Patent Grant
8434550
The invention relates to tools and methods of treatment of well-bores that are used, for example, in the exploration and production of oil and gas.
In many of the well-bores (as illustrated, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,474,419, incorporated herein by reference) so-called “packers” are run in on a work string (for example, coiled tubing), to allow for treatment of the well-bore by perforation of casing and/or fracturing operations. The packers become stuck in the well-bore, however, resulting in lost tools and, sometimes, loss of the entire well.
There is a need, therefore, for improved well treatment devices, systems, and methods.
It is an object of at least some examples of the present invention to provide for well-treatment devices, systems, and methods, that reduce the chance of having a tool stuck in a well and/or for more efficient well-treatment procedures.
In at least one example of the invention, a method is provided for treatment of at least one region in a well, the method comprising:
positioning, in a well-bore, a first packer above the region of the well-bore,
fixing, below the region, an expansion packer,
treating the region,
moving the expansion packer longitudinally in the well, and
moving the first packer after the moving of the expansion packer.
In at least one, more specific example, the moving of the expansion packer comprises longitudinally moving a mandrel with respect to the first packer. In a more specific example, the moving of the expansion packer comprises movement of a packer mandrel and a first packer mandrel wherein the first packer mandrel slides within a first packer sleeve. In an even more specific example, the first packer comprises a cup packer; in at least some alternative examples, the first packer comprises an expansion packer (for example, a compressible expansion packer).
In still a more specific example, a further step is provided of opening a valve, thereby communicating the region with the portion of the well-bore below the expansion packer, wherein the opening is caused by movement of the packer mandrel. In at least one such example, the opening a valve occurs below the expansion packer.
In a further example, the step of moving the first packer comprises, first, lowering the first packer below the treated region, and the step of moving the first packer then comprises raising the first packer after the step of lowering the first packer.
According to still another example of the invention, a system is provided for treatment of the region in a well, the system comprising: a first packer, a first packer mandrel disposed radially inward of the first packer, an expansion packer, an expansion packer mandrel disposed radially inward of the expansion packer, means for treating the region, wherein the means for treating the region is disposed between the first packer and the expansion packer, means for moving the expansion packer, and means for moving the first packer after the moving of the expansion packer.
In at least one such system, the means for moving of the expansion packer comprises means for longitudinally moving a mandrel with respect to the first packer. In a further system, the means for moving of the expansion packer comprises a packer mandrel having a substantially rigid connection (either direct or indirect) a first packer mandrel, wherein the first packer mandrel slides within the first packer sleeve. In at least one further example, a means is provided for equalizing pressure above and below the expansion packer before the moving of the first packer. In some such examples, the means for equalizing comprises a valve operated by movement of the packer mandrel and communicating the region with a portion of the well-bore below the expansion packer. At least one acceptable valve comprises an opening below the expansion packer.
In still a further example, the means for treating the region comprises a substantially cylindrical member having slots disposed therein.
In yet other examples, means for moving the expansion packer comprises a shoulder on the mandrel engaging a guide, and the means for moving the first packer after the moving of the expansion packer comprises:
a first packer sleeve slideably mounted on the first packer mandrel,
a shoulder on the mandrel, and
a shoulder on the first packer sleeve disposed to stop longitudinal movement of the shoulder on the mandrel.
According to another example of the invention, a packer system is provided comprising:
a mandrel,
a sleeve disposed around the mandrel in a longitudinally sliding relation, and
a packer element fixed to the sleeve.
In at least one such example, a shoulder resides on the sleeve abutting a shoulder on the packer element; a thimble engages the packer element at a first thimble surface; and a retainer ring is threaded on the sleeve. The retaining ring engages the thimble on a second thimble surface. In still another example, a first wiper ring is attached to a first end of the sleeve, and a second wiper ring is attached to the retainer ring. In at least some such examples, a seal is disposed between the sleeve end of the housing.
In some further examples, the sleeve comprises a packer element carrier section having an outer threaded diameter and a stroke housing, the stroke housing having an inner threaded diameter engaging the outer threaded diameter of the packer element carrier. In even further examples, a wiper is connected to an interior diameter of the stroke housing; a seal is disposed between the stroke housing and the mandrel; and a seal is disposed between the stroke housing and the packer element carrier section. In at least some such examples, the packer element carrier section comprises a shoulder; the packer element is disposed between the shoulder and a retainer; and the retainer is threaded to the packer element carrier. In at least one example, a debris barrier is disposed in an interior surface of the retainer. In some examples, the packer element comprises a cup packer element. In further examples, the packer element comprises an expansion packer (e.g. compressible) element.
According to still a further example of the invention, a method is provided for treating a well, the method comprising:
At least one such method further comprises positioning a packer in the well-bore above the expansion packer, rigidly connected to a cup packer sleeve. The cup packer sleeve is slideably connected to a cup packer mandrel, and the cup packer mandrel is connected to the work string and to the packer mandrel (at least indirectly).
In at least a further example of the invention, a system is provided for treating a well-bore on a work string, the system comprising:
In at least one such example, the means for setting the compressible expansion packer comprises at least one J-slot on the expansion packer mandrel interacting with at least one J-pin on a slip ring disposed about the expansion packer mandrel.
In at least a further example, the means for treating the well comprises a substantially cylindrical member having slots therein.
In still another non-limiting example, the means for equalizing comprises a valve.
In yet a further example, the means for raising the expansion packer comprises a stop surface (e.g., a shoulder) on the mandrel and a stop surface on the expansion packer, wherein the stop surfaces interact to cause the expansion packer to be raised during vertical motion of the expansion packer mandrel.
In still another example of the invention, a method is provided for treating multiple zones in a cased well-bore, the method comprising:
In at least one such method the equalizing comprises opening a valve below the expansion packer. In a further example, the opening comprises moving a valve port connected to an expansion packer mandrel from contact with a valve seat connected to a drag sleeve.
Still a further example of the invention provides a system for treating multiple zones in a cased well-bore, the system comprising:
means for perforating the cased well-bore above the expansion packer,
means for applying, between the work string and the cased well-bore, a stimulation fluid (e.g. fracturing fluid, foam, etc.) through the perforated well-bore,
means for equalizing the pressure above and below the expansion packer, and means for raising the expansion packer.
In at least one such system, the means for equalizing comprises a valve below the expansion packer. In a further system, the means for equalizing also comprises a valve port connected (directly or indirectly) to an expansion packer mandrel, the valve port reciprocating from contact with a valve seat connected to a drag sleeve. In still another example, the means for perforating the cased well comprises a jetting tool; while, in yet another example, the means for applying comprises a surface pump connected between the well casing and the work string, and the means for raising the expansion packer comprises a connection between an expansion packer guide and an expansion packer mandrel.
An even further example of the invention provides an expansion packer device comprising:
In at least one such expansion packer, the valve port is located below the mandrel. In a further example of the invention, a drag sleeve is provided in a longitudinally-slideable relation to the mandrel, and the drag sleeve comprises the valve seat. In yet a further example, the drag sleeve further comprises openings above the valve seat. In still another example, the valve seat is longitudinally adjustable with respect to the valve port. In an even further example, the valve port is located below the mandrel and is positioned between elastomer, grooved seals that have, for example, a concave surface.
In at least one example, the drag sleeve also comprises: a slide member in longitudinally-slideable engagement with the mandrel and a seat housing, longitudinally and adjustably attached to the slide member. In at least one such example, the seat housing is threaded to the slide member. In a further such example, rotation of the seat housing on threads connecting the seat housing to the slide member adjusts a longitudinal distance the valve ports travel to engage the valve seat.
Still another example of the invention provides a well fracturing tool comprising:
In at least one such tool, the portion of the slots located closest to the packer-engaging end is about 13″ from the packer-engaging end.
The above list of examples is not given by way of limitation. Other examples and substitutes for the listed components of the examples will occur to those of skill in the art. Further, as used throughout this document the description of relative positions between parts that relate to vertical position are also intended to apply to non-vertical well bores. For example, in a well-bore having a slanted component, or even a horizontal component, a port is “above” or “over” another port if it is closer (along the well-bore) to the surface than the other port. Thus, a cup packer that is in a horizontal well-bore is “above” an expansion packer in the same well-bore if, when the cup packer is removed from the well-bore, it precedes the expansion packer.
Referring now to
In
Referring now to
Further, connections other than threads, and/or other materials, will be used by those of skill in the art without departing from the invention. In at least one example of the parts seen in the figures, the following rules of thumb are observed (dimensions in inches): (1) machined surfaces .X-.XX 250 RMS, .XXX 125 RMS, (2) inside radii 0.030-0.060; (3) corner breaks 0.015×45°; (4) concentricity between 2 machined surfaces within 0.015 T.I.R.; (5) normality, squareness, parallelism of machined surfaces 0.005 per inch to a max of 0.030 for a single surface; (6) all thread entry & exit angles to be 25°-45° off of thread axis. A thread surface finish of 125 is acceptable. Materials useful in many examples of the invention include: 4140-4145 steel, 110,000 MYS, 30-36c HRc. Other rules of thumb that will be useful in other embodiments will occur to others of skill in the art, again without departing from the invention.
In the example shown, cup retainer 306 holds thimble 307 against cup element 308, which is, itself, held against a shoulder 314a of cup carrier sleeve 309. Cup retainer 306 is threaded to cup carrier sleeve 309, causing cup element 308 to be slideably mounted along and around mandrel 303. Being slideable around mandrel 303 allows cup element 308 to spin, allowing it to clear debris more easily than if it were no table to move in that dimension.
Cup carrier sleeve 309 is connected, in the illustrated example, by threads and an O-ring seal 313 to stroke housing 310. A piston-T-seal (for example, a Parker 4115-B001-TP031) prevents flow of fluid and pressure from entering between stroke housing 310 and mandrel 303. By using a low-pressure thread (such as an “SB” thread), a wide torque range is enabled, which allows “make up” of the work string with smaller tools. A wiper ring (for example, Parker SHU-2500) is used at the end of stroke housing 310. Similarly, wiper ring 305 also operates as a debris-barrier.
In operation, which is described more below, cup element 308 slides on cup holder 309 about mandrel 303. Shoulder 314a of cup carrier sleeve 309 and shoulder 314b of mandrel 303 define the travel distance that the mandrel 303 and cup carrier sleeve 309 are able to slide, longitudinally, with respect to each other. Since connector 301 is fixed longitudinally to mandrel 303, if the coiled tubing (which is attached to connector 301) is pulled from above, mandrel 303 will move upward and slide within cup sleeve carrier 309; therefore, cup element 308 does not have to move in order to move mandrel 303. Therefore, tools (such as expansion-packers) that are below cup element 308 can be manipulated longitudinally without the need to move a cup packer fixed above them.
In at least one example, an expansion packer that is longitudinally operable with J-slots is used, and the travel distance is sufficient to allow a stroke that is larger than the length of the J-slots. It has been found that it is especially useful to allow some distance greater than the J-slots because, when an expansion packer is being positioned and set, drag elements on the packer (e.g., springs, pads, etc.) will slip. For a 5½″ tool, for example, about 10″ has been found to be sufficient for the travel distance between shoulders 314a and 314b to allow for a 6″ J-slot travel.
Referring now to
In operation, when a cup packer is set (as seen in
In the illustrated example, port 421 operates with a valve-seat surface 425 (which has a diameter less than the diameter of surface 423 above openings 421′). Openings 421′ are located in equalizing sleeve 416. Ports 421 are provided, in the illustrated example, by threading equalizing housing 600 onto mandrel 402; a set screw is again used to prevent the elements from becoming detached. Referring now to
It will be noted that there is no requirement for a “longitudinal opening” of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,474,419, nor is there a need for a valve extending up into the packer mandrel. A significant advantage of the example valve ports being, outside the mandrel (and, in at least some cases, below the mandrel) is that a larger flow path is available than with valves located within the mandrel. This allows the tool to be run in the well-bore faster and causes the tool to have less problems with debris.
Referring again to
On the bottom of
Referring now to
With the two J-pins 413 (
When mandrel 402 is again lifted (after treatment operations), J-pin 413 again shifts into position 472 (
Also, during treatment operations (such as well fracturing, when fluids containing sand may be used), it has been found that the upper cup packer 308 (
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring to
In
Centralizer 503 is seen in
A more complete view of ported member 401 is seen in
Referring now to
Referring now to
The further lowering, best seen in
The casing at this location has (in some examples) been perforated, causing perforations 22 to communicate the interior of the well casing with oil and/or gas strata 13 (
Referring again to
Upon completion of the well treatment, it is desirable to disengage expansion packer 404 and cup packer 308 from well casing 15. However, there is, in many instances, a pressure differential across expansion packer 404 (high pressure above expansion packer 404 and lower pressure below.) Pulling up on expansion packer 404 is difficult due to this pressure, creating a need to relieve the pressure differential. Pulling on cup packer element 308 is, in many instances, not possible; debris during the treatment operation collects above thimble 307. Therefore, the ability of the cup assembly to allow mandrel 303 to slide within cup sleeve carrier 309 without moving cup packer element 308 allows valve ports 421 to become unsealed and communicate with opening 421′ with a very small movement of expansion packer guide 403 in a longitudinally vertical direction. During such motion, J-pin 13 (
At this point, J-pin 413 may be brought in alignment with position 471 (
In some examples, an increase in pressure is applied to the region above cup packer 308 by pumping fluid from above and the annulus between mandrel 303 and well casing 15. In some instances, such an increase facilitates compression of cup packer element 308 from above to disengage cup packer 308 from well casing 15 and allow debris to flow past cup packer 308 into lower portions of well casing 15. In other examples, pumping is not conducted, and the solids and debris suspend slightly in well casing 15; such suspension then allows a vertical motion of mandrel 303 to cause cup packer element 308 to move up well casing 15. In further examples, cup packer 308 is lowered past perforations 22 where it is believed that the debris flows out of perforations 22 into the formation—facilitating a clearer casing 15—thus allowing for vertical motion of cup packer 308.
Referring again to
Referring now to
However, in some examples (see
The sliding nature of cup packer element 308 allows recovery of the packer tool in many cases, and it also allows treatment of multiple strata 13 that are in communication with each other. In such a treatment, the straddle distance (between packers 308 and 404) is increased, as seen in
In some treatment situations, a cup packer is unneeded. For example, after a well-bore has been formed and casing has been set, the casing needs to be perforated; and, in many cases, the strata 13 needs to be fractured. In many well-bores, there are multiple strata to be perforated and fractured, spaced along the well and separated by non oil and/or gas bearing strata. During treatment, it is desirable to isolate a previously-treated strata from the strata being treated, and so treatment is carried out from the lower-most strata to be treated first. An expansion packer is set below the strata being treated, thus isolating the lower portion of the well from the strata being treated. If the casing above the zone being treated has not been perforated, then there is no communication between the well and the strata above the strata being treated. Treatment of multiple strata are then accomplished, in at least one example, by a method comprising the steps of: fixing an expansion packer of a work string below a first strata; perforating the casing above the expansion packer; applying, between the work string and the cased well-bore, a stimulation fluid (e.g., fracturing fluid) through the perforations, equalizing the pressure above and below the expansion packer; fixing the expansion packer up at a second zone, the second zone being over the first zone; perforating the casing above the expansion packer; applying, between the work string and the cased well-bore, a stimulation fluid through the perforations; equalizing the pressure above and below the expansion packer; and again raising the expansion packer. The application of the treatment fluid between the work string and the cased well-bore allows pressure measurements at the surface to more accurately represent the pressure at the perforations without having to account for the friction of fluid passing through the work string bore and through slots (e.g., 511) that would be used if the treatment fluid were passed through the work string.
In at least one example when a treatment process of perforation and treatment between the work string and the well casing is used, no cup packer is positioned in the well-bore, in order to allow the treatment fluid to flow between the work string and the casing. However, again in some examples, in place of the slotted member 401, a jetting tool (as is commonly known in the art), is used with a liquid and sand to perforate casing 15.
Other examples of the invention will occur to those of skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which is intended to be defined solely by the claims below and their equivalents. Nothing in the previous portions of this document, the abstract, or the drawings, is intended as a limitation on the scope of the claims below.
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| Notification Concerning Transmittal of International Preliminary Report on Patentability and Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority, Apr. 3, 2008, based on PCT/US2006/036503 filed Sep. 19, 2006, Form PCT/IB/373 and Form PCT/ISA/237, 16 pages. |
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| Office Action of mail date Jun. 8, 2012 for co-pending U.S. Appl. No. 13/207,303. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 20120186802 A1 | Jul 2012 | US |
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| 60718481 | Sep 2005 | US | |
| 60728182 | Oct 2005 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
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| Parent | 13207303 | Aug 2011 | US |
| Child | 13438644 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
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| Parent | 12067434 | US | |
| Child | 13207303 | US |
