US 2006/0131023 A1 · Apparatus and method for cleaning out sand from an underbalanced hydrocarbon producing well

Abstract

An apparatus and method is used in the cleaning out of sand in underbalanced gas wells. The present invention includes a valve subassembly equipped with an emergency shutin device to remotely control the actuation of the valve via an air or hydraulic control line. Operatively coupled to the inlet of the valve subassembly is a swivel subassembly which further enables the coupling to a tubing string. A lifting assembly attaches the valve subassembly to an elevator of a well service rig. A hardened elbow coupled to an outlet of the valve subassembly directs the gas/sand mixture being removed from the well through a hose to a collection pit. The use of the apparatus of the present invention in a sand cleanout operation allows joints of pipe to be tripped into and out of the tubing string all the while keeping the emergency shutdown device actuator connected and operational.

Claims16

Dependent claims

An apparatus for cleaning out sand from an underbalanced hydrocarbon producing well, comprising:

a) a valve subassembly having a valve body comprising:
i) an upper end having coupling means,
ii) a lower end adapted to couple to a swivel subassembly,
iii) a passageway disposed within said valve body providing communication between said upper and lower ends, and
iv) a valve mechanism disposed in said passageway for opening and closing said passageway;
b) a swivel subassembly operatively coupled to said lower of said valve body;
and
c) lift support means operatively coupled to said valve subassembly for attaching to an elevator of a well service rig.

5 more elements

A method for cleaning out sand from an underbalanced hydrocarbon producing well, the method comprising the steps of:

a) attaching an apparatus consisting of:
i) a valve subassembly having a valve body comprising:
1. an upper end having coupling means,
2. a lower end adapted to couple to a swivel subassembly,
3. a passageway disposed within said valve body providing communication between said upper and lower ends, and
4. a valve mechanism disposed in said passageway for opening and closing said passageway,
ii) a swivel subassembly operatively coupled to said lower of said valve body, and
iii) lift support means operatively coupled to said valve subassembly for attaching to an elevator of a well service rig to an elevator of a well service rig, the valve mechanism of said apparatus in the open position;
b) attaching a first joint of tubing to a lower end of a first valve subassembly;
c) attaching an upper end of said first valve subassembly to the swivel assembly of said apparatus, said first valve subassembly in the closed position;
d) lowering said first joint of tubing into said well;
and
e) opening said first valve subassembly whereby the pressure of a hydrocarbon formation in said well forces said sand up said tubing and exiting through said apparatus.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus and method for cleaning out sand from an underbalanced hydrocarbon producing well

Life of this patent

Apparatus and method for cleaning out sand from an underbalanced hydrocarbon producing well

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16