Patent ID: 6039122
Filing Date: 2000-03-21
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
A process for loading sticks of various materials into an automatic stick launcher of the type having a magazine rotatably mounted within a housing, the magazine having a plurality of stick chambers for holding the sticks prior to periodic release into an oil and gas well, the process comprising the steps of:(a) providing the stick launcher with a permanently enclosed housing top having an entry port aligned with only one stick chamber;(b) optionally, isolating the magazine from well pressure;(c) opening the entry port;(d) inserting one or more sticks into the aligned stick chamber;(e) rotating the stick chamber until one of the additional stick chambers becomes aligned with the entry port;(f) repeating steps (c) and (d) until the desired number of stick chambers are loaded;(g) closing the entry port; and(h) optionally, reestablishing well pressure to the magazine.