AU2012223708B2

AU2012223708B2 - Well plug and abandonment choke insert

Info

Publication number: AU2012223708B2
Application number: AU2012223708A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Thomas Eugene FERG
Original assignee: ConocoPhillips Co
Current assignee: ConocoPhillips Co
Priority date: 2011-03-01
Filing date: 2012-02-13
Publication date: 2016-12-01
Anticipated expiration: 2032-02-13
Also published as: WO2012118611A3; BR112013021998B1; WO2012118611A2; EP2681410B1; EP2681410A2; US20120222862A1; AU2012223708A1; BR112013021998A2

Abstract

A process for plugging a wellbore, e.g. an oil or gas well, comprises installing a choke device (1) into the wellbore in order to increase the back pressure to allow better control when introducing cement to plug the wellbore. The device (1) has a cylindrical shape with a central through bore (6). On the external profile is a shoulder (4) which, when the device is installed in a wellbore, comes to rest against a nipple in the wellbore. The device (1) may free fall for all or part of the way down but would normally be pumped down at least for the last part of its delivery. In the bore (6) is a pump out ball (10) which blocks the through bore until the device reaches the nipple and stops, at which point pressure increases and the ball is ejected. Cement and other liquid may then be pumped through the choke device to the distal region of the well.

Description

2012223708 13 Oct 2016

WELL PLUG AND ABANDONMENT CHOKE INSERT

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates to a method and apparatus for plugging a wellbore (such as e.g. an oil or gas well), or for preparing wellbore to be plugged, e.g. when it has reached the end of its productive life. The invention also relates to a plugged wellbore.

BACKGROUND

[0002] When an oil or gas well is no longer economical or if there is some problem with the well which means that production is no longer possible or that well integrity has been compromised in some way, or for other reasons, the well may be abandoned. It is common practice to plug the well before abandoning it, e.g. to prevent seepage of hydrocarbon product from the well. This can also apply to water injectors, i.e. bores which have been drilled in order to pump water into a reservoir to increase bottom hole pressure.

[0003] Commonly, plugging may be achieved by injecting a settable substance or medium, e.g. cement, into the well. A well will normally have production perforations, that is to say apertures in a well liner or casing through which hydrocarbon product enters from the rock formation and travels to the surface. During plug and abandonment operations it is common to seal (“squeeze”) production perforations with cement or another settable medium which may then form a permanent barrier to flow across the perforations and out of the well.

[0004] The plugging process often involves pumping a surfactant liquid, known as a “spacer”, into the well. The purpose of the spacer is to remove oil residues from the internal surface of the well casing and/or liner and rock matrix making them “water wet” (allowing better adhesion by cement). Commonly, immediately following the spacer, cement is pumped down the well to occupy the part of the well casing and/or liner where perforations are to be squeezed. When sufficient cement has been pumped down, more spacer liquid and possibly other liquids may be pumped down the well in order to place the cement at its final designed location. 1 2012223708 13 Oct 2016 [0005] It is desirable to be able to monitor with a reasonable degree of accuracy where the different constituents of the liquid column are located at any given time and the associated surface pumping (treating) pressure. It is also desirable to be able to control the progress of the liquid column, and other things, by varying pressure on the column applied at the surface. For these things to be achieved, it is helpful to have a continuous column of liquid being pumped into the well.

[0006] It is therefore desirable to have sufficient reservoir pressure entering the well (“bottom hole pressure”) to support a standing column of relatively high specific gravity material, e.g. spacer liquid, cement and displacement fluid, reaching to the top of the well. The spacer and cement and other liquids may then be pumped down against this pressure and thereby an accurate determination of each constituent’s location be made at any given point within the process.

[0007] In many cases, the bottom hole pressure is insufficient to support a standing column of relatively high specific gravity liquid reaching to the top of the well. In this event, positive pressure against the fluid column at the surface cannot be maintained as liquids are introduced into the top of the well. This results in liquid free falling down the wellbore and out through the reservoir completion, i.e. the perforated section of casing/liner.

[0008] In this situation, it is often not possible to monitor when the cement has reached the desired wellbore location with respect to the perforations which it is desired to seal. Without an accurate understanding of where the cement is, it is possible to over-displace the cement by continuing to introduce fluid at the surface which freefalls and over displaces the cement, with the result that the proximal perforations are not effectively squeezed. Alternatively, it is possible to under-displace the cement thereby leaving distal perforations unplugged and at the same time creating a barrier in the more proximal part of the liner hindering further optimized plugging operations within the wellbore without revision to procedures.

