ROTATABLE MANDREL HANGER
20220127913 · 2022-04-28
Assignee
Inventors
- Jason Meyer Armistead (Houston, TX, US)
- Christopher Cole Humphrey (Houston, TX, US)
- Andrew Browne Helvenston (Houston, TX, US)
- Khang Van Nguyen (Tomball, TX, US)
Cpc classification
E21B41/0035
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
E21B23/00
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
E21B17/07
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
E21B33/0415
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
International classification
E21B17/07
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
Abstract
A casing rotation system permits rotation of a casing string through a telescoping ring that selectively engages a casing hanger. When the telescoping ring is in a first axial position, it engages the casing hanger such that rotational force is transmitted from a running tool to the casing string. When the telescoping ring moves to a second axial position, it disengages the casing hanger such that rotational force is no longer transmitted to the casing string. The casing rotation system may include an inward-biased locking ring disposed about the casing hanger and optionally a bearing surface that reduces friction on the hangar.
Claims
1. A casing rotation system, comprising: a substantially cylindrical body comprising one or more first lugs; a telescoping ring disposed about at least a portion of the substantially cylindrical body tool such that it is axially movable in relation to the substantially cylindrical body, said telescoping ring comprising: one or more second lugs configured to selectively engage with the first lugs; a lower surface with one or more projections; a casing hanger comprising an upper surface with one or more recesses configured to engage the one or more projections of the telescoping ring; an inward-biased lock ring disposed about the casing hanger; and an energizing ring configured to move axially to a position between the lock ring and the casing hanger.
2. The casing rotation system of claim 1, wherein the one or more projections comprise a substantially planar portion and a sloped portion.
3. The casing rotation system of claim 1, wherein the substantially cylindrical body comprises a running tool coupled to the casing hanger.
4. The casing rotation system of claim 1 further comprising a running tool coupled to the casing hanger, wherein the substantially cylindrical body is disposed about the running tool.
5. The casing rotation system of claim 1, further comprising a releasable detent mechanism configured to selectively maintain the telescoping ring in a first axial position.
6. The casing rotation system of claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the casing hanger further comprises a substantially planar portion.
7. A casing rotation system, comprising: a substantially cylindrical body comprising one or more first lugs; a telescoping ring disposed about at least a portion of the substantially cylindrical body tool such that it is axially movable in relation to the substantially cylindrical body, said telescoping ring comprising: one or more second lugs configured to selectively engage with the first lugs; a lower surface with one or more recesses; a casing hanger comprising an upper surface with one or more projections configured to engage the one or more recesses of the telescoping ring; an inward-biased lock ring disposed about the casing hanger; and an energizing ring configured to move axially to a position between the lock ring and the casing hanger.
8. The casing rotation system of claim 7, wherein the one or more projections comprise a substantially planar portion and a sloped portion.
9. The casing rotation system of claim 7, wherein the substantially cylindrical body comprises a running tool coupled to the casing hanger.
10. The casing rotation system of claim 7 further comprising a running tool coupled to the casing hanger, wherein the substantially cylindrical body is disposed about the running tool.
11. The casing rotation system of claim 7, further comprising a releasable detent mechanism configured to selectively maintain the telescoping ring in a first axial position.
12. The casing rotation system of claim 1, wherein the lower surface of the telescoping ring further comprises a substantially planar portion.
13. A method of rotating a casing string, comprising: coupling a casing string to a casing hanger comprising an upper end and a lower end; coupling a running tool to the casing hanger; axially moving a telescoping ring to a first axial position in relation to the running tool, such that one or more projections of the telescoping ring engage one or more recesses of the casing hanger; axially moving the lower end of the casing hanger through an upper portion of a wellhead; axially moving an energizing ring to a position between the casing hanger and an inward-biased lock ring, such that the lock ring radially expands to engage an inner surface of the wellhead; rotating the running tool in a first direction.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of rotating the running tool in a second direction, such that the one or more projections disengage from the one or more recesses and the telescoping ring moves to a second axial position in relation to the running tool.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of axially moving the energizing ring to a position that is not between the casing hanger and the lock ring, such that the lock ring radially contracts to disengage the inner surface of the wellhead.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of uncoupling the running tool from the casing hanger.
17. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of injecting cement through the casing string.
18. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of moving the hangar to engage with a bearing surface at the lower end of the hangar.
19. A casing rotation system, comprising: a substantially cylindrical body comprising one or more first lugs; a friction reducing surface for positioning; a telescoping ring disposed about at least a portion of the substantially cylindrical body tool such that it is axially movable in relation to the substantially cylindrical body, said telescoping ring comprising: one or more second lugs configured to selectively engage with the first lugs; a lower surface with one or more recesses; a casing hanger comprising an upper surface with one or more projections configured to engage the one or more recesses of the telescoping ring; an inward-biased lock ring disposed about the casing hanger; and an energizing ring configured to move axially to a position between the lock ring and the casing hanger.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The present technology will be better understood on reading the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments thereof, and on examining the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0011]
[0012]
[0013]
[0014]
[0015]
[0016]
[0017]
[0018]
[0019]
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] The foregoing aspects, features and advantages of the present technology will be further appreciated when considered with reference to the following description of preferred embodiments and accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like elements. In describing the preferred embodiments of the technology illustrated in the appended drawings, specific terminology will be used for the sake of clarity. The present technology, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terms used, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.
[0022] When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present invention, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Any examples of operating parameters and/or environmental conditions are not exclusive of other parameters/conditions of the disclosed embodiments. Additionally, it should be understood that references to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “certain embodiments,” or “other embodiments” of the present invention are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Furthermore, reference to terms such as “above,” “below,” “upper”, “lower”, “side”, “front,” “back,” or other terms regarding orientation are made with reference to the illustrated embodiments and are not intended to be limiting or exclude other orientations.
[0023] Various embodiments of the present disclosure utilize a solid-body mandrel hanger with features to facilitate transmission of torque to a casing string. By way of example, the hanger's top and bottom face may include torque transfer components, which may be milled or otherwise incorporated into the hanger. In certain embodiments, the milling may be referred to as a series of lugs and/or be referred to as castellated. Embodiments may also include one or more telescoping rings that move in and out of contact with the lugs and/or the casing. For example, a first portion of the telescoping rings may engage the lugs while an opposites second portion engages torque transfer features of the casing.
[0024] In various embodiments, a top of an upper ring interfaces with a base of a tool via the castellated interface. This top ring is bolted to the casing hanger running tool. The base of this upper ring is castellated and transfers torque via another castellated interface with lower ring when the lower ring is in its lowermost position. In certain embodiments, a bottom of the lower ring interfaces with the top of the hanger via asymmetrically ramped notches in the counterclockwise-facing direction, but it should be appreciated that alternative systems may utilize a clockwise-facing direction and that, in various embodiments described herein, thread directions may be either clockwise or counterclockwise based on design conditions. The opposing faces of each notch remains castellated in the clockwise direction for torque transfer in the clockwise direction. The top of the lower ring is castellated and transfers torque via the aforementioned castellated interface between upper and lower rings when the lower ring is in its lowermost position. After the torquing/rotating of the casing string and hanger is complete, the tool is rotated counterclockwise a predetermined amount (such as 30 degrees) to raise the lower ring via the ramped interface between hanger and lower ring of torque tool. Thereafter, a mechanism, such as spring-loaded pins, maintains the lower ring in an elevated position relative to the hanger such that further clockwise rotation of the tool is possible without engaging the torque function of the tool. This in turn permits the tool to lower toward the hanger body and lock the existing lock ring mechanism.
[0025] Embodiments of the present disclosure incorporate advantageous features of a solid hanger, inward biased lock ring, and casing rotation into a single system. Accordingly, systems of the present disclosure enable quick pressure containment of the well via the solid mandrel hanger. Moreover, systems also incorporate the inward biased lock ring to confidently lock the lock ring into its groove in the hanger's housing. Additionally, embodiments further permit rotation of the casing string via a tool/hanger design that transfers high torque from tool to hanger.
[0026]
[0027] One efficient way to start drilling the wellbore 16 is through use of a suction pile 40. Such a procedure is accomplished by attaching the wellhead housing 18 to the top of the suction pile 40 and lowering the suction pile 40 to a sea floor 42. As interior chambers in the suction pile 40 are evacuated, the suction pile 40 is driven into the sea floor 42, as shown in
[0028]
[0029] In the example shown in
[0030] The illustrated telescoping ring 218 is positioned axially lower than the transfer sub 220 in the illustrated embodiment, but it should be appreciated that in operation the telescoping ring 218 may translate along an axis 222. That is, the telescoping ring 218 may engage the casing hanger 202 in a first position and then move such that the telescoping ring 218 does not engage the casing hanger 202 in a second position. In various embodiments that will be described below, the telescoping ring 218 may include a series of torque transfer features that engage mating transfer features of the transfer sub 220 in the first position and disengage the mating transfer features in the second position. Furthermore, in various embodiments, the torque transfer features may engage mating features of the casing hanger 202 in the first position and disengage the casing hanger 202 in the second position while maintaining contact with the transfer sub 220 in the second position.
[0031]
[0032] Additionally, the
[0033]
[0034] The running tool 214 of the present embodiment includes tool recesses 300 that receive mating transfer features 302 of the transfer sub 220. The illustrated transfer features 302 are shown at an upper portion 304 of the transfer sub 220 and may also be referred to as upper transfer features 302. As shown in
[0035] Continuing with the transfer sub 220 of
[0036] Further illustrated along the telescoping ring 218 are apertures 316 that may receive one or more pins or members to hold the telescoping ring 218 at a predetermined position. As will be described below, the ring 218 may be rotated and, in response to the rotation, may axially translate along the axis 222 (not pictured). At a predetermined position, a spring-loaded pin or a retention member may engage the apertures 316 to block further axial movement of the telescoping ring 318. It should be appreciated that the apertures 316 may be arranged at a different location along the telescoping ring 318 and that there may be more or fewer apertures 316.
[0037] The telescoping ring 218 further includes a lower portion 318 that has lower transfer features 320, which may also be referred to teeth, ramped teeth, or the like. In this example, the lower ring transfer features 320 are asymmetrical and include a ring planar end 322 and a ring sloped end 324. It should be appreciated that this configuration is for illustrative purposes only and that opposite ends may be either sloped or planar. Moreover, different configurations may be utilized to permit force transfer in one direction and restrict force transfer in an opposite direction. In this example, the lower ring transfer features 320 engage mating hanger transfer features 326, in this case in the form of a recessed portion that receives the ring transfer features 320, which include a mating hanger planar end 328 and a mating hanger sloped end 330. In this example, a clockwise rotation applied to the transfer ring 318 will be translated to the casing hanger 202 via contact between the ring planar end 322 and the hanger planar end 328. However, a counterclockwise rotation will lead to engagement between the ring sloped end 324 and the hanger sloped end 330, which will drive axially upward movement of the telescoping ring 218 as the sloped end 324 rides up the sloped end 330. In various embodiments, the rotation maybe approximately 30 degrees, however, it should be appreciated that different amounts of rotation may be particularly selected to move the planar ends 322, 328 out of engagement with one another. As the telescoping ring 318 continues to rotate in the counterclockwise direction, the upper ring portion 314 also moves axially upward, which may cause disengagement between the lugs 308, 312. In at least one embodiment, the apertures 316 and/or retention members positioned within the apertures 316 are engaged at a predetermined position, and as result, movement of the telescoping ring 218 may be restrained or otherwise restricted, which prevents further engagement between the lower ring transfer features 320 and the hanger transfer features 326. In one embodiment, a ridge 332 is illustrated on the transfer sub 220, which may receive a retention member to block downward movement of the telescoping ring 218.
[0038]
[0039] In this example, the apertures 316 house retention members 400, which may be in the form of spring-loaded pins. As described above, the apertures 316 may be utilized to block axial movement of the telescoping ring 218 in at least one direction when the ring 218 reaches a predetermined location.
[0040]
[0041]
[0042] Further illustrated are the retention members 400 within the apertures 316. In various embodiments, the retention members 400 may engage holes in the transfer sub 220 and/or a shelf or ridge along the transfer sub 220 to block downward axial movement of the telescoping ring 218 after it has transitioned beyond a predetermined point. For example, counterclockwise rotation to drive the telescoping ring 218 out of contact with the casing hanger 202 may be performed as a final or near final step because further engagement between the telescoping ring 218 and the casing hanger 202 may be blocked after the counterclockwise rotation. In other words, once the telescoping ring 218 is set out of engagement with the casing hanger 202, further rotation of the running tool 214 is not transferred to the casing hanger 202.
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[0046]
[0047] It should be appreciated that various embodiments disclosed herein may describe a method for utilizing the systems described herein. The method may include positioning the telescoping ring 218 onto the casing hanger 202. This may be done at an uphole location. The positioning may facilitate engagement between the features 320 and the features 326. The method may also include landing the casing hanger 202 within the wellbore. Rotational force may be applied to the running tool 214, which is transmitted to the telescoping ring 218 via the transfer sub 220, which thereby rotates the casing hanger 202 and casing coupled to the casing hanger 202. The telescoping ring 218 may also be disengaged by rotating the running tool 214 in an opposite direction, such as a counterclockwise direction, which may drive axial movement of the telescoping ring 218 in an upward direction. This upward movement may also activate one or more retaining members 400 to lock the telescoping ring 218 in place. Accordingly, further rotation of the running tool 214 may not be transmitted to the casing hanger 202 via the telescoping ring 218. The lock ring 206 may be set to secure the casing hanger 202.
[0048] Although the technology herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present technology. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present technology as defined by the appended claims.