IP Library Granted Patent US 9,909,390
Granted Patent B2
US 9,909,390 · App. 14/719,560 · Granted Mar 6, 2018

Stage tool with lower tubing isolation

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,909,390
App. No.
14/719,560
Granted
Mar 6, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

A stage tool includes an isolation mechanism for isolating the lower bore of a completion string. The isolation mechanism is initially in a deactivated configuration until sufficient hydraulic pressure is applied, at which time, the isolating mechanism is activated to isolate the lower bore from cement ingress. Concurrently or subsequently, a stage tool may be opened to facilitate cementing of an annulus between the completion string and the wellbore. After cementing, the isolation mechanism, or portions thereof, may be drilled out to re-establish flow through the stage tool.

Claims (49)

1. A stage tool, comprising:

a tubular body having one or more ports formed through a sidewall thereof; and

an isolation mechanism disposed in the tubular body, the isolation mechanism having:

a window sub;

a flapper mount coupled to the window sub;

a flapper coupled to the flapper mount, the flapper pivotable between an open position and a closed position;

an opening sleeve axially movable from a first position that closes the one or more ports to a second position that exposes the one or more ports, wherein the flapper mount, the window sub, and the opening sleeve are axially movable together; and

a closing sleeve axially movable from a first position that exposes the one or more ports to a second position that closes the one or more ports.

2. The stage tool of claim 1 , further comprising a closing seat assembly having a seat adapted to engage a plug or dart, the closing seat assembly coupled to the closing sleeve by one or more shearable fasteners.

3. The stage tool of claim 1 , wherein the opening sleeve is coupled to the closing sleeve by a shearable fastener in the first position of the opening sleeve.

4. The stage tool of claim 1 , wherein the flapper is maintained in an open position by an interference fit when the opening sleeve is in the first position.

5. The stage tool of claim 4 , further comprising a recess formed in an inner surface of the tubular, the recess allowing the flapper to pivot to a closed position.

6. The stage tool of claim 1 , further comprising one or more ports formed in the closing sleeve, wherein the one or more ports of the closing sleeve are aligned with the one or more ports of the tubular body when the closing sleeve is in the first position.

7. The stage tool of claim 1 , wherein the opening sleeve is actuatable by the application of a hydraulic differential thereacross.

8. A stage tool, comprising:

a tubular body having one or more ports formed through a sidewall thereof; and

an isolation mechanism disposed in the tubular body, the isolation mechanism having:

a window sub;

a flapper mount coupled to the window sub;

a flapper coupled to the flapper mount, the flapper pivotable from an open position to a closed position;

an opening sleeve axially movable from a first position that closes the one or more ports to a second position that exposes the one or more ports;

a flapper shaft axially movable from a first position that maintains the flapper in the open position to a second position that allows the flapper to pivot to the closed position;

a spring positioned in a recess of the flapper shaft, the spring engaging the flapper shaft and the flapper mount; and

a closing sleeve axially movable from a first position that exposes the one or more ports to a second position that closes the one or more ports.

9. The stage tool of claim 8 , wherein the first position of the flapper shaft is up hole of the second position of the flapper shaft.

10. The stage tool of claim 8 , wherein the flapper shaft is coupled to a flapper shaft piston, the flapper shaft piston coupled to a bottom sub by a shearable fastener.

11. The stage tool of claim 10 , wherein the spring biases the flapper shaft in a down hole direction, and wherein shearing of the shearable fastener allows actuation of the flapper shaft.

12. The stage tool of claim 8 , further comprising a closing seat assembly having a seat adapted to engage a plug or dart, the closing seat assembly coupled to the closing sleeve by one or more shearable fasteners.

13. The stage tool of claim 8 , wherein the opening sleeve is coupled to the closing sleeve by a shearable fastener in the first position of the opening sleeve.

14. A stage tool, comprising:

a tubular body having one or more ports formed through a sidewall thereof; and

an isolation mechanism disposed in the tubular body, the isolation mechanism having:

a window sub;

a flapper mount coupled to the window sub;

a flapper coupled to the flapper mount, the flapper pivotable from an open position to a closed position;

an opening sleeve axially movable from a first position that closes the one or more ports to a second position that exposes the one or more ports;

a flapper shaft axially movable from a first position that maintains the flapper in the open position to a second position that allows the flapper to pivot to the closed position;

a closing sleeve axially movable from a first position that exposes the one or more ports to a second position that closes the one or more ports; and

a shaft torque stop disposed down hole of the flapper shaft, the shaft toque stop having a recess formed therein for accepting a torque member extending from the flapper shaft.

15. A stage tool, comprising:

a tubular body having one or more ports formed through a sidewall thereof; and

an isolation mechanism disposed in the tubular body, the isolation mechanism having:

a window sub;

a lower sub;

a spring biased against the window sub and the lower sub;

a flapper mount coupled to the window sub, the flapper mount having one or more j-slots formed therein, wherein the flapper mount is coupled to the lower sub by one or more alignment screws disposed in the j-slot;

a flapper coupled to the flapper mount, the flapper pivotable from an open position to a closed position;

an opening sleeve axially movable from a first position that closes the one or more ports to a second position that exposes the one or more ports; and

a closing sleeve axially movable from a first position that exposes the one or more ports to a second position that closes the one or more ports.

Assignments (8)
PATENT SECURITY INTEREST ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 26, 2023
From: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 063470/0629 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 1, 2021
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC; WEATHERFORD NETHERLANDS B.V.; WEATHERFORD NORGE AS; HIGH PRESSURE INTEGRITY, INC.; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES, INC.; WEATHERFORD CANADA LTD; WEATHERFORD SWITZERLAND TRADING AND DEVELOPMENT GMBH; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES ULC; WEATHERFORD U.K. LIMITED
Reel/Frame 057683/0423 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 1, 2021
From: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC; WEATHERFORD NETHERLANDS B.V.; WEATHERFORD NORGE AS; HIGH PRESSURE INTEGRITY, INC.; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES, INC.; WEATHERFORD CANADA LTD.; WEATHERFORD SWITZERLAND TRADING AND DEVELOPMENT GMBH; WEATHERFORD U.K. LIMITED
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 057683/0706 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 28, 2020
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC; WEATHERFORD NETHERLANDS B.V.; WEATHERFORD NORGE AS; HIGH PRESSURE INTEGRITY, INC.; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES, INC.; WEATHERFORD CANADA LTD.; WEATHERFORD SWITZERLAND TRADING AND DEVELOPMENT GMBH; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES ULC; WEATHERFORD U.K. LIMITED
Reel/Frame 053838/0323 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 28, 2020
From: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC; WEATHERFORD NETHERLANDS B.V.; WEATHERFORD NORGE AS; HIGH PRESSURE INTEGRITY, INC.; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES, INC.; WEATHERFORD CANADA LTD.; WEATHERFORD SWITZERLAND TRADING AND DEVELOPMENT GMBH; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES ULC; WEATHERFORD U.K. LIMITED
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 054288/0302 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 26, 2019
From: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC; WEATHERFORD NETHERLANDS B.V.; WEATHERFORD NORGE AS; HIGH PRESSURE INTEGRITY, INC.; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES, INC.; WEATHERFORD CANADA LTD.; WEATHERFORD SWITZERLAND TRADING AND DEVELOPMENT GMBH; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES ULC; WEATHERFORD U.K. LIMITED
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 051419/0140 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 18, 2019
From: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LLC; WEATHERFORD NETHERLANDS B.V.; WEATHERFORD NORGE AS; HIGH PRESSURE INTEGRITY INC.; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES INC.; WEATHERFORD CANADA LTD.; WEATHERFORD SWITZERLAND TRADING AND DEVELOPMENT GMBH; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES ULC; WEATHERFORD U.K. LIMITED
To: WELLS FARGO BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 051891/0089 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 27, 2015
From: MCNABB, BRYCE; MARCIN, JOZEPH ROBERT; HANSON, ANDREW J.; MACTAVISH, JAMES; KSHYK, COREY
To: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 036888/0982 →