[0009] In the past, attempts have been made to address this issue by the addition of solid plugging material to the liquid plugging fluid or by displacement of the liquid plugging fluid with a low specific gravity fluid. 2 2012223708 13 Oct 2016 [0010] The addition of solid plugging material partially closes off pathways at the perforations creating backpressure or the need for additional pumping pressure at the surface in order to displace the plugging to the desired location. Thus a positive pressure on the fluid column is maintained at the surface. Partly closing perforations with solid material can be undesirable since the perforations can end up not adequately plugged. Conversely, because there is little control over the degree of plugging and at which point it will occur, an undesirable outcome can result if all perforations are plugged off with medium prior to achieving designed displacement.

[0011] Similarly, displacement of the plugging fluid with a significantly lower specific gravity fluid may also allow positive pressure to be maintained at the surface. However, there is a limit in available low specific gravity fluids and the constituents incorporated in them that meet design requirements.

[0012] US6520256 discloses a choke for use in cementing casings in oil and gas wells.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The invention more particularly includes a process for plugging a wellbore for abandonment, wherein the process comprises the steps of: (a) installing a choke device into the wellbore, the device having a through bore with a predetermined diameter; and (b) injecting a settable medium into the wellbore; (c) wherein the wellbore includes a nipple and wherein the step of installing the choke device comprises having the choke device bottom out at the nipple, wherein the nipple is adjacent a production packer of the wellbore. The invention is particularly applicable when the bottom hole pressure of the wellbore is insufficient to support a standing column of liquid of specific gravity 1 reaching to the surface.

[0014] The choke device may be installed by allowing it to free fall down the well or it may be pumped down the well, or a combination of the two.

[0015] In one embodiment, the choke device includes a pump out valve. When the device reaches the nipple and stops, pumping is continued thereby increasing pressure until the pump out valve is actuated, thereby allowing flow of fluid through the device. The pump out valve may be thought of as a device for blocking the through bore until a predetermined pressure is applied e.g. on the proximal side of the valve. The valve 3 2012223708 13 Oct 2016 may be an arrangement as simple as a deformable plug of spherical or other shape which is located in the through bore between two shoulders; when the pressure increases beyond a certain level the plug is forced out thereby opening the bore for liquid to flow through it.

[0016] If a Christmas tree is located at the top of the wellbore, the step of installing the choke device may include inserting the device between the swab valve and the master valve (top or bottom master valve) and then opening the necessary valves below the device to gain access to the wellbore.

[0017] To plug the wellbore, settable medium (such as cement) may be injected through the choke device into the distal part of the wellbore, that is to say the part beyond the choke device. Surfactant may be injected into the wellbore before the settable liquid, and another liquid may be injected after. The pressure at the surface would normally be monitored in which case it may be possible to determine from the monitored pressure when the settable medium reaches the choke device.

[0018] The choke device itself may comprise a body capable of being passed down a wellbore. The body may have an external profile including a shoulder, a through bore and a pump out valve which blocks the through bore until a predetermined pressure is applied to the valve. The pump out valve may be a ball retained in the through bore by a stop surface. Seals may be provided on the external profile of the body.

[0019] In another form of the invention there is provided a method of preparing a wellbore to be plugged for abandonment, the method comprising inserting into the well a choke device wherein the device comprises a body capable of being passed down a wellbore, wherein the body has: (a) an external profile which includes a shoulder; (b) a through bore; and (c) a pump out valve which blocks the through bore until a predetermined level of pressure is applied to the valve; and wherein the method further comprises the steps of: (i) applying pressure at a first level to the choke device said pressure being below said predetermined pressure level, thereby pumping the device through the wellbore until it reaches a nipple adjacent a production packer of the wellbore; and (ii) subsequently applying pressure to the choke device at a second level at or above said predetermined level, whereby said pump out valve is activated and the through bore unblocked. The method may include applying pressure to the choke 4 2012223708 13 Oct 2016 device thereby pumping the device through the wellbore and subsequently increasing the pressure to a level at which the pump out valve is actuated and the through bore unblocked. This preferably happens when the device has reached a nipple in the wellbore, e.g. adjacent a production packer.

[0020] The invention also relates to a plugged wellbore having located in it a choke device as described above.

[0021] The term “wellbore” as used herein shall be taken to mean an oil or gas well or a water injector.

[0022] A more complete understanding of the present invention and benefits thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 is a side view of a choke insert in accordance with the invention; [0024] Figure 2 is a side view, partly in section, of a well Christmas tree showing the choke insert of Figure 1 in place; and [0025] Figure 3 is a side view, partly in section, of part of a wellbore showing the choke insert of Figure 1 located against a nipple in the wellbore.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Turning now to the detailed description of the preferred arrangement or arrangements of the present invention, it should be understood that the inventive features and concepts may be manifested in other arrangements and that the scope of the invention is not limited to the embodiments described or illustrated. The scope of the invention is intended only to be limited by the scope of the claims that follow.

[0027] Figure 1 shows a choke insert 1. It comprises a cast body of aluminum having a generally cylindrical shape. Its outer profile includes a proximal portion 2 and a distal portion 3 of reduced diameter compared with the proximal portion. The words “proximal” and “distal” relate to the orientation of the device when in place in a well: the proximal portion being closer to the surface and the distal portion closer to the end of the well. 5 2012223708 13 Oct 2016 [0028] Between the proximal and distal portions is a shoulder 4. On the outer profile in the reduced diameter distal portion are two seals 5. The function of the seals 5 is to restrict fluid flow around the outside of the insert 1 such that all flow is directed through the device. Extending through the device is a bore 6 having a diameter which decreases towards the distal end of the device; at its most distal end, the bore 6 has a diameter 7 as shown in Figure 1. The bore 6 is provided with a flared proximal end 8, to help to reduce turbulence within the fluid flow regime.

[0029] An end plug 11 is screwed into the distal end of the bore of the insert 1 which provides an internal shoulder or stop surface 12. The end plug has a bore 13 of the same diameter 7 as the most distal part of the bore 6 through the main body of the choke insert 1. The bore 13 also has a flared end 9 to help reduce turbulence.

[0030] Located on the proximal side of the end plug 11 is a ball 10 of Phenolic plastic which sits adjacent the stop surface 12. The ball 10 is retained between the stop surface 12 and the distal end of the bore 6 in the main body. The dimensions and elastic modulus of the ball are carefully established, relative to the diameter 7, such that the ball will deform and pass the stop surface 12 if a predetermined pressure is applied to the proximal side of the ball 10.

[0031] Figure 2 shows the Christmas tree valve arrangement at the top of a wellbore to be plugged. The length of the choke insert 1 is chosen so that it will fit into the Christmas tree 20 between the swab valve 21 and the upper master valve 22. The overall outer diameter is chosen so that it will pass down the well to a point just above the reservoir. The dimensions of the distal portion 3 and the shoulder 4 are chosen so that the choke insert device 1 will rest against a nipple 31 (see Figure 3) in the wellbore 30 in region of the top of the reservoir, near the production packer (not shown).

[0032] Before plugging a well, sea water is pumped down the well to determine whether it is possible to inject liquid into the perforations in the producing part of the well (not shown) which it is desired to squeeze (block with cement or other settable plugging fluid). A gage device, of diameter and length determined by the choke insert and the tubular being traversed, is also lowered into the well to determine whether any obstructions are present which may obstruct and prevent the correct positioning of the choke insert. 6 2012223708 13 Oct 2016 [0033] This having been done, the bottom master valves and swab valve are closed and any trapped pressure is bled off between them at the wing valve 23. The swab valve is then opened and the choke insert 1 is then inserted into the Christmas tree 20, the swab valve 21 closed, and then the bottom and upper master valves are 24, 22 opened. The choke insert 1 then free falls down the well. In a simple vertical well, the choke may reach the desired location (nipple 31) without pumping. Normally, however, the friction will be too great and/or the well has an inclined or horizontal portion and the insert has to be pumped. Sea water is normally used for this purpose. Pumping continues until an increase in back pressure is noted which is indicative of the choke having come to rest at the profile nipple 31. Pumping is continued until the pressure rises sufficiently to displace the ball 10 past the stop surface 12. A sudden drop in monitored pressure indicates that the ball has been displaced. Step rate tests are then conducted to determine the back pressure created by the choke at increasing injection rates. This data is used to refine the predicted surface treating pressure profile which should be experienced during the placing of the plugging fluid.

[0034] Spacer fluid, a specialized mixture of chemicals including surfactants, is then pumped down the well at a rate sufficient to maintain positive pressure and contact with the top of the fluid column. The choke insert 1 with its small diameter bore, allows the fluid column to maintain the positive back pressure. Cement is then delivered in a continuous liquid column directly following the spacer fluid. A further liquid or liquids, e.g. further spacer fluid or other liquids, follow the cement in a continuous liquid column. Pressure continues to be applied to the cement via this liquid column, and monitoring of back pressure continues.

[0035] As the spacer/cement interface passes the choke insert 1, a pressure change may be recorded at surface due to its unique viscosity and density. The volume of the wellbore tubulars can be determined as well as the volume of the perforated liner, so the volume of cement pumped down the well can be controlled to give the best chance of filling the perforated liner with cement. When the other end of the cement column passes the choke insert 1, a further change in surface pressure may be noted due to its unique viscosity and density. The aim is to squeeze all the perforations but not to over-or under-displace the cement column. 7 2012223708 13 Oct 2016 [0036] In closing, it should be noted that the discussion of any reference is not an admission that it is prior art to the present invention, especially any reference that may have a publication date after the priority date of this application. At the same time, each and every claim below is hereby incorporated into this detailed description or specification as additional embodiments of the present invention.

[0037] Although the systems and processes described herein have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. Those skilled in the art may be able to study the preferred embodiments and identify other ways to practice the invention that are not exactly as described herein. It is the intent of the inventors that variations and equivalents of the invention are within the scope of the claims while the description, abstract and drawings are not to be used to limit the scope of the invention. The invention is specifically intended to be as broad as the claims below and their equivalents.

[0038] A reference herein to a matter which is given as prior art is not to be taken as an admission or a suggestion that the matter was known, or that the information it contains was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of any of the claims.

[0039] Throughout the description and claims of the specification, the word “comprise” and variations of the word, such as “comprising” and “comprises”, is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps. 8

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A process for plugging a wellbore for abandonment, wherein the process comprises the steps of: a) installing a choke device into the wellbore, the device having a through bore with a predetermined diameter; and b) injecting a settable medium into the wellbore; c) wherein the wellbore includes a nipple and wherein the step of installing the choke device comprises having the choke device bottom out at the nipple, wherein the nipple is adjacent a production packer of the wellbore.
2. The process according to claim 1 wherein the bottom hole pressure of the wellbore is insufficient to support a standing column of liquid of specific gravity reaching to the surface.
3. The process according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the step of installing the choke device comprises allowing the choke device to free fall down the wellbore.
4. The process according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the step of installing the choke device comprises pumping the choke device down the wellbore.
5. The process according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the choke device includes a pump out valve and the step of installing the choke device comprises pumping the device down the wellbore until it bottoms out at the nipple and then continuing to pump thereby increasing pressure on the device until the pump out valve is actuated.
6. The process according to any one of the preceding claims wherein located at the top of the wellbore is a Christmas tree with a swab valve and a master valve and wherein the step of installing the choke device comprises inserting the choke device between the swab valve and the master valve and then opening the master valve to allow the device to enter the wellbore.
7. The process according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a proximal part of the wellbore is defined between the choke device and the surface and a distal part of the wellbore is defined between the choke device and the distal end of the wellbore and wherein the step of injecting a settable medium comprises injecting some or all of the settable medium through the choke device into the distal part of the wellbore.
8. The process according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising the step of injecting a surfactant liquid into the wellbore prior to injecting the settable medium.
9. The process according to claim 8 further comprising the step of injecting a third liquid after injecting the settable medium.
10. The process of claim 9 comprising monitoring pressure at the surface of surfactant liquid, settable medium and third liquid.
11. The process of claim 10 further comprising determining from said monitored surface pressure when the settable medium reaches the choke device.
12. A method of preparing a wellbore to be plugged for abandonment, the method comprising inserting into the well a choke device wherein the device comprises a body capable of being passed down a wellbore, wherein the body has: a) an external profile which includes a shoulder; b) a through bore; and c) a pump out valve which blocks the through bore until a predetermined level of pressure is applied to the valve; and wherein the method further comprises the steps of: (i) applying pressure at a first level to the choke device said pressure being below said predetermined pressure level, thereby pumping the device through the wellbore until it reaches a nipple adjacent a production packer of the wellbore; and (ii) subsequently applying pressure to the choke device at a second level at or above said predetermined level, whereby said pump out valve is activated and the through bore unblocked.