The present embodiments relate generally to pin connector with a seal assembly that can be used in downhole well.
A need exists for a method for creating an intelligent completion system for use inside a multi-zone hydrocarbon well.
There further exists a need for a method for connecting control lines wellbore equipment using a pin connector with seal assembly that can be pulled after use, taken apart, cleaned, and reused.
The present embodiments meet these needs.
The detailed description will be better understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings as follows:
a depicts a cross sectional view of an embodiment of a upper tubular body with at least one alignment groove that is usable with the embodiments of the pin connector with seal assembly usable with an embodiment of the method.
b is a perspective view of the upper tubular body with the alignment groove usable with an embodiment of the method.
The present embodiments are detailed below with reference to the listed Figures.
Before explaining the present embodiments in detail, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited to the particular embodiments and that they can be practiced or carried out in various ways.
The embodiments of the invention generally relate to a method of connecting control lines to well bore equipment for controlling a well on a batch basis. A batch basis as used herein can mean that the well is controlled periodically.
An embodiment of the method can include forming a first half of a pin connector. The first half of the pin connector can be formed by securing an extending hydraulic wet connector to a lower tubular portion. The lower tubular portion can have a lower tubular body, a first pin, and a lower hydraulic flow path.
The first half of the pin connector can be attached to at least one hydraulically operated tool. The first half of the pin connector can also be attached to a packer with a bore. After connection the first half of the pin connector attached to the packer is ran into the well.
The present embodiment of the method further includes forming a second half of a pin connector. The second half of the pin connector can be formed by securing a receiving hydraulic wet connector to an upper tubular portion with seal assembly. The upper tubular portion comprises an upper tubular body and an intermediate hydraulic flow path.
The seal assembly can include a tubular seal assembly body, an upper hydraulic flow path engaging the intermediate hydraulic flow path, a plurality of upper concentric seals for sealing the second half of the pin connector into the bore of the packer, and at least one fastener.
The formed second half of the pin connector can be connected to a production tubing and a control line. A second end of the control line should be connected to a hydraulic source. The production tubing with the connected second half of the pin connector and the connected control line can be ran into the well.
The method further includes connecting the receiving hydraulic wet connector to the extending hydraulic wet connector. After the connection of the wet connectors the second half of the pin connector can be anchored to another piece of well equipment.
The control line can be used to operate the well on a periodic basis. Controlling the well on a periodic basis reduces impact. The periodic operation also prevents cycle loading fatigue. The reduction in cycle loading fatigue is experienced because fatigue is a function of load cycles.
It is contemplated that in an embodiment of the method can be adapted for multi-zone wells. The method would further include forming a first half of another pin connecter by securing another pin connector extending hydraulic wet connector to a lower tubular portion. The lower tubular portion can include a lower tubular body, a second pin, and a lower hydraulic flow path.
The first half of the other pin connector can be attached to at least one second hydraulically operated tool. The hydraulic operated tools can be a hydraulic sleeve, an injection mandrel, hydraulic valve, or combinations thereof.
In a second embodiment the first half of the other pin connector can be attached to the second half of the pin connector. It is contemplated that the first half of the other pin connector can be attached to the second half of the pin connector and at least one hydraulically operated tool.
A second packer with a bore can be attached to the second half of the other pin connector.
The first half of the other pin connector and the attached second packer can be run into the well.
A second half of the other pin connector is formed by securing a bottom pin connector receiving hydraulic wet connector to the other pin connector upper tubular portion with seal assembly.
The other pin connector upper tubular portion includes an upper tubular body and an intermediate hydraulic flow path.
The formed second half of the other pin connector is connected to a second control line. The second control line is for connecting the second half of the other pin connector to a hydraulic source.
The second control line terminates at the second half of the other pin connector. The second control line and the first control line are in fluid communication.
A second production tubing is connected to the second half of the other pin connector. After connecting the production tubing with the connected second half of the other pin connector and the connected second control line can be ran into the well.
The receiving hydraulic wet connector of the other pin connector can be connected to the extending hydraulic wet connector of the other pin connector.
The second half of the other pin connector is anchored to a piece of well equipment. The piece of well equipment could be a first half of a pin connector, another pice of well equipment, or combinations thereof.
The anchoring the second half of the pin connector to another piece of well equipment is performed using a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism can include a locking key; a lower key retainer; a shear pin for engaging the locking key and the lower key retainer; an upper key retainer for engaging the locking key and the upper tubular portion; at least one fastener; and a mechanism for exerting a force on the locking key and the upper tubular portion.
The receiving hydraulic wet connector of each pin connector, and the receiving hydraulic wet connector of each pin connector can be aligned. The alignment can be performed by using at least one alignment key with an alignment groove.
The other piece of well equipment connected to the second half of the first and second pin connectors can include the first half of a pin connector, or another piece of well equipment.
It is possible to repeat the above steps depending on the number of zones within the well.
An embodiment of the method can include sealing each upper hydraulic flow path and intermediate hydraulic flow path using a plurality of upper hydraulic flow path seals between each tubular seal assembly body and each upper tubular body.
An embodiment of the method can include providing a means for retaining the upper hydraulic flow seals using a plurality of seal assembly fasteners.
In a contemplated embodiment of the method each receiving hydraulic wet connector for each pin connector with seal assembly can be a quick release receiving hydraulic wet connector.
In an embodiment of the invention the first upper tubular portion, the second upper tubular portion, and any additional upper tubular portion can include an upper portion of a locking mechanism, which is connected to the upper tubular body. The upper portion engages a locking mechanism on the lower tubular body.
The seal assembly includes a tubular seal assembly body, an upper hydraulic flow path engaging the intermediate hydraulic flow path, a plurality of upper concentric seals for sealing the second half of the pin connector into the bore of the packer, and at least one fastener. The first control line can communicate with the first half of the second pin connector.
The embodiments of the invention can be best understood with reference to the figures.
Referring now to
The tubular seal assembly body 4 can be made from alloy steel, and can have a length ranging from 10 inches to 36 inches, a diameter ranging from 2.688 inches to 6 inches. The seal assembly body 4 is depicted having the hydraulic flow path plug 6, such as lee plug from Lee Company in Connecticut. The hydraulic flow path plug 6 provides a seal for the upper hydraulic flow path 10.
The hydraulic flow path can have a volumetric flow rate equivalent to the capacity of a 0.25 inch control line. The hydraulic flow path can be formed into the tubular seal assembly by inserting a hydraulic line with a diameter ranging from 0.25 inches to 0.5 inches.
The first seal ring 16a can support a first hydraulic flow path seal 12a and be made from an alloy steel or non elastomeric material, such as a rigid polyethylene seal ring or rigid polyethylene/polypropylene copolymers.
The second seal ring 16b can support the second hydraulic flow path seal 12b. The first seal ring 16a and the second seal ring 16b provide support the hydraulic flow path seals.
The first and second hydraulic flow path seals 12a and 12b can have a diameter ranging from 1.9 inches to 6.75 inches. The flow path seals can be made from non elastomeric materials, such as polymer plastics, including polyethyl ketone (PEEK™), or other materials.
The first seal ring 16a, the second seal ring 16b, and the third seal ring 16c can be similar in design or in the alternative each seal ring can be made from a different material. The diameters of each seal ring can be similar or different.
The first seal assembly fastener 14a can be a threaded cap. The second seal assembly fastener 14b, which can be similar to the first seal assembly fastener 14a. The fasteners are adapted to retain the second upper hydraulic flow path seal 12b.
The third seal assembly fastener 14c, which can be similar to the second seal assembly fastener 14ab, which can be similar to the first seal assembly 14a.
It is possible to have an embodiment wherein the first seal assembly fastener, the second seal ring fastener, the third seal ring fastener made from steel.
The first, second and third concentric seals 8a, 8b, and 8c can be an elastomeric or non-elastomeric seal. Greene Tweed from Houston Tex. supplies usable concentric seals for this embodiment. The first concentric seal 8a, the second concentric seal 8b, and the third concentric seal 8c can be similar to each other.
Turning now to
Returning to
The intermediate hydraulic flow path 29 and the upper hydraulic flow path 10 are coupled together, for example using the seals.
Referring now to
A locking key 32 is machined as part of the overall pin and seal assembly in to the upper tubular of the lower tubular portion or both. The locking key is a combination of grooves and projections that interlock together.
A lower key retainer 34 is a machined part used for holding the locking key in either the locked or unlocked position. In an embodiment, the lower key retainer can be a circular part with a diameter larger than the annulus of the bore of the tool. The retainer can be a segment, such as a “D” shape or an open “D” shape.
An upper key retainer 38 can be similar to the lower key retainer. In an embodiment, the upper key retainer can be a circular part with a diameter larger than the annulus of the bore of the tool. The upper key retainer can be a segment, such as a “D” shape or an open “D” shape.
The mechanism for providing force 42 can be a coiled spring, a wave spring, or a similar force providing mechanism. If a coiled spring is used, it can be one provided by Suhm of Houston, Tex.
