Method and apparatus for placing cement plugs in wells

Patent · Tue Jun 23 04:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:6183714

Bode, R E

This patent describes an apparatus adapted for use in a well to catch and contain a plug member used in a cementing operation. A method which comprises of setting a cement plug in a well bore is described comprising the steps of: (a) connecting a tubular catcher member to a lower end of a pipe string, and lowering the pipe string and catcher member into a well bore, (b) placing a volume of cement slurry in the pipe string, (c) positioning a first plug member adjacent the upper surface; (d) pumping the cement slurry and plug member downwardly through the pipe string, (e) providing a surface indication of the arrival of the plug member at a location a selected distance above the tubular catcher member, (f) stopping the pumping of the cement slurry and the plug member upon arrival of the plug member at the location, (g) preventing upward movement of the plug member after the pumping is stopped, (h) lifting the pipe string together with the catcher member a distance substantially equal to the selected distance while pumping the plug member downwardly, (i) catching the first plug member in the tubular catcher; (j) reverse circulating well fluids through the pipe string to clean the bore thereof, and then (k) repeating steps without removing the string from the well bore, and (l) catching plug members in the catcher member.

• Assignee: EDB-87-130665; NOV-87-068743
• Patent Number(s): US 4674573
• OSTI ID: 6183714
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
03 NATURAL GAS
030300 -- Natural Gas-- Drilling
Production
& Processing
APERTURES
BUILDING MATERIALS
CEMENTING
CEMENTS
CLOSURES
CONDUCTOR DEVICES
CONNECTORS
DISPERSIONS
DRILL PIPES
DRILLING EQUIPMENT
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
HOISTING
MATERIALS
MATERIALS HANDLING
MIXTURES
NATURAL GAS WELLS
OIL WELLS
OPENINGS
PIPES
PLUGGING AGENTS
PUMPING
SLURRIES
SUSPENSIONS
WELLS