Abstract: A well screen is composed of a plurality of screen units connected in series. Each of said screen units has a cylindrical connecting section at least at one end thereof and includes a plurality of support rods extending in the axial direction of the screen disposed cylindrically about a section of the screen other than the connecting section at a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction of the screen, and a wire wound on the outer periphery of said support rods so as to form slits of a predetermined width. The well screen further includes outer diameter equalizing means provided about adjacent ones of the connecting sections of two of the screen units connected to each other for substantially equalizing the outer diameter of said connecting sections to the outer diameter of sections other than the connecting sections.

Abstract: A well screen having slurry flow paths enclosed therein includes support rods extending in the axial direction of the screen disposed cylindrically at a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction of the screen, a wire wound on the outer periphery of said support rods so as to form slits of a predetermined width, one or more flow paths for gravel-containing slurry provided inside of the wire and extending in the axial direction of the screen, and openings for communicating the flow paths with the outside of the screen. Lowering and lifting of the screen through a wellbore can be made smoothly without interfering of the slurry flow paths with the wellbore and installation of the screen can thereby be facilitated.

Abstract: A maintenance screen for use in low-velocity, shallow or horizontal or slightly inclined wells is disclosed. The maintenance screen of the present invention utilizes a generally downwardly oriented portion through which fluid can pass and a generally upwardly oriented portion which does not allow sand or fluid to pass therethrough, so that sand naturally gravitates downward through the fluid and away from the portion of the screen through which the fluid may pass to enter the well tubing.

Abstract: A well liner having dual concentric half screens for filtering sand and undesirables from fluids, gases, and toxic extractions. The well liner provides concentric half bodied screens of opposite orientation to provide a tortuous flow of path for the production fluids. The screens are manufactured by techniques well known in the art in the preferred embodiment. Two screen members are provided each comprising two annular portions: a screen portion and a solid pipe portion. The inner screen member is inserted in the outer screen member and both members are welded at each end. Additionally, an apertured base pipe may be provided. In the alternate embodiment, an apertured base pipe is surrounded by two full screen tubular members. A tortuous flow path is created in the alternative embodiment by the placement of shield members along a portion of the inner and outer screens. Additionally, the shields may be varied depending upon the placement of the apertures along the base pipe.

Abstract: A well liner having a selective isolation screen with a limited or less restrictive seal. The well liner includes an elongate base pipe having openings therethrough; surrounded by circumferentially spaced, longitudinal extending spacer bars for forming an inner annulus; one or more annular cylindrical sleeves secured to the exterior of the base pipe; and a continuous wire wrapping surround the spacer bars except at interrupted areas where the isolated permeable seal sections are placed. These seal sections are located at predetermined vertical locations corresponding to specific well requirements of varying lengths and production formations within the wellbore. The continuous wire wrapping and spacer bars are inverted within the permeable seal sections so that the wire wrapping substantially fills the inner annulus and a multitude of spacer bars spaced approximately equal to or slightly larger than the spaces between the wire wrapping form the outer most surface of the seal sections.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a selective isolation screen includes steps of fitting a plurality of screen jackets one by one on a base member, each of the screen jackets including a plurality of spacer members extending in the longitudinal direction to be disposed, circumferentially spaced, on the base member and a wire wound about the periphery of the spacer members with a predetermined gap, and welding the end portions of each screen jacket to the base member thereby fixing the screen jacket to the base member and also forming seal means and thus constituting a single unit screen. Difficulty in welding can thereby be avoided and location and state of mounting of sleeves can be visually checked.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a selective isolation screen includes steps of preparing for a tubular screen provided with spacer members and a wire on a base member, and supplying sealing material from a sealing material supply device which supplies sealing material at a location where sealing is required on the tubular screen while rotating the sealing material supply device relative to the tubular screen thereby filling the annulus between the spacer members which are adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction to form seal means. Difficulty in welding can thereby be avoided and location and state of mounting of sleeves can be visually checked.

Abstract: A well liner having a selective isolation screen comprises an elongate base pipe having a predetermined number of openings therethrough which is surrounded by circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending spacer bars, one or more annular cylindrical sleeves secured to the exterior of the base pipe and a continuous wire wrapped therearound to form an inner annulus isolated at predetermined vertical locations corresponding to specific well requirements of varying lengths and production formations within the wellbore. The continuous wire is wrapped over the spacer bars and sleeves in a spaced spiral configuration to provide a predetermined constant gap between the wire wrapping. The gaps in the wire wrapping are sized to stop the movement of the formation sand and allow continual flow of fluid into the wellbore. Gravel or other particulate matter may be pumped down the borehole in the outer annulus between the interior of the borehole or an outer casing and the outer surface of the wire wrapping.

Abstract: A well liner for a subterranean well is provided comprising an elongated tubular member which may be a wire wrapped screen having a plurality of slots or passages which are disposed longitudinally and circumferentially of and extending from the outer surface to the inner surface of the tubular member, and an impermeable inorganic matrix substantially filling said slots or passages and coated upon said inner and outer surfaces, said matrix being the reaction product of a first reactant consisting essentially of magnesium oxide and a second reactant consisting essentially of magnesium chloride, in a solvent or solution therefor.

Abstract: A well liner for a subterranean well is provided comprising an elongated tubular member which may be a wire wrapped screen having a plurality of slots or passages which are disposed longitudinally and circumferentially of and extending from the outer surface to the inner surface of the tubular member, and an impermeable inorganic matrix substantially filling said slots or passages and coated upon said inner and outer surfaces, said matrix being the reaction product of a first reactant consisting essentialy of magnesium oxide and a second reactant consisting essentially of magnesium chloride, in a solvent or solution therefor.

Abstract: A method and composition is provided for positioning a polymeric material having particulate matter disposed therein in a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore. The composition consists essentially of a hydrocarbon oil, a quaternary salt of an essentially undegraded, cellulose sulfate, solid particulate matter in an amount equal to from about 0.25 to about 22 pounds of particulate matter per gallon of hydrocarbon oil and an acid-settable thermosetting resin in an amount equal to from about 0.1 to about 5.0 gallons per cubic foot of particulate material. The composition is placed in contact with a subterranean formation in a wellbore by a method comprising injecting a first mixture consisting essentially of said quaternary salt of an essentially undegraded cellulose sulfate mixed with hydrocarbon oil followed by the injection of the composition with a post injection of an additional quantity of the quaternary salt in oil.

Abstract: Sand control in an incompetent formation is effected by squeezing a thickened composition [comprising a hydrocarbon oil carrier, particulate matter (e.g. sand) a base-settable thermosetting resin, a neutralizing agent (e.g. lauryl amine), a miscible polar solvent (e.g. ethanol), and a carboxy vinyl polymer (e.g. CARBOPOL 934)] in contact with the incompetent formation and curing with a basic catalyst.

Abstract: A method and composition is provided for positioning a polymeric material having particulate matter disposed therein in a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore. The composition consists essentially of a hydrocarbon oil, a quaternary salt of an essentially undegraded, cellulose sulfate, solid particulate matter in an amount equal to from about 0.25 to about 22 pounds of particulate matter per gallon of hydrocarbon oil and an acid-settable thermosetting resin in an amount equal to from about 0.1 to about 5.0 gallons per cubic foot of particulate material. The composition is placed in contact with a subterranean formation in a wellbore by a method comprising injecting a first mixture consisting essentially of said quaternary salt of an essentially undegraded cellulose sulfate mixed with hydrocarbon oil followed by the injection of the composition with a post injection of an additional quantity of the quaternary salt in oil.

Abstract: Sand control in an incompetent formation is effected by squeezing a thickened composition [comprising a hydrocarbon oil carrier, particulate matter (e.g. sand) a base-settable thermosetting resin, a neutralizing agent (e.g., lauryl amine), a miscible polar solvent (e.g. ethanol), and a carboxy vinyl polymer (e.g. CARBOPOL 934)] in contact with the incompetent formation and curing with a basic catalyst.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing the water permeability of a porous subterranean formation by injecting a dispersion of polyamide and a water soluble polymer through a well bore into the formation. Preferred materials are polyamides and poly-acrylamides.

Abstract: An improvement in a pump-down tool for use in sand washing operations is provided. The pump-down tool includes a tubular member having a locomotive member positioned thereabout and a fluid passageway positioned therethrough and a sand washing tool positioned in fluid communication with the lower end of the tubular member as positioned for use. The well has positioned therein a first and second tubing member with the first and second tubing members being in fluid communication at a junction near their lower ends so that the pump-down tool may be urged along the length of the first tubing member toward the junction by pumping fluid sequentially through the first tubing member, the junction and the second tubing member. The tool is recovered by pumping fluid in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A method for sealing a permeable subterranean formation, particularly adjacent to a wellbore, is disclosed. Briefly, the method comprises;A. adding a liquid polymerizable material (e.g. furfuryl alcohol) to the wellbore at the site adjacent to the permeable subterranean formation,B. adding an acidic catalyst to the wellbore at the site defined in (a),C. allowing polymerization to occur both in the wellbore and in the adjacent subterranean formation, andD. removing the polymerized material from the wellbore.

Abstract: In pump-down tools for use in well maintenance operations wherein fluids are injected into a well and wherein the tool includes a tubular member having locomotives positioned thereabout and a fluid passageway positioned therethrough and is connected to a fluid injection member positioned in fluid communication with the fluid passageway and the well; the well being equipped with a first tubing member and a second tubing member which are in fluid communication near their lower ends so that the tool is readily moved through the first tubing member by pumping fluid sequentially through the first tubing member, the junction between the first and second tubing member and the second tubing member and is moved in the opposite direction by reverse circulation, an improvement comprising positioning on the tubular member above the locomotives a sealing ring which is releasably maintained in position at a suitable angle from the axis of the tubular member.

Abstract: A silicate foam composition having improved strength is produced using a particular combination of ingredients comprising an alkali metal silicate, a filler material, a cementing agent, a vinyl chloride telomer having an average molecular weight from about 600-1,000, a gelling agent, and other additives, such as a blowing agent.

Abstract: A method for locating and identifying sand producing zones in friable, unconsolidated sandstone formations of a subterranean reservoir traversed by a well bore. The method comprises the following steps:A. introducing into said reservoir through said well bore, a radioactive material which is preferentially retained in the porous portions of the formation surrounding said well bore;B. passing a radioactivity detection means through the well bore and recording the measurement of radioactivity of said reservoir;C. returning the reservoir to production; and,D. passing a radioactivity detection means through said well bore and recording the measurement of radioactivity of said formation for a second time and correlating the measurements of radio activity of each measurement with measurement of depth to thus locate sand producing zones in said reservoir.