US2755862A

US2755862A - Gravel packing and wash tool

Info

Publication number: US2755862A
Application number: US252934A
Authority: US
Inventors: Guss F Abendroth; Gilbert H Tausch; William T Ilfrey
Original assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co
Current assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Co
Priority date: 1951-10-24
Filing date: 1951-10-24
Publication date: 1956-07-24
Anticipated expiration: 1973-07-24

Description

July 24, 1956 G. F. ABENDROTH ET AL 2,755,862

GRAVEL PACKING AND WASH TOOL 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 24, 1951 FIG. 4.

INVENTORS. Guss F. Abendrofh, Gilbert H. Tausch,

44 BY wil/iam rllfrey,

July 24, 1956 G. F. ABENDROTH ET AL 2,755,862

GRAVEL PACKING AND wAsH ToorJ 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 24, 1951 A I a l l l n l n l a l I l I n .l

N lmhw 1. Mmh, N TOCVH NWSG wn# e l mbr.f AHI FHm 56M n www GfwW Y B MN q .msi

July 24, 1956 G. F. ABENDROTH ET AL 2,755,862

GRAVEL PACKING AND WASH TOOL 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 24, 195] 3 9 6 5 6 2 l 0 4 5%5 4 @lo M M al@ ola @lo l ll l Z ii ,17 I |z| |1: l G l .r

2 7 54 3 5 8 @lo PnPv ola alo l lll FIG. 9.

FIG. 8.

INVENTORS.

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and William T. Ilfrey, New rleans, La., assignors, by mesne assignments, to Esso Research and Engineering Company, Elizabeth, N. J., a corporation of Deiaware Application October 24, 1951, Serial No. 252,934 21 Claims. (Cl. 166-51) The present invention is directed to apparatus for packing granular material in a well bore. In its more particular aspects, the invention is directed to apparatus for packing granular material in a well bore and a wash tool which is suitable for gravel packing and many other operations conducted in a borehole.

The invention may be described as involving apparatus for packing granular material in a borehole which co-mprises, in combination, a screen and a liner adapted to be connected to a tubing string. Attached to the liner is a releasable coupling means which is adapted to release the screen and liner from the tubing string. Arranged in the screen and liner is a releasable inner barrel which serves as a wash pipe to wash the apparatus downwardly into a bed of granular material. ln the lower end of the screen liner belowl the inner barrel is arranged a valve means which is adapted to close the screen and liner on withdrawal of the inner barrel.

The invention also may be described as involving apparatus which includes a screen and liner adapted to be connected to a tubing string. A releasable coupling means is attached to the screen and liner for detaching the same from the tubing string. A releasable inner barrel which serves as a wash pipe is arranged in the screen and liner. On the lower end ot the screen and liner is a packing means which is adapted to allow ow of iiuid in an upward direction in the annulus between the apparatus and the borehole wall past the packing means and to resist flow in the annulus in a downward direction. A second releasable coupling means is arranged on the screen and liner adjacent the packing means for releasing the latter from the screen and liner. A valve means in the lower end of the screen and liner is provided to close a lower outlet of the screen and liner on withdrawal of the inner barrel. Arranged above the packing means may be a bypassing mean-s which is adapted to release fluid from the interior of the apparatus,

The apparatus of the present invention also involves a wash tool which comprises a mandrel which is adapted to be connected directly to a tubing string. A packing means is arranged on the lower end of the mandrel which is adapted to allow ow of fluid in an upward direction past the packing means and to resist ow in a downward direction. By-passing means, such as a deformable sleeve, is arranged on the mandrel above the packing means for releasing fluid into the annulus when the assembly is lowered rapidly in the hole. A releasable coupling means is arranged adjacent the packing means for connecting and releasing the mandrel to and from said tubing string.

The invention will be further illustrated by reference to the drawing in which Fig. 1 is a partially sectional View of an upper portion of the apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a View in partial section of a lower portion of the apparatus of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 illustrates the stepwise use of the apparatus of Figs. l and 2 of the present invention;

` atent Fig. 4 shows a modied device in accordance with the present invention suitable for use as a wash tool;

Fig. 5 is a partially sectional View of an upper portion of another embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a view in partial section of a lower portion of the apparatus of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a further moditication of the apparatus of Figs. 5 and 6 showing an arrangement of a gravel packing tool;

Fig. 8 is a further modification ot the apparatus of Figs. 5 and 6 in which the lower assembly of the apparatus of Figs. 5 and 6 is replaced by a bit head; andA Fig, 9 is a further modification of the apparatus of the present invention as illustrated in Fig. 4 and suitable for use as a wash tool.

Referring now to the drawing and especially to Figs. l to 3, numeral 11 designates the upper end of the apparatus of the present invention which is adapted to be connected to a tubing string by suitable internal threads 12. Although internal threads are shown, external threads may also be used. Arranged in the apparatus is a retrievable wash pipe 13 which may be retrieived from the borehole by a wire line, if desired, or it may also be left in the hole as a portion of the producing string. The upper end ot the wash pipe 13 is sealed in the apparatus by O-rings 11 or other suitable packing. Threadably connected into the apparatus by a Asuitable connecting joint 14 is a releaseable coupling means generally indicated as 15 which includes a compression means, such as a helical spring 16, surrounding the element 15 which provides a continuous internal passageway. The hollow element 15 has slidably mounted thereon a helical spring 16 and a short collar 17. The lower end of element 15, having a protruding lug 20, is slidably engaged within a sleeve 18 having its wall defining a slot 19 which connects with a vertical releasing slot '72 which extends to the top of sleeve 18. The upper end of spring 16 engages with the connecting joint 14 and its lower end engages with the top of collar 17 which is arranged about the top of sleeve 18 and abuts against a shoulder thereon as illustrated. Collar 17 has on its inner wall an inwardly projecting lug 21 which is enclosed by an open end slot 21 in the top of sleeve 18. The spring 16 which tends to urge the element 15 out of the sleeve 1S causes the lug 2li to be engaged normally in the upper portion of T slot 19. This causes the two

elements

15 and 18 to be normally fixed as far as rotation between the two is concerned. The collar 18 is connected by a collar 22 to the top of the screen and liner 23 and the bottom of the screen and liner is connected by a suitable collar 24 which, in turn, connects to a pipe 25. Arranged in the pipe 25 in a space 26 below the collar 24 and between the exterior wall of wash pipe 13 and the interior wall of pipe 25 is a spring loaded flapper-type back pressure valve 27 which assumes a closed position on withdrawal of the wash pipe 13 from the screen and liner embodying the apparatus of the present invention. The lower end of the wash pipe 13 is sealed to pipe 25 by G-rings or suitable packing 27a. The lower end of pipe 25 defines a shoulder 29 which has secured thereto a ball bearing assembly 30 provided with balls 31. The bearing assembly 30 and pipe 25 rest on top of an internally threaded sleeve 28. The bearing assembly 30 has spaced apart slots 76a. The lower end of pipe 25 defines a reduced portion 25a which is provided with splines 28a. Surrounding the reduced lower end 25a and slidably arranged on splines 28a is a oating nut 32 which threadedly engages with internal oating nut 32 serves to 25a of pipe 25 to sleeve Arranged below the floating nut 32 is a collar 34 or suitable packing to the sleeve 28. This collar 34 is threaded on the lower end 25a of pipe 25. The sleeve 28 has arranged therein below the collar 34, spaced apart ports 40a which are covered by a deformable rubber sleeve 37. Rubber sleeve 37 is attached by bolts 38 to a collar 39 which is in turn threadedly connected to the lower end of sleeve 28. The lower end of sleeve 28 is threadedly connected to a packer mandrel 40.

Embracing the mandrel 40 is a packing means or rubber swab cup 41 which is connected by bolts 42 to a collar 43 immediately below the cup 41. The packer 41 serves to allow flow in an upward direction but to resist flow in a downward direction causing a seal against the mandrel 40 and against the wall of the borehole or a casing. The packer 41 is slidably mounted on the mandrel 40 but may be mounted in a fixed position. Attached to the mandrel 40 at the lower end thereof is a shoe 44 having a serrated lower end 45 to engage with the bottom of the hole.

Referring now to Fig. 4, it will be seen that the modication of Fig. 4 embodies the elements making up the lower end of the apparatus which may be used for gravel packing. Especially the embodiment of Fig. 4 includes

elements

29, 30, 31, sleeve 28, and their enclosing parts, deformable sleeve 37 and its interior members, mandrel 40, slidable packing means or swab cup 41, collar 43, and shoe 44. The embodiment of Fig. 4 is designed to be connected at its upper end 50 by internal or external threads 51 to the lower end of a tubing string, for example, or to other threaded means which may be used in a borehole.

Referring now to Figs. and 6, numeral 100 designates a screen and liner in which is arranged a wash pipe 101. The screen and liner 100 is provided with a collar 102 which connects to a J-slot and pin coupling assembly 103. The J-slot and pin coupling assembly 103 is connected to the collar 102 by pipe section 104 which is threadedly connected to the collar 102 by mating threads 105. The J-slot and pin coupling assembly 103 is threadedly connected to the pipe section 104 by

mating threads

106 and 106. The J-slot and pin coupling assembly 103 is provided with a J-slot 107 into which protrudes a lug 108 attached to an internal sleeve 109 which, in turn, is slidably arranged in the assembly 103. The internal sleeve 109 is provided with recesses 110 in which are arranged O-rings l111 for sealing the J-slot and pin assembly 103 and the internal sleeve 109 against passage of uid. The internal sleeve 109 is provided at its upper end with a collar 112 which is threadedly connected thereto by mating threads 113. The internal sleeve 109 is connected to the inner barrel or wash pipe 101 by a shear pin 114. The internal sleeve 109 is provided with recesses 115 in which are arranged O-rings 116 to seal the upper end of the sleeve 109 to wash pipe 101. The upper end of collar 112 is provided with internal or external threads 117 which allow the assembly to be attached to a tubing string, not shown. The upper end of the wash pipe 101 is provided with a rod, and the like, 118, which carries a shing neck or spear 119 to allow the wash pipe 101 to be retrieved from the screen and liner 100 as will be described further. The upper end of the wash pipe 101 may be provided with a collar 120 threadedly connected by mating threads 120e to the upper end of the wash pipe and which is provided with threads 121 for attachment tol tubing strings or other pipe connections that may be desired. The screen and liner 100 is provided with perforations 122 for washing of the gravel through the screen and liner into formations as may be desired.

The lower end of the screen and liner 100 is connected to a half collar 123 by mating threads 124. This half collar may be externally threaded to accommodate larger pipe sizes but for convenience is shown as internally threaded. The half collar 123 is attached to a back pressure valve shoe 125 at point 126 by welding. This may be threadedly connected as may be desired.

- releasing means 149.

Arranged in the upper portion of the back pressure valve shoe is an annular sleeve 127 which is threadedly connected to the interior surface of the back pressure valve shoe 125 by mating threads 128. The annular sleeve 127 is provided with recesses 129 in which are arranged O-rings 130 to seal the lower end of the wash pipe 101. The wash pipe 101 rests on a vertical plate 131, which, turn, is welded or connected to a nut 132. This nut is connected to a rod 133 which, in turn, is connected to a poppet-type back pressure valve 134. The rod 133 is biased in ari upward direction by a biasing means or spring 13S. Seating `means 138 carried by rod 133 seats against surface 137 of spider 136 to close the passageway through valve 134.

The interior of the lower end of the back pressure valve shoe 125 is provided with mating threads 140 to carry the valve assembly while the spider 136 is held in position by mating threads 141.

The lower end of the back pressure valve shoe 125 is connected to a lower pipe section 142 by welds 143 -oi other connections. Arranged on the pipe section 142 above a packer 144 which will be described further hereinafter is a deformable rubber sleeve 145 which is attached by bolts 146 to the section 142. Passageways 145e in section 142 allow uid to by-pass from the interior thereof to the annulus between the apparatus and the well bore wall. The section 142 defines with its lower end square threads 147 which mate with square threads 148 of a releaseable coupling means 149 including a collar 150 which embraces the lower end of packer 144 and which holds the packer 144 in position. The packer 144 is connected to the collar 150 by set screws or bolts 151. The releaseable coupling means 149 is sealed to the section 142 by providing a recess 152 in the releasing means 149 in which is arranged an O-ring 153.

The apparatus of Fig. 7 is similar to that of Figs. 5 and 6 but terminates where the section 142 is connected to the back pressure valve shoe 125, as shown in Fig. 7. In short, the back pressure valve shoe 125 is open where the weld 143 is shown in Fig. 6.

Referring to Fig. 8, it will be clear that this modification is similar in all respects to Fig. 7 with the exception that bit head is welded at weld 172 to the back pressure valve shoe 125. This bit head 170 may be provided with cutting edges or blades 173 and also may be provided with a water course or courses 174 for passage of uid and granular, particulate material, such as line gravel, downwardly therein.

Referring now to Fig. 9, it will be clear that the modication of Fig. 9 is similar in some respects to that of Fig. 4. It will be further clear that the modification of Fig. 9 embodies the lower end of Figs. 5 and 6 which may be used for gravel packing. The embodiment of Fig. 9 includes the

elements

145, 144, 149, and 150 and their enclosing parts.

Referring now to Fig. 9, a mandrel has connected to an upper end thereof a collar 181 and the collar 181 is connected to an internal sleeve 182 which carries a bypass 145 which is similar to the by-pass 145 of Fig. 6. This by-pass is a deformable rubber sleeve and is held to the sleeve 182 by a threaded bolt 146. The sleeve 182 has passageways 183 which allow uid to by-pass from the center passage 184 of the wash tool to the annulus between the casing and the tool. The upper end of the internal sleeve 182 is connected by mating threads 185 to a collar 186 which may be internally or externally threaded for connecting to a tubing string. For purposes of this description the collar 186 is provided with internal threads 187.

The lower end of the mandrel 180 is provided with square threads 188 which mate with square threads 189 of the releaseable coupling means 149. The releasing means 149 is provided with a recess 152 in which is arrangd an O-ring 153 for sealing the mandrel 180 and the The collar 150 embraces the lower end of the packer 144 and is attached thereto by set screws 151.

The operation of the apparatus of the present invenwill be described as follows with respect to Figs. 1 to 4:

Assuming that the apparatus 11 is connected at its upper end by threaded connections 12 to a tubing string and it is desired to use the apparatus in gravel packing a cased well which has been perforated at a point opposite a producing formation. The apparatus is lowered into the cased well 60, as shown in step 1 of Fig. 3, with the wash pipe 13. In step l salt water is being pumped down through the wash pipe 13 and is displacing drilling mud which is flowing up through the annulus A between the tool of the present invention and the casing 60, the packer 41 allowing flow in an upward direction but resisting ow in a downward direction. The casing 60 is provided with perforations 63 in producing formation 64. In step 2 the apparatus has been lowered or raised so that the packer 41 is opposite the producing formation 64 and the perforations 63. Circulation is then reversed with fluid, such as salt water, being pumped down the annulus A which, by virtue of the location of the packer 41, causes ilow through the perforations 63. This formation is assumed to be a washable sandy formation which causes the formation of the cavity 65 by the Washing action of the salt water owing downwardly through the annulus A, through the perforations 63 and upwardly through the lower end of the apparatus of the present invention into wash pipe 13 and thence to the well head. After the cavity 65 has been washed out the apparatus is lowered farther into the cased well bore 60 until the swab cup or packer 41 is on the bottom 66 thereof. The packer 41 is disengaged by rotating the tubing string, to which the apparatus of the present invention is connected, to the right which causes the nut 32 to be disengaged from the sleeve 28. The nut 32 then rides up into the space 70 provided therefor. Slots 70a are provided to allow release of fluid which may accumulate in space 70. If the fluid were not released, nut 32 might act as a piston. The apparatus is then separated at the point 71 where the bearing assembly 3i! seats on the sleeve 28, the reduced portion 25a being pulled out of the sleeve 28 on release of the tool. As shown in step 3 of Fig. 3, the swab cup or packer 41 is left on bottom and the assembly is raised in the cased well bore as shown in step 4. In the operation as illustrated in step 4, the flow of salt Water has been discontinued and ilow of solid, granular, particulate material, such as ne gravel, is owed in a suspension of salt water or oil downwardly through the wash pipe 13, the annulus A being sealed at the well head by closing the blowout preventers or any other equipment which will cause the annulus A to be shut in at the well head. This causes flow of solid, particulate materials through the perforations 63 and into the cavity 65, as shown in step 4 of Fig. 3. This iiow is continued until the cavity 65 is completely filled, as shown in step 5. The assembly is then moved up in the cased bore 60 and the ow continued until a substantial amount of solid, granular, particulate material is deposited in the cased borehole, as shown in step 5. Thereafter the iiow of solid, granular, particulate material is discontinued, the blowout preventers opened, allowing ow again upwardly through the annulus A and ilow of salt water is resumed through the wash pipe 13. The salt water washes down through the outlet provided by separation of the swab cup 41 as has been described. The salt water then causes the assembly to be washed downwardly through the bed of particulate material in the cased borehole 60 with the salt water carrying some of the particulate material up the annulus A a short distance. After the assembly in accordance with the present invention has been washed down to a point where the screen and liner 23 is opposite the perforations 63 the apparatus is disconnected by setting weight down on the assembly causing compression of compression means 16 which, in turn, causes the lug 20 to move in the T-slot 19.

By exerting torque on the assembly the lug 20 moves out of the T, allowing release of the assembly including the screen and liner as has been described, the lug 20 moving into the slot 72 and upward therein. The tubing string 73 may then be removed from the well and production had upwardly through the passageway P and then upwardly in the casing 60 and tubing 73.

In operating the present invention, the equipment is run in the hole made up as shown in the drawing and connected to the tubing string. When the packer or swab cup 41 is located directly above or below the casing perforations, the iluid in the hole is displaced with clean salt water or oil. The cups are then placed opposite the perforations by lowering or raising the tool and the formation around the perforations is washed by reverse circulation. The tool is lowered to the bottom of the hole and tubing weight applied to the swab cup or packer assembly, enough weight being placed on the assembly to force the lug in the T-slot releasable coupling means into the lowermost position. The tubing is then rotated to the right, releasing the swab cup or packer assemblywhich is left on bottom. The thrust bearing on the lower releasing mechanism supports the tubing weight, allowing the floating nut to run up freely in the countersunk area of the assembly. The thrust bearing will minimize the torque on the tubing.

