US 5,396,950 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.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A casing assembly for use in completing a water well into an aquifer having an air-water interface, comprising:

a surface section that extends from the top of said well down substantially to said interface, said surface section having a first diameter;
a preformed resilient bend section having its upper end coupled to the lower end of said surface section and having a radius of curvature that disposes the outer end thereof substantially horizontal, said bend section being adapted to be run through said surface section in a straightened condition and out said lower end of said surface section into the aquifer where said bend section assumes its original curved shape, said bend section having a second diameter that is less than said first diameter;
a production section having water entry ports and being coupled to said outer end of said bend section and extending substantially horizontally therefrom, said production section having a third diameter that is less than said second diameter.

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

Claims12