CA1335878C - Cementing method and arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a liner closure formed by an upper wiper and a plug therein and a lower wiper used for conducting cement through a liner to a well bore which closure closes off between the liner and the well bore, said closure including: a catcher within the liner; means on said catcher to engage and latch the lower wiper therewith after it has moved into the liner; means to engage a plug with the upper wiper; and means to position the upper wiper and plug therein with the lower wiper in said catcher to close off between the liner and the well bore. Also provided is a method of closing off an opening in a liner by employing a catcher in the liner to engage a lower wiper for receiving an upper wiper with a plug therein used for conducting cement through the liner to be discharged through the opening to the well bore, said method comprising the steps of: moving the lower wiper into the liner to engage with the catcher; and moving the upper plug and engaged wiper into the liner to position the upper plug and wiper with the lower wiper engaged in the catcher.

Description

CEMENTING ME.HOD AND ARRANGEMENT

This application is a divisional of copending C~n~diAn Patent application Serial number 573,86~ ed August 4~ 1988.
Where a tubular m~mber for~s an e~tenslon of a sheath in an opening, such as for example, a liner which is secured to a casing iQ a w~ll bore and e~tending therefrom, it is generally accepted practice to seal around the liner in the opening or well bore and adjacent the lower end of the sheath or casing with cement or any other suitable substance. Such operation is gener-ally referred to as single stage c~enting to distinguish from tho æ situa-tions in which cementing operations are cooducted in more than one stage or sequence.
It is preferable that in such cementing operations the cement which is provided to t}-e cement region in the opening, or well bore be isolated as it is conducted through the opening or w~ll bore to the cementing r~gion to avoid contamination by other fluids in the opening or well bore to obtain a uniform consistency of cement and hence a better cement protective sheath in the cementing region.
To acconplish such isolation, various plu~ and wiper arrangements have been proposed and used such as shown in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,364,996; 3,635,288;
; and 4,fi71,358, however, it is believed that possible malfunction of the above present state of the art, as known to applicant, could cause problems in cementing operations.
For e~ample, if the plug and wiper means do not operate in proper sequence to isolate both ahead of and behind the cement as it is conducted through the operating string into the opening or well bore, conta~ination may occur. Also, premature release bet~een the wiper means and its respective engaged plug ~eans as they move through the operating string and the liner to discharge the cement from the liner for cementing the liner in the well bore may cause contamination of the cement. The seals assaciated with the wiper means mny not properly contact the operating string or the liner so as to possibly pennit by-pass of cement therearound. Cbntact of the seal means of the wiper means with either the operating string or liner in an improper manner so as to create a substantial back pressure mag adverselg affect the -- 1 - ,,c :: :: ::

cementing operation by effecting prt~ature release between the wiper means and its respective plug means, or other ~ssible problems.
To isolate the cement as it is conducted through an operating string to the cementing region, it is customa~y to releasably support two spaced plug means with seal means thereon at t;,~ earth's surface for release into the operating string for sealing ahead o~ and behind the oe~ent as it is pumped down the operating string. It is in~ended that the spaced plu~ means sequen-tially and independently engage spacei wiper means releasably ~p~or~d on the operating string so that the wiper n~ns may be sequentially and independently released frcn the operating string ~.thout effecting release prematurely of the other liner wiper means from the operating string. m e spa oe d liner wiper means and their respective engaged rlug means seal ahead of and behind the cement as it is pumped, and dischan~cs, into and through the liner into the cementing region.
U.S. Patents 3,364,g96; 3,635,~88; 4,671,358 typify the prior art as known to applicant. Each patent 3,364,g96 and 4,671,358 have reduced dia-meters in the bore of the second, or lpper liner wiper means for re oe iving the second plug means therein after the ~.rst plug and liner wiper m~ans hopefully have been successfully engaged toget;,~r and released from the operating string by fluid pressure in the operating ~tring. The first, or lower liner wiper means, of each of the '996 and '358 patents has an extension extendin~ up into the bore of the second or upper line: wiper means and is ret~ hly secured in such bore above the smaller interna' diameter seat formed therein for recei-ving the second plug means.
The Lindsey devi oe of patent '358 has collets on the e~tension of thefirst wiper means which e~tend into the bore of the upper ~iper means and the e~tension is secured above the smnller diameter seat contact or engage the reduced diameter on the second wip~r means after release of the lower wiper means. The collets are supposed to collapse inwardly, by such contact with the seat in the bore of the upper ~r,~er means to enable the e~tension to move past and out of the bore of the upp~r wiper means, Similarly, the e%tension of Brown's '9g6 first liner wiper means must clear the smaller diameter . ~

shoulder 36 ~n the bore of the upper liner wiper for the lower liner wiper means to suc oe ssfully and independently release.
ContamGnants in the fluid in the operating string ahead of the cement or other factors may prevent unrestricted movement of the first wiper means e~tension through such smaller diameter portions ln the second wiper means, thus possibl~ causing premature release of the second liner wiper means at the same time as the first or lower liner wiper means is attempting to release fron the operating string and the second, or upper wiper means.
Also, the inwardly projecting fingers 50 of Brown may interfere with proper seat.ng of the second plug on shoulder 36 in the bore of the second wiper means.
In Lindsey and Brown, the above patents, the first lower liner wiper means is re1easably secured with the first plug engaged therewith but there is no arrangem~nt to lock them in such relationship until they reach a predeter-mined locat.on in the liner. Thus, a malfunction, such as increased pressure in the oper~ting string may prematurely release the first plug from the first or lower l.ner wiper means prematurely which is undesirable. Also, such arrange~ent d oe s not provide a safety back pressure means in addition to the set shoe or a float collar that may be normally provided in a liner oe menting operation.
Patent 3,~35,288 also shows a lower wiper means which e~tends through the upper l-.per means to enable it to be releasabl~ æ cur~d by the shear pins 20 above tbe lower end of the uyper wiper means and above the seal means on the upper liner wnpPr plug. However, there is no reduced restriction in the bore of the upper wiper means as there is in the Brown or Lindsey patents.
Patent 3,635,2~8 provides e~ternal catching me~ans to hopefully catch the upper plug means 114 so it may æalably engage with the upper liner wiper means for release with the uFper l~er wiFer means by pressure in the operating string thereabove. However, such device must function in the hostile environ-~ 30 ment in tht well bore which may be several miles deep in the e~rth and there - ls no assurance that the device will function safely and properly in such hostile en~ironment.
~ 3 --The present invention provides a construction wherein the operating string e~tends through the second or upper wiper means and terminates in overlapping rèlation with the first, or lower wiper m~ans for releasably securing with the first or lower wiper means. This prov'des a - construction wherein the lower wiper means is secured below the smallest internal dia~eter that may be present in the upper wiper means to assist in preventing premature release of the upper means. It also enables the longitu-dinal bore of the lower wiper means to originate and e~tend away fro~ adjacent the lower end of the upper wiper means rather than providing an e~teasion with a bore that extends up into the upper wiper ~eans, thus inhibiting pre~ature release of the upper wiper means when the lower wiper means is released fron the operating string. It further provides an arrangement wherein an initial movable seal is formed with only the operating string when the upper plug is engaged with the upper wiper æ ans rather than the bore of the upper wiper means, It cont~mplates a construction wherein the upper wiper ~eans is provided with a portion e~tending through the operating string and into the bore thereof which provides a seat for enga~ing the upper plug means wlth the upper wiper ~eans, but the lower wiper means is secured below such restriction to avoid hanging upon the seat and causing premature actuation of the upper 2n wiper ~eans. It further provides a m~ans for releasably securing the first or lower ~iper means to the operating string adjacent the lower end of the second, or upper wiper ~eans and below the second or upper wiper m~ans to - assist in proper and independent release sequencing of the engaged lower wiper ~eans and its plug as well as the~upper wiper means and its plug.
Another object of the pre æ nt invention is to provide means for locking the lo~er wiper means with its plug means as they sealably move through the liner to a predetermined position to prevent premature releas* of the lower wiper ~eans from its plug and premature release of the cement therebehind untll the wiper m~ans is seated at the predetermined position. Such construc-tlon also provides an addtional backpressure safety valve to prevent rever æflow into the liner in addition to the set shoe normally associated with the liner.

1 Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement for locking or latching a lower wiper means and its plug in position in the liner so that the upper wiper means and its plug may be locked or latched thereto after they have performed their function to assist in milling or drilling the wiper means and plug means out of the liner at the completion of the cementing operation.
The invention also provides a liner closure formed by an upper wiper and a plug therein and a lower wiper used for conducting cement through a liner to a well bore which closure closes off between the liner and the well bore, said closure including:
a catcher within the liner;
means on said catcher to engage and latch the lower 5 wiper therewith after it has moved into the liner;
means to engage a plug with the upper wiper; and means to position the upper wiper and plug therein with the lower wiper in said ca~cher to close off between the liner and the well bore.

2~ The invention also provides a method of closing off an opening in a liner by employing a catcher in the liner to engage a lower wiper for receiving an upper wiper with a plug therein used for conducting cement through the liner to be discharged through the opening to the well bore, said method ~ comprising the steps of:
moving the lower wiper into the liner to engage with the catcher; and moving the upper plug and engaged wiper into the liner to position the upper plug and wiper with the lower wiper 0 engaged in the catcher.
_ S_ 1 Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from a consideration of the following drawings and description.
Figs. 1-5 inclusive are schematic illustrations of an operating string releasably and sealably secured with a liner in a well bore casing and demonstrating the sequential actuation of the separate plug and wiper means for isolating cement as it is conducted through the operating string and liner to a cementing region in a well bore and sealing off the lower end of the liner against backflow from the well bore;
Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view partly in elevation of the upper portion of a tool illustrating a form of the component relationships of the present invention with seal means between the liner and the operating string with which it is secured as well as the upper and lower wiper means releasably secured with the operating string at substantially the same transverse and circumferential position;
Fig. 7 is a sectional view partly in elevation and is a continuation of i the apparatus of Fig. 6 and illustrating the first pump-down plug means engaged and locked with the first lower liner wiper means prior to release from the operating string;
Fig. 8 is a partly enlarged sectional view enlarged to show in ~reater detail the sealing and locking relatLonship between the first or lower plug means and first or lower liner wiper means and its sealing r~lationship with the liner, as well as showing the relationship of the iirst, or lower liner wiper means to the lower end of the second or upper wiper m~ans imm~diately after the first wiper means is released from the operating string adjacent tbe lower end of the second or upper liner wiper means;
Pig. 9 is an enlarged partial sectional view illustrating in ær~ater detail the catcher means for receiving and latching with the first wiper means with the lock means unlocked and actuated enabling the first plug mtans to release from the first wiper means for movement longitudinally thereof to acc~.~.~date communication of the cement from the liner above the first wiper means and plug means to the c~menting region;
Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional view partly in elevation demonstrating the first plug means after release from the lower wiper means and adjacent the lower end of the lower liner wiper body bore with communication opened to the liner for discharge of the cement.from above the first wiper n~ans;
Fig. 11 is an enlarged sectional view partly in elevation illustrating the second plug means in sealing relationship with the operating string aod seated, and engaged with the second or upper liner wiper means;
Fig. 12 is an enlarged sectional view partly in elevation illustratio~
the lower end of the operating string after the second or upper liner wiper means with its plug means in the bore thereof has been released from the oper-ating string and further demonstrating the second or upper liner wiper meaos and second plug means engaged or latched with the first or lower wiper meaos in the catcher means to retain them as a unit;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged partial sectioaal view of the second plug m~ans latched with the second liner wiper ~ans and showing the details for latchiag the first and second wiper means together;
Fig. 14 is a sectional view on the line 14-14 of Fig 6 illustrating one for~o of the releasable means for rel~asably securing the first or lower wiper means and second or upper wiper means with the operating string in accordance with the present invention;
Fig. 15 is an exploded view illustrating in greater detail the relation-ship of the lower end of the operat.ng string and the manner of releasably 10securing the first and second lin~r wiper means by the rele~s~hle m~ans embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1-14 to the operating string;
Fig. 16 is a sectional view partly in elevation similar to Fig. 6 and illustrating an alternate arrangemeot of the releasable means for the second or upper wiper means;
Fig. 17 is a sectional view, p~rtly in elevation, illustrating another embodiment of the upper end of the a~paratus shcwn in Fig. 6 and illustrating one form for use where it is desir~d to rotate and/or reciprocate the liner where the plug and wiper means of ~.gs. 1-16 are employed in cementing opera-tions;
20Fig. 18 is a sectional view, partly in elevation, and is a continuation of Fig. 17 showing part of the posit.oning means for the liner where multiple, longitudinallg spaced liner hangers are hydraulically, simultaneously æ t with bearing means for liner rotation relative to the set hangers;
Fig. 1~ is a sectional view partly in elevation and is a continuation of the lo~er end of Fig. 18 and illustrates the catcher means in the liner as well as means to restrict the flow for actuation ofjthe hanger means hydrauli-cally along with bearing means to accommodate rotation of the liner; and Fig. 20 is similar to Fig. 18 but shows a mechanical arrangement for simultaneously actuating multiple hangers to hang or set the liner on the 30casing in the well bore for rotating the liner relative to the æ t hangers.
., .
Attention is first directed to Figs. 1-5 inclusive of the drawin~s wherein a well bore annulus is repr~sented by the letters wa having a casing C

