The present disclosure generally relates to a variable stiffness centralizer.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,787,458 discloses a spring bow with a contact angle reduction member, a centralizer with such a bow, and methods for their use. The centralizer bow has a contact angle reduction member for affecting and reducing the angle of contact between the centralizer bow and the edge of an opening into which a centralizer with the bow is inserted. A spring bow with a tubular abutment member, a centralizer with such a bow and methods for their use. The centralizer bow has a tubular abutment member for affecting and increasing the bow restoring force. A spring bow with both a contact angle reduction member and a tubular abutment member, a centralizer with such a bow, and methods for their use.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,997,254 discloses a spring centralizer device for supporting a tubular member spaced from the wall of a bore is made from a single piece of boron steel material. The spring centralizer device has first and second collars spaced apart along a longitudinal axis. Spring bow portions extend between the collars. As the device is made from a single piece of material, the material extends seamlessly from each collar portion through the bow portions so that there are no joins or points of weakness. Use of boron steel means that the device can be made by cold forming.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,196,670 discloses a stop collar or like device is formed in one piece to have a portion for a tool to be attached. Movement of the tool allows the collar to be drawn tightly into engagement onto a pipe or other tubular member. A bow centralizer has alternate bows longitudinally offset to reduce initial insertion force. The centralizer may be formed to have end bands of the type used in the stop collar.
U.S. Pat. No. 10,156,103 discloses a centralizer including two collars that are connected by asymmetric spring bows. The spring bows each comprise two arcs, where the curvature of one arc is inverted with respect to the curvature of the other arc, one being concave and the other convex. The spring bows are in sets that are equidistantly spaced around the circumference of the collars, each set having the same configuration, and the opposite configuration to the spring bows in the other set. Upon insertion into a wellbore, one set of spring bows is therefore compressed before the other set. Upon compression, the deformation of the concave arc leads to mutual deformation of the convex arc, and the spring bows adopt a flatter configuration, enhancing the rotational freedom of the tubular.
US 2017/0260816 discloses a centralizer including longitudinally spaced collars connected by a plurality of springs, each of the springs including two or more bow sections.
US 2020/0408050 discloses a centralizer including a number of members extending between two collars for mounting the centralizer on a casing. The members are configured to contact a wall of the bore and centralizer the casing in the bore. The members are radially moveable between the casing and the bore wall. The members further include an intermediate portion and end portions, the end portions being relatively more flexible than the intermediate portion.
WO 2020/095050 discloses a centralizer for use in centralizing tubing in a bore comprises a first end collar, a second end collar and a number of elongate strut members. The strut members are interposed between the first end collar and the second end collar and are circumferentially arranged and spaced around the first end collar and second end collar. The strut member have a first end portion, a second end portion, an intermediate portion and angled wing portions which extend from the intermediate portion.
WO 2020/215534 discloses a centralizer including an upper end ring and a lower end ring having uniform diameters. A plurality of working rib plates are affixed in between the upper end ring and the lower end ring. The working rib plates are evenly distributed surrounding the circumference of the upper end ring or the lower end ring. The width of the working rib plates is between 30 and 130 mm. Further comprised are a plurality of stress-relieving grooves. On the basis of actual usage requirements, the stress-relieving grooves are opened in working rib plates of different widths, and in the places of connection between the working rib plates and the upper and lower end rings. When the working rib plates experience extreme compressional deformation, said stress-relieving grooves provide a main body elastic material with space for stress deformation, thereby preventing the organizational structure of a main body elastic material from being broken or partially damaged.
The paper entitled “Fundamentals of the Design of Olympic Recurve Bows”, having the first named author Lieu, D. K., and the first named publisher University of California, Berkeley discloses that modern materials and fabrication methods offer new opportunities to redesign competition recurve bows. Through improved bow geometry and proper construction methods, designs can be created which propel arrows with greater energy and efficiency, smoothness on the draw, and stability than before. This paper outlines the physics of bow behavior, and how desirable performance characteristics can be quantified. Also examined is how changing the bow geometry, new materials, and construction techniques can lead to improve bow performance. Recommendations are forwarded on how target bows can be redesigned for better performance in the future.
The present disclosure generally relates to a variable stiffness centralizer. In one embodiment, a centralizer for use in a wellbore includes a body for disposing around a periphery of a downhole tubular. The body has a plurality of bow springs biased toward an expanded position and a pair of end rings connecting the bow springs. The centralizer further includes an indentation or row of indentation segments formed in a surface of and along each bow spring. The indentations or indentation segments are operable to reduce a stiffness of the centralizer as the bow springs move from the expanded position to a restricted position.
So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present disclosure can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the disclosure, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
Alternatively, the deployed position Pd may be the position at the 67% standoff ratio, as discussed by the current version of American Petroleum Institute (API) Specification 10D, entitled “Specification for Bow-Spring Casing Centralizers”.
The bow springs 2s may each have a parabolic profile in the expanded position Px. Each bow spring 2s may have a convex arcuate cross-section and a variable width W. The width W of each bow spring 2s may be a maximum at each junction with the respective end ring 2a,b and may be a minimum at a center thereof. The width W of each bow spring 2s may taper between the respective maximum and the minimum widths thereof. The variable width W of each bow spring 2s may be due to the cross section of each bow spring having a variable radius of curvature R which may be a maximum at each junction with the respective end ring 2a,b and a minimum at the center thereof. In the expanded position Px and at the center of each bow spring 2s, the radius of curvature R of the cross section of each bow spring 2s may range between twenty percent and forty percent of a radius of each end ring 2a,b.
To effectuate variable stiffness, each bow spring 2s may be pre-weakened by an indentation 5 formed in an inner surface thereof and extending along a length thereof between the end rings 2a,b. Each indentation 5 may be a groove extending into the respective bow spring 2s, but not through it, such that a diameter D of each groove may range between fifty percent and one hundred seventy-five percent of a thickness T of the respective bow spring.
The body 2 may longitudinally extend when moving from the expanded position Px to either of the restricted position Pr or the deployed position Pd and longitudinally contract when moving from either of the restricted position or the deployed position to the expanded position. The bow springs 2s may be naturally biased toward the expanded position Px and the effective diameter E of the centralizer 1 at the deployed position Pd may correspond to a diameter of a portion of a wellbore 6 to which the centralizer will be deployed. Engagement of the bow springs 2s with a wall of the wellbore 6 may move the downhole tubular 4 toward a central position within the wellbore to ensure that a uniform cement sheath is formed around the downhole tubular during a cementing operation (not shown). The body 2 may be formed from a single sheet of a metal or alloy, such as steel (i.e., spring steel) by cutting out slots to form strips which will become the bow springs 2s. The body 2 may be formed into a tubular shape by rolling the cut sheet and welding seams of the end rings 2a,b together. The bow springs 2s may have the natural bias toward the expanded position Px and the arcuate cross section by being held therein during heat treatment of the body 2.
The stop collar 3 may be located between the end rings 2a,b by insertion through one of the slots between the bow springs 2s before the centralizer 1 is slid over the periphery of the downhole tubular 4. The stop collar 3 may be mounted to the downhole tubular 4 using a plurality of fasteners, such as set screws. Setting of the stop collar 3 may trap the centralizer 1 into place along the downhole tubular 4 while allowing limited longitudinal movement of the body 2 relative thereto to accommodate movement between the positions Px, Pr, Pd.
Alternatively, the centralizer 1 may further include a pair of end collars (not shown). In this alternative, after the body 2 has been formed, each end collar may be inserted into the respective end rings 2a,b. Each end collar may be formed to be a tight fit within the end rings 2a,b. Each end collar may then be spot-welded to the respective end rings 2a,b. A lip of each end ring 2a,b extending past the respective end collar may be split into a multitude of tabs (before or after insertion of the collars) and the tabs may be bent over the respective end collar, thereby mounting the collars to the body 2 (in addition to the spot welds).
