US3363693A

US3363693A - Servicing a plurality of well tubings

Info

Publication number: US3363693A
Application number: US497113A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jr Willy Frank Bohlmann
Original assignee: Exxon Production Research Co
Current assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co
Priority date: 1965-10-18
Filing date: 1965-10-18
Publication date: 1968-01-16
Anticipated expiration: 1985-01-16

Description

Jan. 16, 1968 w. F. BOHLMANN, JR

SERVICING A PLURALITY OF WELL TUBINGS Filed Oct. 18, 1965 l N VEN TOR.

WILLY F. BOHLMANN, JR.,

f CARRIER W-T' -CHOKE United States Patent 3,363,693 SERVICING A PLURALITY 6F WELL TUBINGS Willy Frank Bohlrnann, Jr., Sydney, Australia, assignmto Esso Production Research Company Filed Oct. 18, 1965, Ser. No. 497,113 16 Claims. (Cl. 166-45) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE At least two well tubings are serviced from a single pipe string connected to both of the tubings through a common selectively prcssure-closeable connection.

The present invention is directed to a method for serving a well. In particular, the invention is concerned with servicing a well having a plurality of well tubings arranged therein. In its more specific aspects, the invention is concerned with servicing a well provided with a plurality of well tubings through one pipe string.

The present invention may be briefly described as a method of servicing a plurality of well tubings from a single pipe string. In the present invention, at least two well tubings are arranged in a well with a pipe string being connected to both of the tubings to provide service to the two well tubings. The pipe string is connected to both of the wells through a common connection which is selectively closeable under pressure such that each tubing may be selectively closed off. Fluid is flowed through at least one of the tubings under pressure and the connection is closed to a selected one of the tubings by controlling the pressure.

In the present invention, fiuid is flowed upwardly or downwardly in the tubing string. The fluid may be a workover fluid, such as oil, water, emulsion of oil and water, acid, hydrocarbon, such as oil and/ or gas produced from the well from a subsurface formation in fluid communication with at least one of the tubings, or it may be a slurry of cement or any other fluid or suspension which is used in well operations.

The present invention also comprises apparatus for servicing a plurality of well tubings from a single pipe string. At least two well tubings are arranged in a well in the present invention and a crossover connecting means connects a single pipe string to each of the tubings and to each other. The cross-over connection means has a first passageway to one of the tubings and a second passageway to the second of the tubings, each of the passageways opening into the cross-over connection means and the openings form or provide a valve seat. Valve means in the cross-over connection means is provided which is adapted to seat on the valve seat and close a selected one of the passageways by imposition of a controlled pressure in one of the tubings.

The first and second passageways may be of diiierent diameters such that the valve means will seat selectively on one or the other of the valve seats to close off one of the passageways.

The valve means may suitably be a sleeve valve operated by differential pressure to close selectively the one of the two passageways or any other valve which is operable by differential pressure.

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

FIGURE 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a valve closing one of the tubing strings;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view of the cross-over connection means of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the valve closing off a second tubing string; and

"ice

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view of the cross-over connection means of FIGURE 3.

Referring now to the drawing in which a best mode and embodiment are set forth, and particularly to FIG- URES 1 and 2, 11 designates a well casing cemented in a well drilled in water bottom 14 of a body of water 15. While the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to wells drilled at water locations, it is equally applicable to wells drilled on land or by other means than those described herein. The well casing 11 has a first tubing string 16 and a second tubing string 17 arranged therein. The

tubing strings

16 and 17 have

lower ends

18 and 19 respectively which terminate with respect to tubing string 16 in the space 20 isolated between

packers

21 and 22 and communicate by perforations 23 with upper hydrocarbon productive zone 24. The tubing string 17 communicates by perforations 25 with a lower hydrocarbon productive zone 26.

The

tubing strings

16 and 17 extend into a Christmas tree (not shown) adacent water bottom and to which is connected

flow lines

27 and 28, flow line 27 communicating fluidly with tubing string 16 to form a conduit therewith and flow line 28 communicating fluidly with tubing string 17 to form a conduit therewith.

Tubing strings

16 and 17 are interconnected by a crossover means 29 shown more clearly in FIGURE 2. Cross over connection means 29 is provided with a common passageway 30 which communicates with tubing string 16 by passageway 31 and with tubing string 17 by passageway 32. It is to be noted that the passageway 31 is larger than the passageway 32. A ball valve 34 or other valve such as a differential pressure operated valve is arranged in the passageway 30 for seating on seat 35- is passageway 31 or on seat 36 in passageway 32. Thus, if a pressure differential exists between upper zone 24 and lower zone 26, one or the other of the

passageways

31 or 32 will be closed depending on the pressure. Likewise, by imposing a pressure diiferential on

tubing strings

16 or 17 by external means, such as from the surface, the ball valve 34 may be closed to seat selectively on one or the other of the

seats

35 or 36. It is to be noted that a pipe string 37 connects to the cross-over connection means and to passageway 30 therein. This pipe string 37 extends to above the water surface 38 and is closed by a valve 39. Likewise, the

flow lines

27 and 28 are also closed respectively by

valves

40 and 41.

In the operation of FIGURES 1 and 2 wherein it is desired to install equipment in tubing string 17, production would be stopped in tubing string 16 by closing valve 40. Fluid would be pumped down the how line 28 to pump the pump-down tool carrier 42 carrying a suitable tool such as a storm choke 43 for landing in the landing nipple 44. Since the pressure in tubing string 17 is greater than that exerted from the upper zone 24 in tubing string 16, the ball valve 34 seats on the seat 35 and closes the tubing string 16 allowing the service fluid to flow to the surface through the pipe 37.

With reference to FIGURES 3 and 4, if it is desired to remove a storm choke such as 43 which has been seated in the landing nipple 45 of tubing string 16, a similar procedure would be employed. It is noted that a storm choke 48 is seated in landing nipple 44 of tubing string 17. In this instance, the pump-down tool carrier 42 would first be pumped down in tubingstring 16 as has been described with reference to FIGURES 1 and 2 and latched onto the storm choke 43 thereafter with the valve 41 in flow line 28 closed and valve 33 in pipe 37 open as in FIGURES 1 and 2. Fluid would be flowed down the pipe 37 against the pump-down tool carrier which would unseat the storm choke 43 from landing nipple 45. The ball valve 34 or diiferential operated valve, by virtue of the pressure in tubing string 16 being greater than the pressure in tubing string 17 from zone 25, would cause the flow to be upward in tubing string 16 with the valve 34 seated on the seat 36.

Thus, in accordance with the present invention, the cross-over connection means is selectively closed to one of the tubing strings by control of pressure in another of the tubing strings.

The

tubing strings

16 and 17 are provided with

landing nipples

46 and 47 respectively. These landing nipples may be utilized for receiving plugs which may be removed by imposing a high pressure in the respective tubing strings to cause them to be forced outwardly from the respective tubing string; or the plugs may be retrieved by employing a pump-down tool provided the pump-down tool has a sufficient length to extend above the cross-over connection means such that it may be removed by fluid pressure.

In accordance with the present invention, production may be continued in one tubing while the other is being serviced. Thus, during servicing operations in tubing string 16 with fluid pressure being flowed down pipe string 37, a pressure greater than that exerted in

tubing strings

16 and 17 is exerted on the ball valve 34 (or differential operated valve) which causes it to seat on seat 36. Production is thus continued in tubing string 17. The reverse may obtain when servicing takes place in tubing 17 with production being continued in tubing string 16. When servicing is not being conducted in either

tubing string

16 or 17, the valve 34 closes the passageway which is designed to be closed at the high pressure. During production through both

tubing strings

16 and 17, valve 39 remains closed.

The present invention is quite useful and advantageous in that in accordance with the present invention method and apparatus are provided whereby a single pipe string may be employed to service a plurality of tubing strings. Heretofore in submarine wells, particularly, it has been necessary to provide a pipe string to service each producing string. In accordance with the present invention where a tubing string is selectively closed off by control of fluid pressure, it is unnecessary to provide more than one pipe string to service a plurality of tubing strings.

While the present invention has been illustrated in installing and removing a storm choke, the invention is not to be limited thereto since it is applicable to installation and removal of any type of pump-down tool.

The pump-down tool carrier is a tool carrier which has flexibility or is articulated such that it can move around curves and bends in tubing and in flow lines such as are used on wells completed onbottom of a body of water.

Thus, in accordance with the present invention, by controlling fluid pressure in one tubing string, the other tubing string is selectively closed ofi" such that the pipe string may be used for servicing the other tubing string. The connection to the tubing string may be sized such as to provide a pressure differential or a different pressure may be imposed where the passageways are of the same or substantially identical diameters. Likewise, while a ball valve has been illustrated, all types of valves may be used which will work on differential pressure.

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

1. A method of servicing a plurality of well tubings from a single pipe string in which at least two well tubings are arranged in a well with said pipe string being connected to both of said well tubings through a common selectively pressure-closeable connection and in which fluid is flowed through at least one of said tubings under pressure which comprises closing the connection to a selected one of said tubings by selectively controlling said pressure.

A method in accordance with claim 1 in which said fluid is flowed upwardly in said one of the tubings.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1 in which said fluid is flowed downwardly in said one of the tubings.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1 in which the fluid is a workover fluid.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1 in which the fluid is produced from a subsurface formation in fluid connection with said one of the tubings.

