US20050067163A1 - Monobore release for tubing conveyed perforating - Google Patents
Monobore release for tubing conveyed perforating Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20050067163A1 US20050067163A1 US10/671,136 US67113603A US2005067163A1 US 20050067163 A1 US20050067163 A1 US 20050067163A1 US 67113603 A US67113603 A US 67113603A US 2005067163 A1 US2005067163 A1 US 2005067163A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- tubular string
- release assembly
- perforating gun
- well
- perforating
- Prior art date
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- Abandoned
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- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 25
- 238000010304 firing Methods 0.000 claims description 10
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 9
- 241000282472 Canis lupus familiaris Species 0.000 description 12
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 9
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 239000002360 explosive Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000007792 addition Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012217 deletion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037430 deletion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012856 packing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001681 protective effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000006467 substitution reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
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Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B17/00—Drilling rods or pipes; Flexible drill strings; Kellies; Drill collars; Sucker rods; Cables; Casings; Tubings
- E21B17/02—Couplings; joints
- E21B17/04—Couplings; joints between rod or the like and bit or between rod and rod or the like
- E21B17/06—Releasing-joints, e.g. safety joints
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to operations performed and equipment utilized in conjunction with a subterranean well and, in an embodiment described herein, more particularly provides a monobore release for tubing conveyed perforating.
- the apparatus used to releasably secure the perforating gun to the tubing string would preferably leave a minimum internal restriction which is at least as great as a minimum internal restriction of the remainder of the tubing string.
- the apparatus used to releasably secure the perforating gun to the tubing string would permit both retrieving the perforating gun through the tubing string, and separating the perforating gun from the tubing string (i.e., so that the perforating gun can drop in the well below the tubing string).
- a method of perforating a well includes the steps of: actuating at least one perforating gun while the perforating gun is secured to a tubular string in the well; and retrieving the perforating gun from the well through the tubular string.
- a well perforating system in another aspect of the invention, includes a release assembly interconnected in a tubular string. At least one perforating gun is releasably secured to the tubular string by the release assembly while the tubular string is conveyed into the well.
- the release assembly permits the perforating gun to be retrieved from the well through the tubular string, and also permits the perforating gun to be separated from the tubular string in the well.
- a release assembly for use in releasably securing at least one perforating gun to a tubular string positioned in a subterranean well.
- the release assembly includes an outer housing having upper and lower connections for interconnecting the housing in the tubular string.
- An inner housing has a lower connection for interconnecting the perforating gun to the inner housing.
- a mandrel is displaceable between a secured position in which the inner and outer housings are secured relative to each other, and a released positioned in which relative displacement is permitted between the inner and outer housings.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic partially cross-sectional view of a system and method embodying principles of the present invention, in which initial steps of the method have been performed;
- FIG. 2 is a schematic partially cross-sectional view of the system and method of FIG. 1 , in which further steps of the method have been performed;
- FIG. 3 is a schematic partially cross-sectional view of the system and method of FIG. 1 , in which alternate steps of the method have been performed;
- FIG. 4 is a schematic partially cross-sectional view of the system and method of FIG. 1 , in which an alternate configuration of the system is illustrated;
- FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a release assembly which may be used in the system and method of FIG. 1 , and which embodies principles of the invention.
- FIG. 1 Representatively illustrated in FIG. 1 is a system 10 and associated method which embody principles of the present invention.
- directional terms such as “above”, “below”, “upper”, “lower”, etc., are used only for convenience in referring to the accompanying drawings. Additionally, it is to be understood that the various embodiments of the present invention described herein may be utilized in various orientations, such as inclined, inverted, horizontal, vertical, etc., and in various configurations, without departing from the principles of the present invention.
- casing indicates a tubular structure which lines a wellbore, such as a casing string, liner string or other tubular string.
- a seal assembly 18 carried on the tubing string 12 provides sealing engagement between the tubing string and a seal bore 22 associated with a packer 20 previously set in the wellbore 14 .
- the seal bore 22 could be formed in the packer 20 , in a polished bore receptacle attached to the packer, or otherwise associated with the packer.
- the packer 20 could be interconnected in the tubing string 12 and conveyed into the wellbore 14 as part of the tubing string.
- a perforating gun 24 carried by the tubing string 12 is positioned opposite a formation or zone 26 intersected by the wellbore 14 .
- the packer 20 is interconnected in the tubing string 12 , then setting the packer in the wellbore 14 will anchor the perforating gun opposite the zone 26 .
- Only a single perforating gun 24 is depicted in FIG. 1 opposite a single zone 26 , but it should be understood that any number of individual perforating guns may be used, and any number of zones may be perforated, in the system 10 .
- Firing heads 28 are provided above and below the perforating gun 24 .
- one or both of the firing heads 28 preferably cause explosives in the perforating gun 24 to detonate in a manner well known to those skilled in the art.
- two firing heads 28 are depicted for redundancy in firing the perforating gun 24 , any number of firing heads may be used in the system 10 .
- the firing heads 28 may be mechanically, hydraulically, electrically, or otherwise actuated in keeping with the principles of the invention.
- the perforating gun 24 is releasably secured to the tubing string 12 by means of a release assembly 30 interconnected in the tubing string.
- a release assembly 30 interconnected in the tubing string.
- the release assembly 30 is positioned below the packer 20 .
- the release assembly 30 is displaced through the packer 20 when the tubing string 12 is positioned in the wellbore 14 .
- the release assembly 30 may alternatively be positioned above the packer 20 .
- the release assembly 30 permits the perforating gun 24 to be separated from the tubing string 12 , so that the gun can drop into a rathole 32 below the zone 26 .
- Another advantage of the system 10 is that the release assembly 30 also permits the perforating gun 24 to be retrieved from the wellbore 14 through the tubing string 12 .
- the release assembly 30 has a minimum internal restriction which is at least as great as a minimum internal restriction of the remainder of the tubing string 12 , so that the release assembly does not present any additional hindrance to flow of fluids or passage of equipment through the tubing string.
- the system 10 is depicted in a configuration in which the zone 26 has been perforated by actuating the perforating gun 24 .
- the release assembly 30 has then been operated to release the perforating gun 24 from the tubing string 12 , allowing the perforating gun to separate from the tubing string and drop into the rathole 32 .
- the perforating gun 24 may unsuccessfully fire (the explosives therein may fail to detonate, etc.), in which case it may be desired to drop the perforating gun into the rathole 32 , so that another perforating gun may be conveyed through the tubing string (for example, by wireline, coiled tubing, etc.) to perforate the zone 26 .
- a conventional retrieval tool 34 such as a Model GS pulling tool available from Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. of Houston, Tex., may be conveyed by wireline, slickline, coiled tubing, or other type of conveyance through the tubing string 12 to release the release assembly and retrieve the perforating gun 24 .
- the perforating gun 24 may be retrieved from the wellbore 14 due to the gun being unsuccessfully fired, in which case retrieval of the gun will permit another perforating gun to be conveyed through the tubing string 12 to perforate the zone 26 , without having to pull the tubing string. However, the perforating gun 24 may be retrieved even if it was successfully fired, for example, if it is not desired to leave the gun opposite the zone 26 after perforating, and if there is not sufficient rathole 32 below the zone to receive the perforating gun.
- the perforating gun 24 (and associated firing heads 28 , etc.) can conveniently pass through the release assembly as well as it can pass through the remainder of the tubing string.
- the system 10 is depicted in an alternate configuration in which the release assembly 30 is positioned above the packer 20 , instead of below the packer.
- One advantage to this configuration is that the release assembly 30 does not pass through the packer 20 when the tubing string 12 is conveyed into the wellbore 14 .
- the release assembly 30 can have a larger outer dimension, and consequently can have a larger minimum internal restriction to accommodate larger perforating guns, etc. passing therethrough.
- the release assembly 30 does not pass through the packer 20 .
- the outer dimension of the release assembly 30 would not be restricted by the packer 20 bore, and the release assembly having the larger outer dimension could be positioned above or below the packer as desired.
- release assembly 40 embodying principles of the invention is representatively illustrated.
- the release assembly 40 may be used for the release assembly 30 in the system 10 , or the release assembly 40 may be used in other systems or methods.
- other types of release assemblies may be used for the release assembly 30 in the system 10 . Accordingly, it should be clearly understood that the present invention is not limited to any specific details of the system 10 or release assembly 40 described herein.
- the release assembly 40 as depicted in FIG. 5 includes an outer housing 42 , an inner housing 44 and a mandrel 46 .
- the outer and inner housings 42 , 44 are secured against displacement relative to each other by engagement of multiple dogs or lugs 48 with an annular recess 50 formed internally in the outer housing 42 .
- the dogs 48 extend through openings 52 formed through a sidewall of the inner housing 44 .
- the mandrel 46 maintains the dogs 48 in engagement with the recess 50 by preventing inward displacement of the dogs. However, if shear screws 54 releasably securing the mandrel 46 in position relative to the inner housing 44 are sheared, then the mandrel will be permitted to displace upward. Upward displacement of the mandrel 46 will position a radially reduced portion 56 of the mandrel opposite the dogs 48 and permit the dogs to displace inwardly out of engagement with the recess 50 .
- the inner housing 44 is released for displacement relative to the outer housing 42 by applying a force to the mandrel 56 to shear the screws 54 and upwardly displace the mandrel, thereby permitting the dogs 48 to be disengaged from the recess 50 .
- the release assembly 40 could be configured so that the mandrel 56 is downwardly displaced to permit the dogs 48 to be disengaged from the recess 50 .
- the force is preferably applied to the mandrel 46 by engaging a tool, such as the retrieval tool 34 described above, with an internal profile 58 formed in a mandrel extension 60 attached to the mandrel. The force is then transmitted from the tool 34 to the mandrel extension 60 by pulling upwardly on the tool from the surface.
- a tool such as the retrieval tool 34 described above
- the mandrel 46 and extension 60 are reciprocably received in the inner housing 44 .
- the shear screws 54 initially prevent displacement of the mandrel 46 relative to the inner housing 44 .
- upward displacement of the mandrel 46 relative to the inner housing 44 may be limited by a collar 62 attached to an upper end of the inner housing.
- the collar 62 has a shoulder 64 formed on a lower end thereof which will contact an upper end of the mandrel 46 and prevent further upward displacement of the mandrel relative to the inner housing 44 .
- This engagement between the collar 64 and the mandrel 46 also allows the tool 34 to be used to retrieve the mandrel, extension 60 , inner housing 44 , collar and dogs 48 from within the outer housing 42 . In this manner, only the outer housing 42 remains once these other elements have been retrieved from within the outer housing using the tool 34 .
- the sequence of steps in this operation is as follows: 1) the tool 34 is engaged with the profile 58 ; 2) an upwardly directed force is applied from the tool to the extension 60 and, thus, to the mandrel 46 ; 3) the shear screws 54 are sheared by the force; 4) the mandrel 46 is displaced upwardly by the force; 5) the dogs 48 retract out of engagement with the recess 50 ; 6) the mandrel contacts the shoulder 64 of the collar 60 ; and 7) the inner housing 44 , mandrel, extension, dogs and collar are displaced upwardly out of the outer housing 42 .
- the outer housing 42 When used in the system 10 , the outer housing 42 is interconnected in the tubing string 12 via upper and lower connections 66 , 68 . In this manner, the release assembly 40 becomes part of the tubing string 12 .
- the upper connection 66 is internally threaded, and the lower connection is externally threaded, but other configurations may be used, if desired.
- the outer housing 42 has a minimum internal restriction A which is at least as great as a minimum internal restriction B (see FIG. 3 ) of the remainder of the tubing string 12 .
- the internal restriction A may be an inner diameter or other dimension of the outer housing 42
- the internal restriction B may be an inner diameter or other dimension of the tubing string 12 .
- the inner housing 44 has a lower connection 70 which is used to attach the perforating gun 24 (and firing heads 28 and/or other associated equipment) to the release assembly 40 .
- the lower connection 70 is externally threaded.
- the perforating gun 24 (and associated equipment) is sized so that it will be able to pass through the outer housing 42 (i.e., through the minimum internal restriction A), if it is desired to retrieve the perforating gun from the wellbore through the tubing string 12 .
- the lower connection 70 of the inner housing 44 is radially inwardly disposed relative to each of the upper and lower connections 66 , 68 of the outer housing 42 .
- the inner housing lower connection 70 is positioned within the tubular string 12 when the release assembly 40 is interconnected in the tubular string.
- the perforating gun 24 may be connected to the inner housing 44 and retrieved through the outer housing 42 , as long as the perforating gun can pass through the minimum internal restriction A.
- the inner housing 44 , perforating gun 24 and associated equipment may still be retrieved from the wellbore 14 through the tubing string 12 (for example, by using a fishing tool to engage these elements), since they can still pass through the outer housing 42 and the remainder of the tubing string.
- the mandrel 46 and extension 60 may be retrieved through the tubing string 12 to the surface with the tool 34 . Note, also, that in this case it is not necessary for the perforating gun 24 to pass through the minimum internal restriction A, and so the perforating gun may have a larger outer dimension.
- the system 10 and release assembly 40 provide many benefits to the current state of the well perforating art.
- the release assembly 40 provides the relatively large minimum internal restriction A which is a least as great as the minimum internal restriction B of the remainder of the tubing string 12 .
- This relatively large internal restriction A permits the perforating gun 24 to be retrieved from the wellbore 14 through the tubing string 12 .
- the perforating gun 24 may be either retrieved through the tubing string 12 , or separated from the tubing string and allowed to drop into the rathole 32 .
