US2196652A - Apparatus for cementing well bores - Google Patents

Description

6 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY R. C. BAKER APPARATUS FORt CBMEI'HTING WELL BORES y Filed oct. 10, 19:56

April 9, 1940.

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AP" 9,' 1940- R. c. BAKER APARATUS FOR CEMENTING WELL EURES -Filed Oct. 10, 1936 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Lv .f e

1N V EN TOR BY l ATTORNEYS. Y

6 Sheets-Sheet 3 R. C. BAKER APPARATUS FOR CEMENTING WELL vBQRES Filed oet. 1o, 19:56

April 9, 1940. R. c; BAKER l APEARATUS Fo cnuEN'rING WELL BoaEs 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 AYE@ IN VEN TOR muuy awv BY @ca /am ATTORNEY April 9 1940 R. c. BAKER 2,196,652

' PPARATuS FOR CEIENTING WELL BOXES i Filed Oct. 10, 1936 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 1NVENToR- v 32 Marsu/:1% zmgromvn..

6 Shee'ts-Sheet 6 Zgel R` C. BAKER APPARATUS FOR GEIENTIHG WELL BORES Filed Oct. lp. 1956 April 9,v 1940.

y g'UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Patented Apr. 9, 1940 I Y' 2,196,652 APPARATUS ron. cEMEN'rING -wELL Bones Reuben C. Baker, Co2-lill, Calif., signor to Baker Oil Tools, Inc'.,"llnntington Park, C alif., .a corporation of California v.Implication october 1o, 193s, serial No. 105,044

' comme. (ol. iss-1) 4-This invention relates tothe cementing of more than one charge of cement in the` casing deep well bores.

at the same ltime.

It is'common practice in drilling 'a deep well bore to place cement in the annular space bewhich enables circulation to be maintained atl all times, but which enables separate charges oi' cement to be discharged from the casing at verticallyspaced points along the casing in upward g55-sequence and without the necessityof having In practicing my invention, I iit the casing with a pluralityoi' cementing devices spaced apart they assume prior to the cementing operation.

Fig. 7 is a similar view with the exception that the parts are shown in the position they assume iidust prior to, and during the -cementing operaon. A

5 tween the water string of casing and the bore to along the length of the well casing and constitut-l 5 iill such space, both to reenforce .the casing and ing the stations at which cement is to be ejected. lto prevent migratory waters from traveling along Circulation is established through the lower end the casing. It has become highly desirable that of the casing or at a point thereabouts, and thisl annular space be filled with cement entirely thereafter a charge of cement is pumped into 1g 'from the lower end oi' the water string of casing the casing and ejected therefrom at the first sta- 10 to the top of the bore. This is known as full tion, which\charge is suiiicient tol cement the hole cementing. To accomplish this where the annular space between the first and second stacasing string is lengthy,l several diiliculties must tions. Thereafter the casing is bridged at the be overcome. -One is the high pressure necessary iirst station and circulation established at the to eject the cement and displace the mud, and ansecond station by increasing the pressure within 15 other is the setting effect of the pressure and the casing. The casing is then bridged below the high temperatures inthe bore on the cement, second station andv cementing ports are opened which, of course, requires that the cement be thereabove and a second batch of cement is in' introduced in the casing and positioned in a troduced into the casing and discharged through comparatively short time period. these latter ports. The casing is then bridged 20 It has been attempted to accomplish such a ttbm/e` the Cementirlg POIGS at the Second'staf full hole' cementing job in stages by ejecting tion. If cementing is to be accomplished'in more separate charges of cement at spaced points than utwo stages, the remaining stage or stages along the casing in successive upward steps. In are successively accomplished in the same se- I this practice alternately arranged charges of quence of steps as just set out. 25

' mud and cement slurry of predetermined volume The invention is exemplified in the following are pumped into the casing at properly spaced description and illustrated by way of example in intervals and the whole column is continuously the accompanying drawings, in which: moved down the casing. As the spaced charges Figs. 1 and la illustrate, in two sections, a deep .o of cement slurry successively reach their points Well bore with a casing fitted thereto constructed 30 of discharge, bridging is effected in the casing and equipped in accordance with my invention, and side ports are opened to enable the ejection and disclosing the condition of the' casing when of the cement. In a long string of casing,- it is it is rst positioned in therwelll bore. .e obvious that there may be a number vci? spaced Figs. 2 and 2a constitute the same view but dis' 85 cement charges in the casing at one time, and closing the rst stage of cementine completed 35 during which ltime but one charge. is being and the second stage of the cementing about to ejected, the remaining being enroute to their commence. points o f discharge. Should circulation be shut Figs. 3 and 3a constitute the same view as Figs.. off byj failure of one oi' the cementing devices in 1 and la with the exception that they disclose the 40 the casing or by plugging, by failure of the second stage of cementing completed. 40 pumps, or for any other reason, the cement Figs. 4 and 4a constitute the same view as Figs. charges are-trapped in the Casing and are likely to 1 and la but showing all three stages of cementcause loss of the well. At the very least, it will ing completed, l 1 -J' necessitate the drilling out of all of this excesh-y Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic vlewfof the casing-in sive cement from the casing, which drilling out the'well bore indicating the relative. positions of 45 is an extremely costly and diiiicult operation. the cementing stations.

It is the principal object of my present inven- Fig. 6 is an enlarged view in central vertical tion to provide an improved multiple stage methsection throughl one of the cementing devices em- 50 od and apparatus for cementingedeep well bores ployed,showing the parts thereof in the position 5o Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view taken on line VIII-VIII of Fig. 6. i

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view in elevation and section through the pressure actuated circulation valve.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of the trip mechanism of the ball magazine. is

Fig. 11 is a similar view showing the same released to enable a ball from the magazine to enterv the casing.

Fig. 121s a view in central verticalv section through one of the bridging members utilized in corigection with the devices shown in Figs. 6 an Referring more particularly to the accompanying drawings, in Fig. 5 I have there diagramto cement off from the lower end of thecasing to the top of the well bore. I desire to point out here, however, that in place of cementing off the entire annular space between the casing and the well bore, that my apparatus and method may be employed in spotting cement along the well boreY at spaced points, as, for example, when it is desired to cement off between spaced oil bearing strata.

In the present instance I have shown the casing of a length that it may be cemented off in three stages although I desire to point out that with my method and apparatus the casing may be cemented oi in two or more stages, depending upon the length of the casing and the judgment of the operator. For this purpose the well casing is fitted with threecementing devices I4, one of which is positioned at the lower extremity of the casing and the other two of which are positioned at spaced points apart above the lower end of the casing. These three cementing devices are positioned at the three stations A, B and C, from which cement is to be ejected from the casing. The firstl stage of the cementing'V is accomplished at the lowermost station A, the secondvstage of cementing being accomplished at the intermediate station B, and the third stage being accomplished at the uppermost station C. The cementing devices are all of the sameconstruction and are clearly illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, and are described and claimed in my U. S. Letters Patent entitled "Well cementing device, dated May 17, 1938, bearing Number 2,117,534.

It will be noticed'that the cementing devices each comprise a`cylindrical member I5 which is connected between casing lengths or at the lower extremity in the case of the lowerrnost one, and

therefore forms a rigid partof the casing.

Formed coaxially within the cylindrical member illustrated as of a diameter considerably less than the interior diameter of the cylindrical member i5; Extending from the upper end of the valve chamber i6 is an upper passageway Il which is disposed coaxially of the valve chamber, I6 and is'of a diameter considerably less than the same.

- Egtending coaxially from the lower end of the radial cementingports which extend from the tvalvechamber .through the cylindrical member `iE-so that when these ports I9 are unobstructed, iiuid-mayflow` from the valve chamber I6 outwardly through the ports I9 into the annular space between the exterior of the casing and the wall bore. In the present instance I have shown normally fixed closures for the cementing ports I9 to maintain the same closed during the period prior to the ejection of 'cement through the ports I9. The plugs o r closures 20 are, however, releasable as will be hereinafter described so that they may be released and the ports I9 opened just prior to the forcing of cement therethrough.

At the junction between the upper end of the valve chamber I6 and the upper passageway II'I provide a yielding valve seatv member 2| of the type described and claimed in U. S. Letters Patent entitled Valve structure for well casings and tubing," dated May 17, 1938, bearing Number 2,117,536. The yielding valve seat member is preferably formed of such yielding or pliable material as rubber and is disk like and is anchored at its outer periphery adjacent the perimeter of the valve chamber as illustrated. The yielding valve seat member 2I is formed with a central valve port 22 arranged coaxially ofthe passageway I1 and of a diameter less than the same.

The valve port 22 is surrounded by an upturned conical flange 23 which abuis at its upper and outer surface against a conical shoulder face 24 formed at the junction between the valve cnamber I6 and the upper passageway I1.

