Abstract: A mixing system and method. The mixing system includes a mixer configured to mix a dry component into a fluid to generate a slurry, one or more pumps coupled with the mixer and configured to deliver the fluid thereto, and a manifold system coupled to the mixer and the one or more pumps. The manifold system includes one or more valves configured to direct the slurry from the mixer. The mixing system is operable in a first mixing mode to mix a first type of the slurry, and the mixing system is operable in a second mixing mode to mix a second type of the slurry. The manifold system is configured to prevent inert mixing of the first and second types of the slurry.

Abstract: A technique facilitates various types of cementing applications, such as a downhole cementing applications along a wellbore. The technique utilizes a mixer having a rigid body and a flexible skirt disposed along at least a portion of the interior of the rigid body. The mixer further comprises a cement blend inlet and a fluid inlet through which cement blend and fluid are introduced into the mixer to form a cement slurry. The flexible skirt is constructed to enable selective deformation, e.g. flexing, during formation of the cement slurry to reduce or prevent the formation of cement slurry caking within the mixer.

Abstract: A technique facilitates various types of cementing applications, such as a downhole cementing applications along a wellbore. The technique utilizes a mixer having a rigid body and a flexible skirt disposed along at least a portion of the interior of the rigid body. The mixer further comprises a cement blend inlet and a fluid inlet through which cement blend and fluid are introduced into the mixer to form a cement slurry. The flexible skirt is constructed to enable selective deformation, e.g. flexing, during formation of the cement slurry to reduce or prevent the formation of cement slurry caking within the mixer.

Abstract: A mixing system and method. The mixing system includes a mixer configured to mix a dry component into a fluid to generate a slurry, one or more pumps coupled with the mixer and configured to deliver the fluid thereto, and a manifold system coupled to the mixer and the one or more pumps. The manifold system includes one or more valves configured to direct the slurry from the mixer. The mixing system is operable in a first mixing mode to mix a first type of the slurry, and the mixing system is operable in a second mixing mode to mix a second type of the slurry. The manifold system is configured to prevent inert mixing of the first and second types of the slurry.

Abstract: A multiple activation-device launching system for a cementing head comprises a launcher body comprising at least one launching chamber and a device chamber, the launching chamber sized to receive one or more activation devices therein, the launching chamber in fluid communication with a power source for launching the activation device into the device chamber. The launching system may further comprise a pressure sensor, a pressure-relief device or a flow-measurement device, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in launching cement plugs in a well cementing operation, comprising: a cylinder (130); a piston (110) slideably received in the bore of the cylinder; and an actuator, operable by the piston, for launching a plug from the apparatus into the well; wherein the cylinder has a resiliently mounted latching member (132) positioned in the wall thereof and biased to project into the bore of the cylinder; and the piston has a profiled outer surface defining a recess (114) into which the latching member (132) can project to hold the piston in position in the cylinder.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in launching cement plugs in a well cementing operation comprises a cylinder, a piston slideably received in the bore of the cylinder and an actuator extending from the piston through the cylinder. The actuator is operable by the piston for launching plugs from the apparatus into the well. A resilient damper cartridge is slideably mounted on the actuator in the cylinder so as to be contactable by the piston. A series of frangible pins is located in the cylinder wall so as to provide temporary limits to the movement of the cartridge in the cylinder as the piston slides along the cylinder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making real-time measurements of downhole properties during cement plug placement. A wired placement conduit (14) is lowered downhole releasing a sensor package (20). The sensor package is capable of measuring downhole properties in real-time in the period while the cement plug sets.

Abstract: An apparatus for pressure-testing a tubular body may be installed in the tubular-body interior. The apparatus comprises an activation-device seat, one or more bypass ports, a J-slot with an indexing pin and a spring. When an activation device, for example a ball, lands in the activation-device seat, fluid communication through the tubular body is blocked, allowing pressurization. During pressurization, the activation-device seat moves downward, causing the spring to compress and the indexing pin in the J-slot to move to the bottom position. Upon depressurization after the test, the activation-device seat moves upward, causing to spring to decompress and the indexing pin the J-slot to move to the top position. Upward movement of the activation-device seat unblocks the bypass ports, thereby reestablishing fluid communication through the tubular body. The tubular body may be drillpipe, casing or coiled tubing that is installed in the borehole of a subterranean well.

