CA2111492C - Slant wellbore tubing rotator with rotating tubing anchor catcher with rotating mandrel - Google Patents
Slant wellbore tubing rotator with rotating tubing anchor catcher with rotating mandrelInfo
- Publication number
- CA2111492C CA2111492C CA 2111492 CA2111492A CA2111492C CA 2111492 C CA2111492 C CA 2111492C CA 2111492 CA2111492 CA 2111492 CA 2111492 A CA2111492 A CA 2111492A CA 2111492 C CA2111492 C CA 2111492C
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- tubing string
- mandrel
- tubing
- anchor
- hanger
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Abstract
A crooked slanted cased wellbore extends downhole to a pay zone which is produced by a rod actuated downhole pump that lifts fluid from the bottom of the wellbore up through a tubing string to a wellhead. The pump is seated in a pump cavity and the tubing string is tensioned at opposed ends while it is rotated.
The upper end of the tubing string is attached to a fluid conveying swivel means and a tubing rotator. A tubing anchor having a fluid conveying rotatable mandrel is attached adjacent to and forms part of the lower end of the tubing string by which the lower end of the tubing string is rotatably tensioned and releasably affixed to the casing in proximity to the lower end of the wellbore. A plurality of radially active slips are actuated in response to manipulation of the tubing string to extend the slips into engagement with the casing wall and to retract the slips in order to remove the tubing string from the borehole.
The upper end of the tubing string is attached to a fluid conveying swivel means and a tubing rotator. A tubing anchor having a fluid conveying rotatable mandrel is attached adjacent to and forms part of the lower end of the tubing string by which the lower end of the tubing string is rotatably tensioned and releasably affixed to the casing in proximity to the lower end of the wellbore. A plurality of radially active slips are actuated in response to manipulation of the tubing string to extend the slips into engagement with the casing wall and to retract the slips in order to remove the tubing string from the borehole.
Description
2~ 1 1492 SLAN r WEI Li:~ORE l-UBIN(~ A-101~ Wl rH ROIA-lIN(I lUBlN(~
ANCI I()I~ OATCI IEI'~ RO-T A I I N(~ MANI)I~EL
B/~CK(~ROUND OF- 1 HE INVENTION
Through recent developments, it is known that rota-t-ing the production tubir-g string respec-tive to tlle sucl<er rod and casing str-ing while concurrently placirly the produc-tion tu~ing string in tension reduces the severity o~ wear of a curved tubing string by reducing the con-tact area between the -tubing string and rod s-tring. This redistribution of wear betweerl the suclcer rod strirlg and the tubirlg string is very desirable for it reduces the maintellance cost of the welll and additionally reduces the cyclic worl<ing (tension changes) of the production s-tring and thereby over-comes many problems associated with crool<ed wellbores. More-over sucll an arrangement provides the unexpected bene~it of lS enilallcing the protection of the suclcer rod and production tubing afforded by corrosion inhibitors which is realized because the rod alld tubing rubbing surfaces are continually moved away from the colltact area therebetweerll -thereby progressively treating the en-tire surface o1~ the rod and tubing string each rotation of the tubing string.
The present invention comprehends the use of an anchor device in a slanted borehole. The present invention sets forth an improved new tubing rotator used in conjunction with the anchor device by which the production tubing string is placed in tension while being rotated from the surface, to enable a slanted borehole to be produced in accordance with the method and apparatus set forth herein.
ln this paten-t application the term "slanted boreho1e"
meaIls a wel'lhead axial'ly aligIled with a casing string extending at .ln acute angle respective -to 1he vertical aIld particularly at about 7-45 degrees respective to the vertica'l.
I'Ile term "crooI~ed borehole" means a dril'led ho'le such as a wellbore formed in the grou-nd having a 'longitudinal central axis lIlat mearlders away lrom a straight line such that the central axis exhibits a sinusoidal wave forIn having an amplitude that causes a rod strirlg located with-in a tubing string thereo~ -to rub against one another at several spaced apart locations.
The term "tensioned" means that the upper and 'lower man-dre'ls o~ the rotator ar-~d anchor are forced diarnetrically apart to load the upper margina'l ternliIlal end o~ the tubing string a ten-siorl magnitude tllat significantly exceeds the tension produced by the static weigh~ of the tub-ing string such that tlle lowermost n~argirlA'I termiI-~al end of ~he tubing string is he'ld in a substan-2 0 t ial magni-tucIe of tens-ion.
l'he term "arlchor" mearls a dowrlhole tubing arlc~Ior device or a tubirlg catcher device haviIlg a rnechanical apparatus thereon that is se'lectively actuated -to prevent axial movement respective to the cas-ing s-tring and is improved by the addition of a rotata-25 ble mandrel conrlected to ~orln part of the tubing string ~low pathwnile rotatably holding the lower end of tIle tubing string in ten-sion. -rhere rnay be another 'length of tubing string extending down-hole of the mandrel.
The term "wellbore" means a hole drilled into the ground such as a borehole or a well.
The term "cased hole" or casing means a casing string or o~her means associated with at least the upper end of a borehole ..~
2111~9~
by which the tubing rotator can be supported from close proximity ot the surface.
The term "rod" means a polish rod, a rod string, a suck-er rod string, a rotating shaft, as well as any rotatable or reci-procatory member extending down through a tubing string for ac-tuating a downhole pump means for producing a well.
2 1 ~
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A cased, slanted, crool<ed wellbore extends downhole from a wellhead to a pay zone. ihe well is produced by a shaft actu-ated downho'le pump that lifts fluid from the bottom of the we'll-bore up through a tubing striny to a wel'lhead. A tubing rotatorhas a mandrel that for-ms a tubing hanger. The tubing hanger is rotatab'ly mounted in attached re'lationship adjacent the upper end ot the production tubing string. The mandrel rotatably supports the tubing string f'rom the wellhead while placing the upper end of -the tubing string in tension. A f'luid conveying swivel means is attached near the rotator to allow produced tluid to be discharged from the upper end of' the tubing string.
A combination tubing anchor catcher with fluid conveying rotatable mandrel is attached to and forms par-t of' the tubing string. The tubing anchor affixes the mandrel and hence the tubing string to the casing interior at a location downhole in the wellbore, thereby holding a lower end of' the rotating tubing string in tension.
one embodiment of the invention discloses a tubing an-chor having a rotatable mandrel extending longitudinally there-through and f'orming a part of' the lower end of' the tubing string;
and, further includes a journal means by which the mandrel rotates respective to the anchor device to provide the means by which the lower end of the tubing string is rotatab'ly held tensioned respec-tive to the tubing anchor, sucker rod string, and casing stringwhile conveying f'luid from a downho'le pump, up through the rota-ting tensioned production tubing string, and to a swive'l at the top of the wellhead.
Mor-e specifically, the anchor device has an outer barrel ~Q concentrically arranged within the casing and extending about the rotatab'le mandrel, and the rotating mandre'l is hol'low and extends about the sucker rod string. A 'locking device selectively locks and un'locks the mandre'l respective to the barrel so that retrac-tion and extension of the tubing anchor slips is achieved upon 21~ 14~2 manipu'lation of the tubing string, which results in the tubing anchor slips being anchored and re'leased respective to tne casing wall. The tubing anchor mandrel forms an axia'l passageway through which the sucker rod string and produced fluid f''lows from the pro-duction pump located therebelow. The tubing string is placed intension between a rotator (at the well head) and the downhole anchor device, and the tensioned tubing string rotated respective to the rod string and casing.
