US3029875A

US3029875A - Well test-completion tool

Info

Publication number: US3029875A
Application number: US689835A
Authority: US
Inventors: Bynum W Moller
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1957-10-14
Filing date: 1957-10-14
Publication date: 1962-04-17
Anticipated expiration: 1979-04-17

Description

April 17, 1962 B. W. MOLLER WELL TEST-COMPLETION TOOL Filed Oct. 14, 1957 S Sheets-Sheet 1 55/70/77 W M0//e/ INVENTOR.

s lawL A T7'ORIVEVJ April 17, 1962 MULLER 3,029,875

WELL TEST-COMPLETION TOOL Filed Oct. 14, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 fla lull"! Mill" 40 m 43 ll llllll //7 57/7 um W. Mo New INVENTOR.

United rates Gihce 3,029,875 Patented Apr. 17, 1962 This invention relates to well tools and in particular to well test and completion tools.

In the completion of oil wells and the like for the production of the oil or other fluid therefrom, it is generally desirable to obtain a test sample of the formation in the well which is to be produced so that it can be determined whethcr or not additional well operations are to be performed prior to the final setting of the tubing, packer, and surface production equipment. Under the present practice, relatively expensive formation test sampling tools are used for obtaining such test samples of the formation. After the test samples are obtained, the" test tools must be removed from the well if the tests indicate that additional well operations must be performed. When the test sampling tool is to be removed, large and expensive surface equipment must be moved over the well, the well must be killed wtih heavy fluid or mud to prevent the oil or other well fiuid from flowing, and the tubing must be pulled to remove the test tool so that well operations such as squeeze cementing, perforating, fracturing, and the like can be performed. Besides the obvious expense and time required for such procedure, the heavy fluid or mud used to kill the well is often injurious to the ultimate producing ability of the well.

In other instances, formation test tools are used for performing what is generally known as dry tests. A dry test is made after a well formation has been sealed by squeeze cementing and prior to making additional or now perforations in the well casing. The dry test is performed by running the test tool in the tubing when a packer is set above the cemented formation and with ,the tubing empty or dry. Therefore, when the test tool is opened, the effectiveness of the cement seal on the formation is determined because if any fluid leaks through the cement seal, fluid will be collected in the test tool. Test tools now used for such dry tests are not full bore and are relatively expensive so that it becomes necessary to pull the test tool from the well hole before the well casing is reperforated and the setting of the well tubing is completed for production.

One object of this invention is to provide a new and improved test-completion tool for use in oil wells and the like for obtaining an initial test sample of a well formation or for making an initial dry test, and for subsequently permitting the performance of various well operations without requiring the removal of said test-completion tool from the well.

An important object of this invention is to provide a new and improved test-completion tool which is simplified in construction and operation and which is relatively inexpensive as compared to prior formation sampling tools so that it is economically and operationally practical to leave said test-completion tool in the well after a dry test or a test sampling of the well fluid is performed and during the subsequent production of oil or other fluid from the well.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved well test-completion tool for use in oil wells and the like, wherein said tool is adapted to be used in conjunction with a well packer so that a test of the area in the well below the packer may be conducted and so that subsequent well operations may be conducted in the area below the packer without removing the test-completion tool from the well.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new-- and improved well test-completion tool for use in oil wells and the like, wherein the tool is adapted to be run on or in a well tubing, and wherein the tool has means for providing a bore therethrough which is the same size as the bore of thetubing or which is sufficiently large so that well tools may be lowered therethrough for performing well operations subsequently to the test ing of the well with said test-completion tool without requiring the removal of said test-completion tool from the well.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved well test-completion tool which has one or more test holes therein for admitting a test sample of well fluid into the tool, the test holes being closed by plugs which are held by a frangible means so that fracturing of the frangible means opens the test holes, and the bore of said tool having a closure therein which is removable after the test holes are opened so that the full bore of the tool is opened for conducting various well operations therethrough.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a new and improved well test-completion tool wherein one or more test ports in the tool are adapted to be opened by dropping a go-devil or weight on the tool, and wherein the full bore of the tool is adapted to be subsequently opened with the go-devil or weight or fluid pressure.

The preferred embodiment ofthis invention will be described hereinafter, together with other features thereof, and additional objects will become evident from such description.

The invention will be. more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view illustrating one form of the tool of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2--2 of FIG. 1 to further illustrate the form of the invention shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section, illustrating another form of the tool of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3, except that FIG. 5 illustrates the tool after the test port or ports have been opened with a go-devil or other weighted member;

FIG. 6 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in' section, illustrating a further step in the operation of the device of FIG. 3 wherein the go-devil or weighted member is utilized for removing the closure means or plug in the bore of the tool for opening such bore to conduct a well operation or operations therethrough;

v FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view illustrating a modified portion of the closure plug or member which is utilized in the tool of this invention;

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view illustrating a portion of the tool of this invention to show a modified part thereof as compared with FIGS. 1 and 3;

FIG. 9 is a view, partly in section and partly in elevation, showing a modified portion of the tool of this invention; and

FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view illustrating a further modification of the tool of this invention.

In the drawings, the letter A designates generally the tool of this invention which is adapted to be run with or in a well tubing or pipe T, a portion of which is illustrated in FIG. 1. As will be explained more in detail, the tool A may be connected with the lower end of the tubing T by means of the usual threaded connection (not shown) so as to form a continuation of the tubing T as illustrated in FIG. 1, or the tool A may be positioned within the tubing T. The tool A is positioned for initially receiving a test sample or for conducting a dry test of the well and for subsequently conducting a well operation or operations through the tool A. A well packer P of conventional construction is positioned between the tubing T and well casing C. By way of example, the packer P could be of the hookwall type, the permanent type, the wire line type or any other type of packer which is adapted to be set in a well casing between the casing and the tubing. 7

Considering the invention now in detail, reference is first made to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings wherein one form of the tool A is illustrated. As shown therein, the tool A has a tubular body or mandrel which has an internal bore portion 15a with a diameter which is at least as large as the internal diameter or bore of the well tubing or pipe string T thereabove. Although the tool A is ordinarily located at the lower end of the tubing T and below the packer P, such tool A can be located in the tubing T at a point above the packer P, as will be evident hereinafter. The lower bore portion 15b of the tubular body or mandrel 15 is enlarged as compared to the bore 15a thereof and the bore of the tubing T so as to provide an annular lateral shoulder 150 within the body or mandrel 15.

, A closure member or plug 16 having an external diameter substantially equal to the internal diameter of the bore portion 15b is adapted to be positioned within the mandrel or tubular body 15 for closing fluid flow through the bore of the mandrel or tubular body 15. The plug 16 has a central recess 16c which opens upwardly of the plug and has a lower cylindrical wall and an upper downwardly and inwardly inclined wall 16d above and merging with the cylindrical wall of the recess 16e. At the upper end of the wall 16d, there is an internal annular groove 16 with an annular vertically extending bottom wall. Above this groove 16 is an internal annular fiangelike member with notches 16g and recesses 16h therein. Inwardly extending projections 16k are formed between the notches 16g and the recesses 1611. The closure plug 16 preferably includes a seal ring 17 formed of rubber or other resilient sealing material for contact with the bore portion 15b of the mandrel or tubular body 15 so as to prevent fluid flow between the plug '16 and the mandrel or body 15. The seal 17 may of course be positioned on a the mandrel or body 15 in sealing contact with the external surface of the plug 16 if desired. The closure plug or member 16 is formed with one or more test ports or openings 16a which establish fluid communications from the area below the plug 16 to the area thereabove within the tubular mandrel or body 15. In the form of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1, there would be four of such test ports or openings 16a, but the invention is not limited to any particular number, of such ports or openings 16a. Preferably, the ports 16a have enlarged bores 16b at their upper ends which form a shoulder 160 in each of the ports or openings 1611. A test opening plug 19 is adapted to be positioned within the enlarged portion 16b of each of the ports or openings 16a. The shoulder 16c in each of the ports or openings 16a limits the downward movement of each of the test port plugs 19. It is desirable to have a seal ring 20 with each of the test plugs 19 to provide a resilient seal between the plugs 19 and the enlarged bore portions 16b. The rings 20 are formed of rubber or other resilient sealing material and are preferably of the type known as O-rings. Such test port plugs 19 therefore function to close the flow of fluid through the test ports or openings 16a from the area below the plug 16 to the area thereabove.

The upper ends 19a of the test plugs 19 are formed at an angle or inclination as shown in FIG. 1, but as will be more evident hereinafter, the inclination of the ends 194 is not necessary. As seen in FIG. 1, the angle or inclination of the ends 19a is substantially the same as the angle or inclination of the inclined annular surface 16d formed in the closure plug or member 16 so that the ends 19a of the plugs 19 lie in substantially the same annular plane as the annular inclined surface 16d. As previously explained, the internal inclined annular wall 16d is inclined at an angle downwardly and inwardly so that the wall 16d merges with the internal vertical walls of the central recess 16a formed in the closure plug or member 16. Also, the annular vertically extending bottom wall of the annular groove 16f is formed of such a diameter that it forms a continuation of the vertical wall of each enlarged bore 16b of each test port 16a or is slightly larger than such vertical wall. Also, the notch 16g above each of the enlarged bores 1611 has a slightly larger radius than the radius of each of the test port plugs 19. Therefore, each of the plugs 19 is positioned in its respective enlarged bores 16!) by dropping same downwardly through one of the notches 16g, along the wall of the groove 16] and then into the enlarged bore 16b until contact is made with the shoulder 16c.

The test port plugs 19 are held in the position shown in FIG. 1 with their lower portions in engagement with the shoulder 16c by means of a retainer member or block 25. The retainer member 25 is formed of a frangible material in the preferred form of the invention, examples of which are cast iron and pot metal, but plastic and other similar frangible materials will also be suitable. To facilitate the fracturing of the retainer member 25 in a desirable pattern when it is desired to release or move same from its position retaining the plugs 19 in the test ports 16a, the member 25 may be scored or grooved as indicated at 25a and as best seen in FIG. 2.

The particular shape of the retainer member 25 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 would generally be used. Such member 25 in FIGS. 1 and 2 has four arms in the shape of a cross so that one arm is provided for each of the plugs 19. Accordingly, four recesses 1611 are also pro vided for the insertion of the arms of the retainer member 25 into a position in contact with the plugs 19. Thus, the retainer member 25 is initially turned so that its arms are aligned with the recesses 1611 and then it is dropped or moved downwardly so that the arms pass downwardly in the recesses 1611 to a point below the lower surface of the inwardly extending projections 16k as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. Therefore, after the retainer member 25 has dropped downwardly below the inwardly extending projections 16k, it is turned or partially rotated so that it is locked or positioned below the lower surfaces of such projections 16k and over the plugs 19. Such position is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings. It should be pointed out that the ends of the arms of the member 25 are preferably enlarged and rounded as best seen in FIG. 1 so that such heavier section supports plugs 19 which are forced upwardly by well hydrostatic pressure, and so that the central portion ofthe retainer member 25 is relatively thin for fracturing when desired and also to provide the rounded surfaces at the ends of the arms of the member 25 so that when the member 25 is fractured, there will be no tendency of the parts thereof to remain above the plugs 19. Instead, the fractured parts of the member 25 will fall downwardly into the central recess lee of the member 16 and will be clear of the plugs 19 after the member 25 is fractured.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, a screen 27 having openings 27a therethrough is connected to the lower end of the closure plug or member 16 by the engagement of its threads 27b with the threads 16m, or any other suitable connection means. The screen 27 permits the inflow of fluid under pressure to the openings 160, but it serves to filter or screen any foreign particles or debris which might clog or close the openings 16:: when flow through the openings 16:: occurs.

The frangible retainer member 25 illustrated in F168. 1 and 2 may be fractured or broken into a number of pieces by any type of weighted member or go-devil commonly used in oil field operations. Go-devils and similar members are adapted to be dropped through the tubing, with or without a wire line attached thereto, and the impact of the go-devil or other weighted member with the retainer member 25 is sufficient to fracture or shear the member 25 into several pieces so that it falls downwardly into the recess 16c or is otherwise displaced from its position above the test port plugs 19. In FIG. 3, an example of a go-devil is shown in conjunction with another form of the invention. The go-devil shown in FIG. 3 is designated with the letter G and it includes a weight or solid bar 311 which is provided with a fishing neck 31 at its upper end. The weighted bar 31 of the go-devil G preferably has a plurality of guide lugs 31 welded or otherwise secured thereto which are of such a diameter that they maintain the weight or bar 3d in substantially the central. portion of the tubing T and the central portion of the mandrel or body 15 so that such go-devil G contacts the central portion of the frangible member 25 when it is dropped thereon. The go-devil G is also utilized for knocking the plug 16 out of the bore of the mandrel or tubular body 15, as will be more fully explained hereinafter, but in some instances, after the test port plugs 19 have been removed or released so that fluid communication is established through the passages 16a, the go-devil G and the plug 16 tend to drop or settle prematurely, and if such should occur, the godevil G is provided with a means to catch the go-devil G in the tubular mandrel or body 15. Such structure is illustrated in FIG. 3 wherein the go-devil G is illustrated as having hinged or pivoted fingers 32 which are pivoted at 32a and which are urged outwardly by a spring 33 or any other equivalent spring means so that the fingers 32 engage the inside surface of the tubing T. A recess 35 which is formed so as to provide a lower lateral annular shoulder 35a is provided in the tubing T or in the body of the tool A so that the fingers 32 engage the shoulder 35a when the go-devil G has prematurely dropped as explained. Thus, the go-devil G is caught in the tubing T or the body of the tool A and is prevented from falling so that it can be retrieved with a suitable type of known overshot or fishing tool which is adapted to engage the fishing neck 31 in a known manner.

In the operation or use of the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the well test-completion tool A of this invention is positioned in the well casing C at the lower end of the tubing T or an any other suitable location therein so that the lower open end of the mandrel 15 is exposed to the fluid pressure below the packer P. Therefore, the lower end of the plug 16 is exposed to the fluid pressure of the well which serves to apply a fluid pressure force which acts to urge the plug 16 upwardly in the mandrel or tubular body 15 so that its upper end contacts the shoulder 15c as shown in FIG. 1. Since the tubing T is ordinarily run empty in the use of this tool A, there is therefore a fluid pressure diiferential acting across the plug 16 since the pressure externally of the body 15 is greater than the pressure internally thereof above the plug 16.

When it is desired to obtain a test sample from the well fluid which is below the packer P, the retainer means 25 must be fractured so as to release or remove same from the upper ends of the plugs 19. Such fracturing of the member 25 is accomplished with the go-devil G or other similar weighted member which is dropped or lowered with considerable force into contact with the member 25. Since the member 25 is formed ofa material which is frangible and readily cracks or shatters, the member 25 is caused to crack or shatter by the impact of the go-devil G and the pieces of the member 25 ordinarily fall into the recess 16e of the plug 16. The test port plugs 19 are then released and the fiuid pressure in the well can then act on the plugs 19 to move same upwardly out of the enlarged ports or openings 16!) so as to open the test ports or openings 16a for establishing fluid communication from the area externally of the mandrel or tubular body 15 to the area internally thereof above the plug 16. The fluid pressure across the plug 16 is therefore equalized above and below the plug 16.

If a dry test of the type previously described is to be conducted, then any flow of fluid into the tubing T will indicate that the cement in the well is unsatisfactory or defective so that subsequent well operations will be indicated. On the other hand if the well is to be tested to determine whether it is flowing adequately and is producing the proper fluid for the full production. of the well, the test sample or flow into the tubing T through the test port or ports 16a will be used to determine whether or not subsequent well operations are necessary before the well is opened for full production.

If well performance is determined to be unsatisfactory and if additional productive zone in the well is to be opened to the well tubing, then an overshot of known construction, one of which is schematically illustrated in FIG. 6 and is identified by the letter S, is lowered on a wire line W for engaging the fishing neck 3-1 of the godevil G so as to retract the fingers 32 (FIG. 6). Then, the weight of the go-devil G and the overshot S are both utilized by lowering them together on the wire line into contact with the plug 16 so as to force same downwardly to the lower end of the mandrel or tubular body 15 to remove such plug 16 from the bore of the mandrel or body 15. Since the pressure above and below the plug 16 has previously been equalized by the opening of the ports or openings 16a, the frictional resistance provided by the plug 16 within the mandrel or body 15 is the only force necessary to be overcome by the impact of the godevil G against the plug 16. After the plug 16 has been removed from the bore of the mandrel or body 15 of the tool A, then the go-devil G is lifted out of the hole with the overshot S on thewire line. The full open bore of the tubing T is then exposed through the mandrel or tubular body 15 so that any well tool which is normally lowered through a tubing string T can also be lowered through the tubular body or mandrel 15. Furthermore, in view of the fact that the bore of the tubing can thus be opened after the test of the well formation is obtained without requiring the removal ofthe tubing T from the well, the Christmas tree (not shown) can be bolted down and a flow line (not shown) can be hooked up at the surface of. the well prior to the timethat the godevil is dropped to break the retainer member 25 so that when the bore of the mandrel 15 is opened by removing the plug 16, the Well is under control Without requiring a killing of the well with heavy mud or fluid.

Thus, with the bore of the tool A open, a perforating gun of the type which is normally lowered through tubing can be dropped or run downwardly through the tubing and through the tubular body 15 of the tool A to a position below the lower end thereof and the casing can be reperforated at the desired depth. If the well is to be t sues swabbed after the obtaining of the test flow through the ports 16a, or if the well flows satisfactorily during such test, the tool A is left in the well as described above with the full bore thereof open for well production of the oil or other fluid from the exposed formation below the packer P.

If it is necessary or desirable to fracture, acidize, squeeze cement or perform similar well operations after the test of the well formation by the flow of fluid through the port or ports 16a, the plug 16 is pumped out of the mandrel or tubular body 15 with fluid pressure applied from the internal area of the tubing T above the plug 16 and then such well operations are performed through the bore of the mandrel or body 15. It should be noted that when pressure work such as is utilized in the fracturing or squeeze cementing of a well is employed, the packer P must be of the type having means therewith to hold the packer P against upward movement as will be understood.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, a modified tool A-1 is illustrated. The tool A-l has a mandrel or tubular body 115 which corresponds with the mandrel or tubular body 15 of FIGS. 1 and 2. The mandrel or tubular body 115 has an upper bore portion 115a which is of substantially the same diameter as the internal diameter of the tubing T thereof. The mandrel or body 115 also has an enlarged internal bore 1151) so as to provide a shoulder 1150 extending annularly. The mandrel or body 115 may be modified as compared to the mandrel or body 15 by including the recess 35 shown in FIG. 3 for the purpose previously described, but of course, as previously ex plained, the annular groove 35 and the shoulder 35a could be incorporated with the tool A also. A further modification of the mandrel or tubular member 115 as compared to the mandrel or tubular body 15 resides in the provision of one or more test ports or openings 115d. These ports or openings 115d extend laterally through the wall of the mandrel or body 115 and preferably are just below the shoulder 1150. These openings 115d correspond with the test ports or openings 16a of thetool A. Each of the ports or openings 115d has a test port plug 119 positioned therein for closing fluid flow from the area externally of the mandrel 115 to the area internally thereof. The plugs 119 correspond with the plugs 19 of the tool A except that theyare constructed with a shoulder 119a which engages with the inside bore 115b and prevents the plugs 119 from passing outwardly through the openings 11512. Seal rings or -rings 120 are preferably included with each of the plugs 119. In the illustrations of FIGS. 3 and 4, four plugs 119 are employed, although it will be evident that the number of such plugs may vary depending upon the circumstances and conditions of use.

The plugs 119 are held in the test ports or.openings 115d by means of a retainer member or plate 125 which is substantially circular except for four flat surfaces 125a which are positioned adjacent to and in contact with the plugs 119 (FIG. 4). The member or plate 125 also has a central opening 12512 therethrough for fluid passage.

The retainer member or plate 125 is prevented from moving downwardly because it rests upon the upper edge of a plug 116 which corresponds with the plug 16 of the tool A. The plug 116 has. seal rings or O-rings 117 and 117a which are formed of rubber or other resilient material for sealing between the plug 16 and the body or mandrel 115. The plug- 116 is formed with notches or recesses 116a in its upper edge, the .number of which corresponds with the number of plugs 119.

limit the upward movement of the plug 116 while providing the spaces of the notches 116a through which fluid may flow into the interior of the mandrel or body 115 (FIG. 5). As previously explained in connection with the tool A, when the test port or ports are opened, the fluid pressure above and below the plug 16 is equalized. The same equalization of the fluid pressure across the plug 116 is obtained when the test ports 115d are opened. In order to assist in maintaining the plug 116 in a raised or closed position with its upper end in contact with the shoulder 1150 after the plugs 119 are removed from the openings 115d, it is desirable to provide the lower lateral surface 11% with a greater surface area exposed to the fluid pressure therebelow than the lateral surface on the upper side of the plug 116 which is exposed to the fluid pressure within the tubing T. With such arrangement, even though the fluid pressure across the plug 116 is equalized, there is a greater upward force acting upon the plug 116 than is acting downwardly thereon so that Therefore, in the illustration, there would be four recesses or notches 116a. The notches 116a are provided so that when the member 125 is fractured and removed from the area behind the plugs 119, and therefore when the plugs 119 are permitted to be moved out of the openings 115d by fluid pressure, then the plug 116 can 1 move upwardly into contact with the shoulder 1150 to the plug 116 is maintained in position within the mandrel until some additional force or pressure is applied to the plug 116 from thereabove. To accomplish the increased lateral surface area at 11Gb as compared to the lateral surface area of the plug 116 thereabove, the external diameter of the plug 116 is decreased as indicated at 1160 as compared to the external diameter 116d therebelow and the seal 117:: is positioned for preventing fluid leakage or flow from the area thereabove to the area therebelow. It should also be noted that the plug 116 is provided with a central recess 116a into which the pieces of the retainer member may collect or fall when such member 125 is fractured or cracked.

The operation or use of the tool A-l of FIGS. 3 and 4 is substantially identical with that described above in connection with the tool A. The packer P is set in the well if it is a permanent completion type packer or a wire line packer and then the tubing T is lowered into the well with the tool A-1 thereon. If the packer P is a hookwall type packer, it is generally lowered with the tubing T. The Christmas tree (not shown) is installed and if the packer P is lowered with the tubing T, the packer is set before bolting the Christmas tree down and hooking up the flow line. Thereafter, the go-devil G is dropped into the tubing so that it strikes the frangible retainer member 125 and fractures or cracks same into pieces so that it is removed from its position behind the plugs 119. The fluid pressure in the casing C below the packer P then forces the plugs 119 inwardly and the well fluid flows into the interior of the tubing T above the plug 116. Depending upon the results of such test sampling or flow, the plug 116 is thereafter either knocked out of the lower end of the tool A-l with the go-devil G and an overshot such as S illustrated in FIG. 6, or the go-devil G is removed and the plug 116 is pumped out of the lower end of the tool A-1 with fluid under pressure from within the tubing string T. The various well operations previously referred to and those others that may be desired may then be carried out or conducted through the open bore of the tubing T and the mandrel or tubular body 115. It should be noted that FIG. 5 illustrates the position of the plug 116 after the member 125 has been fractured and the plugs 119 have been forced out of the openings 115d. It will be noted that the plug 116 has moved upwardly so that its upper edge is in contact with the annular shoulder 115:: so that it is limited in its upward movement while the notches 116a are aligned with the openings 115d to permit the flow of the well fluid into the mandrel or body 115 above the plug 116. The illustration of PEG. 6 shows the removal of the plug 116 from the mandrel or tubular body 115 with the go-devil G on the lower end of the overshot S as they are lowered together on a wire line W.

FIG. 7 shows a modification of the closure plug which is-used in the tool A or the tool A-1. The closure plug 216 of FIG. 7 is modified to include a check valve 40 which is adapted to seat in a valve opening 41 to close flow through such opening 41. A coil spring 42 acts against a shoulder 43 on the plug 216 and also against a washer 44 which is attached by any suitable means to the lower end of a shaft 45 on the valve 40. Therefore, the spring 42 normally maintains the valve 40 in a closed position and the spring 42 is of suflicient strength to normally hold the valve 40 in the closed position except when seating the apparatus in a permanent type packer. In such instances, fluid lock may develop so that the tool cannot be properly seated in the permanent type packer and in such instance, the valve 40 will open to release the fluid lock and admit a small amount of fluid into the interior of the tool A above the plug 216 without otherwise aifecting the operation or function of the tool of this invention. The remainder of the structure of the plug 216 is identical with that illustrated in connection with FIG. 3 and is shown as including a seal ring 217 which corresponds with the seal ring 117 of FIG. 3. However, as explained, the check valve could be utilized with the closure plug 16 in FIG. 1 if desired. In FIG. 8 of the drawings, the tubular body or mandrel 215 is modified as compared to the tubular body or mandrel 115 and shown in FIGS. 3 and l of the drawings, respectively. In FIG. 8, the mandrel or tubular body 215 is formed of two sections 215a and 215b which are threaded together at 2150' and which have the same internal diameters. A recess 215d is formed in the bore of the section 215a and such annular shoulder 215d is just above the upper end 2152 of the lower section 2151) so that an annular groove or recess is actually formed between the shoulders 215d and 215e. The plugs 219 fit within test ports or openings 215] to close same. The ports 215i correspond with the ports 115d of FIG. 3. The plugs 219 are held in the ports 215; by a retainer member or plate 225 which corresponds with the retainer or plate 125 of FIG. 3. However, the retainer member 225 is not supported on a closure plug such as the closure plug 116, but instead the member 225 is supported in the annular recess between the surfaces 215d and 2152 as best seen in FIG. 8. Therefore, the plug such as the plug 116 can be disposed at some point considerably below the plate or retainer member 225.

In FIG. 9, a modified mandrel or tubular body 315 is shown in part to illustrate a modified portion of the tool. The mandrel or tubular body 315 is substantially identical with the mandrel or tubular body 115 except that the bore 31511 is substantially equal to the bore 315bso that an annular recess 3150 is provided rather than a shoulder 1150 as in FIG. 3. The mandrel 315 is formed with at least two diametrically aligned test ports 315d and 3152. The test port 315d is of a reduced diameter as compared to the recess 315c, but the port 315e is of the same diameter as the annular recess 3150. The port or opening 315d is adapted to receive a plug 319 which has an enlarged head or shoulder 319a thereon for engagement with the recess 3150 to prevent outward movement of such plug 319 with respect to the opening or port 315d. On the other hand, the opening 315a has a plug 319' which is of substantially the same diameter as the opening 315:: throughout its length. The frangible member or retainer member 325 is a rod of substantially the same diameter as the opening 3152 and it is formed with suitable crack initiating grooves or scoring 325a to facilitate fracturing thereof with a go-devil such as the go-devil G of FIG. 3. The plugs 319 and 319' are inserted into the position shown in FIG. 9 by initially positioning the plug 319 in its opening 315d and then the retainer member 325 is pushed through the opening 315e until it is in engagement with the head or shoulder 319a of the plug 319 and is confined by the recess 3150. The plug 319' is then placed in the opening 315e and the fluid pressure externally of the mandrel or tubular body 315 is relied upon to keep the plug 319' in position since the retainer member 325 prevents the plug 319 from moving inwardly into the bore of the mandrel 315. It will be evident that if a closure plug such as the

plug

16 or 116 is utilized with the form of the invention shown in FIG. 9, it would be positioned below the rod 325. Also, it should be understood that if more than two inlet test ports or openings are desired, they can be longitudinally spaced with respect to each other so that a plurality of retainer rods 325 would be utilized in retaining the plugs in position in the test ports. Test ports are opened by fracturing or shattering the retainer rod 325 in the same manner as previously described in connection with the fracturing or shattering of the retainer member in FIG. 3.

In FIG. 10 a diagrammatic illustration is shown to illustrate the use of a retainer member that can be moved within the mandrel or tubular body 415 without fracturing same but while still accomplishing the opening of the test ports or openings. Thus, in FIG. 10 plugs 419 are held in test ports or openings 415a by a retainer member 425 which is longitudinally movable in the mandrel or tubular body 415. The retainer member 425 is limited in its upward movement by engagement with an annular internal shoulder 415b so that the external surface of the retainer member 425 is behind the plugs 419 to prevent their inward movement into the interior of the tubular body or mandrel 415. However, when the retainer member 425 is moved downwardly with the go-devil G or any other weighted member, the plugs 419 are then released. When the' plugs 419 are released the openings 415a are of course open and the member 425 is preferably held in the lowered position by the go-devil G. Once the fluid pressure above and below the member 425 is equalized there is no tendency for the member 425 to move in either direction by the action of the fiuid pressure thereon so that if the member 425 is once positioned below the openings 415a, it normally will remain there. To prevent a premature lowering of the retainer member 425 with respect to the body 415, a shear pin or other similar means (not shown) could be utilized to hold the memher 425 in the position shown in FIG. 10 behind the plugs 419. Therefore, when the go-devil G contacted the memher 425 it would sever the shear pin and move the member 425 downwardly sufficiently for the plugs 419 to be forced inwardly to permit the fluid to thereafter flow through the openings 415a. The closure plug 416 may be of the type shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 3 or any of the other types illustrated in this application and it can be seen that such plug 416 is positioned well below the retainer member 425 and it is prevented from moving upwardly in the mandrel 415 above a shoulder 4151;. Such arrangement for the closure plug 416 could be utilized in connection with the forms of the invention shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 of the drawings.

The closure plug 416 can of course be knocked out of the mandrel 415 with the go-devil G in substantiallythe same manner as described previously in connection with FIG. 1 or it can be pumped out with the pressure fluid from within the tubing T as also explained previously in connection with FIG. 1.

It should be pointed out that the go-devil G or similar Weighted means, the closure plug 16 and the other closure plugs should be made of a drillable material so that they can be drilled out with a drill bit if it becomes necessary to later drill the well deeper.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are illustrative and explanatory thereof and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction, may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A test tool for use with a well tubing positioned in a well casing wherein a Well packer is located between the tubing and the casing, comprising a tubular body having an axial bore. therethrough, .a closure plug positioned in said axial bore for closing same, said closure spams plug having a'test port for establishing flui d comr nmuni cation from the area in said tubular body above said clo sure plug to" the area below said plug, a test port plug mounted with said closureplug for closing said test port, and frangible means for holding said test port plug against upward movement away from said test port until said frangible means is fractured. 2. The structureset forth in claim 1, including a. screen onsaid closure plug to prevent the entry of material or debris into said test port which might close same. 3. The structure set forth in claim 1, including lock means on said closure plug for holding said frangible movement until said frangible means against upward means is fractured.

4. A well test-completion tool for use with a Well tubing positioned in a well casing wherein a well packer is located between the tubing and the casing, comprising a tubular body having an axial bore therethrough, closure means closing said axial bore, said tubular body having a test port located above said closure means for admitting fluid into said tubing from the area below said packer and externally of said tubing, plug means closing said test port, and means in said body supporting said plug means in position closing said test port and movable from said plug means to permit removal of said plug means from said test port. 5. The structure set forth iri claim 4, including means for moving said movable means from said plug means whereby said plug means is released from said test port by fluid pressure acting on said plug means from externally of said tubular body. I v

6. A test tool for use with a well tubing positioned in a well casing, comprising a tubular body having an axial bore therethrough, a closure plug positioned in said axial bore for closing same, said closure plug having a test port for establishingfluid communication from the area in said tubular body above said closure plug to the area below said plug, a test port plug mounted with saidclosure plug for closing said test port, and frangible means for holding said test port plug in said test port until said frangible means is fractured. p

,7. A test tool for use with a well tubing positioned in a well casing wherein a Well packer is located between the tubing and thecasing, comprising a tubular body having an axial bore therethrough, closure means positioned in said axial bore for closing same, one of said tubular body and said closure means having a test port for admitting fluid into said tubular body from the area below said packer and externally of said tubular body, plug means closingsaid test port, mea ns for releasably supporting said plug means in position closing said test port and movable therefrom to permit release of said plug means from said test port to open same to admit fluid into said tubular body, and means for supporting said closure means in said body for movement from said tubular body after the plug means is released to open said axial bore for conducting a well operation therethrough.

8. A testtool for use with a well tubing positioned in a well casing wherein a well packeris located between the tubing and the .casing, comprising a tubular body having an axial bore therethrough, closure means positioned in said axial bore for closing same, said closure means having a test port for admitting fluid into said tubular body from the area below said packer and externally of said tubular body, plug means closing said test port, means for releasably supporting said plug means in position closing said test port and movable therefrom to permit release of said plug means from said test port to open same to admit fluid into said tubular body, and means for supporting said closure means in said body for movement from said tubular body after the plug means is released to open said axial bore for conducting a well operation therethrough.

9. A test tool for use with a well tubing positionedin 1.2 a' well casing wherein awell packer is located between the tubing and the casing, comprising a tubular body having an axial bore therethrough, closure means posi-' tioned in said axial bore for closing same, said tubular body having a test port for admitting fluid'into said tubular body from the area below said packer and externally of said tubular body, plug means closing said test port,

means for releasably supporting said plug means in posi-' tion closing said test port and movable therefrom to permit release of said plug means from said test port to open same to admit fluid into said tubular body, and means for supporting said closure means in said body for movement from said tubular body after the plug means is released to open said axial bore for conducting a well operation therethrough.

10. A test tool for use with a well tubing positioned in a well casing, comprising a tubular body having an axial bore therethrough, closure means positioned in said axial bore for closing same, one of said tubular body and said closure means having a test port for admitting fluid into said tubular body from the area externally of said tubular body, plug means closing said test port, means for releasably supporting said plug means in position closing said test port and movable therefrom to permit release of said plug means from said test port to open same to admit fluid into said tubular body, and means for supporting said closure means in said body for movement from said tubular body after the plug means is released to open said axial bore for conducting a well operation therethrough.

11. The structure set forth in claim 10, wherein said mandrel has means at its upper end for connection with tubing, and wherein the least diameter of the bore of said mandrel is as large as the diameter of the bore of said tubing so that there is no restriction to the passage of well tools through the mandrel when said closure means is removed from said bore of the mandrel.

12. The structure set forth in claim 10, wherein said lateral surface of said closure means which is exposed to the fluid pressure below the closure means is greater than the lateral surface of the closure means exposed to the fluid pressure in the mandrel thereabove so that the closure means is held against downward movement in the mandrel even though the pressures above and below said closure means are equalized.

13. The structure set forth in claim 10, including means for admitting pressure fluid above said closure means after said plug means has been released for thereby equalizing the fluid pressure above and below said closure means.

14. A Well test completion tool connected to a well tubing positioned in a well casing, comprising a tubular body having an axial bore therethrough, a closure plug closing said axial bore, said closure plug having a test port for admitting fluid into said tubing from the area externally of said tubular body, a test port plug in said test port for closing same, retainer means retaining said plug in said test port, and means for fracturing said retainer means to permit the removal of said test port plug from said test port by fluid pressure from externally of said tubular body.

15. The structure set forth in claim 14, including coacting surfaces on said closure plug and said tubular body for limiting upward movement of said closure means in said tubular body.

16. The structure set forth in claim 14, wherein said means for fracturing said retainer means is a weighted member whichis adapted to bedropped in the tubing for contact with said retainer means.

17. The structure set forth in claim 14, wherein said means for fracturing said retainer means is a weighted member 'which is adapted to be dropped in the tubing for contact with said retainer'means, and wherein said weighted member has guide means thereon for guiding it 13 into contact with substantially the central portion of said retainer member.

18. The structure set forth in claim 14, including means on said closure means for contacting said retainer means to limit the upward movement of said retainer means rela tive to said closure means.

19. The structure set forth in claim 14, wherein said means for fracturing said retainer means is a weighted member which is adapted to be dropped in the tubing for contact with said retainer means, and wherein said weighted member and said tubular body have coacting means for catching the weighted member to limit the extent of its downward movement after said retainer means has been fractured.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Lamb Mar. 14, 1939 Otis Nov. 21, 1939 Nash May 28, 1940 Stoddard July 4, 1944 Byrd Apr. 22, 1947 Parks Jan. 11, 1949 Gardner Feb. 15, 1949 Christensen Feb. 6, 1951 Dunn Mar. 18, 1952 Suter Aug. 12, 1952 Althouse et al. Oct. 30, 1956