U.S. patent number 3,827,491 [Application Number 05/344,568] was granted by the patent office on 1974-08-06 for apparatus for selectively receiving and releasing well tools.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Macco Oil Tool Company, Inc.. Invention is credited to Robert W. Dinning.
United States Patent |
3,827,491 |
Dinning |
August 6, 1974 |
APPARATUS FOR SELECTIVELY RECEIVING AND RELEASING WELL TOOLS
Abstract
Apparatus for selectively receiving a well tool within a well
conduit comprising: a tubular housing adapted for connection in a
well conduit; a tubular sleeve disposed within the housing for
limited movement between an upper closed position and lower open
position; cooperable ports in the sleeve and housing, registerable
when the sleeve is in the lower position, to provide fluid
communication between the interior and exterior of the conduit; and
a latch recess engageable by latches on the well tool for receiving
the well tool and moving the sleeve from its closed position to its
open position as the well tool is moved downwardly through the
conduit. Seals may be provided between the well tool and the sleeve
and housing respectively, isolating the upper end of the sleeve
from the pressure within the conduit, the lower end of the sleeve
being subjected to the pressure within the conduit. The upper end
of the sleeve may be in fluid communication with the exterior of
the conduit through the ports when the sleeve is in its open
position.
Inventors: |
Dinning; Robert W. (Houston,
TX) |
Assignee: |
Macco Oil Tool Company, Inc.
(Houston, TX)
|
Family
ID: |
23351070 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/344,568 |
Filed: |
March 26, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
166/154; 166/319;
166/332.4; 166/322 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B
34/14 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E21B
34/00 (20060101); E21B 34/14 (20060101); E21b
033/16 (); E21b 033/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;166/154,153,224,242 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Leppink; James A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Torres & Berryhill
Claims
I claim:
1. Apparatus for selectively receiving well tools within a flow
conductor comprising:
a. tubular housing means adapted for connection in said flow
conductor;
b. sleeve means disposed within said housing means for limited
axial movement between first and second positions;
c. first and second port means in said sleeve and housing means,
respectively, cooperable with each other when said sleeve means is
in said second position to provide fluid communication between the
exterior of said conductor and said tool means;
d. latch recess means included with said sleeve means engageable by
latch means on a well tool for receiving said well tool and moving
said sleeve means from said first to said second position;
e. a first annular surface on said sleeve means in pressure
communication with and responsive to an increase of pressure within
said conductor above a predetermined level, when said well tool is
received therein, to shift said sleeve means to said first
position, preventing said fluid communication and allowing removal
of said well tool from said conductor.
2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said sleeve and
housing means are provided with cooperable retainer means for
retaining said sleeve means against premature movement between said
first and second positions.
3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 in which said retainer means
comprises a plurality of collet fingers carried by said sleeve
means having lugs thereon engageable with annular grooves carried
by said housing means in both said upper and lower positions.
4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 and a second annular surface
on one end of said sleeve means, when in said second position,
subjected to pressure on the exterior of said conductor, said first
annular surface being on the opposite end of said sleeve means and
being subjected to the pressure within said conductor.
5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 comprising first seal means
between said well tool and said sleeve means and second seal means
between said well tool and said housing means, said first and
second seal means being axially spaced from each other on opposite
sides of said first port means.
6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 comprising third and fourth
seal means between said sleeve means and said housing means axially
spaced from each other on opposite sides of said second port
means.
7. Apparatus for selectively receiving well tools within a flow
conductor comprising:
a. tubular housing means adapted for connection in said flow
conductor;
b. sleeve means disposed within said housing means for limited
axial movement between first and second positions;
c. first and second port means in said sleeve and housing means,
respectively, cooperable with each other when said sleeve means is
in said second position to provide fluid communication between the
exterior of said conductor and said tool means;
d. latch recess means included with said sleeve means engageable by
latch means on a well tool for receiving said well tool and moving
said sleeve means from said first to said second position;
e. seal means between said well tool and said sleeve and housing
means, respectively, isolating one end of said sleeve means from
the pressure within said conductor, the opposite end of said sleeve
means being subjected to pressure within said conductor so that
said sleeve means is movable from said second to said first
position in response to an increase of pressure within said
conductor above a predetermined level to prevent said fluid
communication and to allow removal of said well tool from said
conductor.
8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7 in which said one end of said
sleeve means is in fluid communication with the exterior of said
conductor through said first and second port means when said sleeve
means is in said second position.
9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7 in which said sleeve means
comprises a first portion of smaller diameter adjacent said one end
and a second portion of larger diameter adjacent said opposite end,
said first portion engaging said housing in sliding and sealing
engagement therewith on opposite sides of said second port
means.
10. Apparatus for selectively receiving a well tool within a well
conduit comprising:
a. tubular housing means adapted for connection in said well
conduit;
b. sleeve means disposed within said housing means for limited
movement between an upper closed position and a lower open
position;
c. cooperable port means in said sleeve and housing means
registerable when said sleeve means is in said lower position to
provide fluid communication between the interior and exterior of
said conduit; and
d. latch recess means on said sleeve means engageable by latch
means on said well tool for receiving said well tool and moving
said sleeve means from said closed position to said open position
as said well tool is moved downwardly through said conduit;
e. said sleeve means including upwardly and downwardly facing
annular surfaces subjected to the pressure within said conduit, the
area of said downwardly facing surfaces being greater than said
upwardly facing surfaces so as to force said sleeve means into said
upper position, blocking said flow communication and allowing
removal of said well tool, upon an increase of pressure within said
well conduit above a predetermined level.
11. Apparatus as set forth in claim 10 comprising seal means
between said well tool and said sleeve and housing means,
respectively, isolating the upper end of said sleeve means from the
pressure within said conduit, the lower end of said sleeve means
being subjected to the pressure within said conduit.
12. Apparatus as set forth in claim 11 in which said upper end of
said sleeve means is in fluid communication with the exterior of
said conduit through said port means when said sleeve means is in
said open position.
13. Apparatus as set forth in claim 12 comprising other seal means
between said sleeve means and said housing means, above and below
said port means, when said sleeve means is in said open
position.
14. Apparatus as set forth in claim 13 in which said sleeve means
comprises an upper smaller diameter portion and a lower larger
diameter portion, said other seal means sealingly engaging said
upper smaller diameter portion.
15. Apparatus as set forth in claim 13 in which said port means
comprises first and second ports in said sleeve and housing means,
respectively, said other seal means isolating said first and second
ports from each other when said sleeve means is in said closed
position.
16. Apparatus as set forth in claim 11 comprising cooperable
retainer means carried by said sleeve means and housing means,
preventing premature movement of said sleeve means between said
open and closed positions.
17. Apparatus as set forth in claim 11 in which said sleeve means
is movable from said open position to said closed position, to
prevent said fluid communication through said port means and to
allow removal of said well tools from said sleeve means, upon an
increase of pressure differential between the interior and exterior
of said conduit above a predetermined level.
18. Apparatus as set forth in claim 11 in which said sleeve means
comprises upper and lower portions joined by an intermediate
portion of a larger outside diameter, the junction of said lower
and intermediate portions providing a downwardly facing surface
engageable with an annular shoulder on said housing means to limit
the downward movement of said sleeve means.
19. Apparatus for selectively installing a plurality of well tools
within a flow conductor comprising:
a. a plurality of receiver assemblies connected at axially spaced
intervals in said flow conductor including housing means and sleeve
means axially movable therein from a first position in which there
is no fluid communication between the exterior and interior of said
conductor to a second position in which fluid communication is
provided between the exterior and interior of said conductor,
cooperable port means in said sleeve and housing means,
registerable when said sleeve means is in said second position, to
provide said fluid communication;
b. a tool train including a leading locomotive unit and a plurality
of well tools releasably connected thereto and pumpable through
said conductor, each of said well tools being provided with
selective latch means for selectively engaging one of said receiver
assemblies to release the last of said well tools as said tool
train moves through said conductor, seal means carried by each of
said well tools engageable with its respective receiver assembly so
as to isolate the upper end of said sleeve means from the internal
pressure of said flow conductor; and
c. the sleeve means of a particular receiver assembly being movable
from said first to said second position as its corresponding well
tool is released from said train.
20. Apparatus as set forth in claim 19 comprising cooperable port
means in said sleeve and housing means, registerable when said
sleeve means is in said second position, to provide said fluid
communication.
21. Apparatus as set forth in claim 19 comprising other seal means
between said sleeve means and said housing means blocking said
fluid communication through said port means when said sleeve means
is in said first position.
22. Apparatus as set forth in claim 19 in which the lower end of
said sleeve means is subjected to said interior pressure of said
flow conductor, said sleeve means being movable from said second
position to said first position in response to an increase of
pressure differential, between the interior and exterior of said
flow conductor, above a predetermined amount.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to well tools. In
particular, the present invention pertains to well tools and
apparatus for receiving such well tools within a well conduit.
Still more specifically, the invention pertains to well tools and
apparatus suitable for implementing a gas lift system for the
production of petroleum liquids.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
Petroleum wells normally employ a tubing string extending from the
surface of the well into a producing formation. The tubing string
is usually concentrically surrounded by a larger diameter casing
string. The tubing string often contains valves, at various
locations, for injecting gas, chemicals, etc., or for controlling
various conditions encountered in the completion of wells and
production of petroleum liquids from such a well. For example, the
producing formation of such a well may lack the natural pressure
necessary for natural flow of liquids to the surface. In such
cases, an artificial form of lift must be employed. One popular
method of artificial lift is by injecting gas, at various levels of
the tubing string. The gas mixes with the petroleum liquids
producing a mixture of lower specific gravity and allowing a
continuous flow of the mixture.
Gas lift valves are normally lowered through the tubing string for
installation in special mandrels at predetermined positions within
the tubing string. Sometimes the valves are installed in special
mandrels in the tubing string at the surface and lowered into
position in the producing well with the tubing. In another way of
installing such valves, the valve is suspended on a wire line and
lowered through the tubing, which is already in place, to the
desired depth.
More recently, gas lift valves have been installed by the use of
through-flow-line tools (TFL) developed specifically for such uses.
With such tools a plurality of valves may be releasably attached in
a train to a motor or locomotive unit which is pumped downwardly
through the tubing string. The valves are successively disengaged
from the train and selectively received within a receiver assembly
at the desired location. In some systems the valves are released
and installed in their respective receiver assemblies one-by-one,
tail valve first, as the train moves downwardly through the string.
After all valves are installed the motor or locomotive unit is
returned to the surface and removed from the tubing string. Such a
system is shown and described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 3,334,690
-- Garrett. In other systems, the train is first pumped to the
bottom of the tubing string. Then the train is reversed, releasing
the valves one-by-one as the train moves back toward the surface.
After all valves have been installed the motor or locomotive unit
is removed from the tubing string. Such a system is fully described
in U.S. Pat. No. 3,419,074 -- Brown.
With through-flow-line tools (TFL), as well as in others, some
means must be provided for allowing fluid communication between the
casing and the gas lift valve. The gas lift valve then controls
fluid communication with the tubing string. In the past, it has
been necessary to perforate the tubing string or its receiver
assembly to allow such communication. This procedure is difficult
and somewhat hazardous, since there is usually a period of time,
before installation of the gas lift valve, when there is no control
over the fluid communication between the casing and tubing string.
Various valve devices have been developed to solve this problem.
However, most of them are rather complex and inherently
disadvantageous for various other reasons. One such valve is the
spool type shown in and described in the aforementioned U.S. Pat.
No. 3,334,690. Another is the sleeve type valve shown in the
aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,419,074. One of the problems
encountered in the sleeve type valve is adapting such a valve for
opening and closing, yet allowing easy installation and removal of
gas lift valves from the receiver assemblies. In the past it has
been necessary to utilize a special tool for selectively engaging
and disengaging the sleeve valve on both installation and removal.
The tools and apparatus of such sleeve valves have been relatively
complicated.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention pertains to apparatus, including a receiver
assembly for selectively receiving well tools, such as gas lift
valves, attached to a through-flow-line pumpdown train. The
receiver assembly may comprise a tubular housing adapted for
connection in the well conduit and a tubular sleeve disposed within
the housing for limited movement between an upper closed position
and a lower open position. The sleeve and housing are provided with
cooperable ports which are registerable, when the sleeve is in the
lower position, to provide fluid communication between the interior
and exterior of the conduit. Seals may also be provided between the
well tool and the sleeve and housing, respectively, isolating the
upper end of the sleeve from the pressure within the tubing string,
the lower end of the sleeve being subjected to pressure within the
tubing string. The upper end of the sleeve may be in fluid
communication with the casing string through the cooperable ports,
when the sleeve is in its open position.
With the apparatus of the present invention a tool train including
a leading motor or locomotive unit and a purality of well tools,
i.e., gas lift valves, releasably connected thereto, may be pumped
downwardly through the tubing string. Each of the well tools may be
provided with selective latches for selectively engaging a
corresponding receiver assembly to successively release the last of
the well tools as the tool train moves downwardly through the
conductor. As a particular well tool engages its corresponding
receiver assembly, the sleeve is shifted from a closed position to
its open position, permitting fluid communication with the casing
string. Fluid communication is also established between the casing
string and tubing string through the well tool, i.e., the gas lift
valve. After all well tools are installed, the motor or locomotive
unit is returned to the surface and the well is ready for
production.
To block fluid communication between the casing and tubing string
and to remove the gas lift valves, it is first necessary to raise
the pressure within the tubing string above a certain predetermined
level. The pressure differential between the upper end of the
sleeve (casing pressure) and the lower end of the sleeve (tubing
pressure) causes the sleeve to shift from its downwardly open
position to its upper closed position, preventing further flow
communication between the casing and tubing string. Then the well
tools (gas lift valves in this case) can be removed from the tubing
string by any appropriate means, e.g., motor or locomotive unit,
wire line tools, etc.
Thus, the apparatus of the present invention provides a simple
means by which fluid communication can be established or prevented
between the casing string and the tubing string. This fluid
communication is made possible through the unique sleeve valve
design which also allows easy installation and removal of well
tools in and from the receiver assemblies. The apparatus is easily
installed, maintained and operated. It is relatively simple and
inexpensive to manufacture. Other objects and advantages of the
invention will become apparent from the description and claims
which follow when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 1A and 1B are vertical elevation views, in quarter section,
of a well tool and apparatus for selectively receiving such a well
tool in a well conduit, according to a preferred embodiment of the
invention, FIG. 1A being the upper portion and FIG. 1B being the
continued lower portion, and showing the well tool and receiving
apparatus upon initial engagement of the well tool with the
receiver apparatus;
FIG. 2 is a quarter sectional elevation view, similar to FIG. 1B,
showing the well tool and receiving apparatus after full engagement
and shifting of the receiving apparatus sleeve to its open
position;
FIG. 3 is a quarter sectional elevation view, similar to FIGS. 1B
and 2, showing the well tool and sleeve of the receiving apparatus
shifted to an upper closed position to permit removal of the well
tool; and
FIG. 4, taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 1B is a horizontal
cross-section of the well tool and receiving assembly for the
primary purpose of understanding the well tool latches.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring first to FIGS. 1A and 1B, there is shown a receiver
assembly R, a well tool W.sub.1 and the upper portion of another
well tool W.sub.2. The receiver assembly R represents any number of
such assemblies which may be installed at various levels within a
well conduit, usually the tubing string. The purpose of the
receiver assembly R is to selectively receive a well tool W.sub.1
for installation in the well conduit.
One type of well tool with which the present invention is intended
to be used is the gas lift valve. In gas lift systems, there are a
plurality of such valves installed at axially spaced intervals
either within the tubing string or externally thereof, such as in a
surrounding casing. The purpose of the gas lift valve is to provide
controlled fluid communication between the tubing string and the
surrounding annulus within the casing string. Gas is usually pumped
into the casing string and admitted into the tubing string by means
of the gas lift valve. The gas lift valve may operate in response
to casing pressure, tubing pressure or the differential
therebetween. In any of these cases, the gas is injected into the
fluid within the tubing string causing the specific gravity to be
reduced and permitting flow to the surface which might not be
possible under normal circumstances without a pump.
Gas lift valves may be installed by several methods. Sometimes the
valves are attached to the tubing string as it is lowered into the
well hole. In other methods, the gas lift valves are lowered into
place on wire line equipment. More recently, a line of tools
referred to as through-flow-line tools (TFL) or pumpdown equipment
has been developed for pumping such valves into place. It is with
this type of method that the present invention is contemplated for
use. However, it can easily be adapted for wire line and other type
installations.
The well tool W.sub.1, illustrated in the drawings, includes such a
gas lift valve V and cooperative check valves C.sub.1 and C.sub.2.
For descriptive purposes, the gas lift valve V will be described as
one responsive to tubing pressure (fluid operated). Such valves are
commonly known and used in the industry and forms no part of the
present invention except for being in combination with the other
apparatus of well tool W.sub.1. Of course, gas lift valves other
than the tubing pressure responsive type could also be used with
the present invention.
The well tool W.sub.1 also includes a tubular housing or mandrel 10
within which the gas lift valve V and associated check valves
C.sub.1 and C.sub.2 may be mounted. A threaded connection 11 may be
provided for separating the mandrel 10 into two parts so as to
allow assembly and disassembly of the valve V. Threadedly connected
at 13 to the upper end of mandrel 10 is a coupling adaptor or
pulling neck 14. Carried on the coupling adaptor 14 between an
annular retaining shoulder 15 and the upper end of mandrel 10 is a
seal 16 which provides a sliding seal between the well tool W.sub.1
and the surrounding receiver assembly R. The upper end of the
coupling adaptor 14 is provided with a pair of axially spaced
annular lips or flanges 17 and 18 separated by groove 19, the
purpose of which will be more fully understood hereafter. A fluid
port 20 may be provided through the wall of coupling adaptor
14.
Another seal assembly, including seal 21 and adaptor 22, is
threadedly connected at 23 to the lower end of mandrel 10. The seal
21 provides a sliding seal between the well tool W.sub.1 and the
surrounding receiver assembly R.
Threadedly connected at 24 to the lower seal assembly is a latch
assembly 25. The latch assembly comprises a tubular latch housing
26 and a plurality of latches 27. Referring also to FIG. 4, the
latches 27 are mounted within windows 28, cut in latch housing 26,
on pins 29 for pivoting radially, inwardly and outwardly, between
retracted positions and expanded positions. Torsion springs 30 may
be provided, biasing the latches 27 in a radially outward or
expanded position. The lower end of latches 27 are notched at 31
providing a lip 32, the purpose of which will be described
hereafter. The lower end of latch housing 26 is counterbored at 33.
See FIGS. 2 and 3 also.
The receiver assembly R may comprise a tubular housing which is
made up, in the present case, of upper, intermediate and lower
sections 40, 41, 42, respectively. The upper section 40 may be
threaded at 43 for connection to an upper section of a tubing
string. An adaptor 44, threadedly connected at 45 to lower housing
section 42, may be provided with threads 46 for connection with
lower sections of the tubing string. The upper housing section 40
may be provided with an internal annular groove 47, the purpose of
which is to allow installation of other tools. Internal and
external grooves 48 and 49 may also be provided on upper housing
section 40. These grooves reduce the wall thickness, so that
housing section 40 may be perforated, should the sleeve and/or the
well tool W.sub.1 malfunction to the extent that intended flow
communication between the casing and tubing strings is
prevented.
Mounted for limited axial movement within the receiver housing is a
sleeve member 50. In the illustrated example, the sleeve comprises
an upper reduced diameter portion 51 threadedly connected at 52 to
a lower large diameter portion 53. In FIG. 1B the sleeve 50 is
shown in its upper position. It is initially retained in this
position by engagement of lugs 54 with upwardly facing annular
surface 41a on housing section 41. The lugs 54 are carried on the
ends of upwardly extending collet fingers 55 formed by longitudinal
cuts in the upper end of sleeve portion 51. Radial ports 56 may be
drilled in the upper sleeve section 51. The radial ports 56 are in
fluid communication with gas lift valve V and its associated check
valves C.sub.1 and C.sub.2 through a port 10a provided in mandrel
10.
Seals 16 and 21 isolate ports 10a and 56 from the interior of
receiver assembly R and the tubing string to which it is attached.
The receiver housing carries two sets of seals 47 and 48 which
slidingly and sealingly engage the exterior of upper sleeve portion
51. Thus, in the upper position shown in FIG. 1B, seals 47 prevent
fluid communication between ports 10a and 56 and the port 41b which
communicates with the exterior of receiver assembly R (usually
surrounded by a casing string). Thus, in the upper position shown
in FIG. 1B communication between the surrounding casing and tubing
string through ports 41b, 56, 10a and gas lift valve V is
prevented. The sleeve 50 can then be said to be in its upper or
closed position.
The lower or larger diameter portion 53 of sleeve 50 is provided
with an annular latch recess 57. The longitudinal dimension of the
latch recess 57 may be selected to correspond with the length of
latches 27 for a particular well tool W.sub.1. Therefore, a well
tool, such as W.sub.2, having longer latches will not engage recess
57, allowing the well tool W.sub.2 to pass through the receiver
assembly R. However, when latches such as 27, having corresponding
lengths, pass through the receiver assembly R the latches 27 will
be biased outwardly into the groove 57. The bottom of the latches
27 are so designed that they will then engage the upwardly facing
annular surface 57a preventing further downward movement of well
tool W.sub.1. The lower end of sleeve portion 53 may be reduced in
external diameter to provide a tubular guide portion 58
telescopically receivable within a counterbored portion 44a of
adaptor 44.
In operation, a plurality of well tools W.sub.1, W.sub.2 etc., may
be coupled together and attached to a motor or locomotive unit (not
shown) and introduced into the tubing string at the surface of a
well. Suitable motor or locomotive units are well known in the art.
For present purposes it is sufficient to understand that such units
are provided with seals engageable with the interior of the tubing
string so that pressure may be applied at the upper end of the
tubing string forcing the motor or locomotive unit and its attached
train downwardly through the tubing string. The sleeve member 50 of
each receiver assembly from the top down may be provided with
increased length latch grooves 57. Likewise, the well tools
W.sub.1, W.sub.2 etc. may be provided with increasing length
latches 27, the shortest length latch being on the tail-end well
tool, W.sub.1 in the exemplary embodiment. Adjacent well tools,
e.g., W.sub.1 and W.sub.2, are connected by telescopic engagement
of the lower well tool's pulling neck 14' within the counterbored
portion 33 of latch assembly 25. This connection is initially
maintained by shear pin 33a and engagement of latch lip 32 with the
pulling neck groove 19'.
When the well tool W.sub.1 which corresponds with a particular
receiver assembly R reaches such receiver assembly, its latches
spring outwardly into engagement with latch grooves 57. Further
pressure on the motor or locomotive unit of the train causes a
downwardly directed force to be applied to the sleeve 50, through
latches 27, until enough force is exerted to cause the ends of
sleeve collet fingers 55 and their respective lugs 54 to be
contracted inwardly, allowing the sleeve 50 to move downwardly to
the position shown in FIG. 2. Downward movement is arrested by the
engagement of sleeve shoulder 53a with upwardly facing annular
surface 44b of adaptor 44. At this point the lugs 54 of collet
fingers 55 are in registration with housing groove 41c and expand
radially into engagement therewith, preventing premature return to
the upper or closed position.
As the latches 27 move into engagement with the corresponding
groove 57, latch lips 32 disengage pulling neck groove 19'. Further
pressure is then applied to the motor or locomotive unit of the
train until sufficient force is exerted to shear the shear pin
connection 33a allowing tool W.sub.2 and the remainder of the train
to continue downwardly through the tuning string. The train
continues its downward movement until all the remaining well tools
are installed in their respective receiver assemblies.
In the lower or open position of FIG. 2, the ports 10a and 56 are
in registration with ports 41b, permitting fluid communication
between the exterior of the receiver assembly R (casing string
therearound) and the interior of the tubing string. This fluid
communication is controlled, as is well understood in the industry,
by gas lift valve V and its respective check valves C.sub.1 and
C.sub.2. The seals 48, along with seals 16 and 21, prevent
uncontrolled communication with the tubing string. It will be noted
that the upper end of upper sleeve portion 51 is thus subjected to
the pressure externally of receiver assembly R (casing pressure).
The lower end of sleeve portion 51 and sleeve portion 52 is
subjected to the pressure within the tubing string (tubing
pressure). As long as the differential between casing pressure and
tubing pressure is below a predetermined level, the sleeve 50 and
well tool W.sub.1 will remain in the downward or open position.
This position is maintained during the operation of the gas lift
system. Therefore, gas may be injected into the casing string and
selectively controlled for injection into the tubing string by gas
lift valve V.
Should it be desired to block communication with the casing string,
such as is necessary to remove well tool W.sub.1 for repair or
replacement, the pressure within the tubing string would be raised.
This could be accomplished by providing a check valve at the
lowermost end of the tubing string, as is common practice.
Increased pressure within the tubing string would cause the check
valve to close, allowing continued tubing pressure increase. When
the tubing pressure reaches a sufficient level the force exerted
thereby on the lower end of sleeve 50 would overcome the force
exerted on the upper end of the sleeve 50 by casing pressure and
the frictional forces, causing lugs 54 and collet fingers 55 to be
contracted and forcing the sleeve 50 along with the tool W.sub.1 to
return to the upper or closed position of FIG. 3. In the upper
position, collet fingers 55 would again expand causing lugs 54 to
reengage groove 41d. In this position seals 47 again block
communication between ports 41b and 56, preventing further
communication between the casing string and the tubing string.
It is important to note that the upper end of sleeve 50 is isolated
from the pressure within the tubing string by seals 16 and 21. This
unique feature is what permits the sleeve 50 to be shifted from the
open or lower position to the closed or upper position by
increasing the tubing pressure. No other such apparatus is known in
the art.
To remove the well tools W.sub.1, W.sub.2, etc., pressure could
then be applied, through the casing string, to a motor or
locomotive unit at the bottom of the tubing string, causing the
motor or locomotive unit to move upwardly through the tubing
string. As it moves upwardly, it would reengage the lowermost well
tool, causing its latches to be retracted and releasing it from its
respective receiver assembly R. As the motor or locomotive unit and
it's train move up the tubing string, it picks up successive well
tools until well tool W.sub.1 is reached where the same thing
occurs. The upwardly directed force on well tool W.sub.1 causes its
latches 27 to be cammed inwardly, by virtue of cam surfaces 27a and
frustoconical sleeve latch groove shoulder 57b. With the latches 27
fully retracted well tool W.sub.1 is free to return to the surface
of the well. Alternatively, wire line tools can be lowered into the
tubing string for engagement with the annular lip 18 on adaptor 14
of well tool W.sub.1 and successively lower well tools W.sub.2,
etc., for one-by-one removal thereof.
The latches 27 and the latch groove 57 described for use with the
present invention depend on varying longitudinal lengths for
selectiveness. There are, of course, other ways for providing such
selectively. For example, the length of latches and latch grooves
could be the same, depending on different latch and groove profiles
for selectivity. This method of providing selectivity for a
plurality of well tools installed at different levels is well known
in the art.
Although the apparatus of the present invention has been described
for installation with a pumpdown train in which the trailing well
tools are released one-by-one as the train moves downwardly through
the tubing string, it can easily be adapted for TFL tools which
release the tools one-by-one from the bottom up. Furthermore, as
previously indicated, the present invention can be adapted for use
with wire line tools.
The present invention has been described for use with pumpdown
trains in which a plurality of tools are installed one-by-one as
the train moves through the tubing. It is possible, and even
probable, that the present invention would be used for installing
well tools one at a time. In such a situation, the motor or
locomotive unit would be disposed above the well tool as it is
pumped into place. Once the tool were installed, the motor or
locomotive unit would be returned to the surface.
Although the present invention has been described for installing
gas lift valves in a gas lift system, it can be used for installing
any type of well tools which is to be installed at a predetermined
location within a flow conductor. Many variations and adaptations
of the present invention can be made by those skilled in the art
without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is therefore
intended that the scope of the invention be limited only by the
claims which follow.
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