Wells – Processes – Placing or shifting well part
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-18
2001-11-06
Tsay, Frank (Department: 3672)
Wells
Processes
Placing or shifting well part
C166S214000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06311778
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to an apparatus and method for anchoring a subterranean well tool within a wellbore having casing.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
Subterranean well tools, such as packers, bridge plugs, tubing and other hangers, safety valves, fishing tools, and the like, typically are run into a well subsequent to casing being set and cemented into place. It is desirable to set such tools in the well along the casing against movements in at least one direction, such as against movements toward the top or bottom of the well, rotational movements, or any combination of such movements. Therefore, most such tools are provided with an anchoring assembly. The anchoring assembly is moved from a run-in position when the tool is being run in the well through the casing to the desired depth or location at which it is predetermined to be set and anchored in position. The anchoring means typically expands radially outwardly from the tool such that the anchor can grasp the outer wall of the casing, such as by teeth or otherwise, to prevent any such movements thereafter. Of course, it is extremely important that any such anchoring assembly included with any such subterranean well tool not be manipulatable between the run-in position to the set position, or there between, at any time that the well tool is being run into the well, or actuated in the well, prior to the time that it is determined to be anchored within the well, either for permanent setting of the well tool or temporary setting and withdrawal after a particular operation within the well has been effected. Any such premature actuation of the anchoring assembly could result in a failure of the tool to thereafter properly set at the desired location at the desired time, and, in dramatic instances, could result in the well tool, or other tool, becoming stuck in the well, necessitating a time consuming and otherwise expensive fishing operation to retrieve the well tool.
The present invention addresses the deficiencies in prior art devices, as generally described above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an assembly such as in an anchoring assembly, and method of use, in which the assembly is combined with a subterranean well tool manipulatable by a control mandrel between a run-in and set position within a wellbore having casing. The subterranean well tool may be a packer, bridge plug, safety valve, tubing or other hanger, cementing tool, or any other tool typically known and utilized by those skilled in the art of subterranean well tools. The control mandrel may be directly connected to tubing, such as a drill string, workover string, or the like, extending to the top of the well, which may be rotated, or activated by push/pull technique. Alternatively, the mandrel may be operated by a setting or other tool activated pneumactically, hydraulically, electrically, or mechanically.
The assembly may have at least one housing member, and, preferably, may have upper, central and lower housing members. These housing members may be vertically aligned with respect to one another. The control mandrel extends through at least one of the housing members and may extend through all of such members by means of a bore which is defined through the housing members. Support means, such as a series of outwardly pivotal supporting finger or supporting elements are shiftably movable between initial and intermediate positions wherein the support elements or finger elements are in a retracted condition relative to the housing member, or all housing members, if more than one housing member is provided. The support members or finger elements may be moved to a final, extended position when the well tool is in the set position. The support member or finger elements may be radially disposed around the exterior of a housing member, such as the central housing member, if a plurality of housing members are provided, as described below.
Each of the support members a finger elements have first and second ends, with the first end of the support member, or finger elements, preferably, being joined relative to a housing member to permit outward pivotal movements between the intermediate position and the final, extended position. Means, such as one or more platforms, are pivotally secured to the second end of the support member and moveable by the support member from a position of substantial vertical radial alignment with a central housing to a horizontal alignment position with a housing member or members. Anchoring elements are provided on the platform for anchoring the combination to the casing in the set position against movements in at least one direction, or, preferably, any direction. The anchoring elements may include a series of radially extending wicker teeth which are etched or otherwise machined or profiled an outboard area of one or more of the platforms.
The assembly of the present combination has particular utility when the well tool includes components which are activatable by and require a compressive force therethrough for effective setting against the smooth inner wall of the well casing. For example, the mechanism has particular utility when combined with a subterranean well tool including an expandible, compressible elastomeric packer element and means for preventing extrusion of the packer element. For example, the present invention has particular utility when incorporated into the well tool of co-pending U.S. patent applicable entitled “High Expansion Elastomeric Plug”, filed on May 11, 1999, and assigned U.S. Ser. No. 09/309,699, and, especially, in an embodiment generally illustrated
FIGS. 13 and 14
of said application.
In the method of the present invention, the combination well tool and assembly is secured to a control mandrel, which may, in turn, be operatively associated with an actuating tool such as that disclosed in co-pending U.S. Patent Application entitled “Electrically Actuated Setting Tool”, U.S. Ser. No. 09/309,698, filed May 11, 1999. Thereafter, the combination is lowered into the well to a position in which it is desired that the combination be anchored against the well casing. A first compressive load is transmitted through the combination by means of the mandrel to initiate activation of the well tool, such as by applying a compressive force to a well packer component, thence to an anti-extrusion component. As continued compressive force is applied through the mandrel, such as by applying a pulling force through the mandrel, the well packer component is set without the support member, or preferred finger elements, of the anchor assembly, being moved from the initial position. Thereafter, an increased compressive load is applied through the mandrel whereby the supporting member, or finger elements, are moved to an intermediate position, but the support element still is in a retracted condition relative to the housing member and the casing. In the intermediate position, the support element, or finger elements if utilized, are “unlocked” and are activated for subsequent movement from the intermediate position to the final extended position. The final extended position of the supporting element is effected by continued upward pull of the mandrel, again applying even more compressive force through the combination, causing the supporting member to pivot or flex outwardly to, in turn, permit anchoring elements to grasp the inner wall of the casing such that the combination is anchored against movement in at least one direction.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2490350 (1949-12-01), Grable
patent: 3706342 (1972-12-01), Woolley
patent: 3872925 (1975-03-01), Owen et al.
patent: 4184546 (1980-01-01), Nicolas et al.
patent: 4554973 (1985-11-01), Shonrock et al.
patent: 4616703 (1986-10-01), Laurent et al.
patent: 5010958 (1991-04-01), Meek et al.
patent: 5979550 (1999-11-01), Tessier
patent: 6089323 (2000-07-01), Newman et al.
Carisella James V.
Cook Robert B.
Walls Glenn M.
Beirne, Maynard & Parsons LLP
Carisella & Cook Ventures
Tsay Frank
LandOfFree
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