1 therein terminating as represented at E in the well bore WB. An operating string such as a drill string or tubing string extends from the earth's surface and is represented by the letter 0 and has a portion which may be referred to as a tail pipe 25 which extends through the seal means S
and seals between the operating string 0 and the liner and the releasable means R which releasably secures the operating string 0 and the liner L together for lowering into the well bore W~ and for conducting operations to position the liner L therein as will be explained.
a first wiper means, or lower liner wiper means is schematically illustrated at 26 and a first or lower pump down plug means is schematically illustrated at 35 as engaged within the bore 28a of body 28 of the first wiper means 26. Seals 29 are mounted on body 28. The first s - - ~
pump down plug means includes a solid or closed plug body portion schematically represented at 36 with annular seals 31 projecting therefrom for sealably engaging with the bore 21 of the operating string 0 to form a movable seal in the operating string 0 ahead of the cement and any cleaning or conditioning fluid that may precede the cement for conditioning of the ~ell bore prior to discharge of the cement into the ce~enting region. The first wiper means 26 and first plug ~eans 35 when secured or engaged together by pressure in the operating string 0 releases the wiper means 26 from the operating string to form a movable seal means for moving ahead of the cement as they move through the liner ~. Thus, such arrangement enables ~- 1 335878 1 the plug means to first wipe the operating string 0 ahead of the cement, and any cleaning fluid which precedes it, and then after the first wiper means 26 has been released from the operating string 0, as will be described, it and the first plug means move through the liner L and form a movable seal with the bore wall of the liner which enables the liner walls to be also wiped prior to discharge of the cleaning fluid and cement thereinto.
Second or upper liner wiper means is schematically illustrated at 45 with seal means 46b' spaced longitudinally along body 46'. The second liner wiper means is also releasably secured with the operating string 0. As shown in Fig. 4 a second or upper cement plug schematically represented at 50 includes a closed or solid plug body 51 and seal means 52 of similar con-figuration or of suitable configuration generally --8~--similar to that described with regard to plug means 35 to seal with the bore of the operating string 0 behind t~e oe ment represented at 24. When the second or upper plug means 50 engages in the second or upper liner wiper means 4~ as illustrated in Fig. 4, they ar~ then released together from the opera-ting string O by the pressure ther~in to form a movable seal in the liner L
behind or above the cement. It can be appreciated as the second plug means 50 moves through the operating string to seat in the upper wiper means 45, it will wipe the bore of the operating string 0 and in turn it and the upper wiper means wipe the interior wall of the liner L as they move therethrough.
In so~e instances the first plu~ means 35 and first wiper means 26 may move downwardly and latch with the catcher means 55 before release of the second wiper means 45 and the second plu~ means engaged therewith from th~
operating string, depending upon t~e volume of oe ment between the spac~d movable seals that is to be discharg~d to the well bore annulus WB e~teriorly of the liner.
It will be noted that the lin~r L is normally provided with a one-way acting valv_ means represented gen~rally at 40 adjacent its lower end to prevent backflow from the well bore annulus WB. As illustrated schem~atically in Fig. 3 lock means 60 assoclated with the first lintr wiper means 26 and first plug means 35 has been actuat~d to release plug m~ans 35 from the first WJ per means 2~ for communication through the ports P in the e~teasion 27 of the first liner wiper means 26 belo~ catcher means 55 to enable the cement behind the first plug means 26 .ani engaged wiper means 35 to communicate through the liner L and out the back pressure valve 40 into the well bore annulus WB. It will be noted in Fig. 3 that this has occurred prior to release of the upper wiper means 45 from the operati~g string O. However, in scme instances such relatioqsh1p may not be established until after r~lease of the first wiper means depending upon the volume of cement to be discharged.
The upper wiper means 45 and en~aged second plug means 50 form a movable seal which seals behind or above the cement re~Lesen~ed at 24 to se~a~te it from the fluid represented at 24a in Figs. 4 and 5 in the operating string O
and liner L behind the engaged second wiper means 45 ar.d F~ug means 50. ~n a s~lar fashion the first plug means 35 and wiper means 26 separate the c~ment 24 therebehind from the fluid portion 24b in the well bore WB and in the liner belcw the first plug means 35 and first wiper means 26 as lllustrated in Figs.
1-3.
It will be noted that as the cement ls pumped down the operating string 0, any fluid ahead of first plug means 35 in the operating string will b~
discharged through the liner L and into the well bore annulus WB ahead of the discharge of the cement from the liner. As noted pr~viously, c1ean~ng or other well bore oonditioning fluid may precede the cement immediately behind the first plug means 35 and the first ~iper means 26 when they are engaged and released for mpvement through liner L.
~fter movement of both the first wiper means 26 and its plug means 35 and second wiper means 45 and its plug means 50 through the liner the upper wiper means 45 engages and latches with the first wiper means that has been previously latched to catcher means 55 as schematically illustrated in Fig. 5.
This fonns a back-up one-way acting valve to prevent rever æ flow from the well bore adjacent the liner L into the liner. Such arrange~nt also facili-tates drilling or milling the first and second wiper means to remove them fro~
the interior of the the liner L.
m e positioning means includes hanger means r~presented ~enerally by the letter H as well as other components that will be described which enable the liner L to be positioned and suspended or hung on the casing as schematically represented in Figs. 1-5.
The seal means S may be of the conventional drillable or swab cup type packer form or m~y assume the retrievable iorm illustrated in Fig. 5 wher~ln body means 70 are provided with seal m~ans 46 for engaging the interior of tbe liner and the e~terior of the operating string for sealing therebetweeo.
Cooperating surface means on the liner L in the form of an annular recess or profile 71, the annular surface 74 on the operating string and the e~terior annular surfaoe s 70a, 74a on the movable members or pro~ecting lugs 73a mounted in circumferentially s~aced~ s cf the bcdy 7~ P to engage and lock the body means 70 to the liner L to maintain a æ al between the liner L

-r and the operating string 0 while accommodating movement of the operating string relative thereto. A pin 76 in enlarged passageway 75 in lugs 73a acco~modate lateral movement of the lugs laterally of the body 70.
tleans to unlock the cooperating surface means are provided in the form of the smaller annular diameter port.on 77 on the operating string which, upon further relative longitudinal movem~nt between the operating strin~ and body means 70 align tbe smaller diameter portion 77 on the operating string with the projection or lugs 73a to ~R~- -'~te their retraction from the recess 71 so that the seal means S may be retr.eved from the well bore WB along with the well string.
It will be noted that the operating string 0 extends substantially through the bore 47 of the second or upper wiper mean~ 45 and terminateC in overlapping relation as re~esen~ed at 80 in relation to the first or lower wiper means 26 as more clearly seen in Fig. 6.
Also, the second wiper means 45 includes a body referred to at 46' on ~; which sre disposed a plurality of flared or projectlng and longitudinally spaced seal members 46b' for sealablg engaging with the interior of the liner.
The operating string 0 extends through the longitudinal bore 47 of the second wiper means 45 as previously stated aqd enables the first wiper means 26 to be releasably secured to the operating string 0 in a manner to avoid premature release of the second wiper means 45 ~hen the first wiper m~ans 25 is indepeo-dently first actuated to release from the operating string and then move, along with its engaged plug meanst35 through the liner as described heretofore in connection with Figs, 1-5.
The first or lower liner wiper ~ans 26 also includes a body 28 on whicb are arranged flared and longitudinally spaced seal means 29 for sealably engaglng with the interior of the liner wall. The wiper means 26 includes a bore 28a therethrough in which seat 95 is provided for receiving the first plllg means 35.

m e first plug neans 35 illustrated in greater detail in Fig. 8 includes a solid body 36 on which are mounted flared or projecting and longitl~nRlly spaced annular seals 37 for initially sealably engaging with and wiping the interior of the operating string as it is pumped there through to seat with.n the iirst wr.~er m~ans 26 as shcwn in Fig. 8 whereupon it forms a seal with the bore 2 & e%tending through the first wiper means 26.
The s~ond or upper pump down plug means 50 also {ncll1Aes a solid body portion 51 shown in Fig. 11 on which are mounted flared and longit~l~{nql1y spaced seal ~eans 52 which initially seal with the operating string O as it is pumped through the bore thereon and thereafter seals with the portion oi the operating string which extends through the second wiper means 45 as shown in greater deta'l in Fig. Il when the plug means 50 is engaged on the seat 46i forming part of the second wiper means 45 within the bore of the operating string 0, The seal members 46b', 29, 37 and 52 may be of different diameters for sealing with different diameter tubular members as they move therethrough, - In th~ nt illustrated in Figs. 6-15 inclusive, the releasable means which is shown in the form of frangible or shear pin means 81 for releasably securing koth the first wiper m~ans 26 and second wiper means 45 on the operatiqg string is arran~ed substantially in the same circumferential position an~ at substantially the same transverse relation with r~spect to the longitudinal a%is of the operating string as illustrated in these view in the drawings.
In Fi~. 15 the lower end portion 22 of the operating string is illus-trated and ~s adjacent its end longitudinally extending slots or recesses 90 forming the lon~itudinally e~tending projections 91 therebetween.
The u~per end cap 28b of body 28 of the first or lower wiper mEans 26 is illustrated on the right hand end of e%ploded Fig. 15 ~ith one of the seals 29 on body 28. The body 46' of the upper wiper means~ 45 has a lowermost end portion 46a shown approximately the middle of Fig, 15. m e low~rmost end portion 46a is shown as having an annular sho~llder 4Gb from which extend annular thr~qded and circumferentially spaced æ gments 46c which have longi-tudinal side surfaces 46d, 46e. The threaded æ gments are in turn part of theannular s~aller diameter portion 46f ~hich projects longit~n~lly beyond the thre~ded segn~nts 4fic. Ihe rece~Ed ~ur~e 46g ~hich extend logitudinally between - t ~ -1 the segments 46c terminate at 46h in radially spaced relation to the shoulder 46b to provide spaced circumferential openings in the upper wiper means 45 as seen more clearly in Figs. 8 and 10-15 inclusive. The recessed surfaces 46g and side surfaces 46d and 46e are adapted to slidably receive the circumferentially spaced projections 91 on the lower end portion 22 of the operating string 0 as more clearly seen in Figs. 8 and 10-15 inclusive. When the components illustrated in exploded relation of Fig. 15 are assembled the smaller diameter portion 46f is inserted in the lowermost end of portion 22 of the operating string so that the projections 91 thereof are received within the recesses formed by surfaces 46g, 46d and 46e to align shear pin openings 91a in each projection 91 with a corresponding shear pin opening 46j in end portion 46a as more clearly seen in Figs. 6, 7 and 14. Body 46' is provided with internal threads 46k (see Fig. 8) for engaging with threads 461 on the segments 46c so that end portion 46a is thus secured with the remainder of body 46'.
The end cap 28b of the-first or lower wiper means body 28 includes an annular, inwardly inclined surface 28c with reduced annular portion 28d extending therefrom as shown in Figs. 15 and 8. Shear pin recesses (one shown) 28e are provided in end cap 28b.
To assemble the first or lower liner wiper means 26 with the previously assembled second or upper wiper means and operating string, the portion 28d is inserted adjacent 1 and into the operating string lower end to fit adjacent or abut the lower end of 46f as better seen in Fig. 7. The shear pin recesses 28e in 28d are aligned with the previously aligned shear pin openings 91a in projections 91 and 46j in end portion 46a of second wiper means body 46'. Shear pin means 81 is then inserted through openings 46j in 46a; opening 91a in each projection 91 and into recess 28e of portion 28d of end cap 28b of body 28 of the first or lower wiper means 26.
When assembled, the second wiper means body 46' includes the end portion 46a and its integral annular portion 46f which receive the projections 91 on operating string 0 in the recesses 46g so that portion 46f of the body 46' extends internally of the bore 21 of the operating string 0. The portion 46f is provided with the internal buttress threads 46n to seat the second plug means 50 in the bore 21 of the operating string 0 when the plug means 50 is received in the second wiper means 45, as will be described.
Since the end member 46a and its integral portion 46f form part of the body 46' of the second or upper wiper means 45, it can be appreciated that the - 13k-!
, foregoing structural relatlonship of the operating string 0 to the upper or second wiper means 45 and lower or first wiper means 26 is such that the oper-ating string e~tends through the long.tudinal bore 47 of second wiper means 45 and tenninates in overlapping relat.on with the lower wiper means 26 for releasably securinæ with each of them. Also, the portion 4fif of the second or uFper WipernEanS 45 Frchides a partion which ex~ds siLb~L~ly t~cush the slots 91 of the operating string and into the bore 21 thereof to receive and seat the second plug means 50 for movement of said second plug means 50 and second wiper means 45 together through the l.ner. The internal bore of the portion 46f which is within the operating string 0 is configured in any suitable manner to engage and latch with the s~cond plug means 50.
As shown in Figs. 13 and 15, a buttress thread arrangement 46n is for~ed on the internal bore of seat 46f for latching with the buttress thr~ads 53 for~ed on the outer circumference of the ring 54 on plug means body 51. The ring 54 has a longitudinal groove there through to accommodate fle~inæ thereof on its tapered seat 54' on body 51 as such ring moves into latching r~lation-ship with seat 4~f.
The separate seal or wiping e'~nents provided on each the first and second wiper means and the first and second plug ~ans can be of any suitable form and figu r~tion and as illustrat~d are a plurality of separate wiper or seal means which are retained on the respective body means of the wiper and plug means by any form of retainer ~eAns as illustrated in the drawings.
The lock means 60 for the f~rst plug 35 and wiper means 26 is shown in enlarged detail in Figs. 8 and 9. The first or lower wlper means 26 ~s provided with an annular collar or selt 95 releasably locked in its internal bore 28a by ring 98 in groove lOOa. Buttress threads 95a ar~ provided on the internal diameter of the collar 95 for latching with the ring 36d carried on the tapered æ at of first plug 3fi. T~e ring 3~d also is split longitl~n~lly to accl -~rte fle~ing and is provided with buttress threads 36e for engaging with the buttress threads 95a of the collar 95 in t~e first wiper means 26.
The seat 95 is provided with an annular groove 96 which has a taper 97 at its upper annular side as shown. The split ring 98 is confi ured to conform with --i4 -:::

