EP2317065A1 - Gerät zur Ferneinführung von Zementierstopfen - Google Patents

Gerät zur Ferneinführung von Zementierstopfen Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2317065A1
EP2317065A1 EP09290830A EP09290830A EP2317065A1 EP 2317065 A1 EP2317065 A1 EP 2317065A1 EP 09290830 A EP09290830 A EP 09290830A EP 09290830 A EP09290830 A EP 09290830A EP 2317065 A1 EP2317065 A1 EP 2317065A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
dart
plug
tubular body
latch
fluid
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP09290830A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Joel Rondeau
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.)
Services Petroliers Schlumberger SA
Gemalto Terminals Ltd
Schlumberger Holdings Ltd
Prad Research and Development Ltd
Schlumberger Technology BV
Original Assignee
Services Petroliers Schlumberger SA
Gemalto Terminals Ltd
Schlumberger Holdings Ltd
Prad Research and Development Ltd
Schlumberger Technology BV
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Services Petroliers Schlumberger SA, Gemalto Terminals Ltd, Schlumberger Holdings Ltd, Prad Research and Development Ltd, Schlumberger Technology BV filed Critical Services Petroliers Schlumberger SA
Priority to EP09290830A priority Critical patent/EP2317065A1/de
Publication of EP2317065A1 publication Critical patent/EP2317065A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
    • E21B33/02—Surface sealing or packing
    • E21B33/03—Well heads; Setting-up thereof
    • E21B33/04—Casing heads; Suspending casings or tubings in well heads
    • E21B33/05—Cementing-heads, e.g. having provision for introducing cementing plugs

Definitions

  • the present invention is related in general to equipment for servicing subterranean wells. Particularly, the invention relates to an apparatus and method for remotely launching cementing plugs during the primary cementation of a subterranean well.
  • the annulus between the tubular body and the wellbore wall (or another tubular body) is usually filled with drilling fluid.
  • the bottom plug is first launched into the tubular body, followed by the cement slurry.
  • the cement slurry may be preceded by a spacer fluid, a chemical wash or both.
  • the function of the bottom plug is mainly to scrape traces of drilling fluid from the internal surface of the tubular body, and to prevent contact between the drilling fluid and the cement slurry.
  • the bottom-plug launching and conveyance through the tubular body arises from pressure applied by the cement slurry.
  • the bottom plug completes its journey through the tubular body, it becomes seated on float equipment installed at the bottom of the tubular body.
  • Continued pumping exerts sufficient pressure to rupture a membrane at the top of the bottom plug, allowing the cement slurry to flow through an interior passage in the bottom plug, and then to exit the bottom of the tubular body in order to continue into the annulus.
  • the top plug After sufficient cement slurry to fill the annulus has been pumped into the tubular body, the top plug is launched into the tubular body, and a displacement fluid is pumped behind the plug. The displacement fluid forces the plug through the tubular body.
  • the function of the top plug is mainly to scrape traces of cement slurry from the internal surface of the tubular body, isolate the cement slurry from the displacement fluid and, upon landing on the bottom plug, seal the interior of the tubular body from the annulus.
  • the top plug has no membrane or interior passage through which fluids may flow.
  • Wiper plugs are usually launched from a cementing head that is attached to the tubular body near the drilling rig.
  • the tubular body rises from the bottom of the openhole to the rig floor.
  • the cementing head containing the wiper plugs rests on the seafloor, and the top of the tubular body ends at the mudline.
  • Drillpipe connects the top of the tubular body to the rig floor on the surface. During the cementing process, darts are released into the drillpipe on surface, travel through the drillpipe to the seafloor and, upon arrival, trigger the release of the wiper plugs.
  • a disadvantage of the subsea plug launching mechanism currently used in the art is that each dart is identical; therefore, after launching, the plug-release process is passive.
  • the plug-releasing mechanism is the same for both the bottom and top plugs. If for any reason the bottom dart does not stop traveling downward after the bottom plug is launched, the potential exists for the top plug to be launched prematurely. Such an occurrence could result in cement slurry being left inside the tubular body-a condition known as "cement left in pipe" or CLIP.
  • the present invention solves the problems mentioned herein.
  • process fluids may comprise drilling fluids, cement slurries, chemical washes, spacer fluids and completion fluids.
  • the first aspect of the invention is an apparatus that limits the extent to which a bottom dart may travel upon arrival inside a cementing head.
  • the second aspect of the invention is a method for launching cementing plugs during a primary cementing operation.
  • the third aspect of the invention is a method for cementing a subterranean well.
  • All aspects of the invention may be applied in oil and gas wells, geothermal wells, water wells, and wells for chemical waste disposal, enhanced recovery of hydrocarbons and carbon sequestration.
  • Figure 1 illustrates the design and operation of the apparatus of the invention.
  • Figure 2 illustrates the exterior appearance of the apparatus of the invention.
  • the bottom plug travels through the tubular body (e.g., casing) and lands on float equipment at the bottom end.
  • Continued pumping breaks a membrane in the bottom plug, allowing cement slurry to pass through the plug and enter the annular region around the tubular body.
  • the top plug lands on top of the bottom plug, forcing the cement slurry out of the tubular-body interior, and leaving the tubular-body interior full of displacement fluid.
  • Premature release of the top plug can result in the failure to pump all of the cement slurry out of the tubular body, and incomplete filling of the annular region around the outside of the tubular body.
  • the present invention provides means and methods by which premature release of the top plug may be prevented.
  • the first aspect of the invention is an apparatus that limits the extent to which a bottom dart may travel upon arrival inside a cementing head.
  • the apparatus is shown in Fig. 1 .
  • the apparatus comprises three portions.
  • the first portion comprises the following elements.
  • a tubular body 1 comprises ports (2 and 3) through which wellbore-service fluids may flow, a latch opening 4 and a platen opening 5 .
  • a rod head 6 and main rod 7 are located inside the tubular body 1 and below ports (2 and 3).
  • the main rod 7 has a tapered section 8 just below the rod head 6 .
  • a movable arm 9 is mounted on the outside of the tubular body 1 and fixed to the tubular body by a hinge 10 .
  • the lower end of the arm 9 is equipped with a latch 11 that coincides with the latch opening 4 .
  • the upper end of the arm 9 is equipped with a platen 12 that coincides with the platen opening 5.
  • a piston connected to the lower end of main rod 7 .
  • a plug basket that contains a bottom plug and a top plug.
  • the exterior appearance of the first aspect of the invention is shown in Fig. 2 .
  • the second portion of the apparatus is a bottom dart 13 .
  • the third portion of the apparatus is a top dart 14 . Both the second and third portions are initially separated from the first portion.
  • the second aspect of the invention is a method for launching cementing plugs during a primary cementing operation.
  • the method is particularly shown in Fig.1 .
  • the first portion of the apparatus described in the first aspect of the invention is installed inside a casing string 15 .
  • a first process fluid is pumped from the surface through tubular body 1 .
  • process fluid initially flows through ports 2 and 3 , bypassing the rest of the first portion of the apparatus.
  • a bottom dart 13 is launched into the process fluid stream in the tubular body 1 .
  • a second process fluid is pumped behind the bottom dart 13 .
  • a top dart 14 is launched into the process fluid stream in the tubular body 1, followed by a third process fluid.
  • Step B depicts the moment during which the bottom dart 13 lands on rod head 6, installed on main rod 7. Fluid flow through ports 2 and 3 is blocked by the bottom dart 13. Further pumping of process fluid forces the bottom dart downward, thereby forcing the rod 7 downward, thereby causing the piston to move downward and eject the bottom plug from the plug basket.
  • the bottom plug acts as a barrier between the first and second process fluids, preventing their commingling while traveling through the interior of the casing 15.
  • Step C shows the moment during which the tapered portion 8 of the main rod 7 arrives at the latch 11.
  • the taper in the main rod 7 allows the latch 11 to move inward and lock, preventing further movement of the rod head 6, and also preventing further movement of the bottom dart 13. Clearance of the bottom dart 13 past ports 2 and 3 reestablishes process-fluid flow outside the apparatus.
  • Step D the top dart 14 has landed on the bottom dart 13, once more obstructing fluid flow through ports 2 and 3.
  • the top dart 14 also pushes against the platen 12, thereby causing the arm 8 to rotate around the hinge 10 such that the latch 11 becomes released.
  • the path is now clear for the rod head 6 to move past the latch 11, thereby forcing the main rod 7 and piston to force the top plug out of the plug basket.
  • the top dart 14 has cleared ports 2 and 3, and process-fluid flow outside the apparatus is restored.
  • the top plug acts as a barrier between the second and third process fluids, preventing their commingling while traveling through the interior of the casing 15.
  • the internal volume of the tubular body 1 may be less than the volume of second process fluid necessary to fill the annular region surrounding the casing 15 .
  • the second portion of the first aspect of the invention, the bottom dart 13 will reach the first portion of the first aspect of the invention before the desired quantity of process fluid has been pumped into the tubular body 1 .
  • the bottom plug may be launched before the top dart 14 is launched.
  • the third aspect of the invention is a method for cementing a subterranean well.
  • the first portion of the apparatus described in the first aspect of the invention is installed inside a casing string 15 .
  • Drilling fluid is pumped from the surface through tubular body 1 .
  • drilling fluid initially flows through ports 2 and 3 , bypassing the rest of the first portion of the apparatus.
  • a bottom dart 13 is launched into the drilling-fluid stream in the tubular body 1.
  • Cement slurry is pumped behind the bottom dart 13.
  • a top dart 14 is launched into the cement-slurry stream in the tubular body 1 , followed by a displacement fluid.
  • Step B depicts the moment during which the bottom dart 13 lands on rod head 6 , installed on main rod 7. Fluid flow through ports 2 and 3 is blocked by the bottom dart 13. Further pumping forces the bottom dart downward, thereby forcing the rod 7 downward, thereby causing the piston to move downward and eject the bottom plug from the plug basket.
  • the bottom plug acts as a barrier between the drilling fluid and the cement slurry, preventing their commingling while traveling through the interior of the casing 15.
  • Step C shows the moment during which the tapered portion 8 of the main rod 7 arrives at the latch 11.
  • the taper in the main rod 7 allows the latch 11 to move inward and lock, preventing further movement of the rod head 6 , and also preventing further movement of the bottom dart 13. Clearance of the bottom dart 13 past ports 2 and 3 reestablishes fluid flow outside the apparatus.
  • Step D the top dart 14 has landed on the bottom dart 13, once more obstructing fluid flow through ports 2 and 3 .
  • the top dart 14 also pushes against the platen 12 , thereby causing the arm 8 to rotate around the hinge 10 such that the latch 11 becomes released.
  • the path is now clear for the rod head 6 to move past the latch 11 , thereby forcing the main rod 7 and piston to force the top plug out of the plug basket.
  • the top dart 14 has cleared ports 2 and 3 , and fluid flow outside the apparatus is restored.
  • the top plug acts as a barrier between the cement slurry and the displacement fluid, preventing their commingling while traveling through the interior of the casing 15 .
  • the internal volume of the tubular body 1 may be less than the volume of cement slurry necessary to fill the annular region surrounding the casing 15 .
  • the second portion of the first aspect of the invention, the bottom dart 13 will reach the first portion of the first aspect of the invention before the desired quantity of cement slurry has been pumped into the tubular body 1 .
  • the bottom plug may be launched before the top dart 14 is launched.
  • the cement slurry may be preceded by a spacer fluid, a chemical wash or both.
  • the displacement fluid may include drilling fluid, water or a completion brine.
  • All aspects of the invention may be applied in oil and gas wells, geothermal wells, water wells, and wells for chemical waste disposal, enhanced recovery of hydrocarbons and carbon sequestration.
EP09290830A 2009-10-30 2009-10-30 Gerät zur Ferneinführung von Zementierstopfen Withdrawn EP2317065A1 (de)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP09290830A EP2317065A1 (de) 2009-10-30 2009-10-30 Gerät zur Ferneinführung von Zementierstopfen

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP09290830A EP2317065A1 (de) 2009-10-30 2009-10-30 Gerät zur Ferneinführung von Zementierstopfen

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2317065A1 true EP2317065A1 (de) 2011-05-04

Family

ID=41664673

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP09290830A Withdrawn EP2317065A1 (de) 2009-10-30 2009-10-30 Gerät zur Ferneinführung von Zementierstopfen

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2317065A1 (de)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4317486A (en) * 1980-03-10 1982-03-02 The Dow Chemical Company Cementing head apparatus and method of operation
EP0377255A1 (de) * 1989-01-02 1990-07-11 Sofitech N.V. Zementierkopf für Ölbohrungen
EP0450676A1 (de) * 1990-03-07 1991-10-09 Sofitech N.V. Fernbediente Auslösevorrichtung für Zementstopfen in Unterwasserbohrlöcher
US5890537A (en) * 1996-08-13 1999-04-06 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Wiper plug launching system for cementing casing and liners
EP1464788A1 (de) * 1999-01-28 2004-10-06 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Zementierkopf

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4317486A (en) * 1980-03-10 1982-03-02 The Dow Chemical Company Cementing head apparatus and method of operation
EP0377255A1 (de) * 1989-01-02 1990-07-11 Sofitech N.V. Zementierkopf für Ölbohrungen
EP0450676A1 (de) * 1990-03-07 1991-10-09 Sofitech N.V. Fernbediente Auslösevorrichtung für Zementstopfen in Unterwasserbohrlöcher
US5890537A (en) * 1996-08-13 1999-04-06 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Wiper plug launching system for cementing casing and liners
EP1464788A1 (de) * 1999-01-28 2004-10-06 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Zementierkopf

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