US4438815A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Foam gravel packing
Assignee: Chevron USA Inc
•
Filing: 1981-11-23
•
Granted: 1984-03-27
•
Expires: 2001-11-23
Abstract
Abstract A method of gravel packing a subsurface well is disclosed wherein particulate material is fluidized in a gas/liquid foam carrier fluid and transported to the subsurface where the particulate material forms the gravel pack and the foam carrier fluid returns to the surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas D. Elson
- 👤 Ralph S. Millhone
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 17:52
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/02; E21B43/04; E21B43/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for packing particulate material in a well bore subsurface location comprising the steps of: (a) generating a stable foam material at the surface above said well; (b) injecting said foam through said particulate material from below to produce a foam-particulate mixture and to fluidize said mixture of foam and particulate material; (c) forcing said fluidized foam-particulate mixture into said well bore and to said subsurface location; (d) causing said particulate material of said foam-particulate mixture to be retained at said subsurface location; and (e) moving said foam of said foam-particulate mixture upward through said well bore.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for packing particulate material in a well bore subsurface location comprising the steps of: (a) generating a stable foam material at the surface above said well; (b) injecting said foam through said particulate material from below to produce a foam-particulate mixture and to fluidize said mixture of foam and particulate material; (c) forcing said fluidized foam-particulate mixture into said well bore and to said subsurface location; (d) causing said particulate material of said foam-particulate mixture to be retained at said subsurface location; and (e) moving said foam of said foam-particulate mixture upward through said well bore.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said mixing is accomplished in a mixing pot.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said fluidized foam-particulate mixture is moved out of said pot by a gas injected into said pot from above to move said fluidized foam-particulate mixture into said well bore.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
117 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said mixing is accomplished in at least a pair of mixing pots with at least one of said pots containing a fluidized foam-particulate mixture connected to said well bore while another of said pots is charged with said particulate material and foam to produce said fluidized foam-particulate mixture, said pots being connected to said well bore as each contains a fluidized foam-particulate mixture, said pots when emptied being disconnected from said well bore and at least another of said pots containing said fluidized foam-particulate mixture being connected to said well bore in sequence, said disconnected pot then being charged with said particulate material and foam to produce said fluidized foam-particulate mixture.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said fluidized foam-particulate mixture is fluidized in said pots by injecting foam into said particulate charge from the bottom of said pots and into said particulate charge.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said fluidized foam-particulate mixture is discharged out of said pots to said well bore by a gas injected into said pots from above said fluidized foam-particulate mixture.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2905245A
Cited
US3434540A
Cited
US3463231A
Cited
US3603398A
Cited
US3583483A
Cited
US3980136A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-03-27 | 1987-09-26 | 1988-03-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-03-27 | 1991-09-26 | 1992-03-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-03-27 | 1995-09-26 | 1996-03-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |