METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR WIPING SUBTERRANEAN CASINGS

• US 20130186632A1
• Filed: 01/19/2012
• Published: 07/25/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Original Assignee: Matthew Todd Howell
• Inventors: Makowiecki, Gary Joe, Cherney, Patrick Lyle, Howell, Matthew Todd
• Application Number:
  US13/353,937
• Publication Number:
  US 20130186632A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 166/311
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 37/00 Methods or apparatus for cleaning boreholes or wells E21B21/00 takes precedence

Abstract

An object for wiping a subterranean casing is described herein. The object may include an inner core with a first width. The ball may also include a deformable layer surrounding the inner core. The deformable layer may have a second width. The first width may be smaller than a diameter of at least one baffle within the subterranean casing. The second width may be larger than or equal to the largest inner diameter of the subterranean casing.

Claims

1. An object for wiping a subterranean casing, comprising:

an inner core, wherein the inner core has a first width; and

a deformable layer surrounding the inner core, wherein the deformable layer has a second width;

wherein;

the first width is smaller than a diameter of at least one baffle within the subterranean casing, and

the second width is larger than or equal to a largest inner diameter of the subterranean casing.

2. The object of claim 1, wherein the object is sized to sealingly engage with a landing profile at a distal end of the subterranean casing.

3. The object of claim 2, wherein the deformable layer comprises at least one of a foam, a gel, and a rubber.

4. The object of claim 3, wherein the inner core comprises at least one of a composite material and a thermal plastic.

5. The object of claim 3, wherein the inner core comprises a metal.

6. The object of claim 2, wherein the landing profile comprises at least one other baffle within the subterranean casing.

7. The object of claim 1, wherein the subterranean casing comprises a casing string, and wherein the at least one baffle is included in a production sleeve included within the casing string.

8. The object of claim 1, wherein the object includes a spherical shape.

9. A method for wiping a subterranean casing, comprising:

introducing an object into a subterranean casing, wherein the object comprises as inner core and a deformable layer surrounding the inner core, and wherein the deformable layer contacts an inner surface of the subterranean casing;

forcing the object through at least one baffle within the subterranean casing; and

causing the object to sealingly engage with a landing profile at a distal end of the subterranean casing.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein:

the inner core has a first width,

the first width is smaller than a diameter of the at least one baffle,

the deformable layer has a second width, and

the second width is larger than or equal to a diameter of the inner surface of the subterranean casing.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the deformable layer comprises at least one of a foam, a gel, and a rubber.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the inner core comprises at least one of a composite material and a thermal plastic.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the inner core comprises a metal.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the landing profile comprises at least one other baffle within the subterranean casing.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the subterranean casing comprises a casing string, wherein the at least one baffle is included in a production sleeve included within the casing string.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the object includes a spherical shape.

17. A system for subterranean operations, comprising:

a casing string, wherein the casing string includes a landing profile at a distal end;

a plurality of sleeves disposed within the casing string, wherein each of the plurality of sleeves includes a baffle; and

an object comprising an inner core and a deformable outer layer surrounding the inner core, wherein;

the inner core has a first width,

the first width is smaller than a diameter of at least one baffle included in the plurality of sleeves,

the deformable layer has a second width, and

the second width is larger than or equal to a largest inner diameter of the casing string.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the object is sized to sealingly engage with the landing profile.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the deformable layer comprises at least one of a foam, and gel, and a rubber.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the inner core comprises at least one of a spherical composite material and a spherical thermal plastic.