Patent ID: 9303486
Filing Date: 2016-04-05
CPC Classification: E21B

Claim Text:
1. A tool assembly adapted for connection to a tubing string to be deployed within a cased wellbore, the tool assembly comprising: a sealing element disposed about a sealing mandrel on the tubing string, the sealing mandrel having a first end and second end, and defining a fluid passageway extending from the first end to the second end, the sealing element being actuable between a set position in which it is engaged against the casing to an unset position in which it is disengaged from the casing; and, an equalization valve comprising: a valve housing comprising: a first end connectable to the tubing string and a second end connectable to the mandrel disposed on the tubing string, the housing further including a primary fluid passageway defined therethrough; the primary fluid passageway being continuous with a fluid passageway defined in the interior of the mandrel; and an outer port for permitting fluid flow from the interior of the tubing string to the wellbore; and a valve plug slidably disposed within the equalization valve between a seated position and an open position, wherein in the seated position the valve plug is seated against the mandrel to an open position wherein the valve plug is not seated against the mandrel; the valve plug including a conduit which in all valve plug positions is fluidically continuous with the fluid passageway of the mandrel and the length of tubing string above the housing, so as to allow continuous fluid flow across the sealing element disposed on the mandrel when the valve plug is in the seated position and while the sealing element remains engaged against the wellbore.