MX2015003814A

MX2015003814A - Extendable orienting tool for use in wells.

Info

Publication number: MX2015003814A
Application number: MX2015003814A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Jonathan Morgan-Smith; Neil Hepburn
Original assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Inc
Priority date: 2012-12-03
Filing date: 2012-12-03
Publication date: 2015-07-17
Also published as: CA2887591A1; AU2012396267B2; BR112015010323B1; CA2887591C; EP2925958B1; BR112015010323A2; WO2014088545A1; EP2925958A4; EA031139B1; EP2925958A1; AU2012396267A1; EA201590716A1

Abstract

An orienting tool for use in wells can include a flow control device which controls flow between an interior and an exterior of a body of the tool to thereby transmit a signal indicative of an orientation of the body, the flow control device being outwardly extendable relative to the body. A method of orienting a structure in a well can include transmitting at least one signal from an orienting tool, the signal being indicative of an orientation of the orienting tool, and displacing a housing of the tool outward relative to a generally tubular body of the tool. A well system can include an orienting tool connected to a structure and positioned in a wellbore, the tool including a housing which is outwardly extendable relative to a generally tubular body, the tool being configured to transmit at least one signal indicative of an orientation of the structure.

Description

EXTENSIBLE ORIENTING TOOL FOR USE IN WELLS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present disclosure generally relates to equipment used and operations performed in conjunction with underground wells and, in an example described below, more particularly discloses an extensible orienting tool for use in wells.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The space in a well is generally very limited, and therefore it is desirable to efficiently use the space in a well. Unfortunately, the orienting tools that are used in the present to orient structures in the wells can occupy a significant space and, consequently, this may limit the applicability of the orienting tools.

Therefore, it will be readily appreciated that improvements in the technique of building and using guiding tools are continually required.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a partially cross-sectional view representative of a well system and an associated method that it may represent the principles of the present disclosure.

Figure 2 is a representative cross-sectional view of the well system and method, wherein a guiding tool has been extended outwardly.

Figure 3 is a representative cross-sectional view of an example of the guiding tool.

Figures 4 to 6 are cross-sectional views representative of additional examples of the guiding tool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A guidance system 10 for use in a well, and an associated method, where the system and the method may represent principles of the present disclosure are representatively illustrated in Figure 1. However, it should be clearly understood that the system 10 and the method are merely an example of an application of the principles of the present disclosure in practice, and that a wide variety of other examples are possible. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is in no way limited to the details of the system 10 and method described herein, and / or that are illustrated in the figures.

In the example of Figure 1, a tubular chain 12 is placed in a well 14. The tubular chain 12 is illustrated in Figure 1 comprising a liner, although in other examples other types of tubular chains (such as short lining pipes, pipes, filters, etc.) can be used.

The well 14 is illustrated in Figure 1 as being generally horizontal and open or uncoated, although in other examples the well could be generally vertical or inclined, covered with a jacket, lining, cement, etc. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the details of the tubular chain 12 and the well 14, as illustrated in the figures or as described herein.

The tubular chain 12 includes certain structures for which it is desired to indicate an orientation in the well 14. These structures include a window 16 and a guiding profile 18 in the example of Figure 1. However, it should be clearly understood that it can be oriented any type of structure in a well using the principles described in the present disclosure. Other types of structures that could be oriented include, for example, a secure coupler for orienting and anchoring a divergent or deviator, a perforating gun, etc. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to orienting any particular type of structure in a well.

An orienting tool 20 is also connected to the tubular chain 12. The orienting tool 20 indicates an azimuthal orientation of the window 16 and the profile 18 with respect to the well 14 and gravity, by selectively controlling the flow of fluids 22 between an interior and an interior. outside of the tool while fluid is flowing through the tubular chain 12.

In the example of Figure 1, the fluid 22 flows through an interior flow passage 24 which extends longitudinally through the tubular chain 12. The fluid 22 exits at a distal end (not shown) of the tubular chain 12 and returns through a ring 26 formed between the tubular chain and the well 14.

By selectively opening and closing (or decreasing and increasing the flow through) a flow control device 28 of the tool 20, pressure signals can be transmitted to the earth's surface or another remote location with a pressure sensor for detecting the pressure in the flow passage 24. For example, when the flow control device 28 is opened, a pressure decrease is caused in the flow passage 24, and when the flow control device is closed, it is caused an increase in pressure in the flow passage.

These pressure manipulations can be used to transmit signals indicating orientation in the well 14 of the tool 20, as well as of the structures to which the tool is connected (such as window 16 and profile 18, etc.). US Patent No.2012 / 0106297 discloses suitable techniques for transmitting such signals, although the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to these techniques.

To detect an orientation of the tool 20 and structures connected in the well, the tool includes an orientation sensor 30 (such as an accelerometer, a gyro, etc.), a processor 32 and a memory 34. The processor 32 may be programmed to activate the flow control device 28 in some particular way (open, close, open and close it at a predetermined speed, a specific pattern of closures and openings, etc.), when the orientation sensor 30 indicates that the tool 20 and the connected structures are oriented as desired, or are not oriented as desired. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to any particular technique for transmitting guidance indicating signals to a remote location using the flow control device 28.

The flow control device 28 may comprise a valve or choke capable of regulating the flow between the inside and the outside of a generally tubular body 36 of the tool 20. The flow control device 28, the sensor 30, the processor 32, the memory 34 and the batteries 38 can be mounted in a housing 40 that is extendable outwardly through a wall of the body 36.

Note that it is not necessary that the assembly formed by the flow control device 28, the sensor 30, the processor 32, the memory 34 and the batteries 38 be contained in the housing 40, or that even one of these components be contained in the housing 40. accommodation. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to any particular arrangement or combination of components in the tool 20.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the housing 40 is retracted within the body 36. This configuration allows the tool 20 to move along cladding cords and other constraints when the tubular chain 12 is being installed in the well 14. After a reduced outer dimension of the tool 20 is no longer necessary, the housing 40 may extend outside the body 36, as representatively illustrated in Figure 2.

In the configuration of Figure 2, an inner dimension D of the tool 20 is increased, due to the outward extension of the housing 40. This increased inner dimension D allows the movement of fluids (co or cement, stimulation fluids, etc.) and objects (such as a cementing dart 42, other types of tools, etc.) by passage 24 with less restriction.

The housing 40 can be displaced outward at any desired point in an orientation procedure. For example, the housing 40 can be moved out before or after the tool 20 is oriented as desired in the well 14, before or after the direction indicator signals are transmitted by the flow control device 28, etc. .

In one example, the housing 40 may extend outwardly in response to an object (eg the dart 42, a plug, a ball, a probe, etc.) that travels in the body 36 and urges the housing 40 outwardly. For example, the dart 42 can apply a driving force outward to the housing 40 when the dart is pumped through the body 36 to initiate a carburizing operation.

Figures 3 to 5 illustrate additionally examples of techniques for extending the housing 40 outwardly. However, it should be understood that these are merely examples of a wide variety of different techniques for moving the housing 40, and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited by the use of any particular displacement technique.

In the example of Figure 3, there is a seal 44 between the housing 40 and the body 36, so that a differential pressure can be applied to the housing, between the interior and the exterior of the body 36. When a predetermined differential pressure is applied (for example, after landing a cementing plug or dart 42), the housing 40 is displaced outwardly by the wall of the body 36. The predetermined differential pressure can be set, for example, by cutting bolts, other types of cutting members, a pin operated under pressure, etc. Figure 3 illustrates the housing 40 halfway between its retracted and extended configurations.

In the example of Figure 4, driving devices 46 (such as springs, compressed gas chambers, etc.) apply forward thrust forces to the housing 40. The housing 40 can be released for displacement in response to the driving forces of the actuators. pins 48. Pins 48 can be controlled by processor 32.

In the example of Figure 5, motors 50 (such as electric motors, hydraulic motors, etc.) move housing 40 outwardly. For example, the motors 50 can rotate threaded rollers that are joined with components with internal threads attached to the body 36. Other types of movement mechanisms can be used, as desired.

In Figure 6 another example of the orienting tool 20 is illustrated representatively. In this example, the housing 40 extends outward in response to a signal 52 (e.g., an electromagnetic or acoustic signal, etc.) transmitted from an object 54. (such as a ball, dart, plug, etc.) that moves (ie, flows, falls, is transported, etc.) through passage 24. For example, object 54 can transmit a radio frequency identification (RFID) signal , ie, the technology of passive and active labeling devices) to the orienting tool 20.

The tool 20 includes a receiver or sensor 56 that detects the signal 52. The processor 32 can release the pins 48 in the examples of Figures 3, 4 and 6, activate the motors 50 in the example of Figure 5, or allow otherwise, the housing 40 extends outward in response to receiving an appropriate signal 52 from the object 54.

Alternatively, the object 54 may not be used, and the sensor 56 may detect pressure in the passage 24 when being manipulated from a remote location. For example, sensor 56 may comprise a pressure sensor that senses pressure in passage 24. A particular level and / or pattern may be used. of increments and / or decrements of pressure, as a signal to cause the housing 40 to extend outwards.

Any form of transmitting a signal to the tool 20 can be used to cause the housing 40 to extend outward, to stay within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the signal can be transmitted wirelessly (ie by telemetry of electromagnetic, acoustic, pressure pulses, etc.) or by the use of electrical, hydraulic, optical, etc. conductors, (ie, inside, the outside and / or on a wall of the tubular chain 12).

Once received the signal to extend the housing 40 outwards, the tool 20 can confirm the reception of the signal by transmitting a confirmation signal to the remote location, such as by using the flow control device 28 to selectively control the flow between the interior and the exterior of the body 36, as described above. When the housing 40 has fully extended outward, the tool 20 can transmit a signal to the remote location, indicating that the tool is in its extended configuration.

In other examples, the housing 40 can be extended by displacing it outwardly with a gauge (ie, conical or with another shape) that travels through the passage 24.

Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to any particular technique used to extend the housing 40 outwardly.

Once the housing 40 has extended outward, it can be secured in that position. In this way, subsequently the passage 24 will not be restricted by the presence of the housing 40 therein. Any form can be used to secure the housing 40 in its extended outward position, and to remain within the scope of the present disclosure.

Now it will be fully appreciated that the previous disclosure provides significant advances in the technique of building and operating guiding tools. In the examples described above, the housing 40 (with or without the flow control device 28, the orientation sensor 30, etc., inside it) can be retracted while installing the tool 20 in a well, and when the housing it can extend outward, in order to increase the inner dimension D in the tool body 36, and thereby decrease a restriction in the tool.

By the above disclosure, a guiding tool 20 for use in wells is provided to the art. In one example, the guiding tool 20 can including a flow control device 28 that controls the flow between an interior and an exterior of a body 36 of the orienting tool 20, thereby transmitting at least one signal indicative of an orientation of the body 36.

The flow control device 28 is extendable outwardly relative to the body 36.

The body 36 may have a generally tubular shape. The flow control device 28 may be contained within a housing 40 extending outwardly through a wall of the body 36.

The outward extension of the flow control device 28 can increase an inner dimension D in the body 36.

The flow control device 28 may extend outwardly in response to a driving force applied by an object (such as the dart 42), which travels in the body 36, in response to the application of a predetermined pressure to an interior of the body 36, in response to the application of a predetermined pressure pattern to the tool 20, in response to the application of a predetermined differential pressure to the tool 20, in response to a signal 52 transmitted by a moving object 54 in the body 36, or in response to the transmission of a predetermined signal to the tool 20 The guiding tool 20 may include a sensor 56 that receives a signal 52 transmitted by an object 54 in the body 36.

The orienting tool 20 may include a motor 50 and / or drive 46 that moves the flow control device 28.

A method for orienting a structure (such as window 16, guiding profile 18, etc.) in an underground well was also described above. In one example, the method can comprise the transmission of at least one signal from a guiding tool 20, wherein the signal indicates an orientation of the guiding tool 20 in the well; and moving a housing 40 of the orienting tool 20 outwardly relative to a generally tubular body 36 of the orienting tool 20.

The method may include connecting the orienting tool 20 to a known orientation with respect to the structure, and positioning the structure and orienting tool 20 in the well.

The step of displacing the housing 40 can be done after the step of positioning the structure and the tool 20 in the well.

The transmission step may include a flow control device 28 that controls the flow between an interior and an exterior of the body 36, thereby transmitting the signal.

The flow control device 28 may be contained in the housing 40.

The displacement step may include increasing an interior dimension D in the body 36.

The displacement step may be performed in response to a driving force applied by an object moving on the body 36, in response to the application of a predetermined pressure to an interior of the body 36, in response to the application of a pressure pattern. predetermined to the tool 20, in response to the application of a predetermined differential pressure to the tool 20, in response to the transmission of a signal by an object 54 traveling in the body 36, or in response to the transmission of a signal default to tool 20.

A well system 10 was also described above. In one example, the well system may include a guiding tool 20 connected to a structure (i.e., the window 16, the guiding profile 18, etc.) and placed in a well 14 , wherein the guiding tool 20 includes a housing 40 that is extendable outwardly relative to a generally tubular body 36, wherein the guiding tool 20 is configured to transmit at least one signal indicative of an orientation of the structure.

While several examples were described above, where each example has certain characteristics, it should be understood that it is not necessary that a particular characteristic of an example be used exclusively in such an example. Rather, any of the features previously described and / or illustrated in the figures may be combined with any of the examples, in addition to, or instead of, any of the other features of these examples. The characteristics of an example are not mutually exclusive of the characteristics of another example. Rather, the scope of the present disclosure encompasses any combination of any of the features.

Although each example described above includes a certain combination of characteristics, it should be understood that it is not necessary to use all the characteristics of each example. Rather, any of the above-described features may be used, without any other particular characteristic or characteristics being used thereby.

It should be understood that the various embodiments described herein can be used in various orientations, such as tilted, inverted, horizontal, vertical, etc., and in various configurations, without departing of the principles of the present disclosure. The modalities are described merely as examples of useful applications of the principles of the present disclosure, which are not limited to any detail of these modalities.

In the above description of the representative examples, the directional terms (such as "above", "below", "superior", "inferior", etc.) are used for convenience when referring to the appended figures. However, it should be clearly understood that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to any of the particular addresses described herein.

The terms "including", "includes", "comprising", "comprises", and the like are used in the present specification in a non-limiting sense. For example, if a System, method, apparatus, device, etc., is described as "including" a certain characteristic or element, the system, method, apparatus, device, etc., may include such a characteristic or element, and may also include other features or elements. Similarly, the term "comprises" is considered to mean "includes, but is not limited to".

Of course, a person skilled in the art could, by carefully considering the above description of representative modalities of the present disclosure, easily appreciate that numerous modifications, additions, substitutions, deletions and other changes can be made in the specific modalities, and that such changes are contemplated by the principles of the present disclosure. For example, structures disclosed as separately formed may, in other examples, be integrally formed, and vice versa. Accordingly, it should be clearly understood that the above detailed description is only by way of illustration and example, and the spirit and scope of the present invention is limited only by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the present invention as above, it is considered as a novelty and, therefore, the content of the following is claimed as property: CLAIMS

1. A guiding tool for use in wells, characterized in that the guiding tool comprises: a flow control device that controls the flow between an interior and an exterior of a body of the orienting tool, in order to thereby transmit at least one signal indicative of an orientation of the body, wherein the flow control device is extendable outward with respect to the body.

2. The guiding tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the body has a generally tubular shape, and wherein the flow control device is contained in a housing extending outwardly through a body wall.

3. The orienting tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the outward extension of the flow control device increases an internal dimension in the body.

4. The guiding tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the flow control device extends outwards in response to a driving force applied by an object moving in the body.

5. The orienting tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the flow control device extends outwards in response to the application of a predetermined pressure to an interior of the body.

6. The orienting tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the flow control device extends outwards in response to the application of a predetermined pressure pattern to the tool.

7. The guiding tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the flow control device extends outwards in response to the application of a predetermined differential pressure to the tool.

8. The guiding tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the flow control device extends outwards in response to a signal transmitted by an object moving in the body.

9. The guiding tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the flow control device extends outwards in response to the transmission of a signal from a remote location to the tool.

10. The guiding tool according to claim 1 further comprises a sensor that receives a signal transmitted by an object in the body.

11. The guiding tool according to claim 1, further comprises a motor that moves the flow control device.

12. The guiding tool according to claim 1, further comprises a drive device that moves the flow control device.

13. A method to orient a structure in an underground well, characterized because it comprises: transmitting at least one signal from an orienting tool, the signal is indicative of an orientation of the orienting tool in the well; and moving a housing of the orienting tool outwardly relative to a generally tubular body of the orienting tool.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprises connecting the guiding tool to a Known orientation with respect to the structure, and position the structure and the orienting tool in the well.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that the displacement is carried out after positioning.

16. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the transmission further comprises a flow control device that controls the flow between an interior and an exterior of the body, in order to thereby transmit the signal.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that the flow control device is contained in the housing.

18. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the displacement further comprises increasing an interior dimension in the body.

19. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the displacement is carried out in response to a driving force applied by an object that moves in the body.

20. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the displacement is carried out in response to the application of a predetermined pressure to an interior of the body.

21. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the displacement is carried out in response to the application of a predetermined pressure pattern to the tool.

22. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the displacement is carried out in response to the application of a predetermined differential pressure to the tool.

23. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the movement is carried out in response to the transmission of a signal by an object that moves in the body.

24. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the displacement is carried out in response to the transmission of a signal from a remote location to the tool.

25. The method according to claim 13 further comprises a sensor of the guiding tool that receives a signal transmitted by an object in the body.

26. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the displacement further comprises a motor that moves the housing.

27. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the displacement further comprises a drive that moves the housing.

28. A well system, characterized in that it comprises: a guiding tool connected to a structure and positioned in a well, the guiding tool includes a housing that is extendable outwardly with respect to a generally tubular body, wherein the guiding tool is configured to transmit by at least one signal indicative of an orientation of the structure.

29. The well system according to claim 28, characterized in that the orienting tool further includes a flow control device that controls the flow between an interior and an exterior of the body, in order to thereby transmit the signal.

30. The well system according to claim 29, characterized in that the flow control device is contained in the housing.

31. The well system according to the claim 28, characterized in that the outward extension of the housing increases an interior dimension in the body.

32. The well system according to the claim 28, characterized in that the housing extends outwardly in response to a driving force applied by an object moving in the body.

33. The well system according to claim 28, characterized in that the housing extends outward in response to the application of a predetermined pressure to an interior of the body.

34. The well system according to the claim 28, characterized in that the housing extends outward in response to the application of a predetermined pressure pattern to the tool.

35. The well system according to claim 28, characterized in that the housing extends outwardly in response to the application of a predetermined differential pressure to the tool.

36. The well system according to the claim 28, characterized in that the housing extends outwards in response to a signal transmitted by an object moving in the body.

37. The well system according to the claim 28, characterized in that the housing extends outwardly in response to the transmission of a predetermined signal from a remote location to the tool.

38. The well system according to claim 28, characterized in that the orienting device further includes a sensor that receives a signal transmitted by an object in the body.

39. The well system according to claim 28, characterized in that the orienting tool also includes a motor that moves the housing.

40. The well system according to claim 28, characterized in that the guiding tool further includes a driving device that displaces the housing.