Alternatively, one or more of stop collars 3 may be located outside each centralizer 1, such as a pair of stop collars 3 straddling each centralizer 1, instead of one stop collar being located between the each pair of end rings 2a,b and inside the respective centralizer 1.
Alternatively, the force-displacement response of the centralizer 1 may be non-linear and the stiffness may be measured by line fitting the lines C1, C2 to the non-linear force-displacement response.
Referring to
Alternatively, the centralizer 1 could be configured to be between the positions illustrated in
Additionally, the rotation 9 of the two half portions made possible by the indentation 5 may also reduce insertion force of the centralizer 1 into the casing or liner string 7.
The bow springs 10s may each have a parabolic profile in the expanded position Px. Each bow spring 10s may have a concave-convex arcuate cross-section and a variable width W. The width W of each bow spring 10s may be a maximum at each junction with the respective end ring 10a,b and may be a minimum at one or at a plurality of positions between the end rings. The width W of each bow spring 10s may taper between the respective maximum and the minimum widths thereof. The variable width W of each bow spring 10s may be due to the cross section of each bow spring having a variable radius of curvature R which may be convex at each junction with the respective end ring 10a,b and a concave at the center thereof.
To effectuate variable stiffness, each bow spring 10s may be pre-weakened by the indentation 5 formed in an inner surface thereof and extending along a length thereof between the end rings 10a,b. Each indentation 5 may be a groove extending into the respective bow spring 10s, but not through it, such that a diameter D of each groove may range between fifty percent and one hundred seventy-five percent of a thickness T of the respective bow spring.
The body 10 may longitudinally extend when moving from the expanded position Px to either of the restricted position Pr or the deployed position Pd and longitudinally contract when moving from either of the restricted position or the deployed position to the expanded position. The bow springs 10s may be naturally biased toward the expanded position Px and the effective diameter E of the centralizer at the deployed position Pd may correspond to a diameter of a portion of a wellbore 6 to which the centralizer will be deployed. Engagement of the bow springs 10s with a wall of the wellbore 6 may move the downhole tubular 4 toward a central position within the wellbore to ensure that a uniform cement sheath is formed around the downhole tubular during a cementing operation. The body 10 may be formed from a single sheet of a metal or alloy, such as steel (i.e., spring steel) by cutting out slots to form strips which will become the bow springs 10s. The body 10 may be formed into a tubular shape by rolling the cut sheet and welding seams of the end rings 10a,b together. The bow springs 10s may have the natural bias toward the expanded position Px and the arcuate cross section by being held therein during heat treatment of the body 10.
Alternatively, any of the alternatives discussed above for the centralizer 1 may also apply to the second alternative centralizer.
The bow springs 11s may each have a polylinear profile in the expanded position. Each bow spring 11s may have a pair of linear leg portions 12b, a pair of transition portions 12a connecting the respective leg portions to the respective end rings 11a,b, and a central portion 12c connecting the leg portions together. The central portion 12c may have a parabolic profile. A length of each leg portion 12b may be significantly greater than each of: a length of the central portion 12c and a length of each transition portion 12a, such as at least twice the length thereof. Each transition portion 12a may have a linear and/or concave profile. The leg portions 12b and central portion 12c of each bow spring 12s may have a constant width W. The width W of each transition portion 12a may be a maximum at each junction with the respective end ring 11a,b and may be a minimum at junction with the respective leg portion 12b. The width W of each transition portion 12a may flare between the respective maximum and the minimum widths thereof. The profile and/or cross section of each bow spring 11s may be symmetric.
The leg portions 12b and central portion 12c of each bow spring 11s may have a convex polylinear cross-section (in the expanded position). To effectuate variable stiffness, each bow spring 11s may be pre-weakened by an indentation 13 and a pair of stress reliefs 14. The indentation 13 may be formed in an inner surface of the leg portions 12b and central portion 12c and may extend along a length thereof almost to the transition portions 12c. Each stress relief 14 may extend from a respective end of the indentation 15 to the respective end collar 12a,b. Each stress relief 14 may include a slot 14s formed through the respective leg portion 12b and transition portion 12a and an aperture 14a formed through the respective transition portion. Each slot 14s may extend from a respective end of the indentation 13 and along the respective transition portion 12a and each aperture 14a may be formed adjacent to the junction of the respective transition portion 12a and the respective end ring 11a,b and adjacent to the end of the respective slot 14s.
Each indentation 13 may be a groove, such as a V-groove, extending into the respective bow spring 11s, but not through it, such that a depth P of each groove may range between fifty percent and ninety percent of a thickness T of the respective bow spring. A width H of each groove may range between seventy-five percent and three hundred fifty percent of the thickness T of the respective bow spring. A groove angle 13g of the indentation 13 may range between sixty degrees and one hundred twenty degrees. The cross-section of the leg portions 12b and central portion 12c of each bow spring 11s may have a pair of rectangular portions 12r and a central arcuate portion 12n connecting the rectangular portions together. The indentation 13 may be formed in the arcuate portion 12n. An included angle 12g between the rectangular portions 12r may range from between one hundred twenty and one hundred seventy-five degrees. Each rectangular portion 12r may have a width greater than a width of the respective arcuate portion 12n.
A diameter of each aperture 14a may be significantly greater than a width of the respective slot 14s, such as at least twice the width thereof. The width H of each indentation 13 may be greater than the diameter of each aperture 14a. A length of the indentation 13 may be significantly greater than a length of each relief 14 such that the indentation extends for most of a length of the respective bow spring 11s, such as at least two-thirds or three-fourths thereof.
The body 11 may longitudinally extend when moving from the expanded position to either of the restricted position or the deployed position and longitudinally contract when moving from either of the restricted position or the deployed position to the expanded position. The bow springs 11s may be naturally biased toward the expanded position and the effective diameter E of the second alternative centralizer at the deployed position may correspond to a diameter of a portion of the wellbore 6 to which the centralizer will be deployed. Engagement of the bow springs 11s with a wall of the wellbore 6 may move the downhole tubular 4 toward a central position within the wellbore to ensure that a uniform cement sheath is formed around the downhole tubular during a cementing operation (not shown). The body 11 may be formed from a single sheet of a metal or alloy, such as steel (i.e., spring steel) by cutting out slots to form strips which will become the bow springs 11s. The body 11 may be formed into a tubular shape by rolling the cut sheet and welding seams of the end rings 11a,b together. The bow springs 11s may have the natural bias toward the expanded position and the polylinear cross section by being held therein during heat treatment of the body 11.
Alternatively, any or all of the typical bows 2s,10s,11s may have the respective indentations 5,13 formed in an outer surface thereof instead of in the inner surface thereof. Alternatively, any or all of the typical bows 2s,10s,11s may have a plurality of the respective indentations 5,13 instead of only one indentation. The plurality of the indentations 5,13 may extend along the respective bow 2s,10s,11s in a parallel fashion or may converge or diverge when moving from each end collar 2a,b, 10a,b,11a,b toward the center of the respective bow. Alternatively, any or all of the typical bows 2s,10s,11s may have a row of indentation segments forming a dashed pattern and extending along a surface thereof instead of the respective (continuous) indentations 5,13.
In another embodiment (not shown), a third alternative variable stiffness centralizer may include one or more of the convex cross-section bow springs 2s and one or more of the concave-convex cross-section bow springs 10s, such as three of each, arranged in an alternating fashion around the body thereof. In all other respects, the third alternative variable stiffness centralizer may be similar to the centralizer 1.
While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present disclosure, other and further embodiments of the disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/IB2022/052612 | 3/22/2022 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
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63165234 | Mar 2021 | US |