Not applicable
Not applicable
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus that is of particular utility in cementing operations associated with oil and gas well exploration and production. More specifically the present invention provides an improvement to cementing operations when running a casing string.
Patents have issued that relate generally to the concept of using a plug, dart or a ball that is dispensed or dropped into the well or “down hole” during oil and gas well drilling and production operations, especially when conducting cementing operations. The following possibly relevant patents are incorporated herein by reference. The patents are listed numerically. The order of such listing does not have any significance.
The present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for use in cementing and like operations when running casing.
In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method of transmitting cement into an oil and gas well having an open hole well bore at least partially occupied by a casing string, comprising the steps of:
a) providing a top drive casing installation apparatus that is able to lift a joint of casing, rotate that joint of casing to a generally inclined or vertical position and then rotate that joint of casing while connecting that joint of casing to a casing string that extends into a the well bore;
b) rotating the casing string with the apparatus of claim 1 after step “a” while circulating a well fluid into the well bore via the casing string annulus;
c) preparing a module that is about the size of the joint of casing of step “a”, wherein the module includes a plug dropping tool having one or more valves that enables fluid flow in the casing string below the module to be valved and one or more plugs that can be lowered into the well bore by opening one of the valves;
d) using the top drive casing installation apparatus of step “a” to join the module of step “c” to the casing string;
e) circulating fluid into the well via the module after step “d”;
f) releasing a plug from the module of step “c”; and
g) transmitting cement into the well bore after step “f”.
Preferably, the module includes an extension member below the plug dropping tool. The module can include an extension member above the plug dropping tool.
The method can further comprise dropping a plug from the plug dropping tool after step “g”.
The method can provide a mechanism that makes up joints of casing to form the casing string, and in steps “c” through “g” the module is positioned above said mechanism.
The module preferably includes an intake port that enables intake of cement.
The method can include positioning the valves of the module of step “c” below the intake port.
Preferably, there are three of said valves in the module of step “c”.
Preferably, there are at least three connectable sections that define the module of step “c”.
The present invention provides in one embodiment a method of transmitting cement into an oil and gas well having an open hole well bore with a well annulus that is at least partially occupied by a casing string having a casing annulus, comprising the steps of:
a) providing a top drive casing installation apparatus that is able to lift a joint of casing, rotate that joint of casing to a generally inclined or vertical position and then rotate that joint of casing while connecting that joint of casing to a casing string that extends into a the well bore;
b) rotating the casing string with the apparatus of claim 1 after step “a” while circulating a well fluid into the well bore via the casing string annulus;
c) preparing a module that is about the size of the joint of casing of step “a”, wherein the module includes a plug dropping tool having one or more valves that enables fluid flow in the casing string below the module to be valved and one or more plugs that can be lowered into the well bore by opening one of the valves;
d) using the top drive casing installation apparatus of step “a” to join the module of step “c” to the casing string;
e) circulating fluid into the well via the module after step “d”;
f) releasing a plug from the module of step “c”; and
g) transmitting cement into the well bore after step “f” of sufficient volume to fill at least a portion of the well annulus in between a formation and the casing.
The present invention provides in one embodiment a method of cementing an annular space in between a casing string having a casing string bore and an oil well having a well bore, comprising the steps of:
a) providing a plurality of casing joints that enable the casing string to be lengthened;
b) connecting a casing joint to the string with a machine that both lifts the casing joint and rotates the casing joint and casing string relative to one another during connecting;
c) circulating a fluid into the well bore via the casing bore after step “c”;
d) providing a casing joint module having a module wall, module bore and a plug dropping tool, said tool including one or more valves and one or more plugs;
e) after step “b”, adding the module of step “d” to the casing string with the machine of step “b”; and
f) pumping a volume of cement containing material into the well bore via the plug dropping tool and casing bore, wherein a plug travels from the plug dropping tool to the casing bore with the cement containing material.
Preferably, the module has multiple valves and multiple plugs and further comprising placing plugs upstream and downstream of the volume of cement containing material while the machine of step “b” and “e” is at least partially supporting the module.
Preferably, the machine lifts the module from anon-vertical to a generally vertical position in step “e”.
Preferably, in step “e” part of the module extends above the machine.
Preferably, in step “d” the module has a fitting that enables fluid to be pumped into the module bore via the module wall.
Preferably, the casing string is rotated between steps “b” and “f”.
Preferably, the casing string is rotated and moved vertically in between steps “b” and “f”.
Preferably, the pumping of step “f” occurs less than one hour after step “e”.
In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of cementing an annular space in between a casing string having a casing string bore and an oil well having a well bore, comprising the steps of:
a) providing a plurality of casing joints that enable the casing string to be lengthened;
b) connecting a casing joint to the string with a machine that both lifts the casing joint and rotates the casing joint and casing string relative to one another during connecting;
c) circulating a fluid into the well bore via the casing bore after step “c”;
d) providing a casing joint module having a module wall, module bore and a plug dropping tool, said tool including one or more valves and one or more plugs;
e) after step “b”, adding the module of step “d” to the casing string with the machine of step “b”;
f) pumping a volume of cement containing material into the well bore via the plug dropping tool and casing bore, wherein a plug travels from the plug dropping tool to the casing bore with the cement containing material;
g) wherein the machine remains in substantially the same position in steps “b” through “e”.
The module can have multiple valves and multiple plugs and the method can further comprise placing plugs upstream and downstream of the volume of cement containing material while the machine of step “b” and “e” is at least partially supporting the module.
Preferably, the machine lifts the module from anon-vertical to a generally vertical position in step “e”.
Preferably, in step “e” part of the module extends above the machine.
Preferably, in step “d” the module has a fitting that enables fluid to be pumped into the module bore via the module wall.
Preferably, the casing string is rotated between steps “b” and “f”.
Preferably, the casing string is rotated and moved vertically in between steps “b” and “f”.
Preferably, the pumping of step “f” occurs less than one hour after step “e”.
In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of transmitting cement into an oil and gas well having an open hole well bore at least partially occupied by a casing string, comprising the steps of:
a) providing atop drive casing installation apparatus that is able to lift a joint of casing, rotate that joint of casing to a generally inclined or vertical position and then rotate that joint of casing while connecting that joint of casing to a casing string that extends into a the well bore;
b) attaching a valving apparatus to the casing string after step “a” that enables fluid circulation through a valving member or around a valving member that controls dispensing of a plug so that circulation is enabled before or after dropping a plug, the valving apparatus including one or more ball valving members that valve a central passageway and one or more fins attached to the ball valving member for valving flow outside and around the central passageway;
c) rotating the casing string after step “b” while circulating a well fluid into the well bore via the casing string annulus;
d) circulating fluid into the well after step “b”;
e) releasing a plug into the well after step “c”; and
f) transmitting cement into the well bore after step “e”.
For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:
In
A casing running tool or “CRT” 18 can be used to add joints of casing 16 (see
Platform 11 provides a platform deck 33 that affords space for well personnel to operate and for the storage of equipment and supplies that are needed for the well drilling operation. The installation (or removal) of casing running tool 18 requires about three to four (3-4) hours of labor for platform operators.
Typically, the casing running tool 18 must be removed before a cementing operation can be conducted. Because the removal of the casing running tool 18 occupies about three to four hours of crew time, it is not possible to circulate fluid through the casing string 17 while the casing running tool 18 is being removed. This can lead to an immobilization or sticking of the casing string 17 in the well bore.
When a cementing operation is conducted, it is desirable or necessary to not only rotate the string 17 but to also reciprocate the string 17 up and down relative to the surrounding formation. Failure to do so can result in void spaces and an incomplete or failed cementing operation.
The present invention provides an improved method of installing a casing string and cementing the casing string in position wherein the three to four hours of rig time that are normally lost to the removal of a casing running tool have been eliminated. Thus, the casing string can be continuously rotated as shown by arrow 29, reciprocated and fluid circulated to prevent a sticking of the casing string. This is accomplished by employing a module 15 that is about the same size and length as a normal joint of casing 16. The module 15 is shown in
The module 15 includes upper 21 and lower 22 end portions. The module is similar in size to a typical joint of casing 16 (see
In
Above valve 23 is provided another short joint or sub 63 which provides the box connection 21. Below tool body 14 is provided a long joint of pipe or sub 64 having a lower end portion that provides pin connection 22. In comparing
A casing running tool 18 simply handles the module 15 in the same fashion that it handles a joint of casing 16. With the present invention, the casing running tool 18 does not have to be removed for cementing operations. Rather, it simply loads the module 15 into position at the top of string 17 as shown in
The present invention provides a tool body 14 configured for dropping balls, plugs, darts or the like as a part of a cementing operation. In the drawings (
Ball/plug dropping head tool body 14 has an upper end portion 41 and a lower end portion 42. Tool body 14 can be of multiple sections that are connected together, such as with threaded connections. In
Tool body 14 can be pre-loaded with a number of different items to be dropped as part of a cementing operation. For example, in
The tool body 14 supports a plurality of valving members 43, 44. The valving members can include first valving member 43 which is an upper valving member and second valving member which is a lower valving member 44.
Threaded connections 46, 47, 48, 49 can be used for connecting the various body sections 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 together end to end as shown in
Sleeve sections 52 are secured to tool body 34 within bore 51 as shown in
Each valving member 43, 44 is movable between open and closed positions. In
Each valving member 43, 44 provides a pair of opposed generally flat surfaces 69, 70 (see
The flat surfaces 69, 70 enable fluid to flow in bore 51 in a position radially outwardly or externally of sleeve or sleeve section 52 by passing between the tool body sections 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 and sleeves 52. Thus, bore 51 is divided into two flow channels. These two flow channels 71, 72 include a central flow channel 71 within sleeves 52 that is generally cylindrically shaped and that aligns generally with the channel 53 of each valving member 43, 44. The second flow channel is an annular outer flow channel 72 that is positioned in between a sleeve 52 and the tool body sections 35, 36, 37, 38, 39. The channels 71, 72 can be concentric. The outer channel 72 is open when the valving members 43, 44 are in the closed positions of
When the valving members 43, 44 are rotated to a closed position, fins 73 become transversely positioned with respect to the flow path of fluid flowing in channel 72 thus closing outer flow channel 72. This occurs when a valving member 43, 44 is opened for releasing a ball or dart 40.
In
With valves 43 open (see
In
The ball 40 can be deformable, so that it can enter the smaller diameter section at the lower end portion 42 of tool body 14.
Sleeve 52 is preferably a sliding sleeve that drops downwardly when a valving member 43 or 44 is rotated to an open position.
When valving member 44 is rotated to the open position, the gap between sleeve 52 and valving member 43 is now a larger gap.
A sleeve 52 above a valving member 43 or 44 thus moves up and down responsive to a rotation of that valving member 43 or 44.
Indicator 56 can be attached to tool body 14 as shown in
The following is a list of parts and materials suitable for use in the present invention.
Part Number Description
All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. All materials used or intended to be used in a human being are biocompatible, unless indicated otherwise.
The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.
This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/461,997 (issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,957,773 on 1 May 2018), which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/060,014 (issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,598,925 on 21 Mar. 2017), which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/785,017, filed 21 May 2010 (issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,561,700 on 22 Oct. 2013), which is a non provisional of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/180,296, filed 21 May 2009, each of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. Priority of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/785,017, filed 21 May 2010, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/180,296, filed 21 May 2009, incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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61180296 | May 2009 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 15461997 | Mar 2017 | US |
Child | 15962544 | US | |
Parent | 14060014 | Oct 2013 | US |
Child | 15461997 | US | |
Parent | 12785017 | May 2010 | US |
Child | 14060014 | US |