The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 27, 1990
Filed:
Mar. 14, 1989
Applicant:
Inventors:
Scott L Wellington, Houston, TX (US);
Jeffrey F Simmons, Houston, TX (US);
Edwin A Richardson, Houston, TX (US);
Assignee:
Shell Oil Company, Houston, TX (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
E21B / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
73155 ; 73 6 / ; 7386105 ; 7386107 ;
Abstract
A method is provided for troubleshooting gas-lift wells, to identify whether gas-lift valves on the production tubing are open or closed, without the use of wireline tools. The method may also be used to detect leaks in the production tubing or in the well casing. A quantity of a tracer gas is injected into the lift-gas at the wellhead, and its return in fluid produced from the well is monitored as a function of time. The tracer's return pattern may be correlated with the depth of entry points and volumes of lift-gas, entering along the length of the production tubing.