Patent ID: 7878251
Filing Date: 2011-02-01
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A staging tool capable of use with one or more plungers in a plunger lift system, said tool comprising: an elongate body having an upper end, a lower end, and a seal element capable of abutting an inner surface of a well tubing; said seal element capable of creating a flow boundary defining an upper limit for a plunger locatable below said lower end and a lower limit for a plunger locatable above said upper end when said body is engaged in said tubing; said body capable of passing liquids carried by said plunger locatable below said lower end across said flow boundary, thereby allowing liquids to be carried by said plunger locatable above said upper end; said seal element further comprising an expandable housing mateable with an annular portion of a shaft when a downward force is applied to said upper end, said downward force causing a downward travel of said shaft and a disengaging of a closure mechanism; and wherein said annular portion of said shaft retracts from said expandable housing when a pulling force is applied to said upper end, said pulling force causing an upward travel of said shaft and an engaging of said closure mechanism, thereby allowing said body to be extracted from said tubing for ready reuse.