Patent ID: 8434549
Filing Date: 2013-05-07
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A ball catcher for recovering balls carried in wellbore fluids returning from a wellhead, the wellbore fluids containing sand, comprising: a receiving chamber connected to the wellhead for receiving the wellbore fluids and having a first flow outlet for discharging a portion of the wellbore fluids and sand contained therein to downstream equipment and a ball outlet for discharging a balance of the wellbore fluids and sand contained therein; a diverter fit to the receiving chamber for redirecting the balls to the ball outlet; a ball-retaining chamber for receiving the redirected balls and the balance of the wellbore fluids and sand contained therein; and a blocker fit to the ball-retaining chamber for retaining the balls within the ball-retaining chamber while permitting discharge of the balance of the wellbore fluids and sand contained therein, free of the balls, to combine with the portion of the wellbore fluids from the first flow outlet.