1 335878 "~

and be received in the groove 96, an~ its inner, upper annular edge is tapered at 97 to conform with taper 97 on g~oove 96. The ring 97 is split to accommo-date fle~ure thereof and retainer pins 99 e~tend through circumferentially spaced radial openings 100 which ter~inate in the annular groove lOOa of body 2B of the first wiper ~eans. The ring 98 is dimensioned to also partiall~
rest in annular groove lOOa in which the inner ends of the openings 100 termi-nate. The retainer pins inner ends therefore abut the outer circumference of ring ~8 and the outer end of the retainer pins 99 abut the inner annular surface 101 of collar 102 when the collar 102 is retained in the position shown in Fig. 8 by the shear pin 103 engaging it and body 28.
From the foregoing it can be seen that after the first plug 35 latches with the first wiper means 26 and th~ inner end 81a of shear pin 81 sheared as shown in Fig. ~, this enables the f rst wiper means to releasè from the opera-ting string 0 as shown in Fig. 8. T~e collar 102 abuts the outer ends of the retainer pins 99 to lock ring 98 in the relationship shown in Fig. 8 and thus secure or lock the first plug means ~5 with the first or lower wiper means 26 against pre~ature release as they both move through the liner L ahead of the cement, The first plug means 35 and first wiper m~ans 26 will remain lock~d together as shown in Fig. 8 as thes both move throu~h the liner. The lower split rine 104 on the tapered body 2~ of the first wiper means 26, as shown in the drawings, Figs. 9 and 10, is r~ceived at the end of the travel within the liner in the catcher means 55 arrang~d adjacent the lower portion of the liner L. The catcher means 55 has buttress threads 55a conforming to latch with the outwardly facing buttress threads 10~ on ring 104 and lock the first plug and wiper means together in catcher 55. When suitable pressure in the operating string is thereafter applied, the pio 103 is sheared.
~ hen pin 103 shears, the collar 102 on the outer surface of the first wiper means 25 can move longitudinally to align internal groove 106 therein wlth the outer ends of the openings lO0 in which retainer pins 99 e~tend. The internal pressure in the operating string will force plug means 35 down, and due to the tapers 97, 97a on the upp~r groove and ring edge, respectively, the - lS -seat 95 of lower wiper means 26 i; released from engagement with ring 98 and ~; moves down with plug means 35 a d e~pands ring 98 into the groove lOOa to force pins ~9 radially outward i~ openings 100 into the annular groov~ 106 of collar iO2. This relationship ~s shown in Fig. 9. This enables the first plug means 35 to unlock from the ~irst wiper means 26 and move into e~tension 27 b~neath port neans p therein to open the liner beneath first uiper means 26 for communicating the liner abo~ the first wiper means to dischar2e cement from the liner L above the first ~iper means 26 to conduct it through one-way valve means 40 to the well bore ~nnulus WB surrounding the liner to initiate cementing the liner in place. T~e height of the cement in the well bore WB
may vary depending on the circums ~nces.
It can be appreciated that ~hen the first wiper means 26 and its plug means 35 responds to fluid pres~are in the operating string to actuate the shear pin 81 only the inner end portion thereof represented at 81a in Fig. 8 shears, leaving the r~ ~ n1 ne por~ton 81b intact so that it remains e~tended through the operating string 0 a~.~ particularly the projections 91 thereon as well as e~tending into the port 4~j in the annular m~mber 46a forming part of the second wiper means 45. Thus, the second wiper ~eans 45 remains intact and releasably secured on the operat~g string 0 after the first wiper means has been released therefrom.
When the second plug 50 mo~s into the bore 47 of the second wlper means 45, through which the operating ,tring ~tends, and engages and latches with seat 46f on the second wiper mea~s, pressure in the operating string may be increased to shear the remainder 81b of the shear pin and release the second or upper wiper means 45 and the ~æcond plug engaged therewith from the opera-ting string 0. It is to be noted that when the second plug means 50 is engaged in the second wiper mea~s 45 the seal means 46b' thereon æalably engage initially only with the oprrating string and lt is not until such æals clears the lower end of the pro~ectlons 91 that they then initially engage within the bore of the second wiper means and seal therewith. The seal means 46b' on the wiper means 45 seal.ngly engage with the interior walls of the liner L and the second plug 50 in bore 47 fonm a movable seal behind the cement and wipe the cement frcm the interior wall as they jointly move there~
through along toward the first wip~r means 26 latched in the catcher m~ans 5S.
The second plug means 50 is prov.ded with a lower split latch ring 110 which is spaced from the latch ring 54 and its tapered seat as shown in Fig.
11 of the drawings. It is provided vith the e~ternal buttress threads 111.
The portion 28d of the iirst wiper m~ans 26 is provided with internal buttress threads 28n as illustrated in Fig. 11 for receiving and latching with the ratchet threads 111 on the latch ring 110 adjacent the lower end of the second plug means S0 as shown in Fig. 12 oi the drawings. The ring 110 is also OQ a tapered annular surface llOa of the second plug means as is the ring 54, so that fle~ing of the split rings is acconmodated as they engage with seat 46f and 28n in the bore of 28d, respectively. This secures the upper or second plug and wiper means 45 in latched and locked relation to the lower or first wiper means 26 when it is secured in the catcher means 55. This arrangement provides a safety back pressure valve in addition to the set sh oe arrangem~nt illustrated in Figs. l-.S of the dra~.ngs. Also, it enables the wiper plu~
arrangem~nt to be kept as a unit for milling to rem,ove thern from the liner when desired.
As noted ~ith regard to the e~bodiment just described the structure enables the first or lower wiper means 26 to be secured to the oyerating string below the upper or second wiper means 45 which eliminates the disadvan-tage of hav'ng any portion of the first wiper means moving through or past any restriction, or smaller internal diameter of the first wiper means. It also enables the bore 28a of the first wiper means 26 to ori~inate adjacent and extend away from the lower end of the second or ,upper wiper means 45 and since the operating string e~tends through the upper wiper means 45 and termi-nates in overlapping relation to the lower wiper means 26, the second plug -~ means forms 50 an initial seal only in the operating string O and not in the upper or second wiper means 45 when it is engaged therewith while the second wiper means remains secured to the operatlng string.

