Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US7066249?dq=assignee:+google
Timestamp: 2014-03-13 13:26:57
Document Index: 492673698

Matched Legal Cases: ['art.\n12', 'art 290', 'art 290', 'art 390', 'art 290', 'arts 290', 'arts 290']

Patent US7066249 - Cementing manifold assembly - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsApparatus for cementing a string of tubulars in a borehole comprises an enclosure having a bore therethrough, an axially fixed sphere canister having a sphere aperture therethrough, a sphere valve member having a valve body disposed internally of said bore, and a sphere disposed in said sphere aperture,...http://www.google.com/patents/US7066249?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US7066249 - Cementing manifold assemblyAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS7066249 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 11/136,982Publication dateJun 27, 2006Filing dateMay 25, 2005Priority dateAug 3, 2001Fee statusPaidAlso published asCA2396457A1, CA2396457C, US6904970, US20030024701, US20050211431Publication number11136982, 136982, US 7066249 B2, US 7066249B2, US-B2-7066249, US7066249 B2, US7066249B2InventorsJames A. SimsonOriginal AssigneeSmith International, Inc.Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (15), Non-Patent Citations (4), Referenced by (12), Classifications (9), Legal Events (2) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetCementing manifold assemblyUS 7066249 B2Abstract Apparatus for cementing a string of tubulars in a borehole comprises an enclosure having a bore therethrough, an axially fixed sphere canister having a sphere aperture therethrough, a sphere valve member having a valve body disposed internally of said bore, and a sphere disposed in said sphere aperture, wherein said sphere valve member has a hold position closing said sphere aperture and a drop position opening said sphere aperture to release said sphere.
1. An apparatus for cementing a string of tubulars in a borehole, the apparatus comprising:
an enclosure having a bore therethrough;
an axially fixed sphere canister having a sphere aperture therethrough;
a sphere valve member having a valve body disposed internally of said bore; and
a sphere disposed in said sphere aperture;
wherein said sphere valve member has a hold position closing said sphere aperture and a drop position opening said sphere aperture to release said sphere.
a dart canister having a dart aperture therethrough;
a dart valve member having a valve body disposed internally of said bore; and
a dart disposed in said dart aperture;
wherein said dart valve member has a hold position closing said dart aperture and a drop position opening said dart aperture to release said dart.
12. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said enclosure includes:
a first member having said bore passing therethrough for fluid flow;
a second member having said bore passing therethrough for fluid flow;
a modular body connecting said first and second members, said modular body having said bore passing therethrough;
said dart canister and dart valve member being mounted within said modular body; and
said sphere canister and sphere valve member being mounted within said second member.
35. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein said swivel further comprises:
an outer stationary member with cement connections; and
an inner rotating member with a swivel bore therethrough;
wherein said outer stationary member is formed from one piece.
40. An apparatus for cementing a string of downhole tubular members in a borehole, comprising:
a first launching unit including a first dart canister and a first dart valve member disposed within a first modular member;
a second launching unit including a second dart canister and a second dart valve member disposed with a second modular member; and
a third launching unit including a sphere canister and a sphere valve member disposed within a lower member;
wherein at least one of said canisters is axially fixed; and
wherein at least one of said dart valve members comprises a valve body disposed internally of a bore within at least one of said modular members.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/209,339 filed Jul. 31, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,904,970 and entitled �Cementing Manifold Assembly�, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. � 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/310,293 filed Aug. 3, 2001 and entitled �Cementing Manifold�, both hereby incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to apparatus and methods for cementing downhole tubulars into a well bore, and more particularly, the present invention relates to a cementing manifold assembly and method of use.
BACKGROUND A well-known method of drilling hydrocarbon wells involves disposing a drill bit at the end of a drill string and rotating the drill string from the surface utilizing either a top drive unit or a rotary table set in the drilling rig floor. As drilling continues, progressively smaller diameter tubulars comprising casing and/or liner strings may be installed end-to-end to line the borehole wall. Thus, as the well is drilled deeper, each string is run through and secured to the lower end of the previous string to line the borehole wall. Then the string is cemented into place by flowing cement down the flowbore of the string and up the annulus formed by the string and the borehole wall.
SUMMARY The present invention relates to apparatus for cementing a string of tubulars in a borehole, the apparatus comprising an enclosure having a bore therethrough, an axially fixed sphere canister having a sphere aperture therethrough, a sphere valve member having a valve body disposed internally of said bore, and a sphere disposed in said sphere aperture, wherein said sphere valve member has a hold position closing said sphere aperture and a drop position opening said sphere aperture to release said sphere.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional bottom view through Section B�B of FIG. 2, with
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional top view of the valve of FIG. 6, taken along Section A�A;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the above-identified Figures and described in detail below. In describing the preferred embodiments, like or identical reference numerals are used to identify common or similar elements.
Referring now to FIG. 2�4, the preferred embodiments of the cementing manifold of the present invention may be provided in a variety of different configurations including a single dart/single sphere manifold 200 as shown in FIG. 2, a double dart/single sphere manifold 300 as shown in FIG. 3, or a single large sphere manifold 400 as shown in FIG. 4.
At the upper end of the dart canister 240, a retention mechanism 500 prevents the dart 290 from floating upwardly out of the upper end of canister 240. FIG. 5 depicts a cross-sectional bottom view of the retention mechanism 500 taken at Section B�B of FIG. 2, and FIG. 5A depicts an enlarged view of the connection details. The retention mechanism 500 comprises two fingers 510, each finger 510 extending approximately halfway across the diameter of the throughbore 244 of the dart canister 240. The fingers 510 are connected such that they are only capable of a hinged movement downwardly into the canister 240, and the fingers 510 are biased to the position shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5 by a torsional spring 520. The fingers 510 connect to the dart canister 240 by a clevis pin 530 that extends through the body 242 of the dart canister 240, through the end of the finger 510, and through the torsional spring 520. A cotter pin 540 is provided at the end of the clevis pin 530 to prevent pin 530 from backing out.
FIGS. 6�8 depict enlarged views of the components of the first valve 250 in more detail. Preferably the second valve 270 is identical to the first valve 250 in construction and operation so that the valves 250, 270 are interchangeable. Thus, only the first valve 250 is described in detail. FIG. 6 provides an enlarged view of the first valve 250 within the manifold of FIG. 2, FIG. 7 provides a cross-sectional top view of the same valve 250 taken along Section A�A of FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 provides an end view of the valve stem 256. Valve 250 includes an upper milled slot 610 along the length of the body 252 to enable installation of the valve 250 into the housing 220. Slots 612, 614 are also milled into the lower portion of the body 252 to accept a plug retainer plate 620, which is a split plate disposed above and below the plug 254 to position the plug 254 with respect to the body 252. The retainer plate 620 is designed to encircle a boss 630 on one side of the plug 254 that enables rotation between the valve body 252 and valve plug 254. O-rings 712, 714 are provided between the valve body 252 and plug 254 primarily to protect the valve 250 from contamination caused by debris rather than to provide pressure containment.
A pin 625 is provided between the valve body 252 and the valve plug 254. The pin 625 enables proper alignment of the valve plug 254 within the body 252 so that the valve 250 is installed in the closed or hold position as shown in FIG. 2 and in FIG. 7. The pin 625 is shown in top view in FIG. 8 disposed in a travel slot 810 that only allows a 90� rotation of the valve 250 from the closed, dart holding position to the open, dart dropping position. Thus, the pin 625 aligns the valve 250 properly to be installed in the closed position and also allows the valve 250 to travel only 90� between the hold and the drop positions.
