The invention generally relates to a ball dropping assembly and technique for use in a well.
Various tools (valves, chokes, packers, perforating guns, injectors, as just a few examples) typically are deployed downhole in a well during the well's lifetime for purposes of testing, completing and producing well fluid from the well. A number of different conveyance mechanisms may be used for purposes of running a particular tool into the well. As examples, a typical conveyance mechanism device may be a coiled tubing string, a jointed tubing string, a wireline, a slickline, etc.
Once deployed in the well, a given tool may be remotely operated from the surface of the well for purposes of performing a particular downhole function. For this purpose, a variety of different wired or wireless stimuli (pressure pulses, electrical signals, hydraulic signals, etc.) may be communicated downhole from the surface of the well to operate the tool.
Another way to remotely operate a downhole tool is through the deployment of a ball from the surface of the well into a tubing string that contains the tool. More specifically, a ball may be dropped into the central passageway of the string from the surface of the well. The ball travels through the string and eventually lodges in a seat of the string to block fluid communication through the central passageway. As a result of the blocked fluid communication, the tubing string may be pressurized for purposes of actuating the tool. The above-described traditional approach of deploying a ball in the string to actuate a tool of the string assumes that, in general, no obstruction exists in the central passageway, which would prevent the ball from traveling from the surface of the well to the seat in which the ball lodges.
In an embodiment of the invention, a technique that is usable with a well includes running string that includes a tool and a flowable object that is held in a retained position within the string downhole in the well. After the string is run downhole in the well, the flowable object is released to permit the object to flow in and subsequently seat in a flow path of the string to impede fluid communication so that the tool may be actuated in response to the impeded fluid communication.
In another embodiment of the invention, a technique that is usable with a well includes running a packer downhole in the well on a drill string and using a flow modulator of the drill string to communicate an orientation of the packer to the surface of the well. The packer is oriented in response to the communicated orientation, and downhole of the flow modulator, a flowable device is introduced into a central passageway of the string to impede fluid communication through the string. The packer is set in response to the impeded fluid communication.
In another embodiment of the invention, a system that is usable with a well includes a flowable object, a string and a retaining device. The string includes a flow path and a tool that is adapted to be actuated by the flowable object. The retaining device is located in the string and is adapted to retain the flowable object during a run in hole state of the string and be actuated to release the flowable object into the flow path to actuate the tool.
Advantages and other features of the invention will become apparent from the following description, drawing and claims.
Referring to
Although the MWD assembly 34 is useful for purposes of communicating information related to the orientation of the packer 44 uphole to the surface of the well, the assembly 34 introduces a flow path obstruction for a flowable device (such as a ball, for example) that may otherwise be deployed from the surface of the well through the string 30 for purposes of actuating the packer setting tool 44. In other words, in conventional drill strings, the presence of the MWD assembly 34 prohibits the use of flowable devices, such as balls, for purposes of actuating devices downhole of the assembly 34, such as the packer setting tool 42. However, unlike conventional drill strings, the drill string 30 includes the ball dropping sub 40, which is located below the MWD assembly 34 and thus, is located downhole from the obstruction that is created by the assembly 34.
As described herein, the ball dropping sub 40 is actuated by, for example, annulus pressure (i.e., pressure appearing in an annulus 15 that surrounds the string 30), and when actuated, the ball dropping sub 40 deploys a ball into the central passageway of the string 30. The deployed ball flows downhole in the string 30 until the ball lodges in a valve seat of the drill string 30 (a valve seat that is part of the packer setting tool 42, for example). The lodged ball blocks fluid communication through the central passageway of the string 30 downhole of the seat. Because the packer setting tool 42 is actuated via tubing conveyed pressure, fluid may be introduced into the drill string 30 from the surface of the well for purposes of pressurizing the string 30 to actuate the tool 42.
It is noted that
For the particular example depicted in
The technique 100 includes, pursuant to block 106, running the drill string 30 downhole such that above the setting depth, fluid is communicated through a primary flow path, or central passageway, of the drill string 30 for purposes of receiving an orientation signal from the MWD assembly 34 at the surface of the well 10. Using the orientation signal that is provided by the MWD assembly, the drill string 30 is manipulated (rotated, for example) at the surface of the well 10, pursuant to block 110, until it is determined (diamond 108) that the packer 44 has the intended orientation.
For the specific example depicted in
More specifically, pursuant to block 106, when the drill string 30 is above the setting depth of the packer 44, fluid is communicated through the central passageway of the drill string 30 such than an orientation signal is received from the MWD assembly 34 at the surface of the well. Pursuant to diamond 108, a determination is made whether the packer 44 is properly oriented and if not, the drill string 30 is manipulated (block 110) to adjust the orientation of the packer 44. After the packer 44 is oriented, the flow 60 is halted, and the drill string 30 is stabbed into the tie back receptacle 52, as depicted in block 112 (see
Referring to
More particularly, in accordance with embodiments of the invention, the well annulus 15 is pressurized (block 114) to a certain pressure threshold (indicated by “P1” in
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to 6B in conjunction with
Alternatively, the packer setting tool 42 may release the packer 42 in response certain wired and/or wireless stimuli that are communicated downhole from the surface of the well 10, as another non-limiting example. After the packer 44 is released from the packer setting tool 42, the setting tool 42 and the remaining part of the drill string above the setting tool 42 are pulled out of the well 10, pursuant to block 128, which leaves the packer 44 and liner hanger 50 in the well 10, as depicted in
The packer 44 is an example of one of many possible tools that may be run downhole, oriented and actuated, in accordance with embodiments of the invention. For example, in accordance with other embodiments of the invention, the packer 44 may be replaced by an oriented perforating gun, whipstock, etc. Additionally, the techniques and systems that are described herein are likewise applicable to overcoming obstructions other than the obstruction introduced by a flow modulator. As another example, the drill string 30 may include a section that has a reduced inner diameter that is sufficiently small to prohibit a ball from passing through the section. Thus, many variations are contemplated and are within the scope of the appended claims.
Referring to
The eccentric flow path 210 allows for the eccentric positioning of the ball 260 before the ball 260 is released into the central passageway of the drill string 30. More specifically, the ball 260 is disposed in a side pocket 220 that is created by a cap 224 that is disposed in a radial opening 205 in a housing 227 of the sub 40. The radial opening 205 extends between the annulus of the well and the eccentric flow path 210. A piston 230 resides inside the pocket 220 and until the ball sub 40 is actuated, the piston 230 retains the ball 260 (as depicted in
The cap 224 (which may have a test port 225) generally protects the piston 230 from the surrounding wellbore environment. However, the cap 224 permits fluid communication between the annulus and the piston 230 so that upon the application of a sufficient force, which is exerted by the fluid in the annulus 15, the shear pin 250 shears to permit the piston 230 (and its fingers 234) to move into the eccentric flow path 210, as depicted in
Referring to
Referring to
Other embodiments are within the scope of the appended claims. For example, in accordance with other embodiments of the invention, the lower assembly of the drill string 30 may be replaced by a lower assembly 300, which is depicted in
Referring to
Referring also to
Another part of the flow is communicated through the orifices 360. Due to the flow restriction that is imposed by the orifices 360, a given pressure exists above the retained ball 260, which causes a downward force to be exerted on the ball 260. However, the pressure is kept below the pressure that would otherwise force the ball 260 through the lower split ring 342, due to the fluid communication path that is provided by the open circulation valve 310.
When the lower end of the drill string is stabbed into the tie back receptacle 52 and the packer 44 is in position to be set, the circulation valve 310 is closed. In this manner, as non-limiting examples, the drill string may be manipulated in a given manner, or wired or wireless stimuli may be communicated downhole for purposes of causing the circulation valve 310 to close off the flow through its radial fluid communication ports. Due to the restricted flow path, the pressure inside the central passageway 301 above the ball 260 increases, which produces a sufficient downward force to drive the ball 260 through the lower split ring 342. Thus the closure of the circulation valve 310 causes the ball 260 to be released into the flow and descend downwardly through the central passageway into the valve seat associated with the packer setting tool 42.
It is noted that the ball (or other flowable device) may be retained in various positions relative to the string's flow path. More specifically, depending on the particular embodiment of the invention, the ball (or other flowable device) may be retained entirely inside the flow path of the drill string, partially inside the flow path or entirely outside of the flow. Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention, the systems and techniques that are described herein may apply to strings that do not contain an obstruction to the ball (or other flowable device). For example, the ball may be retained downhole in the string for purposes of minimizing the time needed to actuate a downhole tool. In this manner, reducing the time to deploy the ball by placing the initial position of the ball relatively close to the setting tool (i.e., removing the time otherwise incurred by deploying the ball from the surface of the well) may result in significant cost savings, in view of the relatively high costs associated with drilling rig services.
As other examples of additional embodiments of the invention, a Universal Bottom Hole Orientation (UBHO) sub and a gyroscope may be used in place of the MWD assembly 34 in accordance with other embodiments of the invention. The UBHO may have an internal diameter that is sufficient to allow the ball (or other flowable device) to pass through the UBHO, unlike the MWD assembly 34. Therefore, the ball catching sub may be located above the UBHO, for example.
As yet additional examples, the systems and techniques that are disclosed herein may be used with a lower assembly that does not contain a tie back receptacle. For example, the lower zone may be plugged, and the drill string 30 may also be run plugged and thus, there may not be a need to tie back.
While the present invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having the benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate numerous modifications and variations therefrom. It is intended that the appended claims cover all such modifications and variations as fall within the true spirit and scope of this present invention.
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