Reciprocably mounted within. the chamber I6 for movement axially thereof is an annular piston 25 formed with a central port 26 extending coaxially therethrough as illustrated. Surrounding the upper end of the port 26 is a valve seat 21 and surrounding the lower end of the ani nular piston 25 at its perimeter is a conical seating face 28 adapted to cooperate with a conical seating face 29 at .the junction between the lower end of the chamber I6 and the lower passagewayv I6. The annular piston is normally disposed in- A projecting portions of the closure members 2l)` of the radial cementing ports I9. These projecting portions of the closures 20 project inwardly of the valve chamber so that in attempting to move downwardly, the annular piston 25 will abut thereagainst. 'I'his annular piston is utilized as a means for removing these' projections of the closures 20 and thereby releasing the closures so that fluid may be ejected outwardly through the ports i9.

Forcooperation with the device is a' tripping ball 30' whichlis less in diameter than the upper passageway l'i and greater in diameter than the port 26 through the piston 25. The tripping ball 3@ is likewise greater in diameter than the port 22 in. the valve seat member 2l. It should be explained that when the tripping ball 30 is pumped downwardly through the casing and passes through the passageway Il that it will expand the port 22 of the yielding seat member 2| and will pass therethrough into the valve chamber I6 and seat on the seat 21 of the annular piston 25. However, when the ball 30 attempts to pass upwardly through the port 22, `the latter will not expand and therefore the ball will'cooperate with the seat therearound in' closing the upper passageway. This is obvious when it is noticed that the conical ange 2 3 which surrounds the port 22 will be prevented from expansion when the ball attempts to pass upwardly through the port 60, with a normally closed pressure actuated circulation valve 35.

'a1-'sacas 22due to its engagement or abutment with the tapered annular shoulder face 24. l

The closures for the cementing ports I9 are so constructed as illustrated that when the lower end of the piston engages the inner projections thereon, and suilicient pressure is applied downwardly to said piston, the latterv will shearsaid .projections and thereby release the plugs or closures 20 so that the latter may pass outwardly through the ports I9 and enable fluid to be pumped outwardly through said ports. Upon the removal of the closures 20, the annular piston 25 will travel downwardly and the face 28 thereon will seat on the face 29 at the junction between the lower passageway I8 and the valve chamber I6 and the annular piston 25 together with the tripping ball 30 will form a closure for the lower passageway I8 and thereby bridge the casing at a point below the cementing ports I9.

It should be pointed out, however, that the pas sageway I1, port 22 and port 26 in the annular piston and lower passageway I8 in each of the cementing devices are progressively decreased in diameter in the three cementing devices I4. That is to say, the larger ports andpassageways are in the uppermost device, the next larger in the second device I4 and the smaller in the lowermost device I4. That is so that the tripping ball 30 for the lowermost device may pass freely through -the uppermost two cementing devices I4 and the tripping ball for the intermediate device I4 may pass through the uppermost one. v

For cooperation with each of these ementing devices I also providea bridging member 3| most clearly illustrated in jFig. 12. This device. con.- stitutes `a ball 32 having projectingA upwardly l therefrom a conical pliable packing member 33.

The ball 32, as illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 7, is capable of passing downwardly through the passageway I1 and through the valve port22 in the flexible valve seat member 2|, but its downward movment therein is limited by the tripping ball 30, leaving 'the hollow conical packing member 33 disposed in the upper passageway I1 so that downward pressure against the same will expand it against the conical upper shoulder 34 at the upper end of the passageway I1, effectively forming a bridge .in the casing above the cementing ports I9 so that further downward flow through the cementing device will be terminated.

It should be stated that like the tripping balls 370, the bridging member for the lowermost cementing device is adapted to pass through the upper two cementing devices at stations C and B,' and the packing 3l for the intermediate ceinenting device at station B is adapted to pass through the uppermost cementing device at station C.

As illustrated in the drawings, particularly,

Figs. 6 and "7, each cementing device is provided This valve 35 is'interposed in a radial port 36 formed through the cylindrical member I4 from the chamber I6. This valve member is-hollow and cylindrioal'andhas an open port 31 formed in one side thereof. The valve member is secured in position in the ,port 36 bymeans of a shear pin 39. As the outer end of the cylindrical valve member is closed, when the shear pin 38 is in position, the port 31 will be closed and no fluid can pass from the chamber IB through the cylindrical port 36. The shear pin 38, however, is adapted to be sheared by pressure of a predetermined value from within the casing and chamber I6 to enable the valve memberv 35 to move outwardly and uncover the port 31, by

which means circulation can then be established from within the casing through the chamber I6A and outwardly through the port 31.

It is unnecessary to provide the lowermost cementing device with a circulating valve :lust described but it is necessary that the subsequent or uppermost cementing devices be so equipped. The shear pin of the cementing device at station B is adapted to be sheared by pressures less than that required to shear the shear pin of the cementing device at station C.

In practicing my method and in operation of the apparatus here disclosed, the casing is fitted with thecementing devices I4 as illustrated in Figs. land la, and the casing is lowered into the well bore, and if desired, may be suspended therein slightly above bottom as is the practice in some instances. It may, however, be lowered right to bottom if desired. A cementing head 39 is then.

A circulation is established i the casing to obstruct the downward flow of fluid` therethrough. In fact, fluid may be pumped downwardly through the casing and through the lower end thereof to wash down any bridges or for any other purpose during the lowering of the casing into the hole.

When the casing has been properly positioned and the cementing head assembled thereon, the tripping ball 30 of the lowermost cementing device at station A is placed into the casing and thereafter a sumcient quantity of cement slurry is placed in the casing under pressure, the said quantity being sufficient to cement from the station Aup to the station B, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 2a. y

It is very desirable that the tripping balls 30 and the bridging members SI be introduced into the casing without letting an unnecessary amount of air into the casing. For this reason the cementing tube 40, which extends into thecasing through the cementing head 39, is tted at its upper endl with a cross 4I, one horizontal leg of which is connected to the 'pumps by the connection 42. The leg of the cross in vertical alignment with the cementing tube 40 is fitted with a vertically extending cylinder' 43 in which are spaced two release devices 44 and 45, these devices being disclosed most clearly in Figs. l0 and ll. It will be' seen that they constitute a ilapper -type of barrier 46 ,and a screw latching member 41. By releasing this latching member 41 through the medium of the band wheel'48, the ilapper member 46 may drop, releasing the ball vabove it and permitting the same-to drop into lthe casing. However, intermediate the lowermost release device and the cementing tube 40 is a gate valve 49 which is'normally closed. From the pressure line 42 is a by-pass line 50 connected as at 50 to thecylinder 43 between thef devices 44 and 45. A second connection 6I between For example, when it is desired .to drop the tripping ball 30 without letting an excessive amount of air into the casing, the gate valve the line 50 and the cylinder 43 is provided above The upper 49 is opened and the tripping device 45 is released to enable the ball to drop. Pressure above the ball is then created by opening the valve in the line 60 and the valve in the line 50. After the ball has been dropped into the casing, the gate 49 is closed as well as the valves inthe lines 50 and 60.

When it is desired to release the bridging member 3l, the release device 45 has been already released so that it is thenonly necessary to trip the releasing device 44. The valves in the lines 50 and 6I. are then opened and the gate valve 49 is opened, causing the bridgingmember 3| to pass downwardly into the casing.

Intermediate cementing operations, to charge the cylinder for the second stage, it is only 'menting devices and will seat on the annular )piston 25 on the lowermost cementing device,

and the fluid pressureabove it will force the ball and the annular piston 25 downwardly in the valve chamber I6 until the piston seats on the lower end of said chamber. During this movement, the closures of the ports I9 in the lowermost cementing device will be released, opening the ports I9. When the piston `and ball seat at the lowerend of the chamber I6, the casing will be effectively bridged below the ports I9 and the cement following the tripping ball will be ejected through the ports yI9 and upwardly into the annular space surrounding the casing to a point preferably, but not necessarily, above the second cementing` station B.

Immediately that the rst charge of cement is introduced int the casing, the bridging member 3l will be placed in the casing through the mechanism previously described. This bridging member 3l will follow the cement down the casing and will pass throughthe uppermost two cementing devices. When it reaches the lower cementing device, the packing member 33 together with its ball 32 will close the upper passageway I1 .in the lower cementing device and effectively bridge the casing above the cementing ports of the lower cementing device. The pressure in thecasing will immediately rise to a predetermined point sufficient to shear the pin 38 of the circulation valve 35 of the intermediate cementing device B. This pressure, however, will be insumcient to open the circulation valve of the uppermost cementing device due to the fact that its pin 38 will withstand greater pressurev than the pin 38 of the intermediate cementing device.

