Downhole Force Generator

Abstract

A well tool for applying a pulling or a pushing force to an object in an interior of a well bore comprising: a) an inner member comprising a first elongated member, a second elongated member and an actuation means axially interconnecting the first elongated member and the second elongated member; b) an outer elongated member longitudinally moveably engaged with the inner member; c) a first seal defined between the first elongated member and the outer elongated member, d) a second seal defined between the second elongated member and the outer elongated member; e) a first piston area defined at a first end portion of the outer elongated member between an outer diameter of the outer elongated member and a sealed outer diameter of the first elongated member, f) a second piston area defined at a second end portion of the outer elongated member between the outer diameter of the outer elongated member and a sealed outer diameter of the second elongated member, and g) a sealed chamber defined between the first seal and the second seal, the sealed chamber including a fluid at a fluid pressure; wherein operation of the actuation means axially reversibly moves the outer elongated member relative the inner member while the fluid pressure remains constant; and wherein the first piston area and the second piston area are substantially equal and external pressure acting on these two piston areas, generates two opposing forces substantially balanced during relative movement.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to equipment for generating a force in a wellbore and more particularly but not limited to setting and retrieving tools for use in oil and gas wells.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The structure of a wellbore of an oil or gas well generally consists of an outer production casing and an inner production tubing installed inside the production casing. The production tubing extends from the surface to the required depth in the wellbore for production of the oil or gas. Various tools such as plugs, chokes, safety valves, check valves, etc. can be placed in landing nipples in the production tubing to allow for different production operations or the downhole control of fluid flow. Also, tools like bridge plugs, packers and flow control equipment are placed in the production casing to control production or stimulation operations. Force generating tools are needed both to exert a pushing force to set tools in the production tubing or casing and to provide a pulling force to retrieve these tools. It is preferable to have the force generating tools wellbore pressure balanced so that the same force may be applied both in pulling and in pushing operations, irrespective of the pressure in the wellbore.

A downhole force generator is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,199,628. A downhole force generator is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,070,941. A locator and setting tool is disclosed in Canadian Patent No. 2,170,711. These 3 patents describe virtually the same technology, in different variations. None of these prior art tools are pressure balanced to provide equal force in pulling and pushing operations. As detailed in the article published by Halliburton Energy Services in the June 1996 edition of the SPE Drilling & Completion magazine, “Any pressure differential increases the available force with the DPU in tension and decreases the setting force in the extension mode. This is because (1) the DPU is sealed to the well pressure through redundant sealing elements maintaining internal parts at near-atmospheric pressure, and (2) the well pressure acts on the power rod's sealed diameter.” This is a disadvantage, especially in high-pressure wells. A high enough downhole pressure will render these tools unusable. Additionally, none of these tools provide a simple mechanical tool, particularly for the retrieving of downhole tools.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one broad aspect, the invention provides a well tool for applying a pulling or a pushing force to an object in an interior of a well bore comprising: a) a drive mandrel; b) an engaging mandrel; c) an actuation means; d) a housing sealing a portion of the drive mandrel and a portion of the engaging mandrel within an interior space, the drive mandrel and the engaging mandrel extending from opposite ends of the housing; e) a drive mandrel piston area defined at a drive mandrel end portion of the housing between an outside diameter of the housing and a sealed diameter of the drive mandrel; and f) an engaging mandrel piston area defined at an engaging mandrel end portion of the housing between the outside diameter of the housing and a sealed diameter of the engaging mandrel; wherein the actuation means is adapted to reversibly move the housing longitudinally relative to the drive mandrel and the engaging mandrel and wherein the drive mandrel piston area and the engaging mandrel piston area are substantially equal and external pressure acting on these two piston areas, generates two opposing forces that are substantially balanced during relative movement.

According to another broad aspect, the invention provides a well tool for applying a pulling or a pushing force to an object in an interior of a well bore comprising: a) an inner elongated member; b) an outer elongated member; c) a sealed interior defined between the inner elongated member and the outer elongated member; and d) an actuation means defined at least partially within the sealed interior; wherein the actuation means is adapted to reversibly move the outer elongated member longitudinally over the inner elongated member and wherein the inner elongated member and the outer elongated member are arranged such that a volume of the sealed interior occupied by the inner elongated member remains substantially constant as the inner elongated member and the outer elongated member move relative to each other.

According to a further broad aspect, the invention provides a well tool for applying a pulling or a pushing force to an object in an interior of a well bore comprising: a) an inner elongated member; b) an outer elongated member encircling an intermediate segment of and longitudinally moveably engaged with the inner elongated member; c) a screw component of the inner elongated member, the screw component being coupled for rotation about a longitudinal axis; and d) a threaded component of the outer elongated member engaged with the screw component; wherein rotation of the screw component reversibly moves the outer elongated member relative to the inner elongated member.

According to a still further broad aspect, the invention provides a well tool for applying a pulling or a pushing force to an object in an interior of a well bore comprising: a) an inner member comprising a first elongated member, a second elongated member and an actuation means axially interconnecting the first elongated member and the second elongated member; b) an outer elongated member longitudinally moveably engaged with the inner member; c) a first seal defined between the first elongated member and the outer elongated member; d) a second seal defined between the second elongated member and the outer elongated member; e) a first piston area defined at a first end portion of the outer elongated member between an outer diameter of the outer elongated member and a sealed outer diameter of the first elongated member; f) a second piston area defined at a second end portion of the outer elongated member between the outer diameter of the outer elongated member and a sealed outer diameter of the second elongated member; and g) a sealed chamber defined between the first seal and the second seal, the sealed chamber including a fluid at a fluid pressure; wherein operation of the actuation means axially reversibly moves the outer elongated member relative the inner member while the fluid pressure remains constant; and wherein the first piston area and the second piston area are substantially equal and external pressure acting on these two pistons areas, generates two opposing forces that are substantially balanced during relative movement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings in which:

FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C are partial schematic cross-sectional views of a first embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are detailed upper, middle and lower cross-sectional views, respectively, of the first embodiment of the invention in a first position;

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are detailed upper, middle and lower cross-sectional views, respectively, of the embodiment of FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C in a second position;

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are detailed upper, middle and lower cross-sectional views, respectively, of the embodiment of FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C in a third position;

FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C are detailed upper, middle and lower cross-sectional views, respectively, of a second embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C are detailed upper, middle and lower cross-sectional views, respectively, of a third embodiment of the invention; and

FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C are partial cross-sectional views of a forth embodiment of the invention in first, second and third positions, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1A shows cross-sectional view of a simplified embodiment of the invention. A tool 10 has an inner elongated member which includes a drive mandrel 50, a screw 62 and an engaging mandrel 66. The engaging mandrel may be a setting or a retrieving mandrel. The drive mandrel 50 and the screw 62 are axially coupled for both rotational and longitudinal movement. The engaging mandrel 66 and the screw 62 are preferably coupled for longitudinal movement only. The cross-sectional area of the drive mandrel 50 is substantially equal to the cross-sectional area of the engaging mandrel 66.

The tool 10 also includes an outer elongated member or main housing 64. The outside diameter of the main housing 64 is preferably constant. Fixed to the interior of the main housing 64 is a threaded component or nut 58. The nut 58 is threaded on the screw 62. One end of the main housing 64 is sealed to the drive mandrel 50 by a seal 48. The other end of the main housing 64 is sealed to the engaging mandrel 66 by a seal 70. The sealed interior of the main housing 64 is preferably equalized with the wellbore pressure. The connection between the screw 62 and the nut 58 is not fluid tight, i.e. chambers 65 and 67 on either side of the nut 58 are enclosed by the main housing 64 and are in fluid communication through gaps between the screw 62 and nut 58 and/or channels milled on the outside of the nut 58.

The drive mandrel 50 is coupled at its other end to a motor 24. The motor 24 is contained within a motor housing 14. A connector 12 is provided at the other end of the motor for electrically and mechanically connecting the tool 10. Cap screws 44 are provided in a guide sleeve 38 formed at the end of the motor housing 14 which encircles the drive mandrel 50 and an electronics seal 46 is provided around the drive mandrel 50 which seals the guide sleeve to the mandrel 50 to protect the inside of the motor housing 14 from the environment. A guide housing extension 40 of the main housing 64 slidably encompasses a portion of the guide sleeve 38. The cap screws 44 travel in slots in the guide housing extension 40 and prevent rotation of the main housing 64.

In operation, the connector 12 is electrically and mechanically connected to a wireline. The motor 24 rotates the drive mandrel 50. Rotation of the drive mandrel 50 causes the screw 62 to rotate. The main housing 64 is held against rotation so that rotation of the screw 62 causes the main housing 64 to move longitudinally over the inner elongated member. At all times, the volume of the drive mandrel entering/exiting the interior space is the same as the volume of the engaging mandrel exiting/entering the interior space so that the free volume, and therefore also the pressure, in the interior space remains constant. The seals 48 and 70, define two hydraulic pistons between the outside diameter of the main housing 64 and the outside diameter of the drive mandrel 50 and the outside diameter of the engaging mandrel 66 respectively. The two piston areas, shown schematically in FIGS. 1B and 1C, have the same area. Any outside well pressure P acting on these two hydraulic piston areas will create two equal opposing forces that cancel each other. The constant volume in the interior and the matched piston areas enable the same force to be applied by the tool in both the pushing and the pulling operations. The main housing 64 and/or the engaging mandrel 66 are coupled to engaging tools for setting or retrieving of downhole tools.

In greater detail, FIGS. 2A to 4C depict a well tool, in particular a wireline retrieving tool for applying a pulling force to an object in the interior of a wellbore. The wireline retrieving tool 110 is generally tubular in shape. A connector 112 is located at the proximal end of the wireline retrieving tool 110. The proximal end is the upper or trailing end when the wireline retrieving tool 110 is inserted into a wellbore. The connector 112 allows for mechanical and electrical connection of the wireline retrieving tool 110 to a wireline. The connector 112 connects to a proximal end of a tubular electronics housing 114. Seals 116 are provided at the interface between the connector 112 and the electronics housing 114 to seal the interior of the electronics housing 114 from the environment. The electronics housing 114 houses an electronics carrier 118, a printed circuit board 120, a digital positioning encoder 122 and a gear motor 124. The electronics carrier provides mechanical support for the printed circuit board 120. The connector 112 is connected to the printed circuit board 120 to provide power to the printed circuit board from the wireline. The printed circuit board 120 provides control for the operation of the digital positioning encoder 122 and the gear motor 124. The digital positioning encoder 122 is connected at one end of the gear motor 124. The digital positioning encoder 122 counts the rotation of the gear motor 124 to allow precise calculation and control of the movement of the distal end, i.e. lower or leading end, of the wireline retrieving tool 110.

A distal end of the electronics housing 114 is connected to a guide sleeve 138. The guide sleeve is generally tubular. Seals 116 are provided between the guide sleeve 138 and the electronics housing 114 to seal the interior from the environment. A drive mandrel 150 extends at least partially through the guide sleeve 138. The drive mandrel 150 is generally an elongated solid member with a circular cross-section. The drive mandrel 150 is interconnected to the gear motor 124 through a spline adapter 130. The spline adapter 130 interconnects the gear motor 124 to the drive mandrel 150 through axial splines so that rotation of an output of the gear motor 124 results in rotation of the drive mandrel 150 at the same speed. The spline adaptor 130 is threaded to the drive mandrel 150. Set screws 136 hold the drive mandrel 150 in position relative to the spline adaptor 130.

Thrust bearings 134 are provided at support ends of the spline adapter 130 to facilitate smooth rotation of the drive mandrel 150 relative to the guide sleeve and the electronics housing. A drive mandrel lock nut 132 is provided to retain the bearings 134 and the spline adaptor in the guide sleeve 138 and cap screws 128 are provided to fasten the gear motor to the distal end of the electronics housing 114.

Cap screws 144 are provided at a distal end of the guide sleeve 138. The heads of the cap screws 144 project outward from the surface of the guide sleeve 138. An upper guide housing 140 slidably encompasses a portion of the guide sleeve 138. Longitudinal slots are defined in the upper guide housing 140. The cap screws 144 travel within the longitudinal slots in the upper guide housing 140 when the upper guide housing 140 slides relative to the guide sleeve 138. The cap screws 144 rest against the ends of the longitudinal slots to retain the upper guide housing 140 in contact with the guide sleeve 138 at the limits of relative travel and prevent relative rotation between the guide housing 138 and the upper guide housing 140.

A glide ring 142 is also provided adjacent the cap screws 144 between the guide sleeve 138 and the drive mandrel 150 to facilitate the smooth rotation of the drive mandrel 150. An electronics seal 146 is provided around the drive mandrel 150 at the distal end of the guide sleeve 138. The electronics seal 146 seals the electronic section from external contaminants and keeps it at atmospheric pressure.

The distal end of the upper guide housing 140 mates with a proximal end of an upper housing 152. The upper housing 152 is also generally tubular. The upper guide housing 140 and the upper housing 152 are retained relative to one another by a threaded connection. An upper interior area seal 148 is provided at a proximal end of the upper housing 152 and seals the upper housing 152 to the drive mandrel 150. The upper internal area seal 148 seals the interior of the upper housing 152. The electronics seal 146 and the upper internal area seal 148 allow for rotation of the drive mandrel 150.

A distal end of the upper housing 152 is coupled to a proximal end of an actuator housing 160. The actuator housing 160 is generally tubular. An actuator nut 158 is non-rotatably held within the actuator housing 160. An actuator screw 162 extends through the actuator nut 158. The actuator screw 162 is coupled to a distal end of the drive mandrel 150. The coupling is provided by an anti-rotational lug so that the actuator screw 162 rotates with the drive mandrel 150. A drive mandrel retainer 154 is provided within the upper housing 152 which maintains the drive mandrel 150 in contact with the actuator screw 162. Glide rings 156 are provided around the circumference of the drive mandrel retainer 154 to allow smooth rotation of the drive mandrel retainer 154 within the upper housing 152.

Upper chambers 165A and 165B (FIGS. 3B and 3C) are defined within the upper housing 152 which accommodate the drive mandrel retainer 154 when the upper housing 152 moves longitudinally relative to the drive mandrel 150. Upper chambers 165A and 165B are in permanent communication.

Seals 116 are provided at the interface of the upper housing 152 and the actuator housing 160 to protect the interior of the upper chambers from the environment. A bottom housing 164 connects to the distal end of the actuator housing 160. Seals 116 are provided between bottom housing 164 and the actuator housing 160 to protect the interior from the environment.

The actuator screw 162 extends through the bottom housing 164. The actuator nut 158 is engaged with the actuator screw 162 such that rotation of the actuator screw 162 moves the actuator nut 158 relative to the actuator screw 162. Other screw components and threaded components may be utilized.

The distal end of the actuator screw 162 is coupled to a retrieving mandrel 166. The retrieving mandrel 166 is generally an elongated solid member with a circular cross-section of substantially the same diameter as the drive mandrel 150. The actuator screw 162 is coupled to the retrieving mandrel 166 by a retrieving mandrel retainer 168. The proximal end of the retrieving mandrel 166 adjacent to the actuator screw 162 has a shoulder 177. On either sides of the shoulder 177 are thrust bearings 134. The thrust bearings 134 allow longitudinal movement of the actuator screw 162 to be transmitted to the retrieving mandrel 166 but rotational movement of the actuator 162 is not transmitted to the retrieving mandrel 166 such that retrieving mandrel 166 moves longitudinally but does not rotate. Glide rings 156 are positioned between the retrieving mandrel retainer 168 and the bottom housing 164 to allow smooth longitudinal and rotational movement of the retrieving mandrel retainer 168 relative to the bottom housing 164.

Bottom chambers 167A and 167B (FIGS. 3B and 3C) are defined within the bottom housing 164 which accommodate the retrieving mandrel retainer 168 when the bottom housing 164 moves longitudinally relative to the retrieving mandrel 166. The bottom chambers 167A and 167B are in permanent communication.

A distal end of the bottom housing 164 is coupled to a setting cone 174. Seals 116 are provided between the bottom housing 164 and the setting cone 174. A lower internal area seal 170 is provided between the setting cone 174 and the retrieving mandrel 166. A lower secondary interior area seal 172 is provided between the bottom housing 164 and the retrieving mandrel 166. The lower internal seal 170 provides a primary seal to seal the interior of the bottom housing 164 from the external environment. The lower secondary interior seal 172 provides a backup seal.

A slip cage 178 holds a set of slips 180 on the setting cone 174. Cap screws 176 connect the slip cage 178 to the setting cone 174. The slip cage 178 is moveable relative to the setting cone 174 by movement of the cap screws 176 in slots defined in the slip cage 178. The slips 180 are biased inward by springs 182.

A C-ring 190 is provided which sits in a circumferential recess in the retrieving mandrel 166. The C-ring 190 sits inside a C-ring housing 186 which is connected to the setting cone 174 by cap screws 184. The C-ring 190 is retained within the C-ring housing 186 by a C-ring retainer 192. A segment of the production tubing or casing 188 is shown to facilitate the explanation of the operation of the wireline retrieving tool 110.

The drive mandrel 150 and the retrieving mandrel 166 are of substantially the same diameter so that the volume of either mandrel entering the sealed interior defined by the upper housing 152, the actuator housing 160, and the bottom housing 164 is substantially the same as the volume of the other mandrel exiting the sealed interior so that the free volume within the sealed interior remains substantially constant. A hydraulic piston defined between the outside diameter of the upper housing 152 and the outside diameter of the drive mandrel 150 and a hydraulic piston defined between the outside diameter of the bottom housing 164 and the outside diameter of the retrieving mandrel 166 are equal in area. Any outside well pressure acting on these two hydraulic piston areas will create two equal opposing forces that cancel each other. This provides the same power availability for pushing and pulling.

The operation of the wireline retrieving tool 110 is explained with reference to FIGS. 2A to 2C, 3A to 3C and 4A to 4C which show the wireline retrieving tool 110 in three different positions. The same reference characters are used in all three figures to refer to the same elements. In operation, the wireline retrieving tool 110 is connected by connector 112 to a wireline, both electrically and mechanically. The wireline retrieving tool is lowered into a segment of the production tubing or casing 188 to a desired location. At that location, the gear motor 124 is operated via the printed circuit board 120. The digital positioning encoder 122 counts the rotations of the gear motor 124 so that an exact position of the retrieving mandrel 166 can be obtained. Rotation of the gear motor 124 is translated to the drive mandrel 150 to provide rotation of the drive mandrel 150.

In the initial position depicted in FIGS. 2A to 2C, only chambers 165A and 167A are open. The drive mandrel 150 is coupled to the actuator screw 162 as noted above so that rotation of the drive mandrel 150 provides rotation of the actuator screw 162 at the same rate of rotation. Rotation of the actuator screw 162 moves the actuator nut 158 downward along the actuator screw 162 as seen in FIGS. 3A to 3C. This opens up chambers 165B and 167B at the same rate that chambers 165A and 167A are closed. The movement of the actuator nut 158 in turn moves the upper guide housing 140, the upper housing 152, the actuator housing 160 and the bottom housing 164 downward. The bottom housing 164 in turn pushes the setting cone 174 downward.

The C-ring housing 186 is held against downward movement by the C-ring 190 seated in the recess on the retrieving mandrel 166. This also holds the slips 180 stationary relative to the retrieving mandrel 166. The setting cone 174 slides relative to the slips 180. The setting cone 174 has a narrower end initially within the slips 180 and expands along a shoulder 181 to a wider section. As the shoulder 181 is forced through the slips 180, the slips are moved outward, the springs 182 are compressed and the slips bite into the segment of production tubing or casing 188 and hold the slips stationary relative to the production tubing or casing 188 (see FIGS. 3A to 3C). Further rotation of the actuator screw 162 no longer moves the housing downwardly, instead, further rotation of the actuator screw 162 will force the expansion and release the C-ring 190 from the retrieving mandrel 166 and the proximal end of the wireline retrieving tool 110 moves upwardly to the upper limit of travel shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C. In this final position, chambers 165A and 167A are completely closed and chambers 165B and 167B are completely open.

All of chambers 165A, 165B, 167A and 167B are in fluid communication through gaps between the actuator screw 162 and the actuator nut 158 and gaps between the coupling assemblies interconnecting the actuator screw 152 to the mandrels 150 and 166 and the housings 152 and 164. The mandrels 150 and 166 have substantially the same cross section. As a result, the combined free volume of the chambers 165A, 165B, 167A and 167B remains substantially constant throughout the relative movement of the housings so that the pressure within the sealed interior of the tool 110 remains constant. Also, because the mandrels 150 and 166 have the same cross section, any outside well pressure acting on the two opposing hydraulic pistons defined by the outside diameters of the housings 152 and 164 and the outside diameters of the mandrels 150 and 166, would generate two equal opposing forces that would cancel each other and would not affect the function of the tool in pushing or pulling operations.

In operation, a fishing tool is attached to the distal end of the wireline retrieving tool 110. The further rotation of the actuator screw 162 pulls the fishing tool upward against the holding force of the slips against the segment of production tubing or casing 188. Thus, the pulling force is not provided by the wireline but instead by the action of the retrieving mandrel 166 against the slips 180.

To reset the tool, the actuator screw 162 is rotated in the opposite direction causing the upper guide housing 140, the upper housing 152, the actuator nut 158, the actuator housing 160, the bottom housing 164 and the setting cone 174 to move upward. The withdrawal of the shoulder 181 of the setting cone 174 from the slip 180 results in the springs 182 retracting the slips 180 from contact with the segment of production tubing or casing 188. The wireline retrieving tool 110 can then be withdrawn from the production tubing or casing. Alternatively, if the object to be retrieved is not completely free, the wireline retrieving tool 110 can be partially withdrawn up the production tubing or casing 188 and reset to perform a second or other subsequent pulling operations in the same manner as described above.

FIGS. 5A to 5C depicts a wireline setting tool 198. The same reference characters are used in FIGS. 5A to 5C for the same components as identified in FIGS. 2A to 4C. It can be seen that the only difference between the wireline retrieving tool 110 of FIGS. 2A to 4C and the wireline setting tool 198 of FIGS. 5A to 5C is the assembly at the distal end. In particular, the wireline setting tool 198 does not contain a slip assembly. Instead, a setting housing 194 is connected at the distal end of the bottom housing 164. As with the wireline retrieving tool 110, a lower internal area seal 170 seals against a mandrel, in this case a setting mandrel 169, of substantially the same diameter as the upper interior seal 148 which seals against the drive mandrel 150. A setting adapter 196 is fixed to the distal end of the setting mandrel 169. A tool to be set is fixed to the end of the setting housing 194 and the setting adapter 196. When the wireline setting tool 198 is actuated in the manner as described with regard to the wireline retrieving tool 110, the housings 140, 152, 160, 164 and 194 move downward over the setting mandrel 169 and the force thus exerted is used to set a tool to be placed in the production tubing or casing (not shown). In FIGS. 5A to 5C, the wireline setting tool 198 is shown with the actuator nut 158 in an intermediate position such that the housings are partly but not fully extended.

The tools depicted in FIGS. 1A to 5C are intended to be deployed by a wireline. A wireline is flexible and uses gravity to lower a tool into position. For horizontal or highly deviated wells, a wireline alone may not allow a tool to be properly positioned in the well. Instead coiled tubing with a wireline installed inside it, also known as stiff wireline, is used. Coiled tubing consists of a hollow tube that surrounds the wireline and can be used to push a tool into a horizontal well. Coiled tubing is typically relatively thin walled. As a result, to prevent the tubing from collapsing under well pressure and mechanical forces, it is necessary to allow pressurized completion fluids to flow through the coiled tubing and through the tool.

FIGS. 6A to 6C depict an embodiment of a retrieving tool that has been adapted for use with coiled tubing. FIGS. 6A to 6C use the same reference characters that are used in FIGS. 2A to 4C for the same components. FIGS. 6A to 6C will be described only in respect to how they differ from FIGS. 2A to 4C. FIGS. 6A to 6C depict a retrieving tool 200. A flow path is defined through the retrieving tool 200 to allow fluid to flow through the coiled tubing as detailed in the following description.

At a proximal end of the retrieving tool 200 there is the connector 112 for connecting to a wireline as explained above. FIG. 6A depicts additional components at a proximal end of the connector 112, not shown in FIGS. 2A to 4C. In particular, an electrical contact sub 208 and a rubber boot 204 are shown as interconnecting between a segment of wireline 202 and the connector 112. The electrical contact sub 208 and the rubber boot 204 do not form part of the retrieval tool 200. They serve to mechanically and electrically interconnect the connector 112 to the wireline 202.

The connector 112 is connected at its distal end to the electronics housing 114 as in FIGS. 2A to 4C. However, in FIG. 6A, the electronics housing 114 is surrounded by a bypass sleeve 218. A proximal end of the bypass sleeve 218 is connected to a coiled tubing connector 206. The bypass sleeve 218 and the coiled tubing connector 206 are both hollow, and may be tubular. The coiled tubing connector 206 is adapted to connect to the coiled tubing at its free end so that the coiled tubing can be used to position the retrieving tool 200 in the well.

As can be seen in FIG. 6A, the combination of the coiled tubing connector 206 and the bypass sleeve 218 define an outer hollow member in fluid connection with the coiled tubing. The wireline 202, the rubber boot 204, the electrical contact sub 208, the connector 112, and the electronics housing 114 define an inner member surrounded by the outer hollow member. An elongated fluid chamber or conduit 212 is defined between the inner member and the outer member which allows fluid to flow down the coiled tubing and around the electronics. The electronics remain sealed from the fluid chamber 212.

FIGS. 6A to 6C also depict an inner elongated member comprised of a drive mandrel 250, an actuator screw 262 and a retrieving mandrel 266 comparable the drive mandrel 150, the actuator screw 162 and the retrieving mandrel 166. The difference between the inner elongated member of FIGS. 6A to 6C, from the inner elongated member of FIGS. 2A to 4C, is that the inner elongated member of FIGS. 6A to 6C has a fluid flow port or conduit 224 defined longitudinally therethrough. The drive mandrel 250 the actuator screw 262 and the retrieving mandrel 266 are connected to each other in a fluid tight manner by the seals 234 at either end of the actuator screw 262. This prevents any fluid exchange between the fluid flow port 224 and the chambers 165A, 165B, 167A and 167B.

The elongated fluid chamber 212 is in fluid communication with the fluid flow port 224 such that fluid entering the coiled tubing can exit through the distal end of the retrieving mandrel 266. In particular, the distal end of the bypass sleeve 218 is attached to the proximal end of the guide sleeve 138 through a threaded connection and the connection is sealed with the seals 116. Interconnection ports 244 are defined between where the elongated fluid chamber 212 ends adjacent to the end of the bypass sleeve 218 and where the fluid flow port 224 begins at the proximal end of the drive mandrel 250. These interconnection ports extend through the guide sleeve 138 and the drive mandrel 250 generally perpendicular to the direction of the elongated fluid chamber 212 and the fluid flow port 224. Fluids pumped through the coiled tubing will flow through the space (i.e. chamber 212) between the bypass sleeve 218 and the outside diameter of the tool (i.e. electronics housing 114) then it will cross over to the inside of the tool through the ports 244 in the guide sleeve 138 and the drive mandrel 250 to the fluid flow port 224. Although the coiled tubing connector 206 and the bypass sleeve 218 are depicted as separate from the electronics housing 114, it will be appreciated that they may be interconnected such that flow passages, rather than a complete chamber 212, may be defined.

The flow path through the tool may be used for other purposes. For example, fluids may be pumped through to perform clean-outs for fishing jobs or for formation stimulation. Another option is to pump fluids, particularly cold fluids, around the electronics. If the tool is being run into a hot well whose temperature exceeds the temperature rating of the tool, by pumping cold fluids through the tool, the electronics section will be cooled thereby enabling the tool to perform.

FIGS. 2A to 4C and 6A to 6C depict the slips 180 as the means of fixing the tool 110 in place. Other means may also be used. FIG. 7 provides an example of a portion of a retrieving tool 300. The tool 300 is shown within three segments of tubing or casing 388, 386 and 384. The middle segment of tubing or casing 386 is a landing nipple which has a profile 390 defined around the interior surface.

The tool 300 comprises a bottom housing 364 comparable to bottom housing 164 previously described. The bottom housing 364 is connected to a retrieving housing 374 which in turn connects to a locking lug holder 326. Locking lugs 350 are movably held within the locking lug holder 326. The outer contour of the locking lugs 350 matches the profile 390 so that the locking lugs 350 fit into the profile 390.

A retrieving mandrel 366 extends axially through the centre of the bottom housing 364, the retrieving housing 374, the locking lug holder 326, and the locking lugs 350. The retrieving mandrel 366 has an essentially constant circular diameter. However, the retrieving mandrel 366 has two necked down portions 327 and 328 which are used to position and release the locking lugs. Springs or other biasing means 352 are positioned between the retrieving mandrel 366 and the locking lugs 350. The locking lugs 350 are movable inwards and outwards perpendicular to the direction of travel of the retrieving mandrel 366. The springs 352 bias or push the locking lugs 350 in the outwards direction.

In use, the springs 352 are initially positioned in the necked down portion 327 of the retrieving mandrel 366. The tool 300 is inserted into the well with the mandrel 366 held in this position until the locking lugs 350 reach the profile 390 of the landing nipple 386. The locking lugs 350 are forced outward and locked in position in the profile 390 as shown in FIG. 7A. Actuation of the tool 300 will cause the retrieving mandrel 366 to move upward (to the left in the FIGS. 7A to 7C) relative to the locking lugs 350 and the housings 364 and 374 to perform its retrieving function. A larger diameter portion of the mandrel 366, as shown in FIG. 7B will come between the locking lugs 350 and further compress the spring 352. The larger diameter portion of the mandrel 366 will lock the locking lugs 350 in place. As the retrieving function is performed, the retrieving mandrel 366 is moved upwards relative to the locking lugs 350 until the second necked down portion 328 of the mandrel is positioned under the lugs 350 and the springs 352. The locking lugs 350 can now be forced inward in the second necked down portion 328 of the retrieving mandrel 366 so that the locking lugs 350 are drawn out of the landing nipple 386 and the tool 300 can be withdrawn from the well. Other locking means may also be used.

In addition to the setting and retrieving applications already described, the tools described herein can also be used for other applications such as shifting of sleeves and measuring the location of an object in the well. For example, if the tool is locked in a known position in the well, the mandrel can be extended and the positioning encoder 122 or other counter can be used to precisely determine the location of the end of the tool and therefore the location of an object contacted by the tool.

Extended reach slip assemblies can be used to perform retrieving, shifting or measuring operations in through tubing applications.

The number of housings and configurations depicted in FIGS. 2A to 7C is based, at least in part, on manufacturing concerns. The invention encompasses tools having more or fewer housings. The tubular shape of the housings is preferred but not essential.

Although seals are depicted throughout the figures, seals may be unnecessary between the relatively stationary parts if a sufficiently tight fit is present.

The mechanical means of interconnecting the various components of the tool shown in the figures are exemplary only. Other known mechanical means of interconnecting the various components are contemplated by the invention.

Numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

Claims

1. A well tool for applying a pulling or a pushing force to an object in an interior of a well bore comprising: a) a drive mandrel;b) an engaging mandrel;c) an actuation means;d) a housing sealing a portion of the drive mandrel and a portion of the engaging mandrel within an interior space, the drive mandrel and the engaging mandrel extending from opposite ends of the housing;e) a drive mandrel piston area defined at a drive mandrel end portion of the housing between an outside diameter of the housing and a sealed diameter of the drive mandrel; andf) an engaging mandrel piston area defined at an engaging mandrel end portion of the housing between the outside diameter of the housing and a sealed diameter of the engaging mandrel;wherein the actuation means is adapted to reversibly move the housing longitudinally relative to the drive mandrel and the engaging mandrel and wherein the drive mandrel piston area and the engaging mandrel piston area are substantially equal and external pressure acting on the two piston areas, generates two opposing forces that are substantially balanced during relative movement.

2. The well tool according to claim 1 wherein the actuation means comprises: a) a screw component interconnecting the drive mandrel and the engaging mandrel, the screw component being coupled for rotation about a longitudinal axis; andb) a threaded component interior to the housing and engaged with the screw component;

3. The well tool according to claim 1 wherein the actuator is adapted to maintain a pressure within the interior space substantially constant during the relative movement.

4. The well tool according to claim 1 wherein the drive mandrel and the engaging mandrel are cylindrical and of substantially the same diameter.

5. The well tool according to claim 2 further comprising a thrust bearing coupling the engaging mandrel to the screw component wherein only longitudinal movement of the screw component is transmitted to the engaging mandrel.

6. The well tool according to claim 1 further comprising an anchoring means for selectively anchoring a distal end of the housing to an interior wall of a well bore.

7. The well tool according to claim 1 further comprising a motor housing coupled to the housing wherein cooperating protrusions and longitudinal slots are defined on the housing and on the motor housing and wherein the protrusions slide within the slots during the relative movement.

8. The well tool according to claim 1 further comprising a fluid conduit defined longitudinally through the tool wherein the fluid conduit extends through the drive mandrel and the engaging mandrel.

9. The well tool according to claim 8 further comprising a sealed electronics housing internal to the fluid conduit.

10. A well tool for applying a pulling or a pushing force to an object in an interior of a well bore comprising: a) an inner elongated member;b) an outer elongated member;c) a sealed interior defined between the inner elongated member and the outer elongated member; andd) an actuation means defined at least partially within the sealed interior;

11. The well tool according to claim 10 wherein the actuation means comprises: a) a screw component of the inner elongated member extending longitudinally within the sealed interior, the screw component being coupled for rotation about a longitudinal axis; andb) a threaded component of the outer elongated member within the sealed interior engaged with the screw component;

12. The well tool according to claim 11 wherein the inner elongated member includes a drive mandrel axially coupled to a first end of the screw component and an engaging mandrel axially coupled to a second end of the screw component.

13. The well tool according to claim 12 wherein the drive mandrel and the engaging mandrel are of substantially the same diameter and the outer elongated member seals on the drive mandrel and the engaging mandrel to define the sealed interior.

14. The well tool according to claim 12 further comprising a thrust bearing coupling the engaging mandrel to the screw component wherein only longitudinal movement of the screw component is transmitted to the engaging mandrel.

15. The well tool according to claim 10 further comprising an anchoring means for selectively anchoring a distal end of the outer elongated member to an interior wall of a well bore.

16. The well tool according to claim 10 wherein cooperating protrusions and longitudinal slots are defined on the inner elongated member and the outer elongated member and the protrusions slide within the slots when the inner elongated member moves relative to the outer elongated member.

17. A well tool for applying a pulling or a pushing force to an object in an interior of a well bore comprising: a) an inner elongated member;b) an outer elongated member encircling an intermediate segment of and longitudinally moveably engaged with the inner elongated member;c) a screw component of the inner elongated member, the screw component being coupled for rotation about a longitudinal axis; andd) a threaded component of the outer elongated member engaged with the screw component;

18. The well tool according to claim 17 wherein the inner elongated member includes a drive mandrel rotatably coupling the screw component to a motor.

19. The well tool according to claim 17 wherein the inner elongated member includes an engaging mandrel at its distal end coupled to a distal end of the screw component.

20. The well tool according to claim 19 further comprising a thrust bearing coupling the engaging mandrel to the screw component wherein only longitudinal movement of the screw component is transmitted to the engaging mandrel.

21. The well tool according to claim 17 further comprising an anchoring means for selectively anchoring a distal end of the outer elongated member to an interior wall of a well bore.

22. The well tool according to claim 17 wherein cooperating protrusions and longitudinal slots are defined in the inner elongated member and the outer elongated member and the protrusions slide within the slots when the inner elongated member moves relative to the outer elongated member.

23. A well tool for applying a pulling or a pushing force to an object in an interior of a well bore comprising: a) an inner member comprising a first elongated member, a second elongated member and an actuation means axially interconnecting the first elongated member and the second elongated member;b) an outer elongated member longitudinally moveably engaged with the inner member;c) a first seal defined between the first elongated member and the outer elongated member;d) a second seal defined between the second elongated member and the outer elongated member;e) a first piston area defined at a first end portion of the outer elongated member between an outer diameter of the outer elongated member and a sealed outer diameter of the first elongated member;f) a second piston area defined at a second end portion of the outer elongated member between the outer diameter of the outer elongated member and a sealed outer diameter of the second elongated member; andg) a sealed chamber defined between the first seal and the second seal, the sealed chamber including a fluid at a fluid pressure;wherein operation of the actuation means axially reversibly moves the outer elongated member relative the inner member while the fluid pressure remains constant; andwherein the first piston area and the second piston area are substantially equal and external pressure acting on the two piston areas, generates two opposing forces that are substantially balanced during relative movement.