US2798558A

US2798558A - Well completion apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2798558A
Application number: US480859A
Authority: US
Inventors: Thomas B Mcculloch
Original assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co
Current assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Co
Priority date: 1955-01-10
Filing date: 1955-01-10
Publication date: 1957-07-09
Anticipated expiration: 1974-07-09

Description

July 9, 1957 T- B. M CULLOCH WELL COMPLETION APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan l0 1955 INVENTOR. fl-- /P.

July 9, 1957 T. B. MOCULLOCH WELL COMPLETION APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledQJan. 10, 4955 IN V EN TOR. fl-- I? FIG. 4.

July 9, 1957 T. B. MOCULLOCH WELL COMPLETION APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 10, 1955 IN VEN TOR.

Casi/1 WELL coMPLErroN APPARATUS Thomas B. McCulloeh, Houston, Tex., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Esso Research and Engineering Compauy, Elizabeth, N. .l., a corporation of Delaware Application January 10, 1955, Serial No. 480,859

14 Claims. or. 166-115) The present invention is directed to apparatus for use in wells having a casing arranged therein. More particularly, the invention is directed to conducting well completion and servicing operations below the lower open end of a tubing arranged in a casing. in its more specific aspects, the invention is directed to apparatus for conducting operations in a well casing without manipulating tubing therein.

The present invention may be briefly described as apparatus for use in wells having a casing arranged therein and a tubing positioned in the casing withits lower open end at a level above 'a plurality of productive earth formations or intervals. The apparatus comprises packing means arranged adjacent the lower end of the tubing isolating the annulus between the casing and the tubing from the productive intervals or formations below the lower end of the tubing in the casing. An elongated conduit means extends through the packing means to allow fluid communication between the annulus with the casing below the packing means and below the lower open end of the tubing. The conduit means is provided with a valve means arranged therein operable by pressure imposed on the valve means to open up fiu id communication between the annulus and the casing below the packing means.

It is contemplated that the valve means may be arranged in the annulus above the packing means and may States Pat comprise asingle valve member operable under pressure imposed on the annulus but may comprise a first and a second valve member, the first valve member being openable by pressure imposed thereon through the annulus and the second valve member being openable by pressure exerted on the second valve member through the tubing which is in lluid communication therewith through the elongated conduit and the lower open end of the tubing.

Ztis contemplatedin the practice "of the present invention that the elongated conduit may include and/ or have arranged within or on the conduit a telescopic member adapted for slidable movement with respect to the conduit means to lengthen the conduit means by pressure imposed thereon through the valve means.

It is further contemplated in the practice of the present invention that the elongated member with or without the telescopic member may have at least one lateral port but preferably a plurality of lateral ports to allow fluid to be transported and/ or directed laterally below the packing in the casing. In short, the conduit means if not provided with a telescopic member may have one or more lateral ports arranged therein or, if provided with a telescopic member, the telescopic member may be provided with a plurality of lateral ports or at least one lateral port intermediate its ends.

The present invention is of considerable utility and value since it allows operations to be conducted through the tubing and below the lower open end of the tubing without manipulating the tubing. Such operations may include gun perforating, cementing, acid-izing, treating the well with fluid, such as fracturing fluid, to open up the formations, treating the well casing below the tubing and 2,798,558 Patented July 9, 1957 packer with corrosion inhibitor to prevent corrosion of exposed surfaces of the casing, secondary recovery operations such as by gas or other fluid injection, washing sand outof the casing, and the like.

The present invention will be further illustrated by reference to the drawing in which:

Fig. 1 shows a view of the apparatus of the present invention arranged in a cased and tubed well extending below a packer;

Fig. 2 shows a telescopic arrangement of the apparatus of the present invention with a two-way valve with the lower open end of the tubing arranged at a level above a plurality of productive intervals;

Fig. 3 shows the telescopic joint of Fig. 2 in a retracted position;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing gun perforating with the apparatus of Figs. 2 and 3;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the telescopic structure and valve of Figs. 2 to 4;

Fig. 6 is a modified apparatus showing a conduit means with lateral ports, specifically lateral ports in the telescopic member; and

Figs. 7 and 8 are sectionalviews ot a stilliurther em- 'bodiment.

Referring now to the drawing, numeral 11 designates the earths surface from which a borehole 1 2 has been drilled having a casing 13 arranged therein and cemented in place withtprimary cement 1'4. Atubing 15 is arranged in the casing 13 with its lower open end 16 at a level above an oilsand, such as 17.

The annulus 18 between the tubing 15 and the casing 13 is sealed with a packer l9 which isolates the annulus 18 from the space 20 below the lower open end 16 of the tubing and the packer 19. Extending through and sealed by the packer 19 is an elongated condnit member 121 which may be attached by attaching means to the tubing 15. The elongated-conduitmeans 21 is provided with a valve member 23 which may be a valve of the nature described by Carlisle -et al. in U. S. "Patent 2,654,436, which is openable by pressure imposed on the annulus 18. The casing-13 :and the cement 14 have been perforated to form perforations 24opposit'e the oil sand 17 to allo production therefrom as desired.

Referring now to Fig. 2,a tubing, such as 15, is arranged in the well casing 13, as shown, and has :a packer 19 isolating the annulus 18 from the space 20. In this embodiment, a modified conduit .34 provided with a telescopic member 35 extends through the packer 18 and may be attached :to the tubing 15 by a connecting means 315. The conduit means 34 is provided with a two-way valve 37 of the nature described more fully hereinafter. The conduit means 34 with its telescopic member 35 allows the eflective length of the conduit member 34 to be increased, as shown.

It is to be noted that the casing 13 penetrates a plura-b ity of productive intervals or sands, such as 17, 2s, 27, 28, and 29 which are separated by

nonproductive intervals

30, 31, 32and 33.

Fig. 3 is similar to Fig. 2 but shows the telescopic member 35 in its raised position in the conduit 34.

Referring now to Fig. 4, a slight modification of the embodiment of Figs. 2 and 3 is presented in that the conduit .34 is shown attached to the tubing 15 by attaching means 36 at a level substantially above the level of the packer 19, such that the telescopic member 35 may be retrieved upwardly in the conduit 34 to provide a nonobstructed space It) the casing 13 below the packer 19. This is desirable to allow :a tubing gun periorator, such as 38, having a plurality :of spaced apart bullet or shaped charge guns 39 arranged therein to form perforations, such as 24, in the casing 13below the packer .19. in the dotted lines the telescopic member 35 is shown in its lower position.

Referring now to Fig. 5, it will be seen that the two-way valve 37 is comprised of an upper valve member 40 and a lower valve member 41 arranged in the valve means 37. The valve member 37 is connected threadably to the conduit 34 by mating threads 42 and arranged within the conduit 34 is the telescopic member 35. that lock springs 43 attached to the interior wall of the conduit 34 by attaching means 44 are provided to engage with a locking groove 45 on the upper end 46 of the telescopic member 35. A seal between the interior wall of the conduit 34 and the exterior wall of the telescopic member 35 is provided by having a sealing member, such as an O-ring 47, arranged in an O-ring groove 48 in the member 35. The space 49 between the telescopic member 35 and the conduit 34 is provided with a bleeder port 50 for escape of any fluids which may be trapped therein.

The valve 40 is comprised of a valve member 51 biased into seating engagement with seat 52 by a biasing means or spring member 53 arranged between the valve member 51 and the shoulder 54. The valve member 41 is comprised of a valve means 55 biased against a seat 56 by biasing means or spring 57 between the member 55 and the shoulder 58 in the valve member 37.

The valve member 40 communicates through a lateral passageway 60 with the passageway 61 and thence with the interior of the conduit 34 while the valve member 41 communicates through a port 62 with the passageway 61. In other Words, pressure exerted through the passageway 61 opens the valve 55 and holds the valve 51 in closed position while suflicient pressure exerted through the port 63 opens the valve 51 but holds the valve 55 in closed position.

Referring now to Fig. 6, it will be seen that the telescopic member 35 has been modified to provide a modified telescopic member 70 having a plurality of lateral ports 71 arranged intermediate the ends of the telescopic member 70. The lower end 72 of the member 70 may be opened or closed as may be desired.

Referring now to Figs. 7 and 8, another modification of the present invention is described in which a telescopic member, such as 80, is threadably connected by mating threads 81 to a two-way valve member 37 comprised of

valves

40 and 41 as described with respect to Fig. 5. The telescopic member 80 extends through the packing member 19 and is provided with a tubular member 80 arranged therein on which a slidable member 82 is provided. This slidable member 82 has an outwardly extending annular shoulder 83 which serves as a piston member in a manner which will be described. The piston member 83 is suitably sealed by means of O-

rings

84 and 85 arranged, respectively, in

recesses

86 and 87 and by an O-ring 88 arranged in a recess 89'.

The member 82 is normally biased into its retracted position as shown in Fig. 7 by means of biasing means, such as a helical coil spring 89, arranged between the shoulder or piston 83 and an inwardly directed shoulder 90 on the lower end of the member 80. A suitable seal between the member 82 and the shoulder 90 is provided by O-

rings

91 and 92 arranged in

recesses

93 and 94, respectively.

A coupling member, such as 95, connects a port 96 in the wall of member 80 and communicates the interior of member 80 with a small conduit 97 which extends to a source of fluid pressure, preferably at the earths surface.

The present invention, as stated, is quite useful in several different Ways. For example, the invention may operate as follows with respect to Fig. 1:

For example, if it is desired to inject a fluid, such as a corrosion inhibitor, below the packer 19, a corrosion inhibitor, such as one available to the art, may be introduced into casing 13 below the packer 19 by flowing same down the annulus 18 and thence by imposing suflicient pressure on the valve 23 causing same to open and allow It is to be noted the corrosion inhibitor to flow through the conduit 21 and thence upwardly into the space 20 along with corrosive well fluids produced through perforations 24 from the sand 17. To conduct such operations, the corrosion inhibitor is introduced into the annulus 18 by line 7 controlled by valve 6 and the produced fluids are obtained through the well head equipment 10 through conduit 9 controlled by valve 8.

The embodiment of Fig. 2 shows a two-way valve in the conduit 34 and the telescopic member 35. This embodiment is useful for well treating operations and may be particularly useful in cementing operations. For example, the productive interval 21 may have been perforated to form perforations, such as 24, and it is desired to seal these perforations 24 with cement. Under these conditions, suflicient pressure would then be imposed on the annulus 18 which would work against the head 46 of the telescopic joint 35 and would cause same to be extended into the region of perforations 24. Fluid cement, such as that described in United States Patent 2,582,459, issued to Salathiel, an oil emulsion cement, or an oil slurry of cement, or any type of cement useful in well cementing operations may then be flowed from the annulus 18 through the conduit 34 and the telescopic member 35 to deposit same as a body 14a in the casing 13 to seal the perforations 24'. Thereafter, after the perforations 24' have been scaled by having a filter cake of cement deposited therein, flow may then be reversed down through the tubing 15 and upwardly through the open end 35a of the telescopic joint 35 to remove excess fluid cement from the body 14a. It is to be noted that substantially all of the body 14a may be removed or that the level 14b of the body of cement 14a may only partially be removed. In other words, the device of the present invention may act as a cement plug cutter. After the cement body 14a has been partially or completely removed from the space 20, additional pressure exerted through the space 20 against the restricted opening 35a will cause the joint 35 to move upwardly in the conduit 34 and the lock groove 45 engage with the lock spring 43 as shown in Fig. 5.

In the modification of Fig. 4, the elongated conduit 34 is arranged above the packer 19 such that substantially only a small portion of the conduit 34 extends below the packer 19 and substantially only the telescopic joint 35 extends below the packer 19. This allows a gun perforator, such as 38, to be lowered through the tubing and fired to perforate the casing 13 and form perforations 24 circumferentially on the casing 13.

By reference to Fig. 1 it will be seen that the perforations 24 were only formed away from the conduit 21 such that the conduit 21 would not be destroyed by firing a gun perforator.

The embodiment of Fig. 5 operates as has been described to raise and/or lower the telescopic joint 35.

With respect to the device of Fig. 6, this embodiment is particularly useful for injecting fluids laterally in the space 20 below the packer 19, such as when it is desired to protect the casing 13 against corrosion by corrosive well fluids. This will allow the corrosion inhibitor to be introduced from the annulus 18 laterally in the casing 13 below the packer 19.

The device of Figs. 7 and 8 operates similarly to the preceding embodiments excepting that pressure is supplied separately to the space 96 through conduit 97 from the earths surface. Thus, when pressure is exerted in space 96 suflicient to overcome the force of the biasing means 89, the member 82 is forced downwardly compressing the biasing means 89 and causing the member 82 to project below the packer 19, as shown in Fig. 8, and thus effectively providing communication for conducting operations below the lower open end of the tubing 15 while yet providing a full opening tubing.

The two-way valve 37 made up of

valve members

40 and 41 operates as described with respect to Fig. 5 and similar parts of the two-way valve 37 have been designated by identical numerals. After the operations have been conducted, such as cementing, acidizing, Washing, treating, and the like as has been described, the pressure is released from theinterior ofmember 80 through conduit 97 and the spring member 39 returns the member 82 to its retracted position as shown in Fig. 7. i

It is to be noted that the member 80 is provided with a port 100 to allow escape of any fluids trapped below the member 83.

The apparatus of the present invention, and particularly the embodiments of Figs. 2 to 5, inclusive, is also useful in removing sand from wells. For example, the telescopic joint 35 may be positioned to rest on the upper level of a body of sand in the casing 13. By flowing a washing fluid, such as oil, fresh water, salt water, and the like, from the annulus 18 down through conduit 34 and joint 35, the level of sand is diminished and the sand is washed from the well with the washing fluid flowing up tubing 15.

It will be seen from the foregoing description of the present invention that numerous advantages are possible with the apparatus described. The tubing is left full opening for lowering of a gun perforator therethrough or for lowering of other well completing and/or servicing apparatus as may be desired. No equipment is required for well servicing and recompletion operations, such as in cementing, acidizing and the like, except pumping means since the conduit of the present invention is openable by pressure imposed on the annulus or through the tubing. Furthermore, the tubing is placed in the well permanently and need not be manipulated; all subsequent operations are conducted as have been described.

While the invention has been described with the elongated conduit shown connected to the tubing, this conduit need not be connected to the tubing but may be connected to the casing or supported by the packer 19.

The nature and objects of the present invention having been completely described and illustrated, what I wish to claim as new and useful and to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Apparatus for use in wells having a casing arranged therein and a tubing positioned in said casing with its lower open end at a level above a plurality of productive earth intervals which comprises, packing means arranged adjacent the lower end of said tubing isolating the annulus between the casing and tubing from the productive intervals below the lower end of said tubing, elongated conduit means extending through said packing means adapted to communicate fluidly the annulus with said casing below the packing means, valve means arranged in said elongated conduit means openable by pressure imposed thereon to open up fluid communication between the annulus and the casing below said packing means, and a telescopic member arranged within said conduit means for slidable movement therein adapted to lengthen said conduit means.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which the telescopic member is provided with means for moving same from a retracted to an extendedposition and vice versa.

3. Apparatus for use in wells having a casing arranged therein and a tubing positioned in said casing with its lower open end at a level above a plurality of productive earth intervals which comprises, packing means arranged adjacent the lower end of said tubing isolating the annulus between the casing and tubing from the productive intervals below the lower end of said tubing, elongated conduit means extending through said packing means adapted to communicate fluidly the annulus with said casing below the packing means, and valve means arranged in said elongated conduit means openable by pressure imposed thereon to open up fluid communication between the annulus and the casing below said packing means, and a telescopic member arranged within said conduit means for slidable movement therein adapted to lengthen said I adjacent the lower end of said tubing isolating the annulus between the casing and tubing from the productive intervals below the lower end of said tubing, elongated conduit means extending through said packing means adapted to communicate fluidly'the annulus with said casing below the packing means, valve means arranged in said 'elongated conduit means openable by pressure imposed thereon through the annulus and the tubing to open up fluid communication between the annulus and the casing below said packing means, said valve means comprising a first valve member openable by pressure imposed on the annulus and a second valve member openable by pressure imposed through the tubing, and a telescopic member arranged within said conduit means for slidable movement therein adapted to lengthen said conduit means by pressure imposed on said telescopic member.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 5 in which the conduit means is provided with a releasable locking member engageable with the telescopic member to lock the telescopic member within said conduit means.

7. Apparatus for injecting a corrosion inhibitor in wells having a casing arranged therein and a tubing positioned in said casing with its lower open end at a level above a plurality of productive earth intervals which comprises, packing means arranged adjacent the lower end of said tubing isolating the annulus between the casing and tubing from the productive intervals below the lower end of said tubing, elongated. conduit means extending through said packing means adapted to communicate fluidly the annulus with said casing below the packing means, and valve means arranged in said elongated conduit means above said packing rneans openable by pressure imposed thereon to open up fluid communication between the annulus and the casing below said packing means, said elongated conduit means being provided with a plurality of lateral ports arranged therein below said packer means for injecting corrosion inhibitor into said casing below said packer.

8. Apparatus for use in wells having a casing arranged therein and a tubing positioned in said casing with its lower open end at a level above a plurality of productive intervals and in which a packing means is provided in the annulus between the tubing and casing adjacent the lower end of the tubing which comprises, elongated conduit means extending through said packing means to communicate fluidly the annulus with said casing below the packing means, a telescopic member arranged within said conduit means for slidable movement between first and second positions and vice versa to change the length of said conduit means, and valve means arranged in said elongated conduit means operable by pressure imposed thereon to open up fluid communication between the annulus and the casing below said packing means.

9. Apparatus in accordance with claim 8 in which the valve means is arranged in the conduit means above the packing means.

10. Apparatus in accordance with claim 8 in which the conduit means is provided with at least one lateral port intermediate its ends adapted to be positioned below the packing means.

11. Apparatus in accordance with claim 8 in which the valve means comprises first and second valve members, said first valve member being operable on imposition of fluid pressure through the annulus and said second valve member being operable on imposition of fluid pressure within the casing below the packing means.

12. Apparatus for use in wells having a casing arranged therein and a tubing positioned in said casing with its lower open end at a level above a plurality of productive earth intervals which comprises, packing means arranged adjacent the lower end of said tubing isolating the annulus between the casing and tubing from the productive intervals below the lower end of said tubing, elongated conduit means extending through said packing means adapted to communicate fluidly the annulus with said casing below the packing means, and valve means arranged in said elongated conduit means openable by pressure imposed thereon to open up fluid communication between the annulus and the casing below said packing means, said elongated conduit means being provided with means for fluidly communicating the annulus with the casing below said packing means at vertically spaced apart levels.

13. Apparatus in accordance with claim 12 in which the means for fluidly communicating the annulus with the casing below the packing means at vertically spaced apart levels is a telescopic member slidably connected to said conduit means for movement between first and second positions and vice versa with respect to said conduit means to vary the length of said conduit means.

14. Apparatus in accordance with claim 12 in which the means for fluidly communicating the annulus with the casing below the packing means at vertically spaced apart levels comprises said elongated conduit means provided with at least one lateral port intermediate the ends of said conduit means and adapted to be positioned below the packing means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 7,772 Cross July 3, 1877 1,412,275 Cummings Apr. 11, 1922 2,543,814 Thompson et al Mar. 6, 1951 2,689,008 Allen et al Sept. 14, 1954

Claims

1. APPARATUS FOR USE IN WELLS HAVING A CASING ARRANGED THEREIN AND A TUBING POSITIONED IN SAID CASING WITH ITS LOWER OPEN END AT A LEVEL ABOVE A PLURALITY OF PRODUCTIVE EARTH INTERVALS WHICH COMPRISES, PACKING MEANS ARRANGED ADJACENT THE LOWER END OF SAID TUBING ISOLATING THE ANNULUS BETWEEN THE CASING AND TUBING FROM THE PRODUCTIVE INTERVALS BELOW THE LOWER END OF SAID TUBING, ELONGATED CONDUIT MEANS EXTENDING THROUGH SAID PACKING MEANS ADAPTED TO COMMUNICATE FLUIDLY THE ANNULUS WITH SAID CASING BELOW THE PACKING MEANS, VALVE MEANS ARRANGED IN SAID ELONGATED CONDUIT MEANS OPENABLE BY PRESSURE IMPOSED THEREON TO OPEN UP FLUID COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE ANNULUS AND THE CASING BELOW SAID PACKING MEANS, AND