Well Release System and Method

Abstract

An improvement to a prior art sand release apparatus and method uses a pair of telescoped tubular members. In the improved system and method, the telescoped members are prevented from completely telescoping by a J-hook latch. Also in the improved system and method, a wear resistant seal prevents leakage when the telescoped members are not extended.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to oil well pumps.

2. Description of the Related Art

A reciprocating pump is typically used to lift oil from a well in a low pressure formation. The pump is normally placed inside a tubing string and positioned in a production casing near the producing zone. The casing is sometimes perforated to allow a formation fluid, which is generally a mixture of oil, water, and sand, to flow from the surrounding formation into the production casing. The tubing string is open at the bottom to allow the formation fluid to enter. The top of the pump is attached to a string of sucker rods that extend to the surface where they are connected to a walking beam mechanism.

The housing of the pump leaves a space between the outer surface of the pump and the inner surface of the tubing string. This annular space often collects sand flowing in with the fluid mixture from the formation after the liquid is pulled through the pump housing for delivery through the tubing string. The sand eventually settles around the lower portion of the pump housing and the connected tubing string. Sand also settles out from the fluid over the pump. The sand build-up eventually impedes normal pump operation. Further, the pump typically requires periodic maintenance at the surface for its reciprocating parts, and even a small of amount of sand around the pump can prevent the pump's removal except by pulling the entire tubing string, which requires lengthy and expensive rig time.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,103,739 (hereinafter, the “Hall I Patent”) proposes a pair of telescoping tubular members threaded into the pump above the pump's lower end where the sanding typically locks the pump. The telescoping members are prevented from telescoping by a shear pin. An O-ring seated in an annular groove around the inner telescoping member prevents leakage when the telescoping members are not extended. The Hall I Patent proposes that if there is undue resistance when axially pulling the pump from the surface, the shear pin will shear and allow the telescoping members to extend, thereby exposing slotted openings that allow the hydrostatic pressure of the fluid column above the sand collected around the pump housing to wash the sand inward through the slots and out the bottom of the apparatus, often freeing the pump for further operation or removal.

While the apparatus proposed in the Hall I Patent may be successful in freeing the pump most of the time, on occasion the pump may still be stuck, requiring removal of the tubing string to retrieve it. U.S. Pat. No. 5,018,581 (hereinafter, the “Hall II Patent”) proposes improvements to the Hall I Patent. The Hall II Patent proposes a second shear pin that does not restrict the telescoping movement of the telescoping members. Rather, the second shear pin prevents rotational movement of the members with respect to each other. The Hall II Patent also proposes that the upper end of the outermost telescoping member be attached to a double male threaded coupling through the use of reverse or left handed threads. If the pump is still locked after the flushing action has occurred, the Hall II Patent proposes that the sucker rods and pump be rotated so as to unthread the left handed threaded connection between the sand removal apparatus and the bottom of the pump, allowing the pump to be separated from the apparatus and pulled to the surface with the sucker rods. The Hall II Patent also proposes three O-rings seated in respective annular grooves around the inner telescoping member to prevent leakage when the telescoping members are not extended.

Whenever the shear pin that restricts the axial telescoping movement proposed in the Hall I Patent and the Hall II Patents is sheared, the sand removal apparatus must be retrieved from the well to replace the shear pin. Moreover, whenever the telescoping members are extended to expose the slotted openings, the O-ring seals are exposed to the formation fluid at elevated underground temperatures and usually need to be replaced. Further, whenever the outer telescoping member slides over the O-rings, it may either weaken and/or damage the outer surfaces of the O-rings, or may cause the O-rings to become unseated from their respective grooves. Therefore, even in situations where the pump does not need to be serviced, if the sand release mechanism is extended to release the sand, the sucker rods and pump must still be removed to replace the shear pins and replace or reseat the O-rings.

The above discussed Hall I Patent and Hall II Patent are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes in their entirety.

Formation fluid sometimes contains paraffin, which may create pumping and flow problems. At elevated temperatures underground, such as below 2000 feet (610 m), the paraffin may be liquid and flow easily. However, when the formation fluid moves toward the surface, it may cool enough so that the paraffin solidifies in the tubing string and on and around the sucker rods. The solidified paraffin slows down the operation of the pump by restricting the movement of the sucker rods. In shallower wells, the paraffin deposits may build up over and around the pump itself.

A common method of paraffin removal is “hot oiling,” which may involve pumping hot oil down the annular space between the tubing and the casing. The hot oil heats the tubing, sucker rods, and fluid inside the tubing, to melt the paraffin for production along with the well fluids. When utilizing the prior art sand release apparatus in wells that have paraffin problems, the telescoping members may be extended by shearing the shear pin to expose the drain slots. The hot oil may then be pumped down the tubing to liquefy the paraffin and wash it inward through the slots of the sand release apparatus and out the bottom of the apparatus, often freeing the pump for further operation or removal.

Many times it would be desirable to extend the telescoping members to flush the paraffin without removing the pump, since the pump may not need servicing. However, whenever the prior art telescoping members are extended, the pump must be retrieved to the surface to replace the shear pins. Further, the O-rings are sometimes damaged by the elevated temperatures of the formation fluid and/or the hot oil when they are exposed from the telescoping action. In addition or alternatively, the sliding action of the outer telescoping member over the O-rings when the drain slots are exposed may cause the O-rings to become unseated from their respective annular grooves in the inner telescoping member, which requires the pump to be pulled to the surface to replace and/or reseat them. Valuable rig time is spent pulling the sucker rods and pump out of the well to change the shear pins and the O-ring seals.

It would be desirable to extend the telescoping members of the prior art sand release apparatus without having to thereafter retrieve the apparatus from the well to replace the one or more shear pins. It would also be desirable to extend the telescoping members of the prior art sand release apparatus without having to retrieve the apparatus from the well to replace or adjust the one or more O-ring seals.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system and method are provided to improve the prior art sand release apparatus. As in the prior art, a pair of telescoped tubular members may be positioned with the lower end of the pump. In the improved system and method, the telescoped members are prevented from telescoping by a J-hook latch. Also in the improved system and method, a wear resistant seal prevents leakage when the telescoped members are not extended.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the present invention can be obtained with the following detailed descriptions of the various disclosed embodiments in the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevational section view through a tubing string showing the well release apparatus.

FIG. 2 is an elevational section view through a pump with an inner telescoping tubular member and an outer telescoping tubular member in the unextended position and joined together by a J-hook latch in the closed position, with a wear resistant seal positioned between the inner and outer telescoping members.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 except with the inner and outer telescoping tubular members in the extended position, the J-hook latch in the open position, the slot openings in the inner member exposed, and the wear resistant seal exposed.

FIG. 4 is an elevational partial view of the lower portion of the inner telescoping member of FIGS. 2-3 with threaded end, wear resistant seal positioned adjacent the threaded end, and J-hook latch receiving formation and slot opening.

FIG. 4A is a section view along line 4A-4A of FIG. 4.

FIG. 4B is an isometric view of the inner telescoping member of FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 is an elevational section view through a pump with alternative embodiment inner telescoping tubular member and outer telescoping tubular member in the unextended position and joined together by a J-hook latch in the closed position, with a wear resistant seal positioned between the inner and outer telescoping members.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 except with the inner and outer telescoping tubular members in the extended position, and the J-hook latch in the open position with slot openings and wear resistant seal exposed.

FIG. 7 is an elevational partial view of the upper portion of the inner telescoping member of FIGS. 5-6 with a threaded end, wear resistant seal positioned adjacent the threaded end, and J-hook latch receiving formation and slot opening.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In FIG. 1, a pump 2 is anchored to a tubing string 1 with a pump hold down 3 resting on a shoulder 4 in the tubing string 1. The tubing string 1 is positioned in a well. The upper portion of the pump 2 may be attached to a string of sucker rods (not shown) that extend to the surface for connection with a walking beam mechanism (not shown). The present invention is preferably positioned with the lower portion 6 of a pre-existing pump or incorporated with a newly manufactured pump below the pump 2 and above the pump hold down 3.

Turning to FIG. 2, the lower portion 6 of the pump 2 is threaded to a double male threaded upper coupling 7 which is in turn threaded to the well release apparatus 5 of the present invention through the means of left handed or reverse threads 8. It is also contemplated that there may be no upper coupling 7. The lower portion of apparatus 5 is threadedly attached with threads 72 to a lower coupling 71. The lower coupling 71 is threadedly attached with threads 30 to the upper portion 9 of the pump hold down 3 anchor. An outer telescoping tubular member 10 may be threaded with threads 8 to coupling 7. The outer member 10 has an inward shoulder 11. An inner telescoping tubular member 14 has an outward rim 15 on one end to rest on the shoulder 11 to prevent the inner member 14 from pulling through the outer member 10 when the telescoping action occurs as shown in FIG. 3. One or more longitudinal slots 17 may be positioned around the inner member 14 with an adequate width to enable the paraffin, sand, and/or other well debris laden mixture to flow though slots 17 during the flushing procedure. It is also contemplated that there may be no slots 17, but only one or more slots 64. Further, it is contemplated that slots 17 may not have a longitudinal shape. Rather, slots 17 may be a set of circular or other shape openings large enough to allow debris such as sand or liquefied paraffin to flow through them.

Outer member 10 may have one or more openings 60 to each receive a pin 62. In the preferred embodiment, there may be two openings 60 each with a pin 62 positioned on opposite sides of outer member 10. The pin 62 may be fabricated integral with outer member 10, or pin 62 may be attached with the opening 60 in outer member 10 such as by threads. It is contemplated that one end of the pin 62 may be threaded into a prior art sand release apparatus, such as shown in the '581 patent, by replacing the prior art shear pin that prevents telescoping action. One or more of slots in inner member 14 may have a J-hook latch receiving formation, such as formation 66 in the slot 64. It is contemplated that the orientation of the J-hook latch receiving formation 66 may be reversed from that shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 4A and 4B. As shown in FIG. 2, the pin 62 may rest in formation 66 when the J-hook latch is in the closed position. Outer tubular member 10 covers slots (17, 64) when the J-hook latch is in the closed position.

To move the outer and inner members (10, 14) from the unextended position shown in FIG. 2 to the telescoped or extended position shown in FIG. 3, the outer member 10 may be moved slightly axially downward, then rotated and moved axially upward so that the pin 62 unlatches from the formation 66 and moves up the slot 64 until the pin 62 reaches the fully open or unlatched position shown in FIG. 3. It is contemplated that various sizes, shapes, and dimensions may be used for the slot 64 and the pin 62. It is contemplated that the formation 66 may not be specifically J-shaped, but may be any other shape so as to retain pin 62 when in the latched position as shown in FIG. 3. It is contemplated that formation fluid including debris such as sand and paraffin may flow through slots (17, 64) when the well release apparatus 5 is extended as shown in FIG. 3. If the flushing action, such as “hot oiling” for paraffin removal, does not free the pump 2, then the pump 2 may be removed by rotating the sucker rods and the pump 2 clockwise for unthreading the left handed threads 8. The pin 62 in either the formation 66 or the slot 64 prevents rotation between the inner member 14 and the outer member 10 while threads 8 are unthreaded.

Lower surface 70 on the inner member 14 adjacent its threaded end is adapted to position wear resistant annular seal 68. Annular seal 68 is preferably a POLYPAK™ seal available from Parker Hannifin Corp. of Cleveland, Ohio. Darcoid Nor-Cal Seal of Oakland, Calif. is a distributor of POLYPAK™ seals. It is contemplated that the seal 68 may be precision molded combining an O-ring type O-spring with a conventional lip seal. However, other seals are contemplated. The seal 68 may withstand repeated telescoping of the apparatus 5 without the need for repair or replacement. Moreover, the seal 68 may withstand elevated temperatures as would be expected to occur in a well.

As can now be understood, the telescoping operation of the apparatus 5 to expose the slots (17, 64) and drain the paraffin and other debris may be accomplished without damage or disturbance to any component of the apparatus 5 that would require removal of the pump 2 or the apparatus 5 to the surface. As can further be understood, the apparatus 5 may be incorporated into a newly manufactured pump, the apparatus 5 may be added to a pre-existing pump, or apparatus 5 may be adapted to the prior art sand release apparatus shown in the Hall II Patent for positioning with a pump. If manufactured new, the apparatus 5 may be integral with the pump hold 3 down rather than threadedly attached with it. The present invention contemplates that the slots 64 may be the same size as the prior art drain slots, except with the addition of one or more of the prior art slots having a J-hook receiving formation, such as the formation 66. The prior art apparatus has one or more threaded openings in the outer member through which shear pins are threadedly attached and inserted into corresponding openings in the inner member to prevent the axial telescoping movement of the outer member and inner member. It is contemplated that the shear pins may be removed and improvingly replaced with the pins 62 that may be threadedly attached with the threaded openings so that the pins 62 may then latch with the J-hook latch receiving formations that may also be added to the prior art inner tubular member.

The prior art apparatus may be further improved to eliminate the prior art O-rings and their respective grooves on the inner member and to replace them with the wear resistant seal 68 of the present invention. As can now be understood, unlike the prior art sand apparatus, in which the shear pin is broken to telescope the outer member with the inner member, in the present invention the pin 62 is designed so that it will not break during telescoping action. Rather the pin 62 facilitates the telescoping action through movement of the pin 62 through the slot 64. It is contemplated that one or more pins 62 may be designed to withstand significantly more than 7000 pounds of force. In any event, the aggregate strength and cross section of the pins 62 is a design factor relating to the axial pull necessary to remove the pump 2 with breaking the pins 62. Further, unlike the prior art apparatus, in the which the O-rings are damaged an/or unseated from their respective grooves when the apparatus 5 is telescoped, in the present invention the seal 68 may withstand repeated telescoping of the apparatus 5 without the need for repair or replacement.

FIGS. 4, 4A and 4B show the lower portion of the inner tubular member 14 of FIGS. 2-3. A seal 68 is positioned over a surface 70 on an inner member 14 above threads 72. A J-hook latch receiving formation 66 is at one end of the slot 64.

Turning to FIG. 5, an alternative embodiment pump release apparatus 88 of the present invention is shown. An outer telescoping tubular member 40 is attached with a lower portion 20 of the pump. The outer tubular member 40 has an inward shoulder 42. The inner telescoping tubular member 30 has at one end an outward rim 32 to contact the shoulder 42 to prevent the inner member 30 from pulling through the outer member 40. One or more slots 38 may be positioned around the inner member 30 with an adequate width to enable the paraffin or sand laden mixture to flow though the slots 38 during the flushing procedure. It is also contemplated that there may be no slots 38, but only one or more slots 82. Further, it is contemplated that the slots 38 may not have a longitudinal shape. Rather, the slots 38 may be a set of circular or other shape openings large enough to allow debris such as sand or liquefied paraffin to flow through them. A tubular coupling 22 is attached with threads 24 to an upper portion 18 of the pump. The coupling 22 may be attached with threads 26 to the inner tubular member 30.

The outer tubular member 40 has one or more threaded openings 44 to each receive a pin 48. In the preferred embodiment, there may be two pins 48 positioned on opposite sides of the outer member 40. The pin 48 may be fabricated integral with the outer member 40, or the pin 48 may be attached with the opening 44 in the outer member 40 such as by threads. It is contemplated that one end of the pin 48 may be threadedly attached with a prior art sand release apparatus, such as shown in the Hall I Patent, by replacing the prior art shear pin that prevents telescoping movement. One or more of slots in inner member 30 may have a J-hook receiving formation, such as the formation 80 in the slot 82. It is contemplated that the orientation of the J-hook latch receiving formation 80 may be reversed from that shown in FIGS. 5-7. As shown in FIG. 5, the pin 48 may rest in the formation 80 when the J-hook latch is in the closed position. The outer tubular member 40 covers the slots (38, 82) when the J-hook latch is in the closed position.

To move the outer and inner members (40, 30) from the unextended position shown in FIG. 5 to the telescoped or extended position shown in FIG. 6, the outer member 22 may be moved slightly axially downward, then rotated and moved axially upward so that the pin 48 unlatches from the formation 80 and moves down the slot 82 until the pin 48 reaches the fully open or unlatched position shown in FIG. 6. It is contemplated that various sizes, shapes, and dimensions may be used for the slot 82 and the pin 48. It is contemplated that the formation 80 may not be J-shaped, but may be any other shape so as to retain the pin 48 when it is in the latched position as shown in FIG. 6. It is contemplated that the formation fluid may flow through the slots (38, 82) when the apparatus is extended.

The upper surface on inner member 30 adjacent to threads 26 is adapted to position a wear resistant annular seal 86. The wear resistant seal 86 is preferably a POLYPAK™ seal available from Parker Hannifin Corp. of Cleveland, Ohio. Darcoid Nor-Cal Seal of Oakland, Calif. is a distributor of POLYPAK™ seals. It is contemplated that the seal may be precision molded combining an O-ring type O-spring with a conventional lip seal. However, other seals are contemplated. The seal 86 may withstand repeated telescoping of the apparatus without the need for repair or replacement. Moreover, the seal 86 may withstand elevated temperatures as would be expected to occur in a well.

As can now be understood, the telescoping operation of the apparatus 88 to expose the slots (38, 82) and drain the paraffin and other debris may be accomplished without damage or disturbance to any component of the apparatus 88 that may require removal of the apparatus 88 to the surface. As can further be understood, the apparatus 88 may be incorporated into a newly manufactured pump, the apparatus 88 may be added to a pre-existing pump, or the apparatus 88 may be adapted to the prior art sand release apparatus shown in the Hall I Patent for positioning with a pump. The present invention contemplates that the slots 82 may be the same size as the prior art drain slots, except with the addition of one or more of the prior art slots being improved to have a J-hook receiving formation, such as the formation 80. The shear pins in the prior art apparatus are threaded through threaded openings in the outer telescoping member and positioned through openings in the inner member to prevent the axial telescoping movement of the outer member and inner member. It is contemplated that the prior art shear pin may be improvingly replaced with the pin 48, which may be threadedly attached with the prior art threaded opening and positioned with a J-hook receiving formation that has been adapted to the prior art inner telescoping tubular member.

The prior art apparatus may be further improved to eliminate the prior art O-rings and to replace them with the wear resistant seal 86 of the present invention. As can now be understood, unlike the prior art sand apparatus, in which the shear pin is broken to telescope the outer member with the inner member, in the present invention the pin 48 is designed so that it will not break. Further, unlike the prior art apparatus, in the which the O-rings are either damaged or unseated from their respective grooves in the inner member when the apparatus is telescoped, in the present invention wear resistant seal 86 may withstand repeated telescoping of the apparatus 88 without the need for repair or replacement.

Turning to FIG. 7, it shows the upper portion of the inner telescoping tubular member 30 of FIGS. 5-6. A seal 86 is positioned on an inner member 30 below threads 26. A receiving formation 80 is at one end of a slot 82.

It is contemplated that the well release apparatus (5, 88) may preferably be fabricated from AISI 4130 alloy steel. It is understood that such steel contains molybdenum and chromium as strengthening agents with relatively low carbon content. However, other steels, metals, and non-metals are also contemplated.

Method of Use

As shown in FIGS. 2-3 for one embodiment, and FIGS. 5-6 for an alternative embodiment, the well release apparatus (5, 88) may be telescoped without removal of the pump to allow sand, paraffin or other debris to flow through the exposed slots (17, 64, 38, 82). The well release apparatus (5, 88) is in the unextended or closed position for normal pumping operations as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 for the alternative embodiments in which slots (17, 64, 38, 82) are covered by the outer member (10, 40). If the pump needs to be removed for maintenance, then the apparatus (5, 88) may be left in the latched or closed position and it may be removed with the pump. If paraffin, sand, or other debris build-up occurs around the pump that impedes either removal of the pump or normal pumping operations, then the well release apparatus (5, 88) may be moved to the extended or open position as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 for the alternative embodiments by moving the sucker rods and pump slightly axially downward, then rotating and pulling axially upward.

Hydrostatic pressure of the fluid column above the apparatus (5, 88) or formation pressure may move the debris inward through the exposed slots (17, 64, 38, 82), or fluid from the surface, such as by “hot oiling” for paraffin removal, may be used to move the debris through the exposed slots (17, 64, 38, 82). When the flushing process is completed, the apparatus (5, 88) may be moved back to the latched or closed position by reversing the movement used to open the latch. Normal pumping operations may thereafter continue. There are no shear pins or O-rings to replace or adjust. For the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-3, if the flushing action does not free the pump 2, then the pump may be removed by rotating the sucker rods and the pump 2 clockwise for unthreading the left handed threads 8. The pin 62 in the latching formation 66 or the slot 64 may prevent rotation of the telescoping members (10, 14) while the threads 8 are unthreaded.

It is contemplated that whenever threaded connections are shown in any of the embodiments of the present invention, other attachment means as are understood in the art may be used as well. It is also contemplated that the components shown threadedly attached may be joined together or formed integrally by omission of the threads.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the details of the illustrated apparatus and system, and the construction and the method of operation may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A well release apparatus, comprising:

an outer telescoping tubular member having an inward pin; and

an inner telescoping tubular member that can be positioned within said outer telescoping tubular member, said inner telescoping tubular member having a longitudinal slot with a J-hook latch receiving formation,

wherein said pin is positioned in said slot.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pin is removably attached with said outer tubular member.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said slot is covered by said outer tubular member when said pin is positioned in said J-hook latch receiving formation.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said inner tubular member having two ends and comprising a thread adjacent to the first end.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein a wear resistant annular seal is positioned adjacent to said thread on said inner tubular member for sealing with said outer tubular member when said pin is positioned in said J-hook latch receiving formation.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said wear resistant annular seal is a POLYPAK seal.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said inner tubular member having a outward rim at the second end.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said outer tubular member having an inward shoulder for positioning with said inner member rim.

9. A system for operating a well, comprising:

a well;

a tubing string positioned in said well;

a pump having an upper end and a lower end positioned in said tubing string;

a sucker rod positioned with the upper end of said pump; and

a well release apparatus positioned with the lower end of said pump, wherein said well release apparatus comprising:

an outer telescoping tubular member having an inward pin; and

an inner telescoping tubular member that can be positioned within said outer telescoping tubular member, said inner telescoping tubular member having a longitudinal slot with a J-hook latch receiving formation,

wherein said pin is positioned in said slot.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said pin is removably attached with said outer tubular member.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein said slot is covered by said outer member when said pin is positioned in said J-hook latch receiving formation.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein said inner tubular member having two ends and comprising a thread adjacent to the first end.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein a wear resistant annular seal is positioned adjacent to said thread on said inner tubular member for sealing with said outer tubular member when said pin is positioned in said J-hook latch receiving formation.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said wear resistant annular seal is a POLYPAK seal.

15. A method for operating a well, comprising the steps of:

providing a well having formation fluid;

providing a tubing string positioned in said well;

providing a pump having an upper end and a lower end positioned in said tubing string;

providing a sucker rod positioned with the upper end of said pump; and

providing a well release apparatus positioned with the lower end of said pump, wherein said well release apparatus comprising:

an outer telescoping tubular member having an inward pin; and

an inner telescoping tubular member that can be positioned within said outer telescoping tubular member, said inner telescoping tubular member having a longitudinal slot with a J-hook latch receiving formation,

wherein said pin is positioned in said slot; and

positioning said outer tubular member pin in said inner tubular member J-hook latch receiving formation so that said slot is covered by said outer tubular member.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of:

moving formation fluid with the pump through the tubing string.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of:

moving said outer tubular member pin from said inner tubular member J-hook latch receiving formation.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of:

uncovering said slot with said outer tubular member.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of:

moving fluid downward through the well and through said slot.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of:

positioning said outer tubular member pin in said inner tubular member J-hook latch receiving formation to cover said slot with said outer tubular member after the step of moving said outer tubular member pin from said inner tubular member J-hook latch receiving formation.

21. A method for removing sand from a well, comprising the steps of:

positioning in the well, an inner tubular member that is positioned within an outer tubular member, said outer tubular member having a pin that engages a receiving formation of a J-shaped longitudinal slot of the inner tubular member;

lowering and rotating the inner tubular member to release the inner tubular member from the receiving formation of the J-shaped longitudinal slot; and

longitudinally raising the inner tubular member along the longitudinal slot to allow sand from the inner tubular member to be released from the inner tubular member.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein said inner tubular member having two ends and comprising a thread adjacent to the first end and a wear resistant annular seal is positioned adjacent to said thread on said inner tubular member for sealing with said outer tubular member when said pin is positioned in said J-hook latch receiving formation.