Abstract: An apparatus for regulating fluid-flow during a primary cementing job comprises a bottom cementing plug, adapted to house a one-way valve and means to regulate fluid flow through the plug interior. The apparatus is useful for minimizing or preventing free fall or U-tubing during primary cementing. The apparatus is compatible with conventional cementing-plug launching systems.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in launching cement plugs in a well cementing operation, comprising: —a cylinder (104) having ports (106) defined in a portion of the wall thereof; —a piston (108) slideably received in the bore of the cylinder below the ports; and —an actuator (110) extending from the piston through the cylinder and operable by the piston for launching a plug from the apparatus into the well; wherein the apparatus further comprises an elongate sleeve valve member located in the cylinder above the piston, the sleeve valve member (112) comprising at least one ball seat (114a-114c) for receiving a ball to block the interior of the cylinder, sleeve ports formed in the sleeve above the ball seat, and a spacer (118) extending between the ball seat and the piston.

Abstract: A multiple activation-device launching system for a cementing head comprises a launcher body and at least one launching chamber that are sized to receive one or more activation devices therein. The activation devices are launched into the principal process-fluid stream inside the cementing head, and may be darts, balls, bombs, canisters and combinations thereof. The launching chambers are in fluid communication with an external power source for launching the activation device into the principal process-fluid stream.

Abstract: A multiple activation-device launching system for a cementing head comprises a launcher body and at least one launching chamber that are sized to receive one or more activation devices therein. The activation devices are launched into the principal process-fluid stream inside the cementing head, and may be darts, balls, bombs, canisters and combinations thereof. The launching chambers are in fluid communication with an external power source for launching the activation device into the principal process-fluid stream.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to equipment for servicing subterranean wells and in particular to a cementing head that is intended to drop a combination of darts, balls, bombs and canisters in order to activate downhole equipment, launch cementing plugs, deliver chemical products, or the like. A cementing head comprises a modular valve apparatus, comprising at least two detatchable parts. This arrangement allows the operator to remove and disassemble the valve apparatus at the wellsite. Thus, repairs and maintenance may be performed at the wellsite and the valve apparatus may be reassembled and reinstalled, obviating the need to transport the equipment to a central facility.

Abstract: A multiple activation-device launching system for a cementing head comprises a launcher body and at least one launching chamber that are sized to receive one or more activation devices therein. The activation devices are launched into the principal process-fluid stream inside the cementing head, and may be darts, balls, bombs, canisters and combinations thereof. The launching chambers are in fluid communication with an external power source for launching the activation device into the principal process-fluid stream.

Abstract: A bottom cementing plug is equipped to activate autofill float equipment. The bottom cementing plug contains an activation device that is released when the plug lands on the autofill equipment, then enters the autofill equipment, triggering the activation of check valves. The activation device may also contain a chemical substance that is released into the well when the activation device exits the bottom cementing plug.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for remotely launching cementing plugs during the primary cementation of a subterranean well. The apparatus includes a flexible sleeve that absorbs force exerted by activation devices as they arrive at a cementing head, thereby preventing premature release of a cementing plug.

Abstract: Equipment for servicing subterranean wells, and in some cases, an apparatus and method for remotely launching cementing plugs during the primary cementation of a subterranean well. The top plug and bottom plug are launched by different mechanisms, thereby preventing premature release of the top plug during a cementing operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for pressure-testing a tubular body may be installed in the tubular-body interior. The apparatus comprises an activation-device seat, one or more bypass ports, a J-slot with an indexing pin and a spring. When an activation device, for example a ball, lands in the activation-device seat, fluid communication through the tubular body is blocked, allowing pressurization. During pressurization, the activation-device seat moves downward, causing the spring to compress and the indexing pin in the J-slot to move to the bottom position. Upon depressurization after the test, the activation-device seat moves upward, causing to spring to decompress and the indexing pin the J-slot to move to the top position. Upward movement of the activation-device seat unblocks the bypass ports, thereby reestablishing fluid communication through the tubular body. The tubular body may be drillpipe, casing or coiled tubing that is installed in the borehole of a subterranean well.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in launching cement plugs in a well cementing operation, comprising: a cylinder (108); a piston (118) slideably received in the bore of the cylinder; and an actuator (120) extending from the piston through the cylinder and operable by the piston for launching a plug (114,116) from the apparatus into the well; wherein a resilient damper cartridge (124) is slideably mounted on the actuator in the cylinder so as to be contactable by the piston, and a series of frangible pins (122) is located in the cylinder wall so as to provide temporary limits to the movement of the cartridge in the cylinder as the piston slides along the cylinder.