US2137997A

US2137997A - Packing device for use in wells

Info

Publication number: US2137997A
Application number: US117874A
Authority: US
Inventors: William E Bendeler
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1936-12-28
Filing date: 1936-12-28
Publication date: 1938-11-29
Anticipated expiration: 1955-11-29

Description

NOV. 29, 1938. W, E BENDELER 2,137,99?Y

PACKING DEVICE FOR USE IN WELLS W. E. BENDELER 2,137,997

FACKING DEVICE FOR USE IIN WELLS Nov. 29, '1938.

Filed Deo. 28, 193e 2 snee'ts-sneet 2 Patented Nov. 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,137,997 rAcxmG DEVICE Fon USE 1N WELLS William E. Bendeler, Houston, Tex.

Application December 28, 1936, Serial No. 117,874

18 Claims.

'I'his invention relates to a Well tool and relates more particularly to a packing device for eifecting a seal between two telescopically related parts in a well. A general object of the invention is to provide a simple, dependable and practical device for packing between two telescopically associated parts in a well.

In well drilling and producing operations it is often necessary to arrange one or more strings of pipe, tubing creasing within an outer casing. For example, when a well has been deepened beyond the lower end of a set of cemented-in casing it is customary to arrange a string of tubing or casing through the set outer casing from the surface of the ground to extend into the portion 0f the well below the outer casing. In most instances the major portion of such an inner string of casing or tubing extending through the set outer casing is unnecessary and useless except that it may be employed to contain or conduct fluids.

Another object of this invention is to provide a packing device for sealing between a casing in a well and a string of pipe, tubing or the like, ex-

tending through or into the casing whereby the major portion of said string may be recovered from the Well. When the device of the present invention is properly set and actuated it provides a fluid tight and pressure tight seal between the casing or outer tubular member and a second tubular member or string entering the lower end of the outer member so that the portion of the said outer member above the device may perform all the functions that the continuation of the inner string would otherwise perform, making it unnecessary to leave the major upper portion of the inner string in the Well. As the use of the packing device permits the recovery of the major portion of the inner member or string from the Well it effects a great economy'in the pipe, tubing, etc. employed in the well.

Another object of this invention is to provide a packing device of the character mentioned that is capable of forming a dependable and substantially permanent fluid tight and pressure tight seal between the casing or outer part and the inner string.

Another object of this invention is to provide a packing device of the character mentioned that may be easily and quickly positioned and actu. ated.

Another object of this invention is to provide a packing device of the character mentioned that substantially permanent seal between the outer part or casing and a string within the casing.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved packing device of the character mentioned that embodies a spacing and centering 5 element to assure the setting of the packer in the desired position and in an undamaged state, and the proper centering of the packer and the inner string within the outer string or casing.

Another object of this invention is to provide 10 a packing device of the character mentioned that embodies a novel means for setting or arranging the packer in position and for actuating the packer.

The various objects and features of my invenl5 tion will be fully understood from the following detailed description of typical preferred forms and applications of vmy invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a central longitudinal detailed sectional Aview ofthe packing device provided by this invention showing it in position within an outer tubular member and surrounding an inner tubular member prior to being actuated. Fig. 2 is a 25 view similar to Fig. 1 showing the packer being compressed or actuated by the setting tool. Fig.

3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical detailed sectional View of a portion of the packer before actuation. Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 3 30 showing the position and condition of the parts during or following actuation of the packer. Fig.

5 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal detailed sectional view taken substantially as indicated by line 5-5 on Fig. l. Fig. 6 is an enlarged frag- 35 mentary side elevation of the reinforcement embodied in the packer illustrated in the figures described above, and Fig. 7 is a fragmentary vertical detailed sectional view of another form of reinforcing means.

'I'he packing device of the present invention may be employed in various situations and may be modified in construction to adapt it for Various uses. In the drawings I have illustrated a. typical -form of the invention and have shown 45 one manner of employing the device to seal between two tubular telescoped members as found in a well. It is to be understood that the`inven tion is not to be construed as limited or restricted to the specific form of the invention about to be 50 described lbut that it is to be taken as including any features or modifications that may fall within the scope of the following claims.

The drawings illustrate an outer tubular memvber which I will term a casing C and which may 5| CII be considered as set or cemented in a well. This outer member or casing C may be considered as extending to the surface of the ground and as being imperforate to contain and conduct fluid. I have also illustrated a string of tubing, pipe, or casing extending through the casing C which I will term a string S. The string S may have been run through the casing C from the surface of the ground to extend into the lower portion of the well drilled beyond the lower end of the set casing C. It will be assumed that the inner string S has been landed, set or cemented in the well in any of the well known manners. In accordance with the usual practice the string Sis made up of lengths or sections I0 of pipe or tubing connected by suitable collars or couplings I I.

Preparatory to employing the packing device of the present invention and folowing the setting or cementing of the string S a pipe cutter or casing cutter is lowered through the casing C to pass downwardly intothe string S. This cutter (not shown) is preferably lowered to a position a slight distance above the lower end of the casing C. Thel casing cutter is preferably provided with a collar finder or device for engaging against a collar or coupling II to locate the cutter some distance above a selected coupling I I. In practice this finder preferably positions the cutter about 18 inches above a selected coupling II.

The .cutter is actuated to cut or part the string S at the desired point and the cutter is then withdrawn from the well. The freed upper portion of the string S is then removed or recovered from the well. As mentioned above, it is preferred to actuate the cutter a relatively short distance above the mwer end of the casing C so that' the major portion of the strings extending through the casing C may be recovered. This recovered portion of the string S is, of course, undamaged and is suitable for further use. As this portion of the recovered string S is usually the major portion of the string, a great economy is thus effected. Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings illustrate the string S after it has been cut as described above, and illustrate the upper end portion of the re.- maining or set string S extending upwardly into the casing C.

The packing device provided bythe present invention includes, generally, a spacing and centering ring I2 to be lowered downwardly over the string S to rest on its uppermost coupling a packer I3 adapted to be passed downwardly over the upper portion of the string S, and a setting and driving tool I4 for lowering the packer |3-into place and for actuating or expanding the packer.

The ring I2 is provided to properly center the upper portion of the string S in the casing C so that the packer. I3 may be readily passed downwardly over its upper end portion without injury. In practice the ring I2 may be a simple annular member of steel or the like.V 'I'he ring I2 is proportioned to rather closely fit within the casing C and to rather closely fit about the cut uppermost section I0 of the string S. The upper end of the centering ring I2,I may be flat and normal while the lower end of the ring I2 may be slightly tapered downwardly and outwardly to readily pass over the cut upper end of the uppermost string section I0. The centering and spacing ring I2 may be lowered into the casing C and passed downwardly over the uppermost section I0 of the string vS in any suitable ring I2 seats on or comes to rest on the upper end of the uppermost coupling II of the string S. Owing to the rather close t of the ring I2 in the casing C and its slight clearance with the string S the ring serves to properly center the casing C, providing a substantially uniform annular space around the uppermost section of the string S to receive the packer I3.

The packer I3 is of novel design rand construction and is capable of forming a fluid tight and pressure tight seal between the inner surface ol.' the casing C and the outer surface of the uppermost section I0 of the string S. The packer I3 includes a tubular reinforcement I 6. The reinforcement I6 may be formed in various manners and may be of various constructions. In thev ,drawings I have illustrated two typical forms of reinforcements for the packer I3, it being understood that the invention is not to be restricted to the typical prefered forms of reinforcing means illustrated.

The reinforcement I6 illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, of the drawings is formed of a-body or piece of sheet metal having a multiplicity of perforations II. 'Ihe perforaticns I1 are relatively large and are relatively close together to leave a webbing or screen-like structure of narrow webs I8. The particular perforations I'I illustrated have the configuration of parallelograms, it being apparent that the perforations of the reinforcement may be of various shapes. The piece of perforated metal of which the reinforcement I 6 is to be formed may be initially flat and is shaped or rolled into tube form. The longitudinal edges of this tube are then welded together to maintain the reinforcement I6 in the form of a tube of the proper diameter.

The packer I3 includes end rings I9 and 20 at the upper and lower ends, respectively, of the reinforcement I6. The rings formed of steel or the like and are preferably in the'nature of relatively short tubes or sleeves.

The upper end of the ring |9 is preferably flat and normal and the lower end of the lower ring 20 is preferably rounded or slightly bevelled to width. The grooves 2| are provided to receive the end portions of the reinforcement I6 to facilitate the securing of the rings I9 and 20 to the reinforcement. In practice it has been found desirable to brazethe ends of the reinforcement I6 to the rings I9 and 2l) at the grooves 2|. In the drawings I have shown bronze or brazing material 22 occupying the grooves 2| and securing the rings I9 and 20 to the ends. of the reinforcement I6. The brazing at 22 is preferably annular and may extend some distance inwardly on the reinforcement I6. The brazing at 22 forms secure connections between the reinforcement I6 and the rings I9 and 20 and yet iscapable of limited exure or movement when the packer I3 is actuated as will be hereinafter described.

'Ihe packer I3 further includes a tubular body 23 of sealing material. The body 23 is` preferably cast or molded on'thereinforcement I 6 to com- |9 and 20 are or initially comparatively long.

pletely enclose the same and to occupy its numerous perforations I1. Being cast on the reinforcement I6 the body 23 has its ends at 0r cast to the inner ends of the rings I9 and 20. The body 23 of the packer I2 is in the form of an elongate cylindrical tube and its'internal and external surfaces may be flush with the corresponding surfaces of the end rings I9 andl 20. 'I'hus the body 23 is proportioned to readily pass between the internal surface of the casing C and the peripheral surface of the section I0. In accordance with the invention the packer body 23 is formed of a deformable material substantially unaffected by the fluids in the well. 'I'he body 23 is preferably formed of lead or a similar relatively soft deformable and relatively non-resilient material such as zinc or certain 'relatively soft alloys. Being molded on the reinforcement I6 the body 23 is suiiciently strong to be run into the well and passed over the string S without injury. cupying the perforations I1 in the reinforcement I6 securely tietogether the opposite wall portions of the body. As will be noted in the drawings, the body IU with its reinforcement I6 is normally The setting and driving tool I4 is provided to facilitate the positioning of the packer I3 and the deforming of the packer into sealing contact with the inner wall of the casing C and the outer surface of the string S. The tool I4 is adapted to be secured to the lower end of a string X of rod or pipe. In accordance with the preferred form of the invention the tool I4 includes an adapter or sub 25 and a tubular section 26 on the sub. The sub 25 is suitably connected with the lower end of the driving string X. In the parsection 26 is proportioned to pass through the v. casing C with suitable clearance and to pass downwardly over the upper end of the uppermost section I of the string S with suitable clearance. The setting and driving tool I4 further includes an effective frangible connection between its section 26 and the packer I3. 'I'his frangible connection includes or provides a plurality of circumferentially spaced grooves 3| in the exterior of the section 26. The grooves 3| extend longitudinally of the section 26 and extend upwardly from its lower end. Similar and aligned grooves 3.2 are provided in the upper ring I 9 of the packer I3. Links or straps 33 extend between and connect the tool section 26 and the upper ring I9 of the packer I3. The straps 33 are received in.

the grooves 3I and 32 so that they do not form protuberances on the outer surface of the assembly. The upper ends of the straps 33 may bear on the upper walls of the grooves 3|. Suitable rivets 33a or the like secure the straps 3l to the section 26 of the tool I4. The lower ends of the straps 33 are spaced a substantial distance above the lower walls of the grooves 32. shear pins or rivets 34 secure the straps 33 to the ring I9. The pins or rivets 34 secure the straps 33 to the ring I9 to spacethe upper end of the ring I9 Ysome distance below the lower'end of the The portions of the body 23 oc- Frangible tool section 26. The distance between the lower ends of the straps 33 and the lower walls of the grooves 32 is greater than the space between the opposing ends of the ring I9 of the section 26. The frangible pins orrivets 34 are suiiciently strong to support the packer I3 on the tool section 26 during the lowering of the packer through the casing C but may be intentionally broken by the imposition of a relatively heavy force or load. Fig. 7 of the drawings illustrates a form of reinforcement I6a for the packer body 23 that differs from the reinforcement I 6 in that it is integral with the end rings I9El and 20a. In other respects the reinforcement I 6a may be similar to or identical with the above described reinforcement I6. When the reinforcement I6a is formed integral with the end rings I9a and-2Ila its opposite ends integrally join the opposed inner ends of the rings which may be concaved or grooved as at 40 to assure an effective bond between the body of the packer I3 and the end rings.

Assuming that the string S has been set or landed and then cut, as described above, the ring I2 is lowered or run through the casing C to pass` downwardly over the out upper end of the uppermost section I0 of the string S. The ring I2 may be lowered to seat against the upper end of the uppermost coupling II. As described above, the ring I2 is proportioned to substantially center the upper end portion of the string S in the casing C thus providing a regular annular space around the uppermost section IIJ of the string. The sub 25 carrying the packer I3 is then connected with the lower end of the string X and the assembly is rundownwardly through the casing on the string. The packer I3 is lowered through the casing C to pass downwardly over the uppermost section Il) of the string S. The string X is lowered until the lower ring 20 of the packer I3 engages or rests on the centering ring I2. The lpacker I3 may be readily passed downwardly over the cut upper section IIJ of the string S without injury. The straps 33 secure the packer I3 to the sub 25 for movement through the casing C on thestring X. Following the above described setting or locating of the packer I3 the packer is subjected to expanding or deforming compression. The string X is driven downwardly, or forced downwardly, or is allowed to settle to impose a comparatively heavy downward pressure on the frangible pins or rivets 34. The pins or rivets 34 fail under this relatively heavy pressure allowing the string X and the tool I4 to move downwardly relative to the packer I3. The lower end of the -tool section 26 is adapted to come into engagement with the upper end of the ring I9 while the lower ends of the straps 33 are still spaced above the upper ends or grooves 22. Accordingly, the weight of the string X, a portion of the weight of the string X, or a downward force exerted on the string X may be imposed on the packer I3 to expand or deform the same. When the packer I3 is sub-1 jected to this deforming compressional strain its length is decreased and its wall thickness increased. In practice the packer I3 is distorted or expanded by the compressional force to have its external surface tightly 4seal against the internal surface of the casing C and to have its internal Ysurface tightly seal against the external surface of the uppermost section of the string S. During this lateral deforming or expansion of the packer body 23 the length of the body 23 may be materially decreased. Fig. 2 of the drawings illustrtes the ,packer 23-in its actuated state where ittightly seals between the interior of the casing C and the outer surface ofthe uppermost section I 0 of the string S. It is to be understood that sufi-lcient weight or downward force may be imposed on the packer 23 to expand or deform it into positive uid tight and pressure tight sealing engagement with the interior of the casing C and the external surface of the section I0.

- The breaking of the frangible pins or rivets 34 to effect the actuation or compression of the packer I3 as described above, releases the connection between the tool I4 and the packer I3. Accordingly, following the proper actuation of the packer I3 the string X may be raised through the .casing C to withdraw the tool` I4 from the well without in any way disturbing the set or actuated packer I3. Following the removal of the string X with the tool I4 thereonany desired operations may be carried on in the well. The packer I3 forms an effective and substantially permanent seal between the upper end portion of the parted or cut string S and the interior of the casing C so that the upper porion of the casing C in effect constitutes a continuation of the string S for thepassage of tools and for the-containing and conducting of fluid. Accordingly, where the device of the present invention is employed the major portion of the inner string S, that is customarily run through the casing C to the upper end of the well, may be recovered from the well for other use. The device is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and may be easily and quickly installed and actuated.

Having described only typical preferred forms and applications of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specic details herein set forth, but wish to reserve 'to myself any variations or modiiications'that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims.

' Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A device for sealing between two telescopically related parts in a well including a packer proportioned to be lowered through the outer part and down over the inner part to a position between said parts when the parts are `in the well, and a tool .for imposing a downward force on the packer when in said position to expand it inwardly against the inner part and outwardly against the outer parte to seal with both of said parts.

2. A device for sealing between two telescopically related parts inl a well including, a deformable annular packer proportioned to be lowered through the outer part and down around the inner part to a position between said parts when the parts are in the well, and means for applying compression to the packer to deform it into sealing contact with the inner surface of'the outer part and the outer surface of the inner part.

3. A device for sealing between two telescopically related parts in a well including, a deformable tubular lead packer proportioned to be lowered through the outer part; and down around the inner part to a position between said parts when the parts are in the well, and means for applying compression to the packer to deforxn itinto sealing contact with the inner surface of the outer part and the outer surface of the inner part.

4. A device for sealing between two telescopically related parts in a Well, one an outer casing ance and having its upper end within the casing and below the top of the well including, a tubular packer of deformable non-resilient material shiftable relative to the two parts from above the tubing to a position between the two parts to bear against a protuberance on one of the parts, and means for compressing the packer axially to expand it laterally to bear directly against opposing surfaces of said parts.

5. A device for sealing between two telescopically related parts in a well including, a tubular deformable packer proportioned to be passed downwardly between said parts when the parts are in the well to have its lower end bear on a projection on one of them, and means for applying compression .to the packer to expand it laterally against the opposing surfaces of the parts, said means including a member to be run into the well to pass downwardly between said parts and press downwardly against the upperV end of the packer.

6. A device for sealing between two telescopically related parts in a well including, a tubular deformable packer proportioned to pass downwardly in the outer part and over the inner part to a position between said parts where its lower end nbears on a projection on one of them, and means for applying compression to the packer to expand it laterally against the opposing surfaces 'of the parts, said means including a member to be run into the well on an actuating String to pass downwardly between said parts and apply a downward force to the upper end of .the packer, and-a releasable connection between the member and the packer whereby the packer may be' lowered into position on said string.

7. A device for sealing between two telescopically related parts in a well including, a tubular deformable packer proportioned togpass downwardly in the outer part and over the inner part to a position between said parts where its lower end bears on a projection on one of' them, and means for applying compression to the packer to expand it laterally against the opposing surfaces of the parts, said means including a member to be run into the well on an actuating string to pass downwardly between the said parts adapted to apply a downward force to the upper end o f the packer, and -a frangible connection between the member and the packer whereby the packer may be lowered into position on said string.

8. A device for packing between two telescopically related parts in a well one of which has a projection, said device including, two elements, one element being a tubular expansible packer to be entered downwardly between the partswhen the parts are in the well to have its downward travel limited by said projection, the other element being a member to be run into the well on an actuating string and entered between said parts and capable of transmitting downward force to the packer to expand it into sealing contact with the opposing surfaces of the parts, and meansy releasably connecting the elements whereby the packer may be run into the well on the string, said means including a tie secured to one element, and a connection between the tie and the other element releasable by force applied by the string whereby the string and member may be withdrawn from the well following expansion of the packer.

9. A device for packing between two telescopically related parts in a well one of which has a projection, said device including, two elements, one element being a tubular expansible packer to be entered downwardly between the parts when the parts are in the well to have its downward travel limited by said projection, the other element being a member adapted to be run into the well on an actuating string and entered between said parts and capable of transmitting downward force to the packer to expand it into sealing contact with the opposing surfaces of the parts', and means releasably connecting the elements whereby the packer Imay be run into the well on the string, said means including a tie secured to one element, and a connection between the tie and the other element operating to hold the lower end of the member spaced from the upper end of the packer, said connection being releasable by force applied by the string whereby the string and member may be withdrawn from the well following expanson of the packer.

10. A device for packing between two telescopically related parts in a well one of which has a projection, said device including, a centering element to be entered downwardly between said parts to rest on said protuberance and proportioned to cooperate with the surfaces of the parts to substantially centralize the inner part in the outer part, a tubular laterally deformable packer proportioned to be entered downwardly between said parts when the parts are in the well to rest on the said element, and means for deforming the packer into sealing contact with the opposing surfaces of the parts.

1l. A device for packing between two telescopically related parts in a well one of which has a projection, said device including, a ring to be passed downwardly between said parts to said protuberance and proportioned to cooperate with -the surfaces of the parts to substantially concentrically space the inner part in the outer part, an expansible tubular packer to be passed downwardly between the parts when the parts are in the well to bear on said ring, and means for applying a downward force to the packer from its upper end to expand it into sealing contact with the opposing surfaces of the parts.

12. A device for packing between two telescopically related parts in a well one of which has a projection, said device including, a tubular packer of deformable substantially non-resilient' material to be passed downwardly in the outer part and over the inner part to a position between the parts and resting on the projection when the parts are in the Well, a reinforcement for the packer, and means for applying a downward force to the packer to expand it against the opposing surfaces of the parts.

13. In a device for packing between two telescopically related parts in a well one of which has a projection, an expansible packer to be passed downwardly between the parts to the projection, the packer including a tubular body of readily deformable metal, and a tubular reinforcement cast in the body.

14. In a device for packing between two telescopically related parts in a well one of which has a projection, an expansible packer to be passed downwardly between the parts to the projection, the packer. including a tubular body of readily deformable metal, rings of harder material at the ends of the body, and a tubular reinforcement extending vthrough the body and connected with the rings.

l5. A device for packing between two telescopically related parts in a well one of which has a projection, said device including, an expansible tubular packer to be passed downwardly between the parts to the projection, the packer including a body of readily deformable metal, rings of harder material at the ends of the body, and a' tubular perforate reinforcement extending through the body and connected with the rings, and means for compressing the packer against the projection to expand it into sealing contact with the opposing surfaces of the parts.

16. In a device for packing between two tele-` scopically related parts in a well one of which has a projection, an expansible tubular packer, to be passed downwardly between the parts to the projection, the packer including a tubular body of readily deformable metal, rings of harder material at the ends of the body, and a tubular rein-` forcement'extending through the body and integrally joining the rings.

1'1. In a device for packing between two telescopically related parts in a well one of which has a projection, an expansible tubular packer to be passed downwardly between the parts to the projection, the packer including a body of readily deformable metal, and va tubular foramlnous metal reinforcement cast in the body.

18. A device for packing between two telescopically related parts in a well one of which has a projection, said device including, a ring to be passed downwardly between said parts to said projection and proportioned to substantially concentrically space the inner part in the outer part, an expansible tubular packer to be passed downwardly between the parts to bear on said ring, and means for applying a downward force to the packer from its upper end to expand it into sealing contact with the opposing surfaces of the parts, said means incluing a member to be run into the well on a setting string and adapted to apply a downward pressure to the upper end of the packer, and a releasable connection between i.

the member and packer whereby the member and string may be withdrawn from the well following g