CN104471178B - For the method and system carrying out sealing around the annular space of tube element - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to the method and system for the annular space of the tube element in well is sealed.Said method comprising the steps of: i) the first drilling fluid is incorporated in described well；Ii) drilling tool of the end being suspended in tool post is used to get out the Open-Hole Section of well；Iii) the second drilling fluid including granule is pumped in well；Iv) near the downhole end of described tube element, granule is filtered out from the second drilling fluid；V) tube element is made to extend in the Open-Hole Section of well, and guiding the granule filtered out to the annular space between tube element and well bore wall at least partially simultaneously.Frequency as required step i) can be repeated several times to v).

Description

For the method and system carrying out sealing around the annular space of tube element

Technical field

The present invention relates to a kind of system for the annular space around tube element is sealed and side Method.This system and method can apply along the bushing pipe in well and carry out Inter-zonal packing.

Background technology

The technology making tube element expanded radially is producing fuel-displaced gentle industry from subsurface formations In find increasingly extensive application.Well is usually provided with one or more sleeve pipe or bushing pipe, with Inter-zonal packing between well bore wall provides stability and/or provides different earth formation.Term " sleeve pipe " and " bushing pipe " refers to the tube element for supporting and stablize well bore wall.Generally, Sleeve pipe extends to well from earth's surface, and bushing pipe further extends into well from a certain degree of depth. But, in background herein, term " sleeve pipe " and " bushing pipe " are used interchangeably and nothing is appointed What specific difference.

In tradition well structure, some sleeve pipes are with different depth intervals and with nested arrangement Mode is arranged.Here, every subsequent casings passes and enters under previous sleeve pipe and therefore have ratio The diameter that previous sleeve pipe is little.As a result, the cross-sectional area that can be used for production of hydrocarbons of well with The increase of the degree of depth and reduce.

In order to alleviate this defect, may make at desired depth in the wellbore one or more Tube element expanded radially, such as, in order to formed expand sleeve pipe, the bushing pipe of expansion or against Existing sleeve pipe or the covering of bushing pipe.And, it has been suggested that make every subsequent casings expanded radially, To make its diameter of substantially equal with the diameter of first anterior cannula, thus form single diameter borehole. Therefore, compared with arranging with traditional nested type, it is achieved that the available diameter of well is along its degree of depth (section) keeps substantially constant constant.

WO-2008/006841 discloses a kind of for making tube element the most swollen in the wellbore Swollen borehole systems.Cause the wall of tube element radially outward and axially rightabout curved Bent, in order to form the expansion arc of the unexpanded section of extension around tube element.By making not Expansion arc motion (such as force or promote) enters increases expandable tubular section in expansion arc Length.Here, expansion arc keeps the tubular form expanded.At its top ends portion, not Expansion arc can be such as by adding pipeline section or by sheet material carrying out unwinding, folding and weld And form tubular form to extend unexpanded section.

When use WO-2008/006841 system be well install bushing pipe additional time, with traditional set Guard system is compared, and the annular space between expanding tubular elements and well bore wall is relatively small.Expansion tube Section is by next-door neighbour's well bore wall or even engages well bore wall.Result, it is impossible to implement traditional well cementation Operation, described well cementing operation is generally used for setting up interlayer when using the traditional sleeve of nested arrangement Packing.

In traditional well cementing operation, when sealing bushing pipe, can be via drill string, via drill string Downhole end and well head and via between sleeve pipe or bushing pipe and well bore wall annular space pump be used for Form the mud of sealing.Otherwise, cement slurry can be same be maintained between two cement plugs Time be pumped through the fluid passage of sleeve pipe.

Due to when use WO-2008/006841 system time reversing pipe and well between Annular space relatively small, it is therefore desirable to cement slurry is pumped in annular space by relatively high pressure reduction.And And, cement slurry is pumped in little annular space and may cause anisotropically filling annular space.It addition, The pipe turned up can engage well bore wall at least partially along its length so that annular space may lack The weary continuous flow path from its downhole end to earth's surface.When the tube-like piece of reversing is along a certain length When degree engages well bore wall and thus sets up Inter-zonal packing, circulation of fluid or cement slurry can not Annular space can be flow through.

Summary of the invention

It is contemplated that overcome the problems referred to above.

Therefore, the invention provides a kind of for the annular space of the tube element in the well is entered The method that row seals, wherein, tube element is the expandable tube element around tool post, Wherein, the downhole end of the wall of expandable tube element is the most outwards and axially Inverse direction bends, thus defines the section of expandable tubular extended around unexpanded tubular sections, Said method comprising the steps of:

I) the first drilling fluid is incorporated in well；

Ii) drilling tool of the end being suspended in tool post is used to get out the Open-Hole Section of well；

Iii) the second drilling fluid including granule is pumped in well；

Iv) near the downhole end of tube element, granule is filtered out from the second drilling fluid；

V) expandable tubular section make tube element prolong by unexpanded tubular sections being pushed into Reach in Open-Hole Section, and guiding the granule filtered out to expanding at least partially simultaneously Annular space between tubular sections and well bore wall.

The method of the present invention need not so that cement cycles through annular space.This method also enables Enough be used for by turning up described bushing pipe, the system of the liner swell in well being combined to Seal annular space.And, such as the least at described sleeve pipe and the described annular space between part And do not allow to pump in the case of cement slurry or exceed at the pressure pumping described cement slurry can In the case of the maximum output pressure of pumping equipment, the method for the present invention is suitable to keep apart cincture The annular space of traditional sleeve.

In one embodiment, frequency as required repeats step i) to v).Such as, root Repeat in annular space, provide enough Inter-zonal packing according to the frequency needed.Furthermore, it is possible to Grain material fills whole annular space.

In another embodiment, filter out the step of granule to be included in well head and make to be provided with The drillstring motion of filter component, until the downhole end of described filter member joining tubular members Till.

The step being incorporated in well by first drilling fluid can be included in down-hole and make to be provided with The drillstring motion of filter member, until described filter member and the downhole end of tubular element Till being disengaged.

Alternately, granule can be the most ferromagnetic, wherein, filters out granule Step includes being arranged at the downhole end of tubular element by magnet, in order to attract granule at least A part.

By making unexpanded tubular sections move downward relative to expandable tubular section, tube element Forward outside the most from the inside to.Do not promoted, pulled or pumped by tube element In the case of expansion apparatus, tube element gradually expands.Expandable tubular section can form set in the wellbore Pipe or bushing pipe.Expandable tubular lining pipe is suitable to firm to have or supports the anti-outer crowded of well bore wall Intensity.

Preferably, the material of plastically deformable during the wall of tube element is included in expansion.? Expandable tubular section is by the plastic deformation (that is, permanent deformation) of the wall because of expandable tube element And keep inflated configuration.Need not apply external force or pressure keeps expandable tubular section to be in it Expanded form.Such as, if expandable tubular section engages well bore wall, then need not apply additionally Radial force or pressure keep expandable tubular section against well bore wall.

The wall of tube element can include the metal of such as steel maybe can by turning up tube element and Other ductile material any of plastic deformation.Expandable tubular section preferably has enough resisting Outer intensity of squeezing supports or consolidates well bore wall.Resisting according to corresponding stratum, expandable tubular section Outer intensity of squeezing can exceed such as 100bar to 150bar.Collapse resistance may be at such as In the scope of 200bar to about 1600bar or bigger, for instance in about 400bar extremely In the scope of 800bar or bigger.

Suitably, by making remaining tubular sections relative to expandable tubular section axially Move and cause bending area axially to move relative to remaining tubular sections.Such as, Expandable tubular section is axially fixed in certain position, and unexpanded tubular sections is axially transported Dynamic by expandable tubular section, in order to cause the bending of described wall.

In order to cause that remaining tubular sections carries out described motion, remaining tubular sections is born for causing State the axial compressive force of motion.This axial compressive force is preferably at least partly derived from remaining tubular sections Gravity.Pushing means can be supplemented not by extra external force is applied to remaining tubular sections The weight of expandable tubular section thus cause described motion.The extra power applied by pushing means can With up or down.Such as, along with unexpanded tubular sections length and therefore weight gradually increase Add, it may be necessary to power upwards is applied to unexpanded tubular sections, in order to remain applied to the most swollen Total power of swollen section is in preset range.Bending will be prevented in the range of holding always trying hard to keep described in being in The uncontrollable bending in region or flexing.

If bending area is in the lower end of tube element, thus remaining tubular sections is because of described The motion of bending area and at its lower end axial shortening, the most preferably, remaining tubular sections Described axial shortening end thereon corresponding to its lower end is axially extending.Remaining tubulose The lasting back-flexing of Duan Yinbi and be gradually shortened at its downhole end.Therefore, by making The extension of remaining tubular sections end thereon makes up its shortening in lower end, it is possible to continue Carry out the process of wall back-flexing, until reaching the desired length of expandable tubular section.Example It is made as tubular portion being connected to upper end by any appropriate ways such as to weld Remaining tubular sections can extend end thereon.Alternately, remaining tubular sections can be set to Unwinding and the continuous pipe that is subsequently inserted in well from reel.

Alternatively, it is possible to heating bending area is to promote the bending of tubular wall.

Accompanying drawing explanation

The present invention is described by way of example in detail, in accompanying drawing below in reference to accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 shows the vertical horizontal of the low portion of the system for making tube element expanded radially Cross section；

Fig. 2 shows the vertical cross section of the example of the upper part of the system of Fig. 1；

Fig. 3 shows the vertical cross section of another example of the upper part of the system of Fig. 1；

Fig. 4 shows the vertical cross section of well, and it represents in the method according to the invention the One step；

Fig. 5 shows the vertical cross section of well, and it represents in the method according to the invention the Two steps；

Fig. 6 shows the vertical cross section of well, and it represents in the method according to the invention the Three steps；

Fig. 7 shows the vertical cross section of well, and it represents in the method according to the invention the Four steps；

Fig. 8 shows an embodiment of the system for using in the method according to the invention Vertical cross section；

Fig. 9 shows another enforcement of the system for using in the method according to the invention The vertical cross section of example；

Figure 10 shows another reality of the system for using in the method according to the invention Execute the vertical cross section of example；

Figure 11 shows a reality of the filter for using in the method according to the invention Execute the vertical cross section that example is in primary importance；With

Figure 12 shows the vertical cross section that the filter of Figure 11 is in another position.

Detailed description of the invention

In the accompanying drawings and the description, identical reference represents identical parts.

Fig. 1 shows the well 1 being formed in the earth stratum 2.The most expandable the steel liner tube Radially expandable tube element 4 extend downwardly into well 1 from earth's surface 6.Tube element 4 include unexpanded tubular sections 8 and expanded radially tubular sections 10.Expanding for unexpanded section 8 Extend in section 10.Preferably, the external diameter of expandable tubular section 10 is substantially equal to the straight of well 1 Footpath.

Although the well shown in Fig. 1 vertically extends in stratum 2, but, the present invention is same Be suitable to other well any.Such as, well 1 can extend at least partially along horizontal direction. Hereinafter, the upper end of well refers to the end at earth's surface 6, and bottom refers to well Bottom.

In its lower end, the wall of unexpanded section 8 radially outward and axially reversely ( Direction bending, in order to form the down-hole section 12 of bending, thus define tubulose in Fig. 1 upwards) The bending area 14 of element 4.The cross section of bending section 12 is U-shaped and by unexpanded section 8 and expansion arc 10 interconnect.

Drill string 20 can extend through unexpanded liner section 8 and arrive at the lower end of well 1 from earth's surface Portion.The downhole end of drill string 20 is provided with drill bit 22.Drill bit includes: such as lead bit 24, The external diameter of described lead bit 24 is slightly lower than the internal diameter of unexpanded liner section 8；With reamer section 26, the external diameter of described reamer section 26 is suitable to well 1 is drilled into its nominal diameter.Reamer section 26 can the external diameter of radially contracted Cheng Geng little, thus allow it by unexpanded liner section 8, make Obtain and drill bit 22 can be got back to earth's surface again by unexpanded liner section 8.Drill string 20 is permissible Including multi section drill bar segment 28.Drill pipe section 28 can be existed by pin thread and female coupling member 30 Interconnect at respective end.Annular space 32 quilt between drill string 20 and unexpanded tube element 8 It is referred to as drilling well annular space 32.

Although being not illustrated in detail connector 30, but it including the most threaded male connector And female connector.Connector 30 may be included in each end and is shaped with the joint of pin thread, wherein, There is the short coupling member (not shown) of the length of female thread link for each joint with drill string Together, or with on one end there is pin thread there is on the other end female thread Joint link together.Described threaded connector can include by American Petroleum Institute (API) Standardized connector.

Fig. 1 also show rig floor 40, and described rig floor 40 raises and cincture relative to earth's surface 6 The upper end of drill string 20 and the upper end of unexpanded tubular sections 8.Rig floor 40 is of rig Point, but rig is not shown completely.Such as it is arranged in push-bench 42 cincture below rig floor Unexpanded section 8.Push-bench is such as supported by underframe 43.Underframe 43 provides stability, and And can such as be connected to rig or be supported on earth's surface 6.Push-bench may include that one Or multiple motor 46, described motor 46 is arranged on underframe；One or more conveyer belt 48, Described conveyer belt 48 can be driven by corresponding motor.Every conveyer belt 48 engages unexpanded section The outside of 8.Conveyer belt 48 can exert a force to described unexpanded section 8, in order to forces the most swollen Swollen section moves in expansion arc 10.It is contemplated that push-bench 42 can be by downward or upward Power be applied to the other embodiments of unexpanded section.

Sealing device 50 is connectable to the upper end of expanded liner section 10, in order to will be the most swollen Swelling lining pipeline section 8 seals relative to expanded liner section 10.Here, sealing device 50 makes not Expanded liner section 8 axially can be slided relative to sealing device 50.Sealing device bag Including pipeline 52, described pipeline is connected to pump (not shown), is used for pumping fluid into blind annular space In 44 (that is, unexpanded liner section 8 and annular space between expanded liner section 10) or will stream Body pumps out from blind annular space 44.Annular space 44 is referred to as blind annular space, and reason is that it is at well Lower end is bent region 14 and closes.Sealing device includes one, two or more annular Sealing member 56,58.Sealing member 56,58 engages the outside of unexpanded section 8 and prevents described Fluid leaves blind annular space.Preferably, sealing device 50 includes at least two sealing member 56,58, To provide at least one additional seal, in order to may carry in the case of losing efficacy at the first sealing member High security and reliability.

Sealing device 50 can be considered blind annular blowout preventer (BABOP).Therefore, sealing member 56,58, sealing device 50 is connected to the connector of the upper end of expansion arc 10 and is used for One or more valve (not shown) of closed conduct 52 will be designed as at least bearing may be at well The fluid pressure produced in control situation.According to the concrete condition on stratum, sealing device 50 such as sets Count into and bear following pressure: in the case of blowout, described pressure it is anticipated that for instance in In the range of 200bar to 1600bar, the most about 400bar to 800bar or bigger. Be combined with well control situation, such as, causing because expandable tubular part 4 ruptures in the case of inefficacy, Such as can produce this pressure in blind annular space 44.

By any suitable fixing device axial restraint expanded liner section 10, in order to prevent axle To motion.Expanded liner section 10 can be fixed at earth's surface end thereon.Such as, institute State expansion arc upper end can such as by welding and/or be spirally connected and be connected to annular element or Flange 59.Any appropriate configuration that described annular element can be attached at earth's surface (such as, seals Device 50) or be integrated in described any appropriate configuration.The internal diameter of described annular element can be more than The external diameter of expansion arc.Alternatively, such as by because of expandable liners produced by expansion process Section 10 and well bore wall 224 between frictional force and make expansion arc 10 can be fixed to well Wall 224.Alternatively or additionally, can will be expanded by any suitable anchor Liner section 10 such as anchors to well bore wall.

At the contact surface represented by line II-II, the low portion energy of the system shown in Fig. 1 Enough it is connected to upper part as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

Fig. 2 is shown attached to the top-drive device 60 of upper end union piece 62, described Upper end union piece 62 can rotate relative to top-drive device.Preferably, upper end is even Pipe fitting includes without coupling pipe, and described have smooth outer surface without coupling pipe.Drive away from top The union piece end 64 of dynamic device is provided with threaded connector 30 as above.The end of thread Portion 64 is connected to other drill string section 66.Generally, other drill string section 66 will be essentially identical to drill string Section 28, as shown in Figure 1.At online contact surface shown in I-I, other drill pipe section 66 can It is connected to the upper end of the drill string 20 shown in Fig. 1.

Drilling well annular space sealing device 70 can cover the top ends of drilling well annular space 32.Sealing device 70 include that housing 72, described housing 72 around union piece 62 and provide inner space 74.At top ends, near top-drive device 60, housing can include one, two Or more sealing member 76,78, the outside of described sealing member 76,78 conjugation tube 62.Preferably Ground, sealing member 76,78 makes housing can slide along pipe 62.In relative end, Housing can include one, two or more sealing member 80,82, described sealing member 80,82 Engage the outside of other inflatable pipeline section 84.In addition to sealing member, housing can also include folder Holder 106, described clamper 106 can be with the outside of coupling section 84 and/or inner side.Activation wire Road 88 is connected to housing, is used for activating or discharge sealing member 80,82 and/or clamper 106. Fluid line 90 is connected to inner space 74, for fluid (drilling fluid) is fed to ring Discharge in shape space 32 or from annular space 32.

Sealing device 70 can include extending part or inserting pipe 100.Insert pipe and extend to other The inside of inflatable pipeline section 84.Insert pipe and can include sealing member 102,104 and/or clamper 106, in order to the upper end of coupling section 84.Insert pipe and can also include sealing member 108, with Just the bottom of coupling section 84, and insert pipe and can also include sealing member 110, in order to connect Close the inside (shown in Fig. 1) of the upper end of unexpanded tubular sections 8.Standby air tool (backing Gas tool) 198 can be combined in described insertion pipe between sealing member 108,110.Standby Air tool covers the inner boundary between other inflatable pipeline section 84 and unexpanded tubular sections 8.

Inserting pipe can be at least longer than pipeline section 84 so that inserts pipe and extends to unexpanded In section 8, this will make to insert pipe and can act as making pipeline section 84 and unexpanded section 8 alignment Alignment tools.

In practice, the length of pipeline section 84 may be in the range of about 5-20 rice, for example, About 10 meters.Inserting pipe will be such as long than pipeline section 84 by about 2% to 10%, such as, grow 5%. Annular space 112 is arranged between insertion pipe and pipe 62, in order to provide from annular space 32 to space 74 and the fluidly connecting of pipeline 90.

Sealing device 70 can be referred to as drilling well annular blowout preventer (DABOP) 70.Sealing member 76-82, clamper 106 and the one or more valve (not shown) for closed conduct 88 and 90 The fluid pressure that may produce in well control situation is at least born by being designed as.According to stratum Concrete condition and expection maximum pore pressure, drilling well annular blowout preventer 70 is such as designed to bear pressure Power, described pressure is in the scope of about 200bar to 800bar or bigger, the most greatly About 400bar.

Drilling well annular blowout preventer can include any amount of sealing member.Drilling well annular blowout preventer 70 A sealing member 76 and a sealing member 80 can be included, or include multiple sealing member.? In one practical embodiments, pipe 62 is implemented two sealing members 76,68 of sealing and to tubulose Two sealing members that section 84 is implemented to seal will provide such as on the one hand fail-safe and reliability And the balance between another aspect cost.Such as, by the interior sealing engaged within expandable tubular 84 It is dual that part 102,104 and joint outside seal 80,82 outside expandable tubular 84 provide Protection improves reliability and the sealing of sealing device 70.

Fig. 3 shows the upper part of the system of Fig. 1.Unexpanded liner section 8 end thereon Place is formed by (metal) sheet material 130 being wound on reel 132.Metal sheet 130 has Relative edge 133,134.After unwinding on reel 132, metal sheet 130 is curved Bent one-tenth tubulose and edge 133,134 are by such as solder interconnections, in order to form unexpanded tubulose Section 8.As a result, expandable tubular element 4 can include longitudinal measure portion 135.

The inside of fluid line 136 never expandable tubular section 8 extends to unexpanded tubular sections 8 The top of upper end.Fluid line 136 can be connected to be positioned at unexpanded pipe in its lower end Pipe 138 in shape section 8 or form as one with described pipe 138.First annular sealing member 140 Being sealed relative to unexpanded liner section 8 by pipe 138, the second lip ring 142 is by pipe 138 Seal relative to drill string 20.Fluid passage 136 is via the opening in the wall being arranged on pipe 138 144 with the inner space of pipe 138 fluid communication.And, pipe 138 is provided with clamper device 146, described clamper device 146 allows pipe 138 relative to unexpanded liner section 8 upward sliding But prevent its slide downward.First annular sealing member 140 allows pipe 138 relative to unexpanded lining Pipeline section 8 upward sliding.

Upper part shown in Fig. 3 can be combined with the low portion shown in Fig. 1, its In, but, unexpanded tubular sections 8 is formed continuously around drill string 20.Here, save in figure 3 Some features in the feature shown in Fig. 1 are omited, in order to improve the clarity of Fig. 3, such as Sealing device 50, push-bench 42 and rig floor 40.

Carry out close according to the annular space to cincture bushing pipe of the present invention described in subsequent step below The method of envelope.The order of step be can repeat to implement, bushing pipe and zone isolation added to provide Well.

Fig. 4 shows the well 1 being arranged in the earth stratum 2.Well is provided with expandable Bushing pipe 4.Bushing pipe includes unexpanded section 8 and expanded radially section 10.Expansion arc 10 be against The covering of well bore wall 224, or can leave phase between expansion arc 10 with well bore wall 224 To little annular space 202.Drill string 20 extends through bushing pipe 4 and in its downhole end 200 Place is provided with drill bit 22 at the bottom of well 1.Drill bit can include lead bit 24 He Reamer section 26.

Annular space 202 between expansion arc 10 and well bore wall 224 is provided with sealing material layer 204, Thus provide the previous seal section 206 of well.

In the first step, from the beginning of previous seal section 206, get out boring 1 continuously, and not It is required that bushing pipe 4 inverts, thus create Open-Hole Section 208.Using reamer 26 reaming Afterwards, the diameter of described Open-Hole Section 208 can be slightly larger than the external diameter of expanded liner section 10. Here, the biggest expression is in the range of about 0.1mm to 20mm, typically number milli Rice or less.Creep into period, fill the well including Open-Hole Section 208 with drilling fluid 210 1。

In the second step (Fig. 5), filter member 212 is arranged in the buckled zone of bushing pipe 4 At territory 14.Filter member can have and is adapted to rest against at bending area 14 or neighbouring pre- Determine any shape of position.Subsequently, during granule 220 is included in drilling fluid 210 and And captured by filter member 212 subsequently by drill bit 22 to pumped downhole.

As it is shown in figure 5, filter member can have cylindrical body 214, described cylindrical body In 214 internal diameters being assemblied in unexpanded liner section 8.Cylindrical body is provided with radially extend convex Edge component 216, in order to engage bending area 14 and filter member is held in place by In.Flange member 216 can be retracted, and enables to filter member by unexpanded lining The inner channel of pipeline section 8 introduces.The external diameter of flange member 216 can be approximately equal to or less than The external diameter of expanded liner section 10, to allow granule pass through flange member and arrive at annular space 202.

Filter member is such as provided with opening or fluid passage, described opening or fluid passage originally Allow drilling fluid to pass through in matter, but opening or fluid passage are less than the average particle of granule 220 Footpath.Such as, filter member can include the opening being provided with wire netting, described wire netting Opening is less than the described particle diameter of granule.

In third step (Fig. 6), tubular element 4 is turned up further.As a result, buckled zone Territory is by joint filter member 212 and described filter member is moved to down-hole.At lining Pipe 4 turns up period, including the drilling fluid 210 of described particle matter 220 via drill string 20 It is pumped into down-hole.Filter 212 is by the granule 220 returned in stream of capture drilling fluid. The granule 220 of described capture will pass through filter member and enter in annular space 202 in outside. Therefore, granule 220 fills annular space, close annular space and provide well add bushing pipe recently Inter-zonal packing in the annular space of section.

Thin layer of particulate 222 in annular space is trapped in expandable tubular section 10 and well bore wall 224 Between.The thickness of described thin layer can be equivalent to the thickness of annular space 202, for instance in about In the scope of 10mm or less.

In the 4th step (Fig. 7), when tube element 4 has turned up and along borehole segments 208 After extending preset distance, remove filter member 212 and by via drill string 20 from well The fluid (without granule) suitable along well pump down and wash out and any be not trapped in ring Excess particles 212 in empty 202.

After completing the 4th step, it is possible to start to repeat to process (Fig. 4) from first step.

It should be pointed out that, said method is also adapted to provide is surrounding the conventional non-bushing pipe turned up Annular space in granular layer or other particulate matter layer.If described bushing pipe does not turn up, But bushing pipe is merely capable of being introduced in well until reaching threshold length, this is because Friction between bushing pipe and granule is moved further by finally preventing bushing pipe.

Filter 212 shown in Figure 11 allows to carry out continuous processing.Here, can be continuously Get out well and pipe 4 is turned up.Pump down granule 220 in batch or continuously.Drilling well stream Granule total amount in body at least be enough to provide below filter 212 and is trapped in expandable liners The granule of the q.s in annular space between section 10 and well bore wall.Granule is trapped in cartridge filtration Between outside and the well bore wall 224 of device section.The downhole end of cylindrical filter section is provided with flexibility Fin 252.Described fin preferably has round-shaped.Alternately, fin can be by many Individual fin is constituted, and the plurality of fin constitutes described round-shaped together.Fin 252 has pass Closed position (Figure 11), in a closed position, fin 252 closed tube shape at least in part filters Gap between device section 252 and drill string 20.The fluid pressure of the fluid below fin exceedes pre- When determining threshold pressure, fin 252 can be opened to open position (Figure 12), at open position In, at least some of of the gap between cylindrical filter section 252 and drill string 20 opens wide, to carry For fluid passage.

As (Figure 11) during the fin 252 on the inner side of filter segment 252 is in the closed position, Fin seals the annular space between drill string and filter segment at least in part.This allows in filter segment Annular space between 250 and well bore wall 224 generates pressure.Described pressure has been compacted quilt Capture granule between filter segment 250 and well bore wall 224.Outside due to tube element 4 Turning over, granule is trapped between expanded liner section 10 and well bore wall 224, thus the most Ground is compacted described granule.

When such as making the pressure of fin 252 both sides owing to flowing out too many drilling fluid from drill bit When difference exceedes threshold pressure, one or more fins open (Figure 12).Open fin to allow to make Drilling fluid circulation (including granule being sent to annular space and removing drilling cuttings from boring) and By reaching balance between filter 212 compacted granules.This also prevent granule blocking drill string 20 with not Drilling well annular space between expanded tubular section 8.

Fin 252 can move the most between a closed position and a open position.Permissible The most gradually or instantaneous being transitioned into from closedown is opened.Gradually referring to flexible flap at this will such as It is gradually opened by bending.The latter allows open annular space without rank property and allow described annular space Open according to pressure reduction to any predetermined percentage ratio between the percentage ratio of 0 to 100%. Therefore, fin makes it possible to there is centre position, and in centre position, annular section is closed and portion Divide and open, such as, be in half-open position.Fin such as can be by having appropriately curved rigidity Flexible rubber make.It addition, the geometry of fin and shape can be designed to make a reservation for Bend relevant to pressure reduction.Instantaneous open so that fin with stepped mode (that is, or open or The mode closed) move to open position from closed position.The latter is about the same in light switch Mechanism.

In the length of layer 222 scope for instance in about 1km or less, the most about 500 meters down to several meters.It is semicontinuous that the Inter-zonal packing of the present invention processes, and avoids By drill string making a trip in the wellbore.

The invention allows to capture granule 220 expanded liner section 10 and well bore wall it Between, and with granule described in limit to annular space 202 between expanded liner section 10 and well bore wall Sealability, i.e. prevent granule blocking well other parts.

When by drill string 20 to pumped downhole granule 220, they need to be trapped in buckled zone In annular space at territory 14.To this end, an actual embodiment includes:

1) filter member 212 floating in the drilling fluid applied (Fig. 8).Described mistake Filter component can be freely-movable along drill string 20.Bending area 14 prevent filter member to Upper (well head) motion, thus during filter is held in place by.

During getting out well, filter member 212 moves to down-hole, in order to allow drilling cuttings to lead to Cross filter.When drill string 20 moves to down-hole creeping into while, the ridges radially extended 230 can engage filter member 212 and force filter member in company with drilling rod together to well Lower motion and away from bending area 14.

2) filter member 212 (Fig. 9) is attached to drilling rod 20.Described filter member allusion quotation Can have a cylindrical body, described cylindrical body is than the other embodiments of filter member type Cylindrical body is long.Filter member can be not provided with flange member.Drilling rod 20 is relative to buckled zone The accurate location in territory 14 is unimportant, this is because filter is longer.

3) (by force) magnet 240 can be arranged between expanded liner section and unexpanded liner section Annular space 44 in (Figure 10).Granule is chosen to the most ferromagnetic.At pumping granule While, magnet attracts granule and by described particle capture at bending area 14.The most swollen At the inner side of swelling lining pipeline section 8, the speed of (drilling well) fluid, and bending area 14 times Side or at bending area 14 fluid flowing will stagnate.As a result, ferromagnetic particle will be attached to lining The bending area 14 of pipe 14, and will not block between unexpanded liner section 8 and drilling rod 20 Annular space.While bushing pipe 4 turns up, the described granule being attached to bending area will be transported to Annular space 202 and being trapped in described annular space 202.

Granule can such as be transported by fluid stream.Alternately, granule can swim in and be used Special drilling fluid in.As a result, it is desirable to the granule of relative low density.

Granule can include following in one or more:

Swollen rubber, elastomer or clay.Swelling at this can represent the material making granule When contacting with a certain fluid (such as water or Hydrocarbon) by swelling.Such as fruit granule 220 Swelling, then the Inter-zonal packing of annular space 202 will elapse over time and be improved.In the phase of layout Between the degree of swelling of granule preferably keep minimum, such as volume or diameter swelling be 0% to 10%.Degree of swelling during the degree of swelling of granule is preferably more than arranged when arranging, example As, volume or the swelling of diameter are 100% to 200%, and such as volume sweell(ing) is up to 1000%. For suitable material, referring for example to US-7578347.

Non-swelling rubber, elastomer or drilling cuttings.Bushing pipe 4 expand during abrasive grains and Form tight filling bed 222.

Including the granule of active component, described active component will assist in residual fluid indwelling In annular space.Active component can include in such as super-absorbent polymer or chemical reaction substance One or more.Such as following manner release of active ingredients can be passed through: when predetermined disperse From particle dispersion during between, or soluble capsule, or when being pressed during liner swell Capsule broken time broken.

The density of natural buoyancy granule is less than the density of drilling fluid.Typically, drilling fluid Density is substantially the same with the density of water, i.e. substantially 1 proportion (SG).Such as, drilling well stream The density of body can be in the range of 0.8SG to 5SG or such as at 1SG to 2.5SG In the range of.Selection to drilling fluid can be depending on many factors, including the character on stratum. The density of buoyancy granule is less than the density of drilling fluid, preferably its density and drilling fluid density Difference be 0.1SG or bigger.The density of buoyancy granule can be in the scope of 0.7SG to 2.4SG In.

Granule can have non-homogeneous consistent particle diameter.Annular space can be such as depended in particle diameter distribution The size of 202 or the permeability on stratum.Maximum granule can be with expanded liner section 10 and well Annular space 202 between eyewall 224 is the biggest or the most described annular space 202. Described annular space is such as in the range of 0.1mm to 20mm, or such as at 3mm extremely In the range of 6mm.The particle diameter of minimum granule can depend on stratum and selected drilling well stream Body.Smallest particles can fill the space between larger particles, thus produces the filling of densification. The particle diameter of smallest particles can be nano-particle or bigger.Preferably, granule filling in annular space Permeability less than the permeability on stratum of corresponding position.

In another embodiment, as have can be at pipe inversion portion (that is, bending area 14) Front, position at use seal granule alternative means, it is possible to use lighter than mud particle Granule.Described granule has, due to its buoyancy, the trend travelled upwardly.By by impermeable It is less than hole and have (the moving) for original (upset) SOCCS pipe that pipe is arranged in external diameter At the inversion region of sealing member, create annular space in the lower section at reversion position.Lighter than mud Granule has the natural tendency being gathered in described space, and therefore as institute around inversion tube The encapsulant needed.When making pipe reversion and making that expansion arc extends, capture can not At least some of of granule between osmos tube and well bore wall will be transported to expandable tubular section In annular space between 10 and well bore wall.During once granule is positioned at aftermentioned annular space, then granule can carry For as above relative to the Inter-zonal packing of other embodiments.

In an actual embodiment, it is possible to select diameter and/or the wall thickness of bushing pipe 4 so that During expansion process, expanded liner section 10 is pressed against in well bore wall 224.Expandable liners Therefore well bore wall can be sealed and/or make well bore wall stable by 10.And, expandable liners can So that granule 220 is squeezed between its outer surface and well bore wall.

The wall thickness of bushing pipe 4 can equal to or more than about 2mm (0.08 inch).Bushing pipe 4 The thickness of wall can be greater than 2.5mm, such as, range approximately from 3mm to 30mm, or greatly About 3.2mm to 10mm.The external diameter of unexpanded section can be about 50mm (2 inches) or Bigger, such as in the range of about 50mm to 400mm (16 inches).Expansion arc Can have the external diameter being suitable to or being generally used for Hydrocarbon well.The wall of bushing pipe can include Relatively strong material, such as metal or preferably steel, or can be by solid metal or deoxidation steel Become.Therefore, bushing pipe 4 can be designed with suitable crush resistance strength, in order to for carbon Support well bore wall during hydrogen compound reservoir drilling well and/or bear internal pressure or external pressure.

During well extends, the length of unexpanded liner section 8 and therefore weight will gradually increase Add.Therefore, the weight being gradually increased corresponding to unexpanded liner section 8 can be gradually reduced and push away The downward force that dynamic device 42 is applied.Along with described weight increases, downward force may finally need Substituted to maintain in preset range total power by upward force.This can prevent bending of liner section 8 Bent.

Creeping into period, unexpanded liner section 8 advances in well, and drill string 20 is the most simultaneously Advance in well 1.Can be to be approximately twice the speed of drill string 20 by unexpanded liner section 8 Be pushed in well so that bending area 14 remain in above drill bit 22 relatively short away from From place.Here, described short distance represents the Open-Hole Section 208 (that is, without liner section) of well 1 Length L1 (see Fig. 1 and Fig. 4).The method of the present invention makes length L1 of Open-Hole Section bore Always it is less than the most about 100 meters during going out well, or less than 50 meters.

Unexpanded liner section 8 can be supported by drill string 20, such as by being connected to taking up of drill string Put (not shown) to support, described supporting arrangement support bends region 14.In that situation, Power upwards is applied appropriately to drill string 20, is delivered to unexpanded bushing pipe by supporting arrangement subsequently Section 8.And, the weight of unexpanded liner section 8 is then able to be delivered to drill string and for carrying For being applied to the thrust of drill string 22.

Via output channel 90, the drilling fluid comprising drilling cuttings is given off from well 1.Alternative Ground, drilling fluid can circulate with reverse mode, and in reverse mode, drilling fluid is via pipe Road 90 is pumped in well and gives off from well via drill string 20.

When requiring drill string 20 is recovered to earth's surface, such as when more bit change 22 or when drilling well eye 1 when completing, it is possible to compression reamer section 26 is to its radially contracted pattern, in radially contracted pattern In, radial diameter is less than the internal diameter of unexpanded liner section 8.Subsequently, it is possible to by unexpanded lining Drill string 20 is retracted to earth's surface by pipe 8.

By the borehole systems of the present invention, it is achieved that be used in directly over drill bit during creeping into process The bushing pipe turned up is that well gradually adds bushing pipe as a result, the most only deposit during drilling well processes At relatively short Open-Hole Section 208.Here, short length L1 (Fig. 1) that can represent Open-Hole Section Less than 1km, the most described length L1 about 10 meters to 300 meters in the range of.Short bore hole The advantage of section includes limiting the probability being flowed in well, and this will minimize caused pressure Raise or pressure divergence and simplification and improve well control.Containing in being drilled into the earth stratum During the reservoir of hydrocarbon fluid, the advantage of this short Open-Hole Section will be the most notable.In view of This, for multiple application, it is preferred that iff being drilled into hydrocarbon Body reservoir or comprise abnormal phenomena stratomere in creep into period only creep into period apply right The process of turning up of bushing pipe, and other section of well adds bushing pipe or sleeve pipe in a conventional manner.Can replace Dai Di, according to circumstances, is creeping into period, can start or in selected position, down-hole at earth's surface The place of putting starts to turn up bushing pipe process.

In view of the Open-Hole Section creeping into period is short, significantly reduces wellbore fluid pressure gradient and exceed rock The fracture gradient on stone stratum or wellbore fluid pressure gradient drop below the Pore Pressure of lithostratigraphy The risk of power gradient.Therefore, than arranging stepped diameter reduction with the interval selected Traditional drilling practice of sleeve pipe, it is possible to get out significantly greater length of interval with single nominal diameter.

And, if getting out well through oil shale layer, the most this short Open-Hole Section eliminates because of oil The protuberance trend of shale and the possible problem that causes.

Well is being drilled into depth desired and after well removes drill string, the most swollen Still reside in well one section of swelling lining pipeline section can indwelling in the wellbore, or can be from Expanded liner section is cut off described section and is recovered to earth's surface.

Reside in the case of in well described section of unexpanded liner section, exist multiple for The option of completion.Such as, such as following summary.

A) fluid of such as saline is pumped into unexpanded liner section and between expanded liner section Blind annular space 44 in, in order to for applied pressure by annulus and increase the anti-extrusion of expanded liner section 10 Intensity.Alternatively, during one or more holes are arranged on bending area 14, in order to allow to be pumped Fluid circulation.

B) cement is pumped in blind annular space 44, in order at unexpanded lining after hardening of cement Solid bodies is produced between pipeline section 8 and expanded liner section 10.Cement is inflatable when hardening.

C) such as by pumping, push or pull on tube expander and made by unexpanded liner section Unexpanded liner section expanded radially (that is, covering) and against expanded liner section.

In the examples described above, bushing pipe is made at earth's surface or at position, down-hole to start to expand.? In the case of offshore well, wherein, offshore platform is positioned at above well, it can be advantageous that At sea at platform, at the water surface or above the water surface, place starts expansion process.Here, buckled zone Territory moves to sea bed from offshore platform and then goes through well.Therefore, formed Expanding tubular elements not only forms the bushing pipe in well but also is formed and extend to from offshore platform The standpipe of sea bed.Thus without single standpipe.

And, such as the conduit for the electric wire connected with underground equipment or optical fiber can be the most swollen Annular space between swollen section and unexpanded section extends.This conduit energy before tube element expands Enough it is attached to the outer surface of tube element.And, expanded liner section and unexpanded liner section energy Enough make electric conductor, in order to downhole transmitted data and/or electric power.

Than expanded liner section, because being still present in well after the process that completes to turn up Any a section of unexpanded liner section all will bear the loosest loading condiction, so than Expanded liner section, described section of this unexpanded liner section can have less wall thickness or can To have relatively low quality and steel grade.Such as, its can by have relatively low yield strength or The pipe of relatively low anti-extrusion rated value is made.

As making one section of unexpanded liner section after expansion process retention replacing in the wellbore For scheme, whole liner swell can be made in aforementioned manners, so that unexpanded liner section is protected Hold in the wellbore.In this case, elongated component, such as tubing string can be used in expanding Necessary downward force is applied to unexpanded liner section during the final stage processed.

In order to reduce during expansion process unexpanded liner section and rubbing between expanded liner section Wiping power, the reduction frictional layer of such as Teflon layer can be applied to unexpanded liner section and expand Between liner section.Such as, reduce frictional layer and can be applied to the outer surface of unexpanded section 8.Subtract Little frictional layer reduces and turns up and be pushed into unexpanded section in well required power so that bushing pipe. Therefore, described power is kept to carry further below so-called Critical Buckling Load, described Critical Buckling Lotus is unexpanded bushing pipe flexing or the power of inefficacy.As reducing the replacement scheme of frictional layer or additional Scheme, it is possible to centering pad and/or roller are applied to unexpanded section and blind ring between expansion arc In the air, in order to reduce frictional force and annular space space.

As the replacement scheme making expanded liner section be expanded against well bore wall (as mentioned), Enable to another tube element that expanded liner section is expanded against in Already in well The inner surface of (such as, sleeve pipe or bushing pipe).

Although having been described above the embodiment including top-drive device of the present invention, but, this Bright being equally applicable for is used together with alternative well system.The latter can include such as down-hole horse Reach to replace top-drive device.Described down-hole motor is included in drill string, is just being positioned at drill bit The drilling tool of top.By activate pressurized drilling fluid, its cause drill bit rotate and at drill string Do not rotate.The example of down-hole motor includes positive displacement motor and downhole turbine motor.And, Other drilling tool any can be arranged and be used for getting out boring.This drilling tool can such as wrap Include the abrasive blasting device being suspended in tubing string end.

Equally, the present invention is further adapted for directed drilling, i.e. can adjust drilling direction when creeping into. Such as, in the case of down-hole motor is between drill bit and bent sub or at the housing of motor In the case of can bending, down-hole motor can be used as deflecting tool in directed drilling,

The invention is not limited in its above-described embodiment, wherein, at the model of appended claim Enclose interior it is contemplated that multiple flexible program.For example, it is possible to combine each feature of corresponding embodiment.

Claims (17)

1. for the method that the annular space of the tube element in well is sealed,

Wherein, described tube element is the expandable tube element around tool post, wherein, The downhole end of the wall of described expandable tube element the most outwards and axially phase Opposite direction bends, thus defines the section of expandable tubular extended around unexpanded tubular sections, institute The method of stating comprises the following steps:

I) the first drilling fluid is incorporated in described well；

Ii) drilling tool of the end being suspended in described tool post is used to get out described well Open-Hole Section；

Iii) the second drilling fluid including granule is pumped in described well；

Iv) near the downhole end of described tube element by granule from described second drilling fluid In filter out；

V) by expandable tubular section making institute described in described unexpanded tubular sections being pushed into State in the Open-Hole Section that tube element extends to well, and at least by the granule that filtered out simultaneously A part is directed to the annular space between the described section of expandable tubular and well bore wall.

Method the most according to claim 1, including repeating step i) to step v) vi)。

Method the most according to claim 1 and 2, wherein, guides to described in annular space Grain is described annular space filler particles layer.

Method the most according to claim 1, wherein, the step filtering out granule includes:

-make to be provided with the tool post motion of filter member at well head, until described filter Till component engages the downhole end of described tube element.

Method the most according to claim 4, wherein, is incorporated into institute by the first drilling fluid The step stated in well includes:

-make to be provided with the tool post motion of filter member in down-hole, until described filter Till the described downhole end of component and described tube element is disengaged.

Method the most according to claim 1, wherein, filtration step uses filter for installation, Described filter for installation includes:

-fillter section, described fillter section extends to described well from the downhole end of described tubular sections In；With

The fin of-flexibility, described fin is arranged at the downhole end of described fillter section, in order to Close the annular space between described fillter section and tool post at least in part.

Method the most according to claim 6, wherein, when the pressure reduction of described fin both sides surpasses When crossing threshold pressure, the fin of described flexibility by least partially open described fillter section with described Annular space between tool post.

Method the most according to claim 6, wherein, described fin is by one or more wings Fragment is constituted, and the one or more fin section constitutes round-shaped together.

Method the most according to claim 1, wherein, described granule is the most ferromagnetic Property, and the step wherein filtering out granule includes:

-magnet is arranged at the described downhole end of described tube element, to attract described Grain at least some of.

Method the most according to claim 1, wherein, at least some of described granule exists When contacting with predetermined fluid swelling.

11. methods according to claim 10, wherein, described predetermined fluid include water or Hydrocarbon.

12. methods according to claim 1, comprise the following steps:

-impermeable pipe is arranged at the downhole end of described tube element, described can not ooze Thoroughly the external diameter of pipe is less than the external diameter of described well, and is included in described impermeable pipe and described Sealing member between the downhole end of tube element, thus in the downhole end of described tube element Downstream part produce annular space；

-guarantee that the grain density of the granule in described second drilling fluid is less than described second drilling well Mud density in fluid；

-wherein, the step filtering out granule from described second drilling fluid includes described Grain is gathered in described annular space because of their buoyancy.

13. methods according to claim 12, described sealing member is the sealing member of motion.

14. 1 kinds are used for the system sealing the annular space of the tube element in well, Described system includes:

-tool post, described tool post has the drilling tool being suspended at downhole end, is used for Get out the barefoot interval of described well；

-expandable tube element, described expandable tube element around described tool post, Wherein, the downhole end of the wall of described expandable tube element partially radially outwards and along Axially opposite direction bends, thus defines the expandable tubular extended around unexpanded tubular sections Section；

-introducing device, described introducing device is for being incorporated into described well by the first drilling fluid In；

-pumping installations, described pumping installations will be for including the second drilling fluid pumping of granule In described well；

-filter for installation, described filter for installation is arranged in the downhole end of described tube element Near, for granule is filtered out from the second drilling fluid, and for will filter out At least some of guiding in granule is to the annular space between the described section of expandable tubular and well bore wall In.

15. systems according to claim 14, wherein, described filter for installation selected from Lower group:

-fillter section, described fillter section extends to described well from the downhole end of described tubular sections In；And flexible flap, described flexible flap is arranged at the downhole end of described fillter section, with Close the annular space between described fillter section and tool post the most at least in part；

-it being arranged in the impermeable pipe at the downhole end of described tube element, described can not ooze Thoroughly the external diameter of pipe is less than the external diameter of described well, and is included in described impermeable pipe and described Sealing member between the described downhole end of tube element, thus in the down-hole of described tube element The downstream part of end produces annular space.

16. systems according to claim 15, described sealing member is the sealing member of motion.

17. systems according to claim 14, described system is wanted according to right for enforcement Seek the method described in any one in 1-13.