Patent ID: 7980313
Filing Date: 2011-07-19
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A method of catching plugs in a down hole oil well environment, comprising the steps of: a) providing a tool body having upper and lower end portions, an annular tool body wall, a bore that provides a first flow channel and that is surrounded by the tool body wall, the bore having a restriction at the upper end portion of the tool body of smaller diameter and a central section of larger diameter that is larger than said smaller diameter, and a check valve at the lower end portion of the tool body that closes the bore; b) providing a second flow channel that begins at a position next to the upper end portion of the tool body and that extends downwardly to a position below the check valve, a portion of said second channel being in the tool body annular tool body wall externally of said central section; c) enabling flow in a downward flow direction via the second flow channel; d) enabling flow in a downward flow direction via the first flow channel; e) transmitting a plug to the tool body via a well string until the plug is in the central, larger diameter section of the bore; and f) preventing removal of the plug from the bore by using the check valve of step “a” to disallow upward flow in the first channel.