Boring or penetrating the earth – With means movable relative to tool below ground to stop... – Means comprises dropped element
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-25
2001-07-03
Will, Thomas B. (Department: 3671)
Boring or penetrating the earth
With means movable relative to tool below ground to stop...
Means comprises dropped element
C175S317000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06253861
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to down hole drilling and or production apparatus and particularly relates to a circulation tool.
It is considered desirable in the art of drilling for oil or gas to be able to circulate drilling fluid at all material times down a drill string. The present invention recognises the need for a sub or tool connectable in a drill string or the like that may be used for maintaining and or reinstating circulation, notwithstanding the operation of other tools or processes.
For example, in our co-pending International Patent Application Number PCT/GB98/03795 there is described an inner string suspended from a drill pipe which prevents circulation. At the bottom of the drill string is a sub with a generally open port to enable circulation thereat.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a sub or tool of suitable design for use in such an application.
Similarly, a tool or sub for enabling or manipulating circulation may be required for use over a mud motor or the like.
A further object of the invention is to provide a tool having suitability for use in well-bore cleanup operations, including the cleaning of risers.
A yet further object of the present invention is to meet the aforementioned objections while providing for circulation via radial and axial outlets in a tool or sub.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for use in a well bore, the apparatus comprising a body member connectable in or to a drill string and one or more valve members, the body member having a radial outlet associated with each valve member and an-axial bore providing passage for drilling fluid between an axial inlet and an axial outlet, and between the axial inlet and each radial outlet, wherein each valve member is moveable between a respective first position at which the associated radial outlet is in either one of an open or a closed state and a second position at which the associated radial outlet is an alternative closed or open state, and characterised in that the valve member allows for fluid flow through or at least partially through the axial bore when in either of the aforementioned positions.
Preferably each radial outlet may be associated with filtration means for preventing the ingression of particles or debris into the body member of the apparatus.
Each valve member may be locatable within the axial bore of the body member and preferably includes an axial passage in line with the axial bore of the body member.
Each valve member may be held in its respective first position by a pin or other mechanical means, the mechanical means becoming inoperable or fractured at a predetermined load or force. For example, one or more valve members may be held in its respective first position by one or more shear pins. Alternatively, hydraulic means may be employed to hold each valve member in the respective first position.
Preferably each valve member is adapted to co-operate with a respective actuating device for actuating movement of the valve member from the first position to the second position. Each valve member may comprise a ball seat and the actuating device may be, for example, a dropped ball suitable for landing on the ball seat, so as to temporarily block the axial passage through the apparatus and thereby enable an increase in fluid pressure capable of shearing the pin or other means for maintaining the valve member in the first position.
The valve member may be provided with a second inlet which communicates with the axial passage, wherein the second inlet is obturated when the valve member is in the first position and open when the valve member is in the second position such that when the valve member is in the second position a circulation path through the apparatus and, more precisely, between the axial inlet and axial outlet of the body member, is maintained.
Also according to the present invention there is provided a down hole tool or sub comprising a body member having an inlet and a first and second outlet, the first outlet being generally located below or beyond the second outlet when the tool is run, and means for controllably closing the second outlet while maintaining a circulation path between the inlet and the first outlet.
Typically, the down hole tool or sub is a well cleanup tool. The tool may be suitable for use in a well riser. The tool or sub may be a fill up tool run above a mud motor or the like.
The body member may be attachable to a work string or the like. A rotatable sleeve may be mounted on the outside of the body member having jet outlets aligned with the radial outlets on the body member, wherein also at least some of the jet outlets are directed tangentially so that the reaction forces of fluid expelled from the one or more tangential jet outlets create a turning moment sufficient to cause rotation of the sleeve relative to the body member. Preferably, some of the jet outlets on the sleeve are orientated radially.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4074779 (1978-02-01), Cheung et al.
patent: 4520870 (1985-06-01), Pringle
patent: 4574894 (1986-03-01), Jadwin
patent: 4645006 (1987-02-01), Tinsley
patent: 4889199 (1989-12-01), Lee
patent: 5392862 (1995-02-01), Swearingen
patent: 5564500 (1996-10-01), Rogers et al.
patent: 2 315 508 (1997-07-01), None
patent: 2 327 691 (1997-07-01), None
patent: 2 327 445 (1998-07-01), None
Carmichael Mark
Howlett Paul
Petravick Meredith
Specialised Petroleum Services Limited
Will Thomas B.
Woodard Emhardt Naughton Moriarty & McNett
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