Patent ID: 8096357
Filing Date: 2012-01-17
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for facilitating the cementation of a casing string in an earthen borehole comprising: a fluid conduit for introducing fluid from a pump discharge into a casing string, the conduit comprising a gripping assembly having a proximal end and a distal end, and an internal flow bore there between, and supportable in an aligned position over a borehole by a quill of a top drive, the bore of the gripping assembly sealably engaging an aligned bore of a launcher sub supported by the quill and positioned intermediate the gripping assembly and the top drive, the top drive having a hose for receiving fluid and a bore through the quill for directing the received fluid into the casing string through the bores of the launcher sub and then the gripping assembly, the gripping assembly being receivable within a proximal end of the casing string and radially outwardly deployable to grip an internal wall of the casing string; and a coupling disposed at the distal end of the gripping assembly for coupling to and supporting a cement wiper plug assembly comprising two generally aligned cement wiper plugs, each releasably secured to the cement wiper plug assembly, each cement wiper plug having a seat for receiving a launching member, and each cement wiper plug being thereby selectively launchable from the cement wiper plug assembly for displacement of the launched cement wiper plug assembly through the bore of the casing string from the proximal end to a distal end.