Apparatus and method for cleaning wells and pipelines

Abstract

A steam producing apparatus is used for forcibly moving contaminants build up on the wall of the well and to open up the fractures to allow the flow of oil into the well. Steam is generated in a structure that is lowered into the well and to apply pressurize steam onto the well wall and against the fractured areas to release oil and to allow oil to flow more freely, thereby producing more oil. The pressure of the produced steam can be regulated within the structure lowered into the well. It can also be monitored from the surface.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method of cleaning a well to remove built-up oil residue and other contaminates, comprising the steps of generating pressurized steam within a unit lowered into the well, directing the pressurized steam against the well wall to dissolve and remove oil/tar build up on the well and other contaminates, and regulating the pressure of the steam applied against the well wall depending upon the area of the well to be cleaned. 
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressurized steam is applied to the well wall by one of rotating and fixed nozzles directed against the well wall. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the rotating nozzles are rotated by the steam leaving the nozzles. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the steam is generated by providing a flow of water into the steam unit and applying a high voltage alternating current to the water. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein when the pressurized steam unit is lowered into the well, the steam unit is centered by a plurality of rollers on the steam unit. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5  where in the rollers are spring mounted to compensate for variations in the well diameter. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the nozzles are extended by steam pressure to move the nozzles closer to the well wall. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 4  wherein the flow of water into the steam unit is controlled by a one way valve to prevent pressure back flow into the water source. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , including a surface monitoring system to regulate the pressure of the steam. 
     
     
         10 . A method of cleaning a well to remove built-up oil residue and other contaminates, comprising the steps of generating pressurized steam within a unit lowered into the well, directing the pressurized steam against the well wall with rotating nozzles to dissolve and remove oil/tar build up on the well and other contaminates, and regulating the pressure of the steam applied against the well wall depending upon the area of the well to be cleaned. 
     
     
         11 . A method of cleaning a well according to  claim 1 , wherein water produced by condensed steam in the well is recycled into a storage tank on the surface and is reused to produced steam. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . (canceled)