US2976933A

US2976933A - Multiple tubing string production apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2976933A
Application number: US704649A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jr Waldo W Henslee
Original assignee: Baker Oil Tools Inc
Current assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
Priority date: 1957-12-23
Filing date: 1957-12-23
Publication date: 1961-03-28
Anticipated expiration: 1978-03-28

Description

March 28, 1961 w. w. HENsLEE, JR 2,976,933

MULTIPLE TUBING STRING PRODUCTION APPARATUS Filed Dec. 25, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 E; o In EI/Galan WLQO W HNSLEE, Je

R. J4 INVENTO M Mm S i /rroeA/E Ys.

March 28, 1961 w. w. HENSLEE, JR 2,976,933

MULTIPLE TUBING STRING PRODUCTION APPARATUS Filed Deo. 23, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

PVMDO WHEMSLEE, (le.

l/ro. 2.

apparatus disclosed in 1;

ite

MULTIPLE TUBING STRiNG'PRoDUCTIoN APPARATUS Waldo `W. Henslee, Jr., Houston, Tex., assignor to lBaker l.Oil rlools, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of `California Filed Dee'zs, 1957, ser. No. 704,649 f s claims. (ci. 16a-24s),

The present invention relates to ``subsurface well bore apparatus, and more particularly to apparatus for establishing individual communication between different forfrom three different'producing zones in a well bore through three separate parallel strings of production tubing to the top of the well bore.

A further object of the invention is tovprovide producv tion apparatus for establishing communication between a plurality'offormation zones in "a well boreand'three parallel tubular production strings disposed* in the well bore, in which at least one of the tubularstrings is lowered in the well bore and vplaced in proper assembled relation with the other apparatus in the well bore after such other apparatus has been disposed in its appropriate ylocation inthe well bore.

An additional object of `the invention is ,to provide l production apparatus for establishing communication between a plurality of formation zones in a well bore and three parallel tubular production strings disposed in the well bore, in Which'the third` string canbe run inthe well bore and placed in yproper relationto the other apparatus in the Well bore after two other strings have been run simultaneously-in the well bore.

This invention possesses` many othera'dvantages, and has other objects which-may be made more yclearly apparent from a consideration of a form in'which it may be embodied. This form'is shown inthe drawings accompanying and forming-part of the 'present -vspecication. It will now be described in detail, for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention; but

it-is' to-be understood that such detaileddescription is -not to be taken "ina limiting sense, sincethejscope of the invention iis Ybest defined by the appended claims. f

l,Referring to --the drawings: n v AFigures 1 and A1a "together constitute a longitudinal rsectionfthrough well apparatus disposed ina well casing, partsbeingshown inside elevation, Fig. 1a constituting v a lower'continuation-"ofFig. 1;

Fig 2 is anenlarged longitudinal section' through the Fig. 3 is a cross-section taken along the line 3--3 on Fig, 2; N l Y y fFig. 4 is a side elevation ofthe trackvor guideportio'n 'of the apparatus.

kInjthespeciiic formof 'apparatusjshownin the drawings, it isdesiredtojconduct well production from threeflpngitudinally i"'spaced4 formation producing zones indi- AViidtlally"through threelst'ringsofktubingiltL '111, 12 tofthe Patent j zone can passpinto a well casing 13 through lower perforations 14, production from the Vintermediate zone can vpass into the well casing through an intermediate set of perforations 1S, and-production from an upper Zone can pass into the well casing through an upper set of casing perforations 16. The zones are separated by one another by suitable barrier devices. Thus, a lower packer 17 of any suitable type is anchored in packed-odi condition Vin the well casing between the lower Vand 'intermediate sets of perforations 14, 1S, an intermediate packer 18 is anchored in packed-olf condition in the 'well casing between the intermediate and upper sets of perforations 15', 16 whereas an upperzpacker` 19 is anchored in packedyoil condition inthe well casingfabove the upper setof perforations 16. TheseY packers are shown diagrammatically in the drawings, and may be of the specilic vtype shown in yUnited States Patent Nos. -2,189,701, and 2,630,865. The three parallel strings of

tubing

10, 11, 12 that are disposed in the well casing arerelated individuall to re- Vceive production from one of the zones.k Thus, the'rst string of tubing 10 is in communication with an inner tubing string 2t) which extends through all packers to a location belowthe lower packer 17. :Thiswinner tubing string has suitable sealing devices or.. members (21 thereon adapted to seal against thewallof the` passage"22 through the lower packer. This passage y'22 has 'an smaller inside 'diameter than the passageV 423 through the intermediate passage '24 Vthrough the upperY packer '119.

,"Asecond string of vtubing V1-1 A is yadal'itedto 'receive production passing into the casing through fthe'intermediate/set of perforations f15. Communicationis established .between the second tubular string "l1-andan intermediate ltubing string 25 which surroundstheinn'er tubing string 20and Vis spaced 'therefrom to 'provide 'an vannular pas- "sage 26 for the ilow 'f-fluid. This intermediate tubing string 25 has suitable seal membersv 27 "thereon-'adapted to sealingly 'engage'the vwall "of the intermediate' packer 18.

VThe third -stringiof tubing '12 f'isfadapted to "reeeiw,

production passing intorthe Vcasing fthrough the upper set of perforations 16. This third string of tubing is in communication with an upper tubular member or string 23 which surrounds the lintermediate tubing'string 25 and is-'in spaced relation therewith--to-p`rovide an annular passage 29 for the flow of'flu'id. The'upper tubing string 28 has suitable packing 30 thereon to make sealing engagement with the wall ofthe passage 24'through Vthe upper packer. The'lower'endl -of such -upp'er tubular string is adapted to rest upon"a- 'shoulder 32 in the upper packer k19 so as to appropriately locate

theseal members

27, 21 of the

intermediateand'lower tubing strings

25, 20 Within'theirrespectiveintermediate-and

lower Vpackers

18, 17. f y

v The first, second and third

tubular strings

10, 11, 12,

y which extend lto the top of the well bore, are placed in 6`0 appropriate communication with* the inner tubing string Ztl, the a'nnulusV 26, between they inner 'and vintermediate tubular strings20, 25, and the annulus 29 between the intermediate and uppertubin'g stringsi25, 28 bymeans Y of a flow directingh'ead 33`which isconnected tothe Y'the ylower threaded bore `34tor threadedly receiving'the upper end ofthe intermediate 'tubingstring 25,' andit also has `an upper threaded bore 36 coaxial with the'other threaded bores for threadedlyreceivingthe'uppr'hd of' Vto the top of the well bore.

To one side of the threaded box 37 for the first stringV of tubing 10, the head 33 is provided with a second threaded box 39 into which the lower end of the second tubular string 11 is threadedly received, this threaded box opening downwardly into a passage 40 that opens into the annular space 41 between the upper portion of the inner tubular string 20 and an intermediate passage 42 in the head opening into the intermediate threaded bore 35, thus establishing communication between the annular space 26 between the inner and

intermediate tubing strings

20, 25 and the second tubing string 11.

The thirdtubing string 12 is adapted to be disposed Within a tubularreceptacle 43, the lower end of which is threaded within a third threaded box 44 in the upper portion of the head 33, this threaded box communicating with a passage 45 extending downwardly through the head and opening into a lower passage 46 communicating with the lower threaded bore 34, so that fluid from the annulus 29 between the intermediate and

upper tubing strings

25, 28 can ow through the

head passages

46, 45 into the tubing receptacle 43, and thence into the third string of tubing 12. For convenience of manufacture, part of the passage 45 through the head 33 may be milled therein through the side wall of the head, the side of the passage being closed by a suitable plate 47 welded to the head and, in eect, constituting a part thereof. To prevent leakage of fluid between the third tubular string 12 and the receptacle I43, suitable side seals 48 are provided on the lower portion of the third string 12 for sealingly engaging the wall of the receptacle.

From the description which has been given above, it will be evident that production from the lower formation zone can flow through the lower set of perforations 14 into the casing 13, then proceeding upwardly through the inner tubular string 20 and the rst flow passage 38 in the head 33 into the first tubular string 10, to be conducted Production from the intermediate zone can pass through the intermediate casing perforations 15 to the interior of the casing, then flowing upwardly through the annulus 26 between the inner and

intermediate tubing strings

20, 25 into the intermediateV production flow passage 42 in the head 33, thence through the second passage 40 in the head and Vinto the second string of tubing 11, to be conducted thereby to the top of the'well bore. Production from the upper producing zone can pass through the upper casing perforations 16 into the well casing, flowing through the annulus 29 between the intermediate string 25 and upper packer 19, as well as this same annulus between the intermediate string and the upper tubing string 28 into the

third head passage

46, 45, from where the production is carried through the tubing receptacle 43 into the third string of tubing v12 for conveyance to the top of the well bore. Since the

well packers

17, 18, 19 isolate the producing zones from one another, the casing being cemented betweenv the zones, and `in view of the sealing relationship between the

packing elements

21,27, 30 on the inner, intermediate and

upper tubing strings

20, 25, 28 with the lower, intermediate and upper packers, the well production is conducted separately from each producing zone through its own individual tubular string to the top of the well bore. Y

