US3171483A - Well tools - Google Patents

Description

March 2, 1965 Filed April 16. 1956 J. v. FREDD 3,171,483

WELL. TooLs s sheets-snaai 1 INVENTOR John V. Fredd ATTORNEY March 2, 1965 J. v. FREDD 3,171,483

WELL TooLs Filed April 16, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 /179 /07 l as fof 1NVENTOR John V. Fredd March 2, 1965 J. v. FRI-:pp 3,171,483

WELL TOOLS Filed April 16, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 5. |||||||gi|||||m||||||||||3 ."Ilmluimmsii I illlllllllllllnlllllllllll' ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,171,483 WELL TGLS `lohn V. Fredd, Dallas, Tex., assigner, by mesne assignments, to Otis Engineering Corporation, Dallas, Tex., a corporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 16, 1956, Ser. No. 578,498 43 Claims. (Cl. 166--46) This invention relates to well tools and methods of completing and working over wells, and more particularly to well tools for multiple zone producing wells and methods of completing and working over multiple zone producing wells.

In wells producing from two or more zones, it is desirable to be able to work over each of the zones without pulling the flow conductor or well tubing string from the bore of the well each time the servicing or work-over operations are performed. Many wells are now being completed with parallel strings of tubing or ow conductor for conducting the fluids from each of the zones to the surface. In the conventional installation of dual strings of well tubing or ow conductor, the tube which communicates with the lower zone extends upward from the lower packer through the level of the upper zone or zones and through the upper packer or packers to the surface. Such an installation presents many problems and dangers, such as the danger of perforating the tubing at the time the casing is perforated in the upper zone; or the danger of collapsing the second tubing string during a squeeze cementing or formation fracturing operation. There is also the danger of the possibility of cementing the tubing string to the lower zone and the lower packer in the well permanently when conventional cementing techniques are used.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a means and method providing for completing, performing various production operations, working over and producing wells having a plurality of producing zones therein without the necessity of removing the entire string of well tubing or flow conductor from the well. An object of the invention is to provide a new and improved method of completing multiple zone producing wells.

Another object is to provide a new and improved method of working over, separately, the individual zones of a multiple zone producing well.

Still another object is to provide a new and improved method of working over a well producing from two zones having two tubing strings for conducting ow from the two zones to the surface without pulling either tubing string from the well.

A further object is to provide a new and improved method of working over a well producing from two zones having two tubing strings for conducting flow from the two zones, which permits both the upper zone and the lower zone to be each selectively and individually worked over without pulling of either tubing string from the well.

Another object is to provide a new and improved well apparatus for completing and working over wells producing from a plurality of zones.

Still another object is to provide a new and improved plural housing or nipple having means selectively receiving a plurality of well tools.

A further object is to provide a housing or nipple, of the type described, having a plurality of passages in which ice different well tools may be received and seated for completing or working over wells.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved housing or nipple, of the type described, having guide means for selectively guiding each tool to its designated passage.

Another object is to provide a housing or nipple, of the type described, having a plurality of passages of different diameters and having guide means for guiding well tools of different diameters to the passage of proper diameter.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the reading of the following ldescription of a device constructed in accordance with the invention, and reference to the accompanying drawings thereof, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic sectional view of a well before completion showing the housing or nipple in position in the well casing between two producing zones of the well;

FIGURE 2 is a similar view showing the well cornpleted and producing from both wells;

FIGURE 3 is a similar view showing the manner of work-over of the lower producing zone;

FIGURE 4 is a similar View showing the manner of work-over of the upper producing zone;

FIGURE 5 is a vertical sectional view of the upper part oi a twin housing or nipple showing a plug choke in one passage thereof and an extension hanger in the other passage;

FIGURE 6 is a continuation of FIGURE 5 showing the lower portion of the twin nipple;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the upper end portion of a housing or nipple having three pasasges and showing the different sizes of well tools received in each passage;

FIGURE 8 is a top view of the three passage nipple of FIGURE 7 showing the guide ramps for guiding tools to their proper passages;

FIGURE 9 is a top View of a modied form of three passage nipple;

FIGURE l0 is a top View of still another form of three passage nipple; and,

FIGURE 1l is a top view of a four passage nipple.

Referring now particularly to FIGURES 1 through 4 of the drawings, which illustrate schematically the method of the invention for completing and working over wells which have two or more producing zones, the method there illustrated includes disposing a twin housing or nipple 20 in a well casing 21 between two producing zones 22 and 23 of the well, and below the lower ends of two strings 24 and 25 of tubing employed to conduct uid to the surface from the two producing zones 2.2 and 23, respectively. The twin nipple or housing member is formed with two passages 28 and 29 which are provided with means, in the form of landing and locking recesses 30 and 31, respectively, for receiving or holding well tools in the passages, whereby well tools may be selectively seated in the two passages, the twin nipple having an internal ramp 33 which guides the well tools to the proper passages, as will hereinafter be described in greater detail. The two tubing strings 24 and 25 also are provided near their lower ends with landing and locking recesses 34 and 35, respectively, whereby tools may be selectively positioned in the tubing strings.

The tubing strings 24 and 25 have a packer or sealing also useful for other well operations.

r'gage in the locking recess 30.Y

3" means 37 which may lbe any s that shown in FIGURE 4 of the patent to Hardison, 171,563, toseal between said tubing strings and the casing 21 and the twin nipplel is similarly provided with a packer or sealing means 38 which may also be any suitable type, such as that shown in the Baker Oil Tools, Inc..-

catalogue for Baker Model DA Retainer Production Packer, to seal between saidV nippleandfthe casing. The

is being removed from sealingposition, saidportslbeing' Y Tocomplete the well for production-from broth'xzones after the twin nipple or housing member-Zofis'disposed in the well between theitwojproducingtzones, an extension tube 40 is lowered into position in thertubin'g 'string 25 29 ofthe twin nipple, wherebyzwell Vuid from thevlow'er producing zone 23 4may flow to the surfacejupwardly landing recess 35. The extension: hanger andthe exten#A `sin y tube areprovided with'packersior sealing/'means 42 and 43, respectively, which'seal between 'thelKrextension 'hanger and the tubing string 25, and lbetween the lower 'end of the extension tube and the internal Twall of the passage 29 of the twin nipple.