In more detail, when the housing 220 and the lower cap 230 are threaded together at 225, for example, the mating slots 229, 237 on the housing 220 and the lower cap 230, respectively, may be mis-aligned. In that circumstance, the threaded connection 225 is backed off enough to align the slots 229, 237 so that dogs 280 can be installed in every other set of the slots 229, 237. Although the slots 229, 237 may be aligned, however, it is also preferred that the valve stems 256, 276 extend from the same side of the cementing manifold 200. Therefore, the threads 225 may need to be backed off 180� to achieve the preferred position of the two valve stems 256, 276. Positioning the valve stems 256, 276 is especially preferred when the valves 250, 270 are physically opened and closed by manual operation. Thus, with the valve stems 256, 276 on the same side of the manifold 200, an operator that goes up on a line to open the valves 250, 270 in the proper sequence can easily identify which is the second valve 270 and which is the first valve 250.
FIG. 7 depicts the first valve 650 in cross-section through Section A�A of FIG. 6. In this cross-section, the full throughbore 750 and the fowling mechanism 665 of the valve 250 is more clearly depicted. The body 252 of the valve 250 includes a D-shaped cutout section 760 that can not be seen in FIG. 2. The D-shaped cutout section 760 enables fluid flow through annular area 249 past the plug 254 of the valve 250 through the valve body 252 when the valve 250 is in the closed position. Although the cutout section 760 is depicted as being D-shaped in FIG. 7, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the section 760 could be any other shape that would allow fluid to bypass the plug 254.
In contrast, the multi-dart or multi-sphere cementing manifolds of the prior art were either purpose-built or required the interconnection of single manifolds stacked together, creating a very long cementing manifold. In the multi-dart manifold 300 shown in FIG. 3, rather than adding approximately 8 feet by connecting two single dart manifolds together, only the length of the additional housing 320 is added, which is approximately 3� feet long.
When only a single dart 290 is dropped from the manifold 200 of FIG. 2, some of the cement at the leading end mixes with the previously pumped drilling fluid to form a contaminated mixed fluid termed �rotten cement.� Thus, as previously described, the dual dart manifold 300 may be desired to prevent the cement from mixing with drilling fluid downhole, especially if only a small quantity of cement will be pumped. Thus, after the sphere 295 is dropped from the manifold 300 of FIG. 3, the first dart 390 is dropped immediately before the cement is flowed downhole, and the second dart 290 is dropped immediately following the flow of cement downhole to provide containment and prevent the cement from mixing with drilling fluid downhole.
Thus, the preferred cementing manifolds 200, 300, 400 of the present invention comprise a number of advantages. In particular, the manifolds 200, 300, 400 are preferably easily assembled and disassembled, providing reloading capability in the field. The manifolds 200, 300, 400 preferably include dogs 280 that allow high torque transmission without requiring pre-torque at the threaded connections. Additionally, the manifolds 200, 300, 400 preferably include modular housings 220, 320 that can be stacked together and interconnected to add multi-dart or multi-sphere capability, as desired, thereby providing a high degree of flexibility. Further, the manifolds 200, 300, 400 preferably include identical, interchangeable valves 250, 270, 350 that require only a 90� turn to open or close. The valves 250, 270, 350 are preferably pressure balanced to minimize resistance to rotation, thereby enabling release of the darts 290, 390 and spheres 295, 495 while flowing. The valves 250, 270, 350 also preferably include large throughbores 750, 285, 385 to minimize flow erosion. Additionally, the manifolds 200, 300, 400 preferably provide internal bypass capability, internally loaded darts 290, 390 and spheres 295, 495, and valve bodies 252, 272, 352 that install internally. Thus, only the small diameter valve stems 256, 276, 356 protrude externally from the pressure containing housings 220, 320 and lower cap 230, thereby minimizing penetrations that act as stress concentration areas. Further, there are no externally mounted components that are welded or threaded.
Patent CitationsCited PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS3076509May 26, 1958Feb 5, 1963Erwin BurnsCementing headUS3920075Feb 8, 1974Feb 19, 1985 Title not availableUS4281711Mar 5, 1975Aug 4, 1981Texas Iron Works, Inc.Apparatus for positioning a liner on a tubular member in a well bore with a retrievable pack off bushing therebetweenUS4345651Mar 21, 1980Aug 24, 1982Baker International CorporationApparatus and method for the mechanical sequential release of cementing plugsUS4854383Sep 27, 1988Aug 8, 1989Texas Iron Works, Inc.Manifold arrangement for use with a top drive power unitUS5165703Mar 20, 1991Nov 24, 1992Oem Components, Inc.Anti-extrusion centering seals and packingsUS5236035Feb 13, 1992Aug 17, 1993Halliburton CompanySwivel cementing head with manifold assemblyUS5293933Feb 13, 1992Mar 15, 1994Halliburton CompanySwivel cementing head with manifold assembly having remote control valves and plug release plungersUS5511620Oct 3, 1994Apr 30, 1996Baugh; John L.Straight Bore metal-to-metal wellbore seal apparatus and method of sealing in a wellboreUS5950724Aug 1, 1997Sep 14, 1999Giebeler; James F.Lifting top drive cement headUS5960881 *Apr 22, 1997Oct 5, 1999Jerry P. AllamonDownhole surge pressure reduction system and method of useUS6182752Jul 14, 1998Feb 6, 2001Baker Hughes IncorporatedMulti-port cementing headUS6491103 *Apr 9, 2001Dec 10, 2002Jerry P. AllamonSystem for running tubular membersUS6672384 *Jan 31, 2002Jan 6, 2004Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Plug-dropping container for releasing a plug into a wellboreEP0500165A1Feb 8, 1992Aug 26, 1992Pumptech N.V.Dart launching system for sub-sea cementing head or sub-sea tool for oil wells* Cited by examinerNon-Patent CitationsReference1British Examination Report dated Oct. 4, 2004, Application No. GB 0217887.9, 2 pgs.2Linear Hanger Technical Unit; Model LC-2(TM) Plug Dropping Head Product No. 278-31; Baker Oil Tools; Unit No. 4393, Index 350.00; Feb. 1995 (pp. 1-3).3Nodeco 'TDH' Top Drive Cementing Head; Nodeco; Revised Dec. 15, 1995 08:02; (pp. 1).4UK Search Report for Appln. No. GB 0217887.9 dated Nov. 6, 2002; (pp. 3).Referenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS7607481May 16, 2007Oct 27, 2009Gulfstream Services, Inc.Method and apparatus for dropping a pump down plug or ballUS7841410Dec 6, 2007Nov 30, 2010Gulfstream Services, Inc.Method and apparatus for dropping a pump down plug or ballUS7918278Jan 6, 2009Apr 5, 2011Gulfstream Services, Inc.Method and apparatus for dropping a pump down plug or ballUS7980313Jul 7, 2008Jul 19, 2011Gulfstream Services, Inc.Method and apparatus for catching a pump-down plug or ballUS8215396Nov 30, 2010Jul 10, 2012Gulfstream Services, Inc.Method and apparatus for dropping a pump down plug or ballUS8256515Aug 27, 2009Sep 4, 2012Gulfstream Services, Inc.Method and apparatus for dropping a pump down plug or ballUS8291977May 11, 2009Oct 23, 2012Gulfstream Services, Inc.Oil well plug and abandonment methodUS8381808Oct 29, 2008Feb 26, 2013Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Cement headUS8491013Sep 12, 2007Jul 23, 2013Smith International, Inc.Cementing swivel and retainer arm assembly and methodUS8561700May 21, 2010Oct 22, 2013John Phillip Barbee, Jr.Method and apparatus for cementing while running casing in a well boreUS8573301Jul 10, 2012Nov 5, 2013Gulfstream Services, Inc.Method and apparatus for dropping a pump down plug or ballUS8622130Sep 4, 2012Jan 7, 2014Gulfstream Services, Inc.Method and apparatus for dropping a pump down plug or ballClassifications U.S. Classification166/177.4, 166/75.15International ClassificationE21B33/05, E21B33/13, E21B33/16Cooperative ClassificationE21B33/05, E21B33/16European ClassificationE21B33/05, E21B33/16Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionNov 27, 2013FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 8Dec 28, 2009FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services©2012 Google