WO2020112641A1

WO2020112641A1 - Closed off liner hanger system and methodology

Info

Publication number: WO2020112641A1
Application number: PCT/US2019/063019
Authority: WO
Inventors: Amr EL-MESTEKAWY
Original assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation; Schlumberger Canada Limited; Services Petroliers Schlumberger; Schlumberger Technology B.V.
Priority date: 2018-11-26
Filing date: 2019-11-25
Publication date: 2020-06-04

Abstract

A technique facilitates well operations by utilizing a closed off liner hanger system. The closed off hanger system may be part of a tubing string having a liner hanger with knock off members, e.g. knock off rods, which close off hydraulic ports used for actuating the hanger. The liner hanger also may comprise hydraulically actuated slips which are actuated via application of hydraulic fluid under pressure once the knock off members are altered to enable flow through the hydraulic ports. During actuation of the slips, hydraulic fluid under pressure is delivered down through the tubing string and through the hydraulic ports of the liner hanger. The ability of the knock off members to initially prevent flow through the hydraulic ports enables high-pressure operations, e.g. cementing operations, to be conducted through the tubing string without prematurely actuating the liner hanger.

Description

PATENT APPLICATION

CLOSED OFF LINER HANGER SYSTEM AND METHODOLOGY

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62/771,454, filed November 26, 2018, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0001] Hydrocarbon fluids such as oil and natural gas are obtained from a subterranean geologic formation, referred to as a reservoir, by drilling a well that penetrates the hydrocarbon-bearing geologic formation. After a wellbore is drilled, various forms of well completion components may be installed to enable production of fluids from the reservoir. In some applications, a liner hanger and liner are deployed downhole into the wellbore prior to a cementing operation. The cementing operation is performed and the liner hanger is set against well casing deployed in the wellbore. The liner hanger may be set by applying hydraulic pressure through pressure ports to an actuator. The actuator drives slips into the surrounding casing to suspend and support the liner. However, high pressures may occur during running-in-hole and/or during the cementing operation and these high pressures can cause premature actuation of the slips. SUMMARY

[0002] In general, a system and methodology are provided for facilitating well operations by utilizing a closed off liner hanger system. The closed off hanger system may be part of a tubing string having a liner hanger with knock off members, e.g. knock off rods, which close off hydraulic ports used for actuating the hanger. The liner hanger also may comprise hydraulically actuated slips which are actuated via application of hydraulic fluid under pressure once the knock off members are altered to enable flow through the hydraulic ports. During actuation of the slips, hydraulic fluid under pressure is delivered down through the tubing string and through the hydraulic ports of the liner hanger. The ability of the knock off members to initially prevent flow through the hydraulic ports enables high-pressure operations, e.g. cementing operations, to be conducted through the tubing string without prematurely actuating the liner hanger.

[0003] However, many modifications are possible without materially departing from the teachings of this disclosure. Accordingly, such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] Certain embodiments of the disclosure will hereafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements. It should be understood, however, that the accompanying figures illustrate the various implementations described herein and are not meant to limit the scope of various technologies described herein, and:

[0005] Figure 1 is an illustration of an example of a liner hanger system comprising a knock off member or members which provide a closed off hanger system, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; [0006] Figure 2 is an illustration of the liner hanger system illustrated in Figure 1 disposed along a tubing string, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; and

[0007] Figure 3 is an illustration of a running tool string which engages the tubing string illustrated in Figure 2 for deployment of the tubing string downhole, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

PET ATT, ED DESCRIPTION

[0008] In the following description, numerous details are set forth to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the system and/or methodology may be practiced without these details and that numerous variations or modifications from the described embodiments may be possible.

[0009] The disclosure herein generally involves a system and methodology for facilitating well operations by utilizing a closed off hanger system. The closed off hanger system may be part of a tubing string having a liner hanger with knock off members, e.g. knock off rods, which close off hydraulic ports used for actuating the hanger. The knock off members may be threadably engaged or otherwise engaged with the hydraulic ports and disposed inside the liner hanger. This allows the liner hanger to withstand high circulation pressures while running-in-hole and during certain operations, e.g. cementing operations, to prevent the liner hanger from being prematurely set against a surrounding tubing, e.g. casing. For example, knock off rods may be used to isolate the hydraulic ports so the liner hanger may be used in applications where high mud weights and/or high circulation pressures are employed prior to setting of the liner hanger.

[0010] According to an embodiment, the liner hanger may comprise hydraulically actuated slips which are actuated via application of hydraulic fluid under pressure.

During actuation of the slips, the hydraulic fluid is delivered down through the tubing string and through the corresponding hydraulic ports of the liner hanger. However, the knock off members initially serve to prevent premature actuation of the liner hanger by blocking flow through the hydraulic ports. Setting of the liner hanger may be achieved by“knocking off’ the knock off members to enable flow through the hydraulic ports. Thus, the hydraulic ports may be selectively opened and used to actuate/set the liner hanger without prematurely actuating the liner hanger.

[0011] Referring generally to Figure 1, an example of a closed off liner hanger system 30 is illustrated. By way of example, the closed off hanger system 30 may comprise a liner hanger 32 which is hydraulically actuated between a run-in-hole configuration (as illustrated) and an expanded, set configuration. In this example, the liner hanger 32 comprises a slip assembly 34 having a plurality of slips 36 which are actuated via a hydraulic actuation assembly 38. According to one embodiment, the liner hanger 32 may be in the form of a hydraulic-set rotating pocket slip liner hanger.

[0012] Referring again to the embodiment of Figure 1, the hydraulic actuation assembly 38 comprises a hydraulic port or ports 40 extending from an interior passage 42 of the liner hanger 32 to an actuation chamber or chambers 44. The interior passage 42 extends longitudinally through the liner hanger 32. When hydraulic fluid under pressure is delivered down through the interior passage 42, through hydraulic port(s) 40, and into actuation chamber(s) 44 under sufficient pressure, actuator members 46 are shifted linearly. By way of example, an individual hydraulic port 40 may extend to each actuation chamber 44 associated with each actuator member 46.

[0013] The actuator members 46 are engaged with corresponding slips 36 such that the linear motion of actuator members 46 forces the corresponding slips against a sloped surface 48. The continued linear motion of slips 36 against sloped surface 48 causes the slips 36 to move in a radially outward direction. This radially outward movement continues until the slips 36 are forced into securely gripping engagement with a surrounding surface 50, e.g. an interior surface of a surrounding casing or other tubular. Thus, the slips 36 are actuated from a radially inward, run-in-hole configuration to a radially expanded, set configuration.

[0014] Initially, however, each hydraulic port 40 is isolated by a knock off member 52, e.g. a knock off rod. By way of example, each knock off rod 52 may be threadably engaged with a corresponding threaded region 54 formed in each hydraulic port 40. In this type of embodiment, each knock off rod 52 may be threaded into the corresponding threaded region 54 and tightened so as to block flow through the corresponding hydraulic port 40 until desired. By doing this, the hydraulic port or ports 40 are closed off and isolated so that high pressures may be experienced within interior passage 42 without prematurely setting the liner hanger 32. It should be noted the knock off members 52 may have a variety of configurations and may be coupled with the corresponding hydraulic ports 40 via various mechanisms.

[0015] As described in greater detail below, the knock off members 52 may be selectively“knocked off’ by a wiper plug or other suitable device to expose a flow passage through the corresponding hydraulic ports 40, thus enabling actuation of the liner hanger 32. In some embodiments, each knock off member 52 may comprise a knock off portion 56 extending into interior passage 42 and a stem portion 58 which remains in the corresponding hydraulic ports 40 when the knock off portion 56 is removed, e.g. broken off. In this type of embodiment, the stem portion 58 may be constructed with an internal passage to enable flow of hydraulic actuating fluid through the corresponding hydraulic port 40 once portion 56 is broken away. The closed off hanger system 30 also may comprise coupling ends 60, e.g. threaded nipples, by which the liner hanger 32 is connected into a tubing string 62, as illustrated in Figure 2.

[0016] In Figure 2, various components of a suitable tubing string 62 are illustrated. However, the tubing string 62 is provided simply as an example and many other and/or additional components may be used in a variety of configurations to facilitate desired well operations, e.g. cementing operations and production operations. [0017] The tubing string 62 has an internal passage 63 which is a continuation of the interior passage 42 through liner hanger 32. In the example illustrated, the tubing string 62 comprises the closed off liner hanger system 30 disposed between a pup joint 64 above and a liner joint 66 below. In this example, a liner top packer 68 is disposed above the pup joint 64 and combined with a retrievable cementing bushing profile and tieback receptacle 70. Beneath the liner joint 66, the tubing string 62 may comprise a landing collar 72, a double float collar 74, and a float shoe 76 separated by additional liner joints 78. However, the type of components and arrangement of components along tubing string 62 may be selected according to parameters of desired well operations.

[0018] The tubing string 62 is deployed downhole into a borehole, e.g. a wellbore, via a running tool string 80, as illustrated in Figure 3. In Figure 3, various components of a suitable running tool string 80 are illustrated. However, the running tool string 80 is provided simply as an example and many other and/or additional components may be used in a variety of configurations to facilitate desired well operations, e.g.

cementing operations.

[0019] It should be noted, the running tool string 80 is inserted along the internal passage 63 of tubing string 62 and coupled with tubing string 62. The tubing string 62 and the running tool string 80 may then be deployed downhole as a combined unit. After successfully setting of the liner hanger 32, the running tool string 80 may be released and retrieved to the surface.

[0020] In the example illustrated, the running tool string 80 comprises a retrievable cementing bushing 82 which may be mounted along a stinger 84. The retrievable cementing bushing 82 is received in the retrievable cementing bushing profile and tieback receptacle 70 and the running tool string 80 is releasably secured to the tubing string 62 via a releasable running tool 86. By way of example, the releasable running tool 86 may be in the form of a hydraulic release running tool having mechanical secondary releases. [0021] Depending on the application, the running tool string 80 also may comprise additional components, such as a ported sub 88, a swivel with plug adapter 90, and a liner wiper plug 92 positioned beneath the retrievable cementing bushing 82.

Additional examples of components disposed along the running tool string 80 include a tamping dog assembly 94 and a junk bonnet 96 located above the releasable running tool 86. A pump down plug 98 may be pumped along an interior passage 100 of the running tool string 80 to enable completion of a cementing operation and/or other operations.

[0022] According to an operational example, the knock off rods 52 are initially installed in the corresponding hydraulic ports 40, e.g. threaded into the hydraulic ports 40 to block flow therethrough. The running tool string 80 is then inserted into the tubing string 62 such that the liner wiper plug 92 is spaced out above the liner hanger 32. The releasable running tool 86 is actuated to secure the running tool string 80 to the tubing string 62.

[0023] At this stage, the combined running tool string 80 and tubing string 62 may be run downhole to a target depth in a borehole, e.g. wellbore, for a cementing operation. For example, cement may be pumped down through interior passage 100 of running tool string 80 according to a predetermined cementing program.

[0024] After pumping down sufficient cement, the pump down plug 98 (e.g. a pump down plug cementing dart) may be released from a cement manifold or other suitable component. The pump down plug 98 is then pumped down through interior passage 100 to remove remaining cement until latching inside the liner wiper plug 92. At this stage, pressure may be applied along the interior passage 100 until the liner wiper plug 92 is released, e.g. sheared, from the running tool string 80.

[0025] Continued application of pressure along interior passages 100, 63 moves the sheared/released liner wiper plug 92 against and through the knock off members/rods 52 to open up hydraulic ports 40. For example, the moving liner wiper plug 92 may break off knock off portions 56 to expose corresponding passages through the hydraulic ports 40. The applied pressure continues to move the liner wiper plug 92 and pump down plug 98 down along interior 63 until the liner wiper plug 92 lands inside the landing collar 72.

[0026] Once the liner wiper plug 92 (with pump down plug 98) lands inside the landing collar 72 pressure may be increased within interior passages 100, 63 to set the liner hanger 32. The increased pressure causes the hydraulic fluid within interior passages 100, 63 to move through hydraulic ports 40 and to actuate slips 36 into engagement with the surrounding wall surface 50, as described above. In some applications, various pressure checks and/or other checks may be performed prior to fully setting the liner hanger 32.

