Wells – Processes – Placing or shifting well part
Patent
1998-05-07
2000-09-05
Suchfield, George
Wells
Processes
Placing or shifting well part
166207, 1662421, E21B 4308, E21B 4310
Patent
active
06112818&
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to a downhole tool, and in particular to a tool for use in running in and then expanding a length of expandable tubing.
WO-A-93.backslash.25800 (Shell Internationale Research) discloses a method of completing an uncased section of a borehole in an underground formation. A liner provided with overlapping longitudinal slots is fixed at a predetermined position in the borehole. A tapered expansion mandrel having a maximum diameter which is of larger diameter than the liner is moved through the liner and expands the liner to a diameter larger than the mandrel maximum diameter. Ideally, the liner is expanded to such an extent that it contacts the bore wall.
It is among the objects of at least one embodiment of the present invention to provide a tool which may be utilised to run a length of slotted liner into a bore, release the liner and then expand the liner.
According to present invention there is provided a downhole tool for mounting on a string and for use in running in and expanding a length of expandable tubing, the tool comprising: an expandable tubing mounting portion including means for supporting a length of expandable tubing depending from the tool and preventing axial separation of the tool and tubing and means for releasably restraining the tool against axial movement into the tubing; and a tubing expanding portion including means for expanding the tubing on movement of said expanding portion through the tubing.
In use, the tubing supporting means may be arranged to support securely a desired length and weight of tubing on the tool and thus minimise the possibility of inadvertent release of the tubing as the tool is run into the bore. However, the releasable restraining means is desirably arranged such that movement of the tool into a length of fixed tubing may be initiated by a relatively small downward force. The present invention thus provides a means of satisfying these somewhat conflicting requirements.
Preferably, the tool is provided in combination with a length of expandable tubing, most preferably a length of expandable slotted tubing (EST).
Preferably also, the tubing supporting means includes a ratchet arrangement, conveniently a ratchet thread, which will allow downwards movement of the tool relative to the fixed tubing on application of a predetermined downward force, such that the ratchet arrangement may also provide the releasable restraining means. However, in the preferred tool a separate releasable restraining means is provided in the form of one or more releasable connections, such as shear pins, a shear ring, spring latch or any suitable releasable retainer as known to those of skill in the art. This minimises the possibility of the tool being inadvertently or accidentally pushed into the tubing while running in on, for example, the tubing encountering a blockage in the bore during running in.
Preferably also, the tubing expanding portion includes secondary tubing expanding means to guarantee a minimum diameter of expanded tubing. Most preferably, the secondary tubing expanding means includes two axially spaced rings defining alternating fluid bypass channels in the outer diameter thereof.
Preferably also, the tubing expanding means defines a cone including one or more axial bypass ports, to prevent fluid surges during expansion and retrieval operations.
Preferably also, the tool includes a leading portion having an external diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the tubing. The leading portion thus provides lateral support for the tubing as it is run in and provides centralisation of the tool in the tubing during expansion.
The invention also relates to a method of running and expanding a length of expandable tubing.
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a downhole tool for mounting on a string in combination with a length of expandable tubing, the tool including an expandable tubing mounting portion defining a ratchet thread for engaging a corresponding thread defined by the expandable tubing, the thread preven
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patent: 3358760 (1967-12-01), Blagg
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patent: 3776307 (1973-12-01), Young
patent: 3785193 (1974-01-01), Kinley et al.
patent: 3948321 (1976-04-01), Owen et al.
patent: 4289200 (1981-09-01), Fisher, Jr.
patent: 5048611 (1991-09-01), Cochran
patent: 5415441 (1995-05-01), Kilgore et al.
Petroline Wellsystems Limited
Suchfield George
LandOfFree
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