US 5,343,965 A · Apparatus and methods for horizontal completion of a water well

Abstract

Methods and apparatus combinations for making a substantially horizontal water well completion for irrigation or commercial water supply purposes includes running a substantially vertical surface string of casing, running a bend section of casing that has been preformed to provide a bend angle of about 90.degree. in a straightened-out condition down through the surface section and allowing it to assume its bend condition below the lower end of the surface section, coupling the upper end of the bend section to the lower end of the surface section, running a water production section of casing through both the surface and bend sections and outward horizontally into the aquifer, and either coupling the inner end thereof to the outer end of the bend section, or extending the production section all the way to the surface. Unique coupling mechanisms, running and retrieving tools and other devices also are disclosed.

Claims26

Dependent claims

A method of casing a water well that extends into an aquifer where a borehole has been drilled vertically downward to the level of the air-water interface of the aquifer, comprising the steps of:

positioning a surface section of casing in the borehole so that its lower end extends approximately to said level;
running a bend section of casing having a preformed curvature throughout an angle of about 90.degree. down through said casing section in a straightened condition and out the said lower end into the aquifer where said bend section assumes its original curved shape as it emerges from said lower end, said bend section having an upper end portion and an outer end portion;
coupling said upper end portion of said bend section to said lower end of said surface section;
running a production section of casing having water entry ports through the walls thereof down through said surface section, around said bend section and out said outer end portion thereof so that said production section extends substantially horizontal, said production section having an inner end;
and coupling said inner end of said production section to said outer end portion of said bend section to establish a horizontal completion of the water well.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus and methods for horizontal completion of a water well

Life of this patent

Apparatus and methods for horizontal completion of a water well

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims26