Baker Hughes, a Ge Compnay, LLC

James T Nickles

James Scott Sanchez

Robert O'Brien

Wara Bocangel Calderon

Wara C Bocangel

A lock ring fits into a housing recess defined by a sliding member such as a sleeve. The lock ring is loosely fitted in the recess when the sleeve is in an initial position. The lock ring is preferably smooth on an outer dimension and has a beveled end. The beveled end engages an internal taper in the housing if a force is placed on the sliding sleeve to return it toward the original position. Preferably the shifting of the sleeve to a ports open position places the ratchet on the sleeve in alignment with the lock ring to hold the sliding sleeve locked in the open position.

Lock ring hold open device for frac sleeve

Ported sub openings are controlled by a sliding sleeve assembly. In one variation an external sleeve is pressure actuated with internal pressure to open the ports. After the treatment the ports are closed with a ball landed on an internal sleeve seat and pressure applied from above. In a different arrangement a single internal sleeve is provided that is responsive to tubing pressure to open after breaking a retaining member. After the downhole procedure a ball is landed on a seat on the sleeve and pressure is applied to close the ports with the shifted sleeve and ball moving in tandem. Multiple sliding sleeves can be sequentially operated with sliding sleeves held by retainers that break at sequentially higher pressure moving in an uphole direction.

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Katy, TX, United States of America

James T Nickles