Method and apparatus for removing solid material from a well using a rotary pump

A device for removing solid material from a well, said device capable of being inserted at a surface of the well into a well bore casing and having a longitudinal axis, comprising:

• a first tubular housing having a first end and an opposite second end;
• at least one member attached to an exterior of the first housing and abutting the well bore casing for preventing rotation of the first housing relative to the well bore casing;
• a second tubular housing having a first, fluid inlet end and a second, opposite end, being arranged coaxially and at least part internally of the first housing, and being rotatable relative to the first housing;
• a valve adjacent the first end of the second housing and being movable between a first open position and a second closed position;
• a selective passage formed between the valve and the second end to the second housing;
• a screw pump formed between an exterior of the second housing and the first housing;
• and
• a cavity formed in the second housing between the valve and the selective passage,
• wherein, fluid and solid material can enter the first inlet end of the second housing, past the valve, and the fluid can pass through the selective passage, and along the screw pump, but the solid material cannot pass through the selective passage and accumulates in the cavity.

A method for removing solid particles from a well, comprising the steps of:

• (a) placing a tool with a screw pump into the well, such that the pump is below a level of fluid in the well;
• (b) rotating the tool so that the screw pump pulls fluid and solid particles from the well into an inlet of the tool;
• and
• (c) allowing the fluid to pass through a screen, but causing the solid particles to be collected in a cavity of the tool,
• wherein the fluid and solid particles entering the tool are caused to move past a closable valve prior to reaching the screen.

A method for removing solid particles from a well, comprising the steps of:

• (a) placing a tool with a screw pump into the well, such that the pump is below a level of fluid in the well;
• (b) rotating the tool so that the screw pump pulls fluid and solid particles from the well into an inlet of the tool;
• and
• (c) allowing the fluid to pass through a screen, but causing the solid particles to be collected in a cavity of the tool;
• and
• (d) moving the tool down into the well as it is being rotated.

A method for removing solid particles from a well, comprising the steps of:

• (a) placing a tool with a screw pump into the well, such that the pump is below a level of fluid in the well;
• (b) rotating the tool so that the screw pump pulls fluid and solid particles from the well into an inlet of the tool;
• and
• (c) allowing the fluid to pass through a screen, but causing the solid particles to be collected in a cavity of the tool;
• and
• (d) reintroducing the fluid that passes through the screen into the inlet of the tool.

A method for removing solid particles from a well, comprising the steps of:

• (a) placing a tool with a screw pump into the well, such that the pump is below a level of fluid in the well;
• (b) rotating the tool so that the screw pump pulls fluid and solid particles from the well into an inlet of the tool;
• (c) allowing the fluid to pass through a screen, but causing the solid particles to be collected in a cavity of the tool;
• (d) raising the tool to a surface of the well;
• and
• (e) removing the solid particles from the cavity of the tool,
• wherein the removing step comprises the step of separating the cavity of the tool from a remainder of the tool.