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Method and apparatus for sealing pipe perforations

  • US 5,253,709 A
  • Filed: 06/24/1991
  • Issued: 10/19/1993
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/29/1990
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. In a well system having a wellbore with a perforated casing (12) extending into an earth formation (16), the formation and wellbore being such that during a well treatment operation in which pumpable material is pumped into the wellbore, a disproportionately large amount of material passes through certain perforations (18) in the casing, means for plugging the perforations which are receiving a disproportionate amount of materials being pumped into the wellbore, wherein said means comprises:

  • a plurality of sealing members (22) for placement into the material being pumped into the wellbore, said sealing members being characterized by an outer shell (42) having a generally fully spherical shape when not subjected to other than gravitational forces, said shell having a diameter which is larger than the diameter of perforations (18) in the casing, said shell being constructed of a material which when subjected to forces greater than the force of gravity is deformable; and

    a core material (46) housed within said outer shell, said core material being flowable to follow the shape of said outer shell when said outer shell is deformed.

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