Method for installing tubular members axially into the earth
AssigneeExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
InventorRichard D. Raines
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims17
A method for installing a tubular member axially into the earth, said tubular member having an upper end and a closed lower end, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) inserting said tubular member into the earth;
- (b) inserting a filler material into at least a portion of said tubular member, thereby increasing the driving impedance of the tubular member;
- and
- (c) applying a force to said upper end of said tubular member, whereby said tubular member is driven further into the earth.
A method for installing a tubular member axially into the earth, said tubular member having an upper end and a closed lower end, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) inserting said tubular member into the earth;
- (b) 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, thereby increasing the driving impedance of the tubular member;
- and
- (c) applying a driving force to said force transmission means, whereby said tubular member is driven further into the earth;
- (d) removing said force transmission means from said tubular member;
- (e) drilling through said closed lower end of said tubular member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.