Patent · US Expired

Apparatus and method for temporarily plugging a tubular

US5511617A · kind A · utility

44Cited by
13References
37Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 29, 1995
Grant dateApr 30, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 29, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE21B34/142
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

An apparatus and method for controlling the pressure at which a fluid is introduced into a well penetrating a subterranean formation. The apparatus comprises a blow out sub having a sealed chamber between two plugs. The chamber is filled with a fluid at a known pressure. Thus, the pressure required to release the first plug is independent of the pressure in the well below the sub. The sub is attached to a tubular and positioned within the well. The first plug is then released upon application of a predetermined pressure fluid pressure, and the second plug is released upon application of a lesser pressure. The blow out sub may additionally comprise a tube forming a channel through the first plug, the chamber, and the second plug, with a means for controlling fluid flow through the channel. A first fluid may be introduced into the well via the channel prior to releasing the first plug.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.