U.S. patent application number 13/086446 was filed with the patent office on 2012-10-18 for devices for reducing ball impact into ball seats and methods of reducing ball impact into ball seats.
Invention is credited to Ying Qing Xu.
Application Number | 20120261140 13/086446 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47005547 |
Filed Date | 2012-10-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120261140 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Xu; Ying Qing |
October 18, 2012 |
DEVICES FOR REDUCING BALL IMPACT INTO BALL SEATS AND METHODS OF
REDUCING BALL IMPACT INTO BALL SEATS
Abstract
Seats for receiving a plug member comprise a tubular member
having a seat disposed therein and a fluid flow reduction member
that reduces the velocity of the fluid flowing through the tubular
member as it approaches the seat so as to reduce the impact of the
plug member landing on the seat. The fluid flow reduction member
may be disposed on a fluid flow reduction device, such as on an
inner wall surface of a sleeved insert, or formed in the inner wall
surface of the tubular member. The fluid reduction member can
comprise one or more longitudinal channels, one or more apertures,
or one or more curved-shaped grooves disposed either on the inner
wall surface of the tubular member or on a fluid flow reduction
device, such as on an inner wall surface of a sleeved insert
disposed within the tubular member.
Inventors: |
Xu; Ying Qing; (Tomball,
TX) |
Family ID: |
47005547 |
Appl. No.: |
13/086446 |
Filed: |
April 14, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
166/386 ;
166/193 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 34/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
166/386 ;
166/193 |
International
Class: |
E21B 33/12 20060101
E21B033/12 |
Claims
1. A seat for receiving a plug member, the seat comprising: a
tubular member having an inner wall surface defining a bore, the
bore being divided into an upper portion and a lower portion; a
seat disposed along the inner wall surface, the seat transitioning
the inner wall surface from the upper portion to the lower portion;
and a fluid flow reduction member, the fluid flow reduction member
being disposed along the inner wall surface of the tubular
member.
2. The seat of claim 1, wherein the fluid flow reduction member
comprises at least one groove disposed longitudinal to an axis of
the seat, the at least one groove being disposed in the inner wall
surface.
3. The seat of claim 1, wherein the fluid flow reduction member
comprises a plurality of grooves disposed longitudinal to an axis
of the seat, the plurality of grooves being disposed in the inner
wall surface.
4. The seat of claim 1, wherein the fluid flow reduction member
comprises at least one curved-shaped groove disposed in the inner
wall surface.
5. The seat of claim 4, wherein at least one of the at least one
curved-shaped grooves comprises a spiral-shaped groove.
6. The seat of claim 1, wherein the fluid flow reduction member
comprises an insert, the insert comprising a sleeve having a sleeve
inner wall surface and a sleeve outer wall surface, the sleeve
outer wall surface being in engagement with the inner wall surface
of the tubular member, the insert comprising at least one aperture
disposed in the sleeve, the at least one aperture providing fluid
communication between the sleeve inner wall surface and the sleeve
outer wall surface.
7. The seat of claim 1, wherein the fluid flow reduction member
comprises an insert, the insert comprising a sleeve having a sleeve
inner wall surface and a sleeve outer wall surface, the sleeve
outer wall surface being in engagement with the inner wall surface
of the tubular member, the insert comprising a plurality of
apertures disposed in the sleeve, each of the plurality of
apertures providing fluid communication between the sleeve inner
wall surface and the sleeve outer wall surface.
8. The seat of claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of apertures
has an identical size and an identical shape.
9. The seat of claim 7, wherein the sleeve outer wall surface
comprises a recess in fluid communication with at least one of the
at least one apertures.
10. The seat of claim 1, wherein the fluid flow reduction member is
disposed adjacent the seat.
11. The seat of claim 1, wherein the fluid flow reduction member
comprises an insert, the insert comprising a sleeve having a sleeve
inner wall surface and a sleeve outer wall surface, the sleeve
outer wall surface being in engagement with the inner wall surface
of the tubular member and the sleeve inner wall surface comprising
at least one groove disposed in the sleeve inner wall surface, at
least one of the at least one grooves being disposed longitudinally
relative to an axis of the sleeve.
12. The seat of claim 11, wherein at least one of the at least one
grooves extends from an upper end of the insert to a lower end of
the insert.
13. The seat of claim 11, wherein at least one of the at least one
grooves extends does not extend from an upper end of the insert to
a lower end of the inert.
14. The seat of claim 1, wherein the fluid flow reduction member
comprises an insert, the insert comprising a sleeve having a sleeve
inner wall surface and a sleeve outer wall surface, the sleeve
outer wall surface being in engagement with the inner wall surface
of the tubular member and the sleeve inner wall surface comprising
at least one curved-shaped groove disposed in the sleeve inner wall
surface, the curved-shape groove.
