US3299955A

US3299955A - Well tool apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3299955A
Application number: US338331A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jr John S Page
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1964-01-17
Filing date: 1964-01-17
Publication date: 1967-01-24
Anticipated expiration: 1984-01-24

Description

Jan. 24, i967 J. s. PAGE, .JR

WELL TOOL APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Jan. 17, 1954 BY A Jan. 24, 1967 1.5. PAGE, JR

WELL TOOL APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 17, 1964 INVENTOR. JUA/N 5a 5E BY ,rra/QMEVJ.

Jan. 24, 1967 J. s. PAGE, .JR

WELL TOOL APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 17, 1964 INVENTOR.

rroQ/v/Exf.

EL M Jan. 24, 1967 J. s. PAGE, JR

WELL TOOL APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet Il Filed Jan. 17, 1964 INVENTR.

`kfw/Af 5. 17,065 nl?.

BYZMJ f /W rraeA/Es/Qr.

Jan. 24, 1967 .1.s. PAGE, JR

WELL TOOL APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 IZG.

Filed Jan. 17, 1964 Jam 24, 1967 .s. PAGE, JR

WELL TOOL APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Jan. 17, 1964 INVENTOR. Jo/A/ 5. P06-E Je United States Patent O 3,299,955 WELL TOUL APPARATUS John S. Page, lr., Long Beach, Calif., assignor to .lohn S. Page, Sr. Filed aan. 17, 1964, ser. No. 338,331 33 Claims. (Cl.16648) This invention relates generally to the control of fluid flow in a well, and more specifically has to do with well tool apparatus and methods used to control bypassing of fluid with respect to a well packer and into or out of the .annulus outside a string of tubing.

In the completion, production and treating of oil and gas wells it becomes desirable at certain times to establish intercommunication between upper and lower zones in the well outside the tubing and separated by a packer; however, when the packer has been set in position to seal off between the tubing and the well base, the establishment of such intercommunication becomes a problem. One way of meeting this difficulty is to unset the packer by manipulation of the tubing supporting the packer, but this in turn presents the additional problem of removal of the well head with consequent expenditures of considerable time and eiort. Another method of establishing such intercommunication is to lower a wire line tool into proximity to a valve operable in the well to control the desired uid flow; however, wire line manipulation imposes additional dilculties including the considerable time and expense of running the line into and out of the well` One object of the invention is to overcome the above difficulties to the end that intercommunication between packer separated upper and lower zones in a well and outside the tubing may be quickly established without well tubing or wire line manipulation and without unsetting of the packer.

Another purpose of the invention is to provide an assembly including a packer that can be set hydraulically, which will allow for tension application to the tubing string without disruption of the packer function, and which will allow ready removal of the packer without drilling it out. rCertain prior installations suffer from the disadvantage of requiring application of tubing weight for efecting packer compression and expansion to set condition. This earlier method of setting causes the tubing to buckle between the packer and the well head, resulting in increased diiculty of running service tools through the buckled tubing. Also, in shallow wells, there is oftentimes insuflicient tubing in the well to provide suicient weight for setting the packer. The latter condition has been met by using permanent packers, but these typically must be drilled out for removal from the well.

In its broader aspects, the novel apparatus contemplated by the invention and its mode of operation may be characterized as comprising a sub body connectible in a pipe string, a packer carried to seal off the annulus or annular zone between the well bore and said sub body, the body being ported to pass uid between the body interior and the annulus at one end at least of the packer, and valving carried by the body for movement between body port opening and closing positions. The valving also has an opening through which well fluid flows endwise with respect to the sub body, and in addition the valving is exposed to transmit fluid created pressure acting to move the valving between port opening and closing positions.

Typically, the sub body is tubular and has upper and lower side porting to by-pass fluid around the packer via the body interior, the valving also being tubular and carried for axial movement in the body between a lower position in which the lower side porting is open and an upper position in which the lower side porting is closed. As a result, the interior valving may be externally exposed to ICC the upper porting to receive lesser or greater control fluid pressure acting downwardly in the annular zone between the tubing string and well bore, such pressure tending to move the valving downwardly to accommodate by-passing of the flow around the set packer, while the valving also remains exposed to upward ow within the well tubing. When the valve is in lower or open position, lluid can be pumped down the annulus to by-pass the set packer, to ow downward to the bottom of the tubing string and then back up the tubing, thus filling the well with fluid to the lowest desired depth. Accordingly, if mud is enabled to ow in this manner the well may be killed, or if water, oil or nitrogen are used the well may be brought into flowing condition. Also, acid or treating Huid may be introduced into the well in this manner.

As will appear, the apparatus is so constructed with an interior seat for receiving a primary plug as to block downward flow of well fluid in the string for building up pressure lacting to unbalance the valve for displacing it upwardly to close the lower side porting, all without unsetting the packer. ln this valve closed position, the elements of the combination are in condition for normally producing the well. An additional interior seat accommodates reception of another :plug operable to block downward ow of well fluid in the string for building up pressure acting to displace the valve downwardly to open the lower side porting.

Another object of the invention is to utilize the pressure acting in the string to displace the valve upwardly in such a way as to effect expansion of the packer into engagement with the well bore, as well as sub body supporting connection to the well bore. As will appear, string uid pressure responsive actuator structure is typically provided to move upwardly for expanding the packer and upwardly spreading lower slips to grip the casing. Additionally actuator structure may be exposed to string Huid pressure to effect downward spreading of upper slips above the packer, thereby to anchor the string tubing and sub body against upward displacement while the packer remains set and the valving is operable and closable. Accordingly, the packer may remain set independently of tubing tension and weight application.

A further object of the invention is to provide for release of the upper or anchor slips to allow upward withdrawal of the string and release of the packer and lower slips, when the body side port valving is open. As will be seen, a tubular insert capable of lowering in the string is provided with an outlet for flowing high pressure fluid through a rupturable element and against the additional or upper actuator structure to release the slips, the insert having a locating shoulder to position it axially with respect to the valving, for performance of the upper slip releasing function. Thus, the invention provides for ready removal of a packer which is settable independently of tubing tension and weight application.

The invention also embraces novel and unusual methods for controlling a well into which a string of production tubing is run, the string supporting slip, packer and valve assemblies characterized as operable in the broad manner described above. Typical steps included in the unusual method of well contro-l include running the string into the well with the by-passing valve assembly in open condition, and then introducing suficient fluid pressure into the string to operate the slips for anchoring the string to the casing, to operate the packer for packing off between the string and casing, and to operate the valve to shut oil by-passing communication around the packer. Valving operation to shut-olf the by-pass typically involves the steps including closing off the string at a location proximate the said assemblies by dropping a plug in the string for descent to said location, and then building up fluid pressure in the string labove the plug to displace the valve to shut-olf position, at which time the well may be produced.

Further steps in the novel and unusual method sequence comprise introducing suflicient fluid pressure into the well to operate the valve to open up by-passing communication around t-he packer, and introducing uid into the well space outside the tubing to by-pass the packer in flowing downwardly to enter the string below the packer, and then to flow upwardly in the string, as in killing or treating the well.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as the details of an illustrative embodiment, will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of the drawings.

FIGS. l, 1a and lb are elevation views of upper, intermediate and lower sections of a sub incorporating the invention 'and connected in a tubing string being run into a well;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation showing a rupturable means to release upper slips seen in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section taken through a well into which the tubing string and sub have been run, with the sub in position to be set in order to pack off between the sub body and well casing;

FIGS. 4, 4a and 4b are elevation views of upper, intermediate and lower sections of the novel sub after it has been set in position and with the fluid pressure responsive sleeve valve in closed position;

FIG. 5 is a cross-section taken on line 5 5 of FIG. 4a;

FIG. 6 is an elevation View of the intermediate section of the set sub, showing the sleeve valve downwardly displaced to open position;

FIG. 7 is a cross-section taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-section taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 6;

FIGS. 9 and 9a are elevation views of upper and intermediate sections of the sub into which an insert has been run to release the upper or anchor slips resisting upward withdrawal of the string;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary enlargement showing the manner in which high pressure fluid is introduced from the run-in insert to the sub in order to effect release of the upper slips;

FIGS. 1l, 11a and 11b are elevation views of a modified upper section of the sub; and

FIG. l2 is an enlarged fragmentary showing of the modied manner in which high pressure uid may be released to release the upper slips as seen in the sub of FIGS. 11, 11a and 11b.

Referring first to FIGS. l, la and 1b, the representative well tool apparatus is shown being run downwardly into `a well 10 which is cased at 11. The apparatus comprises a generally endwise extending tubular body 12 including

sections

12a, 12b, 12e and 12d which are interconnected in sequence at threaded

joints

13, 14 and 15. -It will be understood in this connection that the tool apparatus is in the form of a sub 150 connected in a string of tubing lowered in a Well and better seen at 16 in FIG. 3. Suitable connections are made between the sub and the tubing, one such threaded connection being indicated at 17 in FIG. 1b.

The tubular body carries what may be referred to as packer means generally indicated at 18 in FIG. 1a, the packer including endwise cornpressible ring sections 18a, 1gb, 18C, 18d separated by

metal rings

19, 20 and 21. These elements are in turn mounted on the body section 12b between an upper shoulder 22 and a lower cornpression ring 23 which is also mounted on the body section 12b. It Will be understood that the packer elastomer sections 18a through 18d may be subjected to expansion into sealing engagement with the casing bore in response to upward displacement of the ring 23 relative to the shoulder 22. In this regard, the actuator ring 23 may be urged upwardly by an actuator sleeve 24 slidably mounted upon the body section 12e. Reference to FIG. 4a will show the packer 18 expanded Ias described, and sealing olf the annular Zone between the casing bore and the tubular body 12.

The body section 12b is seen in FIG. 1a to have porting to pass lluid generally between the said zone or annulus at one end at least of the packer and the body interior. More specifically, the body has upper and lower side porting indicated at 25 and 26 to by-pass lluid between upper and lower

annular zones

27 and 28, around the packer, and via the 'body interior as for example the annular passage 29. The latter is formed between the bore 30 of the body section 12b and the periphery of a sleeve valve 31 received within the body.

The sleeve valve may .be characterized as carried by the body for movement between -a lirst posiiton in whichi side porting is closed, and a second position in which the side porting is open. Thus, as seen in FIG. la the sideI porting is open, a suitable port 32 in the actuator sleeve'y 24 communicating between the zone 2S and the lower port 26 in the body section 12b. `On the other hand, in FIG. 4a the lower side port 26 is closed, the valving being in its ySio-called lirst position. As there appears, the valving includes a cylindrical closure 33 and endwise spaced

annular seals

34 and 35, all retained between the valve flange 36 Iand a retainer ring 37 so as to be movable endwise: with the valve. The

seals

34 and 35 engage the bore of the body section 12b as the valve moves endwise, whereby the cylindrical closure 33 blocks or closes the lower port 26 which is sealed olf from the interior passage 29 as. seen in FIG. 4a.

It will also Vbe noted that the valving means 31 contains an opening generally indicated at 39 to pass well iluidl p endwise therethrough, and typically during production of the well under the conditions shown in FIG. 4a. In this ,l y

regard, the bore 39 of the valve `may be generally of the same dimension as the bore of the tubing string 16, whereby suitable tools may be run downwardly through the subi-ncluding the body 12 and the valve 31. It is also to be noted that the valving means is exposed for transmitting uid cre-ated pressure acting to move it between its lower an-d upper positions, such fluid pressure exertion being generally indicate-d by the arrow 40 in FIG. 4a. As illustrated, the valve has a downwardly facing .annular shoulder 41 for receiving upward pressure exertion acting to unbalance the valve `from the position shown in FIG. 1a, driving it upwardly to the position shown in FIG. 4a at such time that closure of the valving means is desired. For this purpose .a primary plug, as Ifor example a Iball 42 seen in FIG. 4b, may be dropped downwardly in the tubing strin-g to engage the interior port forming .se-at 43 to block downward flow of well fluid. When sufficient pressure is then pumped downwardly through the string, as by operation of the pump 44 in FIG. 3, the valving means 31 will be displaced from its lower to its upper position.

FIGS. 1a and 4a also illustrate one lform of latching mechanism `for releasably holdin-g the valving ymea-ns in each of said upper and l-ower positions. Typically, the latching mechanism means includes inwardly flexible vertically elongated iingers 45 depending from the valve means `and having outwardly facing terminal latch .shoulders 46. The fingers are circularly spaced in such manner that the latch shoulders 46 are engageable with upper and lower

annular shoulders

47 and 48 on the body section 12C. Accordingly, when sufficient upward lluid pressure is exerted on the valving means, the latch shoulders 46 on the iingers cam inwardly to dise-ngage the lower shoulder 48, allowing the valve to move upwardly to the FIG. 4a position, at which time the latch .shoulders 46 spring outwardly to engage the upwardly facing shoulders 47 on the body. The latter prevent downward movement of the closed valve -until such time as suicient downward force is exerted on the valve.

Such downward .force application as referred to may be effected in the manner shown in FIG. `6, as by introducing a secondary plug into the string 16, and allowing the plu-g t-o drop and engage the interior port Iforming seat 49 for blocking downward flow of well fluid through the valving means. Typically, the plug may comprise a ball 50 as shown, and of larger diameter than the bore 39 of the valving means. Since the valve periphery is sealed off at 51 from the stepped or reduced bore 52 of the body section 12b, suficient fluid pressure pumped into the string and exerted downwardly in the direction of the arrow 53 in FIG. 6 will be transmitted by the plug to the valve and overcomes the resistance to downward displacement of the valve imposed by the latchin-g 4means described above, with the result that the valve will move t-o its lower position in the sub body, as seen in FIG. `6. The ball plugs 42 and Sil referred .to above .may be pu-mped into and out of the tubing string at times when opening and closing of the v-alve is desired, and after the packer 18 has been set in the casing.

As mentioned in the introduction,the invention contemplates the connection of the sub body to the well bore and expansion of the packer into sealing engagement therewith in order that the valve means -may be operated in response -to uid pressure exertion, all without unsetting of the packer. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the means operable to effect body supporting -connection with the well bore includes outwardly spreadable upper slips above the packer, and as for example are shown generally at 60, the slips in FIG. 1 being retracted from engagement with the bore, whereas they have been spread into engagement with the bore in FIG. 4. The slips lare carried by a cylindrical actuator 61, by virtue of a conventional socalled T-slot connection `62 retaining the upper portions 63 of the slips while accommodating outward spreading of the lower portions carrying wickers or seri-ations 64 operable to Igrip the casing bore. Actuator 61 is carrie-d by the upper body section 12a, havin-g sealable sliding engagement therewith at the locati-

ons

65, 66 and 67. Furthermore, the actuator is exposable to fluid pressure within the body interior and communicated lto the actuator piston face 168 via a duct 69 through the body wall. Accordingly, when the primary plug 42 is seated -at 43, and sufficient fluid pressure is pumped into the tubing above the plug, the piston face 68 is displaced downwardly relative to the reaction flange 70 on the body 12a, thereby to displace the slips 60 downwardly. yOutward spreading of the downward traveling slips occurs by wedging action effected by the tapered su-rfaces 71 of the cone member 72 carried on `the sub body. As is clear, slots 73 are cut -at intervals around the cone member t-o receive the circularly spaced slips, and slot clearance is provided at 74 to be taken up by the downward terminals of the slips as they `travel downwardly and spread outwardly to the position shown in FIG. 4. When the slips firmly eng-age the casing, upward thrust transmitted by the sub body section .12b to the cone tmember 72 is then transmitted to the slips and.

to the casing, yfirmly anchoring the sub body against upward removal as might otherwise -occur during setting of the packer and anchoring of the lower slips.

Turning now to FIGS. lb and 4b, means is provided to effect the above described outward spreading of the lower slips and expansion of the packer, as for example when downward flow of well fluid in the string is blocked by the primary plug 42. Here again, slips 3l) are formed to have wedge surface engagement at 81 with a cone member 82; however, the latter member is vertically slidable at the interface 83 and on the sub body section 12C in order to transmit upward thrust to the actuator sleeve 24 operable to compress the packer as described above. The slips have T-slot interconnection at 84 with the lower actuator 85, the latter having a piston face 86 to which pressure fluid is transmitted via the duct 87 in the sub body section wall. When sufficient pressure is thus communicated from the sub bore to theI piston face 86, the actuator travels upwardly after shearing the pin 88 interconnecting the actuator and the reaction flange 89 on the sub section 12d. The actuator has sealing and sliding engagement with the periphery of the section 12d at the

locations

90 and 91. Upward travel of the slips 80 effects their outward spreading on the cone member and also compression of the packer by force transmission to the cone member and actuator sleeve 24. As a result, the slip wickers or serrations 92 rrnly grip and anchor against the casing bore as seen in FIG. 4b.

Release of the lower slips when upward withdrawal of the tool is desired occurs by virtue of such upward withdrawal carrying the cone member 82 out from under the slips 80. On the other hand, upward withdrawal of the tubing string is prevented by the upper slips unless their release is otherwise effected. It is another feature of the invention to provide for such release of the upper slips at times when upward withdrawal of the string and unsetting of the packer is desired. In this regard, FIGS. 1 and 4 show the provision of an additional duct 95 in the body upper section 12a through which fluid pressure may be communicated to the downwardly presented piston face 96 of the actuator 61, the latter typically including ring 61a and nut 61h. In addition, rupturable means is provided as indicated at 97 to block flow of predetermined high pressure fluid through the side port in less than sufficient quantity to effect the upper slips release. Such rupturable means is better seen in FIGS. 2 and 10 to include a rupturable diaphragm 98 retained between a nut 99 threaded into the reaction flange 70 and a retainer 10i) which is ducted at 191. Accordingly when fluid pressure of suicient magnitude is exerted upon the diaphragm 98, it ruptures to admit the high fluid pressure into the space 1132 for upward exertion of fluid pressure against the piston face 96, driving the actuator 61 upwardly to retract the slips 69 from the cone member '72. As a result, the upper slips `are released to allow upward withdrawal of the tubing string and the tool.

Reference to FIGS. 9 and 9a will show the method whereby high pressure fluid is locally transmitted to the rupturable means 97 previously referred to. As illustrated, an insert means 103 is lowered downwardly through the tubing string 16 for applying the high pressure fluid. The insert includes a tubular member 104 made up of endwise interconnected tubular sections 194a- 1li-ff, section 104d being ported at 195 to deliver pressure through the side thereof. Another rupturable means 196 is provided at the port 105 to block escape of high pressure fluid below a predetermined level. Accordingly, pressure fluid may be pumped into the string to drive the insert member 1114 downwardly therein and into the position shown in FIGS. 9 and 9a, without rupturing the means 106. Pressure cups, typically formed of rubber, are shown at 197 and 108 on the insert section 104a, `and opening upwardly to receive pressure application for driving the insert downwardly within the tubing.

During such downward travel of the insert, fluid encountered below the insert passes upwardly therein through the by-

pass pipes

109 and 110, the latter exhausting at 111 into the tubing just below the

cups

107 and 108. The flexible wipers 112 on the cups allow relative upward passage of such liquid discharge as the insert moves downwardly. Cup 140 on section 104e seals against the tubing bore to assure entrance of fluid into pipe 109.

As seen in FIGS. 9 and 9a, the insert has a shoulder 113 proximate the lower terminal of the section 104f, and located in such manner as to insure straddling of the duct 95 and rupturable means 97 by

pressure cups

114 and 115 as seen in FIGS. 9 and 10 when the insert downward travel is arrested. As a result, high pressure fluid discharging through the rupturable means 106 has access to the rupturable means 97. In accordance with another` feature and unusual advantage of the invention, the shoulder 113 engages the seat 49 formed in the valve means 31, thereby to drive valve means downwardly to its lower position in the sub body, at which time the rupturable means 106 and 97 are in communication. Sufiicient fiuid pressure may then be pumped into and built up in the tubing to pass downwardly through the insert and rupture the means 1136, filling the space between the

cups

114 and 115 above and below the level of the rupturable means 97. The cups seal off against the bore of the sub body section 12a to allow sufficient pressure build up to rupture the means 97 in order to release the upper slips as described. Thereafter, the tool and insert may both be upwardly withdrawn with the tubing string.

Referring briefily back to FIG. l0, the rupturable means 1135 therein shown is similar to that identified at 97 in the same figure. Thus, it includes a rupturable diaphragm 11611 and a nut 116, retaining the diaphragm in position to be ruptured in response to the exertion thereagainst of sufficiently high fluid pressure. Fluid then exhausts through the port 117, the rupture diaphragm, and a port 118 in the nut, for application to the rupturable means 97 in the sub body.

Referring now to a typical operation involving the use Iot the novel apparatus, reference will be made first to FIG. 3 showing the tool after it has been run downwardly in the well along with the tubing string 16 to which it is connected as a sub. During the running-in process, the valve 31 is nromally in the position shown in FIGS. l, la and 1b, so that uid in the annulus `and between the sub and the casing may by-pass the packer. After the running-in of the tool, it is set in position by spreading the slips and extending the packer as previously described, fiuid pressure being pumped into the string as by pump 44, to effect this step. Such fluid pressure may also be used to operate the valve 31 into shut-01T condition whereby communication around the packer through the passage 29 is blocked, as seen in FIGS. 4, 4a and 4b.

The pressure introducing step may be considered as including the closing off of the string at a location proximate the packer, slip and valve assemblies, as by droppin-g a plug in the string for descent to said location, and then building up fluid pressure in the string above the plug to displace the valve to shut-olf position. Un-der these conditions, the well is normally ready for production. A further step in the overall method includes introducing sufficient uid pressure into the well to operate the valve opening up by-passing communication around the packer. This step may be carried out by closing ofi the string as would occur |by dropping a plug in the string for descent to said location and then building up the fluid pressure in the string above the plug to displace the valve to open position. See for example the description in connection with FIGS. 4b and 6.

Fluid may then be introduced into the Well space outside the string, as for example by operating pump 120 in FIG. 3, the downwardly flowing fiuid by-passing the packer to enter the string therebelow, all without displacement of the set packer or manipulation of a wire line in the string. Such fluid may comprise drilling mu-d introduced to kill the well, in which event the mud may also fiow upwardly in the string from the lower extremity thereof. The fluid might also comprise water pumped into the annulus to induce well production of petroleum.

` Alternatively, the fiuid might comprise acid introduced Y to treat the formation Ibelow the packer.

When such fluid is pumped into the annulus, it will be seen from FIG. 1a that the iuid may flow downwardly through the upper port 25 and outwardly through tb: lower port 26. At the same time, it exerts hydrostatic pressure downwardly against the valve at the location 37 in FIG. 1b to hold the valve in open condition. Accordingly, inadvertant closin-g of the valve is additionally resisted by the weight of the fluid :being pumped downwardly in the annulus.

Referring finally to FIGS. 1l, 11a, 11b and 12, a modified rupturable means is indicated at 123 in a position to release auxiliary fiuid pressure from the confined space 124 When the cone member 125 is forced downwardly relative to the sub body section 12e shown. For this purpose, high pressure fiuid is delivered through the port 126 in the section 12e to drive the piston face 127 of the cone member nut 128 downwar-dly, as better seen in FIG. 1lb. The confined fluid 124 which normally blocks downward travel of the cone member is then exhausted through the rupturable means 123 when the pressure of said confined fluid reaches a predetermined high level. The rupturable means 123, which is better seen in FIG. 12, is similar to that shown at 97 in FIG. 10, but is located at the upper terminal of the cone member in the space between successive slips arranged circularly about the axis 129. A duct 130 communicates between the space containing the fiuid 124 and said rupturab-le means. Setting of the upper slips 131 by fiuid pressure exertion throu-gh the port 132 is carried out as seen in FIG. 11a in a manner similar to that described in connection with FIG. 1.

I claim:

1. Well tool apparatus of the character descri-bed, cornprising a generally endwise extending tubular body adapted for connection in a pipe string to be lowered in a well, packer means carried for sealing off the annular Zone between the well bore and said body, the body having porting to pass fluid between said zone at one end at least of said packer and the `body interior, and valving -means carried by the body for vertical movement between a first position in which the porting is closed and a second position in which the porting is open, said valving means containing an opening to pass well fluid endwise therethrough, the :body carrying an interior port forming seat to receive a primary plug acting to block downward ow of well fiuid, the valving means being exposed to the body interior to receive application of well fluid pressure acting to move the valving means vertically upwardly between said positions Awhen downward flow of well fluid in the string is blocked by said primary plug.

Z. Well tool apparatus of the character described, comprising a generally tubular axially extending body adapted for connection in a pipe string to be lowered in a well, the body having a passage to fiow well fluid therethrough, packer means carried for sealing off the annular zone between the well `bore and said body, the body having side porting to pass fluid between said zone at one end at least of said packer and the body interior, and generally tubular valving means carried for axial movement in the body between a first position in which the side porting is closed and a second position in which the porting is open, said valving means containing an interior opening to pass fluid endwise therethrough, the body carrying an interior port forming seat to receive a primary plug acting to block downward flow of well fluid, the valving means being exposed to the body interior to receive application of well fluid pressure acting to move the valving means vertically upwardly between said positions when downward fiow of well fluid in the string is blocked by said primary plug.

3. Well tool apparatus of the character described, comprisin g a generally endwise extending tubular body adapted for connection in a pipe string to be lowered in a well, packer means carried for expansion sealing off the annular zone between the -well bore and said body, other means movable to effect body supporting connection with the well bore and expansion of the packer, the body having porting to pass fiuid between said zone at one end at least of said packer and the body interior, and valving means carried for movement in the `body .between a first position in which the porting is closed and a second position in which the porting is open, said valving means containing an opening to pass well fiuid endwise therethrough, said valving means and other means being exposed for transmitting fluid created pressure acting within the string to move the valving means between said positions and to so move said other means.

4. Well tool apparatus of the character described, comprising a generally tubular axially extending body adapted for connection in a pipe string to be lowered in a well, the body having a passage to iiow well uid, packer means carried for sealing off the annular zone between the well bore and sai-d body, the body having side porting to pass fluid between said zone at one end at least of said packer and the body interior, and generally tubular valving means carried for axial movement in the body between a first position in which the side porting is closed and a second position in which the side porting is open, said valving means containing an opening to pass fluid endwise therethrough, the body having an interior port forming seat to receive a primary plug acting to block downward flow of well fluid, the valving means bein-g exposed to the body interior to receive application of well uid pressure acting to -move the valving means in one direction between said positions when downward flo-w of well fluid is blocked by said primary plug, the valving means having a port forming seat to receive a secondary plug acting to block downward fiow of well fluid through the valving means and transmitting pressure acting to move the valving means in the opposite direction between said positions.

5. Well tool apparatus of the character described, comprising a generally tubular and vertically axially extending body adapted for connection in a pipe string to be lowered in a Well, the body having a passage to flow well fluid therethrou-gh, packer means carried for sealing off the annular zone between the well -bore and said body, the body having upper and lower side porting to by-pass fluid in said zone around said packer -means via the body interior, and generally tubular valving means carried for axial movement in the body between a lower position in which the lower side porting is open and an upper position in which the lower side porting is closed, said valving means containing an opening to pass fluid endwise therethrough, said body having an interior port forming seat below said valving means to receive a primary plug acting to block downward fiow of well fluid, the valving means being exposed to the body interior to receive application of well fluid pressure acting to move the valving means upwardly to said upper position when downward fiow of well fluid in the string is blocked by said primary plug.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim in which said valving means has downward fluid pressure receiving extent, and upward fluid pressure receiving extent greater than said downward fluid pressure receiving extent.

7. Apparatus as defined in Vclairn 5 in which said body has stops to limit vertical travel of said valving means at said upper and lower positions.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 in which said valving means has a port forming seat to receive said closure in the form of a secondary plug acting to block downward flow of well fluid through the tubular valving means and transmitting pressure acting to move the valving means downwardly into said lower position.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 including balls comprising said primary and secondary plugs.

10. Apparatus as dened in claim S including latching mechanism for releasably holding the valving means in each of said upper and lower positions,

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 10 in which said latching mechanism inclu-des inwardly flexible vertically elongated fingers on the valve means and having outwardly facing terminal latch shoulders, and upper and lower annular shoulders on said body to engage said latch shoulders.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 including means carried by said body and operable to effect body supporting connection with the well bore and expansion of the packer into sealing engagement with the well bore, said last named means including outwardly spreadable lower slips below the packer, and fluid pressure responsive lower actuator structure exposable to fluid pressure within said body and movable upwardly to effect outward spreading of the slips and expansion of the packer when downward flow of Iwell fiuid in the string is blocked by said primary plug.

13. Apparatus as defined in claim 12 in which said last named means also includes outwardly spreadable upper slips above the packer, and fluid pressure responsive upper actuator structure exposable to fluid pressure within said body and movable to effect outward spreading of the upper slips when downward flow of well fluid in the string is blocked -by said primary plu-g.

14. Apparatus as defined in claim 13 in which said last named means includes a tubular extension of said body having a first side port to communicate fluid pressure in the string to said upper actuator structure for moving it in one axial direction effecting spreading of the upper slips, said exte-nsion having a second side port to communicate high fluid pressure in the string to said upper actuator structure for moving it in the opposite axial direction effecting release of the upper slips, and rupturable means blocking ow of predetermined high pressure fiuid through said second side port in less than sufficient quantity to effect said upper slips release.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 in which said rupturable means is at said second port.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 in which said rupturable means is at an auxiliary fluid pressure release duct to release a confined supply of said auxiliary fiuid blocking movement of said upper actuator structure in said opposite axial direction.

17. Apparatus as defined in claim 14 including insert means movable downwardly into said tubular extension to locally supply high pressure fluid to said second side port.

18. Apparatus as defined in claim 17 in which said insert means includes a tubular member having an outlet for flowing high pressure fluid from within said member to the exterior thereof to enter said second side port in said extension, sealing cups carried by said member to seal off between said member and extension above and below said outlet, a flow line to lby-pass fluid within said extension around said cups, and a shoulder to transmit force acting to locate the insert with respect to said valving.

19. For combination in a string of well tubing, a generally tubular and vertically axially extending body, outwardly sprea-dable slips carried by the body, fluid pressure responsive actuator structure exposable to fiuid pressure within the body and movable generally axially to effect outward spreading of the slips into body supporting connection with the well bore, said body having a first side port to communicate fiuid pressure in the string to said actuator structure for moving it in one axial direction effecting spreading of the slips, sai-rl body having a second side port to communicate relatively high fluid pressure in the string to said actuator structure for moving it in the opposite axial direction effecting release of said slips, and rupturable means at said second port blocking flow of predetermined high pressure fluid through said second side port in less than sufiicient quantity to effect said slip release. 4,------ 2t). In the method of controlling a well into which a string of production tubing is run, the string supporting slip, packer and valve assemblies characterized as operable respectively to anchor the string to the casing, to pack-off between the string and casing and to control vertical by-passing around the packer of fluid in the annular space between the string and casing, the valve assembly also characterized as fiuid pressure operable, `the steps that include running the string int-o the well with the valve assembly in open condition, then introducing sufficient fiuid pressure into the string for communication to said assemblies to operate the slips for anchoring the string to the casing, to operate the packer for packing ofrr between the string and casing, Iand to operate the valve to shunt oft` by-passing communication around the packer, and including the further step of introducing sufcient uid pressure into the well to operate the valve opening up by-passing communication around the packer.

21. The method of claim 20 in which said irst recited pressure introducing step includes closing off the string lat a location proximate said assemblies by dropping a plug in the string for descent to said location, and then building up uid pressure in the string above said plug to displace the valve to shut-olf position.

22. The method of claim 20 in which said further step is carried out by closing -oi the string at a location proximate said assemblies by dropping a plug in the string for descent to said location, and then buil-ding up fluid pressude in the string above the plug to displace the valve to open position.

23. The method of claim 22 including introducing iluid into the well space outside the string to by-pass the pack-er, t-o enter the string below the packer and to flow upwardly in the string.

24. The method of claim 20 in which Said further step is carried out by introducing uid into the well space outside the string to build up uid pressure therein for displacing the valve to open position and thereafter to bypass the packer as the uid Hows downwardly in the well.

25. The method of claim 24 in which said uid comprises drilling mud introduced to kill the well.

26. The method of claim 24 in which said fluid com- -prises Water introduced to enter the string below the packer and flow upwardly in the string to ind/lga/welhproduction f regeleme- M27."'Ihriethod of claim 24 in which said Huid comppises acid introduced to treat the formati-on below the paclem" VYVV -28;"'Tn sub-combination, a generaly tubular axially extending body adapted for connection in a pipe string to be lowered in a well, the body having a side port to pass the flow of well iluid between the body exterior `and interior, and generally tubular valving means carried for axial movement in the body between a first position in which said fluid flow through the side port is blocked and a second position in which said fluid flow through the side port is unblocked, the body carrying an interior port forming seat to receive a primary plug acting to block downward ow of well fluid, the valving means Ahaving surface extent exposed to the body interior to receive application of well fluid pressure acting to move the valving means in one direction between said positions when downward ilow of well duid is blocked by the primary plug, the valving means having a port forming seat to receive a secondary plug acting to block downward ilow of well uid through the valving means and transmitting pressure acting to move the valving means in the opposite direction between said positions.

29. The combination of claim 2S in which the body -has stops to limit vertical travel of said valving means -at said upper and lower positions.

`30. The combination of claim 28 including balls comprising said primary and secondary plugs.

31. Well tool apparatus of the character described, comprising a `gener-ally tubular and vertically axially extending body adapted for connection in a pipe string to be lowered in a well, the body having a passage to ilow well fluid therethrough, packer means carried for sealing of the annular zone between the well bore and said body, the body having upper and lower side porting to by-pass uid in said zone around said packer means via the body interior, and generally tubular valving means carried for axial movement in the body between a lower position in which the lower side porting is open and an upper position in which the lower side porting is closed, said valving means containing an opening -to pass Quid endwise therethrough, the valving means being exposed to the body interior to seat a closure acting to close said opening and to transmit fluid created pressure for moving said valving means between said positions, s-aid valving means being exposed to said upper porting to receive fluid pressure actin-g downward in said Zone and through said upper porting tending to move said valving means downwardly to said lower position.

32. For combination in a string of well tubing, a generally tubular and vertically axially extending body, outwardly spreadable slips carried by the body, fluid pr-essure responsive actuator structure exposable to fluid pressure within the body and movable generally axially to effect outward spreading of the slips into body supporting connection with the well bore, said body having a rst side port to communicate tluid pressure in the string to said actuator structure for moving it in one axial direction etecting spreading of the slips, said body having a second side port to communicate relatively high Huid pressure in the string to said actuator structure for moving it in the opposite axial direction etecting release of said slips, and repturable means blocking ow of predetermined high fluid pressure through said second side port in less than suicient quantity to effect said slip release, said ru-pturable means being at an auxiliary tluird pressure release duct to release `a confined supply of said auxiliary uid blocking movement of said actuator structure in said opposite axial direction.

33. For combination in a string of well tubing, a generally tubular and vertically axially extending body, o-utwardly spredable slips carried by the body, fluid pressure responsive actuator structure exposable to fluid pressure within the body Iand movable generally axially to effect outward spreading of the slips into body supporting connection with the well bore, said body having a first side port to communicate Huid pressure in the string to said actuator structure for moving it in one axial direction effecting spreading of the slips, said Ibody having a second side port to communicate relatively high fluid pressure in the string to said actuator structure for moving it in the opposite axial direction effecting release of said slips, and insert means movable downwardly into said tubular extension to locally supply high pressure Huid to said second side port, said insert means including a tubular member having an outlet for owing high pressure uid from Within said member to the exterior thereof to enter said second side port in said extension, sealing cups carried by said member to seal off between said member and extension above and below said outlet, a flow line to -by-pass fluid within said extension laround said cups, and a shoulder to transmit force acting to locate the insert with respect to said valving.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,795,281 6/1957 Christian 166--129 3,118,502 1/ 1964 Cochran 166-129 3,122,205 2/ 1964 Brown et al. 1616-,120

CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Primary Examiner.

D. BROWN, Assistant Examiner` STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATEy OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 299,955 January Z4 196i John S.`Page, Jr.,

It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below In the heading to the printed specification, line 3,

for "assigner to" read assignor of 50% to column l1, linel 2, for "shunt" read shut column l2, line 37, for "spredable" read spreadable Signed and sealed this 24th day of October 1967.

Attest:

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr. EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents

Claims

20. IN THE METHOD OF CONTROLLING A WELL INTO WHICH A STRING OF PRODUCTION TUBING IS RUN, THE STRING SUPPORTING SLIP, PACKER AND VALVE ASSEMBLIES CHARACTERIZED AS OPERABLE RESPECTIVELY TO ANCHOR THE STRING TO THE CASING, TO PACK-OFF BETWEEN THE STRING AND CASING AND TO CONTROL VERTICAL BY-PASSING AROUND THE PACKER OF FLUID IN THE ANNULAR SPACE BETWEEN THE STRING AND CASING, THE VALVE ASSEMBLY ALSO CHARACTERIZED AS FLUID PRESSURE OPERABLE, THE STEPS THAT INCLUDE RUNNING THE STRING INTO THE WELL WITH THE STEPS THAT INCLUDE RUNNING THE STRING INTO THE WELL ING SUFFICIENT FLUID PRESSURE INTO THE STRING FOR COMMUNICATION TO SAID ASSEMBLIES TO OPERATE THE SLIPS FOR ANCHORING THE STRING TO THE CASING, TO OPERATE THE PACKER FOR PACKING OFF BETWEEN THE STRING AND CASING, AND TO OPERATE THE VALVE TO SHUNT OFF BY-PASSING COMMUNICATION AROUND THE PACKER, AND INCLUDING THE FURTHER STEP OF INTRODUC-