A primary object of' the present invention is the provi-sion of prcduction apparatus and method for producing a slalltedborehole having a we'l'lhead arranged at an angle respective to the horizontal. The production apparatus includes a tubing anchor device having a fluid conveying rotatable mandrel and further in-cludes slips by which the lower end of a tubing string is rota~-ably and releasably af'fixed to the casing in proximity to the low-er end of a we'llbore. An upper mandre'l is affixed to the upper end of the tubing string and is r-otated by a tubing rotator of' this invention.
Another object of the invention is to provide and dis-c'lose apparatus by which a tubing string is rotated while in ten-sion and includes a tubing rotator apparatus by which the tubing string is supported from the wellhead. The apparatus includes a downho'le tubing anchor device for a rod actuated downhole pump of the rotary or reciprocatory type, wherein the anchor device in-cludes a journaled mandrel and slips by which a fluid conveyingtensioned tubing string can rotate respective to the anchor slips, rod string, and well casing.
A sti'll f'urther object of' this invention is to provide a tensioned rotating production string having a tubing rotator at the upper end thereof and a downhole tubing anchor device at the other end thereof associated with a slanted wel'lbore. The slanted tubing string is placed under tension and rotated respective to the anchor device. Means are provided by which the tubing string moves the mandrel between alternate positions of operation to an-2 ~ 2 chor and to release the anchor device respective to the casingwa-ll.
Ano-ther and stil'l lurther object of this invention is the provision of method and apparatus for reduc-ing wear between a 5 rod strillg and a tubing str--ing used in producing a croolced s'lant-ed borehole by connecting the tubillg str-ing to a rotat.ir-~g mandrel ot an ancllor device and rotatilly the tubing s-t;ring respective to -the rod and casing string thereof whi'1e concurrently placing the tub-il1g s-tring in tension and thereby reducing the severity of wear of the curved string by reduciny the contact ar-ea between-the tub-ing and rod string and concurrerltly distributing -~he wear between the rod string and the tubing string ,~n additional object of -the present invention is the provis-ion of production apparatus and method for producing a 15 slanted borehole havirlg a wellhead arranged at an angle respective to the horizontal wherein the apparatus includes a fluid convey-ing rotatable mandrel for an ancl1or device having slips that can be set from the SU rface of the ground in response to movement of' the tubing string.
Another object of' the present invention is the provi-sion of a rotatab'le production tubing string having an upper end thereof suspended from a slanted wel'lhead and placed in tension by releasably anchorillg the lower marginal end o-f the production tub-ing string to the interior of' a well casing and additionally pro-25 viding a downhole journal means in the anchor device and a tubing r-ota-tor apparatus at the surface of the ground; and the further provision of' means by which the downllo'le journal means can be 'loc~ed and unlocl<ed by manipulating the upper end of the tubing string f'rom the surfac'e of the ground so that the tubing string and other production equipment can be removed from the wellbore.
These and various other objects and advantages of the invention will become readi'ly apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following de-tailed description and claims and by referring to the accompanying drawings 21il~
The above objects are attained in accordance with the present invention by the provision of a combination of e~lements which are fabricated in a manner substantially as described here-in for use with the disclosed method.
2 1 ~
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a part diagrammatical, part schematical, broken, part cross-sectional side view of apparatus made in accor-dance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is a fragmentary, part diagrammatical, part schematical, part cross-sectional side view of a more specific em-bodiment of the apparatus of- Figure 1 and made in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the oil well pro-duction unit of Figure 2 taken along line 3-3 thereof;
Figure 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, broken, side ele-vational view of an alternate embodiment of part of the apparatus disclosed in the foregoing figures;
Figure 5 is a broken, side elevational, part cross-sec-tional view of an oil wel'l production unit that is similar to Fig-ure 2, and having apparatus made in accordance with th~ present invention included therein, with some parts thereof being broken away theref'rom, and some of' the remaining parts being shown in cross-sectiorl; and, Figures 6-10 are cross-sectional views that illustrate details of various parts of the apparatus disclosed in the forego-ing Figures of the drawings.
' 21 1 1492 ~ET~ILE~ ~ESCRIP-I-ION OF Il-lE PREFEI~RE~ EMBODIMEN-I-rhrough the various Figures of the drawiI-~gs wherever it -is possible and 'logical to do so 1ike or similar numerals refer -to liI~e or similar elements.
Figure 1 o-f the drawinys diagrammatica11y discloses a produc~ion unit 10 made in accordance with this invention by which the illustrated wel~lbore is produced. A sha~t 12, which can be a rotationaI ~)ower out~ul shal~~ or a reciproca~ g pol-ish rod, sealing'ly extends through a seal means 14 which can be a stuffing 1~ box located above ~he we'lIhead 16 for examp'le. Produced fluid pumped from formation 18 flows away from the wellbore through the lateral discharge of' christmas tree 15. The wellhead 16 forms the upper termina'l erld o-F the boreho1e casing string 2~.
A tubing rotator 22, the details of which are more fully disclosed later on herein is fastened to the wellhead 16 by adaptor 17. Produced fluid flowing from the rotator 22 is connected to discharge into a fluid conveying swivel means 24 located below seal means 14. The tubing string 26 is subjected to tension and conveys fluid through the rotator 22 while concurrently rotating respective to the wellhead 16, casing 20, and seal means 14.
Ac-tuator means 28 i s attached to operate the tubing ro-tator 22 and thereby rotates a hanger mandrel 35 (see 30 3Z 33 of Fig-ure 6) connected to the upper end of the tubing string 26 which supports the tubing string t-rom the welIhead 16 and placed in ten-sion while it -is concurrently rotated by the hanger mandrel 35-~.
An improved nove'l downho'le anchor device 34 sometime referred to as an anchor tubing catcher and made in accordance with the present invention has a fluid conveying rotatable anchor mar-~dre1 35 (see Figures l-5j extending from opposed ends thereof.
Upper end 36 of the anchor mandre1 35 is connected to production tubing string 2G and forms part of the tubing string. The tubing :'~ ' ' '' ' 2 1 ~ 3 2 string 26 forms annulus 38 respective to the casing 20. A lower end 40 of the mandrel 35 is affixed to the upper end of the lower part 42 of the tubing string. The anchor device 34 includes slip assembly 44 having individual slips mounted for radial movement respective to a barrel 46 (f'igure 4) and radially extends from the central longitudinal axis of the anchor device 34 for engayement with the interior wall surface ot' casing 20. The anchor- mandre'l 35 has a lower end 40 thereof attached to an upper end of a 'lower length 42 of production tubing string 26 within which a downhole pump P resides. other downho'le tools, such as gas anchors7 seat-ing nipples, and the lil<e, may be included below the anchor device 34, as may be desired. These other downhole tools are known to those skilled in the art.
Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings, wherein like or similar numerals reter to like or similar elements, more specifically dis-close a production unit 10 by which a wel'lbore is produced. As seen illustrated in Figure 2, a crooked wel'lbore having a rod ac-tuated downhole pump P by which fluid is produced up a tubing 26 string to the surface S of the ground and to a slanted wellhead 16 at the top of the wel'lbore. An anchor device 34, by which the lower end of the tubing string is anchored to the lower end of the wellbore, places the tubing string in tension to provide method and apparatus by which wear between a sucker rod string and the interior wall of a tubing string is reduced.
A tubing rotator means 22 is supported from the slanted well head and transfers the load presented by the tubing string into the wellhead by connecting the upper end of the slanted tubing string to said tubing rotator means. Said tubing rotator means includes a mandrel within rotatably mounted in the downhole anchor device 34 and connecting the lower end of the tubing string to said anchor mandrel and thereby placing a downhole force on the downhole end of the tubing string which results in the tubing string being placed in tension. This provides a new combination, as well as a method of' producing a crooked borehole that termi-nates in a slanted wellhead.
A gear box 48 is driven by a motor 50 which can be elec-tric or hydraulic actuated, and preferably hydraulic. A hydraulic pump (not shown~ provides a suitable supply of power fllJid to the mo-tor 50.
The pump P is rotated by the rod or shaf-t 12 which is rotated by the gear box 48. The motor is connec~ed to drive the gear box by means of rotating power shaft 12'. Formation fluid flows from the pay zone or formation 18, into the casing 20, where the fluid is produced by the rotating pump P. The produced fluid flows up the tubing annulus to the wellhead, through the mandrel of the tubing rotator 22, through the swivel 24, and is dischargsd at 19 from Christmas tree 15.
F-igure 4 of the drawings discloses more specif-ic details o~ an embodiment of this invention in combination with a pumpjack unit by which a wellbore is produced. A production unit 210, made in accordance with this invention, includes a pumpjack unit 11 having a horse head 31 and brid'le f'or reciprocating a polish rod 12' is shown. The polish rod 12' sealingly extends through a stuffirlg box 14 located on the Christmas tree 15 and into a well-head 1~ attached to the upper end of the usual casing 20. Numeral Z0 indicates the well casing string that is located below the sur-face and extends downho'le to form a cased boreho'le. Produced fluid flows away from the wel'lbore through 'latera'l pipe 19.
A tubing rotator 22, the details of which are more fully disclosed later on herein, is fastened to the wellhead 16 by adaptor 17 and is connected to a fluid conveying swivel means 24 at a location interposed between stuffing box 14 and tubing rotator 22 so that the tensioned tubing string 26 can convey fluid therethrough and rotate respective to the wellhead 16, casing 20, and stuffing box 14. Actuator pull line 28 is attached to the free end of' a ratchet arm 30 and is successive-ly pulled by each oscillation of the rocking beam at 31 (only partial'ly shown) and -thereby successive'ly ratchets and thereby rotates a shaft 32 by osc-il'lating the ratchet arm 30 in - -- ~ .
.
21 t 1492 response to each oscillation of the horse-head and wallcing beam of Ille pulnpjack unit 11. 1he -tubirlg rotator 2Z is connected to r~-tate a hanger mandrel 3~ (see fiyure 4j by which the upper end of the tubing string 26 is supported from tl-e welIhead 16 and can be placed in tension whi'le it is concLJrrent1y rotated by the hange mar1dre1 ~3.
A downt-1ole anchor device 34 sometin~e re-f'erred to as an allcllor tubin(J catcllel~, and made ill accorclal-e,e w-i th the pres~nt inver1tiol1~ has a 1-luid conve~in~ rotatab1e arlchor mandrel 35 ~see -, Figure 4) extending from the opposed ends thereof. Upper end ~6 of the anchor ~andrel 35 is corlnected to production tubing string 2~ and forms part of' tl-le tubing string. rhe tubing string Z6 ~ornls casing anrlulus ~8 respec-tive to the casir-lg Z~. A 'lower end 40 of the mandrel 35 is af-fixed to the upper end of the lower part 42 of the tubing string. Ihe anchor device 34 inc'ludes slip assembly 44 having individua1 s1ips 45 Inounted for radial movemeot respective to a barre'l 46 thereof and radial'ly extend from the centra'l 'longitudir1a1 axis of t;he anchor device ~4 for engagement ~ilh the interior wal'l surface of casing ZO. Tl1e lower end 40 of' tl1e anchor mar-ldre1 35 of the ar1chor device 34 is attached to an upper end of' a lower length 4-2 of' production tubing string 26 within whicl1 a downl-lole pump P (not showl1) resides. ~ther down-ho'le tools such as yas anchors seating nipples and the 'like may be included below the at-cl1or device 34 as may be desired.
l~hese otl1er downhole tools ar-e kl1own to tl1ose skille~ in the art.
Figures 4 and G i1lustrate the rod string lZ extending tl1r-ouyl1 the ro-ta-table tensioned pl-oductiol1 tubing string 26 and ther-eby formi~1g an irregular arll1ulus 47 therewith due to the well being a crooked slanted borel1o1e. 1~he mandr-el 35 of Figures 2 and ~ has an interior diameter that is approximate1y equal to the in-side dialneter of -the -tubil1y string so that anytl1il-lg tl1at can be lowered dowl1 -tl1r-ough t;he prod-lction -l;ubil1g s-tring can a'lso be ex-1 ~
.~, ., I.ended througI-l tlle anchor device of the present invention. 1-his avoids co~stIy fisl~ g jobs.
The details of the relationship between the various parts of the anchor device show a locking device having a J-pin captured within a J-slot of the mandrel and barrel thereof. The J-pin and barrel is positioned to lock the mandrel and barrel toyether to preverlt relative axial rotat-ion lhere~e~wee~1. 'Ihis IocI~ed positioI1 allows the slips o1~ the slip assembly 44 to be positioned -in a neutra'l or re-tracted position so that the anchor device can be run downhole without becoming engaged with the cas-ing sidewal'I. The J-pir- is moved into the groove when tl1e anc-l1or- s'lips are set and the mandrel rotated respective to the barrel and casir-~g.
In this position the '10cIcing action o~ the J-'latch de-vice has rendered -the mandrel substantia1'Iy imIllovable respective to the barr-el and the mandreI cannot be mar-lipulated for setting tl1e un-set s'Iips ot' the anchor device untiI the J~pin is manipu-la-ted by -the mandr-el out of the s'lot and into the operative position.
Figure 5 o~ the drawings is simi'lar to Figure 2 thereof' whereir1 there is more specifically disclosed a production unit 310 by which a welIbore is produced and wherein Iike or similar num-erals refer to 1iI<e or similar e1ements.
I~he unit 31r~ of Figure 5 is a modif-ication of' a commer-c;iaIly available Moyno downhoIe purnp system having added thereto the before discussed anchor device 34 il1sta'1led near the lower end o1 the tool string, an(i a tubing rotator 22 instal'Ied near the top of the tool string. This provides a new combination, as well as a rne-~hod of producing a crooked boreho'le that termiI~ates in a slant-ed welIhead.
o A gear box 48 is driven by a mo-tor 50 which'can be elec--l;ric or hydraulic actuated, and preferably hydI~aulic. A hydraulic purnp (not showrl) provides a suitable supply o~ power f'Iuid to the ~. .
~.
21~l'i9~
motor 50.
The pump P is rotated by the rod or shaft 12 which is rotated by the gear box 48. Ihe motor is connected t.o drive the gear box by means of rotating power shaft 12'. Forma-tion fluid 5 flows from the pay zone or 1~ormation 18 into the casing 20 where the 11uid is produced by the rotating pump P. The produced fluid flows up the tubing annul-ls to the wellhead through the mandrel of the tubing rotator Z2 through the swivel 24 and is discharged a-t 19 from christmas tr-ee 15.
Figure ~ discloses the details of the tubing ro-tator 22.
i-he rotator- 85 has a main housing 52 concentrically arranged about hanger mandrel 85 and is provided with removab'le cap member 54 attached thereto by means of bo'l-t cir-cle 56. Ilouslng 52 has a lower face 58 tha-t is seated on we'llhead 16. Seal means 60 ride aga-inst a lower margina'l end of the mandrel 35. A key-way 62 is engaged by a gearbox or the 'lil~e as scllematically indicated by nllmera'ls 32 ~3 for rotat-ing the mandrel 35 respective to housing 52. ~etween the housing and the mandrel there is formed a bearing chambel~ withill wh-ich are mounted spaced bearings 64 66 for low friction engagemen-t between the mandre'l and housing.
Figure 7 sets for-th a cross-sectional view o-F the man-drel taken along line 7-7 of Figure 6. As seen in both Figures 6 and 7 the rod 12 is concentrica'lly arr-anged re~spective to the longitudinally extending axial center 'line thereof.
Fiyure 8 is a cr-os~s-sectional view of one form of' the swivel 24 wh-ich inc'ludes a swivel discharge 70 fixed to Christmas tree or discharge 15. Swive'l housing top 71 is removably affixed to sl~ivel main body 68 and cooperates therewith to form a bearing housing therewithin. Numeral 72 is the lower inlet of the swivel.
~earings 74 and 78 are arranged for- both lateral up thrust and down thrust f-orces. Sea'ls 8C1 80' seal the var-ious members from one another-.
Figure 9 sets forth another form of the swivel 24 of Figure 8 which inc'ludes a swive'l discharge 7~ fixed to Christmas 2 1 ~
tr-ee or discharge 15 The swivel device of Figure 9 is similar but larger -than the swivel device of Figure 8 Fiyure 10 sets forth an improved safety shear sub which is placed in series rela-tionship respec-tive to the tubing strin~
ar-~d can be subjected to unduly high shear forces in order to part the s-tring to which it is at-tached and come out of the hole The shear sub of Figure g preferably is ins-tal'1ed on the gear box shaft In operation the -tubing anchor device 34 i5 interposed wi-thil-~ the tubing string any desired distance above pump P the locl<ing device at is placed in the locked position and the ap-paratus is run downhole into -the borehole on the tubing string to a predetermined depth thereby properly spacing out the pump and associated apparatus At this t-ime -the upper end of -the tubing 15 string is manipulated to ex-tend and set slip assembly 44 of' the anchor device 34 into engagement with the casing wal'l Then the we'llhead 16 a'long w-i-th the -tubing rotator 22 and other il1ustrated members are all assembled the tubing string is set down causing mandre1 35 to urge the J-pill in-to the 20 ull'locl<ed rotatable configuration; whereupon the tubiny is then picked up using a weight indicator, to assure that the tubing 'lower end is rotatably anchored to the casing The rotator 22 is connected in the manner of Figure 1 so that osci'llation of the rocl<ir-~g beam of a pumpjack unit moves the 25 actuator pu'1l line 28 each upstrol<e of' the polish rod and thereky pulls the line which oscillates ratchet arm 30 which in turn suc-cessively rotates shaft 3Z to thereby rotate the drive mechanism therefor and to rotate the hanger mandrel 33 which in turn rotate~
-tubing string 26 all -the way -from upper swivel means 24 down to the '1ower end of tne pump It is possible -to successf-ully use this invention in a crool~ed slanted ho'1e w-ith -the ancrlor set at '7 000 feet for exam-p1e the tail pipe extending 6300 f'eet therebelow and the seating nipp'le 'located at 12 290 feet for a lotal depth of 13 300 feet.
2 1 ~ 2 In a slanted borehole having a crooked upper marginal length of 5 000 feet for example from the bottom of which there extends a horizontal marginal length of 1200 feet f'or example7 it is possible to successfully use this invention wi1.ll the anchor being se-t at the bottom of the ver-tica'l 5 oO0 f'oot length of the boreho'le and the tai'l pipe extending therebelow and into the hori-zontal 1200 foot marginal length thereof whereby the an~l-lor rota-tes the -tail pipe located in the horizonta'l section of the bore-ho'le.
. ~
ANCI I()I~ OATCI IEI'~ RO-T A I I N(~ MANI)I~EL
B/~CK(~ROUND OF- 1 HE INVENTION
Through recent developments, it is known that rota-t-ing the production tubir-g string respec-tive to tlle sucl<er rod and casing str-ing while concurrently placirly the produc-tion tu~ing string in tension reduces the severity o~ wear of a curved tubing string by reducing the con-tact area between the -tubing string and rod s-tring. This redistribution of wear betweerl the suclcer rod strirlg and the tubirlg string is very desirable for it reduces the maintellance cost of the welll and additionally reduces the cyclic worl<ing (tension changes) of the production s-tring and thereby over-comes many problems associated with crool<ed wellbores. More-over sucll an arrangement provides the unexpected bene~it of lS enilallcing the protection of the suclcer rod and production tubing afforded by corrosion inhibitors which is realized because the rod alld tubing rubbing surfaces are continually moved away from the colltact area therebetweerll -thereby progressively treating the en-tire surface o1~ the rod and tubing string each rotation of the tubing string.
The present invention comprehends the use of an anchor device in a slanted borehole. The present invention sets forth an improved new tubing rotator used in conjunction with the anchor device by which the production tubing string is placed in tension while being rotated from the surface, to enable a slanted borehole to be produced in accordance with the method and apparatus set forth herein.
ln this paten-t application the term "slanted boreho1e"
meaIls a wel'lhead axial'ly aligIled with a casing string extending at .ln acute angle respective -to 1he vertical aIld particularly at about 7-45 degrees respective to the vertica'l.
I'Ile term "crooI~ed borehole" means a dril'led ho'le such as a wellbore formed in the grou-nd having a 'longitudinal central axis lIlat mearlders away lrom a straight line such that the central axis exhibits a sinusoidal wave forIn having an amplitude that causes a rod strirlg located with-in a tubing string thereo~ -to rub against one another at several spaced apart locations.
The term "tensioned" means that the upper and 'lower man-dre'ls o~ the rotator ar-~d anchor are forced diarnetrically apart to load the upper margina'l ternliIlal end o~ the tubing string a ten-siorl magnitude tllat significantly exceeds the tension produced by the static weigh~ of the tub-ing string such that tlle lowermost n~argirlA'I termiI-~al end of ~he tubing string is he'ld in a substan-2 0 t ial magni-tucIe of tens-ion.
l'he term "arlchor" mearls a dowrlhole tubing arlc~Ior device or a tubirlg catcher device haviIlg a rnechanical apparatus thereon that is se'lectively actuated -to prevent axial movement respective to the cas-ing s-tring and is improved by the addition of a rotata-25 ble mandrel conrlected to ~orln part of the tubing string ~low pathwnile rotatably holding the lower end of tIle tubing string in ten-sion. -rhere rnay be another 'length of tubing string extending down-hole of the mandrel.
The term "wellbore" means a hole drilled into the ground such as a borehole or a well.
The term "cased hole" or casing means a casing string or o~her means associated with at least the upper end of a borehole ..~
2111~9~
by which the tubing rotator can be supported from close proximity ot the surface.
The term "rod" means a polish rod, a rod string, a suck-er rod string, a rotating shaft, as well as any rotatable or reci-procatory member extending down through a tubing string for ac-tuating a downhole pump means for producing a well.
2 1 ~
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A cased, slanted, crool<ed wellbore extends downhole from a wellhead to a pay zone. ihe well is produced by a shaft actu-ated downho'le pump that lifts fluid from the bottom of the we'll-bore up through a tubing striny to a wel'lhead. A tubing rotatorhas a mandrel that for-ms a tubing hanger. The tubing hanger is rotatab'ly mounted in attached re'lationship adjacent the upper end ot the production tubing string. The mandrel rotatably supports the tubing string f'rom the wellhead while placing the upper end of -the tubing string in tension. A f'luid conveying swivel means is attached near the rotator to allow produced tluid to be discharged from the upper end of' the tubing string.
A combination tubing anchor catcher with fluid conveying rotatable mandrel is attached to and forms par-t of' the tubing string. The tubing anchor affixes the mandrel and hence the tubing string to the casing interior at a location downhole in the wellbore, thereby holding a lower end of' the rotating tubing string in tension.
one embodiment of the invention discloses a tubing an-chor having a rotatable mandrel extending longitudinally there-through and f'orming a part of' the lower end of' the tubing string;
and, further includes a journal means by which the mandrel rotates respective to the anchor device to provide the means by which the lower end of the tubing string is rotatab'ly held tensioned respec-tive to the tubing anchor, sucker rod string, and casing stringwhile conveying f'luid from a downho'le pump, up through the rota-ting tensioned production tubing string, and to a swive'l at the top of the wellhead.
Mor-e specifically, the anchor device has an outer barrel ~Q concentrically arranged within the casing and extending about the rotatab'le mandrel, and the rotating mandre'l is hol'low and extends about the sucker rod string. A 'locking device selectively locks and un'locks the mandre'l respective to the barrel so that retrac-tion and extension of the tubing anchor slips is achieved upon 21~ 14~2 manipu'lation of the tubing string, which results in the tubing anchor slips being anchored and re'leased respective to tne casing wall. The tubing anchor mandrel forms an axia'l passageway through which the sucker rod string and produced fluid f''lows from the pro-duction pump located therebelow. The tubing string is placed intension between a rotator (at the well head) and the downhole anchor device, and the tensioned tubing string rotated respective to the rod string and casing.
A primary object of' the present invention is the provi-sion of prcduction apparatus and method for producing a slalltedborehole having a we'l'lhead arranged at an angle respective to the horizontal. The production apparatus includes a tubing anchor device having a fluid conveying rotatable mandrel and further in-cludes slips by which the lower end of a tubing string is rota~-ably and releasably af'fixed to the casing in proximity to the low-er end of a we'llbore. An upper mandre'l is affixed to the upper end of the tubing string and is r-otated by a tubing rotator of' this invention.
Another object of the invention is to provide and dis-c'lose apparatus by which a tubing string is rotated while in ten-sion and includes a tubing rotator apparatus by which the tubing string is supported from the wellhead. The apparatus includes a downho'le tubing anchor device for a rod actuated downhole pump of the rotary or reciprocatory type, wherein the anchor device in-cludes a journaled mandrel and slips by which a fluid conveyingtensioned tubing string can rotate respective to the anchor slips, rod string, and well casing.
A sti'll f'urther object of' this invention is to provide a tensioned rotating production string having a tubing rotator at the upper end thereof and a downhole tubing anchor device at the other end thereof associated with a slanted wel'lbore. The slanted tubing string is placed under tension and rotated respective to the anchor device. Means are provided by which the tubing string moves the mandrel between alternate positions of operation to an-2 ~ 2 chor and to release the anchor device respective to the casingwa-ll.
Ano-ther and stil'l lurther object of this invention is the provision of method and apparatus for reduc-ing wear between a 5 rod strillg and a tubing str--ing used in producing a croolced s'lant-ed borehole by connecting the tubillg str-ing to a rotat.ir-~g mandrel ot an ancllor device and rotatilly the tubing s-t;ring respective to -the rod and casing string thereof whi'1e concurrently placing the tub-il1g s-tring in tension and thereby reducing the severity of wear of the curved string by reduciny the contact ar-ea between-the tub-ing and rod string and concurrerltly distributing -~he wear between the rod string and the tubing string ,~n additional object of -the present invention is the provis-ion of production apparatus and method for producing a 15 slanted borehole havirlg a wellhead arranged at an angle respective to the horizontal wherein the apparatus includes a fluid convey-ing rotatable mandrel for an ancl1or device having slips that can be set from the SU rface of the ground in response to movement of' the tubing string.
Another object of' the present invention is the provi-sion of a rotatab'le production tubing string having an upper end thereof suspended from a slanted wel'lhead and placed in tension by releasably anchorillg the lower marginal end o-f the production tub-ing string to the interior of' a well casing and additionally pro-25 viding a downhole journal means in the anchor device and a tubing r-ota-tor apparatus at the surface of the ground; and the further provision of' means by which the downllo'le journal means can be 'loc~ed and unlocl<ed by manipulating the upper end of the tubing string f'rom the surfac'e of the ground so that the tubing string and other production equipment can be removed from the wellbore.
These and various other objects and advantages of the invention will become readi'ly apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following de-tailed description and claims and by referring to the accompanying drawings 21il~
The above objects are attained in accordance with the present invention by the provision of a combination of e~lements which are fabricated in a manner substantially as described here-in for use with the disclosed method.
2 1 ~
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a part diagrammatical, part schematical, broken, part cross-sectional side view of apparatus made in accor-dance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is a fragmentary, part diagrammatical, part schematical, part cross-sectional side view of a more specific em-bodiment of the apparatus of- Figure 1 and made in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the oil well pro-duction unit of Figure 2 taken along line 3-3 thereof;
Figure 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, broken, side ele-vational view of an alternate embodiment of part of the apparatus disclosed in the foregoing figures;
Figure 5 is a broken, side elevational, part cross-sec-tional view of an oil wel'l production unit that is similar to Fig-ure 2, and having apparatus made in accordance with th~ present invention included therein, with some parts thereof being broken away theref'rom, and some of' the remaining parts being shown in cross-sectiorl; and, Figures 6-10 are cross-sectional views that illustrate details of various parts of the apparatus disclosed in the forego-ing Figures of the drawings.
' 21 1 1492 ~ET~ILE~ ~ESCRIP-I-ION OF Il-lE PREFEI~RE~ EMBODIMEN-I-rhrough the various Figures of the drawiI-~gs wherever it -is possible and 'logical to do so 1ike or similar numerals refer -to liI~e or similar elements.
Figure 1 o-f the drawinys diagrammatica11y discloses a produc~ion unit 10 made in accordance with this invention by which the illustrated wel~lbore is produced. A sha~t 12, which can be a rotationaI ~)ower out~ul shal~~ or a reciproca~ g pol-ish rod, sealing'ly extends through a seal means 14 which can be a stuffing 1~ box located above ~he we'lIhead 16 for examp'le. Produced fluid pumped from formation 18 flows away from the wellbore through the lateral discharge of' christmas tree 15. The wellhead 16 forms the upper termina'l erld o-F the boreho1e casing string 2~.
A tubing rotator 22, the details of which are more fully disclosed later on herein is fastened to the wellhead 16 by adaptor 17. Produced fluid flowing from the rotator 22 is connected to discharge into a fluid conveying swivel means 24 located below seal means 14. The tubing string 26 is subjected to tension and conveys fluid through the rotator 22 while concurrently rotating respective to the wellhead 16, casing 20, and seal means 14.
Ac-tuator means 28 i s attached to operate the tubing ro-tator 22 and thereby rotates a hanger mandrel 35 (see 30 3Z 33 of Fig-ure 6) connected to the upper end of the tubing string 26 which supports the tubing string t-rom the welIhead 16 and placed in ten-sion while it -is concurrently rotated by the hanger mandrel 35-~.
An improved nove'l downho'le anchor device 34 sometime referred to as an anchor tubing catcher and made in accordance with the present invention has a fluid conveying rotatable anchor mar-~dre1 35 (see Figures l-5j extending from opposed ends thereof.
Upper end 36 of the anchor mandre1 35 is connected to production tubing string 2G and forms part of the tubing string. The tubing :'~ ' ' '' ' 2 1 ~ 3 2 string 26 forms annulus 38 respective to the casing 20. A lower end 40 of the mandrel 35 is affixed to the upper end of the lower part 42 of the tubing string. The anchor device 34 includes slip assembly 44 having individual slips mounted for radial movement respective to a barrel 46 (f'igure 4) and radially extends from the central longitudinal axis of the anchor device 34 for engayement with the interior wall surface ot' casing 20. The anchor- mandre'l 35 has a lower end 40 thereof attached to an upper end of a 'lower length 42 of production tubing string 26 within which a downhole pump P resides. other downho'le tools, such as gas anchors7 seat-ing nipples, and the lil<e, may be included below the anchor device 34, as may be desired. These other downhole tools are known to those skilled in the art.
Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings, wherein like or similar numerals reter to like or similar elements, more specifically dis-close a production unit 10 by which a wel'lbore is produced. As seen illustrated in Figure 2, a crooked wel'lbore having a rod ac-tuated downhole pump P by which fluid is produced up a tubing 26 string to the surface S of the ground and to a slanted wellhead 16 at the top of the wel'lbore. An anchor device 34, by which the lower end of the tubing string is anchored to the lower end of the wellbore, places the tubing string in tension to provide method and apparatus by which wear between a sucker rod string and the interior wall of a tubing string is reduced.
A tubing rotator means 22 is supported from the slanted well head and transfers the load presented by the tubing string into the wellhead by connecting the upper end of the slanted tubing string to said tubing rotator means. Said tubing rotator means includes a mandrel within rotatably mounted in the downhole anchor device 34 and connecting the lower end of the tubing string to said anchor mandrel and thereby placing a downhole force on the downhole end of the tubing string which results in the tubing string being placed in tension. This provides a new combination, as well as a method of' producing a crooked borehole that termi-nates in a slanted wellhead.
A gear box 48 is driven by a motor 50 which can be elec-tric or hydraulic actuated, and preferably hydraulic. A hydraulic pump (not shown~ provides a suitable supply of power fllJid to the mo-tor 50.
The pump P is rotated by the rod or shaf-t 12 which is rotated by the gear box 48. The motor is connec~ed to drive the gear box by means of rotating power shaft 12'. Formation fluid flows from the pay zone or formation 18, into the casing 20, where the fluid is produced by the rotating pump P. The produced fluid flows up the tubing annulus to the wellhead, through the mandrel of the tubing rotator 22, through the swivel 24, and is dischargsd at 19 from Christmas tree 15.
F-igure 4 of the drawings discloses more specif-ic details o~ an embodiment of this invention in combination with a pumpjack unit by which a wellbore is produced. A production unit 210, made in accordance with this invention, includes a pumpjack unit 11 having a horse head 31 and brid'le f'or reciprocating a polish rod 12' is shown. The polish rod 12' sealingly extends through a stuffirlg box 14 located on the Christmas tree 15 and into a well-head 1~ attached to the upper end of the usual casing 20. Numeral Z0 indicates the well casing string that is located below the sur-face and extends downho'le to form a cased boreho'le. Produced fluid flows away from the wel'lbore through 'latera'l pipe 19.
A tubing rotator 22, the details of which are more fully disclosed later on herein, is fastened to the wellhead 16 by adaptor 17 and is connected to a fluid conveying swivel means 24 at a location interposed between stuffing box 14 and tubing rotator 22 so that the tensioned tubing string 26 can convey fluid therethrough and rotate respective to the wellhead 16, casing 20, and stuffing box 14. Actuator pull line 28 is attached to the free end of' a ratchet arm 30 and is successive-ly pulled by each oscillation of the rocking beam at 31 (only partial'ly shown) and -thereby successive'ly ratchets and thereby rotates a shaft 32 by osc-il'lating the ratchet arm 30 in - -- ~ .
.
21 t 1492 response to each oscillation of the horse-head and wallcing beam of Ille pulnpjack unit 11. 1he -tubirlg rotator 2Z is connected to r~-tate a hanger mandrel 3~ (see fiyure 4j by which the upper end of the tubing string 26 is supported from tl-e welIhead 16 and can be placed in tension whi'le it is concLJrrent1y rotated by the hange mar1dre1 ~3.
A downt-1ole anchor device 34 sometin~e re-f'erred to as an allcllor tubin(J catcllel~, and made ill accorclal-e,e w-i th the pres~nt inver1tiol1~ has a 1-luid conve~in~ rotatab1e arlchor mandrel 35 ~see -, Figure 4) extending from the opposed ends thereof. Upper end ~6 of the anchor ~andrel 35 is corlnected to production tubing string 2~ and forms part of' tl-le tubing string. rhe tubing string Z6 ~ornls casing anrlulus ~8 respec-tive to the casir-lg Z~. A 'lower end 40 of the mandrel 35 is af-fixed to the upper end of the lower part 42 of the tubing string. Ihe anchor device 34 inc'ludes slip assembly 44 having individua1 s1ips 45 Inounted for radial movemeot respective to a barre'l 46 thereof and radial'ly extend from the centra'l 'longitudir1a1 axis of t;he anchor device ~4 for engagement ~ilh the interior wal'l surface of casing ZO. Tl1e lower end 40 of' tl1e anchor mar-ldre1 35 of the ar1chor device 34 is attached to an upper end of' a lower length 4-2 of' production tubing string 26 within whicl1 a downl-lole pump P (not showl1) resides. ~ther down-ho'le tools such as yas anchors seating nipples and the 'like may be included below the at-cl1or device 34 as may be desired.
l~hese otl1er downhole tools ar-e kl1own to tl1ose skille~ in the art.
Figures 4 and G i1lustrate the rod string lZ extending tl1r-ouyl1 the ro-ta-table tensioned pl-oductiol1 tubing string 26 and ther-eby formi~1g an irregular arll1ulus 47 therewith due to the well being a crooked slanted borel1o1e. 1~he mandr-el 35 of Figures 2 and ~ has an interior diameter that is approximate1y equal to the in-side dialneter of -the -tubil1y string so that anytl1il-lg tl1at can be lowered dowl1 -tl1r-ough t;he prod-lction -l;ubil1g s-tring can a'lso be ex-1 ~
.~, ., I.ended througI-l tlle anchor device of the present invention. 1-his avoids co~stIy fisl~ g jobs.
The details of the relationship between the various parts of the anchor device show a locking device having a J-pin captured within a J-slot of the mandrel and barrel thereof. The J-pin and barrel is positioned to lock the mandrel and barrel toyether to preverlt relative axial rotat-ion lhere~e~wee~1. 'Ihis IocI~ed positioI1 allows the slips o1~ the slip assembly 44 to be positioned -in a neutra'l or re-tracted position so that the anchor device can be run downhole without becoming engaged with the cas-ing sidewal'I. The J-pir- is moved into the groove when tl1e anc-l1or- s'lips are set and the mandrel rotated respective to the barrel and casir-~g.
In this position the '10cIcing action o~ the J-'latch de-vice has rendered -the mandrel substantia1'Iy imIllovable respective to the barr-el and the mandreI cannot be mar-lipulated for setting tl1e un-set s'Iips ot' the anchor device untiI the J~pin is manipu-la-ted by -the mandr-el out of the s'lot and into the operative position.
