Patent Grant
9611705
Centralizers may be installed on tubulars, generally as part of a drill or casing string in an oilfield context, to provide an annular standoff between the tubulars and a surrounding tubular (e.g., wellbore). Centralizers can provide this standoff using blades or ribs that extend radially outward from the tubulars. One type of centralizer employs flexible, bow-shaped ribs or “bow springs,” which resiliently engage the surrounding tubular. Such bow-spring centralizers may be capable of providing a standoff across a range of diameters of the wellbore, and may collapse radially to pass through restrictions or obstructions (i.e., areas of reduced diameter in the wellbore).
Various processes, including heat treating and tempering, are employed to give the bow springs the resiliency that allows them to elastically deform when confronted with reductions in wellbore diameter, and to spring back once these restrictions are passed. However, the first time the centralizer passes through a restriction, the bow springs may yield and experience an amount of plastic deformation. This yielding can affect the starting, running, and/or restoring forces, among other things, which characterize the performance of the bow springs, according to industry standards. Further, such yielding can potentially compromise the integrity of the bow spring, which may result in off-design performance, shortened life, and/or failure.
Further, accurate information regarding the performance of a particular centralizer in actual wellbore conditions may be difficult to collect, prior to running the centralizer into the wellbore. Current standards allow a tolerance of 1% in the diameter of the tubular, which defines, or at least contributes to, a radial end range for collapse of the bow springs of the centralizer. Especially in large diameter tubing applications, this tolerance may be sufficient to affect the yielding of the centralizer. As such, measuring the characteristics of the centralizer in a test stand may be inaccurate, as the actual dimensions of the tubular upon which the centralizer will be disposed may not be known beyond the standard tolerance. Thus, uncertainties as to the performance of the centralizer in the wellbore may exist, despite testing efforts.
Embodiments of the disclosure may provide an apparatus. The apparatus may include a restrictor positionable around a tubular and having an inner diameter that is greater than an outer diameter of the tubular. The apparatus may also include a driver configured to translate the restrictor relative to the tubular in at least a first axial direction. The restrictor may be configured to engage a centralizer attached to the tubular, and the restrictor is configured to at least partially collapse flexible ribs of the centralizer when the driver axially translates the restrictor across at least a portion of the flexible ribs.
Embodiments of the disclosure may also provide a method. The method may include positioning a restrictor around a tubular and adjacent to a centralizer attached to the tubular and having flexible ribs. The restrictor may define an effective inner diameter that is less than an outer diameter of the centralizer. The method may also include translating the restrictor with respect to the tubular, at least partially across the centralizer, so as to radially collapse at least a portion of the flexible ribs of the centralizer, which may cause the flexible ribs to yield.
Embodiments of the disclosure may also provide a system. The system may include a restrictor configured to be placed over a tubular having a centralizer. The system may also include a support fixture attached to an end of the tubular. The system may further include a driver attached to the support fixture, the driver being configured to move the restrictor into contact the centralizer. The centralizer may have a first outer diameter prior to contact with the restrictor and a second, smaller outer diameter after contact with the restrictor.
Embodiments of the disclosure may further provide a centralizer. The centralizer may include at least one end collar configured to be received around a tubular. The centralizer may also include a plurality of bow springs attached to the at least one end collar. The plurality of bow springs may be yielded such that the centralizer is configured to apply a predetermined starting force, a predetermined running force, or both prior to be deployed into a wellbore.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the present teachings, as claimed.
The accompanying drawing, which is incorporated in and constitutes a part of this specification, illustrates an embodiment of the present teachings and together with the description, serves to explain the principles of the present teachings. In the figures:
It should be noted that some details of the figure have been simplified and are drawn to facilitate understanding of the embodiments rather than to maintain strict structural accuracy, detail, and scale.
Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present teachings, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing. In the drawings, like reference numerals have been used throughout to designate identical elements, where convenient. In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawing that forms a part thereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration one or more specific example embodiments in which the present teachings may be practiced.
Further, notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the disclosure are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements. Moreover, all ranges disclosed herein are to be understood to encompass any and all sub-ranges subsumed therein.
Referring to the embodiment depicted in
In some cases, the tubular 104 may be free from upsets or other areas of increased radius to which a centralizer 102 may be secured; accordingly, in at least one example, one or more stop collars (two are shown: 106, 108) may generally restrict the axial and/or circumferential movement of the centralizer 102. The stop collars 106, 108 may be integral with or formed separately from the centralizer 102. Further, the stop collars 106, 108 may be held axially and circumferentially in place with respect to the tubular 104 using set screws, an interference fit or press fit, crimping, adhesives, or any other suitable process or device. Although two stop collars 106, 108 are depicted, it is expressly contemplated herein that a single stop collar 106 may be employed to restrict axial and/or circumferential movement of the centralizer 102 with respect to the tubular 104.
The centralizer 102 may be a bow-spring centralizer and may include two or more flexible ribs 114 that extend axially between end collars 115, 117. The flexible ribs 114 may define an initial outer diameter ODC1 of the centralizer 102. The outer diameter ODC1 may be variable, as the flexible ribs 114 may be configured to resiliently expand and collapse radially between a deployed configuration (shown) and a collapsed configuration, with the outer diameter being reduced in the collapsed configuration as compared to the outer diameter ODC1 in the deployed configuration. Additionally, the stop collars 106, 108 may be disposed between the end collars 115, 117, such that, when fully collapsed, the flexible ribs 114 may engage the radial outside of the stop collars 106, 108.
The centralizer 102 may also define an axial length, which may vary according to the configuration of the ribs 114. In the illustrated, deployed configuration, the axial length is indicated as LC1. When the centralizer 102 is collapsed, the axial length may increase, as the end collars 115, 117 slide apart to account for the reduced curvature of the ribs 114, for example, as will be described below with reference to
Turning to the preconditioning and/or testing apparatus 100, the apparatus 100 generally includes a support fixture 116, a restrictor 118, and a driver 120. The support fixture 116 may engage or otherwise be attached with the axial end 110 of the tubular 104, so as to restrict relative movement between the tubular 104 and the support fixture 116 in at least one direction, e.g., a first axial direction X1. Further, the support fixture 116 may be attached to the ground, or another reference plane, thereby fixing the position of the tubular 104 with respect thereto. The tubular 104 may additionally be supported by any suitable support structure.
In a specific embodiment, the support fixture 116 may include a plug 121 and a base 122. The plug 121 may be generally cylindrical and may extend from the base 122. Further, the plug 121 may be sized to be received into the axial end 110 of the tubular 104, for example, until the axial end 110 of the tubular 104 abuts the base 122. With the support fixture 116 secured to the ground (or another reference surface, such as the bed of a truck, a platform, etc.), the base 122 may bear on the axial end 110 of the tubular 104, such that the support fixture 116 may resist axial movement of the tubular 104 at least in the first axial direction X1.
The base 122 may also include a cylindrical guard 123, which may fit over the exterior of the axial end 110 of the tubular 104. The axial end 110 may fit radially between the plug 121 and the guard 123. The guard 123 may serve to protect exterior threads from abrasion or other damage. Further, the support fixture 116 may be sized to fit over and/or around any thread protectors that may be positioned on the tubular 104. In at least one embodiment, the plug 121, the base 122, or at least a portion of either or both, may be made from a material that is soft relative to the tubular 104 and may protect the threads formed in or on the tubular 104, proximal to the axial end 110, from abrasion, deformation, or other modes of damage by interaction with the support fixture 116. For example, the material may be a polymer (e.g., nylon), elastomer, composite, or the like. In some embodiments, the support fixture 116 may fit over, and not mesh with, threads on the axial end 110 of the tubular 104, to avoid damage of the threads, for example, caused by cross-threading.
With continuing reference to
The hinge assembly 128 may include a hinge pin 132, which may be received through knuckles 134, 136 defined on the arcuate segments 124, 126 respectively. Further, the connecting flanges 130, 131 may be disposed circumferentially opposite to the hinge assembly 128 and may receive bolts 138 therethrough so as to fasten the two flanges 130, 131 together; however, in other embodiments, other fasteners, brackets, clamps, etc. may be employed to secure the connecting flanges 130, 131 together, e.g., face-to-face. In other embodiments, the connecting flanges 130, 131 may be omitted, with the arcuate segments 124, 126 held together via other devices and/or process (e.g., latches, crimping, flexible connection members, etc.). Further, in some embodiments, the hinge assembly 128 may be omitted, with the arcuate segments 124, 126 being secured together, e.g., via a second pair of mating connecting flanges or any other connecting assembly.
Additional segments and/or hinge assemblies may also be included, and one, some, or all the arcuate segments 124, 126 may not extend 180 degrees. For example, one of the arcuate segments 124, 126 may extend 200 or more degrees, while the other arcuate segment 124, 126 extends across a lesser angular span and serves as a door to receive the tubular 104 laterally into the cylindrical structure 119. In another embodiment, three arcuate segments may be provided, with one positioned vertically below the tubular 104, and the two others pivotally connected thereto and configured to close together at the top of the tubular 104, so as to provide a cradle for the tubular 104. It will be appreciated that the configurations of the restrictor 118 described are just a few among many contemplated.
The cylindrical structure 119 may define an inner diameter 137 that is larger than the outer diameter ODT of the tubular 104, such that the restrictor 118 is freely movable (translatable) along the tubular 104 in either axial direction X1, X2. As shown in
In a specific embodiment, the shims 144 may each have an outer surface 146 that is curved to define a radius R that is approximately equal to the radius defining the curvature of the inner diameter 137 of the restrictor 118. An inner surface 148 of each shim 144 may define a smaller radius r. Accordingly, the shims 144 may be received and, e.g., fastened or otherwise retained in the inner diameter 137, such that the outer surface 146 interfaces with the inner diameter 137, thereby reducing the effective inner diameter IDR. In some embodiments, the shims 144 may be received into the inner diameter 137 such that they extend circumferentially along all or substantially all of the inner diameter 137; however, in other embodiments, spaces or gaps may be defined between circumferentially-adjacent shims 144. Such gaps may be uniform or may differ among the pairs of adjacent shims 144. In at least one embodiment, the gap may be formed by receiving fewer than the number of shims 144 required to form a cylinder (e.g., using three of the four illustrated shims 144).
Additionally, several sets of shims 144 of varying sizes may be provided, so as to allow a selection from a range of effective inner diameters IDR for the restrictor 118. Further, the shims 144 may be secured to the cylindrical structure 119 of the restrictor 118 via recesses, grooves, press fitting, fasteners, clamps, adhesives, or any other device and/or process. In some cases, multiple shims 144 may be stacked together to further reduce the effective inner diameter IDR.
Although illustrated as maintaining a generally constant curvature along their axial extents, either or both of the shims 144 and/or the inner diameter 137 of the cylindrical structure 119 may have varying profiles. For example, one or both of the shims 144 and the inner diameter 137 may define a tapered radially-inner surface, such that the effective inner diameter IDR may progressively decrease from one axial end to the other. In other embodiments, other geometries for the shims 144 and/or the inner diameter 137, such as stepped profiles, curved profiles, etc. may be employed, such that the effective inner diameter IDR may vary for a single restrictor 118.
Turning again to
The restrictor 118 may define a length LR along its axial extent. The length LR may be greater than, equal to, or smaller than the axial length LC1 of the centralizer 102 in the illustrated, deployed configuration. The length LR of the restrictor 118 may be selected, for example, to simulate known or expected wellbore conditions. In other embodiments, one restrictor 118 may be employed for several different types of centralizers 102, which may have different lengths LC1, some of which are larger, smaller, or equal to the length LR of the restrictor 118.
The restrictor 118 may also include or be attached to ears 141-1, 141-2 extending outwards from the cylindrical structure 119, e.g., one on each arcuate segment 124, 126. The ears 141-1, 141-2 may be attached to flexible connection members 143, 145 and may, for example, allow the flexible connection members 143, 145 to extend radially outside of the centralizer 102, so as to avoid the flexible connection members 143, 145 engaging the ribs 114. The flexible connection members 143, 145 may be cables, ropes, chains, belts, braided wires, or the like. In other embodiments, the flexible connection members 143, 145 may be attached to the restrictor 118 via hooks, holes, etc. of the cylindrical structure 119, such that the restrictor 118 may omit the ears 141-1, 141-2, and the flexible connection members 143, 145 may extend between circumferentially-adjacent ribs 114. Further, the flexible connection members 143, 145 may be attached to the driver 120, such that the driver 120 is attached to the restrictor 118 via the flexible connection members 143, 145. Although two flexible connection members 143, 145 are shown, it will be appreciated that more or fewer flexible connection members may be employed.
The driver 120 may include one or more winches (two shown: 139, 140) and a prime mover 142, such as an electric motor, gas or diesel engine, wind or air, etc. configured to drive the winches 139, 140. In at least one embodiment, the winches 139, 140 and/or the prime mover 142 may be attached to the support fixture 116, e.g., mounted thereto such that the two are not relatively movable. In other examples, the winches 139, 140 may be secured directly to the tubular 104, or to another surface that is stationary with respect to the tubular 104. In still other embodiments, however, the winches 139, 140 may be omitted, for example, and the flexible connection members 143, 145 secured to a structure that is movable with respect to the tubular 104 (e.g., a vehicle). It will be appreciated that a variety of configurations of the winches 139, 140, support fixture 116, the prime mover 142, and the tubular 104 may be employed.
The winches 139, 140 may be configured to draw in the flexible connection members 143, 145, respectively, thereby transmitting axially-directed force to the restrictor 118 and causing the restrictor 118 to axially translate along the tubular 104 in the first axial direction X1. Further, the driver 120 may include a load cell 147, which may be, for example, an ammeter, strain gauge, weight gauge or sensor, etc. configured to provide measurements indicative of the force applied by the driver 120 on the restrictor 118. The load cell 147 may be attached to a computer, a display, and/or a logging device, so as to translate and/or record measurements taken while operating the apparatus 100.
Turning now to operation of the apparatus 100, the configuration illustrated in
Beginning with
The effective inner diameter IDR of the restrictor 118 may be less than the deployed diameter ODC1 of the centralizer 102. Accordingly, as shown in
Further, the effective inner diameter IDR of the restrictor 118 may be selected such that it collapses the ribs 114 to a degree expected in the wellbore. For example, one or more of the shims 144 may be inserted into the restrictor 118 to vary the effective inner diameter IDR, when appropriate. In some cases, e.g., close tolerance applications, the restrictor 118 may fully collapse the ribs 114 toward the tubular 104. The full collapse of the ribs 114 may cause the ribs 114 to abut against the radial outside of the stop collars 106, 108. Accordingly, in an embodiment, the apparatus 100 may simulate actual collapse of the installed centralizer 102 against the tubular 104 and/or the stop collars 106, 108 in wellbore conditions. Further, the stop collars 106, 108 being in position to provide an end range for axial movement of the centralizer 102 may allow for testing of the stop collar 106, 108 holding force, in addition to testing and/or preconditioning the centralizer 102.
In embodiments where the length LR of the restrictor 118 is greater than or equal to the length LC of the centralizer 102, the advancing restrictor 118 may collapse the ribs 114 along the entire axial extent thereof, which may provide a full and accurate measurement of the running force applied by the centralizer 102. In other embodiments, the restrictor 118 may be axially shorter than the centralizer 102 and thus may progressively collapse portions of the ribs 114.
As the restrictor 118 continues to advance by operation of the driver 120, the restrictor 118 may be pulled from engagement with the centralizer 102, as shown in
Once having reached the phase-complete configuration, in some cases, the testing and preconditioning may be complete. Without being bound by theory, the first pass of the restrictor 118 over the centralizer 102 may yield the ribs 114 of the centralizer 102, such that minimal subsequent yield in the wellbore is expected. Such yielding may plastically deform the ribs 114, such that the centralizer 102 may have a smaller outer diameter ODC2 after contact with the restrictor 118, as will be explained in greater detail below.
Further, after engagement with the restrictor 118, for example, the centralizer 102 may be inspected, e.g., using a magnetic particle inspection (MPI) and/or other tests, to determine if cracks have developed or the integrity of the centralizer 102 has been compromised in any other way. Subsequent collapsing of the centralizer 102 on the tubular 104 deployed into the wellbore may not be expected to further significantly yield the ribs 114, unless the effective inner diameter IDR is reduced. Accordingly, employing the apparatus 100 may allow for an accurate test of performance and may provide a high-level of confidence in the structural integrity of the centralizer 102 in the wellbore. This yielding may also reduce the starting and running forces of the centralizer 102, thereby facilitating deployment of the tubular 104 and centralizer 102 into the wellbore.
In some cases, however, additional testing/preconditioning may be employed. As such, the process of
Passing the restrictor 118 across the centralizer 102 a second time (or any number of additional times) may, for example, allow for sequentially smaller effective inner diameters IDR to be employed, so as to more gently yield the ribs 114 over a plurality of passes. In other embodiments, the effective outer diameter IDR may not be reduced for one or some of the subsequent passes. Since substantially all of the yielding may take place by the first pass (or whichever pass applies the smallest effective inner diameter IDR), subsequent passes of the restrictor 118 across the centralizer 102, without reducing the effective inner diameter IDR, may provide accurate and repeatable measurements of starting, running, and/or restoring forces applied by the centralizer 102.
During any translation of the restrictor 118, the load cell 147 may take measurements of the forces applied by the driver 120 on the centralizer 102, on the particular tubular 104 on which the centralizer 102 is to be run into the wellbore, for example. This may provide additional data to operators running the tubular 104 into the wellbore, which may assist, for example, in determining the force required to advance the tube string into the wellbore and/or determine where in the string the particular tubular 104 with the known centralizer 102 characteristics should be positioned.
In some instances, the ribs 114 of the centralizer 102 may be deformed from an original shape to a deformed geometry by yielding the ribs 114, using the apparatus 100. As such, the outer diameter of the centralizer 102 may be reduced from the initial outer diameter ODC1 to a preconditioned outer diameter ODC2, after preconditioning. The preconditioned outer diameter ODC2 may be smaller than the initial outer diameter ODC1 by any amount, e.g., a fraction (e.g., about ⅛th) of an inch or less.
However, this preconditioned outer diameter ODC1 may be measurable, for example, using a go/no-go gauge. If the starting and/or running forces are high, a go/no-go gauge of a certain diameter may indicate a “no-go” if above a predetermined threshold amount of force is needed to move the gauge axially across the centralizer 102. This may be indicative of the centralizer 102 not having been preconditioned. On the other hand, the go/no-go gauge may indicate a “go” when the starting or running forces are lower than the predetermined amount, which may be caused by preconditioning the ribs 114 of the centralizer 102, as described above. In some cases, the restrictor 118 itself may provide the go/no-go gauge or a sleeve, etc., may be provided as the gauge. Further, the load cell 147 may record the force, which may be used to register a go/no-go determination according to whether the force required to move the gauge (e.g., restrictor 118) is above a certain threshold.
Accordingly, as shown, the apparatus 100 may include a second restrictor 200, which may be axially separated from the first restrictor 118, such that the centralizer 102-2 is positioned therebetween in at least one configuration. The second restrictor 200 may be, for example, substantially similar in structure and function to the restrictor 118. Further, the two restrictors 118, 200 may have the same or different dimensions (e.g., length LR, effective inner diameter IDR, etc.), as desired. Further, the second restrictor 200 may be attached to the restrictor 118 via flexible connection members 202, 204 or may be attached directly to the driver 120 (e.g., via the same or different winches 139, 140), such that the two restrictors 118, 200 are movable in tandem to collapse the centralizers 102-1, 102-2, as described above with respect to
Further, in some cases, the axial spacing or separation between the restrictors 118, 200 may be less than the initial length LC1 of the centralizer 102, the collapsed length LC2 (
In some embodiments, the effective inner diameter IDR (e.g.,
The rollers 400 may include springs, shock absorbers, bearings, dampers, etc., such that the rollers 400 may be positioned (e.g., adjustably) to ride smoothly along the tubular 104, while maintaining the restrictor 118 in a generally concentric position with the tubular 104. In another embodiment, the rollers 400 may be substituted with, for example, low-friction pads that slide across the surface of the tubular 104. Using the rollers 400 (and/or pads), the weight of the restrictor 118 may be transferred to the tubular 104, such that the weight does not affect the compression of the centralizer 102. Further, in at least one embodiment, the rollers 400 may form part of the driver 120 and may be motorized so as to move the restrictor 118 across the centralizer 102, e.g., in addition to or in lieu of the flexible connection members 143, 145 and winches 139, 140.
As shown, the driver 120 may act on the restrictor 118 via the flexible connection members 143, 145, with the cart 500 being pulled along with the restrictor 118. However, in other embodiments, the driver 120 may be part of the cart 500. For example, the cart 500 may be motorized so as to provide the force that axially translates the restrictor 118. In another embodiment, one or more of the flexible connection members 143, 145 may be attached to the cart 500, such that the driver 120 acts directly on the cart 500, which in turn moves the restrictor 118. Further, it will be appreciated that the cart 500 may be vertically above the restrictor 118 in some embodiments, and, for example, suspended from the track 502.
