초록 ▼

A circulating valve and associated methods of servicing a well provide reliable operation, economical manufacture, and convenient maintenance in the circulating valve which is responsive to flow of fluid therethrough, and increased versatility in well servicing operations utilizing the valve. In a p

A circulating valve and associated methods of servicing a well provide reliable operation, economical manufacture, and convenient maintenance in the circulating valve which is responsive to flow of fluid therethrough, and increased versatility in well servicing operations utilizing the valve. In a preferred embodiment, a circulating valve includes an upper case having a reverse circulating port formed radially therethrough, a circulating case having a circulating port formed radially therethrough, a lower adapter, a mandrel having a flow port formed radially therethrough, a biasing member, a ratchet, an inner sleeve, and a one-way flow restrictor carried on the mandrel. In an open configuration, fluid communication is permitted between the flow and circulating ports, and between the reverse circulating port and the flow restrictor. In a closed configuration, fluid communication is not permitted radially through the valve. A predetermined pressure differential across the mandrel is utilized to configure the valve in its open and closed configurations.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [5.] A valve operatively interconnectable in a tubular string within a subterranean well, the valve comprising:a generally tubular housing having a sidewall and a port formed through the sidewall; anda mandrel displaceable between first and second positions relative to the hou

[ What is claimed is:] [5.] A valve operatively interconnectable in a tubular string within a subterranean well, the valve comprising:a generally tubular housing having a sidewall and a port formed through the sidewall; anda mandrel displaceable between first and second positions relative to the housing, fluid flow being permitted inwardly through the housing sidewall at a rate greater than fluid flow permitted outwardly through the housing sidewall, and fluid flow outwardly through the housing sidewall being permitted, when the mandrel is in the first position, and fluid flow through the housing sidewall being prevented when the mandrel is in the second position. [15.] A method of servicing a subterranean well, the method comprising the steps of:interconnecting a valve in a tubular string, the valve including a mandrel and a housing, and the mandrel being displaceable between first and second positions relative to the housing; andapplying a first predetermined number of fluid pressure applications to the valve while the mandrel is in the first position and fluid flow outwardly through the valve is permitted at a rate less than at rate at which fluid flow is permitted inwardly through the valve, and fluid flow outwardly through the valve being permitted while the mandrel is in the first position, the first fluid pressure applications causing the mandrel to displace to the second position.