US2798560A - Apparatus for obtaining fluid flow from wells - Google Patents

Description

July 9, 1957 T. o. ALLEN ETAL' APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING FLUID FLOW FROM WELLS Filed June 50, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Tho/77 as 0. A//e/7 6//be/-f h. Tamra/2 INVENTOR5 ATTORNEY July 9, 1957 T. o. ALLEN ET AL 2,798,560

APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING FLUID FLOW FROM WELLS Filed June 50, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F f i T4 r 29 :1 M 38 2,

a 1 l 22 I 5 3/ v 5/ j 50 "j 27 V INVENTORS o I H 37 United States Patent Office 2,798,569 Patented July 9, 1957 APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING FLUID FLOW FROM WELLS Thomas 0. Allen and Gilbert H. Tausch, Houston, Tern, assignors, by mesne assignments, to Essa Research and Engineering Company, Elizabeth, N. 3., a corporation of Delaware Application June 30, 1954, Serial No. 440,512

6 Claims. (Cl. 166-485) The present invention in directed to apparatus for obtaining fluid flow from wells. More particularly, the invention is directed to apparatus for obtaining fluid flow from a selected interval in a well. In its more specific aspects the invention is concerned with apparatus for use on tubular members lowered into the tubing string.

The present invention may be briefly described as apparatus for obtaining fluid flow from an earth stratum penetrated by a cased and tubed well in which the tubing is permanently located with its lower open end at a level a substantial distance above the earth stratum from which fluid flow is obtained. The apparatus comprises, in combination, an elongated tubular member open at both ends having vertically spaced apart first and second ports intermediate the ends of said tubular member. The elongated tubular member is adapted to be lowered through the tubing and to be supported in the lower end of the tubing to increase the effective length of the tubing to said earth stratum. The tubular member is provided with a supporting means on the upper end of the tubular member and a deformable packing member is carried on the tubular member to enclose the ports. The deformable packing member has an external diameter when collapsed smaller than the internal diameter of the tubing to allow the packing member to be lowered on the tubular member through the tubing. The tubular member has a first valve means arranged thereon within the deformable member in fluid communication with the first port to allow fluid flow from the tubular member through the port to expand the deformable member but to restrict fluid flow from the space inside the deformable member into the tubular member. Expansion of the deformable member causes same to seal with the wall of the casing. A second valve means is provided in the tubular member normally closing the second port. A releasable first restriction means is arranged in the tubular member for restricting fluid flow through the tubular member for imposition of pressureon the first valve means to expand the deformable member. A second releasable restriction means is provided in the tubular member for imposing pressure on the second valve means to collapse the deformable member by pressure exerted on the exterior of the deformable member to cause fluid flow from the space enclosed by the deformable member into the tubular member.

The first valve is a back pressure valve which is arranged in fluid communication with the first port while the second valve means is a slidable valve which is normally held against the tubular member by frangible means such as a shear pin.

and retrieved therefrom by a wire line carrying a fishing tool.

The deformable packing member is provided with a slidable sleeve normally enclosing said deformable packing member when the tubular member is lowered through the tubing. Means are provided for moving the slidable sleeve from enclosing relationship with the deformable packing member to allow the latter to be expanded into sealing engagement with the wall of the casing.

The deformable packing member may be an internally reinforced member constructed of synthetic or natural rubber and the like. The internal reinforcement may be fabric cords and the like but preferably the internal reinforcement comprises steel stays or small diameter wire to prevent the packing member from becoming distorted or permanently deformed.

In the course of producing an oil well economically, it is sometimes necessary to prevent excessive salt water production. Ordinarily this may be accomplished by squeeze cementing the producing interval from which the salt water is being obtained to exclude the salt water from the well casing. In this common procedure the casing may be reperforated in the same interval, but removed from the salt water zone, to obtain oil and/or gas production. The problem in such selective exclusion methods of salt water has been to determine the source of the unwanted salt water in the well casing. This has been accomplished in the past by employment of a flowmeter survey but this solution has not been satisfactory because the flowmeters available do not distinguish oil and/or gas production from salt water production. Also, it is possible for oil production to underlie salt water production where the producing interval consists of lamellar sand beds or strata of varying permeability.

This problem is solved satisfactorily in the present invention by providing apparatus for use in a cased and tubed well where the tubing is permanently arranged above the highest of a series of lamellar sand beds or strata of varying permeability. In the present invention a tubular member is run through the tubing which carries a collapsed deformable packing member which serves to isolate selectively a portion of the perforated section to allow flow only from another portion of the perforated section in the casing.

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

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of the lower end of the apparatus of the present invention;

Fig. 2 illustrates the slidable sleeve for enclosing the packer;

Fig. 3 shows an arrangement of the apparatus of the present invention on a tubular member embodying a plurality of deformable members; and,

Fig. 4 is a sectional view showing the deformable member of Fig. 3 in the collapsed position.

Referring now to the drawings in which identical numerals will be employed to designate identical parts, numeral 11 designates a borehole which has been drilled in the earths surface to penetrate a producing interval or stratum A from which hydrocarbons such as oil and/or gas, as Well as undesirable fluids such as salt water are being produced.

Arranged in the borehole 11 is a casing 12 which has been cemented in place with primary cement 13. The casing 12 and the cement 13 have been perforated, as with a tubing gun perforator, to form perforations 14 to open communication between the interior of the casing 12 and the sand A.

Since salt water production is being obtained from an undetermined zone in the interval A, it is desirable to isolate a portion of the perforated section and to obtain product-ion of fluid only from selected perforations. Under these conditions a tubular member, such as 15, is lowered through the tubing, such as 16, on a wire line, not shown, and landed in a landing nipple 17, such as illustrated in the Composite Catalog, page 4063, 19th edition, 1952-53. The space between the tubular member and the tubing 16 is sealed with a seal such as chevron packing 18. The tubular member 15 has a fishing neck 19 on its upper end for engagement with the fishing tool on the lower end of the wire line, not shown. The tubular member 15 may be provided with one or more deformable packing members 20 which are mounted on the tubular member 15 to enclose vertically spaced apart ports 21 and 22.

The deformable packing member is suitably constructed of deformable material such as natural or synthetic rubber and is internally reinforced with steel stays or Wires 23 which prevent the deformable material from taking a permanent set. The deformable packing member 20 is connected at its upper end to the tubular member 15 by sleeve or thimble 24 and at its lower end to the tubular member 15 by a second sleeve or thimble 25.

Arranged within the space 26, enclosed by the deformable packing member 20, is a back pressure valve 27 which fluidly communicates space 26 which the interior of the tubular member 15 through the port 21. The back pressure valve 27 may be of any conventional type back pressure valve and may be arranged interiorly or exteriorly of member 15 but is shown here as a valve including a housing 28 attached to the interior of the tubular member 15, enclosing a plunger 29 which is biased against flow backwardly into the tubular member by means of a spring 30.

Normally arranged in closed relationship with the port or ports 22 is a slidable valve member 31 which is held in sealing engagement with port or ports 22 by a frangible means such as a shear pin 32. The slidable valve member 31 is provided with O- rings 33 and 34 arranged in suitable recesses 35 and 36, respectively, to allow a seal between the interior of the tubular member 15 and the slidable valve 31.

The lower end of the tubular member 15 may be completely open or may be provided with a plurality of ports 37 for flow of fluid into the apparatus of the present invention.

The tubular member 15 has a restricted cross sectional area 38 such that flow through the tubular member may be restricted to impose pressure on the back pressure valve 27. Also the slidable sleeve 31 defines a restricted cross sectional area 39 which may be closed by suitable restriction means to allow imposition of pressure on the sleeve 31 to rupture the frangible means 32 and to open the passageway 22 for collapse of the deformable member 20 by well pressure imposed on the exterior thereof, causing fluid to flow into the tubular member.

Referring to Fig. 2 specificially, it will be noted that a movable sleeve 40 provided with a plurality of ports 41 serves to enclose deformable packing member 20 while lowering same through the tubing to protect the member 20 from damage by contact with the interior of the tubing 16. The upper end of the sleeve 40 is provided with dogs or latching means 42 for engagement with the landing nipple 17 to allow the deformable packing member 20 to be freed for expansion into sealing engagement.

Referring now specifically to Fig. 3, it will be seen that the tubular member 15 has been lowered into landing nipple 17 and carries a plurality of deformable packing members 20. In this particular instance it is desired to isolate the perforations 14 in the upper level of stratum A and to obtain fluid from the perforations 43 in a vertically displaced level of the stratum A or from a vertically displaced stratum, as the case may be. By providing a plurality of deformable members 20 the perforations 14 have been isolated and fluid flow is obtained through the perforations 43 as indicated by the arrows.

In operating the present invention, a tubing extension member 15, which carries a packer, such as 20, constructed of reinforced rubber having internal steel stays, or wire, will be run through the tubing 16 having an internal diameter of about one inch and constructed of lightweight aluminum pipe. The deformable member 20 is run in the collapsed and folded position covered by the sleeve 40. The tubular member 15 is lowered in the tubing 16 and supported in the landing nipple 17 such that a small amount of the perforated interval in the stratum A is exposed beneath the packer. Although in the specific example a landing nipple has been shown for supporting the tubular extension member, a slip-type hanger and other mechanical supporting means and seals may be employed. As the apparatus of the present invention is lowered into the open end of the tubing, the packer cover is removed by engaging with the landing nipple and the packer is freed for expansion. Thereafter, a retrievable bar plug, such as 50, having a fishing neck 51 is run in on a wire line and lowered into the extension. This bar plug may be allowed to seat in the area 38 which may have a passageway of about one-half inch. Fluid is then pumped into the tubing with a pump, not shown, located at the earths surface. Pressure is exerted upon the packer internally through the back pressure valve 27 which opens and allows fluid to flow into and fill the space 26. Pressure is then released from the tubing and the one-half inch bar plug, such as 50, is retrieved. The well may then be swabbed or gas-lifted to obtain a rate and fluid sample of the producing interval exposed beneath the packer.

The packer 20 constructed of rubber may be S to 10 feet in length in order to blank ofi the upper section of the producing interval or to prevent flow past the packer rubber, since it is exposed to the pressure drawdown of the well. By using a long deformable packing member the packer will act as a diaphragm across the perforation holes.

The fluid is then conducted to the well-head through the tubular member 15 and the tubing 16 and conducted to a surface container and/ or meter, as desired, to ascertain the water percentage of the fluid obtained.

After obtaining a satisfactory flow of fluid of the inter val of stratum A, for example, enclosed by the deformable member 20, a 11-inch bar plug, such as has been illustrated, is lowered into the tubular member 15 through tubing 16 to seat in the passageway 39 as shown in Fig. 4 to restrict flow therethrough. Fluid is then pumped into the tubing with the pump at the surface, not shown, to shear the shear pin 32 which it is designed to rupture at a predetermined pressure. This causes the sleeve 31 to move downwardly to expose the ports 22 which serve to collapse the deformable member 20 by pressure exerted on the exterior surface of the deformable member 20 by imposing pressure in the annulus 60 above the packer 20 It is to be understood that the size of the tubular extension member 15 may vary from 1 inch and the size of the sleeve 31 defining the passageway 39 may also vary. Likewise, the area of passageway 38 may also be varied.

The packer sleeve 40 may be removed as has been described, or it may be removed by manipulation of the tubular member 15 back into the tubing 16 to force the cover off the packer 20.

It is to be understood that I may provide a plurality of packer members 20 on the extension member 15 to obtain flow from increments of the producing interval.

Many modifications of the present invention are possible. For example, instead of using a retrievable bar plug other retrievable seating members may be used. It is only necessary that a retrievable means may be used to close off the passageway through the tubular member to allow pressure to be imposed to expand the packer and to open the valve to allow deflating of the packer.

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

1. Apparatus for obtaining fluid flow from an earth stratum penetrated by a cased and tubed well in which the tubing is permanently located with its lower open end at a level a substantial distance above the earth stratum from which fluid flow is obtained which comprises, in combination, an elongated tubular member open at both ends having vertically spaced apart first and second ports intermediate the ends of said tubular member adapted to be lowered through the tubing and to be supported in the lower end of the tubing to increase the effective length of the tubing to said earth stratum, sup porting means on the upper end of said tubular member, means on the lower end of said tubing adapted to engage said supporting means for supporting said tubular member, a deformable packing member carried on said tubular member enclosing said ports having an external diameter when collapsed smaller than the internal diameter of the tubing for lowering through said tubing, first valve means arranged on said tubular member within said deformable member in fluid communication with said first port adapted to allow fluid flow from said tubular member only to expand said deformable member into sealing engagement with the casing, second valve means in said tubular member normally closing said second port, removable first restriction means positionable in said tubular member below said first port for restricting fluid passage through said tubular member to impress fluid pressure on said first valve means to open said first valve means and thereby expand said deformable member, and removable second restriction means seatable on said second valve means in said tubular member by impressing fluid pressure on said second restriction means for opening said second valve means thereby collapsing said deformable member.

2. Apparatus for obtaining fluid flow from an earth stratum penetrated by a cased and tubed well in which the tubing is permanently located with its lower open end at a level a substantial distance above the earth stratum from which fluid flow is obtained which comprises, in combination, an elongated tubular member open at both ends having vertically spaced apart first and second ports intermediate the ends of said tubular member adapted to be lowered through the tubing and to be supported in the lower end of the tubing to increase the effective length of the tubing to said earth stratum, supporting means on the upper end of said tubular member, a deformable packing member carried on said tubular member enclosing said ports having an external diameter when collapsed smaller than the internal diameter of the tubing for lowering through said tubing, a removable sleeve provided with latching means and normally enclosing said deformable packing member when lowered through said tubing, means on the lower end of said tubing adapted to engage with said latching means to prevent further downward movement of said sleeve, the upper end of said sleeve being adapted to engage with said supporting means for supporting said tubular member, first valve means arranged on said tubular member within said deformable member in fluid communication with said first port adapted to allow fluid flow from said tubular member only to expand said deformable member into sealing engagement with the casing, second valve means in said tubular member normally closing said second port, removable first restriction means positionable in said tubular member below said first port for restricting fluid passage through said tubular member to impress fluid pressure on said first valve means to open said first valve means and thereby expand said deformable member, and removable second restriction means seatable on said second valve means in said tubular member for opening said second valve means by impressing fluid pressure on said second restriction means thereby collapsing said deformable member.

-3. Apparatus for obtaining fluid flow from an earth stratum penetrated by a cased and tubed well in which the tubing is permanently located with its lower open end at a level a substantial distance above the earth stratum from which a fluid flow is obtained which comprises, in combination, an elongated tubular member open at both ends having vertically spaced apart first and second ports intermediate the ends of said tubular member adapted to be lowered through the tubing and to be supported in the lower end of the tubing to increase the effective length of the tubing to said earth stratum, supporting means on the upper end of said tubular member, an internally reinforced deformable packing member carried on said tubular member enclosing said ports having an external diameter when collapsed smaller than the in ternal diameter of the tubing for lowering through said tubing, a sleeve provided With latching means and normally enclosing said deformable packing member when lowered through said tubing, means on the lower end of said tubing adapted to engage with said latching means to prevent further downward movement of said sleeve, the upper end of said sleeve being adapted to engage with said supporting means for supporting said tubular member, a back pressure valve arranged on said tubular member within said deformable member in fluid communication with said first port adapted to allow fluid flow from said tubular member only to expand said deformable member into sealing engagement with the casing, a slidable valve in said tubular member normally closing said second port, removable first restriction means positionable in said tubular member below said first port for restricting fluid passage through said tubular member to impress fluid pressure on said back pressure valve to open said back pressure valve and thereby expand said deformable member, and removable second restriction means seatable on said slidable valve in said tubular member for opening said slidable valve by impressing fluid pressure on said second restriction means thereby collapsing said deformable member.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 in which the removable restriction means are retrievable bar plugs.

5. Apparatus for obtaining fluid flow from an earth stratum penetrated by a cased and tubed well in which the tubing is permanently located with its lower open end at a level a substantial distance above the earth stratum from which fluid flow is obtained which comprises, in combination, an elongated tubular member open at both ends having vertically spaced apart first and second ports intermediate the ends of said tubular member adapted to be lowered through the tubing and to be supported in the lower end of the tubing to increase the effective length of the tubing to said earth stratum, supporting means on the upper end of said tubular member, a deformable packing member carried on said tubular member enclosing said ports having an external diameter when collapsed smaller than the internal diameter of the tubing for lowering through said tubing, a sleeve provided with latching means normally enclosing said deformable packing member when lowered through said tubing, means positioned on said tubing for engaging with said latching means for removing said sleeve from enclosing relationship with said deformable packing member, said sleeve being adapted to engage with said supporting means for supporting said tubular member, a back pressure valve arranged on said tubular member within said deformable member in fluid communication with said first port adapted to allow fluid flow from said tubular member only to expand said deformable member into sealing engagement with the casing, a slidable valve in said tubular member normally closing said second port, a first retrievable bar plug positionable in said tubular member below said first port for restricting fluid passage through said tubular member to impress fluid pressure on said back pressure valve to open said back pressure valve and thereby expand said deformable member, and a second retrievable bar plug seatable on said slidable valve in said tubular mem- 7 her for opening said slidable valve by impressing fluid pressure on said second bar plug thereby collapsing said deformablemember.

6. Apparatus for obtaining fluid flow from an earth stratum penetrated by a cased and tubed well in which the tubing is permanently located with its lower open end at a level a substantial distance above the earth stratum from which fluid flow is obtained which comprises, in combination, an elongated tubular member open at both ends having vertically spaced apart first and second ports intermediate the ends of said tubular member adapted to be lowered through the tubing and to be supported in the lower end of the tubing to increase the effective length of the tubing to said earth stratum, supporting means on the upper end of said tubular member, a deformable packing member carried on said tubular member enclosing said ports having an external diameter when collapsed smaller than the internal diameter of the tubing for lowering through said tubing, a sleeve provided with latching means normally enclosing said deformable packing member when lowered through said tubing, means on the lower end of said tubing for engaging with said latching means for removing said sleeve from enclosing relationship with said deformable packing member the upper end of said sleeve being adapted to engage with said supporting means for supporting said tubular member, a back pressure valve arranged on said tubular member within said deformable member in fluid communication with said first port adapted to allow fluid flow from said tubular member only to expand said deformable member into sealing engagement with the casing, a slidable valve in said tubular member normally closing said second port, frangible means releasably connecting said slidable valve to said tubular member, a first retrievable bar plug positionable in said tubular member below said first port for restricting fluid passage through said tubular member to impress fluid pressure on said back pressure valve to open said back pressure valve and thereby expand said deformable member, and a second retrievable bar plug seatable on said slidable valve in said tubular member for opening said slidable valve by impressing fluid pressure on said second bar plug thereby collapsing said deformable member.

No references cited.

Claims (1)

1. APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING FLUID FLOW FROM AN EARTH STRATUM PENETRATED BY A CASED AND TUBED WELL IN WHICH THE TUBING IS PERMANENTLY LOCATED WITH ITS LOWER OPEN END AT A LEVEL A SUBSTANTIAL DISTANCE ABOVE THE EARTH STRATUM FROM WHICH FLUID FLOW IS OBTAINED WHICH COMPRISES, IN COMBINATION, AN ELONGATED TUBULAR MEMBER OPEN AT BOTH ENDS HAVING VERTICALLY SPACED APART FIRST AND SECOND PORTS INTERMEDIATE THE ENDS OF SAID TUBULAR MEMBER ADAPTED TO BE LOWERED THROUGH THE TUBING AND TO BE SUPPORTED IN THE LOWER END OF THE TUBING TO INCREASE THE EFFECTIVE LENGTH OF THE TUBING TO SAID EARTH STRATUM, SUPPORTING MEANS ON THE UPPER END OF SAID TUBULAR MEMBER,

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