U.S. patent application number 13/962363 was filed with the patent office on 2014-02-13 for reversible ported sub assembly.
The applicant listed for this patent is BLACKHAWK SPECIALTY TOOLS, LLC. Invention is credited to BRAD GROESBECK, JOSHUA HEIN, J. CHRISTOPHER JORDAN, CARLOS LOPEZ.
Application Number | 20140041859 13/962363 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50065305 |
Filed Date | 2014-02-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140041859 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
JORDAN; J. CHRISTOPHER ; et
al. |
February 13, 2014 |
REVERSIBLE PORTED SUB ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A reversible ported sub assembly has an upper connection
assembly, a ported lower end assembly and a reversible ported
jetting member. The reversible ported jetting member has a central
through-bore and jet ports extending laterally from the central
through-bore to the outer surface of the ported jetting member at
an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the central
through-bore. The reversible ported jetting member can be flipped
or reversed so that the jet ports can be optionally oriented
generally upwardly or downwardly within a wellbore, as desired. A
removable plug member can be optionally installed to prevent fluid
flow through the ported lower end assembly.
Inventors: |
JORDAN; J. CHRISTOPHER;
(HOUSTON, TX) ; GROESBECK; BRAD; (HOUSTON, TX)
; HEIN; JOSHUA; (HOUSTON, TX) ; LOPEZ; CARLOS;
(HOUSTON, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BLACKHAWK SPECIALTY TOOLS, LLC |
Houston |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
50065305 |
Appl. No.: |
13/962363 |
Filed: |
August 8, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61680831 |
Aug 8, 2012 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
166/222 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 41/00 20130101;
E21B 41/0078 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
166/222 |
International
Class: |
E21B 41/00 20060101
E21B041/00 |
Claims
1. A reversible fluid jetting assembly comprising: a) a connection
assembly having a first end, a second end and a central bore
extending there between; b) a jetting sub having a first end, a
second end, a central bore extending there between and at least one
jet port extending from said central bore to the outer surface of
said ported sub, wherein said first end of said ported sub is
connected to said second end of said connection assembly; and c) an
end sub having a first end, a second end, a central bore extending
there between and at least one port extending from said central
bore through said second end, wherein said first end of said end
sub is connected to said second end of said jetting sub.
2. The reversible fluid jetting assembly of claim 1. wherein said
at least one jet port is oriented substantially perpendicular to
the longitudinal axis of said central bore of said jetting sub.
3. The reversible fluid jetting assembly of claim 1, wherein said
at least one jet port is oriented at an acute angle relative to the
longitudinal axis of said central bore of said jetting sub.
4. The reversible fluid jetting assembly of claim 3, wherein said
at least one jet port is oriented substantially downward within a
well.
5. The reversible fluid jetting assembly of claim 3, wherein said
at least one jet port is oriented substantially upward within a
well.
6. The reversible fluid jetting assembly of claim 1, further
comprising a plug for sealing said at least one port of said end
sub.
7. The reversible fluid jetting assembly of claim 6, wherein said
plug is received within said central bore of said end sub.
8. A reversible fluid jetting assembly comprising: a) a connection
assembly comprising: i. a first end having a first threaded
connection; ii. a second end having a second threaded connection;
and iii. a central bore extending from said first end to said
second end; b) a jetting sub comprising: i. a first end having a
first threaded connection; ii. a second end having a second
threaded connection; iii. a central bore extending from said first
end to said second end; and iv. at least one jet port extending
from said central bore to the outer surface of said ported sub,
wherein said first end of said ported sub is connected to said
second end of said connection assembly; and c) an end sub
comprising: i. a first end having a threaded connection; ii. a
second end; iii. a central bore extending from said first end to
said second end; and iv. at least one port extending from said
central bore through said second end, wherein said first end of
said end sub is connected to said second end of said jetting
sub.
9. The reversible fluid jetting assembly of claim 8, wherein said
at least one jet port is oriented substantially perpendicular to
the longitudinal axis of said central bore of said jetting sub.
10. The reversible fluid jetting assembly of claim 8, wherein said
at least one jet port is oriented at an acute angle relative to the
longitudinal axis of said central bore of said jetting sub.
11. The reversible fluid jetting assembly of claim 10, wherein said
at least one jet port is oriented substantially downward within a
well.
12. The reversible fluid jetting assembly of claim 10, wherein said
at least one jet port is oriented substantially upward within a
well.
13. The reversible fluid jetting assembly of claim 8, further
comprising a plug for sealing said at least one port of said end
sub.
14. The reversible fluid jetting assembly of claim 13, wherein said
plug is received within said central bore of said end sub.
15. A reversible fluid jetting assembly comprising: a) a connection
assembly comprising: i. a first end having a first female threaded
connection; ii. a second end having a second female threaded
connection; and iii. a central bore extending from said first end
to said second end; b) a jetting sub comprising: i. a first end
having a first male threaded connection; ii. a second end having a
second male threaded connection; iii. a central bore extending from
said first end to said second end; and iv. at least one jet port
extending from said central bore to the outer surface of said
ported sub, wherein said first end of said ported sub is connected
to said second end of said connection assembly; and c) an end sub
comprising: i. a first end having a female threaded connection; ii.
a second end; iii. a central bore extending from said first end to
said second end; and iv. at least one port extending from said
central bore through said second end, wherein said first end of
said end sub is connected to said second end of said jetting
sub.
16. The reversible fluid jetting assembly of claim 15, wherein said
at least one jet port is oriented substantially perpendicular to
the longitudinal axis of said central bore of said jetting sub.
17. The reversible fluid jetting assembly of claim 15, wherein said
at least one jet port is oriented at an acute angle relative to the
longitudinal axis of said central bore of said jetting sub.
18. The reversible fluid jetting assembly of claim 17, wherein said
at least one jet port is oriented substantially downward within a
well.
19. The reversible fluid jetting assembly of claim 17, wherein said
at least one jet port is oriented substantially upward within a
well.
20. The reversible fluid jetting assembly of claim 15, further
comprising a plug for sealing said at least one port of said end
sub.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] Priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No
61/680,831, filed Aug. 8, 2012, incorporated herein by reference,
is hereby claimed.
STATEMENTS AS TO THE RIGHTS TO THE INVENTION MADE UNDER FEDERALLY
SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
[0002] None
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] The present invention pertains to a ported sub that can be
beneficially included within a length of drill pipe or other
tubular string within a well. In the preferred embodiment, the
ported sub of the present invention comprises a plurality of ports,
and optional nozzles, directionally oriented to beneficially
provide optional upward or downward fluid jetting.
[0005] 2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
[0006] Drilling of an oil or gas well is frequently accomplished
using a surface drilling rig and tubular drill pipe and other
equipment. When installing drill pipe (or other tubular goods) into
a well, such pipe is typically inserted into a wellbore in a number
of sections of roughly equal length commonly referred to as
"joints". As a well penetrates deeper into the earth, additional
joints of pipe must be added to the ever lengthening "drill string"
at the drilling rig in order to increase the overall depth of the
well.
[0007] During drilling operations, a fluid known as drilling mud or
drilling fluid is typically pumped down the longitudinally
extending bore of the tubular drill string, and circulated up the
annular space which is formed between the external surface of said
drill string and the internal surface of the wellbore. Basic
functions of drilling fluid can include, without limitation: (1) to
cool and lubricate a drill bit and downhole equipment during
drilling operations; (2) to transport pieces of drilled-up rock and
other debris from the bottom of the hole to the surface; (3) to
suspend such rock and debris during periods when circulation is
stopped; (4) to provide hydrostatic pressure to control encountered
subsurface pressures; and (5) to seal the porous rock in the well
with an impermeable filter cake.
[0008] After a well is drilled to a desired depth, relatively large
diameter pipe known as casing is typically installed within a well.
After the casing is installed, such casing is typically secured in
place by pumping a predetermined volume of cement slurry into the
well, usually with high-pressure pumps. The cement slurry is
typically pumped down the inner bore of the casing, out the distal
end of the casing, and around the outer surface of the casing.
[0009] After a predetermined volume of cement has been pumped, a
plug or wiper assembly is typically pumped down the inner bore of
the casing using drilling mud or other fluid in order to fully
displace the cement from the inner bore of the casing. In this
manner, cement slurry leaves the inner bore of the casing and
enters the annular space existing between the outer surface of the
casing and the inner surface of the wellbore. After such cement
hardens, it beneficially secures the casing in place and forms a
fluid seal to prevent fluid flow along the outer surface of the
casing.
[0010] During such drilling and cementing operations, as well as
other downhole well operations, it is frequently beneficial to jet
fluid within a wellbore. Such fluid is typically pumped through the
inner bore of drill pipe or other tubular string, and out at least
one port or jet nozzle extending from said inner bore, through the
body of such drill pipe or other tubular member(s) and into the
wellbore. In some instances, said nozzles are directionally
oriented in order to direct such jetted fluid in a particular
direction (for example, upward or downward within a wellbore).
[0011] Currently, when downward jetting is desired, a ported
jetting assembly having downwardly oriented jet nozzles is
utilized. Conversely, when upward jetting is desired, a separate
ported jetting assembly having upwardly oriented jet nozzles is
utilized. Depending on the application, fluid can also be jetted
through the bottom of said ported jetting assembly; when "blanking"
(closing) of lower port(s) is required, yet another assembly must
be used. Such multiple different conventional jetting assemblies
must typically all be transported to a rig location. Further, when
not in use, such multiple different jetting assemblies must be
stored, taking up valuable space on such rig.
