Method and apparatus for removal of downhole well debris

Patent · Tue Oct 23 00:00:00 EDT 1984

OSTI ID:6131523

Caldwell, D B

A method and apparatus for removing downhole well debris involves an elongate string operable to pump the debris from a well into the string. A pumping portion of the string includes a hollow piston with a hollow, splined piston rod fixed to the upper portion of the string, above the pumping portion, and keyed to the pumping portion to transmit rotary motion from the upper portion to the debris retaining portion below the pumping portion. A hollow piston head includes a valve, advantageously a ball valve, to prevent downward fluid flow. By reciprocating the upper portion, well debris is pumped into the debris retaining portion and solid debris is trapped therein by a one-way check valve. The liquid debris, such as heavy water, continues upwardly through the string passing through the interior of the piston and into the upper portion. The upper portion selectively receives either a ported sub, in which case the liquid is recirculated bach into the well or an unported sub that prevents the return of the debris to the well. An additional check valve may be located in the upper portion to retain the liquid in the upper portion and to relieve the stress on the ball valve. The checkvalves, removably secured within removable subs, preferably are flap valves, including a torsion spring biased flap element with the torsion spring located out of the direct path of fluid movement to decrease valve fouling.

• Assignee: MAS Mfg. Corp.
• Patent Number(s): US 4478285
• OSTI ID: 6131523
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: Filed date 25 Jan 1982; Other Information: PAT-APPL-342369
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
03 NATURAL GAS
NATURAL GAS WELLS
CUTTINGS REMOVAL
OIL WELLS
FOULING
PIPES
PISTONS
ROD PUMPS
SPRINGS
VALVES
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
FLOW REGULATORS
MACHINE PARTS
PUMPS
REMOVAL
WELLS
020300* - Petroleum- Drilling & Production
030300 - Natural Gas- Drilling
Production
& Processing