U.S. patent application number 14/128780 was filed with the patent office on 2014-08-14 for tool and method for locking and releasing a plug.
This patent application is currently assigned to ARCHER OIL TOOLS AS. The applicant listed for this patent is Tor Eivind Hansen, Krzysztof Klimas. Invention is credited to Tor Eivind Hansen, Krzysztof Klimas.
Application Number | 20140224478 14/128780 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46650833 |
Filed Date | 2014-08-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140224478 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hansen; Tor Eivind ; et
al. |
August 14, 2014 |
TOOL AND METHOD FOR LOCKING AND RELEASING A PLUG
Abstract
A tool for locking and releasing a plug in a hydrocarbon well
includes a sleeve having at least one pocket for receiving the
plug's pin element, and at least one locking element which can be
moved between a release position in which the pocket is open, and a
locking position in which the pocket is closed. When locking the
tool to the plug, the tool is moved in the hydrocarbon well to
facilitate positioning of the pin element in abutment with the
locking element, further movement bringing the locking element into
an open position for receiving the pin element in the pocket, and
the locking element is brought into a locking position such that
the plug's pin element is locked in the pocket. When releasing the
tool from the plug, fluid means are used for movement of the
locking element into a release position.
Inventors: |
Hansen; Tor Eivind;
(Sandnes, NO) ; Klimas; Krzysztof; (Sandnes,
NO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hansen; Tor Eivind
Klimas; Krzysztof |
Sandnes
Sandnes |
|
NO
NO |
|
|
Assignee: |
ARCHER OIL TOOLS AS
Stavanger
NO
|
Family ID: |
46650833 |
Appl. No.: |
14/128780 |
Filed: |
June 25, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
June 25, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB2012/053192 |
371 Date: |
February 27, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
166/181 ;
166/377; 166/378 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 23/04 20130101;
E21B 47/024 20130101; E21B 17/06 20130101; E21B 23/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
166/181 ;
166/377; 166/378 |
International
Class: |
E21B 23/04 20060101
E21B023/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 23, 2011 |
NO |
20110909 |
Claims
1. A tool for locking and releasing a plug in a hydrocarbon well,
wherein the plug has at least one pin element, and wherein the tool
comprises; a sleeve with at least one pocket for receiving the
plug's pin element; at least one locking element that can be moved
between a release position in which the pocket is open, and a
locking position in which the pocket is closed; and when locking
the tool to the plug, the tool is moved in the hydrocarbon well to
facilitate positioning of the pin element in abutment with the
locking element, wherein further movement of the tool moves the
locking element into an open position for receiving the pin element
in the pocket, and the locking element is brought into a locking
position such that the plug's pin element is locked in the pocket;
and when releasing the tool from the plug, fluid means are used for
movement of the locking element into a release position for release
of the plug's pin element from the pocket.
2. The tool according to claim 1, wherein the locking element is
provided with at least one spring, wherein the spring is in an
unloaded position when the locking element is in the locking
position.
3. The tool according to claim 1, wherein the locking element is
connected to at least one sleeve-like part enclosing a movable
sleeve which encloses an inner bore, the inner bore and the movable
sleeve having openings for fluid communication between the inner
bore and a piston face formed in an axial space in the sleeve-like
part.
4. The tool according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve has an oblique
guide portion for insertion of the pin element into the pocket.
5. The tool according to claim 1, wherein the pocket is provided
with at least one oblique side face.
6. The tool according to claim 3, wherein the sleeve-like part can
be moved axially, and where there is provided a cavity in
connection with the movable sleeve, which cavity is suitable for
fluid communication with the inner bore through the openings, and
where an applied weight on the tool is able to move the movable
sleeve in order to permit fluid communication between the cavity
and the axial space through the openings.
7. A method for releasing the plug according to claim 2, wherein
the plug comprises a sleeve-like part which is in abutment with the
at least one spring at one end and connected to the locking element
at the other end, and where the plug's pin element is released from
the pocket by applying a fluid pressure which acts on a piston face
in the sleeve-like part such that the sleeve-like part is moved,
and the at least one spring is thereby compressed and moves the
locking element into the release position.
8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the sleeve-like part
encloses an axially movable sleeve which encloses an inner bore, in
that a weight is applied to the tool and moves the movable sleeve
so as to allow fluid to migrate between the inner bore, via
openings to a cavity, and further from the cavity through openings
into an axial space in towards the piston face in the sleeve-like
part and, in that the force from the fluid which is exerted against
the piston face is sufficient to compress the at least one spring,
and move the locking element into the release position.
9. A method for locking the plug according to claim 2, wherein the
plug's at least one pin element, upon movement of the tool, moves
the at least one locking element into an open position whilst the
at least one spring is compressed, and where the pin element is
inserted into the pocket, after which each spring, with the
connected locking element, returns to its unloaded position and the
locking element is moved to the locking position.
Description
INTRODUCTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a tool for locking and
releasing a plug in a well, for example, a hydrocarbon well, as
specified in the independent apparatus claim. The invention further
relates to methods for locking and releasing the plug, as specified
in the preamble of the independent method claims.
BACKGROUND FOR THE INVENTION
[0002] It is usual to use rotation of the drill string when a
running tool is to be fastened to or released from a plug in a
well. Examples of such solutions can be found, for example, in U.S.
Pat. No. 3,509,940 A and US 2008/0128132 A1. U.S. Pat. No.
3,509,940 A relates to a well tool that can be reused for
retrieving and setting of a plug in a well. The plug has provided
at its upper end a transverse bar for retrieving and setting of the
plug. The running tool has at its lower end two corresponding
"J-slots" for receiving the transverse bar on the plug. The bar is
fastened to, and released from, the running tool by rotation.
[0003] US 2008/0128132 A1 shows another plug with associated
running tool for retrieving and setting a plug. In this document,
the upper end of the plug is provided with recesses, in the form of
"J-slots", which correspond with pins arranged on the inside of a
lower sleeve on the running tool, for setting and retrieving the
plug. The fastening and release of the running tool from the plug
takes place by rotation.
[0004] Plugs are usually set and released by rotation of the drill
string, but it can be difficult to achieve controlled rotation at
great well depths. There are several potential sources of error
which render the setting and release hazardous. One such source of
error could be left-hand (anti-clockwise) rotation, which may
result in equipment such as the drill pipe or plugs being unscrewed
from one another.
[0005] It is an object of the invention to resolve some of the
drawbacks of the prior art. The object is achieved by means of a
plug and methods for its setting and release according to the
independent claims, with embodiments of the invention specified in
the dependent claims. The setting and release take place
essentially by means of axial movement of the pipe. Another object
is to provide a plug which can be used for several operations in a
well with little call for maintenance of the plug between the
different operations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In the present invention, according to independent claim 1,
a tool for locking and releasing a plug in a hydrocarbon well is
defined, wherein the plug has at least one pin element, and wherein
the tool comprises: a sleeve having at least one pocket for
receiving the plug's pin element, at least one locking element that
can be moved between a release position in which the pocket is
open, and a locking position in which the pocket is closed; and
[0007] when locking the tool to the plug, the tool is moved in the
hydrocarbon well to facilitate positioning of the pin element in
abutment with the locking element, wherein further movement of the
tool moves the locking element to an open position for receiving
the pin element in the pocket, and the locking element is brought
into a locking position such that the plug's pin element is locked
in the pocket; and
[0008] when releasing the tool from the plug, fluid means are used
for movement of the locking element into a release position for
release of the plug's pin element from the pocket.
[0009] Fluid means may be any fluid that is suitable for being be
pressurised, such as hydraulic fluid.
[0010] The invention relates also to a method for releasing the
plug, where the plug comprises a sleeve-like part which is in
abutment with the at least one spring at one of its ends and
connected to the locking element at its other end, and where the
plug's pin element is released from the pocket by applying a fluid
pressure which acts on a piston face in the sleeve-like part, such
that the sleeve-like part is moved, and the at least one spring is
compressed thereby and moves the locking element into the release
position. Any resilient element having the same properties as a
spring can be used, as, for instance, resilient packers.
[0011] The invention relates further to a method for locking the
plug to the tool, where the plug's at least one pin element, when
the tool is run downhole, moves the at least one locking element
into an open position at the same time as the at least one spring
is compressed, and where the pin element is inserted into the
pocket, after which each spring, with connected locking element,
returns to its unloaded position and the locking element is moved
into the locking position.
[0012] In connection with the locking element there may be provided
at least one spring, which spring is in an unloaded position when
the locking element is in the locking position.
[0013] The locking element may be connected to at least one
sleeve-like part enclosing a movable sleeve which encloses an inner
bore, the inner bore and the movable sleeve may have openings for
fluid communication between the inner bore and a piston face formed
in an axial space in the sleeve-like part.
[0014] The sleeve in the tool may be configured with an oblique
guiding portion for insertion of the pin element into the
pocket.
[0015] In an embodiment, the pocket may be provided with at least
one oblique side face.
[0016] The sleeve-like part in an embodiment is moved axially. A
cavity may be arranged in connection with the movable sleeve, which
cavity is suitable for fluid communication with the inner bore
through the openings. An applied weight on the tool can move the
movable sleeve in order to permit fluid communication between the
cavity and the axial space through the openings.
[0017] In another embodiment, the method for releasing the plug
from the tool further comprises that the sleeve-like part encloses
an axially movable sleeve which encloses an internal bore. A weight
that is applied to the tool is able to move the movable sleeve such
that a fluid can migrate between the inner bore, via openings to a
cavity, and further from the cavity through openings into an axial
space in towards the piston face in the sleeve-like part. The force
of the fluid is exerted on the piston face and is sufficient to
compress the at least one spring, and move the locking element into
the release position.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] An example of an embodiment of the invention will now be
described with reference to the figures, wherein:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tool coupled to a
plug.
[0020] FIGS. 2A-2C show an axial section of the tool in FIG. 1, in
the area B, wherein:
[0021] FIG. 2A shows a sleeve on a lower part of the tool where a
pin element on a plug is locked to the tool;
[0022] FIG. 2B shows the sleeve on the lower part of the tool,
where the locking element is in a release position and the plug's
pin element can be released from the tool; and
[0023] FIG. 2C shows the sleeve on the lower part of the tool,
where the plug's pin element is in the process of being released
from the tool.
[0024] FIGS. 3A and 3B show a section of FIG. 1, in the area A,
wherein:
[0025] FIG. 3A shows the tool locked to the plug's pin element;
[0026] FIG. 3B shows the tool when the plug's pin element and the
locking element are in a releasing position from the tool.
[0027] FIG. 4A-4H show, step by step, the tool on the way down on
the plug to the locking position.
[0028] FIG. 1 shows a tool 1 according to the present invention,
connected to a plug 2.
[0029] FIGS. 2A-2C, sections of the area B in FIG. 1, show, step by
step, the release of a pin element 5 on a plug 2 from a pocket 4 in
a sleeve 3 on the tool 1.
[0030] FIG. 2A shows the plug's 2 pin element 5 in a locking
position in the sleeve 3. At least one locking element 6 arranged
in a respective locking groove 32 in the sleeve 3 prevents release
of the plug's 2 pin element 5. The locking element 6 is connected
to a spring 7 (see FIG. 3A) at one of its ends and follows the
movement of the spring 7. In FIG. 2A the spring 7 is shown in an
unloaded position. The locking element 6 is in a locking position
in a lower position in the locking groove 32 and the plug's 2 pin
element 5 is locked in the pocket 4. In the pocket 4 in the sleeve
3, oblique side faces 18, 19 are provided to allow the plug's 2 pin
element 5 more easily to slide into and out of the pocket 4.
Arranged flush with the oblique side faces 18, 19 in the sleeve 3
is an oblique guide portion 40. On the lower part of the sleeve 3
is arranged at least one oblique portion 31 which guides the plug's
2 pin element 5 into and out of the sleeve 3. When the plug's 2 pin
element 5 is to be released from the locking position, a fluid
pressure is applied, for example, hydraulic, which causes the
spring 7, with the connected locking element 6, to be pressed back.
The locking element 6 is then moved to an upper position in the
locking groove 32, as shown in FIG. 2B and FIG. 2C, and is in a
release position. The plug's 2 pin element 5 can now be released.
An axial movement of the tool 1 towards the surface has the result
that, whilst the plug 2 with the pin element 5 is anchored in the
well, the plug's 2 pin element 5 will follow the oblique side faces
19 in the pocket 4, and out of the pocket 4, until the plug 2 is
released.
[0031] FIGS. 3A and 3B are axial sections of FIG. 1, at area A, and
show the tool 1 with the locking element 6 in the locking position
(FIG. 3A) and the release position (FIG. 3B). The tool 1 has an
inner bore 9 containing fluid, for example, hydraulic fluid.
[0032] The inner bore 9 has first radial openings 8 so as to allow
the fluid to flow into a cavity 17 radially exterior to the inner
bore 9. A movable sleeve 16 is arranged radially exterior to the
inner bore 9. The movable sleeve 16 can be moved to permit the
fluid to flow from the inner bore 9 to the cavity 17, through the
openings 8, and on from the cavity 17 through radial openings 23 in
the movable sleeve 16 to a first axial space 11 exterior to the
movable sleeve 16. The movable sleeve 16 has on its radial outer
surface a piston 33 that can be moved in a groove 34 in a
sleeve-like part 10, the piston 33 dividing the groove 34 into the
axial space 11 and an inner space 20. The sleeve-like part 10 is
connected to the spring 7 on one side and to the locking element 6
on the other side.
Release
[0033] When releasing the plug's 2 pin element 5, a weight is first
applied to the tool 1 which is able to move the movable sleeve 16
axially. This can be seen in FIGS. 3A and 3B where the movable
sleeve 16 has moved towards the right relative to the inner bore 9
in FIG. 3B. When the piston 33 of the movable sleeve 16 has moved
to the end position in the groove 34, see FIG. 3B, fluid
communication will be facilitated between the interior of the bore
9 and the axial space 11 exterior to the movable sleeve 16, in that
the openings 8 and 23 are in a position in which fluid can flow
from the inner bore 9 to the cavity 17 and into the axial space 11.
When pressure is applied to the fluid in the inner bore 9, the
sleeve-like part 10 will be pressed against the spring 7 by a
piston face 24 in the sleeve-like part 10, and overcome the spring
force of the spring 7. As the locking element 6 is connected to the
spring 7 via the sleeve-like part 10, compression of the spring 7
will cause the locking element 6 to be moved with the spring 7 and
come into the release position. The tool 1 is now free to leave the
plug 2 in the well. When the tool 1 is pulled towards the surface,
the plug 2 and pin element 5 will remain stationary whilst the
lower sleeve 3 on the tool 1 follows the recess in the lower sleeve
3 when the tool is released from the plug 2.
Locking
[0034] FIGS. 4A-4H show, step by step, the locking of the plug's 2
pin element to the sleeve 3 on the tool 1. In FIG. 4A, the tool and
the plug 2 are separated, which is the situation before the tool
has come down to the plug 2. In FIG. 4B the plug 2 is on the way
into the sleeve 3 as a result of the tool 1 having been moved in
the direction of the plug. In FIG. 4C, the pin element 5 on the
plug 2 has come into contact with the locking element 6, and in
FIGS. 4D-4E the pin element 5 has started to move/push on the
locking element 6. In FIG. 4F, the pin element 5 has come into
contact with the oblique side face 18 in the sleeve 3. This is also
shown in FIG. 2C. On further movement of the tool 1, the pin
element 5 will enter into the pocket 4, and be locked in that the
spring 7 which is connected to the locking element 6, returns to
its starting position because the pin element 5 no longer pushes
against the locking element 6 (see also FIG. 3A). The plug's 2 pin
element 5 is now locked to the sleeve 3 of the tool 1, and the plug
2 can be taken out.
[0035] The invention has now been explained by means of one
embodiment. A person of skill in the art will understand that
changes and modifications may be made to the embodiment described
which are within the scope of the invention as defined in the
attached claims.
* * * * *