Lubricator for underbalanced drilling
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorDinesh R. Patel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system usable with a subterranean well includes a tubing and a lubricator. The tubing is adapted to receive a drill string in a passageway of the tubing, and the lubricator is located downhole and is connected to the tubing. The lubricator is adapted to be remotely operable from a surface of the well to control fluid communication between the passageway located above the lubricator and a formation located beneath the lubricator. The lubricator may include a sleeve and controller. The controller selectively moves the sleeve into a passageway of a valve of the lubricator to protect the valve from a downhole fluid.
Claims50
A system usable with a subterranean well, comprising:
- a tubing adapted to receive a drill string in a passageway of the tubing;
- and
- a lubricator located downhole away from a surface of the well and connected to the tubing, the lubricator adapted to receive the drill string and be remotely operable from a surface of the well to control fluid communication between the passageway located above the lubricator and a formation located beneath the lubricator.
An apparatus usable with a well, comprising:
- a sleeve;
- a ball valve having central passageway;
- and
- a controller to selectively move the sleeve into the passageway to protect at least a portion of the ball valve.
A method usable with a subterranean well, comprising:
- providing a tubing to receive a drill string in a passageway of the tubing;
- and
- remotely operating a downhole valve that is located away from a surface of the well to control fluid communication between the passageway located above the lubricator and a formation located beneath the lubricator.
A method usable with a subterranean well, comprising:
- providing a sleeve adapted to line a passageway of a ball valve;
- and
- selectively moving the sleeve into the passageway of the ball to protect at least a portion of the ball valve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.