Patent Grant
10605028
This United States application is the National Phase of PCT Application No. PCT/NO2016/050138 filed 24 Jun. 2016, which claims priority to Norwegian Patent Application No. 20150865 filed 3 Jul. 1 Apr. 2015, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention relates to the removal of equipment in wells. In particular, it relates to removing equipment such as a straddle from a section of a wellbore using a tool string equipped with a tractor and an engaging tool such as a GS-pulling tool.
In the oil and gas exploration and production industry, wellbore operations such as well intervention operations may be performed at various times during the life of a well, e.g. for performing maintenance or repair, e.g. so that the well can continue to produce oil and gas. In some cases, it is necessary to pull out equipment or objects that have been installed in the well, and a tool string may be provided for this purpose. In the case of pulling out equipment in the form of a tubular object such as straddle in a deviated portion of a wellbore, a standard tool string is typically used as indicated in
As seen in
The total length of the combined string including the tool string and the removal object can be significant, such that there can be practical challenges in the process of recovering the object. In many cases, there may not be sufficient space available for accommodating strings or objects above a certain size or length. In recovering a string for example, it is common to move the string into a sluice, often termed a “lubricator”, for isolating the string safely from the well before the sluice, together with string, can be removed onto deck and disassembled. The sluice is typically isolated from the well with a valve, allowing the sluice with the string contained therein to be depressurized and fluid from the well to be drained out. However, the total length capacity of the sluice can be a significant limitation on the total length of the string that can be accommodated. Many prospective operations may not be feasible using a given vessel or platform, depending upon the sluice capacity. For example, it may be desirable to carry out such an operation from a light intervention vessel with a view to limiting costs. However, such vessels may only be able to handle sluices and tool strings of limited size or limited total length capacity. Thus, if the total length of the combined string exceeds sluice capacity, the operation may need to be assigned to a different vessel or platform, or a different sluice, e.g. a re-designed sluice, which may increase cost, logistics and/or operational complexity.
Sluices typically have a capacity for accommodating total lengths of up to around 22 m, whilst the typical tool string for performing a pulling operation (such as that of
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of removing equipment from a section of a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of:
The equipment may comprise a tubular structure, such as for example a section of lining or casing. The equipment may be installed within well tubing, e.g. temporarily. The tubular structure may be configured to isolate sections of the wellbore, e.g. perforated sections of the wellbore tubing. The tubular structure may be configured to and/or to prevent, hinder or restrict fluid leakage into an annulus behind the well tubing, and/or to prevent, hinder or restrict inflow from the annulus into wellbore. The tubular structure may comprise a section of tubing in the form of a straddle. The equipment may comprise a straddle. The straddle may comprise a section of pipe or a sleeve. The straddle may be provided with any one or more of: a sliding sleeve; a side-pocket mandrel (SPM); instruments for making measurements; a valve for controlling production; tracer material; and corrosion resistant material. The straddle may protect parts or components in the well, which may be susceptible to weakening, or damage. For example, the straddle may provide corrosion protection. The straddle may typically have a length in the range of 5 to 20 m.
The method may further comprise moving said section of the tractor into the tubular structure, e.g. the straddle.
The engaging tool may comprise a pulling tool, which may preferably be a GS-pulling tool.
The equipment may preferably be configured to be engaged by the engaging tool to couple the equipment to the tool string. Accordingly, the method may further comprise engaging the equipment using the engaging tool. The equipment may be provided with at least one formation or profile which may be engaged by the engaging tool or a member thereof.
The engaging tool may typically have a member, such as a dog or a gripper, arranged 2 to engage the equipment, for example to grip onto and/or interlock with the equipment, or said formation or profile.
The profile may comprise a profile which is configured to receive an engaging member of the engaging tool in a complementary fit such that the engaging member when received by the profile interlocks with the profile. In this way, a connection between the equipment and the tool string may be provided whereby the equipment can be securely attached to the tool string.
In the case of the equipment comprising a tubular structure such as a straddle, the engaging formation or profile may comprise for example a groove, or recess, or the like, and may be provided on an inner surface of the tubular structure. Typically the engaging formation may be provided at or near an end of the structure. The engaging member of the tool may comprise an outwardly protruding member, which may for example be received in said groove or recess or the like.
The method may further comprise bringing the engaging tool alongside the equipment, or the formation or profile thereof, for engaging the equipment using the engaging tool. The equipment may be engaged by inserting the engaging tool into the equipment, in embodiments where the equipment comprises a tubular section. The method may include positioning the engaging tool such that an engaging member is aligned with the equipment, or the formation or profile thereof, to allow the engaging member to move into engagement therewith.
The method may further comprise recovering, e.g. pulling out, the coupled tool string and equipment from the wellbore. The tool string may typically be recovered using a flexible elongate member coupled to the tool string, e.g. by spooling in the flexible elongate member. The flexible elongate member may comprise a wireline, cable, coiled tubing or the like. The flexible elongate member may typically be configured for connecting the tool string with a surface facility e.g. winch facility, e.g. on a vessel.
The method may further comprise locating the coupled tool string and equipment in a sluice. The sluice may typically be provided at the seabed, e.g. deployed from a well intervention ship onto a wellhead.
Preferably, the tool string may further comprise any one or more of: an actuator for activating the engaging tool and/or dislodging the equipment; a locator device for use in determining the position of the tool string within the wellbore; a connecting head for attaching the tool string on a flexible elongate member; a release device, such as a release sub system (RSS); and a swivel for limiting torque on any of the flexible elongate member, the tool string or a component thereof.
The actuator may typically comprise a stroker, for example a bi-directional stroker. The stroker may be configured to generate movement axially to dislodge the equipment. The stroker may be configured to generate movement of the engaging tool along the wellbore and/or the tool string, e.g. laterally, once the engaging tool is interconnected with the equipment. The locator device may typically comprise a casing collar locator.
The tool string may further comprise a casing collar locator. The casing collar locator may be arranged within the tool string ahead of the engaging tool. The casing collar locator may be arranged within the tool string ahead of said section of the tractor. The position of the casing collar locator may depend upon the actual length. For instance, the casing collar locator could be placed closer to the swivel, but for saving length, placement in front of the engaging tool may be preferred.
Said section of the tractor may preferably comprise at least one drive wheel for propelling the tool string along the wellbore. The tractor may be arranged substantially entirely ahead of the engaging tool within the tool string.
The tool string may be a well intervention work string.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a tool string for use in removing equipment from a section of the wellbore, the tool string comprising a tractor and an engaging tool and being configured to be run into the wellbore having at least one section of the tractor positioned ahead of the engaging tool.
According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided an engaging tool for use in the method of the first aspect and/or the tool string of the second aspect.
The engaging tool may be further configured to communicate electrical energy between an electrical supply and said section of the tractor ahead of the tool, for operating the tractor. The engaging tool may be a GS-pulling tool.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of removing equipment from a section of a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of:
The tool string may typically include an engaging tool. The method may include using the engaging tool to couple the equipment to the tool string. The engaging tool may be positioned uphole within the tool string with respect to at least one section of the tractor.
According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a tool string for use in the method of the fourth aspect.
According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a well in which equipment has been removed by performing the method of any of the aspects, or using the tool string and/or the engaging tool of any of the aspects of the invention.
It can be noted that the terms “uphole” and “downhole” are used herein for indicating relative position along the wellbore trajectory, toward or away from the well head along the wellbore, and do not signify any particular elevation. Accordingly, the term “uphole” can be indicative of a position in that is closer to the well head along the wellbore path than another position, but which is of the same elevation, such as for example may be the case in horizontal wellbore sections. Conversely, the term “downhole” can be indicative of a position that is a greater distance away from the wellhead along the wellbore path than another, but which has the same elevation.
Any of the aspects of the invention may include further features as described in relation to any other aspect, wherever described herein. Features described in one embodiment may be combined in other embodiments. For example, a selected feature from a first embodiment that is compatible with the arrangement in a second embodiment may be employed, e.g. as an additional, alternative or optional feature, e.g. inserted or exchanged for a similar or like feature, in the second embodiment to perform (in the second embodiment) in the same or corresponding manner as it does in the first embodiment.
Embodiments of the invention are advantageous in various ways as will be apparent from the specification throughout.
There will now be described, by way of example only, embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
In
In particular, as can be seen in
A wireline 40 is connected to the tool string 10 at the cable head 11. The swivel 12 is used for mitigating torque transmission between the wireline 40 and far end components within the tool string 10. The GS-pulling tool 14 is configured in an active position through shear pins which hold the GS-pulling tool 14 in the active position. In the active position, the GS puling tool 14 is configured to connect with the equipment. The shear pins can be sheared when needed, so that the GS-pulling tool 14 is released from the equipment. Furthermore, the stroker 13 can be applied to move the GS-pulling tool 14 back and forth axially along the tool string, once the GS-pulling tool 14 is connected with the equipment, in order to help dislodge or loosen the equipment to be pulled out. The tractor 15 operates to facilitate propulsion of the tool string 10 along deviated portions of the wellbore. The tractor 15 is supplied with electrical and/or hydraulic power by running suitable lines through the GS-pulling tool 11. The casing collar locator 16 is provided farthest toward the second end 30 and is used to obtain casing collar data for determining the position of the tool string relative to the wellbore upon deployment. The position of the casing collar locator 16 within the tool string 10 means that the casing collar locator 16, in addition to the tractor 15, does not contribute to the length along the tool string 10 between the cable head 11 and the GS-pulling tool 14. This helps to further minimize the total length of the tool string 10 and the connected equipment.
The release device 17 can take the form of a release sub system (RSS) and is provided to disconnect part of the tool string 10 from the wireline 40 if required, for example in the event of a stuck tool or equipment in the wellbore or other problem. In this example, the release device 17 is positioned between the GS-pulling tool 14 and the stroker 13, such that upon activation of the release device 17, a portion of the tool string 10 including the GS-pulling tool 14, the wireline tractor 15 and the casing collar locator 16, on the downhole side of the release device, would be disconnected from the tool string 10. The release device 17 can be activated through an operator signal delivered from the surface via the wireline 40, or can activate automatically in the event of failures in other components of the tool string 10, such as failure of communications or power from the surface. In this way, the release device 17 can help to free the wireline if the tool string or equipment attached thereto get stuck in the wellbore.
While the release device 17 may be placed elsewhere in the tool string 10 between the swivel 12 and the casing collar locator 16, for example between the stroker 13 and the casing collar locator 16, it is typically preferable for it to be placed, as shown, between the stroker 13 and the GS-pulling tool 14, as this allows the GS-pulling tool 14 with the equipment attached to be released, whilst allowing a substantial part of the tool string, on the uphole side of the release device 17, to be freed and retrieved along with the wireline.
It will be appreciated that the tool string 10 is configured to be used in the wellbore with the first end 20 arranged uphole and the second end 30 arranged downhole with respect to one another.
With reference now to
The straddle 120 comprises a section of pipe and is installed within tubing in the well-go bore 100. Such a straddle can be installed on a temporary basis and may be removed when desired, e.g. if no longer required. The straddle may be installed so as to line and/or cover over part of the tubing. In production tubing, the straddle may be used for example to cover perforations in the wall of the tubing, so as to block fluid communication through the perforations with the internal bore of the wellbore.
In
The tool string is deployed from a sluice 70 which is connected to a subsea well head 101. The tool string 10 is temporarily accommodated inside the sluice 70 before the tool string 10 is moved out of the sluice 70 and inserted into the wellbore 100. In order to install the sluice 70, the sluice 70, together with the tool string 10 contained therein, is lowered from an intervention vessel 60 onto the wellhead 101 at the seabed and is then connected.
The tractor 15 is positioned ahead of the pulling tool 14 and is being used to facilitate the movement of the tool string 10 along the wellbore 100. The tractor 15 has drive wheels which engage against the wall of the wellbore 100 to generate traction for driving the tractor 15 along the wellbore 100. The tractor 15 acts to pull the GS-pulling tool 14 into proximity to the straddle 120 so that the straddle 120 can be connected to the tool string 10 using the GS-pulling tool 14. The wireline 40 is spooled out from a wireline winch unit 50 on the intervention ship 60 in the sea 61 at the Earth's surface. In
It can be noted that although the dogs are in general set in the active position, they can be retracted if required, allowing the tool string to be released from the equipment. For example, by hammering downwards, or by applying a sufficiently high force using the stroker 13, the shear pins in the GS pulling tool 14 can be broken such the spring mechanism operates to cause the dogs to retract from the active position.
The stroker 13 is applied to dislodge the straddle 120, freeing the straddle 120 to allow the straddle 120 to be removed and pulled out of the wellbore 100 together with the tool string 10. When releasing and pulling the straddle 120, the stroker 13 is anchored in tubing in the wellbore, and acts to apply bi-directional force on the straddle, in opposing directions back and forth along the tubing. This may include imparting a pulling force on the straddle 120 for pulling on the straddle 120 for releasing the straddle 120. Similarly, a pushing force may be imparted. In the event of complications occurring during the operation, for example, it may be sought to release the tool string 10 from the straddle 120, in which case the stroker 13 can be anchored and used to impart a downward push force to shear the shear pins inside the GS-pulling tool 14 to release the tool string 10 from the straddle 120.
In
With reference to
The embodiments described can provide advantages in that the overall length of the combined tool string and equipment can be significantly reduced over previous techniques through the arrangement and use of the tool string 10 as described above. This can be achieved without needing to increase sluice length or the tool string length over prior art techniques. A greater number of well operations for removing equipment from a well using the tool string may then be feasible, and/or operations may be performed more cost effectively. The benefits of the invention can be obtained by making use of existing tools, without requiring wholescale re-design of tool string components.
Various modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the invention herein described.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20150865 | Jul 2015 | NO | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/NO2016/050138 | 6/24/2016 | WO | 00 |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2017/007331 | 1/12/2017 | WO | A |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20050072577 | Freeman | Apr 2005 | A1 |
| 20050145415 | Doering | Jul 2005 | A1 |
| 20100263856 | Lynde | Oct 2010 | A1 |
| 20120037358 | Ferkingstad | Feb 2012 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2599952 | Jun 2013 | EP |
| 2884044 | Jun 2015 | EP |
| 2010123375 | Oct 2010 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20180187504 A1 | Jul 2018 | US |
