EP1581718B1 - Dispositif d'ancrage pour outil de puits de forage - Google Patents

Dispositif d'ancrage pour outil de puits de forage Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1581718B1
EP1581718B1 EP03779615A EP03779615A EP1581718B1 EP 1581718 B1 EP1581718 B1 EP 1581718B1 EP 03779615 A EP03779615 A EP 03779615A EP 03779615 A EP03779615 A EP 03779615A EP 1581718 B1 EP1581718 B1 EP 1581718B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
mandrel
anchoring device
anchor carriage
carriage
anchor
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP03779615A
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German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1581718A1 (fr
Inventor
Per G. Angman
Maurice W. Slack
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Tesco Corp Canada
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Tesco Corp Canada
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Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from CA002444648A external-priority patent/CA2444648A1/fr
Application filed by Tesco Corp Canada filed Critical Tesco Corp Canada
Publication of EP1581718A1 publication Critical patent/EP1581718A1/fr
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Publication of EP1581718B1 publication Critical patent/EP1581718B1/fr
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    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21BEARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B23/00Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells
    • E21B23/02Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells for locking the tools or the like in landing nipples or in recesses between adjacent sections of tubing
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21BEARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B21/00Methods or apparatus for flushing boreholes, e.g. by use of exhaust air from motor
    • E21B21/10Valve arrangements in drilling-fluid circulation systems
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21BEARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B23/00Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells
    • E21B23/01Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells for anchoring the tools or the like
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21BEARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B23/00Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells
    • E21B23/08Introducing or running tools by fluid pressure, e.g. through-the-flow-line tool systems
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21BEARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B33/00Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
    • E21B33/10Sealing or packing boreholes or wells in the borehole
    • E21B33/12Packers; Plugs
    • E21B33/126Packers; Plugs with fluid-pressure-operated elastic cup or skirt

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an anchoring device for a wellbore tool and, in particular, an anchoring device for expanding into a liner recess such as for use in a cement float tool, bridge plug or packer and method for using same.
  • An anchoring device for a wellbore tool has been invented.
  • the anchoring device can be installed on a tool and used for running downhole into engagement with an internal recess formed in a downhole pipe, such as for example, casing or another liner.
  • the anchoring device does not rely on the presence of internal restrictions.
  • a profile nipple is an example of an element of casing carrying a recess. The profile nipple can be installed when the downhole pipe is run into the hole and, therefore, can already be in place when it is desired to anchor a tool in the wellbore, such as when total depth (TD) is reached.
  • an anchoring device for use in a pipe, the pipe including an inner diameter with an annular recess formed therein, the annular recess having a length and having a diameter greater than the inner diameter of the pipe, the anchoring device comprising: a mandrel having an outer surface, an upper end and a lower end, the mandrel sized to move through the pipe in which it is to be used; a radially resilient anchor carriage mounted about the mandrel, the anchor carriage defining an inner surface and a substantially cylindrical outer surface, the anchor carriage having a length selected to be less than the pipe annular recess length and being sized to pass through the pipe when radially compressed and to have an outer diameter when radially expanded greater than the pipe inner diameter and interengaging grooves and elongate protrusions formed on the mandrel outer surface and on the anchor carriage inner surface, the interengaging grooves and elongate protrusions of the anchor carriage and the mandrel
  • a cement float for use in casing, the casing including an inner diameter with an annular recess formed therein, the annular recess having a length and having a diameter greater than the inner diameter of the casing, the cement float including: a mandrel having an outer surface, an upper end, a lower end and an axial bore extending from its upper end to its lower end, the mandrel sized to move through the casing in which it is to be used; a radially resilient anchor carriage mounted about the mandrel, the anchor carriage defining a substantially cylindrical outer surface and an inner surface, the anchor carnage having a length selected to be less than the casing annular recess length and being sized to pass through the casing when radially compressed and having an outer diameter when radially expanded greater than the casing inner diameter, interengaging grooves and elongate protrusions on the anchor carriage inner surface and on the mandrel outer surface selected to limit axial movement of the
  • the anchoring device can be installed on a tool to be run downhole, for example by pumping, and can be positioned in engagement with an internal recess formed into a pipe wall, for example of casing.
  • the element of casing carrying the recess is herein called the profile nipple.
  • the profile nipple can be installed at the start of the drilling operation and therefore can already be in place when it is desired to install the tool to be anchored.
  • the profile nipple can be used to engage other drilling tools as well, if desired.
  • the annular recess of the casing has a length and has a diameter greater than the inner diameter of the casing.
  • the anchoring device can include a mandrel having an outer surface, an upper end and a lower end and a radially resilient anchor carriage mounted about the mandrel.
  • the anchor carriage can define a substantially cylindrical outer surface and an inner surface.
  • the anchor carriage can have a length selected to be less than the casing annular recess length and be sized to pass through the casing when radially compressed and to have an outer diameter greater than the casing inner diameter when radially expanded.
  • the anchoring device can further include interengaging grooves and elongate protrusions formed on the mandrel outer surface and on the anchor carnage inner surface, the interengaging grooves and elongate protrusions of the anchor carriage and the mandrel being selected to limit axial movement of the anchor carriage relative to the mandrel and to permit the anchor carriage to be compressed against the mandrel to fit inside the inner diameter of the casing and to remain interengaged when the anchor carriage is expanded and latched into the annular recess of the casing.
  • the anchoring device can support the installation of various wellbore tools tool that are desired to be anchored downhole, for example, a cement float, a bridge plug or a packer.
  • a cement float for example, a cement float
  • a bridge plug for example, a cement float
  • the anchoring device can support in-situ installation in a wellbore completion operation after drilling or lining a wellbore with casing.
  • the mandrel and the anchor carriage each have formed thereon a plurality of elongate protrusions forming a plurality of grooves therebetween.
  • the mandrel and anchor carriage are each formed to interengage at their grooves and elongate protrusions with the protrusions of one part fitting into the grooves of the other part.
  • the interengagement between the grooves and protrusions can act to limit relative axial movement therebetween, both when the tool is being passed through the casing (wherein the anchor carriage is compressed about the mandrel) and when the tool is anchored into the annular recess of the casing (wherein the anchor carriage is expanded therein).
  • the angles and the materials of the grooves/protrusions on the mandrel and the anchor carriage can be selected to maintain interengagement, with consideration as to the loads encountered during installation and operation.
  • the grooves/protrusions can, for example, be V-shaped, generally squared off or rounded in cross section. They can be symmetric or otherwise.
  • the anchor device can be formed to withstand the rigours of installation and operation downhole.
  • the anchoring device can support the use of non-metal components, for example where it is desirable to permit drilling out of the anchored tool and at least a portion of the anchoring device.
  • the anchor carriage can be formed as a composite structure having an outer shell of durable material, such as for example steel, and an inner portion attached to the outer shell and formed of drillable material.
  • the drillable material in one embodiment can be a non-metal such as plastic.
  • the grooves/protrusions on the inner sidewall of the carriage are formed of drillable material.
  • the outer shell thickness can be selected not to exceed the depth of the annular recess in the casing.
  • the anchor carriage can be radially resilient to be compressed against the mandrel and fit into the casing, but capable of expanding to latch into the casing recess.
  • the radial resiliency of the anchor carriage can be provided by configuring the anchor carriage to have a portion of its wall removed to thereby act as a C-spring.
  • the wall of the carriage can be formed as a helical spring to provide radial compliance.
  • the anchor carriage can normally be in an expanded configuration but can be urged into a compressed position. From the compressed position, the anchor carriage will be biased by its radial resiliency into the expanded position, unless maintained, as by a confining surface, in a compressed or partially expanded position.
  • the entire anchor carriage can be formed as a C-ring.
  • a portion of the anchor carriage wall can be removed from its upper and lower ends to form notches and the wall in the mid-section between these notches can include a helical coil, formed as by cutting in a helical pattern, possibly coinciding with the location of a thread root.
  • a structure can be obtained where the notched upper and lower intervals act as C-rings and the helically cut mid-section acts as a spring coil, joining the C-rings.
  • the anchor carriage can be formed along its length in a helical coil pattern.
  • Helically cut sections of the anchor carriage can, in one embodiment, be configured as a right hand helix such that under application of right hand drilling torque, the right hand helix geometry of the anchor carriage, when latched in a casing recess, can tend to expand the helix into further engagement with the recess, rather than tightening and compressing the coil to pull it out of the recess.
  • This engagement provides a frictional self-locking effect and thus resists rotation of the anchored tool in the casing making it easier to drill out the anchored tool.
  • the tool can withstand the rigours of passage downhole during installation, has sufficient elastic compliance to accommodate the diameter reduction required to permit insertion into the casing bore and correlative elastic diameter expansion to latch into the casing recess, but can be drilled out to permit the removal of substantially all of the tool should this be necessary, for example, to extend the borehole.
  • the facing edges of the helical returns cut can be formed to engage together, as by use of frictional engagement or a ratchet effect.
  • the helical coil and the mandrel can be oppositely tapered to provide a taper lock effect between the parts.
  • the mandrel outer diameter along its grooved portion from bottom to top can taper, while the anchor carriage walls increase in thickness with its outer cylindrical form maintained.
  • the grooves/protrusions of the mandrel and of the anchor carriage are formed as threads, in another embodiment they are substantially axi-symmetric and extend substantially circumferentially and, in another embodiment, a combination of thread form and substantially circumferential grooves/protrusions are used.
  • the grooves/protrusions of the anchor carriage can be formed to correspond to the anchor carriage approach to radial resiliency and the grooves/protrusions of the mandrel can be selected to correspond thereto.
  • the anchor carriage resiliency is provided by a helical cut
  • the interengaging grooves/protrusions may also extend in a corresponding helical pattern.
  • the mandrel can carry a seal thereabout selected to seal between the mandrel and the casing.
  • the anchoring device can include a seal against flow upwardly and downwardly between the mandrel and the casing. The seal can be sufficient to substantially seal against fluids passing between the mandrel and the casing string at fluid pressures encountered in a wellbore operation during installation and with the anchor carriage latched into the recess of the casing string.
  • Installation of the anchoring device can be achieved by pushing it through the casing, as by use of a tubing string or by pumping down, where a pressure differential can be maintained across the tool.
  • the tool When the tool is configured as a cement float tool, it will typically include a bore through the mandrel extending from its upper end to its lower end and a flow control assembly mountable on the tool to prevent flow of fluids through the bore of the mandrel at least from its lower end to the upper end. It may include a removable seal in the bore to support a pump down installation.
  • a cement float tool 10 including an anchoring device is shown.
  • Cement float tool 10 is configured to pass through a tubular string of casing, a portion of which is shown at 1.
  • Casing 1 has a specified minimum inner diameter ID 1 , commonly referred to as the drift diameter, so as not to limit the size of a tool that can pass therethrough.
  • An annular recess 2 ( Figures 2 and 3 ) is placed, as by machining, in a profile nipple 3 adapted to connect into the distal end of the casing string by, for example, threaded connections illustrated by the casing to profile nipple connection 6.
  • the diameter D 2 in recess 2 is slightly larger than the minimum inner diameter of the casing tubing.
  • the cement float tool is configured to be pumped through a string of casing and to latch via its anchoring device into and be retained in the annular recess, as will be more fully described hereinafter.
  • the annular recess 2 is formed to permit the cement float tool to be accepted without consideration as to its rotational orientation in the casing.
  • Figure 1 shows the cement float tool in a position being moved through a section of casing
  • Figures 2 and 3 show the cement float tool 10 secured in the casing in the annular recess of a profile nipple.
  • Cement float 10 includes a mandrel 11 joined to a top seal cup 12 and a bottom seal cup 13 by generally sealing upper and lower threaded connections 14 and 15, respectively.
  • Upper and lower threaded connections 14 and 15 respectively can be provided to facilitate manufacture and assembly and to allow more optimal selection of materials. However, it is to be understood that other mounting configurations can be used, as desired.
  • the mandrel and seal cups together can form a longitudinal bore 17 through the tool extending from upper end opening 18 in top seal cup 12 to lower end opening 19 in bottom seal cup 13. It will be apparent that the bore can be formed in other ways, for example, by extending the mandrel body through the seal cup bodies.
  • the cement float can be sized to pass through ID 1 , of the size of casing in which it is intended to be used with seal cups 12, 13 sealable against the ID 1 .
  • Seal cups can be formed in various ways and from various materials, as will be appreciated.
  • the seal cup material can be selected to be more compliant than the casing material (generally steel) against which the cup material is to seal.
  • the seal cup material can also be selected with consideration as to the pressure loads in which it must seal. Of course, the material used can also be considered for thermal response, such as expansion and compliancy, to achieve a sealing action.
  • top seal cup 12 can be formed from a compliant (relative to casing material) and drillable material, such as polyurethane, and can have a surface coating of wear resistant material.
  • Top seal cup 12 can include an elongate tubular wall 20, configured with at least one external upper seal land and selected to adequately seal between the casing and main body against top pressure required to pump the cement float tool down the casing until latched in the profile nipple 3 and any subsequent top pressuring as may be required to, for example, fail a shear plug as described hereinafter.
  • upper seal cup 12 includes a seal land 21.
  • top seal cup 12 is generally configured in a manner known to the industry for a cementing plug, a cement wiper plug or a packer cup and can be modified in various ways.
  • bottom seal cup 13 can be formed from a compliant (relative to casing material), drillable structural material such as fiber reinforced polyurethane selected to operate under the pressure loads to be expected in operation. It can also be formed in various ways.
  • a seal cup can be used that assists with anchoring tool 10 in the casing and in the illustrated embodiment, such a seal cup is illustrated as bottom seal cup 13 and will be described hereinbelow with reference to Figure 4 .
  • mandrel 11 carries external coarse threads 29 creating a means of structurally reacting loads from the cement float tool.
  • mandrel 11 can be made from a rigid, strong yet frangible material such as a reinforced phenolic or high temperature granular reinforced resin-based grout.
  • a radially resilient anchor carriage 50 is mounted coaxially about mandrel 11 and provided with internal coarse threads 51 engaging in the axial direction the external coarse threads 29 of the mandrel, forming a threaded connection therebetween.
  • Anchor carriage 50 can be formed of various materials that provide for performance in downhole conditions, resiliency and in load transfer, as will be appreciated. Where it is desirable that anchor carriage be drillable to gain access below the tool, the anchor carriage can be formed at least in part of drillable materials.
  • anchor carriage 50 can be formed as a composite structure having an outer shell 52 of durable material, such as steel, attached to an inner layer 54 made of a weaker, more drillable material, such as fibre reinforced polyurethane, into which the inner coarse threads 51 are formed.
  • the thickness of outer shell 52 can be selected not to exceed the depth of the annular recess 2 provided in the profile nipple 3 and into which the anchor carriage is to land such that the high strength outer shell 52 need not be drilled out when drilling out the remainder of the cement float tool to the casing internal diameter ID 1 after cementing.
  • load transfer can be enhanced between inner layer 54 and outer shell 52 by forming these parts to be interengaged.
  • a plurality of spaced internal grooves 55 can be provided engaging matching teeth 56 on the exterior of the inner layer 54.
  • the internal grooves 55 may be axi-symmetric, helical or formed otherwise, and can be readily provided by machining, as for example multi-start threads having a pitch corresponding to that of the coarse threads 51.
  • the engaging teeth 56 can be readily created by casting the material comprising the inner layer 54 into the internal grooves 55 cut into the shell 52. Even more beneficial load transfer capability can be achieved where the internal grooves 55 and mating teeth 56 are shaped to have reverse angle flanks 57, so as to create a dovetail joint interconnection.
  • anchor carriage 50 allows it to be compressed down to fit inside the diameter ID 1 of the casing 1 for installation ( Figure 1 ) and yet elastically expand ( Figure 2 ) sufficient to engage the recess 2 of the profile nipple 3 when released.
  • the geometry of internal coarse threads 51 and external coarse threads 29 can be selected to ensure anchor carriage 50 can sufficiently compress about the mandrel for installation, as shown in Figure 1 , and yet still provide substantial engagement with the mandrel and, therefore, axial load transfer when expanded into recess 2 as shown in Figure 2 .
  • the anchor carriage can be formed as a helical coil, similar to a coil spring, as shown in Figures 1 to 3 , the returns of the coil being slidable at their interfaces 60a such that the coil can be compressed, by the returns sliding past one another, but is biased into an expanded position by the tension in the material of the anchor carriage.
  • the anchor carriage can, for example, be threaded onto the mandrel during assembly of the tool.
  • the radial compliance of anchor carriage 50 can be provided by configuring it to have a portion of its wall removed from its ends to form upper and lower notches 58 and 59 respectively and a helical cut 60 through the wall in mid-section 61 between notches 58 and 59.
  • This combination of notches connected by a helical cut creates a structure where the ends about upper and lower notches 58 and 59 define what behave as upper and lower C-ring intervals 62 and 63 respectively, which intervals are joined by a spring coil defined by the helically cut mid-section 61.
  • the base (roots) of grooves 51 can substantially follow helical cut 61.
  • the thread form can open near the bottom of the anchor carriage into a circumferential protrusion to cause the anchor carriage to bottom out against the shoulder of a circumferential groove on the mandrel.
  • lower notch 59 may be further utilized to lock the anchor carriage relative to a key 64 fastened to mandrel 11.
  • Key 64 can be secured to extend out from the mandrel to abut the edges forming notch 59. Thereby, key 64 can lock the relative rotational position of the anchor carriage 50 on the threads 29 of the mandrel to prevent 'unthreading' occurring during installation and to further resist drilling torque loads applied to mandrel 11 during drill-out.
  • pin 64 is rigidly secured to the mandrel and notch 59 is aligned thereover, the carriage cannot rotate past the pin, to be threaded off the mandrel.
  • the helically cut mid-section interval 61 of the anchor carriage 50 can be useful to configure the helically cut mid-section interval 61 of the anchor carriage 50 as a right hand helix.
  • right hand drilling torque as would typically be used to drill out the cement float tool
  • the right hand helix geometry of the anchor carriage mid-section 61 when latched in recess 2, tends to expand the confined helix, creating a frictional self-locking effect resisting rotation to thus improve drill-out performance.
  • the radial resilience of the anchor carriage can be achieved by omitting a helical cut and, instead, forming the anchor carriage entirely as a C-ring.
  • the interlocking between the anchor carriage can be provided as coarse grooves/protrusions formed axi-symmetrically. In this configuration, the C-ring must be 'sprung open' to facilitate initial placement of the anchor carriage onto the mandrel.
  • anchor carriage 50 has a length between its leading edge 50' and its trailing edge 50" that is less than the width w of recess 2 such that the anchor carriage 50 can completely expand into the recess.
  • Recess 2 is formed with upper and lower shoulders 4 and 5 respectively, that step generally abruptly from D 2 to ID 1 .
  • the exposed corners of upper and lower shoulders 4 and 5 are can be radiused or chamfered to facilitate movement therepast of equipment, for example during drilling.
  • shoulders 4 and 5 act to retain anchor carriage so at it ends, the ends and shoulder must be formed for load bearing engagement and any radius or chamfer should not be so great as to inhibit or jeopardize firm latching of the anchor carriage 50 into recess 2.
  • the anchor carriage 50 When the anchor carriage 50 expands into recess 2 it becomes latched therein by abutment of leading edge 50' against lower shoulder 5 of the recess ( Figure 2 ). Upwards movement of cement float tool 10 is limited by abutment of edge 50" against the upper shoulder 4 of the recess ( Figure 3 ).
  • the outward facing corner of leading edge 50' can be curved or chamfered to facilitate movement through the casing string and over discontinuities such as might occur at casing connections. Any such curvature or chamfering, however, should be of a limited radius or depth so as to avoid interference with secure latching of the anchor carriage 50 into recess 2 and abutment against lower shoulder 5.
  • the anchor carriage can be selected to have an interference fit in the recess as by selecting the anchor carriage to have an expanded outer diameter greater than D 2 .
  • a seal cup can be used that assists with anchoring tool 10 in the casing and in the illustrated embodiment, such a seal cup is illustrated as bottom seal cup 13 and will be described with reference also to Figure 4 .
  • a seal cup can include a base with a diameter selected to pass through the casing in which it is to be used and a tubular wall extending from the base and including an outer end, at least one circumferential external seal land adjacent the outer end, the diameter of the seal land being selected to allow sealing engagement with the casing inner diameter in which it is to be used, the tubular wall including an external surface defining an outer diameter of the seal that generally tapers from the seal land to the base and the tubular wall having a thickness that substantially increases from the outer end to the base.
  • the external surface of the tubular wall can permit seepage of fluid from adjacent the seal land past the base to act against pressure invasion about the external surface.
  • seal cup 13 tends to be self-anchoring under application of bottom differential pressure. Axial load generated by the pressure differential is reacted by frictional sliding resistance between the seal cup tubular wall and the confining casing wall.
  • This self-anchoring mechanism arises because the exterior seal formed at the outer end of the seal cup permits differential pressure to be applied as internal radially-directed pressure across the tubular wall. This effect is also permitted by the external cup surface between the seal land and the base, which under bottom pressure is capable of conducting seepage fluid from adjacent the seal land past the base and out of the interface between the seal cup and the casing against which it is sealed.
  • This external surface, which permits seepage can, for example, be roughened, scored, formed with seepage grooves, or formed of porous material.
  • the compliance of the selected structural plastic allows the tubular interval to expand readily under application of modest pressure until it contacts the confining casing wall.
  • Application of additional pressure serves to directly increase the interfacial contact stress and proportionately the axial force required to induce frictional sliding between the seal cup tubular interval and the casing wall:
  • Axial load arising from differential pressure acting across the base may thus be reacted in part by tension where it is joined to the tubular interval, reducing or even eliminating the axial pressure end load that needs to be reacted through the anchoring device of the tool.
  • this self-anchoring mechanism greatly reduces the load capacity required from an anchoring system on a tool and thus, enhances the anchoring properties in a tool.
  • this seal cup architecture provides a substantial improvement in the ability to use lower strength, readily drillable materials in the mandrel and anchor carriage.
  • anchoring seal cup 13 can be shaped as by molding or machining to have a base 22 integral with an elongate seal tube 23.
  • the seal tube can include an end 24 attached to the base 22 and an opposite end 25 open, thus forming a cup, which in the illustrated embodiment opens downwardly relative to the tool.
  • the external surface 26 of seal cup 13 is profiled to have at least one slightly raised circumferential external seal land 27 adjacent end 25.
  • the diameter at the seal land can be selected to allow sealing or near sealing engagement with casing inner diameter, such as the profile nipple 3 directly below recess 2 in which it is to be used.
  • Diameter at base 22 can be similar to the drift or minimum running diameter.
  • the interval 23' extending from seal land 27 to the seal tube end 24 can be generally tapered to blend with the base 22.
  • External surface 26 is further provided with a circumferential seepage groove 28 directly adjacent seal land 27 on its sealed side (closest to base 22) and one or more seepage grooves 28' extending from groove 28 toward the base, which grooves are sized to permit passage therethrough of well bore fluids that might seep past seal land 27 when acting to seal against bottom pressure.
  • External surface 26 can further be provided with surface acting wear resistant material, to provide durability against damage during, for example, run in.
  • Seal cup 113 of Figure 4A Seal cup 113 includes an external circumferential seal land 127 on its outer surface 126.
  • the inserts can be spaced and configured to provide spaced or substantially uniform circumferential coverage, but to allow sufficient end clearance to permit radial compliance to pass over diameter reductions along the casing, as at threaded connections, and sealing expansion as is required in the sealing region.
  • inserts of annular steel wire have been shown, other wear resistant inserts or surface coatings can be used as desired. While two rows of inserts have been shown positioned on the seal land, other numbers (i.e. one or more) and positions can be used.
  • a float valve or check valve can be positioned in bore 17 of main body 11 to permit only one-way flow therethrough from upper end opening 18 to lower end opening 19.
  • the illustrated check valve 70 is a flapper valve including a flapper 71 mounted via a hinge pin 72 to a flapper valve housing 73.
  • flapper 71 can be formed to seal against a seat 74 formed at the lower end opening 19 in the base 22 of lower cup 13 when a flow of fluid tends to move through the bore in a direction from lower end opening 19 to upper end opening 18 ( Figure 3 ).
  • Flapper 70 is normally biased into the sealing position against seat 74 by a spring (not shown) such as, for example, a torsion spring acting about hinge pin 72.
  • Flapper valve housing 73 may be secured to lower cup base 22 by various means including, for example, bonding to the inside of seal cup 13 (as shown) or threaded engagement.
  • Other valve types such as, for example, ball valves can be used, as desired, provided that they are durable enough to withstand the passage of cement therethrough. In other embodiments, the valve is provided in the bore of the mandrel.
  • a releasable plug 80 can be disposed in bore 17. Releasable plug 80 can be selected to remain in plugging position within bore 17 up to a selected maximum pressure. At pressures above the selected maximum pressure, plug 80 can be driven out of bore 17. While many suitable pressure releasable plugs are known, the illustrated cement float tool can include a plug having a flange 81 sealingly engaged on a shoulder 82 in top seal cup 12. When pressure acting against the plug is increased above the selected maximum pressure, the flange shears away from the plug body and the plug is expelled from bore 17. The length of plug 80 may be selected such that it extends past flapper valve 70 thus mitigating against possible damage to flapper 71 when the plug is expelled.
  • the plug can be retained by several different means such as, for example, bonding of flange 81 into shoulder 82.
  • a burst plate can be used rather than a plug that is expelled.
  • the selected maximum pressure for expelling the plug can be greater than the normal pressure required to pump the plug down the casing.
  • the pressure to pump down a cement float tool would typically be less than 500 psi (3.5 MPa).
  • releasable plug 30 is selected to remain in place in the bore unless fluid pressures above the plug exceed about 1500 psi (10.3 MPa).
  • Figures 6 to 8 show another embodiment of an anchoring device.
  • the carriage 50a and mandrel 11a can be formed such that the carriage can be detachably engaged to the mandrel when the carriage is compressed there against, but can be released from engagement with the mandrel when the carriage is allowed to expand.
  • a key 90 can be employed to lock the carriage to the mandrel when the carriage is compressed onto the mandrel for insertion into the casing.
  • This embodiment can maintain the carriage in a compressed condition with an outer diameter less than the casing drift diameter such that the carriage is substantially out of full contact with the casing to reduce the drag produced by the carriage while traversing the casing, for example, when running downhole.
  • Key 90 can be substantially rectangular in cross section and elongate. Key 90 can fit into both a keyway 91 formed through the internal threads 51 of the anchor carriage and a keyway 92 formed through the external threads 29 on the mandrel. Key 90 operates with keyways 91, 92 in a manner analogous to the operation of keying a shaft to, for example, a pulley, preventing relative rotation therebetween.
  • the keyways can be formed to be aligned when the carriage is in its compressed position on the mandrel, as required for running through the casing prior to latching into the profile nipple.
  • the arrows in Figure 8 show in general where the forces reacted by the casing, F casing , ensure that keyway 91 remains engaged to key 90.
  • Keyway 92 in the mandrel is formed to be tight fitting with key 90, so that, once installed, the key tends to stay engaged in the mandrel keyway slot regardless of movement of the carriage thereover. Locking of the key to the mandrel may be further assisted by the use of dovetailing, fasteners, such as screws, or glue.
  • Keyway 91 in the carriage is arranged so that the key fits loosely therein and the depth of keyway 91, with respect to the key exposed height on the mandrel and the anchor carriage thread height, can be arranged so that within the range of radial expansion possible when the carriage is travelling in the casing, keyway 91 engages the key.
  • keyway 91 will become disengaged from the key over at least its lower length so as to permit the carriage to expand, and thus simultaneously uncoil, along its helical interval.
  • upper end 93 of the key can have a greater height than the lower end to provide additional engagement between key 90 and keyway 91 adjacent upper C-ring 62. This additional engagement can prevent the carriage threads from becoming disengaged from the key, even when fully expanded into the casing recess. This is useful, in the same way as pin 64, where it is desirable to have torque transfer between the mandrel and the anchor carriage, as when drilling out.
  • key 90 when running mandrel 11a and anchor carriage 50a into the casing, key 90 can tend to prevent the carriage, acting as a coiled helical spring, from expanding by reacting the forces allowing uncoiling primarily through key 90 and into mandrel 11a.
  • the carriage acting as a coiled helical spring
  • the lower end of keyway 91 in the anchor carriage helically formed interval thus acts as a latch where depending on the angle of contact between the keyway and the contacting lower edge 94 of the key, the latch can be arranged to tend to release, unless restrained by an external radial force as provided by contact with the casing.
  • This angle ⁇ can be selected with reference to the in-situ friction coefficient to ensure release when entering the profile nipple but otherwise arranged to minimize the radial force applied by the casing to thus reduce wear and drag and obtain other benefits as described above.
  • a tool including an anchoring device can be run into a casing string and latched therein in an annular recess in the casing.
  • the tool 10 is illustrated as a cement float including mandrel 11, anchor carriage 50 and seal cups 12 and 13.
  • pumping fluid typically drilling fluid
  • Top seal cup 12 tends to prevent flow of the pumping fluid past the cement float tool creating a downward axial force as a function of the applied top differential pressure required to overcome drag where the top seal cup 12, bottom seal cup 13 and anchor carriage 50 contact the casing. In general, the sum of these drag components should not require excess installation pressure.
  • the wall thickness and length of the seal skirt can be selected in combination with the diameter below the seal land 21 so that under differential pressure loads required to pump down the cement float tool, a clearance can be maintained between the seal lip and internal surface of the casing except at the upper seal land 21 to prevent contact developing outside the seal land while yet providing sufficient compliance to ensure an adequate seal will be formed under the expected variations in internal casing diameter. Drag arising from the bottom seal cup 13 during installation naturally tends to be minimized as this downward facing cup is not loaded under top pressuring required for pump down.
  • Drag arising from the tendency of the elastically compressed anchor carriage to expand against the confining inside diameter of the casing can be affected by frictional interaction between the engaged stab flanks 53' of the coarse threads 51 as the drag load is reacted between anchor carriage 50 and mandrel 11. Selecting too shallow a stab flank angle results in a tendency for the cement float tool to 'jam' during installation. However as more fully described below, this angle also affects the anchor structural behavior. As indicated earlier, the illustrated stab flank angle of approximately 45° (with respect to the cement float tool axis) can be sufficiently steep to prevent jamming.
  • excess drag can be avoided by a key 90 and keyway 91 ( Figures 6 and 7 ) used to lock the anchor carriage inwardly against the mandrel.
  • a key 90 and keyway 91 Figures 6 and 7
  • other means can be used to hold the anchor carriage in a radially compressed condition, as by ratcheting at the interfacing edges 60a of a helical cut section.
  • the full pressure end load can be borne by the connection between threads 29, 51 for this time period.
  • the materials of the mandrel and the anchor can be selected to address this pressure load.
  • a lower cup 13 can be used that has a tendency to resist such sliding through a pressure activated self-anchoring mechanism.
  • This self anchoring mechanism is induced under application of differential pressure from below because of the location of the external seal 26 at the lower end of the seal tube 23 in combination with the seepage grooves 28 and 28', which ensures the full pressure differential occurs across the wall of seal tube 23, tending to cause it to expand, contact and become restrained by the profile nipple 3, under application of sufficient pressure.
  • Application of additional pressure serves to increase the interfacial contact stress, which contact stress gives rise to frictional resistance to axial sliding of the seal tube 23.
  • the wall thickness and length of seal tube 23 are arranged to promote self anchoring under application of differential pressure where the wall thickness of seal tube 23 is generally tapered to thicken from its lower end 25 to its upper end 24, and its length can be selected to be long enough to ensure all or a significant amount of the differential pressure end load for the intended application is thus reacted by this self anchoring mechanism.
  • the bottom seal cup can, therefore, function both to seal against bottom pressure and to react the associated end load to assist with anchoring.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Earth Drilling (AREA)
  • Piles And Underground Anchors (AREA)
  • Table Devices Or Equipment (AREA)
  • Glass Compositions (AREA)
  • Secondary Cells (AREA)
  • Building Environments (AREA)
  • Crystals, And After-Treatments Of Crystals (AREA)
  • Dowels (AREA)
  • Perforating, Stamping-Out Or Severing By Means Other Than Cutting (AREA)

Claims (17)

  1. Dispositif d'ancrage pouvant être utilisé dans un tuyau (1), le tuyau comportant un diamètre interne dans lequel est formé un évidement annulaire (2), l'évidement annulaire ayant une longueur et ayant un diamètre supérieur au diamètre interne du tuyau, le dispositif d'ancrage comprenant : un mandrin (11) ayant une surface extérieure, une extrémité supérieure et une extrémité inférieure, le mandrin étant dimensionné pour se déplacer dans le tuyau dans lequel il doit être utilisé ; un chariot d'ancrage résilient dans le sens radial (50) monté de manière coaxiale autour du mandrin, le chariot d'ancrage définissant une surface intérieure et une surface extérieure sensiblement cylindrique, le chariot d'ancrage ayant une longueur sélectionnée de manière à être inférieure à la longueur de l'évidement annulaire du tuyau et étant dimensionné de manière à traverser le tuyau lorsqu'il est comprimé dans le sens radial et à avoir un diamètre extérieur, lorsqu'il est étendu dans le sens radial, supérieur au diamètre intérieur du tuyau, le dispositif d'ancrage étant caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend en outre : des rainures d'interengagement et des saillies allongées (29, 51) formées sur la surface extérieure du mandrin et sur la surface intérieure du chariot d'ancrage, les rainures d'interengagement et les saillies allongées du chariot d'ancrage et du mandrin étant sélectionnées de manière à limiter le mouvement axial du chariot d'ancrage par rapport au mandrin et permettre au chariot d'ancrage d'être comprimé contre le mandrin pour s'ajuster à l'intérieur du diamètre intérieur du tuyau et rester en interengagement lorsque le chariot d'ancrage est étendu et verrouillé dans l'évidement annulaire du tuyau.
  2. Dispositif d'ancrage selon la revendication 1, dans lequel les saillies allongées et les rainures du mandrin incluent au moins certaines saillies allongées et rainures se présentant sous la forme de filets.
  3. Dispositif d'ancrage selon la revendication 1, dans lequel les saillies allongées et les rainures du mandrin incluent au moins certaines saillies allongées et rainures de forme axisymétrique et s'étendant sur la circonférence.
  4. Dispositif d'ancrage selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le chariot d'ancrage est formé en tant que structure composite ayant une enveloppe extérieure (52) d'un premier matériau et des tarauds internes formés à partir d'un matériau pouvant être foré, fixés à l'enveloppe extérieure, les tarauds internes formant les saillies allongées et les rainures sur la surface intérieure du chariot d'ancrage.
  5. Dispositif d'ancrage selon la revendication 4, dans lequel l'épaisseur de l'enveloppe extérieure est sélectionnée de manière à ne pas dépasser la profondeur de l'évidement annulaire prévu dans le tuyau.
  6. Dispositif d'ancrage selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le chariot d'ancrage comporte une partie d'anneau en C (62, 63) permettant d'assurer une résilience radiale.
  7. Dispositif d'ancrage selon la revendication 6, dans lequel le chariot d'ancrage comporte un anneau en C (62, 63) au niveau de chaque extrémité et une section de spire de ressort coupée en hélice (61) s'étendant entre les deux.
  8. Dispositif d'ancrage selon la revendication 7, dans lequel la section de spire de ressort coupée en hélice est configurée comme une hélice à droite.
  9. Dispositif d'ancrage selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le mandrin comporte des matériaux pouvant être forés.
  10. Dispositif d'ancrage selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le mandrin comporte en outre un alésage axial (17) s'étendant de son extrémité supérieure à son extrémité inférieure, et le dispositif d'ancrage comprend en outre une soupape unidirectionnelle (70) dans l'alésage axial du mandrin ; et un joint (12, 13) autour du mandrin pour assurer l'étanchéité entre le mandrin et le tuyau.
  11. Dispositif d'ancrage selon la revendication 1, dans lequel les saillies allongées et les rainures du chariot d'ancrage comportent au moins certaines saillies allongées et rainures formées par une spire de ressort coupée en hélice (61).
  12. Dispositif d'ancrage selon la revendication 11, dans lequel la section de spire de ressort coupée en hélice est configurée comme une hélice à droite.
  13. Dispositif d'ancrage selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le chariot d'ancrage est formé en tant que structure composite ayant une enveloppe extérieure (52) d'un premier matériau et une couche intérieure (54) interengagée avec l'enveloppe extérieure, la couche intérieure formant les saillies allongées et les rainures sur la surface intérieure du chariot d'ancrage.
  14. Dispositif d'ancrage selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre une encoche (59) sur le chariot d'ancrage et une clavette (64) s'étendant à l'extérieur du mandrin placé de manière à pouvoir être verrouillé dans l'encoche du chariot d'ancrage.
  15. Dispositif d'ancrage selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre une clavette (90) pour verrouiller le chariot d'ancrage sur le mandrin lorsque le chariot d'ancrage est comprimé dans le sens radial.
  16. Dispositif d'ancrage selon la revendication 1, dans lequel les saillies allongées et les rainures du mandrin incluent au moins certaines saillies allongées et rainures formées en tant que filets externes et les saillies allongées et les rainures du chariot d'ancrage incluent au moins certaines saillies allongées et rainures formées en tant que filets et comportant une spire de ressort coupée en hélice (61) définissant les filets et comprenant en outre un chemin de clavette (91) formé dans les filets du chariot d'ancrage ; un chemin de clavette (92) formé dans les filets externes du mandrin et une clavette (90) positionnée de manière à s'ajuster dans les chemins de clavette, lorsque le chariot d'ancrage est comprimé dans le sens radial contre le mandrin.
  17. Dispositif d'ancrage selon la revendication 16, dans lequel la clavette comporte une extrémité supérieure (93) et une extrémité inférieure, l'extrémité supérieure ayant une hauteur supérieure à l'extrémité inférieure de telle sorte que les filets du chariot d'ancrage restent engagés avec l'extrémité supérieure de la clavette lorsque le chariot d'ancrage est étendu dans le sens radial.
EP03779615A 2002-12-06 2003-12-08 Dispositif d'ancrage pour outil de puits de forage Expired - Lifetime EP1581718B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US43122702P 2002-12-06 2002-12-06
US431227P 2002-12-06
CA2444648 2003-10-09
CA002444648A CA2444648A1 (fr) 2002-12-06 2003-10-09 Dispositif d'ancrage pour outil de puits de forage
PCT/CA2003/001889 WO2004053288A1 (fr) 2002-12-06 2003-12-08 Dispositif d'ancrage pour outil de puits de forage

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1581718A1 EP1581718A1 (fr) 2005-10-05
EP1581718B1 true EP1581718B1 (fr) 2008-04-16

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Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP03779615A Expired - Lifetime EP1581718B1 (fr) 2002-12-06 2003-12-08 Dispositif d'ancrage pour outil de puits de forage
EP03778206A Withdrawn EP1581720A1 (fr) 2002-12-06 2003-12-08 Godet d'etancheite pour outil de puits de forage et procede associe

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP03778206A Withdrawn EP1581720A1 (fr) 2002-12-06 2003-12-08 Godet d'etancheite pour outil de puits de forage et procede associe

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Country Link
EP (2) EP1581718B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE392533T1 (fr)
AU (2) AU2003285257A1 (fr)
DE (1) DE60320459D1 (fr)
NO (2) NO336158B1 (fr)
WO (2) WO2004053288A1 (fr)

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7866390B2 (en) 1996-10-04 2011-01-11 Frank's International, Inc. Casing make-up and running tool adapted for fluid and cement control
CA2311160C (fr) 2000-06-09 2009-05-26 Tesco Corporation Methode de forage et de completion d'un puits et manchon de cimentation a clapet d'evacuation pour usage connexe
CA2444648A1 (fr) 2002-12-06 2004-06-06 Tesco Corporation Dispositif d'ancrage pour outil de puits de forage
US7090004B2 (en) 2003-06-12 2006-08-15 Tesco Corporation Cement float
US7533721B2 (en) * 2006-03-01 2009-05-19 Baker Hughes Incorporated Millable pre-installed plug
CN101333916B (zh) * 2008-08-07 2012-07-18 晁建伟 封闭洗井装置
WO2011106366A2 (fr) 2010-02-23 2011-09-01 Tesco Corporation Appareil et procédé pour la cimentation d'un manchon
US8851167B2 (en) 2011-03-04 2014-10-07 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Mechanical liner drilling cementing system
NL2008061C2 (en) 2011-12-30 2013-07-03 Well Engineering Partners Wep B V Device for anchoring in a casing in a borehole in the ground.
CN111594079A (zh) * 2020-06-02 2020-08-28 任丘市凯晟石油机械制造有限公司 一种油井正洗井装置

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US1730804A (en) * 1927-07-09 1929-10-08 Johns Manville Composite article
US3159219A (en) * 1958-05-13 1964-12-01 Byron Jackson Inc Cementing plugs and float equipment
US3346267A (en) * 1964-09-30 1967-10-10 Halliburton Co Cup for multi-size pipe string
US3940938A (en) * 1974-08-09 1976-03-02 Caterpillar Tractor Co. Cup seal for a master brake cylinder
US4413682A (en) * 1982-06-07 1983-11-08 Baker Oil Tools, Inc. Method and apparatus for installing a cementing float shoe on the bottom of a well casing
US5058671A (en) * 1990-08-13 1991-10-22 Lindsey Completion Systems, Inc. Pipe insert assembly
US5058672A (en) * 1990-08-13 1991-10-22 Lindsey Completion Systems, Inc. Landing collar and float valve assembly
US5323858A (en) * 1992-11-18 1994-06-28 Atlantic Richfield Company Case cementing method and system
CA2311160C (fr) * 2000-06-09 2009-05-26 Tesco Corporation Methode de forage et de completion d'un puits et manchon de cimentation a clapet d'evacuation pour usage connexe

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NO20053284L (no) 2005-08-31
NO336158B1 (no) 2015-05-26
EP1581718A1 (fr) 2005-10-05
WO2004053289A1 (fr) 2004-06-24
AU2003285257A1 (en) 2004-06-30
NO20053284D0 (no) 2005-07-05
NO20053285D0 (no) 2005-07-05
DE60320459D1 (de) 2008-05-29
EP1581720A1 (fr) 2005-10-05
NO20053285L (no) 2005-08-31
NO327552B1 (no) 2009-08-10
WO2004053288A1 (fr) 2004-06-24
AU2003287818A1 (en) 2004-06-30
ATE392533T1 (de) 2008-05-15

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