US3608653A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for controlling a well
Assignee: SWACO GEOLOGRAPH Co
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Filing: 1969-09-22
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Granted: 1971-09-28
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Expires: 1989-09-22
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for controlling a well to prevent a blowout and an accompanying loss of the drilling mud which utilizes the change in volume of the drilling mud in the mud pits. This change in volume is converted to a corresponding pressure change necessary to compensate for the volume change in the relationship of the gas and drilling mud in the well bore to make such compensation as is necessary to maintain the pressure constant at the bottom of the well bore.
Inventors
- 👤 William A Rehm
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 09:15
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B21/00; E21B21/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said volume change is measured in U.S. barrels, said annular volume is measured in U.S. barrels per foot of length of the well bore, and said mud weight is expressed as pounds per square inch per foot of length of the well bore, the pressure change obtained in pounds per square inch, and the pressure in the well bore increased the amount of said pressure change if said volume change was an increase or the pressure in the well bore decreased the amount of said pressure change if said volume change was a decrease.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein said mud weight is converted to pounds per square inch per foot of length of the well bore by the formula: (mud weight in pounds per U.S. gallon) X (0.052).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1 where said volume change is displayed and said change of the surface pressures is made as dictated by said display.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said surface pressure change is made automatically.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
77 words
Apparatus for controlling a well to prevent a blowout or lost circulation wherein said well contains a drill pipe and casing with an annulus therebetween and said well contains mud, and there is a mud pit communicating with the annulus, comprising in combination, means for measuring mud volume change in the mud pit, means for receiving and converting said measured volume change to a pressure change needed to compensate for the volume change according to the formula:
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said volume change measuring means is a pneumatic means which employs a float means that floats on the surface of the mud in said mud pit, said receiving and converting means is a multiplier means, and said means for changing the pressure in the well bore is a choke which controls the output of mud from the well bore.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US3086397A
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US3268017A
Cited
US3338319A
Cited
US3427632A
Cited
US3384178A
Cited
US3443643A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-27 | 1975-03-29 | 1975-09-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-27 | 1979-03-29 | 1979-09-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-27 | 1983-03-29 | 1983-09-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |