US2122754A

US2122754A - Packer for wells

Info

Publication number: US2122754A
Application number: US153088A
Authority: US
Inventors: Paul M Rohrbaugh
Original assignee: Halliburton Oil Well Cementing Co
Current assignee: Halliburton Oil Well Cementing Co
Priority date: 1937-07-12
Filing date: 1937-07-12
Publication date: 1938-07-05
Anticipated expiration: 1955-07-05

Description

July 5, 1938. p, M RQHRBAUGH 2,122,754

PACKER FOR WELLS A TTORNEYS.

`July 5, 1938. P. M. ROHRBAUGH PACKER FOR WELLS Filed July 12, 1957 2 Sheets-Shea?l 2 f--va v e le E "gne ola

' INVENTOR.

Pal V. QohrbaUq/J. BY gaaf ATTORNEYS.

. vise novel means for temporarily setting a packer Patented July 5, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PACKER FOR WELLS Paul M. Rohrbaugh, Duncan, Okla., assignor to Halliburton Oil Well Cementing Company,

This invention relates to apparatus adapted for use in oil wells or the like, and more particularly to packers and means for releasably secur ing the same to the 'casing of a, well.

It is often desirable to flx and seal a valve or other structure to the casing of an oil well. For example, where a well is to be cemented by forcing cement slurry under pressure down into the well through drill pipe or tubing and into the formation of the well, particularly in connection with what is known as a squeeze job, it is desirable to provide means at the bottom of the tubing which can be fixed to the casing, thus holding the tubing in place against the fluid pressure of the cement. It is also desirable in such a case to provide a packer or other sealing means around the tubing so as to prevent the passage of cement slurry upwardly between the tubing-and the casing.

It is an obje'ct of the present invention to deon tubing or drill pipe in a well, secure the packer in place and hold the same against movement with respect to the casing.

It is a further object of the invention to provide novel means for removing a packer or securing means fastened to the casing-in an oil well.

It is another object of the invention to devise apparatus for retaining cement or other fluid under high fluid pressure in place in an oil well and to so arrange the apparatus that it can be readily removed from the well after it has accomplished itspurpose.

It is a further object of the invention to devise novel means 4for setting and releasing slips or l other holding means in the casing of an oil well.

It is still a further object of' the invention to provide a mechanism adapted for use with a packer or with slips and in which the slips are so 4connected to the packer and operating mechanism that toggle action is used in the setting and releasing of the slips.

Other objects and advantages reside in certain novel features of the arrangement and construction of parts as will be more apparent from a consideration of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a packer assembly constructed in accordance with the, principles of the present invention and showing the parts in the relative positions which they occupy while the assembly is being lowered into an oil well;

Figure 1A is a view in perspective of fragmentary portions of latching means shown in Figure 1.

Figure 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 but illustrating the relative positions of the parts after the slips have been set in the casing of an oil well but before the packer has been expanded into engagement with the casing;

Figure 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 but showing the parts in the relative positions which they occupy after the slips and packer have been set in the casing and during a cementing operation;

Figure 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 but illustrating the relative positions after the cement ,has been placed in the well and hardened and after the slips have been released from engagement with the 'casing of a well; and

Figure 5 is a perspective view of one of the slips employed in the arrangement of Figures 1 to 4, inclusive.

Figure 6 is a view in perspective of one of the upper links employed in the apparatus of Figures 1 to 4;

Figure 'l is a perspective View of a fragment of one of the lower links employed in the ar- A rangement of Figures 1 to 4;

Figure 8 is a view in perspective of the control ring employed in the arrangement of Figures 1 to 4 with a portion of the latching sleeve connected thereto; and

Figure 9 is a view in perspective of a slotted nut employed in the arrangement of Figures 1 to 4. y

Referring to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that in Figures 1 to 4 an oil well casing is illustrated at II. Apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention adapted to be secured to the casing to seal the lower portion from the upper portion thereof, may include a central tubular mandrel I2 which may be screw threaded on to the lower end of the drill pipe or tubing (not shown) in accordance with usual practice. The mandrel I2 extends practically throughout the entire length of the packer assembly. It is provided with a swivel I3 at its lower end so as to form a connection with the lower shoe I4 of a packer I5. This packer may be of rubber or like material and constructed in accordance with known practices. Usually, the lower shoe of such a packer is provided with a sleeve which extends upwardly inside the packer between it and the lower part of the operating mandrel. A sleeve of this nature is shown at I6 55 in the drawings. The packer I5 is also provided with an upper shoe I1 concentrically disposed with respect to the upper end of the sleeve I6.

' Located abovethe packer and connected to the upper shoe I1 thereof is a set of slips designated I8. Any number of slips may be employed, but in the arrangement illustrated, four are contemplated. Each 'slip is provided with a number of outwardly and upwardly directed teeth I9 which are adapted to engage and bite into the casing II when the slips are forced outwardly radially into contact with the casing II. Each slip I 81 is connected to the upper shoe |1 by means of parallel links 28. -'I'he upper ends of these links are pivoted to the slips and the lower ends are pivoted to the upper shoe I1. 'The inclination of the links I28 is such that any pressure tending to move the shoe I1 upwardly will tend to cause the teeth I9 on the slips to rmly engage the casing. The upper surface of each of the teeth I9 is preferably at right angles to the direction of inclination of the links 28 when the slips are set. This will make it easier torelease the slips by pulling them inwardly since the upper surfaces of the teeth will be tangent to the circular motion about the lower pivot points of the links.

Any known type of slip or tooth construction may be employed instead of the arrangement herein described without departing from the purview of the invention.

The links 28 should be made as strong as possible. Since the links are intended to take chiey compressional stresses, it is preferable to fit them into recesses -or sockets in the shoe and slips, as described hereinafter in connection with Figure 5. As many links 28 may be employed as are necessary to give the desired strength but only two for each slip have been shown in the drawings. Being parallel, the links 28 provide means for maintaining the slips in a vertical position at all times.

While the apparatus is being lowered into the well, it is desirable that the slips I8 should not drag upon the casing and it is also desirable to prevent them from engaging the casing should it be desirable to raise the assembly a slight distance, as during spudding, before causing the slips to engage the casing. In accordance with the present invention, mechanism is provided for accomplishing this and also for forcing the slips into tight-engagement with the casing at the desired time. Connected into a socket in the upper end of each slip I8 is a short toggle link 2|. These links extend upwardly and inwardly to connect the slips to a control ringr 22. The control ring 22 is concentrically disposed with and freely movable upon the mandrel I2.. It is provided with a sleeve 23 which is temporarily connected to a collar 24 xed to 'the mandrel I2 by 'means of some suitable latch such as the latch bars 25 which extend through the wall of the mandrel I2 into the interior thereof. The latch arrangement may be as illustrated in detail in Figure lA. .The inner ends of the latch plates 25 are provided with suitable tapered portions 26 so as to cause them to move outwardly radially when struck by a go-devil 21 or other suitable device which may be dropped into the well'or lowered therein upon a wire line.

Instead of this means for temporarily latching the ring 22 to the mandrel, any other suitable means, such as a J-slot and pin connection, may be employed.

A coil spring 28 is located between the collar 24 and the ring 22 and is preferably provided with a swivel 29 at its lower end.

It will be seen that with the parts in the position in Figure l the slips are latched to the mandrel through the toggle links 2|, the ring 22 and the latch plates 25 but that when these latch plates are released the spring 28will move the ring 22 downwardly and cause the slips to move outwardly radially and engage the casing.` The links 2| andthe ring 22 thus constiltute a toggle-joint which is capable of forcing the slips into engagement with the casing with considerable pressure and with considerable mechanical advantage when the spring 28 is released to exert a downward force on the central portion 22. Only one toggle link 2| is illustrated in connection with each slip. More could obviously be employed to give strength.

In addition to the parts just described, the packer assembly includes a nut 38 screw threaded onto the mandrel I2 at a point adjacent the slips I8. The outer surface of the nut is provided with slots adapted to receive the links 28 and 2 I. A construction is thus provided in which the nut :38 cannot rotate with respect to the slips I8. If desired, the slips may be splined to the nut'to hold it against rotation but this is not shown in the drawings.

The threads on the nut are such that as the mandrel is rotated to the right, as viewed from the top, the nut will travel upwardly on the mandrel. Unless the nut is splined to the slips, it must be long enough to cause the upper links 2| to enter the slots therein before the lower links 28 leave the slots so that some means is always provided for holding the nut against rotation with respect to the slips.

The lower end of the nut 38 is shown provided with several depending leaf spring pawls 3| adapted to engage ratchet teeth 32 on the upper and inner surface of the shoe I1. These may be dispensed with, if desired, in which case the packer would be held expanded by pulling upwardly upon the mandrel until the cement is in place.

In certain phases of the operation of the tool it is desirable to wash cement or other material out ofthe mandrel I2 and from and around the slips I8. To this end, Wash out ports 33 are provided in the mandrel. When the nut 38 is in the position shown in Figure 1, these Wash out ports are closed thereby, but when the nut moves upwardly these wash out ports are opened so that uid can ow from the inside of the mandrel through the ports and around the space between the pawls 3| and upwardly between the slips I8.

The details of construction of the links 28 and 2| and the parts with which they are associated is shown in perspective in Figure 5. The ends of the links may be somewhat enlarged as shown at 34 to form cylindrical connecting portions adapted to lt for limited rotation within sockets 35 in the slips I8, ring 22 or shoe I1. The links may be held Vinposition by set screws (not shown) tting into grooves in the portions 34. The nut 38 has slots 36 therein for accommodating the links 28 and 2|.. The slots 36 should be substantially the same width as the links.

The projections 31 between the slots 36 on the nut 38 may extend outwardly far enough to bring the slips I8 within the slots, in which case, it may be said that the slips are splined to the nut 38.

In accordance with the usual practice, the

lower shoe I4 of the assembly is provided with a suitable spring pressed valve 3l.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: With the parts in the relative positions shown in Figure 1, the assembly is lowered into the well to the desired location. 'Ihe gc-devil 21 is then dropped and the ring 22 released from the mandrel so that the spring 2l forces the slip out into engagement with the casing as described above. It is to be noted that, when the spring 2l is released, there will be a snap action and the slips will be forced against the casing with some impact. The parts then assume the relative position shown in Figure 2. If now the mandrel is pulled upwardly, the packer is expanded into engagement with the casing. This action takes place because the slips i8 have firmly engaged the casing. 'I'hey prevent the upper shoe of the packer from moving upwardly. As the mandrel and lower shoe of the packer are pulled upwardly, the pawls 3| engage the ratchet teeth 32 and prevent the lower shoe and mandrel from moving downwardly again with respect to the upper shoe when upward pull upon the mandrel is discontinued. Thus, the packer is held in expanded position. Cement may then be forced under pressure through the drill pipe or tubing which supports the mandrel and downwardly through the mandrel passing out through the valve Il to a point beneath the packer assembly. During the forcing of this cement downwardly through the apparatus, the fluid pressure exerted on the lower shoe of the packer will be transmitted upwardly through the packer and the upper shoe to the links 2n and the slips I2 which are then fixed to the casing.

After the desired quantity of cement has been forced into the well in this manner, the fluid pressure is relieved. The valve Il then closes. The washing out operation may then be undertaken. To accomplish this, the drill pipe and mandrel are first rotated to the right a slight amount so as to cause the nut 2l to travel upwardly on the mandrel and open the wash out ports 33. The parts are then in the relative positions shown in Figure 3. In accordance with the usual practice, the circuit for the washing uid, such as water, is downwardly through the drill pipe and` mandrel I2 out through the wash out ports 33 and upwardly on the outside of the mandrel, around the slips Il and upwardly between the drill pipe and the casing. Reverse circulation can be effected if desired.

The washing out operation may be continued during the entire time that it takes for the cement to harden or set, or the washing out operation may be discontinued after a time and drill pipe disconnected from the mandrel i2 and moved upwardly a suillcient distance to insure against it becoming cemented in the well. If the drill pipe is disconnected, it is later lowered and again connected on to the mandrel.

To remove the apparatus from the well, the mandrel i2 is further rotated to the right. This causes the nut to travel upwardly still further` and into engagement with the ring 22 of the toggle-joint. The'toggle-joint is broken as the ring 22 is forced upwardly, the spring 28 being compressed and the slips drawn radially in- .wardly into the position shown in Figure 4.

Upon then pulling up upon the mandrel, the upper shoe of the packer may be raised, the pull being transmitted through the nut 30, the ring 22, the toggle links 2l, the slips il and the links 3 2U to the upper shoe of the packer. The entire apparatus may thus be removed from the well.

While only one embodiment of the invention is shown and described herein, it is obvious that various changes may be made in the apparatus and construction of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the annexed claims.

I claim:

l. A packer assembly, suitable for use as a cement retainer in an oil well, which includes a packer, a set of slips located above the packer and adapted to hold the packer against upward movement when set on the casing of the well and means for setting and releasing the slips on the casing, 'said means including links having their outer ends connected to the slips and mechanism for actuating the inner ends of the links to cause the slips to move out and in ra-` dially in the casing.

2. A packer assembly, suitable for use as a cement retainer in an oil well, which includes a packer having an upper and a lower shoe, a set of slips located above the packer and adapted to hold the packer against upward movement when set on the casing of thel well)and means for setting and releasing the slips on the casing, said means including links pivotally connecting the slips to the upper shoe of the packer and links pivotally connecting the slips to a member movable with respect to the upper shoe of the packer, the arrangement being such that movement of said member with respect to the upper shoe may set and release Ithe slips.

3. A packer assembly, suitable for use in an oil well, which includes a set of slips adapted to engage the casing of the well and means for setting and releasing said slips, said means including a toggle-joint.

4. A packer assembly, suitable for use as a cement retainer in an oil well, which includes a packer having an upper and a lower shoe, a set of slips located above the packer and so constructed as to resist upward movement when set on the casing of the well, means for transmitting force from the upper shoe of the packer to said slips' when the slips are set and mechanism having a toggle-joint therein for setting and releasing said slips.

5. An arrangement for removably fixing apparatus in the casing of an oil well including, in combination, alset vof slips and mechanism for actuating the 'slips to move the same out and in radially of the casing, said mechanism including a toggle-joint.

6. An arrangement for removably fixing apparatus in the casing of an oil well including, in combination, a set of slips and'mechanism for actuating the slips to I nove the same out and in radially of the casing, said mechanism including a toggle-joint adapted to set the slips upon the exertion of a downward force on the central portion thereof and adapted to release the slips upon the exertion of an upward force on the central portion thereof and means operable from the surface of the well for moving the central portion of the toggle-joint down or up with respect to the slips.

7. An arrangement for removably fixing apparatus in the casing of an oil well including, in combination, a set of slips and. mechanism for actuating the .slips to move the same out and in radially of the casing, said mechanism including a toggle-joint adapted to set the slips upon the exertion of a downward force on the central portion thereof and adapted to release the slips upon the exertion o an upward force on the central portion thereof and means operable from the surface of the Well for moving the central portion of the toggle-point down or up with respect to the slips, said means including a member screw threaded to a pipe and adapted upon rotation of the pipe to move the central vportion of the toggie-joint in one direction.

8. An arrangement for removably fixing a packer in the casing of an oil well including, in combination, a set of slips, links connecting the slips to the packer so as to permit the slipsto move in and out radially with respect to the `packer and a toggle-joint for controlling the radial movement of the slips.

9. An arrangement for removably fixing a packer in the casing of an oil well including, in combination, a mandrel for carrying the packer, a set of slips, links connecting the slips to the packer so as to permit the slips to move in and out `radially with respect to the packer, togglejoint mechanism for controlling the radial movement of the slips and means screw threaded on the mandrel for moving the toggle-joint mechanism in one direction.

16. An arrangement for removably ilxing a packer in the casing of an oil well including, in combination, a mandrel for carrying the packer, a set of slips, links connecting the slips to the packer so as to permit the slips to move in and out radially with respect to the packer, togglejoint mechanism for controlling the radial movement of the slips, means screw threaded on the mandrel for moving the toggle-joint mechanism in one direction and a spring for urging the toggle-j oint mechanism in another direction.

1l. An arrangement for removably ilxing a packer in the casing of an oil well ncluding,.in combination, a mandrel for carrying the packer, a set of slips, links connecting the slips to the packer so as to permit the slips'to move in and out radially with respect to the packer, togglejoint mechanism for controlling the radial movement of the slips, means screw threaded on the mandrel for moving the toggle-joint mechanism in one direction, a spring -for urging the togglejoint mechanism in another directien and means for temporarily latching said spring and togglejoint mechanism to the mandrel to hold the same in lxed position with respect thereto.

PAUL M. ROHRBAUGH.