Method of drilling and operating an oil or gas well, a method of preventing or minimizing contamination to the soil about an oil or gas well, using a kit to install, an impervious and reusable liner and apparatus therefor

Abstract

A method of preventing or minimizing contamination to the soil about an oil or gas well, using a kit to install, an impervious and reusable liner and apparatus therefor. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of minimizing leakage of oil and/or drilling mud into the soil about a oil well and/or a gas well, said method comprising the steps of:
 digging a well cellar for a gas and/or oil well;   lining said well cellar with a liner and extending the liner to at least the uppermost portion of said well cellar;   installing a kit comprising:   at least three arcuate members configured to substantially conform to the sides of said well and to hold said liner within said well cellar;   each said arcuate member comprising at least two threaded studs with nuts disposed thereon on a first end of each said arcuate member;   each said arcuate member comprising at least two holes disposed on a second end of each said arcuate member opposite said first end of each said arcuate member;   each said arcuate member comprising at least one support element configured to support each said arcuate member from the level of the soil disposed about said well cellar;   said method further comprising the steps of:
 disposing said at least three arcuate members about said side of said well cellar; 
 suspending each of said arcuate members from its at least one support element; 
 pressing said arcuate members against said well cellar wall; 
 inserting said threaded studs, from a first arcuate member, into said holes in said second arcuate member; 
 inserting said threaded studs, from a second arcuate member, into said holes in said third arcuate member; 
 inserting said threaded studs, from said third arcuate member, into said holes in said first arcuate member; 
 adjusting said nuts on said threaded studs and tightening said arcuate members against said liner and pressing said liner against said wall of said well cellar until said liner is firmly and permanently pressed against said wall of said well cellar thereby minimizing slippage of said liner in said well cellar; 
 disposing a drilling rig above said well cellar and commencing drilling for oil and/or gas; 
 collecting drilling mud and/or oil from said drilling in said well cellar and preventing or minimizing drilling mud and/or oil from contaminating soil about said well cellar; and 
 removing said drilling mud and/or said oil collected by said liner in said well cellar upon an excessive accumulation of drilling mud and/or oil in said well cellar and preventing or minimizing drilling mud and/or oil from contaminating soil about said well cellar. 
   
     
     
         2 . A method of minimizing leakage of oil and/or drilling mud into the soil about a oil well and/or a gas well, said method comprising the steps of:
 digging a well cellar for a gas or oil well;   lining said well cellar with a liner and extending the liner to at least the uppermost portion of said well cellar;   installing a kit comprising:   at least three arcuate members configured to hold said liner within said well cellar;   each said arcuate member comprising at least two threaded studs with nuts disposed on a first end of each said arcuate member;   each said arcuate member comprising at least two unthreaded holes disposed on a second end of each said arcuate member opposite said first end of each said arcuate member;   each said arcuate member comprising at least one support element configured to support each said arcuate member from the level of the soil disposed about said well cellar;   said method further comprising the steps of:
 disposing said at least three arcuate members about said well cellar; 
 suspending each of said arcuate members from its at least one support element; 
 pressing said arcuate members against said well cellar wall; 
 inserting said threaded studs, from a first arcuate member, into said unthreaded holes in said second arcuate member; 
 inserting said threaded studs, from a second arcuate member, into said unthreaded holes in said third arcuate member; 
 inserting said threaded studs, from said third arcuate member, into said unthreaded holes in said first arcuate member; 
 holding said arcuate members in said well cellar with a tightening tool while tightening said nuts; 
 adjusting said nuts on said threaded studs and tightening said arcuate members against said liner and pressing said liner against said wall of said well cellar until said liner is firmly and permanently pressed against said wall of said well cellar thereby minimizing slippage of said liner in said well cellar; 
 disposing a drilling rig above said well cellar and commencing drilling for oil and/or gas; 
 collecting drilling mud and/or oil from said drilling in said well cellar and preventing or minimizing drilling mud and/or oil from contaminating soil about said well cellar; and 
 removing said drilling mud and/or said oil from said well cellar upon and excessive accumulation of drilling mud and/or oil in said well cellar and preventing or minimizing drilling mud and/or oil from contaminating soil about said well cellar. 
   
     
     
         3 . A method of drilling a gas well while minimizing leakage of oil and/or drilling mud into the soil about a gas well, said method comprising the steps of:
 determining a location for the drilling of a gas well;   digging a well cellar at said location for a gas well with substantially vertical walls and a substantially flat floor;   lining said well cellar with a liner and extending the liner about the soil around the well cellar a substantial distance from the wall of said well cellar at least at the uppermost portion of said well cellar and minimizing leakage of oil and/or drilling mud into the soil about the gas will;   installing said lining with a kit comprising:
 at least three arcuate members configured to hold said liner within said well cellar; 
 each said arcuate member comprising at least two threaded studs and nuts configured to be disposed on a first end of each said arcuate member; 
 each said arcuate member comprising at least two holes disposed on a second end of each said arcuate member opposite said first end of each said arcuate member; 
 each said arcuate member comprising at least one support element configured to support each said arcuate member from the level of the soil disposed about said well cellar; 
   said method further comprising assembling said arcuate members by following the steps of:
 threading said nuts onto said threaded studs on each of said arcuate members; 
 disposing said at least three arcuate members about said well cellar; 
 suspending each of said arcuate members from its at least one support element; 
 pressing said arcuate members against said well cellar wall; 
 inserting said threaded studs, from a first arcuate member, into said holes in said second arcuate member; 
 inserting said threaded studs, from a second arcuate member, into said holes in said third arcuate member; 
 inserting said threaded studs, from said third arcuate member, into said holes in said first arcuate member; 
 adjusting said nuts on said threaded studs by moving said nuts on said threaded studs and tightening said arcuate members against said liner and pressing said liner against said wall of said well cellar until said liner is firmly and permanently pressed against said wall of said well cellar thereby minimizing slippage of said liner in said well cellar; 
 forming at an opening at the bottom of said liner and pushing a conductor pipe into and through said opening and into the soil below the bottom of said liner; 
 welding an extension ring to said conductor pipe; 
 sealing the area at said extension ring to prevent or minimize seepage of drilling mud and oil the between said extension ring and said liner into the soil beneath said bottom of said well cellar; 
 disposing a drilling rig above said well cellar and commencing drilling for gas; 
 using said arcuate members as a step for entering and exiting the well cellar; 
 collecting drilling mud and/or oil from said drilling in said well cellar and preventing or minimizing said drilling mud and/or oil from contaminating soil about said well cellar; and 
 removing said drilling mud and/or said oil from said well cellar upon an excessive accumulation of drilling mud and/or oil in said well cellar and preventing or minimizing drilling mud and/or oil from contaminating soil about said well cellar by said drilling mud and or oil from overflowing said well cellar and/or leaking into the soil at the bottom of said well cellar. 
   
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein said assembling being done by one of (A) and (B), where (A) and (B) are:
 (A) assembling said segments adjacent said well cellar and then placing said segments in said well cellar with the aid of a tool configured to hold said segments together; and   (B) assembling said segments in said well cellar.   
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein said segments comprise substantially 120 degree arcs configured to complete a round support for said liner and comprise hollow metal curved members. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said segments comprise substantially 120 degree arcs configured to complete a round support for said liner and comprise hollow metal curved members. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein said segments comprise substantially 120 degree arcs configured to complete a round support for said liner and comprise hollow metal curved members. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein said segments comprise substantially 120 degree arcs configured to complete a round support for said liner and comprise hollow metal curved members. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said assembling being done by assembling said segments adjacent said well cellar and then placing said segments in said well cellar with the aid of a tool configured to hold said segments together. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said assembling being done by assembling said segments in said well cellar. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein said assembling being done by assembling said segments adjacent said well cellar and then placing said segments in said well cellar with the aid of a tool configured to hold said segments together. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein said assembling being done by assembling said segments in said well cellar. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein said segments comprise substantially 120 degree arcs configured to complete a round support for said liner and comprise hollow metal curved members;
 assembling said segments adjacent said well cellar and then placing said segments in said well cellar with the aid of a tool configured to hold said segments together.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein said segments comprise substantially 120 degree arcs configured to complete a round support for said liner and comprise hollow metal curved members; assembling said segments in said well cellar.