Pistons, Fluid Driven Into Well (e.g., Cementing Plugs) Patents (Class 166/153)
  • Patent number: 7096949
    Abstract: A self-retaining cementing wiper plug with a packer element has two or more steel or carbide tipped holddown fingers or slips extending radially outward from the plug for engaging the inner surface of the casing and preventing the plug from moving uphole over time and potentially interfering with other downhole apparatus such as a pump. The packer element in the wiper plug is actuated when the plug is supported by an obstruction under the plug and then compressed, the packer being maintained in compression by the holddown fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: MSI Machineering Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Weber, Lynn P Tessier, John P. Doyle
  • Patent number: 7025134
    Abstract: The present invention relates to petroleum recovery operations, and more particularly, to the use of pulse technology to enhance the effectiveness of waterflooding operations. The systems of the present invention generally comprise an injection means for continually injecting a fluid into the subterranean formation, and a pressure pulsing means for periodically applying a pressure pulse having a given amplitude and frequency to the fluid while the fluid is being injected into the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Audis C. Byrd, David W. Ritter, Ronald G. Dusterhoft
  • Patent number: 6997253
    Abstract: An apparatus for preventing or limiting the rotation of cementing plugs in a casing string during drillout. The apparatus includes an outer housing with a sleeve disposed therein. The sleeve has an inner surface configured to engage cementing plugs received therein to cause an interference fit. The sleeve will hold the cementing plugs when rotational forces, such as drilling forces, are applied so that during drillout, rotation of the cementing plug is prevented or is at least limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Earl D. Webb, Michael D. Stevens, John C. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 6973966
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to subterranean well construction, and more particularly, to improved darts and methods of using these darts in subterranean wells. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a dart for activating a plug located within a subterranean well bore, the dart comprising a mandrel, and a foam body attached to the mandrel. Optionally, an elastic tether can be included, inter alia, to absorb the deformation of the foam body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: David D. Szarka
  • Patent number: 6951246
    Abstract: A self-retaining cementing wiper plug has two or more steel or carbide tipped holddown fingers or slips extending radially outward from the plug for engaging the inner surface of the casing and preventing the plug from moving uphole over time and potentially interfering with other downhole apparatus such as a pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: MSI Machineering Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Lynn P. Tessier, John P. Doyle, James L. Weber
  • Patent number: 6945326
    Abstract: A non-rotating cement wiper plug has an insert, with inner and outer telescoping sleeves, within a resilient outer body. The outer body has annular fins which bear against a casing wall. The inner sleeve has a tapering nose within a tapered cavity in the outer sleeve. Slots in the outer sleeve form a plurality of segments. The inner and outer sleeves are preferably of a frangible material. When the plug is pumped down and lodges against downhole float equipment, pump pressure compresses the plug, forces the inner sleeve down within the outer sleeve, forces the segments radially outward, and fractures or separates the outer sleeve segments. The outer body is forced against the casing wall so tightly that it cannot rotate in response to the forces from a rotary drill bit. Lock surfaces on the inner and outer sleeves lock them together and maintain the outer body in its forced-outwardly position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Inventor: Raymond F. Mikolajczyk
  • Patent number: 6896051
    Abstract: An apparatus for preventing or limiting the rotation of cementing plugs in a casing string during drillout. The apparatus includes an outer housing with a sleeve disposed therein. The sleeve has an inner surface configured to engage cementing plugs received therein to cause an interference fit. The sleeve will hold the cementing plugs when rotational forces, such as drilling forces, are applied so that during drillout, rotation of the cementing plug is prevented or is at least limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Earl D. Webb, Michael D. Stevens, Steven L. Holden
  • Patent number: 6868908
    Abstract: An apparatus for preventing or limiting the rotation of cementing plugs in a casing string during drillout. The apparatus includes an outer housing with a sleeve disposed therein. The sleeve has an inner surface configured to engage cementing plugs received therein to cause an interference fit. The sleeve will hold the cementing plugs when rotational forces, such as drilling forces, are applied so that during drillout, rotation of the cementing plug is prevented or is at least limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony M. Badalamenti
