US3616851A - Safety fill flow control well apparatus - Google Patents

Safety fill flow control well apparatus Download PDF

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US3616851A
US3616851A US878508A US3616851DA US3616851A US 3616851 A US3616851 A US 3616851A US 878508 A US878508 A US 878508A US 3616851D A US3616851D A US 3616851DA US 3616851 A US3616851 A US 3616851A
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valve
housing
pipe string
pipe section
valve element
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US878508A
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Juan A Garcia
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ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co
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Exxon Production Research Co
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    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B21/00—Methods or apparatus for flushing boreholes, e.g. by use of exhaust air from motor
    • E21B21/10—Valve arrangements in drilling-fluid circulation systems
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
    • E21B33/10—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells in the borehole
    • E21B33/13—Methods or devices for cementing, for plugging holes, crevices or the like
    • E21B33/14—Methods or devices for cementing, for plugging holes, crevices or the like for cementing casings into boreholes
    • E21B33/16—Methods or devices for cementing, for plugging holes, crevices or the like for cementing casings into boreholes using plugs for isolating cement charge; Plugs therefor
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B34/00—Valve arrangements for boreholes or wells
    • E21B34/06—Valve arrangements for boreholes or wells in wells
    • E21B34/063—Valve or closure with destructible element, e.g. frangible disc

Definitions

  • SAFETY FILL FLOW CONTROL WELL APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION run a string of pipe in the borehole and then pump cement down the pipe string.
  • the cement flows out the bottom of the pipe string and upwardly through the annular space between the outside of the pipe string and the wall of the borehole.
  • the pipe string is firmly securedin the well bore and further well operations may be carriedout.
  • the well might start to come in, and if this happens, the formation pressure may force fluid into the bottom of the pipe string so rapidly that fluid would blow out the top of the pipe string. Such a blowout may be prevented by shutting off flow of fluid into the bottom of the pipe string and applying pressure to overcome the fonnation pressure.
  • apparatus for controlling the flow of fluid into a pipe string as the pipe string is lowered in a borehole is arranged in the lower end of the pipe string to permit the pipe string to fill at an adjustable rate and to shut off upward flow of fluid at a predetermined high flow rate.
  • This apparatus includes a valve housing having a flow passage therethrough and a valve seatadjacent to such passage.
  • a valve element, retained or supported on a sleeve attached to the valve housing, is movably arranged in the passage for seating on the valve seat.
  • Biasing means is arrangedon the valve element for urging the valve element downwardly away from the valve seat.
  • a stop is positioned on the interior wall of the pipe string to prevent upward movement of the valve housing and a frangible means initially connects the valve housing to the wall of the pipe string to prevent, until fractured, downward movement of the valve housing.
  • the pipe string with the flow control apparatus positioned in it is lowered in the well borehole. As it is lowered, fluid passes through openings in the pipe string below the flow control apparatus and upwardly through the valve housing passage at a rate that is adjustable in accordance with the velocity of the fluids passing through such passage. If the well comes in while the pipe string is being run into the hole, flow into the well pipe string is shut off by the valve element being forced upwardly to seat in the valve seat. The BOP rams are closed on the pipe string, and conventional well-killing proceduresmay then be continued.
  • the forward and rear plugs, together with the cement in between are pumped down the well pipe until the forward plug contacts the valve housing which causes the frangible connection between the housing and the well pipe to shear and the valve housing and its components are carriedto the bottom of the pipe string.
  • the cement flows through the openings in the pipe string and into the annulus surrounding the pipe string.
  • FIG. I is a cross-sectional view of the lower end of a pipe string containing theflow control apparatus of the invention, as the pipe string is lowered in a well bore;
  • FIGv 2 is a view similar to that shown in FIG. 1 illustrating the start of a cementing operation with the pipe string on the bottom of the well bore;
  • FIG. 3 is a view similar to that shown in FIG. 1 illustratirig the cementing operation as it is being completed;
  • FIG. 4 is a more detailed view of the valve element in the flow control apparatus.
  • FIG. 5 is a view taken on lines 5-5 of FIG. 4.
  • valve housing 13 arranged in and connected to pipe string 10 by shearpins 14 which engage a groove 14a formed on the outer surface of valve housing 13.
  • Suitable 0-ring seals 15 seal off the space between the outer wall of housing 13 and the inner wall of pipe string 10.
  • the interior of housing 13 has a passageway 16 therethrough and a conical surface 17 thereof forms a valve seat.
  • a valve stem 18 having a valve element 19 at its upper end extends through the lower end 20 of housing 13 which has openings therein.
  • a spring 21 surrounds valve stem 18 between the lower end 20 of housing 13 and a plate 22 secured to valve stem 18. Spring 21 urges valve stem 18 and valve element 19 downwardly away from valve seat 17. As shown in FIGS.
  • valve housing 13 is provided with a valve retainer sleeve 13a threadedly attached to the valve housing, as shown, to facilitate fabrication of the flow control apparatus and to provide a means for adjusting the spacing between the valve element 19 and theseat 17 before the pipe string 10 is run in the borehole.
  • drilling mud in borehole 9 differentially fills cement'shoe II and pipe string 10 through openings 25 and passageway 16 in valve housing 13, as indicated by the ar- 1 rows.
  • Valve element 19 is normally biased to the open position by spring 21.
  • the opening through valve housing 13 depends upon strength of spring 21 and velocity of fluids moving through passageway 16.
  • pipe string 10 fills with well fluids at an adjustable rate while it is being lowered in borehole 9. If the well comes in while pipe string 10 is being run into borehole 9 in this manner, the velocity of flow causes valve element 19-to move upwardly and seat on valve seat 17 against the bias of spring 20. Rams are closed on pipe string 10 at the surface and well-killing procedures are then carried out.
  • a lead orfir'st (rubber) plug 26 is inserted in pipe string 10 followed by a 'cement slurry 27 pumped down pipe string 10.
  • Drilling mud in drill string 10 is displaced through ports 25 in pipe string 10 and cement shoe 11.
  • a follower or second (rubbeijplug 28 is inserted into pipe string 10 behind cement slurry 27.
  • a displacement fluid 29 is pumped into pipe string 10 behind follower plug 28.
  • Plug 26 engages valvehousing 13 and pump pressure from the surface pump causes shearpins 14 to fracture and force valve housing 13 to the bottom of cemerit shoe ll where it lodges as illustrated in FIG. 3.
  • Downward movement of plug 28 displaces cement slurry 27 through side openings 25 into the annulus of the borehole surrounding pipestringIO displacing drilling mud upwardly to cement pipe string 10 in the borehole, as shown by the arrows.
  • Apparatus for controlling flow of fluid into a pipe string as said pipe string is being lowered in a well comprising:
  • valve assembly arranged in said pipe section spaced above said openings in said pipe section including a housing having a flowpassage therethrough and a valve seat therein, a valve element movably arranged in said passage adapted to seat on said valve seat, a valve stem connected to the underside of said valve element, a retainer sleeve surrounding said valve element and threadedly attached to the lower end of said housing for supporting said valve element below said valve seat, said threaded attachment permitting adjustment of the spacing between said valve housing in an upward direction away from said openings; and
  • frangible means including shear pins connected to said pipe section releasably connecting said valve housing to said pipe section, said housing being provided with a groove in which said shearpins are initially located.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Lift Valve (AREA)

Abstract

Apparatus for controlling the flow of fluid into a casing string as the string is being lowered in a well. A valve in the casing string permits the casing string to fill at an adjustable rate and shuts off flow at a predetermined high flow rate. Frangible means releasably connects the valve to the casing string. A twoplug cementing technique is usable with this apparatus.

Description

United States Patent [72] Inventor Juan A. Garcia Corpus Christi, Tex. [21] Appl. No. 878,508
[22] Filed Nov. 20, 1969 [45] Patented Nov. 2, 197 1 [73] Assignee Esso Production Research Company [54] SAFETY FILL FLOW CONTROL WELL Primary Examinerlan A. Calvert Attorneys--Thomas B. McCulloch, Melvin F. Fincke, John S.
Schneider, Sylvester W. Brock, .lr., Kurt S. Myers and Timothy L. Burgess ABSTRACT: Apparatus for controlling the flow of fluid into a casing string as the string is being lowered in a well. A valve in the casing string permits the casing string to fill at an adjusta ble rate and shuts off flow at a predetermined high flow rate. Frangible means releasably connects the valve to the casing string. A two-plug cementing technique is usable with this apparatus.
PATENTEDN 2 3,616,851
* llil/ INV/CN'I'HR.
JUAN A. GARCIA, WAMMI ATTOR NEY.
SAFETY FILL FLOW CONTROL WELL APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION run a string of pipe in the borehole and then pump cement down the pipe string. The cement flows out the bottom of the pipe string and upwardly through the annular space between the outside of the pipe string and the wall of the borehole. When the cement hardens, the pipe string is firmly securedin the well bore and further well operations may be carriedout. When lowering the pipe string in the borehole, it is desirable to fill the pipe string with fluid gradually to reduce the pressure differential between the interior and exterior thereof. Further, as the pipe string is being lowered in the borehole, the well might start to come in, and if this happens, the formation pressure may force fluid into the bottom of the pipe string so rapidly that fluid would blow out the top of the pipe string. Such a blowout may be prevented by shutting off flow of fluid into the bottom of the pipe string and applying pressure to overcome the fonnation pressure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, apparatus for controlling the flow of fluid into a pipe string as the pipe string is lowered in a borehole is arranged in the lower end of the pipe string to permit the pipe string to fill at an adjustable rate and to shut off upward flow of fluid at a predetermined high flow rate. This apparatus includes a valve housing having a flow passage therethrough and a valve seatadjacent to such passage. A valve element, retained or supported on a sleeve attached to the valve housing, is movably arranged in the passage for seating on the valve seat. Biasing means is arrangedon the valve element for urging the valve element downwardly away from the valve seat. A stop is positioned on the interior wall of the pipe string to prevent upward movement of the valve housing and a frangible means initially connects the valve housing to the wall of the pipe string to prevent, until fractured, downward movement of the valve housing.
The pipe string with the flow control apparatus positioned in it is lowered in the well borehole. As it is lowered, fluid passes through openings in the pipe string below the flow control apparatus and upwardly through the valve housing passage at a rate that is adjustable in accordance with the velocity of the fluids passing through such passage. If the well comes in while the pipe string is being run into the hole, flow into the well pipe string is shut off by the valve element being forced upwardly to seat in the valve seat. The BOP rams are closed on the pipe string, and conventional well-killing proceduresmay then be continued. In cementing the well pipe in the well bore using a two-plug technique, the forward and rear plugs, together with the cement in between are pumped down the well pipe until the forward plug contacts the valve housing which causes the frangible connection between the housing and the well pipe to shear and the valve housing and its components are carriedto the bottom of the pipe string. The cement flows through the openings in the pipe string and into the annulus surrounding the pipe string.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a cross-sectional view of the lower end of a pipe string containing theflow control apparatus of the invention, as the pipe string is lowered in a well bore;
FIGv 2 is a view similar to that shown in FIG. 1 illustrating the start of a cementing operation with the pipe string on the bottom of the well bore;
FIG. 3 is a view similar to that shown in FIG. 1 illustratirig the cementing operation as it is being completed;
FIG. 4 is a more detailed view of the valve element in the flow control apparatus; and
FIG. 5 is a view taken on lines 5-5 of FIG. 4.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS ward movement of a valve housing 13 arranged in and connected to pipe string 10 by shearpins 14 which engage a groove 14a formed on the outer surface of valve housing 13.
Suitable 0-ring seals 15 seal off the space between the outer wall of housing 13 and the inner wall of pipe string 10. The interior of housing 13 has a passageway 16 therethrough and a conical surface 17 thereof forms a valve seat. A valve stem 18 having a valve element 19 at its upper end extends through the lower end 20 of housing 13 which has openings therein. A spring 21 surrounds valve stem 18 between the lower end 20 of housing 13 and a plate 22 secured to valve stem 18. Spring 21 urges valve stem 18 and valve element 19 downwardly away from valve seat 17. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the valve housing 13 is provided with a valve retainer sleeve 13a threadedly attached to the valve housing, as shown, to facilitate fabrication of the flow control apparatus and to provide a means for adjusting the spacing between the valve element 19 and theseat 17 before the pipe string 10 is run in the borehole.
In operat'iomwhen running pipe string l0 into borehole 9 as illustrated in FIG. 1, drilling mud in borehole 9 differentially fills cement'shoe II and pipe string 10 through openings 25 and passageway 16 in valve housing 13, as indicated by the ar- 1 rows. Valve element 19 is normally biased to the open position by spring 21. The opening through valve housing 13 depends upon strength of spring 21 and velocity of fluids moving through passageway 16.'Thus, pipe string 10 fills with well fluids at an adjustable rate while it is being lowered in borehole 9.If the well comes in while pipe string 10 is being run into borehole 9 in this manner, the velocity of flow causes valve element 19-to move upwardly and seat on valve seat 17 against the bias of spring 20. Rams are closed on pipe string 10 at the surface and well-killing procedures are then carried out.
In cemeri'tirig pipe string 10 in borehole 9 after pipe string 10 is landed on the bottom of the borehole as illustrated in FIG. 2, a lead orfir'st (rubber) plug 26 is inserted in pipe string 10 followed by a 'cement slurry 27 pumped down pipe string 10. Drilling mud in drill string 10 is displaced through ports 25 in pipe string 10 and cement shoe 11. After a desired amount of cementslurry is pumped into pipe string 10, a follower or second (rubbeijplug 28 is inserted into pipe string 10 behind cement slurry 27. A displacement fluid 29 is pumped into pipe string 10 behind follower plug 28. Plug 26 engages valvehousing 13 and pump pressure from the surface pump causes shearpins 14 to fracture and force valve housing 13 to the bottom of cemerit shoe ll where it lodges as illustrated in FIG. 3. Downward movement of plug 28 displaces cement slurry 27 through side openings 25 into the annulus of the borehole surrounding pipestringIO displacing drilling mud upwardly to cement pipe string 10 in the borehole, as shown by the arrows.
Having fully described the apparatus, operation and advantages of my invention, I claim:
1. Apparatus for controlling flow of fluid into a pipe string as said pipe string is being lowered in a well comprising:
a pipe section having openings therein connectedto the lowermost end of said pipe string;
a valve assembly arranged in said pipe section spaced above said openings in said pipe section including a housing having a flowpassage therethrough and a valve seat therein, a valve element movably arranged in said passage adapted to seat on said valve seat, a valve stem connected to the underside of said valve element, a retainer sleeve surrounding said valve element and threadedly attached to the lower end of said housing for supporting said valve element below said valve seat, said threaded attachment permitting adjustment of the spacing between said valve housing in an upward direction away from said openings; and
frangible means including shear pins connected to said pipe section releasably connecting said valve housing to said pipe section, said housing being provided with a groove in which said shearpins are initially located.

Claims (1)

1. Apparatus for controlling flow of fluid into a pipe string as said pipe string is being lowered in a well comprising: a pipe section having openings therein connected to the lowermost end of said pipe string; a valve assembly arranged in said pipe section spaced above said openings in said pipe section including a housing having a flow passage therethrough and a valve seat therein, a valve element movably arranged in said passage adapted to seat on said valve seat, a valve stem connected to the underside of said valve element, a retainer sleeve surrounding said valve element and threadedly attached to the lower end of said housing for supporting said valve element below said valve seat, said threaded attachment permitting adjustment of the spacing between said valve element and said valve seat, and biasing means for urging said valve element and valve stem downwardly away from said valve seat; sealing means arranged on said housing to seal off the space between the outer wall of said housing and the inner wall of said pipe section; a stop arranged on the inner wall of said pipe section engaging said valve housing to prevent movement of said valve housing in an upward direction away from said openings; and frangible means including shear pins connected to said pipe section releasably connecting said valve housing to said pipe section, said housing being provided with a groove in which said shearpins are initially located.
US878508A 1969-11-20 1969-11-20 Safety fill flow control well apparatus Expired - Lifetime US3616851A (en)

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Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2223782A (en) * 1988-09-30 1990-04-18 Baker Hughes Inc Wwll casing float tool.
US20030066653A1 (en) * 2000-12-08 2003-04-10 Herve Ohmer Method and apparatus for controlling well pressure in open-ended casing
USRE41979E1 (en) * 2002-02-13 2010-12-07 Frank's Casing Crew And Rental Tools, Inc. Flow control apparatus and method

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2004606A (en) * 1934-05-05 1935-06-11 Erle P Halliburton Process of cementing wells
US2249511A (en) * 1936-09-01 1941-07-15 Edward F Westall Apparatus and method for cementing wells
US2300854A (en) * 1940-06-24 1942-11-03 Cameron Iron Works Inc Tubing bottom
US2630178A (en) * 1949-04-22 1953-03-03 Cicero C Brown Valve
US3473609A (en) * 1967-08-28 1969-10-21 Well Service Inc Float valve unit for well pipe

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2004606A (en) * 1934-05-05 1935-06-11 Erle P Halliburton Process of cementing wells
US2249511A (en) * 1936-09-01 1941-07-15 Edward F Westall Apparatus and method for cementing wells
US2300854A (en) * 1940-06-24 1942-11-03 Cameron Iron Works Inc Tubing bottom
US2630178A (en) * 1949-04-22 1953-03-03 Cicero C Brown Valve
US3473609A (en) * 1967-08-28 1969-10-21 Well Service Inc Float valve unit for well pipe

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2223782A (en) * 1988-09-30 1990-04-18 Baker Hughes Inc Wwll casing float tool.
GB2223782B (en) * 1988-09-30 1992-09-02 Baker Hughes Inc Subterranean well casing float tool
US20030066653A1 (en) * 2000-12-08 2003-04-10 Herve Ohmer Method and apparatus for controlling well pressure in open-ended casing
US7021385B2 (en) * 2000-12-08 2006-04-04 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Method and apparatus for controlling well pressure in open-ended casing
USRE41979E1 (en) * 2002-02-13 2010-12-07 Frank's Casing Crew And Rental Tools, Inc. Flow control apparatus and method

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