SA97180401B1 - A system and method for placing and recovering a subsurface diverting tool for use in drilling and completion of wells - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract: The present invention relates to an oblique surface turning tool with an anchoring tool that secures the tool in a desired position on the surface in the main wellbore casing for turning drilling tools used in making a side hole. A circular cup-shaped seal closes on the cover. A passage through this tool allows fluid to pass through the sealing cap when the tool is lowered into the casing. This passage is closed from the surface of the well when the tool is anchored. After the side hole is made, the tool is used to turn a liner into the side well hole. The upper end extends from the liner to the sheathing, where it is in the middle. The liner is reinforced with cement in the side hole and in the casing with cement applied to affect the tightness of the junction point of the liner and casing. The cement and liner are removed by a tubular mill pulverizing the casing on top of the diverter leaving a flow opening for pulverizing the casing into the liner. The mill then engages the deflected surface, and mills the cup-like reciprocating sealing cap to cut the tool's sealing cap with the casing, locking onto the tool and releasing it prying the casing to return the assembly to the surface of the well. The instrument may be repositioned in the casing to transfer the instruments to the liner.

Description

Y — — System and method for placing and retrieving a subsurface diverting tool used in drilling and completion of wells Full Description BACKGROUND The present invention generally relates to the drilling and completion of a lateral well drilled from the master wellbore. Typically, the lateral well is drilled from the J-hole with the help of a turning tool that is installed in the m of the main-hole and diverts a drill bit from the main-hole to the underground formation along the main-bore. A combination of devices and techniques are used to position and anchor the turning tool so that it turns the drill bit in the proper position and in the proper direction. The mechanisms used to anchor and release a subsurface diverter were complex and some required complex surface manipulation to anchor and release them from their respective positions in the blister bore. 0 The placement of turning tools is also difficult when it is desired that this tool seals the blister hole into which it is anchored and if sealing occurs before the tool is lowered into place a tool under the surface can act as a hermetic piston moving in the A-casing This leads to pressure retention. To prevent this pressure retention from occurring, subsurface devices generally incorporated mechanisms to act on the airtight cap only after lowering the tool to the desired position \o below the surface. Subsurface tools that are designed to operate from the surface of the hole to anchor and seal a well casing usually use controlled radial mechanisms to engage and seal the casing. And such mechanisms; which

DAS - should generally be in a retracted position to allow the tool to move through the casing; They are mechanically moved from the surface of the borehole once the instruments are properly positioned in a suitable subsurface location. In general, the flattening and contraction of these anchoring and sealing devices employ rather complex mechanisms that must be performed in a specific sequence or are subject to pressure controls from the surface of the blister. The complexity of these devices makes them expensive when manufactured and increases the possibility of failure in successive setup and reset operations. It also requires the restoration of pivot mechanisms from time to time to use complex release mechanisms that are expensive to manufacture and maintain; It also can stop working easily. when performing milling operations; It may also be necessary to perform one or more cleaning procedures before 0 implementation mechanisms are restored. These additional procedures can greatly reduce the time and related expense required to excavate or complete the blister. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention is an improvement of the subsurface diverting tool to lower it through the main well casing; anchored to a required position below the surface in the casing and then restored to the blister surface. And M1 milling annular cup-shaped sealing cap is employed on the tool to make a continuous sliding control cap on the blister sleeve. A passage is made for the fluid flow in the tool to pass pressure through the sealing ring when the tool is lowered into position. Once the device is in place, the passage from the blister surface can be closed so that the Lila device closes the envelope. And the use of a fixed-connecting circular sealing cap leads to the required sealing with the surrounding casing without the need to use mechanically remotely moving circular sealing mechanisms.

d Tool recovery is accomplished using a milling tool that performs multiple functions such as cleaning down the casing bore of the well tool and cutting the circular tight cap; and engaging, securing, and releasing the tool from its support position. A tight cap cut ensures pressure equalization across the tool as it is restored to the surface of the jill to prevent pressure retention by avoiding the need for complex M-valve re-opening mechanisms or remote surface operations required by most conventional recoverable tools. Another aspect of this invention is that the association of the milling tool with the drilling tool is affected by a simple axial movement of the tools against each other. Hence the design of the recovery mechanisms of the present invention contributes to their ease of use and to ensure proper operation; and reduce manufacturing cost. The design of the system and method of the present invention also provides a single stroke procedure for reopening the main jacket and engaging and retrieving the extruder. Once the mill and the combined blister have been restored; Tubular mill components can be checked for proper grinding by the material in the well casing above the moored tool. An objective of the present invention is to provide a recoverable subsurface tool that may be positioned 1 subsurface in docked and sealed with the casing and then released and restored to the well surface with a simple mechanical recovery tool. An objective of the present invention is to provide a subsurface recovery device that is easy to install and operate in order to reduce its manufacturing cost and reduce the possibility of component failure or non-operation. to

o —_— —_— The present invention aims to provide a subsurface recovery tool that forms a tight cap with the casing wall by using an airtight cap that remains firmly attached to the casing wall during tool placement and operation. ’ A further objective of the present invention is to provide a subsurface tool equipped with a lateral flow passage extending through the fixed circular sealing cap to prevent pressure differences from occurring through the tool when traveling through the casing. It is also an objective of the present invention to provide a subsurface tool which, when mechanically moved from the surface, will block the passage of the fluid to seal the well casing completely. Also an object of the present invention is to provide a recovery turning tool which is recovered by means of a mill that cuts the tightness of the tool with the casing; It is attached to IY) and released from its docked state to allow the recovery of ensemble 001 to the surface of al . Also an objective of the present invention is to center the upper end of the side liner in the primary blister casing so that when it mills through the cement downwards the milling tool can be overlapped with a turning tool to assist in centering the hole being drilled in the SL main casing. ve and these objectives as well as some objectives (cs AY) and the characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become clear Ula from the full description; Where figures are indicated in the accompanying illustrations.

Brief Explanation of Drawings FIG. 1 is a section from above showing a blister diverter of the present invention being placed underground in a jacketed primary wellbore; Fig. 1 is a detailed cross-sectional view ' showing a by-pass valve of the J gal o device of the present invention when opened; “Shape” is a view similar to the shape? A bypass valve of the fifth diverter of the present invention is shown at the closed position; the shape ; is a section from above showing the portion of the deep-drill recovery mill of the present invention interlocking with the spreader to prepare for release and recovery of the spreader; 0 Figure 0 is a section from above detailing the operation and construction of the mill-release catch mechanism; Figure + is a view similar to Figure # showing the mill-release gripping mechanism; Fig. 17 is a top view detailing the structure of the holding mechanism employed to secure the skew tool to the mill; yo and figure A is a detailed view of the AY grab taken along line A=A from figure . Detailed Cia ol) The spreader of the present invention commonly referred to in 01 is shown when lowered through the casing 11 of the primary wellbore. VY Tool 01 has a tapered turning surface

- v- which forms part of the basic casing series is configured with a VF and a dedicated ground collar .a0, oriented and docked as further described in application serial number 01 to interlock with the tool and is assigned to the specified in the present invention. 1996 Jun YY Archived 07.71 EVA Initiation extends to VE through a tubular drill string 11 Jl into hole 01 and the tool is lowered by securing the drill string to the diverter using Connector 11 blisters surface. The converter driver oo performs optimally; Anchor and Tighten 01 is tightened once the tool is oriented 11 can be released to provide a starting point or turning point for directional drilling and is also used to tighten the 01 Tool is used above the tool from the casing area and below the tool. Hence, when anchoring Ad casing area the tool works to keep the cuttings and drilling fluids in addition to the cement in the 0 and seal 0 upper area of the tool and to prevent petroleum fluids in the area below the tool from contamination or with well operations. Jail During casing 0) a sealed cup-type cap 01 and during the tool lowering process forms a sliding engagement part sealed with the inner casing wall. The upward-facing circular VY incorporating the VA through a central flow passage 117 through the hermetic cap 01 passes the fluid through the “cup” type vo device 117 and the sealing cap Ye may be on the passage axial) linked to a “surveilled” diagonal passage, which continuously interlocks with the surrounding well tube and seals it. Such tight caps result in more effective sealing when reinforced by differential pressure. Control fluid pressure VY is appropriately applied and directed into sleeve part 01 and when the tool is placed and into this VA to close the flow passage. YY Center Flow Pipe IVE Through Drill Pipe ©

Ym - clea, optimally shown in Figure oY, fluid pressure is applied to the tube 11 to exert an axis-directed effort against the tube cap YY towards the shear pins YF which maintain passage for the valve piston LYE and the piston YE with yo-ring caps provide a tight sliding engagement with the piston bore wall surrounding the YT and once the YE pins make the cut; Fluid pressure pushes the piston of the YE valve down onto the piston shown in Fig. “ to close the diagonal side port LY 0. Movement of the piston to the position shown in Fig. * allows a flexible locking clamp YW to close abruptly to hold the piston in place. The closure of port 01 prevents the flow through the central tool passage YA while the circular cap 17 prevents the outflow from the tool and then the well casing 11 is completely sealed with the tool 01. Once the casing 11 is sealed, it works. Tool 01 to prevent cuts or 0 curing or drilling fluids, cement or other debris from moving down through the casing 11 al and also prevents blister fluids at the bottom of the tool from flowing into the casing above the tool. After tool 01 is oriented, anchored and sealed, a traditional side excavation process is carried out to create a side wetter hole YA (Fig. YA and the Ve window as well as the equipment and procedures used in guiding and docking the turning tool 01 are described in more detail in the pending US patent cited before. After the YA side hole has been formed a liner is placed in this YA side hole using the turning tool 01 to guide the liner from the main hole to the side hole in the usual way. The hole .Wally (not shown) for liner 91 is allowed to extend a short distance into the casing

and - the main 11 where it is centered with the mill centering pads; The remains of these pads are shown in 7 in Fig. 4. The liner TY is cemented in the side hole YA with cement also placed in the space between the liner and the casing 11 as shown in YF and in the cross section VA of m liner hole and original bore as shown in FE The use of © centering pads ensures that the Slay cement adequately cements the top end of the FY liner and it would be desirable to extend the TY pads around the outer perimeter of the YA liner And equipping it with extended side openings (not shown) to enable the cement to flow through these cushions into the circular area between the liner and the casing. The center is on the inside of the main cover. After cementing, a top-driven mill restorer 0 is used to grind the cement into the main hole as shown in Fig. 4. The outer diameter of the mill base 0 is somewhat smaller than the inner diameter of the casing 11 so as to leave a layer A thin layer of cement between the mill and the casing as the mill advances downward. The mill 40 overlaps with the upper yo-end of the liner and is used to grind through the liner at the point where the liner enters the main casing. The tube mill extends 0; axially appropriately to provide the necessary internal volume and length to complete the cement binder; and other cuts and residue remaining in the casing ol above said tool 01 as well as the overlap in the body of tool 01 as required to engage and then release the tool from its anchor position in the casing. 4 l

- 1. To prepare and recover the tool 01 nested in the upper hole of the tool 50 the figure © shows the mill and the collet 117 is pushed in and where the mill advances into the tool 10; Sealing cap milled 0.17 SS 1; down to the position shown in Figure 1 and destroying the sealing cap to allow pressure equalization across the tool. 01 by means of a mill to open a circular passage around the tool into place. 1 and push the collars 1; down to bend retention pins 1; who is holding the hoop © and when pushing the hoop 1; Downward opening springs with pressurized steel locking mechanisms engage to be engaged by an internally constrained flange area; 4 is configured at the lower end of £0 as shown in Figure 7; The gripping mechanism 47 has a tubular base section fe mill supporting a number of wedge segments extending across the axle 47. The main section is partially cut to form an incomplete circle so that the mechanism can be compressed "diagonally". The fingers £71 which are made 0 diagonally outward from main part; provided with 71 teeth; on outer surfaces

