US3645331A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for sealing nozzles in a drill bit
Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co
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Filing: 1970-08-03
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Granted: 1972-02-29
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Expires: 1990-08-03
Abstract
Abstract A method for selectively sealing nozzles in an erosion bit without removing the bit from the well comprising the steps of (a) plugging the nozzles centrally located in the bit with sealants including at least one temporary plug so that the bulk fluid flow is through the peripherally located nozzles; (b) plugging at least one of the peripheral nozzles with pumpdown sealants; and (c) thereafter removing the temporary plug. Depending on its composition, the temporary plug can be removed by erosion, pressure, thermal decomposition, or combinations thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 William C Maurer
- 👤 Joe K Heilhecker
- 👤 Robert L Graham
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:46
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B10/00; E21B10/60; E21B10/61; E21B10/46; E21B7/00; E21B7/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
In a well-drilling operation wherein a drilling fluid is passed down a tubular drillstring and through a bit provided with inner and outer flow nozzles, said nozzles being arranged about the longitudinal axis of said bit with said inner nozzles being closer to said axis than said outer nozzles, a method for reducing the total flow area of said nozzles without removing the bit from the well which comprises: closing the inner nozzles with plugging means so that the bulk flow of fluid is through the outer nozzles, said plugging means including a temporary plug for at least one inner nozzle; flowing a plugging element through the drillstring and into an outer nozzle to pressure seal said outer nozzle; and thereafter removing said temporary plug from said at least one inner nozzle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
In a well-drilling operation wherein a drilling fluid is passed down a tubular drillstring and through a bit provided with inner and outer flow nozzles, said nozzles being arranged about the longitudinal axis of said bit with said inner nozzles being closer to said axis than said outer nozzles, a method for reducing the total flow area of said nozzles without removing the bit from the well which comprises: closing the inner nozzles with plugging means so that the bulk flow of fluid is through the outer nozzles, said plugging means including a temporary plug for at least one inner nozzle; flowing a plugging element through the drillstring and into an outer nozzle to pressure seal said outer nozzle; and thereafter removing said temporary plug from said at least one inner nozzle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
133 words
In a well-drilling operation wherein a drilling fluid is flowed through a tubular drillstring and a bit provided with inner and outer flow nozzles, said nozzles being arranged about the longitudinal axis of said bit with said inner nozzles being closer to said axis than said outer nozzles, a method for reducing the total flow area of said nozzles without removing the bit from the well which comprises: passing a plugging element into each of said inner nozzles to substantially close the inner nozzles so that the bulk fluid flow is through the outer nozzles, at least one of said plugging elements in said inner nozzles being a temporary plugging element; passing a permanent plugging element into an outer nozzle to pressure seal said outer nozzle; and thereafter removing said temporary plugging element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
133 words
In a well-drilling operation wherein a drilling fluid is flowed through a tubular drillstring and a bit provided with inner and outer flow nozzles, said nozzles being arranged about the longitudinal axis of said bit with said inner nozzles being closer to said axis than said outer nozzles, a method for reducing the total flow area of said nozzles without removing the bit from the well which comprises: passing a plugging element into each of said inner nozzles to substantially close the inner nozzles so that the bulk fluid flow is through the outer nozzles, at least one of said plugging elements in said inner nozzles being a temporary plugging element; passing a permanent plugging element into an outer nozzle to pressure seal said outer nozzle; and thereafter removing said temporary plugging element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
The invention as recited in claim 2 wherein said temporary plugging element is composed of an erodible material and is configurated to prevent the formation of a fluid tight seal when lodged in its associated nozzle; and wherein the step of removing said temporary plugging element is performed by passing fluid past said temporary plugging element lodged in its associated nozzle at such a rate to erode said erodible material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention as recited in claim 3 wherein said temporary plugging element is spherical in shape and configurated to have an irregular outer surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
The invention as recited in claim 3 wherein said temporary plugging element is spherical in shape and has a plurality of holes extending therethrough, the arrangement of said holes being such that at least one hole is in registry with the nozzle for any position of said plugging element in said nozzle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention as recited in claim 3 wherein said erodible material is aluminum.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention as recited in claim 3 wherein said erodible material is copper.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
73 words
The invention as recited in claim 2 wherein said temporary plugging element is composed of a deformable material such that in the unstressed condition said temporary plugging element provides a fluid seal preventing the flow of fluid through said nozzle, and wherein the step of removing said temporary plugging element is performed by increasing the pressure in said bit to deform and force said plugging element composed of deformable material through said nozzle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention as recited in claim 8 wherein said deformable material is a thermoplastic having a softening point near the normal subsurface temperature of the strata being drilled.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as recited in claim 2 wherein said permanent plugging element is composed of a solid polymeric material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention as recited in claim 10 wherein said polymeric material is polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention as recited in claim 10 wherein said polymeric material is nylon.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-02-28 | 1975-08-30 | 1976-02-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-28 | 1979-08-30 | 1980-02-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-28 | 1983-08-30 | 1984-02-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |