U.S. patent application number 12/106637 was filed with the patent office on 2009-10-22 for method and system for cementing.
Invention is credited to Brett Fears, Henry Rogers, Earl Webb.
Application Number | 20090260816 12/106637 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41200149 |
Filed Date | 2009-10-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090260816 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Webb; Earl ; et al. |
October 22, 2009 |
Method and System for Cementing
Abstract
A valve system for cementing including a valve and a sleeve
shifter. The valve may have a moveable sleeve with openings and a
housing situated about the moveable sleeve and having flow
passages. The sleeve shifter may be configured to actuate the valve
by moving the sleeve. The valve may be configured to be opened
and/or closed multiple times. The valve may be used in reverse
cementing and/or squeeze jobs.
Inventors: |
Webb; Earl; (Duncan, OK)
; Fears; Brett; (Duncan, OK) ; Rogers; Henry;
(Duncan, OK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JOHN W. WUSTENBERG
P.O. BOX 1431
DUNCAN
OK
73536
US
|
Family ID: |
41200149 |
Appl. No.: |
12/106637 |
Filed: |
April 21, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
166/285 ;
166/177.4; 166/184; 166/386 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 21/10 20130101;
E21B 33/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
166/285 ;
166/177.4; 166/386; 166/184 |
International
Class: |
E21B 33/13 20060101
E21B033/13 |
Claims
1. A valve system for cementing, comprising: a valve comprising a
moveable sleeve having openings, and a housing situated about the
moveable sleeve and having flow passages; and a sleeve shifter;
wherein the sleeve shifter is configured to actuate the valve by
moving the sleeve; and wherein the valve is configured to be opened
and/or closed multiple times.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a
mandrel.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a
casing.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a mandrel,
cement, and a casing.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the sleeve shifter comprises a
stinger on a workstring.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the sleeve shifter comprises a
plug.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the sleeve shifter comprises a
ball.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the sleeve shifter is configured
to move the sleeve, such that the openings of the moveable sleeve
align with the flow passages of the housing, thus allowing flow
therethrough.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the sleeve shifter is configured
to move the sleeve, such that the openings of the moveable sleeve
do not align with the flow passages of the housing, thus preventing
flow therethrough.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein the valve is configured for use
as a shoe.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein the valve is configured for use
as a collar.
12. The system of claim 1, wherein the sleeve shifter is configured
to move the sleeve, such that the openings of the moveable sleeve
align with the flow passages of the housing, thus allowing flow
therethrough; wherein the sleeve shifter is further configured to
move the sleeve, such that the openings of the moveable sleeve do
not align with the flow passages of the housing, thus preventing
flow therethrough; and wherein the valve is configured to be
re-actuated by the sleeve shifter.
13. A method of reverse cementing, comprising: running a valve into
a well bore, wherein the valve comprises a moveable sleeve having
openings, and a housing situated about the moveable sleeve and
having flow passages; actuating the valve with a sleeve shifter;
ensuring that the valve is in an open position; and flowing cement
down through an annulus between a casing and the well bore, through
the valve, and up through a workstring; wherein the step of
ensuring that the valve is in an open position is performed prior
to the step of flowing the cement.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of running the valve
into the well bore is done with the valve in an open position.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of running the valve
into the well bore is done with the valve in a closed position.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein the sleeve shifter comprises a
stinger on a workstring and wherein the step of actuating the valve
with the sleeve shifter comprises reciprocating the workstring.
17. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of stinging
the stinger into the valve prior to actuating the valve.
18. The method of claim 13, further comprising cleaning the
workstring, wherein the step of cleaning the workstring is
performed after all other steps.
19. The method of claim 13, wherein actuating the valve with the
sleeve shifter comprises moving the sleeve longitudinally.
20. The method of claim 13, wherein actuating the valve with the
sleeve shifter comprises rotating the sleeve.
21. A method of performing a squeeze job, comprising: running a
valve into a well bore, wherein the valve comprises a moveable
sleeve having openings, and a housing situated about the moveable
sleeve and having flow passages; actuating the valve with a sleeve
shifter; ensuring that the valve is in an open position; and
flowing cement down through a workstring, through the valve, and up
through an annulus between a casing and the well bore; wherein the
step of ensuring that the valve is in an open position is performed
prior to the step of flowing the cement.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein the valve is configured to be
opened and/or closed multiple times.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] During downhole cementing operations, fluid circulation is
generally performed by pumping down the inside of the tubing or
casing and then back up the annular space around the casing. This
type of circulation has been used successfully for many years.
However, it has several drawbacks. First, the pressures required to
"lift" the cement up into the annular space around the casing can
sometimes damage the formation. Furthermore, it takes a fair amount
of time to deliver the fluid to the annular space around the casing
in this fashion.
[0002] In an effort to decrease the pressures exerted on the
formation and to reduce pump time requirements, a solution
involving pumping the fluid down the annular space of the casing
rather than down the casing itself has been proposed. This
technique, known as reverse circulation or reverse cementing,
requires lower delivery pressures, because the cement does not have
to be lifted up the annulus. Furthermore, the reverse circulation
technique is less time consuming than the conventional method
because the fluid is delivered down the annulus only, rather than
down the inside of the casing and back up the annulus. Accordingly,
the cement travels approximately half the distance with this
technique.
[0003] In reverse cementing, a cement slurry is pumped down an
annulus between a casing string and a well bore and allowed to
harden therein. Typically, the cement is pumped and the operator
guesses where the top of the cement is. The operator can use a
logging tool to check to be sure that the guess was correct.
[0004] There are a number of drawbacks of current reverse cementing
methods and devices, however. Such methods require a wellhead or
other conventional surface pack-off to be attached to the surface
casing that is sealably attached to the casing being cemented in
place via the reverse cementing technique. These structures are
often complex, permanent and expensive, thus increasing the cost of
completing the well.
[0005] In reverse cementing methods, it may be desirable to stop
the flow of the cement composition when the leading edge of the
cement composition slurry is at or just inside the casing shoe. To
know when to cease the reverse circulation fluid flow, the leading
edge of the slurry is typically monitored to determine when it
arrives at the casing shoe. Logging tools and tagged fluids (by
density and/or radioactive sources) have been used monitor the
position of the leading edge of the cement slurry. If significant
volumes of the cement slurry enters the casing shoe, clean-out
operations may need to be conducted to insure that cement inside
the casing has not covered targeted production zones. Position
information provided by tagged fluids is typically available to the
operator only after a considerable delay. Thus, even with tagged
fluids, the operator is unable to stop the flow of the cement
slurry into the casing through the casing shoe until a significant
volume of cement has entered the casing. Imprecise monitoring of
the position of the leading edge of the cement slurry can result in
a column of cement in the casing 100 feet to 500 feet long. This
unwanted cement may then be drilled out of the casing at a
significant cost.
SUMMARY
[0006] The present invention relates generally to reverse
cementing. More specifically, the present invention is directed to
a valve that may be used in reverse cementing operations.
[0007] In one embodiment, a valve system for cementing may include
a valve and a sleeve shifter. The valve may have a moveable sleeve
with openings and a housing situated about the moveable sleeve and
having flow passages. The sleeve shifter may be configured to
actuate the valve by moving the sleeve. The valve may be configured
to be opened and/or closed multiple times.
[0008] In an embodiment of a method of reverse cementing, steps may
include running a valve into a well bore, actuating the valve with
a sleeve shifter, ensuring that the valve is in an open position,
and flowing cement down through an annulus between a casing and the
well bore, through the valve, and up through a workstring. The
valve may include a moveable sleeve having openings, and a housing
situated about the moveable sleeve and having flow passages. The
step of ensuring that the valve is in an open position may be
performed prior to the step of flowing the cement.
[0009] In an embodiment of a method of performing a squeeze job,
steps may include running a valve into a well bore, actuating the
valve with a sleeve shifter, ensuring that the valve is in an open
position, and flowing cement down through a workstring, through the
valve, and up through an annulus between a casing and the well
bore. The valve may include a moveable sleeve having openings, and
a housing situated about the moveable sleeve and having flow
passages. The step of ensuring that the valve is in an open
position may be performed prior to the step of flowing the
cement.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a side view of a valve in a run in hole position,
in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a side view of valve of FIG. 1 after
actuation.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a side view of the valve of FIG. 1 during fluid
circulation.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a side view of the valve of FIG. 1 after fluid
circulation.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a side view of a workstring associated with the
valve of FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of a valve,
in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Referring generally to the FIGs., valve 100 may be used in
reverse cementing applications, allowing returns to be brought in
through workstring 122 (shown in FIG. 2) and back to the surface.
Valve 100 may allow for larger flow areas than conventional flapper
style valves. Additionally, valve 100 may be at least partially
constructed of easily drillable materials, such as, but not limited
to composite and/or plastic. For example, materials for valve 100
may be similar to those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,390,737, which
is hereby incorporated by reference.
[0017] During reverse cementing, a check valve may be placed at the
bottom or other desired location of casing string 102 to regulate
the return flow from annulus 104 of well bore 106. Valve 100 may
allow for higher back pressure and/or temperature ratings. Further,
valve 100 may provide positive indication of displacement. Valve
100 may be used as a collar. Alternatively, valve 100 may be used
as a shoe, leaving less cement to drill out.
[0018] Valve system may include valve 100 and sleeve shifter 110
(shown in FIG. 2). Valve 100 may include one or more moveable
sleeves 108 situated within housing 118. Sleeve 108 may be moved
via sleeve shifter 110 (shown in FIG. 2), which may actuate valve
100 by opening one or more flow passages 112. Moveable sleeve 108
may have one or more openings 114, which may align with one or more
flow passages 112 in housing 118. Openings 114 and flow passages
112 may be holes, slots, or any other type of opening allowing the
passage of fluid therethrough. Openings 114 and flow passages 112
may be radial to moveable sleeve 108 and casing string 102, or they
may tilt, depending on the specific application. Additionally, the
shape and/or orientation of openings 114 may differ from the shape
and/or orientation of flow passages 112. Likewise, the movement of
sleeve 108 may be rotational movement, longitudinal movement, or
any other movement that would cause openings 114 and flow passages
112 to move into or out of alignment.
[0019] Moveable sleeve 108 may be made of drillable materials, such
as composites, phenolics, metallics, ceramics, or plastics. Sleeve
shifter 110 may be a ball, a plug with a nose, a stinger on a
workstring 122, or any of a number of other devices for causing
moveable sleeve 108 to move into and/or out of a position where
openings 114 align with flow passages 112.
[0020] Collet fingers 116 may be pinned or otherwise attached to
moveable sleeve 108, such that sleeve shifter 110 may engage with
and actuate valve 100. Collet fingers 116 may be constructed of any
material capable of flexing outward to allow sleeve shifter 110 to
engage. For example, collet fingers 116 may be constructed of
metallics, composites, phenolics, or plastics.
[0021] Housing 118 may include mandrel 124 cemented (via cement
126) into casing string 102, or cemented into a case attached to
casing string 102. Alternatively, housing 118 may include only
casing string 102, such that flow passages 112 extend through
casing string 102 into annulus 104 (as shown in FIG. 6).
[0022] Referring now to FIG. 1, valve 100 may be run in hole in an
open position. Openings 114 may initially be aligned with flow
passages 112 and valve 100 may be pinned or otherwise held in a
closed position, allowing any fluid present in well bore 106 to
flow therethrough as indicated by the arrows. Running valve 100 in
an open position may provide surge reduction capabilities by
limiting the pressure applied to the formation while running in
hole.
[0023] Referring now to FIG. 2, valve 100 may be actuated by sleeve
shifter 110. After sleeve shifter 110 engages collet fingers 116,
moveable sleeve 108 may be pulled upward, moving flow passages 112
and openings 114 out of alignment and preventing further flow
therethrough, thus deactivating valve 100, such that valve 100 is
in a closed position. Sleeve shifter 110 may be connected to
workstring 122, such that reciprocation of tool string 122 may
close and reopen valve 100 as circumstances dictate. Thus, valve
100 may be opened and closed multiple times, yet still allow for
autofill. Autofill refers to allowing flow through the inner
diameter while running in hole.
[0024] Once valve 100 is properly positioned, the user may ensure
that valve 100 is in an open position. If it is not already in an
open position, it may be moved into an open position via sleeve
shifter 110. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, this may involve
moving sleeve shifter 110 downward, such that moveable sleeve 108
also moves downward and flow passages 112 and openings 114 are at
least partially aligned.
[0025] Referring now to FIG. 3, in a reverse cementing operation,
fluid may flow down through annulus 104, through open valve 100 and
up through workstring 122, providing a positive indication of the
fluid at moveable sleeve 108. After fluid has filled annulus 104,
valve 100 may be closed and workstring 122 removed, as shown in
FIG. 4. As workstring 122 is removed, collet fingers 116 may
disengage with sleeve shifter 110 without breaking, such that
sleeve shifter 110 may used to actuate valve 100 again, even after
workstring 122 is initially removed.
[0026] Additionally, sleeve shifter 110 may be configured to
eliminate the need to pull wet workstrings. This may be achieved by
placing a rupture disk above a check valve at the bottom of sleeve
shifter 110. When pulling out of hole, workstring 122 may be
pressured up until the rupture disk bursts, allowing fluid within
workstring 122 to be released and pumped out. A foam ball or dart
128 may be used to clean workstring 122, as illustrated in FIG.
5.
[0027] While valve 100 is shown as being run in an open position,
and later closed with sleeve shifter 110, valve 100 may
alternatively be run in a closed position and later opened. Valve
100 may be used for reverse cementing, and various other operations
where conventional valves, such as flapper valves, are not
feasible. For example, valve 100 may be particularly useful in
smaller casing or tubing sizes, down to 41/2'' or even 27/8''.
Valve 100 may also be used in conventional cementing if reverse
cementing becomes impractical. In conventional cementing, sleeve
shifter 110 may be a ball or plug.
[0028] Valve 100 may alternatively be used in a squeeze job after
either conventional cementing or reverse cementing. Thus, valve 100
may replace traditional inner string float equipment. Sleeve
shifter 110 may re-engage collet fingers 116, allowing valve 100 to
be re-actuated by workstring 122. In the squeeze job, additional
cement may be introduced in a manner similar to the cementing
described above.
[0029] Therefore, the present invention is well adapted to attain
the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those that are
inherent therein. The particular embodiments disclosed above are
illustrative only, as the present invention may be modified and
practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those
skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein.
Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of
construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the
claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular
illustrative embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified
and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit
of the present invention. Also, the terms in the claims have their
plain, ordinary meaning unless otherwise explicitly and clearly
defined by the patentee.
* * * * *