Rotating Valve Plug Dropping Head for Cementing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cementing operations in oil and gas well exploration and production face challenges in efficiently dropping and deploying plugs or balls downhole, particularly in ensuring precise control and effective fluid flow for cementing and stabilization purposes.
Innovation Solution
An improved plug or ball dropping head apparatus with a multi-section tool body and valving members that can be rotated to open or close, allowing for controlled release of plugs or balls during cementing operations, ensuring efficient fluid flow and precise deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional plug or ball dropping head is used, then the basic function of dropping plugs or balls is achieved, but precise control and efficient fluid flow for cementing operations are not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The dropping head is divided into multiple sections with individual valving members for each plug or ball. Each valving member can be independently controlled to release specific plugs or balls at different times, enabling precise control over the deployment sequence and cementing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The valving members are designed to be rotatable between closed and open positions, providing dynamic control over fluid flow and plug/ball release. This rotational mechanism allows for precise timing and control of each deployment event during cementing operations.
2Productivity
If a simple dropping head design is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to manage cement flow effectively and stabilize production casing is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cementing process is segmented into multiple controlled stages, with each valving member managing a specific phase. This allows for efficient management of cement flow through multiple plugs or balls of different sizes, improving overall cementing productivity while maintaining controlled complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The dropping head apparatus is designed to handle multiple functions: dropping plugs, dropping balls, controlling fluid flow, and stabilizing production casing. This multi-functionality consolidates several operations into a single apparatus, improving productivity without proportionally increasing complexity.
3Quantity of substance
If larger plugs or balls are used, then cementing coverage is improved, but the ability to deploy through restricted areas and manage small 'frac-balls' is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The cementing operation is divided into multiple stages using different sized plugs or balls. Larger plugs provide coverage in open areas while smaller frac-balls navigate restricted zones. This segmentation of the deployment process allows optimization for different wellbore conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus enables changing the size parameter of plugs or balls deployed at different stages. By varying the size of deployment objects from large plugs to small frac-balls, the system adapts to different well conditions while maintaining effective cementing coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
An improved method and apparatus for dropping a ball, plug or dart during oil and gas well operations (e.g., cementing operations) employs a specially configured tool body assembly having valving members (e.g., safety or kelly values) and valving members holding plugs, balls, or darts to be dropped. In one embodiment, the ball(s), dart(s) or plug(s) are contained in a sliding sleeve that shifts position responsive to valve rotation. An optional indicator indicates to a user or operator that a ball or plug has passed a selected one of the valving members. A transmitter (or transceiver) provides an ability to generate a wireless signal that is received by receivers (or transceivers) on the tool body assembly. Each receiver (or transceiver) controls an electrical actuator that engages a valving member or the indicator. Wireless signals can be used to open or close a valve or to reset a “tripped” indicator.