[0012] Thus, there is a need for a reversible jetting assembly that
permits optional directional fluid jetting, while eliminating the
need for a variety of separate jetting tools.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] In the preferred embodiment, the reversible ported sub
assembly of the present invention comprises an upper connection
assembly, a lower end assembly and a reversible ported jetting
member. Said upper connection assembly comprises an upper threaded
section, a lower threaded section and a central bore extending
there through; said upper threaded section comprises threads
adapted to engage with mating threads disposed at the bottom
(distal end) of a length of drill pipe or other tubular string.
Similarly, said lower threaded section comprises threads adapted to
engage with mating threads of ported jetting assembly.
[0014] Said reversible ported jetting member has an upper threaded
connection, a lower threaded connection, and a central through-bore
extending along the longitudinal axis of said ported jetting
member. Said central through-bore of said reversible ported jetting
member is generally aligned and in fluid communication with central
through-bore of said upper connection assembly, as well as a
through bore of a lower end assembly.
[0015] Said reversible ported jetting member further comprises a
plurality of jet ports extending from said central through-bore to
the outer surface of said ported jetting member. In the preferred
embodiment, said jet ports are oriented at an acute angle relative
to the longitudinal axis of said central through-bore. When said
reversible jetting member is oriented in one direction, said jet
ports are oriented generally in the direction of upper connection
assembly; that is, said jet ports are generally directed in an "up
hole" or substantially upward direction when said assembly is
deployed in a well. However, when desired, said reversible ported
jetting member can be flipped or reversed so that said jet ports
are oriented generally in the direction of said lower connection
assembly. When oriented in such a manner, said jet ports are
generally directed in a "down hole" or substantially downward
direction when said assembly is deployed in a well.
[0016] A removable plug member can be optionally disposed within
said central through bore of said lower end assembly. In the
preferred embodiment, said removable plug member includes an
elastomeric sealing member (such as an O-ring or the like) that can
provide a fluid pressure seal between said plug member and said
lower end assembly, thereby preventing or "blanking off" fluid flow
through said lower end assembly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS/FIGURES
[0017] The foregoing summary, as well as any detailed description
of the preferred embodiments, is better understood when read in
conjunction with the drawings and figures contained herein. For the
purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings and figures
show certain preferred embodiments. It is understood, however, that
the invention is not limited to the specific methods and devices
disclosed in such drawings or figures.
[0018] FIG. 1 depicts a side sectional view of the reversible
ported sub assembly of the present invention, wherein jetting ports
are oriented in a "downward" direction and having a closed bottom
port.
[0019] FIG. 2 depicts a side sectional view of the reversible
ported sub assembly of the present invention, wherein jetting ports
are oriented in an "upward" direction and having a closed bottom
port.
[0020] FIG. 3 depicts a side sectional view of the reversible
ported sub of the present invention, wherein jetting ports are
oriented in an "upward" direction and having an open bottom
port.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0021] Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts a side sectional
view of the reversible ported sub assembly of the present
invention. In the preferred embodiment, said reversible ported sub
assembly comprises upper connection assembly 20, bottom end
assembly 30 and ported jetting member 10.
[0022] Still referring to FIG. 1, upper connection assembly 20
comprises upper threaded section 21, lower threaded section 23 and
central through-bore 22. In the preferred embodiment, upper
threaded section 21 comprises female threads adapted to engage with
mating male threads disposed at the bottom (distal end) of a length
of drill pipe or other tubular string, according to industry
custom. Similarly, lower threaded section 23 comprises female
threads adapted to engage with mating threads of ported jetting
member 10, as more fully described below. However, it is to be
observed that said female threads can be male threads, and vice
versa, without detracting from the scope of the present
invention.
[0023] Reversible ported jetting member 10 has upper threaded
connection 12, lower threaded connection 13, and central
through-bore 11 extending along the longitudinal axis of said
ported jetting member 10. In the preferred embodiment, and in
accordance with industry custom, upper threaded connection 12 and
lower threaded connection 13 comprise male threads; upper threaded
connection 12 mates with lower threaded connection 23 of upper
connection assembly 20, while lower threaded connection 13 mates
with female threads 35 of bottom end assembly 30. Again, it is to
be observed that said female threads can be male threads, and vice
versa, without detracting from the scope of the present invention.
Central through-bore 11 of reversible ported jetting member 10 is
generally aligned and in fluid communication with central
through-bore 22 of upper connection assembly 20, as well as through
bore 32 of bottom end assembly 30 (described in detail below).
