Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for treating a wellbore with vibratory waves to remove particles therefrom

US6619394B2 · kind B2 · utility

67Cited by
131References
66Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 7, 2000
Grant dateSep 16, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 28, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE21B43/003
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A process and apparatus for treating a wellbore, comprising subjecting a substantially same portion of the wellbore to vibratory waves produced by a plurality of vibratory wave generators. The vibratory waves may have about the same frequency or a plurality of frequencies, and the frequencies may partially overlap, not overlap, or be modulated across a range. Additionally, the frequencies may be modulated in an oval, hoop, and flexural modes. The vibratory waves may be produced by firing the vibratory wave generators simultaneously or in sequence. Combinations of a vibrating pipe, piston pulser, or valve may be used as vibratory wave generators. In a preferred embodiment, the thickness and change of thickness of a mudcake on the interior surface of a wellbore are measured to evaluate the effectiveness of the wellbore treatment.

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