US3871448A

US3871448A - Packer actuated vent assembly

Info

Publication number: US3871448A
Application number: US382958A
Authority: US
Inventors: Roy R Vann; Flint R George
Original assignee: VANN TOOL CO Inc
Current assignee: Halliburton Co; GEO INTERNATIONAL CORP
Priority date: 1973-07-26
Filing date: 1973-07-26
Publication date: 1975-03-18
Anticipated expiration: 1992-03-18

Abstract

A packer actuated vent assembly comprising a packer device sattable by reciprocal movement of a mandrel. The vent assembly comprises a barrel attached to the packer body and a mandrel extension having a valve means thereon. The valve means engages a stop member on the barrel and is moved to the venting position when the mandrel of the packer is properly manipulated to seat the packer.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Vann et al.

1 1 Mar. 18, 1975 1 1 PACKER ACTUATED VENT ASSEMBLY [73] Assignee: Vann Tool Company, Inc., Artesia,

N. Mex.

122] Filed: July 26. 1973 1211 Appl. Nu: 382,958

I52] US. Cl. 166/128, 166/133 1 Int. Cl E21b 33/12 [58] Field of Search 166/126, 128, 133, 142, 166/145, 152

[56] References Cited 1 UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,098,526 7/1963 Heron 166/133 X 3,211,228 10/1965 Bramlett t 166/128 3,211,229 10/1965 Bramlett 166/128 3,211,231 10/1965 Bramlett 166/128 X 3,433,301 3/1969 MCEver 166/128 3,457,994 7/1969 Stachowiuk t t 166/128 X 3,482,628 12/1969 Griffin 166/152 Primary E.ramt'nerDavid H. Brown Attorney, Agent, or FirmMarcus L. Bates [57] ABSTRACT A packer actuated vent assembly comprising a packer device settable by reciprocal movement ofa mandrel. The vent assembly comprises a barrel attached to the packer body and a mandrel extension having a valve means thereon. The valve means engages a stop mem her on the barrel and is moved to the venting position when the mandrel of the packer is properly manipulated to seat the packer.

11 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTEU 7 8W5 71.87 1.448 sum 1 or 4 FIGI PATENTEDHAR 1 19m a? 1 448 snmso g FIG. 5

PATENTEU 1 81975 sum u if A FIGII 1 PACKER ACTUATED VENT ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In completing a hydrocarbon producing formation in a deep well. various completion techniques require that a tubing string be attached to a retrievable packer and that a perforating gun be suspended from a vent string with the vent string being supported from the retrievable packer. Upon perforating the hydrocarbon producing formation, it has heretofore been necessary to utilize a wireline in order to open the perforated nipple of the vent string so that flow from the completed formation can flow up the tubing annulus into the perforated nipple, and up the production string to the surface of the earth.

In addition to the trip made into the hole with the wireline to operate the vent string, it is often necessary to additionally employ a blanking plug in order to enable various other manipulative operations to be carried out on the borehole prior to the act of completion. Installation and retrieval of the blanking plug calls for a round trip with a wireline operated fishing tool.

Making a trip into a borehole with a wireline is costly as well as dangerous because anything put into the hole is a calculated risk inasmuch as there is always a danger of losing the apparatus in the hole, and hence a costly fishing job.

Where a conventional wireline operated perforated nipple is employed, there is sometimes more than [2.000 psi pressure differential across the sliding sleeve and for this reason difficulty is often experienced in forcing the sliding sleeve to move to the open position by a wireline operated fishing tool. Moreover, in some well completion techniques, it is often desirable to perforate simultaneously with the opening of the perforated nipple. This expedient is not possible where a wireline is used to effect communication because a considerable time delay is experienced while the wireline is being removed from the borehole and before the perforating gun can be fired.

For these and many other reasons peculiar to well completion and well work-over operations, it is desirable to be able to run a packer downhole with a vent assembly being disposed in underlying relationship to the packer, and with the vent assembly supporting various downhole equipment. such as a jet perforating gun. It is desirable that such a vent assembly be actuated by the tubing string in a manner whereby the final act of setting the packer actuates the vent assembly to the opened position thereby enabling a flow path to be immediately established between a production zone and a surface flow line upon peforation of the formation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to downhole tools and specifi' cally to a packer actuated vent string comprised of a packer assembly anchored downhole in a borehole which has a mandrel axially movable relative to the packer body for setting the packer elements against the borehole wall by manipulation of the tubing string connected to the mandrel of the packer. The packer body and the packer mandrel each have an extension connected thereto and downwardly depending therefrom. A valve means is connected to provide flow into the mandrel extension. Means are connected to the packer body extension for manipulating the valve means when 2 the packer mandrel is moved relative to the packer body.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a sliding valve assembly is sealingly received about a marginal length of the mandrel extension. while a stop means inwardly projects from the packer body extension, so that when the tubing string is set down, the mandrel telescopes in a downward direction thereby enabling the stop means to engage the valve means and move the valve to the flow permitting configuration.

In another form of the invention. means are provided for closing the valve means whenever the tubing string is picked up a sufficient amount.

A primary object of the present invention is the pro vision of a packer actuated vent assembly which can be moved to the flow conducting configuration by manip ulation of apparatus associated with the packer.

Another object of the invention is to provide a packer actuated vent assembly comprised of a retrievable packer having the vent assembly disposed thereunder so that manipulation of the tubing string to which the packer is connected causes the vent assembly to be moved to the open position.

A further object of this invention is to disclose and provide a means by which a permanent completion well bore apparatus can be run downhole into the borehole while the tubing string ofthe apparatus is utilized to set a packer apparatus and at the same time to open a vent string underlying the packer means.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a new combination of elements comprised of a well borc packer and a tubing-vent string connected together in a manner whereby manipulation of the tubing string in setting the packer also causes the vent string to be moved to the flow conducting configuration.

Another and still further object of this invention is to provide a method for completing a hydrocarbon hear ing formation wherein the formation can be perforated immediately following setting of the packer and the acl of setting the packer is utilized for opening the vent string.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a method of opening a vent string located downhole in a borehole by utilizing the movement ol the tubing string required in setting the packer.

These and various other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following de tailed description and claims and by referring to the ac companying drawings.

The above objects are attained in accordance with the present invention by the provision of a method of actuating a vent apparatus with a packer apparatus wherein the apparatus is fabricated in a manner sub stantially as described in the above abstract and summary.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 2 is an enlarged. side elevational view of part of the apparatus of FIG. 1 which discloses one embodi ment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, broken. part cross-sectional side view of part of the apparatus disclosed in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a broken, part cross-sectional representa tion of the apparatus disclosed in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows the apparatus of FIG. 4 in a different operative configuration;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 66 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 77 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a broken, part cross-sectional, side elevational view of part of the apparatus disclosed in the foregoing figures;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 8 taken along the lines indicated by the numerals 9-9;

FIG. I0 is a broken, side elevational view ofa modification of part of the apparatus disclosed in FIGS. 3-5;

FIG. I] is a fragmentary, part cross-sectional representation of still another embodiment of the present in vention; and.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I2-l2 of FIG. ll.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In FIG. I there is disclosed the surface of the ground 6 having a well head 8 connected to the illustrated borehole. Within the borehole there is disclosed a packer 12 connected to a packer actuated vent assembly 14 made in accordance with the present invention.

The packer 12 can take on any number of different forms so long as it is provided with a hollow mandrel for flow conducting fluid axially therethrough. and so long as the mandrel is reciprocated relative to the packer body while the packer is being set. As for example. a Baker Lok-Set retrievable casing packer. product No. 642-l2 page 498, Baker Oil Tool [970-7] catalog, Baker Oil Tools, Los Angeles, Calif. Other packer apparatus which can be used with the present invention are exemplified by the patent to Brown. US. Pat. No. 1893.492, or Keithahn. No. 3.! l2,795.

As illustrated in FIG. I. in conjunction with some of the remaining figures of the drawings. interface I6 delines a shoulder of a threaded connection effected by the lower threaded marginal terminal end of the packer body and the upper threaded marginal terminal end of the vent assembly. Sub 17 is attached to coupling member I8 of the mandrel of the packer so that the packer can be series connected and supported by the illustrated tubing string. The lower edge portion 19 of the mandrel coupling is movable towards the upper body portion 20 of the packer until the lower edge portion 19 abuts upper edge portion 21, thereby causing the packer rubbers 22 to be set within the casing. Radially disposed

slips

24 and 26 are forced in an outward direction by movement of the mandrel so as to anchor the packer device to the interior surface ofthe casing wall. Drag blocks 28 discourage movement of the packer body relative to the casing while the mandrel is being manipulated.

The vent assembly ofthe present invention comprises a cylindrical barrel 30 having spaced radial slots 32 formed intermediate the downwardly opening peripheral edge portion 34 and the interface 16. The lower marginal end of the mandrel extension 36 threadedly engages a sub or coupling 38 for connection of the vent assembly into a pipe string 40 so that a jet gun 42 or the like can be run downhole into the borehole and positioned adjacent to a hydrocarbon containing formation when it is desired to complete the well.

Looking now to the details of FIGS. 3 to 9, in conjunction with various ones of some of the remaining figures, the mandrel extension is seen to be provided with spaced parallel circumferentially extending

grooves

44 and 46 formed in a marginal exterior wall surface thereof. A plurality of radially spaced apart apertures 48 are formed through the wall of the mandrel in indexed relationship with one another and with the spaced grooves.

A valve means in the form of a cylindrical sleeve which forms a sliding valve element 50 is provided with a close tolerance inside peripheral surface 51 which sealingly and slidably engages a marginal length of the mandrel in proximity to the apertures 48. Where desired, spaced seal means may be interposed adjacent to the apertures between the inside peripheral wall sur face SI and the outer peripheral wall surface of the mandrel, rather than relying upon a close tolerance sliding seal. Such an expedient is illustrated in FIG. II.

The outer peripheral wall surface 52 of the sliding valve element is spaced inwardly from the interior surface of the barrel a sufficient amount to avoid undue pressure drop offluids flowing through the before men tioned slots. Radially spaced apart in-turned latch means 60 define the terminal end of a plurality of fin gers, each formed by the spaced cutouts 6] which 21ft milled into the upper marginal end of the sleeve.

A plurality of ports 62 are radially spaced from one another and formed through the wall of the sleeve in indexed relationship with one another, and with the ap ertures 48 of the mandrel, and with the

grooves

44 and 46. Lower shoulder 63 ofthe sleeve is spaced from the grooves and the threaded plug or stop means 64 a criti' cal amount as will be better appreciated later on in this disclosure. Passageway 65 is formed through the plug and loosely receives the lower mandrel extension 36 in a telescoping manner tlierethrough.

Apertures 66 extend through the wall of the barrel so that a fastener means 68 in the form of a screw can be placed therethrough and into threaded engagement with the adjustable stop means. Upper face 70 provides an annular area, a portion of which is brought into en gagement with sleeve shoulder 63 when the

mandrel

36 or 18 is moved in a downward direction a sufficient amount to cause the former to abuttingly engage the latter.

In the embodiment of FIG. I0, which sets forth a modification of the mandrel disclosed in the foregoing embodiments, the upper circumferentially extending groove has been elongated in a longitudinal direction to reduce the critically of the relative motion or travel of the packer mandrel in relationship to movement of the sleeve member.

Looking now to the details of the embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 11 and 12, wherein whenever it is possible or logical to do so. like or similar numerals refer to like or similar numerals or elements corresponding to the foregoing figures of the drawings. The vent assembly II4 has an upper end portion which threadedly engages the diagrammatically illustrated packer ll2. Packer mandrel I8 is threadedly engaged by the mandrel extension 136 of the present invention, as in the before described embodiment. Ports I32 provide a flow path through the barrel 130. Coupling member 38 can be related to the coupling member of FIG. 2. The

mandrel 136 slidably and sealingly engages the slidable sleeve 150 within the limits provided by the circumferentially extending enlargement 160 and its co-acting spaced stop means. Ports 162 are radially spaced about a marginal length of the mandrel. Lower terminal end 163 of the sleeve abuttingly engages circumferentially disposed enlargement 175 of the mandrel when the sleeve is positioned to close the ports in the illustrated manner of FIG. 11.

A plurality of inwardly turned spaced latch means 164 depend from and form the lower marginal end portion of the barrel and are made complementary respective of the lower concave face of the enlargement 160 so that the latch 164 is received within the co-acting circumferentially disposed concavity formed within the enlargement 160. Shear pin 177 precludes inadvertent relative motion between the sleeve and the mandrel extension.

Seal means are provided which prevent fluid flow into the mandrel extension and are comprised of spaced

seals

178, 179 which sealingly engage a marginal length of the inside peripheral wall surface of the sleeve and the outer peripheral wall surface of the mandrel. Abutment 176 is affixed to the interior wall surface ofthe barrel and can be brought into abutting engagement with the upper face of the enlargement 160 when the mandrel extension is moved in an upward direction relative to the barrel.

In operation of the embodiment seen in FIGS. 3-9, a retrievable packer, such as a Baker Lok-Set Packer, is attached to the vent assembly of the present invention by threadedly engaging the barrel of the vent assembly with a lower threaded marginal portion of the packer body, and threadedly engaging the mandrel extension with the packer mandrel so that the barrel and packer extension are fitted to the retrievable packer to provide a new combination of co-acting elements. The mandrel extension is series connected in a tubing string with a perforating gun underlying the vent assembly in a manner to enable the gun to be positioned adjacent to one or more hydrocarbon producing formations. The packer actuated vent assembly is run into the hole to the proper depth whereupon the upper tubing string is turned a specified number of revolutions so as to set the slips olthe packer against the casing wall. After the packer device has been firmly anchored within the borehole. the tubing string can be set down with any force desired. Generally, setting down 6,000 pounds of tubing weight sets the upper slips and begins compression of the packing elements. Six to ten thousand pounds of downward thrust effected by the tubing string on the packer ratchets the mandrel through a lock ring to complete and lock the expanded packer rubbers. Should it be desired to release the packer, 3,000 to 6,000 pounds up-strain and rotation to the right will release the tool so that it can be retrieved or moved to another location in the borehole.

As the packer mandrel moves in a downward direction, lower edge 19 abuttingly engages upper edge portion 21 of the packer body while at the same time shoulder 63 of the sleeve engages face 70 of the stop means, and is moved to the open position. Accordingly, the distance between the spaced grooves and the distance between the shoulder and the face of the stop means, when added together, should be an amount exactly equal to the relative movement measured between

edge portion

19 and 21 of the packer assembly.

As the mandrel moves relative to the barrel, shoulder 63 abuttingly engages stop means 64 thereby causing the in-turned latch means to be disengaged from the lower groove and relocated in the upper groove 44. Movement of the sliding sleeve in an upward direction brings the ports 62 and apertures 48 into indexed relationship with one another whereupon flow now proceeds through slots 32, ports 62, apertures 48, and into the interior of the hollow mandrel where the flow continues through the packer mandrel, into the tubing string, and to the surface of the earth.

Upon retrieval of the apparatus from the borehole. the configuration of the valve means will be in the form of FIG. 5. Therefore, the in-turned latches may be repositioned within the lower groove 46 as illustrated in FIG. 4, and the packer actuated vent assembly can then be used in another borehole.

[n the operation of the embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 11 and 12, relative movement between the mandrel and the barrel causes the latch means 164 to engage the underside of enlargement 160 thereby moving lower edge portion 163 in an upward direction relative to the mandrel extension until the lower edge portion clears ports 162, thereby enabling production flow to occur from the lower borehole annulus, through the ports 162, into the interior of the mandrel extension. through the packer mandrel, and up through the tubing string to the surface of the earth. Should the packer be retrieved from the borehole, movement of the packer mandrel in an upward direction relative to the packer body brings the upper face of enlargement 160 into abutting engagement with upper stop means 176, thereby moving the sliding sleeve in a downward direction relative to the mandrel extension, until the lower terminal end 163 abuttingly engages the circumferentially extending shoulder 175, thereby closing ports 162.

Those skilled in the art, having digested the foregoing disclosure, will appreciate that the longitudinal travel from 19 to 21 of the packer body and mandrel must be equal to the distance as measured from the latch means 164 to the enlargement together with the distance between edge portion 163 and the uppermost of ports 162 in order for manipulative action of the tubing string to properly actuate the valve means of the vent assembly.

The packer assembly 12 used in combination with the present invention is adapted to be anchored down hole in a borehole and has a mandrel l8 axially movable respective to a packer body 20. The tubing string 40' is connected to the packer mandrel for conducting fluid flow from the borehole located below the packer to the surface of the ground. The packer actuated vent assembly 14 of the present invention has a hollow mandrel extension 36, a valve means 50, a barrel 30 con centrically arranged relative to one another with the valve means being in the form of a sliding sleeve which slidably engages the mandrel extension in sealed relationship therewith, and with the barrel being radially spaced from the sliding valve means and from the mandrel.

The upper marginal end of the barrel and the man drel are threadedly engaged with co-acting threaded surfaces of the packer body and mandrel to provide means by which the upper end of the mandrel exten sion and barrel can be attached to the lower end of the packer mandrel and packer body. The stop means 64 on the barrel engages and moves the sliding valve as sembly so that when the sleeve is moved from the lower groove, or flow preventing position, into the upper groove. or flow permitting position, the mandrel extension is moved relative to the barrel. This expedient enables the packer to be set by moving the packer mandrel relative to the packer body, and at the same time the mandrel extension is moved relative to the barrel of the vent assembly. thereby causing means on the barrel to move the sliding valve means to the flow permitting position.

In permanently completing a hydrocarbon containing formation by utilization of the present invention, those skilled in the art, having read the foregoing disclosure. will appreciate that the packer can be set with the minimum weight required, the perforating gun fired by dropping a go-devil down the tubing string, and the packer actuated vent assembly can be opened instantaneously or simultaneously at the jet charges are fired, thereby enabling produced fluid from the new formation to freely flow to the surface of the earth at the instant the perforations are formed in the formation.

The present invention eliminates at least one wireline trip into the well, and provides a tremendous available force by which the valve means of the vent assembly can be actuated to the flow permitting configuration.

We claim:

1. In a packer assembly adapted to be anchored downhole in a borehole, and having a mandrel axially movable respective to a packer body for setting a packer element against the borehole wall, with a tubing string connected to the mandrel for conducting fluid flow from the borehole located below the packer to the surface of the ground, in combination;

a packer actuated vent assembly, said vent assembly having a hollow mandrel extension, a sliding valve means. and a barrel;

said mandrel extension. sliding valve means, and barrel being concentrically arranged relative to one another with said sliding valve means slidably engaging a marginal length of said mandrel extension in sealed relationship therewith, and with said barrel being radially spaced from said sliding valve means and from said mandrel; aperture means in said marginal length of said mandrel extension so that a flow path is formed from the interior to the exterior thereof;

means by which the upper end of said mandrel exten sion and barrel, respectively. can be attached to the lower end of the packer mandrel and packer body. respectively;

means on said barrel for engaging and moving said sliding valve means from a flow preventing to a flow permitting position when said mandrel extension is moved relative to said barrel;

so that when the packer is set by moving the mandrel ofthe packer relative to the packer body. said mandrel extension is moved relative to said barrel, causing said means on said barrel to move said sliding valve means to the flow permitting position.

2. The packer actuated vent assembly of claim 1 wherein said sliding valve means is a cylindrical sleeve slidably received in sealed relationship about 21 marginal length of said mandrel extension, ports formed in said sleeve. said aperture means being aligned with said ports when said sleeve is moved into the flow permitting position, said aperture means being misaligned with said ports when said sleeve is in the flow preventing position;

said mandrel extension is provided with longitudinally spaced detents; said sleeve having latch means formed thereon for releasably engaging said spaced detents;

the relative position of said spaced detents, said latch means, said ports, and said aperture means being arranged whereby when said latch means is in one of said spaced detents. said valve means is in the flow preventing position, and when said latch means is in the remaining of said detents, said valve means is in the flow permitting position;

said means on said barrel for engaging and moving said valve means includes a stop means, said stop means and said sleeve being positioned relative to one another so that the movement of the packer mandrel in setting the packer imparts movement into the mandrel extension for moving the sleeve into the flow permitting position.

3. The packet actuated vent assembly of claim 1 wherein said sliding valve means is a cylindrical sleeve slidably received in sealed relationship about said marginal length of said mandrel extension, ports formed in said sleeve, said aperture means being aligned with said ports when said sleeve is moved into the flow permitting position, said aperture means being misaligned with said ports when said sleeve is in the flow preventing position.

4. The packer actuated vent assembly of claim 3 wherein said means on said barrel for engaging and moving said valve means is a stop means. said stop means and said sleeve being positioned relative to one another so that the movement of the packer mandrel in setting the packer imparts movement into the mandrel extension for moving the sleeve into the flow permitting position.

5. The packer actuated vent assembly of claim 3 wherein said mandrel extension is provided with longitudinally spaced detents; said sleeve having latch means formed thereon for releasably engaging said spaced detents;

the relative position of said spaced detents, said latch means, said ports, and said aperture means being arranged whereby when said latch means is in one of said spaced detents. said valve means is in the flow preventing position, and when said latch means is in the remaining of said detents, said valve means is in the flow permitting position.

6. A packer actuated vent assembly comprising a packer device having a body, a packer element, a hollow mandrel, and means by which the packer device can be anchored downhole in a well bore. said mandrel being movable relative to the packer body for setting the packer element which precludes fluid flow across the packer device;

a barrel attached to and extending from the body, a mandrel extension attached to and extending from said hollow mandrel in series flow relationship therewith, aperture means in said mandrel exten sion forming a flow path from the interior to the exterior thereof; a valve means connected to said mandrel extension for causing a fluid flow path to be formed from without to within said mandrel extension when said valve means is moved from a flow preventing to a flow permitting position;

and means responsive to relative movement between said barrel and said mandrel extension for moving said valve means from said flow preventing to said flow permitting position.

7. The packer actuated vent assembly of claim 6 wherein said valve means is a cylindrical sleeve slidably received in sealed relationship about a marginal exterior length of said mandrel extension, said aperture means forming at least one aperture in said mandrel extension, a port formed in said cylindrical sleeve, said aperture being aligned with said port when said sleeve is moved into the flow permitting position, said aperture being misaligned with said port when said cylindrical sleeve is in the flow preventing position;

said mandrel is provided with spaced detents; said cylindrical sleeve having latch means formed thereon for releasably engaging said spaced detents;

the relative position of said spaced detents, said latch means, said port, and said aperture being arranged whereby when said latch means is in one of said spaced tletents, said valve means is in the flow preventing position, and when said latch means is in the remaining of said detents, said valve means is in the flow permitting position;

said means responsive to relative movement between said barrel and said mandrel extension is a stop means located on said barrel, means on said cylindrical sleeve for engaging said stop means, said stop means and said means on said sleeve being positioned relative to one another so that movement of the hollow mandrel while setting the packer device imparts movement into the mandrel extension for moving the cylindrical sleeve into the flow permitting position.

8. The packer actuated vent assembly of claim 6 wherein said valve means is a cylindrical sleeve slidably received in sealed relationship about a marginal exterior length of said mandrel extension, said aperture means comprising apertures formed in said marginal length of said mandrel extension, ports formed in said cylindrical sleeve, said apertures being aligned with said ports when said cylindrical sleeve is moved into the flow permitting position, said apertures being misaligned with said ports when said cylindrical sleeve is in the flow preventing position.

9. The packer actuated vent assembly of claim 8 wherein said means responsive to relative movement between said barrel and said mandrel extension is a stop means located on said barrel, means on said cylindrical sleeve for engaging said stop means, said stop means and said means on said cylindrical sleeve being positioned relative to one another so that movement of the hollow mandrel while setting the packer device imports movement into the mandrel extension for moving the cylindrical sleeve into the flow permitting position.

10. The packer actuated vent assembly of claim 8 wherein said mandrel extension is provided with spaced detents; said cylindrical sleeve having latch means formed thereon for releasably engaging said spaced detents;

the relative position of said spaced detents, said latch means, said ports and said apertures being arranged whereby when said latch means is in one of said spaced detents, said valve means is in the flow preventing position, and when said latch means is in the remaining one of said detents, said valve means is in the flow permitting position.

11. A packer assembly for being anchored downhole in a borehole, and having a hollow mandrel axially movable respective to a packer body for setting a packer element against the borehole wall, with a tubing string being connected to the mandrel for conducting fluid flow from the lower borehole to the surface of the ground, in combination:

a packer actuated vent assembly, said vent assembly having a hollow mandrel extension, a sliding valve element, a barrel, and an actuator for said sliding valve element;

said mandrel extension, sliding valve element, and

barrel being concentrically arranged with said sliding valve element slidably engaging a marginal longitudinally extending length of said mandrel extension is sealed relationship therewith, apertures formed in said mandrel extension, said barrel being radially spaced from said sliding valve means and from said mandrel; an annular area formed be tween said barrel and said mandrel extension;

means by which said mandrel extension and barrel, respectively, can be attached to the packer man drel and packer body, respectively;

said actuator being an inwardly directed abutment formed on said barrel for engaging and moving said sliding valve element from a flow preventing to a flow permitting position when said mandrel extension is moved relative to said barrel;

so that when the packer is set by moving the mandrel of the packer relative to the packer body, said mandrel extension is moved relative to said barrel, causing said abutment on said barrel to move said sliding valve element to the flow permitting position; whereupon fluid flow can occur from the interior of the mandrel extension, through said apertures, and into said annular area.

Claims

1. In a packer assembly adapted to be anchored downhole in a borehole, and having a mandrel axially movable respective to a packer body for setting a packer element against the borehole wall, with a tubing string connected to the mandrel for conducting fluid flow from the borehole located below the packer to the surface of the ground, in combination; a packer actuated vent assembly, said vent assembly having a hollow mandrel extension, a sliding valve means, and a barrel; said mandrel extension, sliding valve means, and barrel being concentrically arranged relative to one another with said sliding valve means slidably engaging a marginal length of said mandrel extension in sealed relationship therewith, and with said barrel being radially spaced from said sliding valve means and from said mandrel; aperture means in said marginal length of said mandrel extension so that a flow path is formed from the interior to the exterior thereof; means by which the upper end of said mandrel extension and barrel, respectively, can be attached to the lower end of the packer mandrel and packer body, respectively; means on said barrel for engaging and moving said sliding valve means from a flow preventing to a flow permitting position when said mandrel extension is moved relative to said barrel; so that when the packer is set by moving the mandrel of the packer relative to the packer body, said mandrel extension is moved relative to said barrel, causing said means on said barrel to move said sliding valve means to the flow permitting position.

2. The packer actuated vent assembly of claim 1 wherein said sliding valve means is a cylindrical sleeve slidably received in sealed relationship about a marginal length of said mandrel extension, ports formed in said sleeve, said aperture means being aligned with said ports when said sleeve is moved into the flow permitting position, said aperture means being misaligned with said ports when said sleeve is in the flow preventing position; said mandrel extension is provided with longitudinally spaced detents; said sleeve having latch means formed thereon for releasably engaging said spaced detents; the relative position of said spaced detents, said latch means, said ports, and said aperture means being arranged whereby when said latch means is in one of said spaced detents, said valve means is in the flow preventing position, and when said latch means is in the remaining of said detents, said valve means is in the flow permitting position; said means on said barrel for engaging and moving said valve means includes a stop means, said stop means and said sleeve being positioned relative to one another so that the movement of the packer mandrel in setting the packer imparts movement into the mandrel extension for moving the sleeve into the flow permitting position.

3. The packer actuated vent assembly of claim 1 wherein said sliding valve means is a cylindrical sleeve slidably received in sealed relationship about said marginal length of said mandrel extension, ports formed in said sleeve, said aperture means being aligned with said ports when said sleeve is moved into the flow permitting position, said aperture means being misaligned with said ports when said sleeve is in the flow preventing position.

4. The packer actuated vent assembly of claim 3 wherein said means on said barrel for engaging and moving said valve means is a stop means, said stop means and said sleeve being positioned relative to one another so that the movement of the packer mandrel in setting the packer imparts movement into the mandrel extension for moving the sleeve into the flow permitting position.

5. The packer actuated vent assembly of claim 3 wherein said mandrel extension is provided with longitudinally spaced detents; said sleeve having latch means formed thereon for releasably engaging said spaced detents; the relative position of said spaced detents, said latch means, said ports, and said aperture means being arranged whereby when said latch means is in one of said spaced detents, said valve means is in the flow preventing position, and when said latch means is in the remaining of said detents, said valve means is in the flow permitting position.

6. A packer actuated vent assembly comprising a packer device having a body, a packer element, a hollow mandrel, and means by which the packer device can be anchored downhole in a well bore, said mandrel being movable relative to the packer body for setting the packer element which precludes fluid flow across the packer device; a barrel attached to and extending from the body, a mandrel extension attached to and extending from said hollow mandrel in series flow relationship therewith, aperture means in said mandrel extension forming a flow path from the interior to the exterior thereof; a valve means connected to said mandrel extension for causing a fluid flow path to be formed from without to within said mandrel extension when said valve means is moved from a flow preventing to a flow permitting position; and means responsive to relative movement between said barrel and said mandrel extension for moving said valve means from said flow preventing to said flow permitting position.

7. The packer actuated vent assembly of claim 6 wherein said valve means is a cylindrical sleeve slidably received in sealed relationship about a marginal exterior length of said mandrel extension, said aperture means formiNg at least one aperture in said mandrel extension, a port formed in said cylindrical sleeve, said aperture being aligned with said port when said sleeve is moved into the flow permitting position, said aperture being misaligned with said port when said cylindrical sleeve is in the flow preventing position; said mandrel is provided with spaced detents; said cylindrical sleeve having latch means formed thereon for releasably engaging said spaced detents; the relative position of said spaced detents, said latch means, said port, and said aperture being arranged whereby when said latch means is in one of said spaced detents, said valve means is in the flow preventing position, and when said latch means is in the remaining of said detents, said valve means is in the flow permitting position; said means responsive to relative movement between said barrel and said mandrel extension is a stop means located on said barrel, means on said cylindrical sleeve for engaging said stop means, said stop means and said means on said sleeve being positioned relative to one another so that movement of the hollow mandrel while setting the packer device imparts movement into the mandrel extension for moving the cylindrical sleeve into the flow permitting position.

10. The packer actuated vent assembly of claim 8 wherein said mandrel extension is provided with spaced detents; said cylindrical sleeve having latch means formed thereon for releasably engaging said spaced detents; the relative position of said spaced detents, said latch means, said ports and said apertures being arranged whereby when said latch means is in one of said spaced detents, said valve means is in the flow preventing position, and when said latch means is in the remaining one of said detents, said valve means is in the flow permitting position.

11. A packer assembly for being anchored downhole in a borehole, and having a hollow mandrel axially movable respective to a packer body for setting a packer element against the borehole wall, with a tubing string being connected to the mandrel for conducting fluid flow from the lower borehole to the surface of the ground, in combination: a packer actuated vent assembly, said vent assembly having a hollow mandrel extension, a sliding valve element, a barrel, and an actuator for said sliding valve element; said mandrel extension, sliding valve element, and barrel being concentrically arranged with said sliding valve element slidably engaging a marginal longitudinally extending length of said mandrel extension is sealed relationship therewith, apertures formed in said mandrel extension, said barrel being radially spaced from said sliding valve means and from said mandrel; an annular area formed between said barrel and said mandrel extension; means by which said mandrel extension and barrel, respectively, can be attached to the packer mandrel and paCker body, respectively; said actuator being an inwardly directed abutment formed on said barrel for engaging and moving said sliding valve element from a flow preventing to a flow permitting position when said mandrel extension is moved relative to said barrel; so that when the packer is set by moving the mandrel of the packer relative to the packer body, said mandrel extension is moved relative to said barrel, causing said abutment on said barrel to move said sliding valve element to the flow permitting position; whereupon fluid flow can occur from the interior of the mandrel extension, through said apertures, and into said annular area.