The shear pin 36 engages the locking key 32 and the lower key retainer 34. The shear pin 36 can be a solid cylinder with a centrally aligned through hole. The shear pin 36 can be made from steel, stainless steel, or similar materials.
The upper key retainer 38 can have a channel, with a depth ranging from 0.5 inches to 1 inches adapted for receiving the locking key 32.
The upper portion 30 is secured to upper tubular portion 26 by the first fastener 40a and the second fastener 40b. The first fastener 40a and the second fastener 40b can be planarly aligned with each other. It is possible to use more than two fasteners to secure the upper locking mechanism to the upper tubular portion 26.
The mechanism for exerting force 42 interacts with the locking key 32 and the upper tubular portion 28.
The interaction of the mechanism for exerting force 42 with the locking key 32 and the upper tubular portion 28 provides the benefit of providing retraction in and out, an axial force when the lower tubular portion is driven into the well, in a ratcheting unidirectional motion.
Returning to
The fastener 23 can be a collar for engaging the upper portion 30 and the collar is for anchoring the upper tubular portion to another piece of well equipment.
The upper tubular portion has a receiving hydraulic wet connector 27, for example, a Seaport wet connect made by Diamould from the United Kingdom. The receiving hydraulic wet connector 27 removeably engages an extending hydraulic wet connector 22, which can also be made by Diamould. The receiving hydraulic wet connector 22 is supported by the upper tubular body 28.
The upper tubular body 28 supports the receiving hydraulic wet connector 22 by creating a threaded engagement with the receiving hydraulic wet connector 22.
Although the embodiment in
Turning now to
The first alignment groove 44a and the second alignment groove 44b can have a depth ranging from 0.30 inches to 0.05 inches. The alignment grooves can be molded, machined, or forged into the upper tubular body 28.
Turning now to
A lower hydraulic flow path 20 is formed into the lower tubular body 15. The lower hydraulic flow path 20 fluidly engages the intermediate hydraulic flow path 29. The fluid engagement is enabled by a coupling.
The lower hydraulic flow path 20 can be a port machined into the lower tubular body 15.
In a typical embodiment of the invention each of the hydraulic flow paths have the same hydraulic fluid and the same flow rate.
The lower tubular body has a lower tubular body face 13. The lower tubular body face 13 can have a flange angle ranging from 30 degrees to 90 degrees. The lower tubular body face 13 can be made from a metal adapted to survive a highly corrosive environment.
The lower tubular portion further has a first pin 16. The pin 16 can be manufactured by Pertroquip Energy Services of Broussard La. and Houston Tex. The first pin 16 can have a length ranging from 3 inches to 9 inches. The first pin 16 can have a cylindrical shape and can be solid or hollow.
The first pin 16 has a first pin outer surface 17. The first pin outer surface can be a metal, composite, or similar material. The first pin outer surface 17 in a typical embodiment will be made form the same material of the first pin 16
In the embodiment depicted in
An embodiment of the first half of a pin connector is depicted above in
In step 104 the method is depicted including attaching a first packer with a bore to the first half of the bottom pin connector. The packer can be attached to the first half of the bottom pin connector by using fasteners or other removable securing means.
The first half of the bottom pin connector with the attached first packer is run into the well downhole in step 106.
The present embodiment of the method includes forming a second half of a bottom pin connector in step 108. The second half of the bottom pin connector is formed by securing a bottom pin connector receiving hydraulic wet connector to an upper tubular portion with a seal assembly. The upper tubular portion with seal assembly is depicted in
The second half of the bottom pin connector is secured to production tubing in step 110. The production tubing can have a length ranging from 30 feet to 20,000 feet. A first control line having an inside diameter ranging from 0.125 to 0.475 inches is secured to the second half of the bottom pin connector in step 112.
In step 114 the production tubing the second half of the bottom pin connector, and the connected first control line is run into the well downhole. The bottom pin connector receiving hydraulic wet connector is connected to the bottom pin connector extending hydraulic wet connector in step 116. The bottom pin connector receiving wet connector and the top pin connector extending hydraulic wet connector can be quick release wet connectors.
The present embodiment of the method includes step 117, aligning the bottom pin connector hydraulic extending wet connector and the bottom pin connector receiving hydraulic wet connector. The alignment can be accomplished using at least one alignment key and one alignment groove.
The second half of the bottom pin connector is anchored to another piece of well equipment in step 118. The anchoring can be performed using a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism can be similar to the one depicted in
In step 120 a first half of a top pin connector is formed by securing a second extending hydraulic wet connector to a top pin connector lower tubular portion. The top pin connector lower tubular portion is similar to the lower tubular portion of the bottom pin connector.
