Patent US3901318A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3901318A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for packing gravel in a subterranean well
Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
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Filing: 1974-06-19
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Granted: 1975-08-26
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Expires: 1994-06-19
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for gravel packing a well, in which a dual bore packer is set in well casing above a production zone to isolate the zone from the casing fluid thereabove, a perforated liner assembly being suspended from the packer and disposed along the production zone, a pair of tubing strings communicating with the packer bores and extending from the packer to the top of the casing to provide separate flow passages for enabling fluids to be circulated to and along the production zone for the purpose of conditioning the zone, after which gravel can be pumped through one of the tubing strings into the zone and along the exterior of the liner. The circulation of the conditioning fluids and the placement of the gravel are controlled without the necessity for moving the tubing strings and of any portion of the packer.
Inventors
- 👤 Dewitt L Fortenberry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 07:52
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/02; E21B43/04; E21B43/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
AN APPARATUS FOR USE IN A SUBTERRANEAN WELL HAVING A PRODUCTION ZONE AND CONTAINING FLUID IN THE WELL, COMPRISING A PACKER HAVING FIRST AND SECOND FLUID PASSAGES THEREIN AND HAVING MEANS ADAPTED TO RECEIVED FIRST AND SECOND TUBLAR STRINGS EXTENDING TO THE TOP OF THE WELL, A LINER ASSEMBLY CARRIED BY AND DEPENDING FROM SAID PACKER TO BE LOWERED WITH SAID PACKER IN THE WELL TO THE PRODUCTION ZONE, SAID ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A FIRST PERFORATED MEMBER THROUGH WHICH FLUID CAN FLOW BETWEEN THE EXTERIOR AND THE INTERIOR OF SAID MEMBER, SAID FIRST PASSAGE COMMUNICATING WITH THE EXTEROIR OF SAID PERFORATED MEMBER, SAID ASSEMBLY FURTHER INCLUDING A SECOND TUBLAR MEMBER WITHIN SAID PERFORMED MEMBER AND PROVIDCING FLUID PASSAGEWAY COMMUNICATING WITH SAID SECOND FLUID PASSAGE AND COMMUNICABLE WITH THE INTERIOR OF SAID PERFORATED MEMBER, AND MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY CONTROLLING FLUID FLOW BETWEEN THE INTERIOR OF SAID SECOND TUBLAR MEMBER AND THE EXTERIOR OF SAID PERFORMED MEMBER.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
154 words
AN APPARATUS FOR USE IN A SUBTERRANEAN WELL HAVING A PRODUCTION ZONE AND CONTAINING FLUID IN THE WELL, COMPRISING A PACKER HAVING FIRST AND SECOND FLUID PASSAGES THEREIN AND HAVING MEANS ADAPTED TO RECEIVED FIRST AND SECOND TUBLAR STRINGS EXTENDING TO THE TOP OF THE WELL, A LINER ASSEMBLY CARRIED BY AND DEPENDING FROM SAID PACKER TO BE LOWERED WITH SAID PACKER IN THE WELL TO THE PRODUCTION ZONE, SAID ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A FIRST PERFORATED MEMBER THROUGH WHICH FLUID CAN FLOW BETWEEN THE EXTERIOR AND THE INTERIOR OF SAID MEMBER, SAID FIRST PASSAGE COMMUNICATING WITH THE EXTEROIR OF SAID PERFORATED MEMBER, SAID ASSEMBLY FURTHER INCLUDING A SECOND TUBLAR MEMBER WITHIN SAID PERFORMED MEMBER AND PROVIDCING FLUID PASSAGEWAY COMMUNICATING WITH SAID SECOND FLUID PASSAGE AND COMMUNICABLE WITH THE INTERIOR OF SAID PERFORATED MEMBER, AND MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY CONTROLLING FLUID FLOW BETWEEN THE INTERIOR OF SAID SECOND TUBLAR MEMBER AND THE EXTERIOR OF SAID PERFORMED MEMBER.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising means securing said second tubular member to said perforated member to prevent substantial relative longitudinal movement therebetween.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising means securing the opposite end portions of said second tubular member to said perforated member in sealed relation with respect to each other to prevent substantial longitudinal movement therebetween.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for selectively controlling fluid flow includes a port in said second tubular member opening into the interior of said perforated member, and valve means in said second tubular member movable between positions closing and opening said port.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for selectively controlling fluid flow includes a port in said second tubular member opening into the interior of said perforated member, a sleeve valve member closing said port, and means engaging said sleeve valve member for shifting said sleeve valve member to port opening position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
84 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for selectively controlling fluid flow includes a port in said second tubular member opening into the interior of said perforated member, valve means in said second tubular member closing said port, means for shifting said valve means to port opening position, said liner assembly having a lower passage communicating with said second tubular member and the region in the well externally of said liner assembly, and a plug adapted to close said lower passage.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
90 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for selectively controlling fluid flow includes a port in said second tubular member opening into the interior of said perforated member, valve means in said second tubular member closing said port, means for shifting said valve means to port opening position, said liner assembly having a lower passage communicating with said second tubular member and the region in the well externally of said liner assembly, said liner assembly having means adapted to receive a plug for closing said lower passage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
91 words
The apparatus as dEfined in claim 1 wherein said means for selectively controlling fluid flow includes a port in said second tubular member opening into the interior of said perforated member, a sleeve valve member closing said port, means engaging said sleeve valve member for shifting said sleeve valve member to port opening position, said liner assembly having a lower passage communicating with the interior of said second tubular member and the exterior of said liner assembly, said liner assembly having means adapted to receive a plug closing said lower passage.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
172 words
An apparatus for use in a subterranean well having a production zone and containing fluid in the well, comprising a packer having first and second fluid passages therein and adapted to communicate with first and second tubular strings extending to the top of the well, a liner assembly carried by and depending from said packer to be lowered with said packer in the well to the production zone, said assembly including a first perforated member through which fluid can flow between the exterior and the interior of said member, said first fluid passage communicating with the exterior of said perforated member, said assembly further including a second tubular member within said perforated member and providing a fluid passageway communicating with said second fluid passage and communicable with the interior of said perforated member, means for selectively controlling fluid flow between the interior of said second tubular member and the exterior of said perforated member, and means securing said second tubular member to said perforated member to prevent substantial relative longitudinal movement therebetween.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
172 words
An apparatus for use in a subterranean well having a production zone and containing fluid in the well, comprising a packer having first and second fluid passages therein and adapted to communicate with first and second tubular strings extending to the top of the well, a liner assembly carried by and depending from said packer to be lowered with said packer in the well to the production zone, said assembly including a first perforated member through which fluid can flow between the exterior and the interior of said member, said first fluid passage communicating with the exterior of said perforated member, said assembly further including a second tubular member within said perforated member and providing a fluid passageway communicating with said second fluid passage and communicable with the interior of said perforated member, means for selectively controlling fluid flow between the interior of said second tubular member and the exterior of said perforated member, and means securing said second tubular member to said perforated member to prevent substantial relative longitudinal movement therebetween.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
186 words
An apparatus for use in a subterranean well having a production zone and containing fluid in the well, comprising a packer having first and second fluid passages therein and adapted to communicate with first and second tubular strings extending to the top of the well, a liner assembly carried by and depending from said packer to be lowered with said packer in the well to the production zone, said assembly including a first perforated member through which fluid can flow between the exterior and the interior of said member, said first fluid passage communicating with the exterior of said perforated member, said assembly further including a second tubular member within said perforated member and providing a fluid passageway communicating with said second fluid passage and communicable with the interior of said perforated member, means for selectively controlling fluid flow between the interior of said second tubular member and the exterior of said perforated member, and means securing the opposite end portions of said second tubular member to said perforated member in sealed relation with respect to each other and to prevent substantial relative longitudinal movement therebetween.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
186 words
An apparatus for use in a subterranean well having a production zone and containing fluid in the well, comprising a packer having first and second fluid passages therein and adapted to communicate with first and second tubular strings extending to the top of the well, a liner assembly carried by and depending from said packer to be lowered with said packer in the well to the production zone, said assembly including a first perforated member through which fluid can flow between the exterior and the interior of said member, said first fluid passage communicating with the exterior of said perforated member, said assembly further including a second tubular member within said perforated member and providing a fluid passageway communicating with said second fluid passage and communicable with the interior of said perforated member, means for selectively controlling fluid flow between the interior of said second tubular member and the exterior of said perforated member, and means securing the opposite end portions of said second tubular member to said perforated member in sealed relation with respect to each other and to prevent substantial relative longitudinal movement therebetween.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
194 words
An apparatus for use in a subterranean well having a production zone and containing fluid in the well, comprising a packer having first and second fluid passages therein and adapted to communicate with first and second tubular strings extending to the top of the well, a liner assembly carried by and depending from said packer to be lowered with said packer in the well to the production zone, said assembly including a first perforated member through which fluid can flow between the exterior and the interior of said member, said first fluid passage communicating with the exterior of said perforated member, said assembly further including a second tubular member within said perforated member and providing a fluid passageway communicating with said second fluid passage and communicable with the interior of said perforated member, and means for selectively controlling fluid flow between the interior of said second tubular member and the exterior of said perforated member, said means for selectively controlling fluid flow including a port in said second tubular member opening into the interior of said perforated member, and valve means in said seconD tubular member movable between positions closing and opening said port.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
194 words
