U.S. patent application number 12/236231 was filed with the patent office on 2009-11-19 for downhole tubular length compensating system and method.
This patent application is currently assigned to BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED. Invention is credited to Rene Langeslag.
Application Number | 20090283256 12/236231 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41315033 |
Filed Date | 2009-11-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090283256 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Langeslag; Rene |
November 19, 2009 |
DOWNHOLE TUBULAR LENGTH COMPENSATING SYSTEM AND METHOD
Abstract
Disclosed herein is a downhole tubular length compensating
system. The system includes, a tubular having a plurality of length
adjustable sections, and spacings between adjacent length
adjustable sections are set to overcome frictional forces
anticipated along the tubular.
Inventors: |
Langeslag; Rene; (Calgary,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CANTOR COLBURN, LLP
20 Church Street, 22nd Floor
Hartford
CT
06103
US
|
Assignee: |
BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
Houston
TX
|
Family ID: |
41315033 |
Appl. No.: |
12/236231 |
Filed: |
September 23, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12136377 |
Jun 10, 2008 |
|
|
|
12236231 |
|
|
|
|
61052919 |
May 13, 2008 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
166/242.7 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 17/07 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
166/242.7 |
International
Class: |
E21B 23/00 20060101
E21B023/00; E21B 17/02 20060101 E21B017/02 |
Claims
1. A downhole tubular length compensating system, comprising a
tubular having a plurality of length adjustable sections, and
spacings between adjacent length adjustable sections being set to
overcome frictional forces anticipated along the tubular.
2. The downhole tubular length compensating system of claim 1,
wherein the plurality of length adjustable sections is adjustable
in response to longitudinal forces applied thereto.
3. The downhole tubular length compensating system of claim 2,
wherein the plurality of length adjustable sections are adjusted by
shortening thereof.
4. The downhole tubular length compensating system of claim 1,
further comprising a force failing member in operable communication
with the plurality of length adjustable sections.
5. The downhole tubular length compensating system of claim 4,
wherein the force failing member is one of a shear joint and a lock
ring.
6. The downhole tubular length compensating system of claim 1,
further comprising: a first portion of the tubular being on a first
side of each length adjustable portion; and a second portion of the
tubular on a second side of each length adjustable portion being
movable relative to each length adjustable portion.
7. The downhole tubular length compensating system of claim 6,
wherein the first portion is fixedly attached to a pipe and the
second portion is slidably engaged with the pipe.
8. The downhole tubular length compensating system of claim 7,
wherein the first portion is fixedly attached to the pipe by one of
threadable engagement and welding.
9. The downhole tubular length compensating system of claim 7,
further comprising a seal slidably engaged between the second
portion and the pipe.
10. The downhole tubular length compensating system of claim 1,
wherein at least one of the plurality of length adjustable sections
include a deformable member.
11. The downhole tubular length compensating system of claim 10,
wherein the deformable member is metal.
12. The downhole tubular length compensating system of claim 10,
wherein deformation of the deformable member is reversible.
13. The downhole tubular length compensating system of claim 1,
wherein the plurality of length adjustable sections are configured
to maintain a seal across a wall of the tubular during length
adjustments without a sliding seal.
14. The downhole tubular length compensating system of claim 1,
wherein a length adjustability of the plurality of length
adjustable sections is reversible.
15. The downhole tubular length compensating system of claim 1,
wherein a length adjustability of the plurality of length
adjustable sections is in response to expansion and contraction of
the tubular due to temperature changes therein.
16. The downhole tubular length compensating system of claim 1,
wherein a length adjustability of the plurality of length
adjustable sections is selected based on parameters of the tubular
between the adjacent length adjustable sections.
17. The downhole tubular length compensating system of claim 16,
wherein the parameters include at least one of material and
coefficient of thermal expansion of the tubular.
18. The downhole tubular length compensating system of claim 16,
wherein the wherein adjustment of each of the plurality of length
adjustable sections includes plastic deformation thereof.
19. A method of locally relieving longitudinal stress in a downhole
tubular, comprising length adjusting a plurality of length
adjustable sections of a downhole tubular in response to expansion
and contraction of the downhole tubular between adjacent length
adjustable sections.
20. A downhole tubular length change compensating system,
comprising a tubular having at least one length adjustable section
between adjacent joints, adjustability of the length adjustable
sections being set to accommodate expansion and contraction of the
tubular between adjacent length adjustable sections.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/052,919, filed on May 13, 2008, the entire
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. This
application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 12/136,377, filed on Jun. 10, 2008, the entire contents of
which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In horizontal and highly deviated wells friction between a
tubular and the walls of the well can be quite large due to
factors, such as, the weight of the tubular, and fluid contained
therein, and collapse of the formation against the tubular, for
example. The longer a length of tubular encountering such
conditions the greater the frictional forces become. In fact,
frictional forces over a length of tubular can be high enough to
result in damage to the tubular in response to forces urging the
tubular to move longitudinally. Motive forces of such magnitude can
be generated by longitudinal expansion and contraction of the
tubular as temperatures of the tubular change. Systems to allow
nondestructive longitudinal movement of tubulars under such
conditions would be well received by the industry.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0003] Disclosed herein is a downhole tubular length compensating
system. The system includes, a tubular having a plurality of length
adjustable sections, and spacings between adjacent length
adjustable sections are set to overcome frictional forces
anticipated along the tubular.
[0004] Further disclosed herein is a method of locally relieving
longitudinal stress in a downhole tubular. The method includes,
length adjusting a plurality of length adjustable sections of a
downhole tubular in response to expansion and contraction of the
downhole tubular between adjacent length adjustable sections.
[0005] Further disclosed herein is a downhole tubular length change
compensating system. The system includes, a tubular having at least
one length adjustable section between adjacent joints, and
adjustability of the length adjustable sections is set to
accommodate expansion and contraction of the tubular between
adjacent length adjustable sections.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The following descriptions should not be considered limiting
in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like
elements are numbered alike:
[0007] FIG. 1 depicts a quarter cross sectional view of a tubular
length compensating system disclosed herein;
[0008] FIG. 2 depicts a quarter cross sectional view of an
alternate tubular length compensating system disclosed herein shown
without an adjustment to the length thereof;
[0009] FIG. 3 depicts a quarter cross sectional view of the tubular
length compensating system of FIG. 2 shown with a length adjustment
to a length thereof; and
[0010] FIG. 4 depicts a quarter cross sectional view of an
alternate embodiment of a tubular length compensating system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the
disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of
exemplification and not limitation with reference to the
Figures.
[0012] Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the tubular length
compensating system 10 is illustrated. The compensating system 10
includes, a tubular 14 having a plurality of length adjustable
sections 18 (one being shown). One length adjustable section 18
illustrated in this embodiment includes a deformable portion 22
illustrated here as a convoluted portion, made of metal, having a
series of alternating sections with reduced perimeters 26 and
expanded perimeters 30. The deformable portion 22 can alternately
consist of deformable formations such as those disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 6,896,049 to Moyes, for example, the contents of which are
incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. The convoluted
portion 22 can be longitudinally compressible, longitudinally
expandable, or both in response to loads applied thereto. The loads
needed to compress or expand the convoluted portion 22 being less
than the loads needed to compress, expand or damage other portions
of the tubular 14. The ability of the convoluted portion 22 to
longitudinally compress and expand provides length adjustability to
the tubular 14. The design of the convoluted portion 22, in this
embodiment, allows for such compression and expansion to take place
within elastic limits of the material from which the convoluted
portion 22 is fabricated, with metal being disclosed herein as the
material of choice for the convoluted portion 22 while alternate
materials such as polymers and elastomers are contemplated as also
being usable. By maintaining deformation of the convoluted portion
22 within the elastic limits of the material the deformation and
thus the compression and expansion are reversible an indefinite
number of cycles.
[0013] In addition to the reversibility of the length
adjustability, the convoluted portion 22 also allows compression
and expansion to take place while maintaining a fluidic seal
between the inside and the outside of the tubular 14. This seal is
maintained without a sliding seal which may be beneficial since
sliding seal integrity can be questionable downhole due to high
temperatures, high pressures, contamination and caustic fluids
typically encountered in downhole environments.
[0014] An amount of length adjustability provided by the convoluted
portion 22 can be controlled in different ways with one such way
being disclosed in this embodiment. A pipe 34 is fixedly attached
to a first portion 38 of the tubular 14 by a weld 42 while
alternate methods of attachment, such as, by threadable engagement,
for example, may be employed. A second portion 46 of the tubular
14, on an opposing side of the length adjustable section 18 than
the first portion 38, is slidably engaged with the pipe 34. A pair
of standoffs 50, 54 protruding radially inwardly from the pipe 34
straddle a standoff 58 protruding radially outwardly from the
second portion 46. The relative positioning of the standoffs 50,
54, 58 define the range of compression and expansion that the
length adjustable section 18 is allowed to undergo. During
compression and expansion the second portion 46 moves relative to
the pipe 34 thereby causing the standoff 58 to move in relation to
the standoffs 50, 54. Under compression the standoff 58 moves
toward the standoff 50 until contact is made therebetween, limiting
the compressive length of adjustment. Similarly, under expansion
the standoff 58 moves toward the standoff 54 until contact is made
therebetween, limiting the expansive length of adjustment. With the
foregoing, a tool designer can set a total amount of travel allowed
by a length adjustable section 18 through the spacing of the
standoffs 50 and 54. To control how much of the total travel is
compressive versus expansive the designer sets an initial position
of the standoff 58 relative to the standoffs 50, 54.
[0015] A release member 62, ring engaged between the second portion
46 and the pipe 34, sets the initial position of the standoff 58
relative to the standoffs 50 and 54, in this embodiment. The
release member 62 locks the second portion 46 in a position
relative to the pipe 34 until a threshold load is achieved at which
the release member 62 fails thereby allowing the load to be applied
to the length adjustable section 18 directly. The release member 62
prevents inadvertent length adjustments from occurring, such as
during running of the tubular into or out of a wellbore, for
example.
[0016] As discussed above, high frictional forces between the
tubular 14 and walls 66 of a wellbore 70 can make moving the
tubular 14 within the wellbore 70 very difficult. This condition is
exacerbated in horizontal or highly deviated wells. The longer the
section of the tubular 14 within the wellbore 70 the greater the
frictional forces therebetween. Embodiments disclosed herein
position a plurality of the length adjustable sections 18 along the
tubular 14 to prevent a build up of potentially damaging
longitudinally compressive or longitudinally tensive forces due to
expansion or contraction of the tubular 14 due to temperature
changes therein. Embodiments can include at least one length
adjustable section 18 between any two joints of tubing. Spacing
between adjacent length adjustable sections 18 can be established
based upon anticipated frictional forces along the tubular 14. For
example, a designer can determine longitudinal loads (both
compressive and expansive) that if applied to the tubular 14 would
cause damage thereto. The designer can also estimate a length of
the tubular 14 under specific, anticipated, downhole conditions
that may generate these destructive longitudinal loads based on
parameters of the tubular 14 including, for example, material and
coefficient of thermal expansion. With such information, the
designer can space adjacent length adjustable sections 18 at
distances apart so that the tubular 14 is able to overcome the
frictional force (and the forces needed release the release member
62 and to adjust a length of the length adjustable sections 18),
and thereby slide relative to the walls 66, without resulting in
damage to the tubular 14. Additionally, the designer can set an
adjustable length of the length adjustable sections 18 to assure
that the anticipated change in length of the tubulars 14 (due to
thermal expansion and contraction of the tubular, for example),
between adjacent length adjustable sections 18, can be fully
accommodated thereby. In summary, by positioning a plurality of the
length adjustable sections 18 along a length of the tubular 14,
embodiments disclosed herein permit localized compressive and
tensive loads in the tubular 14 to be relieved locally by a
shortening or lengthening of a plurality of the length adjustable
sections 18 of the tubular 14.
[0017] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, an alternate embodiment of a
length compensating system 110 disclosed herein is illustrated. A
primary difference between the two systems 10 and 110 is that the
length adjustable section 18 of system 10 has been replaced with a
length adjustable section 118 in system 110. The length adjustable
section 118 includes a release joint 116, such as, a shear joint,
for example, having a shear plane 120. The shear plane 120 is
shearable at a selected level of compressive or tensive load. Upon
shearing of the shear plane 120 a first part 124 of the shear joint
116 is movable relative to a second part 128 of the shear joint
116. During compressive movement the parts 124 and 128 overlap,
similar to a lap joint arrangement, and may form a seal
therebetween. During expansive movement the parts 124 and 128 move
away from one another. An optional seal 132, shown herein as an
o-ring, may form a slidable seal between the second portion 46 and
the pipe 34 to maintain a seal across the system 110 during
longitudinal adjustment thereof.
[0018] Referring to FIG. 4, an embodiment of an alternate length
compensating system 210 disclosed herein is illustrated. The system
210 includes, a coupler 214 having a length adjustable section 218
positioned between two tubulars 222, 226. The length adjustable
section 218 has a deformable portion 222 constructed herein as a
reduced wall section. Axial loads applied to the deformable portion
222, from the tubulars 224, 226, can cause the deformable portion
222 to plastically deform by buckling, in the case of compressive
loading, and through elongation or rupture, in the case of tensive
loading. A sleeve 230 and a lock nut 234 are engaged with the two
tubulars 224, 226 to provide structural stability across the length
adjustable section 218 during length adjustment when the strength
of the coupler 214 is compromised upon plastic deformation thereof.
At least one of the sleeve 230 and lock nut 234 are slidably
engaged with at least one of the tubulars 224, 226 to permit the
length adjustment thereacross without appreciably adding to a load
required to cause the readjustment in length.
[0019] The slidable engagement between the sleeve 230, or the lock
nut 234, and the tubulars 224, 226, may be packed with steel fiber
238, or wire mesh, in a case where leakage therebetween is allowed
as long as it is filtered such as in a sand screen application, as
illustrated in herein. For applications requiring a fluidic seal,
o-rings (not shown), or other slidably sealing members may be
employed between the sleeve 230 or lock nut 234 and the tubulars
224, 226.
[0020] While the invention has been described with reference to an
exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those
skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents
may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the
scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made
to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the
invention without departing from the essential scope thereof.
Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the
particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for
carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include
all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims. Also, in
the drawings and the description, there have been disclosed
exemplary embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms
may have been employed, they are unless otherwise stated used in a
generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of
limitation, the scope of the invention therefore not being so
limited. Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc. do not
denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second,
etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. Furthermore,
the use of the terms a, an, etc. do not denote a limitation of
quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the
referenced item.
* * * * *