Method of abandoning a well and apparatus therefor
OwnerPhilip F. Headinventor
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Abstract
The invention relates to a method of abandoning a well which has ceased to provide economic use. The method includes pressurizing the well fluids through the production tubing including optionally additional adjacent annular channels to force them back into the reservoir by means of a gaseous medium such as nitrogen. Then sealing the production tubing and optional annular channels with a suitable seal. Draining the remaining channels by perforation into the void in the production tubing and optional channels formed by the gaseous medium. Followed by a final sealing of the whole well.
Claims20
A method of abandoning a well, said well comprising at least two concentric conduits having at least one annular channel therebetween, and an innermost channel which contain well fluids and other fluids associated with oil production, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) applying pressure in the innermost channel of the well by means of a gaseous medium in order to force the well fluids back into a reservoir communicating with the well to create a void which is filled by the gaseous medium;
- and
- (b) perforating at least an inner one of said concentric conduits to allow the fluids contained in the at least one annular channel to drain into the void created by the gaseous medium.
A method of abandoning a well, said well comprising at least two concentric conduits having at least one annular channel therebetween, and an inner channel which contain well fluids and other fluids associated with oil production, which comprises the steps of:
- (a) perforating an inner one of said concentric conduits to connect the innermost channel with said annular channel;
- and
- (b) applying pressure in the innermost channel and in said annular channel by means of a gaseous medium in order to force the well fluids back into a reservoir communicating with the well to create a void which is filled by the gaseous medium.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.