US3905421A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Well gravelling tool
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-04-15
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Granted: 1975-09-16
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Expires: 1994-04-15
Abstract
Abstract A well gravelling tool for operative engagement with a drill pipe string for use in the conveyance, positioning and gravel packing of a tubular member, e.g., a perforated tubular element, liner, screen, or the like, within a well via use of a watergravel slurry passed downward through the drill pipe string to the well bottom. The tool comprises a pair of concentric tubular members, an outer large diameter tubular member, and an inner small diameter tubular member, between which an annulus is formed, which annulus is in open communication with the passageway leading to the surface through the drill pipe string. The inner small diameter tubular member opens through the wall of the larger diameter tubular member to the exterior, and the upper portion thereof is closed to the annular passageway. The lower extremity of the inner small diameter tubular member is provided with a check valve which permits ascent of liquid through the opening through the inner small diameter tubular member, but not downward flow. A tubular segment is located adjacent the check valve and on the lower extremity of the inner small diameter tubular member for operative engagement with the tubular member to be conveyed, positioned and packed within the well bottom. In operation, a water-gravel slurry is passed downwardly through the drill pipe string, the annulus between the concentrically mounted large and small diameter tubular members, and gravel is dispersed about the tubular element positioned at the bottom of the well. (Water flows through the gravel packing, into the tubular elements, and via the check valve through the small diameter tubular member and into the annulus located between the well casing and external wall of the pipe string to the surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Glen L Jordan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 21:23
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/02; E21B43/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
327 words
Apparatus characterized as a well gravelling tool for operative attachment to the terminal end of a drill pipe string for use, with production tubing, in the conveyance, positioning and gravel packing of a tubular member within a well via use of a water-gravel slurry which, in combination, comprises: a pair of concentric tubular members, a large diameter single wall tubular member with means located at the enclosing upper wall thereof for operative engagement and open communication with the lower wall end of a pipe at the terminus of a drill pipe string. a small diameter tubular member mounted within said large diameter tubular member, the upper end of which is permanently opened through the wall of the large diameter tubular member to the exterior and closed to the opening through the large diameter tubular member, a fixed elastic seal of tubular shape externally fitted upon the large diameter single wall member for tight engagement with the production tubing within which the apparatus is conveyed, means located on the lower extremity of said small diameter tubular member for operative engagement with the upper end of the tubular member positioned in the well, whereby the apparatus can be conveyed via the production tubing into the well, a water-gravel slurry can be passed downwardly from the surface through the drill pipe string, through the large diameter tubular member, and the annulus between the pair of concentric members constituting the well gravelling tool, and gravel dispersed and packed under pressure about the annulus of the tubular member positioned in the well, water passed through the packing into the positioned tubular member and upwardly through the opening of the small diameter tubular member, and into an annulus formed by the outer wall of the pipes constituting the drill pipe string where it ascends to the surface, the apparatus detached from the tubular member now in place, and the drill pipe string and apparatus returned without any necessity of withdrawing the production tubing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
327 words
Apparatus characterized as a well gravelling tool for operative attachment to the terminal end of a drill pipe string for use, with production tubing, in the conveyance, positioning and gravel packing of a tubular member within a well via use of a water-gravel slurry which, in combination, comprises: a pair of concentric tubular members, a large diameter single wall tubular member with means located at the enclosing upper wall thereof for operative engagement and open communication with the lower wall end of a pipe at the terminus of a drill pipe string. a small diameter tubular member mounted within said large diameter tubular member, the upper end of which is permanently opened through the wall of the large diameter tubular member to the exterior and closed to the opening through the large diameter tubular member, a fixed elastic seal of tubular shape externally fitted upon the large diameter single wall member for tight engagement with the production tubing within which the apparatus is conveyed, means located on the lower extremity of said small diameter tubular member for operative engagement with the upper end of the tubular member positioned in the well, whereby the apparatus can be conveyed via the production tubing into the well, a water-gravel slurry can be passed downwardly from the surface through the drill pipe string, through the large diameter tubular member, and the annulus between the pair of concentric members constituting the well gravelling tool, and gravel dispersed and packed under pressure about the annulus of the tubular member positioned in the well, water passed through the packing into the positioned tubular member and upwardly through the opening of the small diameter tubular member, and into an annulus formed by the outer wall of the pipes constituting the drill pipe string where it ascends to the surface, the apparatus detached from the tubular member now in place, and the drill pipe string and apparatus returned without any necessity of withdrawing the production tubing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the upper terminal end of the large diameter tubular member is threaded for operative engagement to the lower terminal end of the drill string, and the lower terminal end of the tubular element is threaded with threads of opposite cast for engagement with the upper end of the tubular member positioned within the well.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the threads of the large diameter tubular member are right hand threads, and those on the lower terminal end of the tubular element are left hand threads.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
74 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the upper terminal end of the large diameter tubular member is of reduced cross-sectional diameter and externally threaded, the small diameter tubular member concentrically mounted therein is bifurcated at the top such that the terminal ends thereof which provide openings which extend to the exterior are about 180* apart and the lower end thereof extends beyond the confines of the terminal end of the large diameter tubular member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lower terminal end of the large diameter tubular member is provided with a lip within which the tubular elastic seal is circumferentially seated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a check valve is located upon and operatively communicated with the opening through the small diameter tubular member, the opening through small tubular member permitting upward flow but not the downward flow of water, and the means located on the small diameter tubular member at the lower extremity of said tool comprises a tubular element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the upper end of the tubular element located below the check valve and on the lower extemity of said small diameter tubular member is of frusto-conic shape with the tapered end faced upwardly, and the opposite lower end thereof is threaded.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the lower end of said member is provided with left hand threads.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the outer larger diameter sides of the straight side portion of said member is provided with a plurality of spaced apart longitudinally oriented grooves.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein there are four grooves, each spaced 90* apart one from another.
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) | 1978-09-15 | 1979-03-17 | 1979-09-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-15 | 1983-03-17 | 1983-09-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-15 | 1987-03-17 | 1987-09-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |