Split casing block-off for gas or water in oil drilling

A method for sealing the wall of a bore hole, the bore hole having a predetermined diameter, the method comprising the steps of:

• forming a liner of resilient sheet material into a scroll having a smaller diameter than the predetermined diameter;
• applying a layer of mud to the exterior surface of said scroll prior to inserting said scroll into the bore hole;
• inserting said liner into the bore hole;
• allowing said scroll to expand whereby its diameter is increased to substantially the predetermined diameter;
• and
• pressing said liner and mud layer against the wall of the bore hole whereby said layer of mud seals the wall of the bore hole.

A method as in claim 24, wherein said step of forming a liner comprises the steps of:

• providing a substantially rectangular liner of resilient sheet material;
• rolling said liner into a scroll having a smaller diameter than said predetermined diameter, opposite edge portions of said liner overlapping each other along a portion of said scroll substantially parallel to the axis thereof;
• and
• retaining said liner in said scroll of said smaller diameter.

A method for sealing the wall of a bore hole, the bore hole having a predetermined diameter, the method comprising the steps of:

• forming a resilient liner substantially into a cylinder having a smaller diameter than the predetermined diameter;
• applying a layer of mud to the exterior of said liner;
• applying a layer of cement to said layer of mud;
• inserting said liner into the bore hole;
• allowing the liner to expand into contact with the wall of the bore hole whereby its diameter is increased to substantially the predetermined diameter;
• and
• pressing said liner against the wall of the bore hole.

Apparatus for lining a bore hole having a predetermined diameter, comprising:

• an elongated member having a first end thereof adapted to be inserted into the bore hole;
• a liner of resilient sheet material formed into a scroll having a smaller diameter than the predetermined diameter;
• a squeegee coupled to said elongated member and located adjacent said first end for sealing the portion of said bore hole above said squeegee;
• means associated with said elongated member for supporting said liner within the bore hole;
• and
• rotary means for pressing said liner into contact with the wall of the bore hole.

Apparatus for lining a bore hole, comprising:

• an elongated member having a first end thereof adapted to be inserted into the bore hole;
• an expandable liner adapted to be inserted into the bore hole;
• means associated with said first end for supporting said liner within the bore hole;
• rotary means including at least one element comprising a displaceable strip of resilient material having first and second ends, means for moving said second end toward and away from said first end to expand and retract said displaceable strip to press said liner into contact with the wall of the bore hole, and means for mounting said first end of said displaceable strip to said rotary means at a fixed position thereon;
• and
• means for driving said rotary means in rotation about an axis generally parallel to the axis of the bore hole.

Apparatus for lining a bore hole having a predetermined diameter, comprising:

• an elongated member having a first end thereof adapted to be inserted into the bore hole;
• a liner of resilient sheet material formed into a scroll having a smaller diameter than the predetermined diameter;
• retaining means comprising a non-conductive line or cable encircling said liner and secured by releasable knot means for retaining said liner in a substantially cylindrical configuration with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the bore hole;
• means associated with said elongated members for supporting said liner within the bore hole;
• means for releasing said liner, thereby allowing said liner to expand into contact with the wall of the bore hole, said releasing means comprising release cable means having one end coupled with said releasable knot means, said cable means extending upwardly and out of said bore hole, wherein an upwardly exerted force on said release cable means causes said releasable knot means to release said retaining line or cable and thereby allow said liner to expand into contact with the wall of said bore hole;
• and
• rotary means for pressing said liner into contact with the wall of the bore hole.

Apparatus for lining a bore hole having a predetermined diameter, comprising:

• an elongated member having a first end thereof adapted to be inserted into the bore hole;
• a liner of resilient sheet material formed into a scroll having a smaller diameter than the predetermined diameter;
• means associated with said first end for supporting said liner within the bore hole;
• rotary means for pressing said liner into contact with the wall of the bore hole, said rotary means comprising:
• at least one displaceable member having first and second ends for pressing said liner into contact with the wall of the bore hole,
• means for retracting said at least one displaceable member and for expanding said at least one displaceable member to press said liner into contact with the wall of the bore hole,
• means for mounting said first end of said at least one displaceable member at a fixed position on said rotary means, and
• means for moving said second end toward and away from said first end to expand and retract said at least one element;
• and
• means for driving said rotary means in rotation about an axis generally parallel to the axis of the bore hole.

A method for sealing the wall of a bore hole, the bore hole having a predetermined diameter, the method comprising the steps of:

• forming a liner of resilient sheet material into a scroll having a smaller diameter than a predetermined diameter;
• applying a layer of mud to the exterior surface of said scroll and applying a layer of cement to said layer of mud prior to inserting said scroll into the bore hole;
• inserting said liner into the bore hole;
• allowing said scroll to expand whereby its diameter is increased to substantially the predetermined diameter;
• and
• pressing said liner against the wall of the bore hole.