Figure 5 o~ the drawings is simi'lar to Figure 2 thereof' whereir1 there is more specifically disclosed a production unit 310 by which a welIbore is produced and wherein Iike or similar num-erals refer to 1iI<e or similar e1ements.
I~he unit 31r~ of Figure 5 is a modif-ication of' a commer-c;iaIly available Moyno downhoIe purnp system having added thereto the before discussed anchor device 34 il1sta'1led near the lower end o1 the tool string, an(i a tubing rotator 22 instal'Ied near the top of the tool string. This provides a new combination, as well as a rne-~hod of producing a crooked boreho'le that termiI~ates in a slant-ed welIhead.
o A gear box 48 is driven by a mo-tor 50 which'can be elec--l;ric or hydraulic actuated, and preferably hydI~aulic. A hydraulic purnp (not showrl) provides a suitable supply o~ power f'Iuid to the ~. .
~.
21~l'i9~
motor 50.
The pump P is rotated by the rod or shaft 12 which is rotated by the gear box 48. Ihe motor is connected t.o drive the gear box by means of rotating power shaft 12'. Forma-tion fluid 5 flows from the pay zone or 1~ormation 18 into the casing 20 where the 11uid is produced by the rotating pump P. The produced fluid flows up the tubing annul-ls to the wellhead through the mandrel of the tubing rotator Z2 through the swivel 24 and is discharged a-t 19 from christmas tr-ee 15.
Figure ~ discloses the details of the tubing ro-tator 22.
i-he rotator- 85 has a main housing 52 concentrically arranged about hanger mandrel 85 and is provided with removab'le cap member 54 attached thereto by means of bo'l-t cir-cle 56. Ilouslng 52 has a lower face 58 tha-t is seated on we'llhead 16. Seal means 60 ride aga-inst a lower margina'l end of the mandrel 35. A key-way 62 is engaged by a gearbox or the 'lil~e as scllematically indicated by nllmera'ls 32 ~3 for rotat-ing the mandrel 35 respective to housing 52. ~etween the housing and the mandrel there is formed a bearing chambel~ withill wh-ich are mounted spaced bearings 64 66 for low friction engagemen-t between the mandre'l and housing.
Figure 7 sets for-th a cross-sectional view o-F the man-drel taken along line 7-7 of Figure 6. As seen in both Figures 6 and 7 the rod 12 is concentrica'lly arr-anged re~spective to the longitudinally extending axial center 'line thereof.
Fiyure 8 is a cr-os~s-sectional view of one form of' the swivel 24 wh-ich inc'ludes a swivel discharge 70 fixed to Christmas tree or discharge 15. Swive'l housing top 71 is removably affixed to sl~ivel main body 68 and cooperates therewith to form a bearing housing therewithin. Numeral 72 is the lower inlet of the swivel.
~earings 74 and 78 are arranged for- both lateral up thrust and down thrust f-orces. Sea'ls 8C1 80' seal the var-ious members from one another-.
Figure 9 sets forth another form of the swivel 24 of Figure 8 which inc'ludes a swive'l discharge 7~ fixed to Christmas 2 1 ~
tr-ee or discharge 15 The swivel device of Figure 9 is similar but larger -than the swivel device of Figure 8 Fiyure 10 sets forth an improved safety shear sub which is placed in series rela-tionship respec-tive to the tubing strin~
ar-~d can be subjected to unduly high shear forces in order to part the s-tring to which it is at-tached and come out of the hole The shear sub of Figure g preferably is ins-tal'1ed on the gear box shaft In operation the -tubing anchor device 34 i5 interposed wi-thil-~ the tubing string any desired distance above pump P the locl<ing device at is placed in the locked position and the ap-paratus is run downhole into -the borehole on the tubing string to a predetermined depth thereby properly spacing out the pump and associated apparatus At this t-ime -the upper end of -the tubing 15 string is manipulated to ex-tend and set slip assembly 44 of' the anchor device 34 into engagement with the casing wal'l Then the we'llhead 16 a'long w-i-th the -tubing rotator 22 and other il1ustrated members are all assembled the tubing string is set down causing mandre1 35 to urge the J-pill in-to the 20 ull'locl<ed rotatable configuration; whereupon the tubiny is then picked up using a weight indicator, to assure that the tubing 'lower end is rotatably anchored to the casing The rotator 22 is connected in the manner of Figure 1 so that osci'llation of the rocl<ir-~g beam of a pumpjack unit moves the 25 actuator pu'1l line 28 each upstrol<e of' the polish rod and thereky pulls the line which oscillates ratchet arm 30 which in turn suc-cessively rotates shaft 3Z to thereby rotate the drive mechanism therefor and to rotate the hanger mandrel 33 which in turn rotate~
-tubing string 26 all -the way -from upper swivel means 24 down to the '1ower end of tne pump It is possible -to successf-ully use this invention in a crool~ed slanted ho'1e w-ith -the ancrlor set at '7 000 feet for exam-p1e the tail pipe extending 6300 f'eet therebelow and the seating nipp'le 'located at 12 290 feet for a lotal depth of 13 300 feet.
2 1 ~ 2 In a slanted borehole having a crooked upper marginal length of 5 000 feet for example from the bottom of which there extends a horizontal marginal length of 1200 feet f'or example7 it is possible to successfully use this invention wi1.ll the anchor being se-t at the bottom of the ver-tica'l 5 oO0 f'oot length of the boreho'le and the tai'l pipe extending therebelow and into the hori-zontal 1200 foot marginal length thereof whereby the an~l-lor rota-tes the -tail pipe located in the horizonta'l section of the bore-ho'le.
. ~
Claims (17)
- CLAIM 1. In a system having a cased slanted wellbore and a slanted wellhead, a production unit that includes a rod actuated downhole pump connected to produce fluid up through a tubing string to the surface of the ground, the tubing string having an upper end and a lower end, the combination with said production unit of apparatus by which the tubing string is rotated while the tubing string is held in tension;
said apparatus includes a tubing rotator connected to rotatably support the upper end of the tubing string from the wellhead; a downhole tubing anchor device connected to the tubing string at a location downhole in the borehole by which a lower end of the tubing string is rotatably anchored to the casing string;
said downhole tubing anchor device has a hollow mandrel that is connected to form part of the tubing string; said anchor device includes extensible slip means mounted to move radially respective to the mandrel;
said mandrel is concentrically arranged about the rod;
means selectively extending said slips into engagement with the casing wall and thereby releasably attach the lower end of the tubing string to the well casing whereby the rotating tubing string is placed in tension between said upper tubing rotator and said anchor device. - CLAIM 2. The combination of Claim 1 wherein there is a motor connected to rotate the rod which in turn rotates the downhole pump; means in said mandrel and means moving said slips radially outward into engagement with the interior surface of a casing in response to upward movement of the mandrel; and there-after the mandrel is rotated by the tubing string while the lower end there is held to place the tubing string in tension.
- CLAIM 3. The combination of Claim 2 wherein said tubing rotator includes a hanger mandrel for supporting and rotating the upper end of the tubing string, means connected to rotate the hanger mandrel, and means by which the upper end of the tubing string is removably attached to the hanger mandrel; said slanted wellhead is 7-45 degrees respective to the vertical, and a motor connected to rotate the rod and thereby rotate a downhole pump.
- CLAIM 4. The combination of Claim 1 wherein a motor connected to rotate the rod which in turn rotates the downhole pump; said mandrel has an enlargement that forms a shoulder, and bearing means received against said mandrel shoulder and abut said shoulder for supporting said mandrel from the casing interior to hold the tubing string in tension and to set the slips.
- CLAIM 5. The improvement of Claim 1 wherein said anchor includes a barrel concentrically arranged respectively to the anchor mandrel; locking means connected to selectively lock said mandrel to said barrel in response to manipulation of the tubing string; means by which said tubing string, when the mandrel is locked to the barrel, can be actuated to set and release the slips of the anchor device respective to the casing wall;
and a motor connected to rotate the rod which in turn rotates the downhole pump. - CLAIM 6. In a crooked, cased, wellbore that is slanted and has a rod actuated downhole pump for producing fluid up a tubing string to the surface of the ground, a slanted wellhead at the top of the casing, a tubing rotator supported from the wellhead;
an anchor device connected to anchor the lower end of the tubing string to the casing and thereby place the tubing string in tension between the rotator and the anchor; the improvement comprising;
means including a hollow hanger mandrel rotatably supporting the upper end of the tubing string from the wellhead;
swivel means connected to the hanger mandrel at a location above the hanger mandrel through which produced fluid from the tubing string can flow;
said anchor device has a hollow mandrel extending there-through for flow of fluid produced by the downhole pump, said anchor device is positioned downhole in the borehole;
said hollow anchor mandrel circumferentially extend about said rod; journal means rotatably mounting the hollow mandrel respective to the anchor device, and radially active slip means mounted to releasably fix the anchor device to the interior of the casing; and means extending said slip means into engagement with the interior of the casing;
whereby, the hanger mandrel transfers the load of the tubing into the wellhead and thereby places the upper end of the tubing string in tension while the anchor device transfers the tension load into the casing wall and thereby places the lower end of the tubing string in tension with there being a passageway that extends through said swivel, hanger, tubing string, and anchor mandrel, through which the sucker rod reciprocating extends. - CLAIM 7. The improvement of Claim 6 wherein locking means are connected to selectively lock said mandrel respective to said anchor in response to manipulation of the tubing string;
means by which said tubing string, when the mandrel is locked, can be actuated to set and release the slips of the anchor device respective to the casing wall; said well head is slanted 7-45 degrees respective to the horizontal; and a motor for rotating the rod which in turn rotates a downhole pump. - Claim 8. The improvement of Claim 6 wherein said anchor includes a barrel forming a housing about said mandrel and to which said mandrel is rotatably journaled; the locking means includes a J-slot in said mandrel, a J-pin affixed to said barrel, a circumferentially extending groove at the bottom of the J-slot;
said J-pin enters the J-slot to lock the mandrel to the barrel, said J-pin enters the groove of the mandrel to unlock the mandrel respective to the barrel;
the slip means of said anchor device is attached to said barrel and is extended into attached relationship respective to the casing and is retracted in response to said mandrel being manipulated by the tubing string. - CLAIM 9. The improvement of Claim 6 wherein there is a pumpjack unit connected to reciprocate the rod which in turn reciprocates a downhole pump; said means rotatably supporting the upper end of the tubing string includes apparatus engaging the hanger mandrel and rotating the hanger mandrel while it is rotated in response to reciprocation of the pumpjack unit; said hanger forms part of the tubing string and is rotated by said rotator;
said wellhead is slanted 7-45 degrees respective to the vertical. - CLAIM 10. The improvement of Claim 6 wherein there is further included a tubing rotator, a swivel at a location above the tubing rotator, and the tubing rotator includes a hanger mandrel journaled within a housing;
the lower end of the hanger mandrel is connected to the upper end of the tubing string while means at the upper end of the hanger mandrel engages and rotates the hanger mandrel;
whereby, the hanger places the upper end of the tubing string in tension while the anchor device places the lower end of the tubing string in tension with there being a passageway that extends through said swivel, hanger mandrel, tubing string, and mandrel of the anchor device and through which the sucker rod reciprocating extends. - CLAIM 11. In a crooked wellbore having a rod actuated downhole pump by which fluid is produced up a tubing string to the surface of the ground a slanted wellhead at the top of the wellbore an anchor device by which the lower end of the tubing string is anchored to the lower end of the wellbore to place the tubing string in tension; the method of reducing wear between a sucker rod string and the interior wall of a tubing string; comprising the steps of:
supporting a tubing rotator means from a slanted well head;
transferring the load presented by the tubing string into the wellhead by connecting the upper end of the slanted tubing string to said tubing rotator means;
rotatably mounting a mandrel within a downhole anchor device and connecting the lower end of the tubing string to said mandrel; and using said anchor device for placing a downhole force on the downhole end of the tubing string to thereby place the tubing string in tension. - Claim 12. The method of Claim 11 and further including the steps of:
locking the mandrel respective to the anchor device and manipulating the tubing string to retract said anchor device from attached relationship respective to the wellbore wall;
unlocking the mandrel respective to the anchor device and rotating the tubing string from the surface while conveying fluid through the rotating production tubing; and further including the steps of reciprocating the rod with a pumpjack unit. - CLAIM 13. The method of Claim 12 and further including the steps of fixing and releasing the anchor device downhole in the borehole by means of slips that are moved radially outward into engagement with the interior surface of the casing when the mandrel is lifted uphold by the tubing string.
- CLAIM 14. The method of Claim 11 and further including the steps of reciprocating the rod with a pumpjack unit, and rotating a hanger in response to reciprocation of the pumpjack unit, supporting said hanger from the wellhead; and suspending the tubing string from said hanger.
- CLAIM 15. The method of Claim 11 and further including the steps of reciprocating the rod with a pumpjack unit;
selectively locking said anchor mandrel respective to said anchor device in response to manipulation of the tubing string; to set and release the slips of the anchor device respective to the casing wall. - CLAIM 16. The method of Claim 11 and further including the steps of reciprocating the rod with a pumpjack unit; flowing produced fluid from the downhole pump and through a swivel joint located above the tubing rotator and below a stuffing box;
using the hanger to place the upper end of the tubing string in tension while the anchor means places the lower end of the tubing string in tension with the tension load at the hanger being greater than the static weight of the tubing; forming a passageway that extends through said swivel, hanger, tubing string, and through the anchor through which the reciprocating sucker rod extends. - CLAIM 17. In a slanted, crooked, cased wellbore that is produced by a rotatable shaft actuated downhole pump to lift fluid up through a tubing string to a wellhead at the surface of the ground, the improvement comprising:
a tubing rotator by which the upper end of the tubing string is rotated; a swivel means above the upper end of the tubing string through which produced fluid can flow;
a tubing anchor near the lower end of the tubing string;
an anchor mandrel within a barrel said anchor mandrel is supported within said barrel radially active slips supported on said barrel; bearing means by which said anchor mandrel is rotatably affixed to said barrel; and means connected to extend said slips in response to axial movement of the mandrel respective to the barrel;
whereby the tubing string can be placed in tension between the rotator and the anchor and the tensioned tubing string rotated respective to the casing.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US4745893A | 1993-04-19 | 1993-04-19 | |
| US08/047,458 | 1993-04-19 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2111492A1 CA2111492A1 (en) | 1994-10-20 |
| CA2111492C true CA2111492C (en) | 1998-04-07 |
Family
ID=21949108
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2111492 Expired - Fee Related CA2111492C (en) | 1993-04-19 | 1993-12-15 | Slant wellbore tubing rotator with rotating tubing anchor catcher with rotating mandrel |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2111492C (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA2286823C (en) | 1999-10-18 | 2002-05-07 | Ed Matthews | Apparatus and method for pumping fluids for use with a downhole rotary pump |
-
1993
- 1993-12-15 CA CA 2111492 patent/CA2111492C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2111492A1 (en) | 1994-10-20 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |