Patent · US Expired

Method for optimizing well production rates

US5103428A · kind A · utility

3Cited by
4References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 16, 1991
Grant dateApr 7, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 16, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01V1/282
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A method and apparatus for laboratory simulation of the dynamic formation of sand arches in production of oil and/or gas from unconsolidated or poorly consolidated wells is disclosed. An ultrasonic transducer is disposed opposite a perforation in a member simulating the casing of a well and the simulated well is operated at conditions approximating those of interest in the field. The acoustic transducer is moved incrementally across the perforation and measurements of the distance between the transducer and the formation are measured. These can then be used to generate a profile of the surface of the formation behind the perforation. Preferably, an ultrasonic transducer which emits a focussed beam of acoustic energy is employed.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.