Flow control apparatus and method
AssigneeFrank's Casing Crew and Rental Tools, Inc.
InventorsBurney J. Latiolais, Jr., Braxton I. Moody, V, Keith T. Lutgring, Donald E. Mosing
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fluid flow control apparatus for use in a mid-string location in a pipe string being run into a well has an open fluid flow route to the annulus above the apparatus to provide more flow area for upwardly moving fluid. Flow up the upper pipe string bore is resisted to reduce fluid overflow from the top of the pipe string. Fluid flow down the pipe string bore closes the fluid channel between the lower pipe string bore and the upper annulus and blows out a pipe bore flow resisting element for free down flow of fluids in the pipe string bore.
Claims23
Apparatus for use down hole in a pipe string, when running pipe strings into a well, for management of surge pressure and the resulting fluid flow, the apparatus comprising:
- a) a body to function as a serial pipe string element, with means threaded connections at each end to connect to continuing pipe string elements, having a generally central bore and first and second ports to conduct fluid through the apparatus wall;
- b) a removable flow inhibiting element, in said generally central bore situated to fluidly separate said first and second ports, removable by fluid down-flow in said generally central bore;
- c) a movable element in said generally central bore, responsive to downward flow of fluid in said generally central bore to close said second ports to outwardly directed flow;
- d) a check valve in said generally central opening arranged to cooperate with said first ports to resistively admit flow to said generally central bore and prohibit flow from said generally central bore through said first ports.
A method for control of fluids displaced from a well during the running in of a first tubular string, to be installed in the well, the first tubular string suspended by a connecting adapter from a second, working, tubular string, the method comprising the steps:
- a) providing a flow path for fluids displaced from the well;
- b) said flow path including the bore of the first tubular string, first ports through a wall of the adapter to the well annulus, some distance along the annulus, second ports through a wall of the adapter to the bore of the second tubular string, and upward in both bore and annulus of the second tubular string, thus reducing surge pressure in the well;
- c) placing a down flow responsive removable occlusion means between said first and second ports during assembly of said tubular strings;
- d) placing check valve equivalents to prohibit flow from the bore of the adapter to the well annulus;
- e) placing a down flow responsive movable element in said adapter to activate a check valve equivalent to cooperate with the first ports to prohibit flow through the first ports to the annulus;
- f) pumping fluid down the working pipe string bore to blow out the occlusion means ;
- and
- g) finishing the well servicing operation.
A method for running tubular string into an earth wellbore containing fluids, wherein the flow of fluids from the interior of the wellbore to the earth's surface follows two paths, a first path through the center bore of said tubular string, and a second path being the annulus at least partially surrounding the exterior of said tubular string, comprising the steps of:
- a) running the tubular string into the earth wellbore;
- b) allowing the fluids in the second path to reach a given vertical level;
- and
- c) controlling the fluids in the first path to be at a vertical level at or below the vertical level of the fluids in said second path, said controlling step comprising the diverting of the fluids in said first path through a side wall at least partially surrounding said first path into the second path.
A method for running tubular string into an earth wellbore containing fluids, wherein the flow of fluids from the interior of the wellbore to the earth's surface follows two paths, a first path through the center bore of said tubular string, and a second path being the annulus at least partially surrounding the exterior of said tubular string, comprising the steps of:
- a) running the tubular string into the earth wellbore, wherein said tubular string includes a removable flow element positioned within the center bore of the tubular string;
- b) diverting the well fluids located in said center bore beneath the removable flow element, to said second path and then re-diverting a portion of said fluid back from said second path into said first path at a location within the center bore of said tubular string above said removable flow element;
- c) allowing the fluids in the second path to reach a given vertical level;
- and
- d) controlling the fluids in the first path to be at a vertical level at or below the vertical level of the fluids in said second path.
A method for running tubular string into an earth wellbore containing fluids, wherein the flow of fluids from the interior of the wellbore to the earth's surface follows two paths, a first path through the center bore of said tubular string, and a second path being the annulus at least partially surrounding the exterior of said tubular string, comprising the steps of:
- a) running the tubular string into the earth wellbore;
- and
- b) controlling the relative vertical levels of the fluids in said first and second paths to prevent the fluid in the first path from overflowing onto the rig floor located at the earth's surface, said controlling step comprising the diverting of the fluids in said first path through a side wall at least partially surrounding said first path into the second path.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.