EA and the upper ends of the fingers 47 have a tapered inner bearing surface Extended Led wedge gripping mechanism remains ?; at co and when the mill is placed in the position indicated in Fig. 41 and the mill may enter its diagonal shape through an upper sleeve of the stop collar freely into the restriction mechanism £1 until the base of the mill overlaps with the large base of the stop collar 50 1 down and release the mechanism "; by spring 41 Continuous lowering of the mill pushes the collar 41. 6 4 back so that the inner restriction part 0 overlaps diagonally open. The mill is then retracted into the fingers £1 of the mechanism?; as it pulls the fingers up against a tapering spreading surface. 01 outward 49 on the body of the tool.

11 - - upward motion of the fingers £1 on the spreading surface 4 extends the fingers diagonally outwards to engage with the cylindrical inner surface 00 of the mill £0 and the tapered endurance surfaces EA of the fingers engage with the tapering spreading surface £9 to force the teeth of the fingers 71; is in tight grip engagement with the surface of the inner mill 50 as the mill 500 is pulled axially with respect to the tool .01 and the resulting gripping force between the tool 01 and the mill FE allows the tool to be released from the casing and back into the surface of the well with the mill. and when the system and method of the present invention work; The spreading tool 01 is installed on a drill string and lowered into the casing 11 on which the cement is placed in the Blister Hole VY. It is preferable to equip the well casing 11 with a special casing collar 1” having a uniquely fitted inner surface that matches the 0 Corresponding figure in the setting mechanism that is implemented in the base of the tool 01. The collar cooperates with the setting mechanism to anchor the tool 01 and securely locates its orientation in relation to the cover window 1 “that was made before and through which a side hole is made TA Whereas, tool 01 is lowered through the casing) ¢ The circular, cup-shaped, airtight cap engages and forms a sliding, airtight cap with the inner surface of the casing. ve _ The external circular seal VY through a central flow passage VA extending through the tool .01 The upper routing of the cup-like cover also participates in the passage of fluid through the tool when it is lowered through the casing as any relatively high pressure occurs below the tool tends to destroy the sealed cup-like casing causing pressure equalization across the tool Once the tool is bolted and driven into the OY collar the pressure on the VE drill string shifts the piston of the center bypass valve vy.7 down to close the flow path AA

- 17 Released from the 01 drill string VE tool attaching the turning tool 11 turning setting tool by screwing on a shear bolt or by any other usual release method. String 01a tubing of tool 01 drill and bit (not shown) is employed in the usual manner to divert from the diversion surface and in the YA side-bore A into the surrounding ground formation to form hole 0 via the casing window and chemicals dal) m this side blister drilling process; Drilling fluids, machining and completion bits, and any other process materials are kept in the casing over the airtight tool.

A

YA The drill string and drill bit are recovered to the surface after the completion of the side hole work

Ie oblique face Jad 1 in blistering through the main sleeve 91 lowering the liner baie VA shifts the lower end of the liner into the blister hole 01 when the tool 01 shifts the tool 0 allowing the end Upper liner (not shown) YA Insert the liner hole into the side hole hole

PY to protrude and extend a short distance upwards through the main shell. Centering pillows 11. The upper protruding end of the casing is centered using YA equipment and procedures with cement in the side blister hole ©1 and the casing is placed conventionally for setting cement. A sufficient amount of cement is also applied during this procedure to fill the void 1 in addition to zone 11 and the intersection zone of the liner with the main packing chain “1” between the liner in zone 11 and the casing 01 and between the tool 11 The circle between the protruding upper end of the liner and the cover

NY hermetic ef The recovery tubular mill 0 is secured; at the bottom of the drill pipe string and is rotated and lowered and this process produces an inner bore hole .01 for milling on the end of the upper liner and cement; Below the tool © 7/7/4

Smooth seam through casing 11 with flush media for a secure seal. After milling through the cutting cement in the liner 71 at its entrance in the casing VY the mill continues cutting the cement as Led overlaps the curved surface 01 of the tool. The grinding procedure is continued in the downward direction until the sealing cap 1 is destroyed and the lower end of the mill engages and the retaining collar slides down to the position

1; After the collar 500 is offset and the mill EF raised in Fig. 1 to release the fingers oo 01 downward the gripping fingers 1 retracted against the spread surface 69 attaching the tool the AVL assembly and the mill 0 can be released. ; With each other. When both are engaged and all are engaged and restored to the 1” surface of the locking collar 01 and tool 50 of the mill (ALIS) the pressure lock prevents development through the assembly where it is restored. 117 Absence of a tight cap

0 By completing the said process; The re-opening of the blister is accomplished by making a complete smooth bore hole through the cross section of the side and main casing. The cement in the cross section serves to seal the liner to the inner shell area and to hold the side liner in place. (sale) turning tool 01 may be operated to reposition the sleeve bolt 11 as required to shift tools or other materials from the jacket 11 to the liner.71

vo and the previous disclosure and explanation of this invention for the purpose of clarification and explanation. Variations in size, shape and materials as well as details of the structure shown would be highly appreciated by those experienced in the art. A combination of properties and steps of the method in which exposure is made

Here it is presented without straying from the spirit of invention.

Claims (1)

P1 - Elements of protection 1-1 A device for temporary mooring in the Jl tube and is secured to it in a subsurface position comprising: ¥ An anchoring tool for mechanical engagement and grip of the fixed device in the said well tube; - in the desired position below the desired surface; 0 preliminary cap to form the partial cap between said rig and said drill pipe 1; Optionally sealable fluid passage V to allow equalization of pressure through the initial A-tight cap when said device is moved in said A-tube; 4 Closing Mechanism to be operated when said device is in subsurface location 0 Said required to close said passage to seal said blister tube 11 completely and 1 Retrieval mechanism to grind the initial tight cap and secure said device to recover to the surface of the well yy. 1 “- apparatus as defined in claim 1; additionally includes Y on: A grip assembly with diagonal gripping elements (ALE) for movement carried by said apparatus; ; - Release control that can be moved to hold said grip elements in a retracted position 0 diagonal and said control is triggered by said recovery mechanism where 1 Movement of said release control with said recall mechanism causes an extension 7" gripping elements axial to gripping joints with said retrieval mechanism; Mg \ _ A, a tapered loading surface that works on the mentioned gripping elements to increase the axially directed gripping force of the said gripping elements, where the axially tapering bearing surface, Yo, La is proportional to the gripping elements. 1 *- Device as defined in Clause Cum) Said device Y comprises a turning surface for directing lateral devices away from the central axis of said aly tube. =f) device as specified in the protection element Cum) The initial Y control cover comprises a circular cup-shaped cover. 1#- device as specified in oF protection wherein the initial Y control cover comprises a circular cup-shaped cover. 1 +- device as specified in claim Cum of Control Cover Primary Y comprises a tube mill Ash 1 7 device as specified in claim L where mechanism includes | To additionally retrieve the Y on the grip assembly with movable axial grip elements V mounted with said device: ¢ A release control that can be moved to hold said grip elements in position 0 diagonal retreat and said control operated by said retrieval mechanism Cua The motion of the said release control performs the mechanism (sala uy): 1 - - mentioned VY to the gripping elements extending axially to the gripping connections with said A-retrieval mechanism; 4 Tapered bearing surface acting on the mentioned gripping elements to increase the gripping force 0 Axially guiding the said gripping elements where the bearing surface 11 tapered is moved axially in proportion to the gripping elements. —A 1 device as specified in claim oF where the recovery mechanism “mentioned” additionally includes: ©” a tubular milling device to interrupt the initial control cover and secure said device; to restore to the surface A 1 4 - a device as specified in claim A which additionally comprises: » | a releaseable gripping assembly borne with said device; 6 said retrieving mechanism fitted to engage and connect with the gripping assembly to release 0 said assembly from the jill position Desirable; 1 said grab assembly having movable diagonal grab elements held 1" in a pivot recovery position on said device by movable release control A; and the firing action element is actuated by the recoiling mechanism 4 whereby the movement of said firing control with said recuperating mechanism causes the gripping elements to extend axially to the gripping links with said recuperating mechanism; 11 Tapered loading deck carried with said retraction mechanism and acting on said 1" gripping elements to increase the axially directed gripping force of said gripping elements where 1 - - VY The tapered bearing surface is moved axially in proportion to the gripping elements. Sea-01-1 for optionally gripping and releasing components in an extended subsurface borehole device "- axially comprising: » a gripping assembly with movable diagonal gripping elements ALE mounted on said device; To release 0 said assembly from the desired bottom surface ll position; 4 Release control can be moved to hold said holding elements in 1" diagonal retraction and said control is actuated by said A-rebound mechanism performing the movement of the release control mentioned with said retrieval mechanism 4 to the gripping elements extending axially to the gripping connections with said retrieval yo mechanism; 11 Tapered bearing surface acting on the said gripping elements to increase the gripping force 1" _ axial guide of said gripping elements where the 1" tapered bearing surface is moved axially in proportion to the gripping elements. -11 1 device as defined in claim 10, wherein: ¥ said retrieval mechanism comprises a tubular body ¥ a bea for interference through a male ¥ said grab; The release control includes a circular detainer that surrounds; with said gripping elements to hold the gripping elements in the pivot return position until transition with said retraction mechanism. 1-1 device as specified in the Cua VY protection element moves - 1" said grip pivots outward when released to be engaged through the deck ». Inner tubular AY mentioned return and proportional axial return mechanism movement; The tapered tolerance surfaces retract said gripping elements against the tapered tolerance 0 surface to increase the diagonally directed pulling force exerted by the 1 pull elements against the inner tubular surface of the desired retrieval mechanism. -1”1 subsurface retrievable deflection device; for the Y side deviation equipment in the main wellbore includes: » - a surface-operated latch mechanism to secure said deflection device in position 3 below the surface in the main wellbore; © 1 deflection surface on said deflection device to orient equipment laterally away from the central axis of the main borehole; V guide device attached to said deflection device to direct said deflection surface + relative to the circumference of the main borehole; 4 circular wiper cup sealing cap held by the deflection device To seal Ys the circular distance between the deflection device and the main blister bore; 11 fluid passage axially runs through said deflection device to pass pressure VY axially through said deflection device through said circular sealing cap; and #10 passage on the surface It is controlled by a closing mechanism to close the fluid passage Vg mentioned. - yao lower the said instrument having an airtight cap to a position below the surface in the ¥ said blistering tube; The wiper cover has been configured to slide into the aforementioned blistering tube; 2 Passing the pressure through the wiper cover through an axially extended flow passage supplied with the aforementioned tool. while said tool is lowered through said blistering tube; SV close said flow passage to prevent pressure from passing through said tool and sweep cover A q lower the recovery mechanism through the pressure passage through said tool and sweep cover; 0 lower mechanism recovery via said wellbore and by engaging the hold with said tool 1;VY interrupting said wiper control cap with the retrieval mechanism to allow pressure to pass through said tool VY;vg said; and Jl releasing said instrument from its docking state with tube 1 retrieval of said retrieval mechanisms and holding device to the blister surface. -5 Vf method as specified in claim 1-1 additionally comprises Steps: Y Provide a turning surface on said tool to convert low gear into tube ¥ ; . Said well is away from the central axis of said well-tube. In addition, method V0 as specified in Clause 01-1 comprises the steps: - “Lower a drill rig into said well-tube and © and l- ¢ convert said drill assembly with said diversion surface to make a blister hole EXTEN 5-11 1 method as specified in claim do 7 additionally includes steps for determining the direction of said subsurface tool in the blister pipe To face said switching surface to a predetermined circumferential position in said A pipe. vva