Single-direction cementing plug

• US 7,128,154 B2
• Filed: 01/29/2004
• Issued: 10/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC (Weatherford International PLC)
• Original Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb Incorporated (Weatherford International PLC)
• Inventors: Giroux, Richard L., Brunnert, David J., Jordan, John C., Galloway, Gregory Guy
• Primary Examiner(s): NEUDER, WILLIAM P
• Application Number:
  US10/767,322
• Publication Number:
  US 20040251025A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,006 Days
• Field of Search: 166/291, 166/153, 166/155
• US Class Current: 166/291
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/134 Bridging plugs
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/16 using plugs for isolating cement charge; Plugs therefor stage cementing E21B33/146; spacer compositions C09K8/424

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to apparatus and methods for completing a well. Particularly, the present invention relates to a single-direction plug for use with cementing applications and with drilling with casing applications. One embodiment comprises a cement plug for installation in a wellbore casing. The plug includes a body and gripping members for preventing movement of the body in a first axial direction relative to the casing. The plug further comprises a sealing member for sealing a fluid path between the body and the casing. The plug is movable in a second axial direction with fluid pressure but is not movable in the first direction due to fluid pressure.

Claims

1. A method of completing a wellbore, comprising:

positioning a tubular having a drilling member in the wellbore;

disposing a one-way traveling plug in the tubular;

engaging the tubular with a gripping member on the one-way traveling plug; and

locating cement in an annular area between the tubular and the wellbore.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising forming the wellbore.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising using the plug to separate the cement and another fluid in the wellbore.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising preventing cement in the annular area from flowing into the tubular.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the tubular comprises a casing.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein actuating the plug comprises providing a pressure differential in the wellbore.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising drilling through the plug.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein drilling through the plug is accomplished using a second tubular having a drilling member disposed thereon.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the gripping member, when actuated, prevent movement of the body in a first axial direction relative to the tubular, and, when not actuated, allow movement of the body in a second axial direction relative to the tubular.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the gripping member is actuatable by fluid pressure.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the plug further comprises a sealing member for sealing a fluid path between the body and the tubular.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the body defines a bore extending therethrough.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the plug further comprises a seal for sealing the bore.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the seal is selectively shearable.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the selectively shearable sealing member comprises a first surface having a first surface area and a second surface having a second surface area, wherein the first surface area is smaller than a second surface area such that the sealing member is shearable by two different pressures.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the plug further comprises a second sealing member for sealing a fluid path between the body and the tubular.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a sloped portion for biasing the gripping members outward into contact with the tubular.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising a drag element for urging the gripping members along the sloped portion.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising a drag element for urging the gripping members axially relative to the body.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising a biasing member disposed around the gripping members.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the gripping members are radially expandable into contact with the casing.

22. The method of claim 1, further comprising a valve disposed in the body.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein the valve is a single direction valve.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein the plug is selectively positionable within the casing.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein the gripping members and the gripping elements may comprise a material selected from the group consisting of cast iron, aluminum, aluminum with a hard, anodized coating, a ceramic material, a composite material, or combinations thereof.

26. The method of claim 1, wherein the gripping members comprises a hollowed out portion.

27. The method of claim 1, wherein one or more castellations are disposed at a lower portion of the body.

28. A method of installing a cement plug in a casing to cement the casing in a wellbore, comprising:

running the casing into the wellbore;

disposing the cement plug in the casing, the cement plug having

a body having a bore therethrough;

a gripping member for preventing axial movement of the body; and

a shearable seal member for blocking the bore;

measuring a hydrostatic head; and

activating the gripping members in response to the measured hydrostatic head to engage the casing, thereby installing the cement plug in the casing.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising supplying cement in front of the plug and a fluid behind the plug, wherein the plug separates the fluid from the cement.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein activating the gripping members comprises expanding the gripping members into contact with the casing.

31. The method of claim 28, wherein activating the gripping members comprises urging the gripping members outward along a sloped portion of the body.

32. A plug for installation in a casing, the plug comprising:

a body having a bore therein;

one or more gripping members selectively actuatable for positioning the plug in the wellbore;

a shearable seal member disposed in the bore for blocking a fluid flow therethrough; and

a valve for controlling fluid flow through the bore.

33. The plug of claim 32, wherein the one or more gripping members grip the casing to prevent movement of the plug in a first axial direction relative to the casing but allow movement of the plug in a second axial direction relative to the casing.

34. The plug of claim 32, wherein the valve comprises a flapper valve.