Method and apparatus for gravel packing of wells
US5107943A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 15, 1990 |
| Grant date | Apr 28, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 15, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B43/29
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A well penetrator has a housing moveable down a well casing with a radially moveable punch being supported in the housing for movement between retracted and extended positions; a fluid jet is discharged from the outer end of the punch with liquid for the jet coming from a tube fixedly positioned at one end in the housing and held in slightly bowed condition when the punch is retracted to permit movement of the punch to its extended position from its retracted condition without the creation of excessive force on this metal tube. The jet creates a bulbous drumstick shaped cavity in the earth which is packed with a gravel slurry which hardens and cannot move into the casing due to the bulbous shape of the hardened slurry mass. Similar procedures are employed using a hose or lance with a nozzle at its outer end; one nozzle embodiment includes radial jets activated to transversely enlarge the cavity at a location spaced from the casing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.