An apparatus for use in a subterranean well having a production zone and containing fluid in the well, comprising a packer having first and second fluid passages therein and adapted to communicate with first and second tubular strings extending to the top of the well, a liner assembly carried by and depending from said packer to be lowered with said packer in the well to the production zone, said assembly including a first perforated member through which fluid can flow between the exterior and the interior of said member, said first fluid passage communicating with the exterior of said perforated member, said assembly further including a second tubular member within said perforated member and providing a fluid passageway communicating with said second fluid passage and communicable with the interior of said perforated member, and means for selectively controlling fluid flow between the interior of said second tubular member and the exterior of said perforated member, said means for selectively controlling fluid flow including a port in said second tubular member opening into the interior of said perforated member, and valve means in said seconD tubular member movable between positions closing and opening said port.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
202 words
An apparatus for use in a subterranean well having a production zone and containing fluid in the well, comprising a packer having first and second fluid passages therein and adapted to communicate with first and second tubular strings extending to the top of the well, a liner assembly carried by and depending from said packer to be lowered with said packer in the well to the production zone, said assembly including a first perforated member through which fluid can flow between the exterior and the interior of said member, said first fluid passage communicating with the exterior of said perforated member, said assembly further including a second tubular member within said perforated member and providing a fluid passageway communicating with said second fluid passage and communicable with the interior of said perforated member, and means for selectively controlling fluid flow between the interior of said second tubular member and the exterior of said perforated member, said means for selectively controlling fluid flow including a port in said second tubular member opening into the interior of said perforated member, a sleeve valve member closing said port, and means engaging said sleeve valve member for shifting said sleeve valve member to port opening position.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
202 words
An apparatus for use in a subterranean well having a production zone and containing fluid in the well, comprising a packer having first and second fluid passages therein and adapted to communicate with first and second tubular strings extending to the top of the well, a liner assembly carried by and depending from said packer to be lowered with said packer in the well to the production zone, said assembly including a first perforated member through which fluid can flow between the exterior and the interior of said member, said first fluid passage communicating with the exterior of said perforated member, said assembly further including a second tubular member within said perforated member and providing a fluid passageway communicating with said second fluid passage and communicable with the interior of said perforated member, and means for selectively controlling fluid flow between the interior of said second tubular member and the exterior of said perforated member, said means for selectively controlling fluid flow including a port in said second tubular member opening into the interior of said perforated member, a sleeve valve member closing said port, and means engaging said sleeve valve member for shifting said sleeve valve member to port opening position.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
231 words
An apparatus for use in a subterranean well having a production zone and containing fluid in the well, comprising a packer having first and second fluid passages therein and adapted to communicate with first and second tubular strings extending to the top of the well, a liner assembly carried by and depending from said packer to be lowered with said packer in the well to the production zone, said assembly including a first perforated member through which fluid can flow between the exterior and the interior of said member, said first fluid passage communicating with the exterior of said perforated member, said assembly further including a second tubular member within said perforated member and providing a fluid passageway communicating with said second fluid passage and communicable with the interior of said perforated member, and means for selectively controlling fluid flow between the interior of said second tubular member and the exterior of said perforated member, said means for selectively controlling fluid flow including a port in said second tubular member opening into the interior of said perforated member, valve means in said second tubular member closing said port, means for shifting said valve means to port opening position, said liner assembly having a lower passage communicating with said second tubular member and the region in the well externally of said liner assembly, and a plug adapted to close said lower passage.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
231 words
An apparatus for use in a subterranean well having a production zone and containing fluid in the well, comprising a packer having first and second fluid passages therein and adapted to communicate with first and second tubular strings extending to the top of the well, a liner assembly carried by and depending from said packer to be lowered with said packer in the well to the production zone, said assembly including a first perforated member through which fluid can flow between the exterior and the interior of said member, said first fluid passage communicating with the exterior of said perforated member, said assembly further including a second tubular member within said perforated member and providing a fluid passageway communicating with said second fluid passage and communicable with the interior of said perforated member, and means for selectively controlling fluid flow between the interior of said second tubular member and the exterior of said perforated member, said means for selectively controlling fluid flow including a port in said second tubular member opening into the interior of said perforated member, valve means in said second tubular member closing said port, means for shifting said valve means to port opening position, said liner assembly having a lower passage communicating with said second tubular member and the region in the well externally of said liner assembly, and a plug adapted to close said lower passage.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
237 words
An apparatus for use in a subterranean well having a production zone and containing fluid in the well, comprising a packer having first and second fluid passages therein and adapted to communicate with first and second tubular strings extending to the top of the well, a liner assembly carried by and depending from said packer to be lowered with said packer in the well to the production zone, said assembly including a first perforated member through which fluid can flow between the exterior and the interior of said member, said first fluid passage communicating with the exterior of said perforated member, said assembly further including a second tubular member within said perforated member and providing a fluid passageway communicating with said second fluid passage and communicable with the interior of said perforated member, and means for selectively controlling fluid flow between the interior of said second tubular member and the exterior of said perforated member, said means for selectively controlling fluid flow including a port in said second tubular member opening into the interior of said perforated member, valve means in said second tubular member closing said port, means for shifting said vaLve means to port opening position, said liner assembly having a lower passage communicating with said second tubular member and the region in the well externally of said liner assembly, said liner assembly having means adapted to receive a plug for closing said lower passage.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
237 words
An apparatus for use in a subterranean well having a production zone and containing fluid in the well, comprising a packer having first and second fluid passages therein and adapted to communicate with first and second tubular strings extending to the top of the well, a liner assembly carried by and depending from said packer to be lowered with said packer in the well to the production zone, said assembly including a first perforated member through which fluid can flow between the exterior and the interior of said member, said first fluid passage communicating with the exterior of said perforated member, said assembly further including a second tubular member within said perforated member and providing a fluid passageway communicating with said second fluid passage and communicable with the interior of said perforated member, and means for selectively controlling fluid flow between the interior of said second tubular member and the exterior of said perforated member, said means for selectively controlling fluid flow including a port in said second tubular member opening into the interior of said perforated member, valve means in said second tubular member closing said port, means for shifting said vaLve means to port opening position, said liner assembly having a lower passage communicating with said second tubular member and the region in the well externally of said liner assembly, said liner assembly having means adapted to receive a plug for closing said lower passage.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
238 words
An apparatus for use in a subterranean well having a production zone and containing fluid in the well, comprising a packer having first and second fluid passages therein and adapted to communicate with first and second tubular strings extending to the top of the well, a liner assembly carried by and depending from said packer to be lowered with said packer in the well to the production zone, said assembly including a first perforated member through which fluid can flow between the exterior and the interior of said member, said first fluid passage communicating with the exterior of said perforated member, said assembly further including a second tubular member within said perforated member and providing a fluid passageway communicating with said second fluid passage and communicable with the interior of said perforated member, and means for selectively controlling fluid flow between the interior of said second tubular member and the exterior of said perforated member, said means for selectively controlling fluid flow including a port in said second tubular member opening into the interior of said perforated member, a sleeve valve member closing said port, means engaging said sleeve valve member for shifting said sleeve valve member to port opening position, said liner assembly having a lower passage communicating with the interior of said second tubular member and the exterior of said liner assembly, said liner assembly having means adapted to receive a plug closing said lower passage.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
238 words
An apparatus for use in a subterranean well having a production zone and containing fluid in the well, comprising a packer having first and second fluid passages therein and adapted to communicate with first and second tubular strings extending to the top of the well, a liner assembly carried by and depending from said packer to be lowered with said packer in the well to the production zone, said assembly including a first perforated member through which fluid can flow between the exterior and the interior of said member, said first fluid passage communicating with the exterior of said perforated member, said assembly further including a second tubular member within said perforated member and providing a fluid passageway communicating with said second fluid passage and communicable with the interior of said perforated member, and means for selectively controlling fluid flow between the interior of said second tubular member and the exterior of said perforated member, said means for selectively controlling fluid flow including a port in said second tubular member opening into the interior of said perforated member, a sleeve valve member closing said port, means engaging said sleeve valve member for shifting said sleeve valve member to port opening position, said liner assembly having a lower passage communicating with the interior of said second tubular member and the exterior of said liner assembly, said liner assembly having means adapted to receive a plug closing said lower passage.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
179 words
An apparatus for use in a subterranean well having a production zone and fluid in said well, comprising isolation means for isolating the production zone from the fluid in the well above the zone, said means defining first and second fluid passages communicating with the zone and adapted to communicate with first and second tubular strings extending from said means to the top of the well, a liner assembly carried by and depending from said isolation means and including a first perforated member through which fluid can flow between the exterior and the interior of said member, said first fluid passage communicating with the exterior of said perforated member, said assembly further including a second tubular member within said perforated member and providing a fluid passageway communicating with said second fluid passage and communicable with the interior of said perforated member, means securing said second tubular member to said perforated member to prevent substantial longitudinal movement therebetween, and means for selectively controlling fluid flow between the interior of said second tubular member and the exterior of said perforated member.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
179 words
An apparatus for use in a subterranean well having a production zone and fluid in said well, comprising isolation means for isolating the production zone from the fluid in the well above the zone, said means defining first and second fluid passages communicating with the zone and adapted to communicate with first and second tubular strings extending from said means to the top of the well, a liner assembly carried by and depending from said isolation means and including a first perforated member through which fluid can flow between the exterior and the interior of said member, said first fluid passage communicating with the exterior of said perforated member, said assembly further including a second tubular member within said perforated member and providing a fluid passageway communicating with said second fluid passage and communicable with the interior of said perforated member, means securing said second tubular member to said perforated member to prevent substantial longitudinal movement therebetween, and means for selectively controlling fluid flow between the interior of said second tubular member and the exterior of said perforated member.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein the end portions of said second tubular member are in fluid tight relation to said perforated member.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said means for selectively controlling fluid flow includes a port in said second tubular member opening into the interior of said perforated member, a sleeve valve member closing said port, and means engaging said sleeve valve member for shifting said sleeve valve member to port opening position.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
93 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said means for selectively controlling fluid flow includes a port in said second tubular member opening into the interior of said perforated member, a sleeve valve member closing said port, and means engaging said sleeve valve member for shifting said sleeve valve member to port opening position, said liner assembly having a lower passage communicating with the interior of said second tubular member and the exterior of said liner assembly, said liner assembly having means adapted to receive a plug for closing said lower pAssage.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 16 additionally comprising means for isolating the annulus between said second tubular member and perforated member comprising a pumpable fluid in said annulus.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein said pumpable fluid comprises a thixotropic fluid.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein said pumpable fluid comprises an aqueous bentonitic solution.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
113 words
A METHOD FOR GRAVEL PACKING A PRODUCTION ZONE IN A WELL, COMPRISING THE STEPS OF PROVIDING A PACKER HAVING FIRST AND SECOND FLUID PASSAGES THEREIN AND A LINER ASSEMBLY CARRIED BY AND DEPENDING FROM SAID PACKER, SAID SAID ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A FIRST PERFORATED MEMBER THROUGH WHICH FLUID CAN FLOW BETWEEN THE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR OF SAID MEMBER, SAID FIRST FLUID PASSAGE COMMUNICATING WITH THE EXTERIOR OF SAID PERFORATED MEMBER, SAID ASSEMBLY FURTHER INCLUDING A SECOND TUBULAR MEMBER WITHIN SAID PERFORATED MEMBER AND PROVIDING A FLUID PASSAGEWAY COMMUNICATING WITH SAID SECOND FLUID PASSAGE AND COMMUNICATING WITH THE INTERIOR OF SAID PERFORATED MEMBER, LOWERING SAID PACKER AND LINER ASSEMBLY AS A UNIT ON A FIRST
Claim 33
Independent Claim
113 words
A METHOD FOR GRAVEL PACKING A PRODUCTION ZONE IN A WELL, COMPRISING THE STEPS OF PROVIDING A PACKER HAVING FIRST AND SECOND FLUID PASSAGES THEREIN AND A LINER ASSEMBLY CARRIED BY AND DEPENDING FROM SAID PACKER, SAID SAID ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A FIRST PERFORATED MEMBER THROUGH WHICH FLUID CAN FLOW BETWEEN THE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR OF SAID MEMBER, SAID FIRST FLUID PASSAGE COMMUNICATING WITH THE EXTERIOR OF SAID PERFORATED MEMBER, SAID ASSEMBLY FURTHER INCLUDING A SECOND TUBULAR MEMBER WITHIN SAID PERFORATED MEMBER AND PROVIDING A FLUID PASSAGEWAY COMMUNICATING WITH SAID SECOND FLUID PASSAGE AND COMMUNICATING WITH THE INTERIOR OF SAID PERFORATED MEMBER, LOWERING SAID PACKER AND LINER ASSEMBLY AS A UNIT ON A FIRST
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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) | 1978-08-25 | 1979-02-24 | 1979-08-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-25 | 1983-02-24 | 1983-08-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-25 | 1987-02-24 | 1987-08-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |