Cross-Reference to Related Applications

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U. S. Provisional Patent Application No.

62/410, 180, entitled "MULTIPLE- ACTIVATION DEVICE LAUNCHER FOR SUB SEA CEMENT HEAD," filed October 19, 2016, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

Background of the Disclosure

[0002] After a wellbore has been drilled, a string of steel casing or liner is lowered and set in the wellbore. A drillable shoe and possibly a drillable collar having an upwardly closing check valve are mounted on or near the lower end of the string to prevent back flow. After the liner has been suspended by a hanger apparatus near the lower end of a previously run casing string, cement slurry is pumped down the interior thereof and out into the wellbore (e.g., via the check valve), and the cement slurry then flows uphole in the annulus outside the liner to an intended level. The drilling mud that was standing in the well prior to cementing operations is displaced and circulated out of the well during such casing setting and cementing. When the cement has hardened, it seals off the annular space between the outside of the liner and the surrounding wellbore wall, and prevents the migration of formation fluids into and along the wellbore.

[0003] The cement slurry may be protected from contamination by the drilling mud as the slurry is being pumped into the wellbore. One method of protection is to place a plug ahead of the cement column to provide a separation between the lower end of such column and the mud, and to place a subsequent plug at the top of the column. Each plug has a series of upwardly facing elastomer cups whose outer edges engage inner walls of the liner to provide sliding seals and wipers. When the initial plug lands against a float shoe at the bottom of the liner, a passage is opened through the plug, which permits the cement slurry to pass into the annulus.

Eventually, the subsequent plug lands against the initial plug as the displacement is completed. Check valves in the float shoes prevent backflow of the cement slurry into the casing or liner during a period of time that it takes for the cement slurry to set. During downward movement, the outer edges of the cups of the subsequent plug wipe or scrape the cement slurry off of the inner walls of the liner. After the cement slurry has hardened, the plugs and cement shoes can be drilled out. [0004] The plugs may be delivered through the casing or liner via darts or other activation devices that may be launched from surface of the well and passed into the casing or liner.

Existing dart launching systems implement a modular design, comprising modules containing baskets for holding darts, which are loaded from the topmost module and pushed down to their respective baskets. The modules are connected to one another using clamps. The darts are launched by redirecting flow of the process fluid injected into the wellbore through a selected basket. The darts form fluid seals against the basket and when the process fluid enters the basket, pressure builds until forcing the dart out of the basket and into the main process fluid stream along the casing or liner. The first dart to be launched is placed in the lowest module, with subsequent darts passing through the baskets vacated by the launched darts.

[0005] Existing dart launching systems are difficult to handle and transport to the wellsite because of excessive size and weight, are difficult to maintain and load with darts, do not include mechanical obstructions that prevent darts from being prematurely launched, do not have the ability to launch darts independently of each other, and are unable to simultaneously

accommodate and launch different types of activation devices and/or activation devices having different sizes.

Summary of the Disclosure

[0006] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify

indispensable features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for use as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0007] The present disclosure introduces an apparatus including a launching apparatus operable to launch activation devices into a wellbore from a surface from which the wellbore extends to perform a downhole operation. The launching apparatus includes a body, having a first passage extending longitudinally therethrough, and second passages connected with the first passage. The launching apparatus also includes containers each including a chamber containing an activation device. Each container has an opening, and is detachably connected with the body such that the opening of that container is aligned with a corresponding second passage.

[0008] The present disclosure also introduces an apparatus including a launching apparatus operable to launch activation devices into a wellbore from a surface from which the wellbore extends. The launching apparatus includes a body having a first passage extending longitudinally therethrough, and second passages connected with the first passage. The launching apparatus also includes containers each having an outer housing and an inner sleeve defining a chamber containing an activation device. Each inner sleeve has a generally tubular configuration with an opening at an end. Each outer housing is detachably connected with the body such that the opening of that sleeve is aligned with a corresponding second passage.

[0009] The present disclosure also introduces a method including detachably coupling containers with a body of an apparatus such that an opening of each container is aligned with a corresponding intermediate passage in the body. Each intermediate passage is connected with a central passage extending through the body. The method also includes inserting an activation device into each of the containers.

[0010] These and additional aspects of the present disclosure are set forth in the description that follows, and/or may be learned by a person having ordinary skill in the art by reading the materials herein and/or practicing the principles described herein. At least some aspects of the present disclosure may be achieved via means recited in the attached claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011] The present disclosure is understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It is emphasized that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of at least a portion of an example implementation of apparatus according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3 according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of at least a portion of an example implementation of apparatus according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 5 according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. [0018] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of another portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 5 according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

[0019] It is to be understood that the following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of various embodiments.

Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for simplicity and clarity, and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed.

[0020] The present disclosure introduces a launching system or apparatus for launching a plurality of activation devices into a subterranean wellbore to perform a downhole operation. The activation devices launched by the launching apparatus may be or comprise darts, balls, wipers, plugs, bombs, canisters, and/or other devices operable to activate or otherwise operate downhole equipment, launch cementing plugs, deliver chemical products, service a well, or perform other downhole operations. The launching apparatus may be mounted at a surface from which the wellbore extends, such as a wellsite surface, a subsea floor, or an offshore platform or rig surface. An example implementation of the launching apparatus may be utilized with a cementing head to launch one or more darts for launching cement plugs.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of at least a portion of an example implementation of a launching apparatus 100 according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of at least a portion of a body 102 of the launching apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of at least a portion of the launching apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 3. The following description refers to FIGS. 1-4, collectively.

[0022] The body 102 of the launching apparatus 100 may have a generally tubular geometry, comprising a main passage 104 extending longitudinally therethrough, and a plurality of intermediate passages 106 intersecting or otherwise connecting with the main passage 104 at an intermediate location between opposing upper and lower ends 108, 110 of the body 102 and main passage 104. The opposing upper and lower ends 108, 110 may each comprise coupling means 109, 111, respectively, for connecting the launching apparatus 100 with or along opposing fluid conduits or passages (not shown). The lower end 110 may be connected with a conduit or device extending into a wellbore (not shown), and the upper end 108 may be connected with a conduit or device fluidly connected with a source (not shown) of process fluid (e.g., drilling fluid, well treatment fluid, cement slurry, etc.) being injected into the wellbore. The coupling means 109, 111 may include, for example, male threads, female threads, and/or flange connectors.

[0023] For example, the lower end 110 of the launching apparatus 100 may be mounted to a wellhead, a casing or liner, a hanger, a drill pipe, or another fluid conduit or device extending into the wellbore. The upper end 108 of the launching apparatus 100 may be coupled with a blowout preventer (BOP), an annular BOP, a drill pipe, or another fluid conduit or device. The upper end 108 of the launching apparatus 100 may be attached to a top drive (not shown) of a drilling rig, and the lower end 110 may be attached to a drill string, perhaps via appropriate cross-overs.

[0024] The launching apparatus 100 may also be utilized in conjunction with a swivel (not shown) to permit rotation while performing cementing and/or other operations. An activation device launching detector (not shown) may be installed below the launching apparatus 100, such as may indicate positive launching of an activation device into a fluid stream passing through the main passage 104 of the launching apparatus 100.

[0025] The intermediate passages 106 are equally (or otherwise) distributed

circumferentially around the main passage 104. Each intermediate passage 106 may extend along an axis 1 12 that runs diagonally (i.e., downward and inward) at an angle 116 with respect to an axis 1 14 of the main passage 104. The angle 116 may be less than 90 degrees. Although FIGS. 1-3 depict the body 102 as having four intermediate passages 106, the body 102 may have one, two, three, five, or more intermediate passages 106.

[0026] The launching apparatus 100 may comprise a plurality of containers 120 each detachably coupled to or otherwise connected with the body 102. Each container 120 may have an internal chamber 122 configured to contain at least one activation device 125. An axial opening 124 permits the activation device 125 to be inserted into and/or moved out of the chamber 122. Each container 120 may comprise an outer housing 126 (i.e., an intermediate passage extension tube) and an inner sleeve (i.e., a cartridge) 128 having an inner surface 130 defining the chamber 122. The container 120, including each of the outer housing 126 and the inner sleeve 128, may have an elongated and/or generally tubular geometry. [0027] The body 102 and each outer housing 126 may comprise a coupling means 132, 134, respectively, for detachably connecting the containers 120 with the body 102 such that the openings 124 of the containers 120 are aligned with corresponding intermediate passages 106. The coupling means 126, 128 may include complementary threads (e.g., male and female threads) or flange connectors, among other examples. Depending on the coupling means 132, 134 utilized, each container 120 may be partially inserted into the corresponding second passage 106. Each inner sleeve 128 may be longer than or extend past the outer housing 126 and, thus, extend partially into or along the corresponding intermediate passage 106. Each inner sleeve 128 may comprise a radially extending rib or another protrusion 135 configured to engage the outer housing 126, such as to maintain the inner sleeve 128 in a predetermined azimuthal orientation within the outer housing 126. Each inner sleeve 128 and outer housing 126 may comprise opposing radial shoulders 136, 138, respectively, each configured to contact the other to maintain the inner sleeve 128 in a predetermined axial position within the outer housing 126. For example, the radial shoulder 136 may be a radially outward extending shoulder and the radial shoulder 138 may be a radially inward extending shoulder, relative to the axis 1 12 of that intermediate passage 106.

[0028] Each outer housing 126 may have a single predetermined configuration operable to detachably connect with the body 102 and receive therein a corresponding inner sleeve 128. However, each inner sleeve 128 may have one of a plurality of different configurations selected based on a configuration of the activation device 125 selected to be launched into the wellbore. Each inner sleeve 128 may have the same outer profile or surface, such as may permit each inner sleeve 128 to be received and retained within a corresponding outer housing 126, but a different inner surface 130 or profile, such as may accommodate therein the activation device 125 intended to be launched into the wellbore. For example, the inner sleeve 128 may be selected based on an inner diameter 129 of the inner surface 130, such as may permit the selected activation device 125 to be inserted into and launched from the chamber 122 of the

corresponding container 120. Although, FIGS. 3 and 4 show just one chamber 122 containing therein a downhole dart, it is to be understood that other similar or different activation devices 125 may be loaded and launched from within the other chambers 122. The activation devices 125 may also be or comprise balls, wipers, plugs, bombs, canisters, and other devices operable to activate or otherwise operate downhole equipment, launch cementing plugs, deliver chemical products, service a well, or perform other downhole operations. Accordingly, each chamber 122 may be customized to launch a different type and/or different size of activation device 125.

[0029] Each container 120 may further comprise a second opening 140 permitting the activation device 125 to be inserted into and/or moved out of the chamber 122. An end cap 142 may be connected with each container 120 at the opening 140. The end caps 142 may be threadedly or otherwise engaged with the outer housing 126. The end caps 142 may abut the inner sleeves 128 to retain the inner sleeves 128 within the corresponding outer housings 126. Each end cap 142 may have a fluid passage 144 (i.e., an opening) extending therethrough, such as may permit a source of pressurized fluid (not shown) to be fiuidly connected with an upper (or radially outward) portion of each chamber 122. Thus, the pressurized fluid may be utilized to push or otherwise force the activation device 125 out of the chamber 122, into the corresponding intermediate passage 106, and then into the main passage 104.

[0030] Each chamber 122 may contain therein a pusher device operable to be moved or otherwise actuated by the pressurized fluid introduced into the chamber 122 via the fluid passage 144 to move the activation device 125 into the main passage 104. The pressurized fluid may be or comprise air or another gas, or a liquid such as hydraulic fluid or water. The pressurized fluid may also include the process fluid being passed through the main passage 104, and at least partially diverted into the chambers 122 via the fluid passages 144 (e.g., from a source other than the main passage 104, as depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4, or by blocking the main passage 104, as depicted in FIG. 5). The pusher device may be implemented as a floating piston 146 or another sliding member configured to fiuidly seal against the inner surface 130 of the inner sleeve 128 and axially slide or move along the chamber 122 when the pressurized fluid is introduced into the chamber 122. The floating piston 146 may include a piston portion 148 configured to fiuidly seal against the inner surface 130 of the container 120 and an extension 150 (e.g., a rod) configured to push the activation device 125.

[0031] The body 102 and/or each of the containers 120 may comprise a radially inward extending shoulder 152, 154, respectively, located adjacent the corresponding opening 124 of the chamber 122 or otherwise along the corresponding intermediate passage 106. One or both of the shoulders 152, 154 may narrow the corresponding opening 124 and/or the corresponding intermediate passage 106, such as may block or otherwise prevent the floating piston 146 from sliding out of the corresponding chamber 122 and/or moving into the main passage 104, but permit the activation device 125 to move out of the corresponding chamber 122. For example, one or both of the shoulders 152, 154 may have an inner diameter 156 that is substantially smaller than an outer diameter 158 of the piston portion 148, but substantially larger than an outer diameter 160 of the extension 150, such as may block or otherwise prevent the piston portion 148 from sliding into the main passage 104, but permit the extension 150 to extend past the shoulders 152, 154 into the intermediate passage 106 and push the activation device 125 through the intermediate passage 106 into the main passage 104.

[0032] The launching apparatus 100 may further comprise a plurality of holding mechanisms 162 each selectively and independently operable to initially hold or otherwise retain the activation device 125 within the corresponding chamber 122 and subsequently release the activation device 125, permitting the pressurized fluid, by itself or via the floating piston 146, to force the activation device 125 out of the chamber 122 into the main passage 104. Each holding mechanism 162 may be connected with the body 102 adjacent a corresponding intermediate passage 106 via a connection means 163, such as male threads, female threads, and flange connectors, among other examples. Each holding mechanism 162 may comprise a blocking member 164 selectively movable through a radial opening 168 in a wall of the body 102 and within a corresponding intermediate passage 106 to selectively retain and release the activation device 125. The blocking member 164 of each holding mechanism 162 may also extend through a radial opening 170 in the inner sleeve 128 of the container 120 and within the corresponding chamber 122 at or adjacent the axial opening 124 of the container 120 to selectively retain and release the activation device 125.

[0033] When in an extended (i.e., blocking) position, the blocking member 164 may contact the activation device 125 or otherwise prevent the activation device 125 for moving out of the chamber 122. However, in the retracted (i.e., open) position (such as depicted in FIG. 7, the blocking member 164 may not contact the activation device 125, permitting the activation device 125 to exit the chamber 122. Each holding mechanism 162 may be or comprise a fluid powered (e.g., air or hydraulic fluid) cylinder assembly comprising a selectively movable piston and rod assembly 166, wherein the blocking member 164 is or comprises a rod portion of each piston and rod assembly 166. Other implementations of the holding mechanism 162 may include an electrical mechanism, such as an electrical linear actuator or motor.

[0034] FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of at least a portion of another example implementation of the launching apparatus 100 shown in FIGS. 1-4, and designated in FIG. 5 by reference numeral 200. FIGS. 6 and 7 are enlarged views of portions of FIG. 5. The launching apparatus 200 shown in FIGS. 5-7 is substantially similar to or the same as the launching apparatus 100 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, including where indicated by like reference numbers, except as described below. The following description refers to FIGS. 5-7, collectively.

[0035] The launching apparatus 200 may comprise a body 202 having a main passage 104 extending longitudinally therethrough and a plurality of intermediate passages 204 intersecting or otherwise connecting with the main passage 104 at an intermediate location between opposing upper and lower ends 108, 110 of the body 202 and main passage 104. The intermediate passages 204 may be distributed circumferentially around the main passage 104 and extend diagonally with respect to the main passage 104. The body 202, main passage 104, and intermediate passages 204 are substantially similar to or the same as corresponding features shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, except as described below and shown in FIGS. 5-7.

[0036] For example, the intermediate passages 204 may be substantially longer than the intermediate passages 106 of the launching apparatus 100, and may each have a length that is sufficient to fully receive (i.e., encompass) therein one or more containers 206, each holding therein one or more activation devices 125. Although FIG. 5 shows the body 202 as having two intermediate passages 204, the body 202 may one, three, four, five, or more intermediate passages 204.

[0037] An upper end of each intermediate passage 204 may be fluidly connected with the main passage 104 via a corresponding cross passage 208 extending between that intermediate passage 204 and the main passage 104. A fluid control valve 210 may be fluidly connected along the main passage 104 between the cross passages 208 and the lower end 110 of the main passage 104. The fluid control valve 210 may be or comprise, for example, a pinch valve, a butterfly valve, a ball valve, or another valve selectively operable to close or restrict fluid flow through the main passage 104.

[0038] Each container 206 is configured to be inserted into a corresponding intermediate passage 204. Each container 206 has or defines an internal chamber 122 configured to contain therein at least one activation device 125 and an opening 124 permitting the activation device 125 to be inserted into and/or moved out of the chamber 122. Each container 206 may comprise an outer housing 212 and an inner sleeve 214 having an inner surface 216 defining the chamber 122. Each container 206, including each outer housing 212 and inner sleeve 214, may have an elongated and/or generally tubular geometry. When a container 206 is inserted into a corresponding intermediate passage 204, the opening 124 of the container 206 is aligned with the intermediate passage 204, such as may permit the activation device 125 to be moved out of the chamber 122 into the intermediate passage 204. Each intermediate passage 204 may have a radially inward extending shoulder 216 configured to contact the container 206 inserted into the intermediate passage 204 to maintain the container 206 in a predetermined axial position along the intermediate passage 204.

[0039] Similarly to the containers 120 of the launching apparatus 100, each container 206 may be configured based on the configuration of the activation device 125 selected to be held therein and launched into the wellbore. Accordingly, each outer housing 212 may have a single configuration, and each inner sleeve 214 may have one of a plurality of different configurations selected based on the configuration (e.g., type, size, length) of the activation device 125 selected to be held therein and launched into the wellbore.

[0040] Each container 120 may have a second opening 140, opposite the first opening 124, and the upper end of each intermediate passage 204 may have an external opening 207, such as may collectively permit the activation device 125 to be inserted into and/or moved out of each chamber 122. End caps 218, 220 may be threadedly or otherwise connected with the body 202 to close the intermediate passages 204 and the cross passages 208, respectively. When the end caps 218, 220 are utilized, the process fluid being passed via the main passage 104 may be at least partially diverted into the upper ends of the intermediate passages 204 via the cross passages 208 to push or otherwise force the activation devices 125 out of the chambers 122, into the lower ends of the intermediate passages 204, and into the main passage 104. However, instead of blocking the intermediate passages 204 with the end caps 218, a pusher device 222 may be inserted into one or more of the intermediate passages 204 to push the activation devices 125 out of the chambers 122. The pusher device 222 may comprise a piston 224 and a rod 226 connected to a linear actuator (not shown) operable to selectively move the pusher device 222 along the chamber 122. Instead of or in addition to the linear actuator, the process fluid being passed via the main passage 104 may be at least partially diverted into the cross passages 208 by closing the fluid control valve 210 to move the pusher device 222 along the chamber 122. An external source (not shown) of pressurized fluid may also or instead be connected with one or more the cross passages 208 via an external port 228 and utilized to move the pusher devices 222 or the activation devices 125, directly.

[0041] Each chamber 122 may contain therein a floating piston 230 or another sliding member operable to be moved or otherwise actuated by the pressurized fluid introduced into the upper portion of the chamber 122 to move the activation device 125 into the main passage 104. The floating piston 230 may be configured to fluidly seal against the inner surface 216 of the inner sleeve 214 and axially slide or move along the chamber 122 when the pressurized fluid is introduced into the chamber 122.

[0042] The body 202 and/or each of the containers 206 may comprise a radially inward extending shoulder 232, 234, respectively, located adjacent or at the opening 124 of the corresponding chamber 122 or otherwise along the intermediate passage 204. One or both of the shoulders 232, 234 may narrow the opening 124 and/or the intermediate passage 204, such as may block or otherwise prevent the floating piston 230 from sliding out of the chamber 122 and/or moving into the main passage 104, but permit the activation device 125 to move out of the chamber 122.

[0043] The launching apparatus 100 may further comprise a plurality of holding mechanisms 162 each selectively operable to hold or otherwise retain the activation device 125 within a corresponding chamber 122 and release the activation device 125, permitting the pusher device 222 and/or the pressurized fluid introduced into the upper portion of the intermediate passages 204 (by itself or via corresponding floating pistons 230) to force the activation device 125 out of the chamber 122 into the main passage 104. Each holding mechanism 162 may comprise a blocking member 164 selectively movable through a radial opening 236 in a wall of the body 202 and within a corresponding intermediate passage 204 to selectively retain and release the activation device 125. The blocking member 164 may also extend through a radial opening 238 in the container 206 and within the corresponding chamber 122 at or adjacent the opening 124 of the container 206 to selectively retain and release the activation device 125.

[0044] Each holding mechanism 162 may further comprise or operate in conjunction with an expandable ring 240 slidably disposed within the corresponding chamber 122. Each expandable ring 240 may be operable to retain the activation device 125 within the corresponding chamber 122 when the expandable ring 240 is radially contracted, and release the activation device 125 from the chamber 122 when the expandable ring 240 is radially expanded. The expandable ring 240 may be implemented as a plurality of dogs or keys arranged in a circular configuration and operable to radially expand and retract. The expandable ring may instead be implemented as a single piece ring comprising a flexible material (e.g., rubber, silicone) and operable to be radially expanded and retracted. [0045] Each expandable ring 240 may radially expand into a corresponding cavity or channel 242 extending circumferentially along the inner surface 216 of the corresponding container 206 defining the chamber 122. Each channel 242 may be located at a bottom end of the

corresponding chamber 122 above the opening 124. During operations, each expandable ring 240 may be axially movable along the chamber 122 between a first (i.e., blocking) position in which the expandable ring 240 is axially positioned above the channel 242 and against the inner surface 216 defining the chamber 122 and a second (i.e., open) position in which the expandable ring 240 is axially aligned with the channel 242. Each expandable ring 240 may be retained in the first position by a retaining ring or sleeve 244 slidably disposed within the corresponding chamber 122. An upper end of the sleeve 244 may contact the expandable ring 240 and a lower end of the sleeve 244 may contact the blocking member 164 of the holding mechanism 162 to prevent the sleeve 244 and, thus, the expandable ring 240 from moving axially. When the holding mechanism 162 is operated to retract the blocking member 164, the sleeve 244 and the expandable ring 240 are permitted to move downward along the chamber 122 until the expandable ring 240 is axially aligned with the channel 242. The force of the activation device 125 may radially expand the expandable ring 240 into the channel 244, permitting the activation device 125 to pass through the expanded expandable ring 240, out of the chamber 122, and into the main passage 104.

[0046] Although each launching apparatus 100, 200 is shown comprising several distinct features not included in the other launching apparatus 100, 200, it is to be understood that such features are not exclusive and may be incorporated into or within each of the other launching apparatus 100, 200. For example, the expandable rings 240, the sleeves 244, and the channels 242 may be incorporated in or otherwise utilized in association with the launching apparatus 100.

[0047] The present disclosure is further directed to a method or process for using a launching apparatus to launch a plurality of activation devices into a subterranean wellbore to perform a downhole operation. The methods described below and/or other operations described herein may be performed utilizing or otherwise in conjunction with at least a portion of one or more implementations of one or more instances of the apparatus shown in one or more of FIGS. 1-7 and/or otherwise within the scope of the present disclosure. However, the methods and operations described herein may be performed in conjunction with implementations of apparatus other than those depicted in FIGS. 1-7 that are also within the scope of the present disclosure. The methods and operations may be performed manually by one or more human operators, and/or may be performed or caused, at least partially, by a processing device executing coded instructions according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. For example, the processing device may receive input signals and automatically generate and transmit output signals to operate or cause a change in an operational status or other parameter of one or more pieces of the wellsite equipment described above. However, the human operator may also or instead manually operate the one or more pieces of wellsite equipment via the processing device based on sensor signals displayed to the operator at surface.

[0048] An example method within the scope of the present disclosure may first include loading the activation devices 125 into the launching device 100, 200 and then launching the activation devices 125 into the wellbore. Loading the activation devices 125 into the launching device 100 may comprise assembling the activation device 100 by detachably coupling each of the containers 120 with the body 102 of the launching device 100 such that the opening 124 of each container 120 is aligned with a corresponding intermediate passage 106, and then inserting an activation device 125 into each of the containers 120. If the body 102 and the containers 120 comprise complimentary threads 134, 132, detachably coupling the containers 120 with the body 102 may comprise threadedly engaging each container 120 with the body 102. If the containers 120 each comprise the outer housing 126 and the inner sleeve 128 defining the chamber 122, detachably coupling the containers 120 with the body 102 may comprise detachably coupling each outer housing 126 with the body 102 and inserting the inner sleeve 128 into the

corresponding outer housing 126. If the inner sleeves 128 are longer than the outer housings 126, the inner sleeves 128 may extend past the corresponding outer housings 126 into the corresponding second passages 106. The inner sleeves 128 selected to be inserted into the outer housings 126 may be selected from a plurality of different inner sleeves 128 based on the type and/or size of the activation devices 125 intended to be utilized.

[0049] The holding mechanisms 162 may then be actuated or otherwise moved to the blocking position, and/or verified to be in the blocking position, and the activation devices 125 may be inserted into the chambers 122. Thereafter, the floating piston 146 or another sliding member may be inserted behind each activation device 125. After the activation devices 125 and the floating pistons 146 are inserted into the chambers 122, the openings 207 of the intermediate passages 204 may be enclosed via corresponding end caps 142.

[0050] After the launching device 100 is loaded with an intended number of activation devices 125, the loaded launching device 100 may be transported to a wellsite surface, an offshore platform surface, a subsea floor, or another location adjacent an entrance to a wellbore. The launching device 100 may then be connected with the wellbore. For example, the lower end 110 of the launching device 100 may be coupled with a conduit extending into the wellbore, or another device connected with the wellbore. The upper end 108 of the launching device 100 may then be coupled (if not already) with a conduit or another device fluidly connected with a source of process fluid (e.g., drilling fluid, well treatment fluid, cement slurry, etc.) being injected into the wellbore. A source of pressurized fluid (which may be the process fluid) may be fluidly connected with the chambers 122 via the fluid passages 144.

[0051] After the process fluid is being injected into the wellbore via the main passage 104, the pressurized fluid may be utilized to pressurize the upper portion of each chamber 122 to urge movement of the activation devices 125 out of each chamber 122. At an intended time during downhole operations, a selected one (or more) of the release mechanisms 162 may be operated to the open position to permit the corresponding activation device(s) 125 to be forced or otherwise moved out of the chamber 122 and into the main passage 104, and thus passed into and along the wellbore (perhaps via a fluid conduit within the wellbore) with the process fluid. Remaining ones of the activation devices 125 may be subsequently (or simultaneously) launched in a similar manner.

[0052] Using the launching apparatus 200 to launch the activation devices 125 into the wellbore may comprise the same or similar process as described above in association with the launching device 100, except as described below. Such method may include loading the activation devices 125 into the launching device 200 by fully inserting a container 206 into or along a corresponding intermediate passage 204, such that the opening 124 of each container 206 is aligned with the corresponding intermediate passage 204, and then inserting an activation device 125 into each container 206. Thereafter, the floating piston 230 or another sliding member may be inserted behind each activation device 125. After the activation devices 125 and the floating pistons 230 are inserted into the chambers 122, the intermediate passages 204 may be enclosed via corresponding end caps 218.

[0053] After the launching device 200 is loaded with an intended number of activation devices 125, the loaded launching device 100 may be transported to a location adjacent an entrance to a wellbore, and then connected to the wellbore and a source of process fluid. While the process fluid is being injected into the wellbore via the main passage 104, the fluid control valve 210 may be at least partially closed to divert at least a portion of the process fluid flowing through the main fluid passage 104 into the upper portions of the chambers 122 via the cross passages 208, to thereby urge movement of the activation devices 125 out of each chamber 122. At an intended time during downhole operations, a selected one (or more) of the release mechanisms 162 may be operated to the open position to permit the corresponding sleeve 244 and the expandable ring 240 to be pushed axially by the activation device 125 along the chamber 122 until the expandable ring 240 is axially aligned with the circumferential channel 242. The activation device 125 may then expand the expandable ring 240 into the channel 242 and pass through the expandable ring 240, out of the chamber 122, and into the main passage 104, to be passed into and along the wellbore with the process fluid. The remaining activation devices 125 may be launched in a similar manner.

[0054] In view of the entirety of the present disclosure, including the figures and the claims, a person having ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the present disclosure introduces an apparatus comprising a launching apparatus operable to launch a plurality of activation devices into a wellbore from a surface from which the wellbore extends to perform a downhole operation, wherein the launching apparatus comprises: a body comprising a first passage extending longitudinally therethrough and a plurality of second passages connected with the first passage; and a plurality of containers each comprising a chamber configured to contain therein an activation device, wherein each container has an opening, and wherein each container is detachably connected with the body such that the opening of that container is aligned with a corresponding second passage.

[0055] The launching apparatus may be configured for connection with a conduit extending into the wellbore.

[0056] The second passages may be distributed circumferentially around the first passage and extend diagonally with respect to the first passage.

[0057] Each container may have a generally tubular configuration.

[0058] Each container may be detachably connected with the body via threaded engagement.

[0059] Each container may be partially inserted into a corresponding second passage.

[0060] Each container may be fully inserted into a corresponding second passage.

[0061] Each container may comprise an outer housing and an inner sleeve defining the chamber. Each inner sleeve may comprise a radial shoulder contacting a radial shoulder of the outer housing to maintain the inner sleeve in a predetermined position within the outer housing. [0062] The launching apparatus may comprise a plurality of holding mechanisms each operable to: retain the activation device within the chamber; and release the activation device from the chamber. Each holding mechanism may be connected with the body, and each holding mechanism may comprise a blocking member selectively movable within a corresponding chamber to selectively retain and release the activation device. Each holding mechanism may be or comprise a fluid powered cylinder assembly comprising a selectively movable piston and rod assembly, and a rod portion of each piston and rod assembly may be movable into and out of the chamber. Each holding mechanism may comprise an expandable ring within a corresponding chamber, and each expandable ring may be operable to: retain the activation device within the chamber when the expandable ring is radially contracted; and release the activation device from the chamber when the expandable ring is radially expanded. Each container may have a channel extending circumferentially along an inner surface defining the chamber, and each expandable ring may be operable to radially expand into the channel. Each expandable ring may be axially movable along the chamber between: a first position in which the expandable ring is axially positioned above the channel and against the inner surface defining the chamber; and a second position in which the expandable ring is axially aligned with the channel.

[0063] Each opening may be a first opening located at a first end of the corresponding container, each container may have a second opening at a second end of that container, each chamber may contain a sliding member, each second opening may be configured to permit a pressurized fluid into the chamber, the permitted pressurized fluid may move the sliding member against the activation device to push the activation device from the chamber into the first passage, and the apparatus may comprise a radially inward extending shoulder configured to block the sliding member from moving into the first passage. The container may comprise the radially inward extending shoulder configured to block the sliding member from moving out of the chamber.

[0064] The present disclosure also introduces an apparatus comprising a launching apparatus operable to launch a plurality of activation devices into a wellbore from a surface from which the wellbore extends, wherein the launching apparatus comprises: a body comprising a first passage extending longitudinally therethrough and a plurality of second passages connected with the first passage; and a plurality of containers each comprising an outer housing and an inner sleeve defining a chamber configured to contain therein an activation device, wherein each inner sleeve has a generally tubular configuration with an opening at an end, and wherein each outer housing is detachably connected with the body such that the opening of that sleeve is aligned with a corresponding second passage.

[0065] The launching apparatus may be configured for connection with a conduit extending into the wellbore.

[0066] The second passages may be distributed circumferentially around the first passage, and may extend diagonally with respect to the first passage.

[0067] Each container may be detachably connected with the body via threaded engagement.

[0068] Each container may be partially inserted into a corresponding second passage.

[0069] Each container may be fully inserted into a corresponding second passage.

[0070] Each inner sleeve may comprise a radial shoulder contacting a radial shoulder of the outer housing to maintain the inner sleeve in a predetermined position within the outer housing.

[0071] The launching apparatus may comprise a plurality of holding mechanisms each operable to: retain the activation device within the chamber; and release the activation device from the chamber. Each holding mechanism may be connected with the body, and each holding mechanism may comprise a blocking member selectively movable within a corresponding chamber to selectively retain and release a corresponding activation device. Each holding mechanism may be or comprise a fluid powered cylinder assembly comprising a selectively movable piston and rod assembly, and a rod portion of each piston and rod assembly may be movable into and out of the chamber. The holding mechanism may comprise an expandable ring within a corresponding chamber, and each expandable ring may be operable to: retain the activation device within the chamber when the expandable ring is radially contracted; and release the activation device from the chamber when the expandable ring is radially expanded. Each container may have a channel extending circumferentially along an inner surface defining the chamber, and the expandable ring may be operable to radially expand into the channel. The expandable ring may be axially movable along the chamber between: a first position in which the expandable ring is axially positioned above the channel and against the inner surface defining the chamber; and a second position in which the expandable ring is axially aligned with the channel.

[0072] Each opening may be a first opening located at a first end of the corresponding container, each container may have a second opening at a second end of that container, each chamber may contain a sliding member, each second opening may be configured to permit a pressurized fluid into the chamber, the permitted pressurized fluid may move the sliding member against the activation device to push the activation device from the chamber into the first passage, and the apparatus may comprise a radially inward extending shoulder configured to block the sliding member from moving into the first passage. The container may comprise the radially inward extending shoulder configured to block the sliding member from moving out of the chamber.

[0073] The present disclosure also introduces a method comprising: for an apparatus for launching activation devices into a wellbore, detachably coupling each of a plurality of containers with a body of the apparatus such that an opening of each container is aligned with a corresponding intermediate passage in the body, wherein each intermediate passage is connected with a central passage extending through the body; and inserting an activation device into each of the containers.

[0074] The opening may be a first opening, each container may comprise a second opening, and the method may comprise, after inserting the activation device into a corresponding container: inserting a sliding member into that container; and then connecting an end cap at the second opening of that container.

[0075] Detachably coupling the containers with the body may comprise threadedly engaging each container with the body.

[0076] Detachably coupling the containers with the body may comprise fully inserting each container into a corresponding second passage.

[0077] Each container may comprise an outer housing and an inner sleeve defining a chamber configured to contain the activation device, detachably coupling the containers with the body may comprise detachably coupling each outer housing with the body, and the method may comprise, before inserting the activation device into the containers, inserting the inner sleeve of each container into the outer housing of that container. The method may comprise, before inserting the activation device into each of the containers, selecting the inner sleeve to be inserted into each outer housing from a plurality of different inner sleeves based on configuration of the activation devices. Detachably coupling each outer housing with the body may comprise inserting a portion of each inner sleeve into a corresponding second passage.

[0078] The method may comprise: connecting the apparatus with a conduit extending into the wellbore; introducing pressurized fluid into the containers to urge movement of the activation devices out of the containers; and operating a release mechanism associated with a selected one of the containers to release a selected one of the activation devices into the conduit to perform a downhole operation. [0079] The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that a person having ordinary skill in the art may better understand the aspects of the present disclosure. A person having ordinary skill in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same functions and/or achieving the same benefits of the implementations introduced herein. A person having ordinary skill in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions may not depart from the scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0080] The Abstract at the end of this disclosure is provided to permit the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.