CENTRALIZER DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DEPLOYMENT OF A BORE HOLE COMPONENT IN A BOREHOLE

Abstract

A centralizer device for center positioning of a bore hole component (90, 91) in a bore hole and a method for deploying such a centralizer are described. The centralizer device (100) is prepared to have two possible different states, one state being a locked state for improved deployment and another state being a released state for centring. The transition from the locked state to the released state is performed by introducing a pill of bore fluid having a pH-value outside range of pH-values of bore fluid in a well. The pill of bore fluid dissolves pH-soluble material in the centralizer device.

Claims

1. A centralizer device (100) for center positioning of a bore hole component (90, 91) in a bore hole, said centralizer device (100) having two possible different states, one locked state and one released state; said centralizer device (100) comprising one outer sleeve (10) comprising ribs and one inner sleeve (20), said inner sleeve (20) being fastened to a bore hole component (90, 91); characterized by: a lock spring (51) being pre-tensioned so that it clings to a release spring (52); said release spring (52) being pre-tensioned with an opposite tension exceeding the tension of the lock spring (51); wherein, in the locked state of the centralizer device (100), the outer sleeve (10) and the inner sleeve (20) are locked to each other, so that longitudinal movement between the outer sleeve (10) and the inner sleeve (20) is prevented, wherein the lock spring (51) is positioned both in an outer sleeve latch groove (70) and in an inner sleeve latch groove (25), and the ribs are pre-tensioned with outward strain; said release spring (52) being squeezed toward the inner sleeve (20) by a snap ribbon (30); and in the released state of the centralizer device (100): the outer sleeve (10) and the inner sleeve (20) are released from each other, so that longitudinal movement between the outer sleeve (10) and the inner sleeve (20) is enabled wherein the lock spring (51) is positioned completely in the outer sleeve latch groove (10) resulting in said pre-tensioned ribs applying pressure against a wall of the bore hole; and said release spring (52) is released and the lock spring (51) as a consequence is positioned so that it is completely inside the outer sleeve latch groove (25), said snap ribbon (30) having a locked and a released states, each such snap ribbon state corresponding to a state of the centralizer device, wherein in the locked state said snap ribbon (30) comprises one or more snap-ribbon units (35) connected to each other, said snap-ribbon unit (35) comprising: a male snap-part (31); a female snap-part (32); and pH-soluble material (60) positioned between the male snap-part (31) and the female snap-part (32) locking the male snap-part (31) and the female snap-part (32) together on a first end of the male snap-part (31) and a first end of female snap-part (32), said pH-soluble material (60) being soluble in an environment having a specified pH-value, said snap ribbon (30), connected with an opposite end of a male snap-part (31) joined to an opposite end of a female snap-part (32) and deployed in the inner sleeve latch groove (3) having a length squeezing said release spring towards the inner sleeve (20) resulting in the lock spring (51) locking the outer sleeve (10) to the inner sleeve (20); and in the released state of the snap ribbon (30), said pH-soluble material (60) positioned between the male snap-part (31) and the female snap-part (32) is dissolved and locking of the snap ribbon units to each other is stopped, and said squeezing of the release spring by the snap ribbon is stopped, resulting in the release spring (52) being released and the lock spring (51) being pressed inside the outer sleeve (10), the sleeves (10, 20) being released from each other enabling the ribs pushing against the bore hole wall and centralizing the centralizing device (100) in the borehole, the transition from the locked state to the released state being initiated by subjecting the pH-soluble material (60) to a pH value selected to cause dissolving the pH-soluble material (60).

2. The centralizer device (100) according to claim 1, wherein said pH-soluble material (60) is soluble in an environment with a pH-value outside the range 9.0 to 9.5.

3. The centralizer device (100) according to one of claim 1 wherein said pH-soluble material (60) soluble in an environment with a pH-value outside the range 7.0 to 11.0.

4. The centralizer device (100) according to one of claim 1, wherein the bore hole component (90) comprises a casing (91).

5. The centralizer device (100) according to one of claim 1, further characterized in that the bore hole component (90) comprises a foundation plug.

6. A method for deploying of a centralizer device (100), characterized by: fastening one side of a centralizer device (100) to a bore hole component (90, 91); deploying the bore hole component (90, 91) together with the centralizer device (100) in a bore hole; pumping bore fluid having a pH-value of between 7.0 and 11.0 into the bore hole component (90, 91) and further into an annulus between the bore hole component (90, 91) and the bore hole; pumping a pill of bore fluid, having a pH-value outside the range of pH-values between 7.0 and 11.0, thereby initiating moving the centralizer device from a locked state to a released state so that the bore hole component (90, 91) is centered inside the bore hole; and cementing the bore hole component (90, 91).

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the bore hole component (90) comprises a casing (91).

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the bore hole component (90) comprises a foundation plug.

9. The method according to one of claim 6, wherein the bore fluid has a pH-value between 9.0 to 9.5.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal perspective view of a casing with a centralizer device around the casing, shown in its locked state.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal perspective view of a casing with a centralizer device around the casing, shown in its released state.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a cross section view of a casing with a centralizer device around the casing, shown in its locked state.

[0025] FIG. 4A is a longitudinal view through a part of one side of a centralizer in a locked state.

[0026] FIG. 4B is a longitudinal view through a part of one side of a centralizer about to change states from locked to released.

[0027] FIG. 4C is a longitudinal view through a part of one side of a centralizer in a released state.

[0028] FIG. 5A is a top view of a male snap-part.

[0029] FIG. 5B is a top view of a female snap-part.

[0030] FIG. 5C is a side view of the male snap-part.

[0031] FIG. 5D is a side view of a female snap-part.

[0032] FIG. 5E is a top view of a snap-ribbon unit.

[0033] FIG. 5F is a side view of the snap-ribbon unit.

[0034] FIG. 5G is a side view of a snap-ribbon with six snap-ribbon units.

[0035] Reference numbers in the drawings relate to the following elements in the detailed description:

[0036] 10 Outer sleeve

[0037] 20 Inner sleeve

[0038] 25 Inner sleeve latch groove

[0039] 30 Snap ribbon

[0040] 31 Male snap-part

[0041] 32 Female snap-part

[0042] 35 Snap ribbon unit

[0043] 40 Set screw

[0044] 51 Lock spring

[0045] 52 Release spring

[0046] 60 pH-soluble material

[0047] 70 Outer sleeve latch groove

[0048] 90 Bore hole component

[0049] 91 Casing

[0050] 100 Centralizer device

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] In the following a centralizer device and method are described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

[0052] One embodiment is shown in FIG. 1. When producing a well for exploration of hydrocarbon such as oil, a bore hole is bored into the formation in which it is assumed that there are deposits of hydrocarbon. Thereafter, segments of casing 91 are inserted after one another into the bore hole with so called centralizer devices 100 assembled on the outside of the casing segments. The centralizer devices 100 are assembled on the casing 91 with some distance between them, as mentioned previously. In deep bore holes and in particular at instances where the bore hole is curved and maybe continues sloping or in horizontal direction, frictions forces that operate against deploying forces when using conventional centralizer devices will make it all the more demanding to deploy the casing 91.

[0053] The centralizer device 100 is arranged around the casing 91 during deployment of the casing 91 in a bore hole and is to center the casing at suitable distances. In the present embodiment, the centralizer device 100 is configured to having two possible states. In the locked state, the casing 91, comprising one or more centralizer devices 100, all in their locked state but inside the bore hole, less force is pushing the ribs against the wall of the bore hole. Its diameter may even be smaller than the diameter of the borehole in the locked state of the centralizing device. The casing 91 will therefore experience less friction against the wall of the bore hole than with a conventional centralizer device which presses with greater force against a wall of a bore hole.

[0054] In FIG. 1, the centralizer device 100 is presented in its locked, not released, state called the “locked state.” The centralizer device 100 has an inner sleeve 20 that is positioned proximate to the casing 91. The inner sleeve 20 is attached to the casing 91 so that the inner sleeve 20 is arranged to prevent movement of the inner sleeve 20 along the casing 91. This attachment can be accomplished by e.g. utilizing one or more set screws 40 through the inner sleeve 20 and towards the casing 91. An outer sleeve 10 with ribs is positioned immediately on the outside of the inner sleeve 20. The ribs on this are in the locked state pre-tensioned so that the outer sleeve 10 with ribs, when not inserted into a well, has a smaller diameter as compared with in the released state. One longitudinal end of the outer sleeve extends longer than the inner sleeve 20 and constitutes an edge in that the outer sleeve 10 with ribs has an inner diameter that is less than the outer diameter of the inner sleeve 20 in this end. The outer sleeve 10 rests with this edge against the end of the inner sleeve 20 and the outer sleeve 10 is in the locked state pre-tensioned in that its second end in the longitudinal direction is stretched so that an inner sleeve latch groove 25 is positioned opposite an outer sleeve latch groove 70. The outer sleeve 10 is locked in this locked state because there is one lock spring 51 positioned in both the inner sleeve latch groove 25 and in the outer sleeve latch groove 70.

[0055] In FIG. 1, the centralizer device 100 is shown in the locked state. The ribs of the outer sleeve 10 are pre-tensioned with outward strain. The outer sleeve 10 is fixed to the borehole component 90, 91 e.g. with a set screw 40 or otherwise. The outer sleeve 10 is fastened proximate one longitudinal end to the inner sleeve 20. In order to stay in this locked state, a locking mechanism is arranged.

[0056] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal perspective view of a casing 91 with a centralizer device 100 around the casing, shown in its released state.

[0057] FIG. 3 is a cross section view of a casing with a centralizer device around the casing, shown in its locked state.

[0058] In FIG. 4A, a lock spring 51 is positioned both in the outer sleeve latch groove 70 and in an inner sleeve latch groove (25 in FIG. 4C) in an opposite longitudinal end of the inner sleeve 20. With this locking mechanism, the outer sleeve 10 is prevented from releasing the pre-tension of its ribs, thereby the centralizer device 100 and the lock spring 51 stay in this locked state.

[0059] The present locking mechanism, using a lock ring to prevent and enable longitudinal movement between two sleeves may be used together with not only the present embodiment of a centralizer device 100, but to other ways of triggering, e.g. rubber swelling when exposed to pH-variations, electrical triggering, triggering by elevated temperature in the well bore over some length of time. The locking mechanism can also be used with arrangements with modified details of the present disclosure.

[0060] Said lock spring 51 is pre-tensioned so that it clings to a release spring 52. Said release spring 52 is pre-tensioned the opposite way so that the lock spring 51 clings to the release spring 52.

[0061] In FIG. 4B, the release spring 52 is shown in transition between the locked state and a released state of the centralizer device 100 and the lock spring 51. The lock spring 51, still clinging to the release spring 52, is moved generally in its entirety into the outer sleeve latch groove 70. The pre-tension of the ribs of the outer sleeve 10 results in a longitudinal force tending to move the outer sleeve 10 along the inner sleeve 20. With the lock spring 51 now inside the outer sleeve latch groove 70, the outer sleeve 10 will move as indicated. The lock spring 51 will then slide on the outside of the inner sleeve 20.

[0062] The release spring 52 is kept in a locked state by a snap ribbon 30, also in a locked state, positioned outside and around said release spring 52. The snap ribbon 30 squeezes the release spring 52 toward the inner sleeve 20.

[0063] FIG. 4C shows the locking mechanism in the released position, wherein the release spring 52 is no longer restrained by the lock spring 51.

[0064] The snap ribbon 30 comprises at least one snap ribbon unit (35 in FIG. 5G) connected back to back to itself or one snap ribbon unit (35 in FIG. 5G) to another one as indicated in FIG. 5G. In FIG. 5G there are 6 snap ribbon units 35, but the minimum snap ribbon units 35 in a snap ribbon is 1.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 5F, the snap ribbon unit 35 comprises a male snap-part 31, a female snap-part 32 and pH-soluble material 60.

[0066] A male snap-part 31 is presented in FIGS. 5A seen from above and in FIG. 5C seen in side view. A female snap-part 32 is presented in FIGS. 5B seen from above and FIG.

[0067] 5D seen in side view. FIG. 5E indicates in top view how a male snap-part 31 and a female snap-part 32 can be assembled. FIG. 5F indicates this in side view and in this figure, a piece of pH-soluble material 60 is also inserted which locks the male snap-part 31 and the female snap-part 32 together. The snap ribbon unit 35 then is in a locked state.

[0068] FIG. 5G presents the snap ribbon 30 with six snap ribbon units 35 all in locked state resulting in the snap ribbon itself being in a locked state.

[0069] With all components of the centralizer device 100 assembled and in the locked state, the centralizer device 100 may be entered around a borehole component 90, 91 as described above. Then the centralizer device 100 and the borehole component 90, 91 may be inserted into the borehole. They are, as persons in the art will understand, inserted one after another. The distance between the centralizer devices may vary depending on conditions e.g. angle of deployment of the bore hole component 90, 91. One deployed borehole component 90, 91 may carry none, one or more than one centralizer device 100.

[0070] When the bore hole components 90, 91 including centralizer devices 100 are deployed in the borehole, a pill with a pH-value that makes pH-soluble material 60 in the snap ribbon units 35 of the snap ribbons 30 of the centralizer devices 100 dissolve is inserted in a flow of drill fluid. This results in the pH-material 60 dissolving and then a snap ribbon unit 35, the snap ribbon 30, the release spring 52, the lock spring 51 and the outer sleeve 10 comprising ribs, leaving their locked state and entering the released state. In other words, it makes the centralizer devices 100 leave the locked state and enter the released state. In the released state the centralizer devices 100 push their ribs against the wall of the bore hole and centralizes the bore hole component 90, 91. Afterwards, cement may be pumped inside the bore hole component 90, 91 and further to the annulus between the bore hole component 90, 91 and the wall of the bore hole.

[0071] All the time before cement fixes the bore hole component 90, 91, the bore hole component 90, 91 may freely be rotated, both when the centralizer 100 is in its locked state and when in its released state.

[0072] A centralizer device 100 in the locked state and deployed in a bore hole with a drill fluid as described in the above paragraph will stay in its locked state.

[0073] A so called drill fluid pill may be added to drill fluid in order to modify properties of the drill fluid. A drill fluid pill arranged to modify the pH-value in the used drill fluid by e.g. plus 2, e.g. from a pH-value in the range of 9.0 to 9.5 to a pH-value of between 11.0 and 11.5. Further on, the centralizer device 100 is arranged so that it in an environment of drill fluid of at least 11.0 moves from the locked state to the released state. The locked state will get the permanent one that the centralizer device stays in, even if the pH-value drops to less than 11.0 again after that the centralizer device 100 has entered the released state.

[0074] In another embodiment, a drill fluid pill arranged to modify the pH-value in the drill fluid in question by minus 2 may be added to the drill fluid, e.g. from a pH-value in the range of 9.0 to 9.5 to a pH-value of between 7.0 and 7.5. The centralizer device 100 is further on arranged so that in an environment of drill fluid having a pH-value of less than 7.5 the device 100 transforms from its locked state to its released state. The centralizer device 100 will remain in the released state, even if the pH-value subsequently increases to more than 7.5 after that the centralizer device 100 has entered the released state.

[0075] In another embodiment, a drill fluid pill arranged to modify the pH-value in the drill fluid in question by plus 3 may be added to the drill fluid, e.g. from a pH-value in the range of 7.0 to 10.0 to a pH-value of between 10.0 and 13.0. The centralizer device 100 is further on arranged so that it in an environment of drill fluid having a pH-value of at least 13.0 transforms from its locked state to its released state. The centralizer deice 100 will stay permanently in the released state, even if the pH-value subsequently changes to less than 10.0 again after that the centralizer device 100 has arrived at its released state.

[0076] In another embodiment, a drill fluid pill arranged to modify the pH-value in the drill fluid in question by minus 3 may be added to the drill fluid, e.g. from a pH-value in the range of 7.0 to 10.0 to a pH-value of between 4.0 and 7.0. The centralizer device 100 is further on arranged so that it in an environment of drill fluid having a pH-value of less than 7.0 transforms from its locked state to its released state. The centralizer device 100 will stay permanently in the released state, even if the pH-value subsequently increases to more than 7.0 after that the centralizer device 100 has arrived at its released state.

[0077] In other embodiments, a method and centralizer device according to the present disclosure may be used to center a mechanical plug (not shown in the drawings) that is to operate as a foundation for establishing a concrete plug (not shown in the drawings), a so called foundation plug. Such a foundation plug with a cement plug on top can be used for different operation purposes: [0078] 1. Drilling of side step. In this embodiment, the foundation plug and the cement plug constitute a ramp resulting in drilling that follows is guided away from the present well track and in a preferred angle from this. [0079] 2. Sealing of a problem zone. In this embodiment, the foundation plug and the cement plug are used to seal off a problem zone e.g. comprising gas that one have drilled into. [0080] 3. Preventing cross flow of hydro carbons. In this embodiment, the foundation plug and the cement plug are used to prevent cross flow of hydro carbons in a reservoir.

[0081] Drill fluid may be oil based or water based. The methods and apparatus according to the present disclosure can be used with both types. One example of the former is Versatec OBM (Oil Based Mud) that may have a pH-value of between 9.0 and 9.5. An example of the second type, WBM (Water Based Mud) is Glydril that may have a pH-value of between 7.0 and 9.0.

[0082] Those versed in the art will recognize that the pH-limit values of both drill fluid, pH-soluble material (60 in FIG. 5F) and drill fluid pills may vary within wide boundaries. In order for a centralizing device according to the present disclosure to operate according to its purpose, these values may be chosen based upon practical reasoning so as to ensure that the centralizer device 100 is not released from its locked state with the chosen drill fluid, but is arranged to be released and arrive in its released state when the pH-soluble material contacts the chosen drill fluid pill.

[0083] In the present disclosure, the terms drill fluid and mud are intended to mean the same thing. pH-soluble material (60) that has dissolved is in the present document regarded as equivalent to being void.

[0084] Although only a few examples have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the examples. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the following claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Thus, although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw may be equivalent structures. It is the express intention of the applicant not to invoke 35 U.S.C. §112(f), for any limitations of any of the claims herein, except for those in which the claim expressly uses the words “means for” together with an associated function.