Schlumberger Technology Corporation

Compagnie Francaise Des Petroles

Geard Walter

Bernard J Glotin

Rene F Goldaniga

Daniel Gallois

The present invention relates to a method of and apparatus for converting an oil well with natural effluent rise to one with gas-lift of the effluent column, wherein the oil well has a nipple in the production tube provided with a stop-groove and smooth bearing surfaces between which a hydraulic control line comes out. For conversion an inner tube is lowered inside the production tube, the inner tube being provided with a locking system for locking the inner tube to the nipple, and with a safety valve assembly capable of closing both the passage inside the inner tube and the annular passage between the latter and the production tube, under the action of a control fluid supplied by the control line which opens between two seals on the inner tube and which bear against the smooth bearing surfaces when locking is effected. In use, lift-gas is supplied to the annular passage between the inner tube and the production tube, and enters the inner tube, through which the effluent rises, through a gas lift valve provided in the inner tube below the safety valve assembly.

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Vaux Le Penil, France

Geard Walter