US3724550A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods for recompleting wells
Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp
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Filing: 1971-09-28
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Granted: 1973-04-03
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Expires: 1991-09-28
Abstract
Abstract As a preferred mode of the new and improved methods disclosed herein for recompleting a production well without removing an existing production string, an intermediate length of the production tubing is severed at spaced locations above the production packer and adjacent to a selected earth formation from which new production is to be obtained. Once the severed tubing section drops into the well bore, a perforator is lowered through the tubing string into the cleared well bore interval and actuated for gaining communication with the selected formation. A so-called ''''through-tubing bridge plug'''' having an unblocked tubular mandrel carrying an expansible sealing member is then lowered through the tubing string and operated to position the expanded sealing member in the cleared interval above the new perforations. The upper end of the mandrel is extended upwardly into and packed-off in a suitable manner within the lower end of the tubing string.
Inventors
- 👤 C Lanmon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 00:48
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B33/00; E21B33/10; E21B33/13; E21B29/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A method for completing a well bore without removing a string of production tubing arranged therein and having a lower portion thereof isolated from fluid communication with an untapped earth formation penetrated by said well bore, said method comprising the steps of: severing said lower tubing portion from said string of production tubing in said well bore for separating said lower tubing portion from the upper portion of said string of production tubing to provide an accessible interval in said well bore adjacent to said earth formation; perforating said earth formation for establishing fluid communication between said upper tubing portion and said earth formation; and packing-off said upper tubing portion in relation to said well bore above said earth formation for isolating said accessible well bore interval from the remainder of said well bore thereabove.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
135 words
A method for completing a well bore without removing a string of production tubing arranged therein and having a lower portion thereof isolated from fluid communication with an untapped earth formation penetrated by said well bore, said method comprising the steps of: severing said lower tubing portion from said string of production tubing in said well bore for separating said lower tubing portion from the upper portion of said string of production tubing to provide an accessible interval in said well bore adjacent to said earth formation; perforating said earth formation for establishing fluid communication between said upper tubing portion and said earth formation; and packing-off said upper tubing portion in relation to said well bore above said earth formation for isolating said accessible well bore interval from the remainder of said well bore thereabove.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said well bore further penetrates a lower earth formation below said untapped formation and including the further step of: packing-off said well bore below said untapped formation for isolating said lower formation from said untapped formation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said well bore further penetrates a lower earth formation below said untapped formation and including the further step of: before said lower tubing portion is severed from said string of production tubing, packing-off said well bore below said untapped formation for isolating said lower formation from said untapped formation.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
156 words
A method for completing a well bore without removing therefrom a string of production tubing having a lower portion coupled to a packer and an intermediate portion situated above said packer and isolated from fluid communication with a previously-untapped earth formation penetrated by said well bore, said method comprising the steps of: severing said intermediate portion of said tubing string from said lower portion of said tubing string and the upper portion of said tubing string for providing an accessible interval in said well bore above said packer and adjacent to said earth formation; lowering a perforator through said upper portion of said tubing string and into said accessible well bore interval for establishing fluid communication between said earth formation and said upper portion of said tubing string; and packing-off said upper portion of said tubing string above said accessible well bore interval for isolating said earth formation from the remainder of said well bore thereabove.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
156 words
A method for completing a well bore without removing therefrom a string of production tubing having a lower portion coupled to a packer and an intermediate portion situated above said packer and isolated from fluid communication with a previously-untapped earth formation penetrated by said well bore, said method comprising the steps of: severing said intermediate portion of said tubing string from said lower portion of said tubing string and the upper portion of said tubing string for providing an accessible interval in said well bore above said packer and adjacent to said earth formation; lowering a perforator through said upper portion of said tubing string and into said accessible well bore interval for establishing fluid communication between said earth formation and said upper portion of said tubing string; and packing-off said upper portion of said tubing string above said accessible well bore interval for isolating said earth formation from the remainder of said well bore thereabove.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
78 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the last step thereof is performed by lowering an expansible sealing member coaxially mounted around an upright tubular body through said upper portion of said tubing string; and expanding said sealing member in said accessible well bore interval with said tubular body extending upwardly into the lower end of said upper portion of said tubing string for providing fluid communication between said earth formation and said upper portion of said tubing string.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 4 including the further step of: before said intermediate portion of said tubing string is severed from upper and lower portions of said tubing string, packing-off said well bore below said earth formation for isolating said earth formation from the remainder of said well bore therebelow.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the first step thereof is performed by cutting said intermediate portion of said tubing string from said lower portion of said tubing string; and cutting said intermediate portion of said tubing string from said upper portion of said tubing string for freeing said intermediate portion of said tubing string to fall into said well bore below said accessible well bore interval.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
254 words
A method for completing a well bore without removing therefrom a string of production tubing having a lower portion coupled to a packer and an intermediate portion situated above said packer and isolated from fluid communication with a previously-untapped earth formation penetrated by said well bore, said method comprising the steps of: lowering at least one cutting device into said tubing string and successively actuating said cutting device at spaced locations therein for severing said intermediate portion of said tubing string from said upper and lower portions thereof to drop said severed intermediate portion into said well bore onto said packer and provide an accessible interval in said well bore adjacent to said earth formation; lowering at least one perforator through said upper portion of said tubing string and actuating said perforator in said accessible well bore interval for establishing fluid communication with said earth formation; lowering a through-tubing bridge plug having an expansible sealing member mounted around an upright tubular body through said upper portion of said tubing string and expanding said sealing member in said accessible well bore interval with said tubular body extending upwardly into the lower end of said upper portion of said tubing string for isolating said accessible well bore interval from the remainder of the well bore thereabove; and sealing-off said tubular body within said lower end of said upper portion of said tubing string for blocking fluid communication between said upper portion of said tubing string and the remainder of said well bore above said sealing member.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
254 words
A method for completing a well bore without removing therefrom a string of production tubing having a lower portion coupled to a packer and an intermediate portion situated above said packer and isolated from fluid communication with a previously-untapped earth formation penetrated by said well bore, said method comprising the steps of: lowering at least one cutting device into said tubing string and successively actuating said cutting device at spaced locations therein for severing said intermediate portion of said tubing string from said upper and lower portions thereof to drop said severed intermediate portion into said well bore onto said packer and provide an accessible interval in said well bore adjacent to said earth formation; lowering at least one perforator through said upper portion of said tubing string and actuating said perforator in said accessible well bore interval for establishing fluid communication with said earth formation; lowering a through-tubing bridge plug having an expansible sealing member mounted around an upright tubular body through said upper portion of said tubing string and expanding said sealing member in said accessible well bore interval with said tubular body extending upwardly into the lower end of said upper portion of said tubing string for isolating said accessible well bore interval from the remainder of the well bore thereabove; and sealing-off said tubular body within said lower end of said upper portion of said tubing string for blocking fluid communication between said upper portion of said tubing string and the remainder of said well bore above said sealing member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 8 including the further step of: before said intermediate portion of said tubing string is severed from upper and lower portions of said tubing string, packing-off said well bore below said earth formation for isolating said earth formation from the remainder of said well bore therebelow.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-02 | 1976-10-02 | 1977-04-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-02 | 1980-10-02 | 1981-04-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-02 | 1984-10-02 | 1985-04-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |