US4157732A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for well completion
Assignee: PPG Industries Inc
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Filing: 1977-10-25
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Granted: 1979-06-12
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Expires: 1997-10-25
Abstract
Abstract Well completion apparatus is prepared in such a manner that a first metal element and a second metal element of the apparatus will have the capability of acting as a galvanic couple when contacted intimately with an electrolyte. During a sufficient amount of time of contact with the electrolyte, the first metal element will sacrificially corrode providing a passageway for flow of fluids between the interior and exterior of a conduit disposed in a well bore.
Inventors
- 👤 Frederick A. Fonner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 14:38
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B34/00; E21B34/06; E21B34/063; E21B43/00; E21B43/11; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S166/00; Y10S166/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
An apparatus for well completion comprising a conduit disposed in a well bore to provide passageway for flow of fluids between the interior of the conduit and subterranean strata, the apparatus including a first metal element separating the interior of the conduit and the subterranean strata and a second metal element, the first and second metal elements having the capability of acting as a galvanic couple when contacted intimately with an electrolyte for a time commensurate with well completion which is sufficient to sacrificially corrode the first metal element, as a result of galvanic action, until the passageway is provided for flow of the fluids between the interior of the conduit and the subterranean strata.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
115 words
An apparatus for well completion comprising a conduit disposed in a well bore to provide passageway for flow of fluids between the interior of the conduit and subterranean strata, the apparatus including a first metal element separating the interior of the conduit and the subterranean strata and a second metal element, the first and second metal elements having the capability of acting as a galvanic couple when contacted intimately with an electrolyte for a time commensurate with well completion which is sufficient to sacrificially corrode the first metal element, as a result of galvanic action, until the passageway is provided for flow of the fluids between the interior of the conduit and the subterranean strata.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first metal element is a coupling mounting a drill bit at the end of a metal drill pipe, the metal coupling comprising connecting means for mounting the metal coupling to the drill bit and a connecting means for mounting the metal coupling to the metal drill pipe.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first metal element is a plug disposed in a port mounted on the wall of a conduit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first metal element is a plug disposed in the wall of a conduit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrolyte is selected from the group consisting of aqueous sodium chloride, potassium chloride and sodium hydroxide solutions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first metal element is made from a metal selected from the group consisting of magnesium, zinc, cadmium and aluminum and the second metal element is made of steel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrolyte is selected from the group consisting of neutral salt solutions, alkaline solutions and mixtures of neutral salt and alkaline solutions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein th conduit is made of a metal more noble than the first metal element.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of well completion comprising the steps of: (1) disposing into a well bore a conduit comprising a first metal element separating the interior of the conduit and a subterranean strata and a second metal element, the first and second metal elements having the capability of acting as a galvanic couple when contacted intimately with an electrolyte, and (2) contacting intimately the metal elements with the electrolyte for a time sufficient to sacrificially corrode the first metal element, as a result of galvanic action, until a passageway is provided for flow of fluids between the interior of the conduit and the subterranean strata.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of well completion comprising the steps of: (1) disposing into a well bore a conduit comprising a first metal element separating the interior of the conduit and a subterranean strata and a second metal element, the first and second metal elements having the capability of acting as a galvanic couple when contacted intimately with an electrolyte, and (2) contacting intimately the metal elements with the electrolyte for a time sufficient to sacrificially corrode the first metal element, as a result of galvanic action, until a passageway is provided for flow of fluids between the interior of the conduit and the subterranean strata.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the first metal element is a coupling for mounting a drill bit at the end of a metal drill tube, the metal coupling comprising connecting means for mounting the metal coupling to the drill bit and a connecting means for mounting the metal coupling to the metal drill tube.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the first metal element is a plug disposed in a port mounted on the wall of a conduit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the first metal element is a plug disposed in the wall of a conduit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the electrolyte is selected from the group consisting of aqueous sodium chloride, potassium chloride and sodium hydroxide solutions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the first metal element is made from a metal selected from the group consisting of magnesium, zinc, cadmium and aluminum and the second metal element is made of steel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the electrolyte is selected from the group consisting of neutral salt solutions, alkaline solutions and mixtures of neutral salt and alkaline solutions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the conduit is made of a metal more noble than the first metal element.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
85 words
An apparatus for well completion comprising a conduit disposed in a well bore which extends from the earth's surface through a first zone of subterranean strata with which communication is not to be established and to a second zone of subterranean strata, the conduit comprising a first metal element, which only excludes communication with the second zone, and a second metal element, the first and second metal elements forming a galvanic couple when contacted intimately with an electrolyte thereby to corrode the first metal element.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
85 words
An apparatus for well completion comprising a conduit disposed in a well bore which extends from the earth's surface through a first zone of subterranean strata with which communication is not to be established and to a second zone of subterranean strata, the conduit comprising a first metal element, which only excludes communication with the second zone, and a second metal element, the first and second metal elements forming a galvanic couple when contacted intimately with an electrolyte thereby to corrode the first metal element.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the first metal element is a plug means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the first metal element is a connecting means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the electrolyte is selected from the group consisting of neutral salt solutions, alkaline solution and mixtures of neutral salts and alkaline solutions.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the conduit is made of a metal more noble than the first metal element.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of well completion comprising the steps of: (1) disposing a conduit into a well bore which extends from the earth's surface through a first subterranean zone with which communication is not to be established and to a second subterranean zone, the conduit comprising a first metal element which only excludes communication with the second zone and a second metal element, the first and second metal element forming a galvanic couple when contacted with an electrolyte; and (2) contacting intimately the metal elements with the electrolyte for a time sufficient to sacrificially corrode the first metal element, as a result of galvanic action, until communication is established with the second zone.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of well completion comprising the steps of: (1) disposing a conduit into a well bore which extends from the earth's surface through a first subterranean zone with which communication is not to be established and to a second subterranean zone, the conduit comprising a first metal element which only excludes communication with the second zone and a second metal element, the first and second metal element forming a galvanic couple when contacted with an electrolyte; and (2) contacting intimately the metal elements with the electrolyte for a time sufficient to sacrificially corrode the first metal element, as a result of galvanic action, until communication is established with the second zone.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 22, wherein the electrolyts is selected from the group consisting of neutral salt solutions, alkaline solutions and mixtures of neutral salt and alkaline solutions.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 22, wherein the conduit is made of a metal more noble than the first metal element.
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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) | 1982-06-11 | 1982-12-11 | 1983-06-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-06-11 | 1986-12-11 | 1987-06-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-06-11 | 1990-12-11 | 1991-06-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |