Abstract: A well casing cleaning tool includes a tubular tool body that has a central axial passageway and upper and lower sets of jet ports through the tool body wall. The upper jet ports are angled upward and the lower jet ports are angled downward. The outside diameter of the cleaning tool is slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the well casing to be cleaned. When wash fluid is pumped through the jet ports of the cleaning tool, an area of reduced pressure forms between the upper and lower sets of jet ports. This area of reduced pressure aids in the cleaning of the perforation zone of a well. Bypass passages from above the upper set of jet ports to below the lower set of jet ports prevent a pressure difference between the two sets of jet ports.

Abstract: There is discussed an apparatus for distributing fluid to at least two separate zones having higher (22) and lower (24) injectivity in a ground formation (10) through a pipe element in a well hole (12), where the pipe element by means of upper and lower sealing bodies (28,30) defines a space (30) which is adjacent to the zone (22) having a higher injectivity and which has a connection (16) to the zone, and where a fluid connection is established between the interior of the pipe element and the space via a replaceable flow pressure-regulating nozzle which establishes a given flow pressure for the current of fluid into the zone (22) having the higher injectivity.

Abstract: There is described an improved apparatus and method of treating a section of unlined well bore comprising the steps of establishing a flow path from the top of the well bore to a location opposite the section of unlined well bore to be treated, pumping an erosive fluid through the flow path at a predetermined rate and pressure, directing a stream of the erosive fluid against a surface of the section of well bore to be treated to cause the initiation of a cut thereinto, and moving the stream of erosive fluid past a length of the surface to be treated to extend the cut formed therein in the direction of movement of the stream.

Abstract: A method for improving the efficiency of horizontal wellbore cleanout of a horizontal wellbore drilled from a vertical wellbore, having a perforated liner cemented across the horizontal wellbore. The method includes running a coiled tubing into the horizontal wellbore. A first cleanup fluid is injected down the coiled tubing and a second cleanup fluid is injected down an annulus formed by the coiled tubing and the wellbore. The injection rates of the cleanup fluids in the coiled tubing and the annulus are balanced. The coiled tubing is moved back and forth over the horizontal wellbore.

Abstract: A ground fracturing probe to form fractures in subsurface formations includes an elongate, hollow body with a conical penetrating tip at its distal end. A threaded tool joint is at the other end of the body to allow the probe to be coupled to the drill string of a drilling rig. A helical flight is on the exterior surface of the body and extends along a portion of the body length between the tool joint and the penetrating tip. The helical flight varies in diameter over its length to define a cutting zone adjacent the penetrating tip, an injection zone above the cutting zone and a sealing zone above the injection zone. The helical flight increases in diameter in the cutting zone from the tip to the injection zone but decreases abruptly in diameter at the injection zone. The diameter of the flight remains constant in the injection zone and increases in diameter at the interface between the injection zone and the sealing zone.

Abstract: Washing tool for removing internal deposits in tubing parts and components in wells for oil or gas production, wherein the tool is to be run on coiled tubing and to be operated by fluid pressure. The tool comprises a main body (10) provided with discharge nozzles for discharging a washing fluid, and a valve member (12) which is axially movable within the main body (10) under pressure actuation and against a spring force (24), for opening one or more of the discharge nozzles. An external valve member (14) at an upper portion of the main body (10) is arranged for axial movement against the action of a spring (15A) urging the external valve member towards a position for blocking the fluid pressure from above.

Abstract: In accordance with illustrative embodiments of the present invention, a well perforation cleaning tool includes a fluidic oscillator that creates pressure pulsations which induce cyclical stresses in the walls of the perforations and causes damaged skins thereon to disintegrate in order to improve the productivity of the well. The output passages of one embodiment of the fluidic oscillator are connected to respective internal storage cavities and each cavity is communicated with the annulus by a pair of outlet passages. In other embodiments, relatively short length external cavities communicate with the output passages to provide means by which the pressure pulsations are conveyed to the well annulus. Cylindrical filter tubes having a plurality of sets of axially spaced slots are adjustably mounted at the upper and lower ends of the tool may, if desired, be used to provide resistances which substantially confine the pressure pulsations to the immediate vicinity of the tool body.

Abstract: A wireline retrievable jet cleaning tool (10) comprising an adapter axle (12), a longitudinally extending axle (16), and a nozzle housing (14) rotatably mounted around the axle (16), the nozzle housing having at least two longitudinally spaced-apart nozzle sections (18A, 18B) adapted to sweep jets of cleaning fluid over longitudinally spaced target areas in a well tool or tubular, each nozzle section (18A, 18B) preferably having at least one tangentially directed nozzle (44), at least one radially directed nozzle (48) and at least one obliquely directed nozzle (52). A longitudinally reciprocating jet cleaning tool (60) comprising a rotatable nozzle housing (64) adapted to rotate around and slide longitudinally along a fixed axle (66) responsive to increased fluid pressures is also provided.

Abstract: A device for making a hole in the ground has a drilling head having a body. The drilling body includes a passage and a venturi through which rinsing fluid passes. The drilling head has a mechanism mounted on an end thereof for loosening the ground. A first pipe provides pressurized fluid to the mechanism and a second pipe provides rinsing fluid to the passage. A protective casing surrounds the first and second pipes creating a bundle of pipes. A fluid motor drives the mechanism. The venturi receives rinsing fluid from the second pipe thereby creating a suction effect which evacuates rinsing fluid from the hole together with loosened ground.

Abstract: Improved method and apparatus for directionally applying high pressure jets to well casing or liners to clean openings in the casing, liner and the adjacent geologic formation which are plugged with foreign matter. High velocity jets of liquid having a velocity in excess of 700 feet per second are jetted from jet orifices having a 1/16th to 1/4th inch diameter and having a standoff distance between 5 and 100 diameters of the orifice from the openings to remove substantially all plugging material from the openings. Power swivels permit rotation and Kelly hoses allow reciprocation of the jet tool and tubing string while maintaining high pressure in the apparatus.

Abstract: The device employs the jet pump principle to bring a power fluid to sedimented solids and the like plugging a conduit, and it includes at least one nozzle which directs the power fluid in a high-velocity jet against the solids to bring the solids into suspension for subsequent removal thereof using the jet pump principle.

Abstract: Nozzle-effect well apparatuses including nozzle-effect protectors, centralizers and stabilizers and related methods, the apparatuses having two or more blades or ribs extending outwardly from a body, the blades or ribs spaced apart further at one end of the apparatus than the other; in one embodiment, the wall thickness of the apparatus varying so that one end is thicker than the other or a portion or portions between the ends are thicker or thinner in wall thickness than other portions; in another embodiment, portions of valley areas between ribs or blades varying in size to create nozzle effects.

Abstract: A positioning tool apparatus for positioning a sliding member of a well tool includes a drag assembly having a longitudinal passageway defined therethrough. An inner mandrel is disposed through the longitudinal passageway of the drag assembly and is longitudinally movable relative to the drag assembly. An operating assembly is provided for selectively operably engaging the sliding member of the well tool in response to longitudinally reciprocating motion of the inner mandrel relative to the drag assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for washing apparatuses in use of remedial tubing. A cylindrical housing has a fluid expansion chamber with fluid passageways communicating between the housing and the chamber. A turbulating sleeve freely rotates relative to the housing. Compression ports permit fluid to be transmitted through the housing, the passageways and into the chamber for injection through the ports to activate rotary motion of the sleeve for turbulizing washing action. A second housing is provided on the apparatus having normally closed wash ports which are angularly directed toward the remedial tubing and rearwardly relative to the apparatus. The wash ports are normally closed and may be opened, selectively, and when open, fluid flow through the apparatus is directed only through the rearwardly directed wash ports to drive particulate matter impacted exterior of the tubing and rearwardly of the apparatus from the apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed are selective and no-go systems for injecting fluids in a well and a system for orienting a tool in a landing nipple in a well conduit, which is utilized in the selective set injection system. Each injection system is comprised of a land nipple, an injection mandrel having openings for flow and an orientor. The landing nipples have wall openings for flow and orienting means which are engaged by the mandrel orientor as the mandrel is lowered into the landing nipple, orienting the mandrel and aligning the mandrel flow openings with the nipple flow openings. There are orifices in the flow openings in both mandrels to control injected flow through the mandrel. The system for orienting a tool in a landing nipple has an orientor attachable to a well tool. This orientor and the selective orientor have lugs which engage an orienting sleeve in the nipple and are guided into slots when lowered into the sleeve.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for servicing well casing and the like using a treating fluid, the apparatus having a first tool; a second tool having a pair of openings; conduit interconnecting the first and second tools in series relation so that a first of the pair of openings communicate through the conduit with the first tool and the second of the pair of openings communicates with the second tool; a source of treating fluid communicating with the second of the pair of openings; and a valve assembly borne by the second tool and engageable with the interior of the well casing and operable by such contact selectively to control the flow of treating fluid through the openings to the first and second tools.

Abstract: There is claimed a method for isolating intake beds in drill holes (wells), wherein a cement slurry is pumped into a drill pipe string from a well mouth and flash setting and thickening of the cement slurry is ensured once it has left the drill pipe string and a separated phase of lower density is directed to the well mouth via an annular space of the well above a lost circulation zone. A device for carrying same into effect is also claimed.

Abstract: A system and the equipment for economically enhancing recovery of hydrocarbon fluids from a subterranean reservoir in which a plurality of production and injection wells are formed. High grade steam from a common source is mixed with relatively cold water at each injection well to be treated. To avoid, or substantially reduce condensation shock in the water/steam mixer, the high velocity cold water is initially heated in a steam compartment with minimal contact between the two fluids. Thereafter, the steam and the water are introduced to a heat exchange chamber in which the temperature of the water is raised prior to the two streams being merged for injection into a well as either heated water or as low quality steam.

Abstract: A system for controlling the flow of injection fluids and production fluids between a wellbore and one or more zones in a subterranean formation including an elongated tubing string extending within the wellbore and having one or more tubular ported mandrels interposed in the tubing string. Retrievable sleeves are insertable through the tubing string for registration with the mandrels in predetermined longitudinal and rotational positions as determined by a no-go shoulder on the mandrel and cooperating keys and key slots formed on the sleeves and the mandrels, respectively. The sleeves include removable orifice plugs which may be sized to control the flow of fluid through the sleeves between the tubing string and the wellbore. The sleeves are wireline insertable and retrievable so that changes in fluid flow control characteristics may be selectively carried out without pulling the tubing string from the wellbore.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing solid particles which have settled out in a region of a wellbore which employs at least one pair of conduit means, one of said conduit means having nozzle means thereon, said conduit means being disposed in the region of settled particle and passing fluid through one conduit means and the nozzle means into region of settled particles to mix with same and recovering the mixture of fluid and particles from said region by way of the other conduit means.

Abstract: A method to enhance oil production from producing formations using a pressure differential created by evacuating a recovery hole cased through the overburden into the producing formation, and directionally injecting under pressure, into an injection hole in communication with the producing formation, a heated hydrocarbon solvent with surfactant added a distance from the recovery hole. The heat, solvent, pressure differential and surfactant will increase the flow of crude into the recovery hole.

Abstract: A drill bit having a nozzle for drilling fluid to pass out of the drill bit and into the bore hole is disclosed. In one embodiment two diagonal passages through the nozzle impart angular momentum to the drilling fluid. In another embodiment, four diagonal passages through the nozzle impart angular momentum. In still another embodiment, a central bore hole through the nozzle has helical grooves along its internal orifice wall to impart angular momentum. The angular momentum causes the drilling fluid exiting from the interior of the drill bit to flow downward into the bore hole in a divergent vortex that sweeps the cuttings away from the cutting surfaces of the drill bit.

Abstract: A subsea caisson or silo for housing wellhead equipment and methods of installing it is disclosed. A caisson which is sized to receive equipment that is to remain subsea has a closed top and open bottom. The caisson is lowered to the seabed and hydrostatic pressure in combination with a suction jet is used to remove the internal soil. If required the caisson may include a conical suction head located near the bottom of the caisson wall and rotatable cutting heads are fixed to its lower surface so as to cut into sea bottom material of hard consistency.

Abstract: A method and system for cleaning well liners employing a non-rotating tubing string attached to a hydraulic jet carrier assembly is disclosed. The assembly has a plurality of jet nozzles spaced along its length, each of said nozzles expelling a stream of fluid under pressure against the liner with a force which has an equal and opposite reactive force. At least some of the nozzles are oriented along the carrier such that the reactive force for each jet is directionally offset with respect to the central axis of the carrier, thereby creating a twisting moment tending to rotate the carrier about its central axis. During the cleaning operation, the bottom hole differential pressure of the fluid supplied to the jet carrier is varied to rotationally displace the carrier as it is moved vertically within the well bore. Moreover, in a preferred embodiment, the angle of rotational displacement can be calculated which will produce at least double coverage of the jet streams against the liner.

Abstract: A well treatment valve includes spring means within a spring chamber acting against an actuating rod movable against a valve body to open and close the valve. The spring means is sealed against pressure in an inlet to the valve while a passage communicates between the valve inlet and the spring chamber. The spring means is a gas spring.

Abstract: A method and system for cleaning well liners employing a non-rotating tubing string attached to a hydraulic jet carrier assembly is disclosed. The assembly has a plurality of jet nozzles spaced along its length, each of said nozzles expelling a stream of fluid under pressure against the liner with a force which has an equal and opposite reactive force. The nozzles are oriented along the carrier such that the reactive force for each jet is directionally offset with respect to the central axis of the carrier, thereby creating a twisting moment tending to rotate the carrier about its central axis. During the cleaning operation, the bottom hole differential pressure of the fluid supplied to the jet carrier is varied to rotationally oscillate the carrier as it is moved vertically within the well bore to increase the coverage of the fluid streams on the liner.

Abstract: A technique for liquid treating a geological formation comprises spraying the liquid with a pressurized carrier gas, using a spraying pipe whose length and diameter are adjusted as a function of the pressure prevailing at the level of the formation and of the characteristics of the injected liquid and the pressurized carrier gas, so that the size of the liquid droplets at the outlet of the spraying pipe has a narrow range of distribution about a single preselected value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for controlling the rate and extent of cutting slots in flow conductors, particularly casing in wells. The apparatus is hung in the well from a pipe string, locked in position, and force applied to the string. A hydraulic metering mechanism acts against the applied force to control the rate of travel of one or more jet bodies attached to the movable mandrel of the apparatus, the stroke of which determines the extent of the cut.

Abstract: A method for extracting an underground mineral such as coal, which avoids the need for sending personnel underground and which enables the mining of steeply pitched seams of the mineral. The method includes the use of a narrow vehicle which moves underground along the mineral seam and which is connected by pipes or hoses to water pumps at the surface of the earth. The vehicle hydraulically drills pilot holes during its entrances into the seam, and then directs sideward jets at the seam during its withdrawal from each pilot hole to comminute the mineral surrounding the pilot hole and combine it with water into a slurry, so that the slurried mineral can flow down to a location where a pump raises the slurry to the surface.

Abstract: An apparatus in which a casing pipe closed at both its ends extends from the surface of the earth into a formation producing geothermal brine. The casing pipe contains a string of pipe of lesser diameter extending through the closed ends of the casing pipe thereby forming an annular conduit between the pipes. The casing pipe contains openings that are located to be situated in the upper portion of the producing formation. The string of pipe is open at its lower end, is terminated at its upper end outside the casing pipe with a means for controlling flow, and contains a means for separating brine from vapor. The means for separating brine from vapor has means for discharging liquid into the annular conduit and for passing vapor into the portion of the string of pipe downstream of the separating means.

Abstract: A system for producing bitumen from unconsolidated tar sands in an open well includes a screen positioned in the well large enough to pass a majority of the formation sand and small enough to retain a gravel packing material, a pair of high pressure fluid lateral nozzles fracturably fastened in the bottom of the screen, a wash pipe extending down into the screen for detachably connecting to the nozzles and for washing out a cavity in the tar sand formation, a ball weight for dropping down the wash pipe for knocking the nozzles out of the bottom of the screen for allowing a consolidated gravel pack material to emerge from the screen bottom and form the gravel pack on the screen, and the wash pipe being replaceable with a production tube packed off at the screen mid point for allowing hot aqueous fluids to flow from a screen annulus formed between the production tube and the screen into the cavity for producing oil.

Abstract: An improved method of solution well mining is provided which, among other advantages, enhances the injectivity of the wells and eliminates the need for underreaming and the use of well screens. In solution well mining, a leaching solution is pumped into an injection well so as to flow through a mineralized zone to a plurality of production wells, the solution which contains the mineral to be recovered being pumped out of the production wells. The invention provides for using a high pressure water jet to perforate the cemented casings of the well so as to, inter alia, enhance injectivity and provide sand control. The perforations are arranged in a preselected nonuniform pattern in the production well, with the density being the greatest at the bottom of the zone, so as to promote uniform flow of the solution.

Abstract: A downhole recirculator for injecting two-phase lixiviant from a tubing string into a leaching interval of an in situ mine field injection hole, and for circulating the injected lixiviant within the leaching interval. The recirculator includes a core device which is adapted to be readily inserted or removed from its operating position in a fixture defining the upper limit of the leaching interval. The core device includes an induction valve arrangement whereby a primary flow of two-phase lixiviant supplied from the minefield surface by way of the tubing string induces a secondary flow of lixiviant from regions of the injection hole near the top of the leaching interval. The primary flow two-phase lixiviant is combined with the secondary flow lixiviant and injected to a region near the bottom of the leaching interval to establish a circulatory motion of lixiviant within the leaching interval.

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: In the disclosed method of successively opening-out and treating formations, nozzles are firmly pressed against the casing walls in opposition to the selected area of forming a hydraulic fracture, each nozzle having a through passage of a diameter ensuring that at a constant specified flow rate of a fluid with an abrasive filler through the passage there will be built up a pressure sufficient for hydraulic fracturing of the formation. The abrasive-laden fluid is then pumped through the nozzles at the constant flow rate at a pressure sufficient for making a perforation in the casing wall, the pressure being not less than that required for hydraulic fracturing of the formation, until a perforation of a diameter substantially equal to that of the through passages of the nozzle is formed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for directing steam into selected strata of a relatively thick subterranean formation penetrated by a well. The apparatus includes an elongated housing attachable to the lower end of the well tubing, the housing having a closed lower end and a plurality of jets spaced around the sidewall thereof so as to be positioned opposite the strata to be treated. The jets direct the steam outwardly and downwardly against the formation face, causing it to preferentially enter the selected strata.

Abstract: Slugs of high pressure air at pressures of about 2000 psi (150 atmosphere) are jetted against the screen of the casing or well wall in the aquifer of a water well. Fine material washed from the aquifer by this procedure is picked up from the bottom of the well by an airlift pump. The development of a new well will remove the mud cake from the bore and, also, rearrange fines and silt that were in the aquifer before drilling. On old cased wells, the procedure will remove algae and rust from the screen of the casing, rearrange the gravel pack around the screen and, remove silt and fines that have gathered within and around the gravel pack.

Abstract: A method and assembly adapted to extract petroleum from a bore hole or well and particularly using steam to release the petroleum from the surrounding underground. These method and assembly include the release of steam at the bottom of a tube section and extraction of petroleum above the steam outlet to provide simple and efficient assembly and method, which allow for simultaneous feeding of steam and pumping out of petroleum. The assembly includes coaxial tube sections wherein steam pipes are placed in the annular space between the tube sections to outwardly feed steam at the bottom of the latter while defining a central passage for pumping the petroleum therefrom.