US2368400A

US2368400A - Releasable well packer

Info

Publication number: US2368400A
Application number: US419061A
Authority: US
Inventors: Reuben C Baker
Original assignee: Baker Oil Tools Inc
Current assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
Priority date: 1941-11-14
Filing date: 1941-11-14
Publication date: 1945-01-30
Anticipated expiration: 1962-01-30

Description

- Jan. 30, 1945. R, c. BAKER ma nms uame: WELL PACKERV 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 14, 1941 .v F Mm w, a Q 4 m 5..

\\\\ I l 1 A 1 Arrow/saw,

dition within a well casing;

f Patented Jan. 30,1945

BELEASABLE WELL month Reuben C. Baker, Coalinga, Calif., assignor to Vernon, Calif., a corpo- Baker Tools, Inc. ration of California ApplicationNovember 14, 1941. sem so. 419,051

v 8. Claims. ('01. 166-12) I The present inventionrelates to wellpackers', on an enlarged scale of part and more particularly to packers cf'the releasable type capable of employment in the performance of many operations in a well bore,'including the cementing, acidizing or repressuring' of oil wells,-testing casing for holes, and testing formations for fluid permeability, break down pressures, or productivity.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved well packer capable of being set, released and reset mechanically in a casing without the necessity for withdrawing it to the surface of the well bore.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved well packer adapted to have its packing and anchoring members mechanically set against the. wall of a casing, and inwhloh such packing and anchoring vmembers are also mechanically releasable from such engagement.

A further object of the inventionis to provide an improved well packer having packing and anchoring members adapted for engagement with I r the well casing, in which these members areall releasable positively from the surface of the well =bore through rotation of a tubular string attached to the well packer.

Another object of'the invention is to maintain the packing and anchoring members of a well packer locked in retracted position while the packer is being lowered or elevated in a well bore,

and to preclude unlocking thereof upon mad-"- vertent turning of the tubular string to which the well packer is attached.

v The invention has other objects that will become apparent from a consideration ofthe embodiment shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present 'speciflcatiom This form will now be described in detail, but

: it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limited 'sense, since the scope of the invention is best'defined claims appended hereto.

Referring to the drawings: Figure 1 is a longitudinal view, partly in sec tion and partly in elevation, of a well packer with by the r its parts in retracted position for movement through a well bore or casing;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 with the packer disclosed as anchored in packed on con- Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1, with certain of the packer parts disclosed in still another relative position;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal section 66 of the device disclosed in Figure 3; I I Figure-5 is a side elevation as seen from'the right of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a section taken along the line 6-8 in Figure 4;

Figure '7 is a cross-section taken along the line 1-1 in Figure 3; and

Figure 8 is a cross-section taken along the line 8+4! in Figure 3. r

The well packer A is adapted to be run in a well bore or casing B on the end of a tubular running-in string C threadedly or otherwise attached tovthe upper end of the tubular mandrel .lfl ofthe packer. 'For convenience of manufacture, this mandrel is made in two parts, with its lower section I! welded or otherwise suitably attached to the upper section l2. The lower section H A is provided with external left hand threads I3 engaging companion threads at the enlarged upper end ll of the tubular body it of the packer.

' The lower section 16 of this body is reduced in diameter to provide an abutment l1 adapted to cooperate with an inturned flange [8 formed on the lower end of a tapered expander I!) mounted, on the body l5. A key 20 is secured to the exterior of the enlarged body'portion ll for reception within a keyway 2i in the expander so as to permit relative longitudinal movement be- 'member 23 is threaded on the lower end of the body. This packing actuator is movable toward the expander IQ for the purpose of engaging the lower end of the packing sleeve 24 surrounding the body and forcing it against the underside of the expander I9 and outwardly against the casing B, to effect an annular seal between it and the body l5.

A plurality of slips 25 is disposed around the mandrel [0 for cooperation with the tapered expander IS in moving to and from anchoring engagement with the wall of the casing. Each of these slips has wickers 26 on its exterior surface adapted to grip the casing, and an interior tapered surface co'operable-with a companion tapered surface 28 comprising the bottom of a channel 29 formed in the expander, so that role tive longitudinal movement between the expander I9 and slips 25 moves the latterradially to and from the casing. For the purpose of holding the slips properly assembled on the expander 19 and within the channels 29, they are formed with outwardly and oppositely directed tongues 3B fitting within grooves 31 formed in the sides of-the channels. Because of this construction, the slips 25 are keyed to the expander to permit relative sliding movement therebetween in positively shifting the slips both toward'and away from the casing. The extent of outward movement of each slip 25 upon moving downwardly on the expander i9 is limited by a stop screw- 32 on the latter-member movable within a longitudinal groove 33 in the underside of the slip and engageable with the end 3 3 of this groove.

w The slips 25 are held together for 'joint movement along the tapered expander i9 and from engagement with the casing by providing recesses extending fingers '36 for guiding the slips radially to" and from the casing, and for preventing their longitudinal movement except in unison by engaging the ends of the recesses-35. 'Ihese fingers 3B are integral with a sleeve fl! s'lidable on the mandrel l0, which has an upper set of outwardly extending fingers 38 for receiving heads 39 providedon the upper ends of the sli'ps'engageable with agstop ring .40. secured around the upper fingers 38 by screws 4! or thelike, for the purpose of limiting the extent of'outward movement of the slips 25 and to hold them in assembled position.

This sleeve 31, a and the slips 25 assembled thereon, are'coupled to a drag and lock device. This device consists of a lock collar 42 slidable on the mandrel l and having a J or other suitably shaped slot 43 formed therein for the purp se of receiving a lock pin 44 fastened to the mandrel. A plurality of circumferentially spaced outwardly'bowed springs 45 are disposed around the mandrel with their lower ends resting on the lowerportion of the locking collar and held thereagainst in assembled position by a ring 65 fastened to this portion of the collar by a plurality of screws ll. The upper ends of the springs are secured to a slidable upper drag collar 48 by an upper ring 49 suitably fastened to the collar, as by the screws 59. v

The drag and locking device is coupled to the slip assembly by means of a sectional tie or coupling ring secured to the locking collar 42 by the screws 52, and having a lower lnturned flange 53 receiving and fitting under an external flange 54 at the upper end of the slip sleeve 31. Rotation of the tubular string C, mandrel Ill and drag device is permitted without corresponding rotation of the slipv assembly sleeve 31 and slips 25,

due to the swivel type of connection provided by the lower end 53 of the coupling ring Si and sleeve flange 54.

The well packer is run in the well casing on the end of the-tubular string C, with the locking pin 44 positioned in the locking foot portion 55 of the J-slot 43, so as to hold the slips 25 in an upward retracted position on' the tapered expander I 9, and the packing sleeve 24 in retracted- .well bore) so as to position the pin 4.4 .at'the 35 in their side faces which receive outwardly aaeacoo lower end of the longitudinal leg portion 56 of the J-slot at its point of juncture with the foot portion 55, which will then allow the mandrel ill to be shifted upwardly within the locking collar 42. Such upward movement of the mandrel l8 and its connected body I5 is obtained by elevating the tubular string C, which movement is transmitted through the packing sleeve 24 to elevate the tapered expander 19 within the slips Since these slips are held stationary by the friction action of the drag springs d5 against the casing, upward movement of theexpandcr it within the slips forces the latter outwardly into engagement with the casing. After the slips have engaged th casing, the espander can no longer move upwardly, but the mandrel ill and body 55 can still be elevated due to the slidable key con nection 2B, 2! between the body and expander.

A continuation of the upward movement of themandrel and body can then compress the paclring sleeve 2 between the expander l9 and guide 23, forcing it into sealing engagement with the casing B (see Figure 2). r

The tool now anchored in packed oil condition within the well casing, preventing fluid pumped down through the tubular string to a point below the packer from passing around it or forcing the packer up the casing. Pressure exerted from below on the well packer forces the guide 23 more firmly against the packing it and causes it to seal ofi to a, greater extent against the casing B and body l5, and also acts through the packing to wedge the expander 19 more firmly into the slips 25 and attach them more securely to the casing. v

If it is thereafterdesired to release the well packer from the casing, the tubular string C is merely lowered to correspondingly lower the mandrel l0 and body I5 with respect to the slips 25 and-expander 19. As the guide '23 is lowered away from the packing 24 the latter is permitted release of this wedged expander, the slips disengage from the casing. Lowering oi the body and expander sufiiciently moves the slips inward 1y to their fully retracted position, due to the coaction of the sides of the grooves 3! in the ex-.

pander with the tongues 39 on the sides of the slips. It is again pointed out that the de vice tends to resist longitudinal movement of the slips, so that the lowering of the expander is accompanied by forcible retraction of the slips away from the casing back to the approximate retracted position disclosed in Figure 1.

The lowering of the mandrel III for the purpose of retracting the slips and packing positions the locking pin 44 at the lower end of the longitudinal leg portion 55 of the J-slot once again, al-

' lowing the turning of the. tubular string C ina clockwise direction (as seen from the surfaceoi the well bore) to again position the lock pin 44 at the end of the locking foot portion 54 of the slot, preventing material lon udi al o eme between the packer parts to occur. With the parts in this position, it is apparent that the drag device, 45, 48, 42 is forced to move with the mandrel Ill longltudinally'through the casing. The

friction springs 45 have sumcient tension to resist movement of the slips .2! when it is desired to .set or release them, but this friction is of insuificient magnitude to prevent lowering or elevation of the well packer asa unit through the well casing.

Should release of the packer from its set posi- .tween the lower mandrel part II and body I4 is preferably a left hand one, such forcible longitudinal movement isinduced through turning of the tubular string in a clockwise direction.

If the --well packer A cannot be released upon imposing a downwardly directed force on it through lowering of the tubular string, the casing engaging

packer parts

24, 25 are held with sufflcient force as to prevent their rotation, Thus,

. the slips 25 cannot rotate in the casing, and due' to their manner of assembly on the expander l9, they correspondingly prevent this member from rotating. Similarly, the

key connection

20, 2| between the expander and body l5 prevents the latter from turning, although it will permit relative longitudinal movement between the two members to occur. Rotation of the tubular string and mandrel threads the lower mandrel section I I' from the body l5 to effect this relative longitudinal movement. As these members move in relatively opposite directions due to the rotation of the mandrel, an outwardly directed flange or abutment 51 at the upper end of the lower mandrel section II engages the underside of theslip sleeve 31-,and through the fingers 26 exerts a screw connection. between the mandrel l0 and packer body l5. 1 v i It may sometimes occur that the lower portion of the tool is entirely cemented in or frozen to the casing, precluding release of the entire tool even upon employing the jack screw feature Should this situation arise, rotation of the tubular string would be continued until the lower mandrel II was entirely unscrewed from the packer body l5, whereupon all of the tool parts with the exception of the body l5, expander l9, packing sleeve 24, and guide 23 can be' removed from the well casing. The elements specifically listed are made of drillable materials and areremovable from the well casing, if necessary, by a suitable drilling operation, ina well known manner. Since the expander l9'is mad or readily I drillable material, complete unscrewing of the mandrel will'elevate'the slips 25 and cause their tongues to break off the outer side of the grooves 3| from the remainder-ofthe expander, thereby freeing the slipsfrom the expander. If desired, however, the parts can be so arranged and proportioned as to allow the slips 25 to be removed completely from the expander l9 and its grooves upon complete unthreading of the mandrel I2 from the body I6.

The tool may also incorporate a device for pre- 1 venting. its unlocking until desired. To achieve this purpose, a coil actuating spring 6|! surrounds the mandrel ID with its lower end attached to the upper drag collar 48 by the screw 6| and its upper end attached by a screw 62 to a ring 63 suitably force on the slips 25.- Such longitudinal movethe expander flange f 8, causing further rotation of the tubular string and mandrel to forcibly move the expander and slips relatively in directions away from each other, and move the slips forcibly inwardly along the tapered surface 25 of the expander to their retracted position. The well packer is now free from the casing and may be removed to the surface of the well bore (see Figure 3).

' It is to be noted that the lock pin 44 is in the longitudinal J-slot portion 56 while the tubular string C is being rotated, effectively coupling the mandrel Ill and

drag device

45, 42 for rotation together. Although the springs 45 resist movement of the

drag collars

48, 42 and slips 25, they do not exert sufficient frictional force to prevent 'ment also engages the'body abutment I! with rotation of the entire drag assembly with the.

tubular string. However, such rotation is not accompanied by rotation .of the slips 25 and tapered expander is, because of the swivel connection 53, 54 provided between the drag assembly and the slip ring 5|. v

It is therefore apparent that a releasable well packer hasbeen provided capable of being set mechanically in packed'ofl condition within a well casing, and normally released from such set position by merely lowering the tubular string to which the packer is attached. In the event that insufficient force can be exerted to effect release through ,a mere straight lowering of the tubular string, the force available at the-surface of the well bore can be greatly multiplied by turnfastened to the mandrel If] by another screw 64. The coil spring is so wound as to exert a turning force on the drag device tending to move it to the right or counter-clockwise (as seen fromthe surface of the well bore) so as to hold the end of the locking slot portion 55 against the locking pin 44, and yieldably prevent inadvertent rotational movement between this pin 44 and looking collar 42, which might position the pin in the longitudinal or unlocking portion '56 of the- J-slot; a relationship essential to setting of the tool. I r

I claim:

l. A well device, which includes a tubular body, an expander slidably mounted on said body, means cooperable with said expander for anchoring said device in a-well casing, a rotatable tubular mandrel, means connecting said mandrel to said body whereby rotation of said mandrel with respect to said body is adapted to effect relative longitudinal movement between said body and mandrel, and means on said rotatable-mandrel and body for transmitting such longitudinal.

movement to both said anchoring means and expander to forcibly move them relatively to each other in longitudinal directions away from each other to retract said anchoring means from anchoring engagement with the well casing.

- 2. A well device, which includes a tubular body,

expander means slidably keyed on said body,-

means cooperable with said expander means for anchoring said device in a wellcasing, a tubular.

mandrel threaded attached to said body, ,an abutment on said body adapted toengage one of said means, an abutment on said mandrel adapted to upon relative rotation between said mandrel and ing the tubular string, through use of the jack ll body to cause saidabutments to engage said expander means and anchoring means and forcibly move them relatively to each other vi i-longitudinal I directions away from each other to retract said anchoring means from anchoring engagement with the well casing.

3. A well device, which includes a tubular body, a tapered expander slidably keyed on said body,

slips cooperable with said expander for anchoring said device in a well casing, means coupling said slips for movement in unison, a tubular mandrel threadedly attached to said body,'an abut ment on said body for engagement with said exdirections away from each other to retract said slips from anchoringengagement with the well casing.

4. A well device, which includes a tubular body, a tapered expander slidably keyed on said body,

- slips cooperable with said expander for anchoring said device ina well casing, a tubular mandrel threadedly attached to said body, means slidable on said mandrel and coupling said slips for movement in unison, an abutment on said.

body for engagement with said expander, an abutment on said mandrel for engagement with said coupling means, said abutments engaging said expander and coupling means upon relative rotation between said mandrel and body to forcibly move said expander and slips relatively to each other in longitudinal directions away from each other to retract said slips from anchoring engagement with. the well casing, and means engageable with said casing for resisting longitudinal movement of said slips therewithin.

5. A well device, which includes a tubular body,

' anexpander slidably keyed on said body and provided with portions inclined upwardly and inwardly, slips engaging and movable along said in-' clined expander portions for anchoring said device in a well casing means above said expander coupling said slips for movement in unison, a tubular mandrel threadedly attached to said body and extending upwardly therefrom, an abutment on said body for engagement with said expander,

an abutment on said mandrel for engagement with said coupling means, said abutments engaging said expander and coupling means upon rela-' tive rotation between said mandrel and 'bodyto forcibly move said; expander and slips relatively from each other to retract said slips from anchor- 'ing engagement with the well casing.

to each other in longitudinal directions away,

ed on said mandrel supporting said slips with respect to said expander; friction. means adapted to frictionally engage said well casing slidable on said mandrel and rotatively coupled to said sleeve to permit said friction means to rotate without corresponding rotation of said slips, said friction means resisting longitudinal movement of said slips in said casing, whereby upward longitudinal movement of said mandrel and body ment of said mandrel relative to said body, and

selectively positionable locking instrumentalities onsaid mandrel and friction means for-prevent ing relative longitudinal movement between said slips and expander or to permit such movement. "I. A well device, which includes a tubular body. av

expander means slidable on said body, means cooperable with said expander'means for anchoring said device in a well casing, a tubular mandrel, an attachment securing said mandrel to said body, an abutment on-said body adapted to engage one of'said means, an abutment on said mandrel adapted to engage the other of said means, said attachment being such as to effect relative longitudinal movement between .said mandrel and body upon relative rotation between said mandrel and body to cause said abutments to engage said expander means and anchoring means and forcibly move them relatively to each other in longitudinal directions away from each other to retract said anchoring means from anchoring engagement with the well casing.

8. A well device, which includes a tubular body. an expander slidable 'on said body, slips cooperable with said expanderfor anchoring said device in a well casing, means coupling said slips for movement in unison, a tubular mandrel,-an at tachment securing said mandrel to said body, an abutment on said body for engagement with said expander, an abutment on said mandrel for engagement with said coupling means, said at- .tachment between said mandrel and body beingsuch as to efiect relative longitudinal movement between said mandrel and body upon relative rotation between said mandrel and body to cause said abutments to engage said expander and coupling means and forcibly move said expander and slips relatively to eachother in longitudinal directions away from each other to retract said slips from anchoring engagement with the well casing.

REUBEN C. BAKER.