Wells – Expansible anchor or casing – Spring set
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-07
2001-06-05
Tsay, Frank (Department: 3672)
Wells
Expansible anchor or casing
Spring set
C166S217000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06241018
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to oil well running tools. More specifically, the invention relates to a running tool adapted to engage a setting sleeve on a drill pipe or tubing string in a well bore, and specifically to a running tool which allows right hand rotation to be used during well bore operations and to release the setting tool from the setting sleeve.
2. Background of the Invention
Running tools are used for various purposes during well drilling and completion operations. For example, a running tool is typically used to set a liner hanger in a well bore. The running tool is made up in the drill pipe or tubing string between the liner hanger and the drill pipe or tubing string running to the surface. The running tool serves as a link to transmit torque to the liner hanger to place and secure the liner in the well bore. The running tool is then typically manipulated from the surface to effect release of the running tool from the liner hanger. The liner may then optionally be cemented into place in the well bore.
In a typical drill pipe or tubing string, lengths of drill pipe or tubing are connected by tool joints using right hand threads on the drill pipe. These joints are made up using right hand torque and unscrewed or released using left hand torque. Drilling is carried out by right hand or clockwise rotation of the drill string to avoid breaking out or loosening the tool joints making up the pipe string.
In one prior running tool design, connecting threads have been used to engage the running tool with the setting sleeve. In these designs, the running tool is releasable by right hand torque on the pipe string from the surface. However, this design requires holding or maintaining left hand torque on the pipe string while running into the well bore. These designs also require that the liner be set to the left in order to avoid releasing the running tool connecting threads. Because left hand torque is used to set the liner, the possibility exists that tool joints in the drill string can be unscrewed and a joint broken out.
In another prior running tool design, right hand rotation is used to both engage the liner hanger with the running tool and release the running tool from the liner hanger.
FIGS. 1
a
and
1
b
are sectional views of a prior running tool design shown in a running-in position. The running tool
10
includes a mandrel body
12
having a threaded float nut
70
disposed on its lower end to engage a liner hanger. The running tool also includes a thrusting cap
58
having one or more latch keys
64
disposed thereon which are adapted to engage slots formed on the upper end of the liner hanger. The thrusting cap
58
is selectively engageable to the mandrel body
12
through a hydraulic assembly and a clutch assembly
19
which is engaged in the run-in position. Weight down is defined as the weight of the drill string supported on the running tool and liner hanger. The hydraulic assembly can be actuated to release the thrusting cap
58
from rotational connection with the mandrel body
12
to allow the threaded float nut
70
to be backed out of the liner hanger. The clutch assembly
19
is disengaged when the tool is in the weight down position. A torque nut
82
moves down a threaded surface of the thrusting cap
58
to re-engage the thrusting cap
58
and transmit torque imparted by the mandrel body
12
from the drill string to the thrusting cap
58
.
One problem with this design is that the running tool can only be released from the liner hanger in a weight down position. The weight of the drill string causes the clutch assembly, e.g., the torque lock, to disengage from the key
78
, thereby allowing relative rotation between the thrusting cap
58
and the float nut
70
. This design is therefore limiting in its operation.
Therefore, there exists a need for a running tool which is releasable using right hand torque in any position such as weight down position, neutral position, or weight up position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a running tool for setting a liner or other tool down hole. The running tool comprises a mandrel body, a latch assembly operably associated with the mandrel body, and a float nut carried on the mandrel body. In one aspect, the latch assembly comprises one or more dogs housed in a lock sleeve between an outer sleeve and the mandrel body and releasable under hydraulic pressure. The applied hydraulic force provides relative movement between the outer sleeve and the mandrel body, thereby releasing the dogs. A seal sub is disposed between the outer sleeve and the mandrel body and is connected to the mandrel body. The seal sub defines a fluid chamber in combination with the outer sleeve and the mandrel body. A thrusting cap connected to the lock sleeve includes one or more latch keys for engaging a setting sleeve and has a lock nut threadedly carried thereon in a passageway formed between the thrusting cap and the mandrel body,
In another aspect, the invention provides an apparatus sized and adapted for setting a liner in a well bore. The apparatus comprises a mandrel body having an upper end adapted to be connected in a pipe string and a lower end; a float nut carried on the mandrel body, the float nut having external connecting threads for engaging mating threads located on a setting sleeve; and a latch assembly operably associated with the mandrel body and having a locking member to selectively transmit relative movement between a portion of the latch assembly and the mandrel body after the latch assembly has been disengaged from the mandrel body. The latch assembly is selectively connected to the mandrel body through one or more dogs and preferably comprises a hydraulically operated lock sleeve assembly to release the dogs.
In another aspect, the invention provides a running tool for use in rotating a liner hanger prior to and subsequent to setting of a liner hanger. The running tool includes a mandrel body having an upper end adapted to connect to a pipe string and a lower end adapted to connect a liner hanger; a threaded member connected to the mandrel body and adapted to connect the mandrel body to a liner hanger; and a latch key member disposed on the mandrel body selectively engageable to the mandrel body through a latch assembly and a lock assembly carried on the mandrel body. The latch assembly comprises a seal sub connected to the mandrel body; an outer sleeve disposed at least partially about the seal sub, the outer sleeve being selectively connected to the seal sub by a shear member, the seal sub, outer sleeve and mandrel body defining a chamber therebetween; and a lock sleeve rotatably locked to the mandrel body by one or more dogs disposed through the lock sleeve between the outer sleeve and the mandrel body, the lock sleeve being connected at its lower end to the thrusting cap. One or more ports connect the chamber to a bore in the mandrel body to enable fluid to flow through the mandrel body and into the chamber. The lock assembly comprises a lock nut threadedly connected to the thrusting cap and rotatably locked to the mandrel body by one or more splines.
In another aspect, a running tool for use in rotating a liner hanger prior to and subsequent to setting of the liner hanger in a well bore is provided. The running tool comprises a body defining a bore at least partially therethrough, the body having an upper internal threaded portion for connecting the body to a pipe string, an externally threaded member for connecting to a setting sleeve, a torque transmitting member to transmit torque from the body to a setting sleeve, the torque transmitting member being selectively rotatably locked or otherwise connected to the body by a latch assembly, the latch assembly comprising a lock sleeve rotatably locked or otherwise connected to the body by one or more dogs disposed at least partially therethrough and retained between the body; an outer sleeve, the dogs being releasable on movement of the outer sleeve relative to the
Thomason, Moser & Patterson L.L.P.
Tsay Frank
Weatherford / Lamb, Inc.
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