U.S. patent application number 12/969827 was filed with the patent office on 2011-08-25 for t-frac system run in system.
Invention is credited to Michael T. Sommers, Donald W. Tinker.
Application Number | 20110203851 12/969827 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44166567 |
Filed Date | 2011-08-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110203851 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tinker; Donald W. ; et
al. |
August 25, 2011 |
T-Frac System Run in System
Abstract
A central slant hub tool is provided which is capable of
receiving tubing or a tool such as a drill from the surface and
directing the tube or tool laterally outward using an exit line
slant surface or directing the tube or tool downward to an area
below the tool. In this way, the tool acts as a hub to communicate
with both lateral branches and lower zones of the main casing.
Fracture window tools may be installed in the lateral and lower
branches to selectively open the bores for drilling, testing and/or
production or may be sealed by a bridge plug or the like when not
in use.
Inventors: |
Tinker; Donald W.; (Rapid
City, MI) ; Sommers; Michael T.; (Broken Arrow,
OK) |
Family ID: |
44166567 |
Appl. No.: |
12/969827 |
Filed: |
December 16, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61286892 |
Dec 16, 2009 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
175/61 ;
175/78 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 7/061 20130101;
E21B 23/12 20200501 |
Class at
Publication: |
175/61 ;
175/78 |
International
Class: |
E21B 7/08 20060101
E21B007/08; E21B 7/04 20060101 E21B007/04 |
Claims
1. A down hole hub tool for directing down hole tools, comprising:
the hub tool comprising a substantially cylindrical body having an
axial bore extending between a top and bottom of said body, said
cylindrical body further having a lateral opening on an outer
circumference of the body located between the top and bottom of
said body, wherein said lateral opening is in communication with
said lateral bore; said hub tool having an inner surface within
said axial bore slanted 15 to 75 degrees from the axis of the hub
tool and being adjacent said lateral opening, said slanted surface
defining an axial opening within said face coaxial with said axial
bore, wherein said axial opening has a radius smaller than said the
radius of said axial bore but at least half of the diameter of the
axial bore.
2. A method of operating a downhole well having a vertical well
casing, comprising: providing a hub tool within said well casing,
said hub tool comprising a substantially cylindrical body having an
axial bore extending between a top and bottom of said body, said
cylindrical body further having a lateral opening on an outer
circumference of the body located between the top and bottom of
said body, wherein said lateral opening is in communication with
said lateral bore; providing said hub tool with an inner surface
within said axial bore slanted 15 to 75 degrees from the axis of
the hub tool adjacent said lateral opening, said slanted surface
defining an axial opening within said face coaxial with said axial
bore, wherein said axial opening has a radius smaller than said the
radius of said axial bore; providing a down hole tool having a
radius smaller than said the radius of said axial bore and larger
than the radius of said inner surface axial opening; lowering said
down hole tool through said hub tool along said slanted surface and
laterally outward through said later opening into the ground
laterally surrounding said well casing.
3. A method of operating a downhole well according to claim 2,
wherein said down hole tool is a drill.
4. A method of operating a downhole well according to claim 2,
further comprising: providing a packer tool above and below said
hub tool to selectively secure said hub tool within said well
casing or allowing the hub tool to move within said well
casing.
5. A method of operating a downhole well according to claim 2,
further comprising: lowering a first run in casing into said well
bore and through said inner surface axial opening of said hub tool
to communicate with an area of the ground below said well
casing.
6. A method of operating a downhole well according to claim 5,
further comprising: providing an upper reconnect tool connected to
said hub tool; said upper connect tool having a J slot tool for
selectively providing tension or compression to said hub tool as
said run in casing is lifted up or down; providing a castle lock
tool connected to said hub tool and having upper teeth and lower
teeth interlocked for selectively rotating said lateral opening in
a desired location or maintaining the later opening in a selected
orientation; lifting said first run in casing to cause a knob on
said casing to move said J tool into said tension position to
release the upper teeth from the lower teeth on said castle lock;
rotating the lateral opening to the desired orientation; setting
the run in casing down to interlock the upper and lower teeth of
the castle lock to maintain the lateral opening in the desired
location.
7. A method of operating a downhole well according to claim 6,
further comprising: using an OBHO tool to orient the lateral window
in a predetermined direction.
8. A method of operating a downhole well according to claim 5,
further comprising: running in a t-frac window system on the run in
casing through the hub tool axial opening to a location below the
hub tool.
9. A method of operating a downhole well according to claim 8,
further comprising: running in bridge plug tool to a location above
the t-frac window system to terminate fluid communication along the
well casing between the t-frac window system and the hub tool.
10. A method of operating a downhole well according to claim 5,
further comprising: removing the run in casing from the well
casing; inserting a second run in casing having a radius larger
than the axial opening to cause the second run in casing to move
along the slanted inner surface and out the later window;
installing a second t-frac window system in a later bore laterally
outward from the well casing.
11. A method of operating a downhole well according to claim 5,
further comprising: running in bridge plug tool to a location
upstream from the second t-frac window system to terminate fluid
communication between the second t-frac window system and the hub
tool.
12. A method of operating a downhole well according to claim 5,
further comprising removing the second run in casing from the well
casing.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application 61/286,892, filed Dec. 16, 2009, T-Frac System Run in
System, which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0002] At least one aspect of the present application relates to a
system and method for running in and utilizing a selectively
openable window in a down hole well having side extending
("lateral") branches.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] The present application relates to a method of testing zones
in a well and a system therefor.
[0005] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0006] Oil and natural gas wells are drilled deep into the earth. A
central bore ("main drill hole") is made with into the earth and
stabilized with a steel pipe ("casing") inserted into the hole to
maintain the integrity of the bored hole and to separate various
zones of the well found at different depths in the well. Different
production zones may be operated on by drilling out sideways
through openings ("windows") created in or existing in the casing
at various depths to communicate with these zones. Over time, these
zones may be tapped out, may collapse or may continue to be
productive. Because of the depths involved and the inaccessibility
of these production zones to workers, it may be difficult to
ascertain the condition of various zones. Additionally, it may be
very expensive to lower hundreds or thousands of feet of a drill
string (i.e., down hole work tools) into a well to check on a
particular zone, remove all of the tools and reinsert to check a
different zone. Therefore, there exists a need to be able to test
various fracture zones and operate on various lateral wells without
having to raise and lower all of the equipment. The present
invention describes in at least one embodiment, a method of using a
slant hub tool that performs several functions including directing
equipment to lateral openings and directing drilling equipment.
[0007] None of the prior inventions and patents to date, taken
either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant
invention as claimed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Accordingly, it is a principal object of a preferred
embodiment of the invention to provide a hub tool that can be
raised or lowered to address various fracture zones.
[0009] It is another object of the invention to provide hub test
tool that allows equipment to selectively be lowered through the
hub tool or sent laterally outward.
[0010] It is a further object of the invention to provide a system
of packers and hub tools that allows a number of zones to
selectively be operated upon or closed in favor of another
zone.
[0011] Still another object of the invention is to provide a hub
test tool that can be locked into proper orientation to direct
drilling equipment to the proper direction.
[0012] It is an object of the invention to provide improved
elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes
described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in
accomplishing its intended purposes.
[0013] These and other objects of the present invention will be
readily apparent upon review of the following detailed description
of the invention and the accompanying drawings. These objects of
the present invention are not exhaustive and are not to be
construed as limiting the scope of the claimed invention. Further,
it must be understood that no one embodiment of the present
invention need include all of the aforementioned objects of the
present invention. Rather, a given embodiment may include one or
none of the aforementioned objects. Accordingly, these objects are
not to be used to limit the scope of the claims of the present
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a hub tool
according to the present invention
[0015] FIG. 2A is diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a reconnect
tool for the hub tool.
[0016] FIG. 2B is a diagrammatic view of a re-entry tool for use
with the hub tool.
[0017] FIG. 2C is a diagrammatic view of the slant line of the hub
tool.
[0018] FIG. 2D is a diagrammatic top and side views of the slant
line of the hub tool.
[0019] FIG. 2E is a diagrammatic front view of the hub tool slant
line.
[0020] FIG. 3 shows the t-frac system being run in on a casing.
[0021] FIG. 4 shows the t-frac system packers set and a retrievable
bridge plug in place.
[0022] FIG. 5A shows the t-frac system being released.
[0023] FIG. 5B shows a J tool for use with the reconnect tool.
[0024] FIG. 6A shows a UBHO tool being run in to line up the window
of the hub tool slant is line.
[0025] FIG. 6B shows the J tool in the tension position.
[0026] FIG. 7 shows the tool being detached from the running tool
and lowered to the lower packer.
[0027] FIG. 8 shows the tool being raised to the upper packer.
[0028] FIG. 9 shows the upper sub being released from the tool.
[0029] FIG. 10 shows the top sub being released from the tool.
[0030] FIG. 11 shows the system ready for drilling.
[0031] FIG. 12 shows drilling equipment directed through the hub
tool to a lateral zone.
[0032] FIG. 13 shows a lateral bore being drilled.
[0033] FIG. 14 shows a second t-frac system being set in the
lateral bore.
[0034] FIG. 15 shows the lower bridge plug being removed.
[0035] FIG. 16 shows the lower t-frac system ready for production
or working.
[0036] FIG. 17 shows a bridge plug being reintroduced to the lower
t-frac system.
[0037] FIG. 18 shows the casing being removed from the lower
t-frac.
[0038] FIG. 19 shows casing being run in to work the later
zone.
[0039] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0040] At least one aspect of the present invention is to a method
and apparatus for drilling and completing a down hole well having
lateral branches.
[0041] Natural gas deposits are commonly exploited by separating a
well into separate zones and using packers between the zones so
that a particular zone may be individually worked. It is also often
necessary or desirable as part of the zone treatment of the wells
to drill laterally outward from a main vertical casing to enhance
or cause a zone to communicate with the vertical casing.
[0042] FIG. 1 shows a central slant hub tool 110, which is capable
of receiving tubing or a tool such as a drill from the surface and
directing the tube or tool laterally outward using an exit line
slant surface 112 or directing the tube or tool downward to an area
below the tool. In this way, the tool acts as a hub to communicate
with both lateral branches and lower zones of the main casing. The
slant hub tool also has a number of connectors and is shear pins
that will be explained further hereunder.
[0043] In practice, the slant hub tool may be connected to a zone
test window system 113, which is further detailed in co-pending
U.S. provisional application 61/257,878, filed Nov. 4, 2009, which
is incorporated herein by reference. The combined slant hub tool
and test window system according to a preferred embodiment of the
invention is connected to a run in tool, such as a 41/2 inch casing
114 (FIG. 3). The casing 114 may be attached with a safety break or
other device for separating the components as necessary. Once the
depth of the slant hub tool has reached the desired depth, packers
116, 118 on the slant hub tool may be expanded to lock the slant
hub tool 110 in place, but are preferably left uninflated for the
reasons discussed below. One or more centralizing tools 120 may be
provided having a slightly larger diameter than the uninflated
packer to prevent the packer from chafing on the casing of the well
as the tool is lowered and maintained in place.
[0044] It should be noted that the casing 114 is shown in front of
the slant hub tool in the drawings to show the details of the
casing and connected components, but in actuality is received
within the slant hub tool. The outer diameter of the casing 114 is
small enough that the casing will pass through the exit slant tool
112 via opening 122 (FIG. 1) in the slant tool, allowing the casing
to by-pass the lateral window 123 and pass through the exit slant
tool 112 to the lower end of the slant hub tool 110. Preferably the
slanted face is between 15 and 75 degrees to the axis of the slant
tool to allow the casing to smooth transition from the bore to the
lateral direction, but may be more or less than this amount
depending on the length of the transition and diameter of the
tools. At a lower surface of the casing are threads 124 that mate
with the threads 126 on a re-entry tool near the bottom of the
slant hub tool. The re-entry tool may have a bevel or neck 125 for
aiding in guiding the casing threads into proper alignment with the
re-entry tool threads. The casing includes an extended length of
tubing or casing at an upper end so that the slant hub tool may be
lowered in a well outer casing 127 to the desired depth and locked
in place.
[0045] Once the slant hub tool is in place, the zone test window
system ("window system") packers 130 may be set to lock the window
system in place (FIG. 4). A bridge plug 132 may be installed ("run
in") with an appropriate tool in the window system tubing to
prevent communication of fluid between the slant hub tool 110 and
the window system 113 or vice versa. In this way the zone below the
slant hub tool is secured by the packers and the bridge plug to
isolate the slant hub tool.
[0046] The run in casing 114 may then be released from the slant
hub tool 110 by releasing threads 124 on the run in casing 114 from
the threads 126 on the slant hub tool 110. The run in casing is,
however, not free to lift completely from the slant hub tool, but
instead has a orientation knob 130 which will run up to a J tool
131 (see FIG. 5B) inside the re-connect tool 133 to properly orient
the slant hub tool relative to the run in casing 122. This will
also lock the tools together so that tension or compressive forces
on the run in casing will be transferred onto the slant hub tool
through the J tool to complete various operations as will be
explained further hereinunder. More importantly though, the slant
hub tool must be properly oriented so that the window 123 of the
tool is facing in the direction that drilling is to be
performed.
[0047] A lower edge of the slant hub tool has a spline ("castle
lock"), between the lower portion of the slant hub tool and the
lateral window exit tool. This allows for reorientation of the
window without having to move all portions of the tool, which
prevents the unintentional release of the threaded tools when
orienting the window. By running the run in casing knob to the
tension position (FIG. 6B), lifting on the run in casing will apply
tension to the slant hub tool. The casing will be allowed to lift
in the tension channel 139 of the J tool without also lifting the
slant hub tool. Applying a large tension such as 5000 lbs will
shear pins locking the spline tool in place. By disengaging teeth
of the spline tool through this lifting, the slant hub tool can be
rotated to orient the window 123 in the proper direction. A swivel
guide 135 with its flange 137 prevents the tool from being raised
too far and separating the parts of the slant hub tool, while
allowing free rotation of the tool. The compression channel 141
allows compressive forces on the casing to press the spline tool
back in place.
[0048] If necessary, a tool such as a Universal Bore Hole
Orientation ("UBHO") sub 134 (FIG. 6) can be used to aid in
orientation. A UBHO sub, such as that described in U.S. Pat. No.
3,633,280, issued Jan. 11, 1972, which is incorporated herein by
reference, can be used to determine the actual orientation of the
opening 123 and to orient the window as needed.
[0049] Once the orientation of the window has been set, the tension
can be released from the slant hub tool to lock the spline back in
place and fix the orientation of the window 123 in the desired
direction. In this way, the window system below the slant hub tool
is unaffected during the reorientation of the slant hub tool.
[0050] With the window oriented in the proper direction, the slant
hub tool can now be set in place through its packers 116,118 (FIGS.
7-8). While there are a number of methods that can be used to set a
packer, the packers 116,118 are preferably set by detaching the run
in casing and straddling the lower packer to pressurize the packer,
for example at 2000 psi, and then repeating the process on the
upper packer. Cup type packers 144 can be directed above and below
the packer to be inflated to generate the required pressure. A ball
146 dropped into the casing may be used to help set the cup packers
and to direct fluid to the packers through a lateral opening 148
instead of passing straight through the casing. At this point, the
slant hub tool 110 and associated window 123 will be locked in
place. The flow may be reversed through the casing at this point to
retrieve the packer setting ball in the casing so that fluid will
again flow through the casing unobstructed again.
[0051] With the slant hub tool locked in place, a bridge plug 132
(FIG. 8) can be tripped in, for example, by wireline and set in
place to protect the area below the window during drilling and
production. This bridge plug may be in addition to or in place of a
previous bridge plug 132.
[0052] The run in casing may now be removed. A right hand rotation
will unthread releasing tool 150 (FIGS. 9 and 10) from the slant
hub tool 110. The run in casing and releasing tool can thus be
tripped out of the hole along with any other setting equipment. The
system is now ready for drilling (FIG. 11).
[0053] As shown in FIG. 12, lateral drilling equipment 154 may be
introduced into the casing to drill an upper lateral well. Because
the drilling equipment (or a collar therefor) 155 is larger than
the pass through opening 122, the equipment will be directed along
the lateral slanted face of exit slant 112 through window 123. The
drilling equipment can thus be directed outwardly to drill a
lateral wellbore in the desired area 157 adjacent window 123 (FIG.
13).
[0054] Once the wellbore is drilled to a sufficient length, a
second t-frac ("window") system 158 (FIG. 14) can be run into the
new lateral wellbore on a run in casing and packed off. A wireline
bridge plug 132 (FIG. 15) can be installed in the opening to the
new window system 158 to protect the window system during
production or further drilling prior to removing the run in casing.
In this way multiple zones can be made ready for access, testing or
production.
[0055] As shown in Stage 15, the run in casing used to run in the
new window system 158 can be removed (e.g., unthreaded or
disconnected) from connection with the new window system raised and
then lowered into connection with the lower re-entry guide. Because
the run in casing 114 is not attached to the new window system 158
as it is lowered through the slant hub tool 110, it will have an
outer diameter smaller than the pass through opening 122 and can
pass through the slant hub tool into connection with the re-entry
tool. Threads 124 of the casing 114 can then re-thread to the
re-entry tool threads 126. (See FIG. 5A)
[0056] The retrievable bridge plug 132 (FIG. 15) can now be pulled.
(FIG. 15) to communicate with the lower window tool 130. The lower
window system is now ready for production, testing or other
operation such as fracturing ("frac"), the processing of forcing
specially blended fluids or other materials into a hole to increase
the size ("crack open") of fractures in a wellbore to enhance
potential flow rates through the resulting passages. The use of
strategically placed bridge plugs ensures that the fluids are
directed only to the intended areas during this fracturing. Since
the casing is connected ("threaded") to the re-entry tool, it may
not be necessary to plug lateral bores above the re-entry tool,
since the threads between the casing and the re-entry tool will act
to prevent fluid from flowing to higher zones.
[0057] As shown in FIGS. 17 & 18, when fracturing is completed
on the lower zone, the lower zone may be bridge plugged, and the
casing may be disconnected ("unthreaded") from the re-entry tool
and raised until connected to the reconnect tool 133. With the
lower window system plugged and the casing above the lateral bore,
the lateral bore can now be fractured. Any bridge plug in the upper
lateral should be removed prior to fracturing.
[0058] Once the upper lateral has been fractured, coil tubing
(i.e., a length of spooled piping) can be used with a retrieval
tool to retrieve the bridge plug on the lower window tool. At this
point, with the bridge plug and retrieval tool tripped out of the
well, the well is ready for production and has multiple zones for
possible re-entry. The use of multiple windows could also be used
to increase the number of production zones, with the sizing of the
pass-through ports used to determine the routing of drills and
other tools through the system to address the desired area.
[0059] While this invention has been described as having a
preferred design, it is understood that it is capable of further
modifications, uses and/or adaptations of the invention following
in general the principle of the invention and including such
departures from the present disclosure as come within the known or
customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains and
as maybe applied to the central features hereinbefore set forth,
and fall within the scope of the invention and the limits of the
appended claims. It is therefore to be understood that the present
invention is not limited to the sole embodiment described above,
but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the
following claims.
* * * * *