WO2002016729A1 - Device by an expansion packer element - Google Patents

Device by an expansion packer element Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2002016729A1
WO2002016729A1 PCT/NO2001/000343 NO0100343W WO0216729A1 WO 2002016729 A1 WO2002016729 A1 WO 2002016729A1 NO 0100343 W NO0100343 W NO 0100343W WO 0216729 A1 WO0216729 A1 WO 0216729A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
plug pipe
plug
pipe
countersink
hollows
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NO2001/000343
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Geir Ueland
Original Assignee
Geir Ueland
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Geir Ueland filed Critical Geir Ueland
Priority to AU2001278828A priority Critical patent/AU2001278828A1/en
Publication of WO2002016729A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002016729A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B29/00—Cutting or destroying pipes, packers, plugs, or wire lines, located in boreholes or wells, e.g. cutting of damaged pipes, of windows; Deforming of pipes in boreholes or wells; Reconditioning of well casings while in the ground
    • E21B29/10—Reconditioning of well casings, e.g. straightening
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
    • E21B33/10—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells in the borehole
    • E21B33/12—Packers; Plugs

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a device for plugging subsea oil/ gas wells, for example.
  • the sealing is accomplished in that a metal is deformed in order thereby to exert, directly or indirectly, the required frictional/sealing/securing force against the wall of the well.
  • the object may be to shut off or isolate, temporarily or permanently, a well section or an entire well.
  • plugs are adapted for fields of application in wells of different constructions. For example, it is common to use mechanical plugs in the permanent sealing of wells, whereas inflatable plugs are used in temporary restricting operations, in which a section of the well must be isolated from the rest of the well.
  • the fields of application of the different types of plugs are indefinite and overlapping. It is sometimes desirable to be able to transport a plug, which is to seal against a pipe of a given diameter, through a smaller pipe or a valve, possibly past a damaged pipe, to the position where the plug is to be set. In such use it is necessary that the plug expands considerably during the setting operation. In order for the plugs to be pulled out through a smaller pipe, it is essential that the plug diameter is reduced essentially to its initial diameter.
  • a mechanical plug is adapted for a relatively limited diameter range and is therefore not suitable to be run to the setting point through a smaller pipe, for example.
  • Inflatable plugs are better suited to be run to the setting point in such a manner, but due to the effect of the high temperatures on the sealing material, they are not fit to resist high pressures for some length of time.
  • the object of the invention is to remedy the negative aspects of known technique.
  • a plug in the form of a cylindrical plug pipe is run to its setting point. It could well be run through a pipe of a smaller diameter than that of the pipe/well to be plugged.
  • the plug pipe is axially open or closed to flow.
  • the plug pipe is provided with one or more internal cylindrical countersink hollows arranged to weaken the axial compression strength of the plug pipe in the area near the hollow(s).
  • the countersink hollows can be formed so that the collars are formed in a fixed sequence as the plug pipe is compressed.
  • the plug pipe may be provided with an external coating, which is arranged to improve the sealing against the wall of the pipe/well during and after the formation of the collar, or with an elastic external element for the same purpose.
  • a single-acting hydraulic annular cylinder is positioned at the upper end portion of the plug pipe.
  • the annular cylinder is provided with a top socket fitting complementarily the connector in the free end portion of a drill string/coiled tubing.
  • a pressure fluid channel connects the cavity of the drill string/coiled tubing to the cavity of the annular cylinder.
  • the internal part of the annular cylinder forms a fixed connection between the top socket and the lower end portion of the plug pipe, whereas the movable external cylinder pipe of the annular cylinder bears on the upper end portion of the plug pipe.
  • a tension cylinder In the removal/withdrawal of the plug pipe a tension cylinder must be used, alternatively a double-acting cylinder, which is arranged to stretch the plug pipe so that the deformed portions are straightened.
  • the plug pipe with the connected annular cylinder is attached to the free end portion of the drill string, possibly a coiled tubing/wire line/slick line, and is lowered into the well to its setting point. Pressure fluid is then pumped down the drill string to the annular cylinder.
  • the plug pipe which is fixedly connected to the drill string through the tension rod and the internal part of the annular cylinder, remains essentially in a fixed position relative to the lower end portion of the drill string, whereas the external cylinder pipe of the annular cylinder applies a downward axial force to the upper end portion of the plug pipe.
  • collars are formed externally on the plug pipe.
  • the collar(s) "grows" ("grow”) outwards in step with the deformation of the plug pipe.
  • Collar geometry and dimension are determined in that the countersink hollow is suitably formed in accordance with known material deformation criteria.
  • the annular cylinder is disconnected from the plug pipe and withdrawn together with the drill string.
  • Fig. 1 show's, partly in section, a plug pipe with an annular cylinder in a position for setting;
  • Fig. 2 shows the plug pipe of Fig. 1 after setting;
  • Fig. 3 shows the plug pipe of Fig. 1 after disconnection.
  • Fig. . 4. shows a detail, in section, of the deformation area of a plug pipe before the deformation has taken place
  • Fig. 5 shows a detail, in section, of a deformation area of a plug pipe during deformation
  • Fig. 6 shows a detail, in section, of the deformation area of a plug pipe after the deformation has taken place
  • Fig. 7 shows a section of plug pipe, in section, provided with an external packer element before compression
  • Fig. 8 shows the plug pipe of Fig. 7 during compression
  • Fig. 9 shows the plug pipe of Fig. 7 when compression is completed.
  • the reference numeral 2 identifies a plug pipe according to the invention, which is arranged to be run together with the annular cylinder 20 and set in a well 40.
  • the plug pipe 2 is provided with one or more annular countersink hollows 4, see Fig. 4.
  • the countersink hollows 4 reduce the wall thickness of the plug pipe 2 and are arranged to weaken the axial strength of the plug pipe 2 at the hollows 4, so that a controlled deformation takes place on axial compression of the plug pipe 2.
  • Figs. 5 and 6 show two stages of deformation resulting in a collar 6 by compression when the countersink hollow 4 is formed in accordance with a preferred geometry.
  • the annular cylinder 20 is provided with a top socket 22 arranged to fit a connector in the free end portion of a drill string/coiled tubing 42.
  • the internal part 24 of the annular cylinder 2 is fixed to the top socket 22, and through a tension rod 25 and an end closure 14 to the lower end portion 8 of the plug pipe.
  • the internal part 24 is provided with a stepping 26 which forms a transition between a larger and a smaller diameter.
  • Two sets of seals 32, 34 form seals between the internal part 24 of the annular cylinder 20 and the largest and smallest diameter, respectively, of the external pipe 28.
  • the lower end portion of the cylinder pipe 28 bears on the upper end portion 10 of the plug pipe.
  • Pressure fluid pumped down the cavity 44 of the drill string 42 flows through a pressure fluid channel 36 into the annulus 38 of the annular cylinder.
  • the fluid pressure force acting on the area of the stepping 30 causes the external cylinder pipe 28 to be pressed down against the upper end portion 10 of the plug pipe 2.
  • the plug pipe 2 is deformed as described above.
  • the annular cylinder 20 is released from the plug pipe 2, for example by loosening screw connections or shearing shear pins.
  • the plug pipe 2 is provided with two pairs of deformation zones with collars 6, and is thus arranged to isolate the intermediate well section.
  • an elastic element 12 may be provided between two collars 6.
  • the elastic element is arranged to seal further the connection between the plug 2 and the wall 41 of the well 40.
  • the elastic element 12 is preferably positioned between two deformation elements 3.
  • Several shear pins 5 positioned between the deformation element 3 and the plug pipe 2 are arranged to prevent the elastic element 12 from being compressed under the axial force through the plug pipe 2 until the collar 6 has formed.
  • Figs. 7 to 9 show the process by the setting of a packer of this kind.
  • a plug according to the invention will simplify the operations in the setting of plugs, while at the same time a more secure and durable closing is achieved.
  • the high rate of deformation of the plug pipe 2 allows the plug to be run to the setting point through a pipe of a smaller diameter.

Abstract

A device by an expansion packer element of the kind used for plugging wells, for example in the exploration and/or recovery of petroleum deposits, wherein a packer element is lowered into the well (40) by means of a drill string/coiled tubing/wire line/slick line (42), the packer being formed by a plastically deformable plug pipe (2) provided with weakenings, for example forming one or more countersink hollows (4), thereby being arranged to make a collar/collars (6) form externally on the plug pipe (2) when the plug pipe (2) is being compressed.

Description

DEVICE BY AN EXPANSION PACKER ELEMENT
This invention relates to a device for plugging subsea oil/ gas wells, for example. The sealing is accomplished in that a metal is deformed in order thereby to exert, directly or indirectly, the required frictional/sealing/securing force against the wall of the well.
In the course of the "life cycle" of a well from the exploration to the sealing phase, it is common, for many reasons, to set plugs in cased and non-cased sections of the well. The object may be to shut off or isolate, temporarily or permanently, a well section or an entire well.
Several well-known types of plugs are adapted for fields of application in wells of different constructions. For example, it is common to use mechanical plugs in the permanent sealing of wells, whereas inflatable plugs are used in temporary restricting operations, in which a section of the well must be isolated from the rest of the well. However, the fields of application of the different types of plugs are indefinite and overlapping. It is sometimes desirable to be able to transport a plug, which is to seal against a pipe of a given diameter, through a smaller pipe or a valve, possibly past a damaged pipe, to the position where the plug is to be set. In such use it is necessary that the plug expands considerably during the setting operation. In order for the plugs to be pulled out through a smaller pipe, it is essential that the plug diameter is reduced essentially to its initial diameter.
Drawbacks of plugs according to known technique are, besides the relatively high cost connected to their use, connected to limitations in expansion rate and pressure capacity.
A mechanical plug is adapted for a relatively limited diameter range and is therefore not suitable to be run to the setting point through a smaller pipe, for example. Inflatable plugs are better suited to be run to the setting point in such a manner, but due to the effect of the high temperatures on the sealing material, they are not fit to resist high pressures for some length of time.
The object of the invention is to remedy the negative aspects of known technique.
The object is realized, according to the invention, through the features specified in the description below and in the following claims.
A plug in the form of a cylindrical plug pipe is run to its setting point. It could well be run through a pipe of a smaller diameter than that of the pipe/well to be plugged. According to the purpose of the setting of the plug, the plug pipe is axially open or closed to flow. At one or more points along its longitudinal axis the plug pipe is provided with one or more internal cylindrical countersink hollows arranged to weaken the axial compression strength of the plug pipe in the area near the hollow(s). By subjecting the casing to an axial compressive force exceeding the. yield strength of the material at the countersink hollow, a circular projecting flange-like collar will form from the plug pipe as the material deforms. The geometry of the countersink hollow determines the pattern of deformation of the plug pipe and thereby the geometry of the projecting collar.
When it is desirable that several collars are formed during the setting, to compress an elastic element arranged between the collars, or to define an intermediate well section, the countersink hollows can be formed so that the collars are formed in a fixed sequence as the plug pipe is compressed.
The plug pipe may be provided with an external coating, which is arranged to improve the sealing against the wall of the pipe/well during and after the formation of the collar, or with an elastic external element for the same purpose.
A single-acting hydraulic annular cylinder is positioned at the upper end portion of the plug pipe. At its upper end portion the annular cylinder is provided with a top socket fitting complementarily the connector in the free end portion of a drill string/coiled tubing. A pressure fluid channel connects the cavity of the drill string/coiled tubing to the cavity of the annular cylinder. Through a tension rod the internal part of the annular cylinder forms a fixed connection between the top socket and the lower end portion of the plug pipe, whereas the movable external cylinder pipe of the annular cylinder bears on the upper end portion of the plug pipe. In the removal/withdrawal of the plug pipe a tension cylinder must be used, alternatively a double-acting cylinder, which is arranged to stretch the plug pipe so that the deformed portions are straightened.
When the plug is to be set, the plug pipe with the connected annular cylinder is attached to the free end portion of the drill string, possibly a coiled tubing/wire line/slick line, and is lowered into the well to its setting point. Pressure fluid is then pumped down the drill string to the annular cylinder. The plug pipe, which is fixedly connected to the drill string through the tension rod and the internal part of the annular cylinder, remains essentially in a fixed position relative to the lower end portion of the drill string, whereas the external cylinder pipe of the annular cylinder applies a downward axial force to the upper end portion of the plug pipe. When the axial force, exceeds the yield strength of the pipe plug material at one or more of the countersink hollows, collars are formed externally on the plug pipe. The collar(s) "grows" ("grow") outwards in step with the deformation of the plug pipe. Collar geometry and dimension are determined in that the countersink hollow is suitably formed in accordance with known material deformation criteria. The annular cylinder is disconnected from the plug pipe and withdrawn together with the drill string.
In the following is described a non-limiting example of a preferred embodiment, which is visualized in the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 show's, partly in section, a plug pipe with an annular cylinder in a position for setting; Fig. 2 shows the plug pipe of Fig. 1 after setting;
Fig. 3 shows the plug pipe of Fig. 1 after disconnection.
Fig..4. shows a detail, in section, of the deformation area of a plug pipe before the deformation has taken place;
Fig. 5 shows a detail, in section, of a deformation area of a plug pipe during deformation;
Fig. 6 shows a detail, in section, of the deformation area of a plug pipe after the deformation has taken place;
Fig. 7 shows a section of plug pipe, in section, provided with an external packer element before compression;
Fig. 8 shows the plug pipe of Fig. 7 during compression; and
Fig. 9 shows the plug pipe of Fig. 7 when compression is completed.
In the drawings the reference numeral 2 identifies a plug pipe according to the invention, which is arranged to be run together with the annular cylinder 20 and set in a well 40. Internally the plug pipe 2 is provided with one or more annular countersink hollows 4, see Fig. 4. The countersink hollows 4 reduce the wall thickness of the plug pipe 2 and are arranged to weaken the axial strength of the plug pipe 2 at the hollows 4, so that a controlled deformation takes place on axial compression of the plug pipe 2. Figs. 5 and 6 show two stages of deformation resulting in a collar 6 by compression when the countersink hollow 4 is formed in accordance with a preferred geometry.
At its upper end portion the annular cylinder 20 is provided with a top socket 22 arranged to fit a connector in the free end portion of a drill string/coiled tubing 42. The internal part 24 of the annular cylinder 2 is fixed to the top socket 22, and through a tension rod 25 and an end closure 14 to the lower end portion 8 of the plug pipe. The internal part 24 is provided with a stepping 26 which forms a transition between a larger and a smaller diameter. Displaceably surrounding the internal part 24, there is provided an external cylinder pipe 28, which is also provided with a stepping 30 forming a transition between a larger and a smaller internal pipe diameter. Two sets of seals 32, 34 form seals between the internal part 24 of the annular cylinder 20 and the largest and smallest diameter, respectively, of the external pipe 28. The lower end portion of the cylinder pipe 28 bears on the upper end portion 10 of the plug pipe.
Pressure fluid pumped down the cavity 44 of the drill string 42 flows through a pressure fluid channel 36 into the annulus 38 of the annular cylinder. The fluid pressure force acting on the area of the stepping 30 causes the external cylinder pipe 28 to be pressed down against the upper end portion 10 of the plug pipe 2. When the force exceeds the yield strength of the plug pipe material, the plug pipe 2 is deformed as described above.
After the plug pipe 2 has been set, the annular cylinder 20 is released from the plug pipe 2, for example by loosening screw connections or shearing shear pins. In the example shown, see Fig. 2, the plug pipe 2 is provided with two pairs of deformation zones with collars 6, and is thus arranged to isolate the intermediate well section.
In a further embodiment an elastic element 12 may be provided between two collars 6. The elastic element is arranged to seal further the connection between the plug 2 and the wall 41 of the well 40. The elastic element 12 is preferably positioned between two deformation elements 3. Several shear pins 5 positioned between the deformation element 3 and the plug pipe 2, are arranged to prevent the elastic element 12 from being compressed under the axial force through the plug pipe 2 until the collar 6 has formed. Figs. 7 to 9 show the process by the setting of a packer of this kind.
A plug according to the invention will simplify the operations in the setting of plugs, while at the same time a more secure and durable closing is achieved. The high rate of deformation of the plug pipe 2 allows the plug to be run to the setting point through a pipe of a smaller diameter.

