Patent Application
20250101826
The invention relates to an orientation device for orientating a tool within a wellbore and a toolstring comprising the orientation device and the tool to be orientated within the wellbore relative to a vertical line. A method for orientating the toolstring is also described. More particularly the invention relates to an orientation device for orienting the tool around a longitudinal axis of the toolstring. The orientation device may comprise an orientation member that is displaceable in a lateral direction. In a deviated part of the wellbore, gravity and the orientation member may be used to orientate the orientation device around the longitudinal axis. An effect of the orientation device being orientated around the longitudinal axis enables the orientation device to orientate any part of the toolstring that is rotational stiff connected the orientation device. Thus, a complete toolstring may be orientated if the complete toolstring is rotational stiff connected to the orientation device. A toolstring may comprise a first part and a second part. The second part may be rotationally stiff connected, while the first part may be free to rotate relative to the orientation device. This enables the orientation device to orientate only the second part.
There are third party companies that provide independent orientation tools that may be included in the toolstring to orientate a part of the toolstring around the longitudinal axis of the toolstring. These independent orientation tools may operate with their own independent communication module, anchor module and rotation module. Communication with the remaining part of the toolstring is usually turned off while the independent orientation tool orientates the toolstring. After the toolstring has been orientated, the independent orientation tool is turned off again. The remaining part of the toolstring is then turned on again to continue the operation. A drawback of having to turn off and turn on different parts of the toolstring is that the orientation of the toolstring may become less accurate. The orientation device may be an integrated part of the toolstring where communication, power and actuating power are shared with other parts of the toolstring. Communicating simultaneously with the orientation device and the remaining part of the toolstring may result in seamless and “on the fly” orientation and configuration of the toolstring. This improves the accuracy and efficiency of the operation.
Some operations in deviated parts of the wellbore require an intervention-tool or parts of the intervention tool to be orientated relative to a longitudinal axis of the toolstring and relative to a longitudinal axis of the deviated part of the wellbore. One example may be to position a perforation gun or a radial drill unit to punch or drill a single hole or a plurality of holes in an upward pointing direction to avoid clogging of the holes by debris settling in the low side position in the wellbore. Other examples may be to orientate a jetting nozzle in a cleanout tool or to position a logging tool sensor.
In the oil and gas exploration and production industry, well intervention operations may be performed at various times during the lifetime of a well. A toolstring may be used to perform the operation. A known method for orientating an intervention-tool is to anchor a first part of the toolstring to an internal wall of the wellbore or to an inside of a well tubing and rotate around the toolstring's longitudinal axis a second part of the toolstring relative to the first part of the toolstring. The intervention-tool to be orientated is positioned in the second part of the toolstring. Such toolstrings require an anchor for anchoring the first part of the toolstring to the internal wall of the wellbore or the well tubing, and dedicated electronics for monitoring the orientation of the intervention-tool. The means for rotating the second part of the toolstring relative to the first part of the toolstring is often complex with rotational motors, hydraulic swivels, electrical swivels and rotational seals. Such means add length to the toolstring and complexity in building and operating the toolstring. Documents U.S. Pat. No. 10,557,312, EP2813665 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,259,466 disclose examples of downhole toolstrings where a first part of the toolstring is anchored to the internal wall of the wellbore, and a second part of the toolstring is rotated relative to the first part of the toolstring.
As known in the art, the toolstring has restrictions regarding length of the toolstring. The restriction is usually set by a length of a sluice used for sluicing the toolstring into and out of the wellbore. The sluice is often termed a “lubricator”. To save time and to increase efficiency of the operation, tools forming the toolstring need to be short such that a plurality of tools may fit within one toolstring. The prior arts requiring anchor and complex means for rotating a part of the toolstring result in the toolstring being long.
The invention has for its object to remedy or to reduce at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art, or at least provide a useful alternative to prior art. The object is achieved through features, which are specified in the description below and in the claims that follow. The invention is defined by the independent patent claims. The dependent claims define advantageous embodiments of the invention.
To orientate the toolstring is herein described as to orientate the orientation device and any part of the toolstring that is rotational stiff connected to the orientation device.
It can be noted that the terms “uphole” and “downhole” are used herein for indicating relative positions along the wellbore trajectory, towards or away from a wellhead along the wellbore, and do not specify any particular elevation. Accordingly, the term “uphole” indicates a position that is closer to the wellhead along the wellbore path than another position, but may be at the same elevation, such as for example may be the case in horizontal wellbore sections. Conversely, the term “downhole” indicates a position that is further away from the wellhead along the wellbore path than another position, but may be at the same elevation.
The deviated part of the wellbore is described herein as any part of the wellbore where the wellbore path deviates from a vertical line. The deviation of the wellbore path from the vertical line may vary along the wellbore path. The wellbore may comprise of a variety of tubular structures such as a casing, a liner, and any other tubular structures forming the wellbore.
The terms “high side” and “low side” are used herein for indicating a position within a deviated part of the wellbore. With reference to a watch face position, the “high side” is between 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock, while the “low side” is between 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock. Accordingly, an uppermost high side position corresponds to 12 o'clock and a lowermost low side position corresponds to 6 o'clock.
In a first aspect the invention relates more particularly to an orientation device for orientating a tool within a wellbore, wherein:
The distal end portion may be formed to reduce a friction between the internal wall and the orientation member. The orientation device may comprise a main body wherein the orientation member displaces laterally from the main body.
The distal end portion may be formed to be displaceable along the central longitudinal axis along the internal wall. The orientation member may comprise an arm. The distal end portion may comprise a roller. The distal end portion may comprise a slick roller. The distal end portion may comprise a ball. The orientation member may comprise a propulsion motor, the orientation member and the propulsion motor may be configured to provide a propulsion force along the central longitudinal axis. The orientation member may comprise the propulsion motor, the orientation member and the propulsion motor may be configured to provide a propulsion force perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis. The orientation device may comprise a lateral displacement sensor. The orientation member may comprise a rotation sensor. The orientation device may be a modified drive section.
The effects of the first aspect of the invention will become apparent in the description of a second aspect of the invention.
In a second aspect the invention relates more particularly to a toolstring comprising the orientation device and a tool to be orientated within a wellbore relative to a vertical line, wherein:
The tool to be orientated within the wellbore may be rotationally stiff connected to the main body of the orientation device.
Most toolstrings used in well intervention operations are elongated and may comprise different tools depending on the operation to be performed. A longitudinal axis of the toolstring may extend from a first end to a second end. The first end may be connected to a surface equipment via a flexible elongated member. The second end may be a free distal end opposite to the first end and in a downhole position relative to the first end. The toolstring may comprise a swivel in the first end to allow the toolstring to rotate without transferring a rotational force from the toolstring to the flexible elongated member. The central longitudinal axis of the orientation device may be coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the toolstring. The toolstring may comprise a logging tool, a perforation gun, a radial drill unit, a cleanout tool or any other tool. Such tools require to be correctly orientated around the longitudinal axis to work properly in a deviated part of a wellbore.
The toolstring may comprise a propulsion means for propelling the toolstring in the downhole direction or the uphole direction. The propulsion means may be a tractor comprising a drive section, a stroker, a combination of the tractor and the stroker, or any other known tool for propelling the toolstring in the downhole or the uphole direction. The tractor may be wireline operated, i.e. the flexible elongated member connecting the surface to the toolstring may be a wireline. It is most common in wireline operations to use the tractor to propel the toolstring in the downhole direction in the deviated part of the wellbore and then use the wireline to pull the toolstring in the uphole direction. The wireline may provide the toolstring with power, communication and may, as previously described, propel the toolstring in the uphole direction. The communication may be bidirectional between the surface and the toolstring and may comprise of commands from the surface to the toolstring, and sensor data from the toolstring to the surface.
To allow the toolstring to be displaced into or out of the wellbore an outer diameter of the toolstring must be smaller than an inside diameter of the tubular structure. In the deviated part of the wellbore, due to gravity, the toolstring will position itself in the low side position inside the tubular structure. Thus, there may be no gap between the toolstring and the tubular structure in the low side position, while a gap will increase progressively on each side of the toolstring towards the uppermost high side position of the tubular structure. The gap will be at the largest between the toolstring and the inside of the tubular structure at 12 o'clock.
Upon activating the orientation device, the orientation member starts to displace outwards from an outer surface of the toolstring in a lateral direction. The orientation member is displaced outwards, and the distal end portion of the orientation member will eventually be positioned adjacent to and in contact with the internal wall of the tubular structure. The distal end portion of the orientation member is formed to interact with the internal wall of the tubular structure and to be displaced sideways along the curve of the internal wall. The orientation member exerts a force on the internal wall, thereby rotating the toolstring around the longitudinal axis while the orientation member displaces towards an extended position. The distal end portion of the orientation member displaces and seeks towards the uppermost high side position, i.e. the 12 o'clock position, where the gap is at the largest, and the toolstring rests on the lowermost low side position, i.e. the 6 o'clock position inside the tubular structure due to the gravitational force. When the distal end portion of the orientation member can no longer be displaced further in the lateral direction, the toolstring has become orientated since the distal end portion of the orientation member is positioned at 12 o'clock. During orientation the outer surface of the toolstring is abutting the low side position of the tubular structure and the outer surface of the toolstring is rolling upon the internal wall of the tubing in the 6 o'clock area.
An effect of the orientation member being displaceable between a retracted position and the extended position is that the toolstring is only influenced by the orientation device when it is activated.
The gap between the toolstring and the internal wall of the tubular structure may be between 3 millimetres and 400 millimetres, more preferable between 3 millimetres and 200 millimetres, and preferably between 3 millimetres and 150 millimetres.
In some wellbores there may be a debris preventing the toolstring from being in contact with the internal wall of the wellbore while resting in the 6 o'clock position. The toolstring may be resting on top of the debris. The distal end portion may be formed to be displaceable along the longitudinal axis along the internal wall. An effect of this is that while the toolstring is being displaced along the longitudinal axis, gravity pulls the toolstring towards the lowermost low side position of the tubular structure and the toolstring ploughs itself downward and through the debris. The toolstring may then settle in the lowermost low side position inside the tubular structure while the debris may escape into the gap on each side of the toolstring.
The orientation device may be a standalone tool within the toolstring, or the orientation device may be an integrated part of a tool within the toolstring. The toolstring may comprise one orientation device or a plurality of orientation devices. The plurality of orientation devices may be activated simultaneously or individually. In the toolstring comprising the plurality of orientation devices, each orientation device may in one embodiment orientate the toolstring in one orientation relative to the tubular structure. In an alternative embodiment, each orientation device may orientate the toolstring to a designated orientation. Thereby it is possible to orientate the toolstring to a plurality of orientations depending on which orientation device is activated.
The orientation member may displace along a displacement-plane in the lateral direction. The orientation device may comprise a plurality of orientation members. The plurality of orientation members may be positioned along the longitudinal axis. The plurality of orientation members may be symmetrically distributed around the longitudinal axis. The plurality of orientation members within one orientation device may be positioned such that all the displacement-planes are parallel. Having all the displacement-planes parallel enables all the orientation members to aid in orientating the toolstring to one specific orientation. The plurality of orientation members within one orientation device may be arranged such that each displacement-plane form angles between them. Thereby it is possible to orientate the toolstring to a plurality of orientations depending on which orientation member is activated.
The orientation member may comprise an arm. The arm may be connected to a shaft that may provide a rotational force to displace the arm along the displacement-plane. In an alternative embodiment, the arm may be displaced by a second arm connected to a hydraulic piston or an electric screw drive. In another alternative embodiment, the orientation member may comprise a piston or a wedge member that may displace along the displacement-plane.
An electric system, a hydraulic system, or an electro/hydraulic system may create a displacement force used for displacing the orientation member in the lateral direction. The hydraulic system may comprise any one of a hydraulic valve, a pump, a motor, a piston, a lever and a shaft. An effect of the orientation member being displaced by the hydraulic system is that the hydraulic system provides a flexibility in the displacement of the orientation member in case of debris or restrictions in the well. An effect of the orientation member being displaced by an electric system is that it is easier to maintain a constant position if desired.
The distal end portion may comprise a roller. The roller is known in the art and are used to grip the internal wall and create the propulsion force along the longitudinal axis. The roller may comprise a grooved area. The grooved area may comprise a plurality of grooves parallel to an axis of rotation such that the roller may grip the internal wall and propel the toolstring in the downhole direction or the uphole direction within the wellbore, as known in the art.
It may be desirable to reduce any forces required to orientate the toolstring. The distal end portion may comprise a slick roller. The slick roller may be a roller similar to the roller typically used in a wireline tractor, but with no wheel tracks or grooves. The slick roller may reduce forces required to displace the orientation member parallel to the axis of rotation compared to the roller.
The orientation member may be displaced with a displacement force adapted to orientate the toolstring. The roller and the slick roller may then be allowed to displace sideways along the curve of the internal wall while the orientation member extends in the lateral direction. The roller or the slick roller may be free to rotate around the axis of rotation with minimum resistance. The axis of rotation may be in a perpendicular plane to the longitudinal axis. An effect of this is that the roller and the slick roller may rotate when the roller or the slick roller is displaced along the longitudinal axis and abutting the internal wall. The axis of rotation may be parallel to the longitudinal axis. An effect of this is that the roller or the slick roller may rotate when the orientation device rotates around the longitudinal axis while the slick roller is abutting the internal wall. The displacement force adapted to orientate the toolstring may be calculated by a person skilled in the art once an estimation of the inclination of the wellbore and friction within the wellbore is known.
The roller or the slick roller may have an outer curved shape being slick or have a rounded edge on each side of a slick area or the grooved area to reduce friction between the roller or the slick roller and the internal wall of the tubular structure. An effect of the curved shape or rounded edges is that the roller and the slick roller may slide more easily in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation. Forces between the orientation member and the internal wall is reduced due to the slick roller being formed to slide in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation while being able to rotate around the axis of rotation.
In an alternative embodiment, the distal end portion may comprise a ball. The ball may interact with the internal wall of the tubular structure while the orientation member displaces towards the extended position. The ball may be free to rotate with minimum resistance in any direction such that the toolstring may rotate around the longitudinal axis and displace along the longitudinal axis with minimum resistance between the orientation member and the internal wall of the tubular structure.
To reduce complexity in the orientation member, another alternative embodiment of the distal end portion may be formed with a plurality of rounded edges that interacts with the internal wall of the tubular structure. The rounded edges may be covered with a plurality of friction reducing elements like composite, carbides or other low-friction materials.
The orientation member may comprise a propulsion motor, the orientation member and the propulsion motor may be configured to provide a propulsion force along the longitudinal axis. The propulsion motor may be connected to the roller, the slick roller, the ball, or any other means for interacting with the internal wall of the tubular structure. The propulsion motor may be an electric propulsion motor or a hydraulic propulsion motor. An effect of this is that the orientation device may provide an additional force for propelling the toolstring in the downhole direction or in the uphole direction.
The orientation member may comprise the propulsion motor, the orientation member and the propulsion motor may be configured to provide a propulsion force perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The motor may be connected to the roller, the slick roller, the ball, or any other means for interacting with the internal wall of the tubular structure. The motor may be an electric motor or a hydraulic motor. An effect of this is that the orientation device may provide an additional force for rotating the toolstring around the longitudinal axis. Another effect is that the orientation device may be used in a vertical part of the wellbore.
By perpendicular to the longitudinal axis may herein be described as about or around the longitudinal axis.
The tractor may comprise a plurality of drive sections. Each drive section may comprise at least one arm that may extend laterally to each side of the drive section along one displacement-plane. Each arm may comprise a roller. The reason for having at least one arm extending to each side of the drive section will be described in the following and are known in the art. A first arm may extend radially in a first direction from the drive section. The first arm extends radially with a first force. A second arm may extend radially in a second direction from the drive section. The second arm extends radially with a second force. The first direction is aligned but in opposite direction of the second direction. The first force and the second force are equal in size but in opposite directions. An effect of this is that a high radial force may be provided between the roller and the internal wall of the tubular structure. The radial force between the roller and the internal wall may therefore be independent of a toolstring weight and may be set to a predetermined value. This ensures that the roller do not slip while providing propulsion force to the toolstring. A third arm and a fourth arm may be arranged in the same arrangement as the first arm and the second arm but where the first and second arm are arranged with a 90-degree difference in the displacement-plane compared to the third and fourth arm. An effect of this is that the toolstring is lifted to a position away from the internal wall. This reduces friction between the toolstring and the internal wall. By adding more drive sections to the toolstring, a higher propulsion force is created to propel the toolstring within the wellbore. It is therefore known in the art to extend the propulsion means, e.g. the arms, on each side of the toolstring. The extension of the propulsion means to each side of the toolstring is normally done automatically as this is a requirement for providing the toolstring with sufficient propulsion force and avoid slipping.
The orientation device may be a part of the tractor. This reduces the length and complexity of the toolstring as the orientation device and the remaining modules of the tractor may share a communications module, a power source, and a control module. The orientation device being the part of the tractor may allow the toolstring to be orientated and configured “on the fly”. The orientation device may be a modified drive section. An effect of this is an easy implementation of the orientation device into the toolstring. The modification of the drive section may comprise to modify the drive section and/or the toolstring to displace one arm to one side of the toolstring only and not to both sides of the toolstring simultaneously. This may be done by routing a hydraulic fluid to a piston connected to the shaft that may provide the displacement force for the arm desired to be extended. The routing of the hydraulic fluid may be done by using a hydraulic valve and means to control the hydraulic valve. The hydraulic valve may be positioned within a valve section and may not be positioned within the modified drive section. The modified drive section may be configurable between three arrangements. The three arrangements may be a passive arrangement, a propulsion arrangement, and an orientation arrangement. In the passive arrangement the arms are retracted into the toolstring. In this arrangement the rollers may not be in contact with the internal wall and the toolstring may be displaced within the wellbore using gravity and/or the flexible elongated member. In the propulsion arrangement the arms extend to each side of the toolstring as known in the art and previously explained. In the orientation arrangement the arm may extend to one side of the toolstring such that orientation of the toolstring may be enabled. An effect of this is that the modified drive section may be used for providing the toolstring with propulsion force while propelling into or out of the wellbore, and then be used for orientating the toolstring once reaching a desired depth. This reduces the length of the toolstring.
The tractor may comprise a plurality of orientation devices. A heavy toolstring may require more than one orientation device to orientate the toolstring. The heavy toolstring may require a plurality of drive sections to provide a required propulsion force. The orientation devices may be modified drive sections. The modified drive sections may be arranged within the toolstring such that in the orientation arrangement a plurality of modified drive section orientate the toolstring to a specific orientation. This increases the orientation force created to orientate the toolstring within the wellbore. In an alternative embodiment of the toolstring a single modified drive section or a plurality of modified drive sections may be arranged in a first arrangement, and a single modified drive section or a plurality of modified drive sections may be arranged in a second arrangement within the toolstring. The first arrangement may orientate the toolstring to a first orientation within the wellbore. The second arrangement may orientate the toolstring to a second orientation. This enables the toolstring to orientate to a plurality of orientations without adding length to the toolstring.
It is common to perform a “pick up” procedure during most well intervention operations. The “pick up” procedure may be performed by pulling the toolstring in the uphole direction using the flexible elongated member and measure the weight of the toolstring and frictional drag. This is done to ensure that the toolstring is not gradually getting stuck due to increased friction inside the tubular structure or due to restrictions in the wellbore. The “pick up” procedure is also used for increasing an accuracy of a depth of the toolstring within the wellbore. The toolstring is often propelled past a target depth and then pulled in the uphole direction by the flexible elongated member until reaching target depth. It is common to deactivate the propulsion means prior to performing the “pick up” procedure to prevent damage to the propulsion means. The orientation device may be adapted to be operated independent of the propulsion means. As previously described it may be beneficial to orientate the toolstring while the toolstring is displaced along the longitudinal axis. The orientation device may be activated during the “pick up” procedure. Orientating the toolstring while performing the “pick up” procedure increases efficiency of the operation and may provide a more accurate orientation. Once the toolstring is orientated within the wellbore, the propulsion means may be activated prior to deactivating the orientation device. This ensures that the toolstring orientation does not change during the transition between deactivating the orientation device and activating the propulsion means. Once the propulsion means is active, the orientation of the toolstring is kept by the propulsion means. This does not limit the orientation device to be dependent on the propulsion means to maintain the orientation of the toolstring. The orientation device will keep the orientation of the toolstring for as long as the orientation device is active in the deviated part of the wellbore. An example of this may be where the perforation gun or the radial drill unit is to be orientated. The propulsion means may displace the toolstring to a position downhole of a target depth for the perforations. The propulsion means may then be deactivated, and the orientation device may be activated. The toolstring may then be pulled in the uphole direction using the flexible elongated member until reaching the target depth. At target depth the perforation guns may be activated while the orientation device is still active, thus maintaining the orientation during the perforation without requiring the propulsion means.
An internal diameter of the tubular structure within the wellbore is known for any given position in the wellbore and it may therefore be possible to monitor the orientation of the toolstring by monitoring a distance the orientation member has been displaced in the lateral direction. The orientation device may be adapted to control the lateral distance the orientation member displaces. In an embodiment where the displacement of the orientation member is actuated by the hydraulic system, the distance the orientation member displaces in the lateral direction may be controlled by a hydraulic valve. The hydraulic valve may be positioned within a control module positioned at a distance from the orientation device, but the hydraulic valve is still considered a part of the orientation device. In an embodiment where the displacement of the orientation member is actuated by the electric system, the electric system may stop displacing the orientation member once the orientation member has displaced a desired distance. An effect of stopping the displacement of the orientation member prior to reaching the uppermost high side position is that the orientation device may orientate the toolstring in a plurality of orientations.
As the orientation device use gravity and the orientation member to orientate the toolstring, no electronics for monitoring the orientation of the toolstring is required. However, it may be beneficial and desirable to confirm that the toolstring is operating properly and performs as expected. The toolstring may comprise one orientation sensor. The orientation sensor may be a “high side sensor” or a sensor for measuring a deviation between an xy-plane, a xz-plane and an yz-plane relative to the vertical line. The sensor may be based on gyroscope, laser or other technologies. The orientation sensor may be positioned in any position within the toolstring as long as the orientation sensor has a known and fixed orientation relative to the orientation device. This enables the orientation sensor to be positioned at a distance from the orientation device. The orientation sensor may be positioned in an existing electronic section within the toolstring. The existing electronic section may already have all the base components for including the orientation sensor. This saves length and cost of the orientation module.
The orientation device may comprise a lateral displacement sensor. The lateral displacement sensor may measure the lateral displacement of the orientation member from the toolstring. Using the orientation sensor, the lateral displacement sensor and the known internal diameter of the tubular structure it is possible to calculate if there is a build-up of debris on the internal wall. This is done by comparing a theoretical lateral distance between the toolstring and the internal wall at a given orientation and a measured lateral displacement of the orientation member at the given orientation. A difference between the theoretical lateral distance and the measured lateral displacement indicates depth of debris in the area.
The orientation member may comprise a rotation sensor. The rotation sensor may be used to calculate at least one of a velocity and a position of the toolstring within the wellbore as known in the art. The rotation sensor may be a hall-effect sensor adapted to measure a velocity of the roller, the slick roller, or the ball. The rotation sensor may be any other suitable sensor known in the art for measuring rotational speed of a rotating object. The effect of this is that the orientation device may position the toolstring with a higher accuracy compared to relying on the flexible elongated member that may experience a stick-and-slip effect as known in the art. In an alternative embodiment where the orientation member uses the roller to provide the propulsion perpendicular to or around the longitudinal axis, the rotation sensor may be used to accurately calculate positions between different orientations. This is especially useful in the vertical part of the wellbore as the orientation sensor may be inaccurate.
The toolstring may, as previously described, be wireline-operated. The flexible elongated member that connects the toolstring to the surface equipment may then be the wireline. The toolstring may in alternative embodiments, be slickline operated or coil-tubing operated where the flexible elongated member may be a single wire or a tube, respectively.
If the toolstring is heavy and/or the displacement force between the toolstring and the orientation member is high, a friction force created between the toolstring and the tubular structure may become large. The orientation device may comprise a second member that may displace in a lateral direction opposite of the orientation member. The second member may comprise a means for reducing friction between the orientation device and the internal wall of the tubular structure. The second member may displace a distance such that the means for reducing friction protrudes from the outer surface of the orientation device. The means for reducing friction may comprise a roller, a ball, or a pad of low friction material. The orientation device may comprise at least one standoff element that reduces a contact area between the orientation device and the tubular structure, thereby reducing friction between the orientation device and the internal wall of the tubular structure. The standoff elements may be positioned on an adjacent part of the toolstring compared to the orientation device.
The orientation device orientates itself and any devices with a fixed orientation relative to the orientation device. The orientation device may be rotational stiff connected to a second part of the toolstring, while a first part of the toolstring is adapted to rotate freely relative to the orientation device. The toolstring may comprise a swivel between the first part of the toolstring and the second part of the toolstring, wherein the orientation device is within the second part of the toolstring. The first part of the toolstring may comprise tools that is not in need to be specifically orientated within the tubular structure, while the second part of the toolstring may comprise at least one device to be specifically orientated within the tubular structure. The device to be specifically orientated within the tubular structure has a fixed orientation relative to the orientation device, i.e. rotational stiff connected. The first part of the toolstring may comprise a stroker, a release tool or any other tools not requiring to be specifically orientated within the wellbore. An effect of the swivel is that length and weight of the part of the toolstring to be specifically orientated is reduced. It may also be noted that there is no need for an anchor section in the first part of the toolstring. This reduces the length of the toolstring.
The orientation device may be compact in size and with minimal complexity in controlling and monitoring of the orientation device as there may be few moving parts and minimal electronics and sensors involved in controlling the orientation of the toolstring. Therefore, the orientation device may be part of a toolstring with low complexity. In an alternative embodiment, the orientation device may be part of a toolstring comprising a plurality of sensors and where the toolstring may have the ability to orientate itself in a plurality of orientations.
In a third aspect the invention relates more particularly to a method for orientating at least a part of a toolstring, the method comprises to:
The method may comprise to displace the toolstring along the longitudinal axis. An effect of this is to improve the orientation of the toolstring as previously described. The toolstring may be displaced by the propulsion means or the flexible elongated member.
The method may comprise to displace the toolstring along the longitudinal axis by pulling a wireline. An effect of this is reduced complexity in the propulsion means and may even remove the need for the propulsion means in the toolstring if gravity is sufficient to provide propulsion for propelling the toolstring to the desired location within the wellbore.
The method may comprise to monitor a toolstring orientation with an orientating sensor. An effect of this is that the orientation of the toolstring may be verified prior to performing the intended operation within the wellbore. Another effect, as previously described, is that the displacement of the orientation member may be stopped prior to reaching the fully extended position which enables the orientation device to orientate the toolstring in the plurality of orientations.
If the toolstring comprises the propulsion means for propelling the toolstring in the downhole direction or in the uphole direction, the propulsion means often include a means of creating friction between the internal wall of the tubular structure and the propulsion means. The method may comprise to deactivate a propulsion means prior to orientating the toolstring using the orientation device. Deactivating the propulsion means reduces friction between the toolstring and the internal wall of the tubular structure while the toolstring is orientated.
The method may comprise to activate the propulsion means prior to deactivating the orientation device. As previously described, once the toolstring is orientated within the wellbore, the propulsion means may be activated prior to deactivating the orientation device. This ensures that the toolstring orientation does not deteriorate during the transition between deactivating the orientation device and activating the propulsion means. Once the propulsion means is active, the orientation of the toolstring is kept by the propulsion means.
The method may comprise to orientate the toolstring during a “pick up” procedure. By activating the orientation device during the “pick up” procedure, the orientation of the toolstring is time efficient. This step of the method does not limit the orientation of the toolstring to be done only during “pick up” procedure as the orientation device may be activated when the toolstring is stationary and not moving in the downhole or the uphole direction, while being propelled in the downhole direction, and while being propelled in the uphole direction.
In the following are described examples of preferred embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Any positional indications refer to the positions shown in the figures. In the figures, same or corresponding elements are indicated by same reference numerals. For clarity reasons, some elements may in some of the figures be with-out reference numerals. A person skilled in the art will understand that the figures are just principal drawings. The relative proportions of individual elements may also be distorted.
In
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In
The uppermost high side position 932 corresponds to 12 o'clock on a watch face. Any position within the second semicircle is herein described as a low side position 94 inside the tubular structure 92. The lowermost low side position 942 corresponds to 6 o'clock on a watch face. The imaginary vertical line 926 passes through the 12 o'clock and the 6 o'clock position, i.e. the uppermost high side position 932 and the lowermost low side position 942, respectively. The tool 7 may be orientated relative to the imaginary vertical line 926 or relative to the high side position 93 or low side position 94. The drive sections 42 in the tractor 4 have been deactivated and the toolstring 1 is resting in the low side position 94 inside the tubular structure 92.
As previously described, in an alternative method for orientating the toolstring 1 inside the tubular structure 92 in a deviated part of the wellbore, the wireline 18 may be used to pull the toolstring 1 in the uphole direction 96. When the toolstring 1 is displaced in the uphole direction 96, gravity pulls the toolstring 1 towards the lowermost low side position 942 and the orientation member 62 seeks the third intermediate position in the uppermost high side position 932 where a gap between the outer surface 17 of the toolstring 1 and the internal wall 924 of the tubular structure 92 is at the largest. Gravity and the orientation member 62 will apply a pressure on the toolstring 1 towards the low side position 94. This may force any debris to escape from the lowermost low side position 942. In addition, the friction force between the outer surface 17 of the toolstring 1 and the internal wall 924 of the tubular structure 92 may decrease due to a dynamic friction coefficient being smaller compared to a static friction coefficient.
The first intermediate position and the second intermediate position are temporarily positions to illustrate how the orientation member 62 interacts with the internal wall 924 of the tubular structure 92 while orientating the toolstring 1. The third intermediate position is a position where the orientation member 62 cannot displace any further while the toolstring 1 is within the tubular structure 92. If the toolstring 1 is not within the tubular structure 92, the orientation member 62 may be displaced beyond the third intermediate position to a fully displaced position (not shown).
Now referring to
Now referring to
Referring to
d show that the first and fifth orientation member 62.1, 62.5 has been displaced as far as they can be displaced in the first lateral direction 31 to the third intermediate position. The rollers 624 has interacted with the internal wall 924 and become displaced sideways along the curve of the internal wall 924 of the tubular structure 92. The sideways displacement of the rollers 624 resulted in the toolstring 1 rotating around the longitudinal axis 16 while gravity kept the toolstring 1 in the low side position 94 inside the tubular structure 92. The tool 7 is now orientated in a first orientation relative to the imaginary vertical line 926.
In
c show that the third orientation member 62.3 has been displaced as far as it can be displaced in the third lateral direction 33 to the third intermediate position. The roller 624 has interacted with the internal wall 924 and become displaced sideways along the curve of the internal wall 924 of the tubular structure 92. The sideways displacement of the roller 624 resulted in the toolstring 1 rotating around the longitudinal axis 16 while gravity kept the toolstring 1 in the low side position 94 inside the tubular structure 92. The tool 7 is now orientated in a third orientation relative to the imaginary vertical line 926.
It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb “comprise” and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article “a” or “an” preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.
The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20231027 | Sep 2023 | NO | national |