[0027] Accordingly, the knock off members 52 are able to isolate hydraulic ports

40 and slips 36 from high pressures which may occur prior to the liner hanger setting stage. Depending on the application, the knock off members 52 may be in the form of knock off rods or other types of knock off members. The knock off rods/members 52 may be threadably engaged or otherwise engaged with the liner hanger 32 so as to temporarily block hydraulic actuating ports 40.

[0028] Similarly, other systems and components may have a variety of configurations. For example, various types of liner wiper plugs 92 or other types of plugs or devices may be moved along the interior to effectively actuate (e.g. break off) the knock off members 52 so that flow of hydraulic actuating fluid may move through hydraulic ports 40. As described above, the components of the tubing string 62 and running tool string 80 also may vary according to the parameters of a given application.

[0029] Although a few embodiments of the disclosure have been described in detail above, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible without materially departing from the teachings of this disclosure. Accordingly, such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A system for use in a well, comprising: a liner hanger system having a liner hanger with an interior passage, the liner hanger comprising:

a slip assembly including a slip actuatable from a run-in-hole configuration to a radially expanded, set configuration;

a hydraulic actuation assembly having an actuator member, engaged with the slip, and a hydraulic port extending between the interior passage and an actuation chamber adjacent the actuator member such that application of pressure through the interior passage and through the hydraulic port causes movement of the actuator member and actuation of the slip from the run-in-hole configuration to the radially expanded, set configuration; and

a knock off member initially mounted in the liner hanger, the knock off member blocking flow through the hydraulic port.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the knock off member is in the form of a knock off rod.

3. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the knock off member comprises a knock off portion extending into the interior passage.

4. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the knock off member is threadably engaged with the hydraulic port.

5. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the slip comprises a plurality of slips and the actuator member comprises a plurality of actuator members engaged with the plurality of slips.

6. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein the hydraulic port comprises a plurality of hydraulic ports, each hydraulic port being oriented to direct hydraulic fluid to a corresponding actuator member.

7. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the liner hanger system is coupled into a tubing string.

8. The system as recited in claim 7, wherein the tubing string is configured to

releasably engage a running tool string having a running tool string interior passage.

9. The system as recited in claim 8, wherein the running tool string interior passage is sized to receive a pump down plug.

10. A method, comprising: providing a liner hanger with hydraulic actuation ports extending from an interior passage of the liner hanger;

blocking flow through the hydraulic actuation ports with knock off members;

coupling the liner hanger into a tubing string;

engaging the tubing string with a running tool string;

running the tubing string downhole into a borehole via the running tool string; and

pumping a device down through the tubing string and through the interior passage of the liner hanger to break the knock off members so as to enable fluid flow through the hydraulic actuation ports.

11. The method as recited in claim 10, further comprising setting the liner hanger by delivering fluid under pressure through the hydraulic actuation ports.

12. The method as recited in claim 10, further comprising performing a cementing operation prior to pumping the device down through the interior passage of the liner hanger.

13. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein pumping the device comprises

pumping a pump down plug into a liner wiper plug to shear the liner wiper plug from the running tool string and then pumping the combined pump down plug and liner wiper plug through the knock off members.

14. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein blocking flow comprises blocking flow through the hydraulic actuation ports via knock off members in the form of knock off rods.

15. The method as recited in claim 14, further comprising threadably engaging the knock off rods with the hydraulic actuation ports.

16. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein blocking flow comprises blocking flow through the hydraulic actuation ports via knock off members each having a knock off portion combined with a stem portion.

17. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein pumping the device down through the tubing string comprises breaking off the knock off portions from the stem portions to enable flow of fluid through the hydraulic actuation ports.

18. A method, comprising: providing a liner hanger with slips which may be actuated to a set position, the liner hanger further having hydraulic actuation ports extending from an interior passage of the liner hanger, the hydraulic actuation ports providing a flow path for hydraulic actuating fluid to shift the slips to the set position; and

initially blocking flow through the hydraulic actuation ports with knock off members positioned in the hydraulic actuation ports.

19. The method as recited in claim 18, further comprising:

positioning the liner hanger downhole in a wellbore;

breaking off the knock off members to enable flow through the hydraulic actuation ports; and

setting the liner hanger by delivering fluid under pressure through the hydraulic actuation ports.

20. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein breaking off the knock off members comprises pumping down a liner wiper plug through the interior passage of the liner hanger to engage and break off the knock off members.