1978-02-18 | 1978-08-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-19 | 1982-02-18 | 1982-08-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-19 | 1986-02-18 | 1986-08-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |