US2173201A - Cementing packer - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 19, 1939. J. GUEST CEMENTING PACKER Filed April 13, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. John GUeS i' V. E N T. T.. MA Y B Sept. 19, 1939. 1, GUEST 2,173,201

CEMENTING PACKER A TTURNEY Sept. 19, 1939. J. GUEST GEMENTING PACKER Filed April 13, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheetl 3 Guest.

INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY John BY wm Patented Sept. 19, 1939 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE CEMENTING PACKER This invention ularly to packers curing the same other structure to example. where the cement slurry forcing John Guest, burton Oil Okla.

Duncan, Okla., assignor to Halli- Well Cementing Company, Duncan,

Application April 13, 1937, Serial No. 138,574

8 Claims.

relates to apparatus adapted and means for removably seto the casing of a well. It is often desirable to fix and seal a valve or the casing of an oil well. For well is to be cemented by down into the well through tubing and into the formation of the well under high pressure, it

is desirable to provide means at the bottom of the tubing which can be fixed to the casing and prevent the pressure on the cement from forcing is also desirable in the tubing upwardly. It such a case to provide a packer or other sealing means around the tubing so as to prevent the passage of slurry upwardly between the tubing and the casing.

It is one object of the present invention to devise novel means for temporarily setting a packer on tubing in a well and to provide means for removing the same from the well.

It is another object to provide means for securing tubing to provide means for the casing in an oil well and to removing the same therefrom.

It is another object of the invention to devise means for retaining cement or other fluid in place in a well and to so construct and arrange the same that the retaining means can be readily removed from the its purpose.

well after it has accomplished It is another object of the invention to devise a packer assembly particularly adapted for squeeze jobs cementing where the well.

of well cementing or other types of tubing is used and in which the has hardened, is utilized the packer assembly from Other objects and advantages reside in certain novel features of the arrangement and method,

as will be more apparent from the following de- 4 scription taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,

in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the casing of an oil well, together with a crosssectionai showing of the upper portionv of apparatus constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical cross-Sectional view of the casing of an oil well, together with a crosssectional showing apparatus shown being contiguous;

of the lower portion of the in Figure 1, Figures 1 and 2 Figure 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of apparatus similar to that shown in Figure 1 but illustrating a second embodimentof the invention;V

Figure 4 is a. vertical cross-sectional view of the lower portion of the apparatus of Figure 3, Figures 3 and 4 being contiguous; and 5 Figures 5 to 10, inclusivel are diagrammatic illustrations showing the relative positions of the parts of the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 3 and 4 during the setting of the apparatus in the well, the cementing of the well, the washing out of the well above the packer and the final removal of the apparatus from the well. f l

Referring to the drawings in detail, and first to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, it will be seen that the casing of an oil well is there i1- lustrated at II. Tubing or drill pipe, to be used in a cementing operation inthe well, is shown at I2 and extends down into the well to the point where it is desired to secure and seal the same to the casing. Only the lower end of the tubing is shown, itbeing understood that the same extends to the surface. The lower end of the tubing I2 carries an enlargement or collar I3, which serves as a clutch member, as will presently be described. To the inside of this collar, a mandrel or tubular section I4 is secured.

As shown in Figure 2, the lower end of the mandrel I4 has a double valve structure I5 integral therewith. The valve structure has a cylindrical upper portion screw-threaded to the lower end of the mandrel Il and a slotted depending hollow extension I6 which has two valve parts thereon designated I1 and I'Ia. A valve seat member I8 is mounted within the apparatus, surrounding the extension 16 to provide a seal with the valve I1 during certain phases of the operation of the apparatus and with the valve Ila during other phases of the operation.

Referring again to Figure 1, it will be seen that the lower end of the collar I3 has a number of depending vclutch teeth or jaws I9 thereon. When in the position shown in Figure 1, these jaws are adapted to engage and clutch similar jaws on a ring 20 normally located just beneath 45 the collar I3 but not connected thereto. The ring 20 has a depending sleeve 2I integral therewith which extendsv downwardly within the tool and terminates in a threaded portion 22, as shown in Figure 2. The valve seat member I8 is integral with this sleeve 2|. Above the valve seat member I8. a number of ports 2Ia are provided in the sleeve 2l, for use in washing out the apparatus after a cementing operation. The sleeve 55 2| also has ports 2| b below the valve seat member I8, in the threaded portion 22 thereof.

'Ihe lower shoe 23 oi the packer is screw threaded upon the portion 22 of the sleeve 2|. It is so constructed as to support the packer 24 which is made of rubber or other suitable packing material.l The lower shoe 23 also carries what is called a back pressure valve 25, this valve being normally held close by means of the spring 26. Also integral with the lower shoe 23 is an upwardly extending packer retaining sleeve 21 which is connected by spline 28 to the upper shoe 29 of the packer. The shoes 23 and 29 can thus be moved vertically relative to one another but are so connected that they cannot rotate one relative to the other.

A number of steel slips 30, of usual construction, are connected to the upper shoe 29. The connecting means for this purpose is preferably a dovetail so as to allow the slips 30 to move in and out radially on the upper shoe 29. The inner faces of the slips 30 are cut at an angle and are also dovetailed to a cone or wedge 3|. This wedge is screw threaded upon an actuating member 32 which extends upwardly from the wedge 3|, around the collar I3 to a point where it is provided with a ange 33 resting upon a coiled spring 34, the lower end of which seats upon the collar I3. The collar I3 and member 32 are provided with abutting shoulders. The actuating member 32 is also supplied with clutching jaws or teeth 35 adapted to cooperate during certain phases of the operation of the tool with Similar jaws 36 in the top of the collar I3.

Beneath the collar I3 the actuating member 32 is provided with a shoulder for supporting suitable bearings 31 upon which the collar 20 and hence the sleeve 2| and the lower shoe 23 ride.

To prevent the packer and shoes from rotating during the setting of the tool, drag springs 38 are preferably provided, and these may be connected to the upper shoe 29 and partially embedded in or associated with the packer 24 as illustrated.

The parts described above, except for the packer, may be made of steel. For ease of assembly certain of the parts may contain more screw threaded joints than illustrated, but for clarity these joints have not all been shown.

The apparatus of Figures 1 and 2 is operated as follows: a

With the parts in the positions shown in Figures l and 2, the assembly is lowered into the well tothe desired point. In lowering the apparatus, to insure equalization of fluid pressure inside and outside the tubing, the ports 2 Ib are provided. To set the packer and slips the tubing or drill stem I2 is then simply rotated to the right. The spring 34, lifting on the member 32,V causes the jaws I9 of the collar I3 to remain in clutching engagement with the ring 20 at` this time. Thus, the sleeve 2| is rotated and causes the lower shoe 23 to move upwardly thereon, the lower shoe 23 being prevented from rotating by means of the drag springs 38.

As the shoe 23 moves upward, the ports 2lb are closed and remain closed until the apparatus is removed from the well.

Upward movement of the lower shoe 23 causes the packer, the upper shoe 29 and the slips 39 to move upwardly. As the slips move upwardly they also move outwardly radially and engage the casing. the wedge 3| being held against upward movement at this time. inasmuch as any force exerted thereon is transmitted to the collar I3 through the member 32. As the slips engage the casing further upward movement of the shoe 23 causes the packer to engage the casing and efl'ect a seal.

If the apparatus is to be used in the cementing of a well, the slurry may now be forced downwardly through the tubing I2. The slurry will flow through the mandrel I4, the Valve member I1, which will then bein the position shown in Figure 2, and downward through the valve 25, the latter being forced open due to the pressure exerted upon the slurry by the pumps at the surface.

After a suilicient quantity of cement has been pumped through the apparatus the pressure will be relieved and the valve 25 will close. The pressure must be held upon the cement until it hardens, but it is not necessary to hold this pressure by uid or pump pressure inasmuch as the slips and packer are now set on thecasing.

Since some cement may still be left in the apparatus above the valve 25, it is desirable to provide means for washing out above this point. To accomplish this, the tubing I2 is raised slightly, causing the valve I1 to seat upon the lower valve seat of the member I 3 and likewise permitting the flow of -iluid frominside the mandrel I4 outwardly through the ports 2Ia in the sleeve 2|. Water or other washing fluid may then be circulated downwardly through the tubing I2 and will flow outwardly through the ports 2Ia, upwardly between the sleeve 2| and a packer retaining member 21, outwardly between the slip segments 30 and then upwardly between the tubing I2 of the casing. During this washing out operation the valve I 1 will act as an added safety factor in preventing any cement which may leak through the valve 25 from flowing upwardly around the slips 30 and preventing their subsequent removal i'rom the well.

'40 The washing out should preferably be continued at least until initial set.

After the cement has hardened, the entire cement retaining assembly may be removed from the well as follows:

In raising the tubing I2 to the washout position previously mentioned it will be noticed that the clutch members I9 will be disengaged from the ring 20 and thatthe clutch jaws 35 and 3S will. be brought into engagement.' the'spring 34 being compressed at this time. If now the tubing I2 is again rotated to the right, the actuating member 32 will be rotated. If tension is placed in the tubing I2 at the same time, the cone or wedge 3| will be pulled upwardly. The slips 3U will not move upwardly at this time but will be pulled radially inward due to the dovetail connection between the wedge 3| and the slips. The slips will thus be disengaged from the casing.

Further upward pull upon the tubing I2 will raise the upper shoe 29, this pulling force being transmitted through the collar I3.' the actuating member 32, the cone 3|, the slips 30 and the dovetail connection between the slips 30 and the shoe 29. To accomplish this, the dovetail connection between the cone 3| and the slips 30 is provided with stops to limit the amount of vertical relative movement between the wedge and the cement has taken its -the slips. As the upper shoe 29 is raised it will It will be seen that in the arrangement in Figures land 2 the wedge 3| which holds the slips in place when they are set against the casing is pulled upwardly by tension in the drill pipe or tubing to release the slips. It is advantageous in some instances to jack or pr'y the wedge up to 4 release the slips and since the cement beneath the lower shoe will normally have become solid when this operation is performed, the hardened cement may be used as an abutment to accomplish this. In Figures 3 and 4 an embodiment of the invention working on this principle is disclosed. y

In Figures 3 and 4 the parts which correspond to those of Figures l and 2 have been similarly designated. As in Figures 1 and 2, the arrangement includes tubing or drill pipe I2 having a collar I3 thereon and a mandrel I4. As shown in Figure 4 the lower end of the mandrel is not provided with a valve arrangement but has suitable packing material 39 on the outside thereof, the packing being held in place by means of a gland nut 40. As in Figure 1, the collar I3 has clutch jaws I9 on its lower surface which engage similar jaws in a ring with which a, sleeve 2| is integral, the sleeve 2| extending down and screw threading into the lower packer shoe 23.

'I'he mandrel I4 and sleeve 2|, as best shown in Figure 4, function to permit the pressure to be equalized inside and outside the tubing I2 while the apparatus is being lowered into the hole. In this arrangement, with the parts in the positions shown in Figures 3 and 4, iluid may iiow between the slips downwardly on the outside of the sleeve 2|, thence through4 ports 2Ia and downwardly between the sleeve 2| and the mandrel I4. The shape of the lower portions of the sleeve 2| and the mandrel Il are such that the packing material 39 does not eii'ect a seal therebetween at this time. During certain .phases of the operation the apparatus may be washed out by causing the fluid to flow in a reverse direction to that just described upon the mandrel being lowered with respect to the sleeve 2| to the relative positions shown in Figure 4. v

The main difference between the apparatus of Figures 3 and 4 and that of Figures 1 and 2 results from the fact that in addition to the bearing 31 between the ring 20 and the lower portion of the actuating member 32 there is another bearing 4| between the lower end of the member 32 and an outwardly extending flange 42 on the sleeve 2|. With this construction the member 2| vcan at no time be moved vertically with respect to the member 32.

The -operation of the tool of Figures 3 and 4 will be best understood by referring to the diagrams of Figures 5 to 10, inclusive, in which the .relative positions of the parts during a typical cementing operation are shown in sequence. A description of these diagrams will also serve to clarify the operation of the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2 which functions the same except for the differences which are apparent or already mentioned.

When the apparatus of Figures 3 and 4 is lowered to the desired depth within the well, the parts are in the relative positions shown in Figure 5. Upon rotation of the tubing I2 to the right (the clutch jaws I9 being engaged at that time) the sleeve 2| is rotated to the right. This causes the parts to take the relative position shown in Figure 6.

It will be noted that in Figure 6 the lower shoe 23 has moved upwardly, the packer and slips' have been caused to set against the casing, both slips and packer having been forced upwardly while the wedge 3| has been held stationary by the member 32 which is coupled through the bearings 31 and 4I directly to the sleeve 2|. In other words, the packer and slips are set, in eect, by merely screwing a nut on the bottom of thesleeve 2| while the upper end of the sleeve 2| prevents upward movement of the wedge 3|.

After setting the packer and slips, the tubing is raised to close the washout ports 2 Ia.

Cement slurry is now pumped through the tool as diagrammatieally illustrated in Figure 7. The cement cannot ilow upwardly between the tubing and the casing because of the packer 2| and any excess of pressure below the tool over that above the tool will not tend to cause the tubing to move upwardly because of the fact that the slips are engaging the casing. After the desired amount of cement has been pumped through the tool, the tubing may be lowered again back to the' position shown in Figure 6 so that the washing out operation may be carried on. As soon as the pressure von the slurry isv relieved the valve will close and water may be pumped down around the lower end of the mandrel I4 out through the ports 2Ia and around and between the slips. This washing operation may continue until the cement beneath the tool has become hardened. No matter how carefully the apparatus is washed, there is always some danger that cement will leak around the packer or through the valve and harden around the slips and upper shoe making it extremely difilcult to move them. The present invention is particularly designed to meet this problem. A

To accomplish this the slips are 'ilrst released or broken loose from the casing and reset a few inches higher than they had been set initially. This is accomplished by lifting up on the tubing and rotating the same to the lright, the clutch jaws and y36 being then engaged. As the actuating member 32 is rotated to the right, the wedge 3| is pried upwardly much the same as the operation of an ordinary screw jack. As shown in Figure 8, the lower shoe 23 will then be resting upon the solid cement and this will prevent any downward movement of the member 32 since the member 32 is supported through bearing 4I on the. rirg 20 and sleeve 2| connected to the shoe 23. Thus, the wedge 3| will be raised slightly to the position shown in Figure 8 and the slips will be raised a slight distance. At the same time the upper shoe will be movedand the packer will be partially disengaged from the casing. Thus the breaking loose oi the slips, which is often a diiilcult task, is greatly simplified. Tremendous upward pressure may be exerted upon the wedge 3| by rotation of the member 32 without appreciable tension in the tubing, although in general, it is contemplated that the tubing will be pulling on the wedge at the same time.

It often happens that as the cement hardens it firmly adheres to the lower shoe 2|, and the next operation of the tool is designed to release the shoe. As just mentioned, the slips have been broken loose from the casing and raised slightly to the position in Figure 8. If now the tubing is again lowered, causing the clutch jaws I9 to engage, and the tubing is again rotated to the right, the slips will again engage the casing but at a slightly higher position than illustrated in Figures 6 and '1. The lower shoe 23 may then be pried loose. To aid in accomplishing this certain oi.' the teeth on the slips are directed downwardly. When reset, the slips and` wedge 3| thus constitute an abutment for preventing downward movement of the member 32 and sleeve 2| at this time. The parts thus take the position shown in Figure 9 in which it will be noticed that the shoe 2| has geen broken loose from the cement. l

Just prior to removal of the toolfrom the well, the parts thus take the position of Figure 10. The slips, packer and shoes having been moved slightly after the cement has hardened, it is comparatively easy to remove them from the well. To cause the parts to take the position shown in Figure 10, tension is taken in the drill stem or tubing and it is rotated to the right, thus causing the member 32 to again pull the wedge 3| upwardly, again releasing the slips and pulling the packer back to its extended position as shown in Figure 5, so that the entire apparatus is again of suillciently small diameter to enable it to pass upwardly through the casing.

It is to be noted that in all of Figures 5 to 10, the members 32 and 2| have not moved vertically either up or down. 'I'he other parts of the apparatus are mov'ed in the sequence described to effect the desired results.

While only two embodiments of the invention have been described in detail .herein and while the invention has been particularly described in connection with a cementing operation, it is believed that the apparatus is capable ot wide application and that various changes may be made in the construction and operation without departing from the spirit of the the scope of the annexed claims.

I claim:

l. An arrangement for removably securing and se ling a device to the casing of an oil well or the like comprising slips, a packer, rotary mechanism for setting and releasing the slips and packer, and a two-way clutch associated with said rotary mechanism for actuating the same.

2. An arrangement for temporarily sealing a invention and device to the casing of an oil well or the like comprising a packer, an upper shoe, a lower shoe, meansv for moving the shoes toward each other to set the packer, meansi'or moving the shoes away from each other to release the packer and a two-way clutch for operating said setting and releasing means.

3. An arrangement for temporarily sealing the lower portion of tubing or pipe to the casing of an oil well or the like comprising a packer, mechanism for setting the packer, a clutch associated with said setting mechanism and the tubing for actuating the setting mechanism upon right hand rotation of the tubing, mechanism for releasing the packer and a clutch` associated with said releasing mechanism and the tubing for actuating the releasing mechanism upon right hand rotation of the tubing. 4. An arrangement for temporarily securing and sealing apparatus within the casing in an oil well or the like comprising a packer and slips,

a wedge associated with the' slips for moving the same out and in radially, screw threaded means controllable from the surface oi'- the well for causing the setting of the packer in the casing and i'or causing movement of the slips on the wedge to set the slips in the casing and other screw threaded means controllable from the surface of the well for causing the disengagement of the packer from the casing and for causing movement of the wedge to disengage the slips from the casing.

5. An arrangement for temporarily holding liquid under high pressure from moving upwardly in the casing of an oil well or the like and including a packer having an upper shoe and a lower shoe, slips connected to the upper shoe for engaging the casing and for preventing upward movement thereof as the result of the pressure, a wedge for holding the slips, rotary means for causing the packer and slips to engage or disengage the casing, said rotary means including screw threaded mechanisms connecting said shoe and wedge and a two-way clutch adapted to selectively engage said mechanisms and operate the same either to shorten or lengthen the distance between `the lower shoe of the packer and the wedge to thereby cause the packer and slips to either engage or disengage the casing, as desired, and means operable from the surface of the well for actuating said rotary means.

6. An arrangement adapted for use in cementing an oil well or the like including slips, means for setting the slips. means for conveying liquid cement to a point below the slips, means for holding the cement in place until it hardens and means adapted to use the hardened cement as an abutment for prying the slips loose `from their set position.

7. An arrangement adapted for use in cementing an oil well or the like including a valve, a packer for sealing the valve to the casing of the well, slips for preventing upward movement of the valve and packer during the cementing operation, means for supplying liquid cement through the valve to a point in the casing beneath the valve while the packer and slips engage the casing whereupon the valve may close to hold the cement in place until it hardens and means adapted to use the hardened cement as an abutment for causing the slips and packer to disengage the casing said last mentioned means including a shoe adapted to rest upon the hardened cement and mechanism cooperating with the slips, packer and shoe to exert force upon the packer and slips to move the same with respect to the shoe when desired.

8. The method of cementing an oil well or the like which includes the steps of securing a cement retaining device to the casing of the well, supplying liquid cement to the well at a point beneath the retaining device, allowing the cement to harden and using the hardened cement as an abutment in supplying force to the retaining device to cause the same to disengage the casing.

JOHN GUEST.

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