The equipment is then raised in the hole leaving the swab cup or packer assembly on the bottom of the hole. Gravel or other solid, particulate material is pumped down the tubing and through the perforations using a squeeze, such as a bradenhead squeeze, reserve gravel being left in the casing and thereafter the screen and liner is washed downwardly by again ilowing salt water down the wash pipe. Tubing weight is then applied, after the assembly has been washed downwardly, to cause release of the assembly at the upper releasing means and to place the lug in the T-slot opposite the opening slot. Weight is again applied to overcome the helical spring and the tubing is rotated to the right to bring the lug in line with the vertical releasing slot, and the tubing raised to release from the safety joint. The Wash pipe is then retrieved with a wire line or left on the tubing and the well is placed on production.

It is to be understood that the tool may be made up with one or more swab cups. It is also understood that the proportions of the different elements of our invention may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. While it is preferred that the swab cup or packer assembly be made of drillable material such as aluminum alloy, Securaloy, bronze, or any drillable material, it is not necessary that it be made drillable.

The by-passing device including the sleeve 37 and the slots 40a is particularly important since this feature of our invention allows the assembly to be lowered rapidly in the hole such that when iluid in the hole enters into the mandrel 40 through the opening 75 it may pass outwardly therefrom by opening of the deformable sleeve 37.

The embodiment of our invention including a wash tool is employed'in a similar manner. The apparatus of Fig. 4 is adapted to be attached to a tubing string and the like and may be lowered in a borehole as described with respect to Figs. l and 2, the by-pass or sleeve 37 allowing fluid to be released from the passageway P while going into the hole and thus the tool may be run rapidly. When the pipe is raised olf the slips at the well head while going into the hole the swab cup or packer 41 slides on the mandrel 40, preventing the cup from swabbing or unnecessary wear.

Once the wash tool is located adjacent the perforations, as described with respect to Fig. 3, fluid may be pumped into the casing around the perforations and out the tubing. The by-pass will close while washing with reverse circulation.

After using the wash tool, it is lowered to the bottom of the hole and released as has been described with respect to Figs. 1 and 3, the thrust ball bearing taking the load while backing off. The thrust ball bearing also takes the torque out of the pipe after it has been released, thus preventing the tool from becoming attached again. The pipe to which the wash tool was attached may then be open-ended at the Well head and gravel or other material or fluid can be placed in the well without making a round trip.

The apparatus of Figs. and 6 operates in a similar manner as that of Figs. l and 4. Assuming that the ap- A paratus of Figs. 5 and 6 including the screen and liner 100 with the wash pipe 101 arranged therein is connected at its upper end to a tubing string and it is desired to use the apparatus in gravel packing a cased Well which has been perforated at a point opposite the producing formation. The apparatus is lowered into the cased well and salt water is pumped down through the wash pipe 101 and displaces drilling mud which flows up through the annulus A between the tool of the embodiments of Figs. 5 and 6 of the present invention and the casing 60. The packer 144 allows flow in an upward direction but resists flow in a downward direction.

The casing 60 is provided with perforations 63 adjacent producing formation 64 as shown in Fig. 3.

Assuming that the apparatus of Figs. 5 and 6 are substituted for that of Figs. l and 2 in steps l and 2 in Fig. 3 the apparatus is lowered and raised so that the packer 144 is opposite the producing formation 64 and the perforations 63. Circulation is then reversed with fluid,

such as salt water, being pumped down the annulus A which, by virtue of the location of the packer 144, causes flow through perforations 63. The formation is assumed to be a formation susceptible to washing such as a sandy formation which allows the formation of the cavity by the washing action of the salt water flowing downwardly through the annulus A, through the perforations 63 and upwardly through the lower end of the apparatus of the present invention into wash pipe 101 and thence to the well head. After the cavity 65 has been washed out, the apparatus is caused to be held tightly against the borehole 60 by putting additional pressure on the annulus A. The packer 144 is then disengaged by rotating the tubing string, to which the apparatus of the present invention is connected, to the right which causes the releaseable coupling means 149 to be disengaged from the pipe section 142 which allows the releaseable coupling means carrying the packer 144 to drop to the bottom of the hole. The assembly is then raised as shown in step 3 of Fig. 3.

As shown in step 4 of Fig. 3, liow of salt water is discontinued as in step 2 and flow of solid, granular, particulate material, such as fine gravel, is owed in a suspension of salt water or oil downwardly through the wash pipe 101, the annulus A being sealed at the well head by closing the blowout preventers or any other equipment which will cause the annulus A to be shut in at the well head. This causes flow of solid, particulate materials through the perforations 63 and into the cavity 65 as is shown in step 4 of Fig. 3. The ow is continued until the cavity 65 is completely filled as shown in step 5. The assembly is then moved up in the cased bore 60 and the tlow continued until a substantial amount of solid, granular, particulate material is deposited in the cased borehole, as shown in step 5. Thereafter the flow of solid, granular, particulate material is discontinued, the blowout preventers opened, allowing flow again upwardly through the annulus A and the flow of salt water is resumed through the wash pipe 101. The salt water washes down through the outlet provided by release of the releaseable coupling means 149 and the packer 144 as has been described. The salt water causes the assembly to be washed downwardly through the bed of particulate material in the eased borehole 60 with the salt water carrying some of the particulate material up the annulus A a short distance. After the assembly has been washed down to a point where the screen and` liner is opposite the perforations 63, the apparatus is disconnected by setting down weight on the assembly causing lug 108 to move into the J-slot 107 and then by raising the assembly causes a release of the screen and liner at the J slot releasing assembly 103. rl'he tubing string 73 may then be removed from the well and production had upwardly through the central passageway P and thence upwardly into casing 60 and tubing 73.

As with respect to Figs. l and 2, the bypassing device, including the deformable rubber sleeve 14S and the slot a is important since this feature of our invention allows the assembly to be lowered rapidly in the hole so that fluid in the hole enters into the sleeve 142 through the lower end thereof and may pass outwardly therefrom by opening of the deformable sleeve 145.

The apparatus of Fig. 9 operates in a manner similar to that of Fig. 4.

The apparatus of Figs. 7 and 8 is designed to be used when wells have produced sand into the casing and a cavity need not be washed out or formed behind the casing. Under these circumstances the sand accumulates in the cased borehole and may be washed out either by using the embodiment of Fig. 7 in a washing action or may be drilled out using the embodiment of Fig. 8 while lowering the tool in the cased borehole prior to circulation of gravel downwardly therein as has been described with respect to the other embodiments. This may be done by direct or reverse circulation with salt water which makes it possible to pack a well with gravel with one-half trip in the hole.

It will be seen that the apparatus of the present invention has numerous advantages. The embodiment of Figs. l, 2, 5, and 6 allows gravel packing without making a round trip and also allows the assembly to be left in the hole. The wash tool embodies the same advantages and also other advantages inherent therein.

The embodiments of Figs. 7 and 8 include the advantages of the embodiments of Figs. l, 2, 5, and 6 and provides, as has been pointed out before, operations where sand has accumulated in a cased borehole. The apparatus o-f Fig. 9 includes the advantages of the apparatus of Fig. 4.

The nature and objects of the present invention having been completely described and illustrated, what we Wish to claim as new and useful and to secure by Letters Patent l. Apparatus for packing granular material in a borehole having a perforated casing arranged therein which comprises, in combination, a screen and liner adapted to be directly connected to a tubing string, releasable coupling means releasably securing the screen and liner to the tubing string, a removable inner barrel'arranged in said screen and liner and sealingly engaging with said screen and liner to close off the screen perforations and removable through said tubing string to open said perforations, a self-closing valve means arranged in said screen and liner below the screen perfo-rations and below said inner barrel for closing the bore of said screen and liner, said valve means being held open by said inner barrel and said valve means closing on removal of said inner barrel, and a bit head carrying a cutting head directly attached to the lower end of said screen and liner below said valve means for drilling out sand accumulating in the casing.

2. Apparatus for packing granular material in a borehole having a perforated casing arranged therein which comprises, in combination, a screen and liner adapted to be directly connected to a tubing string, releasable coupling means releasably securing the screen and liner to the tubing string, a removable inner barrel arranged in said screen and liner and sealingly engaging with said screen and liner to close olf the screen perforations and removable through said tubing string to open said perforations, valve means arranged in said screen and liner below the screen perforations and below said inner barrel for closing the bore of said screen and liner, supporting means in said screen and liner arranged above and connected to said valve mean.; and below said inner barrel adapted to carry the lower end of said barrel and bearing against a biasing means contacting said valve means, said barrel holding said valve means in an open position and said biasing means closing said valve means when said barrel is raised from contact with said supporting means, and a bit head provided with a cutting edge directly attached to the lower end of said screen and liner below said valve means for drilling out sand accumulating in the casing.

3. Apparatus for packing granular material in a bore yhole which comprises, in combination, a screen and liner adapted to be connected to a tubing string, releasable coupling means detachably connecting the screen and liner to the tubing string, a removable inner barrel arranged in said screen and liner and sealingly engaging with said screen and liner to close off the screen perforations and removable from said screen and liner to open said perforations, self-closing Valve means arranged below the screen perforations for closing the bore of said screen and liner, said valve means being held open by said inner barrel and closing on withdrawal of said inner barrel, and packing means surrounding the lower end of said screen and liner below the screen perfora tions of said screen and liner and engageable with the wall of the borehole to resist flow in a downward direction and yieldable to uid pressure in an upward direction to permit iiow past said packing means in an upward direction.

4. Apparatus for packing granular material in a borehole which comprises, in combination, a screen and liner adapted to be connected to a tubing string, a rst releasable coupling means detachably connecting the screen and liner to the tubing string, a removable inner barrel arranged in said screen and liner and sealingly engaging with said screen and liner to close ott the screen perforations and removable from said screen and liner to open said perforations, a packer mandrel, packing means surrounding the packer mandrel and engageable with the wall of the borehole to resist ow in a downward direction and yieldable to fluid pressure in an upward direction to permit iluid iiow past said packing means in an upward direction, second releasable coupling means detachably connecting said packer mandrel to said screen and liner, and a self-closing valve means arranged below the screen perforations in said screen and liner and below said inner barrel for closing the bore of said screen and liner, said self-closing valve means being held open by said inner barrel and closing on withdrawal of said inner barrel from said screen and liner.

5. Apparatus for packing granular material in a well bore which comprises, in combination, a screen and liner adapted to be connected to a tubing string, a first releasable coupling means detachably connecting the screen and liner to the tubing string, a removable inner barrel arranged in said screen and liner and sealingly engaging with said screen and liner to close oiT the screen perforations and removable from said screen and liner to open said perforations, a packer mandrel, packing means surrounding the packer mandrel and engageable with the wall of the well bore to resist ow in a downward direction and yieldable to fluid pressure in an upward direction to permit ow past said packing means in an upward direction, valve means arranged on said packer mandrel above said packing means for releasing uid from the interior to the exterior of said packer mandrel including a slot communcating with the interior or" said packer mandrel and a resilient sleeve surrounding the packer mandrel and covering said slot and adapted to flex outwardly when fluid pressure is exerted against the interior surface of said sleeve through said slot, a second releasable coupling means detachably connecting said screen and liner to said packer mandrel, a self-closing valve member arranged below the screen perforations and below said inner barrel for closing the bore of said screen and liner, said self-closing valve member being held open by said inner barrel and closing on withdrawal of said inner barrel.

6. Apparatus for packing granular material in a well bore which comprises, in combination, a screen and liner adapted to be connected to a tubing string, a first releasable coupling means detachably connecting the screen and liner to the tubing string, a removable inner barrel arranged in said screen and liner and sealingly engaging with said screen and liner to close oi the screen perforations and removable from said screen and liner to open said perforations, a packer mandrel, packing means surrounding the packer mandrel and engagable with the wall of the well bore to resist flow in a downward direc tion and yieldable to iluid pressure in an upward direction to permit iiow past said packing means in an upward direction, a second releasable coupling means detachably connecting said packer mandrel to said screen and liner, a bail bearing assembly rotatably arranged on the lower end of said screen and liner and a seating surface provided on the upper end of said packer mandrel for seating said ball bearing assembly, said ball bearing assembly absorbing torque when said screen and liner is rotated to release said screen and liner from said packer mandrel, and a self-closing valve means arranged below the screen perforations in said screen and liner and below said inner barrel for closing the bore of said screen and liner, said self-closing Valve means being held in an open position by said inner barrel and closing on withdrawal of said inner barrel.

7. Apparatus for packing granular material in a well bore which comprises, in combination, a screen and liner adapted to be connected to a tubing string, a first releasable coupling means detachably connecting the screen and liner to the tubing string, a removable inner barrel arranged in said screen and liner and sealingly engaging with said screen and liner to seal off the screen perforations and removable from said screen and liner to open said perforations, a packer mandrel, packing means surrounding the packer mandrel and engageable with the wall of the well bore to resist flow in a downward direction and yieldable to iiuid pressure in an upward direction to permit uid tlow past said packing means in an upward direction, valve means arranged on said packer mandrel above said packing means for releasing fluid from the interior to the exterior of said packer mandrel including a slot communicating with the interior of said packer mandrel and a resilient sleeve surrounding the packer mandrel covering said slot adapted to flex outwardly when uid pressure is exerted against an interior surface of said sleeve through said slot, a second releasable coupling means detachably connecting said screen and liner to said packer mandrel, a ball bearing assembly rotatably arranged on the lower end of said screen and liner to seat on the upper end of said packer mandrel; said ball bearing assembly absorbing torque when said screen and liner is rotated to release same from said packer mandrel, and a self-closing valve means arranged below the screen perforations in said screen and liner and above said ball bearing assembly for closing the bore of said screen and liner, said self-closing valve means being held in an open position by said inner barrel and automatically closing on withdrawal of said inner barrel.

8. Apparatus for packing granular material in a well bore which comprises, in combination, a screen and liner adapted to be connected to a tubing string, a first releasable coupling means detachably connecting said screen and liner to the tubing string, a removable inner barrel arranged in said screen and liner and sealingly engaging with said screen and liner to seal ot the screen perforations and removable from said screen and liner to open said perforations, a packer mandrel, packing means surrounding the packer mandrel and engageable with the wall of the well bore to resist flow in a downward direction and yieldable to duid pressure in an upward direction to permit flow past said packing means in an upward direction, valve means arranged on said packer mandrel above said packing means for releasing fluid ilowing upwardly through said packer mandrel into the annulus between the tubing string and the Well bore on upward tlow through the lower end of said packer mandrel from below said packing means, said valve means including a slot communicating with the interior of said packer mandrel and a resilient sleeve surrounding the packer mandrel covering the slot adapted to flex outwardly when lluid pressure is exerted against the interior surface of said sleeve through said slot, a second releasable coupling means detachably connecting said packer mandrel to said screen and liner, a ball bearing assembly rotatably arranged on the lower end of said screen and liner to seat on the upper end of said packer mandrel, said ball bearing assembly absorbing torque when said screen and liner is rotated to release same from said packer mandrel by operation of said second releasable coupling means and a self-closing valve means arranged below the screen perforations in said screen and liner for closing the bore of said screen and liner, said self-closing valve means being held in an open position by said inner barrel and closing on withdrawal of said inner barrel.

9. Apparatus for packing granular material in a well bore which comprises, in combination, a screen and liner adapted to be connected to a tubing string, a iirst releasable coupling means detachably connecting said screen and liner to the tubing string, a removable inner barrel arranged in said screen and liner and sealingly engaging with said screen and liner to seal oli the screen perforations and removable from said screen and liner to open said perforations, a packer mandrel, packing means surrounding the packer mandrel and engageable with the wall of the well bore to resist iiow in a downward direction and yieldable to lluid pressure in an upward direction to permit flow past said packing means in an upward direction, a valve means including a slot in said packer mandrel communicating with the interior of said screen and liner and a resilient sleeve surrounding said packer mandrel above said packing means and covering said slot for releasing iluid into the annulus between the tubing string and the well bore on upward flow through the lower end of said packer mandrel from below said packing means, a second releasable coupling means including an externally splined cylinder on the lower end of said screen and liner having arranged thereon a lloating splined nut, said oating splined nut being enclosed in and threadedly connected to an internally threaded sleeve defined by the upper end of said packer mandrel, said second releasable coupling means detachably connecting said packer mandrel to said screen and liner and releasing said packer mandrel from said screen and liner on rotation of said screen and liner relative to said threaded sleeve, a ball bearing assembly rotatably arranged on the lower end of said screen and liner to seat on the upper end of said packer mandrel, said ball bearing assembly absorbing torque when said screen and liner is rotated to release same from said packer mandrel, a self-closing valve means arranged below the screen perforations in said screen and liner for closing the bore of said screen and liner, said self-closing valve means being held in an open position by said inner barrel and closing on withdrawal of said inner barrel.

l0. Apparatus for packing granular material in a well bore which comprises, in combination, a screen and liner adapted to be connected to a tubing string, a rst releasable coupling means detachably connecting said screen and liner to the tubing string, a removable inner barrel arranged in said screen and liner and sealingly engaging with said screen and liner to seal ott the screen perforations and removable from said screen and liner to open the screen perforations, a packer mandrel, slidable packing means surrounding the packer mandrel and engageable with the wall of the well bore to resist flow in a downward direction and yieldable to iluid pressure in an upward direction to permit flow past said packing means in an upward direction, a resilient sleeve arranged on said packer mandrel above said packing means, said resilient sleeve covering a slot in said packer mandrel for releasing fluid into the annulus between the tubing string and the well bore on upward flow through the lower end of said packer mandrel from below said packing means on outward flexing of said resilient sleeve by said upward flow, a second releasable coupling means including a floating splined nut enclosed in an internally threaded sleeve connected to said packer mandrel, said tloating nut being operably connected to said screen and liner and detachably connecting said packer mandrel to said screen and liner, a ball bearing assembly rotatably arranged on the lower end of said screen and liner to seat on the upper end of said packer mandrel, said ball bearing assembly absorbing torque when said screen and liner is rotated to release same from said packer mandrel, and a self-closing valve means arranged below the screen perforations in said screen and liner for closing the bore of said screen and liner, said self-closing Valve means being held in an open position by said inner barrel and closing on withdrawal of said inner barrel.

l1. A wash tool for use in a well bore which comprises, in combination, a tubular mandrel having an unobstructed bore throughout its length and adapted to be connected to a tubing string which is closed in at the well head, packing means surrounding the lower end of said mandrel and engageable with the wall of the well bore to resist ilow in a downward direction and yieldable to fluid pressure in an upward direction to permit flow past said packing means in an upward direction, valve means arranged on said mandrel above said packing means for releasing duid within the mandrel into the annulus between the tubing string and the well bore on upward ilow through the lower end of said mandrel from below said packing means, said valve means being provided with a slot communicating the exterior with the interior of said mandrel and a resilient sleeve surrounding said mandrel and covering said slot, said resilient sleeve iiexing outwardly by said upward dow, and a' releasable coupling means arranged above said packing means releasably connecting said mandrel and said tubing string.

12. Apparatus for packing granular material in a borehole which comprises, in combination, a screen and liner, adapted to be connected at an upper end to a tubing string, having its lower end defining a threaded surface, a releasable coupling means adjacent the upper end of the screen and liner releasably connecting the screen and liner and the tubing string, a removable inner barrel arranged in said screen and liner and sealingly engaging with said screen and liner to seal oft the screen perforations and removable from said screen and liner to open the screen perforatons, a packer mandrel, packing means surrounding the packer mandrel and engageable with the wall of the borehole to resist llow in a downward direction and yieldable to uid pressure in an upward direction to permit llow past said packing means in an upward direction, a self-closing valve means arranged in said screen and liner below the screen perforations and below said inner barrel for closing the bore of said screen and liner, said valve means being held in an open position by said inner barrel and closing on withdrawal of said inner barrel, and a second releasable coupling means enclosed by said packer mandrel detachably connecting said packer mandrel to said screen and liner including a threaded nut connected to said packer mandrel and to the threaded surface of the screen and liner for releasing said packer mandrel on rotating said screen and liner relative to said packer mandrel.

13. Apparatus for packing granular material in a borehole which comprises, in combination, a screen and liner adapted to be connected to a tubing string, a releasable coupling means releasably connecting the screen and liner and the tubing string, a removable inner barrel arranged in said screen and liner and sealingly engaging with said screen and liner to seal oft the screen perforations and removabie from said screen and liner to open the screen perforations, a packer mandrel, packing means surrounding the packer mandrel and engageable with the wall of the borehole to resist ow in a downward direction and yieldable to uid pressure in an upward direction to permit iow past said packing means in an upward direction, a second releasable coupling means detachably connecting said packer mandrel to said screen and liner, valve means arranged below the screen perforations and below said inner barrel to close the bore of said screen and liner, a biasing means arranged in said screen and liner to close said valve means, a cross member connected to said biasing means for contacting the lower end of said inner barrel, said cross member and said barrel bearing against said biasing means and holding said valve in an open position when said inner barrel is in said screen and liner and said biasing means closing said valve on withdrawal of said inner barrel form said screen and liner.

l4. Apparatus for packing granular material in a borehole which comprises, in combination, a screen and liner, adapted to be connected at an upper end to a tubing string, having its lower end dening a threaded surface, detachable coupling means adjacent the upper end of the screen and liner detachably connecting the screen and liner to the tubing string, a removable inner barrel arranged in said screen and liner and sealingly engaging with said screen and liner to seal off the screen perforations and removable from said screen and liner to open the screen perforations, a packer mandrel, packing means surrounding the packer mandrel and engageable with the wall of the borehole to resist ow in a downward direction and yieldable to fluid pressure in an upward direction to permit ow past said packing means in an upward direction, valve means arranged below the screen perforations and below said inner barrel to close the bore of said screen and liner, a biasing means arranged in said screen and liner to close said valve means, a cross member connected to said biasing means for contacting and supporting the lower end of said inner barrel, said cross member and said barrel bearing against said biasing means and holding said valve open, said biasing means closing said valve when said barrel is removed from said screen and liner, second detachable coupling means enclosed by said packer mandrel and detachably connecting said packer mandrel to said screen and liner and including a threaded nut connected to said packer mandrel and to the threaded surface of the screen and liner for releasing said packer mandrel on rotating said screen and liner relative to the packer mandrel, and retrieving means attached to an upper end of said inner barrel for withdrawing same from said screen and liner.

l5. Apparatus for packing granular material in a borehole which comprises, in combination, a screen and liner, adapted to be connected at an upper end to a tubing string having its lower end defining a threaded surface, a detachable coupling means attached to the screen and liner adjacent an upper end of the screen and liner detachably connecting the screen and liner to the tubing string, a removable inner barrel arranged in said screen and liner and sealingly engaging with said screen and liner to seal otf the screen perforations and removable from said screen and liner to open the screen perforations, a packer mandrel, packing means surrounding the packer mandrel and engageable with the wall of the borehole to resist flow in a downward direction and yieldable to iiuid pressure in an upward direction to permit iiow past said packing means in an upward direction, valve means arranged on said packer mandrel above said packing means including a slot communicating with the in= terior of said packer mandrel and a resilient sleeve surrounding the packer mandrel covering said slot for releasing iiuid into the annulus between the tubing string and the borehole on upward flow through said packer mandrel and exertion of said flow against the interior surface of said resilient sleeve, a self-closing valve means arranged below the screen perforations and below said inner barrel for closing the bore of said screen and liner, a plate in said screen and liner arranged above said selfclosing valve means and below said inner barrel adapted to carry the lower end of said inner barrel and bearing against a biasing means arranged below said plate in said screen and liner, said barrel and said plate holding said self-closing valve in an open position when said inner barrel is in said screen and liner and said biasing means closing said self-closing valve on withdrawal of said inner barrel, a second detachable coupling means enclosed by said packer mandrel for detachably connecting said packer mandrel to said screen and liner including a threaded nut connected to said packer mandrel and to the threaded surface of the screen and liner for releasing said packer mandrel on rotating said screen and liner relative to said packer mandrel, and retrieving means attached to the upper end of said inner barrel for withdrawing same from said screen and liner.

16. Apparatus for packing granular material in a borehole which comprises, in combination, a screen and liner adapted to be connected to a tubing string, coupling means attached to the screen and liner detachably connecting the screen and liner to the tubing string, a removable inner barrel arranged in said screen and liner and sealingly engaging with said screen and liner to Seal off the screen perforations and removable from said screen and liner to open the screen perforations, a packer mandrel, packing means surrounding the packer mandrel and engageable with the wall of the borehole to resist flow in a downward direction and yieldable to fluid pressure in an upward direction to permit flow past said packing means in an upward direction, second coupling means detachably connecting said packer mandrel to said screen and liner, retrieving means attached to the upper end of said inner barrel for withdrawing same from said screen and liner, and a self-closing valve means arranged in said screen and liner below the screen perforations and below said inner barrel for closing the bore of said screen and liner on withdrawal of said inner barrel.

17. A wash tool for use in a well bore which cornprises, in combination, a mandrel having an unobstructed bore throughout its length adapted to be connected to a tubing string, packing means surrounding the lower end of said mandrel and engageable with the wall of the well bore to resist flow in a downward direction and yieldable to fluid pressure in an upward direction to permit flow past said packing means in an upward direction, a resilient sleeve arranged on said mandrel above said packing means, said resilient sleeve covering a slot in said mandrel for releasing liuid into the annulus between the tubing string and the well bore on upward ow through the lower end of said mandrel from below said packing means on outward flexing of said resilient sleeve by said upward ow, a releasable coupling means releasably connecting said mandrel to said tubing string, including an externally splined hollow member connected to the lower end of said tubing string, a oating splined nut slidably arranged on said extern* ally splined hollow member and threadedly engaged in an internally threaded sleeve defined by the upper end of said mandrel, and a ball bearing assembly positioned between said tubing string and Said mandrel and bearing against the top of said internally threaded sleeve whereby torque is absorbed when the tubing is rotated to release same from said packing means.

18. A wash tool in accordance with claim 17 in which the packing means is slidably arranged on the mandrel.

19. A wash tool for use in a well bore which comprises, in combination, a mandrel having an unobstructed bore throughout its length, adapted to be connected to a tubing string, and having its lower end defining a threaded surface, packing means surrounding the lower end of said mandrel and engageable with the wall of the well bore to resist ow in a downward direction and yieldable to uid pressure in an upward direction to permit ow past said packing means in an upward direction, a resilient sleeve arranged on said mandrel above said packing means, said mandrel being provided with a slot covered by said resilient sleeve for releasing fluid into the annulus outside the mandrel on upward flow through the lower end of said mandrel from below said packing means on outward flexing of said resilient sleeve by said upward ow, releasale coupling means enclosed by said packing means including a threaded nut releasably connected to the threaded surface of the mandrel and a collar embracing the lower end of and attached to said packing means, said collar and packing means being releasably held on said mandrel by said threaded nut and adapted to be released therefrom by rotating said mandrel relative to the packing means and nut.

20. Apparatus for packing granular material in a well bore which comprises, in combination, a screen and liner adapted to be connected to a tubing string, a rst releasable coupling means detachably connecting said screen and liner to the tubing string, a removable inner barrel arranged in said screen and liner and sealingly engaging with said screen and liner to seal off the screen perforations and removable from said screen and liner to open the screen perforations, a packer mandrel, packing means surrounding the packer mandrel and engageable with the wall of said well bore to resist flow in a downward direction and yieldable to iiuid pressure in an upward direction to permit ow past said packing means in an upward direction, a valve arrnged on said packer mandrel providing a fluid passageway, said valve comprising a slot in said packer mandrel and a resilient sleeve adapted to close said passageway, said resilient sleeve flexing outwardly when iluid pressure is exerted against the interior of said resilient sleeve 'to open the passageway, a second releasable coupling means releasably connecting said packer mandrel to said screen and liner and disconnectable to release said packer mandrel from said screen and liner, and a self-closing valve means arranged below the screen perforations in said screen and liner for closing the bore of said screen and liner, said self-closing valve means being held in an open position by said inner barrel and closing on withdrawal of said inner barrel.

21. A wash tool for use in a well bore which comprises, in combination, a tubular mandrel having an unobstructed passageway throughout its length and adapted to be connected to a tubing string which is closed in at the well head, packing means surrounding the lower end of said mandrel and engageable with the wall of the well bore to resist ow in a downward direction and yieldable to fluid pressure in an upward direction to permit ow past said packing means in an upward direction, valve means arranged on said mandrel above said packing means providing a fluid passageway around said packing means, said valve means comprising a slot in said mandrel and a resilient sleeve arranged about the periphery of said mandrel adapted to close said slot, said resilient sleeve exing outwardly when :duid pressure is exerted against the interior of said resilient sleeve to open said passageway and a releasable coupling means arranged above said packing means releasably connecting said mandrel and said tubing string.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,612,168 Benckenstein Dec. 28, 1926 1,854,518 Little Apr. 19, 1932 2,213,987 Layne Sept. 10, 1940 2,229,493 Croft et al Ian. 2l, 1941 2,327,092 Botkin Aug. 17, 1943 2,344,120 Baker Mar. 14, 1944 2,374,922 Byrd May 1. 1945

Claims

1. APPARATUS FOR PACKING GRANULAR MATERIAL IN A BOREHOLE HAVING A PERFORATED CASING ARRANGED THEREIN WHICH COMPRISES, IN COMBINATION, A SCREEN AND LINER ADAPTED TO BE DIRECTLY CONNECTED TO A TUBING STRING, RELEASABLE COUPLING MEANS RELEASABLY SECURING THE SCREEN AND LINER TO THE TUBING STRING, A REMOVABLE INNER BARREL ARRANGED IN SAID SCREEN AND LINER AND SEALINGLY ENGAGING WITH SAID SCREEN AND LINER TO CLOSE OFF THE SCREEN PERFORATIONS AND REMOVABLE THROUGH SAID TUBING STRING TO OPEN SAID PERFORATIONS, A SELF-CLOSING VALVE MEANS ARRANGED IN SAID SCREEN AND LINER BELOW THE SCREEN PERFORATIONS AND BELOW SAID INNER BARREL FOR CLOSING THE BORE OF SAID SCREEN AND LINER, SAID VALVE MEANS BEING HELD OPEN BY SAID INNER BARREL AND SAID VALVE MEANS CLOSING ON REMOVAL OF SAID INNER BARREL, AND A BIT HEAD CARRYING A CUTTING HEAD DIRECTLY ATTACHED TO THE LOWER END OF SAID SCREEN AND LINER BELOW SAID VALVE MEANS FOR DRILLING OUT SAND ACCUMULATING IN THE CASING.