US2110355A - Setting tool - Google Patents

Description

March 8, 1938. c. Q BROWN 2,110,355

SETTING TOOL Original Filed July 24, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 grwc wto'b CiceroC. Brown WWW 2 M [8 March 8, 1938. c. c WN 2,110,355

' SETTING TOOL Original Filed July 24, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I III/I I I M Cicero Cfirown 3 diam 6. WP

?atented Mar. 8, 1938 PATENT OFFICE 2,110,355 SETTING TOOL Cicero C. Brown, Houston, Tex.

Application July 24, 1933, Serial No. 681,915 Renewed May 25, 1937 19 Claims.

My invention relates to setting tools which may be employed in setting strainer and packer in the well.

In completing a well after the producing formation has been drilled, it is customary to set a strainer at the bottom of the well, saidstrainer being ordinarily connected with a section of liner which projects upwardly from the screen into the lower end of the well casing. Said liner ordinarily has a packer thereon which may be set at the proper time to close off the space between the liner and the casing so that the fluid is forced to enter the screen at the lower end of the liner.

The screen is usually set by means of a section of drill stem secured detachably to the upper end of a liner. Some difilculties are encountered in so doing, in that it is necessary to extend a separate wash pipe downwardly through the screen while the well is being washed.

It is an object of my invention to provide a setting tool which may be employed as a flow line and to connect said setting tool with the string to be set at a. point below the screen, thus doing away with the necessity of a separate wash pipe.

It is another object to provide a connection between the tubing or setting string which may be connected with the lower end of the screen in such manner that no blowout through the tubing during the setting operation can occur. I desire to maintain the lower end of the tubing closed while the string is being landed in position in the well and the washingof the outer surface of the screen is accomplished.

I further desire to provide a valve at the lower end of the screen which may act as a back pressure valve during the cleaning of the well, but

which may be locked in position so that flow of fluid therethrough in either direction is absolutely prevented thereafter.

I also have as an object to provide means on said setting tool whereby one or more packers above the screen may be set in position as desired.

I also contemplate the provision of a setting tool which, when withdrawn from the liner, may be again inserted in position within the liner at anytime.

My device includes a novel means for detachably connecting the setting tool with the lower end of the screen and liner, which enables me to release the same without difliculty.

In the drawings herewith, Fig. 1 is the central, longitudinal section through the upper portion of my device shown in position in the well.

Fig. 2 is a similar section some parts being broken away, and illustrating the lower portion of my device.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section through a well casing showing my tool in elevation therein, with the packer setting device in position to seat the packer.

Fig. 4 is a lower extension thereof, showing the parts in difierent position from that shown in Fig. 2.

Figs. 5 and 6 are transverse sections on the lines 5-5 and 66, respectively, of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a broken detail in longitudinal section showing the upper end of the liner arranged to cooperate with my setting tool, said view being taken approximately on the plane 'I-'l of Fig. 8.

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the liner.

Fig. 9 is a transverse section on the plane 9-9 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 10 is a broken l -l0 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a transverse section on the plane ll-l| of Fig.1.

Fig. 12 is a side view of my device shown in position in the well, the casing and part of the liner being in central, longitudinal section.

Fig. 13 is a side elevation of the assembled device in position in the well.

Fig. 14 is a transverse section on the plane l4-i4 of Fig. 2.

I have constructed my in view of being enabled, with a single string of pipe, to set the strainer in position and wash the same both inside and out, and to thereafter set one or more packers around the liner, and 5 to then either withdraw the setting tool from the well or to employ the same as a flow line for the fluid produced by the well.

In carrying out this object, I have shown a liner in position within the casing i. This liner is of the usual construction and includes an upper nipple 2 connected with a setting sleeve 3, the lower end of which is reduced somewhat in external diameter and corrugated to receive the upper end 4 of the packing member 5. Below the packer the liner is continued downwardly for attachment to the screen, as will be understood a from Fig. 13. The nipple 2 at the upper end of the liner has its end surface beveled inwardly at '6. As shown particularly in Figs. 7 and 8, the beveled surface 6 is slightly recessed at 8 to form a flat shoulder upon which the lower ends ill of the setting dogs l0 may rest. At one end of the shoulder 8 is placed an upstanding pin or post 9 which may act as a stop member to limit detail in section on the line 20 30 device with the object the rotation of the setting device at the proper position, as will be later explained.

The setting sleeve 3 is slidable on the outer surface of the packer barrel ll, said barrel being formed with downwardly sloping ratchet teeth I 2 thereon upon which spring arms l3 extending downwardly from the nipple 2, may be engaged. The nipple 2, setting sleeve 3, and the packer barrel form a telescopic joint in the liner which is commonly extended downwardly a material distance before connection with the strainer, as will be seen in Figs. 12 and 13. This is an 01d construction forming no part of my present invention. It will be understood that when the nipple 2 is forced downwardly over the packer barrel, the packer 5 will be compressed longitudinally and the engagement of the teeth upon the arms l3 with the ratchet teeth upon the barrel ll will prevent the packer from being allowed to expand longitudinally.

As will be seen from Fig. 4, the lower end of the packer barrel is formed with a shoulder I4 thereon above which the lower end oi the packer 5 is secured. Below the shoulder l4 the packer barrel is extended downwardly and connected either integrally or otherwise with the strainer l5. This strainer may beof any desired construction. I have shown simply a perforated pipe, it being understood, however, that either button screen or wire wrapped screen or other types of screen may be employed. The lower end of the screen is connected with a setting collar l6 which serves as a housing for the valves,'which will be later described, and also connects at its lower end with the set shoe I'I.

The said set shoe l1 may be of any desired form. I have shown a shoe having short blades l8 on the lower side to assist in clearing away material ahead of the screen while going into the hole, and to engage the bottom of the hole There is a central opening ID in the shoe and also laterally extending passages 20 in front of the blades l8. Within the setting shoe is a seat ring 2|, threaded within the shoe, and having a valve seat 22 on its lower end, and a valve seat 23 at its upper end. Within the lower end of the seat ring is a downwardly opening valve member 24 having a stem 25 extending downwardly through a guide member 26. A compression spring 21 between the guide 26 and the head of the valve tends to normally hold the valve seated and prevents the flow of fluid upwardly through the shoe into the screen.

Within the setting collar I 6, and below the connection with the screen I5, I employ a bushing 28. Said bushing is of sumcient thickness at its lower end to connect with the interior of the setting collar l8, and is reduced at its upper end to extend upwardly inside the lower end of the screen to provide a space 29 between the screen and the upward extension on said bushing. Said upward extension is beveled oil at 30 at the upper end, and, spaced downwardly from said end, is a short inwardly extending flange or ridge 3| having beveled shoulders 32 on its upper and lower sides.

The inner surface of the bushing 28 adjacent its lower end is threaded to receive a valve casing 33. Said casing is in the form of a sleeve, the interior wall of which is formed with grooves 34 extending downwardly about midway of the said valve casing. Between the two grooves are inwardly extending ridges 35 which, as shown in Fig. 4. are beveled to an edge at the upper end On the interior face 01' the collar l6 are opj positeiy disposed stop ridges l6a against which lateral projections 39a on the valve 31 may contact to prevent rotation of the valve 31 as will be later noted.

My setting tool is adapted to extend within the liner and engage the same adjacent the lower end while going into the well and placing the strainer in proper position therein. This setting tool is formed ordinarily of a string of heavy tubing. The lower end of this tubing is equipped to engage within the valve casing 33, and to have a latching connection with the upper end of the bushing 28 in which the valve casing is connected. In Fig. 2 I have shown the lower portion of the tubing 4| connected by means of a sealing collar 42 with a setting mandrel 43. A transverse locking pin 420 may be used to prevent unscrewing of said mandrel. As will be noted, the sealing collar 42 is of heavy material extending outwardly beyond the outer periphery of the tubing and has at its lower end a ball race 42a supported upon a ring 42b. Below the ring is a clamping sleeve 45 threaded to the shaft and having a transverse pin 44a to prevent unscrewing. On the outer surface of the sleeve 45 is a sealing ring 44 seated within a groove in said surface. This ring is adapted to engage within the upper end of the bushing 23 and. forms a sealing engagement therewith. Said mandrel 43 has an outwardly extending shoulder 46 spaced .slightly from the upper end upon which latching dogs 41 may hang.

The said latching dogs are four in number, as shown in Fig. 5 They have their upper ends of reduced diameter to fit above the shoulder 48 on the mandrel. The upper end is extended beneath the flange 43 on the sealing collar and when in this position the dogs cannot move outwardly from the shoulder 43, but are held loosely in position depending from said shoulder. The lower ends of the dogs have beveled outer shoulders 43 which are adapted to engage beneath the beveled shoulders 32 upon the bushing 23. At the lower end of the dogs the inner side thereof is beveled at 50 to be engaged by the latching sleeve II.

The latching sleeve Si is threaded upon the lower end of the mandrel and may be adjustable longitudinally oi the mandrel by screwing the same along said mandrel. The upper end of said latching sleeve has engagement with the lower ends of the dogs when said sleeve is screwed upwardly beneath the beveled portion of the dogs and when thus engaged, the dogs are clamped outwardly to latch beneath the shoulder 32 on the bushing 23. The lower end of the latching sleeve is provided with a pair of oppositely extending lugs I52 which engage within'the grooves 34 in the valve casing 33, and by contact with are lower barrel. When the lower packer has been on the mandrel away from the lower ends of the latching dogs 41, but when the setting tool is in position as shown in Fig. 2, the mandrel may be screwed downwardly in the latching sleeve 5i, thus in efiect moving the sleeve upwardly along the mandrel to engage the lower ends of the latching dogs and moving them below the shoulder 49, and thus clamping the dogs rigidly in position holding the setting tool in position to guide the easing into the well. While in this position no fluid can enter the screen or the tubing from below. The valve 31 will be closed and the sealing ring 44 .will prevent the entrance of fluid around the bushing 28 and no danger of blowout through the tubing can occur; It will be seen that the latching sleeve'may be adjusted in either direction by rotation relative to the mandrel.

Above the connection with the screen thus described, the setting tool is provided with packer setting dogs l previously mentioned. Said setting dogs are mounted upon a special body member 54 connected in the line of the tubing. Said body has relatively thick walls thereon which are undercut, as shown at 55, to overhang the upper beveled ends of the setting dogs I0. I have shown two dogs set opposite each other beneath the shoulders 55 and connected with the body 54 by short cap screws 56, 56 which extend loosely through openings in the sides of the dogs holding them in position, but allowing a lateral outward -movernent of the lower ends thereof.

Said dogs are held normally outwardly at their lower ends by springs 51 fitting within mating recesses 58 in the body 54 and the inner sides of the dogs iii. The lower ends of the dogs are beveled on the outer surface at 59 so that they may be guided into the upper end of the liner. Below each of the dogs is an outwardly extending shoulder 60 which tends to protect said dogs while going into the well.

Below the setting dogs I may provide a tubing seal 6| as shown in Fig. 1. When this seal is used, I contemplate placing an annular ring of rubber around the outer face of the collar or coupling 62 and clamping said ring between a lower shoulder 63 on the coupling and an upper, removable ring 64. The lower side of this tubing seal may be concaved so as to be expanded by the pressure of fluid from below. It is to be understood that this seal may be used or not as desired, and in Fig. 3 itis omitted.

In inserting the packing expander dogs l0 into the liner, the setting tool is moved downwardly until the dogs contact with the upper shoulder 8 upon the liner and are then rotated to the right to bring said dogs against the posts 9. In that position the dogs may be forced downwardly along the beveled surface 5 into the liner. They will be compressed, forcing the dogs into position above the guard members and the device may then -move downwardly. to the desired point. However, when the setting tool is raised to bring the dogs above the upper nipple 2 upon the liner, they will be expanded by the springs to engage against the shoulders 8 and may then be used to drive the outer nipple 2 downwardly to set the packer.

I contemplate the use of more than one packer as occasion may arise, and if it becomes necessary to seat a plurality of packers, the packer setting device may-be used to set each packer in succession, as will be obvious from Fig. 12. In this case the first packer setting nipple 2' may be moved downward to seat the lower packer by expanding the dogs above a shoulder 8' onthe after which the weight may expanded it will be obvious that the tool may be elevated above the next adjacent packer and a similar setting operation may be performed. In

this manner I may set two or more packers without difliculty.

It is to be understoodthat when the lower end of the setting tool is engaged within the'bushing 28 and the valve casing 33, as shown in Fig. 2, the packer setting dogs will be downward within the upper end of the liner as shown in Fig. l, and in this position the screen will be lowered to the bottom of the well. The back pressure valve 24 will prevent the entrance of fluid to the lower end of the screen in the usual manner. The

valve 31 will supplement the valve 24 also excluding fluid from the lower end of the tubing. The difliculty which is sometimes experienced of a blowout from the lower end of the well through the tubing while it is being used to wash the well, will be overcome in this instance, there being no entrance to the lower end of the tubing until the setting tool has been detached from the lower position.

When the screen is set on the bottom the well may be washed on the outside by forcing liquid downwardly through the setting shoe and upwardly around the. screen and packer into the casing. When this has been accomplished the screen may be ing the setting tool fromthe screen. This is done by rotating in a right-hand direction. The connection between the latching sleeve 5| and the mandrel is a left-hand thread so that when the mandrel is rotated in a right-hand direction the latching sleeve will be moved downwardly to release the latching dogs 41. A continued rotation in right-hand direction will screw the valve casing 33 downwardly to bring the valve 31 into the seat 23 and lock the same in that position so that fluid cannot thereafter move in.either direction through the lower end of the screen. It is frequently diflicult to hold the weight of the stem 41 off of the sleeve 5| and the valve casing 33. For this reason the weight may be supported entirely upon the plate 42b and the ball race 42a. Thus the rotation of the mandrel is easily accomplished without injury to the threaded connections.

The valve 31 will not be rotated due to the sliding contact of the projections 39a with the stop members We. The valve seat 36 is therefore ground and freed of foreign material during the settingof the valve and a tight seal is guaranteed. Obviously the projection 39a can be omitted, however. When the valve has been properly locked in position, as shown in Fig. 4, the tubing may be pulled directly upward, moving the dogs 52 from the grooves 34 in the valve casing, and the tubing may be then raised to the position shown in Fig. 4, and the'interior of the screen may be washed. When this is done the washed on the inside by releaspacker may be seated by raising the tubing until the setting dogs Ill come above the shoulders 8, be lowered upon the packer to set the same in position. If one more packer is to be seated, the operation may be repeated in an obvious manner as previously desired, it may be removed and a different flow linev substituted.

It is to be noted that the setting tool may be again employed to rotate a. valve casing 33 to release the same from its locked position whenever desired, and that by inserting the tubing into this position also the lower end of it may be sealed against the entrance of fluid, ii. such is desired.

It will be seen that my device is of particular advantage, due to the fact that provision is made for closing the lower end of the tubing against the entrance of fluid when blowout is imminent. This is of particular importance for the reason that the usual blowoutpreventer provided at the upper end of the well may seal between the tubing and the casing at the upper end during the setting operation, but ordinarily there is no means for closing the tubing in case oi emergency to prevent the gas from escaping. With my device, the lower end of the tubing is closed until all connections are made, and it will not be opened until it is released from the valve casing and elevated as previously noted. The further advantages oi the device will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Having described my invention,- what I claim 1. A well equipment including a liner, a well screen thereon, a bushing at the lower end of said screen, a valve casing having a threaded connectionwith said bushing adjacent the lower end of said bushing, a setting device including a tube, lugs thereon adapted to engage within grooves in said valve casing, additional means to secure said tube detachably to said bushing, and a valve normally closing upwardly into the lower end of said valve casing.

2. In combination a screen, a setting collar at the lower end oi said screen, a bushing secured within said collar, a tubular string of pipe within said screen, means on said pipe to releasably engage said bushing to prevent relative movement of said pipe and bushing in either direction and form a seal therewith including an inner shoulder on said bushing, a plurality of dogs on said pipe and means to force said dogs into latching engagement below said shoulder, and a valve to prevent the entrance of fluid into the lower end of said'pipe while said pipe and screen are lowered into the well.

3. A well screen. a bushing, means connecting said bushing to the lower end of said screen, an inner annular shoulder on said bushing, a tubing, means on said tubing to engage said bushing including, dogs suspended loosely on said tubing, and means responsive to a rotation of said tubing to move said dogs outwardly and engagebeneath said shoulder, a back pressure valve closing the entrance of fluid to the' screen from below, and means to seal about said tube within said bushing.

4. A liner, a well screen connected thereto, a bushing, means connecting said bushing to, the lower end of said screen, an inner annular shoulder on said bushing, a tubing, meanson said tubing to engage said bushing including dogs suspended loosely on said tubing, and means responsive to a rotation of said tubing to move said dogs outwardly and engage beneath said shoulder, means to prevent entrance of fluid through either end of said bushing to the lower end of said tubing, and means to prevent the entrance of fluid upwardly between said tubing and said liner.

5. A well screen, a bushing means connecting said bushing to said screen, a valve casing within said bushing, a valve at the lower end thereof, a tubing, means thereon to'engage said valve casing and move the same longitudinally in said bushing, dogs on said tubing, and a latching sleeve adjustable on said tubing to engage said dogs to move them into latching engagement with said bushing responsive to the rotation of said tubing.

6. A liner and screen, a tubular member associated with said screen, a tubing, means to detachably engage said tubing with said member, means to close the entrance oi. fluid to the lower end of said tubing, a packer on the outer surface of said liner, 1:; setting sleeve above said packer, a nipple above said sleeve, an inwardly beveled upper end on said nipple, a plurality of opposed shoulders on said beveled end, and dogs on said tubing, the lower ends of which, when brought into engagement with said shoulders may sustain the weight 01' said tubing and move said nipple downwardly to expand said packer.

'I. A liner adapted to'flt within a well casing, a packer on said liner, a setting sleeve above said packer, said sleeve having an upper extension beveled inwardly, opposite shoulders on said beveled extension, a setting tube in said liner, releasable means to support said liner on said tube, dogs on said tube expansible when raised above said liner to engage said beveled extension and adapted when in contact with said shoulders to support said tube thereon, but when rotated away from said shoulders to move back downwardly into said liner.

8. A liner adapted to flt within a well casing, a tubing to lower said liner into the well, a plurality of packers along said liner, a section ofliner above each packer slidable downwardly by pressure thereon to expand the packer below'the same, an inner shoulderon each of said liner sec-.

tions, a plurality of dogs on said tubing, means tending to hold said dogs resiliently outwardly, to engage upon said shoulders, and beveled areas between said shoulders to guide said dogs to closed position when said tubing is moved downwardly relative to said section.

9.'A liner adapted to iit within a well casing, a tubing to lower said liner into the well, packers along said liner, a section of liner above each packer slidable downwardly by pressure thereon to expand the packer below the same, an inner shoulder on each of said liner sections, aplurality of dogs on said tubing, means tending'to hold said dogs resiliently outwardly for separate engagement upon each of said shoulders, stop members on said shoulders to register said dogs thereon, and beveled areas between said shoulders to guide said dogs to closed position when ers along said liner, a section 01' liner above each packer slidable downwardly by pressure thereon to expand the packer'below the same, an inner shoulder on each oi said'liner sections, a plurality of dogs on said tubing, means tending to hold said dogs resiliently outwardly for separate engagement upon each oi said shoulders, beveled areas on said sections between said shoulders, means whereby said dogs may be registered with said beveled areas and moved downwardly past said shoulders, said dogs adapted when engaged with said shoulders to transmit a downward thrust thereto.

11. A liner and screen, a tubing, means releasably attaching said tubing to said screen at a point below said screen, a plurality of packers on said liner, a section of liner above each packer slidable downwardly by pressure to expand the 1 said tubing is moved downwardly relative to said 7 said'pipe to hold said the entrance of fluid into packer below the same, an inner shoulder on each of said liner sections, dogs on said tubing to engage upon any of said shoulders and by pressure downwardly on said tubing to move said section to expand said packer adjacent thereto, said dogs being constructed to engage said shoulders and by manipulation to be moved inwardly thereby, so that they may pass downwardly past the same. 12. In combination a screen, a setting collar at the lower end of said screen, a bushing secured within said collar, a tubular string of pipe within said screen, means on said pipe to releasably engage said bushing to prevent relative movement of said pipe and bushing in either direction and form a seal therewith, means threaded on bushing-engaging means secured to said bushing, and a valve to prevent the lower end of said pipe while said pipe and screen are lowered into the well. V

13. In combination, a screen, a setting collar at the lower end of said screen, a bushing secured within said collar, a tubular string of pipe within said screen, means on said pipe to rigidly but releasably engage said bushing to prevent relative movement of said pipe and bushing in either direction and form a seal therewith, a valve housing adjustable on said bushing, a valve on said housing to prevent the entrance of fluid into the lower end of said pipe while said pipe and screen are lowered into the well, and means including said pipe and housing to lock said valve from movement to or from its seat.

14. A well equipment including a liner, a well screen thereon, a setting collar on said screen, a bushing mounted in said setting collar, an internally grooved valve casing having a threaded connection with said bushing adjacent the lower end of said bushing, a setting device including a tube, lugs thereon adapted to. engage within grooves in said valve casing, additional means to secure said tube detachably .to said bushing, a valve at the lower end of said valve casing, and a lower seat ring, rigidly connected with said bushing and screen and in which said valve may seat when said valve casing is screwed downwardly by said tube.

15 A well equipment including a liner, a well screen thereon, a setting collar on said screen, a

' bushing mounted in said setting collar, an internally grooved valve casing having a threaded connection with said bushing adjacent the lower end of said bushing, a setting deviceincludinga tube, lugs thereon adapted to engage within grooves in said valve casing, additional means to secure said tube detachably to said bushing moans forming a seal between said tube and said bushing, a valve at the lower end of said valve casing, and a lower seat ring rigidly connected with said bushing and screen and in which said valve may seat when said valve casing is screwed ddwnwardly by said tube.

16. A well screen, a bushing, means connecting said bushing to said screen, a valve casing within said bushing, a valve at the lower end of said. casing, a tubing, means thereon to engage said valve casing and move the same longitudinally in said bushing, a seat ring below said bushing, means associated with said screen to support said seat ring, a seal ring on said tubing engaging within said bushing, said valve casing being movable by said tubing to bring said valve into fixed position on said seat ring, and means on said bushing to support said tubing rotatably but holding said tubing against downward movement while said valve is being moved downwardly.

17'. An assembly of valve housing, screen and liner sections having a plurality of separate, vertically spaced packers thereon, a downwardly telescoping joint in said liner adjacent each packer whereby the packer may be set, and a shoulder on said liner above each telescoping joint; in combination with a setting string oftubing, means on said tubing to detachably engage the set shoe below saidscreen to lower said' assembly into the well, and thus avoid any downward thrust on said liner sections and packers above said valve housing while introducing said assembly into the well, packer setting means on said setting string,

means to urge said packer setting means resiliently into engagement with said shoulders, whereby each packer may be separately set when desired.

18. An assembly of valve housing, screen, and liner sections having a plurality of separate, vertically spaced packers thereon, a telescoping joint in said liner adjacent each packer whereby the packer may be set, and a shoulder on said liner adjacent each telescoping joint, in combination with a setting string tubing to detachably engage the set shoe below said screen to lower said assembly into the well and thus avoid any downward thrust on said liner sections and packers above said valve housing while introducing said assembly into the well, means on said setting string adapted to be engaged upon each of said shoulders separately as desired, and by a longitudinal thrust on said string to telescope the joint and set said packer adjacent thereto.

19. As assembly of valve housing, screen and liner sections having a plurality of separate, vertically spaced packers thereon, a telescoping joint in'said liner adjacent each of said packers whereby the packer may be set, and setting means on said liner adjacent said telescoping joint, in

combination with a setting string of pipe, means on said setting string adapted to be engaged with each of said setting means separately as desired, .and by a thrust thereon to telescope the joint and set said packer adjacent thereto.

- CICERO C. BROWN.

of tubing, means on said

Images