  • Patent number: 6848511
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide apparatus and methods of releasing a plug. In one aspect, a plug and ball seat assembly for releasing a plug is disclosed. The assembly is selectively maintained in a housing using a mounting system. The plug and ball seat assembly includes a ball seat selectively connected to the plug. The mounting system is designed such that disengaging the ball seat from the plug also disengages the plug from the housing, thereby releasing the plug. In another aspect, a method of releasing a plug includes selectively connecting a ball seat to the plug and disposing the plug and ball seat assembly within a tubular. When the plug is ready for release, the ball seat is disconnected from the plug and allowed to move axially relative to the plug. In turn, the plug and ball seat assembly disconnects from the tubular and releases downhole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Jones, Elmer F. Wooley
  • Publication number: 20040261991
    Abstract: An apparatus for preventing or limiting the rotation of cementing plugs in a casing string during drillout. The apparatus includes an outer housing with a sleeve disposed therein. The sleeve has an inner surface configured to engage cementing plugs received therein to cause an interference fit. The sleeve will hold the cementing plugs when rotational forces, such as drilling forces, are applied so that during drillout, rotation of the cementing plug is prevented or is at least limited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Earl D. Webb, Michael D. Stevens, John C. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 6834719
    Abstract: A drillpipe sub (30) comprises a shaft (32), a first frustoconical member (34) encircling, and fixedly mounted on, the shaft (32), and a second, opposed frustoconical member (36) encircling, and slidably mounted on, the shaft (32). The first frustoconical member (34) is bonded at its base (38) to the base (40) of the second frustoconical member (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Reeves Wireline Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Keith Anthony Fritchley, Michael Charles Spencer
  • Publication number: 20040231836
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for dropping a ball into a wellbore. The apparatus is particularly useful for dropping a ball that has a diameter that is larger than the diameter of a bore within a wellbore tool above the apparatus. The ball-releasing apparatus first comprises a tubular body. The tubular body has a bore therethrough that is in fluid communication with the bore of the wellbore tool. A piston is placed within the tubular body. The piston has a top end disposed within the tubular body, and a bottom end disposed below the bore of the wellbore tool. The ball-releasing apparatus further comprises a connector for releasably connecting the piston to the ball. In one arrangement, the ball-releasing apparatus is connected to the bottom of a wiper plug for dropping a ball during a wellbore cementing operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventor: Marcel Budde
  • Publication number: 20040194953
    Abstract: Apparatus (10) for facilitating coupling and cementing of downhole tubulars (12, 28) comprises a tubing section (12, 10) for use in lining a bore. The tubing section has upper and lower ends and defines a tubing wall having cement outlets (20) spaced from the lower end of the tubing. The lower end of the tubing is selectively closed, and swab cups (22) are provided externally of the lower end of the tubing below the cement outlets (20) for restricting passage of cement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicant: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul David Metcalfe
  • Patent number: 6796377
    Abstract: An apparatus for preventing or limiting the rotation of cementing plugs in a casing string during drillout. The apparatus includes an outer housing with a sleeve disposed therein. The sleeve has an inner surface configured to engage cementing plugs received therein to cause an interference fit. The sleeve will hold the cementing plugs when rotational forces, such as drilling forces, are applied so that during drillout, rotation of the cementing plug is prevented or is at least limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Butterfield, Jr., Henry E. Rogers, Earl D. Webb, Michael D. Stevens
  • Publication number: 20040112599
    Abstract: Well completion cement may be pumped through a side pocket mandrel that includes parallel rows of filler sections to exclude cement from void space within the side pocket tube. The filler sections are drilled with cross-flow jet channels and surface upsets to stimulate scrubbing turbulence by well working fluid behind a cement wiper plug. The wiper plug includes leading and trailing groups of wiper discs secured to an elongated shaft. The two wiper groups are separated by a distance that permits the leading seal group to gain traction seal before the push seal on the trailing wiper group is lost. A spring centralizer spans a center section of the shaft between the two wiper groups to maintain axial alignment of the shaft as the plug traverses the length of a mandrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: James H. Holt, Walter R. Chapman, James H. Kritzler, Jeffrey L. Osselburn, Keith E. Lewis
  • Patent number: 6746213
    Abstract: A pad plunger assembly, for use in gas well tubing, includes an elongated mandrel having opposite ends and a longitudinal axis extending between the opposite ends, a pair of opposite end members each attached to one of the opposite ends of the mandrel, and a seal-forming pad subassembly disposed about the mandrel and between the opposite end members thereon. The pad subassembly has an outer exterior surface of an annular concave configuration formed by opposite end portions of the outer exterior surface being disposed farther radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the mandrel than an intermediate portion of the outer exterior surface is disposed radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the mandrel such that a frictional seal which generates reduced friction is provided on the interior wall surface of the gas well tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Inventor: Jeff L. Giacomino
  • Publication number: 20040104025
    Abstract: A non-rotating cement wiper plug has an insert, with inner and outer telescoping sleeves, within a resilient outer body. The outer body has annular fins which bear against a casing wall. The inner sleeve has a tapering nose within a tapered cavity in the outer sleeve. Slots in the outer sleeve form a plurality of segments. The inner and outer sleeves are preferably of a frangible material. When the plug is pumped down and lodges against downhole float equipment, pump pressure compresses the plug, forces the inner sleeve down within the outer sleeve, forces the segments radially outward, and fractures or separates the outer sleeve segments. The outer body is forced against the casing wall so tightly that it cannot rotate in response to the forces from a rotary drill bit. Lock surfaces on the inner and outer sleeves lock them together and maintain the outer body in its forced-outwardly position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventor: Raymond F. Mikolajczyk
  • Patent number: 6739391
    Abstract: A separation barrier for placement in an open well bore or casing, to prevent migration of cement slurry downwardly into the drilling fluid, facilitating the placement of a cement plug to segregate a well bore into uphole and downhole portions. The barrier has an annular seal which facilitates pumping the barrier downhole through a work string to a desired location. The separation barrier also has a plurality of flexible elongated elements which expand outwardly when the barrier exits the work string. The elongated elements are closely spaced to prevent migration or contamination of cement slurry therebetween. The barrier can also have a shearable landing ring for providing positive indication of placement of the barrier at the desired location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Michael E. McMahan
  • Patent number: 6739398
    Abstract: The liner hanger running tool 120 includes improvements to the running tool release mechanism, the packoff bushing, and the packer setting assembly. The release mechanism may be operated hydraulically in response to fluid pressure, although the tool may also be released mechanically by right-hand rotation of the running string. The releasing mechanism includes inner piston 340, an outer piston 342, and a clutch 316. The packoff bushing 10 includes a C-shaped lock ring 36 which allows the packoff bushing to be repeatedly restabbed into the top of the liner hanger. The packer setting assembly 52 includes a C-shaped ring 64 for applying set-down weight to a setting sleeve, with pressure assist provided by seals for engaging the mandrel 132 and the setting sleeve 90. A method is provided for reliably releasing a running tool from a liner hanger, for allowing stabbing of the running tool packoff bushing into the top of the liner hanger, and for reliably setting the radial set packer element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Yokley, Larry E. Reimert
  • Patent number: 6725917
    Abstract: Apparatus (10) for facilitating coupling and cementing of downhole tubulars (12, 28) comprises a tubing section (12, 10) for use in lining a bore. The tubing section has upper and lower ends and defines a tubing wall having cement outlets (20) spaced from the lower end of the tubing. The lower end of the tubing is selectively closed, and swab cups (22) are provided externally of the lower end of the tubing below the cement outlets (20) for restricting passage of cement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul David Metcalfe
  • Patent number: 6719060
