Baker Hughes Corporation

Michael Ramon

Daniel C Ewing

Christopher Ryan Hern

Steve Michael Cortez

Jason P Lacombe

Travis J Ansohn

Matthew J Krueger

Edward T Wood

Steve Rosenblatt

Mark Kendall Adam

Keven O'Connor

Aubrey Clifton Mills

Ammar A Munshi

Basil Jacob Joseph

Amy L Farrar

Nathaniel Wagner

Matthew J Kruger

Jarandon J Adams

A subterranean tool can drop multiple objects to landing locations in a tubular string. The tool can keep at least one ball out of the fluid stream until ready for release. A dart or wiper plug can be kept in the fluid stream with an open bypass until axial mandrel movement allows release of the plug or dart. The tool is rotationally locked at a lower location for run in and then can rotationally lock at an upper location upon release of the dart or ball shifting relative rotation capabilities to different members. Axial movement that releases the dart also aligns a ball with a decreasing depth groove so that relative part rotation can cam the ball against a leaf spring detent and into the mandrel flow path.

Subterranean tool for release of balls adjacent their intended destinations

A top down cementing tool operates with either mechanical manipulation or hydraulically. Rotation of the liner during cementing is enabled. A first bore is open for circulation during running in of the liner. In the hydraulic version, pressuring up on a dropped ball in the first bore opens cement packer setting ports and aligns crossover ports from the first bore to the annulus below the cementing packer and displaced fluid return ports to the annulus above the cementing packer. Pressuring up on a trailing wiper plug in the first bore opens the second bore so that pressuring on a seated ball in the second bore opens access to unsetting the cementing packer and launching the ball in the second bore for liner hanger setting and release of the running tool. The alternative embodiment gets the same result but with string manipulation for some of the realignments.

Top down liner cementing, rotation and release method

A subterranean tool can drop multiple objects to landing locations in a tubular string. The tool can keep at least one ball out of the fluid stream until ready for release. A dart or wiper plug can be kept in the fluid stream with an open bypass until axial mandrel movement allows release of the plug or dart. The tool is rotationally locked at a lower location for run in and then can rotationally lock at an upper location upon release of the dart or ball. Axial movement that releases the dart can continue until the ball aligns with a decreasing depth groove so that relative part rotation cams the ball against a leaf spring detent and into the mandrel flow path.

Subterranean tool for release of darts adjacent their intended destinations

A runnable member catcher includes a body fixedly attachable within a tubular, the body defines inner radial dimensions that are smaller than portions of the body that are fixedly attached the body to the tubular, the body is configured to be structurally weakened upon exposure to an activation fluid to facilitate removal of the body.

Runnable member catcher, system and method of removing same

A packer cup assembly uses a shape memory alloy packer cup reformed for run in into a cylindrical shape about a mandrel with opposed end rings that extend radially further out during run in to protect the cup. Upon application of a thermal stimulus the cup reverts to a functional cup seal shape by engaging the rim and parts of the cup to the surrounding wellbore. The shape change can also involve a shortened axial dimension that results in the cup shape moving away from the end ring to which it is unattached. The stimulus is provided with well fluids or artificially through heaters or other techniques. External elongated protective elements can be provided to overlay the cup seal during run and bend outwardly with the cup seal during reversion to its functional shape.

Shape memory cup seal and method of use

A sealing assembly including a seal element at least partially formed from a shape memory material. The shape memory material urges the seal element to revert to an original shape upon exposure to a transition stimulus. The seal element is operatively arranged for sealing against a downhole structure when in the original shape. An interlock mechanism is included for holding the seal element in a deformed position in which the seal element is not able to seal against the downhole structure even after exposure to the transition stimulus. A method of setting a downhole sealing assembly is also included.

Shape memory seal assembly

A subterranean tool that is self contained for actuation can be run into a desired location on an automatic set mode controlled by a timer. If a problem develops in getting the tool to the desired location in time a magnetic field created by permanent or electro-magnets can be brought to bear on the tool to stop the timer before the tool actuates. Once the tool is subsequently positioned at the desired location another magnetic field can be brought to bear near the tool to set it. Alternatively, the tool can be run to the desired location without activation with the timer and then the magnetic field can be brought to the tool to set it. The magnetic field can be lowered to the tool with wireline or can be dropped or pumped past the tool to actuate the tool. Optionally the field can be generated from within an object that ultimately lands on a seat to provide a backup way to set the tool using tubing pressure.

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

Michael Ramon