IP Library › Granted Patent US 12692783
Granted Patent B1
US 12692783 · App. 18/821,917 · Granted Jul 28, 2026

Shoe track assembly system and method of use

Inventors: Todd Stair (Conroe, TX); Henry E. Rogers (Owasso, OK); Jimmy Venizelos (Richmond, TX); Carlos A. Valdez (Humble, TX)
Assignee: Citadel Casing Solutions LLC
E21B47/117E21B33/12E21B33/16E21B34/06
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12692783
App. No.
18/821,917
Granted
Jul 28, 2026
Kind
B1
Abstract

A method of well construction includes first, providing a tool with a housing extending from a top end to a bottom end; then, positioning a first valve within the housing, the first valve creating a seal within the housing to prevent fluid flow past the first valve and into a well casing from the bottom end of the housing during a well operation; next, securing the tool to the well casing; then, running the tool and the well casing into a wellbore; and, finally, performing one or more well operations, the one or more well operations do not establish cement integrity within the tool such that the first valve is not filled with cement.

Claims (45)

1 . A method of well construction, comprising:

providing a tool with a housing extending from a top end to a bottom end;

positioning a first valve within the housing, the first valve creating a lower seal within the housing to prevent formation fluid flow past the first valve and into a well casing from the bottom end of the housing during a well operation;

securing the tool to the well casing;

running the tool and the well casing into a wellbore; and

performing one or more well operations, the one or more well operations do not establish cement integrity within the tool such that the first valve is not filled with cement, the one or more well operations including a casing pressure test;

wherein the first valve, without any established cement integrity, acts as an independent well barrier to independently prevent formation fluid flow into the well casing from the bottom end of the housing.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising configuring the housing with a plug landing mechanism positioned therein, the plug landing mechanism configured to receive a plug, the plug landing mechanism being positioned above the first valve.

3 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising dropping the plug from a surface, wherein the plug is configured to land within the plug landing mechanism.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the plug is configured to create an upper seal within the housing once landed within the plug landing mechanism.

5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the plug does not have any intermittent engagement or stopping between the surface and the plug landing mechanism.

6 . The method of claim 4 , further comprising performing the casing pressure test after the plug is dropped from the surface and landed within the plug landing mechanism.

7 . A tool for use in well construction, the tool comprising:

a housing extending from a top end to a bottom end;

a first valve secured within the housing, the first valve creating a lower seal within the housing to prevent formation fluid flow past the first valve and into a well casing from the bottom end of the housing during a well operation;

wherein the tool is configured to be secured to the well casing;

wherein the tool and the well casing are configured to be run into a wellbore;

wherein the tool is configured for use during one or more well operations, wherein the one or more well operations to not establish cement integrity within the tool such that the first valve is not filled with cement, the one or more well operations including a casing pressure test; and

wherein the first valve, without any established cement integrity, acts as an independent well barrier to independently prevent formation fluid flow into the well casing from the bottom end of the housing.

8 . The tool of claim 7 , further comprising a plug landing mechanism positioned within the housing and configured to receive a plug, the plug landing mechanism positioned above the first valve and being a separate entity from the first valve.

9 . The tool of claim 7 , further comprising a plug landing mechanism positioned within the housing above the first valve, the plug landing mechanism configured to receive a plug.

10 . The tool of claim 9 , further comprising the plug, and wherein the plug is configured to be dropped from a surface and land within the plug landing mechanism.

11 . The tool of claim 10 , wherein the plug is configured to create an upper seal within the housing once landed within the plug landing mechanism.

12 . The tool of claim 11 , wherein the tool is configured such that the plug does not have any intermittent engagement or stopping between the surface and the plug landing mechanism.

13 . The tool of claim 11 , wherein the plug is configured to withstand the casing pressure test after the plug is dropped from the surface and landed within the plug landing mechanism.

14 . A method of well construction, comprising:

providing a tool with a housing extending from a top end to a bottom end;

positioning a first valve within the housing, the first valve creating a lower seal within the housing to prevent formation fluid flow past the first valve and into a well casing from the bottom end of the housing during a well operation;

configuring the housing with a plug landing mechanism positioned therein, the plug landing mechanism configured to receive a plug, the plug landing mechanism being positioned above the first valve;

securing the tool to the well casing;

running the tool and the well casing into a wellbore;

dropping the plug from a surface, wherein the plug is configured to land within the plug landing mechanism and wherein the plug is configured to create an upper seal within the housing once landed within the plug landing mechanism; and

performing one or more well operations, the one or more well operations do not establish cement integrity within the tool such that the first valve is not filled with cement, the one or more well operations including a casing pressure test, the casing pressure test being performed after the plug is dropped from the surface and landed within the plug landing mechanism;

wherein the first valve, without any established cement integrity, acts as an independent well barrier to independently prevent formation fluid flow into the well casing from the bottom end of the housing.

15 . A tool for use in well construction, the tool comprising:

a housing extending from a top end to a bottom end;

a first valve secured within the housing, the first valve creating a lower seal within the housing to prevent formation fluid flow past the first valve and into a well casing from the bottom end of the housing during a well operation;

a plug landing mechanism positioned within the housing above the first valve;

a plug configured to be dropped from a surface and land within the plug landing mechanism;

wherein the tool is configured to be secured to the well casing;

wherein the tool and the well casing are configured to be run into a wellbore;

wherein the plug is configured to create an upper seal within the housing once landed within the plug landing mechanism;

wherein the plug is configured to withstand a casing pressure test after the plug is dropped from the surface and landed within the plug landing mechanism;

wherein the tool is configured for use during one or more well operations, the one or more well operations include the casing pressure test and do not establish cement integrity within the tool such that the first valve is not filled with cement; and

wherein the first valve, without any established cement integrity, acts as an independent well barrier to independently prevent formation fluid flow into the well casing from the bottom end of the housing.