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Title: Apparatus for generating hydraulic shock waves in a well

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5495924

This patent describes an apparatus for the discharge of electrical energy into a fluid bearing formation of a borehole to produce a hydraulic shock wave for assisting in the removal of fluid from the formation. It comprises: a bank of capacitors positioned at a surface location for the storage of electrical energy; a source of electrical energy to provide electrical energy to the bank of capacitors; a tool positioned within the borehole adjacent the formation; and an electrical cable extending between the bank of capacitors and the tool for supplying electrical energy to the tool; the tool having an upper end portion containing an upper electrode and a spaced lower end portion containing a lower electrode, the electrodes being in opposed spaced relation and defining a spark gap therebetween. The upper end portion of the tool having a plurality of tubular sections threadedly connected to each other in end to end relation; the cable including a central electrical conductor and a ground conduit insulated from the central electrical conductor. The electrical ground conduct having ends secured to one of the tool sections of the upper end portion, the lowermost section of the tool sections having the electrode thereon connected to the conductor; the electrical cable having an outer protective sheath secured to the uppermost of the sections of the upper end portion for anchoring the cable and supporting the tool. This patent also describes the method of assembling a tool. It comprises: providing a separate insulating sleeve; mounting the separate insulating sleeve about the upper positive electrode prior to the mounting of the cage assembly to the upper tool section.

Assignee:
NOV; NOV-91-018010; EDB-91-121735
Patent Number(s):
US 4997044; A
Application Number:
PPN: US 7-444300
OSTI ID:
5495924
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: 1 Dec 1989
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English