A plug choke n44'is -then'lowered 'through thetubing vstring 241 and into the passage 28, where'packerlorsealing to connect between Zthe tubing' string 25 andzthe passage 20 through the passage V29, the extension tube Woland` theV 'tubing Ystring 25.@ The extension tube `40is positioned ,Y vand locked in position' byfrneans` of van yextension hanger.Y

-4ltsecured to its upper end,''and which engagesin 4vthe v25 uitable type; for example, k y"tioned, Vas shown 'in4 FIGURE 3, with its lower end in the' passage `Z'Lby means of anlextensionehanger G11-,which has means engaging in the landing recess 34 to hold'it in position.V The lower end ofthe extension tube 63 is .provided with a packery or sealing means 65 which seals Y, between the internal/wall of the 'passage' ZSfand the exteriorof the extension tube, while the extension hanger 64 is provided with packers or sealing means 66 and 6.9,

which prevent flow between ,the extension hanger andv thel tubing string and also through the side ports r39,.

It will nowrfbe seen that chemicals or other fluids may t be circulated downwardly/through either tubing string, 1 Vrfor example, the tubingstririglr24ythrough the extensionn Vhang'e'r'64, extension tube 63'fandtpassage 28,;,of the twin nipple, to the lowerV producing zoneand fromsthere upwardly'thro'ugh the yextension tube 60 fand the tubing stringZS back to thesurface. lOf course, the fluids mayy be circulated 'in the opposite'direction, if desired.V s

Wheny it Yis'- 'iesired to work over the upper producing in the passages 29 and 28, respectively. The plug Ychokes are provided with sealing-means 72j and -73, whereby ow of fluidf'is,l preven Y -twin nipple. Y v v l Y, I`A sidedo'or choke 74, identical to choke 46, is then disjposed/in thetubing stringV 24,V andvnallyran extension Y 'tube V75 is positioned, as lshown ini FIGURE 4, in theftub- ,'in'g'tstring ZS'by means of 'an extension hanger 76, said Yextension Vturbe having its lower endzdisposedjust above vthe,plugchol'ce 76.'

l "may then be circulated down throughthe tubing `,string means' 45"'.carried by the chokevengages 'the' bore wall: of f lluid between ther twoproducingzones. 'Theplug choke',

.is directed into`v the passage 28byfthe`rarnp '33and'isfposif Finally, a side door choke 46`is-po fsaidpassage'ZS to close such passageandprevent ilow v sitioned in'y the'tubing string 24' at the landing recess 34 whereitprevents flow of fluids through the side portst39, saidA side doorfchok'e 4 and Vthe Ytubing string aboveV andr/belowz'the sideVv ports.

'being provided Vv,with longitudinally.'spacedfpackers ory Sealing means 4723x1743 which Salfbetw -the hoke o twillV now 'be of seen ,Well fluid from the'upper produc-ingizonezltben flows into the casingf21- through apertures o rY perforations` 49 T50 "inthev casing'and upwardly to thejsurface through `the' longitudinal passage 500i the Asicledoor choke 46 and through the tubing string 24, its ow being kcontrolled by if vthe valve 51 in the tubinghead'vSZ, forming apart Vof the.

surface connectonsolf'the well.

Well vfluid from the lower produc theca'sing 21 vthrough the apertures ior perforationsSS inthe casing belowthe'twin nipple and-flows upwardly to thesurfacev through the extension tube-40 and'thetub.-V ing string 25, its,y ow beingcontrolled by the valve-,.54 -in thetubing head 52..: f 'Y f f When` it is desired toY extension hangertl Vof the saine 'type as the'eXtension 'hanger *41.5 4VThe extension.' tube V670Y Vis Vprovided seal ing meanse62 which ,sealsA lbetween thefinneri wall of vthe,4 s. "passagev29 and the exterior ofthe extrensionztube-.'V The r'zone is easily accomplished by blocking vor plugging off ,side door choker46and ythe plug choke44 are then re- 5, i Y Y fmo'ved in that orderfand anreXten'sion tube 63V is posi- V751plug `cho`kes7ly and'71.

ingzo'ne 23 ows into workl over fthe, lower producingv Azone 23 Vbycir'culating chemicalsor'- other vfluids lfrom the; surface into the casing 21 below the-twin Qnippley20 and, 1 ,'thenbarcklto'the V'suvr facre,"tl1e extensin tube 40'is removed l Vand .replaced by ajlongerextensionrtube whichfextends 'thr"ough therpassagel V'29 and terminates f at "at point wellj *belowfthe twin nipple 20, as'v shown in :FIGURE 3, Thel extension tube -60is' positioned Yand Vheld' by means Aof 1anVY "24,-the passage 77 of theside'doorehke y'/'74 into the fluid' is circulatedin the direction opposite to that of the "treating fluid, whereby the washing fluid flows downward` working-,oyer wells"havingitwoproducing Zones includes y l providing two,v tubing stringsfwh'oselower vendsY are'fposi` ,-otherV passage to oneof the tubing strings by `means of 1 Yan extension tube A'40 to complete thegwell and provide for simultaneous ows'orfwelluids from 'the twoproduc- 6oz-fing'. to ,the surface Athrough the two `tubing strings, v l connecting .oneY of the passages 7ofthe nipple tov one of` rthe tubing strings 24b'y meansofrone'extensionltube 63,

