U.S. patent number 3,556,220 [Application Number 04/811,868] was granted by the patent office on 1971-01-19 for well tools.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Otis Engineering Corporation. Invention is credited to Harry E. Schwegman.
United States Patent |
3,556,220 |
|
January 19, 1971 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
WELL TOOLS
Abstract
A pluggable well packer and operator means therefor runnable on
a pipe string into a well and fluid pressure settable without
manipulation of the pipe string to seal off and production test a
well formation, and operable for cementing off said formation and
plugging said well; said operator means being thereafter removable
with said pipe string. The method of treating a well by means of
the foregoing is also set forth.
Inventors: |
Harry E. Schwegman (Plano,
TX) |
Assignee: |
Otis Engineering Corporation
(Dallas, TX)
|
Family
ID: |
25207818 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/811,868 |
Filed: |
April 1, 1969 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
166/290; 166/150;
166/120; 166/181 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B
33/1294 (20130101); E21B 41/0007 (20130101); E21B
33/16 (20130101); E21B 33/1295 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E21B
33/1295 (20060101); E21B 33/12 (20060101); E21B
33/16 (20060101); E21B 33/129 (20060101); E21B
33/13 (20060101); E21B 41/00 (20060101); E21b
033/13 (); E21b 033/12 () |
Field of
Search: |
;166/290,120,150,149,181,182 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: James A. Leppink
Attorney, Agent or Firm: E. Hastings Ackley
Claims
1. Well apparatus adapted to be operated in a well bore, including:
first and second tubular body means releasably connected in axially
aligned relationship; normally retracted expansible gripping means
and sealing means on said first body means; normally retracted
expansible holddown means on said second body means; means on said
second body means for connecting it to a well flow conductor for
moving said first and second body means into said well bore; and
fluid pressure responsive actuator means on said second body means
operable to expand said gripping means and said sealing means on
said first body means to gripping and sealing engagement with the
wall of said well bore; said second body means being disconnectable
from said first body means upon longitudinal movement of
2. Well apparatus of the character set forth in claim 1, wherein
said second body means has initially closed, openable, and
reclosable lateral flow port means provided thereon for
communicating the interior of said second body means with the well
bore exteriorly of said second body means above said sealing means
of said first body means when said lateral port means is open for
establishing circulation of fluids through said flow
3. Well apparatus of the character set forth in claim 1, wherein
said first body means has initially closed, openable, and
reclosable lateral flow port means providing a fluid passage
between the interior of said first body means and the well bore
below said sealing means when said later said
4. Well apparatus of the character set forth in claim 3, wherein
plug means is provided in the bore of the said first body means to
close the bore of said first body means below said lateral flow
port means of said first
5. Well apparatus of the character set forth in claim 2, wherein
closing means is provided to reclose the lateral flow port means of
said second
6. Well apparatus of the character set forth in claim 1, wherein
connecting means are provided on said first body means and said
second body means releasably connecting the same, said connecting
means including yieldable means constructed to fail when stressed
to a predetermined value to effect disconnection of said second
body means from said first body means when said second body means
is moved longitudinally relative to said first body
7. Well apparatus of the character set forth in claim 4, wherein
sleeve port closure means is provided on said first body means
movable to close said lateral flow port means of said first body
means when said second
8. Well apparatus of the character set forth forth in claim 7,
means on said sleeve port closure means and means on said second
body means coengageable to move said sleeve port closure means to
position closing said lateral flow port means of said first body
means upon withdrawal of
9. Well apparatus of the character set forth in claim 7, including:
laterally movable connector means carried by said sleeve port
closure means, said connector means having inner and outer bosses
formed thereon; flange means on the lower portion of said second
body means engageable with said inner bosses of said connector
means of said sleeve port closure means to move said closure means
from open to closed position; recess means provided in said first
body means for receiving said outer bosses of said connector means
of said sleeve port closure means when said closure means is
disposed in a position closing said lateral flow port means of said
first body means, whereby said connector means may be moved
laterally to a position releasing the inner bosses of said
connector means from engagement with said flange means of said
second body means to permit withdrawal of said second body means
from said first body means, leaving said sleeve closure means
closing said lateral flow port means and said plug means closing
the bore of said first body means below said sleeve
10. Well apparatus of the character set forth in claim 1, wherein
said hold down means on said second body means comprises normally
retracted gripping means exposed to and expandable by fluid
pressure in said second body means into engagement with the inner
wall of said well bore to hold said second body means against
longitudinal displacement in said well bore.
11. Well apparatus of the character set forth in claim 10,
including: sleeve closure means in said second body means initially
closing the lateral flow port means thereof and shiftable to a
position opening said port means; and means for said shifting said
sleeve closure means from to port-closing port-opening position,
said shifting means being insertable into said second body means
through said flow conductor to engage said sleeve closure means for
moving the same in response to fluid pressure.
12. Well apparatus of the character set forth in claim 11,
including closure sleeve means for reclosing said lateral flow port
means of said second body means after the same has been opened,
said closure sleeve means being insertable into said second body
means through said flow
13. Well apparatus of the character set forth in claim 10,
including yieldable barrier means disposed in said second tubular
body means between said hold down means and the bore of said second
body means for excluding actuating fluids, cement, or other foreign
matter from direct contact with
14. Well apparatus adapted to be operated in a well bore,
including: well packer and plug tool means; operator and running
tool means; means releasably connecting said well packer and plug
tool means and said operator and running tool means in axially
aligned relationship; normally retracted expansible sealing means
on said packer and plug tool; normally retractor expansible
gripping means on said packer and plug tool above and below said
sealing means; actuator means on said operator and running tool
engageable with said upper gripping means of said pacer packer and
plug tool and operable by fluid pressure to move said gripping
means and said sealing means of said packer and plug tool to
gripping and sealing position; normally retracted fluid pressure
expansible hold down means on said operator and running tool;
lateral flow port sleeve valve means on said operator and running
tool above said packer and plug tool; flow conductor means
connected to the upper end of said operator and running tool;
hanger means on said flow conductor for suspending the same from a
wellhead at the upper end of the well bore; and means insertable
into said packer and plug tool for plugging the same; said means
releasably connecting said operator and running tool to said packer
and plug tool being releasable upon longitudinal movement of said
operator and running tool relative to said packer and plug tool
after said packer and plug tool
15. The method of treating a well penetrating an earth formation,
comprising the steps of: lowering a pressure actuatable tubular
holddown and setting tool and tubular setting tool and tubular
packer and plug well tool releasably connected to said holddown and
setting tool into the well on a flow conductor to a location above
the earth formation to be treated; suspending the flow conductor at
the upper end of the well; pressurizing said flow conductor to
actuate said holddown and setting tool to hold the lower end of the
flow conductor against movement in said well and to move said
packer and plug well tool to anchored sealing position between said
flow conductor and the bore of said well; testing said earth
formation by flowing fluids from said formation through said well
tool and said flow
16. The method of claim 15, including the additional steps of:
establishing a fluid passageway between the bore of said flow
conductor and the well bore above said well tool; and circulating
fluid through said well bore above said well tool, through said
fluid passageway and through said flow
17. The method of claim 16, including the additional steps of:
closing said fluid passageway between said flow conductor and said
well bore; and forcing cement through said flow conductor and said
well tool to plug said
18. The method of claim 17, including the additional steps of:
plugging the bore of said well tool; disconnecting said holddown
and setting tool from said well tool; and removing said flow
conductor and holddown and setting
19. The method of claim 17, including the additional steps of:
plugging the bore of said well tool; disconnecting said holddown
and setting tool from said weld tool, circulating control fluid
through said well bore and SAID flow conductor above said well tool
to remove unused cement from said well; and removing said flow
conductor and said holddown and setting tool
20. The method of claim 15, including the additional steps of:
establishing a fluid passageway between the bore of said holddown
and setting tool and the well bore above said packer and plug well
tool; injecting cement into the upper end of said flow conductor to
displace the contents of the flow conductor through said fluid
passageway into the well bore above said well tool; closing said
fluid passageway; forcing a portion of said cement through said
well tool into the well bore below said well tool to plug the well
bore below said well tool; reopening said fluid passageway;
injecting fluid into the upper end of the well bore exteriorly of
the flow conductor and through said fluid passageway to displace
the unused cement in the
21. The method of claim 20, including the additional steps of:
plugging the bore of said well tool; disconnecting said holddown
and setting tool from said well tool; and removing said flow
conductor and and setting tool from
22. Them The method of claim 15, including the additional steps of:
establishing a fluid a passageway between the bore of said holddown
and setting tool and the well bore above said well tool; injecting
a predetermined amount of cement into the upper end of said flow
conductor to displace the contents of said flow conductor through
said fluid passageway into the well bore above said well tool;
closing said fluid passageway; forcing fluid into the upper end of
the flow conductor for forcing said cement through said well tool
into said earth formation until a desired predetermined squeeze
pressure is reached; maintaining said squeeze pressure plugging the
well bore at said well tool; and disconnecting said holddown and
setting tool from said well tool and removing said flow conductor
and holddown and to setting tool from said
23. The method of claim 15, including the additional steps of:
establishing a fluid passageway between the bore of said holddown
and setting tool and the well bore above said well tool; forcing
fluid into the upper end of said well bore exteriorly of said flow
conductor and through said fluid passageway to displace the
contents of said well bore above said well tool into said flow
conductor to the upper end of said flow conductor; injecting cement
into the upper end of the flow conductor to displace the contents
of said flow conductor through said passageway and into the well
bore above said well tool; closing said fluid passageway; forcing
fluid into the upper end of said flow conductor and forcing cement
through said well tool into said earth formation until a desired
predetermined squeeze pressure is reached; maintaining said squeeze
pressure; plugging said well bore at said well tool; disconnecting
said holddown and setting tool from said well tool; and removing
said flow conductor and holddown and setting tool from said well,
leaving said well tool in place in said well bore to
24. In the method of claim 22, the step of: circulating fluid down
said well bore exteriorly of said flow conductor into the lower end
of said holddown and setting tool and up through said flow
conductor to remove unused cement from the well after disconnecting
said holddown and setting tool from said well tool and before
removing said flow conductor and
25. In the method of claim 23, the step of of: circulating fluid
down said well bore exteriorly of said flow conductor into the
lower end of said holddown and setting tool and up through said
flow conductor to remove unused cement from the well, after
disconnecting said holddown and setting tool from said well tool
and before removing said flow conductor and holddown and setting
tool from said well.
Description
One object of this invention is to provide an improved tool for use
in the production testing of wells, particularly submarine
wells.
An important object of the invention it to is to provide a
production testing tool which is lowerable into a well on a pipe
string, which may be set, without manipulating said pipe string, by
fluid pressure applied through said pipe string.
A further object is to provide a tool of the type described which
can be converted to a bridge plug subsequent to the production
testing phase of the operation.
A still further object is to provide a tool of the character
described which includes a running tool having flow port means
openable for killing the well after the production test, and
reclosable to permit the pumping of cement through the tool and
into the formation below the tool for the plugging operation.
A yet further object is to provide a tool of the character
described which is operable to permit the removal of all excess
cement above the tool by reverse circulation subsequent to the
cementing operation.
Another object of this invention is to provide a well tool for use
in production testing and cementing of a well, particularly a
submarine well, including a running tool having holddown means
expandable by the fluid pressure in the flow passage of said tool,
said holddown means being engageable with the interior wall of the
casing so that the pressure in the well bore which tends to
displace the production tool upwardly will expand the holddown
means into engagement with the well casing to prevent such upward
displacement, during all phases of operation of the tool.
Another object is to provide such a tool which includes a well
packer portion having lateral ports in the wall thereof below the
packer seal elements and a plug which is installable in the packer
bore below said lateral ports, said lateral ports being closable
after said plug is installed so that back flow of fluids through
the tool will be prevented.
An important object of the invention is to provide a well tool and
operating means therefor which can be used for the production
testing and subsequent plugging of a well, by means of which both
operations may be performed during a single trip of the pipe by
means of which the tool is run and operated.
Another important object is to provide a system of for and method
of treating a well having a casing and a wellhead, wherein a well
tool and operator means are connected to a well flow conductor and
lowered thereby to a desired location in said casing and said flow
conductor is then suspended at the wellhead, said well tool and
operator means being actuated thereafter by fluid pressure applied
through said flow conductor for sealing off and production testing
a well formation, and operable thereafter for cementing off said
flow conductor are disconnectable from said well tool for removal
from said well casing, leaving said well tool in place.
A particular object of the invention is to provide a system for and
a method of treating a well having a casing and a wellhead, wherein
a well tool and operator means are connected to a well flow
conductor and lowered thereby to a desired location in said casing
and said flow conductor is then suspended at the wellhead, said
well tool and operator means being actuated thereafter by fluid
pressure applied through said flow conductor for sealing off and
production testing a well formation, and operable thereafter for
cementing off said well formation, said well tool and operator
means being provided with means for establishing flow paths for the
circulation of fluids thru through flow conductor and said casing
subsequent to said production testing and after said cementing
operations, and wherein said operator means and said flow conductor
are disconnectable from said well tool for removal from said well
casing, leaving said well tool in place.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be readily
apparent from the reading of the following description of devices
constructed in accordance with the invention, and reference to the
accompanying drawings thereof, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a fragmentary schematical view showing the well tool and
operator means disposed in a submarine well ready for
operation;
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary schematical view similar to FIG. 1 showing
the well tool being actuated to position sealing off the well
formation;
FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing upper lateral flow ports
being opened preparatory to killing the well;
FIG. 4 is a vie similar to FIG. 3 shown showing the upper lateral
port reclosed by a straddle member and plug assembly;
FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing the plug in position
closing the lower end of the packer bore with lower lateral flow
ports open;
FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing the operator means
disconnected from the well tool and the lower lateral flow ports
and packer bore closed to plug the well;
FIGS. 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, taken together, form an enlarged view,
partly in elevation and partly in section, showing the details of
construction of the well tool and operator means in running-in
condition;
FIGS. 12, 13 and 14, taken together, form an enlarged view, partly
in elevation and partly in section, of the lower portion of the
operator means and the well tool showing the well tool showing the
well tool actuated to sealing position;
FIG. 15 is an enlarged view, partly in elevation and partly in
section, showing the straddle member and plug assembly closing the
upper lateral flow ports of the operator means;
FIG. 16 is an enlarged view, partly in elevation and partly in
section, of the lower portion of the well tool showing the plug
closing the bore of said well tool before the lower lateral flow
ports are closed;
FIG. 17 is a fragmentary view, partly in elevation and partly in
section, of the upper portion of the well tool showing the
connection between the operator means and the well tool released;
and
FIG. 18 is a fragmentary view similar to FIGS. 14 and 16 showing
the lower lateral flow ports closed and the lower end portion of
the operator means being withdrawn from the well tool.
In the drawings, FIG. 1, a submarine well installation 20 is shown
schematically, in which the well is drilled into the earth at the
bottom of the body of water. The well installation includes a
casing C penetrating the earth producing formation F and having a
wellhead or hanger assembly H at the upper end of the casing. The
hanger assembly includes a seat S and a blowout preventer B, and
may be similar to the submarine wellhead installation illustrated
and described in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,411,576, to Donald F. Taylor,
Jr. A drilling platform or vessel P is shown as floating on the
surface of the water and flexible flow conduits T and L are
illustrated as extending downwardly from the drilling vessel to he
wellhead H, the line T being connected to the upper end of the
tubing string or production tubing 21 extending downwardly in the
well casing and supported by a hanger 22 on the seat S in the
wellhead. The rams 23 of the blowout preventer are shown as closed
around the flow conductor T, and a valve 24, which may be an
automatic or surface controlled safety valve of the type generally
shown in the aforesaid U.S. Pat. No. 3,411,576, may be provided in
the flow conductor T to permit disconnection of the flow conductor
above the wellhead in the event of storm or other threat of damage.
Similarly, the flow conduit L is connected to the side port, flow
wing or outlet 25 of the wellhead H, and a valve 26 is connected in
the flow conductor for controlling flow through said lateral flow
port.
Obviously, to both the safety valve 24 in the tubing string 21 and
the lateral flow wing valve 26 communicating with the casing
annulus may be remotely controlled or may be automatically
operable.
The well system and method of this comprehends the use of a well
apparatus including a well packer and plug tool 30 and an operator
and running tool 31 releasably connected together in longitudinal
alignment and carried by the lower end of the well production
tubing string 21 as shown in FIG. 1. The packer and plug tool
includes a mandrel or body 33 having a seal element 35 and upper
and lower gripping means or slip assembles 36 and 37, respectively,
on said body. The operator and running tool 31 includes an elongate
body or mandrel 38 which is connected at its upper end to the lower
end of the tubing string 21, and has a reduced lower stinger
portion 39 which extends downwardly in the bore of the packer and
plug tool 30. The operator and running tool also includes a lateral
flow pot port sleeve valve 40 having a valve closure member 41
slidable therein for closing the lateral ports 42 in said sleeve
valve, and holddown means 45a movable laterally thereof by fluid
pressure from within the bore of the mandrel of or body of said
operator and running tool. Below the holddown means, the operator
means is provided with a fluid pressure responsive actuator
assembly 48 which is operable in response to fluid pressure from
within the bore of the mandrel to engage and move the sealing means
and gripping members or slips of the packer and bridge plug to
expanded gripping position engaging the bore wall of the casing,
whereby the sealing means and gripping means of the packer an and
bridge plug are expanded hydraulically and without mechanical
operation or manipulation of the tubing string 21.
The lower portion of the mandrel or body of the packer and plug is
also provided with a sliding sleeve valve assembly 50 having
lateral ports initially closed by a thimble closure member or
sleeve 51 telescoped over the lower end of the mandrel and closing
the lateral ports 52 in the ported mandrel or body 55 of the sleeve
valve assembly. Within the bore of the mandrel is a longitudinally
slidable valve closure member 53 having lateral ports 54 which are
initially in registry with the ports 52 in the mandrel or body.
This inner sliding sleeve closure member 53 is movable
longitudinally with respect to the lateral ports to reclose the
ports after the same have been opened by removal the the thimble
closure member 51 from the lower end of the mandrel, and will be
hereinafter more fully explained. A releasable connection is
provided between the lower reduced end or stinger 39 of the mandrel
38 of the operator and running tool and the inner sleeve closure
member 53 for actuating the same from opened to closed positions,
as will be hereinafter more fully explained.
In use in treating or operating a well, the well tubing string 21
having the operator and running tool 31 connected to the lower end
thereof and carrying the packer and plug tool 30 therebelow is
lowered into the well bore from the floating or other type platform
P to position the packer and plug tool 30 at the desired location
in the well bore with respect to the well formation F. The tubing
string is then hung by means of the hanger 22 in the wellhead H and
the rams 23 of the blowout preventer B are closed about the upper
end of the tubing string. The flow conduit or conductor T and the
lateral flow conductor L are connected to the upper end of the
tubing string 21 and to the lateral flow wing 25 of the wellhead,
respectively, as shown in FIG. 1, and extend from the wellhead to
the platform P. Should any storm or other dangerous condition
arise, the flow conduit T and the lateral flow conduit L may be
disconnected in the manner set out and disclosed in the Taylor U.S.
Pat Pat. No. 3,411,576, whereby it is not necessary that the tubing
string and the operator and running tool and the packer and plug
tool be removed from the well in the event of the occurrence of
such conditions.
In carrying out the process and method of treating the well after
the well installation has been made in the casing, a packer setting
bar and plug 60 is pumped or otherwise moved through the tubing
string into the bore of the packer and plug tool 30.
The elongate packer setting bar and plug 60 is circulated through
the tubing string 21 into the bore of the packer and plug tool
until the large plug member 62 at the lower end of the setting bar
and plug engaged the seat 63 formed by the reduced lower internal
flange portion of the thimble 50 to close the lower end of the bore
and prevent fluid flow therethrough, as shown in FIG. 2. The
thimble is held against displacement c shear pins or other suitable
yieldable means 64 until a predetermined fluid pressure, preferably
obtained by pumping such as water, into the well tubing, is
directed through the lateral openings 65 in the actuator assembly
48 of the operator tool into the cylinder 66 to act on the
longitudinally movable actuator piston 66, which has seals
66aengaging the wall of the cylinder 67 and seals 66bengaging the
mandrel 33, to move the same longitudinally on the mandrel 38 of
the operator and running tool until the enlarge skirt 68 threaded
at 66c on the lower end of the piston engaged and compresses the
gripping means 36 and 37 toward each other and expands the sealing
member 35 into sealing engagement with the bore wall of the well
casing. The pin 76a releasably holding the upper slip carrying
sleeve 76 in an upper retracted position on the mandrel is sheared
to permit the upper slips 77 to move downwardly on the upper
expander cone 79 and shear the pin 79a holding the cone 79 in its
upper position. The seal means 35 is compressed downwardly to shear
the pin 74a holding the lower expander cone 74 in its upper
retracted position, and such lower cone moves downwardly within the
lower slips 72 to spread the retaining band 73 and expand the lower
slips to gripping position on the supporting flange 71 on the
mandrel 33. The seal means is then fully expandable and the upper
slips 77 are expanded to gripping position spreading the band 78 to
permit such expansion. The packer is thus set in gripping sealing
position by fluid pressure applied through the actuator assembly 48
of the operator and running tool without mechanical movement or
actuation of the tubing string.
A suitably elevated pressure is then applied by means of the
liquid, such as water, in the tubing string and acts on the plug 62
of the packer setting bar and plug 60 to shear the pins 64 and
force the thimble 50 downwardly off the ported valve body 55 at the
lower end of the mandrel 33 of the packer to open the lateral ports
52 and 54 and to move the setting bar and plug out of the lower
open end of the bore of the packer and plug. The enlarged head 61
at the upper end of the setting bar provides a restriction to fluid
flow through the bore of the mandrel of the packer and plug and
assures that the elongate setting bar moves the thimble off the
valve body at the lower end of the mandrel of the packer and plug
tool.
The packer and plug tool are now in the set gripping and sealing
position shown in FIG. 3; and, with the packer to set, and the
tubing full of fluid, such as water, and the lower open end of the
packer and plug open to flow therethrough, the well is in condition
to be tested for production. Fluids may be flowed from the well
formation F upwardly through the bore of the packer and plug and
the operator and running tool through the tubing string 21 to the
surface of the water at the platform P.
With the packer and plug tool so set in sealing position, the
formation is tested for productivity and determination of whether
to complete the well in that formation, or to cement the tested
formation and then test another producing zone. After the
completion of the production test, the well is making no liquids,
or if the well formation will take the fluids present in the tubing
string 21 without damage, it is possible to cement the well bore
below the packer without killing the well by admitting mud or
loading fluid from the annulus into the tubing string. In such
case, the cement would be pumped downwardly through the packer and
plug tool and out the open end thereof to close the well bore
therebelow.
If, however, as is the usual case, it is desired to kill the well
and then to introduce cement for plugging, a weighted plug tool 70
is dropped into the well bore through the conductor and moved
downwardly therein by gravity until the plug tool engages the seat
43 at the upper end of the closure sleeve 41 of the lateral flow
sleeve valve 40 in the operator and running tool. Fluid pressure
introduced into the well flow conductor T and tubing 21 above the
plug 70 will force the sleeve 41 downwardly to open the lateral
ports 42 for flow therethrough. When it has been determined that
the sleeve is opened, the loading fluid, or mud or the like, in the
annulus A between the casing and flow tubing string is permitted to
enter through the ports 42 and circulates the plug 70 out of the
well tubing back upwardly through the production tubing 21 and
conduit T. A column of loading fluid or mud will now be present in
the tubing string, and the cement may be introduced in the usual
manner into the well.
A straddle and sealing plug assembly 80 comprising a tubular
straddle port closure member 81 and a closure plug assembly 82
releasably secured thereto is inserted into the flow conduit T and
pumped downwardly ahead of the cement through the tubing string 21
into the upper end of the bore of the operator and running tool 31,
as shown in FIGS. 4 and 15. An external annular shoulder 83 on the
tubular port closure member 81 engaged the seat 43 at the upper end
of the sleeve 41 and limits further downward movement of the
tubular straddle port closure. Sealing members 84a and 84b on the
port closure sleeve 81 seal between the closure sleeve and the bore
wall of the mandrel or body 38 of the operator tool above and below
the ports 42 to close off fluid flow through such lateral ports. An
annular upwardly facing sealing cup 88 on the upper end of the
straddle closure members assures that fluid pressure will move the
assembly into the well and bore of the operator and running tool.
Further fluid pressure applied to the closure plug assembly 82 will
shear the pins 85 connecting the plug assembly to the tubular port
closure 81 and cause the closure plug assembly to move downwardly
through the bore of the operator and running tool and the packer
and plug until a stop shoulder 86 on the lower mandrel section 87
of the plug assembly engages the shoulder 56 at the upper end of
the flange forming the lower reduced bore 57 of the ported valve
body 55 at the lower end of the mandrel of the packer and plug
tool. A split locking ring 58 on the mandrel section 87 is disposed
to engage the lower end of the mandrel to lock the plug assembly in
place in the bore of the body 55, and sealing means 59 on the
exterior of the mandrel of the plug seals with and closes the bore
57 of the body against flow therethrough.
With the parts in the position shown in FIGS. 5 and 16, cement
pumped down through the tubing string 21 will flow downwardly
through the operator and running toll 31 and the packer plug
assembly 30 and act on the large resilient bulbar a seal member 89
to force the stem section 87of the plug mandrel downwardly after
shearing the pin 87b connecting the stem and mandrel, to move the
bulbar seal member into the enlarged bore 53a of the sliding
closure sleeve 53 below the lateral ports 54 and 52. The cement may
then flow outwardly through the lateral ports 54 and 52 of the
sliding sleeve valve assembly 50 at the lower end of the mandrel of
the packer and plug tool 30, and will enter the formation through
the perforations in the casing C or other openings thereto below
the packer. Since high pressures are used in cementing, the
holddown assembly prevents upward displacement of the packer and
plug tool during cementing or application of high pressures during
other operations. The elongate toothed gripping members or buttons
45a are normally biased inwardly to retracted positions in the
lateral recesses 45c in the mandrel 38 by leaf springs 46 retained
in the recesses by retaining rings 46a secured by bolts to the
mandrel. Seal supports 47 are secured by bolts to the gripping
member members 45a with the walls of the recess whereby fluid
pressure from within the bore of the mandrel acting through the
lateral apertures 45b forces the gripping members 45a outwardly to
grip the casing wall and prevent upward movement of the operator
and running tool. Metal protective inserts 47b in the seal member
disposed to cover the lateral apertures 45b prevent extensive
damage to the seal member by external fluid pressure. An elongate
tubular protector sleeve 44 secured to the mandrel above the
lateral apertures and extending substantially below the lowermost
aperture provides an annular chamber or receptacle 44a into which
water-pump grease or similar material may be disposed to exclude
cement, sand or other foreign matter form entry into the recesses
45c behind the gripping members 45a, so that such members are
assured of being retractable.
After a suitable quantity of cement has been introduced and a
suitable cementing squeeze pressure has been obtained, the operator
and running tool 31 is lifted by means of the tubing string 21, as
shown in FIG. 6, and the lower reduced or stinger portion 39 of the
mandrel 38 of the operator and running toll lifts the sliding
closure sleeve 53 to move the ports 54 therein above the upper seal
56 in the bore of the valve body and to move the imperforate
portion of the sleeve opposite the ports 52 in the body and between
the seals 56 on opposite sides of the ports 52 to close the lateral
ports against flow therethrough. With the parts in this position,
all flow past the packer and plug tool is cut off, and the well
bore is plugged at and below the packer and plug.
The releasable connection between the operator and running tool 31
and the packer and plug tool 30 is released, as the yieldable
cylindrical shear sleeve 90 is sheared by the lifting force of the
flange 91a on the connector body 91 of the mandrel 38 acting
against the bushing 92 threaded into the shear sleeve above the
weakened shear section 93 in the shear sleeve, as shown in FIG. 17,
to permit to the operator and running tool to move upwardly
longitudinally of the packer an and plug tool and away from the
same. Such upward movement of the operator and running tool moves
the reduced lower or stinger portion 39 of the operator and running
tool mandrel 38 upwardly, and the flange 95 at the lower end of the
stinger engages the inwardly projecting bosses 96 on the resilient
leaf spring sections 97 formed in the upper portion of the sliding
closure sleeve 53 to move the sliding closure sleeve upwardly until
the outer bosses 98 on said leaf spring sections enter the annular
recess 99 in the upper portion of the bore of the valve body member
55, and are moved outwardly by the flange into the recess top to
permit the flange to pass the inner bosses 96 and the operator and
running tool to be completely disengaged from the sliding closure
sleeve sleeve.
The closure sleeve is then in the upper position shown in FIG. 18,
closing off the lateral flow ports 54 and 52 of the sliding sleeve
valve assembly 50. The plug assembly 82 also closes the bore of the
packer and plug tool at the lower end of the body 55, and the
straddle closure sleeve 81 closes the lateral ports 42 in the
lateral flow ported sleeve valve 40. Any excess cement in the well
bore above the packer and plug tool may be then circulated out of
the well by pumping downwardly through the casing and upwardly
through the tubing to remove the same in the usual manner.
In the event it is desired to establish circulation between the
tubing-casing annulus and the bore of the tubing string before the
operator and running tool 31 is disconnected from the packer and
plug tool 30, circulation fluid introduced into the annulus will
enter the ports 42 in the sleeve valve 40 and act on the downwardly
facing differential area of the straddle closure sleeve 81 defined
by the large upper seals 84a and the smaller lower seals 84b to
move the closure sleeve 81 upwardly ad and permit the circulation
fluids to enter the bore of the operator and running tool 31 and
flow upwardly through the tubing 21.
After the operator and running tool has been disconnected from the
packer and plug tool, the tubing string 21 with the operator and
running tool connected thereto may be pulled out of the well casing
and refitted, leaving the packer and bridge plug tool in place in
the well; and, a new packer and plug tool may be connected to the
operator and running tool for running into the well. The operations
of testing and treating the well hereinbefore described may then be
repeated, locating the packer and plug tool at a different position
in the well and carrying out the operations and method previously
described herein.
The operator of a will usually avoid cementing a formation which in
tests shows good potential, and understandably so, because to do so
would likely have a seriously detrimental effect upon the
formation. If such is the case, instead of cementing, the operator
would merely lift the flow tubing 21 to withdraw the stinger 39
from the packer and plug tool. Such withdrawal moves the valve
closure sleeve 53 upwardly into position closing the lateral flow
ports 52 and leaving the plug tool 81 in place closing the lower
end of the bore of the mandrel 33, so that flow through the bore of
the packer and plug tool in either direction is closed off and the
formation just tested is isolated from the well bore above the
packer and plug tool. If desired, production testing of shallower
formations above the packer and plug tool can then be carried
out.
If it is later desired to produce the formation sealed off below
the packer and plug tool, a tubing string having a body and stinger
member, similar to the flanged connector body 91 and the reduced
lower extension or stinger 39 of the operator and running tool 31
with the flange 95 at its lower end, can be lowered into the well
to engage and move the closure sleeve 53 downwardly in the body 55
to open the lateral ports 52 to permit the lower formation F to be
produced through such ports and up the tubing string. This stinger
would be provided with seals such as the seals 115 on the stinger
39 and the flanged connector body would be provided with a J-slot
instead of the straight slot 111 for engagement with the J-lug 110
in the upper end of the bore of the packer and plug tool to latch
the stinger in stationary sealing position in the bore of the
packer and plug tool to direct fluids flowing from the formation F
to the tubing string and the well surface.
Alternatively, the packer and plug tool could be drilled up or
destroyed and removed from the well bore by well known techniques,
and the well completed in the lower formation in the usual manner
for po production through the tubing string. The foregoing
description of the invention is explanatory only, and changes in
the details of the constructions illustrated may be made by those
skilled in the art, within the scope of the appended claims,
without departing from the spirit of the invention. 17
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