Patent · US Expired

Positioning and conveying well apparatus and method

US6302215A · kind A · utility

1Cited by
4References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 10, 2001
Grant dateOct 16, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 10, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE21B47/095
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

In a broad aspect, the invention may include a nipple, a deflector, and a conveying tool. The nipple may include an upper sealing surface and a lower sealing surface. The nipple may also include a discriminator/muleshoe having an alignment profile and an alignment slot. A protuberance/bump may be disposed in the alignment slot. The deflector may include an upper seal and a lower seal adapted for engagement with the upper and lower sealing surfaces, respectively, on the nipple. When the upper and lower seals are engaged with the upper and lower sealing surfaces, fluid circulation is substantially restricted thereby resulting in a increase in pressure that is detectable at the earth's surface. This pressure increase provides a signal that the deflector is properly positioned in the nipple. The conveying tool may include a flexible arm having a latching finger that is releasably engageable with a latching profile in the deflector. The latching profile may be on an inclined, concave surface of a whipstock. Related methods are also provided.

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