US3721292A

US3721292A - Marine riser liner apparatus and methods of installing such apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3721292A
Application number: US00169200A
Authority: US
Inventors: A Ahlstone
Original assignee: Vetco Offshore Industries Inc
Current assignee: Vetco Gray LLC
Priority date: 1971-08-05
Filing date: 1971-08-05
Publication date: 1973-03-20
Anticipated expiration: 1990-03-20
Also published as: CA961028A; NL7209068A; GB1360316A; FR2148003A1; JPS5322041B2; JPS4834701A; FR2148003B1

Abstract

A LINER INSTALLED IN A DEEP WATER MARINE RISER EXTENDING FROM A REGION NEAR THE FLOOR OF THE OCEAN TO A DRILLING VESSEL OR PLATFORM FLOATING IN OR POSITIONED ABOVE THE OCEAN, THE LOWER PORTION OF THE LINER BEING ANCHORED IN THE LOWER PORTION OF THE MARINE RISER, WITH THE UPPER PORTION OF THE LINER HANGING OR SUPPORTED IN THE UPPER PORTION OF THE MARINE RISER, THE LINER STRING BEWTEEN THE ANCHORING AND HANGING PORTIONS BEING TENSIONED AND MAINTAINED IN TENSION.

Description

March 20, 1973 A. e. AHLSTONE MARINE RISER LINER APPARATUS AND METHODS OF INSTALLING SUCH APPARATUS Filed Aug. 5, 1971 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 20, .1973 AHLSTONE 3,72192 MARINE RISER LINER APPARATUS AND METHODS OF INSTALLING suon APPARATUS Fil' d Aug. 5, 1971 5 sheetsfiheet-z A630. 155.517. fig, N

March 20,.1973 A. G. AHLSTONE 3,721,292

MARINE RISER LINER APPARATUS AND METHODS OF INSTALLING SUCH APPARATUS Filed Aug. 5, 1971 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOQ. 4277/02 6. 1941.5 TONE United States Patent 3 721,292 MARINE RISER LINEI? APPARATUS AND METH- ODS 0F INSTALLING SUCH APPARATUS Arthur G. Ahlstone, Ventura, Califi, assignor to Vetco Offshore Industries, Inc., Ventura, Calif. Filed Aug. 5, 1971, Ser. No. 169,200

Int. Cl. E21h 7/12 US. Cl. 166-5 19 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A liner installed in a deep water marine riser extending from a region near the floor of the ocean to a drilling vessel or platform floating in or positioned above the ocean, the lower portion of the liner being anchored in the lower portion of the marine riser, with the upper portion of the liner hanging or supported in the upper portion of the marine riser, the liner string between the anchoring and hanging portions being tensioned and maintained in tension.

The present invention relates to marine riser system, and more particularly to liners to be secured within deep water marine risers to reduce the effective internal diameter of the marine riser system.

Underwater well bores are drilled from fixed platforms or from floating drilling vessels, the latter being used in relatively deep water, as water exceeding depths of several hundred feet, and which, it is contemplated, may soon be as much as 5,000 feet deep. Marine riser pipe string systems are used, forming an outer enclosure extending from a region at the ocean floor to the drilling vessel or platform, the riser pipe having a relatively large diameter. This pipe is subject to the hydrostatic pressure of the drilling mud used in drilling the underwater well bore. As the mud weight increases, the hydrostatic pressure correspondingly increases, approaching an unsafe value to which the large diameter pipe is subjected. Moreover, the velocity of the drilling mud and cuttings flowing upwardly around the drill pipe and through large diameter marine riser pipes may be insufficient to insure the removal of the cuttings through the riser to the drilling vessel.

In general, an objective of the present invention is to provide a marine riser pipe system embodying liner apparatus to be secured within marine riser pipes to reduce the eflective internal diameter of the system, thereby subjecting smaller diameter pipe to the hydrostatic head in the system, which it is capable of containing effectively and safely, and also insuring upward flow of the drilling fluid and cuttings through the riser system at a sufficiently high velocity to carry the cuttings to the drilling vessel or platform for disposal.

Another object of the invention is to provide a marine riser system embodying a liner and associated apparatus for securing it in tension between the lower and upper portions of an encompassing or outer string of marine riser pipe of larger diameter than the liner. The associated apparatus will effect the pack-off between the liner and the riser pipe to prevent the hydrostatic pressure within the liner from being imposed on the riser pipe.

A further object of the invention is to provide a method of running a liner in a string of marine riser pipe, landing the upper portion of the liner in the upper portion of the riser pipe, anchoring the lower portion of the liner in the lower portion of the riser pipe, and placing and maintaining the liner in tension between its landing and anchoring portions.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a marine riser system embodying a liner set in outer marine riser pipe, and in which the liner may be removed from the outer riser pipe when desired.

This invention possesses many other advantages and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of several forms and methods embodying the invention. These forms and methods are shown and described in the present specification and in the drawings accompanying and constituting a part thereof. They 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 detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGS. 1a, 1b and 10 together constitute a quarter longitudinal section through a marine riser string and a marine riser liner apparatus disposed therewithin, the liner apparatus hanging from the upper portion of the marine riser string, FIGS. 1b and 10 being lower continuations of FIGS. la and lb, respectively;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1b, with the parts in a ditferent relative position;

FIGS. 3a and 3b are views corresponding to FIGS. 1a, lb and 1c, illustrating the liner string anchored in tensioned relation between the upper and lower portions of the marine riser string, FIG. 3b being a lower continuation of FIG. 3a;

FIGS. 4a and 4b are views similar to FIGS. 1a and lb of another embodiment of the invention, FIG. 412 being a lower continuation of FIG. 4a; and

FIG. 5 is a somewhat diagrammatic view of an underwater well bore in conjunction with a floating drilling vessel, a marine riser string and associated equipment extending between the well bore and vessel.

As illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 5, an underwater well bore A extends downwardly from the floor F of a body of water B on which a drilling barge or vessel C is floating. A suitable base D rests on the ocean floor, there being a plurality of concentric casing strings E, G extending downwardly into the well bore and being suitably cemented therein. One of the strings of casing G is connected through a connector or connectors H, and one or more blowout preventers I, and flexible joints K to the lower portion of a marine riser conductor pipe M extending upwardly to the drilling barge C. As is well known, the operation of drilling of the well bore is conducted from the floating barge through the marine riser pipe, connectors and blowout preventers therebelow, and the casing G in the Well bore, the drilling operation taking place below the lower end of the casing.

During the initial drilling operations of the well A, the hydrostatic pressure in the marine riser system M increases, a point being reached when it is desired to install a liner L in the marine riser to contain the hydrostatic pressure and also to reduce the effective internal diameter of the marine riser system, so as to maintain the velocity of the drilling fluid returns suflicient to lift the cuttings from the drilling operation to the drilling vessel.

As disclosed in the form of invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, a riser liner string L is to be installed within the outer marine riser string of pipe M, the liner string extending from the lower portion 10 of the Outer pipe to the upper portion 11 of the outer pipe. The riser liner string L is to be supported or landed in the upper portion 11 and anchored in the lower portion 10, being placed under tension between such portions.

The upper portion of the marine riser pipe is formed as a landing nipple having an internal, circumferentially continuous lock groove 12 and an internal, circumferen tially continuous locator groove 13, these grooves being separated by an internal flange 14. The upper surface 15 of this flange forms a lower side of the lock groove 12 and may be disposed normal tothe axis of the landing nipple, but is preferably tapered or inclined slightly in an upward direction, forming an acute angle with the base of the lock groove. The upper side 16 of the lock groove is tapered in an upward direction, forming a retracting or cam surface. The lower side 17 of the locating groove 13 is tapered in a downward direction and its upper side 18 is tapered in an upward direction, thereby providing upper and lower tapered or cam surfaces.

A riser liner hanger 19 cooperates with the

grooves

12, 13 for the purpose of supporting the liner string L and devices associated therewith. As shown, this liner hanger includes an upper tubular mandrel or body 20, the lower end of which has a threaded box 21 for threadly receiving the upper end of the upper liner string section 22. At the upper end of the body is an outwardly directed flange 23 providing a downwardly facing body shoulder 24 hearing against an elastomer packing ring 25, the lower end of which engages a lower ring or abutment 26 movably mounted on the body 20. As described hereinbelow, the body is movable downwardly within the ring 26 for the purpose of compressing the packing ring 25 between the upper and

lower abutments

24, 26 and expanding it outwardly into firm sealing engagement with the inner wall 27 of the landing nipple 11.

The body 20 has a nut 28 threaded on its lower end and which provides, with the upper body portion 20a, an elongate groove 29 in which a split, inherently expansible locking sleeve 30 is disposed. This sleeve is confined between the ring 26 and the body nut 28, its inherent outward expansion being limited by engagement of its lower stop portion 31 with an encompassing upwardly directed stop rim 32 on the upper portion of the nut. The split locking sleeve has an intermediate, circumferentially continuous, external groove 33 adapted to receive the inwardly directed nipple flange 14, the upper end of this groove providing a downwardly facing lock shoulder 34 companion to and adapted to engage the upwardly facing lock shoulder 15 of the nipple flange. The lock shoulder 34 forms the lower end of an upper lock portion 35 of the sleeve, which is adapted to project outwardly into the lock groove 12 of the nipple, this upper lock portion having an upwardly tapering cam surface 36 engageable with the companion retracting cam surface 16 of the nipple, to contract the lock sleeve 30 inwardly of its

grooves

12, 13 when the liner hanger 19 is to be removed from the outer riser string M.

The locking sleeve 30 also includes a lower elongate locator portion 38 adapted to fit within the locating groove 13 when aligned therewith, this locator portion having an upper tapered cam surface 39 engageable with the companion cam surface 16 on the nipple, and a lower downwardly tapering cam surface 40 for enabling the sleeve to slide past coupling and other spaces during lowering of the liner hanger 19 toward and into the landing nipple 11. The locator portion has a periphery of longer extent than the periphery of any internal groove along which the liner hanger is movable, so as to retain the locking sleeve 30 in a contracted position and prevent its upper lock portion 35 from expanding into coupling spaces or against other shoulders along which the liner hanger and its locking sleeve are movable. It is only when the locator portion 38 is positioned opposite the locating groove 13 in the landing nipple that the sleeve 30 can expand inherently outwardly to place its lock portion 35 within the lock groove 12, the liner hanger thereby being supported against downward movement within the nipple 11.

The lower portion of the outer marine riser string is also constituted as a landing nipple, having essentially the same configuration as the upper landing nipple 11, but oppositely arranged; that is, its internal locking groove 12a is located below its locating groove 13a, providing a downwardly directed locking shoulder a, the downwardly tapering catn surface 16a forming the lower side of the locking groove. The locating groove 13a also has its sides 17a, 18a tapering upwardly and downwardly.

A riser liner anchor 50 has its main body portion 51 threadedly secured to the lower end of the riser liner string L, the anchor being substantially the same as the linear hanger 19, but with its parts oppositely disposed with respect thereto. Thus, the anchor includes the main body 51 having a lower shoulder or abutment 52 engaging an elastomer packing ring or sleeve 53, an upper abutment 54 engaging this ring and normally prevented from moving relatively toward the lower abutment 52 by a shear screw 55 securing it to the body 51. Bearing against the upper abutment ring 54 is the lower end of a split, inherently expansible locking sleeve 56 having a lower lock portion 57 and an upper locator portion 58, the lock portion being adapted to be disposed Within the lock groove 12a and the locator portion within the locating groove 13a in the lower nipple. The lock sleeve tends to expand inherently outwardly, such expansion being limited by engagement of an upper stop portion 59 on the sleeve with a downwardly extending rim 60 on a body nut 61 threadedly secured to the main portion of the body 51.

The riser liner anchor 50 can shift downwardly through the entire outer marine riser system M, with the lower locking sleeve 56 sliding past the locator and lock

grooves

13a, 12a of the lower nipple 10 to a position therebelow. When the anchor 50 is then shifted upwardly, the locating and lock sleeve 56 will expand outwardly into the locator and lock

grooves

13a, 12a to secure the anchor 50 to the lower nipple 10 against upward movement, the lock portion 57 engaging the lock shoulder 15a. When the lock sleeve 56 has been locked to the nipple, a continuation of an upward pull on the body 51 will shear the screw 55 and then move the lower abutment 52 toward the upper abutment 54 to compress and expand the packing ring 53 outwardly into firm sealing engagement with the inner cylindrical wall 62 of the lower nipple.

The riser liner string L includes a relatively short upper portion 65, the remainder 66 of the liner string, which extends almost the entire distance from the lower landing nipple 10 toward the upper landing nipple 11, having its upper portion telescopically disposed within the upper liner string portion 65. The telescoping portions comprise a riser liner tensioner 67, the outer body 68 of which has an upper internal thread 69 and also a head or sub 70 threadedly secured to its lower end, this sub being relatively slidable along the periphery of the inner liner portion 66 and having one or more seal rings 71 thereon s'lidably sealing against such periphery. The inner 'liner string portion 66 has an upper internally threaded head 72 of the same hand and pitch as the other internal thread 69, but of substantially greater axial extent. A key 73 is secured by a screw 74, or the like, to the inner member 66 and fits within a keyway 75 in the outer body member 68 of the tensioner to initially prevent relative rotation between the upper and lower

liner string portions

65, 66.

The upper portion 66a of the lower liner string 66 can shift upwardly within the upper portion 65 of the liner string, but cannot move downwardly with respect thereto, because of the provision of a one-way clutch or gripper device 77 between the upper and lower portions. Thus, a split, one-way latch ring or sleeve 78 surrounds the periphery of. the lower liner string portion 66a, the ratchet sleeve having upwardly directed internal ratchet teeth 79 thereon adapted to engage the periphery of the liner string. The ratchet sleeve has external cam teeth 80, the exterior surfaces 81 of which taper in a downward and inward direction and coact with companion internal cam teeth 82 formed on the interior of an outer body 83, the upper end of which engages a downwardly facing shoulder 84 on the outer body 63 of the upper liner string portion, and the lower end of which engages a ring 85, which, in turn, engages an elastomer packing sleeve 86 contacting the upper end of the body sub 70. Relative downward movement of the ratchet ring 78 within the cam member 83 forces the split ratchet sleeve inwardly and embeds its teeth 79 more securely into the periphery of the liner string portion 66a, thereby preventing its downward shifting With respect to the upper liner string 68.

The riser anchor 50, hanger 19 and liner string L therebetween are lowered down through the outer marine riser string M on a running tool 90 suitably secured to a tubular running string 91. This running tool extends downwardly within the upper liner string 65 and has an upper threaded head 92 threadedly engaging the upper internal thread 69, and a lower threaded portion 93 threadedly engaging the lower internal thread 72, thereby coupling the upper and lower

liner string portions

65, 66 to each other against relative longitudinal movement. The distance between the liner hanger 19 and the liner anchor 50 is greater initially than the distance between the locking

grooves

12, 13 and 12a, 13a in the upper and

lower nipples

11, 10. Accordingly, lowering of the entire assembly on the running tool 90 through the outer marine riser M can continue until the riser liner hanger 19 is disposed within the upper nipple 11, the locator portion 38 of the upper locking sleeve 30 being disposed opposite the locating groove 13, whereupon the locking sleeve 30 can expand outwardly and place the upper lock portion 35 into the lock groove 12, and with its lock shoulder 34 engaging the upwardly facing lock shoulder 15 on the nipple. At this time, the riser liner anchor 50 will be disposed within the lower nipple below its locator and lock

grooves

13a, 12a, as illustrated in FIGS. 1a, lb, 10. The running string 91 and running tool 90 are then rotated to the right (both sets of

threads

69, 92 and 72, 93 being left-hand and of the same pitch) until the upper running head 92 is unscrewed from the upper internal thread 69, a substantial threaded engagement still remaining between the lower set of

mating threads

72, 93. The antirotation key 73 and keyway 75 will prevent the upper and lower

liner string portions

65, 66 from turning, the entire Weight of the riser liner string L being carried by the upper lock shoulder 34, the parts then being in the position illustrated in FIG. 2. The running string 91 and running tool 90 are then elevated, the threaded engagement between the

lower threads

93, 72 causing the lower liner string 66 to be moved upwardly, shifting the anchor 50 upwardly until its split locking sleeve 56 comes opposite the locating and lock

grooves

13a, 12a in the lower nipple 10, at which time the sleeve 56 will expand outwardly into such grooves to prevent further upward movement of the liner anchor 50' in the nipple, which secures the lower end of the liner string against upward movement within the outer riser string M. The prior unthreading of the running tool 90 from the upper internal threads 69 permits the upper telescoping of the lower liner string portion 66a within the upper liner string portion 65.

After the anchor 50 has been locked in place, an upward strain can be taken on the running string 91 and running tool 90 secured thereto, to impart a desired degree of tension to the riser liner string 66, the liner stretching and sliding upwardly within the ratchet portion of the liner tensioner 67. Such upward movement will effect shearing of the screw 55 of the anchor and the compression of the lower packing 53 between the upper and

lower abutments

52, 54 and its expansion into sealing engagement with the wall 62 of the lower nipple 10. After the desired degree of tension has been exerted on the liner string L, the running string 91 and running tool 90 can be relaxed. However, any tendency of the riser liner L to contract will be prevented by the gripping of the ratchet teeth 79 with the periphery of the liner portion 66a, the tendency of the liner to contract pulling the ratchet sleeve 78 downwardly and causing it to be cammed more firmly into gripping engagement with the periphery of the liner. The tendency of the ratchet sleeve to shift downwardly will carry the cam sleeve 83 downwardly with it, to force the upper abutment ring 85 toward the lower sub 70, compressing the packing 86 into firm sealing engagement with the periphery of the liner, and also to pull the upper portion 65 of the liner L downwardly. Such downward movement causes the upper abutment 23 of the liner hanger to shift toward the lower abutment 26, to compress the packing 25 therebetween and force it into firm sealing engagement against the inner wall 27 of the upper nipple 11, the tensile pull on the body 20 being transmitted through the locking sleeve 30 and its lock shoulder 34 to the nipple shoulder 15. The parts are then in the position illustrated in FIGS. 3a, 3b, in which the liner L is retained in tension between the anchor 50 secured to the lower nipple 10 and the liner hanger 19 secured to the upper nipple 11.

The running tool 90 can then be disconnected from the riser liner tensioner 67 by rotating the running string 91 and running too] 90 to the right, to completely unthread the lower portion 93 of the running tool from the internally threaded portion 72 of the riser liner tensioner, the running tool 90 then being elevated and removed from the riser apparatus.

A testing device may be mounted in the lower anchor body 51 prior to the lowering of the apparatus through the outer riser string M. This testing device includes a body 101 having a passage therethrough 102 and an upwardly facing valve seat 103, a split expansible lock sleeve 104 being mounted on the body, this sleeve having an upper lock portion 105 disposed in a lock groove 106 in the anchor body and a locator portion 107 disposed in a locator groove 108 in the anchor body 51. A removable test plug 109 is disposed against the seat 103 to close the passage 102 through the test body, the upward extent of movement of this test plug being limited by its engagement with a snap retainer ring 110 mounted in a groove 111 in the upper portion of the test body. This test plug has a fishing neck 112 and an upper head 113 for permitting the test device to be withdrawn after the testing operation. has been conducted.

After the liner L has been hung and anchored in tensioned condition within the outer riser pipe M, pressure can be applied to the fluid in the liner L to ascertain whether there are any leaks in the liner system, as well as testing the efficacy of the anchor and hanger seals 53, 25. After the testing operation has been performed, a suitable fishing tool (not shown) is lowered through the liner string L, the fishing tool (of a known type) moving over the test plug head 113 and around its neck 112, whereupon an upward pull taken on the fishing tool will move the plug 109 upwardly to open the passage 102 through the test device body, the test plug then engaging the retaining ring 110 and pulling upwardly on the body 101, the downwardly holding lock sleeve 104 being cammed inwardly from the lock and

locator grooves

106, 108, and permitting the entire test device 100 to be withdrawn through the liner L to the drilling ring R mounted in the vessel C.

Drilling of the well bore can now continue with the internal diameter of the marine riser system having been substantially reduced by virtue of the installation of the liner L. The outer marine riser M has been relieved of the weight of the drilling mud and of the cuttings, the hydrostatic pressure then being imposed upon the smaller diameter liner string. Moreover, the much smaller internal diameter of the liner string will cause the drilling fluid and cuttings to rise at a substantially greater velocity through the riser system and to the drilling rig.

After the well bore has been drilled to the desired depth, it may be desired to remove the riser liner L from the interior of the outer string of riser pipe. A suitable cutoff tool (not shown) is lowered down inside the riser liner to a location below the riser liner hanger 19. The riser liner L is cut off just below the hanger 19, which allows the entire riser liner therebelow to drop downwardly within the outer riser pipe M, the anchor 50 automtically releasing and shifting out of the lock and locator grooves 13a, 1211, because of the lower cam surfaces 18a, 16a on the nipple 10, shifting the lock sleeve 56 inwardly. The outer marine riser string M need only be elevated to permit the liner L to drop freely onto the ocean bottom. Recovery of the entire liner assembly L need not be attempted, since it is probably worn out by the time drilling of the well bore has been completed and could not be used again, as a practical matter.

In the form of invention illustrated in FIGS. 4a, 4b, the liner string L and riser liner anchor (not shown) are the same as in the other embodiment of the invention, the lower portion 66 of the liner string being telescoped upwardly into the riser liner tensioner 67a, the lower liner portion of the string having an upper head 200 which extends above a shoulder 201 of an upper riser liner string portion 65, the lower end of which is threadedly connected to the outer cam housing 82a of the one-way clutch or gripper 77a. This cam housing contains a split ratchet sleeve 78 having upwardly facing internal ratchet teeth 79, external cam teeth 80 coacting with companion cam teeth on the outer cam housing, the structure being essentially the same as illustrated in the other form of the invention. The lower end of the cam housing 82a is threaded- 1y secured to a lower sub 70, carrying a seal ring 71 slidably and sealingly engaging against the periphery of the lower liner string 66. A second seal ring 71a may be disposed within the upper portion of the cam housing 82a, which also sealingly engages the periphery of the liner string.

The upper portion 65 of the riser liner string is threadedly secured to the lower end of the liner hanger 19a, which is of somewhat modified form when compared with the previously described liner hanger. In this case, the hanger body 20 is surrounded by a carrier 210 which supports the split locking sleeve 30 within a circumferential groove 29 between its upper flange 211 and a lower nut 28 threaded on the carrier. The sleeve 30 is the same as described in the other form of invention, and is shiftable into a lock groove 12 and locating groove 13, as illustrated and described in the other form of the invention. The carrier 210 is shiftable on the body to a small longitudinal extent, its relative downward movement on the body being limited by its engagement with a split snap ring 212 disposed in a peripheral groove 213 in the body, its upward movement being limited by its ability to compress an elastomer packing ring 25 disposed around the body and engaging an upper shoulder abutment 23 on the body and a lower abutment 26a projecting upwardly from the carrier flange 211. In all respects, the liner hanger 19a operates in the same manner as the other liner hanger.

The liner string L, with the liner hanger 19a and anchor (not shown) secured to its upper and lower ends, respectively, is lowered down through the outer marine riser pipe M on a running tool 90a forming the lower end of a running string (not shown) and which is threadedly secured to the upper left-hand threaded box 215 of the hanger body 20, the lower portion 66 of the liner string hanging by its head 200 from the shoulder 201 of the upper liner portion 65. The distance between the hanger 19a and anchor 50 is slightly greater than the distance between the

grooves

12, 13 in the upper hanger nipple 11 and the

grooves

12a, 13a in the lower anchor nipple 10. Lowering continues until the hanger 19a locks into the upper hanger nipple 11, at which time the anchor 50 is disposed a short distance below the

grooves

12a, 13a in the anchor nipple 10. The riser liner can now be tensioned by lowering a regular casing spear (not shown) down inside the upper portion 66a of the lower liner string 66, this spear latching into such portion, whereupon an upward pull is taken on the spear and the lower liner string portion 66, to shift the latter upwardly until its anchor 50 becomes coupled to the lower anchor nipple (as in FIG. 3b), whereupon an appropriate strain can be taken on the liner string 66, the liner string sliding upwardly within the one-Way gripper device 67a. When sufiicient tension has been imparted to the liner string 66, the spear is released, the tendency of the lower liner string 66 to contract being prevented by the gripping action of the oneway ratchet teeth 79 thereon and the coengaging cam elements 77a, 82a, the tendency of the lower liner string 66 to contract exerting a downward pull on the upper portion 65 of the riser liner string, which is supported by the upper hanger 19a from the upper nipple 11. The tensioning insures a pack-off of the hanger packing ring 25 and of the anchor packing ring 53.

The casting spear can now be recovered and the riser running tool a unthreaded from the hanger body 20 and also removed.

The lower portion of the liner assembly is the same as in the other form of the invention, the testing and recovery of the test device being carried out in the same manner as in the other form of the invention. Similarly, removal of the liner string L, when desired, can take place in the same manner as described in connection with the other form of the invention; that is, by cutting oh the liner just below the riser liner hanger 19a.

I claim:

1. In marine riser apparatus for use in connection with an underwater well bore: a tubular outer marine riser adapted to extend upwardly in the water from a location above the well bore; a tubular riser liner string disposed within the marine riser; anchor means for securing the lower portion of the liner string to a lower portion of the marine riser; hanger means for hanging the upper portion of the liner string to an upper portion of the marine riser; and means for tensioning the liner string between said anchor means and hanger means.

2. In apparatus as defined in claim 1; and means for retaining said liner string in tension.

3. In apparatus as defined in claim 1; said liner string including an upper section secured to and depending from said hanger means, a lower section secured to and extending upwardly from said anchor means and in telescopic relation to said upper section; said tension means including means connectible to said lower section for stretching said lower section upwardly along said upper section.

4. In apparatus as defined in claim 1; said liner string including an upper section secured to and depending from said hanger means, a lower section secured to and extending upwardly from said anchor means and in telescopic relation to said upper section; said tension means including means connectible to said lower section for stretching said lower section upwardly along said upper section; and coengaging retaining means on said upper and lower sections for preventing downward movement of said stretched lower section with respect to said upper section.

5. In apparatus as defined in claim 1; said liner string including an upper section secured to and depending from said hanger means, a lower section secured to and extending upwardly from said anchor means and in telescopic relation to said upper section; said tension means including means connectible to said lower section for stretching said lower section upward along said upper section; and one-way gripper means on one of said sections engaging said other seciton to permit said upward stretching of said lower section along said upper section, but preventing downward movement of said stretched lower section with respect to said upper section.

6. In apparatus as defined in claim 1; seal means be tween said hanger means and upper portion of said marine riser; and seal means between said anchor means and lower portion of said marine riser.

7. In apparatus as defined in claim 1; said liner string including an upper section secured to and depending from said hanger means, a lower section secured to and extending upwardly from said anchor means and in telescopic relation to said upper section; said tension means including means connectible to said lower section for stretching said lower section upwardly along said upper section; and one-way gripper means on one of said sections engaging said other section to permit said upward stretching of said lower section along said upper section, but preventing downward movement of said stretched lower section with respect to said upper section; seal means between said hanger means and upper portion of said marine riser; and seal means between said anchor means and lower portion of said marine riser.

8. In marine riser apparatus for use in connection with an underwater well bore; a tubular outer marine riser adapted to extend upwardly in the water from a location above the Well bore; a tubular riser liner string disposed within the marine riser; said marine riser including a lower nipple having an internal groove and an upper nipple having an internal groove; a lower hanger secured to the upper portion of said liner string and having lock means receivable in said upper nipple groove; an anchor secured to the lower portion of said liner string and having lock means receivable in said lower nipple groove; and means for tensioning the liner string between said lower and upper nipples with said hanger lock means and said anchor lock means disposed in said upper groove and lower groove, respectively.

9. In marine riser apparatus as defined in claim 8; said upper portion and lower portion of said liner string being in telescopic relation to each other; said tensioning means including means connectible to said lower portion for stretching said lower portion upwardly along said upper portion.

10. In marine riser apparatus as defined in claim 8; said upper portion and lower portion of said liner string bein in telescopic relation to each other; said tensioning means including means connectible to said lower portion for stretching said lower portion upwardly along said upper portion; and coengaging retaining means on said upper and lower portions for preventing downward movement of said stretched lower portion with respect to said upper portion.

11. In marine riser apparatus as defined in claim 8; said upper portion and lower portion of said liner string being in telescopic relation to each other; said tensioning means including means connectible to said lower portion for stretching said lower portion upwardly along said upper portion; and one-way gripper means on one of said portions engaging said other portion to permit said upward stretching of said lower portion along said upper portion, but preventing downward movement of said stretched lower portion with respect to said upper portion.

12. In marine riser apparatus for use in connection with an underwater well bore: a tubular outer marine riser adapted to extend upwardly in the water from a location above the well bore; a tubular riser liner string disposed within the marine riser; anchor means for securing the lower portion of the liner string to a lower portion of the marine riser; hanger means for hanging the upper portion of the liner string to an upper portion of the marine riser; means for tensioning the liner string between said anchor means and hanger means; said liner string including an upper section secured to and depending from said hanger means, a lower section secured to and extending upwardly from said anchor means and in telescopic relation to said upper section; a running tool for lowering said riser liner string in the marine riser; first releasable connector means securing said running tool to said upper section; second releasable connector means securing said running tool to said lower section; release of said first connector means enabling said running tool to stretch said lower section upwardly along said upper section; and coengaging retaining means on said upper and lower sections for preventing downward movement of said stretched lower section with respect to said upper section.

13. In apparatus as defined in claim 12; said first releasable connector means comprising a first threaded connection; said second releasable connector means com prising a second threaded connection; rotation of said running tool releasing said first threaded connection without releasing said second threaded connection.

14. A method of securing a tubular riser liner string in a tubular marine riser projecting upwardly in water from a location above an underwater well bore, comprising lowering the liner string in the marine riser until the lower portion of the liner string is at the lower portion of the marine riser and the upper portion of the liner string is at the upper portion of the marine riser, securing the lower portion of the liner string to the lower portion of the marine riser, securing the upper portion of the liner string to the upper portion of the marine riser, and tensioning the liner string between its points of securement to the lower and upper portions of the marine riser.

15. A method as defined in claim 14; and retaining the liner string in tension.

16. A method as defined in claim 14; the liner string being lowered in the marine riser on a running string secured to the liner string, the liner string being tensioned by taking an upward pull on the running string.

17. A method as defined in claim 14; the liner string being lowered in the marine riser on the running string secured to the liner string, the liner string being tensioned by taking an upward pull on the running string, retaining the liner string in tension, and releasing the running string from the liner string.

18. A method as defined in claim 14; the liner string including an upper section and a lower section telescoped one within the other, the liner string being lowered in the marine riser on a running tool secured to at least one of said sections, the liner string being tensioned by taking an upward pull on the running tool, retaining the liner string in tension, and releasing the running tool from said one of said sections.

19. A method as defined in claim 14; the liner string including an upper section and a lower section telescoped one within the other, the liner string being lowered in the marine riser on a running tool secured to both of said sections, releasing the running tool from the upper section while the running tool remains secured to the lower section, tensioning the lower section by taking an upward pull on the running tool to pull the lower section upwardly along the upper section, securing said upper and lower sections to each other to retain the sections in tension, and releasing the running tool from the lower section.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,195,639 7/1965 Pollard et al -7 X 3,307,624 3/1967 Lubinski 175-9 X 3,313,358 4/1967 Postlewaite et a1. 166-.5 X 3,319,981 5/1967 Burgess 285-302 3,380,760 4/1968 McArthur 285-137 R X 3,532,162 10/1970 Fischer 175-7 X 3,601,187 8/1971 Tidwell 175-7 X 3,643,751 2/1972 Crickmer 175-7 DAVID H. BROWN, Primary Examiner R. E. FAVREAU, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R.