System and method for capping abandoned wells
AssigneeCCS Inc.
InventorsKary Cuthill, Daryl Cuthill
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention describes a system for capping an abandoned well having production casing and surface casing. The system enables the effective sealing of the production casing volume from the surface casing volume such that any gases leaking from either volume can be independently released from independent valves. The system is particularly effective in improving the safety of re-entering an abandoned well.
Claims9
A system for capping an abandoned well having production casing defining a production casing volume and surface casing defining a surface casing volume, the system comprising:
- a production casing plate for sealing connection to the production casing, the production casing plate having a first nipple for operative connection to a first valve;
- a surface casing plate for sealing connection to the surface casing, the surface casing plate having a second nipple for operative connection to a second valve;
- wherein the first nipple passes through and is sealed with respect to the surface casing plate such that the production casing volume is sealed from the surface casing volume.
A method of sealing an abandoned well having production casing defining a production casing volume and surface casing defining a surface casing volume comprising the steps of:
- a. sealing a production casing plate to the production casing, the production casing plate having a first nipple for operative connection to a first valve;
- and
- b. sealing a surface casing plate for sealing connection to the surface casing, the surface casing plate having a second nipple for operative connection to a second valve,
- wherein the first nipple is passed through and is sealed with respect to the surface casing plate such that the production casing volume is sealed from the surface casing volume.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.