Patent US3913675A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3913675A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods and apparatus for sand control in underground boreholes
Assignee: Dresser Industries Inc
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Filing: 1974-10-21
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Granted: 1975-10-21
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Expires: 1994-10-21
Abstract
Abstract Methods and apparatus for retarding the migration of formation sand and fines into the production area of an oil well borehole include utilizing a spherical aggregate of high uniform sphericity and placing the aggregate in the borehole and pushing a production liner into place in the aggregate. Other methods and apparatus disclosed utilize one-trip placement of the aggregate, and, tool systems to allow placement of the aggregate in closely premeasured distinct stages.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth E Smyrl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 06:33
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/02; E21B43/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
Apparatus for placing an aggregate pack in a wellbore about a sandscreen, said apparatus comprising: elongated tubular packer mandrel means adapted for attachment to standard well conduit; packer means removably secured to said mandrel means, adapted for expansion into sealing contact with a borehole wall; elongated tubular lower housing means attached to said packer means; said housing means adapted to receive a sand control screen in attachment thereto; first ported valve means above said packer means adapted to selectively communicate the bore passage of said mandrel means with the wellbore annulus; second ported valve means below said packer means adapted to communicate said mandrel means bore passage with the wellbore annulus; shearable valve means shearably located in said mandrel means below at least a portion of said packer means and above said second ported valve means; and, checkvalve means below said shearable valve means; said mandrel means arranged in sealingly slidable telescopic engagement in said housing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
Apparatus for placing an aggregate pack in a wellbore about a sandscreen, said apparatus comprising: elongated tubular packer mandrel means adapted for attachment to standard well conduit; packer means removably secured to said mandrel means, adapted for expansion into sealing contact with a borehole wall; elongated tubular lower housing means attached to said packer means; said housing means adapted to receive a sand control screen in attachment thereto; first ported valve means above said packer means adapted to selectively communicate the bore passage of said mandrel means with the wellbore annulus; second ported valve means below said packer means adapted to communicate said mandrel means bore passage with the wellbore annulus; shearable valve means shearably located in said mandrel means below at least a portion of said packer means and above said second ported valve means; and, checkvalve means below said shearable valve means; said mandrel means arranged in sealingly slidable telescopic engagement in said housing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
66 words
The aggregate placement apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first ported valve means comprises a mechanically actuated sliding sleeve valve having an inner ported sleeve and an outer ported sleeve, said sleeves having ports arranged to be radially aligned in one position of said outer sleeve on said inner sleeve, and said first ported valve means arranged to be actuated by manipulation of the well conduit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The placement apparatus of claim 2 wherein said second ported valve means comprises one or more ports through the wall of said housing means and one or more ports through the wall of said mandrel means, said housing means ports arranged in alignment with said mandrel means ports.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The aggregate placement apparatus of claim 1 wherein said shearable valve means comprises an annular valve seat held in said mandrel means by shear means and adapted to receive in sealing engagement a valve member introduced down the well conduit through said mandrel means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The aggregate placement apparatus of claim 1 wherein said check valve means comprises an annular valve seat secured in said mandrel means and a valve member adapted to seat in said valve seat and seal off the opening therethrough.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The aggregate placement apparatus of claim 1 wherein said packer means comprises an hydraulically actuated well packer having expandable resilient packer means and fluid communication means communiCating with said mandrel means above said shearable valve means.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
142 words
A method of treating an underground formation in a wellbore, said method comprising: lowering into the wellbore a tool string containing upper and lower valve means, packer means, and a sand control screen; setting the packer into sealing engagement with the wellbore by providing a flow communication channel through the tool string to the packer means; providing a valve seat in the tool string below the flow channel and above the lower valve means; pumping a valve member down the tool string to seat in the valve seat; and, pressurizing the fluid above the seated valve to actuate the packer means; injecting an aggregate slurry into the tool string, through the lower valve means, and into the borehole around the sand control screen; and, establishing a flow communication channel from the formation, through the sand control screen and up the tool string.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
142 words
A method of treating an underground formation in a wellbore, said method comprising: lowering into the wellbore a tool string containing upper and lower valve means, packer means, and a sand control screen; setting the packer into sealing engagement with the wellbore by providing a flow communication channel through the tool string to the packer means; providing a valve seat in the tool string below the flow channel and above the lower valve means; pumping a valve member down the tool string to seat in the valve seat; and, pressurizing the fluid above the seated valve to actuate the packer means; injecting an aggregate slurry into the tool string, through the lower valve means, and into the borehole around the sand control screen; and, establishing a flow communication channel from the formation, through the sand control screen and up the tool string.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 7 further comprising the steps of: injecting treating fluid through the tool string and out the lower valve means below the packer means and into the formation after said setting step; and, displacing the treating fluid remaining in the string out the upper valve means prior to said aggregate injecting step.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
178 words
A method of placing an aggregate pack around a sandscreen in a wellbore, said method comprising: placing in the wellbore a conduit string having a permanent hydraulic packer, a permanent tubular housing, a removable tubular mandrel inside the packer and housing, a check valve in lower end of the mandrel, valve means below the packer, and a sand control screen below the housing; closing the bore through the mandrel below the packer; applying hydraulic pressure to the conduit string to actuate the packer; shearing the bore closure below the packer from the mandrel; injecting a slurry containing a carrier fluid and an aggregate material into the conduit string and through the valve means into the wellbore around the sand-screen; squeezing the slurry to force the carrier fluid into the formation and the aggregate to pack in the wellbore; removing the mandrel and conduit string from the wellbore; and, lowering a production string through the packer into sealing engagement in the housing below the valve means thereby opening a flow communication bore from the sandscreen through the production string.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
178 words
A method of placing an aggregate pack around a sandscreen in a wellbore, said method comprising: placing in the wellbore a conduit string having a permanent hydraulic packer, a permanent tubular housing, a removable tubular mandrel inside the packer and housing, a check valve in lower end of the mandrel, valve means below the packer, and a sand control screen below the housing; closing the bore through the mandrel below the packer; applying hydraulic pressure to the conduit string to actuate the packer; shearing the bore closure below the packer from the mandrel; injecting a slurry containing a carrier fluid and an aggregate material into the conduit string and through the valve means into the wellbore around the sand-screen; squeezing the slurry to force the carrier fluid into the formation and the aggregate to pack in the wellbore; removing the mandrel and conduit string from the wellbore; and, lowering a production string through the packer into sealing engagement in the housing below the valve means thereby opening a flow communication bore from the sandscreen through the production string.
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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) | 1978-10-20 | 1979-04-21 | 1979-10-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-20 | 1983-04-21 | 1983-10-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-20 | 1987-04-21 | 1987-10-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |