Abstract

A subterranean solids fallback protection device (160) has a differential pressure measurement system configured to determine the quantity of solids accumulated within the device based on the pressure differential across the device during operation. A first pressure gauge (170) is positioned above the solids fallback protection device, and a second pressure gauge (170) positioned below the solids fallback protection device, and the differential pressure measurement system includes these gauges for measuring pressure above and below the device.

IPC Classes  ?

• E21B 43/34 - Arrangements for separating materials produced by the well
• E21B 27/00 - Containers for collecting or depositing substances in boreholes or wells, e.g. bailers for collecting mud or sandDrill bits with means for collecting substances, e.g. valve drill bits
• E21B 43/12 - Methods or apparatus for controlling the flow of the obtained fluid to or in wells
• E21B 47/06 - Measuring temperature or pressure

Abstract

A solids fallback protection device for use in a sucker rod pump (SRP) system in an oil or gas well is disclosed. The device is positioned along a production tubing string and comprises a device housing containing a storage tube that defines an internal fluid flow pathway and an outer annular storage region. One or more storage chambers are formed between the storage tube and the housing and include slotted bases and communication ports that permit fluid and solids flow. During pump stoppage, solids falling with gravity enter the device and are guided into the storage chambers where they accumulate in the annular region while downward movement toward the pump is restricted. Upon resumption of pumping, well fluid flows through the communication ports and slotted bases, generating backpressure that mobilizes and flushes the accumulated solids through the device, thereby reducing solids accumulation at the pump.

IPC Classes  ?

• E21B 27/00 - Containers for collecting or depositing substances in boreholes or wells, e.g. bailers for collecting mud or sandDrill bits with means for collecting substances, e.g. valve drill bits
• E21B 41/00 - Equipment or details not covered by groups
• E21B 43/12 - Methods or apparatus for controlling the flow of the obtained fluid to or in wells
• E21B 43/34 - Arrangements for separating materials produced by the well
• E21B 43/38 - Arrangements for separating materials produced by the well in the well

Abstract

A solids fallback protection device for use in a sucker rod pump (SRP) system having a rod string is provided. The device protects an SRP system from suspended solids in the fluid column by containing and storing these solids before they settle on the SRP system by utilizing a multitude storage chambers with a multitude slotted bases in each chamber; it also self-cleans these solids upon restarting of the SRP system, and provides a continuous fluid communication path through the device.

IPC Classes  ?

• E21B 43/34 - Arrangements for separating materials produced by the well
• E21B 27/00 - Containers for collecting or depositing substances in boreholes or wells, e.g. bailers for collecting mud or sandDrill bits with means for collecting substances, e.g. valve drill bits
• E21B 43/12 - Methods or apparatus for controlling the flow of the obtained fluid to or in wells

Abstract

A downhole apparatus for collecting solids fallback in the tubing of an oil producing borehole comprises two or more baskets to collect the solids fall back, each basket partially occupying a portion of the inner cross section of the tubing, leaving a portion of the inner cross section of the tubing having an unrestricted flow path. The baskets when considered in plan view along longitudinal axis of the tubing are distributed such that together they cover substantially the whole area of the tubing while leaving an unobstructed non-straight flowpath around the baskets.

IPC Classes  ?

• E21B 27/00 - Containers for collecting or depositing substances in boreholes or wells, e.g. bailers for collecting mud or sandDrill bits with means for collecting substances, e.g. valve drill bits
• B23K 26/03 - Observing, e.g. monitoring, the workpiece
• B23K 26/38 - Removing material by boring or cutting
• E21B 43/12 - Methods or apparatus for controlling the flow of the obtained fluid to or in wells
• F04B 47/00 - Pumps or pumping installations specially adapted for raising fluids from great depths, e.g. well pumps
• H03K 5/24 - Circuits having more than one input and one output for comparing pulses or pulse trains with each other according to input signal characteristics, e.g. slope, integral the characteristic being amplitude

Abstract

An apparatus for protecting a pump system from solids fallback in a downhole environment, comprising a housing (550) adapted to be installed in the production tubing (580) of a wellbore, and a plurality of storage chambers (505) within the housing, each storage chamber having a deflector (540) and a storage base (570) with slots (575) for fluid communication, the deflectors and storage bases are arranged to form a pathway for fluid flow through the slots in the storage bases, facilitating the capture and storage of precipitated solids when fluid flow ceases, and enabling the mobilization and removal of collected solids upon the resumption of fluid flow.

IPC Classes  ?

• E21B 27/00 - Containers for collecting or depositing substances in boreholes or wells, e.g. bailers for collecting mud or sandDrill bits with means for collecting substances, e.g. valve drill bits
• E21B 43/12 - Methods or apparatus for controlling the flow of the obtained fluid to or in wells
• E21B 43/34 - Arrangements for separating materials produced by the well

Abstract

A subterranean solids fallback protection device (160) has a differential pressure measurement system configured to determine the quantity of solids accumulated within the device based on the pressure differential across the device during operation. A first pressure gauge (170) is positioned above the solids fallback protection device, and a second pressure gauge (170) positioned below the solids fallback protection device, and the differential pressure measurement system includes these gauges for measuring pressure above and below the device.

IPC Classes  ?

• E21B 43/12 - Methods or apparatus for controlling the flow of the obtained fluid to or in wells
• E21B 47/009 - Monitoring of walking-beam pump systems
• E21B 47/06 - Measuring temperature or pressure
• E21B 41/00 - Equipment or details not covered by groups
• F04B 47/00 - Pumps or pumping installations specially adapted for raising fluids from great depths, e.g. well pumps
• E21B 43/34 - Arrangements for separating materials produced by the well
• E21B 43/38 - Arrangements for separating materials produced by the well in the well

Abstract

A self-cleaning solids fallback capture and storage device capable of being positioned between a downhole pump and surface. The capture and storage device comprises a housing with at least one chamber, the at least one chamber including a filter means comprising a first rod or rods that are retained axially and radially without movement being permitted, and a second rod or rods which are retained axially and radially but some radial movement is permitted. The second rod or rods can move between a first position during normal production where they are separated from the first rod or rods and a second position when normal production has ceased or is reversed where they abut the first rod or rods.

IPC Classes  ?

• E21B 27/00 - Containers for collecting or depositing substances in boreholes or wells, e.g. bailers for collecting mud or sandDrill bits with means for collecting substances, e.g. valve drill bits
• E21B 41/00 - Equipment or details not covered by groups
• E21B 43/08 - Screens or liners
• E21B 43/12 - Methods or apparatus for controlling the flow of the obtained fluid to or in wells
• E21B 43/38 - Arrangements for separating materials produced by the well in the well
• F04B 47/00 - Pumps or pumping installations specially adapted for raising fluids from great depths, e.g. well pumps
• F04D 29/70 - Suction gridsStrainersDust separationCleaning

Abstract

Systems and methods which remove solids from fluids and remove solids from the functioning surfaces reducing. Grooved rods with matching V notches prevent solids from entering a pump and self-clean upon reversing fluid direction. These grooved rods with matching V notches will remove solids in subterranean and surface piping and self-clean upon reversing fluid direction. Systems and methods which prevent fluid flow in one direction. Round cross section rods or square cross section rods with matching seats prevent fluid flow in one direction.

IPC Classes  ?

• E21B 27/00 - Containers for collecting or depositing substances in boreholes or wells, e.g. bailers for collecting mud or sandDrill bits with means for collecting substances, e.g. valve drill bits
• E21B 43/02 - Subsoil filtering
• E21B 43/08 - Screens or liners
• E21B 43/38 - Arrangements for separating materials produced by the well in the well
• E21B 43/10 - Setting of casings, screens or liners in wells
• E21B 37/00 - Methods or apparatus for cleaning boreholes or wells

Abstract

A downhole apparatus for collecting solids fallback in the tubing of an oil producing borehole comprises two or more baskets to collect the solids fall back, each basket partially occupying a portion of the inner cross section of the tubing, leaving a portion of the inner cross section of the tubing having an unrestricted flow path. The baskets when considered in plan view along longitudinal axis of the tubing are distributed such that together they cover substantially the whole area of the tubing while leaving an unobstructed non-straight flowpath around the baskets.

IPC Classes  ?

• E21B 27/00 - Containers for collecting or depositing substances in boreholes or wells, e.g. bailers for collecting mud or sandDrill bits with means for collecting substances, e.g. valve drill bits
• E21B 43/12 - Methods or apparatus for controlling the flow of the obtained fluid to or in wells
• F04B 47/00 - Pumps or pumping installations specially adapted for raising fluids from great depths, e.g. well pumps

IPC Classes  ?

• E21B 43/36 - Underwater separating arrangements
• E21B 43/38 - Arrangements for separating materials produced by the well in the well

Abstract

A downhole apparatus to collect solids fallback, the apparatus comprising a flow path for a fluid, a first part of the flow path providing an unobstructed flow, and a second part of the flow path including one or more containers which collect solids fall back. The container may be made of filter material, contain slits or v grooves which seat rods. The rods may be scored with fine grooves allowing the rod to act as a filter.

IPC Classes  ?

• E21B 43/38 - Arrangements for separating materials produced by the well in the well
• E21B 43/36 - Underwater separating arrangements
• F04B 47/00 - Pumps or pumping installations specially adapted for raising fluids from great depths, e.g. well pumps
• E21B 27/00 - Containers for collecting or depositing substances in boreholes or wells, e.g. bailers for collecting mud or sandDrill bits with means for collecting substances, e.g. valve drill bits

Abstract

A downhole apparatus for collecting solids fallback in the tubing of an oil producing borehole comprises two or more baskets to collect the solids fall back, each basket partially occupying a portion of the inner cross section of the tubing, leaving a portion of the inner cross section of the tubing having an unrestricted flow path. The baskets when considered in plan view along longitudinal axis of the tubing are distributed such that together they cover substantially the whole area of the tubing while leaving an unobstructed non-straight flowpath around the baskets.

IPC Classes  ?

• E21B 27/00 - Containers for collecting or depositing substances in boreholes or wells, e.g. bailers for collecting mud or sandDrill bits with means for collecting substances, e.g. valve drill bits
• E21B 43/12 - Methods or apparatus for controlling the flow of the obtained fluid to or in wells
• F04B 47/00 - Pumps or pumping installations specially adapted for raising fluids from great depths, e.g. well pumps
• B23K 26/03 - Observing, e.g. monitoring, the workpiece
• B23K 26/38 - Removing material by boring or cutting
• H03K 5/24 - Circuits having more than one input and one output for comparing pulses or pulse trains with each other according to input signal characteristics, e.g. slope, integral the characteristic being amplitude