Testable indexing plug

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11047227-B1
Application number	US-202016773020-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Jan 27, 2020
Priority date	Jan 27, 2020
Publication date	Jun 29, 2021
Grant date	Jun 29, 2021

Abstract

A testable indexing plug includes a body having an outer surface, an inner surface defining a flow path, a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion extending between the first end and the second end. A valve chamber extends from the first end into the intermediate portion. A valve member is arranged in the valve chamber. The valve member includes a first end portion, a second end portion including an opening, and an intermediate section including one or more ports fluidically connected with the opening. An indexing system shifts the valve member between a first position, wherein the one or more ports are arranged in the valve chamber and a second position, wherein the one or more ports are exposed outside of the valve chamber following a defined number of pressure applications to the valve member.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A testable indexing plug comprising:
a body including an outer surface, an inner surface defining a flow path, a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion extending between the first end and the second end;
a valve chamber extending from the first end into the intermediate portion;
a valve member arranged in the valve chamber, the valve member including a first end portion, a second end portion including an opening, and an intermediate section including one or more ports fluidically connected with the opening; and
an indexing system that shifts the valve member between a first position, wherein the one or more ports are arranged in the valve chamber and a second position, wherein the one or more ports are exposed outside of the body following a defined number of pressure applications to the valve member.

2. The testable indexing plug according to claim 1 , further comprising: a seal including a plurality of wiper members mounted to and extending outwardly of the outer surface.

3. The testable indexing plug according to claim 1 , wherein the second end portion of the valve member includes a cam portion and the inner surface of the body includes a stop portion, at least one of the cam portion and the stop portion including a selected number of landing zones that maintain the one or more ports in the flow path and at least one release zone that enables the valve member to shift axially outwardly of the body fluidically connecting the one or more ports and the second end.

4. The testable indexing plug according to claim 1 , further comprising: a return spring extending about a portion of the valve member.

5. The testable indexing plug according to claim 4 , wherein the first end portion of the valve member includes a radially outwardly projecting lip, the return spring includes a first end arranged at the radially outwardly projecting lip and a second end abutting the first end of the body.

6. A resource exploration and recovery system comprising:
a first system;
a second system extending into a formation, the second system including a tubular fluidically connected to the first system; and
a testable indexing plug arranged in the tubular, the testable indexing plug comprising:
a body including an outer surface, an inner surface defining a flow path, a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion extending between the first end and the second end;
a valve chamber extending from the first end into the intermediate portion;
a valve member arranged in the valve chamber, the valve member including a first end portion, a second end portion including an opening, and an intermediate portion including one or more ports fluidically connected with the opening; and
an indexing system that shifts the valve member between a first position, wherein the one or more ports are arranged in the valve chamber and a second position, wherein the one or more ports are exposed outside of the body following a defined number of pressure applications to the valve member.

7. The resource exploration and recovery system according to claim 6 , further comprising: a plurality of wiper seals mounted to and extending outwardly of the outer surface.

8. The resource exploration and recovery system according to claim 6 , wherein the second end portion of the valve member includes a cam portion and the inner surface of the body includes a stop portion, at least one of the cam portion and the stop portion including a selected number of landing zones that maintain the one or more ports in the flow path and at least one release zone that enables the valve member to shift axially outwardly of the body fluidically connecting the one or more ports and the second end.

9. The resource exploration and recovery system according to claim 6 , further comprising: a return spring extending about a portion of the valve member.

10. The resource exploration and recovery system according to claim 9 , wherein the first end portion of the valve member includes a radially outwardly projecting lip, the return spring includes a first end arranged at the radially outwardly projecting lip and a second end abutting the first end of the body.

Assignees

• Warlick Geoffrey
• Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations Llc

Inventors

• Warlick Geoffrey

Classifications

• E21B47/117 Primary

  Detecting leaks, e.g. from tubing, by pressure testing · CPC title

• E21B37/045

  Free-piston scrapers · CPC title

• E21B34/10

  operated by control fluid supplied from outside the borehole · CPC title

• E21B33/16 Primary

  using plugs for isolating cement charge; Plugs therefor {(stage cementing E21B33/146; spacer compositions C09K8/424)} · CPC title

• E21B23/006 Primary

  "J-slot" systems, i.e. lug and slot indexing mechanisms · CPC title