Patent Application
20180209233
In the downhole industry, whipstocks or other diverting tools are often run into a borehole hanging from the end of a milling or drilling bottom hole assembly (BHA) so that the whipstock may be positioned and anchored and then the BHA actuated to create the desired borehole exit (and potentially lateral borehole) in a single run. This methodology is well known to the industry. The whipstock is conventionally attached to the BHA by a configuration colloquially known as a lug. The lug generally extends through a portion of the whipstock and into connection with the BHA. The connection with the BHA generally requires a specially created interface such as a milled slot.
During use, the whipstock is landed and then torque, slack weight or both are used to shear the lug thereby disconnecting the BHA from the whipstock and the milling or drilling operation can begin.
Systems as described work well for their intended purposes but research effort has been applied to enhancing the connection between the whipstock and BHA during running to discourage or prevent premature separation and at the same time to reduce required input to cause the separation at the appropriate time. While alternatives have been proposed, they have not satiated the need and hence the art still pines for new solutions.
A whipstock interconnection body including a whipstock interface, a bottom hole assembly (BHA) interface, the BHA interface including a feature configured to inherently grip the BHA.
A whipstock interconnection body including a whipstock interface, a bottom hole assembly (BHA) interface, the BHA interface configured for attachment to a back surface of the whipstock.
A whipstock/BHA assembly including a whipstock, a BHA, a whipstock interconnection body releasably securing the whipstock to the BHA, the whipstock interconnection body including a whipstock interface, a bottom hole assembly (BHA) interface, the BHA interface including a feature configured to inherently grip the BHA.
A whipstock/BHA assembly including a whipstock, a BHA, a whipstock interconnection body releasably securing the whipstock to the BHA, the whipstock interconnection body including a whipstock interface, a bottom hole assembly (BHA) interface, the BHA interface configured for attachment to a back surface of the whipstock
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.
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In addition to the fingers 20, some embodiments will include detents 26 positioned on the fingers such that interaction with a profile on the BHA is taken advantage of to secure the fingers to the BHA 14. The fingers themselves and or the detents may also be configured to interact with nozzles or ports 28 of the BHA 14 for additional retention. In each configuration of the feature 18, there will be inherent grip of the BHA 14. This can come from the shape of the feature, size of the feature (interference fit) or an interaction where portions of the feature 18 extend at least more than 50% around the circumference of the BHA 14.
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It is to be understood that mixing and matching the various disclosed iterations of the various embodiments is contemplated.
Set forth below are some embodiments of the foregoing disclosure:
A whipstock interconnection body including a whipstock interface, a bottom hole assembly (BHA) interface, the BHA interface including a feature configured to inherently grip the BHA.
The body as in the prior embodiment wherein the feature is resilient.
The body as in any prior embodiment wherein the feature wraps more than 50% around the BHA.
The body as in any prior embodiment wherein the feature includes a finger.
The body as in any prior embodiment wherein the finger is configured to nest in a flute of the BHA.
The body as in any prior embodiment wherein the finger engages a fluid port.
The body as in any prior embodiment wherein the finger is secured to a fluid port.
The body as in any prior embodiment wherein the feature includes a detent.
The body as in any prior embodiment wherein the whipstock interface engages a back surface of the whipstock.
The body as in any prior embodiment wherein the whipstock interface is adhered to a face of the whipstock.
The body as in any prior embodiment wherein the whipstock interface penetrates a face of the whipstock.
The body as in any prior embodiment wherein the body comprises a composite material.
The body as in any prior embodiment wherein the body comprises a selectively degradable material.
A whipstock interconnection body including a whipstock interface, a bottom hole assembly (BHA) interface, the BHA interface configured for attachment to a back surface of the whipstock.
The body as in any prior embodiment wherein the attachment configuration is by fastener.
The body as in any prior embodiment wherein the attachment configuration is by adherence.
A whipstock/BHA assembly including a whipstock, a BHA, a whipstock interconnection body releasably securing the whipstock to the BHA, the whipstock interconnection body including a whipstock interface, a bottom hole assembly (BHA) interface, the BHA interface including a feature configured to inherently grip the BHA.
A whipstock/BHA assembly including a whipstock, a BHA, a whipstock interconnection body releasably securing the whipstock to the BHA, the whipstock interconnection body including a whipstock interface, a bottom hole assembly (BHA) interface, the BHA interface configured for attachment to a back surface of the whipstock.
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 further 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 modifier “about” used in connection with a quantity is inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (e.g., it includes the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity).
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 wellbore, and/or equipment in the wellbore, 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.
