Method and apparatus for disposing of drilling muds and wastes generated during well drilling operations and for plugging and abandoning the well

Patent · Tue Feb 07 04:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:6267532

Dallard, G

Well drilling locations are restored by disposing of muds and fluids, generated during the well drilling operation, into the well itself and then plugging and abandoning the well without a rig on location. The disposal in the absence of the drilling rig reduces costs involved in rental of the rig and provides a simple method of disposal. Waste muds and fluids are disposed of down the surface casing or down through an intermediate string of casing contained by the surface casing and then plugging and abandoning the well without a rig. Disposal is usually down through the surface casing; however, disposal down through intermediate strings of casing is included. The surface casing is provided with a check valve (packer) which allows fluids to be pumped through it from the surface and which also prevents fluids from coming up the well from below. The surface casing is coupled at ground level to a disposal, plugging, and abandoning tree through which fluids, mud, and cement can be introduced. If the process is undertaken in areas where seepage back into the well is unlikely, the check valve or packer need not be used. The check valve or packer and the tree may be coupled to the surface casing prior to removing the drilling rig from the drilling operation location. 6 claims.

• Assignee: JMT; EDB-86-048454
• Patent Number(s): US 4429746
• OSTI ID: 6267532
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020800* -- Petroleum-- Waste Management
ABANDONED WELLS
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
DRILLING
DRILLING FLUIDS
EQUIPMENT
FLOW REGULATORS
FLUIDS
MANAGEMENT
MINERAL WASTES
PLUGGING
PLUGGING AGENTS
SOLID WASTES
UNDERGROUND DISPOSAL
VALVES
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES
WELL DRILLING
WELLS