Wells – Processes – Operating valve – closure – or changeable restrictor in a well
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-02
2001-10-09
Dang, Hoang (Department: 3672)
Wells
Processes
Operating valve, closure, or changeable restrictor in a well
C166S332400, C166S332500, C166S386000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06298919
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to operations performed in conjunction with subterranean wells and, in an embodiment described herein, more particularly provides a method and system for downhole selection of hydraulic paths for operation of tools.
A need exists for reducing the expense, and correspondingly increasing the speed and convenience, of operating tools, such as flow control devices, in a well. For example, for a producing well, it is somewhat costly to rig up a slickline or wireline unit at the well in order to adjust a downhole choke, or to open or close a valve downhole. It would be far less costly to be able to make such adjustments by applying fluid pressure at the earth's surface in order to cause an adjustment of a choke, opening or closing of a valve, etc.
It is, of course, well known to extend control lines from downhole tools to the earth's surface, so that the tools may be operated by applying fluid pressure to one or more of the lines to operate selected ones of the tools. Unfortunately, where there are multiple such tools, it quickly becomes cumbersome, time-consuming and expensive to install the control lines. Additionally, where a tool is positioned relatively deep in a well, the expense of the lines increases dramatically, as does the probability that the lines will become damaged during installation or thereafter.
One method of performing well servicing operations without the need of rigging up a slickline or wireline unit is provided by the TFL (“through flowline”) system developed by Otis and now available from Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. In this system, various items of equipment are circulated into a well through one or more flowlines, which may be production tubing strings. The equipment, once delivered into a well, is capable of performing a variety of operations, such as making adjustments to flow control tools, paraffin cutting, etc. However, although the TFL system does provide a means of operating a mechanically operable tool by application of fluid pressure to certain TFL equipment, it does not at present provide a means for selecting a hydraulically operable tool for actuation thereof.
From the foregoing, it can be seen that it would be quite desirable to provide a well system and method of operating downhole hydraulically operable tools, and specifically of selecting such tools for operation thereof. The method should not require the use of control lines extending large distances. Additionally, the method should not require the use of a slickline or wireline rig, although embodiments of the method may permit such use of a slickline or wireline rig. For use in highly deviated wells, or in other circumstances, the method may also permit use of a coiled tubing rig to perform the tool selection, deliver fluid or fluid pressure, etc.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In carrying out the principles of the present invention, in accordance with an embodiment thereof, a method of servicing a well is provided in which a hydraulic path selector is conveyed into a tubular string in order to select a desired hydraulically operable tool for operation thereof. Associated well systems are provided as well.
In one aspect of the present invention, a method of servicing a well includes the steps of interconnecting a hydraulic manifold and one or more hydraulically operable tools in a tubing string. The hydraulic manifold and tools are connected via hydraulic. paths, which may be lines extending external to the tubing string. When it is desired to operate one or more of the tools, a hydraulic path selector is conveyed into the tubing string and engaged within the manifold. The selector selects one or more of the hydraulic paths for application of fluid pressure thereto in order to operate the desired tool(s).
In another aspect of the present invention, the selector may be conveyed by circulating it into the manifold in the tubing string, by conveying it suspended from a wireline or slickline, or by attaching it to a fluid conduit, such as coiled tubing. Where the conveyance is a fluid conduit, fluid and fluid pressure may be delivered via the conduit to operate the selected tool.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, the selector may be preconfigured before it is conveyed into the manifold, so that, when the selector is engaged with the manifold, the desired tool is automatically selected for operation thereof. Alternatively, the selector may be manipulated downhole to select the desired tool.
In still another aspect of the present invention, the selector may include, or have attached thereto, features which cause or enable operation of the selected tool. For example, as mentioned above, a fluid conduit attached to the selector may be a source of fluid and/or fluid power to operate the tool. A self contained fluid power source may be attached to the selector. A known volume of fluid may be conveyed with the selector in order to cause a desired operation of the selected tool. An uncontaminated volume of fluid may be conveyed with the selector, so that the selected tool is operated using clean fluid, or a fluid with desired properties.
These and other features, advantages, benefits and objects of the present invention will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon careful consideration of the detailed descriptions of representative embodiments of the invention hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings.
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Otis Through-Flowline (TFL) Completion Equipment Catalog pp. 239-250, undated.
European Search Report for application No.: EP00/301258.
Browne Paul L.
Robison Clark E.
Dang Hoang
Halliburton Energy Service,s Inc.
Imwalle William M.
Smith Marlin R.
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