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US 12,534,975 B2Granted
Method and apparatus for dropping a pump down plug or ball
AssigneeGulfstream Services, Inc.
InventorPhil Barbee
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved method and apparatus for dropping a ball, plug or dart during oil and gas well operations (e.g., cementing operations) employs a specially configured valving member with curved and flat portions that alternatively direct fluid flow through a bore or opening in the valving member via an inner channel or around the periphery of the valving member in an outer channel. In one embodiment, the ball(s), dart(s) or plug(s) are contained in a sliding sleeve that shifts position responsive to valve rotation. An optional indicator indicates to a user or operator that a ball or plug has passed a selected one of the valving members.
Claims28
A dart and plug dropping head for use in sequentially dropping one or more balls and plugs into a well casing, comprising:
- a) a housing having a diameter, an inlet at its upper end adapted to be fluidly connected in line with the lower end of a top drive, and an outlet generally aligned with the inlet;
- b) a main flow channel that connects the inlet and the outlet;
- c) a plurality of valving members spaced between the inlet and the outlet, each valving member having a flow bore, and being movable between open and closed positions;
- d) one or more fluid flow channels that enable fluid to bypass the valving members when one or more of said valving members is in the closed position;
- e) at least one of the valving members having a cross section that, in the closed position, does not valve fluid flow in the main flow channel;
- f) wherein fluid flow in the main channel flows around the valving member when it is in the closed position and through the valving member when it is in the open position;
- g) each valving member configured to support a ball or plug when the valving member is closed;
- h) a plurality of darts or plugs in the housing, each dart or plug above a valving member, wherein in the open position each valving member flow bore permits a dart or plug to pass therethrough, and circulating fluid to pass downwardly therethrough when neither a ball nor plug is in the valving member flow bore;
- i) a connector that connects the housing to the well casing;
- and
- j) a pair of casing plugs that are contained in the casing below the connector, wherein each casing plug is receptive of and connects with a dart or plug that is dropped from the housing.
8 more elements
A dart and plug dropping head for use in sequentially dropping one or more balls and plugs into a well casing, comprising:
- a) a tool body having an inlet at its upper end adapted to be fluidly connected in line with the lower end of a top drive, an outlet generally aligned with the inlet;
- b) a main flow channel that connects the inlet and the outlet, the main flow channel having an inner channel and an outer channel;
- c) a plurality of valving members spaced between the inlet and the outlet, each valving member having a flow bore, and being movable between open and closed positions;
- d) the outer channel enabling fluid to bypass a valving member when a valving member is in the closed position;
- e) at least one of the valving members having a cross section that, in the open position, does not valve fluid flow in the main flow channel;
- f) wherein fluid flow flows around the valving member via the outer channel when the valving member is in the closed position and through the valving member and inner channel when the valving member is in the open position;
- g) wherein each valving member is configured to support a dart or plug when closed;
- h) a plurality of darts or plugs in the body, wherein in the open position each valving member flow bore permits a dart or plug to pass therethrough, and circulating fluid to pass downwardly therethrough when a dart or plug is not in the valving member flow bore;
- i) casing having a casing bore and attached to the body;
- j) casing plugs in the casing bore, each casing plug being connectable to one of the darts or plug when a dart or plug is dropped from the body into the casing.
7 more elements
A method of transmitting a cementitious mass into a well casing, comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a tool body or housing having an inlet at its upper end adapted to be fluidly connected in line with the lower end of a top drive, an outlet generally aligned with the inlet, a main flow channel that connects the inlet and the outlet, said channel having an inner channel and an outer channel, a plurality of valving members spaced between the inlet and the outlet, each valving member having a flow bore, and being movable between open and closed positions;
- b) enabling fluid to bypass the valving members via the outer channel when a said valving member is in the closed position;
- c) flowing fluid in the outer channel and around a valving member when a said valving member is in the closed position and through the valving member via the inner channel when a said valving member is in the open position;
- d) supporting a dart or plug with a valving member when said valving member is closed;
- e) permitting the dart or plug to pass a said valving member when said valving member is open;
- f) connecting the housing to a section of casing positioned below the valving members, the casing having a casing bore;
- g) placing a pair of casing plugs in the casing bore, each plug having a central opening;
- h) launching a first of said darts or plugs downward from the tool body or housing into the casing until said first dart or plug connects with a first of the casing plugs;
- i) pumping a fluid into the casing to force the first casing plug and dart or plug downwardly, said fluid including cement;
- and
- j) launching a second of said darts or plugs from the tool body or housing into the casing down until said second dart or plug connects with a second of the casing plugs;
- and
- k) pumping the second casing plug and dart or plug downwardly with the fluid.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.