Method to reduce the width of a slot in a pipe or tube

1. A method for reducing the width of slots spaced about the surface of a pipe or tube, the method comprising subjecting the surface of the pipe or tube to bombardment by a quantity of shot of a pre-determined size and for a pre-determined length of time to cause deformation of the surface of the pipe or tube adjacent to the slots therein such that the width of the slots is reduced to within a pre-determined size range.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the width of the slots in the pipe or tube is reduced by a ratio of from 2:1 to 1.5:1.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said shot is formed from heat treated steel with a Rockwell Hardness of between 40 and 50 and is generally spherical in shape having a diameter greater than the width of the slots in the pipe or tube prior to bombardment.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the shot is generally spherical in shape and is of a size range such that the smallest shot has a diameter that is at least 25 percent larger than the width of the slots in the pipe or tube prior to bombardment.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said shot is steel or stainless steel and of a size greater than the width of the slots in the pipe or tube prior to bombardment.

6. A method for reducing the width of slots spaced about the surface of a pipe or tube, the method comprising subjecting the surface of the pipe or tube to bombardment by a quantity of shot of a pre-determined size and for a pre-determined length of time to cause deformation of the surface of the pipe or tube adjacent to the slots therein such that the width of the slots is reduced to within a pre-determined size range, the method including the step of carrying out said bombardment of the surface of the pipe or tube within a blast cabinet, the pipe or tube conveyed through the blast cabinet at a pre-determined feed rate to subject the surface of the pipe or tube to bombardment by shot for said pre-determined time.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6 including the step of rotating the pipe or tube about its longitudinal axis as it is fed through the blast cabinet and subjected to to bombardment by said shot.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7 wherein said blast cabinet comprises a portion of a pneumatic blasting machine, said step of bombarding the surface of the pipe or tube with shot accomplished through the use of a pneumatic blasting machine.

9. A method for reducing the width of slots spaced about the surface of a pipe or tube, the method comprising subjecting the surface of the pipe or tube to bombardment by a quantity of shot of a pre-determined size and for a pre-determined length of time to cause deformation of the surface of the pipe or tube adjacent to the slots therein such that the width of the slots is reduced to within a pre-determined size range, wherein the bombardment of the surface of the pipe or tube with shot accomplished through the use of a wheel blasting machine.

10. A method for reducing the width of slots spaced about the surface of a pipe or tube, the method comprising subjecting the surface of the pipe or tube to bombardment by a quantity of shot of a pre-determined size and for a pre-determined length of time to cause deformation of the surface of the pipe or tube adjacent to the slots therein such that the width of the slots is reduced to within a pre-determined size range, said shot generally spherical in shape and having a diameter of from five to ten times the width of the slots in the pipe or tube prior to bombardment.

11. A method to reduce the width of slots in tubular liners used in oil, gas or water wells so that the width of the slots is sufficiently small to prevent or limit the ingress of sand, rock, or other particulate material into the interior of the tubular liner when the liner is inserted into a bore hole, the method comprising subjecting the exterior surface of the tubular liner to bombardment by a quantity of shot of a pre-determined size and for a pre-determined length of time such that the impact of the shot against the exterior surface of the tubular liner causes metallic deformation of the surface of the liner adjacent to the slots and a resulting reduction in the width of the slots.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11 wherein said bombardment of said surface of said tubular liner by said shot is accomplished through the use of a wheel blasting machine.

13. The method as claimed in claim 11 wherein said bombardment of said surface of said tubular liner by said shot is accomplished through the use of a pneumatic blasting machine.

14. The method as claimed in claim 11 including the step of rotating the tubular liner about its longitudinal axis as its outer surface is bombarded with said shot.

15. A method to reduce the width of slots in tubular liners used in oil, gas or water wells so that the width of the slots is sufficiently small to prevent or limit the ingress of sand, rock, or other particulate material into the interior of the tubular liner when the liner is inserted into a bore hole, the method comprising subjecting the exterior surface of the tubular liner to bombardment by a quantity of shot of a pre-determined size and for a pre-determined length of time such that the impact of the shot against the exterior surface of the tubular liner causes metallic deformation of the surface of the liner adjacent to the slots and a resulting reduction in the width of the slots, said shot generally spherical in shape and is of a size range such that the smallest shot has a diameter that is at least 25 percent larger than the width of the slots in the tubular liner prior to bombardment.

16. A method to reduce the width of slots in tubular liners used in oil, gas or water wells so that the width of the slots is sufficiently small to prevent or limit the ingress of sand, rock, or other particulate material into the interior of the tubular liner when the liner is inserted into a bore hole, the method comprising subjecting the exterior surface of the tubular liner to bombardment by a quantity of shot of a pre-determined size and for a pre-determined length of time such that the impact of the shot against the exterior surface of the tubular liner causes metallic deformation of the surface of the liner adjacent to the slots and a resulting reduction in the width of the slots, the method including the further step of applying a protective film or coating over the exterior surface of the tubular liner following bombardment.