,fandvrextending another extensionrtube-'from theotherv of i i the tubing strings through the; other Aof vthe,nipple-tf1pass'ages Y to work over/ftheV :lower zone, andfclo'singthe Y'passages{bymeans ofplufg cholesfand extending an' extension tub'e`Y downwardly'frorn one of `the'tubingstrings to' work over thelup'perfzonez 'Y It `-willfalso be noted i provides no `permanent *non4remov'able connection bel tweerifthelower producing zone andatubingstringwhicli fexte'nds to'ftheV surface,wherebyworking over'the upper w the lovierrzone lfrom the'u l zone,-the extension `tubes 60, and 6 3 are` removed, and' Y 'plug chokes 70 and 71 are lowered into and positioned tedf ythrough,at.he kpassages of the Fluid for'y working over, the'upper'producing zone -22 s Ycasingfabove *the twin nipple, and tlienback to the'surface t *throughsthe extensionr tube l and thej'tubing Vstring -25.v If it ibeco'rnes desirable to wash o-ithefupper surfaces. ofthe twin nipple andthe plug chokes V70 andf71 after' o treatment ,off the upper, zone-vy is, completed, .the washing 'eatingY arej'likewise washed t Vtioned abovethe upper' producing z0rie,ydispos`ingbetween` fthe-two producing'zones a Vnipple.which has a rpairfof Y passages providing communication-between the two Azones,. "'-saidln'ipple-having means for selectively directing, well 5%.tools' to either of 'the two passages, -closingfone `of the o. p'assagespby means ofl a plugV means, and connecting the 'that ,the mande vherein described ykperzone bygmean's of Referring now particularly to FIGURES and 6 of the drawings, one specific embodiment of twin nipple or housing member 30 is shown to be of cylindrical form having an internal Wall 81 which provides the housing member or nipple with a small eccentrically disposed longitudinal passage 82 and a large longitudinal passage 83, also eccentrically disposed. A plug choke 84 is disposed in the smaller passage and an extension tube hanger v8S is disposed in the larger passage. A sleeve S6 has its upper end telescoped in the lower enlarged end of the larger passage 83 and is held in place in longitudinal alignment therewith so as to form a continuation of said larger passage by a spacer or positioning ring 87 and a locking ring S8 which is threaded in the lower end of the twin nipple 80. The spacer ring 87 has an eccentric bore 89a which receives the reduced lower end of the sleeve 36 and provides an annular upwardly facing shoulder 9d on which the downwardly facing annular shoulder 91 of the sleeve rests. The ring S8 is locked in place by a set screw 92 so that a second eccentric bore 8917 in the ring 87 is aligned with the small passage S2 of the nipple. The upper end of the sleeve S6 is provided with a seal ring 94 which seals between the sleeve and the nipple.

The upper end of the internal wall 81 of the nipple is beveled to provide an inclined ramp 96 which extends and inclines downwardly from above the smaller passage l82 toward the larger passage 83, and a second inclined ramp 97 extends and inclines downwardly, in a direction opposite to the ramp 96, from the larger passage S3 toward the smaller passage 82. The upper surface 98a 'of the nipple is inclined inwardly and downwardly toward the upper end of the upper ramp 96 to guide well tools thereto.

The upper ramp is of such size that the lower end of a large diameter well tool, such as the extension hanger 85, will be caused to be moved toward the large passage 83 when it is lowered into the nipple 80. The smaller well tool or plug choke 84 is then lowered into the nipple and, since the larger passage S3 is now occupied by the larger well tool E55, the smaller tool 84 upon entering the nipple cannot enter the larger passage and is directed and guided toward the smaller passage 82 by the lower or second ramp 97.

The nipple 80 is internally threaded at its lower end, as at 98, whereby a packer mandrel 99 may be secured to such lower end of the nipple, the packer (not shown) sealing between the nipple and the casing in which it is disposed. A set screw 16) locks the packer mandrel to the nipple.

The plug choke 84 is provided with a suitable locking means, such as the dogs or slips S which are adapted to enter an internal annular locking recess 101 in the passage 82 to lock the plug choke in place in such smaller passage. The slips are held in expanded positions by the frusto-conical locking surface 102 of the body or mandrel 103 of the choke. The upper reduced portion of the choke mandrel has a slip carrier 104 slidable thereon which carries the slips or dogs 105. The upper end of the mandrel extends above the slip carrier whereby the plug choke can be removed from the smaller passage by a suitable retrieving tool which rst engages the upper end of the main body or mandrel 103 of the plug choke to drive it downwardly whereby the slips are freed to move to retracted position, and then engages the undercut flange 107 at the upper end of the slip carrier, whereupon the retrieving tool may be raised to pull the plug choke upwardly out of the nipple. A packer assembly or sealing means 106 on the plug choke seals between the plug choke mandrel and the nipple to prevent flow of fluid through the smaller passage S2 when the plug choke is disposed therein. A boss or head 10d on the eXtreme lower end of the choke mandrel serves to guide the plug choke into the passage and is adapted to engage the upper surface of the positioning ring 87 d surrounding the bore 89h to limit downward movement of the plug choke in said passage and to position the slips for expansion to engagement in the locking recess 101 in such passage.

The extension hanger 35 shown in the large passage includes a main mandrel 110 having a key carrier sleeve 111 mounted on its reduced lower end portion by means of a sub 112 threaded on the lower end of said mandrel. The key carrier sleeve is threaded onto the upper end of the sub, and the upper end of the sleeve retains a packing or sealing assembly 123 in place on said main mandrel between the upper end of said sleeve and a downwardly facing shoulder 124 on the mandrel. The sealing assembly seals between the main mandrel and the bore wall of the large passage to prevent tlow of tiuids therebetween. Selector stop keys 113 are carried within the carrier sleeve 111, and said keys each have a pair of bosses 114e and 11412 which project through openings 115 on opposite sides of the carrier sleeve. A spring 116 surrounds the main mandrel and engages the keys to bias the keys apart so that the bosses are biased toward expanded position. The selector key bosses are adapted to engage in complementarily shaped recesses 117e and 117i: formed in the bore wall of the sleeve Se, such engagement limiting downward movement of the extension hanger in the large passage.

Locking dogs 11S are supported by a dog carrier sleeve 11g slidably mounted on an elongate neck member 12d threaded into the upper end of the main mandrel and forming an upward extension thereof. The bosses 118a on the lower ends of the dogs are expanded into expanded locking position in a locking recess 121 formed -in the bore wall of the sleeve 86 by the frusto-conical expander surface 122 formed on the upper end portion of the main mandrel. Such engagement of the dog bosses inthe locking recess prevents upward displacement of the extension hanger out of the large passage.

As shown, the extension hanger also has a plug member 125 tting into the bore of the neck member extension of the main mandrel and held in place therein by a shear pin 126. A sealing ring 127 carried by the plug member seals between said plug member and the neck member to prevent How of uids through the bore of the extension hanger. The plug member may be removed from its plugging position by means of a suitable retrieving tool engaging over the undercut annular tlange 128 at the upper end of the plug member, and pulling upwardly thereon to shear the pin i.

The extension hanger may be removed from its position in the sleeve 86 by means of a suitable retrieving tool (not shown) which tirst moves the main mandrel downwardly until the engagement of the selector keys in the recesses 117e and 117b prevents further downward movement. The retrieving tool then engages the undercut annular flange 1311 at the upper end of the dog carrier sleeve 119, and an upward pull lifts the dog carrier sleeve and the locking dogs 118 carried thereby. Such upward movement of the locking dogs moves their lower ends upwardly along the frusto-conical expander surface and out of the locking recess 121, whereupon the extension hanger may be lifted out of the large passage in the sleeve 86, and then upwardly out of the flow conductor.

A coupling or guide nut 132 is shown threaded on the lower end of the sub 112 of the extension hanger, and it will be apparent that an extension tube or any other suitable tool could be connected thereto or substituted therefor.

A plug choke and an extension hanger have been described as situated in the passages of the twin nipple merely for purposes of illustrating how well tools may be removably positioned in the passages of the twin nipple, it being obvious from the foregoing description of the method of completing and working over a well that different tools are removably positioned in the passages of 9 passed downwardly through said tubing strings to engage said nipple.

4. A producing and servicing apparatus for a well having two producing zones and including: a casing; a pair of tubing strings within the casing extending from the surface of the well to a point above the producing zones; means sealing between the lower portion of the tubing strings and the casing above the two producing zones, said tubing strings having means engageable with well tools for positioning and releasably holding said tools in the tubing strings; a nipple disposed in the well casing between the two zones; and means sealing between the nipple and the casing, said nipple having partition means providing a plurality of passages affording communication between the two zones, said passages being adapted to receive well tools passed downwardly through said tubing strings to said nipple, said nipple having means in said passages engageable with well tools for positioning and releasably holding said tools in said passages; said nipple having an upper surface provided with guide means thereon for selectively guiding well tools toward the upper ends of said partition means defining said passages to guide well tools to selected ones of said passages.

5. A means for producing and servicing a well having two producing zones and including: a casing; a pair of tubing strings within the casing extending from the surface of the well to a point above the producing zones; means sealing between the lower portions of the tubing strings and the casing, said tubing strings having means engageable with well tools for positioning and releasably holding said tools in the tubing strings; a nipple disposed in the well casing between the two zones; and means sealing between the nipple and the casing, said nipple having partition means providing a plurality of passages affording communication between the two zones, said passages being adapted to receive well tools passed downwardly through said tubing strings to said nipple, said nipple having means in said passages engageable with well tools for positioning and releasably holding said tools in said passages; one of said passages being larger than the others, said nipple having inclined ramps at the upper ends of said partition means engageable by well tools for selectively guiding tools of different sizes to said passages; said nipple having an upper surface inclined toward said ramps to guide tools thereto.

6. A well device including: a nipple having internal partition means forming a plurality of passages extending longitudinally of said nipple; means in each of said passages engageable with insertable and removable well tools and cooperating therewith to releasably position and hold the tools in the passages, said passages being of diiferent diameters, said nipple having means forming an inclined primary ramp at its upper end for guiding tools to the largest passage and second means providing an inclined secondary ramp below said primary ramp for guiding tools toward the smaller passages.

7. A nipple having partition means providing a pair of separate laterally spaced longitudinally extending passages and landing and locking recesses in each of said passages engageable with removable well tools and cooperative therewith to position and releasably hold tools in the passages, said nipple having inclined surfaces at the upper ends of the partition means providing a pair of inclined ramps for guiding tools toward the upper ends of said passages, one of said passages being larger than the other, one of said ramps being a primary ramp for guiding large tools toward the upper end of the large passage and the other of said ramps being a secondary ramp for guiding smaller tools toward the upper end of the smaller passage.

8. A nipple adapted to be connected in a well fiow string and having internal partition means forming a rst passage therein and a second passage therein spaced from said iirst passage and disposed eccentrically of the longitudinal axis of said nipple, said second passage having means therein for landing and locking engagement with a removable well tool, guide means in said nipple inclined from the upper end of said nipple to the upper end of said first passages adapted to guide a well tool into said first passage, and a downwardly inclined guide surface at the upper end of the nipple extending downwardly to said second passage from said guide means and said first passage for directing a well tool engaging said surface to said second passage.

9. A producing and servicing apparatus for a well having two producing zones and including: a casing; a pair of tubing strings within the casing extending from the surface of the well to a point above the producing zones; said tubing strings having means connected therein engageable with well tools for positioning and releasably holding said tools in the tubing strings; and a nipple disposed in the well casing spaced below the lower end of the tubing strings and between the two zones and having means sealing between the nipple and the casing, said nipple having partition means providing a plurality of separate laterally spaced longitudinally extending passages affording communication between the two zones, said nipple having inclined guide means at the upper end of the partition means and inclined guide ramps for selectively directing well tools from said guide means into selected ones of each of said passages, said passages each having means therein engageable with well tools for positioning and releasably holding said tools in said passages.

10. A producing and servicing apparatus for a well having two producing zones and including: a casing; a pair of tubing strings within the casing extending from the surface of the well to a point above the producing zones; said tubing strings having means therein engag able with well tools for positioning and releasably holding said tools in the tubing strings; a nipple disposed in the well casing spaced below the lower ends of the tubing strings and between the two zones; and means sealing between the nipple and the casing, said nipple having partition means providing a plurality of separate laterally spaced longitudinally extending passages affording communication between the two zones, said passages each having means engageable with well tools for positioning and releasably holding said tools in said passages; said nipple having an upper surface inclined downwardly and inwardly toward said passages, and a plurality of guide ramps extending to said passages from said guide means and engageable by well tools to guide said well tools selectively to selected ones of said passages.

ll. A producing and servicing apparatus for a well having two producing zones and including: a casing; a pair of tubing strings within the casing extending from the surface of the well to a point above the producing zones, said tubing strings each having means therein engageable with well tools for positioning and releasably holding said tools in said tubing strings; a nipple disposed in the well casing between the two producing zones and spaced below the lower ends of said tubing strings; means sealing between the nipple and the casing; said nipple having internal partition means providing a plurality of separate laterally spaced longitudinally extending passages therethrough providing communication between the two zones, said nipple having means thereon and in said passages engageable with well tools for selectively positioning and releasably holding said well tools in said passages; and an extension tube having a well tool at its upper end engageable in the means in one of said tubing strings for holding said tool in said tubing string, said tube extending downwardly from said tubing string into a selected one of the passages of said nipple, said tube having means at its lower end selectively engaging said selected one of said passages of said nipple, said tube also having means sealing between said tube and said nipple, whereby well fluid from below said nipple is directed through said tube to said one of said tubing strings and thence to the surit i face of the well, and removable plug'rneans releasably disposed in each of the other passages of the nipple.

12. A well device including a Ynipple having internal partition means formingV a plurality of separatelongit'udinally extending passages' providing now courses therethrough; inclined ramps *at-the upper ends of said partition means for selectively guiding j'well tools toward selected V ones of said' passages; Vand* an -inclinedrvupper surface at the upper end of said nipple for guidingy well tools towaidgsaid ramps.

1:3. A Well producing and servicing apparatus for aV well having two producing zones' and including: a casing; a pair of tubing strings within'the casing extending from the surfacetot .the well to a point above the producing zones; means sealing between the tubing strings and the casing, said tubing strings having means engageable with Y Well tools for positioning and releasably holding saiditools in the tubing strings; a nipple disposed in the well casing below the lower end of the tubing strings and between the two zones; means sealing between the nipple and the casing, said nipple having partition meansv providingY a plurality of passages extending longitudinally tlieretlfiroughv atlording communication between the two zones, y said nipple having means thereon and in said passagesfengageable with wellI tools for selectively positioning and releasably holding ysaid tools in selected ones of said' passages; Y

andan elongatewell t`o`ol' engaged at its upper end portion with the positioning and holding means' of one of said tubing strings inY sealing connection therewith and having means on its lower portion engageablewith said means on said nipple for selectively positioning the same Vwith Yguiding tools-thereto.

its lower portionextending within and in sealing `engagement with a selected one of the passages of said' nipple.

14. A producing and servicing apparatus for a Well having two producing zones and including: a casing; a

pair of tubingstrings within the casing extending from` the surface of the well to a point above the producing-1 zones; means sealing between the tubing strings/and the casing near the lower ends of said tubing strings and above the producing zones, said tubing strings having means engageable with well tools fory positioning and releasably holding said tools in the tubing strings; a nipple disposed in the well casing below the lower ends of the tubing strings and between the two zones; means sealing between the nipple and the casing, said `nipple having partition means providing a plurality of passages extending longitudinally therethrough affording communication' between the two zones, said nipple having means in each of said longitudinally extending passages; meansk in each of said passages in said nipple engageable withwell' tools releas'ably positioned in said passages and' removable therefrom,` saidl means cooperating .with 'saidV well' tools to releasably position and holdthetools inQthepassage's', said nipple having inclined surfaces' at the 'upperl ends of said y partition means providing inclined ramps each inclined toward: a selected one of said' passages for selectively guiding tools toward selected ones of the passages, said nipple having an inclined upper surface for guiding tools toward said ramps.

17. A device of the type described, including a nipple having internal lpartition means forming a plurality of separate laterally spaced longitudinally extending passages; means in each of said'` passages engageable with Vwell toolsV insertable into and removable from said' ,pasv sages, said meansY cooperating'with' said well tools to releasably positioniandfhold theftools inthe passages,

Vsaid passages beingof different diameters,l said nipple having means providingV an inclined primary ramp for guiding tools to the upperend Vofthe largest passage and second means providing an inclined secondary ramp yfor guiding tools'tow'ardY the upper ends of the smaller passages,said nipple having an upper surface inclinedto- Y ward the upper end of the Vinclined primar-y ramp for 'Y ing an upper `surface inclined toward the. upperv ends passages engageable with Well tools for' positioning `and a releasably holding said tools in'. said passages; said nipple having inclined selective rampsj at the upper ends of said partition means for guiding tools to said passages and'V an upper guide surface for guiding tools to said ramps; and a well tool having means on its upper portion engaged with the postioning and holding means of one of said tub-V ing strings and having lower means engaged 'with a selected one of the passages of said nipple, said well `tool having means on its lower'end engageable with the inclined ramps of said nipple for guiding said well tool into Y said selected passage.

l5. A well device including: a nipple having partition means providing a plurality of separate laterallyV spacedV longitudinally Vgextending'passages; means Vin each or" said passages in saidnipple engageablerwith well tools in.-

sertable into said passages and removable therefroml and cooperating therewith to releasably position and hold the tools in the'passages, said nipple having inclined surfaces at the upper ends of said partition means providing an upper guide surface extending downwardly and inwardly -to a plurality of inclinedV guide ramps each selectively `ot saidv inclined surfaces providing said ramps for guiding tools thereto. y' f 19. A nipple having partitionfmeans providing a pair Y of separate laterally spaced longitudinally extending-passages andV landing and locking recesses ineach of said passages engageableV with removable well Ytools and cooperative therewith to position and releasably hold' tools in: the passages, said nipple: having an yinclined surface at its upper Vend Vfor guiding 'tools toward l.the Vupper ends ofi said passages, one of saidpassages being larger than the other; a tir-st inclined-surface at the upper end of said partition means providing a primary rampfor guiding large Vtools' toward the upperend of the large pas-V sage andl al second' inclined surface in said nipple at the upper end of said partition rmeans below said rst ini clinedV surface "providing a secondary ramp 'for' guiding smaller tools towardrtheV upper endof the smaller passages, said nipple having anupper surface inclined down-4 wardlyand inwardly toward the vupper end'of the primaryrampr't'o guide tools thereto.

20; Apparatus for'producing a cased bore holepenetrating a plurality ofr'sp'aced; apart hydrocarbon productive intervals comprising two' parallel, eccentric, coext'ensive, spaced apart't'ubing strings arranged in saidbore hole, the lower-'open ends 'of said tubing strings being positionedV above the uppermost of said productive intervals` irst packing means positioned on Ysaid tubing strings adjacentV the lower'tends thereof adapted to seal oi the space between said tubingstrings and said casing,'sec yond packiiigrneans provided with two spaced apart bores therethrough positionedY in said bore hole between said uppermost-profductive interval and said lower .productive interval and adapted toseal, oit thespace between the |walls of said bores'and said casing, guide means on the upper end Vof said second packing means, a plug having meansA thereon for selectively engaging n one et said bores; said plug'lbeing adapted yto prevent iiuidA now-r enviarse through said bore, and a tubing extension sealingly supported in one of said tubing strings and having means thereon engageable with said guide means of said second packing means and coacting with said other boire for directing the lower end thereof selectively through said other bore, said tubing extension having means thereon sealingly engaging with the Wall of said other bore and being open ended whereby production fluids from said lower interval are isolated from production liuids from said upper interval, said yfiuids from said lower interval flowing upwardly through said tubing extension and through said one tubing string and fluids from said upper interval fiowing upwardly through said other tubing string.

21. 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 and third passages therein; said head having means in said first passage for receiving the first tubular string which ,extends to the top of the well bore; said head having an upper tapered surface through which said passages open, said second passage having a lgreater entrance diameter than said thi-rd passage, whereby engagement of said tapered surface by the second tubular string extending to the top of the well bore will direct the second tubular string into said second passage and engagement of said tapered surface by the third tubular string extending to the top of the well bore will direct the third tubular string into said thi-rd passage.

22. 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 and third passages therein; said head having means in said first passage yfor receiving the `first tubular string Iwhich extends to the top of the well bore; said head having an upper tapered surface through which said passages open, said second passage having a greater entrance diameter than said third passage and said third passage opening through said tapered surface at a higher elevation than said second passage opens through said tapered surface, whereby engagement of said tapered surface by the second tubular string extending to the top of the Well bore will direct the second tubular string into said second passage and engagement of said tapered surface by the third tubular string extending to the top of the well bore will direct the third tubular string into said third passage.

Z3. In subsurface Well production apparatus designed for use with a plurality of tubing strings extending to the top of the well bore; a head adapted to be disposed in the well bore and having a plurality of separate longitudinal passages therein, said head having an upper taper-ed surface through which said passages open, said head having means in said first passage for receiving one of said tubing strings which extends to the top of the well bore; said other passages than said first passages each having an entrance diameter different from each other and different from said first passage, whereby engagement of said tapered surface by a plurality of successive tubing strings extending to the top of the well will direct said tubing strings successively into selected ones of said passages determined by the size of said passages and said tubing strings.

24. In subsurface well production apparatus designed for yuse with a plurality of tubing strings extending to the top of the well bore; a head adapted to be disposed in the well bore and having a plurality of separate longitudinal passages therein, said head having an upper tapered surface through which said passages open,.said head having means in said first passage for receiving one of said tubing strings which extends to the top of the Well bore; said other passages than said first passage having entrance diameters differing progressively from the diameter of .said first passage, whereby engagement of said tapered surface by a plurality of successive tubing strings extending to the top of the welll and having progressively differing diameters at their lower ends will direct said tubing strings successively `into selected ones of said passages determined by the size of said passages .and said tubing strings.

25. In subsurface well production apparatus adapted for use with a plurality of tubing strings extending to the top of the well bore: a head adapted to be disposed in the well bore and having first, second and third passages y therein, one of said tubing strings having means connected therewith extendable into said first passage in sealing relation therewith; a second of said strings having means connected therewith for extending downwardly into said second passage of said head, said third passage of said head being adapted to receive another well device; said head having an upper tapered surface through which said passages open, said second passage having a greater entrance diameter than said first passage, and said thirdrpassage opening through said tapered surface having a greater entrance diameter than said second passage, whereby engagement of said tapered surface by said tubular strings extending to the top of the Well bore will direct said tubular strings into the one of said passages corresponding in size thereto, and engagement of said tapered surface by said other Well device will direct said other well device into said third passage.

26. 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 and third passages therein; said head having means in said first passage for receivingithe first tubular string which extends to the top of the well bore; first guide means on said head adapted to be engaged by the second tubular string which extends to the top of the well bore to direct the second tubular string into said second passage; and second guide means on said head separate from said first guide means and extending from said third passage to a position closely adjacent to one of said other passages, said second guide means being adapted to be engaged by the third tubular string which extends to the top of the Well bore to direct the third tubular string from the position closely adjacent to said one of said other passages into said third passage.

27. 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 and third passages therein; said head having means in said first passage for receiving the first tubular string which extends to the top of the well bore; and guide means on said head adapted to be engaged by the second and third tubular strings to direct the second and third tubular strings into said second and third passages, respectively, said guide means including a surface tapering downwardly from a position closely adjacent to said third passage to said second passage to direct the second tubular string from a position closely adjacent to said third passage to said second passage and another surface offset from and tapering downwardly from a position closely adjacent to said second passage to said third passage to direct the third tubular string from a position closely adjacent to said second passage to said third passage.

28. In apparatus to be disposed in a well bore: a body member having first and second passages therein, said first passage having a larger diameter than said second passage; first guide means on said body inclined downwardly toward and extending to said second passage and adapted to be engaged by a second tubular string extending from the top of the Well bore to direct said second tubular string to said second passage; and a second guide VAisV means on said body inclined downward-ly from said sec-V ond passage toward and vextending Vto said first passage and adapted to be engagedby a Ifirst tubular string ex# tending to theftop of thel well bore'to direct said virst tubular string to said'irst passage. n v

29. In, apparatus to be disposed in a Well bore: a body member having first and'second passages therein, said first passage'having a larger diameter `than said second passage; first guide Ymeans on said bodyinclineddown-l wardly toward and extending to saidtsecond passage; a

second tubular string extendingtok the jtop of they well bore and engageable with said firstguide meansgto be directed thereby toward said second passage; a second,l

guide means on said body inclined downwardly from said second vpassage toward and extendingl to said rst passage;

and a r'st tubular string extending to the top of vthe well `bore and engageable with said secondV guide means to be directed thereby toward said firstipassage, said vfirst tubular string having ya larger diameter than said secondpassage 'andadapted to move into said'iirst passage;

30. In subsurface vwell ,production apparatusv adapted for use with first, second andthird tubular stringsextendingto thetop of a wellbore:l ahead adapted-toV4 be disposed in, ythe `wellYV bore 'land'havingffirstfsecond' and Vthird passages therein; saidjhead having Vvmeans in "said Vfirst passageforereceiving'the rst tubular string which extendssto the `top of the well bore; said head having an upper"inwardly and4 downwardly inclinedrsurfac'e through which/said passagesgropen, saidA second passage having va greater entrance diameter than said third passage, whereby engagementlofrsaid,inwardly and downwardly inclined surface by the second tubular string extending to the top of the `well bore will direct ,theV second Vtubulark string into said second passage and engagement Aof saidenclined surface by the third tubular string extending'totheftop 33; In subsurface well production apparatu-sadapted foruse with first,v second and third tubular strings kextending to the top ofv a well bore; a head adapted 'toY be disposed in thewvellV bore Vand having first, secondV and third pas-sages therein; said headjhaving means vin said j first passage for receivingthe lirsttubingstring which Yextends ito thetop of the well bore; rst guide Vmeans-on said head adapted to beI engaged vby Vthe secondtubul'a'r string which extends to Vthe topof the well rbore` to direct the second tubular string -into said second passage; and secondfguide meanson saidhead separate-from said first guide means and adapted to be engagedvby" the third ktubular string which extends tothe rtop of thewell bore Vto direct the third tubulary string into said third passage;

wherein said first guide means comprises,Y a rstramp on :said headrinclined downwardly toward vsaid second passage and engageable'by the second tubular string which eiitends to the top :of thefwell bore to direct the second tubular Vstring into said )second passage; and saidfsecond guide means comprises .ai-second ramp on said head a separate"l from said V,first ramp-Fand' inclined .downvvardly vfrom said second passage towardsaid'` thir'd passage and engageable at aloc'ation of close adjacency to said second passage, by the third tubular string `which Vextends to the; top of the wellbrorey todirect the third fl'tubular string `into said third passagelr/ 34. In subsurface .well production apparatus adapted Y -for 'use withfrst, second 'and third tubularstrings ex# Vtending to the! top of thwell bore: afhe'ad adapted lto Ybe disposed in `the* wellbor'e andghaving first', second and'third Vpassages therein;"saideheadr having meansl in ,t said first passage for receiving thel firstatubing .string `which yextends to the top of thewell bore; first yguide ofthe well bore will directthe vthird tubular string into Y said thirdpassage.

3 l. In a well'havingl aplurality offrmationrzones and' Y ak casing therein; productionapparatusA in the casing Comf T1 prising first, second and third tubular strings `extending to f the top of the well Ybore,fa Aheadhaving r`irst,.'second` and third passagespinto which Vsaid Vlirst, second and.; third strings, respectively, are insertable, saidheadV having Van uppertapered surface through `which said passagesgopen, said first'v passage having a greaterjentrance .diameter than said second passage, saidl second passagefhavingfa Vgreater entrance diameter than said third passage, saidtfirst tubular string-having a greater Vdiameter/than said second passage, whereby engagement of saidvrst tubular string with said tapered surface will direct4 said virst tubing: string past ,said third passage and said secondpassage into lsaid rsrt' passage, said second string having a Vgreater diameter than said thirdpassage, lwhereby engagement of saidtapered surface by ysaid second tnbillar` string` vwill direct said second Ytubular 'stringi pass saidrthird passage intosaid second passagefand engagement vo'fsaid taperedy surface Aby said thirdV tubular string will direct said third tubular string into said third passage.

32.7111 a .well havingl aplurality ofv formationy zones and a casing therein: production apparatus in the cas;- ing comprising lirst, second and third ,tubular strings ex-v tending to the top'of thejwell bore, ahead having first, V second and third ypassages/int()which said.,1irs;t,1second andthird string, respectively, l,are insertable', saidhead having in inwardly Yand downwardly, inclinedsurface Y through ,whichM said passages', open, said second pasinto said `third passage'.,

fbeV disposedr'inthe well bore and having first,v second andthird passages therein; saidVv headhaving i means VVin Y* said lirst passage fonr'eceiving Ithedirsttubing string vrnea'nszo'ns'aid headadaptedto be engaged -by the secondV tubularl string which: extendsV to the topoi the well bore vto direct the second Vtubular string ,into said second Vpassages-and secondl guide means on'saidpheadseparate from said first guide'meansl and adapted-,to be engaged kby the f third'tubular string which'eXtendsto'the top of the well borento direct the Vthird tubular ystring' into saidy third passage; wherein said'riirst'g'uideVv means comprisesv a, rstV 'ramp onv said head [curved .arcuately and inclinedl Ydownwardly k.from -a t point :r'emote from said, second passage toV alow point adjace'ritgsaid second passage, said first ramp being engageable byithe isecondtubular string 1 which extends to thetopof thewellbore to 'direct theY second tubular'string into said second passage, and said secondguidemeanscomprises a secondramp .on said head curved arcuatelyy andinclined downwardly from ,a

highjp'oint remotefrom said Ythird passage yto' alow point adjacent said third passage, said second ramp being leni gageable ,by theit-hird tubular string iwhicheatends vto the toprofthe well bore toy direct the third tubular str-ing 35, In subsurfacefwell rproduction iapparatusadapted for use'pfwithrrstysecondand third tubnla'rfstrings extending to,V the top: of a lwell* bore: a headadapted to mean-s 'ori-:saidlrhead' adapted to'be :engagedgbythe Ysecond sage Vhaving Va VVgreater Ventrance diameter `than saidU tubular string"which eittends Vto the top of,A the fwell bore to: direct the1s`econdtubu1ar string into 'said'second, Vpassage; and'fsecond guiderneanskton said head separate v from said; first"l guide `means and adapedto be Vengaged y 'by the third tubularstring whichvextendsfto thej top C Y, of Ythe well boreto direct they third ,tubular string-,into i ys aidthirdpassage;,whereinisaid i'rstfguide means. corn- `prises a rstframp surface on .saidfhe'adcurved arcuately 'and inclined downwardlyq'from a high *point to aV low pointadjacent lsaid `secondpassage, said, irst ramp surface, being, egageable by thezsecpnd tubularg'string which 'extends to Ytheg top Vof Athe well bore to direct the second Y tubular stringfintosaid second passage, and saidrse'cond 17 guide means comprises a second ramp surface on said head curved arcuately and inclined downwardly from a high point to a low point adjacent said third passage, said second ramp surface being engageable by the third tubular string which extends to the top of the well bore to direct the third tubular string into said third passage.

36. In subsurface Well production apparatus adapted for use with fist, 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 means in said first passage for receiving the first tubing string which extends to the top of the well bore; first guide means on said head adapted to be engaged by the second tubular string which extends to the top of the well bore to direct the second tubular string into ysaid second passage; and second guide means on said head separate from said first guide means and adapted to be engaged by the third tubular string which extends to the top of the well bore to direct the third tubular string into said third passage; wherein said first guide means comprises a guide surface on said head curved arcuately and inclined downwardly from a high point remote from said second passage to a low point adjacent said second passage, said first guide surface being engageable by the second tubular string which extends to the top of the well bore to direct the second tubular string into said second passage, and said second guide means comprises a second guide surface on said head curved arcuately and inclined downwardly from a high point adjacent said second passage to a low point adjacent said third passage, said second guide surface being engageable by the third tubular string which extends to the top of the well bore to direct the third tubular string into said third passage.

37. 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 within the 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 receiving the third tubular string which extends to the top of the well bore; and a guide surface curved arcuately with respect to the axis of the head and integral with said head, said guide surface having an upper end inclined in a downward direction toward said third passage and adapted to be engaged by the third string to conduct the third string into said third means.

33. In subsurface well production apparatus adapted for use with rst, second and third tubular strings extending to the top of a well bore: a head adapted to be disposed within the well bore and having first, second and third passages therein; said head having first means in said first passage for receiving the first 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 receiving the third tubular string Which extends to the top of the well bore; and a guide surface curved arcuately with respect to the axis of the head and extending arcuately from said second passage to said third passage, said guide surface having an upper end inclined in a downward direction from a location adjacent said second passage to a location adjacent said third passage and adapted to be engaged by said third string to direct the third string into said third means.

39. 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 and third passages therein; said head having first means in said first passage for receiving the first 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 receiving the third tubular string which extends to the top of the well bore; and a guide surface curved arcuately with respect to the axis of the head and extending arcuately from said second passage, past said first passage to said third passage, said guide surface having an upper end inclined in a downward direction from a location adjacent said second passage to a location adjacent said third passage and adapted to be engaged by the third string to direct the third string into said third means.

4t). In apparatus to be disposed in a Well bore: a body member having first and second passages therein, said first passage having a larger diameter than said second passage; said body having an upper generally downwardly and inwardly inclined surface inclined downwardly to- Ward and extending to said second passage and adapted to be engaged by a second tubular string extending to the top of the Well bore to direct said second tubular string to said second passage; said body having a transverse groove extending downwardly from said upper inclined surface and having a base inclined downwardly from said second passage toward and extending to said first passage, said base being engageable by a first tubular string extending to the top of the well bore to direct said first tubular string to said first passage.

4l. In apparatus to be disposed in a well bore: a body member having first and second passages therein; said body having an upper generally tapered surface inclined downwardly toward and extending to said second passage and adapted to be engaged by a second tubular string extending to the top of the well bore to direct said second tubular string to said second passage; said body having a transverse groove extending downwardly from said tapered surface and having a base inclined downwardly from said second passage toward and extending to said first passage, said base being engageable by a first tubular string extending to the top of the well bore to direct said first tubular string to said first passage.

42. In apparatus to be disposed in a Well bore: a body member having first and second passages therein, said first passage having a larger diameter than said second passage; said body having an upper inwardly and downwardly inclined surface inclined downwardly toward and extending to said second passage; a second tubular string extending to the top of the well bore and engageable with said upper inclined surface to be directed thereby toward said second passage; said body having a transverse groove extending downwardly from said upper inclined surface and having a base inclined downwardly from said second passage toward and extending to said first passage; and a first tubular string extending to the top of the well bore and engageable with said base to be directed thereby toward said first passage, said first tubular string having a larger diameter than said second passage and adapted to move into said first passage.

43. In apparatus to be disposed in a well bore: a body member having first and second passages therein, said first passage having a larger diameter than said second passage; first guide means on said body inclined downwardly toward and extending to said second passage; a second tubular string extending to the top of the well bore engageable with said first guide means to be directed thereby toward said second passage; second guide means on said body inclined downwardly from said second passage toward and extending to said first passage; a first tubular string extending to the top of the well bore and engageable with said second guide means to be directed thereby toward said first passage, said first tubing string having a larger diameter than said second passage and adapted to move into said first passage; and means in said first passage for releasably securing a well tool in said

Claims (1)

1. THE METHOD OF COMPLETING A WELL HAVING TWO PRODUCING ZONES, INCLUDING: DISPOSING A PAIR OF TUBING STRINGS IN A WELL, SUCH TUBING STRINGS HAVING LOWER ENDS DISPOSED ABOVE THE UPPER PRODUCING ZONE; DISPOSING A NIPPLE BETWEEN THE TWO PRODUCING ZONES, SAID NIPPLE HAVING A PAIR OF PASSAGES PROVIDING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE TWO ZONES AND ALSO HAVING MEANS THEREON SELECTIVELY DETERMINING ENTRY OF WELL TOOLS INTO SAID PASSAGES; SELECTIVELY CLOSING A PREDETERMINED SELECTED ONE OF THE TWO PASSAGES; AND ESTABLISHING A FLOW COURSE SELECTIVELY CONNECTING THE OTHER PASSAGE TO A SELECTED ONE OF EITHER OF THE TWO TUBING

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