- the perforating gun 24 may be retrieved or dropped, whether or not the perforating gun has been successfully fired.
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Abstract
A monobore release for tubing conveyed perforating in a subterranean well. In a described embodiment, a well perforating system includes a release assembly interconnected in a tubular string. At least one perforating gun is releasably secured to the tubular string by the release assembly while the tubular string is conveyed into the well. The release assembly permits the perforating gun to be retrieved from the well through the tubular string, and also permits the perforating gun to be separated from the tubular string in the well.
Description
- The present invention relates generally to operations performed and equipment utilized in conjunction with a subterranean well and, in an embodiment described herein, more particularly provides a monobore release for tubing conveyed perforating.
- It is well known in the art to release a perforating gun from a tubing string either before or after the perforating gun is fired. For this purpose, a disconnect or release apparatus is typically used to releasably secure the perforating gun to the tubing string.
- However, conventional disconnect or release apparatus do not permit the perforating gun to be retrieved from a well through the tubing string. This is due, at least in part, to internal restrictions in the apparatus which do not permit the perforating gun to be displaced upwardly through the apparatus.
- It would be very beneficial to be able to retrieve the perforating gun through the tubing string, so that the tubing string would not have to be pulled from the well in order to retrieve the perforating gun. This benefit could be realized whether or not the perforating gun is successfully fired in the well. For example, if the perforating gun is not successfully fired, retrieval of the perforating gun would permit another perforating gun to be conveyed into the well through the tubing string (e.g., conveyed by wireline, coiled tubing, etc.).
- As another example, it may be desirable to displace the perforating gun from a position opposite perforations formed by the gun, in order to prevent sanding up the gun, provide greater flow area, permit gravel packing, etc., but insufficient rathole is available in which to drop the gun. In that case, it would be beneficial to retrieve the gun from the well, without pulling the tubing string.
- It would also be very beneficial to avoid internal restrictions in the tubing string. Therefore, the apparatus used to releasably secure the perforating gun to the tubing string would preferably leave a minimum internal restriction which is at least as great as a minimum internal restriction of the remainder of the tubing string.
- Furthermore, it would be beneficial if the apparatus used to releasably secure the perforating gun to the tubing string would permit both retrieving the perforating gun through the tubing string, and separating the perforating gun from the tubing string (i.e., so that the perforating gun can drop in the well below the tubing string).
- In carrying out the principles of the present invention, in accordance with an embodiment thereof, a method, system and apparatus are provided which supply the above-described benefits to the art of well perforating.
- In one aspect of the invention, a method of perforating a well is provided. The method includes the steps of: actuating at least one perforating gun while the perforating gun is secured to a tubular string in the well; and retrieving the perforating gun from the well through the tubular string.
- In another aspect of the invention, a well perforating system includes a release assembly interconnected in a tubular string. At least one perforating gun is releasably secured to the tubular string by the release assembly while the tubular string is conveyed into the well. The release assembly permits the perforating gun to be retrieved from the well through the tubular string, and also permits the perforating gun to be separated from the tubular string in the well.
- In yet another aspect of the invention, a release assembly for use in releasably securing at least one perforating gun to a tubular string positioned in a subterranean well is provided. The release assembly includes an outer housing having upper and lower connections for interconnecting the housing in the tubular string. An inner housing has a lower connection for interconnecting the perforating gun to the inner housing. A mandrel is displaceable between a secured position in which the inner and outer housings are secured relative to each other, and a released positioned in which relative displacement is permitted between the inner and outer housings.
- These and other features, advantages, benefits and objects of the present invention will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon careful consideration of the detailed description of representative embodiments of the invention hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings.
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic partially cross-sectional view of a system and method embodying principles of the present invention, in which initial steps of the method have been performed; -
FIG. 2 is a schematic partially cross-sectional view of the system and method ofFIG. 1 , in which further steps of the method have been performed; -
FIG. 3 is a schematic partially cross-sectional view of the system and method ofFIG. 1 , in which alternate steps of the method have been performed; -
FIG. 4 is a schematic partially cross-sectional view of the system and method ofFIG. 1 , in which an alternate configuration of the system is illustrated; and -
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a release assembly which may be used in the system and method ofFIG. 1 , and which embodies principles of the invention. - Representatively illustrated in
FIG. 1 is asystem 10 and associated method which embody principles of the present invention. In the following description of thesystem 10 and other apparatus and methods described herein, directional terms, such as “above”, “below”, “upper”, “lower”, etc., are used only for convenience in referring to the accompanying drawings. Additionally, it is to be understood that the various embodiments of the present invention described herein may be utilized in various orientations, such as inclined, inverted, horizontal, vertical, etc., and in various configurations, without departing from the principles of the present invention. - As depicted in
FIG. 1 , atubular string 12 has been conveyed into and positioned within awellbore 14 lined withprotective casing 16. As used herein, the term “casing” indicates a tubular structure which lines a wellbore, such as a casing string, liner string or other tubular string. - A
seal assembly 18 carried on thetubing string 12 provides sealing engagement between the tubing string and aseal bore 22 associated with apacker 20 previously set in thewellbore 14. Theseal bore 22 could be formed in thepacker 20, in a polished bore receptacle attached to the packer, or otherwise associated with the packer. Alternatively, thepacker 20 could be interconnected in thetubing string 12 and conveyed into thewellbore 14 as part of the tubing string. - When the
seal assembly 18 is engaged with theseal bore 22, aperforating gun 24 carried by thetubing string 12 is positioned opposite a formation orzone 26 intersected by thewellbore 14. Of course, if thepacker 20 is interconnected in thetubing string 12, then setting the packer in thewellbore 14 will anchor the perforating gun opposite thezone 26. Only a singleperforating gun 24 is depicted inFIG. 1 opposite asingle zone 26, but it should be understood that any number of individual perforating guns may be used, and any number of zones may be perforated, in thesystem 10. -
Firing heads 28 are provided above and below the perforatinggun 24. When it is desired to actuate theperforating gun 24, one or both of thefiring heads 28 preferably cause explosives in theperforating gun 24 to detonate in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. Although twofiring heads 28 are depicted for redundancy in firing theperforating gun 24, any number of firing heads may be used in thesystem 10. Thefiring heads 28 may be mechanically, hydraulically, electrically, or otherwise actuated in keeping with the principles of the invention. - The
perforating gun 24 is releasably secured to thetubing string 12 by means of arelease assembly 30 interconnected in the tubing string. As depicted inFIG. 1 , therelease assembly 30 is positioned below thepacker 20. Thus, therelease assembly 30 is displaced through thepacker 20 when thetubing string 12 is positioned in thewellbore 14. As described in more detail below, therelease assembly 30 may alternatively be positioned above thepacker 20. - One of the advantages of the
system 10 is that therelease assembly 30 permits theperforating gun 24 to be separated from thetubing string 12, so that the gun can drop into arathole 32 below thezone 26. Another advantage of thesystem 10 is that therelease assembly 30 also permits theperforating gun 24 to be retrieved from thewellbore 14 through thetubing string 12. Whichever of these alternatives is chosen, yet another advantage of thesystem 10 is that, after releasing, therelease assembly 30 has a minimum internal restriction which is at least as great as a minimum internal restriction of the remainder of thetubing string 12, so that the release assembly does not present any additional hindrance to flow of fluids or passage of equipment through the tubing string. - Referring additionally now to
FIG. 2 , thesystem 10 is depicted in a configuration in which thezone 26 has been perforated by actuating theperforating gun 24. Therelease assembly 30 has then been operated to release theperforating gun 24 from thetubing string 12, allowing the perforating gun to separate from the tubing string and drop into therathole 32. - Note that it is not necessary for the perforating
gun 24 to successfully fire in order to release the perforating gun from thetubing string 12. Theperforating gun 24 may unsuccessfully fire (the explosives therein may fail to detonate, etc.), in which case it may be desired to drop the perforating gun into therathole 32, so that another perforating gun may be conveyed through the tubing string (for example, by wireline, coiled tubing, etc.) to perforate thezone 26. - Referring additionally now to
FIG. 3 , thesystem 10 is depicted in another configuration in which theperforating gun 24 is being retrieved from thewellbore 14 through thetubing string 12. Aconventional retrieval tool 34, such as a Model GS pulling tool available from Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. of Houston, Tex., may be conveyed by wireline, slickline, coiled tubing, or other type of conveyance through thetubing string 12 to release the release assembly and retrieve theperforating gun 24. - The
perforating gun 24 may be retrieved from thewellbore 14 due to the gun being unsuccessfully fired, in which case retrieval of the gun will permit another perforating gun to be conveyed through thetubing string 12 to perforate thezone 26, without having to pull the tubing string. However, theperforating gun 24 may be retrieved even if it was successfully fired, for example, if it is not desired to leave the gun opposite thezone 26 after perforating, and if there is notsufficient rathole 32 below the zone to receive the perforating gun. - It will be appreciated that, because the
release assembly 30 presents no additional restriction in thetubing string 12 when released, the perforating gun 24 (and associatedfiring heads 28, etc.) can conveniently pass through the release assembly as well as it can pass through the remainder of the tubing string. - Referring additionally now to
FIG. 4 , thesystem 10 is depicted in an alternate configuration in which therelease assembly 30 is positioned above thepacker 20, instead of below the packer. One advantage to this configuration is that therelease assembly 30 does not pass through thepacker 20 when thetubing string 12 is conveyed into thewellbore 14. Thus, therelease assembly 30 can have a larger outer dimension, and consequently can have a larger minimum internal restriction to accommodate larger perforating guns, etc. passing therethrough. - Of course, if the
packer 20 is instead interconnected in thetubing string 12 when it is conveyed into thewellbore 14, then therelease assembly 30 does not pass through thepacker 20. In that case, the outer dimension of therelease assembly 30 would not be restricted by thepacker 20 bore, and the release assembly having the larger outer dimension could be positioned above or below the packer as desired. - Referring additionally now to
FIG. 5 , arelease assembly 40 embodying principles of the invention is representatively illustrated. Therelease assembly 40 may be used for therelease assembly 30 in thesystem 10, or therelease assembly 40 may be used in other systems or methods. Furthermore, other types of release assemblies may be used for therelease assembly 30 in thesystem 10. Accordingly, it should be clearly understood that the present invention is not limited to any specific details of thesystem 10 orrelease assembly 40 described herein. - The
release assembly 40 as depicted inFIG. 5 includes anouter housing 42, an inner housing 44 and amandrel 46. The outer andinner housings 42, 44 are secured against displacement relative to each other by engagement of multiple dogs or lugs 48 with anannular recess 50 formed internally in theouter housing 42. Thedogs 48 extend throughopenings 52 formed through a sidewall of the inner housing 44. - The
mandrel 46 maintains thedogs 48 in engagement with therecess 50 by preventing inward displacement of the dogs. However, if shear screws 54 releasably securing themandrel 46 in position relative to the inner housing 44 are sheared, then the mandrel will be permitted to displace upward. Upward displacement of themandrel 46 will position a radially reducedportion 56 of the mandrel opposite thedogs 48 and permit the dogs to displace inwardly out of engagement with therecess 50. - Thus, the inner housing 44 is released for displacement relative to the
outer housing 42 by applying a force to themandrel 56 to shear thescrews 54 and upwardly displace the mandrel, thereby permitting thedogs 48 to be disengaged from therecess 50. Of course, therelease assembly 40 could be configured so that themandrel 56 is downwardly displaced to permit thedogs 48 to be disengaged from therecess 50. - The force is preferably applied to the
mandrel 46 by engaging a tool, such as theretrieval tool 34 described above, with aninternal profile 58 formed in amandrel extension 60 attached to the mandrel. The force is then transmitted from thetool 34 to themandrel extension 60 by pulling upwardly on the tool from the surface. - The
mandrel 46 andextension 60 are reciprocably received in the inner housing 44. As described above, the shear screws 54 initially prevent displacement of themandrel 46 relative to the inner housing 44. Once the shear screws 54 are sheared, upward displacement of themandrel 46 relative to the inner housing 44 may be limited by acollar 62 attached to an upper end of the inner housing. Thecollar 62 has ashoulder 64 formed on a lower end thereof which will contact an upper end of themandrel 46 and prevent further upward displacement of the mandrel relative to the inner housing 44. - This engagement between the
collar 64 and themandrel 46 also allows thetool 34 to be used to retrieve the mandrel,extension 60, inner housing 44, collar anddogs 48 from within theouter housing 42. In this manner, only theouter housing 42 remains once these other elements have been retrieved from within the outer housing using thetool 34. The sequence of steps in this operation is as follows: 1) thetool 34 is engaged with theprofile 58; 2) an upwardly directed force is applied from the tool to theextension 60 and, thus, to themandrel 46; 3) the shear screws 54 are sheared by the force; 4) themandrel 46 is displaced upwardly by the force; 5) thedogs 48 retract out of engagement with therecess 50; 6) the mandrel contacts theshoulder 64 of thecollar 60; and 7) the inner housing 44, mandrel, extension, dogs and collar are displaced upwardly out of theouter housing 42. - When used in the
system 10, theouter housing 42 is interconnected in thetubing string 12 via upper andlower connections 66, 68. In this manner, therelease assembly 40 becomes part of thetubing string 12. Preferably, the upper connection 66 is internally threaded, and the lower connection is externally threaded, but other configurations may be used, if desired. - When the inner housing 44,
mandrel 46,extension 60,dogs 48 andcollar 62 are displaced out of theouter housing 42, only the outer housing remains interconnected in thetubing string 12. Preferably, theouter housing 42 has a minimum internal restriction A which is at least as great as a minimum internal restriction B (seeFIG. 3 ) of the remainder of thetubing string 12. The internal restriction A may be an inner diameter or other dimension of theouter housing 42, and the internal restriction B may be an inner diameter or other dimension of thetubing string 12. - The inner housing 44 has a
lower connection 70 which is used to attach the perforating gun 24 (and firing heads 28 and/or other associated equipment) to therelease assembly 40. Preferably, thelower connection 70 is externally threaded. The perforating gun 24 (and associated equipment) is sized so that it will be able to pass through the outer housing 42 (i.e., through the minimum internal restriction A), if it is desired to retrieve the perforating gun from the wellbore through thetubing string 12. - Note that the
lower connection 70 of the inner housing 44 is radially inwardly disposed relative to each of the upper andlower connections 66, 68 of theouter housing 42. In this manner, the inner housinglower connection 70 is positioned within thetubular string 12 when therelease assembly 40 is interconnected in the tubular string. Thus, the perforatinggun 24 may be connected to the inner housing 44 and retrieved through theouter housing 42, as long as the perforating gun can pass through the minimum internal restriction A. - In the alternative configuration of the
system 10 depicted inFIG. 2 , it is instead desired to separate the perforatinggun 24 from thetubing string 12. In that case, thecollar 62 may be eliminated from therelease assembly 40. Thus, when themandrel 46 andextension 60 are displaced upwardly, the inner housing 44 (with the perforatinggun 24 attached thereto) will be free to displace downwardly relative to theouter housing 42, thereby permitting the inner housing, perforating gun and associated equipment to separate from the tubing string and drop into therathole 32. - The inner housing 44, perforating
gun 24 and associated equipment may still be retrieved from thewellbore 14 through the tubing string 12 (for example, by using a fishing tool to engage these elements), since they can still pass through theouter housing 42 and the remainder of the tubing string. - The
mandrel 46 andextension 60 may be retrieved through thetubing string 12 to the surface with thetool 34. Note, also, that in this case it is not necessary for the perforatinggun 24 to pass through the minimum internal restriction A, and so the perforating gun may have a larger outer dimension. - Therefore, it will be readily appreciated that the
system 10 andrelease assembly 40 provide many benefits to the current state of the well perforating art. When released, therelease assembly 40 provides the relatively large minimum internal restriction A which is a least as great as the minimum internal restriction B of the remainder of thetubing string 12. This relatively large internal restriction A permits the perforatinggun 24 to be retrieved from thewellbore 14 through thetubing string 12. The perforatinggun 24 may be either retrieved through thetubing string 12, or separated from the tubing string and allowed to drop into therathole 32. The perforatinggun 24 may be retrieved or dropped, whether or not the perforating gun has been successfully fired. - Of course, a person skilled in the art would, upon a careful consideration of the above description of representative embodiments of the invention, readily appreciate that many modifications, additions, substitutions, deletions, and other changes may be made to these specific embodiments, and such changes are contemplated by the principles of the present invention. Accordingly, the foregoing detailed description is to be clearly understood as being given by way of illustration and example only, the spirit and scope of the present invention being limited solely by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims (24)
1. A method of perforating a subterranean well, the method comprising the steps of:
actuating at least one perforating gun while the perforating gun is secured to a tubular string in the well; and
retrieving the perforating gun from the well through the tubular string.
2. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
securing the perforating gun to the tubular string; and
then positioning the tubular string in the well.
3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the positioning step further comprises positioning the tubular string within casing lining a wellbore of the well.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the actuating step further comprises firing the perforating gun.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the actuating step further comprises unsuccessfully firing the perforating gun.
6. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of releasably securing the perforating gun to the tubular string using a release assembly interconnected in the tubular string.
7. The method according to claim 6 , wherein the retrieving step further comprises providing a minimum internal restriction of the release assembly at least as great as a minimum internal restriction of a remainder of the tubular string.
8. The method according to claim 6 , further comprising the step of interconnecting the release assembly in the tubular string so that the release assembly is above a packer on the tubular string when the tubular string is positioned in the well.
9. The method according to claim 6 , further comprising the step of interconnecting the release assembly in the tubular string so that the release assembly is below a packer on the tubular string when the tubular string is positioned in the well.
10. The method according to claim 6 , wherein the retrieving step further comprises engaging a profile of the release assembly with a retrieval tool conveyed through the tubular string.
11. A well perforating system, comprising:
a release assembly interconnected in a tubular string;
at least one perforating gun releasably secured to the tubular string by the release assembly while the tubular string is conveyed into the well; and
the release assembly permitting the perforating gun to be retrieved from the well through the tubular string, and permitting the perforating gun to be separated from the tubular string in the well.
12. The system according to claim 11 , wherein the release assembly has a minimum internal restriction which is at least as great as a minimum internal restriction of a remainder of the tubular string when the perforating gun is retrieved from the well.
13. The system according to claim 11 , wherein the release assembly has a minimum internal restriction which is at least as great as a minimum internal restriction of a remainder of the tubular string when the perforating gun is separated from the tubular string in the well.
14. The system according to claim 11 , wherein the tubular string is positioned within casing lining a wellbore of the well.
15. The system according to claim 11 , wherein the release assembly is positioned above a packer in the well.
16. The system according to claim 11 , wherein the release assembly is positioned below a packer in the well.
17. The system according to claim 11 , wherein the release assembly includes a profile formed therein, and further comprising a tool engaged with the profile to cause the perforating gun to be released from the tubular string.
18. A release assembly for use in releasably securing at least one perforating gun to a tubular string positioned in a subterranean well, the release assembly comprising:
an outer housing having upper and lower connections for interconnecting the housing in the tubular string;
an inner housing having a lower connection for interconnecting the perforating gun to the inner housing; and
a mandrel which is displaceable between a secured position in which the inner and outer housings are secured relative to each other, and a released positioned in which relative displacement is permitted between the inner and outer housings.
19. The release assembly according to claim 18 , wherein the inner housing lower connection is positioned radially inward relative to the outer housing lower connection.
20. The release assembly according to claim 18 , wherein the inner housing lower connection is positioned radially inward relative to the outer housing upper connection.
21. The release assembly according to claim 18 , wherein the inner housing is displaceable through the outer housing lower connection.
22. The release assembly according to claim 18 , wherein the inner housing is displaceable through the outer housing upper connection.
23. The release assembly according to claim 18 , wherein the inner housing has a maximum outer dimension which is less than a minimum internal restriction of the outer housing.
24. The release assembly according to claim 18 , wherein the inner housing lower connection is positioned within the tubular string when the release assembly is interconnected in the tubular string.
Priority Applications (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/671,136 US20050067163A1 (en) | 2003-09-25 | 2003-09-25 | Monobore release for tubing conveyed perforating |
AU2004203573A AU2004203573A1 (en) | 2003-09-25 | 2004-08-03 | Monobore release for tubing conveyed perforating |
NO20043561A NO20043561L (en) | 2003-09-25 | 2004-08-26 | Mono-drilling release for production pipe transported perforation gun |
NL1027013A NL1027013C2 (en) | 2003-09-25 | 2004-09-10 | Release via a single bore for tube-fed perforating means. |
GB0421093A GB2406345A (en) | 2003-09-25 | 2004-09-22 | Monobore release for tubing conveyed perforator |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/671,136 US20050067163A1 (en) | 2003-09-25 | 2003-09-25 | Monobore release for tubing conveyed perforating |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20050067163A1 true US20050067163A1 (en) | 2005-03-31 |
Family
ID=33418842
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/671,136 Abandoned US20050067163A1 (en) | 2003-09-25 | 2003-09-25 | Monobore release for tubing conveyed perforating |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20050067163A1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2004203573A1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2406345A (en) |
NL (1) | NL1027013C2 (en) |
NO (1) | NO20043561L (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN104963656A (en) * | 2015-04-01 | 2015-10-07 | 中国海洋石油总公司 | Well structure for petroleum and natural gas exploitation and installation method thereof |
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-
2003
- 2003-09-25 US US10/671,136 patent/US20050067163A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2004
- 2004-08-03 AU AU2004203573A patent/AU2004203573A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2004-08-26 NO NO20043561A patent/NO20043561L/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2004-09-10 NL NL1027013A patent/NL1027013C2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2004-09-22 GB GB0421093A patent/GB2406345A/en not_active Withdrawn
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CN104963656A (en) * | 2015-04-01 | 2015-10-07 | 中国海洋石油总公司 | Well structure for petroleum and natural gas exploitation and installation method thereof |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU2004203573A1 (en) | 2005-04-14 |
GB0421093D0 (en) | 2004-10-27 |
NL1027013C2 (en) | 2005-09-26 |
NL1027013A1 (en) | 2005-03-29 |
GB2406345A (en) | 2005-03-30 |
NO20043561L (en) | 2005-03-29 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC., TEXAS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:GEORGE, FLINT R.;REEL/FRAME:014636/0405 Effective date: 20031021 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |