WO2007049026A1 - Dispositif et procede de coupe - Google Patents

Dispositif et procede de coupe Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2007049026A1
WO2007049026A1 PCT/GB2006/003950 GB2006003950W WO2007049026A1 WO 2007049026 A1 WO2007049026 A1 WO 2007049026A1 GB 2006003950 W GB2006003950 W GB 2006003950W WO 2007049026 A1 WO2007049026 A1 WO 2007049026A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
cutting
housing
torch
well
cutting device
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2006/003950
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Anthony Stephen Bamford
Original Assignee
Geoprober Drilling Limited
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 Geoprober Drilling Limited filed Critical Geoprober Drilling Limited
Publication of WO2007049026A1 publication Critical patent/WO2007049026A1/fr

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK 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
    • E21B29/02—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 by explosives or by thermal or chemical means
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
    • E21B33/02—Surface sealing or packing
    • E21B33/03—Well heads; Setting-up thereof
    • E21B33/06—Blow-out preventers, i.e. apparatus closing around a drill pipe, e.g. annular blow-out preventers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a cutting device arranged to direct a jet of a cutting material on to an object to be cut, and to a corresponding method.
  • the present invention also relates to a blowout preventer (BOP) and a well shutoff device arranged to direct a jet of a cutting material on to an object to be cut; a BOP assembly and well shutoff assembly incorporating a cutting device arranged to direct a jet of a cutting material on to an object to be cut; and to corresponding methods.
  • BOP blowout preventer
  • a wellbore is typically drilled from surface in order to gain access to subterranean hydrocarbon containing formations, for recovering well fluids to surface.
  • a metal casing is installed in the drilled wellbore and cemented in place, to support the drilled formations; to permit recovery of well fluids to surface; and to permit passage of further tubing and/or tool strings downhole .
  • a wellbore is typically formed by drilling to a first depth, and then installing a first casing in the drilled section and cementing the casing in place. The wellbore is subsequently extended to a second depth and a second, smaller diameter casing installed in the extended section and also cemented in place.
  • a liner may be installed, extending from the base or ⁇ shoe' of the lowermost casing section to the producing formation. The well is then completed in preparation for recovery of well fluids to surface.
  • BOP blowout preventer
  • a BOP In an offshore environment, a BOP is usually installed on a wellhead on the seabed, although it is also known to provide surface BOPs. Onshore, BOPs are provided on the wellhead at surface. In each case, the BOPs include a number of shear rams and seal rams, and tubing and tools are run into the wellbore through the BOP. In the event of an emergency situation arising, such as extreme weather conditions offshore requiring a rig to urgently move off-station, or when an uncontrolled flow of well fluids into the wellbore occurs which could lead to a blowout, the shear rams of the BOP are actuated to shear the tubing and/or tool strings extending through the BOP, to shut-in the well.
  • Gripper rams below the shear rams hold the cut section of tubing or tool string to prevent them falling into the well. Following shearing and, if necessary, remedial action to recover control of the well, fluid communication with the sheared section of tubing can be re-established.
  • the shear rams of current BOPs typically operate to cut and shear a tubing or the like located between the rams by first compressing and crimping the tubing within the BOP bore, before cutting through the compressed tubing.
  • This causes significant resultant deformation in the remaining portion of the tubing located within the BOP bore, which can hamper re-entry into the well.
  • it is necessary to mill away the remaining damaged tubing section to provide full access into the wellbore, which is time-consuming and costly, and generates swarf/shavings which is difficult to clean-out and which can hamper performance of the BOP.
  • An alternative method and apparatus for drilling and completing a well is disclosed in International Patent Application no.
  • a subsea shutoff device including ball gripping mechanisms is latched to a template at surface. Drilled in casing is suspended from the device using the gripping mechanism, and the device is run to a sea floor on a casing string. The casing string is drilled into place and converted into a riser, and this is all done on a single trip, to speed up the operation and reduce risk. The casing string is captured and sealed within the subsea shutoff device after installation and space out of a surface BOP. In the event that an emergency ' disconnection is required, dual shear rams in the device cut the casing and seal in the well. The system then allows a conventional subsea reconnection of the riser.
  • shutoff device requires large shear rams, in a similar fashion to conventional BOPs.
  • Each of the above cutting devices are disclosed as operating from a retrievable tool which is internal to the pipe to be severed. These tools must be spaced out and anchored relative to the pipe to be cut. Accurately spacing out the tools is difficult and can lead to errors in location of the tools, with potentially serious consequences.
  • a cutting device comprising: a housing having an internal bore; and at least one cutting torch coupled to the housing and arranged to direct a jet of a cutting material on to an object located within the housing bore to thereby cut the object.
  • the cutting device of the invention permits cutting of tubing and the like of similar diameters and wall thicknesses to those which may be cut with BOP shear rams, but is of significantly lower weight in comparison to the BOP rams and associated operating equipment.
  • the torch provides a clean cut without significant distortion of a remainder of the tubing, which is again in contrast to current BOP shear rams, which compress and distort a tubing during shearing, as described above.
  • the cutting device is for use in cutting a downhole object, and may be a wellbore cutting device.
  • the object may be tubing such as casing, liner, production tubing, drill tubing, coiled tubing, tubing forming part of a downhole tool or tool string, or parts or sections thereof.
  • the cutting device may be adapted to form part of a pressure containing system for containing fluid pressure.
  • the cutting device may be adapted to form part of a pressure containing system for containing wellbore pressure and thus for containing wellbore fluids.
  • the cutting device housing may be adapted to retain fluid pressure and thus to prevent fluid egress from or past the housing.
  • the cutting device housing may be adapted to be coupled to a BOP, in particular to a housing of a BOP.
  • the cutting device housing may be defined by at least part of a housing of a BOP.
  • the cutting torch of the cutting device may then perform primary cutting of tubing or the like extending through the BOP, with shear rams of the BOP optionally held in reserve; downrated for use in cutting smaller diameter/wall thickness tubing and the like (and thus reducing weight of the BOP) ; or replaced by the cutting torch.
  • the cutting device housing may be adapted to be coupled to a shutoff device, in particular to a housing of a shutoff device, such as that disclosed in WO2006/010906, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by way of reference.
  • the cutting device housing may be defined by at least part of a housing of a shutoff device. The cutting torch of the cutting device may then perform primary cutting of tubing or the like extending through the shutoff device.
  • the cutting device may be adapted to be selectively activated when it is desired to cut an object.
  • the cutting device may be adapted to be selectively activated in response to detection of a condition indicative of an emergency situation.
  • Such emergency situations may comprise loss of control of well fluids; or a requirement to shut-in (seal off) a well urgently without pulling a tubing string or the like extending through the BOP.
  • the cutting device comprises a plurality of cutting torches, which may be spaced around a circumference or perimeter of the housing.
  • the cutting device may comprise a plurality of sets of cutting torches, each set comprising at least one cutting torch, and the sets may be spaced axially and/or circumferentially relative to or about the housing.
  • the or each cutting torch may be arranged to direct a jet of cutting material in a direction transverse to a main axis of the housing bore, and may be arranged to direct a jet of cutting material in a direction perpendicular to the bore main axis.
  • the or each cutting torch may be radially arranged or spaced around the perimeter of the housing, and may be arranged in a plane perpendicular to the bore axis.
  • the or each cutting torch may have a torch main axis, and may be radially arranged around the housing such that the or each torch main axis intersects with the bore axis. This may provide an effective contact between the jet of cutting material and the surface of the object to be cut.
  • the or each cutting torch may be arranged such that the torch main axis does not intersect with the bore axis.
  • the or each torch may be arranged to direct a jet of material in a direction along a tangent of an tubular object located in the bore.
  • the or each cutting torch may be a chemical cutting torch, and may be an incendiary cutting torch, in particular a pyrotechnic, molten metal jet torch of a type such as the THERMOLTM CUTTING SYSTEM commercially available from the Jet Research Centre, Texas, USA and/or as disclosed in US Patent no. 5,372,069 (the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by way of reference) .
  • the or each torch may comprise a chamber housing a flammable material which, upon ignition, may be adapted to generate the jet of cutting material.
  • Suitable materials include pyronol pellets which are pressed from an intimate powder mixture of (1) nickel, (2) metal oxide, (3) a component selected from the group consisting of (a) aluminium and (b) a mixture of at least 50 weight percent aluminium and a metal that is magnesium, zirconium, bismuth, beryllium, boron, or mixtures thereof.
  • the or each torch may also comprise an igniter material for igniting the flammable material, which may be a loose pyrotechnic starter powder such as (1) magnesium powder, or an intimate mixture of (2) Mg and CuO, (3) Mg and Fe 2 O 3 , (4) Mg and Co 3 O 4 , (5) Al and CuO, or (6) Al and Fe 2 O 3 powders.
  • the cutting material may be a reaction product of the flammable material and the igniter material, and may be a molten jet or stream of metals, metal oxides and gas.
  • the or each torch may also comprise a detonator for igniting the igniter material, to thereby ignite the flammable material.
  • the detonator may be adapted to generate an electrical discharge to ignite the igniter material, and may be an electric bridge wire.
  • the or each torch may comprise a chamber housing the flammable material, and the chamber may be lined with a graphite sleeve resistant to erosion by the flammable material (when ignited) .
  • the or each torch may comprise a nozzle, optionally of a graphite material, for directing the jet of cutting material on to the object.
  • the nozzle may be shaped to distribute cutting material around a surface of the object to be cut, and may be shaped to generate a diverging jet of cutting material.
  • the cutting device comprises a plurality of cutting torches
  • the torches may be arranged to provide a distribution of cutting material around a circumference or perimeter of the object to be cut.
  • the torches may be arranged such that the jets of cutting material intersect.
  • the nozzle may comprise a shield, such as a diaphragm, which is adapted to rupture upon exposure to cutting material (generated following activation of the torch) of a predetermined pressure and/or temperature.
  • the or each cutting torch may be an alternative chemical cutting torch, and may comprise an incendiary cutting fluid.
  • Suitable fluids, methods and the like are disclosed in US2,918,125; US4,619,318; US3, 076, 507; US4, 125, 161; and/or ⁇ S4,494,601, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by way of reference.
  • the torches are adapted to be activated simultaneously. This may facilitate a clean cut of the object, particularly where the object is under tensile load, as may be the case with a tubing string.
  • the or each cutting torch is sealingly coupled to the housing, which may facilitate pressure containment for example, where a tube containing fluid is cut.
  • a blowout preventer comprising: a housing having an internal bore; and at least one cutting torch coupled to the housing and arranged to direct a jet of a cutting material on to an object located within the housing bore to thereby cut the object.
  • a well shutoff device comprising: a housing having an internal bore; and at least one cutting torch coupled to the housing and arranged to direct a jet of a cutting material on to an object located within the housing bore to thereby cut the object.
  • blowout preventer (BOP) and well shutoff device housings and torches may be of similar structure to the cutting device housing and torch defined above. Accordingly, further features of the BOP and well shutoff device housings and torches are defined in relation to the first aspect of the invention.
  • the well shutoff device may comprise a gripping mechanism for selective engagement to casing when inserted in the throughbore; and one or more rams for selectively sealing the housing bore, according to the teachings of WO2006/010906.
  • the BOP and well shutoff device may comprise one or more: seal rams; blind rams; and/or shear rams, which may be provided in the housing.
  • the torch may be provided in the BOP and well shutoff device integrally with other seal, blind and/or shear rams.
  • the shear rams may be suitably rated for shearing tubing and the like of any anticipated diameter and/or wall thickness that it is anticipated will be run in through the BOP/shutoff device.
  • the rams may be provided as a back-up to the torch.
  • the shear rams may be rated for cutting tubing and the like of smaller diameter and/or wall thickness than the torch. This may permit the size of the shear rams to be reduced (compared to existing rams) and thus the weight of the BOP/shutoff device to be minimised.
  • the torch may be adapted to perform a primary shearing of tubing such as casing, liner or drill tubing, whilst the shear rams may be rated to shear tubing such as coiled tubing residing within the casing or the like which may not have been cut by the torch.
  • a blowout preventer assembly comprising: a blowout preventer having a housing defining an internal bore; and a cutting device coupled to the blowout preventer; wherein the cutting device comprises a cutting device housing having an internal bore, the cutting device housing adapted to be coupled to the blowout preventer housing; and at least one cutting torch coupled to the cutting device housing and arranged to direct a jet of a cutting material on to an object located within and extending through the blowout preventer and cutting device housing bores, to thereby cut the object.
  • a well shutoff assembly comprising: a well shutoff device having a housing defining an internal bore; and a cutting device coupled to the well shutoff device; wherein the cutting device comprises a cutting device housing having an internal bore, the cutting device housing adapted to be coupled to the shutoff device housing; and at least one cutting torch coupled to the cutting device housing and arranged to direct a jet of a cutting material on to an object located within and extending through the shutoff device and cutting device housing bores, to thereby cut the object.
  • the cutting device is provided as a modular unit which may be releasably coupled to the BOP/well shutoff device. This permits the cutting device to be fitted to any desired, existing type of BOP or well shutoff device (such as that disclosed in WO2006/010906) utilising standard industry fittings.
  • the well shutoff device may comprise a gripping mechanism for selective engagement to casing when inserted in the throughbore; and one or more rams for selectively sealing the housing bore, according to the teachings of WO2006/010906.
  • the BOP and well shutoff device may comprise one or more: seal rams; blind rams; and/or shear rams, which may be provided in the housing.
  • seal rams may be provided in the BOP and well shutoff device integrally with other seal, blind and/or shear rams.
  • the rams may be rated as described above .
  • a method of cutting an object comprising the steps of: locating an object to be cut within an internal bore of a cutting device housing; and selectively activating an at least one cutting torch coupled to the housing to direct a jet of a cutting material on to the object to thereby cut the object.
  • the method may be a method of cutting a downhole object, although the method may have equal utility in cutting other objects such as pipeline or other tubing, at surface or subsurface such as on a seabed.
  • the method may comprise cutting an object and sealing the housing so as to restrict fluid flow/egress from or through the housing. This may be achieved by coupling the housing into a pressure containing system.
  • the housing may be coupled to a BOP or provided as part of a BOP; or the housing may be coupled to a well shutoff device, or provided as part of a well shutoff device, such as that disclosed in WO2006/010906.
  • the cutting torch may be utilised to perform primary cutting of an object extending through the BOP/shutoff device.
  • Shear rams of the BOP/shutoff device may be utilised to perform secondary shearing of an object remaining in the BOP/shutoff device following activation of the torch.
  • the torch may be activated to cut tubing such as a casing, liner or drill tubing extending through the BOP/shutoff device.
