Oil well gravel packing method and apparatus

Patent · Tue Dec 28 04:00:00 EST 1976

OSTI ID:7308047

Smith, D M

A method is given for transporting gravel to a production zone with a circulating well fluid to uniformly pack the gravel in the annular space in the wall between the perforated liner and the formation whereby the fluid enters the perforated liner after depositing gravel at the top of the annular column of gravel and flows through the liner inner annulus into a tailpipe through which the well fluid is returned to the surface. The well fluid carrier for the gravel is prevented from entering the perforated or slotted liner except at the top of the gravel sheath by a semi-solid material prepositioned in the slotted liner-tailpipe annulus. The semi-solid material is progressively eroded by the well fluid entering the slotted liner-tailpipe annulus at the top of the gravel sheath. 11 claims, 4 drawing figures.

• Assignee: TIC; ERA-02-031841; EDB-77-078896
• Patent Number(s): US 3999608
• OSTI ID: 7308047
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
NATURAL GAS WELLS
OIL WELLS
PACKINGS
WELL COMPLETION
WELLS