Non-cryogenic nitrogen for on-site downhole drilling and post drilling ...

(12) United States Patent

Michael

US006443245B2

(io) Patent No.: US 6,443,245 B2 (45) Date of Patent: *Sep. 3,2002

(54) NON-CRYOGENIC NITROGEN FOR ONSITE DOWNHOLE DRILLING AND POST DRILLING OPERATIONS

(75) Inventor: Keith P. Michael, West Chester, PA (US)

(73) Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc., Houston, TX (US)

( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

(21) Appl. No.: 09/817,715

(22) Filed: Mar. 26, 2001

Related U.S. Application Data

(63) Continuation of application No. 09/391,735, filed on Sep. 8, 1999, now Pat. No. 6,206,113, which is a continuation of application No. 09/173,285, filed on Oct. 15,1998, now Pat. No. 6,041,873, which is a continuation of application No. 08/944,919, filed on Oct. 6, 1997, now Pat. No. 5,862,869, which is a continuation of application No. 08/707,352, filed on Sep. 4, 1996, now Pat. No. 5,749,422, which is a continuation-in-part of application No. 08/077,014, filed on Jun. 14, 1993, now Pat. No. 5,388,650.

(51) Int. CI.7 E21B 21/00

(52) U.S. CI 175 71

(58) Field of Search 175/71; 166/292;

95/47, 138

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5,207,806 A 5/1993 Lagree et al.

5,215,151 A 6/1993 Smith et al.

5,749,422 A * 5/1998 Michael 175/71

5,862,869 A * 1/1999 Michael 175/71

6,041,873 A * 3/2000 Michael 175/71

6,206,113 Bl * 3/2001 Michael 175/71

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(List continued on next page.)

Primary Examiner—William Neuder

(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Moser, Patterson &

Sheridan, L.L.P.

(57) ABSTRACT

A method for enhancing gas or oil production by delivering a nitrogen rich gas produced from a non-cryogenic source into the well and/or reservoir where the gas and/or oil is located.

47 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets

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* cited by examiner