    Abstract: A plunger lift for a hydrocarbon well includes a multipart piston that is dropped into the well in separate pieces. When the pieces reach the bottom of the well, they fall into an accumulation of the formation liquid in the bottom of the well and unite. Gas from the formation pushes the unit upwardly, pushing liquid above the piston toward the surface. The multipart piston includes a upper sleeve and a lower component. A decoupler at the surface comprises a separator rod which the sleeve passes onto thereby dislodging the lower component and allowing it to fall into the well. The sleeve is held on the separator rod by the action of well contents flowing around and/or through the sleeve. When well flow around the sleeve is interrupted, the sleeve falls into the well. The length of time the sleeve is held at the surface is varied in response to the amount of liquid produced on each cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Edward A. Wells
  • Publication number: 20040065435
    Abstract: A self-retaining cementing wiper plug has two or more steel or carbide tipped holddown fingers or slips extending radially outward from the plug for engaging the inner surface of the casing and preventing the plug from moving uphole over time and potentially interfering with other downhole apparatus such as a pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventors: Lynn P. Tessier, John P. Doyle, James L. Weber
  • Publication number: 20040035571
    Abstract: An auto-cycling plunger including a hollow, longitudinally extending body, at least one first directional outer seal, at least one second directional outer seal and a valve stem. Both the at least one first directional outer seal and the at least one second directional outer seal are disposed on an exterior surface of the body for creating a seal between the body and a well bore. Portions of the seals extend in a direction substantially parallel to the length of the longitudinally extending body such that these portions are spread resiliently outwardly from the body with an applied pressure, thereby increasing the degree of sealing. The first directional outer seal extending in a direction substantially opposite to the direction of the at least one second directional outer seal. The valve stem includes a valve member, extends through the longitudinally extending body, and has actual ends extending from the body. The valve stem is operable to be shuttled between an open and a closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Applicant: Synco Tool Company Incorporated
    Inventors: Douglas H. Abbott, Daniel S. Belczewski
  • Patent number: 6675888
    Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for moving equipment into and through a conduit that is preferably an oil and/or gas production well, wherein use is made of an uphole equipment storage and handling unit via which equipment modules can be moved into a launch conduit and connected to a shuttle device which is able to locomote itself as a wireless tractor via the launch conduit into and from the underlying conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Hagen Schempf, Steve John Kimminau, Johannis Josephus Den Boer, John Foreman Stewart, Aarnoud Frederic Bijleveld
  • Patent number: 6669449
    Abstract: A pad plunger assembly includes a central mandrel having externally-threaded opposite ends, collars defined about the mandrel inwardly adjacent to the opposite ends and having circumferentially spaced recesses formed in the collars, end members having inner ends with internally-threaded bores threadably removably attached to the externally-threaded opposite ends of the mandrel, and inner annular flanges attached to and extending axially from the inner ends of the end members and adapted to receive the collars such that, for locking the end members onto the mandrel, the end members are threadably screwed onto the opposite ends of the mandrel and then the flanges are crimped so as to force circumferentially displaced portions thereof into the collar recesses thereby locking the end members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Inventor: Jeff L. Giacomino
  • Patent number: 6651743
    Abstract: A small diameter stage cementer assembly 10 and a hydraulically operated packer collar stage cementer 110, including a cementer housing 12 for interconnection with a casing string 14 positionable in a slim-hole wellbore for a cementing operation. The cementer housing 12 including a seat 11 for receiving a lower, drillable portion 335 of an opening sleeve assembly 135 after the upper drillable portion 235 of the opening sleeve assembly 135 has been drilled out. The lower, drillable portion 335 wedges into engagement with the seat 11 to prevent rotation of the drillable portion 335 during drill-out, such that the lower portion 335 may be drilled up using a small diameter bit and drill string, and accommodating a reduced weight on bit. The packer collar embodiment includes a hydraulically actuatable packer 70.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: David D. Szarka
  • Patent number: 6634425
    Abstract: A system for cementing a tubular member in a well bore includes a cementing plug. The cementing plug includes at least one sensor. The system transmits a value measured by the sensor to a surface location. The system may transmit the value measured by the sensor through a cable connected between the plug and the surface location. Alternatively, the system may transmit the value measured by the sensor acoustically to the surface location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Noble Engineering & Development, Ltd.
    Inventors: Charles H. King, Mitchell D. Pinckard, Thomas S. Proehl
  • Publication number: 20030164237
    Abstract: A running tool for wiper plugs used in cementing well casings into a wellbore. The running tool and setting balls or darts used to launch the plugs are retrievable following deployment of the plugs. Flapper valve assemblies on the wiper plugs are activated after the plugs are displaced from the running tool to eliminate the requirement to maintain a setting ball or dart in engagement with the wiper plug as the assembly is pumped down the well casing. Because of being retrievable, the mandrel, setting sleeves and setting ball or dart may be constructed of any desirable high-strength material without regard to the need to drill up the material following completion of the cementing job. The use of high-strength steel permits large flow passages to be employed in the cementing plugs by eliminating the need for large volumes of drillable metals in the plugs. The running tool protects the flapper valve seal surfaces from circulating fluids prior to deployment of the plugs from the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Inventor: Charles A. Butterfield
  • Patent number: 6595282
    Abstract: A wiper plug for downhole use is disclosed. It features an inflatable structure that allows it to ride inside tubulars that change or gradually vary in inside diameter. In a preferred embodiment the bladder is actuated by fluid displaced by a biased piston. The piston is capable of moving in opposite directions to allow original insertion into a launcher and subsequent bladder expansion. In another embodiment, the piston can be fluid driven in opposed directions by a pump and an on board control system which can regulate, on a real time basis, the contact pressure of the bladder to a predetermined level or range, as the bladder encounters varying interior wall diameters of the tubular string or associated equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Sidney K. Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6561269
    Abstract: Canister, sealing method and composition for sealing a borehole. The canister includes a container with slurry inside the container, one or more slurry exits at one end of the container, a pump at the other end of the container, and a piston inside that pushes the slurry though the slurry exit(s), out of the container, and into a borehole. An inflatable packer outside the container provides stabilization in the borehole. A borehole sealing material is made by combining an oxide or hydroxide and a phosphate with water to form a slurry which then sets to form a high strength, minimally porous material which binds well to itself, underground formations, steel and ceramics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Donald W. Brown, Arun S. Wagh
  • Patent number: 6561270
    Abstract: A plug for use in a wellbore, said plug (201; 301) having a body with an upstream end and a downstream end, characterized in that a major portion of the length of said body is hollow and open to the upstream end of said plug. A plug set for use in a wellbore, said plug set comprising a top plug and a bottom plug, characterized in that a major portion of the volume of said bottom plug is hollow and a major portion of the length of said top plug can be accommodated therein. A plug for use in a wellbore, said plug comprising a body and at least a first fin which is made of resilient material and which projects radially outwardly from said body to engage, in use, the inner wall of a tubular, characterized in that said first fin is segmented and is provided with means to inhibit liquid passing through the gaps between said segment. The body and fin(s) of the plug can be made as a one piece injection moulding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Budde
  • Patent number: 6557631
    Abstract: A self contained logging tool comprising electronic apparatus for logging a well is disclosed. This tool includes a normally open fluid flow valve structure being activated to operation by differential movement of drill pipe in which the logging tool resides. The valve structure operates to gradually close and thereby restrict the flow of fluid through the valve, which in turn restricts the flow of fluid within the drill pipe. This flow restriction results in increasing the back pressure within drill pipe to provide an indication at the surface that the logging tool is struck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Reeves Wireline Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Charles Spencer, Harry Medlock
  • Publication number: 20030070802
    Abstract: A drillpipe sub (30) comprises a shaft (32), a first frustoconical member (34) encircling, and fixedly mounted on, the shaft (32), and a second, opposed frustoconical member (36) encircling, and slidably mounted on, the shaft (32). The first frustoconical member (34) is bonded at its base (38) to the base (40) of the second frustoconical member (36).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Keith Anthony Fritchley, Michael Charles Spencer
  • Publication number: 20030062161
    Abstract: A cementing system for wellbores.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Applicant: BJ Services Company
    Inventors: Juan Carlos Mondelli, Carlos H. Aguilera
  • Patent number: 6523612
    Abstract: One or more brush bodies fabricated from an incompressible material, for example, from high density polyurethane, high density polyethylene, high density polypropylene, nylon, ORLON—synthetic forming polymers and copolymers of acrylic acid or its derivatives, high density plastics, phenolic resin-based materials hard rubber, wood, aluminum, or other easily drillable metals, are connected to, or integrally fabricated with one or more elastomeric, conventional cement plugs, and are pumped down within the interior of oilfield casing situated within an earth borehole, to minimize or eliminate the need to run a workstring of drillpipe and drill bit to clean out the interior of the string of casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventor: James Scott Reynolds
  • Patent number: 6467541
    Abstract: A plunger lift for a hydrocarbon well includes a multipart piston that is dropped into the well in separate pieces. When the pieces reach the bottom of the well, they fall into an accumulation of the formation liquid in the bottom of the well and unite. Gas from the formation pushes the unit upwardly, pushing liquid above the piston toward the surface. In one embodiment, the piston is made of a low density, high strength material such as silicon nitride and/or titanium alloys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Inventor: Edward A. Wells
  • Publication number: 20020144812
    Abstract: A wiper plug for downhole use is disclosed. It features an inflatable structure that allows it to ride inside tubulars that change or gradually vary in inside diameter. In a preferred embodiment the bladder is actuated by fluid displaced by a biased piston. The piston is capable of moving in opposite directions to allow original insertion into a launcher and subsequent bladder expansion. In another embodiment, the piston can be fluid driven in opposed directions by a pump and an on board control system which can regulate, on a real time basis, the contact pressure of the bladder to a predetermined level or range, as the bladder encounters varying interior wall diameters of the tubular string or associated equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Inventor: Sidney K. Smith
  • Publication number: 20020139529
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for delivering a liner wiper plug into a well bore on a workstring with a liner pipe, releasing the wiper plug from the workstring, and giving a positive indication of release of the wiper plug. A sleeve captures a collet to a latch ring until a plug is pumped down the workstring to cause a pressure buildup, which shears a shear screw, allowing the sleeve to shift, releasing the latch ring and the wiper plug from the workstring. A rupture disk is provided in the event of jamming of the apparatus, to allow pressurization above the wiper plug, shearing a weak link in the latch ring to release the wiper plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: James M. Fraser, Jonathan P. Hanson
  • Publication number: 20020104656
    Abstract: An apparatus that is usable with a subterranean well includes a liner and a wiper. The liner is to be cemented inside the well bore, and the wiper, in a first mode, is connected to the liner when the liner is run downhole. In a second mode, the wiper is released to respond to a cement flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventors: Ian Murley, Jean-Marc Follini
  • Publication number: 20020103291
    Abstract: A polymeric latex prepared by aqueous emulsion polymerization of a monomeric mixture comprising styrene and butadiene in the presence of a seed polymer prepared by aqueous emulsion polymerization of styrene and a salt of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventor: Ira John Westerman
  • Publication number: 20020100590
    Abstract: A method to set a hollow device into an undersea flow pipe uses a flexible pig driven by a flow flowing into said flow pipe to displace a hollow device to a point where a stop means halts a displacement of said hollow device, thereby setting said hollow device into position. A method to retrieve a hollow device into an undersea flow pipe uses a flexible pig driven by a flow flowing into said flow pipe to retrieve said hollow device from a location where said hollow device operates halted by a stopping means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventor: Alcino Resende De Almeida
  • Publication number: 20020070015
    Abstract: A down-hole tool hydraulic force intensifier is disclosed utilizing an intensifier piston having an enlarged fluid facing top surface for receipt of hydraulic pressure thereon to force such intensifier piston against the activating structure of the down-hole tool to effectively increase the hydraulic force thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventors: Richard A. Armell, Stephen L. Armell
  • Patent number: 6390200
    Abstract: The present invention provides a drop ball sub that may be used to drop a large ball having an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of a restriction in the wellbore such as the running tool used to run a first casing string through a second casing string. A smaller ball is used to control dropping of the large ball. The smaller ball has an outer diameter smaller than the restriction. The drop ball sub of the present invention may be used to operate any downhole tool that would benefit by receipt of a large ball. By dropping a larger ball, in one use of the invention larger valves can be controlled in the float equipment that provide a larger fluid flow path. A larger fluid flow path reduces surge pressure and enables the system to handle more debris. The present invention provides a system that preferably provides for a diverter tool above the running tool and a diverter tool below the running tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Allamon Interest
    Inventors: Jerry P. Allamon, Kenneth David Waggener
  • Publication number: 20020043372
    Abstract: In a drilling apparatus of the type comprising a housing, a proximal seal, a distal seal, a fluid chamber defined by an interior of the housing between the proximal seal and the distal seal, the fluid chamber containing a lubricating fluid having a fluid chamber pressure, a pressure compensation system for compensating for the effects of an ambient pressure exerted on an exterior of the apparatus. The pressure compensation system includes a pressure port in the housing so that the ambient pressure can be communicated to the fluid chamber and a supplementary pressure source for exerting a supplementary pressure on the lubricating fluid contained in the fluid chamber so that the fluid chamber pressure is maintained higher than the ambient pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventors: Edward James Cargill, Elis Vandenberg
  • Patent number: 6371207
    Abstract: A tubular body or mandrel incorporated into a string of tubular pipe, on which first and second swab cups and a casing scraper are mounted, is run into a cased earth borehole to displace a first fluid in the borehole, usually a drilling fluid, with a second fluid, usually either a completion fluid or a workover fluid. In a first embodiment, reverse circulation, in which the second fluid is pumped into the borehole annulus above the swab cups, and in which the first fluid is thereby pumped back towards the earth's surface through the interior of the string of tubular pipe, causes displacement of the first fluid merely by lowering the string of pipe while pumping the second fluid into the borehole annulus. In a second embodiment, using normal circulation, the first fluid is pumped from the earth's surface downwardly through the interior of the string of tubular pipe into the borehole annulus between the pair of swab cups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventor: J. Scott Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20010043838
    Abstract: A new method and apparatus have been developed which inserts and withdraws tubing from pipes without bending or kinking the tubing. Beneficially, the new method and apparatus may be employed to insert and withdraw tubing to depths greater than ever possible before. The method involves using skate apparatuses to reduce coiling and friction of the tube. Advantageously, the apparatus is portable, easily handled, and adaptable to handle tubing of differing diameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventors: Benton F. Baugh, James R. Crawford
  • Publication number: 20010042623
    Abstract: One or more brush bodies fabricated from an incompressible material, for example, from high density polyurethane, high density polyethylene, high density polypropylene, nylon, Orlon*, high density plastics, phenolic resin-based materials hard rubber, wood, aluminum, or other easily drillable metals, are connected to, or integrally fabricated with one or more elastomeric, conventional cement plugs, and are pumped down within the interior of oilfield casing situated within an earth borehole, to minimize or eliminate the need to run a workstring of drillpipe and drill bit to clean out the interior of the string of casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventor: James Scott Reynolds
  • Patent number: 6311771
    Abstract: An apparatus for launching at least two plugs, said apparatus comprising a mandrel (2), a lower plug (22) and an upper plug (21) releasably disposed with respect to said mandrel (2), wherein said upper plug (21) comprises a body (23) having a flow path (24) therethrough and a cap (25) for blocking fluid flow through said flow path (24) characterized in that said cap (25) is detachable from said body (23) in use if the upper plug (21) is prematurely ejected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Tarald Gudmestad, Frederick Thomas Tilton
  • Patent number: 6311775
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for use in cementing a tubular member which is run into a borehole using a drill string. A landing collar is attached to the tubular member near the bottom of the tubular member, and the landing collar has an opening at least five inches in diameter. A liner wiper assembly is releasably suspended from the drill string. The liner wiper assembly comprises a lower liner wiper plug comprising float valves and an upper liner wiper plug. With the method and apparatus of the present invention, plugging problems are minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Inventors: Jerry P. Allamon, Jack E. Miller
  • Patent number: 6237686
    Abstract: A cementing plug has a plurality of body segments which are secured together, preferably by adhesive, to form a plug body. Elastomer wipers are clamped between the body segments. This cementing plug may be readily made shorter or longer in length with an increased or decreased number of wipers. Elastomer covers only the wipers and not the plug body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Top-Co Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert Lawrence Ryll, Colin George Reid