Relockable shearing swivel tool apparatus and method
10781646 ยท 2020-09-22
Assignee
Inventors
Cpc classification
E21B23/006
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
E21B23/02
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
E21B37/00
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
E21B17/046
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
International classification
E21B23/00
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
E21B17/046
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
E21B19/16
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
E21B37/00
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
Abstract
A wellbore cleaning system provides a relockable shearing swivel tool that can be used in tandem with a lockable weight set circulation tool. Suspended from an upper drill string is an assembly consisting of a landing sub, the lockable weight set circulation tool and relockable shearing swivel tool are located immediately above a liner top and from which is suspended a lower drills string. The lower drill string and production liner are both significantly smaller in diameter than the upper drill string and production casing such than when fluid is pumped at high rates through the entire drill string and reduced cross sectional area of the lower drills string and production liner causes a large pressure drop characterized at surface by a high pump pressure. As part of the method, an operator makes up a drill string assembly that includes an upper drill string, a lower drill string, a landing sub or device, the lockable weight set circulation tool, and the relockable shearing swivel tool. This drill string assembly is lowered into a wellbore until the landing sub is close to a liner top or other shoulder in the wellbore. The drill string is rotated and reciprocated, pumping cleaning chemicals through the entire drill string and through the production liner. The liner top is engaged with the landing sub to open a circulation path from the upper drill string to an upper annulus. The drill string is rotated and reciprocated while pumping cleaning chemicals through the upper annulus to clean the production casing.
Claims
1. An oil well relockable shearing swivel downhole tool apparatus, comprising: a) an elongated tool body having upper and lower end portions, an upper section and a lower section; b) an upper connection that enables connection to an upper drill string section; c) a lower connection that enables connection to a lower drill string section; d) an axial bore that communicates between the upper and lower end portions; e) the lower end portion housing a ball seat and a ball retainer below the ball seat; f) a first member below the upper connection, a first interlocking portion on the first member; g) a second member in between the first member and the lower connection, a second interlocking portion on a second member; h) at least one shear pin on the tool body, the first and second interlocking portions being spaced apart a first distance in an initial position wherein relative rotation of the upper section relative to the lower section is prevented by the at least one shear pin and wherein differential torque between upper and lower sections enables shearing of the at least one shear pin and rotation of the upper and lower sections relative to one another; i) a ball or plug that is sized and shaped to flow from the upper connection to the ball seat; j) a drive nut above the ball seat; k) a spring in the tool body below the drive nut; l) wherein the ball is movable with the ball seat and the drive nut responsive to a first increased pressure valve in the bore above the ball to define a spring compressed position wherein the drive nut moves down and the spring is compressed; m) wherein the ball is movable from the ball seat downwardly into the ball retainer responsive to increased second pressure valve in the bore above the ball wherein the spring is released to lift the drive nut and the second member and wherein the first and second interlocking portions engage and interlock so that the upper and lower sections can be rotated and reciprocated together.
2. The oil well relockable shearing swivel downhole tool apparatus of claim 1 wherein ball retainer has one or more bypass ports.
3. The oil well relockable shearing swivel downhole tool apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tool body includes a knocker sub below the upper connection.
4. The oil well relockable shearing swivel downhole tool apparatus of claim 3, wherein the shear pins form a connection between the knocker sub and the upper end portion of the tool body.
5. The oil well relockable shearing swivel downhole tool apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tool body carries a pump.
6. The oil well relockable shearing swivel downhole tool apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tool body includes an upper sub, a knocker sub and a lower sub.
7. The oil well relockable shearing swivel downhole tool apparatus of claim 1, wherein the balls seat is in the lower sub.
8. The oil well relockable shearing swivel downhole tool apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upper sub has a lower end and the lower sub extends upwardly above the lower end of the upper sub.
9. The oil well relockable shearing swivel downhole tool apparatus of claim 1, wherein the knocker sub has a lower end and the lower sub extends upwardly above the lower end of the knocker sub.
10. The oil well relockable shearing swivel downhole tool apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lower sub has intake ports that enable fluid intake to the pump at a position that is above the lower end of the upper sub.
11. The oil well relockable shearing swivel downhole tool apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shear pins connect the upper sub to the knocker sub at a position above the lower sub.
12. A method of locking a swivel tool, comprising the steps of: a) connecting an elongated tool body to a drill string, the tool body having upper and lower end portions, an upper section, a lower section, a spring in the lower section and a drive nut above the spring and a ball retainer in the lower section; b) wherein in step a the tool body has an upper connection that enables connection to an upper drill string section; c) connecting the tool body to a drill string at the said upper connection; d) wherein in step a the tool body has a lower connection that enables connection to a lower drill string section; e) connecting the tool body to a drill string at the said lower connection; f) wherein the tool body lower end portion houses a ball seat and a ball retainer below the ball seat; g) the tool body providing a first member below the upper connection and first interlocking portions on the first member; h) the tool body providing a second member in between the first member and the lower connection and second interlocking portions on the second member; i) providing a plurality of shear pins on the tool body, the first and second interlocking portions being spaced apart a first distance in an initial position wherein relative rotation of the upper section relative to the lower section is prevented by the said shear pins; j) shearing the pins by differential torque between the upper and lower sections; k) transmitting a ball from the upper connection to the ball seat; l) moving a ball responsive to increased pressure in the bore above the ball to define a spring compressed position wherein the spring is compressed; m) moving the ball from the ball seat downwardly into the ball retainer responsive to increased pressure in the bore above the ball wherein the spring is released to lift the drive nut and the second member and wherein the first and second interlocking portions engage and interlock; and n) rotating and reciprocating the drill string and tool body after step m.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
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(16) Additional pump pressure is applied to force ball 53 down, past ball seat 53 and into ball retainer 44. Ball retainer 44 is located in bottom sub 29. Ball retainer 44 has lower face 50, O-rings 45 and internal abutment 48. When ball retainer 44 travels down responsive to pump pressure, it has face 50 that rests upon internal abutment 51 of bottom sub 29. Ball retainer 44 has bypass ports 49.
(17) Once ball 53 is pumped below seat 46 and into ball retainer 44, spring 42 forces spring housing up to the position seen in
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(19) The relockable shearing swivel tool 56 and its components will now be discussed in more detail. The top sub 1 is an elongated member with an upper connection 2 to allow it to be connected to upper drill string 3. Axial bore 4 allows pumping of cleaning fluids. Spline 5 is provided to rotationally lock it to an upper drill nut 6. Male thread 7 allows connection to impeller nut 8. A series of castellations 9 rotationally lock to a lower rotator bearing 10. A series of helical grooves 12 which when the top sub 1 rotates acts as a screw pump. A series of bypass channels 13 pump the fluid through an upper thrust bearing 14. A series of holes 15 house torque shear pins 16 where the bypass channels 13 run between the holes 15. A shoulder area 17 accommodates upper thrust bearing 14.
(20) The upper trust bearing 14 is locked to top sub 1 by a series of bolts 18 and is placed between the top sub 1 and a knocker sub 19 so that when the top sub 1 and knocker sub 19 rotate relative to each other, the upper thrust bearing 14 wears sacrificially. There are water courses 20 cut in the load bearing face of upper thrust bearing 14 which allows a pumped fluid to pass which act to cool and lubricate the upper thrust bearing 14. The upper thrust bearing 14 can be made of a bronze alloy but could be of other construction such as ceramics, polycrystalline diamond, ball bearing or other.
(21) The knocker sub 19 has a face at an upper end which contacts the upper thrust bearing 14. A male thread 21 at the opposite which engages to and rotationally locks with the bottom sub 29. A series of castellations 22 rotationally lock to lower stator bearing 11. Internal cylindrical portion 23 houses the aforementioned top sub 1 where the internal cylindrical portion 23 and helical grooves 24 form the housing and rotor of the screw pump. The series of torque shear pins 16 rotationally lock the knocker sub 19 and top sub 1 such that when the top sub 1 is rotated by the upper drill string 3, torque is transmitted through it through the torque shear pins 16, through the knocker sub 19, through the bottom sub 29 and the lower drill string 31. The lower stator bearing 11 and lower rotor bearing 10 can be made of PCD polycrystalline diamond, but could be of other construction such as bronze alloy, ceramics, polycrystalline diamond, ball bearings or other.
(22) Impeller nut 8 features an internal thread which locks it rotationally to the top sub 1 as well as carrying the tensile load of the tool body. Impeller nut 8 features a series of helical grooves 24 cut on the external surface which when placed inside an internal bore 25 of the bottom sub 29 forms rotor and housing of a screw pump. Rotary seals 26 form a hydraulic seal with the aforementioned internal bore 25. Two internal O-rings 27 form a hydraulic seal with the top sub 1. The two seals 26 combine to form an hydrostatic barrier between the axial bore 4 and annulus 28, thus ensuring cleaning chemicals and fluids can be pumped through the tool 56. Bottom sub 29 is an elongated member with lower connection 30 to allow it to be connected to lower drill string 31. Axial bore 4 allows pumping of cleaning fluids. Internal spline 32 engages lower drive nut 33. A series of intake ports 34 (e.g., formed by drilling a series of radial holes) immediately adjacent to the impeller nut 8, helical grooves 24 such that they allow annular fluid to enter the aforementioned screw pump mechanism. Radial threaded holes accommodate locking pins 35, an internal abutment 36 to locate stop ring 37; an internal abutment 38 to engage with spring housing 39.
(23) Spring housing 39 is an elongated member which resides in the bottom sub 29 and forms the main structure in a sub-assembly which acts as the relocking element of the invention. Spring housing 39 features a threaded portion 40 at an upper end which engages with the lower drive nut 33. Holes which accommodate shear screws 41 temporarily lock to the aforementioned stop ring 37. A shaft accommodates spring 42 which is mounted about the shaft and compressed between the lower drive nut 33 and the stop ring 37.
(24) During use, the tool body 62 is connected in the drill string between the upper drill string 3 and lower drill string 31. The upper drill string 3 is rotated which transmits torque and rotation through the tool body 62 to the lower drill string 31. The drill string can be rotated and reciprocated, allowing the well to be cleaned. It is also possible to function circulation tools to assist in the cleaning. If a predetermined torque limit is exceeded, the torque shearing pins 16 shear and the tool 56 becomes a swivel to allow the upper drill string 3 to rotate independently from the lower drill string 31, thus preventing an accidental twist-off of the lower drill string 31. Depending if the tool 56 is in compression or tension, the load axial load of the string will be borne by the upper thrust bearing 14 [compression] or the lower rotor/lower stator bearing 10 [tension] respectively. The rotation of the parts generates heat. The lower bearing 10 is cooled by circulating wellbore fluid through screw type fluid pump 65. When the upper 3 and lower components 31 of the tool 56 rotate with respect to each other, fluid is drawn from the annulus 28 through the entry ports and along the helical grooves 12 in the impeller nut 8 in an upwards direction. The fluid then flows between the lower stator bearing 11 and the lower rotor bearing 10 to cool it. Fluid is then drawn by the helical grooves cut in the top sub 1 and is diverted through the bypass channels 13 and through the water courses 20 which keep up the upper bearing 14 cool and lubricated.
(25) When it is desired to relock the swivel to allow rotation to be applied between the top sub 1 and bottom sub 29, a ball 53 (or dart or other suitable or like object) can be pumped down to land on a ball seat 46 on the ball retainer 44. As pressure is applied, the shear screw 47 located between the spring housing 39 and stop ring 37 shear and spring housing 39 moves downwards compressing the spring 42. The spring housing 39 will then abut against the bottom sub 29 and as pressure increases the shear screws 47 related to the ball retainer 44 will shear, which releases the downward force and causes the spring 42 to move the spring housing 39 upwards. As this happens, the catellations 52, 53 between the upper drive nut 6 and lower drive nut 33 engage. Torque can now be applied between the upper 3 and lower drill strings 31 by the connection of the top sub 1, upper drive nut 6, lower drive nut 33 and bottom sub 29.
(26) Lockable weight set circulation tool 100 of
(27) The apparatus 100 disclosed uses a guide pin which locates in a continuous indexing slot milled onto an indexing sleeve, where each application and subsequent removal of weight to the tool shall cycle the tool the next indexing position. The device follows an infinite repeating cycle of CLOSED>OPEN>CLOSED>CLOSED>OPEN>CLOSED>CLOSED>OPEN, but can be reconfigured to follow other combinations such as CLOSED>OPEN>CLOSED>OPEN.
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(29) Spline mandrel 106 is an elongated member with threaded connection 105 to connect to the top sub 101, axial bore 104 to allow pumping of cleaning fluids, a spline 107 to rotationally lock it to drive mandrel 108 and allow the drive mandrel 108 and spline mandrel 106 to slide telescopically.
(30) Shoulder 109 abuts against shoulder 145 of spline mandrel 106 which can hold the full weight of the drill string 3, 31 when required. A series of radial internal circulation ports 111 allow a flow path between the axial bore 104 and the annulus 112 when desired, which is straddled by seal 113. Index sleeve 114 is located at the lower end of male thread 115 which can accommodate a plug 116.
(31) Drive mandrel 108 is an elongated member with a lower connection 117 to allow it to be connected lower drill string 31, axial bore 104 allows pumping of cleaning fluids. Threaded connection 119 at the upper end of drive mandrel 108 connects to the knocker sub 110. Internal spline portion of drive mandrel 108 engages with the spline 107 of spline mandrel 106. A series of holes accommodate shear pins 120 which mate with the drive mandrel 108. A series of radial external circulation ports 121 are provided to selectively circulate fluid from the axial bore 104 to the annulus 112. A hole is in drive mandrel 108 is provided to accommodate a guide pin 122. An internal seal bore 123 accommodates seals. A separate seal bore 124 accommodates plug 140.
(32) Knocker sub 110 is fixed to the drive mandrel 108 by way of threaded connection. Knocker sub 110 is mounted onto the drive mandrel 108 and is used to restrict the slide-able movement of the spline mandrel 106 by shoulder 125 of top sub abutting against a shoulder of knocker sub 110.
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(34) The plug 116,140 is connected to the lower end of the spline mandrel 106. It houses one of the aforementioned seals 135 which conspire with an O-ring 138 to form an hydraulic barrier. The plug 116 has an elongated end 139 with a bulbous feature 140 housing further O-rings 141 as well as a series of bypass ports 142, such that when the apparatus 100 is in the open 129 position, the O-rings 141 are stung into a seal bore on the drive mandrel 108 which seals the axial bore 104 preventing fluid from passing in either direction, and because the circulation ports are also in the open position, fluid pumped from the surface will exit the circulation ports and none can pass to the lower drill string 31. Furthermore, when the apparatus 100 is in any of the other positions, the bulbous feature 140 will not engage the seal bore 124 and fluid can be pumped through the axial bore 104, through the bypass ports 142, and through an annulus 143 created between the seal bore 124 and the elongated end 139.
(35) In the initial closed 130 position, the tool has shear pins 120 intact which prevents axial compressive load causing the tool 100 to stroke, provided the axial load does not exceed the maximum shear strength of the shear pins 120. The selection of the shear pins 120 is important as this determines how the tool 100 may interact with other tools in the drill string. It also allows limited weight to be applied to the lower drill string 31 in the event it is required to drill cement or other debris in the wellbore without accidentally functioning the tool 100. In this position it is possible to pump cleaning chemicals and fluids downwards through the upper drills string 3 and lower drill string 31 to clean the production liner 55.
(36) When it is desired to open the circulation port, a compressive load is applied to the tool 100. This is done by lowering the drills string 3, 31 until a landing sub 58 which is connected below the tool 100 lands onto a shoulder in the wellbore such as a liner top. As weight is continued to be applied, the shear pins 120 will rupture and the tool 100 will stroke moving the guide pin 122 along the indexing slot 128 until it reaches the cocked long 131 position.
(37) The operator then raises the drill string 3, 31 until a tensile load strokes the tool 100 open and the guide pin 122 travels to the open 129 position aligning the internal circulation ports 111 and external circulation ports 121. The operator can then pump chemicals down the upper drill string 3 into the annulus 112 to clean the production casing 54.
(38) The operator can then repeat the action of applying weight by lowering the drill string 3, 31 until the landing sub 58 engages the liner top to cycle the tool to the closed 130 position to allow further circulation of fluids through the production liner 55.
(39) The device 100 can be cycled infinitely by the operator following repeating cycles of CLOSED>OPEN>CLOSED>CLOSED>OPEN>CLOSED>CLOSED>OPEN. The index slot 128 could be reconfigured to follow other combinations such as CLOSED>OPEN>CLOSED>OPEN.
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(45) The following is a list of parts and materials suitable for use in the present invention:
(46) TABLE-US-00002 PARTS LIST: PART NUMBER DESCRIPTION 1 top sub 2 upper connection 3 upper drill string 4 axial bore 5 spline 6 upper driver nut 7 male thread 8 impeller nut 9 castellations 10 lower rotor bearing 11 lower stator bearing 12 helical grooves 13 bypass channels 14 upper thrust bearing 15 holes 16 torque shear pins 17 shoulder area 18 bolts 19 knocker sub 20 water courses 21 male thread 22 castellations 23 internal cylindrical portion 24 helical grooves 25 internal bore of the bottom sub 26 rotary seals 27 O-rings 28 annulus 29 bottom sub 30 lower connection 31 lower drilling string 32 internal spline 33 lower drive nut 34 intake ports 35 locking pins 36 internal abutment 37 stop ring 38 internal abutment 39 spring housing 40 threaded portion 41 shear screws 42 spring 43 O-ring 44 ball retainer 45 O-ring 46 ball seat 47 shear screws 48 internal abutment 49 bypass ports 50 lower face 51 internal abutment 52 castellations 53 ball 54 production casing 55 production liner 56 relockable shearing swivel tool 58 landing sub 59 liner hanger 60 upper annulus 61 lower annulus 62 tool body 63 castellations 64 installation 65 pumping mechanism/screw type fluid pump 100 tool/lockable weight set circulation tool/apparatus 101 top sub 102 upper connection 103 tool body 104 axial bore 105 threaded connection 106 spline mandrel 107 spline 108 drive mandrel 109 shoulder 110 knocker sub 111 internal circulation ports 112 annulus 113 seals 114 index sleeve 115 male thread 116 plug 117 lower connection 118 internal spline portion 119 threaded connection 120 shear pins 121 external circulation ports 122 guide pin 123 internal seal bore 124 seal bore 125 shoulder 126 shoulder 127 bearings 128 indexing slot 129 open 130 closed 131 cocked long 132 cocked short 133 arrow 134 repeated feature 135 seal 136 lock ring 137 screws 138 O-ring 139 elongated end 140 bulbous feature 141 O-rings 142 bypass ports 143 annulus 145 annulus
(47) All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. All materials used or intended to be used in a human being are biocompatible, unless indicated otherwise.
(48) The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.