Global Patent Index - EP 3321469 A1

EP 3321469 A1 20180516 - BACKPRESSURE BALL

Title (en)

BACKPRESSURE BALL

Title (de)

GEGENDRUCKBALL

Title (fr)

BALLE DE CONTRE-PRESSION

Publication

EP 3321469 A1 20180516 (EN)

Application

EP 16198166 A 20161110

Priority

EP 16198166 A 20161110

Abstract (en)

A process for plugging a wellbore, e.g., an oil or gas well, which comprises installing a backpressure ball device into the wellbore to increase the back pressure for better control when introducing cement or other liquid plugging medium to plug the wellbore. The device has a spherical shape with through bores and/or external channels in a geometric pattern. The external diameter of the sphere provides a shoulder of given diameter which, when the device is installed in a wellbore, comes to rest against a smaller diameter shoulder within the wellbore. The device may free fall for all or part of the way down the wellbore but is typically pumped down at least for the last part of its delivery to confirm by an increase in pump pressure that it has landed. Cement and other liquid may then be pumped through the backpressure ball device to the distal region of the well. The backpressure ball device may also be applicable for use in the operation of an oilfield by providing backpressure to actuate drive rods.

IPC 8 full level

E21B 33/13 (2006.01)

CPC (source: EP)

E21B 33/068 (2013.01); E21B 33/13 (2013.01)

Citation (search report)

Designated contracting state (EPC)

AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

Designated extension state (EPC)

BA ME

DOCDB simple family (publication)

EP 3321469 A1 20180516

DOCDB simple family (application)

EP 16198166 A 20161110