Patent Application
20210363853
This disclosure relates in general to oil and gas tools, and in particular, to systems and methods for sealing assemblies in a downhole environment.
In oil and gas production, different components may be utilized in a downhole environment in order to isolate sections of a wellbore. For example, casing may be installed along an outer circumferential extent of the wellbore and additional equipment, such as hangers and the like, may be installed within the wellbore. The hanger may be used to support wellbore tubulars utilized within the system. In operation, seals (e.g., elastomeric, metal, etc.) may be arranged between the downhole components in order to establish pressure barriers in order to direct fluid into and out of the well along predetermined flow paths. Seals may be “U” shaped and energized via an energizing ring that is driven into the U-opening to generate contact pressure between the seal and the wellbore components. Typically, seal integrity declines when subjected to pressure from below (e.g., downhole pressures, downstream pressures, pressure axially lower than the seal).
Applicant recognized the problems noted above herein and conceived and developed embodiments of systems and methods, according to the present disclosure, for downhole sealing systems.
In an embodiment, a system for forming a seal between wellbore components includes an annular seal arranged between a first wellbore component and a second wellbore component, the seal having a first leg and a second leg, the first leg positioned proximate the first wellbore component and the second leg positioned proximate the second wellbore component, wherein upon activation of the seal, the first leg engages the first wellbore component and the second leg engages the second wellbore component. The system also includes an energizing ring adapted to activate the seal, the energizing ring extending into an opening of the seal to drive the first leg and the second leg radially outward relative to an axis of the seal. The energizing ring includes bumps positioned to align with respective grooves formed on both the first leg and the second leg, upon activation of the seal, the bumps transmitting an uphole force into components having an axial component and a radial component.
In an embodiment, a downhole sealing system includes a U-shaped seal having a first leg and a second leg, the first leg being a housing side leg and the second leg being a hanger side leg, each of the first leg and the second leg having a plurality of grooves extending along at least a portion of the first leg. The system also includes an energizing ring for driving the first leg and the second leg radially into the housing and the hanger, respectively, the energizing ring adapted to enter an opening formed between the first leg and the second leg, the energizing ring including a plurality of bumps positioned to engage the plurality of grooves after the energizing ring drives the first leg and the second leg radially into the housing and the hanger, respectively.
In an embodiment, a method for forming a sealing assembly includes providing an annular seal, the annular sealing being a U-shaped seal. The method also includes forming, along a first leg and a second leg of the annular seal, a plurality of locking features. The method further includes providing an energizing ring. The method also includes forming, along an inner and outer diameter of the energizing ring, a plurality of mating locking features. The method includes matching the annular seal with the energizing ring, the plurality of locking features adapted to engage the plurality of mating locking features when the annular seal is driven toward an activated position via the energizing ring.
The present technology will be better understood on reading the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments thereof, and on examining the accompanying drawings, in which:
The foregoing aspects, features and advantages of the present technology will be further appreciated when considered with reference to the following description of preferred embodiments and accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like elements. In describing the preferred embodiments of the technology illustrated in the appended drawings, specific terminology will be used for the sake of clarity. The present technology, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terms used, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.
When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Any examples of operating parameters and/or environmental conditions are not exclusive of other parameters/conditions of the disclosed embodiments. Additionally, it should be understood that references to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “certain embodiments,” or “other embodiments” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Furthermore, reference to terms such as “above,” “below,” “upper”, “lower”, “side”, “front,” “back,” or other terms regarding orientation are made with reference to the illustrated embodiments and are not intended to be limiting or exclude other orientations. Moreover, like reference numerals may be used for like items throughout the specification, however, such usage is for convenience and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward a seal assembly that includes locking features to resist upward forces in a wellbore. In various embodiments, the seal assembly includes at least an energizing ring and a seal, which may be a U-shaped seal. The seal includes an opening that receives the energizing ring, which drives legs of the seal radially away from an axis. In operation, the seal may be arranged between components in a wellbore, with the energizing ring driving the legs into respective components to form a seal. Each of the energizing ring and the seal may include respective locking features, which are brought into mating relationship when the energizing ring is installed within the seal. For example, in embodiments, the energizing ring and seal may include bumps and grooves that align when the energizing ring is installed. The bumps may fit within the grooves. In response to an upward force, the bumps may be driven against the grooves, which may be particularly shaped to transmit at least a portion of the upward force into a radial force, thereby improving the compressive force between the seal and the respective downhole components.
A person of ordinary skill reading the present disclosure would recognize that equipment in system 100 may include a power unit for providing power through the drill string into the wellbore, as well as for controlling the drilling into the wellbore. A power unit may be located near the drill string, at about the center of the platform 104. In addition, the system 100 may include a communications outpost, such as a subsea electronics module (SEM), for providing communications to other units. In addition, in subsea implementations, the platform 104 can be at the surface of the sea, while the wellhead 112 and the SEM can be located at subsea levels. The power unit may be coupled with the communications to allow for redundancy and singular cable transmission through the wellhead, while providing sufficient room for drilling via rotation of the drill string 108.
As described below, downhole pressures may cause an uphole force 214 in the uphole direction 216 that drives the energizing ring 312 in the uphole direction 216 and out of the opening 210, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the seal. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward overcoming such problems by utilizing locking features 318 on both the energizing ring 312 and the seal 300. The locking features 318, as used herein, correspond to the combination of bumps 320 and grooves 322 utilizes to block axial movement of the energizing ring 312 along the seal axis 308. As will be described below, it should be appreciated that the bumps 320 and the grooves 322 are provided as being illustrative of potential locking features, and that in other embodiments the bumps 320 and/or grooves 322 may have different shapes, sizes, patterns, and the like than those illustrated in
In operation, the energizing ring 312 drives the legs 302, 304 radially outward from the seal axis 308. As the energizing ring 312 enters the opening 310, the grooves 322 receive respective bumps 320 of the energizing ring 312. The mating of the bumps 320 and the grooves 322 redirects at least a portion of the uphole force 214 as a radial force, which drives the legs 302, 304 radially away from the axis 308, thereby improving contact between the seal 300 and the housing 202 and hanger 204. In this manner, the seal assembly 206 may be utilized in higher pressure environments.
It should be appreciated that while the illustrated embodiment includes 6 total bumps 320 and 6 total grooves 322 that such example is for illustrative purposes only and not intended to limit the present disclosure. For example, there may be any number of bumps 320 and/or grooves 322. Moreover, embodiments may not have equal numbers of bumps 320 and grooves. Additionally, the number of bumps 320 and grooves 322 associated with the hanger side may be different than the number of bumps 320 and grooves 322 associated with the housing side. Additionally, it should be appreciated that the arrangement of the bumps 320 and/or grooves 322 may not be symmetrical.
As shown, the bumps 320 of the energizing ring 312 are positioned within the grooves 322 of the seal 300, and as a result, the energizing ring 312 may be resistant to upward forces, such as the upward force 214. For example, the upward force 214 may be distributed over the grooves 322, which may convert at least a portion of the upward force 214 into a radial force that drives the legs 302, 304 into the housing 202 and hanger 204, respectively. As a result, the integrity of the seal 300 may be maintained, even in the presence of the upward force 214.
In various embodiments, an energizing ring length 400 is particularly selected based at least in part on the opening length 402 such that the bumps 320 and the grooves 322 are aligned when the energizing ring 312 is driven to activate the seal 300. It should be appreciated that the energizing ring length 400 may correspond to at least a portion of the energizing ring 312 positioned within the opening 310. For example, the bumps 320 and grooves 322 may be positioned such that a stroke or movement of setting tool is considered. As a result, the likelihood that the bumps 320 and grooves 322 do not align is reduced.
As described below, downhole pressures may cause an uphole force 214 in the uphole direction 216 that drives the energizing ring 312 in the uphole direction 216 and out of the opening 210, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the seal. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward overcoming such problems by utilizing locking features 318 on both the energizing ring 312 and the seal 300. The locking features 318, as used herein, correspond to the combination of bumps 320 and grooves 322 utilized to block axial movement of the energizing ring 312 along the seal axis 308. As will be described below, it should be appreciated that the bumps 320 and the grooves 322 are provided as being illustrative of potential locking features, and that in other embodiments the bumps 320 and/or grooves 322 may have different shapes, sizes, patterns, and the like than those illustrated in
The illustrated energizing ring 312 differs from the configuration shown in
The illustrated first portion 602 and second portion 604 are in contact along a taper 606, that extends along a mating edge 608 between the first portion 602 and the second portion 604. In various embodiments, the second portion 604 is secured to the first portion 602 via a fastener. The fastener may be positioned within a groove or slot that enables movement of the second portion 604 with respect to the first portion 602. For example, the fastener may extend into the groove or slot, which may be shaped to restrict movement in a particular movement path.
Movement of the second portion 604 relative to the first portion 602 may be controlled or restricted, for example, by adjusting a location of a shoulder 610. The illustrated shoulder 610 is positioned axially higher than the bumps 320. A top portion 612 of the second portion 604 engages the shoulder 610, blocking further axial movement in that direction. As will be appreciated, moving the shoulder 610 in an upward or downward direction may modify or otherwise adjust a movement length of the second portion 604. In various embodiments, the shoulder 610 and/or at least one of the taper 606 or the mating edge 608 may include an anti-rotation features. The anti-rotation feature may block rotation of the second portion 604 relative to the first portion 602. As noted above, in certain embodiments, the anti-rotation feature may be incorporated into the fastener and groove. In other embodiments, the shoulder 610 may include a lip that blocks rotation.
As shown in
As shown, the bumps 320 of the energizing ring 312 are positioned within the grooves 322 of the seal 300, and as a result, the energizing ring 312 may be resistant to upward forces, such as the upward force 214. For example, the upward force 214 may be distributed over the grooves 322, which may convert at least a portion of the upward force 214 into a radial force that drives the legs 302, 304 into the housing 202 and hanger 204, respectively. As a result, the integrity of the seal 300 may be maintained, even in the presence of the upward force 214.
When comparing
In various embodiments, the energizing ring length 400 is particularly selected based at least in part on the opening length 402 such that the bumps 320 and the grooves 322 are aligned when the energizing ring 312 is driven to activate the seal 300. Furthermore, the length 400 may be selected to enable the second portion 604 to bottom out when the bumps 320 and the grooves 322 are aligned. For example, the bumps 320 and grooves 322 may be positioned such that a stroke or movement of setting tool is considered such that the second portion 604 is driven fully into the opening 310. As a result, the likelihood that the bumps 320 and grooves 322 do not align is reduced.
Although the technology herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present technology. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present technology as defined by the appended claims.