6. A method of servicing a plurality of well tubings from a single pipe string in which at least two well tubings are arranged in a well with said pipe string being connected to both of said well tubings through a common valved connection selectively closeable under pressure and in which fluid is flowed through at least one of said tubings under pressure which comprises selectively controlling said pressure whereby said valved connection to a selected one of said tubings is closed.

7. A method of servicing a plurality of well tubings from a single pipe string in which at least two well tubings are arranged in a well with said pipe string being connected to both of said well tubings through a normally open common connection which is selectively closeable to each tubing by a selected pressure and in which fluid is flowed through at least one of said tubings under pressure which comprises controlling said pressure whereby said connection to a selected one of said tubings is closed.

8. A method of servicing a plurality of well tubings from a single pipe string in which at least two well tubings are arranged in a well communicating with a plurality of hydrocarbon productive formations at different pressures with said pipe string being connected to both of said well tubings through a common connection selectively closeable under pressure and in which fluid is flowed through at least one of said tubings under pressure from one of said formations which comprises imposing said pressure selectively on said connection whereby said connection to the other of said tubings is closed.

9. A method of servicing a plurality of well tubings from a single pipe string in which at least two well tubings are arranged in a well with. said pipe string being connected to both of said well tubings through a common connection selectively colseable under pressure and in which fluid is flowed first through the first of said tubings under pressure which comprises closing the connection to the second of said tubings by controlling pressure, and then flowing fluid through the second of said tubings at a different pressure whereby the connection to the second of said tubings is opened and the connection to the first of said tubings is closed.

10. A method of servicing a plurality of well tubings from a single pipe string in which at least two well tubings are arranged in a well with said pipe string being connected to both of said well tubings through a common connection selectively closeable under pressure which comprises flowing fluid through a first of said tubings under a first pressure to close the connection to a second of said tubings, adjusting said fluid pressure to open the connection to said second tubing and to close the connection to the first tubing and then flowing fluid through the second tubing. I 11. Apparatus for servicing a plurality of well tubings irom a single pipe string in which at least two well tubings are arranged in a well, which comprises a cross-over connection means connecting said pipe string to each of said tubings and connecting said tubings to each other, said cross-over connection means having a first passageway to one of said tubings and a second passageway to a second of said tubings, each of said passageways opening into said cross-over connection means and each of said openings being formed to provide a valve seat, and valve means in said cross-over section means adapted to seat on said valve seats and close a selected one of said passageways by imposition of a controlled pressure in one of said tubings.

12. Apparatus for servicing a plurality of well tubings from a single pipe string in which at least two well tubings are arranged in a Well, which comprises a crossover connection means connecting said pipe string to each of said tubings and connecting said tubings to each other, said cross-over connection means having a first passageway to one of said tubings of a larger diameter than a second passageway to a second of said tubings, each of said passageways opening into said crossover connection means and each of said openings being formed to provide a valve seat, and valve means in said cross-over section means adapted to seat on said valve seats and close a selected one of said passageways by imposition of a controlled pressure in one of said tubings.

13. Apparatus for servicing a plurality of well tubings from a single pipe string in which at least two well tubings are arranged in a Well, said well tubings and said pipe string each having a valve means to control flow of fluid, which comprises a cross-over connection means connecting said pipe string to each of said tubings and connecting said tubings to each other, said cross-over connection mean having a first passageway to one of said tubings and a second passageway to a second of said tubings, each of said passageways opening into said cross-over connection means and each of said openings being formed to provide a valve seat, and valve means in said cross-over connection means adapted to seat on said valve seats and close a selected one of said passageways by imposition of a controlled pressure in one of said tubings.

14. Apparatus in accordance with claim 13 in which the valve means is a ball valve.

15. Apparatus in accordance with claim 13 in which the valve means is a differential pressure operated valve.

16. Apparatus for servicing a plurality of well tubings from a single pipe string in which at least two well tubings are arranged in a well, which comprises a cross-over connection means connecting said pipe string to each of said tubings and connecting said tubings to each other, said cross-over connection means having a first passageway to one of said tubings and a second passageway to a second of said tubings, valve means in said cross-over connection means adapted to close a selected one of said passageways by imposition of a selected controlled pressure in one of said tubings.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,852,079 9/1958 Hebard 166-52 X 3,040,813 6/1962 Tausch et al 166-45 X 3,064,580 11/1962 Calvert et a1. 166-45 X 3,172,469 3/1965 Coberly et al 166-45 X 3,322,192 5/1967 Woelfel et al. 166-224 X CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Primary Examiner. DAVID H. BROWN, Examiner.