Wells – With electrical means – Magnetic
Patent
1997-11-19
2000-03-07
Schoeppel, Roger
Wells
With electrical means
Magnetic
166106, 166120, 166321, 166374, 166382, E21B 4300
Patent
active
060327340
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to activation means, particularly, although not essentially, for use in off-shore drilling apparatus, including liner hangers, packers and other down-hole tools.
Liner hangers are used for running, setting and anchoring a liner or casing in a subterranean gas or oil well. In the past, they have operated both mechanically and hydraulically. Traditionally, mechanical liner hangers have comprised leaf springs and a "J" slot mechanism. The leaf springs have been required to be fragile, due to restricted space between the exterior of the liner hanger and the interior of the casing, and thus these have been easily damaged. Also, the "J" slot mechanism is frequently difficult to activate in view of drag forces required to be overcome.
Hydraulically activated liner hanger units have therefore become more common. With these, one or more rows of slips are urged by pressurised hydraulic fluid into engagement with respective cones or cone segments positioned on the liner or on a sleeve surrounding the liner. The hydraulic fluid is supplied through an appropriate channel inside the liner and, at some point, is caused to pass through a small bore or port in the liner to a hydraulic cylinder or the like on the outside of the liner. The provision of this bore, however, although necessary for the supply of fluid, often is disadvantageous in that it may become clogged, or it may leak undesirably.
Hydraulic ports of a similar nature, and associated with similar problems, have been required for other apparatus which are activated hydraulically.
An object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic activating means for activating a liner hanger, packer or other down-hole equipment without the need for hydraulic ports, notwithstanding the use of hydraulic fluid.
According to the present invention there is provided an activating means for activating a down-hole tool, the activating means comprising a spring which, in use, is energised to cause (in the absence of obstruction) activation of the tool, an obstruction means moveable between an obstructing position where activation of the tool is obstructed and a non obstructing position where activation of the tool is enabled, wherein movement of the obstructing means is caused by a magnet, the-magnet itself being operably moveable between a remote location and an active location at which magnetic force derived from the magnet causes movement of the obstructing means to the non obstructing position, in turn causing the spring to encourage activation of the tool.
Preferably, the magnet is moved under hydraulic pressure.
The down-hole tool may be a liner hanger, a packer or other equipment.
The spring may be a mechanical spring or a hydraulic piston or cylinder, or a combination of such apparatus.
Also according to the invention there is provided an activation means for activating a down-hole tool located on or near the external face of a liner or mandrel, the activation means comprising a magnet located internally of the liner or mandrel, a compressed spring and a hydraulic cylinder located externally of the liner or mandrel, the cylinder including a valve means to facilitate the controllable release of hydraulic fluid from the cylinder when the valve means is opened, the valve means being biased in a closed position but caused to open when acted upon by a magnetic force derived from the magnet, wherein release of hydraulic fluid from the cylinder causes the spring to move the cylinder to effect activation of the tool.
Preferably, the magnet comprises a spaced apart attracting magnet and repelling magnet. The attracting magnet may be used to bias the valve means in a closed position and the attracting magnet may be used to open the valve means. The attracting magnet may be rigidly linked to the repelling magnet such that movement of the repelling magnet into close proximity to the valve means causes a corresponding movement of the attracting magnet away from the valve means. Movement of the magnet may be effected hydraulically.
Also according to the presen
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McClung Guy
Schoeppel Roger
Weatherford / Lamb, Inc.
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