  • the shear rams may be activated to shear secondary tubing, such as coiled tubing which had been located within the casing or the like.
  • the cutting torch may be activated in response to detection of a condition indicative of an emergency situation.
  • emergency situations may comprise loss of control of well fluids; or a requirement to shut-in (seal off) a well urgently without first pulling a tubing string or the like extending through the BOP.
  • the method may comprise activating a plurality of cutting torches, preferably simultaneously, to cut the object.
  • the method may comprise directing a jet of cutting material in a direction transverse to a main axis of the housing bore, and may comprise directing the jet in a direction perpendicular to the bore main axis.
  • a method of controlling a well comprising the steps of: providing a blowout preventer having a housing defining an internal bore and at least one cutting torch coupled to the housing; and on detecting a condition indicative of an emergency situation, activating the at least one cutting torch to direct a jet of a cutting material on to an object located within the housing bore to thereby cut the object, facilitating control of the well.
  • a method of controlling a well comprising the steps of: providing a blowout preventer having a housing defining an internal bore; coupling a housing of a cutting device to the blowout preventer housing; running an object into the well to carry out a downhole procedure; and on detecting a condition indicative of an emergency situation, activating an at least one cutting torch coupled to the cutting device housing, to direct a jet of a cutting material on to the object, to thereby cut the object and facilitate control of the well.
  • a method of controlling a well comprising the steps of: providing a well shutoff device having a housing defining an internal bore and at least one cutting torch coupled to the housing; and on detecting a condition indicative of an emergency situation, activating the at least one cutting torch to direct a jet of a cutting material on to an object located within the housing bore to thereby cut the object, facilitating control of the well.
  • a method of controlling a well comprising the steps of: providing a well shutoff device having a housing defining an internal bore; coupling a housing of a cutting device to the well shutoff device housing; and on detecting a condition indicative of an emergency situation, activating an at least one cutting torch coupled to the cutting device housing, to direct a jet of a cutting material on to an object located within and extending through the well shutoff device and cutting device housing bores, to thereby cut the object and facilitate control of the well.
  • a means of chemical cutting whereby the cutting tool is radially arranged around a pipe to be severed and is positioned in a fixed location ready at all times for deployment where the pipe must be severed in an emergency.
  • Figs 1 and 2 are perspective and plan views, respectively, of a cutting device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig 3 is a view of the cutting device of Figs 1 and 2, taken in the direction of the arrow X of Fig 1;
  • Fig 4 is an enlarged, detailed view of part of the cutting device shown in area A of Fig 3;
  • Figs 5 to 7 are schematic illustrations of a blowout preventer (BOP) assembly, incorporating the cutting device of Figs 1 to 4, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig 8 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the cutting device shown in Figs 1 to 4, taken along line Y-Y of Fig 3;
  • Fig 9 is a schematic, partial longitudinal sectional view of a well shutoff assembly, incorporating the cutting device of Figs 1 to 4, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig 1 there is shown a perspective view of a cutting device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cutting device indicated generally by reference numeral 10.
  • the cutting device 10 is also shown in the plan view of Fig 2, in Fig 3, which is a view taken in the direction of the arrow X of Fig 1, and in Fig 4, which is an enlarged detail view of part of the device 10 shown in the area A of Fig 3.
  • the cutting device 10 generally comprises a housing 12 having an internal bore 14 and at least one cutting torch 16 coupled to the housing 12.
  • the cutting device 10 includes six torches l ⁇ a to 16f which are arranged spaced around a circumference or perimeter of the housing 12.
  • the torches l ⁇ a to 16f are each of similar construction and operated in a similar fashion, and it will be understood that further reference herein to the torch and its method of operation applies equally to the torches l ⁇ a to l ⁇ f.
  • the torches 16a to 16f are each arranged to direct a jet of a cutting material on to an object located within the housing bore 14 to thereby cut the object.
  • the torches l ⁇ a to 16f are each of a type commercially available from the Jet Research Centre, Texas, USA under the THERMOL CUTTING SYSTEM Trade Mark. Similar such torches are also disclosed in US Patent no. 5,372,069 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by way of reference.
  • the cutting device 10 has a general utility in the cutting of any desired object which may be located in the housing bore 14, the cutting device 10 has a particular utility for cutting downhole objects, such as casing, liner, production tubing, drill tubing, downhole tools, tool or tubing strings as used in the oil and gas exploration and production industry.
  • downhole objects such as casing, liner, production tubing, drill tubing, downhole tools, tool or tubing strings as used in the oil and gas exploration and production industry.
  • Figs 5 to 7 are schematic illustrations of a blowout preventor (BOP) assembly 18 during various stages of operation.
  • the assembly 18 incorporates a BOP 20 and the cutting device 10 shown in Figs 1 to 4.
  • the BOP 20 is of a conventional type comprising a number of sets of shear rams, seal rams and blind rams, as is known in the art.
  • the BOP 20 includes an upper pair of shear rams 22, upper blind rams 24, and two pairs of lower pipe or seal rams 25 and 27.
  • a hub 26 is provided by which the assembly 18 is coupled to a marine riser 28 using a suitable connector 29.
  • the riser 28 is used to run and support the assembly 18 from a surface rig or the like (not shown) to a seabed 30, for connection to a wellhead 32.
  • the housing 12 includes upper and lower flanges 34 and 36. These flanges 34, 36 serve for coupling the cutting device 10 into the BOP assembly 18. As shown schematically in Figs 5 to 7, the cutting device 10 is coupled to a lower end 38 of a housing 40 of the BOP 20 using the upper flange 34, which mates with a corresponding flange (not shown) on the BOP housing 40, and is secured using suitable API connectors (not shown).
  • the BOP assembly 18 also includes a housing 42 which carries the pipe rams 25 and 27 which, as will be described below, serve for sealing an annulus 46 around a section of casing 48 extending through the BOP assembly 18.
  • the cutting device housing 12 is coupled to the lower BOP housing 42 via flange 36.
  • the BOP assembly 18 is shown in Fig 5 during construction of a wellbore 52.
  • the wellbore 52 is shown at a stage when a conductor comprising a first casing section 54 has been driven into the seabed 30 and cemented in place, and following extension of the wellbore 52 to a second depth.
  • the casing 48 which is a second casing of smaller diameter (typically 7 5/8") is shown during run-in to the wellbore 52 and location in the extended wellbore section.
  • the casing 48 carries a hanger 49 for suspending the casing from and sealing the casing to the wellhead 32, and is suspended from a running string 50.
  • the steps in the method of cutting the casing 48 are shown in Figs 6 and 7, and are as follows.
  • the pipe rams 25 are first actuated (rams 27 providing a backup) to securely grip the casing 48 and to seal the annulus 46. This ensures that, following cutting of the casing 48, the portion of the casing below the cut is held and thus prevented from falling into the wellbore 52, and sealed.
  • the torches 16a to 16f of the cutting device 10 are activated simultaneously and direct jets 56 of cutting material on to an outer surface 58 of the casing 48. These jets 56 of cutting material rapidly cut through the wall of the casing 48, forming a relatively clean cut without significant deformation of the portion of the casing 48 adjacent the cut remaining within the BOP assembly 18.
  • the casing 48 has then been split into an upper section 48a, and a lower section 48b which is held by the rams 25 and remains within the borehole 52.
  • the section 48a is recovered to surface through the marine riser 28.
  • a tubing such as a coiled tubing (not shown) may have been located within the casing 48, for carrying out desired wellbore functions.
  • the torches 16 are likely to also cut through such tubing.
  • the shear rams 22 of the BOP 40 shear the tubing 60 and hold the portion below the cut. The remaining, upper section is then recovered to surface.
  • the shear and blind rams 22 and 24 are then activated to close off and seal a main bore 62 of the BOP 20.
  • the marine riser 28 can then be disconnected from the hub 26, as shown in Fig 7, and the rig can move-off station.
  • the riser 28 When it is desired to reconnect to the well, the riser 28 is reconnected to the hub 26 and a pressure test carried out. If necessary, a heavy (dense, viscous) fluid is pumped down the riser 28, to re-establish control of the well. The rams 22 and 24 can then be reopened. The remaining casing section 48b is then fished from the well, facilitated by the clean cut provided by the cutting device 10. Following remedial work such as well cleanout (if necessary) , a fresh casing string (not shown), similar to the casing 48, is run- in, as shown in Fig 5, and located on the wellhead 32. Further downhole operations may then be carried out to complete the well.
  • FIG 8 there is shown a detailed cross- sectional view of the cutting device 10 of Figs 1 to 4, taken along line Y-Y of Fig 3.
  • the housing 12 includes a central hexagonal portion 64 having a number of outer faces 66a to 66f, each one corresponding to a respective torch 16a to 16f.
  • a number of apertures 68a to 68f extend through the central portion 64 between the outer faces 66 and the internal bore 14 of the housing 12.
  • the torches 16 are each located extending along the apertures 68, such that the torches can be arranged to direct jets 56 of cutting material on to the casing 48.
  • Each torch 16 includes a torch housing 70 carrying a flange 72 by which the torch housings are bolted to the respective central portion faces 66. 0 ring seals are provided for sealing between the torch housings 70 and the central portion 64, which ensure that well pressure is contained by the cutting device 10, and thus provide a barrier to fluid egress.
  • Each torch housing 70 defines a chamber 76 carrying a graphite sleeve 78a and an igniter core 80.
  • Pyronol material 82 in pellet form is provided in the graphite sleeve 78 around the igniter core 80.
  • a detonator 84 is coupled to the igniter core 80 and serves for igniting the core and thus the pyronol material 82.
  • a graphite nozzle 86 is provided at the internal end of each graphite sleeve 78, for directing the cutting material (molten metals, metal oxides and gas) generated on activation of the torches 16 on to the casing surface 58.
  • the nozzles 86 are each shaped to form flat, generally fan-shaped jets 56 of cutting material, which impinge upon the outer surface 58 of the casing 48. It will be noted that some of the components of the torches 16b to 16f have not been indicated by reference numerals in Fig 8; this is for ease of illustration. All components are, however, illustrated in the torch 16a, and it will be understood that like components are provided in each of the torches 16b to 16f.
  • the torches 16a to 16f are activated simultaneously by sending appropriate signals to activate the detonators 84.
  • the detonators 84 ignite the core 80, which in turn ignites the pyronol material 82.
  • the nozzle 86 includes a shield in the form of a membrane (not shown) , and when a sufficient pressure and temperature has built up in the torch chambers 76, the resultant cutting material burns through the membrane and is jetted through the nozzles 86.
  • the arrangement of the torches 16a to 16f spaced around a perimeter of the housing 12 provides a good spread of cutting material over the outer circumference of the casing 48, which is quickly burnt through. This, in combination with the applied tensile load on the casing 48 serves to form a clean cut at the location where the cutting material is jetted on to the casing 48.
  • the upper casing section 48a can then be retrieved to surface, as described above.
  • a BOP (not shown) may be provided having a housing which defines the cutting device housing, and thus provides a mounting for the cutting torches.
  • the BOP housing 40 may be extended and may define the housing 12 of the cutting device 10.
  • the torches may be provided integrally with a BOP, rather than in a separate, bolt-on module.
  • Fig 9 there is shown a schematic, partial longitudinal sectional view of a well shutoff assembly in accordance with the teachings of WO 2006/010906, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by way of reference, the shutoff assembly indicated generally by reference numeral 88.
  • the shutoff assembly 88 includes a shutoff device 89, template 90, a first casing string 92, and a second casing string 94 carrying a drillshoe 96 at a lower end.
  • the shutoff device 89 also includes a housing 98 carrying two pairs of shear rams 100 and 102 and seals 103 for sealing the annulus around the casing 94.
  • a gripping mechanism 104 having upper and lower gripping devices 106, 108 selectively engages with the second casing 94.
  • the shutoff assembly 88 is used in the drilling and casing of a wellbore, such as the wellbore 52 shown in Figs 5 to 7 and, in accordance with the teachings of WO 2006/010906, is generally operated as follows.
  • the shutoff device 89 is suspended from the casing string 94 using the upper gripping device 106, and is run from surface to the seabed 30. Fluid is then circulated through the casing 94 and the drillshoe 96 to jet the larger diameter casing 92 into the seabed 30.
  • the upper gripping device 106 is actuated to release the second casing string 94. Drilling using the shoe 96 then commences. Following drilling and casing to a desired depth, the casing string 94 is cemented in place and the string 94 spaced-out and supported by a lower gripping device 108. The casing string 94 is then tensioned at surface using appropriate riser tensioners. The casing 94 is now converted into a riser, fixed at the seabed 30 and held in tension from the rig. The assembly 88, particularly the seals 103, is pressure tested and then ready for further downhole procedures to be carried out.
  • the shutoff assembly 88 incorporates the cutting device 10 of Figs 1 to 4, which is shown schematically in Fig 9.
  • the cutting device 10 is bolted between the housing 98 and a lower housing 110 and, in a similar fashion to the BOP assembly 18, is pressure containing.
  • the torches 16 are activated to cut the second casing 94.
  • the lower gripping device 108 holds the portion of the casing 94 below the cut, and the portion above the cut is retrieved to surface.
  • the rams 102 are actuated to shut-in the well.
  • the torches 16 provide a clean cut of the casing 94.
  • a fresh casing string is run carrying a connector (not-shown) similar to the connector 29 of Figs 5 to 7.
  • the connector engages with a re-entry hub 112 at an upper end of the assembly 88.
  • the connector engages and seals to the hub 112, and also engages and seals to the fresh casing.
  • the rams 100, 102 can be reopened and fluid communication with the portion of the casing 94 residing within the wellbore 52 can be achieved.
  • the clean cut of the casing 94 permits easy re-entry to the wellbore with further tubing and/or tool strings.
  • the cutting device may be for use in cutting a wide range of types of downhole objects, including but not limited to liner, production tubing, drill tubing, tubing forming part of a downhole tool or tool string, or parts or sections thereof.
  • the cutting torch of the cutting device may then perform primary cutting of tubing or the like extending through the BOP, with shear rams of the BOP optionally held in reserve; downrated for use in cutting smaller diameter/wall thickness tubing and the like (and thus reducing weight of the BOP) ; or replaced by the cutting torch.
  • the cutting device may be for cutting alternative objects, including other tubing such as pipeline, which may be provided at surface or subsea.
  • the cutting device may comprise a plurality of sets of cutting torches, each set comprising at least one cutting torch, and the sets may be spaced axially and/or circumferentially relative to or about the housing.
  • the or each cutting torch may be arranged such that the torch main axis does not intersect with the bore axis.
  • the or each torch may be arranged to direct a jet of material in a direction along a tangent of an tubular object located in the bore. It will be understood, however, that the or each torch may be provided in another suitable arrangement.
  • cutting torches of alternative shapes and/or comprising alternative components may be provided.
  • the torches may be chemical cutting torches operated according to alternative procedures, for example, using cutting fluids, and may be constructed and operated utilising the cutting techniques disclosed in one or more of US2,918,125; US4,619,318; US3,076,507; US4,125,161; and/or US4,494,601.

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  • Geology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Arc Welding In General (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un dispositif de coupe monté de manière à diriger le jet d’un matériau de coupe sur un objet à couper, ainsi que le procédé correspondant. L’invention porte également sur un obturateur (BOP) ainsi qu’un dispositif de fermeture de puits monté de manière à diriger le jet d’un matériau de coupe vers l’objet à couper ; sur un ensemble BOP et un ensemble de fermeture de puits comprenant un dispositif de coupe monté de manière à diriger le jet d’un matériau de coupe sur l’objet à couper ; ainsi que sur les procédés correspondants. Selon un mode de réalisation de l’invention, un dispositif de coupe (10) comprend un logement (12) pourvu d’un orifice interne (14) et un certain nombre de chalumeaux coupeurs (16) couplés au logement. Les chalumeaux sont disposés de manière à diriger les jets (56) du matériau de coupe vers un objet (48) situé dans l’orifice du logement en vue de couper l’objet. Le dispositif de coupe sert tout particulièrement lors de la coupe d’objets souterrains dont un cuvelage, une colonne perdue, une tige de forage, une colonne de production, des tubes enroulés, des outils de fond ou des trains de tiges, entre autres.
PCT/GB2006/003950 2005-10-24 2006-10-24 Dispositif et procede de coupe WO2007049026A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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GB0521615.5 2005-10-24
GB0521615A GB0521615D0 (en) 2005-10-24 2005-10-24 Cutting device and method

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WO2007049026A1 true WO2007049026A1 (fr) 2007-05-03

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WO2011089443A2 (fr) 2010-01-25 2011-07-28 Geoprober Drilling Limited Appareil et procédé d'abandon d'un puits
WO2013066340A1 (fr) 2011-11-04 2013-05-10 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Procédé pour découper un objet depuis l'extérieur en utilisant la chaleur émise par une réaction exotherme
WO2015037985A1 (fr) * 2013-09-11 2015-03-19 Heerema Marine Contractors Nederland Se Procédé et dispositif pour retirer au moins une partie d'une plate-forme en mer
WO2015066239A1 (fr) * 2013-10-29 2015-05-07 Transocean Innovation Labs, Ltd Appareils de coupe de conduite sous-marine, et procédés associés
WO2015075429A3 (fr) * 2013-11-19 2015-11-19 Spex Services Limited Outil perfectionné
GB2528054A (en) * 2014-07-07 2016-01-13 Statoil Petroleum As Casing removal with energetic materials
WO2016166531A3 (fr) * 2015-04-13 2016-12-15 Spex Engineering (Uk) Limited Outil perfectionné
CN110026912A (zh) * 2019-05-30 2019-07-19 重庆大学 一种磨料水射流切割喷头及其应用
CN110181407A (zh) * 2019-05-30 2019-08-30 重庆大学 一种切割井下套管的磨料射流系统及其使用方法
US11396789B2 (en) 2020-07-28 2022-07-26 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Isolating a wellbore with a wellbore isolation system
US11434714B2 (en) 2021-01-04 2022-09-06 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Adjustable seal for sealing a fluid flow at a wellhead
US11492862B2 (en) 2020-09-02 2022-11-08 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Cutting pipes in wellbores using downhole autonomous cutting tools
US11506044B2 (en) 2020-07-23 2022-11-22 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Automatic analysis of drill string dynamics
US11572752B2 (en) 2021-02-24 2023-02-07 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Downhole cable deployment
US11624265B1 (en) 2021-11-12 2023-04-11 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Cutting pipes in wellbores using downhole autonomous jet cutting tools
US11697991B2 (en) 2021-01-13 2023-07-11 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Rig sensor testing and calibration
US11719089B2 (en) 2020-07-15 2023-08-08 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Analysis of drilling slurry solids by image processing
US11727555B2 (en) 2021-02-25 2023-08-15 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Rig power system efficiency optimization through image processing
US11846151B2 (en) 2021-03-09 2023-12-19 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Repairing a cased wellbore
US11867008B2 (en) 2020-11-05 2024-01-09 Saudi Arabian Oil Company System and methods for the measurement of drilling mud flow in real-time
US11867012B2 (en) 2021-12-06 2024-01-09 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Gauge cutter and sampler apparatus

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US5280823A (en) * 1991-12-04 1994-01-25 Steve Chabot Apparatus for regaining control over oil and gas flowing from "blow out" wells
US5372069A (en) * 1993-09-09 1994-12-13 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Pyronol torch
WO1998015379A1 (fr) * 1996-10-04 1998-04-16 Martina Officine Metalmeccaniche S.N.C. Dei F.Lli Martina Machine et procede pour couper des tubes metalliques au moyen d'un jet de plasma

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WO2011089443A3 (fr) * 2010-01-25 2012-02-23 Geoprober Drilling Limited Appareil et procédé d'abandon d'un puits
WO2011089443A2 (fr) 2010-01-25 2011-07-28 Geoprober Drilling Limited Appareil et procédé d'abandon d'un puits
WO2013066340A1 (fr) 2011-11-04 2013-05-10 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Procédé pour découper un objet depuis l'extérieur en utilisant la chaleur émise par une réaction exotherme
EP2773841A1 (fr) * 2011-11-04 2014-09-10 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Procédé pour découper un objet depuis l'extérieur en utilisant la chaleur émise par une réaction exotherme
EP2773841A4 (fr) * 2011-11-04 2015-02-18 Halliburton Energy Serv Inc Procédé pour découper un objet depuis l'extérieur en utilisant la chaleur émise par une réaction exotherme
GB2533744A (en) * 2013-09-11 2016-06-29 Heerema Marine Contractors Nl Method and device for removing at least part of a sea platform
WO2015037985A1 (fr) * 2013-09-11 2015-03-19 Heerema Marine Contractors Nederland Se Procédé et dispositif pour retirer au moins une partie d'une plate-forme en mer
JP2016538444A (ja) * 2013-10-29 2016-12-08 トランスオーシャン イノベーション ラブス リミテッド 海中パイプ切断装置および関連方法
US9388658B2 (en) 2013-10-29 2016-07-12 Transocean Innovation Labs, Ltd Pipe cutting apparatuses and related methods
WO2015066239A1 (fr) * 2013-10-29 2015-05-07 Transocean Innovation Labs, Ltd Appareils de coupe de conduite sous-marine, et procédés associés
CN107073595A (zh) * 2013-10-29 2017-08-18 越洋创新实验室有限公司 水下管切割设备及相关方法
WO2015075429A3 (fr) * 2013-11-19 2015-11-19 Spex Services Limited Outil perfectionné
CN105917069A (zh) * 2013-11-19 2016-08-31 斯派克斯服务有限公司 经改进的工具
AU2017210512B2 (en) * 2013-11-19 2019-04-04 SPEX Group Holdings Limited Tool
CN105917069B (zh) * 2013-11-19 2019-08-13 斯派克斯服务有限公司 经改进的工具
US9932792B2 (en) 2013-11-19 2018-04-03 Shell Oil Company Tool
GB2528054A (en) * 2014-07-07 2016-01-13 Statoil Petroleum As Casing removal with energetic materials
US11441379B2 (en) 2015-04-13 2022-09-13 Spex Corporate Holdings Limited Downhole tool with a propellant charge
WO2016166531A3 (fr) * 2015-04-13 2016-12-15 Spex Engineering (Uk) Limited Outil perfectionné
GB2554219A (en) * 2015-04-13 2018-03-28 Spex Engineering Uk Ltd Improved tool
GB2554219B (en) * 2015-04-13 2021-04-07 Spex Corp Holdings Ltd Improved tool
US11396783B2 (en) 2015-04-13 2022-07-26 Spex Corporate Holdings Limited Downhole tool with a propellant charge
US11814919B2 (en) 2015-04-13 2023-11-14 Spex Corporate Holdings Limited Downhole tool with a propellant charge
CN110181407A (zh) * 2019-05-30 2019-08-30 重庆大学 一种切割井下套管的磨料射流系统及其使用方法
CN110181407B (zh) * 2019-05-30 2020-10-27 重庆大学 一种切割井下套管的磨料射流系统及其使用方法
CN110026912B (zh) * 2019-05-30 2020-10-27 重庆大学 一种磨料水射流切割喷头及其应用
CN110026912A (zh) * 2019-05-30 2019-07-19 重庆大学 一种磨料水射流切割喷头及其应用
US11719089B2 (en) 2020-07-15 2023-08-08 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Analysis of drilling slurry solids by image processing
US11506044B2 (en) 2020-07-23 2022-11-22 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Automatic analysis of drill string dynamics
US11396789B2 (en) 2020-07-28 2022-07-26 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Isolating a wellbore with a wellbore isolation system
US11492862B2 (en) 2020-09-02 2022-11-08 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Cutting pipes in wellbores using downhole autonomous cutting tools
US11867008B2 (en) 2020-11-05 2024-01-09 Saudi Arabian Oil Company System and methods for the measurement of drilling mud flow in real-time
US11434714B2 (en) 2021-01-04 2022-09-06 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Adjustable seal for sealing a fluid flow at a wellhead
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US11572752B2 (en) 2021-02-24 2023-02-07 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Downhole cable deployment
US11727555B2 (en) 2021-02-25 2023-08-15 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Rig power system efficiency optimization through image processing
US11846151B2 (en) 2021-03-09 2023-12-19 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Repairing a cased wellbore
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US11867012B2 (en) 2021-12-06 2024-01-09 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Gauge cutter and sampler apparatus

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