Patent · US Expired

Process and apparatus for completing a well in an unconsolidated formation

US5255741A · kind A · utility

163Cited by
15References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateDec 11, 1991
Grant dateOct 26, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 11, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE21B43/04
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A process and apparatus for forming a hole within an unconsolidated hydrocarbonaceous fluid-bearing formation, installing a slotted liner and gravel packing the liner in a single trip into the formation. The apparatus includes a drill bit for drilling a pilot hole; a housing mounted above the pilot hole drill bit; means for enlarging a pilot hole, the pilot hole -enlarging means pivotally mounted within the housing and capable of pivoting between a retracted position and an expanded position for enlarging a pilot hole to a diameter larger than the pilot hole and sufficient for gravel packing; a slotted liner having a first end and a second end, the first end joined to the apparatus above the housing; and a drive assembly joined to the second end of the slotted liner.

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