U.S. patent application number 14/569967 was filed with the patent office on 2016-06-16 for mill valve system.
This patent application is currently assigned to INTERNATIONAL TUBULAR SERVICES LIMITED. The applicant listed for this patent is International Tubular Services Limited. Invention is credited to Steve Rene Delgado, Irvin A. Turcios.
Application Number | 20160168950 14/569967 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56110665 |
Filed Date | 2016-06-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160168950 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Delgado; Steve Rene ; et
al. |
June 16, 2016 |
MILL VALVE SYSTEM
Abstract
A bypass valve and method of utilizing a bypass valve located
inside of a tubular or mill that allows one set of equipment to
operate, operating a second tool on demand, and then providing a
fluid pathway for at least a third device to operate. The bypass
valve has a through bore with the restriction. Fluid flows through
the restriction at a first rate that is sufficient to operate a
measuring while drilling tool. The fluid flow is then increased to
a second rate where the restriction causes an increase in pressure
within the bypass valve. The increase in pressure allows a packer
typically below the bypass valve to be set. Fluid flow is then
increased to a third rate causing a further increase in pressure
within the bypass valve due to the restriction. The third pressure
level allows an interior sleeve in the bypass valve to shift
thereby isolating the downhole tool such as a packer while
providing a new fluid flow path that partially bypasses the
restriction allowing an even greater flow rate through the bypass
valve.
Inventors: |
Delgado; Steve Rene;
(Friendswood, TX) ; Turcios; Irvin A.; (Houston,
TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
International Tubular Services Limited |
Houston |
TX |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
INTERNATIONAL TUBULAR SERVICES
LIMITED
Houston
TX
|
Family ID: |
56110665 |
Appl. No.: |
14/569967 |
Filed: |
December 15, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
166/374 ;
166/321 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 34/08 20130101;
E21B 34/10 20130101; E21B 34/103 20130101; E21B 2200/06
20200501 |
International
Class: |
E21B 34/12 20060101
E21B034/12; E21B 34/10 20060101 E21B034/10 |
Claims
1. A method for providing alternate fluid pathways comprising:
locking a sleeve in an interior of a housing in a first position
with a lock; moving the sleeve from the first position to a second
position; restricting fluid flow through interior of the housing;
allowing fluid flow through a third port; pressurizing the housing
to overcome the lock; and moving the sleeve from the first position
to the second position.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein, fluid flow through the third port
is blocked and fluid flow through the second port is allowed once
the sleeve moves from the first position to the second
position.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein, fluid flow through the second
port is less restrictive than fluid flow through the interior of
the housing.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein, the housing has a lock between
the housing and the sleeve; wherein the lock retains the sleeve in
the first position.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein, the sleeve located in the
interior of the housing has a second position.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein, the sleeve is retained after
moving a predetermined distance.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein, a pressure drop in the fluid flow
signals the lock release.
8. A hydraulic bypass valve comprising: a housing having a through
bore, an interior sleeve within the housing through bore, wherein
the interior sleeve has an interior fluid flow path, a fluid flow
restriction in the interior fluid flow path, the interior sleeve
having a first position within the housing wherein a first port in
the housing is aligned with a second port in the interior sleeve,
the interior sleeve having a second position within the housing
wherein a second fluid flow path enhances the interior fluid flow
path.
9. The hydraulic bypass valve of claim 8 wherein, the interior
sleeve is held in the first position by a shear pin.
10. The hydraulic bypass valve of claim 8 wherein, the interior
sleeve is retained in the second position by a protrusion from the
housing that interacts with the interior sleeve.
11. The hydraulic bypass valve of claim 8 wherein, the interior
sleeve is retained in the second position by a protrusion from the
interior sleeve that interacts with the housing.
12. The hydraulic bypass valve of claim 8 wherein, the interior
sleeve is retained in the second position by an endcap that
interacts with the housing.
13. The hydraulic bypass valve of claim 8 wherein, the first port
and the second port when aligned allow fluid access from the
interior fluid flow path to an exterior of the housing.
14. A method of operating a downhole mill assembly comprising:
pumping a fluid at a first rate through a sleeve having an interior
bore and a first port, wherein the interior bore has a flow
restriction, pumping the fluid at a second rate through the sleeve
to cause a pressure to reach a first predetermined level wherein
the pressure increase to the first predetermined level actuates a
tool through the first port, pumping the fluid at a third rate
through the sleeve to cause the pressure to reach a second
predetermined level, wherein the pressure increase to the second
predetermined level moves the sleeve within a housing to access a
second port.
15. The method of operating a downhole mill assembly of claim 14
wherein, accessing the second port enhances a total fluid flow
through the sleeve.
16. The method of operating a downhole mill assembly of claim 14
wherein, moving the sleeve within the housing isolates the
tool.
17. The method of operating a downhole mill assembly of claim 14
wherein, the interior sleeve is held in a first position by a shear
pin.
18. The method of operating a downhole mill assembly of claim 14
wherein, the interior sleeve is retained in a second position by a
protrusion from the housing that interacts with the interior
sleeve.
19. The method of operating a downhole mill assembly of claim 14
wherein, the interior sleeve is retained in the second position by
a protrusion from the interior sleeve that interacts with the
housing.
20. The method of operating a downhole mill assembly of claim 14
wherein, the interior sleeve is retained in the second position by
an endcap that interacts with the housing.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Multilateral well drilling and production, where a wellbore
may have multiple wells branching off of a common wellbore have
become increasingly important as a way to both maximize drilling
efficiency and to minimize the wellsite footprint on the
surface.
[0002] In the past, a main wellbore was drilled. Once completed a
packer was set in the well at a location in the well corresponding
to the location that the window for the first branch or sidetrack
well was desired. Once the packer was set the tool string was
removed from the well and a measuring device was run into the well
to determine the orientation of the keyslot or orientation device
on top of the packer. After determining the orientation of the
keyslot the measuring device was removed from the well and the
whipstock/mill assembly was run into the well. A key on the bottom
of the whipstock/mill assembly was preset on the surface, based
upon the data gathered by the measuring device, so that the
whipstock/mill assembly would be pointing in the desired direction
when the whipstock/mill assembly was landed on the packer. The
whipstock/mill assembly may then be used to cut a window into the
casing so that a second well or branch may be drilled from the
window and produced through the common wellbore.
[0003] In order to improve the efficiency of the drilling process,
operators have streamlined the sidetracking operation by running
the packer, the measuring device, and the whipstock/mill assembly
into the well in a single operation. The typical packer used in
single trip sidetrack operations is a hydraulically actuated
packer.
[0004] Typically, the single trip whipstock/mill assembly has the
packer or anchor attached beneath the whipstock/mill assembly and
the measuring device, usually a measuring while drilling or MWD
tool, is attached above the whipstock mill assembly. The MWD tool
uses pressure pulses to send a signal to the surface that notifies
the operator of the orientation and direction of the MWD tool and
thus the orientation of the whipstock/mill assembly. To send the
signal the MWD tool requires power to sense its direction and
orientation as well as to send the signal to the surface. The power
is provided by the drilling fluid. A typical MWD tool requires a
flow rate from between 200 gallons per minute or GPM to about 1500
GPM.
[0005] One of the difficulties in utilizing a hydraulically
actuated packer in the same assembly as an MWD tool is the
requirement to provide sufficient hydraulic power to the MWD tool
without prematurely setting the packer.
[0006] The present invention fulfills these needs and provides
further related advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention is an improved bypass valve that
allows the packer to be set at the proper depth while allowing the
operator to use the MWD tool to properly orient the whipstock/mill
assembly. The present invention also allows the operator to
redirect the fluid flow, after setting the packer, so that full
flow can pass through the mill during the cutting operation to
remove the cuttings.
[0008] In an embodiment of the invention, the bypass valve is
situated in the internal bore of the mill. The outer housing of the
valve is attached directly to the internal bore of the mill,
although the valve may be placed anywhere in the fluid flow above
the packer. The valve also has an inner sleeve. The housing
typically has at least three sets of ports.
[0009] A first port is located in the lower end of the valve
housing and is essentially concentric with the housing. The first
set of ports is typically a single port but any number of ports
could be utilized. The first port may be a nozzle that allows flow
though the valve so that the operator may flow a sufficient amount
of fluid through the MWD tool to power the MWD tool allowing it to
send a signal to the surface so that the assembly may be
appropriately oriented. The first port is calibrated to allow a
preset amount of fluid flow through the port at or below a certain
pressure which typically allows the MWD tool to operate. By
increasing the fluid flow through the port the pressure in the
assembly may be increased in the valve so that the packer may be
set upon demand.
[0010] A second set of ports are located towards the lower end of
the valve housing. The second set of ports are large bore ports to
bypass the restriction of the nozzle formed by the first port
thereby allowing essentially full bore flow through the valve once
the MWD tool is oriented and the packer/anchor is actuated
hydraulically. A third set of ports is typically a single port and
is connected via a capillary tube to allow the operator to set the
packer when desired.
[0011] The sleeve is situated in the housing so that the second set
of ports is obstructed by the sleeve while the third port is open.
A shear device or lock retains the sleeve so that when fluid flows
from the surface at a predetermined rate, the fluid flow will cause
a pressure rise in the valve. At a calculated pressure the shear
device is released allowing the sleeve to move. The shear device
may be a shear screw, a c-ring, a pin, a cam, or any other type of
device that releases upon a preset threshold of force.
[0012] When released the sleeve travels a preset distance which
upon reaching the sleeve is engaged by a retention device. The
retention device may be a retainer screw, a pin, a c-ring, a
retention profiled mating component or any other type that results
in a retainer mode.
[0013] In the second position, after the shear device has released
the sleeve, the released sleeve blocks third port preventing or
minimizing any further passage of fluid though the third port while
opening second set of ports to allow essentially the sleeve's full
bore fluid flow through the valve. In some embodiments of the
present invention a latch device may hold the sleeve in the second
position thereby reducing the sleeve's ability to return to the
first position.
[0014] In previous bypass valves the port or other fluid
connection, that is used to set the packer, is not closed allowing
high pressure and sometimes erosive fluid to jet about the mill
reducing the mill's efficiency.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 depicts a mill valve in its closed or run-in
condition.
[0016] FIG. 2 is an orthogonal depiction of the mill valve in FIG.
1.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a depiction of the mill valve in its open.
[0018] FIG. 4 is an orthogonal depiction of the mill valve in FIG.
3.
[0019] FIG. 5 is an alternative embodiment of an open mill valve
where the interior sleeve is prevented from any further movement
towards the bottom of the well by end cap.
[0020] FIG. 6 is an alternative embodiment of an open mill valve
where the interior sleeve is prevented from any further movement
towards the bottom of the well by a pin.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] FIG. 1 depicts a mill bypass valve of the present invention
in its closed or run-in condition. The mill body 100 has an upper
end one or two and a lower end 104 attached to the exterior of the
mill body in a channel 106 is a capillary tube 110. The capillary
tube 110 is in turn connected to a fitting 112 that is in turn
attached, typically by threads but welding, adhesives, or any other
means known could be used, to a port 114 in the mill body 110.
[0022] The mill valve 120 has a housing 122 that may be attached to
the interior surface 116 of the mill body 100. The housing 122 may
be attached to the interior surface 116 of the mill body 100 by
threads, press fit, welding, snap rings, or any other means known
in the industry. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 the housing 122
is retained against further downward movement towards the lower end
104 of the mill body 100 by mill body shoulder 124 which interacts
with mill valve shoulder 12. Additionally, the housing 122 is
retained against upward movement towards the upper end 102 of the
mill body 100 by at least one retaining screw 128. While the
retaining screw 128 is shown, any type of retaining means such as
snap ring or retention means may be used. The retaining screw 128
is typically threaded into a channel 130 that is cut in the mill
body 100. The channel 130 in the mill body 100 is in turn aligned
with the channel 132 in the housing 122 of the mill valve 120. The
channel 130 has a first larger diameter 134 towards the exterior of
the housing 122 and a second smaller diameter 136 towards the
interior of the housing 122.
[0023] The mill valve 120 also has an interior sleeve 140. The
interior sleeve 140 is concentric with the housing 122.
Additionally the interior sleeve's 140 outer surface 142 abuts the
housing's 122 inner surface 144. The interior sleeve 140 also has a
channel 146. The channel 146 is the same diameter as the second
smaller diameter 136 and is aligned with channel 132 and typically
has a shear means such as a shear screw or shear pin 147 is
inserted partly into channel 146 and partly into channel 130.
[0024] Towards the lower end 104 of the interior sleeve 140 is a
port 150. The port 150 is configured such that its smallest
diameter 154 is smaller than the inner diameter 152 of the interior
sleeve 140.
[0025] At least a portion of the interior sleeve 140 typically
towards the lower end 104 has a diameter 156 that extends past the
interior surface 144 of the housing 122. Interior sleeve 140 also
has a recessed channel 160 that allows pin 162 to extend radially
inward beyond the housing's 122 inner surface 144. Ports 174 are
formed through interior sleeve 140 allow access from the interior
of interior sleeve 140 to the exterior of interior sleeve 140.
Typically multiple ports 174 are spaced circumferentially around
the interior sleeve 140
[0026] The interior sleeve 140 additionally has a series of packer
ports 180 that are formed through the interior sleeve 140 to allow
access from the interior of interior sleeve 140 to the exterior of
interior sleeve 140. Packer ports 180 may be isolated from ports
174 by use of a seal such as O-ring 181. Interior sleeve 122 also
has a set of ports 186 that when the mill valve 120 is in the
closed or run-in position the ports 186 are aligned with packer
ports 180 to allow access from the interior of interior sleeve 140,
through packer ports 180, through ports 186, through to fitting
112, and to capillary tube 110.
[0027] The mill valve 120 as depicted in FIG. 1 is in its closed or
run-in condition. In the closed condition a fluid is pumped through
the interior of the mill valve as depicted by arrows 182. The fluid
as it is pumped through the interior sleeve 140 of the mill valve
120 the fluid exits the interior sleeve 140 through port 150. The
flow area of port 150 is calculated so that a sufficient amount of
fluid is able to pass through port 150 at a first predetermined
pressure such that the amount of fluid passing through port 150 is
sufficient to operate the measuring while drilling tool upstream of
the mill valve 120. The fluid moving through the interior sleeve
140 is in fluid communication with capillary tube 110 through ports
180 in the interior sleeve 140, through ports 186 in the housing
122, through fitting 112, and finally connecting to capillary tube
110 allowing any pressure exerted by the fluid on the interior of
interior sleeve 140 to be transmitted via the capillary tubing to
the packer (not shown) downstream of the mill valve 120. As long as
fluid flow through interior sleeve 140 remains below the first
predetermined level the pressure exerted on the downstream packer
is insufficient to actuate the downstream packer.
[0028] As fluid flow through interior sleeve 140 is increased above
the first predetermined level to a second predetermined level
thereby increasing the pressure upon the downstream packer via the
capillary tube 110. The pressure increase above the first
predetermined level is due to the fixed area of port 150. Port 150
has a maximum amount of fluid that may pass through it at any given
pressure level. In order to force additional fluid flow through the
port 150 the pressure of the fluid must increase. In this case,
upon demand, the pressure is increased to a second predetermined
pressure level in order to actuate the downstream packer. While the
second predetermined pressure level is sufficient to actuate the
downstream packer, the pressure acting upon the surfaces of the
interior sleeve 140 are insufficient to overcome the shear means
such as shear pin 147. Therefore the interior sleeve 140 is
retained in place at the second predetermined pressure level.
[0029] FIG. 2 is an orthogonal depiction of the mill valve 120 in
FIG. 1 without showing the mill body 100. The reference numerals
and descriptions from FIG. 1 are applicable to the mill valve body
120 shown in FIG. 2.
[0030] FIG. 3 is a depiction of the mill valve 120 after the fluid
flow through port 150 has been increased such that the third
predetermined pressure level is reached. Once the pressure level is
increased to the third predetermined level, the force exerted upon
the interior sleeve 140 causes the interior sleeve 140 to shear the
shear pin 147 and further forcing the interior sleeve 140 to move
to the right or towards the lower end 104 of the mill body 100.
With the interior sleeve 140 shifted to the right ports 186 and 180
no longer line up thereby isolating capillary tube 110 and the
packer below the mill assembly. Additionally with the interior
sleeve 140 shifted to the right fluid access through port 174 in
the interior sleeve 140 is facilitated. By allowing the fluid to
flow around the lower end of the exterior of interior sleeve 140 as
indicated by arrows 200 the restricted area of port 150 is no
longer able to restrict fluid flow through the interior sleeve 140
therefore the fluid flow may be increased without an additional
rise in pressure through the mill valve 120. The increased fluid
flow is useful to allow the fluid to flow through the mill when the
mill is in operation and to remove the particles produced as the
mill cuts. Finally with the interior sleeve 140 shifted to the
right the shoulder 172 on the exterior surface of interior sleeve
140 contacts pin 162 and is thereby prevented from moving any
further towards the lower end 104 of mill body 100. Pin 162 may be
a screw, a pin, or formed as a part of the housing 122.
[0031] FIG. 4 is an orthogonal depiction of the mill valve 120 in
FIG. 3 without showing the mill body 100. The reference numerals
and descriptions from FIG. 1 are applicable to the mill valve body
120 shown in FIG. 4.
[0032] FIG. 5 is an alternative embodiment of the open mill valve
depicted in FIG. 3. In FIG. 5 the interior sleeve 240 is prevented
from any further movement towards the bottom of the well by end cap
262. End cap 262 has a shoulder 263 that with interior sleeve
shifted towards the bottom of the well contacts shoulder 265 of the
housing 222 to prevent any further movement towards the bottom of
the well by interior sleeve 140. End cap 262 is coupled to the
interior sleeve 245 threads 267. While in this instance threads 267
are shown to couple end cap 262 to interior sleeve 240 pins,
welding, or any other means known may be used a couple interior
sleeve 242 end cap 262. Additionally the end cap 262 may be formed
as an integral part of interior sleeve 242.
[0033] FIG. 6 is an alternative embodiment of the open mill valve
depicted in FIG. 3. In FIG. 6 the interior sleeve 340 is prevented
from any further movement towards the bottom of the well by pin
362. Housing 322 has at least one slot 363 milled through it. Pin
362 is attached to the interior sleeve 340, by screwing it into
place, pressing it into place, welding it into place, formed as a
part of, or any other means known in the industry, such that a
portion of pin 362 extends into slot 363. As interior sleeve 340 is
forced towards the lower end of the well pen 362 moves within slot
363 until a portion of pin 362 rests again shoulder 367 thereby
stopping further movement of interior sleeve 340 towards the bottom
of the well.
[0034] While the embodiments are described with reference to
various implementations and exploitations, it will be understood
that these embodiments are illustrative and that the scope of the
inventive subject matter is not limited to them. Many variations,
modifications, additions and improvements are possible. For
example, the implementations and techniques used herein may be
applied to any bypass valve in a tubular.
[0035] Plural instances may be provided for components, operations
or structures described herein as a single instance. In general,
structures and functionality presented as separate components in
the exemplary configurations may be implemented as a combined
structure or component. Similarly, structures and functionality
presented as a single component may be implemented as separate
components. These and other variations, modifications, additions,
and improvements may fall within the scope of the inventive subject
matter.
* * * * *