Well Release System and Method

Abstract

An improvement to a prior art sand release apparatus and method uses a pair of telescoped tubular members. In the improved system and method, the telescoped members are prevented from completely telescoping by a J-hook latch. Also in the improved system and method, a wear resistant seal prevents leakage when the telescoped members are not extended.

1 . A well release apparatus, comprising:
 an outer telescoping tubular member having an inward pin; and   an inner telescoping tubular member that can be positioned within said outer telescoping tubular member, said inner telescoping tubular member having a longitudinal slot with a J-hook latch receiving formation,   wherein said pin is positioned in said slot.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said pin is removably attached with said outer tubular member. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said slot is covered by said outer tubular member when said pin is positioned in said J-hook latch receiving formation. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said inner tubular member having two ends and comprising a thread adjacent to the first end. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein a wear resistant annular seal is positioned adjacent to said thread on said inner tubular member for sealing with said outer tubular member when said pin is positioned in said J-hook latch receiving formation. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said wear resistant annular seal is a POLYPAK seal. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said inner tubular member having a outward rim at the second end. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said outer tubular member having an inward shoulder for positioning with said inner member rim. 
     
     
         9 . A system for operating a well, comprising:
 a well;   a tubing string positioned in said well;   a pump having an upper end and a lower end positioned in said tubing string;   a sucker rod positioned with the upper end of said pump; and   a well release apparatus positioned with the lower end of said pump, wherein said well release apparatus comprising:   an outer telescoping tubular member having an inward pin; and   an inner telescoping tubular member that can be positioned within said outer telescoping tubular member, said inner telescoping tubular member having a longitudinal slot with a J-hook latch receiving formation,   wherein said pin is positioned in said slot.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein said pin is removably attached with said outer tubular member. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein said slot is covered by said outer member when said pin is positioned in said J-hook latch receiving formation. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein said inner tubular member having two ends and comprising a thread adjacent to the first end. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein a wear resistant annular seal is positioned adjacent to said thread on said inner tubular member for sealing with said outer tubular member when said pin is positioned in said J-hook latch receiving formation. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein said wear resistant annular seal is a POLYPAK seal. 
     
     
         15 . A method for operating a well, comprising the steps of:
 providing a well having formation fluid;   providing a tubing string positioned in said well;   providing a pump having an upper end and a lower end positioned in said tubing string;   providing a sucker rod positioned with the upper end of said pump; and   providing a well release apparatus positioned with the lower end of said pump, wherein said well release apparatus comprising:   an outer telescoping tubular member having an inward pin; and   an inner telescoping tubular member that can be positioned within said outer telescoping tubular member, said inner telescoping tubular member having a longitudinal slot with a J-hook latch receiving formation,   wherein said pin is positioned in said slot; and   positioning said outer tubular member pin in said inner tubular member J-hook latch receiving formation so that said slot is covered by said outer tubular member.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of:
 moving formation fluid with the pump through the tubing string.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of:
 moving said outer tubular member pin from said inner tubular member J-hook latch receiving formation.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the step of:
 uncovering said slot with said outer tubular member.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising the step of:
 moving fluid downward through the well and through said slot.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising the step of:
 positioning said outer tubular member pin in said inner tubular member J-hook latch receiving formation to cover said slot with said outer tubular member after the step of moving said outer tubular member pin from said inner tubular member J-hook latch receiving formation.   
     
     
         21 . A method for removing sand from a well, comprising the steps of:
 positioning in the well, an inner tubular member that is positioned within an outer tubular member, said outer tubular member having a pin that engages a receiving formation of a J-shaped longitudinal slot of the inner tubular member;   lowering and rotating the inner tubular member to release the inner tubular member from the receiving formation of the J-shaped longitudinal slot; and   longitudinally raising the inner tubular member along the longitudinal slot to allow sand from the inner tubular member to be released from the inner tubular member.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein said inner tubular member having two ends and comprising a thread adjacent to the first end and a wear resistant annular seal is positioned adjacent to said thread on said inner tubular member for sealing with said outer tubular member when said pin is positioned in said J-hook latch receiving formation.