[0024] Reversible ported jetting member 10 further comprises body
section 15 and a plurality of jet ports 14 extending from central
through-bore 11 through body section 15 to the outer surface of
said ported jetting member 10. It is to be observed that said jet
ports can be oriented substantially perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis of said central through bore 11, such that jetted
fluid is directed radially outward. However, in the preferred
embodiment, said jet ports are oriented at an acute angle relative
to the longitudinal axis of said central through-bore. As depicted
in FIG. 1, said jet ports 14 are oriented generally in the
direction of lower connection assembly 20. Thus, as depicted in
FIG. 1, said jet ports are generally directed in a "down hole" or
substantially downward direction when said assembly is deployed in
a well.
[0025] Bottom end assembly 30 has upper female thread section 35
(for mating with male threaded section 13 of ported jetting member
10), as well as bull-nose 36 having lower port 31. Bottom end
assembly 30 further comprises central through bore 32, which is
generally aligned and in fluid communication with central
through-bore 11 of ported jetting member 10. Said central
through-bore 32 is also in fluid communication with lower port 31
when removable plug member 40 is not received within said central
through bore 32.
[0026] FIG. 2 depicts a side sectional view of the reversible
ported sub assembly of the present invention. Jet ports 14 are
oriented generally in the direction of upper connection assembly
20. Thus, as depicted in FIG. 2, said jet ports are generally
directed in an "up hole" or substantially upward direction when
said assembly is deployed within a well.
[0027] Still referring to FIG. 2, removable plug member 40 is
optionally disposed within central bore 32 of bottom end assembly
30. Further, extension member 41 extends into lower port 31. In the
preferred embodiment, extension member 41 includes elastomeric
sealing member 42 (such as an O-ring or the like) that can provide
a fluid pressure seal between extension member 41 of said plug
member 40 and bottom end assembly 30. When said removable plug
member 40 is installed within central bore 32 of bottom end
assembly 30, lower port 31 is blocked or sealed, preventing fluid
flow through said lower port 31.
[0028] As such, FIG. 2 depicts a side sectional view of the
reversible ported sub assembly of the present invention, wherein
jetting ports 14 are oriented in an upward position and having a
closed bottom port. Specifically, jet ports 14 are oriented
generally in the direction of upper end assembly 20.
[0029] FIG. 3 depicts a side sectional view of the reversible
ported sub assembly of the present invention, wherein jetting ports
14 are oriented in an "upward" direction and having an open bottom
port 31. Jet ports 14 are oriented generally in the direction of
upper connection assembly 20; as depicted in FIG. 3, said jet ports
14 are generally directed in an "up hole" or substantially upward
direction when said assembly is deployed within a well.
[0030] Still referring to FIG. 3, removable plug member 40 is not
disposed within central bore 32 of bottom end assembly 30. In this
configuration, lower port 31 is not blocked or sealed by said
removable plug member 40, thereby permitting fluid to flow through
said lower port 31.
[0031] The reversible ported sub assembly of the present invention
provides maximum versatility and functionality. When downward fluid
jetting is desired, ported jetting member 10 is installed so that
jet ports 14 are oriented generally in the direction of bottom end
assembly 30 (as depicted in FIG. 1). Conversely, when upward
jetting is desired, reversible ported jetting member 10 is
"flipped" and installed so that jet ports 14 are oriented generally
in the direction of upper connection assembly 20 (as depicted in
FIGS. 2 and 3).
[0032] Regardless of the orientation of said jet ports 14, fluid
can be permitted to flow through lower port 31 of bottom end
assembly 30. When "blanking" (closing) of lower port 31 is
required, removable plug member 40 can be installed. Such changes
can be made on a rig or other remote location, thereby reducing the
amount of equipment needed on such a location. In other words, the
reversible ported sub of the present invention can take the place
of multiple different jetting subs having up jets, down jets and
open/closed bottom ports.
[0033] The reversible ported sub of the present invention is highly
versatile and can be used with other technology including, without
limitation, the "Method and Apparatus for Catching Darts and Other
Dropped Objects During Well Cementing Operations" disclosed in U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 61/554,255, filed Nov. 1, 2011.
However, it is to be observed that use of the reversible ported sub
assembly of the present invention is not limited to use with such
technology, and can be employed in many different applications when
downhole fluid jetting is desired.
[0034] The above-described invention has a number of particular
features that should preferably be employed in combination,
although each is useful separately without departure from the scope
of the invention. While the preferred embodiment of the present
invention is shown and described herein, it will be understood that
the invention may be embodied otherwise than herein specifically
illustrated or described, and that certain changes in form and
arrangement of parts and the specific manner of practicing the
invention may be made within the underlying idea or principles of
the invention.
* * * * *