US4008763A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Well treatment method
Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Co
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Filing: 1976-05-20
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Granted: 1977-02-22
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Expires: 1996-05-20
Abstract
Abstract A method wherein a plurality of solid particle packs, often called gravel packs, are emplaced in a wellbore to prevent production of solids from formations into the wellbore, the improvement comprising incorporating in each pack a tracer material which is unique to that particular pack. Thereafter, fluid produced from the well can be analyzed at the earth's surface to determine if any and, if so, which pack is leaking solid particles into the well. Subsequent workover of the well can then be limited to the pack or packs indicated to be leaking rather than being directed to all packs in the well.
Inventors
- 👤 Clovis Carroll Lowe, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 03:43
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/02; E21B43/04; E21B47/00; E21B47/10; E21B47/11
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
56 words
In a gravel packing method in a well wherein a plurality of packs are emplaced, the improvement comprising incorporating in each pack a tracer material which is unique to that particular pack, and analyzing fluid thereafter produced from said well to determine if any and if so which pack is leaking solid particles into said well.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
56 words
In a gravel packing method in a well wherein a plurality of packs are emplaced, the improvement comprising incorporating in each pack a tracer material which is unique to that particular pack, and analyzing fluid thereafter produced from said well to determine if any and if so which pack is leaking solid particles into said well.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said tracer materials can be differentiated by visual inspection.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the tracer material is solid particles, and different colored particles are incorporated in each pack.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said tracer material can be differentiated by chemical analysis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said tracer material can be differentiated by spectrographic analysis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said tracer material can be differentiated by X-ray analysis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said tracer material is incorporated in packs that extend into a formation as well as packs that do not leave the wellbore so that upon analysis at the earth's surface it can be determined if it is a formation pack or a wellbore pack that is leaking solids into the wellbore.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US2183654A
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US2451520A
Cited
US2660887A
Cited
US3031571A
Cited
US3173293A
Cited
US3796883A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-02-22 | 1980-08-23 | 1981-02-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-02-22 | 1984-08-23 | 1985-02-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-02-22 | 1988-08-23 | 1989-02-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |