US20220034185A1 - Slurry outlet with seal protection system - Google Patents
Slurry outlet with seal protection system Download PDFInfo
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- US20220034185A1 US20220034185A1 US17/387,445 US202117387445A US2022034185A1 US 20220034185 A1 US20220034185 A1 US 20220034185A1 US 202117387445 A US202117387445 A US 202117387445A US 2022034185 A1 US2022034185 A1 US 2022034185A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- seal
- sleeve
- protector
- top sub
- protector sleeve
- 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
Links
- 239000002002 slurry Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 33
- 230000001012 protector Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 66
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 238000012856 packing Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000004568 cement Substances 0.000 description 6
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000013618 particulate matter Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000003607 modifier Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000011236 particulate material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 2
- -1 steam Substances 0.000 description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000010793 Steam injection (oil industry) Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002253 acid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000007513 acids Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012267 brine Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005260 corrosion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000151 deposition Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003995 emulsifying agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000149 penetrating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000035699 permeability Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000700 radioactive tracer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004576 sand Substances 0.000 description 1
- HPALAKNZSZLMCH-UHFFFAOYSA-M sodium;chloride;hydrate Chemical compound O.[Na+].[Cl-] HPALAKNZSZLMCH-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 1
- 230000000638 stimulation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007704 transition Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
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
- E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
- E21B33/10—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells in the borehole
- E21B33/13—Methods or devices for cementing, for plugging holes, crevices or the like
- E21B33/14—Methods or devices for cementing, for plugging holes, crevices or the like for cementing casings into boreholes
- E21B33/16—Methods or devices for cementing, for plugging holes, crevices or the like for cementing casings into boreholes using plugs for isolating cement charge; Plugs therefor
-
- 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
- E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
- E21B43/02—Subsoil filtering
- E21B43/04—Gravelling of wells
- E21B43/045—Crossover tools
-
- 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
- E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
- E21B33/10—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells in the borehole
-
- 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
- E21B34/00—Valve arrangements for boreholes or wells
- E21B34/06—Valve arrangements for boreholes or wells in wells
- E21B34/14—Valve arrangements for boreholes or wells in wells operated by movement of tools, e.g. sleeve valves operated by pistons or wire line tools
-
- 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
- E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
- E21B43/25—Methods for stimulating production
- E21B43/26—Methods for stimulating production by forming crevices or fractures
- E21B43/261—Separate steps of (1) cementing, plugging or consolidating and (2) fracturing or attacking the formation
-
- 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
- E21B37/00—Methods or apparatus for cleaning boreholes or wells
- E21B37/02—Scrapers specially adapted therefor
Definitions
- frac and gravel packs are a well-known means to protect a subsurface formation from collapse and to filter out unwanted particulates from a production borehole. So too are the apparatus for depositing sand or gravel that will make up the gravel pack.
- FIG. 1 a prior art system 10 , which happens to be configured as a gravel pack system but could be configured as a frac/frac pack system, or a cement system is illustrated that is and has been commercially available from Baker Hughes.
- the portion of FIG. 1 other than the crossover tool depicted therein, is a slurry extension available under product number H484220008 (available from Baker Hughes).
- H484220008 available from Baker Hughes
- a crossover tool 10 is used to deposit gravel in an annular space and then a closure sleeve 12 is moved to a closed position in a seal bore 14 of a top sub 16 around the crossover tool 10 .
- seals 20 on the closure sleeve 12 can sometimes be damaged such that differential pressure may not be completely manageable thereacross. This can be commercially undesirable in some situations. Therefore, the art would be benefited by a system that can accomplish the task of creating a gravel pack without damaging seals of the closure sleeve such that differential pressure can be maintained.
- An embodiment of a slurry outlet system including a top sub having a seal, a closure sleeve positionable in an open position spaced from the top sub during a slurry pumping operation and a closed position wherein the closure sleeve sealingly interacts with the seal, a protector sleeve disposed to protect the seal and movable upon the closure sleeve becoming sufficiently close to the protector sleeve
- An embodiment of a method for pressure sealingly closing a slurry outlet system including bringing a closure sleeve into proximity with a top sub of the slurry outlet system, displacing a protector sleeve, with the closure sleeve, off a seal of the top sub and simultaneously making sealing contact between the closure sleeve and the seal.
- FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a prior art slurry outlet system
- FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of a slurry outlet system as disclosed herein;
- FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 2 taken at the circumscribed area in FIG. 2 and in an open position of the system;
- FIG. 3 a is the illustration of FIG. 3 with a biasing arrangement added
- FIG. 4 is the same view as FIG. 3 but in the closed position of the system
- FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of an engagement arrangement for components of the system disclosed herein;
- FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of a slurry outlet system described herein;
- FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of a slurry outlet system described herein;
- FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of a slurry outlet system described herein.
- FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a wellbore wherein the a slurry outlet system as described herein is disposed.
- the system 30 which may be a gravel pack system frac/frac pack system, or a cement system (it will be appreciated that a crossover tool is illustrated disposed in the system but the crossover tool may be easily swapped for a frac/frac pack service tool or a cementing service tool as is familiar to one of ordinary skill in this art) may include many similar components to that of the prior art system 10 but with several significant departures. Specifically, a top sub 3232 (“top sub” being broadly meant as one of more actual components of the system functioning as a seal bore, a seal housing, a seal assembly housing, etc.
- system 30 which can be one piece or a number of pieces secured together) of system 30 carries a number of seal(s) 34 at an inside diameter surface 36 thereof and, in some variations, a number of wiper(s) 38 as well.
- the wiper 38 may be helpful in that if a small amount of debris clings to the outer surface of a closure sleeve, the wiper 38 will wipe that off prior to the closure sleeve interacting with the seals 34 , thereby ensuring that the seals are not contaminated with and/or damaged by any particulate matter that could compromise seal integrity.
- seals could be employed such as O-ring seals, bonded seals, a seal stack or non-elastomeric seals (including metal seals), etc., the representations in the Figures being general to each of these. It is further to be understood that more than one of the above mentioned seals may be used together in some embodiments.
- a movable protector sleeve 40 is initially disposed to cover and protect the seals 34 and wiper 38 from damage including due to contamination by particulate materials that might otherwise damage the seals 34 upon moving the system 30 to the closed position. The seals remain protected by the protector sleeve 40 both during slurry flow and during shifting of a closure sleeve 50 . As illustrated in FIG. 3 , the protector sleeve 40 is disposed radially inwardly of the top sub 32 and with an outside surface 42 of the protector sleeve 40 in contact with the seals 34 and wiper 38 . In one embodiment, the protector sleeve 40 is a part of a seal protection subsystem 44 that further includes a protector sleeve pocket 46 .
- the pocket 46 is a segregated volume that will not admit particulate matter from the slurry outlet or other expected wellbore particulate or debris.
- the pocket 46 is maintained in this condition by a tight fit between a pocket barrier 47 and the protector sleeve 40 .
- the term “tight fit” as used herein means that the gap presented between two components is smaller than the average size of the proppant used in a gravel slurry or particulate used in a cement slurry. Ensuring a gap has a size smaller than the particulate means that no particulates can penetrate the area. No particles penetrating the area means that there will be no impediment to the protector sleeve 40 when it is time to remove the protector sleeve 40 from the seals 34 .
- the seal protection subsystem 44 further includes a release member 48 such as, for example, a shear screw or detent.
- the release member 48 prevents movement of the protector sleeve until a threshold selected force is placed on the protector sleeve 40 .
- the seal protection subsystem 44 may be configured as a telescopic unit as illustrated, in some variations.
- the pocket 46 is receptive to the protector sleeve 40 when that sleeve 40 is urged into the pocket by the closure sleeve 50 (refer to FIGS. 2 and 4 ).
- the protector sleeve 40 may be shifted by another component either once contact between closure sleeve 50 and protector sleeve 40 is made or once the closure sleeve 50 is sufficiently close to the protector sleeve 40 .
- “Sufficiently close” in this context means that the gap presented between two components is smaller than the average size of the proppant used in a gravel slurry or particulate used in a cement slurry. Ensuring a gap has a size smaller than the particulate means that no particulates can penetrate the area.
- a biasing arrangement 49 may be provided in the pocket 46 (see FIG. 3 a ) to ensure that if the closure sleeve 50 reverses direction for any reason, the protector sleeve 40 will responsively re-cover the seals 34 and wiper 38 .
- the biasing arrangement may be a spring, such as a coil spring, a gas chamber, an elastomeric member, etc.
- the protector sleeve 40 may include an engagement feature 54 that latches with a catch 56 on the closure sleeve 50 to ensure the protector sleeve 40 will follow the closure sleeve 50 (see FIG. 5 ).
- the closure sleeve 50 includes only a seal-less uninterrupted outer surface 52 on an end thereof that is to interact with the top sub 32 and the protector sleeve 40 .
- the lack of seals in this area reduces the ability of the closure sleeve 50 to carry particulates with it during its transition from the open position of the system 30 to the closed position of the system 30 .
- FIGS. 3 and 4 show the same portion of the system 30 in the open and closed positions respectively, it is evident that the sleeve 50 displaces the sleeve 40 through contact therewith and hence there is no opening for particulate matter to contaminate the seals 34 .
- top sub 32 is unchanged from embodiments above but that the seal protector subsystem ( 44 above) has been substituted by a different protector sleeve 140 .
- the protector sleeve 140 extends a longer distance and bridges a volume that becomes a pocket 146 where particulate matter is excluded.
- the embodiment includes an upset 147 that provides a stop in both the uphole and downhole directions of movement of the protector sleeve 140 .
- a release member 148 is still employed for the protector sleeve 140 , in an alternate location to the foregoing embodiment, and retains the function of securing the protector sleeve 140 until a threshold selected force is applied thereto to release the release member 148 .
- the embodiment is similar to the foregoing embodiments.
- a protector sleeve 240 includes a ramped section 250 that is configured to displace particulate. This is due to the potential for particulate to collect in a space 252 where the protector sleeve 240 will move when the seals 34 are uncovered. It will be appreciated in this embodiment that the particulate free pocket of the foregoing embodiments is not present. Rather the space where the pocket would be in this embodiment, space 252 , a is actually open to particulate incursion. Because of the potential for particulate incursion, there is a possibility that the protector sleeve 240 may encounter particulates that hinder its movement toward the left of FIG. 7 during actuation. The ramped section 250 will help to displace aggregated particulates radially inwardly and therefore out of the way of the protector sleeve 240 . In other respects, the embodiment is similar to the foregoing embodiments.
- the protector sleeve 240 is the same as in FIG. 7 .
- the addition in this embodiment is an anchor sleeve 260 .
- the anchor sleeve allows for easy testing for movement of the protector sleeve 240 during manufacture and then later securing of the protector sleeve 240 by insertion of the anchor sleeve 260 and a release member 262 .
- the release member 262 is releaseable upon impetus as described above and the protector sleeve 240 will move leftwardly in FIG. 8 while displacing any aggregated particulate with the ramped section 250 as discussed above.
- the embodiment is similar to the foregoing embodiments.
- the system 30 operates very similarly to the system 10 of the prior art with the departures being discussed above. Accordingly, since the departures of system 30 from system 10 have been described and illustrated, further disclosure is not necessary for one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use what is taught herein.
- the wellbore system includes a borehole 360 disposed in a subsurface formation 362 .
- a gravel pack system, frac/frac pack system, or a cement system 30 is a part of a string 364 and disposed in the borehole 360 .
- Embodiment 1 A slurry outlet system including a top sub having a seal, a closure sleeve positionable in an open position spaced from the top sub during a slurry pumping operation and a closed position wherein the closure sleeve sealingly interacts with the seal, a protector sleeve disposed to protect the seal and movable upon the closure sleeve becoming sufficiently close to the protector sleeve.
- Embodiment 2 The system as in any prior embodiment wherein the top sub includes a plurality of seals.
- Embodiment 3 The system as in any prior embodiment further including a wiper.
- Embodiment 4 The system as in any prior embodiment wherein the closure sleeve contacts the protector sleeve.
- Embodiment 5 The system as in any prior embodiment further including a crossover tool disposed radially inwardly of the top sub in a gravel packing, fracing or frac packing position of the system and removed therefrom after completion of a gravel packing, fracing or frac packing operation.
- Embodiment 6 The system as in any prior embodiment further including a cementing tool disposed radially inwardly of the top sub in a cementing position of the system and removed therefrom after completion of a cementing operation.
- Embodiment 7 The system as in any prior embodiment wherein the seal is one or more of an o-ring, a bonded seal, metal seal, a seal stack or non-elastomeric seals.
- Embodiment 8 The system as in any prior embodiment wherein the closure sleeve includes an outside surface for interacting with the seal in the top sub that is a seal less uninterrupted surface.
- Embodiment 9 The system as in any prior embodiment wherein the protector sleeve creates a pocket segregated from particulate incursion.
- Embodiment 10 The system as in any prior embodiment wherein the protector sleeve is a part of a seal protection subsystem.
- Embodiment 11 The system as in any prior embodiment wherein the subsystem includes a pocket receptive of the protector sleeve in a closed position of the system.
- Embodiment 12 The system as in any prior embodiment further comprising a biasing arrangement disposed to bias the protector sleeve.
- Embodiment 13 The system as in any prior embodiment further comprising a release member attached to the protector sleeve.
