U.S. patent application number 13/486780 was filed with the patent office on 2013-12-05 for multi-function surge reduction apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is Jerry Allamon, Javier E. Bolivar, Kevin O. Trahan. Invention is credited to Jerry Allamon, Javier E. Bolivar, Kevin O. Trahan.
Application Number | 20130319678 13/486780 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49668837 |
Filed Date | 2013-12-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130319678 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Allamon; Jerry ; et
al. |
December 5, 2013 |
Multi-function surge reduction apparatus
Abstract
A multi-function diverter tool is disclosed that allows
positive-indication opening and closing of the tool in a downhole
environment.
Inventors: |
Allamon; Jerry; (Montgomery,
TX) ; Trahan; Kevin O.; (The Woodlands, TX) ;
Bolivar; Javier E.; (Spring, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Allamon; Jerry
Trahan; Kevin O.
Bolivar; Javier E. |
Montgomery
The Woodlands
Spring |
TX
TX
TX |
US
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49668837 |
Appl. No.: |
13/486780 |
Filed: |
June 1, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
166/318 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 34/06 20130101;
E21B 34/14 20130101; E21B 21/103 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
166/318 |
International
Class: |
E21B 34/06 20060101
E21B034/06 |
Claims
1. A diverter tool for use in downhole operations, said tool
comprising, a tool body comprising an interior and an exterior, and
comprising ports capable of allowing fluid communication between
said interior and exterior of said tool body, a first sleeve
interior to said tool body, wherein said first sleeve is
selectively moveable between an initial closed position and an open
position, and wherein fluid communication between said interior and
exterior of said tool body is precluded in said closed position and
possible in said open position, a second sleeve interior to said
tool body, wherein said second sleeve is selectively moveable
between a first position, and a second position, and wherein fluid
communication between said interior and exterior of said tool body
is possible in said first position and precluded in said second
position, means for selectively moving said first sleeve from said
closed position to said open position, and means for selectively
moving said second sleeve from said first position to said second
position.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein said means for selectively moving
said first sleeve from said closed position to said open position
comprises a first yieldable seat connected to said first sleeve,
wherein said first yieldable seat can selectively retain a first
plugging device in sealing configuration with said first yieldable
seat.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein said means for selectively moving
said second sleeve from said first position to said second position
comprises a second yieldable seat connected to said second sleeve,
wherein said second yieldable seat can selectively retain a second
plugging device in sealing configuration with said second yieldable
seat.
4. The device of claim 3, additionally comprising a third yieldable
seat capable of selectively retaining said second plugging device
in sealing configuration with said third yieldable seat.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein said means for selectively moving
said first sleeve from said closed position to said open position
comprises a first shearable member.
6. The device of claim 5, wherein said means for selectively moving
said first sleeve from said closed position to said open position
comprises a plurality of shear screws.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein said means for selectively moving
said second sleeve from said first position to said second position
comprises a second shearable member.
8. The device of claim 7, wherein said means for selectively moving
said second sleeve from said first position to said second position
comprises a plurality of shear screws.
9. The device of claim 1, additionally comprising a selectively
releasable means for locking said second sleeve into position until
after said first sleeve has been moved from said closed position to
said open position.
10. The device of claim 6, additionally comprising a selectively
releasable means for locking said second sleeve into position until
after said first sleeve has been moved from said closed position to
said open position.
11. The device of claim 8, additionally comprising a selectively
releasable means for locking said second sleeve into position until
after said first sleeve has been moved from said closed position to
said open position.
12. The device of claim 9, wherein said selectively releasable
means for locking said second sleeve into position until after said
first sleeve has been moved from said open position to said closed
position comprises locking dogs, and wherein said locking dogs are
held in position by said first sleeve when said first sleeve is in
said closed position.
13. The device of claim 10, wherein said selectively releasable
means for locking said second sleeve into position until after said
first sleeve has been moved from said open position to said closed
position comprises locking dogs, and wherein said locking dogs are
held in position by said first sleeve when said first sleeve is in
said closed position.
14. The device of claim 11, wherein said selectively releasable
means for locking said second sleeve into position until after said
first sleeve has been moved from said open position to said closed
position comprises locking dogs, and wherein said locking dogs are
held in position by said first sleeve when said first sleeve is in
said closed position.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention pertains to multi-function (including openable
and closeable) surge reduction tools for use in down-hole
environments.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Casing is used in oil and gas well construction. In certain
applications a string of casing may be deployed using a work
string, for example, drill pipe, so that the casing string does not
extend all of the way back to the drilling rig. These scenarios can
include a liner and a sub-sea casing longstring.
[0003] A longstring is a string of casing whose upper end extends
up to the wellhead. So a longstring used on a sub-sea well is one
that does not extend up to the drilling rig once installed but
whose top resides in the sub-sea wellhead which sits on the sea
floor. A liner is a string of casing whose top end resides within
the length of a previously installed casing string. The top end of
a liner does not reside at surface or within a wellhead.
[0004] Both of these scenarios utilize drill pipe in order to
deploy the casing string. It is known in the industry that the
deployment a casing string may exert excessive pressure on an open
formation. The excessive pressure may overcome the strength of the
formation and thus cause the formation to break down and cause a
cement job. Surge reduction tools exists that when used in
conjunction with auto-fill float equipment allow the fluid that is
being displaced from the well bore to move up the inside of the
casing and deployment string, thus reducing the surge pressure.
Specifically, the surge reduction tools divert fluid flow from the
inside of the deployment string to the annular space above the
casing string. Once it is determined that casing string must be
washed down and or cemented then surge tool is closed so that the
fluid flow is no longer diverted to the annular space above the
casing. Reliable closing of the flow diversion is critical for
ensuring successful cementing operations.
[0005] With the onset of dual gradient drilling methods a need
exists which will require that a surge reduction tool begin in the
closed position until it is deployed below the sea floor, then be
allowed to open to allow fluid diversion from the inside to the
annulus, and then be closed again to allow wash down or cementing
operations.
[0006] It is possible that other applications may exist for this
type of tool. It is also possible that applications exist requiring
a tool to be opened and closed multiple times.
[0007] The present invention incorporates multiple shifting sleeves
controlled by pressure enabled by sealing balls or plugging devices
that land on seats and which shift the tool into an open or closed
position. The seats then allow the ball or plugging device to be
released through the tool. Proper sizing of the seats for balls or
other plugging devices allows selective opening and closing of the
tool, as well as allowing for a multi-stage tool that may be opened
and closed repeatedly.
[0008] Additionally, the invention may incorporate a test sub that
allows the work string to be pressure tested after the tool is
closed, providing a positive indication to the surface that
successful closure and sealing has occurred, and that further
operations may proceed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The invention provides a multiple-sleeve tool, in which each
sleeve is provided with a respective landing device, or seat, for a
plugging tool. (Plugging tools, such as darts or balls, are
typically dropped from the surface and either fall or are pumped
downhole.) As the tool is run downhole, it is in a closed position,
preventing fluid communication between its exterior and its
interior.
[0010] When the tool is in the desired position, it is opened by
sending a first plugging device downhole to engage a landing seat.
Because the tool provides multiple landing seats, the plugging
device will be sized to pass through any up hole landing seats it
may encounter until it reaches the desired one. Once the plugging
device is sealingly engaged with the desired landing seat, pressure
is used to release the sleeve associated with that landing seat,
such as by shearable pins, screws, or rings, or other such
pressure-releasable devices, thus shifting the sleeve downward.
[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the first such shifting action
shifts a first sleeve into position so that holes in the sleeve
body align with holes in the tool body, opening fluid communication
between the exterior and interior of the tool.
[0012] In a similar manner, when it is desirable to again close and
seal the tool, a second plugging device engages a second seat
associated with a second sleeve. Upon increasing the work string
fluid pressure, a second set of holding devices, such as shear
screws, releases and allows the second sleeve to shift downward,
closing off and sealing the fluid communication that was created by
the shift of the first sleeve.
[0013] As those of skill in the art will recognize, multiple
stages, each providing two such sleeves, can be "stacked" along a
work string, either together or with desired separations between
them, so that fluid diverter operations may be repeatedly opened
and closed without the need to withdraw the work string from the
wellbore.
[0014] Additionally, the invention provides for an optional test
device comprising a yieldable seat, which yieldable seat can be
sized to capture one or more of the plugging devices after they are
released from the second sleeve seat(s). This test device allows
the work string to be pressurized after the closing operation is
completed, to test and insure that the closure occurred properly
and that the device is sealed. After such testing, additional
pressure may be used to release the plugging device and resume
normal opeations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1A is a sectional view of one embodiment of a tool of
the present invention in the run-in position.
[0016] FIG. 1B is a sectional view of one embodiment of a tool of
the present invention in the open position.
[0017] FIG. 1C is a sectional view of one embodiment of a tool of
the present invention in the closed position.
[0018] FIG. 2A is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of
a tool of the present invention in the run-in position.
[0019] FIG. 2B is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of
a tool of the present invention in the open position.
[0020] FIG. 2C is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of
a tool of the present invention in the closed position.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the locking dogs of
FIG. 2 in greater detail.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a test device mountable below
a multi-function diverter tool of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] Referring to FIG. 1A, one embodiment of a tool of the
present invention is shown in the run-in position. Multi-function
diverter tool 10 comprises body 12, upper sub 14, lower sub 20,
ports 66, and internal assemblies as described below. Upper sub 14
comprises upper threaded attachment 16 for connection to a work
string, and upper body seal 18. Lower sub 20 comprises lower
threaded attachment 22 for connection to a work string, and lower
body seal 24.
[0024] Internal assemblies include upper slider assembly 26 and
lower slider assembly 44. Upper slider assembly 26 comprises upper
guide 28 connected to upper ball seat 30, and also connected to
upper slider 32 by upper slider connector 34. Lower slider assembly
44 comprises lower guide 46 connected to lower ball seat 48, and
also connected to lower slider 50 by lower slider connector 52. In
a preferred embodiment, upper ball seat 30 is a larger diameter
seat than lower ball seat 48.
[0025] In one embodiment of the invention, disassembly sleeve 62 is
positioned above lower sub 20 and a sealing relationship with tool
body 12 is provided by disassembly sleeve seals 64. Alternatively,
disassembly sleeve 62 may be omitted and tool body 12 may be formed
to provide the same shape as if disassembly sleeve 62 were in
place. However, the addition of disassembly sleeve 62 provides
greater ease in disassembly after recovery of the mult-function
diverter tool 10, because it allows the internal portions of the
tool 10 to slide out the bottom after removal of lower sub 20.
[0026] As seen in FIG. 1A, in the run-in position ports 66 are
sealed away from the inner bore 84 by the sealing relationship
provided by first upper slider seals 80, first lower slider seals
68, second lower slider seals 70, and disassembly sleeve seals 64.
Once the tool 10 is in the desired position downhole, it may be
opened to allow diversion of fluid from the inner bore 84 to the
exterior of the tool 10.
[0027] To open the tool 10 into the position shown in FIG. 1B a
first ball (not shown) is dropped from the surface, and falls or is
pumped downhole. The first ball is preferably of insufficient
diameter to engage the upper ball seat 30, but of sufficient
diameter to engage lower ball seat 48. Those of skill in the art
will recognize that the first ball may engage upper ball seat 30 if
it can be pumped through upper ball seat 30 at a pressure
insufficient to shear upper shear screws 36.
[0028] Once the first ball is engaged on lower ball seat 48,
pressure in the inner bore 84 is increased until lower shear screws
54 shear. Lower slider assembly 44 will then shift downward until
lower slider 50 lands on landing 61. Lower latch ring 56 rides in
lower latch ring groove 58 in lower slider 50. As lower slider 50
lands on landing 61, lower latch ring 56 reaches lower latch 60 and
expands outward, thus engaging both lower latch ring groove 58 and
lower latch 60. This action locks lower slider 50 relative to
disassembly sleeve 62 (or tool body 12), and prevents upward motion
of lower slider assembly 44.
[0029] In the open position, ports 66 are aligned with lower slider
windows 74. Once the first ball is pumped clear, the exterior of
tool 10 is in fluid communication with inner bore 84, and the sides
of the fluid pathway so provided are sealed by first upper slider
seals 80, second lower slider seals 70, third lower slider seals
72, and disassembly sleeve seals 64.
[0030] To close the tool 10, for example to allow wash down and
cementing operations, a second ball (not shown) is dropped from the
surface, and falls or is pumped downhole. The second ball is of
sufficient diameter to engage upper ball seat 30. Once the second
ball is in position on upper ball seat 30, fluid pressure is
increased to shear upper shear screws 36, allowing the upper slider
assembly to shift downward until it reaches the position shown in
FIG. 1C. Upper latch ring 38 rides in upper latch ring groove 40
until it reaches upper latch 42. At this point, upper latch ring 38
expands outward so that it engages both upper latch ring groove 40
and upper latch 42, preventing any upward shifting of upper slider
assembly 26.
[0031] As upper slider assembly 26 shifts downward, any fluid
trapped in outer annulus 78 is vented to the inner bore 84 via
vents 76, preventing hydraulic locking of the tool.
[0032] In the closed position, ports 66 are isolated from the inner
bore 84 by the sealing relationship between first upper slider
seals 80, second upper slider seals 82, and tool body 12.
[0033] As those of skill in the art will recognize, it is possible
to stack multiple stages of this invention by sizing upper and
lower ball seats in each stage so that the ball seat diameter
progressively increases going up the work string. In this way, the
opening and closing operations can be repeated, stage by stage, as
many times as desired or as space in the affected section of the
wellbore allows.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 2, an alternative embodiment of the
present invention is shown. Upper slider 32 is radially penetrated
by one or more locking dogs 86. Locking dogs 86 engages groove 88
in locking sleeve 90. In the run-in position (FIG. 2A), locking
dogs 86 are prevented from inward movement because their inner
surfaces engage lower slider 50. (A more detailed view of one
embodiment of the locking dogs 86 is seen in FIG. 3, in which
locking dogs 86 are shown extended through the body of upper slider
32.) The presence of locking dogs 86 serves to lock upper slider 32
in position, preventing any loading of upper shear screws 36 until
lower slider 50 has been shifted into the open position. (FIG. 2B).
With lower slider 50 in the open position, locking dogs 86 are free
to move inward, disengaging from locking sleeve 90 and allowing
loading of upper shear screws 36. Upper shear screws 36 may then be
sheared to move upper slider 32 and place the tool into the closed
position. (FIG. 2C).
[0035] Referring to FIG. 4, in an additional embodiment of the
invention, test sub 92 may be installed in the work string
somewhere below a multi-function diverter tool 10 of the present
invention. Yieldable ball seat 94 is sized to catch a ball (not
shown) released from upper ball seat 30, which was used to shift
the multi-function diverter tool 10 into the closed position. With
the ball so caught, the work string may be pressure-tested to
ensure that the ulti-function diverter tool 10 has properly closed
and is sealed. As those of skill in the art will recognize, when
multiple multi-function diverter tools 10 are present in the work
string, one or more test subs 92 may be used, depending on the
sizing of the yieldable ball seat 94 and the operational
requirements for the work string.
[0036] Those of skill in the art will recognize that the above
descriptions are by way of example only, and do not serve to limit
the scope of the invention as claimed below.
* * * * *