15. The seat of claim 14, wherein at least one of the at least one
curved-shaped grooves comprises a spiral-shaped groove.
16. A method of restricting fluid flow through a conduit disposed
within a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of: (a)
disposing a seat within a conduit; (b) running the conduit into a
wellbore to a desired location; (c) flowing a fluid through the
conduit and the seat, the fluid carrying a plug member toward the
seat, the fluid flowing through the conduit above the seat at a
first velocity; (d) flowing the fluid through a fluid flow
reduction device disposed above the seat, the fluid flowing through
the fluid flow reduction device at a second velocity, the second
velocity being slower than the first velocity; and then (e) landing
the plug member on the seat at a plug member velocity that is
slower than the first velocity.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein during step (d), the fluid
flows through the fluid flow reduction device in a substantially
longitudinal direction.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein during step (d), the fluid
flows through the fluid flow reduction device in a curved
direction.
19. The method of claim 16, wherein during step (d), the fluid
flows out of an inner bore of the fluid flow reduction device by
flowing through a first aperture disposed in a wall of the fluid
flow reduction device.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein after the fluid flows out of
the inner bore of the fluid flow reduction device through the first
aperture, the fluid flows into the inner bore of the fluid flow
reduction device by flowing through a second aperture disposed
below the first aperture.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field of Invention
[0002] The present invention is directed to devices for reducing
impact of balls into ball seats for use in oil and gas wells and,
in particular, to devices located adjacent to or as part of a ball
seat having one or more fluid reduction member for slowing down
fluid flowing toward the ball seat so that the ball slows down as
it approaches the ball seat.
[0003] 2. Description of Art
[0004] Broadly, ball seats are devices placed within a conduit
string or a wellbore through which a fluid is permitted to flow. In
some instances it is desired to restrict or prevent flow through
the conduit or wellbore so that pressure can build-up within the
conduit or wellbore to actuate a downhole tool such as a setting
tool to set an anchor or a packer within the conduit or wellbore.
Ball seats are used to restrict or prevent such fluid flow by
landing or seating a plug or ball on the seat to block flow.
Typically, the seat and the ball are formed out of metallic
materials such that a rounded portion of the ball lands on a flat
surface of the seat. In other embodiments, the seat may have a
shape that is reciprocal to the ball, e.g., arcuate to be
reciprocally-shaped to the ball.
[0005] Although the term ball is used herein to refer to the seats
disclosed herein, it is to be understood that the seats may be used
in connection with any type of plug or plug member, such as a plug
dart. Therefore, except where expressly identified as requiring the
plug member or plug to be a ball, it is to be understood that
"ball" and "plug" are used herein interchangeably.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0006] Broadly, ball seats for receiving a plug member for use in
downhole operations in a wellbore comprise a tubular member having
an inner wall surface defining a bore. The bore is divided into an
upper portion and a lower portion. Generally, the upper portion
comprises an upper diameter and the lower portion comprises a
smaller lower diameter. A seat is disposed along the inner wall
surface between the upper portion and the lower portion so that the
seat transitions the inner wall surface from the upper portion to
the lower portion. A fluid flow reduction device can be disposed
adjacent the ball seat or formed as part of the ball seat. The
fluid flow reduction device causes fluid flow toward the seat to
decrease as it approaches the seat. As a result, a plug member
being carried toward the seat slows down as it approaches the seat.
By slowing down, the likelihood that the plug member will impact
the seat at a speed that causes damage to the plug member or the
seat is reduced. In one particular embodiment, the fluid flow
reduction device is disposed above the seat. In another embodiment,
the fluid flow reduction device is disposed adjacent, i.e., in
contact with, the seat. In still another embodiment, the fluid flow
reduction device is form integral, or as a part of, the seat.
Moreover, the fluid flow reduction device can comprise one or more
longitudinal grooves, one or more curved grooves, or one or more
apertures.
[0007] In one specific operation of the seat, the seat restricts
fluid flow through a conduit disposed within a wellbore when
disposed within the conduit. A plug member is dropped down the
conduit and is carried by fluid flowing down through the seat. As
the fluid approaches the seat, the fluid is forced through one or
more fluid flow reduction members disposed on, for example, the
inner wall surface of the tubular member or on a fluid flow
reduction device disposed in the conduit, such as the inner wall
surface of a sleeved insert. As a result, the fluid approaching the
seat is slowed, which in turn slows the speed of the plug member
approaching the seat such that the plug member is landed on the
seat at a speed that is less than the speed at which it was
previously approaching the seat before the fluid entered into the
one or more fluid flow reduction devices.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional side view of one
specific embodiment of a seat shown prior to landing a plug member
on the seat.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the seat shown
in FIG. 1 with a plug member landed on the seat.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional top view of the embodiment shown
in FIG. 1, with a plug member landed on the seat.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional side view of another
specific embodiment of a seat shown prior to landing a plug member
on the seat.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional side view of an
additional embodiment of a seat shown prior to landing a plug
member on the seat.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional side view of another
embodiment of a seat shown prior to landing a plug member on the
seat.
[0014] While the invention will be described in connection with the
preferred embodiments, it will be understood that it is not
intended to limit the invention to that embodiment. On the
contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications,
and equivalents, as may be included within the spirit and scope of
the invention as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0015] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, in one specific embodiment, ball
seat 40 comprises tubular member 42 having inner wall surface 44
defining bore 45. Bore 45 is restricted by seat 48. Disposed along
inner wall surface 44 of tubular member 42 is fluid flow reduction
device 60. As shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, fluid flow
reduction device 60 is an insert comprising a sleeve disposed
adjacent and above seat 42. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, fluid
flow reduction device 60 comprises one or more fluid flow reduction
members, shown as fluid channels 62 disposed along inner wall
surface 63. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, fluid flow reduction
device 60 comprises a plurality of longitudinal fluid channels or
grooves 62 running parallel to longitudinal axis 64 of fluid flow
reduction device 60. Although, fluid flow reduction device 60
comprises a plurality of longitudinal fluid channels 62, it is to
be understood that fluid flow reduction device 60 can comprise as
few as one longitudinal fluid channels 62.
[0016] It is to be understood that the apparatuses and methods
disclosed herein are considered successful if the plug element,
e.g., ball 100 in FIG. 2, is sufficiently in contact with seat 48
to sufficiently restrict fluid flow through seat 48 so that the
desired downhole operation can be performed. In other words, a
leak-proof seal between the plug element and the seat are not
required.
[0017] In operation of the specific embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3,
ball seat 40 is disposed within wellbore or a conduit, e.g., a work
string (not shown) that is placed into the wellbore (not shown).
Connection of ball seat 40 to the conduit can be accomplished
through any method or device known in the art, such as threads
disposed at the upper and lower ends of ball seat 40. After being
disposed at the appropriate location within the wellbore, a plug
element, such as ball 100 is transported down the bore of the
conduit along with a fluid, such as a completion fluid. As the ball
approaches seat 48, the fluid carrying ball 100 is directed through
fluid flow reduction device 60. As the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3
comprises fluid flow reduction device 60 having a plurality of
longitudinal fluid channels 62, the fluid is directed through each
of longitudinal fluid channels 62 as indicated by the arrows shown
in FIG. 1. In this arrangement, the fluid is permitted to flow
around ball 100 as it approaches seat 48. As a result of the fluid
being forced through longitudinal fluid channels 62, the velocity
of the fluid flowing through fluid flow reduction device 60 is
reduced. The reduction in velocity of the fluid slows down the
velocity of ball 100 as it approaches seat 48. Ball 100 then lands
on seat 48 to provide the fluid restriction through the conduit so
that a downhole operation can be performed. Because each of
longitudinal fluid channels 62 is blocked at their lower ends by
seat 48, fluid flow through longitudinal fluid channels 62 is
restricted after ball 100 is landed on seat 48.
[0018] Referring now to FIG. 4, in another embodiment, ball seat
140 comprises fluid flow reduction device 160, shown as an insert
in tubular member 42, comprising a sleeve having recess 161
disposed along an outer wall surface 164 and plurality of fluid
flow reduction members shown as apertures 162 disposed within inner
wall surface 163. Although, fluid flow reduction device 160
comprises a plurality of apertures 162, it is to be understood that
fluid flow reduction device 160 can comprise as few as one aperture
162. In addition, each aperture 162 can comprise an opening having
a shape or size that is different from the other apertures 162.
Thus, each aperture 162 is not required to be a circle. Nor is each
aperture 162 required to be identical in size.
[0019] Operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 is similar to
the operation of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 with the difference
being that the fluid flow reduction device 160 comprises a
plurality of apertures 162 so that the fluid is directed through
each of apertures 162 as indicated by the arrows shown in FIG. 4.
In particular, the fluid is forced through one or more aperture 162
into recess 161 and then out of recess 161 through another aperture
162. In this arrangement, the fluid is permitted to flow around the
plug element (not shown) as it approaches seat 48. As a result of
the fluid being forced through apertures 162, the velocity of the
fluid flowing through fluid flow reduction device 160 is reduced.
The reduction in velocity of the fluid slows down the velocity of
the plug element as it approaches seat 48.
[0020] With reference to FIG. 5, in an additional embodiment, ball
seat 240 comprises fluid flow reduction device 260, shown as an
insert in tubular member 42, comprising a sleeve having fluid flow
reduction members, shown as curved-shape fluid channel or groove
262 disposed within inner wall surface 263. In the embodiment of
FIG. 5, fluid flow reduction device 260 comprises a single
curved-shape fluid channel 262 comprising a spiral-shaped fluid
channel disposed in inner wall surface 263. Although, fluid flow
reduction device 260 comprises a single curved-shaped fluid channel
262, it is to be understood that fluid flow reduction device 260
can comprise more than one curved-shaped fluid channels 262.
Further, although the curved-shaped fluid channel 262 is shown as
spiral-shaped channel extending from the upper end of fluid flow
reduction device 260 to the lower end of fluid flow reduction
device 260, it is to be understood that curved-shaped fluid channel
262 is not required to be spiral-shaped and can be truncated in
either direction such that curved-shaped fluid channel 262 does not
extend to one or both of the upper end and/or lower end of fluid
flow reduction device 260.
[0021] Operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is similar to
the operation of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 with the difference
being that the fluid flow reduction device 260 comprises
curved-shape fluid channel 262 so that the fluid is directed
through curved-shape fluid channel 262 as indicated by the arrow
shown in FIG. 5. In this arrangement, the fluid is permitted to
flow around the plug element (not shown) as it approaches seat 48.
As a result of the fluid being forced through curved-shape fluid
channel 262, the velocity of the fluid flowing through fluid flow
reduction device 260 is reduced. The reduction in velocity of the
fluid slows down the velocity of the plug element as it approaches
seat 48.
[0022] As illustrated in FIG. 6, in another embodiment ball seat
340 comprises fluid flow reduction device 360, shown as an insert
in tubular member 42, comprising a sleeve having a plurality of
fluid flow reduction members shown as longitudinal fluid channels
or grooves 362 running parallel to longitudinal axis 364 of fluid
flow reduction device 360. Longitudinal fluid channels 362 are each
shown as being truncated, i.e., as not extending the entire length
of fluid flow reduction device 360 from the upper end of fluid flow
reduction device 360 to the lower end of fluid flow reduction
device 360. Although, fluid flow reduction device 360 comprises a
plurality of longitudinal fluid channels 362, it is to be
understood that fluid flow reduction device 360 can comprise as few
as one longitudinal fluid channels 362. Moreover, although,
longitudinal fluid channels 362 shown in FIG. 6 each intersect
either the upper end or lower end of fluid flow reduction device
360, it is to be understood that one or more longitudinal fluid
channels 362 may not intersect either the upper end or the lower
end of fluid flow reduction device 360.
[0023] The length and width of each longitudinal fluid channels 362
may be identical. Alternatively, the lengths and widths of each
longitudinal fluid channels 362 may differ from one another.
[0024] Operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is similar to
the operation of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 with the difference
being that the fluid flow reduction device 360 comprises a
plurality of longitudinal fluid channels 362 disposed in inner wall
surface 363. In this arrangement, the fluid is permitted to flow
through longitudinal fluid channels 362 around the plug element
(not shown) as it approaches seat 48. As a result of the fluid
being forced through longitudinal fluid channels 362, the velocity
of the fluid flowing through fluid flow reduction device 360 is
reduced. The reduction in velocity of the fluid slows down the
velocity of the plug element as it approaches seat 48.
[0025] Although the ball seats 60, 160, 260, 360 are described as
"ball" seats having ball 100 (FIGS. 1-2), it is to be understood
that the seats disclosed herein may be any type of seat known to
persons of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the apparatus
may be a drop plug seat, wherein the drop plug temporarily blocks
the flow of fluid through the wellbore. Therefore, the terms "plug"
and "plug member" as used herein encompass ball 100 as well as any
other type of device that is used to temporary block the flow of
fluid through the wellbore.
[0026] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to
the exact details of construction, operation, exact materials, or
embodiments shown and described, as modifications and equivalents
will be apparent to one skilled in the art. For example, the seat
may be used in connection with a ball, dart, or any other type of
plug or plug member that is used to restrict or prevent fluid flow
through the seat. Further, the fluid flow reduction members may be
disposed on an inner wall surface of the tubular member.
Accordingly, the invention is therefore to be limited only by the
scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *