Downhole Anchor

Abstract

An anchoring apparatus (110) for use in a wellbore, comprises at least one movable wall engaging member (120) for engaging a wall of a wellbore, wherein the at least one movable wall engaging member (120) is movable from a retracted position to an expanded position to engage the wall, and from the expanded position to a retracted position to disengage the wall. Provision of one or more wall engaging members (120) being movable from an expanded position to a retracted position allows the anchoring apparatus to be retrieved from the wellbore, and in particular, from an open hole.

Claims

1. An anchoring apparatus for use in a wellbore, the anchoring apparatus comprising: at least one movable wall engaging member for engaging a wall of the wellbore, wherein the at least one movable wall engaging member is movable from a retracted position to an expanded position to engage the wall, and from the expanded position to the retracted position to disengage the wall.

2. The anchoring apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one movable wall engaging member is movable from a first of the retracted position to the expanded position to engage the wall, and is movable from the expanded position to a second of the retracted position to disengage the wall; and wherein the first and second retracted positions are different.

3-5. (canceled)

6. The anchoring apparatus of claim 1, wherein the anchoring apparatus comprises a plurality of the at least one movable wall engaging members, and wherein the movable wall engaging members are circumferentially arranged relative to the anchoring apparatus and/or wellbore.

7-8. (canceled)

9. The anchoring apparatus of claim 1, wherein the anchoring apparatus comprises one of: a plurality of the at least one movable wall engaging member; and at least one stationary wall engaging member.

10-13. (canceled)

14. The anchoring apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one movable wall engaging member comprises an upper angled or tapered surface at or near an upper end thereof, the upper angled or tapered surface extending from an inner portion thereof to an outer portion thereof; and/or wherein the at least one movable wall engaging member comprises a lower angled or tapered surface at or near a lower end thereof, the lower angled or tapered surface extending from an inner portion thereof to an outer portion thereof.

15. (canceled)

16. The anchoring apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one movable wall engaging member is radially movable relative to a housing and/or a mandrel of the apparatus.

17. The anchoring apparatus of claim 1, wherein the anchoring apparatus comprises at least one actuating member for moving the at least one movable wall engaging member from the retracted position to the expanded position, and wherein the at least one actuating member comprises a cam structure configured for engaging an upper angled or tapered surface of the at least one movable wall engaging member.

18-20. (canceled)

21. The anchoring apparatus of claim 17, wherein the at least one actuating member is configured to move longitudinally towards a respective one of the at least one movable wall engaging member.

22. The anchoring apparatus of claim 17, wherein the at least one actuating member is movable by hydraulic actuation.

23. The anchoring apparatus of claim 1, wherein the anchoring apparatus comprises at least one lower sleeve configured for contacting the at least one movable wall engaging member at or near an upper end of the at least one lower sleeve.

24-26. (canceled)

27. The anchoring apparatus of claim 1, wherein the anchoring apparatus comprises a mandrel defining an inner portion or inner surface of the anchoring apparatus.

28. (canceled)

29. The anchoring apparatus of claim 1, wherein the anchoring apparatus comprises at least one outer sleeve located on an upper side relative to the at least one movable wall engaging member; and wherein a mandrel and the at least one outer sleeve define an annular space in which a respective actuating member is capable of moving longitudinally.

30-32. (canceled)

33. The anchoring apparatus of claim 17, wherein the anchoring apparatus comprises a unidirectional or non return mechanism adapted to allow the at least one actuating member to move towards a respective one of the at least one movable wall engaging member, and prevent movement of the at least one actuating member in an opposite direction.

34. The anchoring apparatus of claim 17, wherein in a first retracted configuration, the at least one actuating member is detachably attached to an at least one outer sleeve.

35. The anchoring apparatus of claim 34, wherein, in use, the at least one actuating member is detachable from the at least one outer sleeve by application of a load on the at least one actuation member.

36. The anchoring apparatus of claim 23, wherein the at least one lower sleeve is detachably connected to a mandrel of the anchoring apparatus.

37-39. (canceled)

40. The anchoring apparatus of claim 36, wherein, in use, application of a pulling force on the mandrel causes upwards movement of the mandrel and thus of a respective one of the at least one actuating member, allowing the respective movable wall engaging member to disengage the wall.

41. The anchoring apparatus of claim 1, wherein a mandrel of the apparatus is provided with or comprises one or more first openings.

42-46. (canceled)

47. The anchoring apparatus of claim 41, wherein the one or more first openings of the mandrel are similar in size or larger than one or more second openings of the at least one movable wall engaging member.

48. An anchoring apparatus for use in a wellbore, the anchoring apparatus comprising a mandrel, wherein the mandrel is provided with one or more openings providing communication with the wellbore.

49-55. (canceled)

56. A method for disengaging an anchoring apparatus from a wall of a wellbore, the apparatus comprising: at least one movable wall engaging member for engaging the wall of the wellbore, wherein the at least one movable wall engaging member is movable from a retracted position to an engaging position to engage the wall, and from the engaging position to a retracted position to disengage the wall, the method comprising: moving the at least one movable wall engaging member from the engaging position wherein the at least one movable wall engaging member engages the wall, to the retracted position wherein the at least one movable wall engaging member disengages the wall.

57-59. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0148] These and other aspects of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0149] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a downhole assembly comprising a bottom hole assembly (BHA), a whipstock, and an anchoring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0150] FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view the anchoring apparatus of FIG. 1 in a retracted (pre-anchoring) configuration;

[0151] FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view the anchoring apparatus of FIG. 1 in an expanded (anchored) configuration;

[0152] FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view the anchoring apparatus of FIG. 1 in a retracted (released) configuration;

[0153] FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of an upper portion of the anchoring apparatus of FIG. 2A;

[0154] FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of an upper portion of the anchoring apparatus of FIG. 3A;

[0155] FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of an upper portion of the anchoring apparatus of FIG. 4A;

[0156] FIG. 2C is an enlarged view of a lower portion of the anchoring apparatus of FIG. 2A;

[0157] FIG. 3C is an enlarged view of a lower portion of the anchoring apparatus of FIG. 3A;

[0158] FIG. 4C is an enlarged view of a lower portion of the anchoring apparatus of FIG. 4A;

[0159] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the wall engaging elements of the anchoring apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0160] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an inner side or surface of a mandrel and wall engaging member of an anchoring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing openings in the mandrel and wall engaging member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0161] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of downhole assembly, generally designated by reference number 100. The downhole assembly comprises a bottom hole assembly (BHA) 101, a whipstock 102, and an anchoring apparatus 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0162] The downhole assembly is provided in a wellbore 103, which in this embodiment is an open hole 103.

[0163] A whipstock 102 is provided inside the primary wellbore 103 in order to deflect BHA 101 to drill a secondary or lateral wellbore 104 from the primary wellbore 103.

[0164] The BHA 101 is initially connected to the whipstock 102 by a connection such as a sliding connection 105. The BHA is typically used to run the whipstock 102 and the anchoring apparatus 110 into the wellbore.

[0165] The whipstock 102 is supported and maintained in position by an anchoring apparatus 110. The anchoring apparatus 110 may be provided separate from, and attached to, the whipstock 102. Alternatively, the anchoring apparatus 110 may be integral to the whipstock 102.

[0166] The anchoring apparatus 110 comprises a plurality of wall engaging members 120 for engaging a wall 103a of wellbore 103. In this embodiment the wall 103a consists of an open hole formation.

[0167] In this embodiment the wall engaging members 120 are all movable slips 120, which are circumferentially arranged relative to the anchoring apparatus 110. This allows self-centering of the anchoring apparatus 110 relative to the wellbore 103, which may be particularly advantageous if the wellbore 103 is “out-of-round” or non-circular in cross-section.

[0168] However, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments the anchoring apparatus 110 may comprise a combination of stationary and movable wall engaging members 120.

[0169] The movable slips 120 are movable from a first retracted position in which the movable slips 120 are not engaged with the bore wall 103a, to an expanded position in which the movable slips 120 are engaged with the bore wall 103a. The movable slips 120 are further movable from the expanded position to a second retracted position in which the movable slips 120 are disengaged or released from the bore wall 103a. In this embodiment the first and second retracted positions are not identical, as will be described below in more detail.

[0170] Provision of movable slips 120 allows the anchoring apparatus 110 to be retrieved from the wellbore 103 once its function has been performed. This may allow further access to the wellbore 103, for example if further access to the wellbore 103 is required.

[0171] As shown in FIGS. 2A to 4C, the anchoring apparatus comprises a mandrel 130. The mandrel 130 defines an inner surface 132 of the anchoring apparatus 110.

[0172] The movable slips 120 are connected to and are and radially movable relative to the mandrel 130.

[0173] The anchoring apparatus 110 comprises at least one, in this embodiment one, actuating member 140 configured for moving a respective movable slip 120 from a retracted position to an expanded position.

[0174] Each movable slip 120 defines a wedge profile.

[0175] Each movable slip 120 comprises an upper angled or tapered surface 121 at or near an upper end thereof. The upper angled or tapered surface 121 extends from an inner portion 122 thereof to an outer portion 123 thereof. The term “upper end” will be herein understood as referring to an end nearest an entry point of the wellbore 103.

[0176] Each movable slip 120 comprises a lower angled or tapered surface 124 at or near a lower end thereof 125. The lower angled or tapered surface 124 extends from an inner portion 122 thereof to an outer portion 123 thereof. The term “lower end” will be herein understood as referring to an end farthest from an entry point of the wellbore 103.

[0177] The anchoring apparatus 110 comprises at least one, in this embodiment a plurality of, outer sleeves 150 located on an upper side of a respective movable slip 120.

[0178] Each outer sleeve 150 is fixedly attached to and/or is stationary relative to the mandrel 130.

[0179] The mandrel 130 and each outer sleeve 150 define a respective annular space 170 in which the actuating member 140 is capable of moving, e.g. of sliding longitudinally.

[0180] The actuation member 140 comprises a cam structure 141 configured for engaging an upper angled or tapered surface 121 of a respective movable slip 120. In this embodiment the cam structure 141 comprises a linear cam structure which defines a substantially linear ramp 141. In alternative embodiments (not shown), the cam structure 141 may comprise a rotary cam structure such as a rotary ramp or cam.

[0181] The ramp 141 comprises an angled portion 141 at or near a lower end thereof of the actuation member 140. The angled portion 141 extends from an outer portion 143 to an inner portion 142 thereof.

[0182] The anchoring apparatus 110 comprises at least one, in this embodiment a plurality of, lower sleeves 160 configured for contacting a respective movable slip 120 at or near an upper end of the lower sleeve 160.

[0183] Each lower sleeve 160 comprises a cam structure 161 configured for engaging a lower angled or tapered surface 124 of a respective movable slip 120. In this embodiment, the cam structure 161 defines a substantially linear ramp 161. In alternative embodiments (not shown), the cam structure 161 may comprise a rotary cam structure such as a rotary ramp or cam.

[0184] The ramp 161 comprises an angled portion 161 at or near an upper end thereof. The angled portion 161 extends from an outer portion 163 to an inner portion 162 thereof.

[0185] Referring now to FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, there is shown the anchoring apparatus 110 in a retracted (pre-anchoring) configuration.

[0186] The outer sleeve 150 is fixedly attached to and/or is stationary relative to the mandrel 130.

[0187] In the retracted (pre-anchoring) configuration, the actuating member 140 is attached to the outer sleeve 150 via connector 151. The connector comprises protrusions which engage complementary recesses 152 on an inner surface of the outer sleeve. The connector 151 ensures that, in the retracted (pre-anchoring) configuration, the anchoring apparatus 110 can be deployed to a desired location in a wellbore 103 without any risk of activating the actuating member 140, thus avoiding accidental deployment of the movable slips 120.

[0188] In the retracted (pre-anchoring) configuration, the lower sleeve 160 is attached to the mandrel 130 via connector 165. The connector 165 comprises protrusions which engage complementary recesses 166 on an outer surface of the mandrel 130. The lower sleeve 160 is attached to the connector 165 via a shear pin 167. The connector 165 ensures that the lower sleeve remains stationary relative to the mandrel when pressure is applied from above on the lower sleeve 160, e.g. during deployment of the movable slips 120.

[0189] As shown in FIGS. 2A, 3A, 4A and 2C, 3C, 4C, the mandrel 130 comprises openings 135 facing movable slip 120. The openings 135 provide an opening from an inner surface 132 of the mandrel 130 to an inner side 122 of movable slip 120. By such provision, any debris generated and accumulated on an inner side or behind movable slip 120 during use of the anchoring apparatus 110, e.g. due to friction and/or pressure of the movable slip 120 against the bore wall 103a, can be evacuated and discarded into the wellbore 103. This may help prevent accidental damage or malfunction of various parts of the anchoring apparatus 110 and/or surrounding downhole equipment. Because the mandrel 130 does not bear significant axial load, the provision of openings 135 in the mandrel 130 does not adversely affect the structural integrity and/or strength of the mandrel 130.

[0190] The openings 135 of the mandrel 130 extend substantially longitudinally relative to the mandrel 130, anchoring apparatus 110, and wellbore 103.

[0191] Referring now to FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, there is shown the anchoring apparatus 110 in an expanded (anchored) configuration.

[0192] An mentioned above, the mandrel 130 and each outer sleeve 150 define a respective annular space 170 in which the actuating member 140 is capable of moving, e.g. of sliding longitudinally.

[0193] A pair of upper seals 153, 154 are provided on an upper side of the annular space 170 between the outer sleeve 150 and the mandrel 130.

[0194] A pair of lower seals 146, 147 are provided on lower side of the annular space 170. A first lower seal 146 is provided between the actuating member 140 and the mandrel 130. A second lower seal 147 is provided between the actuating member 140 and the outer sleeve 150.

[0195] Deployment of the actuation member 140 is carried out by feeding a hydraulic fluid though fluid inlet 172. In this embodiment, the hydraulic fluid is provided by a hydraulic fluid line 173 associated with a drill string of a bottom hole assembly (BHA) 101. Hydraulic fluid is delivered to a drill string of the BHA 101 through a bore 175. The bore 175 comprises a fluid flow control device 176 which creates and/or generates a back pressure of hydraulic fluid in the bore 175. High pressure hydraulic fluid is thus fed to hydraulic fluid line 173.

[0196] In alternative embodiments, the hydraulic fluid may be provided using hydrostatic pressure, e.g. may be hydrostatic fluid, or may be a hydraulic fluid provided from surface using a separate hydraulic fluid line.

[0197] When a hydraulic fluid is fed via fluid inlet 172 into the annular space 170, hydraulic pressure causes the connector 151 to disengage from the outer sleeve 150, thus releasing the actuating member 140. The skilled person will appreciate that different types of connectors 151 may be selected depending on the application required for the anchoring apparatus 110, and on the desired force required to disengage the connector 151 from the outer sleeve 150. The connector may be selected to disengage the outer sleeve upon application of a predetermined force or load. Typically, the force required to disengage the connector 151 from the outer sleeve 150 may be in the range of about 500 lbs (227 kg) to about 2000 lbs (907 kg), e.g. about 1000 lbs (454 kg). In one embodiment, the connector may be adjustable, e.g. the force required to disengage the connector 151 from the outer sleeve 150 may be adjusted. This may allow a user to adjust the load required to disengage the connector 151 from the outer sleeve 150, e.g. prior to deployment of the anchoring apparatus 110 in in a wellbore 103.

[0198] Injection of further hydraulic fluid forced the actuating member 140 to move downwardly and longitudinally towards the movable slips 120.

[0199] In use, movement of the actuating member 140 towards a respective movable slip 120 causes the angled portion 141 of the actuating member 140 to engage the upper angled or tapered surface 121 of the movable slip 120. As the lower sleeve 160 is stationary relative to the mandrel 130 in this configuration, movement of the actuating member 140 towards a respective movable slip 120 causes the lower angled or tapered surface 124 of the movable slip 120 to engage the upper angled portion 161 of the lower sleeve 160. Thus, continuous injection of hydraulic fluid in the annular space 170 forces the movable slip 120 radially outwards towards the bore wall 103a. In other words, movement of the actuating member 140 towards a movable slip 120 causes the movable slip 120 to be wedged radially outwards towards the bore wall 103a.

[0200] It will be appreciated that the force required to fully engage the movable slips 120 with the bore walls 103a may vary depending upon the application required for the anchoring apparatus 110, on the type of rock formation, etc. Typically, the force required to fully engage the movable slips 120 with the bore walls 103a may be in the range of about 20,000 lbs (9,072 kg) to about 100,000 lbs (45,359 kg), e.g. about 50,000 lbs (22,680 kg).

[0201] The anchoring apparatus 110 comprises a unidirectional or “non return” mechanism 177 in the form of a ratchet mechanism, adapted to allow the actuating member 140 to move towards a respective movable slip 120, but prevent movement of the actuating member 140 in the opposite direction. By such provision, the movable slip 120 is prevented from accidentally retracting into its retracted position, thus maintaining the anchoring apparatus 110 in an engaged position in the open hole 103.

[0202] Referring now to FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C, there is shown the anchoring apparatus 110 in a retracted (released) configuration.

[0203] As mentioned above, the lower sleeve 160 is detachably connected to the mandrel 130. In this embodiment, the lower sleeve 160 is frangibly attached to a connector 165 via a shear pin 167.

[0204] In use, when it is desirable to disconnect the movable slips 120 from the bore wall 103a and/or retrieve the anchoring apparatus 110 from the open hole 103, a pulling force is applied to the mandrel 130. Application of a predetermined pulling force on the mandrel 130 causes the shear pin 167 to rupture, thus disconnecting the lower sleeve 160 from the mandrel 130. The pulling force required to rupture the shear pin may be above a predetermined value, e.g. above 50 000 lbs (22 680 kg), preferably above 70 000 lbs (31 751 kg).

[0205] In use, upon disconnection of the lower sleeve 160 from the mandrel 130, the lower sleeve 160 is capable of moving and/or sliding downwardly, e.g. longitudinally, away from the movable slip 120. In this embodiment showing a substantially vertically arranged anchoring apparatus 110, the lower sleeve 160 is capable of moving away from a respective slip 120 under its own weight. In other embodiments, the lower sleeve 160 may be capable of moving away from a respective slip 120 by application of a force, such as application of fluid pressure by feeding a hydraulic fluid. This may assist in moving the lower sleeve away from the slip 120.

[0206] As the lower sleeve 160 is disconnected from the mandrel 130, application of a pulling force on the mandrel 130 causes upwards movement of the mandrel 130 and thus of actuating member 140. However, the lower sleeve 160 does not move upwards with the mandrel 130 because the lower sleeve 160 is now disconnected from the mandrel 130. This movement of the actuating member 140 relative to the lower sleeve 160 increases a distance between the at least one lower sleeve 160 and the actuating member 140, which in turn allows the movable slip 120 to disengage the bore wall 103a.

[0207] As the mandrel 130 is moved upwards, an upper portion of opening 135 is aligned with an upper portion of slip 120, which may allow evacuation of debris near an upper end of slip 120 to allow inwards movement thereof to disengage bore wall 103a.

[0208] Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown an embodiment of the engaging elements 126 of the movable slips 120, which are configured for engaging, e.g. contacting, penetrating, and/or piercing, the bore wall 103a.

[0209] In this embodiment, the engaging elements 126 are arranged in parallel rows of teeth.

[0210] In another embodiment, the engaging elements 126 may comprise a plurality of first wall surface engaging elements for penetrating a surface of the formation, and a plurality of second wall surface engaging elements for frictionally interacting with a surface of the formation to form an interference engagement with the formation. Such engaging elements are disclosed in International Patent Application Publication No. WO 2006092545 (MACLEOD et al.), which is incorporated here by reference.

[0211] Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a schematic view of a mandrel 230 and slip 220 of an anchoring apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention, viewed from an inner bore of the anchoring apparatus 210 towards the bore wall 203a. The anchoring apparatus of FIG. 6 is generally similar to the anchoring apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 5, like parts denoted by like numerals, incremented by “100”.

[0212] The slip 220 may be a movable slip, for example as shown in FIGS. 2A to 4C, or may be a stationary slip, e.g. a slip which may be substantially stationary relative to the mandrel 230. In this embodiment the slip 220 is a movable slip.

[0213] The slip 220 is provided with a plurality of openings 228. By such provision, any debris generated and accumulated near or around the slips 220 during use of the anchoring apparatus 210, e.g. due to friction and/or pressure of the slips 220 against the rock formation 203a, may be evacuated away from the formation surface. This may help prevent accidental damage or malfunction of various parts of the anchoring apparatus 210 and/or surrounding downhole equipment. In this embodiments the openings 228 extend substantially longitudinally relative to the anchoring apparatus 210 and wellbore 203.

[0214] The mandrel 230 is also provided with a plurality of openings 235. By such provision, any debris generated and accumulated near or around the slips 220 use of the anchoring apparatus 210, e.g. due to friction and/or pressure of the slips 220 against the bore wall 203a, may be evacuated and discarded through openings 228 of the slips 220 and openings 235 of the mandrel, into the wellbore 203.

[0215] In this embodiment, the openings 235 of the mandrel 230 are slightly larger than the opening 228 of the slips 220. However, any other relative size arrangement between the openings 235 of the mandrel 230 and the opening 228 of the slips 220 may be adequate so long as it permits evacuation of debris from the bore wall surface 203a.

[0216] This arrangement allows the movable slips 220 to be moved into their retracted positions when the anchoring apparatus 210 is to be disengaged from the bore wall, without any debris accumulating behind the slips and preventing retraction of the movable slips 220.

[0217] Various modifications may be made to the embodiment described without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, whereas the slip of FIG. 6 shows a movable slip, it will be appreciated that the provision of openings in the slip and mandrel may be equally applicable and advantageous when use with stationary slips.