The apparatus Iillustrated -is run in `the well Vcasing in a predetermined sequence. Thus, the lower packer 17 is run` in the well casing 13 and yanchoredin packed-off condition therewithin between the lower and intermediate sets of

perforations

14, 15. The intermediate packer 1,8-

is then run in the well casing and anchored in packed-olf condition therewithin between the intermediate and upper 2,976,9ss f f e sets of

perforations

15, 16. The upper packer 19 is then run in the well casing and anchored in packed-oil condition therewithin above the upper set of perforations 16. The locations of these packers are known, so that appropriate lengths of inner, intermediate and

upper tubing strings

20, 25, 2S can be employed to secure a proper sealing relation between such tubing strings and the lower, intermediate and upper packers.

The upper end of the inner tubing string 20 is threaded within the upper threaded bore 36 of the flow directing head 33, this inner tubing string having its sealing members 21 mounted thereon. The intermediate tubing string 25, `disposed over the inner tubing string 20, is threaded into the intermediate threaded bore 35 in the ow directing head 33, this intermediate tubing string also having its seal members 27 mounted thereon. The upper tubing string 28, which is disposed around the intermediate tubing string 25, is threaded into the lower threaded bore 34 in the head. 'Ihe rst tubular string 10 is then threaded into its companion bore 37 in the upper portion of the head, and the lower end of the second tubular string 11 is also threadedly `secured within its companion threaded bore 39. The tubing receptacle is threaded in its bore 44. rDhis combination of apparatus with the rst and

second tubing strings

10, 11 threaded to the head 33 is then lowered in the well casing by means of additional stands or sections of rst tubular string and second tubular string, which are coupled to the companion sections therebelow until the inner, intermediate and

upper tubing strings

20, 25, 28 are appropriately disposed within their

respective well packers

17, 18, 19, as determined by engagement of the upper tubing string 28 with the shoulder 32 in the upper packer.

At this time, the seal members 21 of the inner tubing String 2@ are sealingly engaging the wall of the lower packer passage 22; the seal members 27 of the intermediate tubing string 25 are sealingly engaging the wall of the intermediate packer passage Z3; and the seal member 30 on the upper tubing string 28 is sealingly engaging the wall of the upper packer passage 24. The first tubular string 10 and the second tubular string 11 are thus appropriately related to the inner vtubing string Ztl and the annulus 26 between the inner and

intermediate tubing string

20, 25, so that production from the lower zone can be conveyed into the iirst string 10 and production from the intermediate production zone into the second tubing string 1'1. At this time, however, the third tubing string 12 has not been disposed in the well bore, although its receptacle 43 has been threaded into the threaded box 44 in the upper portion of the head, 33 preparatory to lowering of the apparatus in the well casing. After the apparatus has been ylowered in the well casing and appropriately related to the packers therewithin, the third string of tubing 12 can be lowered in the well casing and is to be positively guided or steered into its receptacle 43. The structure for accomplishing this purpose will now be described.

By referring to Fig. 3, it will be noted that the threaded

boxes

37, 39, 44 in the upper portion of the flow directing head 33 are not in line with one another, but are arranged in triangular fashion and rather closely clustered with respect to one another.r The threaded box 37 for the rst tubular string 10 may be disposed near the axis or center of the ilow directing head, whereas the threaded .t 33, such space' existing from the threaded box 39v of the second tubular string 11 in a counter-.clockwise direc- `spacefexists in a clockwise direction'between the threaded box 39 for the second tubularstring 11 and the threaded 4boxflffor the receptacle 43j. Track or. guiding devices l5t), 51 aredisposed in these annularspaces so as to `'guide the third tubular string 12into`the receptacle 43 upon its lowering into the well casing 13.

As shown, one arcuate track member 50 extends bedtween the'threaded'box .39"for the second tubular string 11 and past the threaded box 37 for the first tubular string A10 to the receptacle 43, its lower portion being suitably secured to the head 33 by welding. This track 'section A50* extends upwardly'to a height Iabove the upper end of the tubing receptacle 43, and is disposed laterally between the threaded box 37 for the first tubular string 10 and the periphery of the head 33. Its upper end 52 is tapered in a downward direction from a position jadjacent the second tubular string 11 to a position adjacent Ythe tubing receptacle 43 or the location of the third tubular string 12, and, in addition, this .upper tapered Yend 52 of the track or guide is also beveled in an inward direction, as is shown most clearly in Fig. 4. Similarly, the relatively short track or guide section 51 -is disposed between the threaded box 39 for the vsecond tubular string 11 and the threaded box v44 for the receptacle 43- adjacent the periphery of the head 33. Its lower end is secured, as by welding, to the upper end of the head 33, and its upper end 53 extendsv above the upper end of the tubing receptacle 43. The upper endy 53 kof this guide tapers in a downward direction from the second string of tubing 11 to-the location of the receptacle 43 or third tubular string 12', the lowerrnost end.54 of the taper, as well as the lowermost end 55 of the taper on the other track or `guide section 50 being disposed above the upper end of the tubing receptacle 43., Here again, Vthe upper'end53 of the short track or guide section is also beveled inan inward direction..

'111e -parts are so proportioned and located that the thirdtubular string 12, when it is lowered down the. well casing 13, will engage the upper end 52 of the larger 1 track section 5G or the upper end 53 of the smaller track section 51. The distance between the first tubular string 10 and the large track section 50is less than the diameter of the third tubular string 12, so that the third tubular string can never pass between the large track section 50 and the first tubular string 10, but must come to rest `bn the upper end 52 of the larger track section. Similarly, Qthe ldistance between the larger track Section() Vand the Ainer'wall 'of `the casing 13 issubstantially less than the diameter'of the lthird tubular string 12., so that it canshort track section 5-1, which, as shown, isdisposed adjacent the periphery of the Vhead 33. Accordingly, the third tubular string 12 can never move betweenthe out- Aaide of `the 'short section Stand vthe wall ofgthe 'well lcasing 13. If it is'jdisposed above and in line with the short section 51, the third string will engage theV upper end 53 of that section and will be guided'thereby toward the receptacle 43, the upper end 56 of which is also beveled in an inward direction.

The apparatus is run in the well casing in the manner described above on the first and second stringseof tubing 1t), 11, the receptacle 43 having been previously threaded into its companion threaded box 44 in the fiow directing head 33. After the apparatus has been appropriately related to the well packers, as shown in Figs. 1 and la, with the first and second tubing.

strings

10, 11 extending to the top of the Well bore, the third tubing string 12 is lowered in the well casing 13. This third tubing string, when lowered to the

guide membersl

50, 51,'will engage either the upper end 53 'of the small track section 51 or the upper end 52 of the large track section 50. Regardless of which one ofy these track sections it engages, it will be'guided therebytoward .the

"mostpoint into thethird receptacle 43.

" section curvedarcuately with respect tothe axis ofthe y 4'tubingi'eceptacle 43. `If it'engages the large tracksection 50, it will be vguided down along its upper slope until it reaches its lowermost point 5S, then dropping off the lowermost point into'the tubing receptacle 43 and "coming to rest against the shoulder 43a inthe latter. If

the lower end of the. third tubing string llenga'ges the upper jend 5310i the short section 51,'it will bev guided toward its lowermost point 54,`dropping off such lower- Both track sections are beveled in an inward direction so as to direct the tubing string k12 inwardly, and to its appropria'te assembled relation within the third string receptacle When received within the third string receptacle, the seals-$8 on the lower portion of thel third string 12 will sealingly engage the wall of the receptacle.

All three strings of

tubing

10, 11, 12j are now appropriately connected tothe ow directing head 13 and will conduct'kiluid from the lower, intermediate and upper zones of 4the well bore through individual paths to the top of the well bore.

The inventor claims:

l. ln subsurface well production 'apparatus adapted for use with first, second and third tubular strings extending to the top of a well bore: a head adapted to be disposed in the well bore and having first, second and third passages therein; said head having first means in Asaid rst passage for receiving the first tubular string which extends to the top of the well bore; said head ceiving Vthe second tubular string which extends to the top of the well bore;'said head having a tubular receptacle in said third passage for receiving the third tubular string which extends to the top of the well bore; a first track head and secured to saidhead and extending 'arcuately in one direction from said second passage, past vsaid first passage to said receptacle; said first track section hava location'adjacent said second passage to a location adjacent "said receptacle; a track section curved arcuately withv respect to the axis of the head and secured to said fot'pass-betweentheseparts. The same is-true ofthe head and extending arcuately'in the opprosite direction from said second passage to said receptacle, said second of the inclined upper ends of said tracksections rterminating above the upper end of said,receptacle,'whereby engagement of 'either of said inc-lined upper ends by the vthird ytubular string will direct the third tubular string intosaid` receptacle. v

2. VIn subsurface well production apparatus adapted for "use lwith first, second and thirdtubular strings extend- "ing to thejtop of a well bore; a head adapted to be disposed in the well bore and having iirst, second and third Apassages therein, said head having first means lin said rfirst passage lfor receivingthe first tubular string ywhich extends to the top of the well bore; said head having second means in said second passage for receiving the second tubular string which extends to the top of the well bore; said head having third means in said third passage for receiving the third tubular string which extends to the top of the well bore; guide means on said head adapted to beengaged by the third string when it is lowered in the vwell bore to direct the third string intosaid third means; said head having a first threaded bore communicating with said first passage and adapted to. receive an inner v tubular string depending fromthe head; said head hav- 3. In subsurface well production apparatus adapted for.

7 use with first, second and third tubular strings extending to the top of a well bore; a head adapted to be dis- .posed in the well bore and having first, second and third for receiving the third tubular string which extends to the top of the well bore; and guide means on said head having Aan upper guide portion tapering downwardly toward said third passage from one of said other passages to said third passage, said guide portion being engageable by the third string to direct the third string from said one of said other passages into said third means; said head having a lirst threaded bore communicating with said first passage and adapted to receive an inner tubular string depending from the head; said head having an intermediate threaded bore communicating with said second passage and adapted to threadedly receive an intermediate tubing string surrounding the inner tubing string; said head having a threaded bore communicating with said third passage and adapted to receive an outer tubing string surrounding the intermediate tubing string.

4. in subsurface well production apparatus adapted for use with first, second and third tubular strings extending tothe top of a well bore: a head adapted to be disposed inthe well bore and having first, second and third passages therein; said head having first means in said first passage for receiving the rst tubular string which extends to the top of the well bore; said head having second means in said second passage for receiving the second tubular string which extends to the top of the Well bore;

:said head having third means in said third passage for t receiving the third tubular string which extends to the top of Ithe well bore; a iirst track section curved arcuately with respect to the axis of the head and secured to said head and extending arcuately in one directionfrom said second passage, past said rst passage to said third passage, said first track section having an upper end ini .clined in a downward direction from a location adjacent Vsaid second passage to a location adjacent said third passage; a second track section curved arcuately with respect to the axis of the head and secured to said head Y and extending arcuately in the opposite direction from said means; said head having a rst threaded bore communicating with said first passage and adapted to receive an inner tubular string depending from the head; said head having an intermediate threaded bore communicating with said second passage` and adapted to threadedly receive an 8 intermediatetubing string surrounding the inner tubing string; Asaid head having a threaded bore communicating with said third passage and adapted to receive an outer tubing string surrounding the intermediate tubing string.

Y 5. In subsurface well production apparatus adapted for use with first, second and third tubular strings extending to the top of a well bore; a head adapted to be disposed in the well bore and having first, second Vand third passages therein; said head having first means in said iirst passage for receiving the iirst tubular string which extends to the top of the well bore; said head having second means in said second passage for receiving the second tubular string which extends to the top of the well bore; .said head having a tubular receptacle in said third passage for receiving the third tubular string which extends to the top of the well bore; a first track section curved arcuately with respect to the axis of the head and secured to said head and extending arcuately in one direction from said second passage, past said l first passage to said receptacle; said first track section having an upper end inclined in a downward direction from a location adjacent said second passage to a location adjacent said receptacle; a second track section curved arcuately with respect to the axis of the head and secured to said head and extending arcuately in the opposite direction from said second passage to said receptacle, said second track section having an upper end inclined in a downward direction from a location adjacent said second passage to `a location adjacent said receptacle; the lower ends of the inclined upper ends of said track sections terminating above the upper end of said receptacle, whereby engagement of either of said inclined upper ends bythe third tubular string will direct said third tubular string intov said receptacle; said head having a rst threaded bore communicating with said iirst passage Vand Y adapted to receive an inner tubular string depending from the head; said head having an intermediate threaded bore vcommunicating with said second passage and adapted-to threadedly receive an intermediate tubing string surrounding the inner tubing string; said head having a threaded bore communicating with said third passage and adapted to receive an outer tubing string surrounding the intermediate tubing string.

1,065,308 France Jan.,6, 19,54