Wells – Processes – Operating valve – closure – or changeable restrictor in a well
Reexamination Certificate
2006-12-05
2006-12-05
Neuder, William (Department: 3672)
Wells
Processes
Operating valve, closure, or changeable restrictor in a well
C166S192000, C166S381000
Reexamination Certificate
active
07143831
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to an apparatus for dropping a ball into a wellbore. The apparatus is particularly useful for dropping a ball that has a diameter that is larger than the diameter of a bore within a wellbore tool above the apparatus. The ball-releasing apparatus first comprises a tubular body. The tubular body has a bore therethrough that is in fluid communication with the bore of the wellbore tool. A piston is placed within the tubular body. The piston has a top end disposed within the tubular body, and a bottom end disposed below the bore of the wellbore tool. The ball-releasing apparatus further comprises a connector for releasably connecting the piston to the ball. In one arrangement, the ball-releasing apparatus is connected to the bottom of a wiper plug for dropping a ball during a wellbore cementing operation. In one aspect, the ball is dropped by dropping a second ball having a diameter that will pass through the wellbore restriction, and then injecting fluid under pressure against the second smaller ball in order to actuate the releasable connection.
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