US3866160A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Signaling the location of underwater wells
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-05-29
•
Granted: 1975-02-11
•
Expires: 1989-05-29
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for use in locating the position of underwater wells involves a signal emitter adapted to be propelled through a flow line to a selected point proximate a wellhead where it signals the location of the well for such purposes as establishing the vertical re-entry point of the well for workover rigs.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles A Brasier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 00:38
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B13/00; H04B13/02; E; E21; E21B; E21B23/00; E21B23/08; E21B41/00; E21B41/0007; E21B41/0014; G; G01; G01S; G01S1/00; G01S1/02; G01S1/68
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of locating the posItion of a selected underwater well among a plurality of horizontally spaced-apart wells, each having an underwater wellhead and at least two interconnected pipe strings, each of said wellheads being interconnected successively to another of said wellheads by underwater conduits forming fluid passageways providing fluid communication from one well to another, at least two of said wells having a remotely accessible conduit fluidly communicating with a remotely accessible location, said remotely accessible conduits forming with said underwater conduits a flow line circuit beginning and ending at said remote accessible place, said method comprising: a. inserting a signal emitter into one of said remotely accessible conduits; and b. propelling said signal emitter through said flow line circuit to a selected position in said flow line circuit proximate said selected underwater well.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of locating the posItion of a selected underwater well among a plurality of horizontally spaced-apart wells, each having an underwater wellhead and at least two interconnected pipe strings, each of said wellheads being interconnected successively to another of said wellheads by underwater conduits forming fluid passageways providing fluid communication from one well to another, at least two of said wells having a remotely accessible conduit fluidly communicating with a remotely accessible location, said remotely accessible conduits forming with said underwater conduits a flow line circuit beginning and ending at said remote accessible place, said method comprising: a. inserting a signal emitter into one of said remotely accessible conduits; and b. propelling said signal emitter through said flow line circuit to a selected position in said flow line circuit proximate said selected underwater well.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
139 words
An apparatus for signaling the location of a selected underwater well among a plurality of horizontally spaced-apart underwater wells, each having an underwater wellhead and at least two interconnected pipe strings, each of said wellheads being interconnected successively to another of said wellheads by underwater conduits forming fluid passageways providing fluid communication from one well to another, said apparatus comprising: for each of at least two of said wells, a remotely accessible conduit extending into the wellhead of such well from a remotely accessible place, said conduits of said wells forming with said underwater conduits a flow line circuit beginning and ending in said remote accessible place, and a signal emitter in at least one of said remotely accessible conduits adapted to be propelled therethrough to a selected position in said flow line circuit proximate a selected underwater well.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
139 words
An apparatus for signaling the location of a selected underwater well among a plurality of horizontally spaced-apart underwater wells, each having an underwater wellhead and at least two interconnected pipe strings, each of said wellheads being interconnected successively to another of said wellheads by underwater conduits forming fluid passageways providing fluid communication from one well to another, said apparatus comprising: for each of at least two of said wells, a remotely accessible conduit extending into the wellhead of such well from a remotely accessible place, said conduits of said wells forming with said underwater conduits a flow line circuit beginning and ending in said remote accessible place, and a signal emitter in at least one of said remotely accessible conduits adapted to be propelled therethrough to a selected position in said flow line circuit proximate a selected underwater well.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said signal emitter is propelled first to a position in said flow line circuit proximate a first underwater well in said circuit for location of said first well, and then to a position in said circuit proximate a second underwater well in said circuit for location of said second well.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said signal emitter is recovered from a second of said remotely accessible conduits after traveling through said flow line circuit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-02-10 | 1978-08-12 | 1979-02-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-10 | 1982-08-12 | 1983-02-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-10 | 1986-08-12 | 1987-02-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |