Method for installing tubular members axially into an over-pressured region of the earth
AssigneeExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
InventorRichard D. Raines
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method is disclosed for installing a tubular member, having an upper end and a closed lower end, axially into and through an over-pressured region of the earth by using a mandrel to drive the tubular member from near the bottom, which results in a significant section of the tubular member being pulled through the over-pressured region. In another embodiment, a filler material is inserted into at least a portion of the tubular member, and the tubular member is driven from the upper end, with the filler material assisting the progression of the tubular member through the over-pressured region.
Claims13
A method for installing a tubular member axially through at least one over-pressured region of the earth, said tubular member having an upper end and a closed lower end, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) drilling a borehole to a depth proximate the top of, but not into, said over-pressured region of the earth;
- (b) inserting said tubular member into said borehole, wherein said closed lower end of said tubular member is positioned proximate the top of said over-pressured region of the earth;
- (c) inserting a filler material into at least a portion of said tubular member;
- and
- (d) applying a force to said upper end of said tubular member, whereby an interval of said tubular member, including said lower end, is driven through said over-pressured region of the earth.
The method of claim I wherein said filler material is a granular material.
A method for installing a tubular member axially through at least one over-pressured region of the earth, said tubular member having an upper end and a closed lower end, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) drilling a borehole to a depth proximate the top of, but not into, said over-pressured region of the earth;
- (b) inserting said tubular member into said borehole, wherein said closed lower end of said tubular member is positioned proximate the top of said over-pressured region of the earth;
- (c) installing a force transmission means into said tubular member, said force transmission means extending from a distance above said upper end of said tubular member to a distance below said upper end of said tubular member;
- said force transmission means adapted to transmit a driving force from a point above said upper end of said tubular member to said lower end of said tubular member;
- and
- (d) applying a driving force to said force transmission means, whereby an interval of said tubular member, including said lower end, is driven through said over-pressured region of said earth.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.