Patent · US Active

Method and apparatus for dropping a pump down plug or ball

US7841410B2 · kind B2 · utility

29Cited by
28References
32Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateDec 6, 2007
Grant dateNov 30, 2010
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 14, 2028

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE21B2200/04
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

An improved method and apparatus for dropping a ball, plug or dart during oil and gas well operations (e.g., cementing operations) employs a specially configured valving member with curved and flat portions that alternatively direct fluid flow through a bore or opening in the valving member via an inner channel or around the periphery of the valving member in an outer channel. In one embodiment, the ball(s), dart(s) or plug(s) are contained in a sliding sleeve that shifts position responsive to valve rotation.

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