US1389920A - Well - Google Patents

Description

P. WEAVER AND H. C. CRAIG.

WELL.

APPLICATION FILED MAY5, 1920.

Patented Sept. 6, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l- Qowenkot P. WEAVER AND H. C. CRAIG.

WELL.

6, 1921. SHEET 2.

dSept.

SHEETS Patents P. WEAVER AND H. C. CRAIG.

WELL.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 5, I920.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

Patented Sept. 6, 1921.

. UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PAUL WEAVER, OP. TAMPICO, AND HOMER G. CRAIG, 0F POTRERO DEL LLAMO CAMP, MEXICO, ASSIGNORS OF ONE-HALF TO WHITEHALL PETROLEUM CORPORATION, LIMITED, 01 LONDON, ENGLAND, A. CORPORATION OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRE- LAND.

WELL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 6, 1921.

To all "whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, PAUL WEAVER and HOMER C. CRAIG, citizens of the United States, the former being a resident of Aguila Colony, Tampico, Mexico, and the latter a resident of Potrero delLlamo Camp, State of Vera Cruz, Mexico, have invented new and useful Improvements in Wells, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to apparatus intended primarily for use in connection with the vertical conduits or casings which are commonly inserted in oil wells or the like to maintain an open passage for the oil from the oil bearing stratum to the surface of the earth. Such conduits commonly consist of several coaxial casings of different diameter, each of the smaller casings extending farther into the ground than the next larger one. The casing of smallest diameter is of very materially greater length than the others and extends downwardly to the oil bearing earth or rock. To secure suitable length for the casings, they are made in longitudinal sections of such length as to be readily handled, a new section being secured on th top of a casing each time the casing is lowered the length of a section. The sections of each casing are generally threaded to each other end to end, and the bottom of the casing is bound to the adjacent rock wall of the well, as by cement.

In practice the lowering of the casings generally follows closely and progressively behind the drilling; so that when the oil bearing stratum is reached, the casings are practically in place. At this time, the oil tends to gush up through the casings, and it is customary to provide a valve to close the upper end of the casings to control the flow of the oil out of the casings. It has generally been customary to secure this valve on the top of casing of smallest diameter, this practice having the advantage of making possible the rapid closing of the valve in case of asudden striking of oil. This practice, however, has the disadvantage of requiring the removal of the rather heavy valve each time a new section is added to the said casing and the securing of the valve to the newly added section.

One of the objects of our invention is to .provide means for obviating this objectionable condition. In accordance with our invention, the valve is preferably secured to a casing of larger diameter, and the casing of smaller diameter is passed through the valve. Furthermore, means are rovided whereby, in case it should be deslrable to close the valve while a section of the inner casing 1s projecting through the valve, the inner casing may be held below the said section so as to permit the removal of the said section without,.danger of disconnecting the lower section s 'from each other.

Another object of our invention is to provide improved means for thus holding the inner casing. Further objects of the invention areuto provide means for closing the space. between the casings adjacent the upper endy-thereof to prevent the flow of oil upwardly from such space,-and to reinforce said. casings against collapsing and thereby prevent adjacent inner and outer casings becoming locked or bound to each other.

Other objects, features and advantages will appear more fully in the following detailed description and appended claims.

The accompan ing drawings forming a part of this specification illustrate one embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings.

Figure 1 is a view, partly in vertical section and partly in elevation, of said embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a central vertical sectional view on a larger scale of a portion of the apparatus. shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2, taken on vertical plane inclined at 45 to the sectional plane of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a top plan View of the apparatus shown in- Figs. 2 and 3, and

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the adjustable ring and segments forming a part of said apparatus.

Referring to Fig. 1, 1 and 2 designate respectively outer and inner casings, the casing 1 being concentric with and slightly larger than thcicasing 2, so as to leave a space between the two casings. Secured to the top of the outer casing 1 is a valve 3 adapted to have a section of the inner casing 2 pass through the same, as shown. The valve 3 may be of any suitable well known construction adapted to close the upper end of the outer casing 1 when it is not obstructed by a section of the inner casing. In the valve illustrated, the movable valve member (not shown) is adapted to be opened or closed by the hand wheel 4.

