GB2551462A

GB2551462A - Travel joint release devices and methods

Info

Publication number: GB2551462A
Application number: GB1716434.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Richards William; Edward Harms Timothy
Original assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Inc
Current assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Inc
Priority date: 2013-05-31
Filing date: 2013-05-31
Publication date: 2017-12-20
Anticipated expiration: 2033-05-31
Also published as: GB201716434D0; GB2551462B

Abstract

A travel joint, comprising: an outer housing 202; an inner mandrel 204 slidingly disposed within the outer housing; and a release device 200 positioned between the outer housing and the inner mandrel. The release device comprises a plurality of lugs 206 configured to prevent relative axial movement between the outer housing and the inner mandrel in a locked position and to allow relative axial movement between the outer housing and the inner mandrel in an unlocked position and a retaining sleeve 210 configured to maintain the plurality of lugs in engagement with the outer housing and the inner mandrel in the locked position and to translate axially the plurality of lugs out of engagement with the inner mandrel in the unlocked position, and the retaining sleeve is coupled to a piston 212 configured to translate the retaining sleeve from the locked position to the unlocked position in response to the fluid pressure. The release device is configured to prevent and allow, selectively, relative axial movement between the outer housing and the inner mandrel in response to a fluid pressure supplied to the release device from a flowbore 214 of the outer housing or a flowbore of the inner mandrel.

Description

TRAVEL JOINT RIEEASE DEVICES AND ΜΕΤΪΚ305 BACKGROUND

[0001] Drilling rigs supported by floating drillships or floating platforms are often used for ofthhore well development These rip present a problem for tie rig operators in that ocean? waves and tidal forces cause file drilling rig to rise and fall with respect to the sea floor and the subterranean well This vertical motion must be slier controlled or compensated while operating the well, Without compensation, such vertical movement may transmit undesirable axial loads on the rigid tubular slings that extended downwardly from tie drilling rig. This problem becomes particularly acute in well operations involving fixed bottom hole assemblies, such as packers.

[0002] for example, once a lower completion has been installed in a easing string or open hole location, it is common to stab the lower end of the upper completion, ran into the well on a tubing string, into die packer at the top of the lower completion assembly. Typically, the connection operation respires that the tubing string apply a predetermined amount of axial and/or rotational force against the packer. Once connected, any vertical movement from the Ship or platform will create undesirable downward and upward forces on the packer or may cause premature actuation and/or failure of components.

[0003] During the installation process, a travel joint In the tubing string may be used to allow for telescopic extension and contraction of the tubing string, Typically, the travel joint is run downhole in a locked position, then unlocked once the tubing stria® is connected to the packer. Various forces may result in the unlocking of die travel joint dnring conveyance and installation, which is to say before the travel joint is coupled to the packer. Once unlocked, it is virtually impossible to sting into the packer without reloeking the travel joint, which may require an additional trip out of the well to redress the travel joint.

SUMMARY

[0004] In ah embodiment, a navel joint comprises an outer housing, an inner mandrel siidingly disposed Within the outer housing, and a release device positioned between the outer housing and the inner mandrel Tie release device comprises: a plurality of lugs, rod the plurality of lugs is configured to prevent relative axial movement between the outer housing and &e inner mandrel in a locked position and allow relative axial movement between the outer housing and the inner mandrel in an unlocked position. The release device is configured to selectively prevent and allow relative axial movement between the outer hewing rod the inner mandrel in response to a fluid pressure supplied to the release device from ft flbwbore of the outer housing Or a ffowbore of the inner mandrel.

[0005] In aii embodiment, a travel joint comprises an outer housing, an inner mandrel slidbgly disposed within the outer housing, and a release device positioned between the outer housing and the inner mandrel. The release device comprises: an outwardly biased: locking ring, where the locking ring is configured to radially compress and engage the inner mandrel in a locked position and radially expand and disengage from the inner mandrel in an unlocked position. The release device is configured to selectively prevent, and allow relative axial movement between the outer housing and the inner mandrel in response to a fluid pressure supplied to the release device from a fiowbore of the outer housing or a ilowbore of the inner mandrel.

[0086] In an embodiment, a method of releasing a travel joint comprises preventing relative axial movement between an outer housing and an inner mandrel In a travel joint, providing a fluid pressure to a ilowbore of the outer housing or a fiowbore of die inner mandrel of the release device in a locked position, actuating the release device from the locked position to an unlocked position based on the fluid pressure, and allowing relative movement between the outer bousing and die inner mandrel when the release device is in the unlocked position. The release device is disposed between the outer housing said the inn® mandrel in a travel joint.

[0007] la an embodiment, a travel joint comprises an outer housing, an inner mandrel slidingly disposed within the outer housing, and a release device positioned between the outer housing and the inner mandrel The release device comprises: a plurality of hip, where the plurality of lap is configured to prevent relative axial movement between the outer housing and the inner mandrel in a locked position and allow relative axial movement between the out®· housing and the inner mandrel in an unlocked position. The release device is configured to selectively prevent and allow relative axial movement between the outer housing and the inner mandrel is response to a fluid pressure supplied to the release device from a control line.

[0008] In an embodiment, a travel joint comprises an outer housing, an inner mandrel stidingly disposed within the outer housing, and a release device positioned between tile outer housing and the inner mandrel. The release device comprises an outwardly biased locking ring, where the locking ring is configured to radially compress and engage die inn® mandrel in a locked position and radially expand and disengage from the inner mandrel in an unlocked position. The release device is configured to selectively prevent and allow relative axial movement between the out® housing and the inner mandrel in response to a fluid pressure supplied to the release device from a surface of a wellbore. ΙΟβΡ] In an embodiment, a method of releasing a travel joint comprises preventing relative axial movement between an outer housing sad an inner mandrel in a travel joint, providing & Said pressure through a control line when the release device in a locked position, actuating the release device from die locked position to an unlocked position based on the fluid pressure, and allowing relative movement between the outer horsing and the inner mandrel when the release device is in the unlocked position. The release device is disposed between the outer housing and the inner mandrel in a travel joint. 100101 In an embodiment, a travel joint comprises an outer housing, an inner mandrel slidingly disposed within the outer housing, and a release device positioned between the outer housing and the inner mandrel. The release device comprises: a locking ring engaged with the outer housing and the inner mandrel, and a locking sleeve configured to radially align with the locking ring in a locked position and axially translate out of radial alignment with the locking ring in the unlocked position. The release device is configured to selectively prevent and allow relative axial movement between the outer housing and the inner mandrel in response to a fluid pressure supplied to the release device from an exterior of the outer housing, [00111 In an embodiment, a travel joint comprises an outer homing, an inner mandrel slidingly disposed within the outer housing, and a release device positioned between the outer housing and the inner mandrel. The release device is in fluid communication with an exterior of the outer housing, and the release device is configured to selectively prevent and allow relative axial movement between the outer housing and the inner mandrel in response to a Said pressure supplied from an exterior of the outer housing.

[0012] In an embodiment, a method of releasing a travel joint comprises preventing relative axial movement between an outer housing and an inner mandrel in a travel joint, providing a fluid pressure from an exterior of the outer housing to a release device in a locked position, actuating the release device from the locked position to an unlocked position based on the fluid pressure, and allowing relative movement between the outer housing and the inner mandrel when the release device is in the unlocked position. The release device is disposed between the outes· housing and the inner mandrel in a travel joint.

[9013] In an embodiment, a travel joint comprises an outer housing; an inner mandrel slidingly disposed within the outer housing, a first release device positioned between the outer housing and the inner mandrel, and a second release device positioned between tile outer housing and the inner mandrel The first release device is configured to prevent relative axial movement, between the outer housing and the inner mandrel in a locked position and allow relative axial movement between the outer housing and the inner reandr# in an mtibcksd position; The first release device is configured to actuate from the looked position to the unlocked position in response to a fluid pressure supplied to the first release device, and the second release device is configured to selectively prevent and allow relative axial movement between the outer housing and the inner mandrel in response to an axial force applied to at least one of the outer housing or the inner mandrel. lire first release device is configured to prevent the application of the axial force to actuate the second release device in the locked position and allow the axial foree to actuate the second release device in the unlocked position. 10014] In an embodiment, a travel joint comprises an outer housing, an inner mandrel slidingly disposed within the outer housing, and a plurality of release devices. At least two of the plurality of release devices is configured to actuate in response to different forces, and the different forces comprise at least a mechanical force and a pressure force. The plurality of release devices are configured to be sequentially actuated from a locked position to an unlocked position.

[0015] In ah embodiment, a method of releasing a travel joint comprise preventing relative axial movement between an outer housing and an inner mandrel in a travel joint, providing a fluid pressure to a first release device in a locked position, actuating the find release device from the locked position to an unlocked position based on the fluid pressure, providing a mechanical force to a second release device in a locked position, actuating the second release device fiom the locked position to mi unlocked position based on the mechanical fores, and allowing relative movement between the outer housing and: the inner mandrel when the first release device is in the unlocked position and when the second release device Is in the unlocked positiou. The first release device is disposed between the out©· housing and the inner mandrel in a travel joint, [0016] These and other features will be more dearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction wih tie accompanying drawings and claims,

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00l7] Per a more Complete understanding of the present disclosure and the advantages thereofi reference is now made to the following brief description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and detailed description: [0018] Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a wellbore operating environment.

[0019] Figures 2A and 2B are partial cross-sectional views of an embodiment of a release device.

[ΟΟΐθ] Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of another release device, [0021] Figures 4A-4C are partial cross-sectional views of an embodiment of still another release device.

[0022] Figures 5A-5C are partial cross-sectional views of an embodiment of yet another another release device.

[0023] Figaros 6A-6C are partial cross-sectional views of an embodiment of another release device, [9024] Figures 7A and 7B are partial cross-sectional views of an embodiment of a release device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS [0025] In the drawings and description that follow7, like parts are typically marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same reference numerals, respectively. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale. Certain features of the invention may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form ami some details of conventional elements may not be shown in the interest of clarity and conciseness. Specific emiboditnMts are described in detail and are shown in the drawings, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to that illustrated and described herein. It is to be folly recognized that the different teachings of the embodiments discussed infra may be employed separately or in any suitable combination to produce desired results.

[O02ti] Unless otherwise specified, any use of any form of the terms “connect,” “engage,”' “couple,” “attach,” or any other term describing mi interaction between elements is not meant to limit foe interaction to direct interaction between the elements and may also include indirect mtetactiM between foe elements described. In foe following discussion and in foe claims, foe terms “including” and “comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to ..Reference to up or down will be made for purposes of description with ‘fop,” “upper,” or “upward” meaning toward foe surface of the wellbore and with “down,” “lower,” or “downward” meaning toward the terminal end of the well, regardless of foe wellbore orientation. Reference to in or out will be made for purposes of description with “in,” ‘Inner,” or “inward” meaning toward the center or central axis of the wellbore, and with “out,” “outer,” or “outward” meaning toward foe wellbore tubular and/or wall of the wellbore. Reference to ‘longitudinal,” “longitudinally,” or Axially” means a direction substantially aligned with the main axis of the wellbore and/or wellbore tubular.

Reference to iSradiaF or “radially” means a direction substantially aligned with a line between the main axis of the wellbore and/or wellbore tabular sad the wellbore wall that is substantially normal to the mam axis of the wellbore and/or wellbore tubular, though the radial direction does not have to pass through the central axis of the wellbore and/or wellbore tubular. 1¾ various characteristics mentioned above, as well as other features and characteristics described in more detail below, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art with the aid of this disclosure upon reading the following detailed description of the embodiments, and by referring to the accompanying drawings.

[00271 Installing a wellbore tubular string (e.g., a completion string) within a wellbore may involve the application of various forces at various times. For example, stabbing seals into a packer requires some amount of force, and stabbing Seals into multiple seal bores (e.g, multizone well) requires additional force as the stabbing forces am additive, Stabbing communication devices such m fiber optic wet mats connectors or electric wet mate connectors may require a sustained application of compression force. Further, the combination of establishing a communication connection while concurrently stabbing seals into one or more Seal bores may require a relatively high sustained force. These forces may be the same as those used to release various components, such as actuating a travel joint to allow the travel joint to telescope to further a completion string installation within a wellbore. For example, a hydraulic release mechanism may rely upon the application of a vertical force for a predetemnned period of time to allow a fluid to transfer from a first chamber to a second chamber. While the hydraulic release mechanism can be designed to actuate only upon the application of a force above a threshold, the forces associated with conveying the wellbore tubular string into position as well as installing various components within the wellbore may result in at least a partial activation of the hydraulic actuation mechanism. The actuation process may then be subject to some uncertainty as to the amount of time a force must be applied. In some instances, the release mechanism may be prematurely actuated so that the travel joint is unlocked prior to seating other components such as pickers. In these instances, a resetting process may be required that can involve retrieving the wellbore tubular string to the surface to reset die release mechanism. Such operations are costly in terms of both time and expense.

[00281 As described herein, various release devices may be used with a travel joint that release upon the application of a specific pressure or force ova1 a threshold. For example, a release device may comprise a piston coupled to a propping type sleeve, The sleeve may serve to maintain a locking ring, lug, or collet indicator in a position configured to maintain an engagement between die outer housing of foe travel joint arid die inner mandrel, thereby preventing flic travel joint from telescoping; The application of a pressure to the piston may serve to displace the piston, thereby nn-propping the locking ring, lug, or collet indicator and allowing the inner mandrel to move relative to the outer housing. The pressure applied to the pistpn may come from a tubing pressure, a control line pressure, or the like. In some embodiments disclosed herein, an external pressure such as an annular pressure within a wellbore may be used to actuate a piston and un-prop a locking ring, lug, or collet indicator or the like to unlock a release device is a travel joint. SSI further, a release device may release in response to an axial force above a threshold. The threshold may be selected to ensure that the release device is not actuated during the normal axial forces used in toe installation process. Some of toe release devices described herein may fee con-resettable while others may allow the travel joint to be re-locked after being actuated to an unlocked position.

[0029] The release devices described herein may be used alone or in combination with a hydraulically metered release device, wherein toe pressure-based release device can be used to prevent the premature actuation of the hydraulic release device. The resulting two-step release process may improve the consistency of th e unlocking process. The use of a pressure based or axial force based release mechanism may allow for the inclusion of multiple control lines to pass through toe travel joint without a concern about rotational motion damaging one or more of toe controlTitles. Further, the loads (e.g., compression and/or tensile loads) placed across toe travel joint is toe locked position may not fee placed on the release mechanisms within toe release device, Which may help to prevent potential damage to toe release mechanisms within the release device.

[8830] Representatively illustrated in FIG, 1 is a well system IS told associated method that can embody principles of this disclosure. In the system 1G, a wellbore tubular string 12 extends downward from an offshore rig 14 {such as a drill ship, floating platform, jack-up platform, etc.) into a wellbore 20. The wellbore tubular string 12 may be in a riser between toe rig 14 and a wellhead 16, or a riser may sot be used. The wellbore 20 may be drilled into toe subterranean formation using any suitable drilling technique. The wellbore 20 is illustrated as extending substantially vertically away from the surface of the ocean floor over a vertical wellbore portion. In alternative operating environments, all or portions of a wellbore may be vertical, deviated at any suitable angle, horizontal, and/or curved. The wellbore may be a new wellbore, an existing wellbore, a straight Wellbore, an extended reach wellbore, a sidetracked wellbore, a multi-lateM wellbore, and other types of wellbores for drilling and completing one or more production mam, Further, toe wellbore may be used for both producing wells and injection well; The wellbore may also fee used for purposes other than hydrocarbon production such as water recovery (e,g,, potable water recovery), geothermal recovery, and the like, [0031] While the operating environment depicted in Figure 1 refers to an offshore rig 14 for conveying the wellbore tubular string 12, in alternative embodiments, stationary rip, land-based rigs, mobile workover rigs, wellbore servicing units (such as coiled tubing units), Sad the like may be used to convey the wellbore tubular string 12 within the wellbore 20. it should be understood that a wellbore tubular string 12 may alternatively be used in other operational environments, such as within a land-based wellbore operational environment, [0032] The wellbore tubular string 12 is illustrated as being stabbed into a completion assembly 18 previously installed in a wellbore 20, In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the wellbore tubular string 12 is sealingly received in a packer 22 at an upper end of the ajmpletion assembly 18. In seme embodiments, the wellbore tubular string 12 can have a seal stack thereon which seals within a sealed bore receptacle (e.g., above a liner hanger, etc,). Any manner of connecting the wellbore tubular string 12 with the completion assembly 18 may be used in keeping with the scope of this disclosure.

[0033] The completion assembly 18 is preferably used to complete a portion of the well, that is. to prepare the well for production or injection operations. The completion assembly 18 could include dements which facilitate such production or injection (such as, packers, well screens, perforated liner or casing, production or injection valves, chokes, etc.).

[9034] A travel joint system 23 is used id provide for dimensional variations between the completion assembly 18 and the wellhead 16. After the wellbore tubular string 12 has been connected to the completion assembly 18, a travel joint 24 in the wellbore tubular string 12 is released to allow the wellbore tubular string 12 to be landed in the wellhead 16. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a hanger 26 can be landed on a wear bushing 28, or alternatively, other manners of securing a tubular string in a wellhead may be used in keeping with tie scope of this disclosure, [0035] The travel joint 24 permits some variation iu the length of the Wellbore tubular string 12 between the hanger 26 and the completion assembly 18. In some embodiment, the travel joint 24 can. be used to allow the length of the tubular string 12 to shorten after the completion assembly 18 has been sealingly engaged, so that the hanger 26 can be appropriately landed in the wellhead 16, [0036] The travel joint 24 in die system iO may also comprise one or mote control or fluid lines 30 that may bs disposed in one or more sections 30a, 3Gb, at least some of which may pass through the travel joint 24, The lines 30 may be disposed in an annulus 58 formed aisily between iSie wellbore tubular string 12 and the interior surface of the wellbore 20, 'The control lines may convey field, electrical conductors, fiber optics, or a hybrid combination of the three. The lines 30 may be used for any purpose (e„g,, supplying pressure, supplying flow, supplying power, data transfer, communication, telemetry, chemical inj ection, etc.) ill keeping with the scope of this disclosure, In general, the lines 30 can be coiled around the travel joint 24 so that the coil elongates or compresses along with the travel joint 24 once it is released. In some embodiments, alternative configurations may be used to couple the lines 3 0 along the length of the travel joint 24 due to considerations such as size of the lines 30, the number of lines, or the like. As described in more detail below, one or morn of the lines may be used to provide a signal to release or unlock fit® travel joint 24. PQ37J A suitable travel joint is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6.540,025, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The travel joint described in dial patent includes a hydraulic release device which releases the travel joint in response to a predetermined compressive fbree being applied to the travel joint for a predetermined amount of time. The described travel joint also includes a resetting feature Whereby the travel joint can be again locked in its extended configuration, after having been compressed. While the hydraulic release device is suitable in some circumstances, additional release devices may also be used in various circumstances. The additional devices, as described in more detail below, may be used alone of in addition to the hydraulic release device described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,540,025 and in more detail with respect to Figures 6A, 6B, 6C and Figures 7A and 7B. For example, the release devices described herein may be coupled to the hydraulic release device and used to retain the travel joint in a locked position until die hydraulic release device is ready to be used within tie wellbore, thereby avoiding the potential for unintentional unlocking of the hydraulic release device. pill8] An embodiment of a release device 200 is illustrated in Figures 2A and 2B, The release deviee 200 may be used with the system 10, or it may be used with other well systems. As described In more detail below, the: release device 200 comprises one or more lugs 206 configured to maintain the travel joint 24 in a locked configuration and transfer load between an inner mandrel 204 and the outer components connected to the cage sleeve 222,. A sleeve 210 may maintain the lugs 206 in a locked position and the sleeve 210 may be configured to shift in response to a hydraulic pressure. An actuable device may maintain the Sleeve 210 in locked position until a predetermined pressure is exceeded, and Once actuated to an unlocked position, a lemming device may prevent the sleeve 210 from returning to its original, locked position. Thus, the release device 200 represents a hydraulic release device responsive to a pressure supplied to the shifting sleeve 210.

[0039] Figure 2A illustrates the release device 200 in the travel joint section 24 in this embodiment, the travel joint section 24 comprises an outer housing 202 disposed about an inner mandrel 2Θ4. The release device 200 is configured to maintain the outer housing 202 is a relatively fixed engagement with the inner mandrel 204, except that some minor amount of travel may be permitted while still being in a locked position. The release device 200 comprises one or more top 206 retained within a lower end 208 of a cage sleeve 222. A retaining sleeve 210 is configured to retain the lap 206 in engagement with a recess on the inner mandrel 204 until a piston 212 is shifted based on a hydraulic pressure.

[0040] As shown hi Figure 2A. die inner mandrel 204 is sealmgly received within the outer housing 2Θ2. The inner mandrel 204 comprises a tubular body having a fiowbore 214 disposed therethrough, and the inner mandrel 204 may comprise one or mote sections that are coupled together to form a continuous fiowbore 214. The size of fits fiowbore 214 may be selected to allow fluid flow therethrough at a desired rate during normal operation of the wellbore tubular string 12 and/or one or more tools or inner wellbore tubular strings to pass through the fiowbore 214, The outer housing 202 also comprises a generally tubular body having an inner diameter selected to receive the inner mandrel 204. An upper end of the outer housing 202 may have suitable coupling devices or means to allo w the travel joint section 24 to be coupled to one or more components. For example, the upper end of the outer housing 202 may comprise a threaded connection for coupling to an adjacent and correspondingly threaded component such as another tool or the wellbore tubular string 12. The lower end of the outer housing 202 may be configured to receive and sealingly, slidingly engage the inner mandrel 204. For example, one or more seal sections may be disposed between the inner surface of the Gitef housing 202 arid the outer surface of the inner mandrel 204 to provide a seal. The lower end of the inner mandrel 204 may have suitable coupling devices or means, to allow the travel joint section 24 to be coupled to one or more components. The connection between the inner mandrel 204 and a downhole component may comprise a flush cammed® to allow the outer housing 202 and any seals to slide over the coupling. For example, the first several joints of the lower portion of the wellbore tubular string below the travel joint 24 may be connected by means of a fluid joint that is internally threaded hi order to be easily received within the outer housing 202 of the travel joint 24, [0041] In an embodiment, the inner mandrel 204 is configured to be retained within the outer housing 202. The outer housing 202 may have a decreased inner radius over a lower portion, thereby forming an upward facing shoulder 220, Similarly, the inner mandrel may have a portion with an increased outer diameter, thereby forming a downward facing shoulder 218. The engagement of the shoulders 218, 220 may form a no-go type engagement between the inner mandrel 2Θ4 and the outer housing 202 to maintain foe inner mandrel 204 within foe outer housing 202, While illustrated as a no-go engagement, any other suitable engagement configured to retain the inner mandrel 204 within the outer housing 202 may also be used. The engagement between foe inner mandrel 204 and the outer housing 202 may allow foe length of the tubular suing 12 to shorten when the release device 200 is actuated to the unlocked position. 10042] A flow path 205 may be provided between this inner mandrel 204 and foe outer housing 202, The flow path 205 may be in fluid Communication with the flowbore 214 through a port andfor through an opening above the upper end of the inner mandrel 204, The flow path may provide fluid communication with the piston 212, as described in more detail below, A second flow path 207 may provide a fluid pathway between foe outer housing 202 and the inner mandrel 204 below the piston 212 to prevent a fluid lock below the piston 212 during use. The second Sow path 207 may provide fluid communication between the annulus between foe inner mandrel 204 and the outer bousing 202 and foe exterior of the outer housing 202.

[0043] The release device 200 may be disposed between the outer housing 202 and foe inner mandrel 204 and may serve to retain the outer housing 2Θ2 in a locked position with respect to the inner mandrel 204 until unlocked or released. Is an embodiment, a cage sleeve 222 may sealingly engage foe outer housing 202, and a tower portion of foe cage sleeve 222 may extend between the outer housing 202 mid the inner mandrel 204, The lower portion of the cage sleeve 222 comprises one or more ehcumforentially spaced lug windows 224, A plurality of lugs 206 are respectively mounted in the lug windows 224 for radial movements between a retracted position, where the tap 206 are forced to retract into a recess 226 formed in the outer Surface of the inner mandrel 204 (e,g,, a circumferential channel or groove), and an expanded position, wherein the lugs 206 expand outward to be released from the recess 226, In an embodiment, one or more biasing members (e.g., leaf Springs, coil springs, etc,) may bias foe tags 206 into the expanded position, in some embodiments, the edges of foe tags may be chamfered with an angle corresponding to a chamfered edge of the recess 226 such that the interaction between the chamfered edges results in a radial tome for expanding the tags.

[0044] A retaining sleeve 210 is disposed about foe inner mandrel 204 in foe annular region between foe inner mandrel 204 and foe outer housing 202. In foe locked position, ah upper end of the retaining sieevi::21§ is configured ¢0 be radially aligned with the lugs 206 and retain tile tags 206 In die retracted position. In this position, the kgs 206 are retained m engagement with the recess 226 to prevent relative movement between the outer bousing 202 and the inner mandrel 204. A compressive force on the Older bousing 202 may be transferred to ire inner mandrel through the cage sleeve 222, through the kgs 206, and into the inner mandrel 204 based on the interaction of the kgs 206 with the recess 226. A tensile force on the outer homing 202 is transferred to the inner mandrel 264 at the engagement of the shoulders 218, 220. Ike retaining sleeve 210 can be translated to an unlocked position in which the retaining sleeve 210 is not radially align©! with the tags 266. The tap 206 may then transition to die expanded position. In the expanded position, the inner mandrel 264 is free to axially translate with respect to the outer housing 202. For example, the inner mandrel 204 can translate upwards with respect to the outer housing 202 to allow die travel joint 24 to shorten in response to a compressive force on the outer housing 202. While described herein in terms of lugs, the release device 200 cah also be used with a collet* snap ring, or other latching member that is configured to be propped kto position by the retaining sleeve 210, as described in more detail herein, [0045] The retaining sleeve 210 is engaged with a piston 212, which is slidlngly, seaiingly disposed in a piston chamber between the inner mandrel 204 and the outer homing 202. The piston 212 is configured to translate along the longitudinal axis of the inner mandrel 264 in response to a pressure on the piston 212, The piston 212 translates from a first position in which the retaining sleeve 210 is in the locked position and a second position in which the retaining sleeve is in die unlocked position. The piston chamber is formed between die inner mandrel 204 and the outer bousing 202, which may have a multi-radius inner diameter to create a downward facing shoulder 227 at die end of the piston chamber. The piston 212 may comprise a circumferential recess 229 in an outer surface, and an outwardly biased retaining mechanism 228 may be disposed in the recess 229. When the piston 212 translates to the unlocked position, the retaining mechanism 228 may expand as it passes the shoulder 227 and thereby retain the piston in the unlocked position based on the engagement of the retaining mechanism 228 with bote the shoulder 227 and the recess 229 in the piston 212. Suitable retaining mechanisms 228 can be configured to expand outward while remaining at least partially in the recess, and in an embodiment, the retaining mechanism 228 can include, but is not limited to, an outwardly biased snap ring, a collet indicator, an outwardly biased kg, or the like.

[00461 In an embodiment, an actuabie device 230 can be used to retain the piston 212 in the looked position, and thereby retain the release device 200 in a locked position ims.il a predetermined force is applied to die piston 212. A shown in Figure 2A, the actuabie device 230 can comprise a shear screw engaging die enter housing 202 and the pistes 212. However, the actuabie device 230 can comprise any device engaging As retaking sleeve 210 and/or pistes 212 along with tee outer bousing 202 and/or the inner mandrel 204. Various actuabie devices 230 may be used including, but not limited to, shear screws, shear piss, shear rings or the like. In addition, tee actuabie device 230 may comprise a. biased device interacting with an indicator that requires a force above a threshold in order to compress or expand and translate past the indicator. For example, tee actuabie device 230 may comprise a collet indicator, a snap ring, or tee like configured to interact with an indicator, each of which can require a predetermined feme to release.

[0047] Operation of the release device 200 can be seen with reference to Figures 2A and 2B, The locked position of the release device 200 is illustrated in Figure 2A. in this position, tee retaining Sleeve 210 is radially aligned with the hip 206, and tee pisfeh 212 is retained k position by the actuabie device 230. Fluid pressure can then be supplied to tee upper side of the piston 212 and retaining sleeve 210 through the flow path 205. For example,, a ball or dart may be disposed in the flOwbore 214 to close a sleeve or engage a seat and provide fluid pressure within tee ilowbore 214, In an embodiment, the flow path 205 is in fluid communication wife tee flowbore 214, and the fluid pressure in the lowborn 214 is transmitted to the piston 212.

[0048] When a pressure greater flan a threshold is provided to tee piston 212, tee actuabie device 230 may actuate and allow the piston 212 to translate within tee piston Chamber. As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, tee piston 212 and the retaining sleeve 210 may moire downwards in response to tee pressure. As the retaining sleeve 210 moves downwards, tee retaining sleeve 210 may move out of radial alignment with tee lugs 206 and allow tee lugs 206 to radially extend from tee retracted position to tee expanded position. In this position, tee lugs 206 may not engage the recess 226 in the outer surface of tee inner mandrel 204, allowing the release device 200 to transition to tee unlocked state.

[0049] Continued application of pressure on tee piston 212 may cause tee lower end of the pistoh 212 to translate into engagement with the upwards facing Shoulder 220 on tee outer housing 202. In this position, tee retaining mechanism 228 may be radially aliped with tee recess 225 in the tetter surface of tee enter housing 202, allowkg the retaining mechanism 228 to radially expand into the recess 225 while remaining engaged with tee recess 229 k tee piston 212, The piston 212 may then be retained in the unlocked position based on the engagement with the shoulder 220 and the engagement of the retaining mechanism 228 with the shoulder 227, The release device 200 may then be configured in the unlocked position as shown in Figure 2B. With She lugs 206 able to expand into die expanded position, the inner mandrel 204 may be free to translate with respect to the outer housing 204. In an embodiment, the inner mandrel 204 may be configured to moving upwards into fee outer housing 202 while being prevented from moving downward with respect, to the outer housing 202 due to fee engagement of the shoulder 218 on the inner mandrel 204 with the shoulder 220 on the outer homing 202. The travel joint 24 may then be available to telescope to allow for die completion assembly to be landed in fee wellhead.

[0050] Another embodiment of a release device 300 is illustrated iu Figure 3A. The release device 300 may be similar to fee release device 200 as illustrated and described with respect to Figures 2A and 2B. However, fee release device 300 differs from fee release devise 200 in feat a control line 301 may be need to provide fluid pressure to release fee release device 300, As described above, multiple control lines or fluid lines may pass through fee travel joint and/or fee release device 300. One or more of these control lines (e.g., control line 301) may be used to supply fluid pressure to the release device 300, The Control line 301 may be in fluid communication wife the piston 212 through a port 302 in the inner mandrel 204. A connection 304 may serve to couple fee control Me 301 to fee port 302. An opening 306 may provide fluid communication from fee port 302 to fee release device 300, The release device 300 may operate in the same manner as described with respect to the release device 200 when pressure is supplied through the control line 301 via the port 302 to actuate fee release device from fee locked position to the unlocked position. [0851] Another embodiment of a release device 400 is illustrated in Figures 4A and 4B, The release device 400 may be used wife fee system 10, or it may be used wife other well systems. As described in more detail below, fee release device 4Θ0 comprises a locking ring 402 that engages fee inner mandrel 204 in a locked position and is retained in the looked position by a retaining sleeve 404. An aetuable device 408 may retain the retaining sleeve 404 in position until a predetermined pressure is applied to fee retaining sleeve 404. Once unlocked, the engagement of the locking ring 402 wife fee retaining sleeve 404 may maintain the retaining sleeve 404 in the unlocked position.

[00S2] The release device 400 may be used with a travel joint section 24 as described above. In general, the travel joint section 24 comprises an outer housing 202 disposed about it inner mandrel 204, M fee locked position, fee outer housing 202 is held in a relatively fixed engagement with the inner mandrel 20¾ while In the unlocked position, the inner mandrel 204 may translate within the outer housing 202. in an embodiment, fits inn®· mandrel 204 can be configured to he retained within the outer housing 202. For example, the engagement of the downw ard facing shoulder 218 on the inner mandrel with the upward facing shoulder 220 on the miter housing 202 may form a no-go type engagement between the inner mandrel 2Θ4 and the outer housing 202 and maintain the inner mandrel 204 within the outer housing 202. The engagement between the inner mandrel 204 and the outer housing 202 may allow the length of the tubular string 12 to shorten when the release device 20Θ is actuated to the unloved position.

[0053] A flow path 405 may be provided between die inner mandrel 204 and the outer housing 202, The flow path 405 may be in fluid communication with the flowbore 214 through a port and/or through a passage above the upper end of the inner mandrel 204. In some embodiments, the flow path 405 may be in fluid communication with a control line to allow a control line pressure to be used to actuate the release device 400; The flow path 405 may provide fluid communication with the retaining sleeve 404, which may act as a piston during use. A second flow path 407 may provide a fluid pathway between the outer housing 202 and the inner mandrel 204 below the retaining sleeve 4Q4 to prevent a fluid lock below the retaining sleeve 404 luring use. The second flow path 407 may provide fluid communication between the annulus between the inner mandrel 204 and the outer housing 202 and the exterior of the outer housing 202.

[0054] The release device 400 may be disposed between the outer housing 202 and the inner mandrel 204 and may serve to retain the outer housing 202 in a locked position with respect to the inner mandrel 204 until unlocked or released. In an embodiment, an inner sleeve 406 may sealingly engage the outer housing 202, and a lower portion of the inner sleeve 406 may extend between the outer housing 202 and the inner mandrel 204, The lower portion of the inner sleeve 406 may form a downward facing shoulder 409 to engage and retain the retaining sleeve 404 and the locking ring 402 in position in the locked position, for example, during run-in of the travel joint.

[0055] The locking ring 402 may be disposed about the inner mandrel 204, The locking ring 402 can be radially compressed to engage the enter surface of the inner mandrel 204, and upon being released, may expand to disengage from the inner mandrel 2Θ4. In an embodiment, the locking ring 402 may take the form of a c-ring as shown in Fipre 4C, where a cutout 430 is provided to allow the looking ring to radially compress. An timer surface of the locking ring 402 may comprise a series of surface features 412 such as teeth, threads, protrusions, recesses, sasteltaions, eta. The surface features 412 of the locking ring 402 can be configured to interact wife corresponding surface features on fee outer surface of fee inner mandrel 204 in fee locked position. The surface features 412 may be of a sufficient depth, shape, and/or structure to prevent fee locking ring 402 fro® moving relative to fee outer housing 202 in fee locked position. The interaction between fee locking ring 402 and fee shoulder 409 of fee inner sleeve may prevent upward movement of the inner mandrel 204 relative to fee outer housing 202 when fee locking ring 402 is in the locked position. It can be seen that a compressive force (e.g., a downward directed feme on fee outer housing 202 relative to fee inner mandrel 204) is transferred between fee outer housing 202 and fee inner mandrel 204 through fee locking ring 402.

[0056] The outer surface of fee locking ring 402 may comprise a series of recesses and/or protrusions resulting in the formation of shoulders 414, 416 feat are configured to interact, wife corresponding recesses 410 and/or protrusions forming shoulders 418, 420 on fee inner surface of fee retaining sleeve 404. The downward facing edges of fee shoulders 414 on fee locking ring 402 may be angled to alow correspondingly angled upwards feeing shoulders 418 on fee inner surface of fee retaining sleeve 404 to enpge arsd compress fee locking ring 402. The upwards feeing shoulders 416 of fee locking ring 402 and fee downward facing shoulders 420 of fee retaining sleeve 404 may be peipendicular to the longitudinal axis to prevent relative movement of fee locking ring 402 and fee retaining sleeve 404 when the shoulders 416, 420 engage.

[0057] The retaining sleeve 404 can be sealingly, slidmgly disposed in an annular area between fee inner mandrel 204 and fee outer housing202. The retaining sleeve 404 cun translate between an engagement wife fee end of the inner sleeve 406 in fee locked position and an engagement wife the upwards feeing end 422 of fee outer housing 202 io fee unlocked position. In fee locked position, fee protrusions on the retaining sleeve 404 are configured to be radially aligned wife fee protrusions on fee locking ring 402, thereby retaining fee locking ring 402 in a compressed position and in engagement wife fee inner mandrel 204. The retaining sleeve 404 can be translated to an unlocked position in which fee protrusions on fee retaining sleeve 404 are radially aligned wife fee reces ses on fe e outer surface of fee locking ring 4Θ2, M this position, the locking ring 402 may be expanded out of engagement with the inner mandrel 204, allowing the inner mandrel 204 to move relative to fee outer housing 202.

[0058] In an embodiment, an actuable device 408 cm he used to retain fee retaining sleeve 404 in position, and thereby retain the release device 400 in a locked position until a predetermined force is applied to the retaining sleeve 404. The actuable device 408 can ©emprise any of those aetuable devices described above (e„g,, with respect to aetuable device 230 in Figures 2A and 2B), [0OS9| Operati on of the· release device 460 can be seen with reference to Figures 4A and 4B. The locked position is of the release device 400 is illustrated to Figure 4A. In this position, the protrusions on the retaining: sleeve 404 are radially aligned with the protrusions on the locking sleeve 402, thereby retaining the locking ring 402 to engugmiaent with to© inner mandrel 204. Tire retaining sleeve 404 is retained in position due to the engagement with the outer housing 202 through the aetuable device 408, Fluid pressure can then be supplied to the upper side of the retaining sleeve 404 through the flow path 405. For example, a ball or dart may be disposed in toe flowbore 214 to close a sleeve or engage a seat and provide fluid pressure within the flowbore 214. In an embodiment, the flow path 405 is in fluid communication with the flowbore 214, and the fluid pressure in to© flowbore 214 is transmitted to the retaining sleeve 404. In some embodiments, toe flow path 405 is to fluid communication with a control line, and control liiie pressure may be used to actuate toe retaining sleeve 404, [0060] When a pressure greater than a threshold is provided to toe remising sleeve 404, the aetuable device 408 may actuate and allow1' the retaining sleeve 404 to translate downwards. As shown in Figure 4B, the retaining sleeve 404 may translate downwards and toe outward biasing force of toe locking ring 402 may allow' toe locking ring 402 to expand into engagement with the retaining sleeve 404. In toe unlocked or released configuration, toe surface features 412 on the locking ring 402 may not engage toe inner mandrel 204, and toe inner mandrel 204 may be free to translate with respect to toe outer housing 202. The outwards biasing force of toe locking ring 402 may be sufficient to prevent the locking ring 402 from moving inwards and re-engaging toe inner mandrel 204 during use.

[0061] In an embodiment, toe release device 460 may be initially set or reset using fluid pressure supplied through toe flow path 407. For example, a fluid connection may be coupled to toe outlet of toe flow path 497, and pressure may be supplied to toe lower side of toe retaining sleeve 404. Upon the application of a sufficient pressure, the engaging shoulders 414, 418 may result in toe compression of the locking ring 462. The retaining sleeve 464 may continue to move upwards in response to toe pressure and fully compress the locking ring 402 into position. The aetuable device 408 may then be inserted upon toe proper alignment of toe retaining Sleeve 404 with toe outer housing 202, This method may be useful for toe initial setting of toe Mease device 400 ahd/or resetting toe release device 400.

[0962] Another embodiment of a release device 500 is illustrated in Figures 5A to 5C. The release device 500 may be used with the system 10, or it may be used with other well systems. As described in more detail below, the release device 500 comprises locking lugs 502 that engages both the inner mandrel 204 and the outer housing 202 in a locked position, and the locking lugs 502 are retained in the locked position by a retaining sleeve 504, The interaction, between an indicator 506 on the outer housing 202 and a®, indicator 508 on the retaining sleeve 504 may retain the lugs 502 in the locked position until a predetermined pressure is applied to the retaining sleeve 504. Once unlocked, the inner mandrel 204 may be free to axially translate with respect to the outer housing 202. Further, a biasing member 510 may be used to allow the release device 500 to be reset, thereby relocMng the inner mandrel 204 to the outer housing 202, [00631 Figure 5A illustrates t|e release device 500 in the travel joint section 24. In this embodiment, the travel joint section 24 comprises an outer housing 202 disposed about an inner mandrel 204. The inner mandrel 204 can be sealingly received within the outer housing 202. Tire release device 200 comprises one or more lugs 502 retained within a retaining sleeve 504. The retaining sleeve 504 is configured to retain the lugs 502 in corresponding lug windows 505 so that the lugs 502 are retained in engagement with a circumferential channel 531 on the inner mandrel 204 until a piston 512, which can be formed by a portion of the retaining sleeve 504, is shifted based on a hydraulic pressure, as described in more detail below.

[0064] The retaining sleeve 504 comprises an extension 507 that sealingly, slidingly engages the outer housing 202. The retaining Sleeve 504 is further sealingly, slidingly engaged with the outer housing 202 at a second location to thereby form a chamber 500 that contains the biasing member 510. The chamber 509 is in fluid communication with an exterior of the outer lousing 202 suCh that the extension 507 acts as a piston 512 when fluid pressure is applied across the extension 507.

[0065] A lower end of the retaining sleeve 504 may comprise an indicator 508 that is configured to interact with an indicator 506 on the outer housing 202 such that a predefined force is required to shift the retaining sleeve 504 downwards to move die indicator 508 past the indicator 506. In an embodiment, the lower end of the retaining sleeve 504 may comprise a collet With a collet indicator 508 interacting with a fixed indicator 5Θ6 on the outer housing 292. While illustrated as having a colli* on the retaining sleeve 504, the collet and indicator may also be formed on the inner surface of the outer housing 202 and/or the outer surface of fte inner mandrel 204. Further, other retaining mechanism such as shear rings, shear pins, snap rings, the like may fee used to retain the retaining: sleeve S04i: in position until the app|cation pf a predetermined force or pressure allows the retaining sleeve 504 to translate relative to the outer housing 202. I006&J As shown in Figure 5A, the outer surface of the inner mandrel 204 may comprise a first protrusion 514 forming an upwards facing shoulder 516 and a downward facing shoulder 517. A second protrusion 518 may fee located above the first protrusion 514 and similarly form an upwards facing shoulder 519 and a downward facing shoulder 520. The area between the first protrusion 514 and the second protrusion 518 may form a circumferential channel 531. The outer housing 202 may comprise a multi-radiused inner surface to form downward facing shoulders 521, 524, 526 and upward feeing shoulder 528. The shoulders 516, 520 on the inner mandrel 204 and the shoulders 524, S§6 may comprise a shape and/or angle configured to interact with the lugs 502. In the locked position, the lug 502 may fee retained in engagement with the downward feeing shoulder 524 on the outer housing 202 die to the fbree of the biasing member 510 acting on the retaining sleeve 504. In this position, an upward force on the inner mandrel 2G4 may be· communicated through the upward feeing shoulder 516, through the lugs 502, and into the outer housing 202. A downward acting fores on the inner mandrel 204 may allow the inner mandrel 204 to translate downward until the downward facing shoulder 520 engages the tags 502. The downward directed force may be transferred through the retaining sleeve to the engaging indicators 506, 508 and/or the biasing member 510, and into the outer housing 202. The inner mandrel 204 may then fee supported relative to the outer housing 202 by the retaining sleeve 504 so long as the force respired to translate fee indicator 508 past the indicator 506 and/or to overcome the biasing member 510 is not exceeded.

[0067] Operation of the release device 500 can be seen wife reference to Figures 5A-5C.

The locked position of the release device 500 is illustrated, in Figure 5A. In this position, fee inner mandrel 204 Can translate within the limits of the circumferential channel 531 defined between shoulders 516, 520 on the inner mandrel 204, but is retained in position relative to the outer housing 202 due to fee engagement with fee lugs 502, Fluid pressure can then be applied to the upper side of the piston 512, for example by increasing fluid pressure within the flowbore of the inner mandrel 204. For example, a bail or dart may be disposed in the flowbore to close a sleeve or engage a seat and provide fifed pressure within the flowbore. In an embodiment, the upper side of the piston 512 is in fluid communication wife the flowbore, and fee fluid pressure in the flowbore is transmitted to fee pistonS 12. In some embodiments, fluid preptms tnay be supplied to the piston 512 through a control line.

[00fi#J When the pressure on the upper side of the piston 512 is greater than the pressure within tile chamber 509, the piston may begin to translate the retaining sleeve 504 downwards and compress the hissing member 510, The engagement of the tags 502 with die shoulder 516 on the inner mandrel 204 may move the inner mandrel 204 downwards relative to the enter housing 202. The retaining sleeve 504 may move downwards until the indicator 508 oh the retaining sleeve 304 contacts the indicator 506 on the outer housing 202, limiting die downward travel of the retaining sleeve 504, Upon the application of a pressure differential across the piston 512 that exceeds a threshold, the collet indicator 508 may contract inwards and allow the indicator 508 to translate downwards past the indicator 506.

[0069] The continued downward movement, of the retaining sleeve 504 relative to the outer housing 202 may translate the retaining sleeve 504 to the position shown in Figure 5B. In this position, the lug windows 505 may be radially aligned with the portion of the outer housing 202 having an increased inner radius, thereby allowing the lugs 502 to expand outwards. The retaining sleeve 504 may be maintained in this position while the pressure differential is maintained across the piston 512, When the kgs 502 are radially aligned with the increased inner radius of the outer housing 202, the release device 500 may be referred to as being in the unlocked position. In this position, the inner mandrel 204 may be fee to translate upward relative to the outer housing 202, As the inner mandrel 204 translates upward, the first protrusion 514 may move past the lugs 502 without engaging the lap 502 or with only minor resistance to move the lugs 502 into the expanded position. In an embodiment, the inner mandrel 204 may be configured to moving upwards into the outer housing 202. The travel joint 24 may then be available to telescope to allow for fire «rempistion assembly to be tended in the wellhead.

[0070] The release device 500 may be resettable to allow the inner mandrel 204 to be retained in position relative to the outer housing 204, When the pressure differential across tire piston 512 is removed, the biasing member 510 may bias the extension 507 upwards. M an embodiment, the biasing member 510 may provide a sufficient biasing force to translate the indicator 508 upwards and past the indicator 5Θ6. in some embodiments, the indicators 508 and 506 may be replaced with a shear device that may not resist movement of the retaining sleeve 504 after the initial actuation. The resulting configuration of the release device 500 may then be as illustrated in Figure SC. In an embodiment, the inner mandrel 204 may then be lowered relative to the outer housing 202. When the first protrusion 514 engages the lugs 502, the retaining sleeve 504 may be forced downwards, compressing the biasing member 510 and translating the tags 502 downwards. When the togs 502 are radially aliped with the increased diameter Section on the outer housing 202, the tugs 502 may expands into the expanded position to allow the first protrusion to pass downwards past the lugs 502. The biasing face of the biasing member 510 may then move die lugs 502 upwards to re-engage die circumferential channel 531 between the first protrusion 514 and the second protrusion 518. In an embodiment in which the indicators 506s 508 are not present, various shoulders as described herein may be used to prevent the inner mandrel 204 from passing downwards and out of die outer housing 202. The release device 500 may then be in the configuration illustrated in Figure 5A, and die process of actuating the release device 500 to the unlocked position may be repeated using pressure to unlock the release device 500.

[0071] Another embodiment of a release device 600 is illustrated in Figures 6A to 6C. The release device 600 may be used with the travel joint release device provided by the pressure block assembly and engaging/dissngaging assembly described in U.S. Pat. Mo. 6,540,025, which was incorporated by reference above. In some embodiments, the release device 600 may be used by itself to release a travel joint The release device 600 may be used with tie system 10, or it may be used with other well systems. As described in more detail below, the release device 6O0 comprises a locking ring 604 that engages both a release mandrel 601 end the outer housing 202 in a locked position and is retained in the looked position by a locking sleeve 602. The locking sleeve 602 may be retained in position by a hydrostatic lockout formed by two balanced sealed chambers 622 and 612. Upon the application of a sufficient pressure to open Said communication with die chamber 612, the locking sleeve 602 stay be translated and allow the locking ring 604 to disengage from the inner mandrel 204, thereby unlocking the release dMee 600.

[0672] Figure 6A illustrates the release device 60Θ in the travel joint section 24. In this embodiment, die travel joint section 24 comprises an outer housing 202 disposed about an inner mandrel 204, The inner mandrel 204 can be sealingiy received within the outer housing 202. The release mandrel 601 may be disposed between the inner mandrel 204 and the outer housing 202, and the release mandrel 601 may comprise a dreumferential extension 603 having an increased radius. The increased radius of the circumferential extension 603 forms an upwards feeing shoulder 605 and a circumferential recess 625. A locking ring 604 may be disposed about the circumferential extension 603 and engage the shoulder 605. The locking ring 604 may also have a radius configured to engage a downward facing shoulder 607 on the outer housing 202. In an embodiment, the locking ring 604 may comprise a e-ring, snap ring, or any other outwardly biased locking device. For example, the locking ring 604 may comprise a collet indicator that is propped in the iiiward position by the locking sleeve 602.

[0Θ73] The engagement of the locking ring 604 with both the release mandrel 601 and the outer housing 202 may prevent relative toward translation of the release mantel 601 and/or the inner mandrel 204 with respect to the outer housing 202. Any upward force on the release mandrel 601 and/or downward force on the outer housing 202 may be transferred through the locking ring 604. Relative downward translation of the release mandrel 601 with respect to the outer housing 202 may be prevented by the engagement of a dowriward -faring shoulder 609 on the release mandrel 601 with an upward facing shoulder 611 on the outer housing 202. The release device 600 may be referred to as being in the locked configuration when the locking ring 605 is engaged with both the release mandrel 601 and the outer housing 202, [0074] The inching ring 604 may be retained in the locked position by the locking sleeve 602, The locking sleeve 602 may be slidingiy, sealingly engaged with the outer housing 202. An upper end of the locking sleeve 602 may toe configured to radially align with the locking ring 604 and retain the locking ring 604 in the inwardly biased and locked position. The locking sleeve 602 may sealingly engage the outer housing 202 at a plurality of positions using for example, a first seal 620, a second sea!608, and a third seal 610, A chamber 622 may be defined between the outer housing 202, the locking sleeve 602, the first seal 620, and the second seal 608. A second chamber 612 may be defined between the outer housing 202, the locking sleeve 602, the second seal 60S, and the third seal 610, A port 613 may provide fluid communication between the second chamber 6Ϊ2 and the exterior of the outer housing 202. An actable device 606 may be configured to block flow through the port 613 until a predetermined pressure differential is established across the actuable device 606. The actuable device 606 may comprise any suitable device configured to provide fluid communication upon the application of a pressure differential above a threshold. In an embodimentj the actuable device 606 may comprise a rapture disk, burst disk, one-way valve, or tie like. In the locked position, the actuable device 606 may prevent fluid communication into the chamber 612, When the actuable device 606 seals the port 613, tie chamber 622 and chamber 612 are pressure balanced and may form a hydrostatic lock to prevent the locking sleeve 602 from translating with respect to rite outer housing 2Q2 and the release mandrel 601. It can be seen that no compressive or tensile loads between the release mandrel 601 and the outer housing 202 are carried through the locking sleeve 602, allowing the fluid lock to hold the locking sleeve 602 in pdsirion until the actuable device 606 is actuated.

[0075] In an embodiment, the release mandrel 601 can slidingiy engage the inner mandrel p4. In this embodiment the release device 000 may serve as a secondary locking mechanism for a travel joint. For example, the release mandrel 601 can be connected to a lug cage, and lugs retained within the lag cage can be engaged with a groove on the inner mandrel 204, such as those described in U.S, Pat. No. 6,540,025. In Otis embodiment, the locking ring 604 can prevent the release mandrel 601 from axially moving to reieB.se· the lugs tom the groove in the inner mandrel 204 until the release device 600 is unlocked. In some effibodments, the release mandrel 601 may be fixedly coupled to the inner mandrel 204, For example, the release mandrel 601 can be Ibreadedly and sealingiy engaged with the inner mandrel 204, In this embodiment, the locking ring 604 can prevent the inner mandrel 204 from axially translating until the locking ring 604 is released (e,gis the release device 600 is unlocked.

[0076] Operation of the release device 600 can be seen with reference to Figures M-6C. The locked position of the release device 600 is illustrated in Figure 6A, In this position, the release mandrel 601 is retained: with respect to the outer housing 202; In order to release the locking ring 604, fluid pressure Can be applied to the exterior of the outer housing 212 (e,g„ applying as annular pressure), When the pressure differential across the aetuahle device @06 is greater than a threshold, the actaable device 606 may actuate to provide fluid communication through port 613 and into the second chamber 612. The introduction of fluid into the chamber 612 may allow the locking sleeve to act as a piston and translate downward as the volume of fluid in the chamber 612 increases and the pressure (a.g., well pressure or annular pressure) collapses the chamber 622, Which may be at approximately atmospheric pressure, in the first chamber 622. The pressure in the chamber 612 will collapse die volume in the chamber 622 until the pressure in the chamber 622 is approximately equal to the pressure in the chamber 612, This trapped volume of pressure will form a pressure lock to retain the locking sleeve 602 in the unlocked position. The resulting translation of the locking sleeve 602 may translate the upper end of the locking sleeve 602 out of radial alignment with the locking ring 604.

[0077] When the locking sleeve 602 translates a sufficient amount, the locking ring 604 may expand outward to disengage tom the release mandrel 601. The resulting configuration of the release device 600 is illustrated in Figure 6B. Once the locking ring 604 dfeeng».^ froth the release mandrel 601, the release device 600 may be referred to as being is the unlocked position. In an embodiment, the release mandrel 601 may be prevented from translating downwards with respect to the outer housing 202 du© to the engagement of the shoulders 609, 611. However, die release mandrel 601 may be free to translate upwards with respect to die outer housing 202. In an embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 6C, the circumferential extension 603 on the release msndfel #1 may translate past the shoulder 607 on the outer housing 202. in an embodiment, the release mandrel 601 may-he configured to move upwards into die outer housing 202. As described above, the release of the release mandrel 601 may allow a secondary travel joint release device to activate. For example, the release mandrel 601 may be coupled to the hydraulic release section as described in U.S. Fat HP. 6,540,025, which may be allowed to operate upon the urioeMng of the release device 600, Alternatively, the release device 600 may be used alone to release the inner mandrel 204 along with the release mandrel 601. Once the release device 600 and any optional, additional release mechanisms have been unlocked, the travel joint 24 may then be available to telescope to allow for the completion assembly to be landed in the wellhead.

[0078] Still another embodiment of a release device 700 is illustrated in Figures 7A and 7B. The release device 700 is similar to the travel joint release device provided by the pressure block assembly and engaging/disengaging assembly described in W.S. Pat, No. 6,540,025, which was incorporated by reference above. In this embodiment, the release devise 700 may comprise a hydraulically actuated release mechanism and an «Suable device 702 coupling the inner mandrel 204 to the outer housing 202. The actuable device 702 is configured to retain the release device 700 in the locked position until a predetermined for is applied to actuate the actuable device 702. Once the actuable devise 702 has been actuated, the hydraulically metered release mechanism can operate to transition the release device from the locked position to the unlocked position based on applying a constant vertical of downward force on the tubing string, [0070] As described in more detail in tJ.S. Pal No. 6,540,025, die travel joint generally comprises the outer housing 202, the inner mandrel 204, a pressure block assembly, an engaging/disengaging assembly, and an actuable device 702. The pressure block assembly controls the flow of hydraulic fluid between upper hydraulic chamber 740 and lower hydraulic chamber 742. The pressure block assembly comprises a pressure block 718, a. pressure relief and restrictor valve 720, an unlock channel 734, a pressure relief port 736, a lock channel 735, a check valve 722, mid a plurality of G-rings used for hydraulically isolating foe pressure block assembly. Is an embodiment, the pressure relief and restrictor valve 720 is a viscosity independent, pressure activated restrictor valve. The pressure relief and restrictor valve 720 comprises a pressure sensitive valve that requires a threshold pressure to be overcome before hydraulic fluid will flow across the valve. Once threshold pressure is exceeded, a steady rate of flow is achieved regardless of foe viscosity of foe hydraulic fluid. A steady rate of flow translates into a steady and predictable rate of movement for outer housing 202 wltSr respect to the tuner mandrel 204, The predictable rate of movement leads to a predictable time for unlocking the release device 700.

[0080] The engaging/disengaging assembly is configured to engage and disengage locking lugs 704 in the locked or unlocked positions. The lug carrier 710s which can be threaded onto lug carrier connector 714, which is in turn threaded to transfer piston 724, can ibe used to retain the locking lugs 704. In an embodiment, a lug support 708 and a support spring 712 can mechanically cooperating with lugs 704 and lug carrier 710. Finally, the engaging assembly can include a floating piston 716 and inner and outer ©-rings. The floating piston 716 is disposed in a radial cavity defined by the inner wall of outer housing 202, the outer wall of transfer piston 724, the lower portion of lug earner connector 714, and the upper portion of pressure block 718. Hydraulic fluid contained in upper hydraulic chamber 740 is hydraulically isolated by a plurality of O-rings. Lower hydraulic chamber 742 is defined by die Inner wall of outer housing 202, the outer wall of transfer piston 724, the lower portion of pressure block 718, and an upper facing portion of transfer piston 724, Hydraulic fluid contained in lower hydraulic: chamber 742 is also %drsulCSlly isolated by a plurality of O-rings.

[0001] An end of the transfer piston 724 may extend downwards between the outer housing 202 and the inner mandrel 204. An access port 705 may be formed in the outer housing 202 and used to insert the actuable device into engagement with the transfer piston 724 and the outer housing 202 and/or toe inner mandrel 204. The actuable device 702 may comprise any of toe actuable devices described herein, including a shear pin, shear screw, shear ring, or the like. In an embodiment, the actuable device 702 may also comprise one or more inwardly or outwardly biased members configured to interact with an indicator or recess on the outer housing 202. For example, toe actuable device 702 may comprise a collet indicator or snap ring configured to interact with an indicator and allow relative motion between the transfer piston and toe outer housing 202 upon the application of a predetermined force.

[0082] The assemblies discussed above cooperate to lock and unlock inner mandrel 204 relative to toe outer housing 202. in the locked position, inner mandrel 204 is locked in position within the axial annular space of the inner wall of outer mandrel 202. The interior diameter of outer mandtel 202 is sufficient to allow' the exterior diameter of both inner mandrel 204 and any wellbore tubular coupled below the inner mandrel 204 to freely move in the vertical motion, telescoping, once the travel joint 24 is unlocked. To prevent toe inner mandrel 204 from undesired telescoping within toe outer housing 202, toe locking lugs 704 are radially spaced around tie outer diameter of inner mangel 204 and within the inner diameter of outer housing 202. When release device 700 is is the looked position, the locking lugs 704 are received within locking slot 732. 10083] In use, the release device 700 can be used to unlock the travel joint based on an actuating force to actuate the actuable device 702 followed by an applied force to actuate the hydraulic release mechanism. The locked position is Illustrated in Figure 7A. in the looked position, tins actuable device 702 is engaged with the outer housing 202 and the inner mandrel 204 through the transfer piston 724, M addition, the lugs 704 are seated within locking slot 732. The lug earner 710 is situated between the interior diameter of the outer housing 202 pi the exterior diameter of the inner mandrel 204, and the lugs 704 are radially disposed between hig grooves formed in lug carrier 710, A lug support is pressed Irmly against the locking slot lower shoulder 733 due to the support spring 712 being in the felly compressed position, thereby exerting an upwards force. The floating piston 716 is in a lower position, which reduces the volume of the upper hydraulic chamber 740. Conversely, the lower hydraulic chamber 742 has a larger capacity. Rather than completely filling the lower chamber 742 With hydraulic fluid, tie amount of hydraulic fluid can be used in slightly less than the capacity of lower chamber 742 in order to compensate for thermal expansion in the wellbore.

[0084] In order to actuate the release device 700, a downward ferae can be applied on the outer housing 202 relative to the inn® mandrel 204. initially, the downward force is supported through the actuable device 702 such that the force is transferred from the outer housing 202, through the transfer piston 724, and into the inner mandrel through the lugs 704. The actuable device 702 can be used to prevent the unintentional movement or actuation of the hydraulic release mechanism during conveyance and installation Within the wellbore. In order to actuate fee actuable device 702, a downward force can be applied to the outer housing 202 above a threshold sufficient to actuate die actuable device 702. hi an embodiment, the downward force may cause the actuable device 702 to fail, thereby disengaging the outer housing 202 from the inner mandrel 204. In sofes embodiments, the downward force may cause the actuable device to release fee engagement between the transfer piston 724 and the outer housing 202 and/or the inner mandrel 204 without failing, for example by allowing a collet or snap ring to radially contract or expand relative to an indicator, [0085] Qilee the actuable device 702 has been actuated, the downward force may increase fee pressure inside fee lower hydraulic chamber: above the pressure threshold of the pressure relief and restrictor valve 720. Such fores can caise the outer liQu&iilg 203 and the pressure block 718 ίο move downward with respect to the transfer piston 724. Dynamic flow of the hydraulic fluid from Sower hydraulic chamber 742 to upper hydraulic chamber 740 can then occur when the pressure inside the lower hydraulic chamber exceeds the pressure threshold of the pressure relief and restrictor valve 720. Once fee pressure within the lower hydraulic chamber 742 exceeds fee threshold pressure of fee pressure relief and restrictor valve 720, flow occurs from the lower chamber to fee upper chamber via fee unlock channel 734.

[0086] When a sufficient amount of hydraulic fluid has transferred from fee lower hydraulic chamber 742 to fee upper hydraulic chamber 740, fee release device 709 may be in the unlocked position, which is iflusfeated in Figure 7B. In the unlocked position, inner mandrel 204 is released relative to fee outer housing 202. In this configuration, the outer housing 202 and the pressure block 711 remain is their downward positions, having forced the transfer of fee hydraulic fluid from fee lower hydraulic chamber 742 to the upper hydraulic chamber 240, fee fluid Sow having occurred by simultaneously reducing the volume of capacity of lower hydraulic chamber 742 while increasing fee volume of fee upper hydraulic chamber 740 a corresponding amount Pressure between fee upper and lower hydraulic chambers can then be equalized based on fee aligatnefe of pressure relief slot and pressure relief port 736, The locking slot lower shoulder 733 has moved upward wife respect to fee hig 704, allowing the lug support 708 to reposition itself under both the lag 704 and fee lug carrier 710 dub to fee upward force provided by the decompression of support spring 712. The release device 70O can be referred to as being hi fee unlocked position when fee lugs 704 are received within release slot 730. In this position, fee lugs 704 are expanded radially outward and are positioned between fee inner wall of outer housing 202 and fee outer wall of the lug support 708, filling release slot 730. In fee unlocked position, the inner mandrel 204 can then telescope within fee outer housing 202, [0087] In an embodiment, fee release device 700 can be reset % repositioning fee inner mandrel in the initial position relative to fee outer housing 202 add applying a tension across fee travel joint. In most cases, fee tension needed to lock fee release device 700 is a fores only slightly higher than feat needed to compress fee support spring 712, overcome fee friction of the internal seals, and overcome fee minimal hydraulic resistance of fee check valve.

[0088] In an embodiment, the release devices described herein may be used to install a wellbore tubular string comprising a travel joint. Returning to Figure 1, fee wellbore tubular string 12 cart be stabbed into a completion assembly 18 previously installed in a wellbore 20:

For example, the wellbore tubular siring 12 can be sealmgly received in a packer 22 at an upper ead of the completion assembly 18, In some embodiments, the wellbore tubular string 12 can have a seal stack thereon which seals within a sealed bore receptacle (e.g,, above a liner banger, etc.).

[0089] Once the wellbore tubular string 12 has been connected to the completion assembly 18, a Travel joint 24 in the wellbore tubular string 12 can be used to allow the wellbore tubular string 12 to be landed in the wellhead 16, As illustrated in Figure 1, a banger 26 can be landed on a wear bashing 28, or alternatively, other manners of securing a tubular string in a wellhead may be used in keeping with the scope of this disclosure. The hanger 26 may be allowed to engage the wear bushing 28 once the travel joint 24 is released. The travel joint 24 permits some variation in the length of die wellbore tubular string 12 between the hanger 26 and the completion assembly 18. la some embodiments, the travel joint 24 can be used to allow the length of the tubular string 12 to shorten after the completion assembly IS has been sealingly engaged, so that the hanger 26 can be appropriately landed in die wellhead 16,, [0090J the travel joint 24 may be released in a number of wap. In an embodiment, a phssufb May be applied to the interior of the wellbore tubular string 12, The pressure may be used to translate a sleeve or piston, which can in turn release a retaining member such as a lug, locking ring, snap ring, of the like. In some embodiments, a pressure may be applied to the exterior of die travel joint 24, In still 061¾1 embodiments, the pressure may be supplied through a control line.

[0091] Once the travel joint 24 has been released, the travel joint may be free to telescope and allow a tool associated the wellbore tubular string to engage die completion assembly. la some embodiments, the release of the release device may allow a hydraulic release mechanism to be engaged. For example, once the inner mandrel 204 is free to translate with respect to the outer housing 202, a constant force may be applied to the wellbore tubular string for a predetermined amount of time to actuate a hydraulic release mechanism. The hydraulic release mechanism may serve to fully release the travel joint and allow a tool associated the wellborn tubular string to engage die completion assembly.

[0092] Having described the various tools, systems, mid method herein, embodiments may include, but are not limited to: [OOiSl In some embodiments, the one or more release devices may be actuated using pressure, which may be supplied through an interior of the tubing.

[Op^l In a first embodiment, a travel joint comprises an outer housing, an inner mandrel siidingly disposed within the outer housing, aud a release device positioned between the outer housing and the inner mandrel. The release device comprises a plurality of lugs, and the plurality of lugs is configured to prevent relative axial movement between the outer bousing and the inner mandrel in a locked position aud allow relative axial movement between the outer bousing aud the inner mandrel in an unlocked position. The release device is configured to selectively prevent and allow relative axial movement between the outer housing and die inner mandrel in response to a fluid pressure supplied to the release device from a flowbore of the outer housing or a flowbore of the inner mandrel ia a second embodiment, the release device of the first embodiment may also include a sleeve configured to radially align with the plurality of lugs in die locked position and axially translate out of radial alignment with the plurality of lugs in the unlocked position, where the sleeve ©an be configured to axially translate in response to the fluid pressure. In a third embodiment fee travel joint of the second embodiment may also include an actuable device configured to maintain the sleeve in the locked position until the fluid pressure exceeds a predetermined fluid pressure. In a fourth embodiment, die travel joint of the second or third embodiment may also include a retaining device configured to retain die sleeve in the unlocked position when the sleeve is axially translated out of radial alignment with the plurality of lugs. In a fifth embodiment, the plurality of lugs of any of the second to fourth embodiment may be retained within lug windows in a cage sleeve, and the cage sleeve may be coupled to the outer housing. In a sixth embodiment, the plurality of lugs of the fifth embodiment may be configured to engage a circumferential recess on an outer surface of the inner mandrel, In a seventh embodiment, the travel joint of the second embodiment may also include a hydraulically metered release device, the the hydraulically metered release device may be configured to selectively prevent and alow relativs axial movement between tbe outer housing and the inner mandrel, In an eighth embodiment, the release device of the first embodiment may also include a retaining sleeve configured to maintain the plurality of lugs in engagement with die outer housing and the inner mandrel in the locked position and axially translate the plurality of lugs out of engagement with the inner mandrel in the unlocked position.

[00951 M a ninth embodiment, the release device of the eighth embodiment may also include a first indicator configuration to engage a second indicator m the outer housing, and the first indicator may be configured to translate past the second indicator in response to a fluid pressure above a threshold. In a tenth embodiment, the retaining sleeve of the eighth or ninth embodiment may be coupled to a piston, and the piste® may be configured to translate the retaining sleeve from the lacked position to the unlocked position in response to the fluid pressure. In an eleventh embodiment, the release device of the tenth embodiment may also include a biasing member, and the biasing member may be configured to translate the retaining sleeve from the unlocked position to the locked position in response to the fluid pressure being removed from the piston. In a twelfth embodiment, the release device of any of the eighth to eleventh embodiments may be configured to reset from the unlocked position to the locked position.

[0096] In a thirteenth ernbodimenti a travel joint comprises ait outer housingi, ah inher mandrel sikiingly disposed within lie outer housing, and a release device positioned between the outer housing and the inner mandrel. The release device comprises an outwardly biased locking ring, where the locking ring is configured to radially compress and engage the inner mandrel is a locked position and radially expend and disengage from the inner mandrel in an unlocked position. The release device is configured to selectively prevent and allow relative axial movement between the outer housing and the inner mandrel in response to a fluid pressure supplied to the release device from a ilowbore of the Outer housing or a flowhore of the inner mandrel. In a fourteenth embodiment, the locking ring of the thirteenth embodiment may include surface features on an interior surface, and the surface features may be configured to engage corresponding surface features on an exterior surface of the inner mandrel when the release device is in the locked position. In a fifteenth embodiment, the locking ring of the thirteenth or fourteenth embodiment may comprise a e-ring. In a sixteenth embodiment, the release device of any of the thirteenth to fifteenth embodiments may also include a retaining sleeve disposed about die locking ring, and the retaining sleeve may be configured to retain the locking ring in engagement with the inner mandrel in the looked position and: axially translate to allow the locking ring to radially expand in the unlocked position.

[0097] In a seventeenth embodiment, a method of releasing a travel joint comprises preventing relative axial movement between an outer housing and an inner mandrel in a travel joint, providing a fluid pressure to a ffowbore of the outer housing or a flowboie of the inner mandrel of the release device in a locked position, actuating the release device from the locked position to an unlocked position based on the fluid pressure, and allowing relative movement between the outer housing and the inner mandrel when the release device is is the unlocked position. The release devise is disposed between the outer bousing and the inner mandrel in a travel joint. In an eighteenth embodiment, the method of the seventeenth embodiment may also include telescoping the inner mandrel within the outer housing, and landing a tool associated with the travel joint in a wellbore in response to the telescoping, in a nineteenth embodiment, actuating the release device from the locked position to the unlocked position in the seventeenth or eighteenth embodiment may comprise shifting a sleeve out of radial alignment with a plurality of lugs, and radially shifting the plurality of lugs out of engagement with at least one of the outer homing or the inner mandrel. The plurality of lugs may prevent relative axial movement between the outer housing and the inner mandrel when the sleeve is radially aligned with the plurality of lugs, in a twentieth embodiment, the method of the nineteenth embodiment may also include engaging a retaining member with the sleeve and at least one of the outer housing or the inner mandrel in response to the shifting of the sleeve, and retaining the sleeve is the shifted position when the retaining member engages both die sleeve and the at least one of the outer housing or the inner mandrel. In a twenty first embodiment, actuating the release device from the locked position to its unlocked position in the seventeenth embodiment may comprise shifting a retaking ring ill response to the fluid pressure, radially expanding a locking ring in response to shifting the retaining ring, arid disengaging the locking ring from the inner mandrel when radially expanded. In a twenty second embodiment, shifting the retaining ring in rite twenty first embodiment may comprise actuating an actuable device in response to the fluid pressure exceeding a threshold. In a twenty third embodiment, actuating the release device from the locked position to the unlocked position in the seventeenth embodiment may comprise axially shifting a plurality of lugs in response to providing the fluid pressure, radially expanding the plurality of lugs after axially shilling the plurality of Mgs, and disengaging the plurality of lugs from the inner mandrel in response to the radial expansion. In a twenty fourth embodiment, actuating the release device from the locked position to the unlocked position in the seventeenth embodiment may comprise shifting a locking sleeve out of radial alignment with a locking ring in response to providing toe fluid pressure, radially expanding the locking ring, and disengaging foe locking ring from the inner mandrel when foe locking ring is radially expanded. The locking ring is engaged with the outer housing and foe inner mandrel.

[0098] In some embodiments, foe one dr more release devices may be actuated using control line pressure, which may be supplied through a control line coupled to a release device.

[0099] In a twenty fifth embodiment, a travel joint comprises as outer housing, an Inner mandrel slidingly disposed within the outer housing, and a release device positioned between the outer housing and the inner mandrel. The release deviee comprises a plurality of lags, where: the plurality of lugs is configured to prevent relative axial movement between the miter housing and the inner mandrel in a locked position and allow relative axial movement between the outer housing and the inner mandrel in an unlocked position. The release device is configured to selectively prevent and allow relative axial movement between the outer housing and the inner mandrel in response to a fluid pressure supplied to the release device from a control line. In a twenty sixth embodiment, the release device of the twenty fifth embodiment may also include a sleeve configured to radially align with the plurality of lugs in the locked position and axially translate out of radial alignment with the plurality of lugs in the tmloeked position. The sleeve may be configured to axially translate in response to the fluid pressure. In a twenty seventh embodiment, the travel joint of die twenty six embodiment may also include an actable device configured to maintain the sleeve in the locked position until the fluid pressure exceeds a predetermined fluid pressure. In a twenty eighth embodiment, the travel joint of the twenty sixth or twenty seventh embodiment may also a retaining device configured to retain the sleeve in the unlocked position when the sleeve is axially translated out of radial alignment with the plurality of lugs. In a twenty ninth embodiment, the plurality of lugs of any of the twenty sixth to twenty eighth embodiments may be retained within iug windows in a cage sleeve, and the cage sleeve may Be coupled to the outer housing. In a thirtieth embodiment, the plurality of lugs of the twenty ninth embodiment may be configured to engage a circumferential recess oh an outer surface of the inner mandrel. In a thirty first embodiment, die travel joint of the twenty sixth embodiment may also include a hydraulically metered release device, and the hydraulically metered release device may be configured to selectively prevent and allow relative axial movement between the outer housing and the inner mandrel. In a thirty second, embodiment, the release device of the twenty fifth embodiment may also include a retaining sleeve configured to maintain the plurality of lugs in engagement with the outer housing and the inner mandrel i n the locked position and axially translate the plurality of kip out of engagement with the inner mandrel in the unlocked position. In a thirty third embodiment, the release device of the thirty second embodiment may also include a first indicator configuration to engage a second indicator on the outer housing, and the first indicator may he eonfipred to translate past the second indicator in response to a fluid pressure above a threshold, hi a thirty fourth embodiment, the retaining sleeve of the thirty second or thirty third embodiment nay 1» coupled to a piston, and the piston may be configured to translate the retaining sleeve from the locked position to the unlocked position in response to the fluid pressure. In a thirty flih embodiment, the release device of the thirty fourth embodiment may also indude a biasing member, and the biasing member may be configared to translate the retaining sleeve from the unlocked position to the locked position is response to the fluid pressure being removed from the piston. In a thirty sixth embodiment, the release device of any of the thirty second to thirty fifth embodiments may be configured to reset from the unlocked position to the locked position. In a thirty seventh embodiment, the travel joint of the twenty fifth embodiment may also include a plurality of control lines disposed between the outer housing: and the inner mandrel, and the eonirel line may comprise one of the plurality of control lines. In a thirty eighth embodiment, the plurality of control lines of the thirty seventh embodiment may comprise a fluid line, an electrical conductor, a fiber optic line, or any combination thereof 100100] In a thirty ninth embodiment, a travel joint comprises an outer 'bousing, an inner mandrel slidingly disposed within the outer housing, and a release device positioned between the outer housing and the inner mandrel The release device comprises an outwardly biased locking ring, where the locking ring is configured to radially compress and engage the inner mandrel in a locked position and radially expand and disengage from tire inner mandrel in an unlocked position, The release device is configured to selectively prevent and allow relative axial movement between the outer housing and the inner mandrel in response to a fluid pressure supplied to the release device from a surface of a wellborn. In a fortieth embodiment, the locking ring of the thirty ninth embodiment may comprise surface features on an interior surface, and fee surface features may be configured to engage corresponding surface features on an exterior surface of the inner mandrel when fee release device is in fee locked position. In a forty first embodiment, fee locking ring of the thirty ninth or fortieth embodiment may comprise a c-ring. In a forty second embodiment, the release device of any of the thirty ninth to forty first embodiments may also include a retaining sleeve disposed about the locMtig ring, and fee retaining sleeve may be configured to retain fee locking ring in engagement Wife fee inner mandrel in the locked position and axially translate to Mow fee locking ring to radially expand in fee unlocked position.

[001011 In a forty third errsbediment, a method of releasing a travel joint comprises preventing relative axial movement between an outer housing and an inner mandrel in a travel joint, providing a fluid pressure through a control line when the release device in a locked position, actuating the release device from fee locked position to an unlocked position based on the fluid pressure, and allowing relative movement between the outer housing and the inner mandrel when fee release device is in the unlocked position. The release device is disposed between the outer housing and fee inner mandrel in a travel joint In a forty fourth embodiment, fee method of fee forty third embodiment may also include telescoping fee inner mandrel within the outer housing; and landing a tool associated with the travel joint in a wellbore in response to the telescoping. In a forty filth embodiment, actuating the release device from the locked position ip the unlocked position in the forty third or forty fourth embodiment may comprise shifting a sleeve out of radial alignment with a plurality pf lugs, and radially shifting the plurality of lugs out of engagement with at least one of the outer housing or the inner mandrel; The plurality of lugs may prevent relative axial movement between the outer housing and the inner mandrel when the sleeve is radially aligned with the plurality of lugs. In a forty six embodiment, the method of the forty fifth embodiment may also include engaging a retaining member with the sleeve and at least one of the outer housing or the inner mandrel in response to the shifting: of the sleeve; and retaining the sleeve is the shifted position when the retaining member engages both the sleeve and the at least one of the outer housing or the Inner mandrel. In a forty seventh embodiments actuating the release device from the locked position to the unlocked position in the forty third embodiment comprises shifting a retaining ring in response to die fluid pressure, radially expanding a locking ring in response to shifting the retaining ring, and disengaging the locking ring from the inner mandrel when radially expanded. In a forty eighth embodiment, shifting the retaining ring in die forty seventh embodiment comprises actuating an aetuable device in response to die fluid pressure exceeding a threshold. In a forty -ninth embodiment, actuating the release device from the locked position to the unlocked position in the forty third embodiment comprises axially shifting a pluraMty of lugs in response to providing die fluid pressure, radially expanding the pluraMty of lugs after axially shifting the plurality of lugs, and disengaging the plurality of tap from flic inner mandrel is response to the radial expansion. In a fiftieth embodiment, actuating the release device from the locked position to the unlocked position in the forty third embodiment comprises shifting a locking sleeve out of radial alignment with a locking ring in response to providing the fluid pressure, radially expanding the locking ring, and disengaging the locking ring from the inner mandrel when the locking ring is radially expanded. The locking ring may he engaged with the outer housing and the inner mandrel; [00102] In some embodiments, the one or more release devices may be actuated wing pressure supplied from the annulus between a wellbore tubular and a wellbore, [00103] In a fifty first embodiment a travel joint comprises an outer housing, an inner mandrel slidingly disposed within file outer housing, and a release device positioned between the outer housing and the inner mandrel. The release device comprises a locking ring engaged with die outer housing and the inner mandrel, and a locking sleeve configured to radially align with the locking ring in a locked position and axialiy translate oat of radial alignment with the locking ring in tibte unlocked position. Tie release device is configured to selectively prevent and allow relative axial movement between tile outer housing and the inner mandrel in response to a fluid pressure supplied to die release device: from an exterior of the outer housing. In a fifty second embodiment, the sleeve of fie fifty First embodiment may be configured to axially translate in response to fee fluid pressure from the exterior of the outer housing. In a fifty third embodiment, the locking ring of the fifty first or fifty second embodiment may be configured to prevent relative axial movement between the outer housing and the inner mandrel in the locked position and allow relative axial movement between the outer housing and the inner mandrel in the unlocked position. In a fifty fourth embodiment, the travel joint of any of the fifty first to fifty third embodiments may also include a chamber formed between the locking sleeve and the outer housing* and a port configured to provide fluid eoffimunication between tie exterior of the outer housing and the chamber. In a fifty fifth embodiment, the travel joint of the fifty fourth embodiment may also include a second chamber formed between the locking sleeve and the outer housing. The second chamber may be substantially sealed to fluid commtmieation, and the second chamber may be configured to provide a pressure balance with the first chamber in the lacked position. In a fifty sixth embodiment, the travel joint of die fifty fifth embodiment may also include as actuable device disposed in the port, and the actuable device may be configured to block flow through the port in the locked position and allow fluid communication through the port in the unlocked position. In a fifty seventh embodiment, the actuable device of the fifty sixth embodiment may be configured to actuate to provide fluid communication through the port in response to a pressure incident on fee actuable device above a threshold. In a fifty eighth embodiment, the piston of the fifty sixth or fifty seventh embodiment may form a fluid lock when the actuable device is configured to block flow through the port 100104] In a fifty' ninth embodiment, a travel joint comprises an outs housing, an inner mandrel slidingly disposed within fee outer housing, and a release device positioned between the oster housing and the inner mandrel. The release device is in fluid communication with an exterior of the outer housing, and fee release device is configured to selectively prevent and allow relative axial movement Between the miter housing and the inner mandrel in response to a fluid pressure sUppied from an exterior of the outer housing. In a sixtieth embodiment, fee release device of fee fifty ninth embodiment may comprise a locking sleeve configured to axially translate in response to the fluid pressure from the exterior of the outer housing, and the release device may be configured to transition from a locked position to an unlocked position in response to the axial translation, of the locking sleeve. In a sixty first embodiment, the travel joist of the sixtieth embodiment may also include a locking member, land the locking sleeve may be configured to radially align with the locking member in the locked position and axially translate cost of radial alignment with the locking ring in the unlocked position In a sixty second embodiment, the locking member of the sixth first embodiment may be configured to engage the outer housing and the inner mandrel la the locked positkuL hr a sixty third embodiment, the locking member of die sixth first or sixty second embodiment may be configured to prevent relative axial movement between the outer housing and the inner mandrel in the locked position and allow relative axial movement between the outer housing and the inner mandrel in the unlocked position. In a sixth fourth embodiment, the locking member of any of the sixty first to sixty third embodiments may comprise at least one of a locking ring, a plurality of lugs, or a collet indicator. POIOSJ In a sixty fifth embodiment, a method of releasing a travel joint comprises preventing relative axial movement between an outer housing and an inner mandrel in a travel joint, providing a fluid pressure from an exterior of die outer housing to a release device in a locked posidoa, actuating die release device from the locked position to an unlocked position based on the fluid pressure, and allowing relative movement between the outer housing and the inner mandrel when the release deviee is in the unlocked position, The release device may be disposed between the outer housing and the inner mandrel in a travel joint. In a sixty sixth embodiment, actuating the release deviee from the locked position to the unlocked position in the sixty fifth embodiment may comprise shifting a locking sleeve out of radial alignment, with a locking ring in response to providing the fluid pressure, radially expanding die locking ring, and disengaging the locking ring from the inner mandrel when the locking ring is radially expanded. The locking ring may be engaged with the outer housing and the inner mandrel In a sixty seventh embodiment, peventing relative axial movement between an outer housing and an inner mandrel in a travel joint in the sixty sixth embodiment may comprise providing a chamber having a fluid seal termed between the locking sleeve and the outer housing, and maintaining the loeMng sleeve in radial alignment with the locking ring based on the fluid seal in the chamber. The fluid seal prevent fluid communication into or out of the chamber. In a sixty eighth embodiment, providing a fluid pressure to the release device of any of the sixty fifth to sixty seventh embodiments may comprise providing a fluid pressure to an exterior of the outer housing, actuating an actuable device, providing fluid communication with a chamber formed between the locking sleeve and the outer hmusing in response to actuating die actuable device, and providing fluid pressure into the chamber. In a sixty ninth embodiment, the method of any of the sixty fifth to sixty eighth embodiments may also include telescoping the inner mandrel within the outer housing, and lauding a tool associated with the travel joint in a wellbore in response to the telescoping. In a seventieth embodiment, the method of any of the sixty fifth to sixty ninth embodiments may also include applying an axial force to foe outer housing relative to foe inner mandrel, actuating an actoabie device in response to the axial force above a threshold force, generating hydraulic pressure within the travel joint that is greater than a threshold pressure value, and actuating a second release device from foe locked position to an unlocked position based on the hydraulic pressure generated within the travel joint.

[0Q106] In some embodiments, a phnulity of release devices pay be used to selectively release a travel joint within a wellbore.

[00107] in a seventy first embodiment, a travel joint comprises an outer housing, an inner mandrel slidingly disposed within the outer housing, a first release device positioned between the outer housing and the inner mandrel* and a second release device positioned between the outer housing and the inner mandrel. The first release device is configured to prevent relative axial movement between the outer housing and the inner mandrel in a locked position and allow relative axial movement between the outer housing; and the inner mandrel in an unlocked position. The first release device is configured to actuate from the locked position to foe unlocked position in response to a fluid pressure supplied to foe first release device. The second release device is configured to selectively prevent and allow relative axial movement between the outer housing and the inner mandrel in response to an axial force applied to at least one of the outer housing or the inner mandrel, and foe first release device is configured to prevent foe application of the axial fores to actuate foe second release device in the locked position and allow the axial force to actuate the second release device in the unlocked position. In a seventy second embodiment, the first release device of the seventy first embodiment may be configured to actuate from the locked position to foe unlocked position in response to a fluid pressure supplied through at least one of a tlowbore Of foe outer housing, a fiowbore of the inner mandrel, a control line, or an exterior of foe outer housing. In a seventy third embodiment, foe first release device of the seventy first or seventy second embodiment may comprise a plurality of lugs, and a sleeve configured to radially align with foe plurality of lugs is foe locked position and axially translate out of radial alignment with the plurality of lugs in the unlocked position. The plurality of fop may be configured to prevent relative axial movement between the outer housing and the inner mandrel in the locked position and allow relative axial movement between the outer housing arid the Inner mandrel in the unlocked position, and the sleeve may be configured to axially translate in response to the fluid pressure. In a seventy fourth embodiment, the travel joint of the seventy third embodiment may also include a retaining device configured to retain the sleeve in the unlocked position when the sleeve is axially translated out of radial alignment with the plurality of lugs, In a seventy fifth embodiment, the plurality of lugs of the seventy third embodiment may be retained within lug windows In a cage sleeve. The cage sleeve may be coupled to the outer housing, and the plurality of lugs may be configured to engage a circumferential recess on an outer surface of the inns: mandrel In a seventy sixth embodiment, the first release device of the seventy first embodiment may comprise an outwardly biased locking ring. The locking ring may be configured to radially compress and engage the inner mandrel in the locked position and radially expand and disengage from the inner mandrel in the unlocked position, In a seventy seventh embodiment, the first release device of the seventy sixth embodiment may also include a retaining sleeve disposed about the locking ring. The retaining sleeve may be configured to retain the locking ring in engagement with the inner mandrel in the locked position and axially translate to allow the locking ring to radially expand in the unlocked position. In a seventy eighth embodiment, the first release device of the seventy first embodiment may comprise a plurality of lugs,, and a retaining sleeve configured to maintain the plurality of lugs in engagement with the outer housing and the inner mandrel in the locked position and axially translate the plurality of lugs out of engagement with the inner mandrel in the unlocked position. The plurality of lugs may be configured to engage the outer housing and the inner mandrel to prevent relative axial movement between the outer housing and the inner mandrel in the locked position and allow relative axial movement between the outer bousing and die inner mandrel in the unlocked position. & a seventy ninth embodiment, the retaining sleeve of the seventy eighth embodiment may be coupled to a piston, arid the piston may be configured to translate the retaining sleeve from the locked position to the unlocked position in response to die fluid pressure. In an eightieth embodiment, the fast release device of the seventy first embodiment may comprise a locking ring engaged with die outer housing and die inner mandrel, and a locking sleeve configured to radially align with the locking ring in the locked position and axially translate out of radial alignment with die locking ring in flic unlocked position. The sleeve may be configured to axially translate in response to the fluid pressure from the exterior of the outer housing. In an eighty first embodiment, the travel joint of the eightieth embodiment may also include a chamber formed between die locking sleeve and die outer housing, and a port configured to provide fluid communication between the exterior of the outer housing sad the chamber. Is an eighty second embodiment, die travel joint of the eighty fust embodiment may also include an actuable deduce disposed hi the port, and the actiiable device may be configured to block flow through the port in the locked position and allow fluid communication through the port in the unlocked position. In a eighty third embodiment, the second release device of the seventy first embodiment may comprise & hycftauKcaliy metered release devise, wherein the hydraulically metered release device may he configured to selectively prevent and allow relative axial movement between the outer housing and the inner mandrel in response to an mechanical force applied to the outer housing in an axial direction.

[00108] In an eighty fourth embodiment, a travel joint comprises an outer housing, an inner mandrel slidingly disposed within the outer housing, and a plurality of release devices. At least two of the plurality of release devices are configured to actuate in response to different forces, and the different forces comprise at least a mechanical fees and: a pressure force. The plutality of release devices are configured to he sequentially actuated from a locked position to an unlocked position. In ail eighty fifth embodiment, the pressure force of the eighty fourth embodiment may comprise a fluid pressure Supplied through at least one of a flowbore of the outer housing, a flowbore of the inner mandrel, a control line, or an exterior of the outer housing In an eighty sixth embodiment, die mechanical force of the eighty fourth embodiment may comprise at least one of an axial downward force, an axial upwards force, or a rotational force, [00109] In an eighty seventh embodimeut, a method of releasing a travel joint comprises preventing relative axial movement between an outer housing and an inner mandrel in a travel joint, providing a fluid pressure to a first release device in a locked position, actuating the first release device Horn the locked position to an unlocked position based an the fluid pressure, providing a mechanical force to a second release device ih a locked position, actuating the second release device from the locked position to an unlocked position based on the mechanical fores, and allowing relative movement between the outer housing and the inner mandrel %'hen the first release device is in the unlocked position and when the: second release device is in the unlocked position. The first release device is disposed between the outer housing and the inner mandrel in a travel joint In an eighty eighth embodiment, the method of the eighty seventh embodiment may also include preventing, by the first release device, the raeebaiticsl force from being provided to the second release device while the first release device is in the locked position. In an eighty ninth embodiment, providing the fluid pressure to the first release device in die eighty seventh embodiment may comprise at least one of providing the fluid pressure through a flowbore of the inner mandrel, providing the fluid pressure through a flowbore of the onto boosing, providing the fluid pressure through a control line, providing the fluid pressure from a surface of the wellbore, or providing the fluid pressure from m exterior of the outer housing. In a ninetieth embodiment, the method of any of the eighty seventh to eighty ninth embodiments may also include telescoping the inner mandrel within the outer housing when relative movement is allowed, and lauding a tool associated with the travel joint in a wellbore in response to the telescoping.

[00110] At least one embodiment is disclosed and variations, combinations, and/or modifications of tire embodimest{s) and/or features of the embodiment^) made by a person having ordinary skill in the art are within the scope of the disclosure. Alternative embodiments that result from combining, integrating, and/or omitting features of the embodiment^) are also within the scope of the disclosure. Where numerical ranges or limitations are expressly stated, such express ranges or limitations should be understood to include iterative ranges or limitations of like magnitude falling within the expressly stated ranges or limitations (e.g., from about 1 to about 10 includes, 2, 3, 4, etc.; greater than 0.10 includes 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, etc.). For example, whenever a numerical range with a lower limit, R, and an upper limit, Ra, is disclosed, any number falling within the range is specifically disclosed. In particular, the following numbers within the range are specifically disclosed: K™Kffk®(R„-R.j), wherein k is a variable ranging from I percent to 100 percent with a 1 percent increment, he,, k is 1 percent, 2 percent, 3 percent, 4 percent, 5 percent, ..., 50 percent, 51 percent, 52 percent,..., 95 percent, 96 percent, 97 percent, 98 percent, 99 percent, or 100 percent. Moreover, any numerical range defined by two R numbers as defined iu the above is also specifically disclosed. Use of the term "'optionally® with respect to any element of a claim means that the dement is required, or alternatively, the element is not required, both alternatives being within the scope of the claim. Use of broader terns such as comprises, includes, and having should be understood to provide support for narrower terms such as consisting of, consisting essentially of. and comprised substantially of. Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited by the description set out above but is defined by the claims that follow, that scope including all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims. Each and every claim Is incorporated as further disclosure into die specification and the claims are embodimeut(s) of the present invention.

Further novel and inventive feature combinations are set out in numbered paragraphs below, 1, A travel joint comprising: an outer Mousing; an inner mandrel slidingly disposed, within the outer housing; and a release device positioned between the outer housing and the inner mandrel, wherein the release device comprises: an outwardly biased locking ring, wherein the locking ring is configured to radially compress and engage die inner mandrel in a locked position and radially expand and disengage from the inner mandrel in an unlocked position; wherein the release device is configured to selectively prevent and allow relative axial movement between the outer housing and the inner mandrel in response to a fluid pressure supplied to the release device from a flowbore of the outer housing or a flowbore of the inner mandrel. 2, The travel joint of paragraph 1, wherein the locking ring comprises surface features on an interior surface, and wherein the surface features are configured to engage corresponding surface features on an exterior surface of the inner mandrel when the release device is in the locked position. 3, The travel joint of paragraph 1, wherein the locking ring comprises a c-ring, 4, The navel joint of paragraph l, wherein the release device further comprises a retaining sleeve disposed about the locking ring, wherein the retaining sleeve is configured to retain the locking nog in engagement with the inner mandrel in the locked position and axially translate to allow the locking ring to radially expand in the unlocked position. 5, A method of releasing a travel joint comprising: preventing r elative axial movement between an outer housing and an inner mandrel in a travel joint; providing a fluid pressure to a flowbore of the outer housing or a flowbore of the inner mandrel of the release device in a locked position, wherein the release device is disposed between the outer housing and the liner mandrel in a travel joint; actuating the release devise from the locked position to an unlocked position based on the fluid pressure; and allowing relative movement between the onto» housing and the inner mandrel when the release device is in the unlocked position. 6. The method of paragraph 5, further comprising: telescoping the inner mandrel within the outer housing; and l||ding a tool associated with tie travel joint in a wellbore in response to tie telescoping. 7. The method of paragraph 5, where actuating the release devise from the ioskecf position to the unlocked position comprises: shifting a sleeve out of radial alignment with a plurality of lugs, wherein the plurality of lugs prevent relative axial movement between the outer housing dad. the inner mandrel when the Sleeve is radially aligned with the plurality of lugs; and radially shifting the plurality of lugs out of engagement with at least one of the outer housing or the hater mandrel. 8. The method of paragraph 7, further comprising: engaging a retaining member with the sleeve and at least one of the outer housing or the inner mandrel in response to the shifting of die sleeve; and retaining the sleeve is the shifted position when the retaining member engages both the slee ve and the at least one of the outer housing or the inner mandrel. 9. fie method of paragraph 5, wherein actuating the release device from the locked position to the unlocked position comprises: shifting a retaining ring in response to the fluid pressure; radially expanding a locking ring in response to shifting the retiming ting; rind disengaging the locking ring from the inner mandrel when radially expanded. 10, The method of paragraph 9, wherein shifting the retaining ring comprises actuating am aetuable device in. response to the fluid pressure exceeding a threshold. 11. The method of paragraph 5, wherein actuating the release device from die locked position to the unlocked position comprises: axially shifting a plurality of lugs in response to providing the fluid pressure.; radially expanding the plurality of lugs after axially shifting the plurality of lugs; and disengaging the plurality of lugs from the inner mandrel in response to the radial expansion, 12! The method of paragraph 5, wherein actuating the release device from the locked position to the unlocked position comprises: shifting a locking sleeve out of radial alignment with a looking ring hi response to providing the fluid pressure, wherein the locking ring is engaged with the outer housing and the inner mandrel; radially expanding the locking ring; and disengaging the locking ring from the inner mandrel when the locking ring is radially expanded.

Claims

ChAIMS:

1. A travel joint, comprising: an outer housing; an inner mandrel slidingly disposed within the onto: housing; and a release positioned between the onto housing and the inner mandrel, wherein: the releass device comprises a plurality of lugs configured to prevent relative axial movement between the outer housing and the inner mandrel in a locked position and to allow relative axial movement between the outer housing tod the inner mandrel in an unlocked position and a retaining sleeve configured to maintain the plurality of lugs in engagement with the outer housing and the inner mandrel in the locked position and to translate axially the plurality of lugs out of engagement with the inner mandrel in the unlocked position, tod the retaining sleeve is coupled to a piston configured to translate the retaining sleeve from the locked position to the unlocked position in response to die fluid pressure; and the release device is configured to prevent and allow, selectively, relative axial movement between the outer housing and die inner mandrel in response to a fluid pressure supplied to die release device from a finwhore of the outer housing or a fiowbore of the inner mandrel.

2. The travel joint of claim 1, wherein the retaining sleeve is configured to radially align with the plurality of lugs when in the locked position tod axially to translate out of radial alignment with the plurality of lugs when in the unlocked position.

3. The travel joint of claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising to aetuable device configured to maintain the sleeve in the locked position until the fluid pressure exceeds a predetermined fluid pressure.

4. The travel joint of claim 2, further comprising a retaining device configured to retain the sleeve in the unlocked position when the sleeve is axially translated out of radial alignment with the plurality of lugs.

5. The travel joint of claim 2, wherein the plurality of lugs is retained within lug windows in a cage sleeve coupled to the order housing;

6. Tl*e travel joint of claim 5, wherein; the plurality of lugs is: configured to engage a circumferential recess on an outer surface of the inner mandrel.

7. The travel joint of claim 2, further comprising a hydraulicaiiy metered release device configured to prevent and allow, selectively, relative axial movement between the outer housing and the inner mandrel.

8. The travel joint of claim 7, wherein the release device further comprises a first indicator configuration to engage a second indicator on the outer housing, wherein the first indicator is configured to translate past the second indicator in response to a fluid pressure above a threshold.

9. The travel joint of claim 1, where the release device further comprises a biasing member, wherein the biasing member is configured to translate the retaining sleeve from the unlocked position to the locked position in response to the fluid pressure being removed from the piston.

10. The travel joint of any of claims 1, S or 9, wherein the release device is configured to reset from the unlocked position to the locked position.