- Embodiment 14 The system as in any prior embodiment wherein the release member is a shear screw.
- Embodiment 15 The system as in any prior embodiment wherein the protector sleeve includes an engagement feature to engage the closure sleeve.
- Embodiment 16 A method for pressure sealingly closing a slurry outlet system including bringing a closure sleeve into proximity with a top sub of the slurry outlet system, displacing a protector sleeve, with the closure sleeve, off a seal of the top sub and simultaneously making sealing contact between the closure sleeve and the seal.
- Embodiment 17 The method as in any prior embodiment further including wiping the closure sleeve prior to making sealing contact with the seal.
- Embodiment 18 The method as in any prior embodiment wherein the urging of the protector sleeve includes causing the release of a release member.
- Embodiment 19 The method as in any prior embodiment wherein the urging of the protector sleeve includes disposing the protector sleeve in a pocket of a seal protection subsystem.
- Embodiment 20 A wellbore system including a borehole in a subsurface formation. a string including a slurry outlet system as in any prior embodiment.
- the teachings of the present disclosure may be used in a variety of well operations. These operations may involve using one or more treatment agents to treat a formation, the fluids resident in a formation, a wellbore, and/or equipment in the wellbore, such as production tubing.
- the treatment agents may be in the form of liquids, gases, solids, semi-solids, and mixtures thereof.
- Illustrative treatment agents include, but are not limited to, fracturing fluids, acids, steam, water, brine, anti-corrosion agents, cement, permeability modifiers, drilling muds, emulsifiers, demulsifiers, tracers, flow improvers etc.
- Illustrative well operations include, but are not limited to, hydraulic fracturing, stimulation, tracer injection, cleaning, acidizing, steam injection, water flooding, cementing, etc.
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Abstract
A slurry outlet system including a top sub having a seal, a closure sleeve positionable in an open position spaced from the top sub during a slurry pumping operation and a closed position wherein the closure sleeve sealingly interacts with the seal, a protector sleeve disposed to protect the seal and movable upon the closure sleeve becoming sufficiently close to the protector sleeve. A method for pressure sealingly closing a slurry outlet system including bringing a closure sleeve into proximity with a top sub of the slurry outlet system, displacing a protector sleeve, with the closure sleeve, off a seal of the top sub and simultaneously making sealing contact between the closure sleeve and the seal.
Description
- This application claims the benefit of an earlier filing date from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/057,591 filed Jul. 28, 2020, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
- In the resource recovery industry, frac and gravel packs are a well-known means to protect a subsurface formation from collapse and to filter out unwanted particulates from a production borehole. So too are the apparatus for depositing sand or gravel that will make up the gravel pack. Referring to
FIG. 1 , aprior art system 10, which happens to be configured as a gravel pack system but could be configured as a frac/frac pack system, or a cement system is illustrated that is and has been commercially available from Baker Hughes. The portion ofFIG. 1 , other than the crossover tool depicted therein, is a slurry extension available under product number H484220008 (available from Baker Hughes). One of ordinary skill in the art is well familiar with the system. - Broadly, still referring to
FIG. 1 , acrossover tool 10 is used to deposit gravel in an annular space and then aclosure sleeve 12 is moved to a closed position in a seal bore 14 of atop sub 16 around thecrossover tool 10. Due to particulates deposited in theimmediate vicinity 18 of the crossover tool and seal bore 14, seals 20 on theclosure sleeve 12 can sometimes be damaged such that differential pressure may not be completely manageable thereacross. This can be commercially undesirable in some situations. Therefore, the art would be benefited by a system that can accomplish the task of creating a gravel pack without damaging seals of the closure sleeve such that differential pressure can be maintained. - An embodiment of a slurry outlet system including a top sub having a seal, a closure sleeve positionable in an open position spaced from the top sub during a slurry pumping operation and a closed position wherein the closure sleeve sealingly interacts with the seal, a protector sleeve disposed to protect the seal and movable upon the closure sleeve becoming sufficiently close to the protector sleeve
- An embodiment of a method for pressure sealingly closing a slurry outlet system including bringing a closure sleeve into proximity with a top sub of the slurry outlet system, displacing a protector sleeve, with the closure sleeve, off a seal of the top sub and simultaneously making sealing contact between the closure sleeve and the seal.
- The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike:
-
FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a prior art slurry outlet system; -
FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of a slurry outlet system as disclosed herein; -
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion ofFIG. 2 taken at the circumscribed area inFIG. 2 and in an open position of the system; -
FIG. 3a is the illustration ofFIG. 3 with a biasing arrangement added; -
FIG. 4 is the same view asFIG. 3 but in the closed position of the system; -
FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of an engagement arrangement for components of the system disclosed herein; -
FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of a slurry outlet system described herein; -
FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of a slurry outlet system described herein; -
FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of a slurry outlet system described herein; and -
FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a wellbore wherein the a slurry outlet system as described herein is disposed. - A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.
- Referring to
FIGS. 2-4 , a slurry outlet withseal protection system 30 is illustrated. Thesystem 30, which may be a gravel pack system frac/frac pack system, or a cement system (it will be appreciated that a crossover tool is illustrated disposed in the system but the crossover tool may be easily swapped for a frac/frac pack service tool or a cementing service tool as is familiar to one of ordinary skill in this art) may include many similar components to that of theprior art system 10 but with several significant departures. Specifically, a top sub 3232 (“top sub” being broadly meant as one of more actual components of the system functioning as a seal bore, a seal housing, a seal assembly housing, etc. which can be one piece or a number of pieces secured together) ofsystem 30 carries a number of seal(s) 34 at aninside diameter surface 36 thereof and, in some variations, a number of wiper(s) 38 as well. Thewiper 38 may be helpful in that if a small amount of debris clings to the outer surface of a closure sleeve, thewiper 38 will wipe that off prior to the closure sleeve interacting with theseals 34, thereby ensuring that the seals are not contaminated with and/or damaged by any particulate matter that could compromise seal integrity. It is to be appreciated that all known types of seals could be employed such as O-ring seals, bonded seals, a seal stack or non-elastomeric seals (including metal seals), etc., the representations in the Figures being general to each of these. It is further to be understood that more than one of the above mentioned seals may be used together in some embodiments. - Further, a
movable protector sleeve 40 is initially disposed to cover and protect theseals 34 andwiper 38 from damage including due to contamination by particulate materials that might otherwise damage theseals 34 upon moving thesystem 30 to the closed position. The seals remain protected by theprotector sleeve 40 both during slurry flow and during shifting of aclosure sleeve 50. As illustrated inFIG. 3 , theprotector sleeve 40 is disposed radially inwardly of thetop sub 32 and with anoutside surface 42 of theprotector sleeve 40 in contact with theseals 34 andwiper 38. In one embodiment, theprotector sleeve 40 is a part of aseal protection subsystem 44 that further includes aprotector sleeve pocket 46. Thepocket 46 is a segregated volume that will not admit particulate matter from the slurry outlet or other expected wellbore particulate or debris. Thepocket 46 is maintained in this condition by a tight fit between apocket barrier 47 and theprotector sleeve 40. The term “tight fit” as used herein means that the gap presented between two components is smaller than the average size of the proppant used in a gravel slurry or particulate used in a cement slurry. Ensuring a gap has a size smaller than the particulate means that no particulates can penetrate the area. No particles penetrating the area means that there will be no impediment to theprotector sleeve 40 when it is time to remove theprotector sleeve 40 from theseals 34. Theseal protection subsystem 44 further includes arelease member 48 such as, for example, a shear screw or detent. Therelease member 48 prevents movement of the protector sleeve until a threshold selected force is placed on theprotector sleeve 40. Theseal protection subsystem 44 may be configured as a telescopic unit as illustrated, in some variations. Thepocket 46 is receptive to theprotector sleeve 40 when thatsleeve 40 is urged into the pocket by the closure sleeve 50 (refer toFIGS. 2 and 4 ). While urging the protector sleeve 40 directly with theclosure sleeve 50 is efficient and effective, it is also contemplated that theprotector sleeve 40 may be shifted by another component either once contact betweenclosure sleeve 50 andprotector sleeve 40 is made or once theclosure sleeve 50 is sufficiently close to theprotector sleeve 40. “Sufficiently close” in this context means that the gap presented between two components is smaller than the average size of the proppant used in a gravel slurry or particulate used in a cement slurry. Ensuring a gap has a size smaller than the particulate means that no particulates can penetrate the area. - In variations, a biasing arrangement 49 may be provided in the pocket 46 (see
FIG. 3a ) to ensure that if the closure sleeve 50 reverses direction for any reason, theprotector sleeve 40 will responsively re-cover theseals 34 andwiper 38. The biasing arrangement may be a spring, such as a coil spring, a gas chamber, an elastomeric member, etc. Alternatively to the biasing arrangement, or in addition thereto, theprotector sleeve 40 may include anengagement feature 54 that latches with acatch 56 on theclosure sleeve 50 to ensure theprotector sleeve 40 will follow the closure sleeve 50 (seeFIG. 5 ). - Notably, the
closure sleeve 50 includes only a seal-less uninterruptedouter surface 52 on an end thereof that is to interact with thetop sub 32 and theprotector sleeve 40. The lack of seals in this area reduces the ability of theclosure sleeve 50 to carry particulates with it during its transition from the open position of thesystem 30 to the closed position of thesystem 30. - Considering the positions illustrated in
FIGS. 3 and 4 simultaneously, which show the same portion of thesystem 30 in the open and closed positions respectively, it is evident that thesleeve 50 displaces thesleeve 40 through contact therewith and hence there is no opening for particulate matter to contaminate theseals 34. - In the
prior art system 10, since seals are present on theclosure sleeve 12, the trapping of particulates thereat and the direct damage to the seals during stroking of thesleeve 12 was a distinct possibility. With the particular combination of features disclosed herein however, the direct damage to the seals and the trapping of particulate material that may possibly contaminate or cause damage to the seals has been substantially reduced or eliminated. - In another embodiment, referring to
FIG. 6 , it will be recognized thattop sub 32 is unchanged from embodiments above but that the seal protector subsystem (44 above) has been substituted by adifferent protector sleeve 140. In this embodiment, theprotector sleeve 140 extends a longer distance and bridges a volume that becomes apocket 146 where particulate matter is excluded. The embodiment includes an upset 147 that provides a stop in both the uphole and downhole directions of movement of theprotector sleeve 140. Arelease member 148 is still employed for theprotector sleeve 140, in an alternate location to the foregoing embodiment, and retains the function of securing theprotector sleeve 140 until a threshold selected force is applied thereto to release therelease member 148. In other respects, the embodiment is similar to the foregoing embodiments. - In yet another embodiment, referring to
FIG. 7 , aprotector sleeve 240 includes a rampedsection 250 that is configured to displace particulate. This is due to the potential for particulate to collect in aspace 252 where theprotector sleeve 240 will move when theseals 34 are uncovered. It will be appreciated in this embodiment that the particulate free pocket of the foregoing embodiments is not present. Rather the space where the pocket would be in this embodiment,space 252, a is actually open to particulate incursion. Because of the potential for particulate incursion, there is a possibility that theprotector sleeve 240 may encounter particulates that hinder its movement toward the left ofFIG. 7 during actuation. The rampedsection 250 will help to displace aggregated particulates radially inwardly and therefore out of the way of theprotector sleeve 240. In other respects, the embodiment is similar to the foregoing embodiments. - In yet another embodiment, referring to
FIG. 8 , it will be appreciated that theprotector sleeve 240 is the same as inFIG. 7 . The addition in this embodiment is ananchor sleeve 260. The anchor sleeve allows for easy testing for movement of theprotector sleeve 240 during manufacture and then later securing of theprotector sleeve 240 by insertion of theanchor sleeve 260 and arelease member 262. Therelease member 262 is releaseable upon impetus as described above and theprotector sleeve 240 will move leftwardly inFIG. 8 while displacing any aggregated particulate with the rampedsection 250 as discussed above. In other respects, the embodiment is similar to the foregoing embodiments. - The
system 30 operates very similarly to thesystem 10 of the prior art with the departures being discussed above. Accordingly, since the departures ofsystem 30 fromsystem 10 have been described and illustrated, further disclosure is not necessary for one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use what is taught herein. - Further disclosed herein is a wellbore system as schematically illustrated in
FIG. 9 . The wellbore system includes a borehole 360 disposed in asubsurface formation 362. A gravel pack system, frac/frac pack system, or acement system 30 is a part of astring 364 and disposed in theborehole 360. - Set forth below are some embodiments of the foregoing disclosure:
- Embodiment 1: A slurry outlet system including a top sub having a seal, a closure sleeve positionable in an open position spaced from the top sub during a slurry pumping operation and a closed position wherein the closure sleeve sealingly interacts with the seal, a protector sleeve disposed to protect the seal and movable upon the closure sleeve becoming sufficiently close to the protector sleeve.
- Embodiment 2: The system as in any prior embodiment wherein the top sub includes a plurality of seals.
- Embodiment 3: The system as in any prior embodiment further including a wiper.
- Embodiment 4: The system as in any prior embodiment wherein the closure sleeve contacts the protector sleeve.
- Embodiment 5: The system as in any prior embodiment further including a crossover tool disposed radially inwardly of the top sub in a gravel packing, fracing or frac packing position of the system and removed therefrom after completion of a gravel packing, fracing or frac packing operation.
- Embodiment 6: The system as in any prior embodiment further including a cementing tool disposed radially inwardly of the top sub in a cementing position of the system and removed therefrom after completion of a cementing operation.
- Embodiment 7: The system as in any prior embodiment wherein the seal is one or more of an o-ring, a bonded seal, metal seal, a seal stack or non-elastomeric seals.
- Embodiment 8: The system as in any prior embodiment wherein the closure sleeve includes an outside surface for interacting with the seal in the top sub that is a seal less uninterrupted surface.
- Embodiment 9: The system as in any prior embodiment wherein the protector sleeve creates a pocket segregated from particulate incursion.
- Embodiment 10: The system as in any prior embodiment wherein the protector sleeve is a part of a seal protection subsystem.
- Embodiment 11: The system as in any prior embodiment wherein the subsystem includes a pocket receptive of the protector sleeve in a closed position of the system.
- Embodiment 12: The system as in any prior embodiment further comprising a biasing arrangement disposed to bias the protector sleeve.
- Embodiment 13: The system as in any prior embodiment further comprising a release member attached to the protector sleeve.
- Embodiment 14: The system as in any prior embodiment wherein the release member is a shear screw.
- Embodiment 15: The system as in any prior embodiment wherein the protector sleeve includes an engagement feature to engage the closure sleeve.
- Embodiment 16: A method for pressure sealingly closing a slurry outlet system including bringing a closure sleeve into proximity with a top sub of the slurry outlet system, displacing a protector sleeve, with the closure sleeve, off a seal of the top sub and simultaneously making sealing contact between the closure sleeve and the seal.
- Embodiment 17: The method as in any prior embodiment further including wiping the closure sleeve prior to making sealing contact with the seal.
- Embodiment 18: The method as in any prior embodiment wherein the urging of the protector sleeve includes causing the release of a release member.
- Embodiment 19: The method as in any prior embodiment wherein the urging of the protector sleeve includes disposing the protector sleeve in a pocket of a seal protection subsystem.
- Embodiment 20: A wellbore system including a borehole in a subsurface formation. a string including a slurry outlet system as in any prior embodiment.
- The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Further, it should be noted that the terms “first,” “second,” and the like herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. The modifier “about” used in connection with a quantity is inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (e.g., it includes the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity).
- The teachings of the present disclosure may be used in a variety of well operations. These operations may involve using one or more treatment agents to treat a formation, the fluids resident in a formation, a wellbore, and/or equipment in the wellbore, such as production tubing. The treatment agents may be in the form of liquids, gases, solids, semi-solids, and mixtures thereof. Illustrative treatment agents include, but are not limited to, fracturing fluids, acids, steam, water, brine, anti-corrosion agents, cement, permeability modifiers, drilling muds, emulsifiers, demulsifiers, tracers, flow improvers etc. Illustrative well operations include, but are not limited to, hydraulic fracturing, stimulation, tracer injection, cleaning, acidizing, steam injection, water flooding, cementing, etc.
- While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims. Also, in the drawings and the description, there have been disclosed exemplary embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms may have been employed, they are unless otherwise stated used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention therefore not being so limited.
Claims (20)
1. A slurry outlet system comprising:
a top sub having a seal;
a closure sleeve positionable in an open position spaced from the top sub during a slurry pumping operation and a closed position wherein the closure sleeve sealingly interacts with the seal;
a protector sleeve disposed to protect the seal and movable upon the closure sleeve becoming sufficiently close to the protector sleeve.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the top sub includes a plurality of seals.
3. The system as claimed in claim 1 further including a wiper.
4. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the closure sleeve contacts the protector sleeve.
5. The system as claimed in claim 1 further including a crossover tool disposed radially inwardly of the top sub in a gravel packing, fracing or frac packing position of the system and removed therefrom after completion of a gravel packing, fracing or frac packing operation.
6. The system as claimed in claim 1 further including a cementing tool disposed radially inwardly of the top sub in a cementing position of the system and removed therefrom after completion of a cementing operation.
7. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the seal is one or more of an o-ring, a bonded seal, metal seal, a seal stack or non-elastomeric seals.
8. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the closure sleeve includes an outside surface for interacting with the seal in the top sub that is a seal less uninterrupted surface.
9. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the protector sleeve creates a pocket segregated from particulate incursion.
10. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the protector sleeve is a part of a seal protection subsystem.
11. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the subsystem includes a pocket receptive of the protector sleeve in a closed position of the system.
12. The system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a biasing arrangement disposed to bias the protector sleeve.