The device shown for closing the space between the outer and inner casings and for holding the inner casing against rotation is shown arranged between the uppermost two sections of the outer casing 1. Said device, as shown, comprises a body portion 6 which is threaded upon the top of the lower of said sections so as to be supported thereby, an annular cover portion being threaded within the upper portion of the body 6 and having the upper section of the outer casing threaded within the same. By reason of this construction the upper section of the outer casing and the valve 3 are supported from the next lower section of said casing by means of the parts 6 and 7.

Movably mounted within the chamber formed by the body 6 and cover 7 is an adjustable device adapted to be moved into or out of clamping engagement with the inner casing and to form a movable closure for the space between the casings. This device comprises a ring 8 concentric with the casings and supporting a plurality of arcuate segments 9 adapted to fit tightly against the inner casing when clamped in engagement therewith. These segments are guided by the body 6 and cover 7 for movement in paths inclined downwardly and inwardly toward the inner casing, so that by upward movement they are moved away from the inner casing and by downward movement they are moved toward the said casing. As shown, the segments have bearing surfaces in sliding engagement with the parallel frusto conical bearing surfaces 10 and 11 of the body 6 and the bearing surface 12 of the cover 7, the latter surface being spaced from and parallel to the surface 11. To permit the necessary inward and outward movement of the segments 9 with respect to the ring 8, the latter is arranged in horizontal perlpheral recesses 14 in the respective segments. A small amount of play may be provided between the ring and the upper and lower walls of said recesses, as shown in Fig. 3. For forcing the segments downward into clamping engagement with the inner casing, we have shown setting pins or bolts 15 threaded through the cover 7 with their axes parallel to the path of movement of the segments, these bolts engaging at their lower ends suitable inclined bearing surfaces 16 at the top of the segments. The numeral 17 indicates lock nuts for securing bolts 15 in position. Referring to Fig. 5, the segments 9 are desirably formed with convex ends of such shape that when the segments are clamped down against the inner casing, the adjacent ends of adjacent segments will engage each other along substantially a single vertical line extendlng from the bearing surface which engages the surface 10 of the body 6 to the bearing surface which engages the ring 7.

The construction shown substantially closes the space between the inner casing and the next outer casing at a point between the upper and next lower sections of the outer casing and also effectively prevents the flow of oil outwardly into the space between the segments and the body 6 and cover 7. It will be seen that should it be desired to cut off the flow of oil while a section of inner casing is within the valve, as shown, the next lower section of the inner casing may be firmly held in position (the outer section having already been secured inplace) by screwing down the bolts 15 to clamp the segments 9 against the inner casing. This having been done, the upper section of the inner casing may be unthreaded from the rest of the casing and removed, thereby permitting closing of the valve 3. In Fig. 1 the connection between the uppermost two sections of the inner casing is shown at 1.

For lifting the ring 8 to move the segments 9 away from the inner casing, as well as to provide means whereby the entire device comprising the body 6, cover 7, ring 8 and segments 9 may be lifted, lifting rods 20 are threaded at their lower ends into the ring 8. These rods, as shown, pass upwardly between adjacent segments 9 and through openings 21 in the cover 7, the rods being, as shown, provided at their upper ends with handles 22. To form a tight joint between the lifting rods 20 and cover 7 glands 23 are mounted on the rods and threaded into the enlarged upper ends of the openings 21, suitable packing material 24 being placed around said rods under the packing glands.

WVhen passing a section of inner casing through the clamping device between the up- .ermost two sections of the outer casing, it 1s desirable to hold the segments 9 in their retracted or outer pos'tion. To this end, we have provided clamps 25 which, as shown in Fig; 4, are pivoted at 25 to the cover 7. The clamps are provided at their free ends with projecting portions 26 for moving the clamps by hand about their pivots; and the clamps are provided intermediate their ends with portions adapted to engage respectively under projecting collars 27 on the lifting rods 20 to hold the lifting rods inelevated position. When it is desired to clamp the segments in position against the inner casing the clamps 25 are moved outwardly from under the collars 27, thereby permitting inward and downward movement of the segments and clamping thereof by the threaded set pins 15.

A will be seen from the foregoing, the device described not only provides means for holding the inner casing against rotation with respect to the outer casing so as to permit the ready detachment of any section of the inner casing which may project through the valve 3 but it also provides for forming a substantial closure for the annular space between the inner and outer casings. The locking and unlocking device may be operated rapidly in case of emergency and also serves to retain the inner casing in central osition with respect to the outer casing. n adding lengths or sections to the inner casing it is unnecessary to remove or detach the valve 3; and furthermore in cementingthe inner casing in place, said casing may be securely held in position by the apparatus shown and the circulation between the two casings shut off.

The apparatus may be made of any material of suitable strength, such as steel, and provides reinforcing or strengthening means for the casings tending to prevent the collapsing or caving in thereof, thus tending to prevent the casings from becoming locked or bound together from this cause.

While we have shown and described one embodiment of our invention, numerous changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of our invention.

What we claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:

1. Apparatus for use with wells comprising an inner casing and an outer casing, said apparatus comprising a device adapted to be secured to the outer casing and including means slidable at an angle to the axis of said casings to close or open the space between the casings.

2. Apparatus for use with wells comprising an inner casing and an outer casing, said apparatus comprising means adapted to be secured to the outer casing and operable to close or open the space between the casings, said means being adjustable to rigidly hold the inner casing in position with respect to theouter casing or to release the inner casing.

3. Apparatus for use with wells comprisin an inner casing and an outer casing, said apparatus comprising means adapted to be secured to the outer casing and adapted to close the space between the casings and to reinforce t e casings, said means being adjustable to rigidly hold the inner casing in position with respect to the outer casing or to release the inner casing.

4. Apparatus for use with wells compr sing an inner casing and an outer casing, sald apparatus comprising a device adapted to be secured to the outer casing and comprising members adapted to surround the inner casing and adjustable to rigidly hold the inner casing in position with respect to the outer casing or to release the inner casing, and means for moving said members into and retaining the same in operative position.

5. Apparatus for use with wells comprising an inner casing and an outer casing, said apparatus comprising a device adapted to be secured to the outer casing and adjustable to rigidly hold-the inner casing in position with respect to the outer casing or to release the inner casing, means for moving said device into and retaining the same in operative position, and means for moving said device away from the inner casing when said retaining means are released.

6.'Apparatus for use with wells comprising an inner casing and an outer casing, said apparatus comprising a device adapted to be secured to the outer casing and adjustable to rigidly hold the inner casing in position with respect ,to the outer casing or to release the inner casing, means for moving said device into and retaining the same in operative position, and means for retaining said device in retracted position.

7. Apparatus for use with wells comprising an inner casing and an outer casing, said apparatus comprising a device adapted to be secured to the outer casing and adjustable to rigidly hold the inner casing in position with respect to the outer casing or to release the inner casing, means for moving said device into and retaining the same in operative position, separate means for moving said device away from the inner casing when said retaining means are released, and means co-acting with said separate means for retaining said device in retracted position.

8. Apparatus for use with wells comprising an inner casing and an outer casing, said apparatus comprising a device adapted to be secured to the outer casing and adjustable to rigidly hold the inner casing in position with respect to the outer casing or to release the inner casing, means for moving said device into and retaining the same in operative position, and means adapted upon the application of an upward force thereon to move said device outwardly away from the inner casing when said retaining means are released.

9. Apparatus for use with wells comprising an inner casing and an outer casing, said apparatus comprising a device adapted to be secured to the outer casing and adjustable to rigidly hold the inner casing in position with respect to the outer casing or to, release the inner casing, means for moving said device into and retaining the same in operative position, and means for mov- 5 ing said device away from said inner casin 1 when said retaining means are release said device when in operative position closing the space between the casings.

10. Apparatus for use with wells comprising an inner casing and an outer casing, said apparatus comprising a member adapted to be. secured to the outer casing, a plurality of segments carried by said member for movement into and out of engagement with the inner casing, and means carried by said member for forcing said segments against the inner casing.

11. Apparatus for use with wells comprising an inner casing and an outer casing, said apparatus comprising a member adapted to be secured to the outer casing, a plurality of segments carried by said member for movementinto and out of engagement with the inner casing, means carried by said member for forcing said segments against the inner casing, and means for moving said segments away from the inner member.

12. Apparatus for use with wells compris' ing an inner casing and an outer casing, said apparatus comprising a member adapted to be secured to the outer casing, a plurality of segments carried by said member for movement into and out of engagement with the inner casing, means carried by said member for forcing said segments against the inner casing, means for moving said segments away from the inner member, and means coacting with said moving means to retain said segments in retracted position. 40 13. Apparatus for use in connection with an inner casing and an outer casing, comprising a member adapted to be secured to the outer casing, a plurality of segments carried by said member for movement into and out of engagement with the inner casing, means carried by said member for forcing said segments against the inner casing, and lifting means adapted upon an application of an upward force thereto to move said segments away from the inner member.

14. Apparatus for use in connection with an inner casing and an outer casing, comprising a member adapted to be secured to the outer casing, a plurality of segments carried by said member for movement in a path inclined downwardly and inwardly into and out of engagement with the inner casing, and means carried by said member for forcing said segments against the inner casing.-

15. Apparatus for use in connection with an inner casing and an outer casing, comprising a member adapted to be secured to' the outer casing, a plurality of segments carried by said member for movement in a path inclined downwardly and inwardly into and out of engagement with the inner casing, means carried by said member for forcing said segments against the inner casing, and lifting means connected to said segments.

16. Apparatus for use in connection with an inner casing and an outer casing, comprising a member adapted to be secured to the outer casing, a plurality of segments carried by said member for movement into and out of engagement with the inner casing, a supporting ring for said segments, and means for forcing said segments against the inner casing.

17. Apparatus for use in connection with an inner casing and an outer casing, comprising a member adapted to be secured to the outer casing, a plurality of segments carried by said member for movement in a path inclined downwardly and inwardly into and out of engagement with the inner casing, a supporting ring for said segments, means for forcing said segments against the inner casing, and lifting means for said ring.

18. Apparatus for use in connection with an inner casing and an outer casing, comprising a member adapted to be secured to the outer casing, a plurality of segments within said member movable in a path inclined downwardly and inwardly into and out of engagement with the inner casing, a supporting ring for said segments, means for forcing said segments against the inner 100 casing, lifting means for said ring, and releasable means for retaining said lifting means in elevated position.

19. The combination with a conduit comprising an outer casing and an inner casing 105 coaxial therewith and comprising a plurality of longitudinal sections. of a valve secured to the outer casing and adapted to permit the passage of the inner casing therethrough, and means secured to the outer casing and 100 adapted to hold the inner casing against movement below the uppermost section thereof.

20. The combination with a conduit comprising an outer casing and an inner cas- Ill ing coaxial therewith and comprising a plurality of longitudinal sections, of a valve secured to the outer casing and adapted to permit the passage of the inner casing therethrough, and means secured to the outer cas- 120 ing and adapted to hold the inner casing against movement below the uppermost section thereof, and to close the space between the sections.

21. The combination with a conduit com- 125 prising an outer casing and an inner casing coaxial therewith and comprising a plurality of longitudinal sections. of a valve secured to the outer casing and adapted to permit the passage of the inner casing there- 30 below the uppermost section thereof, and

5 to close the space between the sections;

22. The combination with a conduit comprising an outer casing and an inner casing coaxial therewith and comprising a plurality of longitudinal sections, of a. valve secured to the outer casing and adapted to 10 permit the passage of the inner casing therethrough, and reinforcing means between the casings.

In testimony whereof, we have signed our names to this specification.

PAUL WEAVER. HOMER C. CRAIG.

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