(under subclass 244.1) A process comprising making a bed of gravel or other filter material in situ in the well for straining fluids flowing into the well.
(1) Note. This definition does not include a process involving merely forming a bed of filter material outside of the well and lowering it into the well. See subclass 315 for a process of making a well.
(2) Note. This definition includes washing away earth around a well conduit to form a bed of gravel or the like. Processes involving merely cleaning a well, however, would be classified in subclasses 311+ and processes involving attacking a formation would be classified in subclass 307 or the subclasses there noted.
(3) Note. Making a bed of gravel or filter material in the formation is not included. Note subclass 280 for propping material in a fracture and subclasses 285+ and the subclasses there noted for permeable material deposited in the formation.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
51, for apparatus for forming a filter bed.
276, for a process involving providing a porous mass of adhered gravel or filter material in the well. 280, for a process involving a specific propping feature for a fracture.
285+, and subclasses there noted for a process of cementing, plugging or consolidating which may involve establishing a filter effect in the formation.