Claims

C l aims
1. A device by an expansion packer element of the kind used to plug wells, for example in the exploration and/or. recovery of petroleum deposits, wherein the packer element is run into the well (40) by means of a drill string/coiled tubing/wire line/slick line (42), c ha r ac te r i z ed i n that the packer is formed by a plastically deformable plug pipe (2) provided with weakenings, -for example forming one or more countersink hollows ( 4 ) , thereby being arranged to cause one or more collars (6) to form externally on the plug pipe (2) as the plug pipe (2) is compressed.
2. A device in accordance with claim 1, c h ar ac ter i z e d in that the plug pipe (2 ) is provided with two or more sets of countersink hollows (4), and thereby is arranged to isolate the intermediate well section(s) .
3. A device in accordance with one or more of the preceding claims, c har acter i z ed in that between two countersink hollows (4), encircling the external area of the plug pipe (2), there is positioned an elastic element ( 12) .
4. A device in accordance with one or more of the preceding claims, c har acter i z ed i n that an annular cylinder (20) is bearing, directly or indirectly, on the two end portions (10, 12) of the plug pipe, and through supply of pressure fluid is arranged to deform the plug pipe (2) by axial compression thereof.
PCT/NO2001/000343 2000-08-21 2001-08-20 Device by an expansion packer element WO2002016729A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2001278828A AU2001278828A1 (en) 2000-08-21 2001-08-20 Device by an expansion packer element

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NO20004176 2000-08-21
NO20004176A NO312479B1 (en) 2000-08-21 2000-08-21 Device for expanding gasket element

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2002016729A1 true WO2002016729A1 (en) 2002-02-28

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ID=19911488

Family Applications (1)

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PCT/NO2001/000343 WO2002016729A1 (en) 2000-08-21 2001-08-20 Device by an expansion packer element

Country Status (3)

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AU (1) AU2001278828A1 (en)
NO (1) NO312479B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2002016729A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2006006927A1 (en) * 2004-07-08 2006-01-19 Atlas Copco Craelius Ab An arrangement for affixing an expandable packer in a hole
US9915119B2 (en) 2011-12-01 2018-03-13 Peak Well Systems Limited Apparatus for use in a fluid conduit

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1257790A (en) * 1967-12-20 1971-12-22
US3659648A (en) * 1970-12-10 1972-05-02 James H Cobbs Multi-element packer
US3784214A (en) * 1971-10-18 1974-01-08 J Tamplen Seal that is responsive to either mechanical or pressure force
EP0141726A2 (en) * 1983-10-24 1985-05-15 Schlumberger Limited Method and apparatus for sealing a well casing
US5775429A (en) * 1997-02-03 1998-07-07 Pes, Inc. Downhole packer
US5904354A (en) * 1996-09-13 1999-05-18 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Mechanically energized element

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1257790A (en) * 1967-12-20 1971-12-22
US3659648A (en) * 1970-12-10 1972-05-02 James H Cobbs Multi-element packer
US3784214A (en) * 1971-10-18 1974-01-08 J Tamplen Seal that is responsive to either mechanical or pressure force
EP0141726A2 (en) * 1983-10-24 1985-05-15 Schlumberger Limited Method and apparatus for sealing a well casing
US5904354A (en) * 1996-09-13 1999-05-18 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Mechanically energized element
US5775429A (en) * 1997-02-03 1998-07-07 Pes, Inc. Downhole packer

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2006006927A1 (en) * 2004-07-08 2006-01-19 Atlas Copco Craelius Ab An arrangement for affixing an expandable packer in a hole
US7779908B2 (en) 2004-07-08 2010-08-24 Atlas Copco Craelius Ab Arrangement for affixing an expandable packer in a hole
US9915119B2 (en) 2011-12-01 2018-03-13 Peak Well Systems Limited Apparatus for use in a fluid conduit
US10570693B2 (en) 2011-12-01 2020-02-25 Xtreme Well Technology Limited Apparatus for use in a fluid conduit

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2001278828A1 (en) 2002-03-04
NO20004176L (en) 2002-02-22
NO20004176D0 (en) 2000-08-21
NO312479B1 (en) 2002-05-13

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