Patent Application
20240191593
The invention relates to a well tool for performing an operation in an oil/gas well, in particular to a well tool to be aligned in a spool such as a cement spool, and a method of using same.
Cement spool straddles are used to protect the valves of a Xmas tree from cement during a cementing job on vertical and horizontal Xmas tree subsea wells. The cement is pumped through the inlet hole of a cement spool, which is placed on top of a permanent subsea installation. Packer element can be used to ensure that cement is guided from the cement spool inlet through the centre of the cement spool straddle and down into a spacer pipe which protrudes down below the Xmas three valves. To achieve this cement flow, the cement spool straddle must be aligned rotationally and longitudinally with the cement spool. Once aligned the cement spool straddle can be anchored to the cement spool. Several alignment mechanisms have been proposed.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,303,477B2 discloses a return flow diverter adapted to allow return flow during cementing of a liner for a well. The diverter has an outer housing with a hole and an inner sleeve with a hole. In the run-in position these holes are aligned. When the tool is landed in the well, the holes shall be unaligned to shut off the flow. The holes are unaligned by rotation of the inner sleeve. The inner sleeve is rotated by means of pulling a collet finger into cooperation with a helical groove in the sleeve. If further force is applied the collet finger, a shear pin will break to shift the collet finger into a position in which it is allowed to flex inward. The collet finger can then snap out of the helical groove and be release from the tool. The collet finger is adapted for alignment internally in the tool and does not provide alignment relative to external targets.
GB1293439A discloses a device for hanging tubing in a well. The tubing hanger comprises a split lock ring for engagement in a recess of the wellhead. The split lock ring is held in a collapsed run position by retaining pins. The hanger also comprises a latch release mechanism configured to trigger the expansion of the split lock ring when reaching the target recess in the well. A latch is outwardly biased by a spring. The latch has a rounded leading edge that cams it through the BOP such that it does not engage coupling gaps etc. The latch has a protrusion following the rounded edge causing the latch release mechanism to engage the target recess, which the latch does not cam through. The latch release mechanism will then release the retaining pin to allow the split lock ring to expand into the target recess.
This device can provide longitudinal alignment with an external reference but no rotational alignment.
US20170130553A1 discloses a plug apparatus comprising a wedge, a sealing ring, and a slip. The wedge comprises a plurality of collet fingers used when setting the plug. The plug has no radial alignment with an external reference.
US20040149452A1 discloses a self orienting selectable collet having at least one deflectable finger, an orientation key positioned at the deflectable finger and a collet profile disposed at an outside dimension of the collet. Further disclosed herein is a system for downhole selective orientation of a collet. An orientation profile is provided which is installable in a downhole environment. The orientation profile includes a matchable profile therein. Also disclosed herein is a method for promoting self orientation and selective location of collets in a wellbore. The method includes installing in a liner, at least two orientation profiles having selective matching profiles, running a collet having a deflectable orientation key and a collet profile thereon complementary to one of the at least two orientation profile matching profiles and orienting the collet by driving the key against said orientation profile and engaging the matching profile where complementary to the collet profile.
An objective of the present invention is to provide a well tool configured to align both longitudinally and radially with a reference in an external bore.
The invention is set forth in the independent claims and the dependent claims describe certain optional features of the invention.
The present invention relates to a well tool for performing an operation in an oil/gas well, wherein the well tool comprises:
wherein the orientation system comprises:
wherein the distal part comprises a first wedge-shaped portion and a second wedge-shaped portion both extending in the outwards radial direction and tapering away from each other in the longitudinal direction;
wherein the orientation system has an initial state in which the first wedge-shaped portion protrudes radially through the radial opening of the outer housing and is configured to engage a guide groove in an inner surface of a surrounding bore;
wherein the first wedge-shaped portion is configured to be longitudinally and rotationally guided in the guide groove when the well tool is moved longitudinally;
wherein the well tool is configured to rotate with the first wedge-shaped portion;
wherein the orientation system has a subsequent state in which the first wedge-shaped portion is radially retracted in the radial opening of the outer housing.
The initial state of the orientation system enables the tool to be longitudinally and rotationally aligned as dictated by the guide groove of the surrounding bore. This alignment may e.g. cause an inlet in the well tool to align with an inlet in the bore.
The first wedge-shaped portion and the second wedge-shaped portion may be one piece or separate pieces.
The first wedge-shaped portion and the finger sleeve may be one piece or separate pieces.
The second wedge-shaped portion and the finger sleeve may be one piece or separate pieces.
The first wedge-shaped portion, the second wedge-shaped portion, and the finger sleeve may be one piece or separate pieces.
The first wedge-shaped portion may incline in a straight or a curved manner.
The second wedge-shaped portion may incline in a straight or a curved manner.
The first wedge-shaped portion may be arranged to incline in the longitudinal direction of the finger sleeve towards or away from the distal part of the resilient finger.
The well tool may be moved in a first longitudinal direction from topside towards the bottom hole. This first longitudinal direction may be referred to as an inserting direction.
The well tool may be moved in a second longitudinal direction from the bottom hole towards topside. This second longitudinal direction may be referred to as a pulling direction. The pulling direction being opposite the inserting direction.
The orientation system may allow a well tool to move in an inserting direction of a surrounding bore e.g. of a well or a cement spool. While running the tool in the inserting direction of the bore, a reduction in the bore diameter will cause an inwards force in the radial direction on the resilient finger due to the inclination of the first wedge-shaped portion. Due to its resilience, the resilient finger can bend inwards in the radial direction and allow the well tool to travel further into the well. The resilience of the resilient finger will also bias the first wedge-shaped portion outwards in the radial direction. The first wedge-shaped portion can therefore move outwards in the radial direction in response to an increase in the bore diameter.
The well tool will preferably enter the bore while moving in the inserting direction which may be referred to as the insertion direction.
The well tool is preferably connected to topside in a swivelling manner. The well tool is preferably installed by means of a wireline.
In the subsequent state of the orientation system the first wedge-shaped portion is retracted and no longer in engagement with the guide grove circumferentially provided in the surrounding bore.
The subsequent state of the orientation system allows the well tool to move in both the inserting direction and the pulling direction without being held back by the first wedge-shaped portion.
The subsequent state of the orientation system is advantageous when retrieving the well tool.
The second wedge-shaped portion may be displaced inwards in the radial direction by the outer housing as a result of relative longitudinal movement between the finger sleeve and the outer housing. Engagement of the outer housing and the inclination of the second wedge-shaped portion may cause a force on the resilient finger inwards in the radial direction, thus bending the resilient finger inwards in the radial direction. The bending of the resilient finger inwards in the radial direction may allow the second wedge-shaped portion to be displaced inwards in the radial direction enough to engage an inner surface of the outer housing. The bending of the resilient finger inwards in the radial direction may preferably be sufficient to retract the first wedge-shaped portion in the radial opening of the outer housing, i.e. such that the first wedge-shaped portion no longer protrudes outside the radial opening.
The first wedge-shaped portion and the second wedge-shaped portion may be arranged with a gap between them in the longitudinal direction.
The orientation system may further comprise a shear pin preventing relative longitudinal movement between the outer housing and the finger sleeve when the orientation system is in the initial state. The shear pin may prevent an unintentional shift to the subsequent state of the orientation system.
The shear pin may be a shear disc or ball configured to break at a predetermined shear force value.
The finger sleeve may be substantially arranged radially between the mandrel and the outer housing.
The first wedge-shaped portion may be radially retracted in the radial opening of the outer housing by means of the second wedge-shaped portion being displaced inwards in the radial direction due to relative longitudinal movement between the outer housing and the finger sleeve.
The guide groove may be circumferentially provided in the surrounding bore.
The well tool may be configured such that the change of the rotational orientation of the first wedge-shaped portion cause a substantially equal change of the rotational orientation of the entire well tool.
In one aspect, the first wedge-shaped portion may have a stop surface extending outward in the radial direction.
The stop surface may be orthogonal to the pulling direction.
The orientation system may prevent movement in a pulling direction in the surrounding bore past a sudden reduction in the bore diameter, e.g. a recess or grove with sharp corners. This is because no force is acting on the resilient finger inwards in the radial direction such that it is bent sufficiently inwards in the radial direction to pass the reduced bore diameter. A sharp corner in the bore, e.g. in the form of a circumferentially arranged guide grove, can thus hold back the resilient finger. As the resilient finger will not bend sufficiently inwards in the radial direction, the first wedge-shaped portion is forced to follow the guide grove as long as the tool is not moved in the inserting direction.
In one aspect, the radial opening may have a longitudinal length of at least the combined length of the first wedge-shaped portion and the second wedge-shaped portion.
The longitudinal extent of the radial opening thus allows the first wedge-shaped portion to extend through the radial opening while the outer housing moves a longitudinal distance relative to the finger sleeve at least equal to the longitudinal length of the second wedge-shaped portion. In this way the first wedge-shaped portion can extend through the hole while the second wedge-shaped portion is being displaced inwards in the radial direction by the outer housing.
In one aspect, the outer housing may further comprise a retention lip extending inwards in the radial direction for engagement with the second wedge-shaped portion when the orientation system is in the subsequent state.
The retention lip will prevent the orientation system from returning to the initial state after entering the subsequent state.
The retention lip will typically extend from an inner surface of the outer housing. The retention lip may be part of a recess.
In one aspect, the first wedge-shaped portion and the finger sleeve may be separate pieces connected to each other by fastening means having a predetermined shear strength.
The resilient finger may thus be collapsed if a longitudinal force exceeds the predetermined shear force. It is thus provided a contingency for retrieving the well tool if the subsequent state of the orientation system cannot be entered.
The resilient finger may thus allow the operator to verify that the well tool has been aligned with the surrounding bore by means of pulling the well tool with a predetermined force below the shear force of the fastening means. No movement of the well tool in response to this pulling force may indicate that the well tool has been aligned.
In one aspect, the first wedge-shaped portion in the radial direction has a first outwards extent, the second wedge-shaped portion in the radial direction has a second outwards extent, and the outer housing has a wall thickness;
wherein the difference between the first outwards extend and the second outwards extent is less than the wall thickness.
It is thus achieved an orientation system that does not unintentionally enter the subsequent state as a result of the first wedge-shaped portion being forced inwards in a radial direction by a surface of the surrounding bore.
The outer housing may have a varying wall thickness. In that case the difference between the first outward extend of the first wedge-shaped portion and the second outward extent of the second wedge-shaped portion in the radial direction is preferably less than the wall thickness of the radial opening's circumference.
The retention lip may be a part of the wall thickness.
In one aspect, the well tool may further comprise:
wherein the anchoring device comprises:
wherein the anchoring device has a run state in which the first ring and the second ring are provided at an initial longitudinal distance from each other;
wherein the anchoring device has a set state in which the first ring and the second ring are provided at a shorter distance from each other, thereby wedging the locking dogs outwards in the radial direction; and
wherein the spring element is configured to bias the locking dogs inwards in the radial direction towards the run state of the anchoring device.
The run state of the well tool is configured for running the well tool into the bore and aligning it relative to a reference in the bore.
When the well tool has been aligned in the bore, it is ready to be set, i.e. locked in place in the bore. In the set state of the well tool, the anchoring device is in the extended state in order to lock the well tool to the bore. In the set state of the well tool, the orientation system does no longer need to be in its initial state because the well tool is then held in place by the anchoring device. The orientation system can therefore enter its subsequent state. By combining the entry of the orientation system into the subsequent state with the entry of the anchoring device into the expanded state, the operation of the well tool is simplified.
The set state of the anchoring device may be configured to prevent longitudinal movement of the well tool relative to a surrounding bore. The set state of the anchoring device may also be configured to prevent rotational movement of the well tool relative to the surrounding bore.
The biasing force from the first ring and the second ring on the locking dogs may be increased by a reduction of the initial longitudinal distance between the first ring and the second ring. The biasing force from the first ring and the second ring on the locking dogs may be reduced by an increase of the longitudinal distance between the first ring and the second ring. The longitudinal distance between the first ring and the second ring in the run state of the anchoring device will typically be greater than the longitudinal distance between the first ring and the second ring in the set state of the anchoring device.
The first ring and/or the second ring may have a chamfered edge configured to engage the locking dogs and force the locking dogs outwards in a radial direction.
The locking dogs may also have one or several chamfered edges configured to engage the first ring and/or the second ring and force the locking dogs outwards in a radial direction. The first ring and the second ring may be moved closer to each other in response to a longitudinal force, and away from each other in response to an opposite longitudinal force.
In the set state of the anchoring device, a portion of the first ring and/or the second ring may partly or fully extend between the mandrel and the locking dogs. These portions may prevent movement of the locking dogs in the radial direction beyond a predetermined position.
Also, in the run state of the anchoring device, a portion of the first ring and/or the second ring may partly or fully extend between the mandrel and the locking dogs. These portions may form a support preventing movement of the locking dogs inwards in the radial direction beyond a predetermined position. The mandrel may also form a support preventing movement of the locking dogs inwards in the radial direction beyond a predetermined position. Alternatively, a separate support element may be arranged to prevent movement of the locking dogs inwards in the radial direction beyond a predetermined position.
The anchoring device may be configured such that the set state of the anchoring device is achieved when the distance between the first ring and the second ring is within a predetermined interval. Preferably, the locking dogs are not moved radially when the distance is changed within the predetermined interval. This may e.g. be controlled by means of the thickness of the first ring and the second ring or by the thickness of the portion of the first ring and the second ring extending between the mandrel and the locking dogs. An advantage of such configuration is that the set state of the anchoring device can be maintained in the event of an increase in the distance between the first ring and the second ring caused by external factors such as changing temperatures or pressures.
The spring element will typically be extended in the set state of the anchoring device. The spring element may retract when returning to the run state of the anchoring device, which will cause the locking dogs to retract again.
The spring element and the locking dogs may together form a substantially ring-shaped locking mechanism.
The spring element can prevent unintentional radial movement of the locking dogs and thus keep them in place, also when the locking dogs are incorrectly positioned.
The locking dogs are designed to be engaged into a recess, a groove, compartments or similar in a surrounding bore in the set state of the anchoring device. The surrounding bore may e.g. be on a cement spool. And the well tool may e.g. be a cement spool straddle.
During operation, all forces generated by differential pressures are transferred to the bore through the locking dogs keeping the well tool stationary in the set state.
One spring element will typically connect all the locking dogs.
The locking dogs may be slidably distributed on the spring element.
The spring element may have a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the first end portion is overlapping the second end portion in the longitudinal direction or the radial direction in both the run state and the set state of the anchoring device.
The spring element may be a plate spring.
An advantage of a flat spring is that it may have a relatively small radial extent, i.e. a relatively thin wall thickness. The strength of the flat spring may be increased by increasing its longitudinal extent without increasing its radial extent. The locking dogs may comprise a through hole for the spring element to extend through.
Both the first end portion and the second end portion of the spring element may preferably extend through the same through hole, or at least extend into the same through hole.
The spring element may thus connect the locking dogs without fasteners or bonding.
The locking dogs may be connected to the spring element in a slidable manner. The locking dogs may e.g. slide along the spring element when going from the run state of the anchoring device to the set state, or vice versa.
By adjusting the size of the through hole relative to the size of the spring element, there may be some play between the locking dogs and the spring element.
The spring element may have a first circumference in the run state and a second circumference in the set state. The overlap between the first end portion and the second end portion may have an extent of at least the difference between the first circumference and the second circumference of the spring element.
The overlap may then allow the spring element to be expanded into the set state of the anchoring device without the ends of the spring element being pulled out from the through hole of the locking dogs.
One of the ends of the spring element being pulled out of one or several locking dogs may represent a risk of not being able to retract the anchoring device to the run state.
The first end portion and the second end portion of the spring element may be tapered.
Alternatively, the first end portion could be provided radially outside or radially inside the second end portion.
Longitudinal tapering of the first end portion and the second end portion will allow an overlap in the longitudinal direction. The first end portion and the second end portion of the spring element may then overlap without requiring a larger through hole in one or several of the locking dogs than the parts of the spring element without overlap. The risk of the spring element snagging one of the locking dogs is thus reduced.
The well tool may further comprise a guide sleeve comprising a plurality of circumferentially distributed through-holes for positioning of the locking dogs.
An advantage of the guide sleeve is that the locking dogs may be evenly distributed along the circumference of the well tool in order to ensure even locking of the well tool and thus evenly distributed forces when in the set state.
One of the locking dogs may be secured to the spring element by means of a fastener.
An advantage of fastening one of the locking dogs to the spring element is that the spring element will not rotate relative to the locking dogs. In this way the ends of the spring element can be positioned relative to the locking dogs, e.g. such that both ends of the spring element are located within a through-hole of a given locking dog in both the run state and the set state.
In one aspect, the outer housing and the first ring or the second ring may be configured for simultaneous movement and adapted for simultaneous activation of the subsequent state of the locating finger mechanism and the set state of the anchoring device.
It is achieved a well tool that can enter the set state in one operation.
The outer housing and the first ring or the second ring may be in direct contact with each other or indirectly in contact via one or several intermediate components. The outer housing and the first ring or the second ring may e.g. be connected by threads, shear pins, a box and pin connection. Alternatively, the outer housing and the first ring or the second ring may be the same component.
In one aspect, the well tool may further comprise:
The first packer and the second packer may be configured to expand and seal against a surrounding bore in the set state of the well tool. The well tool may be configured to expand the packers simultaneously with the entering of the subsequent state of the orientation system and the set state of the anchoring device.
The well tool may further comprise: a finger coupling, a finger coupling support, and a ratchet.
The present invention also relates to a well tool system for performing an operation in an oil/gas well, wherein the well tool system comprises:
wherein the cement spool comprises:
wherein the guide groove comprises an upper point and a lower point that are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the cement spool;
wherein the guide groove extends from the lower point to the upper point in a substantially helical manner;
wherein the positioning of the upper point relative to the inlet of the cement spool matches the positioning of the first wedge-shaped portion relative to the inlet of the well tool in the initial state of the orientation system.
The guide groove may preferably be circumferentially provided in the bore, i.e. a continuous groove extending the entire circumference.
The guide groove may have portions deviating from the substantially helical extent, i.e. portions extending in the longitudinal direction.
The guide groove may have a plurality of upper points and lower points.
If the finger sleeve comprises a plurality of resilient fingers. The guide groove may preferably comprise a corresponding number of upper points and lower points. The finger sleeve may e.g. comprise two resilient fingers. Two resilient fingers may be circumferentially spaced apart 180°. The upper points should then preferably also be circumferentially spaced apart 180°. The lower points should then preferably also be circumferentially spaced apart 180°. A first part of the guide groove connecting a first upper point with a first lower point may preferably match a subsequent part of the guide groove connecting a subsequent upper point with a subsequent lower point. A well tool system comprising a well tool with two resilient fingers and a cement spool with two upper point may have two orientations of the well tool relative to the cement spool after alignment. The well tool may then have two inlets typically circumferentially spaced apart 180°.
In one aspect, the well tool may further comprises:
wherein the anchoring device comprises:
wherein the anchoring device has a run state in which the first ring and the second ring are provided at an initial longitudinal distance from each other;
wherein the anchoring device has a set state in which the first ring and the second ring are provided at a shorter distance from each other, thereby wedging the locking dogs outwards in the radial direction; and
wherein the spring element is configured to bias the locking dogs inwards in the radial direction towards the run state of the anchoring device;
wherein the cement spool further comprises:
The present invention also relates to a method for rotationally and longitudinally aligning a well tool in a bore with a guide groove, wherein the well tool is a well tool as described herein, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
It is thus achieved a method for aligning the well tool with the surrounding bore, both longitudinally and rotationally. The alignment may e.g. be between an inlet hole in the well tool and an inlet hole in the surrounding bore.
When running the well tool in the inserting direction through the bore, the method will work if the first wedge-shaped portion just reaches the guide groove and also if the first wedge-shaped portion moves beyond the guide groove.
In one aspect, the method may further comprises the step of:
In its subsequent state, the orientation system will not prevent retrieval of the well tool.
In one aspect, wherein the well tool further comprises:
wherein the anchoring device comprises:
wherein the anchoring device has a run state in which the first ring and the second ring are provided at an initial longitudinal distance from each other;
wherein the anchoring device has a set state in which the first ring and the second ring are provided at a shorter distance from each other, thereby wedging the locking dogs outwards in the radial direction; and wherein the spring element is configured to bias the locking dogs inwards in the radial direction towards the run state of the anchoring device;
the method may further comprise the step of:
With the anchoring mechanism in the set state, the orientation system is no longer needed and can be retracted. The operation of the well tool is simplified by setting the anchoring mechanism and retracting the orientation system in one step.
In one aspect, wherein the first wedge-shaped portion and the finger sleeve are separate pieces connected to each other by fastening means having a predetermined shear strength,
wherein, if the subsequent state of the orientation system cannot be entered, the method may comprise the steps of:
It is thus achieved a safety mechanism for retrieval of the well tool in case of operational failure.
The well tool may comprise a ratchet mechanism.
The invention will now be described with reference to the exemplifying non-limiting embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The well tool 100 has a longitudinal direction I-I and a radial direction R orthogonal the longitudinal direction I-I.
The well tool 100 can be moved in a first longitudinal direction from topside towards the bottom hole. This first longitudinal direction may be referred to as an inserting direction Di.
The well tool 100 may be moved in a second longitudinal direction from the bottom hole towards topside. This second longitudinal direction may be referred to as a pulling direction Dp. The pulling direction Dp being opposite the inserting direction Di.
The cement spool 200 comprises a radially extending inlet 201 in fluid communication with a longitudinally extending bore 202. The cement spool 200 further comprises a guide groove 203 and a lock groove 204 arranged inside of the bore 202.
The well tool 100 may comprises an anchoring device 110 configured for locking engagement with the lock groove 204 of the cement spool 200, and/or an orientation system 120 configured for cooperation with the guide groove 203 of the cement spool 200.
When the well tool 100 comprises both the anchoring device 110 and the orientation system 120, then orientation system 120 can be adapted to align the anchoring device 110 with the lock groove 204.
The well tool 100 can further comprise an inlet 104 providing fluid communication between an outside of the well tool 100 and an inside of the well tool 100. A first packer 102 and a second packer 103 are normally arranged on opposite sides of the inlet 104 and configured to seal against the bore 202 of the cement spool 200.
When the well tool 100 comprises both the inlet 104 and the orientation system 120, then orientation system 120 can be adapted to align the inlet 104 of the well tool 100 with the inlet 201 of the cement spool 200. The orientation system 120 can be configured to align the inlet 104 of the well tool 100 and the inlet 201 of the cement spool 200 in the longitudinal direction I-I. The orientation system 120 can additionally be configured to align the inlet 104 of the well tool 100 and the inlet 201 of the cement spool 200 in the radial direction R.
When the well tool 100 comprises both the inlet 104 and the anchoring device 110, the inlet 104 of the well tool 100 will be aligned with the inlet 201 of the cement spool 200 when the anchoring device 110 is in locking engagement with the lock groove 204 of the cement spool 200.
When the well tool 100 comprises the inlet 104, the anchoring device 110, and the orientation system 120, the orientation system 120 can be configured to cooperate with the guide groove 203 of the cement spool 200 to align the inlet 104 of the well tool 100 with the inlet 201 of the cement spool 200, and at the same time align the anchoring device 110 with the lock groove 204 of the cement spool 200.
In
In
In
The well tool 100 comprises a mandrel 101 having a longitudinal direction I-I and a radial direction R perpendicular to the longitudinal direction I-I.
The anchoring device 110 comprises a first ring 113 arranged radially outside the mandrel 101 and a second ring 114 arranged radially outside the mandrel 101 at a longitudinal distance from the first ring 113 and movable in the longitudinal direction I-I relative to the first ring 113.
The anchoring device 110 further comprises a spring element 112 substantially ring-shaped and arranged radially outside the mandrel 101, and a plurality of locking dogs 111 distributed circumferentially on the spring element 112 and located longitudinally between the first ring 113 and the second ring 114. Locking dogs 111 may be connected to the spring element 112 by means of a fastener 115.
In the run state of the anchoring device 110 illustrated in
In the set state of the anchoring device 110 illustrated in
The spring element 112 is configured to bias the locking dogs 111 inwards in the radial direction R, i.e. towards the run state of the anchoring device 110.
The first ring 113 and the second ring 114 can interface the locking dogs 111 with chamfered edges causing a longitudinal force applied the first ring 113 and/or the second ring 114 to apply a radially outwards directed force on the locking dogs 111.
In
The locking dogs 111 may comprise a through-hole 116. The spring element 112 may extend through the through-hole 116 of each locking dog 111 and thus retain the locking dogs 111 in the radial direction.
The spring element 112 has a first end portion 112a and a second end portion 112b. This allows the locking dogs 111 to be entered onto the spring element 112. In
The illustrated spring element 112 is a plate spring.
The illustrated first end portion 112a and second end portion 112b of the spring element 112 are tapered.
The spring element 112 has a first circumference in the run state illustrated in
In
The spring element may have a hole 112c for a fastener. The hole 112c may be arranged at a position at substantially equal distance from the first end portion 112a and the second end portion 112b of the spring element 112.
In the second embodiment of the spring element 112 the first end portion 112a is overlapping the second end portion 112b in the radial direction R, preferably in both the run state and the set state of the anchoring device 110.
The well tool 100 comprises an outer housing 125 arranged radially outside the mandrel 101. The outer housing 125 has a wall thickness 1.
The orientation system 120 comprises a radial opening 125a provided in the outer housing 125. The orientation system 120 further comprises a finger sleeve 123 comprising a longitudinally extending resilient finger 123a with a distal part 123a′ and a proximal part 123″ connected to the finger sleeve 123. The finger sleeve 123 is arranged radially between the mandrel 101 and the outer housing 125.
The distal part 123a′ comprises a first wedge-shaped portion 121 and a second wedge-shaped portion 122 both extending in the outwards radial direction R and tapering away from each other in the longitudinal direction I-I.
In the initial state of the orientation system 120, the first wedge-shaped portion 121 protrudes radially through the radial opening 125a of the outer housing 125 and is configured to engage a guide groove 203 in an inner surface of a surrounding bore 202.
In the initial state of the orientation system 120, the first wedge-shaped portion 121 is configured to be longitudinally and rotationally guided in the guide groove 203 when the well tool 100 is moved longitudinally.
The well tool 100 is configured to rotate with the first wedge-shaped portion 121, i.e. when the wedge-shaped portion 121 rotates relative to the cement spool 200 the well tool 100 rotates correspondingly.
In the subsequent state of the orientation system 120, the first wedge-shaped portion 121 is radially retracted in the radial opening 125a of the outer housing 125.
In the illustrations the first wedge-shaped portion 121 and the finger sleeve 123 are separate pieces connected to each other by fastening means 124. The fastening means preferably has a predetermined shear strength.
The outer housing 125 may further comprise a retention lip 125c extending inwards in the radial direction R. The retention lip 125c is configured for engagement with the second wedge-shaped portion 122 when the orientation system 120 is in the subsequent state. The retention lip 125c can then retain the second wedge-shaped portion 122 to prevent the orientation system 120 returning to the initial state. The retention lip 125c may be a side surface of a recess 125b provided in an inner surface of the outer housing 125.
The orientation system 120 may comprise a guide groove 128 provided in the mandrel 101, and a guide bolt 129 arranged in the finger sleeve 123. The guide groove 128 is configured to receive the guide bolt 129 such that the two can cooperate in a guiding manner when the finger sleeve 123 is moved relative to the mandrel 101. Relative rotation of the finger sleeve 123 and the mandrel 101 can thus be controlled.
The first wedge-shaped portion 121 has a stop surface 121′ extending outwards in the radial direction R.
The radial opening 125a has a longitudinal length LO of at least the combined length of the first wedge-shaped portion 121 and the second wedge-shaped portion 122.
The first wedge-shaped portion 121 has a first outwards extent r1 in the radial direction R, the second wedge-shaped portion 122 has a second outwards extent r2 in the radial direction R. The difference Δr between the first outwards extend r1 and the second outwards extent r2 is less than the wall thickness 1.
The shear screw 127 and the guide bolt 129 may be circumferentially spaced apart 90°.
To enter the subsequent state of the well tool 100, the shear screw 127 must be applied a shear force exceeding a predetermined value. The shear force is typically applied by relative movement of the finger sleeve 123 and the outer sleeve 125. This relative movement may be caused by relative movement of the mandrel 101. The predetermined shear force value of the shear screw 127 must be sufficiently high to maintain the initial state of the well tool 100 also when the resilient finger 123 is forced radially inwards due to the first wedge-shaped portion 121 or the second wedge-shaped portion 122 sliding over a tapering surface.
The finger sleeve 123 may comprise two oppositely arranged resilient fingers 123a.
The bore 202 of the cement spool 200 may be provided with a guide groove 203 configured to interact with the orientation system 120. Typically, the finger sleeve 123 will engage the guide groove 203 by means of the wedge-shaped portion 121 and follow the path of the guide groove 203 when the orientation system 120 is in the initial state. In the subsequent state, the orientation system 120 is configured to not engage the guide groove 203. The guide groove 203 preferably forms a continuous path, i.e. without a starting point and an endpoint with a gap between them. The guide groove 203 may comprise an upper point 203a and a lower point 203b that are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction I-I of the cement spool 200. The guide groove 203 may extend from the lower point 203b to the upper point 203a in a substantially helical manner. The positioning of the upper point 203a relative to the inlet 201 of the cement spool 200 matches the positioning of the first wedge-shaped portion 121 relative to the inlet 104 of the well tool 100 in the initial state of the orientation system 120.
The inner corners of the guide groove 203 preferably has a radius that is made as small as possible, such that the guide groove 203 has side surfaces with at least a portion extending in the radial direction R.
The bore of the cement spool 200 may be provided with a lock groove 204 configured to interact with the anchoring device 110. The lock groove 204 is configured to receive the locking dogs 111 of the anchoring device 110. The locking groove 204 preferably forms a continuous path, i.e. without a starting point and an endpoint with a gap between them.
In
The well tool 100 can be longitudinally and/or rotationally aligned in the bore 202 by configuring the orientation system 120 in the initial state; inserting the well tool 100 into the bore 202; running the well tool 100 in the inserting direction Di through the bore 202 at least until the first wedge-shaped portion 121 reaches the guide groove 203; pulling the well tool 100 with a predetermined force in the pulling direction Dp through the bore 202 while allowing the well tool 100 to swivel in the bore 202 in response to a guiding interaction between the first wedge-shaped portion 121 and the guide groove 203; and continue pulling the well tool 100 with a predetermined force in the pulling direction Dp through the bore 202 until the well tool 100 stops moving.
When the well tool 100 has stopped moving, it is aligned with the cement spool 200 and the orientation system 120 can enter the subsequent state. The subsequent state is entered by moving the outer housing 125 relative to the finger sleeve 123 until the orientation system 120 enters the subsequent state. The wedge-shaped portion 121 is then radially retracted and not longer in engagement with the guide groove 203.
As a contingency in case the subsequent state of the orientation system 120 cannot be entered, the first wedge-shaped portion 121 and the finger sleeve 123 may be separate pieces connected to each other by the fastening means 124 having a predetermined shear strength. The well tool 100 may then be retrieved from the cement spool 200 by pulling the well tool 100 in the pulling direction Dp with a force exceeding the predefined shear strength of the fastening means 124 to break the fastening means 124; and then retrieving the well tool 100 from the bore 202.
The well tool 100 can be set in the bore 202, typically after aligning the well tool 100 and the cement spool 200 as described above, by configuring the anchoring device 110 to be in the run state; inserting the well tool 100 into the bore 202; aligning the well tool 100 with the lock groove 204 of the bore 202; and setting the well tool 100 by moving the first ring 113 and the second ring 114 towards each other until the anchoring device 110 enters the set state.
The well tool 100 is preferably configured such that the subsequent state of the orientation system 110 and the set state of the anchoring device 110 can be entered simultaneously.
The well tool 100 can be released from the cement spool 200 by moving the first ring 113 and the second ring 114 away from each other until the anchoring device 110 enters the run state. Then the well tool 100 can be retrieved from the bore 202.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20210508 | Apr 2021 | NO | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2022/060489 | 4/21/2022 | WO |
