US20210324709A1 - Setting tool and method - Google Patents
Setting tool and method Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20210324709A1 US20210324709A1 US16/849,266 US202016849266A US2021324709A1 US 20210324709 A1 US20210324709 A1 US 20210324709A1 US 202016849266 A US202016849266 A US 202016849266A US 2021324709 A1 US2021324709 A1 US 2021324709A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- setting tool
- check valve
- valve assembly
- setting
- tool
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B34/00—Valve arrangements for boreholes or wells
- E21B34/06—Valve arrangements for boreholes or wells in wells
- E21B34/10—Valve arrangements for boreholes or wells in wells operated by control fluid supplied from outside the borehole
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B23/00—Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing, or removing tools, packers or the like in the boreholes or wells
- E21B23/04—Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing, or removing tools, packers or the like in the boreholes or wells operated by fluid means, e.g. actuated by explosion
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B23/00—Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing, or removing tools, packers or the like in the boreholes or wells
- E21B23/06—Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing, or removing tools, packers or the like in the boreholes or wells for setting packers
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
- E21B33/10—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells in the borehole
- E21B33/12—Packers; Plugs
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
- E21B33/10—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells in the borehole
- E21B33/12—Packers; Plugs
- E21B33/128—Packers; Plugs with a member expanded radially by axial pressure
- E21B33/1285—Packers; Plugs with a member expanded radially by axial pressure by fluid pressure
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
- E21B33/10—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells in the borehole
- E21B33/12—Packers; Plugs
- E21B33/129—Packers; Plugs with mechanical slips for hooking into the casing
- E21B33/1293—Packers; Plugs with mechanical slips for hooking into the casing with means for anchoring against downward and upward movement
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B2200/00—Special features related to earth drilling for obtaining oil, gas or water
- E21B2200/06—Sleeve valves
Definitions
- This disclosure relates generally to equipment utilized and operations performed in conjunction with a subterranean well and, in an example described below, more particularly provides a setting tool and method.
- a setting tool can be used to set or actuate various other well tools in a well.
- an appropriately configured setting tool can be used to set a packer, a plug, a cement retainer, a whipstock anchor and various other types of well tools.
- the setting process for these tools can result in the tool being anchored in the well and, in many cases, sealed against an inner wall of a borehole, a casing that lines the borehole, another tubular, etc.
- FIG. 1 is a representative partially cross-sectional view of an example of a well system and associated method which can embody principles of this disclosure.
- FIG. 2 is a representative partially cross-sectional view of a well tool and a setting tool that can embody the principles of this disclosure.
- FIGS. 3A-D are representative cross-sectional views of successive axial sections of the well tool and setting tool in a run-in configuration.
- FIGS. 4A-C are representative cross-sectional views of successive axial sections of the well tool and setting tool in a set configuration.
- FIG. 5 is a representative cross-sectional view of the well tool and setting tool in a released configuration.
- FIGS. 6A & B are representative cross-sectional views of successive axial sections of the well tool and setting tool in a retrieval configuration.
- FIG. 7 is a representative cross-sectional view of the well tool and setting tool in a flow-through configuration.
- FIG. 1 Representatively illustrated in FIG. 1 is a system 10 for use with a subterranean well, and an associated method, which can embody principles of this disclosure.
- system 10 and method are merely one example of an application of the principles of this disclosure in practice, and a wide variety of other examples are possible. Therefore, the scope of this disclosure is not limited at all to the details of the system 10 and method described herein and/or depicted in the drawings.
- a tubular string 12 has been deployed into a borehole 14 .
- the borehole 14 is lined with casing 16 and cement 18 in this example, but in other examples the borehole may be uncased or open hole.
- the tubular string 12 may be substantially made up of segmented or continuous tubing, pipe or other tubular members.
- the tubular string 12 includes a bottom hole assembly 20 connected at a downhole end of the tubular string.
- the bottom hole assembly 20 in this example includes a well tool 22 and a setting tool 24 .
- the setting tool 24 is configured to set the well tool 22 in the borehole 14 .
- the setting process includes anchoring the well tool 22 in the casing 16 , so that displacement of the well tool along the borehole 14 is prevented.
- anchoring a well tool in a borehole or a casing or other tubular is not necessary in other examples.
- the setting process in this example also includes blocking flow through an annulus 26 formed between the well tool 22 and the casing 16 .
- blocking flow through an annulus between a well tool and a borehole or a casing is not necessary in other examples.
- the well tool 22 in the FIG. 1 example is of the type known to those skilled in the art as a cement retainer.
- the well tool 22 could be a packer, a bridge plug, a frac plug, a liner hanger, a whipstock anchor, or another type of well tool.
- the scope of this disclosure is not limited to use of any particular type of well tool with a setting tool.
- the well tool 22 example depicted in FIG. 1 includes a packer 28 and openings 30 formed in a tubular extension 32 that extends downhole from the packer.
- the openings 30 provide for fluid communication between an interior and an exterior of the tubular extension 32 .
- the packer 28 seals against an inner wall of the casing 16 and thereby prevents flow through the annulus 26 in this example.
- the setting tool 24 is operative to set the packer 28 (e.g., cause the packer to grip and seal against the casing 16 ), and then to permit flow from an interior of the setting tool 24 (and an interior of the tubular string 12 uphole of the setting tool) to the exterior of the tubular extension 32 via the openings 30 .
- the permitting of flow from the interior of the tubular string 12 uphole of the setting tool 24 to the exterior of the tubular extension 32 provides for flowing cement 34 into the borehole 14 downhole of the packer 28 after the packer is set.
- the cement 34 or another substance could be flowed into the borehole 14 or the annulus 26 uphole of the packer 28 .
- the setting tool 24 can be released from the well tool 22 . This allows the setting tool 24 and the remainder of the tubular string 12 to be retrieved from the borehole 14 . In other examples, it may not be desired to retrieve the setting tool 24 and the remainder of the tubular string 12 after the well tool 22 is set, in which case the setting tool may not be released from the well tool downhole.
- FIG. 2 a partially cross-sectional view of an example of the bottom hole assembly 20 in a run-in configuration thereof is representatively illustrated.
- the bottom hole assembly 20 may be used in the system 10 and method of FIG. 1 , or it may be used with other systems and methods.
- the bottom hole assembly 20 is described as it may be used with the FIG. 1 system 10 and method. However, it will be appreciated that the scope of this disclosure is not limited to use of a bottom hole assembly or a setting tool with any particular system or method.
- the setting tool 24 includes a hydraulic setting mechanism 36 .
- a central flow passage 38 extends longitudinally through the hydraulic setting mechanism 36 and the packer 28 , and terminates at a downhole end of the tubular extension 32 .
- a check valve assembly 40 is releasably secured in the flow passage 38 .
- the check valve assembly 40 divides the flow passage 38 into an uphole section 38 a and a downhole section 38 b.
- the check valve assembly 40 in the FIG. 2 run-in configuration prevents flow from the uphole section 38 a to the downhole section 38 b, but permits flow from the downhole section to the uphole section.
- a flow path 114 extends between the uphole section 38 a and the exterior of the bottom hole assembly 20 . Flow through the flow path 114 is controlled by the check valve assembly 40 . In the run-in configuration, the flow path 114 extends through the check valve assembly 40 , which permits flow in only one direction.
- fluid 42 in the borehole can enter the openings 30 and flow into the flow passage 38 .
- the fluid 42 flows into the downhole section 38 b and then through the check valve assembly 40 to the uphole section 38 a. This allows the tubular string 12 to fill with the fluid 42 as it is run into the borehole 14 .
- the hydraulic setting mechanism 36 sets the packer 28 in response to application of a pressure differential from the uphole section 38 a of the flow passage 38 to an exterior of the setting tool 24 .
- the exterior of the setting tool 24 in this example corresponds to the annulus 26 in the FIG. 1 system 10 .
- the exterior of the setting tool 24 does not necessarily correspond with an annulus between the setting tool and casing that lines a borehole.
- the check valve assembly 40 When increased pressure is applied to the uphole section 38 a (for example, using pumps located at surface), the check valve assembly 40 prevents the increased pressure from being transmitted to the downhole section 38 b and thence via the openings 30 to the exterior of the bottom hole assembly 20 . In this manner, a pressure differential can be conveniently created from the uphole section 38 a of the flow passage 30 in an interior of the setting tool 24 to the exterior of the setting tool.
- FIGS. 3A-D more detailed cross-sectional views of successive axial sections of the bottom hole assembly 20 are representatively illustrated.
- the well tool 22 and setting tool 24 are in the run-in configuration.
- the setting tool 24 includes an upper connector 44 .
- the upper connector 44 is configured for connecting the setting tool 24 in the tubular string 12 .
- the flow passage 38 is in communication with an interior flow passage of the tubular string 12 , allowing the well tool 22 to be set by applying increased pressure to the tubular string at or near the surface (such as, at a land-based or water-based well rig).
- the hydraulic setting mechanism 36 of the setting tool 24 includes annular chambers 46 in communication with the exterior of the setting tool, and annular chambers 48 in communication with the interior of the setting tool (more specifically, the uphole section 38 a of the flow passage 38 ). Pistons 50 separate the chambers 46 , 48 .
- a setting sleeve 58 and an adapter 60 are connected at a downhole end of the outer housing assembly 54 .
- the setting sleeve 58 and adapter 60 are longitudinally adjustable in length in this example to allow the setting tool 24 to be configured for use with a variety of different well tools.
- the adapter 60 is axially aligned with an outer housing assembly 62 of the packer 68 .
- the outer housing assembly 62 includes a ratchet housing 64 connected at a downhole end thereof.
- a one-way ratchet in the form of a body lock ring 66 permits the outer housing assembly 62 to displace downhole relative to the inner mandrel assembly 56 , but prevents the outer housing assembly from displacing uphole relative to the inner mandrel assembly.
- the ratchet housing 64 abuts an upper slip 68 configured in this case to grip an inner wall of the casing 16 (see FIG. 1 ).
- the upper slip 68 and a lower slip 70 could be configured to grip an inner wall of another type of tubular, or an inner wall of an uncased borehole.
- the scope of this disclosure is not limited to use of any particular type of slip, or to use of slips at all.
- a well tool set by the setting tool 24 may not include an annular seal element, Thus, the scope of this disclosure is not limited to use of any particular type of seal element, or to use of a seal element at all.
- the slips 68 , 70 , the wedges 72 , 74 and the seal element 76 will be longitudinally compressed between the ratchet housing 64 and an outer sleeve 78 secured to the inner mandrel assembly 56 .
- This longitudinal compression causes the slips 68 , 70 to ride up on the respective wedges 72 , 74 , so that the slips are displaced radially outward.
- the longitudinal compression also causes the seal element 76 to extend radially outward.
- the radially outward displacement of the slips 68 , 70 causes them to grippingly engage the inner wall of the casing 16 and thereby anchor the bottom hole assembly 20 against displacement relative to the casing and borehole 14 .
- the radially outward extension of the seal element 76 causes it to sealingly engage the inner wall of the casing 16 and thereby block flow through the annulus 26 between the packer 68 and the casing in this example.
- a release member 80 in the form of a shear sleeve is connected between an upper section 56 a of the inner mandrel assembly 56 and a lower section 56 b of the inner mandrel assembly.
- the upper inner mandrel assembly 56 a is positioned substantially in the setting tool 24 and the lower inner mandrel assembly 56 b is positioned substantially in the well tool 22 .
- the release member 80 will part, thereby allowing the upper inner mandrel assembly 56 a to displace uphole relative to the lower inner mandrel assembly 56 b, when the tensile force in the inner mandrel assembly 56 reaches a predetermined level.
- This predetermined level corresponds to a predetermined pressure differential from the uphole flow passage section 38 a to the exterior of the setting tool 24 .
- a ratchet housing 82 is connected to an upper end of the shear ring 80 , and is connected at a lower end of the upper inner mandrel assembly 56 a.
- a one-way ratchet in the form of a body lock ring 84 permits the upper inner mandrel assembly 56 a to displace uphole relative to a tubular extension 86 of the setting tool 24 but prevents the upper inner mandrel assembly from displacing downhole relative to the tubular extension.
- the tubular extension 86 is sealingly and slidingly received in a bore 88 formed in the upper inner mandrel assembly 56 a.
- the flow passage 38 extends longitudinally through the tubular extension 86 .
- the check valve assembly 40 is releasably secured in the flow passage 38 in the tubular extension 86 uphole from the openings 30 in the FIGS. 3A-D run-in configuration of the bottom hole assembly 20 .
- the check valve assembly 40 in this example includes an outer housing 90 slidingly received in the flow passage 38 .
- a seal 92 carried on the outer housing 90 sealingly engages an inner wall of the tubular extension 86 .
- a shear member 100 releasably secures the outer housing 90 against longitudinal displacement relative to the tubular extension 86 .
- the shear member 100 will shear and thereby release the check valve assembly 40 for displacement relative to the tubular extension 86 when a predetermined pressure differential is created from the uphole flow passage section 38 a to the downhole flow passage section 38 b.
- the seat 94 in this example is annular shaped and configured to sealingly engage the closure 96 .
- the closure 96 in this example is in the form of a poppet, but other types of closure members (such as, plugs, flappers, etc.) may be used in other examples.
- the bias member 98 applies a biasing force to the closure 96 .
- the biasing force is in a direction such that the closure 96 is biased toward sealing engagement with the seat 94 .
- the seat 94 could be biased toward sealing engagement with the closure 96 , or no bias member may be used.
- the scope of this disclosure is not limited to use of any particular type of closure or seat, or to use of any particular type of bias member, or to use of any particular component or combination of components in a check valve assembly.
- a pressure differential can be created from the uphole flow passage section 38 a to the downhole flow passage section 38 b by applying increased pressure to the uphole flow passage section 38 a (for example, using pumps positioned at or near the surface).
- Flow uphole through the flow passage 38 is permitted in the run-in configuration of FIGS. 3A-D if a pressure differential from the downhole flow passage section 38 b to the uphole flow passage section 38 a is large enough to overcome the biasing force exerted by the bias member 98 (if the bias member is used).
- the biasing force is set at a level low enough to enable the borehole fluid 42 to enter the openings 30 , flow upwardly through the downhole flow passage section 38 b, through the check valve assembly 40 and into the uphole flow passage section 38 a as desired.
- the pressure differential from the downhole flow passage section 38 b to the uphole flow passage section 38 a does not have to overcome the biasing force to open the check valve assembly 40 and permit flow of the fluid 42 through the flow path 114 from the downhole flow passage section 38 b to the uphole flow passage section 38 a.
- openings 102 are formed through the tubular extension 86 at a position longitudinally aligned with the openings 30 in the tubular extension 32 .
- the borehole fluid 42 can flow through the aligned openings 30 , 102 from the exterior of the well tool 22 to the interior flow passage 38 of the setting tool 24 .
- a sliding sleeve 104 is releasably connected to a lower end of the tubular extension 86 .
- resilient collets 104 a formed in an upper end of the sliding sleeve 104 are engaged in an external annular recess 86 a formed on the tubular extension 86 .
- the collets 104 a are closely received in a bore 106 of the tubular extension 32 , thereby preventing the collets from displacing radially outward and out of engagement with the recess 86 a.
- FIGS. 4A-C a portion of the bottom hole assembly 20 in a set configuration is representatively illustrated.
- the well tool 22 is anchored to the casing 16 and sealingly engaged therein.
- Pressure in the uphole flow passage section 38 a is increased to thereby create a pressure differential from the uphole flow passage section 38 a in an interior of the setting tool 24 to an exterior of the setting tool (in this example the exterior of the setting tool corresponds to the annulus 26 ).
- the shear member 52 shears, thereby permitting the outer housing assembly 54 to displace downhole relative to the inner mandrel assembly 56 .
- the downhole displacement of the outer housing assembly 54 longitudinally compresses the slips 68 , 70 , the wedges 72 , 74 and the seal element 76 .
- the packer 28 grips and seals against the inner wall of the casing 16 .
- the slips 68 , 70 are radially outwardly extended into gripping engagement with the casing 16
- the seal element 76 is radially outwardly extended into sealing engagement with the casing.
- the pressure differential When the pressure differential is created from the uphole flow passage section 38 a to the exterior of the setting tool 24 , the pressure differential is also applied across the check valve assembly 40 , since the downhole flow passage section 38 b is in communication with the annulus 26 via the openings 30 , 102 .
- the pressure differential from the uphole flow passage section 38 a to the downhole flow passage section 38 b biases the closure 96 to increasingly bear against the seat 94 .
- the shear member 100 is configured to prevent displacement of the check valve assembly 40 through the flow passage 38 in the tubular extension 86 while the pressure differential is applied to set the well tool 22 . However, when the pressure differential is increased to a greater level, the shear member 100 will shear and thereby release the check valve assembly 40 for displacement downhole through the flow passage 38 in the tubular extension 86 , as described more fully below.
- a portion of the bottom hole assembly 20 is representatively illustrated in a released configuration.
- the well tool 22 is set and the setting tool 24 is released from its connection to the well tool.
- the setting tool 24 and the remainder of the tubular string 12 uphole of the setting tool can now be retrieved to the surface, if desired.
- release member 80 has been parted, thereby allowing the upper inner mandrel assembly 56 a in the setting tool 24 to separate from the lower inner mandrel assembly 56 b in the well tool 22 .
- the release member 80 is parted by applying an increased pressure to the uphole flow passage section 38 a, thereby increasing the pressure differential applied from the uphole flow passage section 38 a to the exterior of the setting tool 24 .
- the check valve assembly 40 continues to prevent flow from the uphole flow passage section 38 a to the downhole flow passage section 38 b. This pressure differential level to shear the release member 80 is greater than the pressure differential level applied to set the well tool 22 .
- the bottom hole assembly 20 is representatively illustrated in a retrieval configuration.
- the setting tool 24 is being retrieved from the well.
- the well tool 62 remains set in the casing 16 as the setting tool 24 is retrieved from the borehole 14 .
- the tubular extension 86 of the setting tool is withdrawn from within the tubular extension 32 of the well tool.
- the sliding sleeve 104 that was previously connected at the lower end of the tubular extension 86 initially displaces uphole with the setting tool 24 , but when the collets 104 a eventually engage a radially enlarged annular recess 108 formed in the lower inner mandrel assembly 56 b , the collets are permitted to flex radially outward and disengage from the recess 86 a on the tubular extension 86 . In this position, the sliding sleeve 104 blocks flow through the openings 30 .
- the check valve assembly 40 has been displaced downhole in the tubular extension 86 .
- the shear member 100 has been sheared by a pressure differential applied across the check valve assembly 40 from the uphole flow passage section 38 a to the downhole flow passage section 38 b. This pressure differential level to shear the shear member 100 is greater than the pressure differential level to shear the release member 80 .
- the bottom hole assembly 20 is representatively illustrated in a flow-through configuration. This configuration may be used after the released configuration of FIG. 5 and before the retrieval configuration of FIGS. 6A & B, if it is desired to provide for relatively unrestricted flow through the flow path 114 between the uphole flow passage section 38 a (see FIGS. 4A-C ) and the exterior of the bottom hole assembly 20 .
- fluid communication is permitted in both directions through the flow path 114 between the flow passage 38 in the interior of the setting tool 24 and the annulus 26 downhole of the packer 28 .
- fluid communication may be provided between the flow passage 38 and other locations exterior to the bottom hole assembly 20 .
- the check valve assembly 40 has been displaced downhole in the tubular extension 86 as described above with regard to the retrieval configuration of FIGS. 6A & B. Unrestricted flow is now permitted between the flow passage 38 and the exterior of the bottom hole assembly 20 via the openings 30 , 102 .
- cement or another substance 112 can now be flowed from the flow passage 38 to the annulus 26 downhole of the packer 28 .
- the setting tool 24 can be retrieved from the well as described above for the FIGS. 6A & B retrieval configuration.
- the setting tool 24 allows for convenient filling of the tubular string 12 as the bottom hole assembly 20 is deployed into the well, and then setting of the well tool 22 , without requiring that a ball or other plug be pumped downhole to the setting tool (which can be time-consuming, and difficult to accomplish in horizontal or highly deviated boreholes).
- the above disclosure provides to the art a setting tool 24 for use in a subterranean well.
