Ball-activated flapper valve for downhole float equipment

A float collar, comprising:

• a mandrel;
• a tube configured to be positioned within the mandrel, wherein the tube defines an inner shoulder proximate to a lower end thereof;
• a first impediment configured to be positioned within the tube;
• a retainer positioned within the mandrel and proximate to an upper end of the tube, wherein:
• the retainer comprises an annular body and a plurality of fingers that extend radially inward from the annular body,
• an intersection of the fingers is radially offset from a central longitudinal axis of the annular body,
• each adjacent pair of the fingers defines an opening therebetween,
• a first of the openings is larger than a remainder of the openings,
• the central longitudinal axis extends through the first opening,
• the first impediment is unable to pass through any of the openings,
• the first impediment is configured to move axially between a maximum lower position and a maximum upper position,
• the first impediment is in the maximum lower position when the first impediment is in contact with the inner shoulder,
• the first impediment is in the maximum upper position when the first impediment is in contact with the fingers, and
• the fingers are shaped such that a center of the first impediment is offset from the central longitudinal axis when the first impediment is in the maximum upper position;
• and
• one or more valves positioned radially between the mandrel and the tube.

A method for operating a float collar in a wellbore, the method comprising:

• running the float collar into the wellbore, wherein the float collar comprises:
• a mandrel;
• a tube positioned within the mandrel, wherein the tube defines an inner shoulder proximate to a lower end thereof;
• a first impediment;
• a retainer positioned within the mandrel and proximate to an upper end of the tube, wherein the first impediment is configured to move axially between a maximum lower position and a maximum upper position, wherein the first impediment is in the maximum lower position when the first impediment is in contact with the inner shoulder, wherein the first impediment is in the maximum upper position when the first impediment is in contact with the retainer, and wherein the retainer is shaped such that a center of the first impediment is offset from a central longitudinal axis of the retainer when the first impediment is in the maximum upper position;
• and
• one or more valves positioned radially between the mandrel and the tube;
• and
• increasing a pressure of a fluid in the float collar, which causes the tube and the first impediment to move out of the mandrel, wherein the one or more valves are in an inactive state when the tube is in the mandrel, and wherein the one or more valves are in an active state when the tube is out of the mandrel.