Self filling casing

Abstract

A method and apparatus for running a casing string into a wellbore. In one embodiment the string includes an impeller at a lower end thereof. As the string is rotated in the wellbore, the rotating impeller urges fluid into the string.

1 . A wellbore tubular, comprising:
 a tubular body attachable at a first end to an adjacent tubular member;   an impeller disposed in the body, the impeller fixed relative to the body, whereby the impeller rotates as the body rotates.   
     
     
         2 . The tubular of  claim 1  wherein the impeller includes a plurality of vanes extending from a central hub. 
     
     
         3 . The tubular of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the vanes is fixed at an outer edge to an inside surface of the body. 
     
     
         4 . The tubular of  claim 3 , wherein the body is located at a lower end of a string of wellbore casing. 
     
     
         5 . The tubular of  claim 4 , wherein the body includes a reduced inside diameter portion adjacent the impeller. 
     
     
         6 . The tubular of  claim 5 , further including a second impeller mounted in the body adjacent the impeller. 
     
     
         7 . The tubular of  claim 4 , further including cement equipment installed in or adjacent the body. 
     
     
         8 . The tubular of  claim 7 , wherein the cement equipment includes at least one of centralizers, float collars and float shoes. 
     
     
         9 . A method of running a casing string into a wellbore, comprising:
 assembling the string, a lower end of which includes a body with an impeller mounted therein for rotation with the string; and   running the string into the wellbore while rotating the string, thereby causing the impeller to urge wellbore fluid into the string.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the impeller has at least 3 vanes and the impeller is rotationally fixed to the body at its outer edges. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further including circulating cement though the string and into an annular area defined between an outer surface of the string and the wellbore. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further including destroying the impeller.