Patent Application
20240167350
In the resource recovery and fluid sequestration industries, seal tools are prevalent. Running such tools at higher speeds or with higher flow rates increases the likelihood that a swab could occur. Swabbing is undesirable since set occurs earlier than planned and possibly in the wrong place. Additionally, a swabbed element may become damaged from dragging on the string or casing in which it is being run. Efficiency in operations is benefitted by higher runs rates and higher flow rates. Accordingly, the art will well receive alternative seal tools that tolerate higher running speed and or flow rates without swabbing.
An embodiment of a swab resistant seal tool, including a seal mandrel, a seal element disposed on the mandrel, and a releaser securing the seal element to the mandrel under a tensile load borne in the seal element, the releaser being releasable upon being exposed to a trigger.
An embodiment of a method for assembling a swab resistant seal tool including disposing a seal element on a mandrel, securing a first end of the seal element to the mandrel, imparting a tensile load to the seal element in a longitudinal direction of the mandrel, and securing a second end of the seal element to the mandrel.
An embodiment of a method for operating a seal tool including running the seal tool in a borehole, resisting swabbing of a seal of the seal tool by holding tension in the seal element of the seal tool, setting the seal tool by releasing a releaser of the seal tool that releases the tension held in the seal element of the seal tool.
An embodiment of a borehole system including a borehole in a subsurface formation, a string in the borehole, a seal tool disposed within or as a part of the string.
The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike:
A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.
Referring to
Referring to
Set forth below are some embodiments of the foregoing disclosure:
A swab resistant seal tool, including a seal mandrel, a seal element disposed on the mandrel, and a releaser securing the seal element to the mandrel under a tensile load borne in the seal element, the releaser being releasable upon being exposed to a trigger.
The seal tool as in any prior embodiment, wherein the trigger is a load.
The seal tool as in any prior embodiment, wherein the trigger is an electric signal.
The seal tool as in any prior embodiment, wherein the releaser is a shear member.
The seal tool as in any prior embodiment, further including a gripper disposed on the mandrel and in gripping contact with the seal element.
The seal tool as in any prior embodiment, wherein the gripper is between the releaser and the seal element.
The seal tool as in any prior embodiment, wherein the gripper includes a hook configured to interact with the seal element and impart a tensile load to the seal element.
The seal tool as in any prior embodiment, wherein the gripper is secured to the mandrel with the releaser.
The seal tool as in any prior embodiment, wherein the gripper is two grippers, one on each longitudinal end of the seal element.
The seal tool as in any prior embodiment, wherein one of the two grippers is secured to the mandrel by releaser and the other gripper is secured to the mandrel by another releaser.
A method for assembling a swab resistant seal tool including disposing a seal element on a mandrel, securing a first end of the seal element to the mandrel, imparting a tensile load to the seal element in a longitudinal direction of the mandrel, and securing a second end of the seal element to the mandrel.
The method as in any prior embodiment, wherein the securing the second end is with a releaser.
A method for operating a seal tool including running the seal tool in a borehole, resisting swabbing of a seal of the seal tool by holding tension in the seal element of the seal tool, setting the seal tool by releasing a releaser of the seal tool that releases the tension held in the seal element of the seal tool.
The method as in any prior embodiment, wherein the releasing is by applying sending a signal to the releaser to release.
The method as in any prior embodiment, wherein the signal is a load.
A borehole system including a borehole in a subsurface formation, a string in the borehole, a seal tool as in any prior embodiment disposed within or as a part of the string.
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Further, it should be noted that the terms “first,” “second,” and the like herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. The terms “about”, “substantially” and “generally” are intended to include the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity based upon the equipment available at the time of filing the application. For example, “about” and/or “substantially” and/or “generally” includes a range of ±8% of a given value.
The teachings of the present disclosure may be used in a variety of well operations. These operations may involve using one or more treatment agents to treat a formation, the fluids resident in a formation, a borehole, and/or equipment in the borehole, such as production tubing. The treatment agents may be in the form of liquids, gases, solids, semi-solids, and mixtures thereof. Illustrative treatment agents include, but are not limited to, fracturing fluids, acids, steam, water, brine, anti-corrosion agents, cement, permeability modifiers, drilling muds, emulsifiers, demulsifiers, tracers, flow improvers etc. Illustrative well operations include, but are not limited to, hydraulic fracturing, stimulation, tracer injection, cleaning, acidizing, steam injection, water flooding, cementing, etc.
While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims. Also, in the drawings and the description, there have been disclosed exemplary embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms may have been employed, they are unless otherwise stated used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention therefore not being so limited.
