U.S. patent application number 16/641183 was filed with the patent office on 2021-05-20 for buoyancy assist tool with degradable plug.
The applicant listed for this patent is HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.. Invention is credited to Frank Vinicio Acosta, Mayur Ahuja, Michael Linley Fripp, Lonnie C. Helms, Min Mark Yuan.
Application Number | 20210148184 16/641183 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005370490 |
Filed Date | 2021-05-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210148184 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Helms; Lonnie C. ; et
al. |
May 20, 2021 |
BUOYANCY ASSIST TOOL WITH DEGRADABLE PLUG
Abstract
A downhole apparatus comprises a casing string with a fluid
barrier connected in the casing string. A degradable plug is
positioned in the casing string above the fluid barrier. The
degradable plug and fluid barrier define upper and lower ends of a
buoyancy chamber in the casing string. The degradable plug may be
degraded to leave an open bore through the casing string after the
casing string is lowered into a wellbore.
Inventors: |
Helms; Lonnie C.; (Humble,
TX) ; Yuan; Min Mark; (Katy, TX) ; Acosta;
Frank Vinicio; (Spring, TX) ; Fripp; Michael
Linley; (Carrollton, TX) ; Ahuja; Mayur;
(Friendswood, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC. |
Houston |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005370490 |
Appl. No.: |
16/641183 |
Filed: |
April 22, 2019 |
PCT Filed: |
April 22, 2019 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2019/028508 |
371 Date: |
February 21, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 33/12 20130101;
E21B 2200/08 20200501 |
International
Class: |
E21B 33/12 20060101
E21B033/12 |
Claims
1. A downhole apparatus comprising: a casing string; a fluid
barrier connected in the casing string; and a degradable plug
positioned in the casing string above the fluid barrier, the
degradable plug and fluid barrier comprising upper and lower ends
of a buoyancy chamber in the casing string.
2. The downhole apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a
non-permeable cap covering an upper end of the degradable plug.
3. The downhole apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an outer
case connected in the casing string, the degradable plug positioned
in the outer case, the outer case and the degradable plug defining
an annular space configured to receive a degrading fluid.
4. The downhole apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a plug
housing, the degradable plug being fixed in the plug housing, the
plug housing defining ports through a wall thereof configured to
communicate fluid from the annular space to the degradable
plug.
5. The downhole apparatus of claim 3, the outer case comprising: an
upper outer case configured to connect in the casing string; a
lower outer case configured to connect in the casing string; and a
connecting sleeve connected at one end to the upper outer case and
at a second end to the lower outer case, the annular space being
defined between the connecting sleeve and the degradable plug.
6. The downhole apparatus of claim 3, the outer case having a port
defined therein configured to communicate the degrading fluid to
the annular space.
7. The downhole apparatus of claim 3, the outer case defining a
fluid chamber containing, the degrading fluid.
8. A downhole apparatus comprising: a plug assembly, the plug
assembly comprising a plug housing with a degradable plug fixed
therein; an upper outer case connected at a lower end to the plug
assembly and configured to connect in a casing string at an upper
end thereof; a lower outer case connected at an upper end to the
plug assembly; and a connecting sleeve connecting the upper and
lower outer cases, the connecting sleeve and plug assembly defining
an annular space therebetween configured to receive a plug
degrading fluid.
9. The downhole apparatus of claim 8, the plug housing defining a
plurality of ports therein configured to communicate a degrading
fluid from the annular space with the degradable plug.
10. The downhole apparatus of claim 8, the upper outer case
defining a port in a wall thereof, the port having a rupturable
plug therein, the port configured to communicate degrading fluid
into the annular space when the plug ruptures.
11. The downhole apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a
non-permeable cap covering an upper end of the degradable plug.
12. The downhole apparatus of claim 11, wherein the non-permeable
cap comprises a rubber coating.
13. The downhole apparatus of claim 8 connected in a casing string
and defining an upper end of a buoyancy chamber in the casing
string.
14. The downhole apparatus of claim 8, the upper outer case
defining a fluid chamber containing the degrading fluid.
15. A downhole apparatus comprising: a plurality of casing joints
defining a casing string; a degradable plug configured to block
flow through the casing string until the casing string reaches a
desired depth in a wellbore, and a flow barrier positioned in the
casing string below the degradable plug, the degradable plug and
the flow barrier defining upper and lower ends of a buoyancy
chamber in the casing.
16. The downhole apparatus of claim 15 comprising: a plug assembly
connected in the casing string, the plug assembly comprising a plug
housing case with the degradable plug fixed therein.
17. The downhole apparatus of claim 16, the plug housing defining a
plurality of ports configured to communicate a degrading fluid
therethrough to contact the degradable plug.
18. The downhole apparatus of claim 16 further comprising an outer
case connected in the casing string, the outer case and the plug
assembly defining an annular space configured to receive a
degrading fluid.
19. The downhole apparatus of claim 18 further comprising a closed
fluid chamber positioned above the plug assembly, the closed fluid
chamber containing the degrading fluid.
20. The downhole apparatus of claim 18 wherein the degrading fluid
is delivered through the casing string.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The length of deviated or horizontal sections in well bores
is such that it is sometimes difficult to run well casing to the
desired depth due to high casing drag. Long lengths of casing
create significant friction and thus problems in getting casing to
the toe of the well bore. Creating a buoyant chamber in the casing
utilizing air or a fluid lighter than the well bore fluid can
reduce the drag making it easier to overcome the friction and run
the casing to the desired final depth.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0002] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an exemplary well bore with a
well casing including a buoyancy chamber therein.
[0003] FIG. 2 is a cross section of a buoyancy assist tool of the
current disclosure.
[0004] FIG. 3 is a cross section of a buoyancy assist tool of FIG.
2 after the plug has degraded.
[0005] FIG. 4 is a cross section of an additional embodiment of a
buoyancy assist tool.
DESCRIPTION
[0006] The following description and directional terms such as
above, below, upper, lower, uphole, downhole, etc., are used for
convenience in referring to the accompanying drawings. One who is
skilled in the art will recognize that such directional language
refers to locations in the well, either closer or farther from the
wellhead and the various embodiments of the inventions described
and disclosed here may be utilized in various orientations such as
inclined, deviated, horizontal and vertical.
[0007] Referring to the drawings, a downhole apparatus 10 is
positioned in a well bore 12. Well bore 12 includes a vertical
portion 14 and a deviated or horizontal portion 16. Apparatus 10
comprises a casing string 18 which is made up of a plurality of
casing joints 20. Casing joints 20 may have inner diameter or bore
22 which defines a central flow path 24 therethrough. Well casing
18 defines a buoyancy chamber 26 with upper end or boundary 28 and
lower end or boundary 30. Buoyancy chamber 26 will be filled with a
buoyant fluid which may be a gas such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide,
or air but other gases may also be suitable. The buoyant fluid may
also be a liquid such as water or diesel fuel or other like liquid.
The important aspect is that the buoyant fluid has a lower specific
gravity than the well fluid in the well bore 12 in which casing 18
is run. The choice of gas or liquid, and which one of these are
used is a factor of the well conditions and the amount of buoyancy
desired.
[0008] Lower boundary 30 may comprise a float device such as a
float shoe or float collar. As is known, such float devices will
generally allow fluid flow downwardly therethrough but will prevent
flow upwardly into the casing. The float devices are generally a
one-way check valve. The float device 30 is thus a fluid barrier
that will be configured such that it will hold the buoyant fluid in
the buoyancy chamber 26 until additional pressure is applied after
the release of the buoyancy fluid from the buoyancy chamber. The
upper boundary 28 is defined by a buoyancy assist tool as described
herein.
[0009] Buoyancy assist tool 34 includes an outer case 36 that is
connectable in casing string 18. Buoyancy assist tool 34 comprises
a plug assembly 38 that is connected to and positioned in outer
case 36. Buoyancy assist tool 34 has upper end 40 and lower end 42.
Buoyancy assist tool 34 is connectable in the casing string at the
upper and lower ends 40 and 42 thereof and forms a part of the
casing string 18 lowered into well bore 12.
[0010] Outer case 36 comprises an upper outer case 44 and a lower
outer case 46. A connecting shield 48 is connected to and extends
between upper outer case 44 and lower outer case 46. Outer case 36
and plug assembly 38 define an annular space 50 therebetween.
Annular space 50 in the embodiment shown is defined by and between
connecting sleeve 48 and plug assembly 38.
[0011] Plug assembly 38 has upper end 52 and lower end 54. Plug
assembly 38 is connected to upper outer case 44 at the upper end 52
thereof and to lower outer case 46 at the lower end 54 thereof. The
plug assembly may be threadedly connected or connected by other
means known in the art. Plug assembly 38 may comprise a plug
housing 56 with upper and lower ends 52 and 54 which are the upper
and lower ends of the plug assembly 38. A degradable plug or
degradable core 58 is fixed in housing 56. The degradable core may
be a matrix of sand and salt but can be other degradable substances
that can be degraded with fluids or other means once the casing
string 18 is lowered into the wellbore to a desired location in the
well. Plug housing 56 has a plurality of housing ports 60 defined
through the wall thereof. Housing ports 60 communicate the annular
space 50 with the degradable plug or core 58 so that fluid passing
therethrough can contact degradable plug 58 and can degrade the
plug to remove it from plug housing 56 to create a full bore flow
path therethrough.
[0012] Buoyancy assist tool 34 may include a non-permeable cap 62
positioned across upper end 52 of plug assembly 38. Non-permeable
cap 62 may be comprised of a resin or a rubber material or other
non-permeable material that will prevent fluid thereabove from
contacting the degradable plug at the upper end of the plug
assembly 38 prior to the time casing string 18 is placed at the
desired location in wellbore 12. The non-permeable cap 62 will be
configured such that upon degradation of the plug 58 the cap will
be easily ruptured by fluid flowing through the casing string 18,
including outer case 36.
[0013] Plug housing 56 has an inner surface 64 defining a diameter
66 and has an outer surface 68. In the embodiment described
diameter 66 is a diameter that is no smaller than an inner diameter
of casing string 18 such that upon the degradation of plug 58
buoyancy assist tool 34 provides no greater restriction to the
passage of well tools therethrough than that which already exists
as a result of the inner diameter of the casing string 18.
[0014] Upper end 40 of buoyancy assist tool 34 is likewise the
upper end of upper outer case 44. Upper outer case 44 has a lower
end 70. Plug assembly 38 is connected at its upper end 52 to the
lower end 70 of upper outer case 44. Outer surface 68 of plug
housing 56 may have a groove 67 with an O-ring seal 69 therein to
sealingly engage an inner surface of upper outer case 44. Upper
outer case 44 has inner surface 72 which defines an inner diameter
74 that is a minimum inner diameter of upper outer case 44. In the
embodiment shown upper outer case 44 has a port 76 therethrough.
Inner diameter 74 is a diameter that is no smaller than an inner
diameter of casing string 18 such that upon the degradation of plug
58 buoyancy assist tool 34 provides no greater restriction to the
passage of well tools therethrough than that which already exists
as a result of the inner diameter of the casing string 18.
[0015] A rupture disc or other rupturable membrane 78 is positioned
in a port 76 in upper outer case 44. Rupture disc 78 will prevent
flow through port 76 until a desired or pre-determined pressure is
reached in casing string 18. Upon reaching the pre-determined
pressure the rupture disc 78 will rupture and fluid will be
communicated from casing string 18 through port 76 into annular
space 50. Fluid will pass from annular space 50 through housing
ports 60 and will contact the degradable plug 58. The fluid passing
therethrough may be referred to as a degrading fluid. The degrading
fluid may be any fluid utilized to degrade the degradable plug and
may be water or other degrading fluid.
[0016] Upper outer case 44 may be a two-piece outer case comprising
an upper portion 80 that is threadedly and sealingly connected to
lower portion 82. Lower portion 82 connects to plug assembly 38 as
shown in the figures. Upper outer case 44 may define a fluid
chamber 84 which is a closed fluid chamber 84. Fluid chamber 84 has
an upper seal 86 that extends across an upper end 87 thereof. Fluid
in fluid chamber 84 is thus trapped between seal 86 and the cap 62
of plug assembly 38. Fluid chamber 84 is an optional fluid chamber
84 and will not be used in every instance. Fluid chamber 84 will be
utilized in those instances in which it is necessary to utilize a
fluid to treat a formation, and the fluid may not be a degrading
fluid for the degradable plug. For example, there are certain
formations in which it is not desirable to pump water. In those
instances oil or another fluid other than water may be utilized to
fracture or otherwise treat the formation. Where, for example,
water is the degrading fluid, but not the treatment fluid, water
will be contained in the fluid chamber 84 such that upon reaching
the appropriate position in the well oil or other fluid may be
pumped through the casing which will cause seal 86 to burst and
force the water in fluid chamber 84 through port 76 and into
annular space 50. The fluid from fluid chamber 84 will then pass
from annular space 50 through ports 60 in housing plug 56 and will
contact the degradable plug 58 until it is degraded or
dissolved.
[0017] Lower outer case 46 has upper end 90 and a lower end which
is the lower end 42 of buoyancy assist tool 34. Upper end 90 of
lower outer case 44 is connected to lower end 54 of plug assembly
38. Outer surface 68 of plug housing 56 may have a groove 91 with
an O-ring seal 93 therein to sealingly engage lower outer case 44.
Lower outer case 44 has inner surface 92 defining an inner diameter
94. Inner diameter 94 is a diameter that is no smaller than an
inner diameter of casing string 18 such that upon the degradation
of plug 58 buoyancy assist tool 34 provides no greater restriction
to the passage of well tools therethrough than that which already
exists as a result of the inner diameter of the casing string
18.
[0018] Connecting sleeve 100 has upper end 102 and lower end 104.
Connecting sleeve 44 is connected at it upper end 102 to an outer
surface of upper outer case 44 and is connected at its lower end
104 to an outer surface of lower outer case 46. O-ring seals 105
may be positioned in grooves in the outer surfaces of the upper and
lower outer cases 44 and 46 respectively to sealingly engage an
inner surface 106 of connecting shield 44. Inner surface 106 of
connecting shield 44 defines an inner diameter 108. An annular
passageway 110 is defined by and between upper outer case 44 and
connecting shield 48. Annular passageway 110 communicates fluid
delivered through port 76 into annular space 50. Fluid is
communicated through ports 60 so that it will contact degradable
plug 58 to dissolve or degrade the plug.
[0019] The embodiment disclosed in FIG. 2 shows the fluid chamber
84 which is an optional fluid chamber. FIG. 4 shows the embodiment
with no fluid chamber which is identical in all other respects. In
the embodiment of FIG. 4 buoyancy assist tool 36 is shown prior to
the time fluid has degraded plug 58 and without the seal 86 which
forms the upper end of the fluid chamber 84 in the embodiment of
FIG. 2. In an embodiment in which no fluid chamber is to be
utilized upper outer case 44 can be one piece or can be a two-piece
upper outer case as described herein.
[0020] In operation casing string 18 is lowered into wellbore 12 to
a desired location. Running a casing such as casing 18 in deviated
wells and long horizontal wells often results in significantly
increased drag forces and may cause a casing string to become stuck
before reaching the desired location in the wellbore. For example,
when the casing produces more drag forces than the available weight
to slide the casing down the well, the casing may become stuck. If
too much force is applied to the casing string 18 damage may occur.
The buoyancy assist tool 34 as described herein alleviates some of
the issues and at the same time provides for a full bore passageway
so that other tools or objects such as, for example production
packers, perforating guns and service tools may pass therethrough
without obstruction after well casing 18 has reached the desired
depth. When well casing 18 is lowered into wellbore 12 buoyancy
chamber 26 will aid in the proper placement since it will reduce
friction as the casing 18 is lowered into horizontal portion 16 to
the desired location.
[0021] Once the casing string 18 has reached the desired position
in the wellbore, pressure is increased and fluid pumped through the
casing string 18. In the case where fluid chamber 84 is utilized
the pressure will burst the seal 86 and will push the degradable
fluid contained in fluid chamber 84. Pressure will be increased
until the rupture disc 78 bursts. Once that occurs degrading fluid
from fluid chamber 84 will pass through port 76 into passageway 110
and into annular space 50. Fluid will pass from annular space 50
through ports 60 and will contact the degradable plug 58. A
sufficient quantity of the degrading fluid will be utilized to
degrade degradable plug 58 so that it will be completely removed
from plug housing 56.
[0022] It will be understood that in the case where no fluid
chamber 84 is utilized, the degrading fluid will be pumped through
casing 18 and through port 76. In other words, the degrading fluid
will be that which is pumped through the casing string 18 as
opposed to that contained in a fluid chamber. The choice of
degrading fluid will be dependent on the plug material, but in many
cases water will be used to degrade a plug formed of a sand and
salt matrix. Once the degradable plug 58 is dissolved or degraded
service tools may be passed through plug assembly 38, and more
particularly through plug housing 56. As described herein, buoyancy
assist tool 34 provides no size restriction on the tools that can
be passed therethrough that does not already exist due to the size
of the inner diameter of casing 18. Thus, in the embodiments
described inner diameters 66, 74 and 94 may be generally the same
as or larger than the minimum outer diameter of casing.
[0023] The current disclosure is directed to a downhole apparatus
comprising a casing string and a fluid barrier connected in the
casing string. A degradable plug is positioned in the casing string
above the fluid barrier and the degradable plug and fluid barrier
comprise upper and lower ends of a buoyancy chamber in the casing
string. In one embodiment the downhole apparatus has a
non-permeable cap covering an upper end of the degradable plug.
[0024] The downhole apparatus may further comprise an outer case
connected in the casing string with the degradable plug positioned
in the outer case. The outer case and the degradable plug define an
annular space configured to receive a degrading fluid. In one
embodiment, the downhole apparatus comprises a plug housing with
the degradable plug fixed in the plug housing. The plug housing
defines ports through a wall thereof configured to communicate
fluid from the annular space to the degradable plug. In one
embodiment the outer case comprises an upper outer case configured
to connect in the casing string and a lower outer case configured
to connect in the casing string. A connecting sleeve is connected
at one end to the upper outer case and at a second end to the lower
outer case. The annular space may be defined between the connecting
sleeve and the degradable plug. The outer case of the downhole
apparatus has a port defined therein configured to communicate the
degrading fluid to the annular space. In one embodiment the outer
case defines a fluid chamber containing the degrading fluid.
[0025] A buoyancy assist tool comprises a plug assembly. The plug
assembly comprises a plug housing with a degradable plug fixed
therein. The buoyancy assist tool in one embodiment has an upper
outer case connected at a lower end to the plug assembly and is
configured to connect in a casing string at an upper end thereof. A
lower outer case is connected at an upper end to the plug assembly
and a connecting sleeve connecting the upper and lower outer cases.
The connecting sleeve and plug assembly define an annular space
therebetween configured to receive a plug degrading fluid.
[0026] The plug housing of the buoyancy assist tool defines a
plurality of ports therein configured to communicate a degrading
fluid from the annular space with the degradable plug. The upper
outer case defines a port in a wall thereof, the port having a
rupturable plug therein. The port is configured to communicate
degrading fluid into the annular space when the plug ruptures.
[0027] In one embodiment of the buoyancy assist tool a
non-permeable cap covers an upper end of the degradable plug. The
non-permeable plug will prevent premature degrading of the plug, by
preventing a degrading fluid from contacting the degradable plug
until the desired time. That time will generally be when a casing
string with the buoyancy assist tool has been lowered to a desired
location in a wellbore. In an embodiment the non-permeable cap
comprises a rubber coating. The buoyancy assist tool may comprise
the upper end of a buoyancy chamber in a casing string. The upper
outer case of the buoyancy assist tool may define a fluid chamber
containing the degrading fluid.
[0028] An embodiment of the downhole apparatus is casing string
comprised of a plurality of casing joints. A degradable plug is
configured to block flow through the casing string until the casing
string reaches a desired depth in a well bore. A flow barrier is
positioned in the casing string below the degradable plug, and the
degradable plug and the flow barrier define upper and lower ends of
a buoyancy chamber in the casing.
[0029] The casing string in one embodiment has a plug assembly
connected therein. The plug assembly comprises a plug housing with
the degradable plug fixed therein. The plug housing defines a
plurality of ports configured to communicate a degrading fluid
therethrough to contact the degradable plug. An outer case
connected in the casing string and the plug assembly define an
annular space configured to receive a degrading fluid. In one
embodiment a closed fluid chamber positioned above the plug
assembly chamber contains the degrading fluid. In another
embodiment no fluid chamber is included and the degrading fluid is
delivered through the casing string.
[0030] Thus, it is seen that the apparatus and methods of the
present invention readily achieve the ends and advantages mentioned
as well as those inherent therein. While certain preferred
embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described
for purposes of the present disclosure, numerous changes in the
arrangement and construction of parts and steps may be made by
those skilled in the art, which changes are encompassed within the
scope and spirit of the present invention.
* * * * *