While the second or upper wip~r ~eans 45 has a portion 46f definlng a ~;
s~aller diameter than the diameter of the bore of the operating string or the bore of the second wiper means 45, the first~or lower wiper means 26 is secured below the portion which forms the smallest internal diameter pr~sent in the bore of the upper or second wiper means. This avoids or reduces the possibility of the first or lower r.per means hanging up in such restricted diameter which might cause possibl~ premature release of the second wiper means 45 during the cementing operations. It is also noted that the releas-able means in the form of shear pin 81 which is shcwn in Figs. 6-15 as exten-ding through the second or upper ~per means and terminating in overlappingrelation with the first or lower wip~r means releasably securing them to the operating sting 0 is at substantially the same transverse position therein.
The above advantageous results ~ay also be accomplished with the embodi-ment illustrated in Fig. 16 wherein like numerals represent like parts. The operating string 0 is again illustrated as extending through the second or upper wiper means 45 and terminating in overlapped relation relative to the upper end of the lower or first wip~r means 26 so that the æ cond wiper means 26 may be secured at its upper end adjacent the lower end of the secoad wiper means and e~tend away therefrom. The operating string O and second wiper means 45 is again constructed in the ~anner as described with regard to Figs.
6-15 so that the portion 46f e~tends through the operating string 0 and into the bore 21 thereof. The operating string e~tends through the upper wiper means and terninates in overlapping r~lation to the portion 28d on the first or lower wiper ~eans 2~ as shown in ~.~. 16.
The portion 46a of the second or upper wiper means 45 is provided with the shear pin opening 46; similar to that shown in the prior modification, but in this form the shear pin 81c terminates at the outer diameter 91d of the projections 91 formed on the lower end portion 22 of the operating string 0 and e~tends from this point into the recess 28e of the portion 28d of the body ~8 of the iirst or lower wiper means 26. m us, in this : ` ~{ment, only the first or lower wiper means is releasably secured to the operating string below the portion 46f of the upper or second wiper means 45 which e~tends through and lnto the bore 21 of the operat.ng string as described with regard to the Figs. fi-15 modification. `~
Another opening 46x is provided in the second or upper wiper means 45 at a longitudinally spaced position n relation to the position at which the first or lower wiper means 2~ is r~leasably secured to the operating string 0.
~ithin this opening there is prov.ded a second shear pin 81d which, as are shear pins 81 and 81c, is secured by any suitable means such as threads thereon in the open~ne~ in the e r ~ ~nts in which they extend as well into the recess oi the part ~8d of the first or lower wiper means 26 so as to releasably secure the second or upper wiper means to the operating string. In Flg. 16 the second or upper wiper means is shear pinned above the seals, but the e~act position may vary from th's.
The function and operation of this embodiment is the same as that previ-ously described e~cept that separate releasable means are employed for each the first or lower wiper means 26 and the second or upper wiper means 45.
Figs. 17-20 illustrate further details of the positioning means of the present invention which enable the liner L to be hung or supported on the w~ll bore casing to e~tend therefrom as sch~matically represented in Figs. 1-5 of the drawings. The seal means referred to generally at S is constructed in a manner previously described with regard to Fig. 6.
The hanger means referred to generally at H in Figs. 18 and 20 are shown in greater detail and in the form illustrated in such views it will be noted that a pair of such hangers are demonstrated. In some circumstances only one hanger H will be employed, while in other arrangements, more than one hanger arrangement H may be employed. ~bere two or more hanger arrangements are provided, it may be preferrable to simultaneously set,such hanger arrangements to distribute the load of the liner among the multiple liner hanæers and also under some circumstances it may be desirable to rotate and/or reciprocate the liner in the well bore before hang'ng the liner L on the casing C to aid in conditioning the well bore as well as rotating the liner ei''ther during cement-'ing operations in the well bore or after it has been hung.

The operating string 0 includes an inner member I having a non-circular mandrel portion M connected betwee~ the inner member I and the r -lnder of ;~
the operating ætring so it will perfon~ its function without interferring with `~
other operations. The liner L repr~sented in Fig. 18 has an outer member 2 connected therewith which e~tends upwardly from the liner L as represented in Fig, 17, The inner member I and outer ~ember Q are telescopically arranged as shown in Figs. 17 and 18 and the hanger m~ans H is supported on the liner L
for engagement with the casing C to hang or support the liner L on the well bore casing C. The liner hanger arrange~ents H are in effect part of the liner L since the outer member Q supports the annular bearing means B and the first sleeve means S'. The first slff ve means S' e~tends longitudinally about the liner a suitable extent and is supported thereon at its lower end 115 by annular ring 116 on liner L or other suitable means for rotation relative to the liner. The first sleeve means S' is provided with upper and lower spaced annular rows 90a and 91a conically shaped segments 16a and 17a)respectively.
The conically shaped æ gments 16a '~ the upper row 90a are circumferentiallg spaced relative to each other by t~ spaces 16b therebetween and are offset circumferentially relative to the conically shaped se~ments 17a in the row 91a~ of ~hidh 99~E~S 17a are spaced circumferentially with spaces 17b there-between. The conically shaped seg~nts 16a and 17a of each row 90a and 91a', respectively, e~tend longitl~in~lly of the first sleeve m~ans S' and the æg-ments 16a, 17a are provided with.outer tapered surfaces 16c, 17c~respectively.
Spaced annular rows of hanger slips 18 and 19, respecitvely, are fonmed by the hanger slip segnents 18a, l9a, respectively, with tne hanger slips 18a in row 18 being offæ t circumferentially relative t~ slip æ gments l9a in row 19. m e slip seO~ments 18a in ro~ 18 and slip segments l9a in row 19 are circumferentially spaced from each other to provide circumferential spaces therebetween so that the hanger sl ps 18a are longitudinally aligned with the conically shaped segments 16a in ror 90a and the hanger slips segments l9a are longitudinally aligned with the seg~ents 17a in row 91a~. Neans in the form of elongated strips 20 are connected ~ith the hanger slips 18a in row 90a and 2,o extend longitudinally of the first sleeve means S' through the spaces 17b between the conically shaped segments 17a in row 17 and the strips 20 ar~
connected at their lower ends 20a by any suitable means to the second sleeve ~\
means S" at l9c. i~
The sleeve means S" is spaced longitudinally from the lower end 115 of the first sleeve means S' as shown i~ Fig. 18.
The longitudinally extendinæ strips 20 may be secured to suitable guide means G which includes the collar 14 connected to the strips 20 between the spaced rows 90a and 91a' of conical sqg~ents 16a and 17a by any suitable means such as screws or the like as shown in the drawings. The guide means G also includes projection means 15 on collar 20 fitting in the longitudinal slot 15a of the sleeve S' to ~ssist in mainta.n;ng the hanger slips æ gm~nts 18a in the row i8 aligned with the conically shap~d segments 16a in the annular row 90a.
In Fig. 20 the guide means G is sho~n as being in the form of a bracket 16' -l positioned on the first sleeve means S' to receive the elongated strips 20 aod assist in maintaining the slip segments 18a aligned with the conical s~gments l~a in row 90a.
The slip segments l9a are connected with elongated strips l9b which are also connected to the second sleev~ l~ans S" by any suitable means such as screws 19c or the like as shown.
In the arrangement shown in ~.g. 18 the second sleeve m~ans S" is received within the annular and lon~.t~ n~lly e~tending recess or chamber 120 forned in the liner which recess ~s provided with a suitable seal arrangement referred to generally at 121 adjacent the lower end of the æ cond sleeve means S" within the chamber. It can be appreciated that, if desired, the hanger arrangement msy be structured and positioned so that the upper end of the slldable sleeve can be received witbin the chamber. The seal means 121 forms piston means snd when fluid pressul~ is conducted from the port means 122 in the liner L to act on the piston means 121 formed by the # al arrangement within the chamber 120, second sleeve means S" is urged upwardly or outwardly of chamber 120 which in turn simultaneously moves the rows of slip segments 18 and 19 respectively toward and out~ardly along the inclined surfaces 16c, 17c of the conical segments in the rows gOa and 91a respectlvely so that the rows of sllp segments simult~nea~sly ~n~age and secure the liner L wlth the surroundlng caslng C.
It can be appreclated that before actuating the hanger m~ans H hydrauli-cally as descrlbed, suitable means to force fluld from the operating string to chamber 120 ls ~mployed. As showa in Fig. 19, a ball 125 can be pumped down the operatlng string to seat on the releasable seat 126 which ls releasably secured to the lower end of the catcher means 55 by the shear pin 127'. A
suitable seal 128' is provided bet~een the seat 126 and the catcher means 55 and when the ball 125 ls seated on the seat 126, fluid pr~ssure may be increased inside the operating str~ng 0 and the liner L to move through port 122 into chamber 120 and actuate the s~cond sleeve means as above described so that it moves longltudinally relat.ve to sleeve S' and engage sllp se~ments 18a, 19a simultaneously on segments 16a, 17a and thereby suspend the liner L
on the caslng C.
~fter the liner is hung, an ncrease in pressure in the operating string may be employed to shear pln 127' so seat 126 and the ball wlll move lnto llner L beneath the catcher. The seat is constructed so as not to interfert wlth flow of cement through the lln~r L and out one-way valve 40 as prevlously 2~ described.
The sleeve means S' is supported on the projection or ring 116 at its lower end 115. me gulde means G engage the strips) 20 which are in turn secured to the second sleeve S". tT~e second sleeve S" is ln turn supported in the chamber 120 fonmed in the liner L. To pr~vent prematur~ actuation of the hanger means H the second sleeve m~ns S" is secured to liner L ln chamber 120 by shear pln 1~9 which shears upon a predetenmined pressure from the operatia~
strlng through port 122 ln the llo~r L to the chamber 120 to shear for rela-tive longitudinal movement betweeo the sleeve m~ans S' and S" for simultane-ously setting the hangers with t~e casing C as prevlously descrlbed. The annular chamber 120, seal arrangen~nt 121 and shear means 129 thus form relea-sable means for releasably securing sald second sleeve means S" to the llner.

Fig. 20 illustrates a hanger ~rrangement where the hanger means H may b~
mechanically set. If the mechan.cal set arran~ement is ~mployed, then the hydraulic form of Fig. 17 is elim;nated and the structure shown in F~g, 20 would be substituted therefor. Wh.le the bearing ~eans B is not shown in Fig.
20, it would assume the same relat.v~ position in Fig, 20 as is shown in Fig.
17, It can be appreciated that eit~er the hydraulic æ t hanger arrangHment of Fig. 18 may be employed between th~ apparatus shown in Figs. 17 and 19, or a , c^hsnc~l arrangement as shown in ~.g. 20 may be used between the apparatus shown in Figs. 17 and 1~. Fig. 19 s an elevational view shcwing the upper and lower wiper means forming part of the cementing apparatus shown in detail in Figs. 1-16 on the operating str.ng. The cementing apparatus illustrated generally in Figs. 1-16 may be us~d with the apparatus of Figs. 17, 18 and 1~, or that shown in Figs. 17, 19 and 20 to accomplish the overall results of the methods of the present invention.
The sleeve means S' in Fig. 20 is rotatably supported on liner L for rotation relative thereto by bearin~ means similar to that shown in Fig. 18.
The sleeve S' is supported at its lower end 115 by an annular ring 116 as described with regard to Fig. 18, me mechanical form also includes longitu-dinally spaced rows 90a, 91a of con.cal segments 16a, 17a, both of which are mounted on the first sleeve means S'. Although two rows are shown, add.tional rows of segments may be employed f desired as well as a similar number of multiple rows of slip segments. m~ longitudinally spaced rows 18 and 19 of slip seg~ents 18a, l9a are similar to those previously described. The strips 20 and l9b are secured, respectively, at one end to the slip segments 18a, 19a in rows 18, 19 of slip segments, and at their other end to sleeve m~ans S" as shown in the drawings. The sleeve mPans S" is spaced longitudinally relative ~ . . ~ . ~ ~, . .
to sleeve means S'. m e second sleeve means S" includes an e~tension 127 on ~hich are m~unted the circumferent.ally, longit~n~lly e~tending bow spring means 128. The second sleeve means S" is rotatably supported relative to the e~tension 127 by means of the overbanging shoulder 129 resting on the ring 130 supported on the ledge 131 of second sleeve S". When rotation is imparted to the operating strlng 0 before the release R is actuated, rotation of the liner `c~

hanger arrangements H is restrained by the bow springs 128 so that 127 tends to remain stationary while tb~ liner rotates to thereby disengage pin 132 from the J-slot arrangement 133 aiJacent the lower end of e~tension 127 forming part of second sleeve m~ans S~. The J-slot 133 and pin 132 form Q releasable connection between the second sleeve S" and liner L in the Fig, 20 form. The J-slots 13~ may be configured to release from pin 132 by right-hand or left~
hand rotation of the operat.ng strings. Also, the circumferentially spaced bow springs 128 restrain longitudinal movement between the liner hanger arrange~ents H and the operat'ng string 0 and liner L relative to 127 so that subsequent lowering of the operating string 0 and liner L relative to 127 after disconnection therebetw~en effects relative longitudinal movHment between the second sleeve me~ns S" and sleeve means S' to urge the row 18 of - slip segments 18a and row 1~ of slip segnents l9a on to their respectively concically shaped segment r~ws 90a and ~la~ for securing the liner to the casing C.
The bore of the nut N of release mans R is non-circular as is the adja-cent portion of the mandrel Y so that rotation of the operating string backs the nut N out of the thr~ads on the outer member Q. The thre~ds in nut may be right-hand or left-hand, but ordinarily left-hand threads may be used so that when the operating strinæ O is rotated to the right, the nut N ~ill back out of its connection ~ith the outer member Q. As noted previously, it may be desirable in some ins lnces to rotate and/or reciprocate the liner L in the well bore to condition the ~well bore before the cementing operation, previously described, is be~ln. Also it may be desirable to rotate the liner L during cementing operations. The shoulder means 140 on the nut N engages abutting shoulder means 141 on the inner member I t~o enable the liner to be reciprocated in the well bort by raising and lowerin~ the operating string 0 when it is assembled as shown in Fig. 17 and before the liner is hung on the casing C.

