Plug release system
AssigneeBaker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
InventorsRyan Faul, Marcelle H. Hedrick, Joseph Ramirez
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A plug release system includes a tubular member having an outer surface and an inner surface defining a flow bore having a central longitudinal axis. A sleeve is positioned in the flow bore. The sleeve includes a first end having a radially outwardly extending annular lip, and a second end. A release mechanism is rotatably mounted in the tubular member radially offset from the central longitudinal axis. The release mechanism includes a sleeve support surface that selectively engages the radially extending annular lip. The release mechanism is rotatable between a first position wherein the sleeve maintains a plug in a retained configuration and a second position, wherein the sleeve releases the plug into the tubular member.
Claims17
A plug release system comprising:
- a tubular member including an outer surface and an inner surface defining a flow bore having a central longitudinal axis;
- a sleeve positioned in the flow bore, the sleeve including a first end including a radially outwardly extending annular lip, and a second end;
- and
- a release mechanism rotatably mounted in the tubular member radially offset from the central longitudinal axis, the release mechanism including a first end portion positioned radially outwardly of the outer surface and a second end portion positioned between the inner surface and the outer surface, and a sleeve support surface that selectively engages the radially extending annular lip, the release mechanism extending across a portion of the flow bore and being rotatable between a first position wherein the sleeve maintains a plug in a retained configuration and a second position, wherein the sleeve releases the plug into the tubular member.
A resource exploration and recovery system comprising:
- a surface system;
- and
- a subsurface system including a tubular member string extending from the surface system, the tubular member string including at least one tubular member having an outer surface and an inner surface defining a flow bore having a central longitudinal axis;
- a sleeve positioned in the flow bore, the sleeve including a first end including a radially outwardly extending annular lip, and a second end;
- and
- a release mechanism rotatably mounted in the tubular member radially offset from the central longitudinal axis, the release mechanism including a first end portion positioned radially outwardly of the outer surface and a second end portion positioned between the inner surface and the outer surface, and a sleeve support surface that selectively engages the radially extending annular lip, the release mechanism extending across a portion of the flow bore and being rotatable between a first position wherein the sleeve maintains a plug in a retained configuration and a second position, wherein the sleeve releases the plug into the tubular member.
A method of releasing a plug into a tubular member string comprising:
- rotating the release mechanism from a first, sleeve retention position, wherein a handle member of the release mechanism is stowed in a recess of the tubular member, to a second, sleeve release position, wherein the handle member of the release mechanism is stowed in the recess of the tubular member to disengage a sleeve support surface from a radially outwardly extending annular lip on a sleeve positioned in a flow bore of a tubular member;
- releasing the sleeve to shift from a plug support position to a plug release position;
- and
- freeing a plug to pass into the tubular member string.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.