The present invention relates to devices for rotatably hanging a tubing string in a well, and more particularly relates to a tubing hanger with a mechanism for reliably tensioning the tubing string. The tubing hanger tensions the tubing string, and the rotator which rotates the tubing string may be removed while the hanger remains in place.
Various types of tubing hangers have been devised for hanging a tubing string in a well. Some tubing hangers are also intended to tension a tubing string, although such tubing hanger designs are frequently limited for use with a specific type of tubing anchor. If the tubing rotator must be pulled from the well for replacement or repair, a majority of devices also require the tubing string to be pulled from the well.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,139,090 discloses a tubing rotator with a downhole tubing swivel and a J-lock mechanism for locking and unlocking the swivel. U.S. Pat. No. 6,543,533 discloses a casing hanger supported on a casing head. U.S. Pat. No. 6,834,717 discloses various designs for a tubing rotator, including designs wherein the tubing hanger is supported from the tubing head.
The disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by the present invention, and an improved apparatus for supporting a rotatable tubing string in a well and for tensioning the tubing string are hereinafter disclosed.
In one embodiment, an assembly for supporting a rotatable tubing string in a well and for tensioning the tubing string includes a tubing head having at least one side port therein, an inner mandrel positioned at least partially within the tubing head and supporting the tubing string, and a bushing supported on the tubing head and engaging the inner mandrel, with the bushing and inner mandrel being rotatable together relative to the tubing head. The assembly includes a tubing rotator for rotating the bushing, with the tubing rotator having a rotatable mandrel rotatably connected to the bushing. The tubing rotator is removable from the bushing and the tubing head while the bushing supports the tubing string. Circumferentially spaced J-lock mechanisms are provided between the bushing and the inner mandrel for tensioning the tubing string.
These and further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, wherein reference is made to the figures in the accompanying drawings.
As explained further below, the assembly as shown in
There are many applications where it is highly desirable to tension a tubing string, while still being able to rotate the tubing string in the well. In an exemplary application, the tubing string may be subject to a maximum load of 40,000 pounds, with 35,000 pounds remaining as the hanging load once the hanger is set in the tubing head. In some applications, the hanging load may be less than 35,000 pounds, and in other applications the hanging load may be greater than 35,000 pounds.
Referring more particularly to
The bushing and the inner mandrel are rotationally and axially connected by six circumferentially spaced J-lock connections 45. The pins 44 for the J-connections 45 are secured to the bushing 32 which is temporarily held stationary, while the six corresponding J-slots 56 as shown in
The J-lock mechanisms 45 as disclosed herein have significant advantages over other mechanisms commonly used for connecting components. Threads may be used to stretch a tubing string, but the tubing anchoring and landing operations may require rotating the string to the left or right for anchor release, which is difficult to ensure downhole due to the long stretch of tubing from the surface to the anchor. The present invention may use the J-lock mechanism at the surface, and a controlled amount of rotation may be used to reliably move the pins through the J-slots.
As disclosed herein, the J-lock pins 44 extend radially inward from and are fixed to the bushing 32, and the corresponding J-slots 56 are provided in the inner mandrel 34. By providing J-slots in the inner mandrel, a larger inner mandrel OD may be utilized compared to the alternative of securing the pins to the inner mandrel and providing J-slots in the bushing. If the pins are provided on the inner mandrel, the resultant thickness of the inner mandrel may not be sufficient to hold the pins stable when loaded. Also, the J-slot mechanism may be provided above the annulus sealed area, in which case the pin could extend through the radial thickness of the bushing.
With respect to the J-lock mechanism, the term “pin” as used herein intended to cover not only elongate generally cylindrical pins which commonly fit within slots, but other structurally similar devices which do not have a generally cylindrical configuration and may be termed “fins.” Also, the pins or fins may be spring biased so that they move radially to extend into a slot when properly aligned. To release the tubing anchor, the tool may be inserted to retract the pins out of the slots. In other embodiments, the configuration of a slot may be other than a J, and similar pin-slot mechanisms may be termed E-slots, F-slots, G-slots, M-slots, or W-slots.
In yet another embodiment, as shown in
Using the surface equipment disclosed herein, the tubing string may be manipulated by rotation, axial pull, or set-down weight, to set an anchor at the lower end of the tubing string. With the tubing rotator 16 and flange 18 removed, a conventional pup joint may be threaded to engage the threads 38 on the inner mandrel 34, and the tubing string then tensioned using conventional surface equipment until a desired over-tension is reached in the string, so that the partial release of tension during the process of rotating the bushing 32 relative to the mandrel 34 and then set down weight may be used to engage the pins in the respective “short stroke” portion of the J-lock 56, as shown in
It should be apparent that the present invention allows for tubing tensioning after the tubing string is anchored, and the tensioned tubing then rotated by a tubing rotator. In a reverse operation, tension may be released to remove the anchor. By supporting the hanger on the tubing head rather than the rotator, the rotator may be replaced without pulling the tubing string. The present invention also allows full access to the tubing string, and allows the tubing string to be set with various types of anchors which requires push/pull or rotational operations of the tubing string.
Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein in some detail, this has been done solely for the purposes of explaining the various aspects of the invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as defined in the claims which follow. Those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment shown and described is exemplary, and various other substitutions, alterations and modifications, including but not limited to those design alternatives specifically discussed herein, may be made in the practice of the invention without departing from its scope.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20110226488 A1 | Sep 2011 | US |