US4869323A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cementing and rotating an upper well casing attached by swivel to a lower casing
Assignee: STANDARD ALASKA PRODUCTION COMPANY (STANDARD ALASKA) A CORP OF DE
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Filing: 1988-02-12
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Granted: 1989-09-26
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Expires: 2008-02-12
Abstract
Abstract A method for completing a well to provide an uncemented lower casing and an upper cemented casing. The lower casing and upper casing are connected at a swivel joint so that only the upper casing is rotated while cementing. Inflatable packers and a plug are positioned at the lower casing to prevent entry of cement, while a port collar allows cement to flow into the annulus surrounding the upper casing. The invention is particularly useful when setting long lengths of casing and when completing highly deviated or horizontal wellbores. The method also allows an existing conventionally-completed well to be re-drilled and completed as a highly-deviated or horizontal well.
Inventors
- 👤 Theodore O. Stagg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 15:14
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B33/00; E21B33/10; E21B33/13; E21B33/14; E21B17/00; E21B17/02; E21B17/08; E21B43/00; E21B43/02; E21B43/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A method for completing a well to provide an uncemented lower casing and an upper cemented casing which can be rotated while cementing, the method comprising: (a) placing in a wellbore a lower casing and an upper casing connected at a swivel joint, (b) temporarily plugging the lower casing with a plug, (c) sealing the annulus between the wellbore and the lower casing at a sealed annulus point higher than the plug to prevent cement from flowing down the annulus into an uncemented portion of the annulus surrounding the lower casing, (d) opening a port in the casing at a location higher than the sealed annulus point to allow cement to flow into the annulus surrounding the upper casing, (e) pumping cement through the port and into the annulus surrounding the upper casing, and (f) rotating only the upper casing while cementing.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
142 words
A method for completing a well to provide an uncemented lower casing and an upper cemented casing which can be rotated while cementing, the method comprising: (a) placing in a wellbore a lower casing and an upper casing connected at a swivel joint, (b) temporarily plugging the lower casing with a plug, (c) sealing the annulus between the wellbore and the lower casing at a sealed annulus point higher than the plug to prevent cement from flowing down the annulus into an uncemented portion of the annulus surrounding the lower casing, (d) opening a port in the casing at a location higher than the sealed annulus point to allow cement to flow into the annulus surrounding the upper casing, (e) pumping cement through the port and into the annulus surrounding the upper casing, and (f) rotating only the upper casing while cementing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 in which the lower casing is temporarily plugged by a wiper plug which is pumped down the casing to seat on a landing collar.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 in which the lower casing annulus is sealed by expanding a formation packer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 3 in which the formation packer is expanded with drilling mud by increasing pressure of drilling mud within the casing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 in which the port is opened by mechanical action.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 in which the port is opened by hydraulic means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 6 in which the port is closed by a wiper plug which is pumped down the casing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
100 words
The method of claim 1 in which (a) the lower casing is plugged by pumping drilling mud behind a plug which seats at a landing collar in the lower casing, (b) the annulus between the wellbore and the lower casing is sealed by increasing the pressure of the pumped drilling mud to thereby inflate and subsequently seal a packer located at a point above the plug, (c) the pressure of the drilling mud is further increased to open a port collar located above the packer, and (d) the annulus surrounding the upper casing is cemented while rotating the upper casing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
118 words
A well assembly comprising: (a) an uncemented first casing in a lower portion of a wellbore, (b) a second casing in an upper portion of the wellbore connected to the first casing by a swivel joint, (c) an annulus formed between the wellbore and the first and second casings, (d) annulus sealing means situated below and near the swivel joint for sealing the annulus to prevent cement from flowing down the annulus into an uncemented portion of the annulus surrounding the first casing (e) plugging means for temporarily plugging the first casing at a point below said annulus sealing means, and (f) means for introducing cement into the annulus at a location higher than said annulus sealing means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
118 words
A well assembly comprising: (a) an uncemented first casing in a lower portion of a wellbore, (b) a second casing in an upper portion of the wellbore connected to the first casing by a swivel joint, (c) an annulus formed between the wellbore and the first and second casings, (d) annulus sealing means situated below and near the swivel joint for sealing the annulus to prevent cement from flowing down the annulus into an uncemented portion of the annulus surrounding the first casing (e) plugging means for temporarily plugging the first casing at a point below said annulus sealing means, and (f) means for introducing cement into the annulus at a location higher than said annulus sealing means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The well of claim 9 in which the diameter of the second casing is the same or less than the diameter of the first casing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The well of claim 9 in which the diameter of the second casing is greater than the diameter of the first casing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The well of claim 9 in which the annulus sealing means includes an expandable formation packer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The well of claim 12 in which the packer is filled with drilling mud.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The well of claim 12 in which the packer is filled with cement.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The well of claim 9 in which the plugging means includes a wiper plug.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The well of claim 9 in which the plugging means includes a pre-installed plug or upside down float collar.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The well of claim 9 in which the means for introducing cement into the annulus, includes a port collar.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The well of claim 9 in which the annulus sealing means comprises a mud filled formation packer, and the cement introducing means comprises a port collar.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The well of claim 9 in which the second casing is suspended from a liner hanger designed for liner rotation.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The well of claim 9 in which the second casing is suspended from the wellhead at the earth's surface.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3901318A
Cited
US4678031A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-09-25 | 1993-03-27 | 1993-09-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-09-25 | 1997-03-27 | 1997-09-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-09-25 | 2001-03-27 | 2001-09-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |