U.S. patent number 3,603,388 [Application Number 05/008,468] was granted by the patent office on 1971-09-07 for retrievable well packer.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Camco, Inc.. Invention is credited to James H. Current, Harry C. Ehlert, Marion D. Kilgore.
United States Patent |
3,603,388 |
Current , et al. |
September 7, 1971 |
RETRIEVABLE WELL PACKER
Abstract
A longitudinally releasably retrievable well packer with a
packing seal member surrounding a mandrel having a body slidably
engaging the mandrel and a housing slidable relative to the body
and the mandrel with releasable engaging means between the housing
and the mandrel, and a longitudinally actuated releasable locking
means connected to the housing for unlocking and locking the
releasable engaging means and coacting means between the body and
the locking means for actuating the locking means thereby providing
a packer release assembly unaffected by packer seal tightness or
upward forces on the tubing below the packer which allows tandem
packers to be released one at a time. A shearpin movable in an
annular and a longitudinal slot between the body and the housing
for releasing the packer by an upward force or by a combination of
rotation and upward force. A key and an elongated longitudinal
keyway between the body and the housing allowing longitudinal
movement therebetween and a key and an elongated longitudinal
keyway between the housing and the mandrel allowing longitudinal
movement therebetween for transmitting rotational and longitudinal
movement to the mandrel after releasing the packer. An integral
circulation valve which can be opened and closed by a tubing
manipulation after the packer is set without releasing the
packer.
Inventors: |
Current; James H. (Houston,
TX), Ehlert; Harry C. (Houston, TX), Kilgore; Marion
D. (Houston, TX) |
Assignee: |
Camco, Inc. (Houston,
TX)
|
Family
ID: |
21731771 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/008,468 |
Filed: |
February 4, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
166/120; 166/240;
166/131 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B
33/1295 (20130101); E21B 33/1294 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E21B
33/1295 (20060101); E21B 33/12 (20060101); E21B
33/129 (20060101); E21b 023/06 (); E21b 023/04 ();
E21b 033/128 () |
Field of
Search: |
;166/120,118,131,129,134,240 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Brown; David H.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. In a well packer adapted to be set in a conduit disposed in a
well bore having a mandrel, an initially retracted packing seal
means, slip means surrounding said mandrel, and means for expanding
the slip means and the packing seal means into engagement with the
conduit, the improvement in a releasing assembly comprising:
a body adapted to be connected to a well tubing and slidably
engaging the upper end of the mandrel,
a housing longitudinally slidable relative to the body and the
mandrel and abutting the packing seal means,
releasable engaging means connected between the housing and the
mandrel,
releasable locking means connected to the housing for locking and
releasing the releasable engaging means, and
coacting means between the body and the releasable locking means
for releasing the locking means for releasing the engaging
means.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 including,
coacting shoulder means between the body and the housing for
retracting the housing from the packing seal means upon a
predetermined longitudinal movement between the body and the
housing.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 including,
shear means between the body and the housing initially holding the
body and housing together.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 including,
a fluid bypass in the body normally positioned below the top of the
mandrel,
seal means between the body and the mandrel above the bypass,
shear means in one of the body and the housing, and
a longitudinal slot in the other of the body and housing for
slidably receiving the shear means, said slot being of a sufficient
length to allow movement of the body relative to the mandrel to
move the bypass above the mandrel without shearing the shear
means.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 including,
pin means on one of the body and the housing,
an annular slot and a longitudinal slot in communication with the
annular slot, both slots in the other of the body and the housing
for slidably receiving the pin means, said longitudinal slot being
of a sufficient length for allowing mating of the coacting means
for releasing the locking means before the pin reaches the lower
end of the longitudinal slot.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 including,
shear means in one of the body and the housing initially preventing
movement of the pin in the annular slot.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 including,
coacting means between the body and the locking means for
reengaging the locking means with the engaging means.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 including,
a key and longitudinal keyway between the body and the housing
allowing release of the packing seal means without longitudinally
moving the mandrel.
9. The apparatus of claim 7 including,
a key and longitudinal keyway between the body and the housing,
a key and longitudinal keyway between the housing and the mandrel
for transmitting motion to the mandrel.
10. In a well packer adapted to be set in a conduit disposed in a
well bore having a mandrel, the lower end of which is adapted to be
connected to a well tubing, an initially retracted packing seal
means and slip means surrounding said mandrel, means for expanding
the slip means and the packing seal means into engagement with the
conduit, the improvement in a releasing assembly comprising,
a body adapted to be connected to a well tubing and slidably
engaging the upper end of the mandrel,
a housing longitudinally slidable relative to the body and the
mandrel and abutting the packing seal means,
releasable engaging means connected between the housing and the
mandrel for preventing longitudinal movement therebetween when
engaged,
longitudinally actuated releasable locking means connected to the
housing for locking and releasing the releasable engaging means,
and
coacting means between the body and the releasable locking means
for releasing the locking means for releasing the engaging
means.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 including,
shearpin means on one of the body and the housing,
an annular slot and a longitudinal slot in communication with the
annular slot, both slots in the other of the body and the housing
for slidably receiving the shearpin, said longitudinal slot being
of a sufficient length for allowing mating of the coacting means
for releasing the locking means before the shearpin is sheared in
the longitudinal slot.
12. The apparatus of claim 10 including,
a key and longitudinal keyway between the body and the housing
allowing longitudinal movement therebetween,
a key and longitudinal keyway between the housing and the mandrel
allowing longitudinal movement therebetween.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 including,
coacting means between the body and the locking means for
reengaging the locking means with the engaging means.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 including,
shear means between the body and the housing initially holding the
body and housing together.
15. In a well packer adapted to set in a conduit disposed in a well
bore having a mandrel the lower end of which is adapted to be
connected to a well tubing, an initially retracted packing seal
means surrounding the mandrel, slip means surrounding said mandrel,
means for extending the slip means and the packing seal means into
engagement with the conduit, the improvement in a releasing
assembly comprising,
a body adapted to be connected to a well tubing and longitudinally
slidably engaging the upper end of the mandrel,
a housing longitudinally slidable relative to the body and the
mandrel and abutting the packing seal means,
ratchet engaging means connected between the housing and the
mandrel for preventing longitudinal movement between the body and
the mandrel when engaged,
longitudinally actuated wedge lock initially connected to the
housing by a shearpin and initially locking the ratchet engaging
means in engagement,
shoulder means between the body and the wedge lock for
longitudinally releasing the wedge lock thereby unlocking the
ratchet means,
a key and longitudinal keyway between the body and housing allowing
longitudinal movement therebetween, and
a key and longitudinal keyway between the housing and the mandrel
allowing longitudinal movements therebetween for releasing the
packer but allowing both rotational and longitudinal movement to be
transmitted below the packer.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 including,
shoulder means between the body and the wedge lock for providing
longitudinal downward movement to the wedge lock for reengaging the
ratchet engaging means.
17. The apparatus of claim 15 including,
second shearpin means on one of the body and the housing,
an annular slot and a longitudinal slot in communication with the
annular slot, both slots in the other of the body and the housing
for slidably receiving the second shearpin, said longitudinal slot
being of a sufficient length for allowing release of the wedge lock
from the ratchet means without shearing the second shearpin in the
longitudinal slot,
third shearpin means in one of the body and the housing initially
preventing movement of the second shear means in the annular
slot.
18. In a well packer adapted to be set in a conduit disposed in a
well bore having a mandrel, an initially retracted packing seal
means and slip means surrounding said mandrel, means for expanding
the slip means and the packing seal means into engagement with the
conduit, the improvement in a bypass valve assembly comprising,
a body adapted to be connected to a well tubing and slidably
engaging the upper end of the mandrel,
a housing longitudinally slidable relative to the body and the
mandrel,
a fluid bypass in the body normally positioned below the top of the
mandrel,
seal means between the body and the mandrel above the bypass,
a first shear means in one of the body and the housing,
an annular slot and a longitudinal slot in communication with the
annular slot, both slots in the other of the body and the housing
for slidably receiving the first shear means, said longitudinal
slot being of a sufficient length to allow movement of the body
relative to the mandrel to move the bypass above the mandrel
without shearing the first shear means,
second shear means in the one of the body and the housing initially
preventing movement of the first shear means in the annular
slot.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 including,
a key and longitudinal keyway between the body and the housing,
said keyway being of a width such that when the key is positioned
against one side of the keyway, the first shear means is aligned
with the longitudinal slot.
20. In a well packer adapted to be set in a conduit for closing a
well bore having a mandrel, an initially retracted packing seal
means surrounding said mandrel, slip means surrounding and
connected to the lower end of said mandrel and positioned below
said packing seal means, hydraulically actuated packer seal
expanding means surrounding the mandrel for expanding said seal
means into engagement with said conduit, one-way clutch means
between the mandrel and said seal-expanding means allowing one-way
movement of the seal-expanding means in a direction to expand the
seal means, hydraulically actuated slip-expanding means surrounding
said mandrel and a portion of the seal-expanding means, one-way
clutch means between the slip-expanding means and said
seal-expanding means allowing one-way movement of the
seal-expanding means in a direction to expand the slip means,
coacting shoulders between the seal-expanding means and the
slip-expanding means positioned so that when the seal-expanding
means is lifted sufficiently the shoulders will contact and the
slip-expanding means will disengage the slip means, the improvement
in a releasing assembly comprising,
a body adapted to be connected to a well tubing and longitudinally
slidably engaging the upper end of the mandrel,
a housing longitudinally slidable relative to the body and the
mandrel and abutting the packing seal means,
releasable engaging means connected between the housing and the
mandrel,
longitudinally actuated releasable locking means connected to the
housing for locking and releasing the releasable engaging means,
and
coacting means between the body and the releasable locking means
for releasing the locking means for releasing the engaging
means.
21. The apparatus of claim 20 including,
a fluid bypass in the body normally positioned below the top of the
mandrel,
seal means between the body and the mandrel above the bypass,
shear means in one of the body and the housing, and
a longitudinal slot in the other of the body and housing for
slidably receiving the shear means, said slot being of a sufficient
length to allow movement of the body relative to the mandrel to
move the bypass above the mandrel without shearing the shear
means.
22. The apparatus of claim 20 including,
a key and longitudinal keyway between the body and the housing
allowing longitudinal movement therebetween,
a key and longitudinal keyway between the housing and the mandrel
allowing longitudinal movement therebetween.
23. The apparatus of claim 22 including,
coacting means between the body and the locking means for
reengaging the locking means with the engaging means.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to various improvements in a well
packer, preferably in a retrievable packer having two-way slip
means, which withstand high differential pressures and/or forces
from above and below and which can be released by an upward force
on the tubing string.
While longitudinally pull releasing-type well packers are not new,
the present invention is directed to various improvements therein.
Heretofore, the releasing force required to release a packer was
frequently a function of the amount of force in the packing seal at
the time of releasing and/or the forces induced in the seal due to
pressure differentials on the packer at the time of releasing. The
present invention provides a packer which will release at a
substantially predetermined load regardless of the forces in the
packing seal means.
A still further object of the present invention is the provision of
a releasing mechanism which can be released solely by an upward
force on the tubing string or by a combination of tubing rotation
and an upward force.
In addition, conventional shear release-type packers are prone to
premature release, particularly when used in tandem packer
installations, where the upward forces on the tubing string below
the packer may exceed the force required to release the packer. The
improved releasing packer of the present invention isolates the
release assembly from the forces exerted on the packer thereby
reducing the risk of prematurely releasing the upper packer.
Furthermore, the present invention in the packer releasing means
allows tandem packers to be released one at a time rather than all
simultaneously.
Heretofore, packers having two-way slip means have been released by
pulling the upper cone from beneath the upper portion of the slip.
If the lower cone does not fall out from beneath the lower portion
of the slips, pulling the slips off of the cone when the slip teeth
are deeply embedded in the casing can result in excessive pulling
loads and may result in breakage. The present invention is directed
to an improved well packer which can pull the upper cone from
beneath the slips and includes means for pushing the lower cone
from beneath the slips to fully release the slips from the
casing.
The present packer also provides other improvements including means
to transmit torque, weight, or tension through the packer after it
has been released, and to provide an integral circulation valve
which can be opened and reclosed by tubing manipulation after the
packer is set without releasing the packer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One feature of the present invention is to provide an improved
releasing assembly in a retrievable well packer by providing a body
adapted to be connected to a well tubing and slidably engaging the
upper end of the mandrel with a housing longitudinally slidable
relative to the body and the mandrel and abutting the packer seal
means with releasable engaging means connected between the housing
and the mandrel, and releasable locking means connected to the
housing for locking and releasing the engaging means, and coacting
means between the body and the locking means for releasing the
locking means and thus the engaging means thereby providing a
releasable mechanism which is independent of the forces on the
packer seal means, and which is unaffected by forces on the tubing
from below the packer, and in which the releasing assembly allows
tandem packers to be released one at a time.
Another object of the present invention is the provision of a
packer releasing mechanism which allows release solely by an upward
force on the tubing string or by a combination of tubing rotation
and upward force.
A still further object of the present invention is the provision of
a longitudinally actuated releasing well packer wherein the
releasing mechanism is reengageable and in which a packer having
two-way slip means may be released by moving both the lower and the
upper cones away from the slips when releasing the packer.
A still further object of the present invention is the provision of
a longitudinally actuated or a combination of rotational and
longitudinally actuated releasable retrievable packer having a
plurality of keys and elongated longitudinal keyways to allow
longitudinal movement without releasing the packer, but after the
packer is released allow either torque, upward or downward motions
to be transmitted through the released packer to equipment below
the packer.
A still further object of the present invention is the provision of
an integral circulation valve on a retrievable longitudinally
actuated packer which can be opened and reclosed by tubing
manipulation after the packer is set without releasing the
packer.
Still a further object of the present invention is the provision of
bypass means above the packer which allows circulation through the
packer after the packer has been released so as to prevent swabbing
during retrieval.
Yet a further feature of the present invention is the provision of
a hydraulically set retrievable packer having two-way slip means
which will sustain high differential pressures and/or forces from
above or below but which can be released by an upward force on the
tubing string.
Still a further object of the present invention is the provision of
a circulating valve well packer having a body slidably engaging the
upper end of the packer mandrel and a housing slidable relative to
the body and the mandrel with a fluid bypass in the body normally
positioned below the top of the mandrel and seal means between the
body and the mandrel and above the bypass with a first shear means
in one of the body and housing and an annular slot and a
longitudinal slot in communication with the annular slot with both
slots in the other of the body, and the housing for slidably
receiving the first shear means with the longitudinal slot being of
a sufficient length to allow movement of the body relative to the
mandrel to move the bypass above the mandrel without shearing the
first shear means, and a key and longitudinal keyway between the
body and the housing with the keyway being of a width such that
when the key is positioned against one side of the keyway the first
shear means is aligned with the longitudinal slot.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1A is an elevational view, partly in cross section, of the
upper portion of the present invention with the parts in position
as the packer is being lowered into the well bore,
FIG. 1B is a continuation of FIG. 1A,
FIG. 1C is a continuation of FIG. 1B,
FIG. 1D is a continuation of FIG. 1C,
FIG. 2 is a schematic elevational view, partly in cross section,
illustrating the well packer of the present invention in position
as the packer is being run into the well bore,
FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the well packer in the
set position,
FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the body of the present invention
showing the relationship between the shearpins and locking pins
while the packer is in the positions shown in FIGS. 2 and 3,
FIG. 4 is a schematic elevational view, in cross section,
illustrating the well packer of the present invention in set
position with the bypass valve open,
FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the body of the well packer of the
present invention showing the shearpins and locking key in position
as shown in FIG. 4, and
FIG. 5 is a schematic elevational view, in cross section,
illustrating the packer of the present invention in its released
position.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The present invention will be described, for convenience, as
applied to the hydraulic set well packer described in U.S. Pat. No.
3,456,723 as it has certain advantages in combination with that
particular packer, although it is to be understood that the present
invention may be utilized with any suitable type packer.
Referring now to the drawings, particularly to FIGS. 1A to 1D, the
packer of the present invention is generally indicated by the
numeral 10, and is shown being lowered into position by a pipe or
running in string 12 in a conduit such as a casing 14 in a well
bore. In order to actuate the packer 10 by hydraulic fluid, a
suitable plugging tool (not shown) is connected to the lower end of
the packer 10 to block the bottom so that hydraulic pressure may be
applied therein.
The packer 10 includes the usual packer seal means or packer seal
generally indicated by the numeral 18 and a slip assembly generally
indicated by the numeral 20, both of which are shown in their
retracted positions in FIGS. 1B through 1D and FIG. 2.
Referring now to FIGS. 1A through 1D, the packer 10 also includes a
mandrel 22, which for convenience includes an upper portion 24 and
a lower portion 26 secured together, and an internal passageway 28
in communication with the running in string 12 for receiving
hydraulic fluid to set the packer and includes at least one port 30
for passage of the hydraulic pressure for setting the slip assembly
20 and the packer seal means 18.
A lower slip cone 54 is provided secured to the mandrel 26 and
positioned against the lower end of the slips 74 of the slip
assembly 20. A hydraulically actuated slip-expanding means which
includes slip-setting sleeve 56 is provided above the slip assembly
20 and includes an upper movable slip cone 58 and a piston 60
defined by seals 62 and 64 which is exposed to hydraulic pressure
in a chamber 31 which communicates with port 30 for actuation of
the piston 60 for expanding the slip assembly 20 outwardly and into
engagement with the casing 14.
A hydraulically actuated packer seal expanding means, includes
packer seal setting sleeve 44, the upper end 46 of which is
positioned adjacent the bottom of the seal means 18, and the lower
end of which is provided with a piston 48 formed between seals 50
and 52. The piston 48 is exposed to hydraulic pressure in the
chamber 31 for movement upwardly against the packer seal means 18
for setting the seal.
A one-way clutch 66 is provided between the sleeve 56 and the
sleeve 44 allowing downward movement of the sleeve 56 when
hydraulic pressure is applied to the piston 60 to allow the slip
assembly 20 to expand outwardly and to allow the sleeve 44 to move
upwardly relative to the sleeve 56 for preventing upward movement
of the sleeve 56 relative to the sleeve 44 thereby locking the slip
assembly 20 in its expanded position. A one-way clutch 53 is
provided between the sleeve 44 and the mandrel 24 allowing movement
upwardly of the sleeve 44 to expand the packer seal 18, but
preventing downward movement of the sleeve 44 thereby locking the
packer seal 18 into an expanded position when actuated.
Thus, with hydraulic pressure applied through the pipe 12 to the
passageway 28, hydraulic fluid will flow through the port 30 and be
applied against both of the opposing pistons 48 and 60. A first
releasable holding means such as a shearpin 68 is provided
connected between the slip-setting sleeve 56 and the seal-setting
sleeve 44 to prevent actuation of the slip-setting sleeve 56 until
a predetermined hydraulic-setting pressure has been applied after
the packer has been desirably positioned in the well conduit 14. A
second releasable holding means or shearpin 70 is provided between
the seal-setting sleeve 44 and the releasing sleeve 36 to prevent
actuation of the sleeve 44 until a predetermined hydraulic pressure
has been applied in the chamber 31. The shearpin 68 shears first
allowing the slip-setting sleeve 56 to move downwardly carrying the
upper slip cone 58 to expand the slip assembly 20 into setting
engagement with the conduit 14. The shearpin 70 is then sheared
allowing upward movement of the seal-setting sleeve 44 to compress
and displace the seal means 18 and expand the packer seal means
outwardly into a sealing relationship with the conduit 14. The
packer 10 is shown in its set position in FIG. 3. The above named
description and operation is generally shown in U.S. Pat. No.
3,456,723.
Referring now to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the releasing assembly is
generally indicated by the numeral 80 and generally includes a body
82, a housing 84, releasably engaging means 86 connected between
the housing 84 and the mandrel 22 and releasable locking means 88
for locking and releasing the engaging means 86. Thus, the body 82
is adapted to be connected to the tubing string 12 and slidably and
telescopically engages the mandrel 22 by seals 90 to normally seal
off the interior 28 of the packer 10. The body 82 includes a bypass
opening 92 which in the running in position is closed by the seals
90. The seal 94 between the body 82 and the housing 84 prevents
debris from entering the releasing mechanism.
The body 82 is, in its running in position, maintained in a fixed
position relative to the housing 84 by a primary shearpin 96 and a
secondary shearpin 98 as best seen in FIGS. 1A, 2 and 2A. Thus the
shearpin 96 is in one of the housing 84 and the body 82, here shown
as in the housing 84, and extending into an annular groove 100 in
the body 82 which is in communication with a longitudinal slot 102
which will be more fully described hereinafter. The secondary
shearpin 98 is in a slot 104 and prevents relative rotational
movement between the body 82 and the housing 84 and the pin 96
prevents longitudinal movement between the body 82 and the housing
84.
The lower end of the housing 84 abuts the upper end of the packer
sealing means 18 and is initially prevented from longitudinal
movement by the releasable engaging means 86, here shown as
ratchets which are keyed to the housing 84 and have teeth 106 which
coact with teeth 108 on the mandrel 22. Initially, a releasable
locking means 88 such as a wedge-shaped ratchet lock is positioned,
as best seen in FIGS. 1B and 2, between the back side of the
ratchet 86 and the interior of the housing 84 to keep the ratchet
teeth 106 in engagement with the teeth 108 on the mandrel 22. The
releasable locking means or ratchet lock is releasably and
initially connected to the housing 84 such as by a shearpin 110.
The parts are initially positioned as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2,
causing the housing 84 to be rigidly locked to the mandrel 22, and
thus the packer sealing means 18 may be compressed against the
lower end of the housing 84 and expanded into sealing position as
previously indicated. The coacting taper surfaces 112 on the
ratchet lock 88 and 114 on the ratchet 86, respectively, are
selected so as to cause a slight upward force on the ratchet lock
88 due to a large upward force on the housing 84 relative to the
mandrel 22 after the packer is set. The shear force for the
shearpin 110 is set at a value greater than the possible upward
force on the housing 84 but less or equal to the practical minimum
releasing force for a packer of this general type, for example,
9,000 to 12,000 pounds. In addition, the surface 112 on the ratchet
lock 88 is provided with a bevel angle slightly greater than a
sticking taper.
Coacting means between the body 82 and the releasing locking means
88 such as coacting shoulder 116 on the body 82 (FIG. 1B) and the
shoulder 118 on the ratchet lock 88 are provided for releasing the
ratchet lock 88. Thus on upward movement of the body 82 relative to
the housing 84 the coacting shoulder 116 will move into engagement
with shoulder 118 for shearing the shearpin 110 and pulling the
ratchet locks 88 from behind the ratchets 86 thereby allowing the
ratchets 86 to become disengaged from the mandrel 22 for releasing
the packer.
However, it is desirable that the packer releasing mechanism 80 to
be releasable either by an upward force on the tubing string 12 or
by a combination of tubing rotation and upward force on the tubing
string 12. For example, in a deep installation where high tubing
stresses can develop, a high shear value the straight pull
releasing mechanism must be used to prevent premature releasing,
but at the same time must not be set at a value which will require
the tubing to be over stressed at the time of releasing. If the
combination of the surface pipe load and the packer shear release
load exceed the safe tensional load of the uppermost joint of
tubing 12 than an alternate rotational release mechanism is
desirable. On the other hand, the tubing 12 in many applications
may be difficult to rotate and a shear pull release of the packer
is desirable.
Thus when it is desired to release the packer from the casing 14
solely by a straight longitudinal pull, an upward pull is taken on
the tubing string 12 causing the lower shoulder of the annular
groove 100 to bear against and shear the pin 96. The body 82 then
moves upward moving the seals 90 past the upper end of the mandrel
22 effecting pressure equalization from the passageway 28 to the
tubing 14 through the passageway 92.
Further upward movement of the tubing 12 raises the body 82
longitudinally shearing the pin 110, pulling the ratchet locks 88
from behind the ratchets 86 thereby allowing the packing seal means
18 to retract and move the body 84 upwardly overcoming the garter
spring 120 which normally keeps the teeth 106 on the ratchets 86
engaged with the teeth 108 on the mandrel 22 and move the ratchets
86 upwardly. Further upward movement of the body 82 relative to the
housing 84 will cause engagement between coacting shoulders 122 on
the body 82 and 124 on the housing 84 (FIGS. 1A and 5) to further
move the housing 84 upwardly to allow the packer seal means 18 to
further retract and to move the sleeve 36 upwardly for disengaging
the slip assembly 20.
In addition, the releasing mechanism 80 can be released by a
combination of rotational and longitudinal movement without
requiring that shearpin 96 be sheared. Thus the tubing 12 and thus
the body 82 may be rotated to shear the secondary shearpins 98
allowing the shearpins 96 to rotate in the annular groove 100, as
best seen in FIG. 4A. After pin 96 is aligned with the longitudinal
slot 102, an upward pull is taken on the tubing 12 and body 82.
Since the longitudinal extent of slot 102 is greater than the
distance required to retract the wedge locks 88 from behind the
ratchet locks 86, shoulders 116 and 118 will move into engagement
for shearing the shearpins 110 and pull the ratchet locks 88 from
behind the ratchets 86 thereby releasing the packer, all without
shearing the pin 96.
The ratchets 86 may be reengaged and locked by a downward movement
of the body 82 which will bring coacting shoulder 126 on the body
82 and shoulder 128 on the ratchet locks 88 into engagement (FIG.
1A) to force the beveled end of the ratchet locks 88 again behind
the ratchets 86 to again engage the threads 106 and 108 to allow a
downward force to be exerted on the mandrel 22 and thus on
equipment positioned below the packer 10.
The bypass passageway 92 (FIGS. 1A and 4) in the body 82 may be
opened and closed without releasing the packer 10 for providing
fluid flow between the casing 14 and the interior 28 of the packer.
Thus, the tubing 12 and thus the body 82 may be rotated to shear
the secondary shearpins 98 allowing the primary shearpin 96 to
rotate in the annular groove 100, as best seen in FIG. 4A. After
pin 96 is aligned with the longitudinal slot 102, an upward pull is
taken on the tubing 12 and body 82, as best seen in FIG. 4, to
raise the seals 90 on the body 82 above the upper end of the
mandrel 22 allowing fluid communication between the casing 14 and
the interior 28 of the packer 10 through the passageway 92. It is
to be noted in FIG. 4 that while the body 82 is moved upwardly the
shearpins 110 are not sheared and thus the packer is not released.
Of course, the circulation valve passageway 92 may be omitted.
A locking key 130 and an elongated keyway 132 is positioned between
the housing 84 and the body 82 and is shown as the key 130 being in
the housing 84 and the keyway 132 being in the body 82. As best
seen in FIG. 4A, when the locking key 130 is positioned against one
side of the slot 132 the primary shearpin 96 is aligned with the
longitudinal slot 102 and thus the locking key 130 acts as an
indexing key. In addition, it is noted that the keyway 132 is
elongated with respect to the locking key 130 and thus longitudinal
upward movement of the body 82 for actuating the bypass valve 92 is
provided. Also, after release of the packer, rotational movement
may be transmitted from the tubing 12 through the body 82, keyway
132 and locking key 130 to the housing 84 and through a second key
134 and elongated keyway 136 to transmit torque to the mandrel 22
and thus to equipment positioned below the packer 10.
In use, and referring to FIGS. 2 and 2A, the parts are shown in
their running in position with the packer seal means 18 retracted
and the slip assembly 20 retracted and in the releasing assembly
80, the ratchet locks 88 are positioned behind the ratchets 86
locking the housing 84 to the mandrel 22. The packer 10 is lowered
to the desired setting location in the conduit 14 and pressure is
applied down the tubing string 12 into the internal passageway 28
of the packer and through port 30 into the chamber 31 and applies a
hydraulic force against the opposing packer seal-setting piston 48
and the slip-setting piston 60. Upon a predetermined hydraulic
pressure, shearpin 68 shears allowing the slip-setting piston 60 to
move downwardly moving the upper slip cone 58 toward the lower slip
cone 54 and moving the slips 74 out into a gripping relationship
with the interior wall of the conduit 14. Once the slip assembly 20
is set, further downward movement of the slip-setting assembly is
prevented and the shearpin 70 shears allowing the packer seal
setting piston 48 to move upwardly and the seal-setting sleeve 74
pushes the packer seal means 18 against the lower end of the
housing 84 which is fixed and locked to the mandrel 22 through the
ratchets 86 to set the packer seal 18 into a sealing relationship
with the conduit 14. The packer is shown in the set position in
FIG. 3.
During the running in operation of FIG. 2 and the setting operation
of FIG. 3, and referring to FIG. 2A, the positions of the shearpins
96 and 98 and of locking key 130 in the slots 100, 104 and 132,
respectively, are best seen. Since the shearpin 96 is out of
alignment with the longitudinal slot 102 and shearpin 98 is in slot
104 longitudinal upward and downward movement and rotational from
the body 82 is transmitted through the packer 10.
It is to be noted that after the packer 10 is set as shown in FIG.
3, that pressure differentials either above or below the packing
means 18 will not cause any relaxation of the seal 18 and any
weight imposed upon the running in string 12 either in tension
below the shear valve of pins 96 or in compression will not cause
the seal 18 to relax and leak. In particular, it is also noted that
any forces applied to the packer seal or applied to the tubing from
below the packer does not affect the releasing mechanism 80 as the
relationship between the housing 84, the ratchet locks 88 and the
ratchets 86 remains unaffected by external forces. Thus, an upward
force on the tubing 12 below the packer transmitted to the mandrel
22 will not actuate the shear release pins 110 as the release
mechanism is isolated and thus there is no risk of prematurely
releasing packer 10 as in some conventional shear release-type
packers.
Heretofore, separate valve devices have been run above hydraulic
set packers to facilitate displacing well fluids after setting the
packer, which devices often require special tools and skills. The
present packer 10 provides as an optional feature an integral
circulation valve which can be opened and closed by manipulating
the running in string 12 after the packer 10 is set, all without
releasing the set packer. Thus the valve bypass opening 92 will be
opened to the position as shown in FIG. 4. Thus, a right-hand
rotation of the running in string 12 is transmitted to the
releasing assembly 80 shearing shearpin 98 and rotating the annular
slot 100 relative to the shearpin 96. Thus failure of the shearpin
98 allows the body 82 to rotate to the right until the locking key
130 bears against the side of the elongated keyway 132 as best seen
in FIG. 4A. When the locking key 130 is in this position, the
longitudinal slot 102 is oriented and aligned with respect to the
shearpin 96 and an upward pull on the tubing string 12 less than
the shear value of the shearpins 110 will allow the body 82 to move
upwardly allowing the seals 90 to clear the upper end of the
mandrel 22 thus establishing communication between the interior of
the tubing and the casing through the bypass passageways 92, all
without releasing the packer. The circulation valve may be closed
by merely slacking off weight on the tubing string 12 and torquing
to the left to reengage the primary shearpin 96 in the annular
groove 100.
As previously indicated the packer can be released solely by a
longitudinal movement or by a combination of rotational and
longitudinal movement without requiring that shearpins 96 be
longitudinally sheared. In order to release the packer solely by
longitudinal movement, an upward pull is taken on the tubing string
12 causing the lower shoulder of the annular groove 100 to move
against the bottom of the primary shearpins 96 to shear them at a
predetermined value allowing the body 82 to move upwardly and
simultaneously affecting pressure and fluid equalization from the
tubing to the casing through the bypass opening 92 as the seals 90
in the body 82 clear the upper end of the mandrel 22. Further
upward movement of the body 82 causes shoulder 116 on the body 82
to engage the shoulder 118 on the ratchet lock shearing pins 110
thus allowing the ratchet locks 88 to be retracted from behind the
ratchets 86. Further upward movement of the body 82 will cause
shoulder 122 on the body to engage shoulder 124 on the housing 84
which transmits an upward force to the body 84 and to the ratchets
86. This upward force, in addition to the residual force remaining
in the packing seal 18 will cause the radially expandable segmented
ratchets 86 to spring outwardly against the restraining force of
the garter spring 120 (FIG. 1B) and allow the ratchets 86 to move
upwardly relative to the mandrel 22. Further upward movement of the
housing 84 will carry releasing sleeve 36 upwardly which will
engage the packer seal-setting sleeve 44 which in turn will engage
and carry the slip-setting sleeve 56 upwardly to move the setting
cone 58 away from the lower cone 54 allowing the slips 74 to be
retracted from engagement with the interior wall of the conduit 14.
Simultaneously, the mandrel 22 and the lower cone 54 are free to
move downwardly thereby totally releasing the slips 74 from the
casing.
The releasing mechanism 80 can be released without requiring the
tubing 12 to be pulled with a sufficient force to shearpin 96. Thus
tubing 12 and body 82 may be rotated to shear the pin 98 and rotate
the body 82 until the locking key 130 bears against the side of the
keyway 132, as best seen in FIG. 4A, whereby the longitudinal slot
102 is oriented and aligned with respect to shearpin 96 and an
upward pull is taken on the body 82. The shoulders 116 and 118 will
contact and shearpins 110 releasing the ratchet locks 88 and
allowing the locks 88 to be retracted from behind the ratchets 86
without shearing pin 96 because of the longitudinal extent of slot
102. The remainder of the releasing action is the same as described
above in the case of release solely by longitudinal actuation.
Should the lower cone 54 not retract and fall away from beneath the
lower portion of the slips 74, as might occur in the case of a
tandem installation, an attempt to pull the slips off of the lower
cone when the slip 74 teeth are deeply embedded in the casing 14
can result in excessive pulling loads and possible failure.
Therefore, should the lower cone 54 not retract, an additional
downward force on the lower cone 54 may be exerted by slacking off
weight on the tubing string 12 and the shoulder 126 on the body 82
will contact the shoulder 128 on the ratchet locks 88 causing the
ratchet locks to move downwardly behind the ratchets 86 bringing
the ratchets into reengagement with the mandrel 22 thereby
transmitting a downward force to the mandrel 22 and the lower cone
54 to remove the lower cone 54 by positive action from beneath the
slips 74.
It is also to be noted that after reengagement of the ratchet locks
88 behind the ratchets 86 and after the packer has been released
that equipment below the packer 10 may be manipulated by either
rotational or upward or downward longitudinal motions from the body
82 to the mandrel 22 through the locking key 132, the key 134 and
the ratchets 86.
It is to be noted that the releasing mechanism 80 will consistently
release at a predetermined load depending primarily upon the
strength of the shearpin 110 and thus is not affected by the
tightness of the seal 18 against the conduit 14, which will vary
with the amount of force remaining in the seal at the time of
releasing and the forces induced therein due to pressure
differentials on the seal 18. Furthermore, it is noted that
actuation of the releasing mechanism 80 by the upward longitudinal
pull on the tubing string does not move the mandrel 22 and thus the
packer 10 may be utilized in a tandem packer installation where
several packers are set in the conduit 14 one below the other and
in which the present packer allows the tandem packers to be
released one at a time rather than all simultaneously.
The present invention, therefore, is well adapted to carry out the
objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as
others inherent therein.
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