Immediately following the opening of the circulation valve 3i of the second cementing device, the mud fluid being ypumped into the ,casing will circulate upwardly from the station B and circulationmay be continued for as long as desired. I prefer that this circulation be established prior to the lintroduction of thesecond batch of cement so that in the event something goes wrong with the lower cementing device, or for some reason circulation is lost or stopped, that a batch of cement will not be trapped in the casing.

aisance After circulation is established at the circulation valve of the intermediate cementing device, the tripping ball 30 of that .device is ,depositedin the casing and following the same cement slurry is pumped -into the casing in a suinclent quantity to cement oif the space between the stations B and C. 30 of the intermediate cementing device reaches the same, it will open the ports I9, as previously described, and bridge the casing, and in con- Junction with the piston 25 will bridge the casing at a point below the cementing ports I! of the intermediate cementing device, and the cement will discharge through these ports and yupwardly around the casing, at least to or above the station C.

Immediately following the cement a packing member ll for the intermediate cementing device is placed in the casing and this will travel through the upper cementing device and will cooperatel with the intermediate cementing device as dedevice is introduced in the casing as described and thereafter the 'last charge of cement will be introduced into the casing. The tripping ball will, of course, cooperate with tl'ie piston 25 in opening the ports I9 of the uppermost cementing device and bridge the casing below those ports yso that the cement will discharge outwardly through the ports I9 and upwardly around the when the tripping' bau casing to the surface. Immediately following the y cement cannot b'ack up into the casing due to the i fact that the ball 32 of each bridging device 3l will seat upwardly on the seat surrounding the port 22 in the flexible seat member and act asga back pressure valve. It should be stated thatlike the trippingball 30, the ball 32 may pass downwardly through the seat member'2l but not in the opposite direction.`

It should be pointed out here that when the tripping ball l0 is deposited into the casing to bridge off the casing below the cementing portsv at one station, that the cement/may be introduced immediately after this ball, `or circulation may be continued for as long a period as desired after this ball has beenpositioned before the cement is introduced in the casing. It -is necessary, however, for a proper cementing job that a bridging member 3| be introduced hinto thecasing immediately following the introduction of the cement charge. l'

It is seen that by my method and with my apparatus, that only a single batch of cement need be in the casing at one time lo that in the event that for some reason circulation is discontinued by plugging or failure of .one of the.

cementing devices, or through some other mishap, that but a minimum amount of cement is left in the casingv for drilling out. In other aieaesa words, only one charge of cement need be in the casing at one time although circulation is continuous which is necessary.

From the foregoing it is obvious that I have Aprovided a very practical and emcient method and apparatus for cementing deep oil wells in stages and so that the same can be cemented from the lowermost end of the casing to the surface, or so that the same can be cemented at any point or points valong the casing, and wh'ile I have described and illustrated the preferred steps ,in my method and the preferred apparatus for adapted to be lowered into a well bore, a plu-l rality of normally ineffective circulation means carried by the casing-at spaced points therealong above the lower end thereof, said circulation means being capable of being rendered effective successively' and in upward sequence by pro'- gressivelyincreasing the pressure within the casing, said casing being formed with a ,set of normally closed cementing ports adjacent each circulation means, and means for opening said ports and bridgingthe casing below the same subsequent to establishing of circulation at the associated circulation means.

2. In combination with a string of well casing adapted to be lowered into a -well bore, a plu-- rality of normally ineieotive circulation means carried by the casing at spaced points therealong above the lower end thereof, said circulation means being capable of being rendered effective successively and in upward sequence by progressively increasing the pressure within the casing, said casing being formed with a set of normally closed cementing ports adjacent each circulation means, means for openingsaid ports and bridging the casing below the same subsequent to establishing of circulation at the associated circulation means, and means for bridging the casingv above said cementing ports at any time subsequent to the opening thereof.

. 3. In combination with a string of well casing adapted to be lowered into a well bore, a plurality of normally ineffective circulation means carried by the casing at spaced points therealong above the lower end thereof, said circula# tion means being capable of being rendered effective successively and in upward sequence by progressively increasing the pressure within the casing, said casing being formed with a set of normally closed cementing ports adjacent each circulation means, a normally ineffective barrier below each set of cementing ports, a normally ineffective barrier in the casing above each se't of cementing ports, bridging means adapted to be introduced into the casing for cooperating with the lower barrier to render the same effective and for simultaneously rendering said cementing lports effective, and a second bridging means capable of being introduced in the casing for cooperation with the second barrier for bridging

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