In
The tubular supports 806, 808 may support a weight of the tubular 104, and may allow axial movement of the tubular 104 with respect thereto. Accordingly, the tubular supports 806, 808 may include rollers, wheels, low-friction surfaces, etc., as desired to facilitate movement of the tubular 104 with respect thereto. In some cases, the tubular supports 806, 808 may be received around the tubular 104, but in others may be open, e.g., at the top, so as to facilitate loading of the tubular 104. In another embodiment, the tubular supports 806, 808 may be positionally fixed to the tubular 104, and movable with respect to the ground (e.g., via wheels, sleds, etc.).
The apparatus 100 may also include an end plate 810, which may be coupled with the winch 140 of the driver 120 via the flexible connection member 145. The end plate 810 may be sized having a diameter (or another dimension, such as a diagonal, length, width, height, etc.) that is at least greater than a nominal inner diameter of the tubular 104. As such, the end plate 810 may be prevented from sliding through the axial end 112 and into the tubular 104. In an embodiment, the flexible connection member 145 may extend through the open axial end 110 of the tubular 104, so as to connect to the end plate 810 within the tubular 104; however, in other embodiments, the flexible connection member 145 (and/or 143, as shown in
In an embodiment, the measuring device 812 may be a drift. A drift may be a device configured to measuring the cylindricity of an inner diameter IDT of the tubular 104. The drift may be sized, for example, to simulate a downhole tool of any type that may be potentially run through the tubular 104. Accordingly, the measuring device 812 may have an outer diameter that is slightly less than the inner diameter IDT of the tubular 104. Further, in an embodiment, the measuring device 812 may have an axial length of, for example, about 12 inches (about 0.30 meters). In other embodiments, the measuring device 812 may have any other axial length.
In another embodiment, the measuring device 812 may be an ultrasonic probe, configured to measure an inner diameter of the tubular 104 along one or more diametral lines (i.e., at a plurality of angles). In at least one embodiment, the measuring device 812 may be both a drift and an ultrasonic probe or may be any other device that may be drawn through the tubular 104 prior to running the tubular 104 into the wellbore, for example.
The measuring device 812 may be coupled with the driver 120, for example, via the flexible connection member 145 extending through the tubular 104 and received by the winch 140. Accordingly, the driver 120 may turn the winch 140, drawing in the flexible connection member 145 and moving the measuring device 812 through the tubular 104. Where applicable, any signals generated by the measuring device 812 may be transmitted to the computing device 814. For example, the wall thickness of the tubular 104 may be measured, and added to a measurement of the inner diameter IDT taken by the measuring device 812 to yield a precise mapping of the outer diameter of the tubular 104
Further, the force required to move the measuring device 812 through the tubular 104 may be measured by the load cell 147 and recorded by the computing device 814. Accordingly, in the case where the measuring device 812 includes a drift, any areas departing from the expected cylindricity may be indicated by increases in force required to draw the measuring device 812 through the tubular 104. Areas of reduced cylindricity may be located, for example, where the stop collars 106, 108 are received onto the tubular 104, e.g., via crimping.
Although illustrated for use with an embodiment in which the tubular 104 is driven by the driver 120, it will be appreciated that the apparatus 100 may be configured such that the measuring device 812 is used in the embodiment of
Further, it will be appreciated that elements of the various embodiments of the apparatus 100 may be combined and are not to be considered mutually exclusive, unless otherwise expressly stated herein. Accordingly, any combination of multiple restrictors, multiple drivers, bi-directional drivers, carts, rollers, etc., as described herein, may be employed consistent with embodiments of the apparatus 100. Further, the apparatus 100 and tubular 104 need not be disposed horizontally, but may be disposed in any position with respect to the ground, including being hoisted vertically. Additionally, the description of any first element being moved, slid, translated, etc. “relative to” or “along” a second element, does not necessarily mean that the first element is motive while the second is stationary. Rather, consistent with these terms as used herein, a first element may be moved, slid, translated, etc. relative to a second element by driving the first element while holding the second stationary, driving the second element while holding the first stationary, or driving both the first and second elements at the same time, but at different velocities (speed and/or direction).
The method 900 may begin by attaching a centralizer 102 to an outer diameter of a tubular 104, as at 902. The centralizer 102 may be attached to the tubular 104 and rotatable therewith or with respect thereto. The centralizer 102 may be a bow-spring centralizer and may have flexible ribs 114 extending between two end collars 115, 117. The ribs 114 may be expandable radially between a radially larger, deployed configuration and a radially smaller, collapsed configuration. Further, the centralizer 102 may have a range of axial motion, so as to axially extend between a first length LC1 in the deployed configuration and a second, larger length LC2 in the collapsed configuration. In an embodiment, movement of the centralizer 102 may be axially and/or circumferentially limited via one or more stop collars 106, 108 received onto and fixed in position with respect to the tubular 104 using any suitable device and/or process, as described above. In an embodiment, the stop collars 106, 108 may be disposed axially between end collars 115, 117 of the centralizer 102, so as to allow the end collars 115, 117 to move axially apart.
The method 900 may also include attaching a support fixture 116 to the tubular 104, as at 904. The support fixture 116 may resist axial movement of the tubular 104 in at least one direction. For example, the support fixture 116 may be configured to bear on an axial end 110 of the tubular 104, so as to prevent movement of the tubular 104 in a first axial direction X1.
The method 900 may further include positioning a restrictor 118 around the outer diameter of the tubular 104 and axially adjacent to the centralizer 102, as at 906. The restrictor 118 may define an effective inner diameter IRR that is less than an initial outer diameter ODC1 of the centralizer 102, at least when the centralizer 102 is in a deployed configuration (e.g., as shown in
Before, during, or after disposing the restrictor 118 around the outer diameter of the tubular 104, a value for the effective inner diameter IRR may be determined, as at 907. In an embodiment, this may include selecting one or more shims 144, which may be received into an inner diameter 137 of the generally cylindrical structure 119 of the restrictor 118, thereby reducing the effective inner diameter IDR. Determining the effective inner diameter IDR may also include selecting an inner profile for the restrictor 118, which may be tapered, stepped, curved, etc. such that the effective inner diameter IDR may vary between the axial extents of the restrictor 118.
Further, determining the effective inner diameter IDR at 907 may include determining a target running force, a target starting force, and/or a target restoring force for the centralizer 102. “Starting force” is defined to mean a force required to begin pulling the centralizer 102 through a certain radius restriction. “Running force” is defined to mean a force required to continue pulling the centralizer 102 through a certain radius at a given speed. “Restoring force” is defined to mean a force applied by the centralizer 102, radially outward, thereby supplying the standoff between the tubular 104 and a surrounding tubular (e.g., wellbore). The selected effective inner diameter IDR may yield the ribs 114 of the centralizer 102 by a certain amount, which may be determined to result in the centralizer 102 exhibiting the target starting, running, and/or restoring forces.
Determining the size of the effective inner diameter IDR at 907 may also include considering one or more wellbore conditions and/or geometries. For example, the effective inner diameter IDR may be selected to be equal to or less than the smallest restriction found in the wellbore. Thus, the ribs 114 of the centralizer 102 may not be expected to experience yielding during deployment into the wellbore after preconditioning using the apparatus 100 and/or method 900. In some cases, the yielding experienced by centralizer 102 during the first time the ribs 114 thereof are collapsed may account for all or nearly all of the deviations in running, starting, and/or restoring forces from the original, unyielded state of the centralizer 102. By yielding the centralizer 102 under controlled conditions prior to deployment using the restrictor 118, unknown deviations in running, starting, and/or restoring forces may be avoided.
With the centralizer 102, support fixture 116, and restrictor 118 in place, in any order, the method 900 may then proceed to translating the restrictor 118 axially with respect to the tubular 104, such that at least a portion of the restrictor 118 slides across at least a portion of the centralizer 102, as at 908. For example, the translating at 908 may include translating the restrictor 118 in the first axial direction X1 toward the support fixture 116. In other embodiments, translating at 908 may proceed by moving the tubular 104 and holding the restrictor 118 in place, for example, as shown in and described above with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. During the translation at 908, the restrictor 118 may radially collapse at least at least a portion of the ribs 114 of the centralizer 102, and may yield the ribs 114. It will be appreciated that translating at 908 may include multiple passes of the restrictor 118 across all or a portion of the centralizer 102, e.g. with successively smaller effective inner diameters IDR.
Translating at 908 may proceed by moving the restrictor 118 toward the support fixture 116 using the driver 120, e.g., either by moving the restrictor 118 and holding the tubular 104 stationary, moving the tubular 104 and holding the restrictor 118 stationary, or by moving both the tubular 104 and the restrictor 118. For example, translating at 908 may include the winches 139, 140 taking up the flexible connection members 143, 145 so as to pull the restrictor 118 toward the winches 139, 140. Further, the winches 139, 140 may be fixed on the same axial end 110 as the support fixture 116, such that pulling the restrictor 118 results in a force directed along the first axial direction X1, which is taken up by the support fixture 116, so as to keep the tubular 104 in place. In other embodiments, the winch 140 may drawn in the flexible connection member 145, so as to move the tubular 104 by application of force on the end plate 810.
The method 900 may also include translating the restrictor 118 axially across at least a portion of the centralizer 102 a second time, either in reverse direction X2 of the first translation at 908 or in the same direction X1, as at 910. The second time the restrictor 118 translates at least partially across the centralizer 102, the centralizer 102 may not yield, or may yield less than as in the first translating at 908. Thus, during the second pass of the restrictor 118 over the centralizer 102 at 910, the centralizer 102 may perform as it will be expected to in the wellbore, on the specific tubular 104, for example, without inaccuracies due to tubular diameter tolerances. Accordingly, during the second time translating at 910, information related to, e.g., starting and running forces, as measured by the load cell 147, may be logged and associated with the centralizer 102 as being expected to be repeated when the centralizer 102 and tubular 104 are run into the wellbore.
As with the translating at 908, the translating at 910 may proceed by one or multiple passes of the restrictor 118 over at least a portion of the centralizer 102. For example, the second translating at 910 may include multiple passes, for example, to ensure precision in measurements, measurements at multiple effective inner diameters IDR of the restrictor 118, etc.
During either the first or second translations at 908 and 910, the method 900 may include measuring the forces applied by the driver 120, as at 912, e.g., using the load cell 147. These forces may, for example, be indicative of the starting force (i.e., when the restrictor 118 first encounters the centralizer 102 during a given translation 908, 910) and a running force (i.e., as the restrictor 118 moves across the centralizer 102).
Additionally, the centralizer 102 may be inspected, as at 914, after one, some, or each of the axial translations at 908 and/or 910. For example, a magnetic particle inspection (MPI), or any other inspection can be performed to confirm the absence of cracks in the centralizer 102, thereby increasing confidence in centralizer 102 performance when a restriction is encountered. Once the centralizer 102 is finished being preconditioned, tested, and/or inspected, any elements of the apparatus 100 that are connected to the tubular 104 (e.g., the restrictor 118, driver 120, and/or support fixture 116) may be removed therefrom, and the tubular 104 run into the wellbore, e.g., as part of a drill or casing string.
The method 900 may also include measuring a geometry of the tubular 104, as at 916. For example, a measuring device 812 may be disposed within the tubular 104 and moved relative to the tubular 104. The measuring device 812 may be a drift, configured to measure or confirm concentricity. The measuring device 812 may additionally or instead by an ultrasonic probe configured to measure an inner diameter IDT of the tubular 104. In at least one embodiment, the measuring device 812 may be both a drift and an ultrasonic probe, or any other measuring device. Further, the measuring device 812 may be coupled with a computing device 814, so as to record measurements taken by the measuring device 812. The load cell 147 may also be attached to the computing device 814. The measuring device 912 may be attached to the driver 120 for example, via one or more of the flexible connection members 143, 145 extending through the tubular 104. Additionally, measuring at 916 may occur during, prior to, or while axially translating the restrictor 118 relative to the tubular 104 at 908 and/or 910.
During measuring at 916, signals indicative of the inner diameter IDT of the tubular 104 and/or the force required to move the measuring device 812 through the tubular 104 may be recorded by the computing device 814. Such signals may be used to determine the relevant geometry of the tubular 104. For example, the inner diameter IDT of the tubular 104 at various points along the tubular 104 may be added to thickness of the tubular 104 to map the outer diameter of the tubular 104. Further, the cylindricity of the tubular 104 may be measured.
While the present teachings have been illustrated with respect to one or more implementations, alterations and/or modifications may be made to the illustrated examples without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. In addition, while a particular feature of the present teachings may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular function. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “including,” “includes,” “having,” “has,” “with,” or variants thereof are used in either the detailed description and the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” Further, in the discussion and claims herein, the term “about” indicates that the value listed may be somewhat altered, as long as the alteration does not result in nonconformance of the process or structure to the illustrated embodiment. Finally, “exemplary” indicates the description is used as an example, rather than implying that it is an ideal.
Other embodiments of the present teachings will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the present teachings disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the present teachings being indicated by the following claims.
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