Apparatus for gravel packing wells

Patent · Tue Jan 21 04:00:00 EST 1992

OSTI ID:5434879

Jones, L G; Yeh, C S; Chow, C V

This patent describes an apparatus for gravel packing a well that penetrates a subterranean oil or gas reservoir. It comprises a sand screen positioned in the well in juxtaposition with the reservoir, an annulus being formed in the well surrounding the sand screen, at least one conduit positioned in the annulus in juxtaposition with the sand screen and having passageways at selected intervals along the conduit to permit fluid communication between the conduit and the annulus, means for injecting a fluid slurry containing gravel down through the annulus whereby the fluid portion of the slurry is forced out of the annulus into the reservoir and the gravel portion of the slurry forms a gravel pack in the annulus surrounding the sand screen, and actuatable means associated with the passageways in the conduit for controlling fluid flow between the conduit and the annulus through the passageways such that if the gravel portion of the slurry forms a bridge in a portion of the annulus adjacent the conduit, thereby blocking the flow of the slurry through the annulus.

• Assignee: Mobil Oil Corp., Fairfax, VA (United States)
• Patent Number(s): A; US 5082052
• Application Number: PPN: US 7-648061
• OSTI ID: 5434879
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
030200 -- Natural Gas-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
040200 -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
040402* -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- Surface Methods
ANNULAR SPACE
CONFIGURATION
CONTROL
DISPERSIONS
EQUIPMENT
FLUID FLOW
FLUIDS
MIXTURES
NATURAL GAS WELLS
OIL WELLS
OPENINGS
PACKINGS
SAND
SCREENS
SLURRIES
SPACE
SUSPENSIONS
WELLS