Baker Oil Tools, Inc.

David M Anderson

David M McStravick

David V Chenoweth

Yung J Kim

A non-destructive on-site method of inspection, and testing of the insulating performance and reconditioning of a concentric insulating tubular conduit member is disclosed. The insulating tubular conduit members comprise concentric walled members with an intermediate annular insulating cavity defined therebetween. This non-destructive method of testing and inspection is based on a determination of the presence of an unacceptable level of moisture in the annular insulating cavity. Visual, auditory, electrical, and radioactive indicating means can be employed in accordance with the principles of this invention. The use of a vacuum pump to establish at least a partial vacuum in the annular insulating cavity in conjunction with the testing technique employed herein, additionally provides a means for reconditioning and improving the insulating performance of insulating tubular conduits and permits reassembly of a fluid transmission conduit in which each of the tubular conduit sections will have the desirable insulating capacity.

Method of testing and reconditioning insulating tubular conduits

A concentric insulating tubular conduit member for use in forming a conduit string such as a tubing string in a subterranean oil or gas well, is disclosed. Each individual conduit comprises concentric inner and outer members rigidly attached at each end. Both the inner and outer tubular members are welded to an intermediate bushing. At least one of the inner and outer members is upset to prevent weakening of the tubular joint at the welded connection. Adjacent tubular conduits can be interconnected by couplings having an outer surface flush with the outer periphery of the two interconnected joints.

Insulating tubular conduit

A concentric insulating tubular conduit string, including one or more joints with concentric tubular members is disclosed. A concentric walled joint of the type disclosed herein is especially adapted to form a separation joint when incorporated in the tubular string. An insulating conduit incorporating one or more integral separation joints of the type disclosed could be employed for the delivery of a heated fluid, such as steam, through the conduit to the producing formation therebelow. The inner and outer tubular members of the separation joint may be prestressed in tension and compression between axially spaced coupling members used to join the separation joint to the rest of the tubular conduit. A hermetically sealed annular insulating cavity is formed between the inner and outer tubular members. This joint can be separated by merely severing the tensile loaded tubular member and upon severance of this separation joint the conduit extending thereabove can be removed from a subterranean well.

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Whittier, CA, United States of America

David M Anderson