The first half of the top pin connector is attached to at least one second hydraulically operated tool, the second half of the bottom pin connector, or combinations thereof in step 122. In step 124 a second packer with a bore is attached to the first half of the top pin connector.
In step 126 the first half of the top pin connector with the attached second packer is ran into the well downhole.
In step 128 a second half of a top pin connector is formed by securing a top pin connector extending hydraulic wet connector to a top pin connector upper tubular portion. The top pin connector upper tubular portion is similar to the bottom pin connector upper tubular portion.
The first control line fluidly communicates with the first half of the top pin connector, the first hydraulically operated tool, and the second hydraulically operated tool.
A second control line is connected to the second half of the top pin connector to for connecting to a hydraulic source in step 130. The hydraulic source can be a hydraulic tank located on a surface, remote from the well. The second control line is in fluid communication with the bottom pin connector, the first hydraulically operated tool, and the second hydraulically operated tool, and the power source.
A second production tubing is secured to the second half of the top pin connector in step 132. The second production tubing can be similar to the first production tubing. In Step 134 the production tubing with the connected second half of the top pin connector and the connected second control line is ran into the well.
The top pin connector receiving hydraulic wet connector can be connected to the top pin connector extending hydraulic wet connector in step 136. The present embodiment of the method includes step 138 aligning the top pin connector hydraulic extending wet connector and the top pin connector receiving hydraulic wet connector. The alignment can be accomplished using at least one alignment key and one alignment groove.
In step 139 the second half of the top pin connector is anchored to another piece of well equipment.
Each of the upper hydraulic flow paths and intermediate hydraulic flow paths can be sealed using a plurality of upper hydraulic flow path seals between each tubular seal assembly body and each upper tubular body.
A means for retaining the upper hydraulic flow path seals can be provided. The retaining can be accomplished by using a plurality of seal assembly fasteners.
The method can further include supporting at least one of the hydraulic flow path seals using at least one seal ring.
The present embodiment of the method can include preventing hydraulic fluid from escaping each of the hydraulic flow paths using at least one hydraulic flow path plug for each pin connector with seal assembly.
In step 140 the above steps can be repeated to adapt the method for use with a multi-zone well having more than two zones.
The present embodiment of the invention includes step 142 which is controlling the well, using the control lines, on a periodic basis. The periodic basis is defined as activating the well for a time ranging form 2 minutes to 120 minutes. The batch basis is equivalent to the periodic basis.
The present embodiment of the method can be adapted for use with a gravel pack using a second pin surrounding the first pin in each lower tubular portion forming a double pin connecter.
The first packer 206 can be engaged by a top pin connector with seal assembly 210. An example of the top pin connector with seal assembly 210 can be seen in
The top pin connector can engage an intermediate production tubing 212a. The intermediate production tubing 212a can be similar to the top production tubing.
A top hydraulically operated tool 214 is depicted engaging the intermediate production tubing 212a. The top hydraulically operated tool 214 can be a single line sleeve, a valve, or a similar downhole tool.
A top control line 216a is secured to a power source 218. The power source 218 can be a remote hydraulic tank, a pressurized tank, a fluid reservoir, or a similar fluid containment device. The upper tubular portion of the top pin connector with seal assembly 210 is in fluid communication with the top control line 216a.
The first intermediate production tubing 212a is secured to the lower tubular portion of the top pin connector with seal assembly 210 and the top hydraulically operated tool 214. A second control line 216b is connected to the lower tubular portion of the top pin connector with seal assembly 210 and the top hydraulically operated tool 214.
A second packer 222 is depicted engaging the second intermediate production tubing 212b.
A third control line 216c is in fluid communication from the top hydraulically operated tool 214 to a upper tubular portion of the bottom pin connector with seal assembly 228. A fourth control line 216d is in communication with the lower tubular portion of the bottom pin connector with seal assembly 228 and a bottom hydraulically operated tool 229. The second bottom control line 216d can be used to periodically operate the bottom hydraulically operated tool 229. A first bottom production tubing 212c is disposed between the bottom pin connector with seal assembly and the bottom hydraulically operated tool 229.
A second bottom production tubing 212d is depicted engaging the bottom hydraulically operated tool 229 and a lower sealing means 226. The lower sealing means 226 can be a packer, a plug, or similar sealing means.
While these embodiments have been described with emphasis on the embodiments, it should be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the embodiments might be practiced other than as specifically described herein.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
6983796 | Bayne et al. | Jan 2006 | B2 |
7428932 | Wintill et al. | Sep 2008 | B1 |