# US 11,994,004 B2 · Ball seat release apparatus

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- Number: US 11,994,004 B2
- Document ID: US11994004B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/087,092
- Filed: 2022-12-22
- Published: 2023-04-20
- Granted: 2024-05-28
- Earliest claimed: 2019-11-05
- Assignees: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
- Applicants: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
- Inventors: Abdolreza Gharesi; Alan Tancel Jackson; Richard Paul Noffke
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11994004B2

## CPC

- E21B 23/0413: {using means for blocking fluid flow, e.g. drop balls or darts (using balls or the like for actuating downhole valves E21B34/142)}
- E21B 34/142: {unsupported or free-falling elements, e.g. balls, plugs, darts or pistons}
- E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS

## Abstract

Provided, in one aspect, is a ball seat release apparatus. The ball seat release apparatus, according to this embodiment, includes a shear sleeve, and a ball seat body located at least partially within the shear sleeve, a shear feature releasably coupling the ball seat body to the shear sleeve. The ball seat release apparatus according to this aspect further includes a ball seat slidingly engaged within the ball seat body, the ball seat configured to move from a first linear position to a second linear position, and further wherein a locking dog releasably couples the ball seat with the ball seat body.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A ball seat release apparatus, comprising:
a shear sleeve;
a ball seat body located at least partially within the shear sleeve, a shear feature releasably coupling the ball seat body to the shear sleeve; and
a non-radially expanding ball seat slidingly engaged within the ball seat body, the ball seat configured to move from a first linear position to a second linear position, and further wherein a locking dog releasably couples the ball seat with the ball seat body.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The ball seat release apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the shear sleeve has a first recess pocket positioned along a portion of an interior surface thereof, and further wherein the locking dog is configured to radially expand into the recess pocket to thereby allow the ball seat to move from the first linear position to the second linear position.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The ball seat release apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein the ball seat body has a second recess pocket positioned along a portion of an interior surface thereof.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The ball seat release apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein the second recess pocket is configured to provide a fluid flow path around a drop ball or plug when the ball seat moves to the second linear position.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The ball seat release apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein the ball seat includes one or more bypass slots therein.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The ball seat release apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the second recess pocket and one or more bypass slots are configured to provide a fluid flow path around a drop ball or plug when the ball seat moves to the second linear position.

### Claim 7

A well system, comprising:
a casing string secured within a wellbore extending through one or more subterranean formations;
a liner hanger and liner string suspended from and proximate a downhole end of the casing string; and
a ball seat release apparatus coupled proximate a downhole end of a running tool, and positioned within at least a portion of the liner hanger or liner string, the ball seat release apparatus including:
a shear sleeve;
a ball seat body located at least partially within the shear sleeve, a shear feature releasably coupling the ball seat body to the shear sleeve; and
a non-radially expanding ball seat slidingly engaged within the ball seat body, the ball seat configured to move from a first linear position to a second linear position, and further wherein a locking dog releasably couples the ball seat with the ball seat body.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The well system as recited in claim 7, wherein the shear sleeve has a first recess pocket positioned along a portion of an interior surface thereof, and further wherein the locking dog is configured to radially expand into the recess pocket to thereby allow the ball seat to move from the first linear position to the second linear position.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The well system as recited in claim 8, wherein the ball seat body has a second recess pocket positioned along a portion of an interior surface thereof.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The well system as recited in claim 9, wherein the second recess pocket is configured to provide a fluid flow path around a drop ball or plug when the ball seat moves to the second linear position.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The well system as recited in claim 9, wherein the ball seat includes one or more bypass slots therein.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The well system as recited in claim 11, wherein the second recess pocket and one or more bypass slots are configured to provide a fluid flow path around a drop ball or plug when the ball seat moves to the second linear position.