Patent ID: 7607480

Claim:
A method for repairing a damaged well having a bend near its upper end comprising the steps of: a) cutting said well below said bend to define an upper opening of said well: b) placing an alignment apparatus in said upper opening of said well, wherein said alignment apparatus further comprises: i) a substantially cylindrical body member having an upper end and a lower end ii) a substantially planar plate member having a top, a bottom and an outer diameter, wherein said top is connected to said lower end of said substantially cylindrical body member, and said substantially planar plate is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said substantially cylindrical body member; iii) an elongate extension having an upper end, a lower end and an outer diameter, wherein said upper end is connected to the bottom of said plate, and said elongate extension has a smaller outer diameter than the outer diameter of said substantially planar plate member; and iv) at least one fin, wherein said at least one fin extends radially outward from said elongate extension, and is oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said elongate extension; c) installing pipe around said alignment apparatus and a portion of said well; and d) removing said alignment apparatus from said pipe.