Patent · US Expired

Methods and apparatus for use in subterranean cementing operations

US7255162B2 · kind B2 · utility

12Cited by
12References
42Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 7, 2004
Grant dateAug 14, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 11, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF16L55/13
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

The present invention relates to subterranean cementing operations, and more particularly to an apparatus useful in loading cementing plugs and darts into tubulars, and methods of using such apparatus in subterranean cementing operations. An example of a method of the present invention is a method of placing a compressible object having a cross-section within a tubular, including the steps of: reducing the cross-section of the compressible object; placing the compressible object with the reduced cross-section in a tubular; and releasing the compressible object within the tubular. Another example of a method of the present invention is a method of reducing the radial cross-section of a compressible object. Other examples of apparatus of the present invention include apparatus for placing a compressible object into a tubular.

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