Where it is desired to rotate the liner L before supporting it on the casing C, longitudinal, circumferentially spaced slot means 145 within the outer ~ember Q are engaged as shown in Fig. 17 with spring biased longitudi-r .;.
nal, circumferentially spaced keg means 14~ positioned in slots 146a on the inner member I whereby the liner may be r~tated by rotating the operating string.
In nornal cementing operations, the otating string is manipulated to disengage the nut ~ before cementing operat.ons are started so that the opera-ting string connected with inner member I mæJ be retrieved from outer member a and the liner L in the well bore in the eve~t of some malfunction during the cementing operation. m is avoids ce~enting the entire operating string 0 in the well bore. This is acconplished by lo~gitl~in~lly moving the operating string 0 to disengage keys 146 fro~ slots 1~1 and then rotating the operating string ~ after the 11ner L has been hung on the casing C to disengage the nut N from between the operating string and outer member Q as above described. An arrangement is provided for rotating the liner in the well bore during cement-ing operations or after oementing operatio~s have been campleted by the plug and wiper means of the present invention.
The operating string 0 has been prev'~usly disengaged from outer member Q as above described and the outer ~ber Q is now supported on the casing C
along with liner L so that the operating staing 0 may be lowered r~lative to outer member Q. ~hen operating string 0 is lowered keys 146 disengage from slots 145 and the lowering of the operatin~ string ~ is continued until the additional means referred to generally at 1~8 on the operating strin~ 0 and outer ~ember Q are interconnected so that rotation may be imparted to tne liner. The additional means 148 itn the Fig. 17 form is shown as oonsisting of longitudinal1y extending, circumferentially spaced rigid projections 1~9 to provide longitudinally extending recesses tb~rebetween so tbat the projections and recesses may be interfitted with the c~rcumferentially spaced projectins 150 adjacent the upper end of the outer membtr Q for imparting rotation to the outer member Q and to the liner L supported by means of the bearing ~.
Another fonm of the additional means 148 may be employed which would 30 - merely consist of additional slot m~ans in the outer mem~er Q longit~innlly spaced downwardly from and similar to the slot means 145 so that upon further lowering of the operating string, after k~ys 146 have disengaged from the upper slots 145, keys 146 on the operating string as shown in Fig. 17 thereoncould be engaged in the lower, slot mfans (not shown) spaced from slot means 145 to effect rotation of the liner. It can be appreciated where the addi-tional means is in the fonm of a s~^ond key or slot arrangement on the outer m~mber longitudinally spaced from t~e first key 146 and slot means 145 shown in Fig. 17, the rigid projection arran2~nent 149 and splines 150 on the outer member would be eliminated, ~hen the operating string has been lowered to d'sengage slots 145 and keys 146, further lowering thereof engages the spring loaded, circumferentially spaced keys (not shown) in the second circumferenti-ally slots (not shown) so that rotat~on may then be imparted to the operatingstring.
From the foregoing description it can be seen that the present invention provides an arrangement to release the first or lower wiper means from the operating string in a manner to in~ibit premature release of the second or upper wiper means. Also, the pres~nt invention contemplates an arrangem~nt which enables the liner to be posit.on~d in the well bore by either hydrualic or mechanically actuated hanger mea~s as well as reciprocating and rotating the liner selectively as desir~d.
While the location of the portion 46f of the second wiper mEans 45 that e~tends into the bore 21 of the oper~ting string is shown as b~ing substanti-ally adjacent the lower end of the s~cond wiper means 45, it can be apprecia-ted that it may be located at a higher elevation in the bore 21.
While only one shear pin 8~ 's shown in the Figs, 6-15 ~mbodiment and only one shear p~n is sho~n At 81c and 81d shown in the Fi~. 16 embodiment, other circumferentially spaced shear pins are norTally employed.
In the Figs. 6-15 ~ ment, ~h~n the same size pin 81 is employed at ;j the same circumferential and long-tu~.nal positions, both the lower wiper means 26 and upper wiper means 45 wnll release, or the pins 81 will shear, at the same load but at a difierent pr~ssure in the operating string due to the effectivé se~l area responsive to pressure on the engaged first plug and wiper means and engaged second plug and wiper means, respectively, Thus, if it is desired to rel6ase both wiper means 26 and 45 at the sam~
pressure, then additional shear pins ~hich extend only betw~en the wiper m~ans 26 and operating string 0 are requir~d. Such additional shear pins are cir-cumferentially spaced relative to, a~d in the same transverse plane, r~lative to the longitudinal axis of the operating string, as the pins 81 which extend through both wiper means 2~ and 45 an~ the operating string.
If it is desired to release the lower wiper ~eans 26 and upper wiper means 45 at different loads, then the shear pins which support the lower and upper wiper means 26 and 45, resp~ctively, may be spaced longitudnally as represented in Fig. 16.
In Fig. 16, the diameter of sh~ar pin 81c within recess 28e is shcwn as larger than the diameter of shear pin 81d within the recess in the operating string, so that the pins shear at different loads.
~here the liner is to be set on the well bore bottom, no hanger will be employed.
The present invention has been described in detail in connection with its use in well bore; however, it may be employed in any situation where it is desired to isolate a fluid in a tubular member or the like, even with varying internal diameters in the tubular me~b~r on adJacent tubular members.
The foregoing disclosure and d~scription of the invention are illustra-tive and e~planatory thereof, and var.ous changes in size, shape and materials as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims (4)

1. A liner closure formed by an upper wiper and a plug therein and a lower wiper used for conducting cement through a liner to a well bore which closure closes off between the liner and the well bore, said closure including:
a catcher within the liner;
means on said catcher to engage and latch the lower wiper therewith after it has moved into the liner;
means to engage a plug with the upper wiper; and means to position the upper wiper and plug therein with the lower wiper in said catcher to close off between the liner and the well bore.

2. The closure of claim 1 wherein;
said means on said catcher comprises a latch surface;
and said means to position comprises a latch surface to position the upper wiper and the plug therein with the lower wiper to close off flow between the liner and the well bore.

3. A liner closure formed by and upper wiper and a plug therein and lower wiper used for conducting cement through an opening in the liner to a well bore, said closure including:
a catcher;
said catcher having latch surface means;
a lower wiper;
said lower wiper having latch surface means thereon for engagement with said latch surface means on said catcher to latch said lower wiper with said catcher;

an upper wiper;
an upper plug;
latch surface means on said upper plug for engaging with said upper wiper to secure said upper plug and wiper together; and additional latch surface means on said lower wiper to position said upper plug and upper wiper relative to said lower wiper to prevent flow between the well bore and the liner and to keep them together as a unit for milling.

4. A method of closing off an opening in a liner by employing a catcher in the liner to engage a lower wiper for receiving an upper wiper with a plug therein used for conducting cement through the liner to be discharged through the opening to the well bore, said method comprising the steps of:
moving the lower wiper into the liner to engage with the catcher; and moving the upper plug and engaged wiper into the liner to position the upper plug and wiper with the lower wiper engaged in the catcher.