CA2876603A1

CA2876603A1 - Apparatus for ball catching

Info

Publication number: CA2876603A1
Application number: CA2876603A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Matthew Webster; Cameron Smith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-01-06
Filing date: 2015-01-06
Publication date: 2016-07-06
Also published as: CA2914430C; CA2914430A1

Abstract

An apparatus for ball catching is provided. The apparatus includes a body, a chamber, a rotatable plug and a screen disposed within the rotatable plug. The apparatus is generally configured to separate and collect balls into a chamber and allow for the removal of collected balls without stopping fluid flow.

Description

Attorney Ref P4892CA00 APPARATUS FOR BALL CATCHING
FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for oil and gas recovery, and more particularly relates to an apparatus for ball catching during oil and gas recovery operations.
BACKGROUND

[0002] Hydraulic fracturing (also referred to as fracking) is a technique used to improve recovery rates in oil and gas wells. Typically, fracking involves pumping a fluid containing a proppant (e.g. sand, plastic beads) down the well and into the formation from which oil or gas is to be recovered. The fluid creates or enlarges fissures in the formation, and the proppant prevents the fissures from closing when pumping of the fluid ceases. After the pumping of fracking fluid down the well ceases, oil or gas is allowed to flow up the well for recovery.

[0003] In some drilling operations, it is desirable to isolate different zones of the formation through which the well extends before pumping fracturing fluid down the well, in order to fracture only a particular zone. The above-mentioned isolation is often achieved by inserting frac balls into the well. The frac balls, carried down the well by the fracturing fluid, seal against seats within the well casing, preventing fracturing fluid from reaching the portion of the well beyond the seats. Once the fracking operation is complete, the oil or gas flowing up the well carries the frac balls with it.

[0004] When the oil or gas and frac balls reach the frac tree connected to the top of the well, they are directed to a ball catcher mechanism, which generally includes a long horizontal pipe extending from the well, and a vertical chamber depending from the horizontal pipe. The oil, gas and frac balls flow from the well through the horizontal pipe, and the frac balls fall into the vertical chamber while the oil or gas flows on to downstream equipment. The ball catcher can then be isolated from the horizontal pipe and the balls can be recovered.
SUMMARY

[0005] In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for ball catching. The apparatus includes a body having an inlet for receiving fluid and at least one ball, Attorney Ref P4892CA00 a first outlet for delivering the fluid, and a second outlet for delivering the at least one ball. The apparatus also includes a chamber in communication with the second outlet, the chamber for receiving the at least one ball. In addition, the apparatus includes a rotatable plug disposed within the body, the rotatable plug having at least three channels in communication with each other, wherein each of the three channels is configured to mate with the inlet, the first outlet and the second outlet. The apparatus further includes a screen disposed within one of the at least three channels, the screen for preventing the passage of the at least one ball. The rotatable plug is rotatable between a first position for collecting the at least one ball and delivering the fluid, a second position for stopping flow, and a third position for isolating the chamber and delivering the fluid.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0007] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an apparatus in a first position in accordance with an embodiment;

[0008] Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the apparatus of the embodiment shown in figure 1 in a second position; and

[0009] Figure 3 is a schematic representation of the apparatus of the embodiment shown in figure 1 in a third position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Referring now to figure 1, an apparatus for ball catching is shown generally at 50. It is to be understood that the apparatus 50 is purely exemplary and that it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations are contemplated. The apparatus 50 includes a body 52, a chamber 54, a rotatable plug 56, and a screen 58.

[0011] In the present embodiment, the body 52 includes an inlet 60 for receiving fluid flow A
and at least one ball 100 carried by the fluid. The body 52 also includes an outlet 62 for delivering fluid. In the present embodiment, the fluid is generally delivered to testers; however, it is to be appreciated by a person of skill in the art that the fluid can be delivered to any other piece of downstream equipment. The body 52 further includes an outlet 64 for delivering the =
Attorney Ref P4892CA00 ball 100.

[0012] The chamber 54 is in communication with the outlet 64. In the present embodiment, the chamber 54 is configured to receive the ball 100 delivered via the outlet 64. The chamber 54 is not particularly limited and can be constructed of any material or from any design that can provide sufficient mechanical properties to sustain the pressure. In the present embodiment, the chamber also optionally includes a drain valve 66 generally configured to relievegessure within the chamber 54. The chamber further optionally includes a cleanout portIvenerally configured to allow for removal of the ball 100 from the chamber 54.

[0013] The rotatable plug 56 is disposed within the body 52. In the present embodiment, the rotatable plug has three channels in fluid communication with each other forming a "T"
connection. Each of the channels are generally configured to mate with the inlet 60, and the outlets 62 and 64 by aligning a channel with one or more of the inlet 60, and the outlets 62 and 64. It is to be appreciated by a person of skill in the art that in the present embodiment, the body 52 and the rotatable plug 56 form a three-way plug valve where the rotatable plug 56 can freely rotate within the body guided by a plurality of valve seats 70. It is to be appreciated that the rotatable plug 56 is not particularly limited and that variations are contemplated. For example, the rotatable plug 56 can include more or less than three channels, and the channels need not be at 90 degrees in respect with each other.

[0014] The screen 58 is disposed within one of the three channels and generally configured to prevent the passage of the ball 100 while allowing fluid to flow through.
The screen 58 is not particularly limits and can be integral with the rotatable plug (i.e. non-removable, such as welded), or can be a separate part inserted into the channel. In addition, it is to be appreciated that the screen 58 can be inserted into other portions of the rotatable plug 56 or the body 52. In addition, the screen 58 can be modified to be any other part for preventing the ball 100 from passing while allowing fluid to flow through.

[0015] It is to be appreciated by a person of skill in the art with the benefit of this description, that by preventing the passage of the ball 100 in one of the three channels, the screen 58 can be used to direct the movement of the ball 100 through the rotatable plug 56.
For example, in the position illustrated in figure 1, the apparatus 50 is configured to receive the ball 100 along with fluid via the inlet 60 such that the fluid passes through the apparatus via the outlet 62 and the ball 100 falls into the chamber 54 via the outlet 64. Accordingly, it is to be appreciated by a person of skill in the art that the apparatus 50 operates to separate the ball 100 from the fluid when the rotatable plug 56 is in the position shown in figure 1 to collect the ball 100 and Attorney Ref P4892CA00 delivering fluid.

[0016] In the present embodiment, the apparatus 50 also includes an optional diverter screen 72 to further facilitate diverting the ball 100 into the chamber 54.
The diverter screen extends into the outlet 62 and is generally configured to divert the ball 100 away from the outlet 62 and through the outlet 64.

[0017] In the present embodiment, the apparatus 50 also optionally includes a wing valve 74 for controlling the flow of the fluid. The wing valve is generally disposed upstream of the body 52 and can be used to limit or stop the flow of fluid into the body 52.

[0018] Referring to figure 2, the apparatus 50 is illustrated with the rotatable plug 56 in a second position for cutting off flow through the apparatus 50. In this position, the channels of the rotatable plug 56 are aligned with the inlet 60 and the outlet 64. The third channel is directed into the body 52 and effectively plugged. Since the chamber 54 does not have an open outlet during use, the fluid would have not outlet and thus the apparatus 50 has stopped the fluid flow. It is also to be appreciated that in this position, the screen 58 is aligned above the chamber 54. Accordingly, the ball 100 would be trapped in the rotatable plug 56 and not able to fall into the chamber 54. In other embodiments, the wing valve 74 can be omitted and the position shown in figure 2 can be used to limit flow.

[0019] Referring to figure 3, the apparatus 50 is illustrated with the rotatable plug 56 in a third position for preventing the ball 100 from entering the rotatable plug and isolating the chamber 54. In this position, the channels of the rotatable plug 56 are aligned with the inlet 60 and the outlet 62. The third channel is directed into the body 52 and effectively plugged and the outlet 64 is effectively plugged isolating the chamber 54 from the fluid flow.
It is also to be appreciated that in this position, the screen 58 is aligned with the inlet 60 to prevent the ball 100 from entering the rotatable plug. Accordingly, the ball 100 would be blocked and fluid will flow pass directly from the inlet 60 to the outlet 62. Furthermore, it is to be appreciated that in this position, since the chamber 54 is isolated from the fluid flow, the chamber 54 can be opened at the cleanout port to remove any balls that may have fallen in without stopping the flow of fluid.

[0020] While specific embodiments have been described and illustrated, such embodiments should be considered illustrative only and should not serve to limit the accompanying claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for ball catching, the apparatus comprising:
a body having an inlet for receiving fluid and at least one ball, a first outlet for delivering the fluid, and a second outlet for delivering the at least one ball;
a chamber in communication with the second outlet, the chamber for receiving the at least one ball;
a rotatable plug disposed within the body, the rotatable plug having at least three channels in communication with each other, wherein each of the three channels is configured to mate with the inlet, the first outlet and the second outlet; and a screen disposed within one of the at least three channels, the screen for preventing the passage of the at least one ball, wherein the rotatable plug is rotatable between a first position for collecting the at least one ball and delivering the fluid, a second position for stopping flow, and a third position for isolating the chamber and delivering the fluid.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a wing valve for controlling flow.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the wing valve is upstream from the body.

4. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the chamber includes a drain valve for relieving pressure when the rotatable plug is in the third position.

5. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the chamber includes a cleanout port for removing the at least one ball when the rotatable plug is in the third position.

6. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the inlet, the first outlet and the second outlet are in fluid communication when the rotatable plug is in the first position.

7. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the screen is disposed within the channel mating with first outlet to divert the at least one ball to the second outlet when the rotatable plug is in the first position.