- the setting tool 24 can include a hydraulic setting mechanism 36 that actuates in response to a level of a pressure differential between: a) a central flow passage 38 extending longitudinally through the hydraulic setting mechanism 36 , and b) an exterior of the setting tool 24 ; and a check valve assembly 40 that prevents flow from a first section 38 a of the central flow passage 38 to a second section 38 b of the central flow passage 38 but permits flow from the second section 38 b to the first section 38 a. Flow is permitted between the second section 38 b and the exterior of the setting tool 24 .
- the check valve assembly 40 may be displaceable between first and second positions: in the first position, the check valve assembly 40 permits flow from the exterior of the setting tool to the first section 38 a, and the check valve assembly 40 prevents flow from the first section 38 a to the exterior of the setting tool 24 . In the second position, the check valve assembly 40 permits flow from the first section 38 a to the exterior of the setting tool 24 . In the second position, the check valve assembly 40 may permit flow from the exterior of the setting tool 24 to the first section 38 a.
- the hydraulic setting mechanism 36 may be operable to set a well tool 22 in response to application of a first level of the pressure differential across the check valve assembly 40 .
- the check valve assembly 40 may displace from the first position to the second position in response to application of a second level of the pressure differential across the check valve assembly 40 , the second pressure differential level being greater than the first pressure differential level.
- the hydraulic setting mechanism 36 may include a release member 80 configured to releasably couple the setting tool 24 to the well tool 22 .
- the release member 80 releases the setting tool 24 in response to application of a third level of the pressure differential across the check valve assembly 40 .
- the third level may be greater than the first level and less than the second level.
- the check valve assembly 40 may include a seat 94 , a closure 96 , and a bias member 98 that biases the closure 96 toward sealing engagement with the seat 94 .
- the check valve assembly 40 may be releasably secured against displacement relative to the central flow passage 38 .
- a setting tool 24 example described above can include a flow path 114 between an interior of the setting tool 24 and an exterior of the setting tool 24 ; and a check valve assembly 40 positionable in first and second positions: a) in the first position, the check valve assembly 40 permits flow through the flow path 114 from the exterior to the interior of the setting tool 24 , and the check valve assembly 40 prevents flow from the interior to the exterior of the setting tool 24 , and b) in the second position, the check valve assembly 40 permits flow through the flow path 114 from the interior to the exterior of the setting tool 24 .
- the check valve assembly 40 may permit flow from the exterior to the interior of the setting tool 24 .
- the check valve assembly 40 may include a seat 94 , a closure 96 , and a bias member 98 that biases the closure 96 toward sealing engagement with the seat 94 .
- the setting tool 24 may include a hydraulic setting mechanism 36 operable to set a well tool 22 in response to application of a first pressure differential across the check valve assembly 40 .
- the check valve assembly 40 may displace from the first position to the second position in response to application of a second pressure differential across the check valve assembly 40 , the second pressure differential being greater than the first pressure differential.
- the hydraulic setting mechanism 36 may include a release member 80 configured to releasably couple the setting tool 24 to the well tool 22 .
- the release member 80 may release the setting tool 24 in response to application of a third pressure differential across the check valve assembly 40 , the third pressure differential being greater than the first pressure differential and less than the second pressure differential.
- the check valve assembly 40 may in the first position block flow between first and second sections 38 a,b of an interior flow passage 38 of the setting tool 24 and block flow between the first section 38 a and an opening 102 that permits flow between the second section 38 b and the exterior of the setting tool 24 .
- the check valve assembly 40 in the second position may permit flow between the first section 38 a and the opening 102 .
- a method of setting a well tool 22 in a subterranean well is also provided to the art by the above disclosure.
- the method can include: deploying the well tool 22 and a setting tool 24 into the well; and applying a first pressure differential across a check valve assembly 40 of the setting tool 24 , thereby setting the well tool 22 .
- the setting tool 24 includes the check valve assembly 40 .
- the method can include applying a second pressure differential across the check valve assembly 40 , thereby opening a flow path 114 between an interior of the setting tool 24 and an exterior of the setting tool 24 .
- the second pressure differential is greater than the first pressure differential.
- the opening step can include displacing the check valve assembly 40 from a first position in which the check valve assembly 40 blocks flow through the flow path 114 to a second position in which the check valve assembly 40 does not block the flow through the flow path 114 .
- the deploying step may include permitting flow through the check valve assembly 40 in a first direction from an exterior of the setting tool 24 to an interior of the setting tool 24 .
- the setting step may include preventing flow through the check valve assembly 40 in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the second direction being from the interior to the exterior of the setting tool 24 .
- the method may include flowing a substance 112 from the interior to the exterior of the setting tool 24 after the setting step.
- the substance 112 may comprise cement 34 .
Abstract
Description
- This disclosure relates generally to equipment utilized and operations performed in conjunction with a subterranean well and, in an example described below, more particularly provides a setting tool and method.
- A setting tool can be used to set or actuate various other well tools in a well. For example, an appropriately configured setting tool can be used to set a packer, a plug, a cement retainer, a whipstock anchor and various other types of well tools. The setting process for these tools can result in the tool being anchored in the well and, in many cases, sealed against an inner wall of a borehole, a casing that lines the borehole, another tubular, etc.
- It will, therefore, be appreciated that improvements are continually needed in the art of designing, constructing and utilizing setting tools. Such improvements would be useful in a variety of different boreholes and with a variety of different types of well tools to be set in a well.
-
FIG. 1 is a representative partially cross-sectional view of an example of a well system and associated method which can embody principles of this disclosure. -
FIG. 2 is a representative partially cross-sectional view of a well tool and a setting tool that can embody the principles of this disclosure. -
FIGS. 3A-D are representative cross-sectional views of successive axial sections of the well tool and setting tool in a run-in configuration. -
FIGS. 4A-C are representative cross-sectional views of successive axial sections of the well tool and setting tool in a set configuration. -
FIG. 5 is a representative cross-sectional view of the well tool and setting tool in a released configuration. -
FIGS. 6A & B are representative cross-sectional views of successive axial sections of the well tool and setting tool in a retrieval configuration. -
FIG. 7 is a representative cross-sectional view of the well tool and setting tool in a flow-through configuration. - Representatively illustrated in
FIG. 1 is asystem 10 for use with a subterranean well, and an associated method, which can embody principles of this disclosure. However, it should be clearly understood that thesystem 10 and method are merely one example of an application of the principles of this disclosure in practice, and a wide variety of other examples are possible. Therefore, the scope of this disclosure is not limited at all to the details of thesystem 10 and method described herein and/or depicted in the drawings. - In the example depicted in
FIG. 1 , atubular string 12 has been deployed into aborehole 14. Theborehole 14 is lined withcasing 16 andcement 18 in this example, but in other examples the borehole may be uncased or open hole. - The
tubular string 12 may be substantially made up of segmented or continuous tubing, pipe or other tubular members. In theFIG. 1 example, thetubular string 12 includes abottom hole assembly 20 connected at a downhole end of the tubular string. - The
bottom hole assembly 20 in this example includes awell tool 22 and asetting tool 24. Thesetting tool 24 is configured to set thewell tool 22 in theborehole 14. - In this example, the setting process includes anchoring the
well tool 22 in thecasing 16, so that displacement of the well tool along theborehole 14 is prevented. However, note that anchoring a well tool in a borehole or a casing or other tubular is not necessary in other examples. - The setting process in this example also includes blocking flow through an
annulus 26 formed between thewell tool 22 and thecasing 16. However, note that blocking flow through an annulus between a well tool and a borehole or a casing is not necessary in other examples. - The
well tool 22 in theFIG. 1 example is of the type known to those skilled in the art as a cement retainer. In other examples, thewell tool 22 could be a packer, a bridge plug, a frac plug, a liner hanger, a whipstock anchor, or another type of well tool. Thus, the scope of this disclosure is not limited to use of any particular type of well tool with a setting tool. - The
well tool 22 example depicted inFIG. 1 includes apacker 28 andopenings 30 formed in atubular extension 32 that extends downhole from the packer. Theopenings 30 provide for fluid communication between an interior and an exterior of thetubular extension 32. - The packer 28 seals against an inner wall of the
casing 16 and thereby prevents flow through theannulus 26 in this example. Thesetting tool 24 is operative to set the packer 28 (e.g., cause the packer to grip and seal against the casing 16), and then to permit flow from an interior of the setting tool 24 (and an interior of thetubular string 12 uphole of the setting tool) to the exterior of thetubular extension 32 via theopenings 30. - In the
FIG. 1 system 10, the permitting of flow from the interior of thetubular string 12 uphole of thesetting tool 24 to the exterior of thetubular extension 32 provides for flowingcement 34 into theborehole 14 downhole of thepacker 28 after the packer is set. In other examples, thecement 34 or another substance could be flowed into theborehole 14 or theannulus 26 uphole of thepacker 28. - After the
packer 28 is set, thesetting tool 24 can be released from thewell tool 22. This allows thesetting tool 24 and the remainder of thetubular string 12 to be retrieved from theborehole 14. In other examples, it may not be desired to retrieve thesetting tool 24 and the remainder of thetubular string 12 after thewell tool 22 is set, in which case the setting tool may not be released from the well tool downhole. - Referring additionally now to
FIG. 2 , a partially cross-sectional view of an example of thebottom hole assembly 20 in a run-in configuration thereof is representatively illustrated. Thebottom hole assembly 20 may be used in thesystem 10 and method ofFIG. 1 , or it may be used with other systems and methods. - For convenience of description, the
bottom hole assembly 20 is described as it may be used with theFIG. 1 system 10 and method. However, it will be appreciated that the scope of this disclosure is not limited to use of a bottom hole assembly or a setting tool with any particular system or method. - In the
FIG. 2 example, thesetting tool 24 includes ahydraulic setting mechanism 36. Acentral flow passage 38 extends longitudinally through thehydraulic setting mechanism 36 and thepacker 28, and terminates at a downhole end of thetubular extension 32. - A
check valve assembly 40 is releasably secured in theflow passage 38. Thecheck valve assembly 40 divides theflow passage 38 into anuphole section 38 a and adownhole section 38 b. Thecheck valve assembly 40 in theFIG. 2 run-in configuration prevents flow from theuphole section 38 a to thedownhole section 38 b, but permits flow from the downhole section to the uphole section. - A
flow path 114 extends between theuphole section 38 a and the exterior of thebottom hole assembly 20. Flow through theflow path 114 is controlled by thecheck valve assembly 40. In the run-in configuration, theflow path 114 extends through thecheck valve assembly 40, which permits flow in only one direction. - While the
bottom hole assembly 20 is being deployed into theborehole 14,fluid 42 in the borehole can enter theopenings 30 and flow into theflow passage 38. Thefluid 42 flows into thedownhole section 38 b and then through thecheck valve assembly 40 to theuphole section 38 a. This allows thetubular string 12 to fill with thefluid 42 as it is run into theborehole 14. - The
hydraulic setting mechanism 36 sets thepacker 28 in response to application of a pressure differential from theuphole section 38 a of theflow passage 38 to an exterior of thesetting tool 24. The exterior of thesetting tool 24 in this example corresponds to theannulus 26 in theFIG. 1 system 10. However, when used with other systems, the exterior of thesetting tool 24 does not necessarily correspond with an annulus between the setting tool and casing that lines a borehole. - When increased pressure is applied to the
uphole section 38 a (for example, using pumps located at surface), thecheck valve assembly 40 prevents the increased pressure from being transmitted to thedownhole section 38 b and thence via theopenings 30 to the exterior of thebottom hole assembly 20. In this manner, a pressure differential can be conveniently created from theuphole section 38 a of theflow passage 30 in an interior of thesetting tool 24 to the exterior of the setting tool. - Referring additionally now to
FIGS. 3A-D , more detailed cross-sectional views of successive axial sections of thebottom hole assembly 20 are representatively illustrated. InFIGS. 3A-D , thewell tool 22 and settingtool 24 are in the run-in configuration. - In
FIG. 3A , it may be seen that thesetting tool 24 includes anupper connector 44. In this example, theupper connector 44 is configured for connecting thesetting tool 24 in thetubular string 12. In this manner, theflow passage 38 is in communication with an interior flow passage of thetubular string 12, allowing thewell tool 22 to be set by applying increased pressure to the tubular string at or near the surface (such as, at a land-based or water-based well rig). - The
hydraulic setting mechanism 36 of thesetting tool 24 includesannular chambers 46 in communication with the exterior of the setting tool, andannular chambers 48 in communication with the interior of the setting tool (more specifically, theuphole section 38 a of the flow passage 38).Pistons 50 separate thechambers - When pressure in the
uphole section 38 a exceeds pressure on the exterior of thesetting tool 24, the sets ofpistons 50 are biased away from each other. Ashear member 52 initially prevents thepistons 50 from displacing away from each other. However, when the pressure differential reaches a predetermined level, theshear member 52 will shear, and thereby allow anouter housing assembly 54 to be displaced downhole by the pressure differential applied to piston areas of thepistons 50. Aninner mandrel assembly 56 remains rigidly connected to the upper connector 44 (and thetubular string 12 connected thereto) as theouter housing assembly 54 displaces downhole relative to the inner mandrel assembly. - In
FIG. 3B , it may be seen that a settingsleeve 58 and anadapter 60 are connected at a downhole end of theouter housing assembly 54. The settingsleeve 58 andadapter 60 are longitudinally adjustable in length in this example to allow thesetting tool 24 to be configured for use with a variety of different well tools. - The
adapter 60 is axially aligned with anouter housing assembly 62 of thepacker 68. InFIG. 3C , it may be seen that theouter housing assembly 62 includes aratchet housing 64 connected at a downhole end thereof. A one-way ratchet in the form of abody lock ring 66 permits theouter housing assembly 62 to displace downhole relative to theinner mandrel assembly 56, but prevents the outer housing assembly from displacing uphole relative to the inner mandrel assembly. - The
ratchet housing 64 abuts anupper slip 68 configured in this case to grip an inner wall of the casing 16 (seeFIG. 1 ). In other examples, theupper slip 68 and alower slip 70 could be configured to grip an inner wall of another type of tubular, or an inner wall of an uncased borehole. The scope of this disclosure is not limited to use of any particular type of slip, or to use of slips at all. - Positioned longitudinally between the upper and
lower slips wedges wedges annular seal element 76. However, in other examples, a well tool set by thesetting tool 24 may not include an annular seal element, Thus, the scope of this disclosure is not limited to use of any particular type of seal element, or to use of a seal element at all. - When the
outer housing assembly 62 is displaced downhole relative to theinner mandrel assembly 56, theslips wedges seal element 76 will be longitudinally compressed between theratchet housing 64 and anouter sleeve 78 secured to theinner mandrel assembly 56. This longitudinal compression causes theslips respective wedges seal element 76 to extend radially outward. - In this example, the radially outward displacement of the
slips casing 16 and thereby anchor thebottom hole assembly 20 against displacement relative to the casing andborehole 14. The radially outward extension of theseal element 76 causes it to sealingly engage the inner wall of thecasing 16 and thereby block flow through theannulus 26 between thepacker 68 and the casing in this example. - Note that a
release member 80 in the form of a shear sleeve is connected between anupper section 56 a of theinner mandrel assembly 56 and alower section 56 b of the inner mandrel assembly. The upperinner mandrel assembly 56 a is positioned substantially in thesetting tool 24 and the lowerinner mandrel assembly 56 b is positioned substantially in thewell tool 22. - When the
outer housing assembly 62 is displaced downhole relative to theinner mandrel assembly 56, a tensile longitudinal force is produced in theinner mandrel assembly 56. Therelease member 80 will part, thereby allowing the upperinner mandrel assembly 56 a to displace uphole relative to the lowerinner mandrel assembly 56 b, when the tensile force in theinner mandrel assembly 56 reaches a predetermined level. This predetermined level corresponds to a predetermined pressure differential from the upholeflow passage section 38 a to the exterior of thesetting tool 24. - A
ratchet housing 82 is connected to an upper end of theshear ring 80, and is connected at a lower end of the upperinner mandrel assembly 56 a. A one-way ratchet in the form of abody lock ring 84 permits the upperinner mandrel assembly 56 a to displace uphole relative to atubular extension 86 of thesetting tool 24 but prevents the upper inner mandrel assembly from displacing downhole relative to the tubular extension. - An upper end of the
tubular extension 86 is sealingly and slidingly received in abore 88 formed in the upperinner mandrel assembly 56 a. Theflow passage 38 extends longitudinally through thetubular extension 86. Thecheck valve assembly 40 is releasably secured in theflow passage 38 in thetubular extension 86 uphole from theopenings 30 in theFIGS. 3A-D run-in configuration of thebottom hole assembly 20. - The
check valve assembly 40 in this example includes anouter housing 90 slidingly received in theflow passage 38. Aseal 92 carried on theouter housing 90 sealingly engages an inner wall of thetubular extension 86. - A
shear member 100 releasably secures theouter housing 90 against longitudinal displacement relative to thetubular extension 86. Theshear member 100 will shear and thereby release thecheck valve assembly 40 for displacement relative to thetubular extension 86 when a predetermined pressure differential is created from the upholeflow passage section 38 a to the downholeflow passage section 38 b. - Contained in the
outer housing 90 are aseat 94, aclosure 96 and abias member 98. Theseat 94 in this example is annular shaped and configured to sealingly engage theclosure 96. Theclosure 96 in this example is in the form of a poppet, but other types of closure members (such as, plugs, flappers, etc.) may be used in other examples. - The
bias member 98 applies a biasing force to theclosure 96. The biasing force is in a direction such that theclosure 96 is biased toward sealing engagement with theseat 94. In other examples, theseat 94 could be biased toward sealing engagement with theclosure 96, or no bias member may be used. The scope of this disclosure is not limited to use of any particular type of closure or seat, or to use of any particular type of bias member, or to use of any particular component or combination of components in a check valve assembly. - When the
closure 96 sealingly engages theseat 94, flow downhole through theflow passage 38 andflow path 114 is prevented by thecheck valve assembly 40. A pressure differential can be created from the upholeflow passage section 38 a to the downholeflow passage section 38 b by applying increased pressure to the upholeflow passage section 38 a (for example, using pumps positioned at or near the surface). - Flow uphole through the
flow passage 38 is permitted in the run-in configuration ofFIGS. 3A-D if a pressure differential from the downholeflow passage section 38 b to the upholeflow passage section 38 a is large enough to overcome the biasing force exerted by the bias member 98 (if the bias member is used). Preferably, the biasing force is set at a level low enough to enable theborehole fluid 42 to enter theopenings 30, flow upwardly through the downholeflow passage section 38 b, through thecheck valve assembly 40 and into the upholeflow passage section 38 a as desired. If thebias member 98 is not used, the pressure differential from the downholeflow passage section 38 b to the upholeflow passage section 38 a does not have to overcome the biasing force to open thecheck valve assembly 40 and permit flow of the fluid 42 through theflow path 114 from the downholeflow passage section 38 b to the upholeflow passage section 38 a. - In
FIG. 3D it may be seen that, in this example,openings 102 are formed through thetubular extension 86 at a position longitudinally aligned with theopenings 30 in thetubular extension 32. Thus, theborehole fluid 42 can flow through the alignedopenings well tool 22 to theinterior flow passage 38 of thesetting tool 24. - A sliding
sleeve 104 is releasably connected to a lower end of thetubular extension 86. In this example,resilient collets 104 a formed in an upper end of the slidingsleeve 104 are engaged in an externalannular recess 86 a formed on thetubular extension 86. Thecollets 104 a are closely received in abore 106 of thetubular extension 32, thereby preventing the collets from displacing radially outward and out of engagement with therecess 86 a. - Referring additionally now to
FIGS. 4A-C , a portion of thebottom hole assembly 20 in a set configuration is representatively illustrated. In this example, thewell tool 22 is anchored to thecasing 16 and sealingly engaged therein. - Pressure in the uphole
flow passage section 38 a is increased to thereby create a pressure differential from the upholeflow passage section 38 a in an interior of thesetting tool 24 to an exterior of the setting tool (in this example the exterior of the setting tool corresponds to the annulus 26). When the pressure differential reaches a predetermined level, theshear member 52 shears, thereby permitting theouter housing assembly 54 to displace downhole relative to theinner mandrel assembly 56. - The downhole displacement of the
outer housing assembly 54 longitudinally compresses theslips wedges seal element 76. As a result, thepacker 28 grips and seals against the inner wall of thecasing 16. Specifically, theslips casing 16, and theseal element 76 is radially outwardly extended into sealing engagement with the casing. - When the pressure differential is created from the uphole
flow passage section 38 a to the exterior of thesetting tool 24, the pressure differential is also applied across thecheck valve assembly 40, since the downholeflow passage section 38 b is in communication with theannulus 26 via theopenings flow passage section 38 a to the downholeflow passage section 38 b biases theclosure 96 to increasingly bear against theseat 94. - The
shear member 100 is configured to prevent displacement of thecheck valve assembly 40 through theflow passage 38 in thetubular extension 86 while the pressure differential is applied to set thewell tool 22. However, when the pressure differential is increased to a greater level, theshear member 100 will shear and thereby release thecheck valve assembly 40 for displacement downhole through theflow passage 38 in thetubular extension 86, as described more fully below. - Referring additionally now to
FIG. 5 , a portion of thebottom hole assembly 20 is representatively illustrated in a released configuration. In this configuration, thewell tool 22 is set and thesetting tool 24 is released from its connection to the well tool. Thesetting tool 24 and the remainder of thetubular string 12 uphole of the setting tool can now be retrieved to the surface, if desired. - Note that the
release member 80 has been parted, thereby allowing the upperinner mandrel assembly 56 a in thesetting tool 24 to separate from the lowerinner mandrel assembly 56 b in thewell tool 22. Therelease member 80 is parted by applying an increased pressure to the upholeflow passage section 38 a, thereby increasing the pressure differential applied from the upholeflow passage section 38 a to the exterior of thesetting tool 24. Thecheck valve assembly 40 continues to prevent flow from the upholeflow passage section 38 a to the downholeflow passage section 38 b. This pressure differential level to shear therelease member 80 is greater than the pressure differential level applied to set thewell tool 22. - Referring additionally now to
FIGS. 6A & B, thebottom hole assembly 20 is representatively illustrated in a retrieval configuration. In this configuration, thesetting tool 24 is being retrieved from the well. Thewell tool 62 remains set in thecasing 16 as thesetting tool 24 is retrieved from theborehole 14. - Note that, as the
setting tool 24 is displaced uphole relative to thewell tool 22, thetubular extension 86 of the setting tool is withdrawn from within thetubular extension 32 of the well tool. The slidingsleeve 104 that was previously connected at the lower end of thetubular extension 86 initially displaces uphole with thesetting tool 24, but when thecollets 104 a eventually engage a radially enlargedannular recess 108 formed in the lowerinner mandrel assembly 56 b, the collets are permitted to flex radially outward and disengage from therecess 86 a on thetubular extension 86. In this position, the slidingsleeve 104 blocks flow through theopenings 30. - Note, also, that the
check valve assembly 40 has been displaced downhole in thetubular extension 86. Theshear member 100 has been sheared by a pressure differential applied across thecheck valve assembly 40 from the upholeflow passage section 38 a to the downholeflow passage section 38 b. This pressure differential level to shear theshear member 100 is greater than the pressure differential level to shear therelease member 80. - With the
check valve assembly 40 displaced downhole in thetubular extension 86, the check valve assembly no longer blocks flow between the upholeflow passage section 38 a and theopenings 102.Fluid 110 can now flow out of the upholeflow passage section 38 a to the exterior of thesetting tool 24 as the setting tool is retrieved to the surface. This allows thetubular string 12 to drain as it is retrieved from the well. - Referring additionally now to
FIG. 7 , thebottom hole assembly 20 is representatively illustrated in a flow-through configuration. This configuration may be used after the released configuration ofFIG. 5 and before the retrieval configuration ofFIGS. 6A & B, if it is desired to provide for relatively unrestricted flow through theflow path 114 between the upholeflow passage section 38 a (seeFIGS. 4A-C ) and the exterior of thebottom hole assembly 20. - In the
FIG. 7 example, fluid communication is permitted in both directions through theflow path 114 between theflow passage 38 in the interior of thesetting tool 24 and theannulus 26 downhole of thepacker 28. In other examples, fluid communication may be provided between theflow passage 38 and other locations exterior to thebottom hole assembly 20. - The
check valve assembly 40 has been displaced downhole in thetubular extension 86 as described above with regard to the retrieval configuration ofFIGS. 6A & B. Unrestricted flow is now permitted between theflow passage 38 and the exterior of thebottom hole assembly 20 via theopenings - In this example, cement or another
substance 112 can now be flowed from theflow passage 38 to theannulus 26 downhole of thepacker 28. When the cementing or other operation is completed, thesetting tool 24 can be retrieved from the well as described above for theFIGS. 6A & B retrieval configuration. - It may now be fully appreciated that the above disclosure provides significant advancements to the art of designing, constructing and utilizing setting tools for use in wells. In examples described above, the
setting tool 24 allows for convenient filling of thetubular string 12 as thebottom hole assembly 20 is deployed into the well, and then setting of thewell tool 22, without requiring that a ball or other plug be pumped downhole to the setting tool (which can be time-consuming, and difficult to accomplish in horizontal or highly deviated boreholes). - In one aspect, the above disclosure provides to the art a
setting tool 24 for use in a subterranean well. In one example, thesetting tool 24 can include ahydraulic setting mechanism 36 that actuates in response to a level of a pressure differential between: a) acentral flow passage 38 extending longitudinally through thehydraulic setting mechanism 36, and b) an exterior of thesetting tool 24; and acheck valve assembly 40 that prevents flow from afirst section 38 a of thecentral flow passage 38 to asecond section 38 b of thecentral flow passage 38 but permits flow from thesecond section 38 b to thefirst section 38 a. Flow is permitted between thesecond section 38 b and the exterior of thesetting tool 24. - In any of the examples described herein:
- The
check valve assembly 40 may be displaceable between first and second positions: in the first position, thecheck valve assembly 40 permits flow from the exterior of the setting tool to thefirst section 38 a, and thecheck valve assembly 40 prevents flow from thefirst section 38 a to the exterior of thesetting tool 24. In the second position, thecheck valve assembly 40 permits flow from thefirst section 38 a to the exterior of thesetting tool 24. In the second position, thecheck valve assembly 40 may permit flow from the exterior of thesetting tool 24 to thefirst section 38 a. - The
hydraulic setting mechanism 36 may be operable to set awell tool 22 in response to application of a first level of the pressure differential across thecheck valve assembly 40. Thecheck valve assembly 40 may displace from the first position to the second position in response to application of a second level of the pressure differential across thecheck valve assembly 40, the second pressure differential level being greater than the first pressure differential level. - The
hydraulic setting mechanism 36 may include arelease member 80 configured to releasably couple thesetting tool 24 to thewell tool 22. Therelease member 80 releases thesetting tool 24 in response to application of a third level of the pressure differential across thecheck valve assembly 40. The third level may be greater than the first level and less than the second level. - The
check valve assembly 40 may include aseat 94, aclosure 96, and abias member 98 that biases theclosure 96 toward sealing engagement with theseat 94. Thecheck valve assembly 40 may be releasably secured against displacement relative to thecentral flow passage 38. - In another aspect, a
setting tool 24 example described above can include aflow path 114 between an interior of thesetting tool 24 and an exterior of thesetting tool 24; and acheck valve assembly 40 positionable in first and second positions: a) in the first position, thecheck valve assembly 40 permits flow through theflow path 114 from the exterior to the interior of thesetting tool 24, and thecheck valve assembly 40 prevents flow from the interior to the exterior of thesetting tool 24, and b) in the second position, thecheck valve assembly 40 permits flow through theflow path 114 from the interior to the exterior of thesetting tool 24. - In any of the examples described herein:
- In the second position, the
check valve assembly 40 may permit flow from the exterior to the interior of thesetting tool 24. - The
check valve assembly 40 may include aseat 94, aclosure 96, and abias member 98 that biases theclosure 96 toward sealing engagement with theseat 94. - The
setting tool 24 may include ahydraulic setting mechanism 36 operable to set awell tool 22 in response to application of a first pressure differential across thecheck valve assembly 40. Thecheck valve assembly 40 may displace from the first position to the second position in response to application of a second pressure differential across thecheck valve assembly 40, the second pressure differential being greater than the first pressure differential. - The
hydraulic setting mechanism 36 may include arelease member 80 configured to releasably couple thesetting tool 24 to thewell tool 22. Therelease member 80 may release thesetting tool 24 in response to application of a third pressure differential across thecheck valve assembly 40, the third pressure differential being greater than the first pressure differential and less than the second pressure differential. - The
check valve assembly 40 may in the first position block flow between first andsecond sections 38a,b of aninterior flow passage 38 of thesetting tool 24 and block flow between thefirst section 38 a and anopening 102 that permits flow between thesecond section 38 b and the exterior of thesetting tool 24. - The
check valve assembly 40 in the second position may permit flow between thefirst section 38 a and theopening 102. - A method of setting a
well tool 22 in a subterranean well is also provided to the art by the above disclosure. In one example, the method can include: deploying thewell tool 22 and asetting tool 24 into the well; and applying a first pressure differential across acheck valve assembly 40 of thesetting tool 24, thereby setting thewell tool 22. In the deploying step, thesetting tool 24 includes thecheck valve assembly 40. - In any of the examples described herein:
- The method can include applying a second pressure differential across the
check valve assembly 40, thereby opening aflow path 114 between an interior of thesetting tool 24 and an exterior of thesetting tool 24. The second pressure differential is greater than the first pressure differential. - The opening step can include displacing the
check valve assembly 40 from a first position in which thecheck valve assembly 40 blocks flow through theflow path 114 to a second position in which thecheck valve assembly 40 does not block the flow through theflow path 114. - The deploying step may include permitting flow through the
check valve assembly 40 in a first direction from an exterior of thesetting tool 24 to an interior of thesetting tool 24. - The setting step may include preventing flow through the
check valve assembly 40 in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the second direction being from the interior to the exterior of thesetting tool 24. - The method may include flowing a
substance 112 from the interior to the exterior of thesetting tool 24 after the setting step. Thesubstance 112 may comprisecement 34. - Although various examples have been described above, with each example having certain features, it should be understood that it is not necessary for a particular feature of one example to be used exclusively with that example. Instead, any of the features described above and/or depicted in the drawings can be combined with any of the examples, in addition to or in substitution for any of the other features of those examples. One example's features are not mutually exclusive to another example's features. Instead, the scope of this disclosure encompasses any combination of any of the features.
- Although each example described above includes a certain combination of features, it should be understood that it is not necessary for all features of an example to be used. Instead, any of the features described above can be used, without any other particular feature or features also being used.
- It should be understood that the various embodiments 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 this disclosure. The embodiments are described merely as examples of useful applications of the principles of the disclosure, which is not limited to any specific details of these embodiments.
- In the above description of the representative examples, directional terms (such as “above,” “below,” “upper,” “lower,” “upward,” “downward,” etc.) are used for convenience in referring to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be clearly understood that the scope of this disclosure is not limited to any particular directions described herein.
- The terms “including,” “includes,” “comprising,” “comprises,” and similar terms are used in a non-limiting sense in this specification. For example, if a system, method, apparatus, device, etc., is described as “including” a certain feature or element, the system, method, apparatus, device, etc., can include that feature or element, and can also include other features or elements. Similarly, the term “comprises” is considered to mean “comprises, but is not limited to.”
- Of course, a person skilled in the art would, upon a careful consideration of the above description of representative embodiments of the disclosure, readily appreciate that many modifications, additions, substitutions, deletions, and other changes may be made to the specific embodiments, and such changes are contemplated by the principles of this disclosure. For example, structures disclosed as being separately formed can, in other examples, be integrally formed and vice versa. 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 invention being limited solely by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims (20)
Priority Applications (2)
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US16/849,266 US20210324709A1 (en) | 2020-04-15 | 2020-04-15 | Setting tool and method |
PCT/US2021/025472 WO2021211306A1 (en) | 2020-04-15 | 2021-04-01 | Setting tool and method |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
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US16/849,266 US20210324709A1 (en) | 2020-04-15 | 2020-04-15 | Setting tool and method |
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US20210324709A1 true US20210324709A1 (en) | 2021-10-21 |
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US16/849,266 Abandoned US20210324709A1 (en) | 2020-04-15 | 2020-04-15 | Setting tool and method |
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WO (1) | WO2021211306A1 (en) |
Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3913675A (en) * | 1974-10-21 | 1975-10-21 | Dresser Ind | Methods and apparatus for sand control in underground boreholes |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4316504A (en) * | 1980-02-11 | 1982-02-23 | Bj-Hughes Inc. | Check/relief valve for an inflatable packer system |
US4646829A (en) * | 1985-04-10 | 1987-03-03 | Halliburton Company | Hydraulically set and released bridge plug |
US5297634A (en) * | 1991-08-16 | 1994-03-29 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Method and apparatus for reducing wellbore-fluid pressure differential forces on a settable wellbore tool in a flowing well |
US7891432B2 (en) * | 2008-02-26 | 2011-02-22 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Apparatus and methods for setting one or more packers in a well bore |
-
2020
- 2020-04-15 US US16/849,266 patent/US20210324709A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2021
- 2021-04-01 WO PCT/US2021/025472 patent/WO2021211306A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3913675A (en) * | 1974-10-21 | 1975-10-21 | Dresser Ind | Methods and apparatus for sand control in underground boreholes |
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