US 12,110,755 B2
Method and apparatus for dropping a pump down plug or ball
Phil Barbee, Gretna, LA (US); Michael Mire, Kenner, LA (US); and Joey Naquin, Houma, LA (US)
Assigned to Gulfstream Services, Inc., Houma, LA (US)
Filed by GULFSTREAM SERVICES, INC., Houma, LA (US)
Filed on Sep. 14, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/467,218.
Application 18/467,218 is a continuation of application No. 17/892,554, filed on Aug. 22, 2022, granted, now 11,814,922.
Application 17/892,554 is a continuation of application No. 17/166,999, filed on Feb. 3, 2021, granted, now 11,459,845, issued on Oct. 4, 2022.
Application 17/166,999 is a continuation of application No. 16/718,442, filed on Dec. 18, 2019, granted, now 10,947,807, issued on Mar. 16, 2021.
Application 16/718,442 is a continuation of application No. 16/238,765, filed on Jan. 3, 2019, granted, now 10,550,661, issued on Feb. 4, 2020.
Application 16/238,765 is a continuation of application No. 15/632,833, filed on Jun. 26, 2017, granted, now 10,208,556, issued on Feb. 19, 2019.
Application 15/632,833 is a continuation of application No. 15/156,723, filed on May 17, 2016, granted, now 9,689,226, issued on Jun. 27, 2017.
Application 15/156,723 is a continuation of application No. 14/618,749, filed on Feb. 10, 2015, granted, now 9,341,040, issued on May 17, 2016.
Application 14/618,749 is a continuation of application No. 14/181,255, filed on Feb. 14, 2014, granted, now 8,997,850, issued on Apr. 7, 2015.
Application 14/181,255 is a continuation of application No. 13/080,397, filed on Apr. 5, 2011, granted, now 8,651,174, issued on Feb. 18, 2014.
Application 13/080,397 is a continuation in part of application No. 12/349,109, filed on Jan. 6, 2009, granted, now 7,918,278, issued on Apr. 5, 2011.
Application 12/349,109 is a continuation in part of application No. 11/951,802, filed on Dec. 6, 2007, granted, now 7,841,410, issued on Nov. 30, 2010.
Application 11/951,802 is a continuation in part of application No. 11/749,591, filed on May 16, 2007, granted, now 7,607,481, issued on Oct. 27, 2009.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/334,965, filed on May 14, 2010.
Prior Publication US 2024/0068320 A1, Feb. 29, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. E21B 33/05 (2006.01); E21B 33/068 (2006.01); E21B 33/12 (2006.01); E21B 33/134 (2006.01); E21B 33/14 (2006.01); E21B 33/16 (2006.01); E21B 34/02 (2006.01)
CPC E21B 33/068 (2013.01) [E21B 33/05 (2013.01); E21B 33/12 (2013.01); E21B 33/134 (2013.01); E21B 33/14 (2013.01); E21B 33/16 (2013.01); E21B 33/167 (2020.05); E21B 34/02 (2013.01); E21B 2200/04 (2020.05)] 23 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
11. A method of dropping one or more balls or plugs into a well tubing, comprising:
a) providing a tool body assembly having an inlet adapted to be fluidly connected with the lower end of a top drive, an outlet positioned to receive fluid flow from the inlet, a flow channel that connects the inlet and the outlet, a plurality of valving members spaced between the inlet and the outlet, each valving member having a flow bore, and being movable between open and closed positions, a cementing swivel having a flow inlet that enables intake of a fluid cement slurry;
b) flowing fluid around a said valving member when a said valving member is in the closed position and through a said valving member when a said valving member is in the open position;
c) supporting a ball or plug with a said valving member when a said valving member is in the closed position;
d) permitting a ball or plug to pass a said valving member when a said valving member is in the open position; and
e) using a wireless signal to operate any of multiple actuators, each actuator of said multiple actuators affixed to and configured to open or close a said valving member.