Patent Application
20210148176
Tubulars are assembled to form drill strings, casing strings, etc. and are deployed in a wellbore in a subterranean formation. Oftentimes, a device is coupled to the exterior of one of the tubulars. In various examples, such devices may include a bore wall scraper, a wiper, a packer, a centralizer, or a landing collar. The devices may be secured between two tubular couplings or ends of a tubular. In some cases, however, it may be desired to hold the devices in place away from the ends, e.g., without allowing the devices to slide all the way along a tubular. Stop collars, in such cases, may be attached to the exterior of the tubular, and may be used to limit or prevent movement of the device along the exterior surface of the tubular.
A stop collar is disclosed. The stop collar includes an annular body and a gripping member. The body includes an outer surface and an inner surface. The body defines a window extending from the outer surface to the inner surface. A portion of the inner surface has a diameter that decreases proceeding toward an axial end of the body. The gripping member is positioned at least partially within the body and in contact with the inner surface. The gripping member is at least partially aligned with the window when the stop collar is in a first state. The gripping member moves toward the axial end of the body when the stop collar actuates into a second state. A diameter of the gripping member decreases as the gripping member moves toward the axial end of the body.
In another embodiment, the stop collar includes an annular body that includes an outer surface and an inner surface. The body defines a first window extending from the outer surface to the inner surface. A first portion of the inner surface has a diameter that decreases proceeding toward a first axial end of the body, and a second portion of the inner surface has a diameter that decreases proceeding toward a second axial end of the body. The stop collar also includes a first gripping member positioned at least partially within the body and in contact with the inner surface. The first gripping member is substantially C-shaped and biased radially-outward. The first gripping member is at least partially aligned with the first window when the stop collar is in a first state. The first gripping member moves toward the first axial end of the body when the stop collar actuates into a second state. A diameter of the first gripping member decreases as the first gripping member moves toward the first axial end of the body. The stop collar also includes a second gripping member positioned at least partially within the body and in contact with the inner surface. The second gripping member is at least partially aligned with the first window when the stop collar is in the first state. The second gripping member moves toward the second axial end of the body when the stop collar actuates into the second state. A diameter of the second gripping member decreases as the first gripping member moves toward the second axial end of the body.
In yet another embodiment, the stop collar includes an annular body including an outer surface and an inner surface. A first portion of the inner surface has a diameter that decreases proceeding toward a first axial end of the body. The stop collar also includes a gripping member positioned at least partially within the body and in contact with the inner surface. The gripping member is substantially C-shaped and biased radially-inward. The stop collar also includes a pin coupled to the gripping member when the stop collar is in a first state. The pin prevents a diameter of the gripping member from decreasing. The pin is configured to be pulled from the gripping member, which allows the stop collar to actuate into a second state. The diameter of the gripping member decreases as the stop collar actuates into the second state.
A method for actuating a stop collar is also disclosed. The method includes sliding the stop collar along an outer surface of a tubular. The stop collar includes an annular body including an outer surface and an inner surface. The body defines a window extending from the outer surface to the inner surface. A portion the inner surface defines a diameter that decreases proceeding toward an axial end of the body. The stop collar also includes a gripping member positioned at least partially within the body and in contact with the inner surface. The gripping member is at least partially aligned with the window. The method also includes actuating the stop collar from a first state to a second state. The gripping member moves toward the axial end of the body when the stop collar actuates from the first state to the second state.
The present disclosure may best be understood by referring to the following description and accompanying drawings that are used to illustrate embodiments of the invention. In the drawings:
The following disclosure describes several embodiments for implementing different features, structures, or functions of the invention. Embodiments of components, arrangements, and configurations are described below to simplify the present disclosure; however, these embodiments are provided merely as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, the present disclosure may repeat reference characters (e.g., numerals) and/or letters in the various embodiments and across the Figures provided herein. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed in the Figures. Moreover, the formation of a first feature over or on a second feature in the description that follows may include embodiments in which the first and second features are formed in direct contact, and may also include embodiments in which additional features may be formed interposing the first and second features, such that the first and second features may not be in direct contact. Finally, the embodiments presented below may be combined in any combination of ways, e.g., any element from one exemplary embodiment may be used in any other exemplary embodiment, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
Additionally, certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, various entities may refer to the same component by different names, and as such, the naming convention for the elements described herein is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, unless otherwise specifically defined herein. Further, the naming convention used herein is not intended to distinguish between components that differ in name but not function. Additionally, in the following discussion and in the claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to.” All numerical values in this disclosure may be exact or approximate values unless otherwise specifically stated. Accordingly, various embodiments of the disclosure may deviate from the numbers, values, and ranges disclosed herein without departing from the intended scope. In addition, unless otherwise provided herein, “or” statements are intended to be non-exclusive; for example, the statement “A or B” should be considered to mean “A, B, or both A and B.”
The inner surface 116 may define a first shoulder 122 proximate to the first axial end 112 and a second shoulder 124 proximate to the second axial end 114. The inner surface 116 may also define a third shoulder (also referred to as an intermediate shoulder) 126 positioned between the first and second shoulders 122, 124. The shoulders 122, 124, 126 may protrude radially-inward from a remainder of the inner surface 116, thereby at least partially defining a first recess 130 between the first shoulder 122 and the intermediate shoulder 126 and a second recess 132 between the second shoulder 124 and the intermediate shoulder 126.
The stop collar 100 may include one or more gripping members (two are shown: 140, 142). As shown, the first gripping member 140 may be positioned at least partially in the first recess 130, and the second gripping member 142 may be positioned at least partially in the second recess 132. In one embodiment, the gripping members 140, 142 may be or include C-shaped members that extend from about 270° to about 355°. When the gripping members 140, 142 are C-shaped, they may each include two circumferential ends 144, 146 with a circumferential gap 148 therebetween. Although the gripping members 140, 142 may be substantially C-shaped, rather than fully annular or ring-shaped, they may considered to have a diameter, as described below.
The gripping members 140, 142 may be biased radially-outward. As discussed in greater detail below, when the gripping members 140, 142 are exposed to a radially-inward force, the circumferential ends 144, 146 may move closer together, causing a diameter of the gripping members 140, 142 to decrease. The gripping members 140, 142 may include ridges or teeth on an inner surface thereof to grip (e.g., bite into) an outer surface of a tubular such as a drill pipe segment or a casing segment as the diameters of the gripping members 140, 142 decrease.
The body 110 may include one or more windows (four are shown: 150A, 150B, 150C, 150D). The windows 150A-150D may be formed radially-through the body 110 (e.g., from the inner surface 116 to the outer surface 118). The windows 150A-150D may extend through the intermediate shoulder 126. The windows 150A-150D may be circumferentially-offset from one another. In the example shown, there are four windows 150A-150D that are spaced apart at 90° intervals around the circumference of the body 110.
When the stop collar 100 is in the first (e.g., unset) state, the gripping members 140, 142 may be at least partially aligned with the windows 150A-150D. Thus, as may be seen in
As may be seen in
Once the gripping members 140, 142 are anchored to the tubular 200, the body 110 may be substantially prevented from moving axially and/or radially with respect to the gripping members 140, 142 and/or the tubular 200 due to a friction fit between the body 110 and the gripping members 140, 142. For example, if the body 110 is subjected to an axial force in a first direction 160 (see
Referring again to
The setting tool 250 may include a piston 270 and a cylinder 272. The piston 270 may be positioned at least partially within the cylinder 272. In at least one embodiment, the setting tool 250 may be hydraulic. Thus, a hydraulic fluid may be pumped into a space 274 in the cylinder 272, which causes the piston 270 to extend. As may be seen, the first arm 260 may be coupled to (and move together with) the piston 270, and the second arm 262 may be coupled to (and move together with) the cylinder 272.
In the first state, one or more of the shoulders 122, 124, 126 may protrude radially-inward farther than the gripping members 140, 142. As described below, this may facilitate moving the stop collar 100 axially along the outer surface of the tubular 200. However, when the stop collar 100 is in the second state, the gripping members 140, 142 protrude radially-inward farther than the shoulders 122, 124, 126. As described below, this may facilitate gripping the outer surface of the tubular 200 to reduce or prevent the axial movement.
The method 700 may include sliding the stop collar 100 along an outer surface of the tubular 200 to a desired position, as at 702. The stop collar 100 may be in the first (e.g., unset) state when the stop collar 100 slides along the outer surface of the tubular 200. As mentioned above, one or more of the shoulders 122, 124, 126 may protrude radially-inward farther than the gripping members 140, 142 when the stop collar 100 is in the first (e.g., unset) state and slides along the outer surface of the tubular 200. Further, the gripping members 140, 142 may be biased radially-outward, against the inner surface 116 and into the recesses 130, 132, respectively. As such, the gripping members 140, 142 may not contact and/or drag along the outer surface of the tubular 200 as the stop collar 100 slides along the outer surface of the tubular 200.
The method 700 may also include connecting the setting tool 250 to the stop collar 100, as at 704. This may include introducing the arms 260, 262 of the setting tool 250 into or through the window 150A such that the arms 260, 262 are positioned at least partially between the gripping members 140, 142. This is shown in
The method 700 may also include actuating the stop collar 100 into the second (e.g., set) state using the setting tool 250, as at 706. This may include moving the arms 260, 262 of the setting tool 250 apart from one another, which may push the gripping members 140, 142 farther apart from one another. This is shown in
The method 700 may also include disconnecting the setting tool 250 from the stop collar 100, as at 708. After the stop collar 100 is in the second (e.g., set) state, the setting tool 250 may be disconnected therefrom. This may include withdrawing the arms 260, 262 of the setting tool 250 from the window 150A.
In at least one embodiment, the steps 704, 706, and/or 708 may be performed for each window 150A-150D simultaneously. In another embodiment, the steps 704, 706, and/or 708 may be performed sequentially for the windows 150A-150D. When performed sequentially, the steps 704, 706, and/or 708 may be performed for the windows 150A-150D in a clockwise manner (e.g., window 150A first, window 150B second, window 150C, third, and window 150D fourth) or in a counterclockwise manner. Alternatively, when performed sequentially, the steps 704, 706, and/or 708 may be performed in a star pattern (e.g., window 150A first, window 150C second, window 150B, third, and window 150D fourth). The shoulders 122, 124 may restrict misalignment of the gripping members 140, 142 when the setting is performed sequentially.
The method 700 may also include or connecting an unsetting tool to the stop collar 100, as at 710. The unsetting tool may be connected when the stop collar 100 is in the second (e.g., set) state. Connecting the unsetting tool may include introducing the arms of the unsetting tool through the window 150A such that the arms are positioned at least partially within the recesses 141, 143 in the upper surfaces of the gripping members 140, 142.
The method 700 may also include actuating the stop collar 100 back into the first (e.g., unset) state using the unsetting tool, as at 712. This may include moving the arms of the unsetting tool toward one another, which may pull the gripping members 140, 142 toward one another. As the gripping members 140, 142 move toward one another, the radially-inward force imparted by the body 110 onto the gripping members 140, 142, and imparted by the gripping members 140, 142 onto the tubular 200, may progressively decrease. As mentioned above, the gripping members 140, 142 may be biased radially-outwards. As a result, when the gripping members 140, 142 move toward one another, they may proceed to expand radially-outward due to the tapering inner surface 116 of the body 110 until they are no longer in contact with the outer surface of the tubular 200.
The method 700 may also include disconnecting the unsetting tool from the stop collar 100, as at 714. When the stop collar 100 is in the first (e.g., unset) state, the unsetting tool may be disconnected therefrom. This may include withdrawing the arms of the unsetting tool from the recesses 141, 143 in the upper surfaces of the gripping members 140, 142 and from the window 150A. The steps 710, 712, and/or 714 may be performed for each window 150A-150D simultaneously or sequentially. In addition, the steps 710, 712, and/or 714 may also be performed using the setting tool 250 instead of the unsetting tool.
The method 700 may also include sliding the stop collar 100 along the outer surface of the tubular 200 to another desired position or until the stop collar 100 is removed from the tubular 200, as at 716.
The sub-members 1210A-1210D may be coupled to and/or in contact with a retaining member 1220. For example, each of the sub-members 1210A-1210D may define a recess on an inner surface thereof, and the retaining member 1220 may be positioned at least partially within the recesses. The retaining member 1220 may also or instead be adhered to the inner surfaces of the sub-members 1210A-1210D. The retaining member 1220 may be substantially C-shaped, such that it has a first circumferential end 1222 and a second circumferential end 1224. The retaining member 1220 may be biased radially-outward, which may bias the gripping member 1200 radially-outward.
The retaining member 1220 may be configured to slide within the recesses in the sub-members 1210A-1210D. Thus, when the gripping member 1200 is exposed to a radially-inward force (e.g., by body 110 or body 810), as described above, the circumferential ends 1222, 1224 may move toward one another, allowing the diameter of the gripping member 1200 to decrease (e.g., to contact and grip the outer surface of the tubular 200). In another embodiment, instead of or in addition to the circumferential ends 1222, 1224 moving toward one another in response to the radially-inward force, the retaining member 1220 may be configured to break in one or more places to allow the diameter of the gripping member 1200 to decrease (e.g., to contact and grip the exterior of the tubular 200).
The stop collar 1300 may also include a gripping member 1340 positioned at least partially within the body 1310. More particularly, the gripping member 1340 may be positioned radially-between the body 1310 and the tubular 200. In
The stop collar 1300 may also include a pin (also referred to as a “shipping” pin) 1370. The pin 1370 may include a first arm 1372 and a second arm 1374. Thus, the pin 1370 may be substantially U-shaped. The pin 1370 may be positioned radially-inward from the body 1310 and/or at least partially through the body 1310. The pin 1370 may be coupled to the gripping member 1340. More particularly, the arms 1372, 1374 may be coupled to the circumferential ends 1344, 1346 of the gripping member 1340, respectively. The gripping member 1340 may be biased radially-inward, and the pin 1370, when coupled to the gripping member 1340, may prevent the circumferential ends 1344, 1346 from moving closer together and causing the diameter of the gripping member 1340 to decrease.
The body 1310 may then slide axially along the outer surface of the tubular 200 a predetermined distance that is less than or equal to the length of the body 1310. For example, if the body 1310 is subjected to an axial force in the first direction 160 (as shown), the body 1310 may slide in the first direction 160 until the inner surface 1316 of the body 1310 proximate to the second axial end 1314 contacts the gripping member 1340. The tapering engagement between the inner surface 1316 of the body 1310 and the outer surface of the gripping member 1340 may then exert a radially-inward force on the gripping member 1340, which may cause the gripping member 1340 to exert a radially-inward force on the tubular 200. Similarly, if the body 1310 is subjected to an axial force in the second direction 162, the body 1310 may slide in the second direction 162 until the inner surface 1316 of the body 1310 proximate to the first axial end 1312 contacts the gripping member 1340. The tapering engagement between the inner surface 1316 of the body 1310 and the outer surface of the gripping member 1340 may then exert a radially-inward force on the gripping member 1340, which may cause the gripping member 1340 to exert a radially-inward force on the tubular 200.
As used herein, the terms “inner” and “outer”; “up” and “down”; “upper” and “lower”; “upward” and “downward”; “above” and “below”; “inward” and “outward”; “uphole” and “downhole”; and other like terms as used herein refer to relative positions to one another and are not intended to denote a particular direction or spatial orientation. The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “connect,” “connection,” “connected,” “in connection with,” and “connecting” refer to “in direct connection with” or “in connection with via one or more intermediate elements or members.”
The foregoing has outlined features of several embodiments so that those skilled in the art may better understand the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