13. The system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a release member attached to the protector sleeve.
14. The system as claimed in claim 13 wherein the release member is a shear screw.
15. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the protector sleeve includes an engagement feature to engage the closure sleeve.
16. A method for pressure sealingly closing a slurry outlet system comprising:
bringing a closure sleeve into proximity with a top sub of the slurry outlet system;
displacing a protector sleeve, with the closure sleeve, off a seal of the top sub and simultaneously making sealing contact between the closure sleeve and the seal.
17. The method as claimed in claim 16 further including wiping the closure sleeve prior to making sealing contact with the seal.
18. The method as claimed in claim 16 wherein the urging of the protector sleeve includes causing the release of a release member.
19. The method as claimed in claim 16 wherein the urging of the protector sleeve includes disposing the protector sleeve in a pocket of a seal protection subsystem.
20. A wellbore system comprising:
a borehole in a subsurface formation;
a string including a slurry outlet system as claimed in claim 1 .
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US17/387,445 US20220034185A1 (en) | 2020-07-28 | 2021-07-28 | Slurry outlet with seal protection system |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US202063057591P | 2020-07-28 | 2020-07-28 | |
US17/387,445 US20220034185A1 (en) | 2020-07-28 | 2021-07-28 | Slurry outlet with seal protection system |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20220034185A1 true US20220034185A1 (en) | 2022-02-03 |
Family
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Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US17/387,468 Abandoned US20220034193A1 (en) | 2020-07-28 | 2021-07-28 | Seal protection arrangement and system |
US17/387,445 Abandoned US20220034185A1 (en) | 2020-07-28 | 2021-07-28 | Slurry outlet with seal protection system |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US17/387,468 Abandoned US20220034193A1 (en) | 2020-07-28 | 2021-07-28 | Seal protection arrangement and system |
Country Status (2)
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US (2) | US20220034193A1 (en) |
WO (2) | WO2022026568A1 (en) |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20060076133A1 (en) * | 2004-10-08 | 2006-04-13 | Penno Andrew D | One trip liner conveyed gravel packing and cementing system |
US20090314492A1 (en) * | 2005-04-01 | 2009-12-24 | Reid Michael A | Protection Sleeve |
US20180363418A1 (en) * | 2015-09-29 | 2018-12-20 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Erosion protection for closing sleeve assemblies |
Family Cites Families (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5332038A (en) * | 1992-08-06 | 1994-07-26 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Gravel packing system |
US5518072A (en) * | 1995-01-30 | 1996-05-21 | Camco International Inc. | Downhole tool for assisting in separating and reconnecting well tubing |
FR2790508B1 (en) * | 1999-03-05 | 2001-04-27 | Schlumberger Services Petrol | WELL BOTTOM FLOW CONTROL DEVICE, EQUIPPED WITH A GASKET PROTECTIVE SHIRT |
US6899318B2 (en) * | 2002-08-06 | 2005-05-31 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Wave seal to resist extrusion during equalization |
US7128151B2 (en) * | 2003-11-17 | 2006-10-31 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Gravel pack crossover tool with single position multi-function capability |
US9494018B2 (en) * | 2013-09-16 | 2016-11-15 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Sand control crossover tool with mud pulse telemetry position |
AU2019251232B2 (en) * | 2018-04-13 | 2022-03-10 | Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations Llc | Two-position frac-pack or gravel-pack system with telemetry |
CN108590578B (en) * | 2018-04-25 | 2020-07-28 | 中国石油集团川庆钻探工程有限公司长庆井下技术作业公司 | Sliding sleeve mechanism capable of being repeatedly opened and closed for sleeve sliding sleeve |
-
2021
- 2021-07-28 US US17/387,468 patent/US20220034193A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2021-07-28 US US17/387,445 patent/US20220034185A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2021-07-28 WO PCT/US2021/043488 patent/WO2022026568A1/en active Application Filing
- 2021-07-28 WO PCT/US2021/043493 patent/WO2022026571A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20060076133A1 (en) * | 2004-10-08 | 2006-04-13 | Penno Andrew D | One trip liner conveyed gravel packing and cementing system |
US20090314492A1 (en) * | 2005-04-01 | 2009-12-24 | Reid Michael A | Protection Sleeve |
US20180363418A1 (en) * | 2015-09-29 | 2018-12-20 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Erosion protection for closing sleeve assemblies |
Also Published As
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WO2022026571A1 (en) | 2022-02-03 |
US20220034193A1 (en) | 2022-02-03 |
WO2022026568A1 (en) | 2022-02-03 |
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