RETRIEVABLE RE-CONNECTING DEVICE WITH INTERNAL SEAL AND SLIPS FOR CONNECTING TO THE TOP OF AN EXISTING TUBING IN A WELL BORE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a re-connecting device (1) for connecting and sealing against a damaged existing/remaining tubing (5) in a well bore, a casing string (2) or a pipe, the tubing (5) having smaller diameter than the casing string (2), and for repairing of the tubing (5), comprising an outer body (3) and at least one sealing element (18) arranged therein, the outer body (3) is arranged to enable the entrance of, and surrounding, the end part of the tubing (5) in the well bore, casing string (2) or pipe, and a sealing assembly (8) is arranged in the outer body (3), of the re-connecting device (1), for sealing it against the tubing (5). The invention is achieved by that an internal and axially movable assembly (6) is arranged inside the outer body (3) and comprising at least one of an anchoring assembly (7), the sealing assembly (8) and/or a releaseable locking assembly (9), where the movable assembly (6) and at least one of its anchoring assembly (7), sealing assembly (8) and/or releaseable locking assembly (9) is/are arranged to be activated by applying an axial mechanical/physical stroke to the top of the moveable assembly (6).

Claims

1. A re-connecting device for connecting and sealing against a damaged existing/remaining tubing in a well bore a casing string or a pipe, the tubing having smaller diameter than the casing string, and for repairing of the tubing, comprising: an outer body and at least one sealing element arranged therein, wherein the outer body is arranged to enable the entrance of, and surrounding, the end part of the tubing in the well bore, casing string or pipe, and a sealing assembly being arranged in the outer body, of the re-connecting device, for sealing it against the tubing, wherein an internal and axially movable assembly is arranged inside the outer body and comprises at least one of an anchoring assembly, the sealing assembly and/or a release-able locking assembly, where the movable assembly and at least one of its anchoring assembly, sealing assembly and/or release-able locking assembly is/are arranged to be activated by applying an axial mechanical/physical stroke to the top of the moveable assembly.

2. The re-connecting device according to claim 1, wherein a connecting device, a fishing neck, is arranged in the upper end of the movable assembly, and by pulling the locking assembly upwards, fixing elements are sheared at a predetermined force and the re-connecting device may be released from the tubing thereby making the re-connecting device retrievable from the well.

3. The re-connecting device according to claim 1, wherein a polished bore receptable, a PBR (10), is arranged in the an upper part of the outer body, above the movable assembly, creating a receiving end for a seal stem, for creating a sealed extension of the tubing and making it possible to extend the tubing to the surface.

4. The re-connecting device according to claim 2, wherein the fishing neck is arranged in the upper part of the movable assembly, arranged to transfer the axial setting force from a running tool, through the re-connecting device and further to the tubing.

5. The re-connecting device according to claim 2, wherein the said fishing neck has an internal profile in its upper part, so that a pulling tool can be attached to the fishing neck.

6. The re-connecting device according to claim 4, wherein the running tool is a hydrostatic running tool connected via a thread arranged in the upper part of the outer body.

7. The re-connecting device according to claim 1, wherein fixing elements are arranged to keep the different parts of the movable assembly fixed in relation to each other, in the re-connecting device's inactivated RIH position.

8. The re-connecting device according to claim 7, wherein the fixing elements are arranged to control the sequence of activation of the movable assembly and its different internal systems/parts.

9. The re-connecting device according to claim 7, wherein a number of fixing elements are used and arranged symmetrically around the parts of the movable assembly.

10. The re-connecting device according to claim 7, wherein said fixing elements are adapted to shear when an axial force reaches a predetermined level that exceeds the total shear value of the installed fixing elements.

11. The re-connecting device according to claim 7, wherein the fixing elements are shear screws.

12. The re-connecting device according to claim 11, wherein the fixing elements are made of a metal, such as steel.

13. The re-connecting device according to claim 11, wherein the fixing elements are made of brass.

14. The re-connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the sealing element in the sealing assembly is ring formed and located around the inside of the outer body.

15. The re-connecting device according to wherein, wherein the sealing element is arranged to expand inwards against the tubing when pressed from above by an upper sleeve.

16. The re-connecting device according to claim 1, wherein an end stop, a lower sleeve, is arranged on the lower end side of the sealing element.

17. The re-connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the sealing element is made of a flexible/resilient material.

18. The re-connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the sealing element is made of one selected from the group consisting of elastomeric material, a thermoplastic material, a graphite composite material, rubber, and combinations thereof.

19. A method for activating a re-connecting device for connecting and sealing against a tubing located in a well bore, casing string or pipe, the tubing having smaller diameter than the well bore, casing string or pipe, and for repairing of a damaged tubing in a well, comprising an outer body, a movable assembly and at least one sealing element arranged therein, whereby the re-connecting device and a sealing assembly is located therein over a remaining part of a tubing in a casing or in a pipe, the method comprising: providing an axial mechanical/physical stroke at the top of the movable assembly, and displacing thereby the moveable inner assemblies axially, resulting in that the sealing element and/or slipses expands radially inwardly in such a way that they lock the re-connecting device in its current position in relation to the tubing and seals against the surface of the tubing.

20. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] The invention is described in more detail with reference to non-limiting exemplifying embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

[0041] FIG. 1 is a sectioned view of a retrievable re-connecting device, indicated located in a well bore with a casing, according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] FIG. 2 is a sectioned view of the retrievable re-connecting device run into the well after the tubing has been cut and removed.

[0043] FIG. 3 is an overall sectioned side view of the system with the retrievable re-connecting device with the tubing and running equipment above it in the RIH position.

[0044] FIG. 4 is an overall sectioned side view of the system with the retrievable re-connection device with the tubing and the running equipment in the SET position.

[0045] FIG. 5 is a more detailed sectioned side view of the retrievable re-connecting device, in its inactivated position but lowered onto existing tubing in the well.

[0046] FIG. 6 is a more detailed sectioned side view of the re-connecting device, in its activated SET position to the existing tubing.

[0047] FIG. 7 is a further detailed sectioned side view of the upper part, the releasable locking assembly, of the re-connecting device in its inactivated position.

[0048] FIG. 8 is a further detailed sectioned side view of the middle part, the sealing assembly, of the re-connecting device in its inactivated (RIH) position.

[0049] FIG. 9 is a further detailed sectioned side view of the lower part, the anchoring assembly, of the re-connecting device in its inactivated position (RIH).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0050] FIGS. 1 through 9 illustrates the present invention, a retrievable re-connecting device for restoring damaged tubing in a well. The re-connecting device is intended to be inserted in a well bore and connected to a remaining and intact tubing in the well, after that the damaged part of the tubing has been cut and removed. It is emphasized that the invention is in no way restricted to a retrievable re-connecting device for a specific use, but it can be applied to any application where reconnecting and sealing have to be done, as long as the object of the invention is obtained.

[0051] FIG. 1 is a sectioned side view of a retrievable re-connecting device 1, here indicated located in a well bore with a casing 2, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The re-connecting device 1 is arranged with an outer body 3, preferably of steel, forming the fixed part of the re-connecting device 1 and arranged with a half mule-shoe 4 with a conical opening in the bottom, intended to enable the entrance of a tubing 5 (see FIG. 2). An internal, moveable assembly 6 consisting of an anchoring assembly 7, a sealing assembly 8 and a release-able locking system 9 is positioned inside the outer body 3. Above the internal movable assembly 6 is arranged a PBR 10, a Polished Bore Receptable, for enabling the extension of the tubing (not illustrated) above the re-connecting device 1, via a seal stem (not illustrated) and up to the surface. The anchoring and sealing assemblies 7-8 are activated by applying an axial mechanical stroke to a fishing neck 11 located at the upper part of the moveable assembly 6 by means of e.g. a hydrostatic running tool (not illustrated) that is connected via a thread 12 arranged in the upper part of the outer body 3.

[0052] FIG. 2 is a sectioned side view of the re-connecting device 1 run into the cased well and down to a remaining tubing 5, after that the damaged part of the tubing has been cut and removed. The re-connecting device 1 is lowered over the existing/remaining tubing 5 until the tubing 5 enters into the device 1 via its conical opening 4 in the bottom.

[0053] FIG. 3 is an “all-inclusive” sectioned side view of the system including the tubing 5, the retrievable re-connecting device 1 and the running equipment above it 13. In the figure the re-connecting device 1 is slowly run down over the existing tubing 5 that enters until it stops against a stop ring 14, a “no-go”-ring. The re-connecting device 1 is in this figure not yet activated and thereby not locked in this position.

[0054] FIG. 4 illustrates the same view as FIG. 3 but here the re-connecting device 1 is run further down over the tubing 5 and the fixing elements, such as shear screws 15 (see FIG. 5) of the no-go ring 14 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) are sheared. This gives an indication to the operator at the surface that the device 1 is the right position to be activated (SET). The re-connecting device 1 is then pulled up slightly before it is activated. When activated by a setting tool 16, the slipses 17 (see FIG. 9) in the anchoring assembly 7 (see FIG. 5) are set first to secure the grip to the tubing 5 and after that the sealing assembly 8 (see FIG. 5) is set to create a secure seal to the tubing 5. The releasable locking assembly 9 (see FIG. 5) keeps the re-connecting device 1 in the SET position and secures that the setting force is kept on the slipses 17 and the sealing element 18 of the sealing assembly 8. In this position the re-connecting device 1 thus is anchored and sealed to the tubing 5. As can be seen the remaining tubing 5 in the well extends higher inside the re-connecting device 1 in this figure compared to FIG. 3.

[0055] FIG. 5 is a more detailed sectioned side view of the re-connecting device 1, in its inactivated (RIH) position slowly entered over the remaining tubing 5 until the tubing rests on the no-go ring 14 with its shear screws 15. In the figure is principally illustrated the internal moveable assembly 6 consisting of the three main assemblies 7-9, at the top the release-able locking system 9, in the middle the sealing assembly 8 and at the bottom the anchoring assembly 7, positioned inside the outer body 3. The anchoring and sealing assemblies 7,8 are activated by applying an axial stroke to the top of a fishing neck 11 in the device 1 by means of e.g. a hydrostatic running tool 16 connected to the upper part of the outer body 3.

[0056] FIG. 6 is a more detailed sectioned side view of the re-connecting device 1, in its activated SET position on the tubing 5. In this figure the shear screws 15 in the no-go ring 14 have sheared, thereby assuring that the device 1 is in the correct position. After that, the re-connecting device 1 is activated by the hydrostatic running tool 16, and the anchoring- and sealing assemblies 7,8 are forced inwards towards the tubing 5.

[0057] FIG. 7 is a further detailed sectioned side view of the upper part of the movable assembly 6, the releasable locking assembly 9, of the re-connecting device 1 in its inactivated (RIH) position. The force from the running tool 16 (see FIG. 6) will push downwards on the fishing neck 11 (see arrow). A lock ring 20 travels down during activation, pushed by the fishing neck 11. The lock ring 20 is able to “collapse” inwards since it is axially splitted/cut and “jumps” over internal threads 21 in the body 3 on its way down. The force is further transferred down through the crossover sleeve 22.

[0058] When the re-connecting device 1 is activated, an upward reaction force from the compressed sealing element 18 (see FIG. 8) will be transferred through the lock ring backup 23 to the lock ring 20. This will be stopped from moving upwards by the internal threads in the body.

[0059] The locking assembly 9 may be released by means of a standard pulling tool (not illustrated) that is latched into the internal profile of the fishing neck 11. When the fishing neck 11 is pulled upwards, the fixing element, e.g. shear screws, 33 are sheared at a predefined force, and the crossover sleeve 22 can move upwards in relation to the lock ring backup 23. When the crossover sleeve 22 moves upwards, a release cone 34 also moves upwards by means of the cross links 35, running in axially slots 36 arranged in the lock ring backup 23. When the release cone 34 hits the lock ring 20 the lock ring 20 will collapse inwards, making the threads of the lock ring 20 disengage with the corresponding threads 21 inside the outer body 3. This makes it possible to release the re-connecting device 1 from the tubing 5 (see FIG. 2). As the locking mechanism 9 is pulled upwards, the upper sleeve 24/see FIG. 8) of the sealing assembly 8 will move up and away from the deformed sealing element 18. The sealing element 18 will then partially retract back to its original shape and thereby release from the tubing 5.

[0060] Also the anchoring assembly 7 (see FIG. 9) is released in a similar way. The upper cone 29 will move upwards when the re-connecting device 1 is pulled up, the slipses 17 will then have no support or pressure against the tubing 5 as they will be pushed outwards by the compression springs 32.

[0061] FIG. 8 is a further detailed sectioned side view of the middle part, the sealing assembly 8, of the re-connecting device 1 in its inactivated (RIH) position. The force from the hydrostatic running tool 16 will push the cross over sleeve 22 and the upper sleeve 24 downwards (see arrow). When the axial force is applied, fixing elements, the shear screws, 25 (e.g. of brass) will shear at a pre-determined force, and the upper sleeve 24 will move downwards in relation to the packer mandrel 26. The movement of the upper sleeve 24 will force the sealing element 18 inwards against the tubing (not illustrated here) and it will be deformed. A lower sleeve 27 acts as a counter hold on the down side of the sealing element 18. A set of O-rings 37 seals between the packer mandrel 26 and the outer body 3 of the device 1, and together with the deformed sealing element 18 this gives a full seal between the tubing 5 and the outer body 3 and the PBR 10.

[0062] FIG. 9 is a further detailed sectioned side view of the lower part, the anchoring assembly 7, of the re-connecting device 1 in its inactivated position. The force from the hydrostatic running tool 16 will push the cross over sleeve 22, the upper sleeve 24 and the packer mandrel 26 downwards (see arrow). The shear screws 28 in the lower sleeve 27 will shear at a pre-determined force, and the movement in the lower sleeve 27 will transfer the force to an upper cone 29 which in turn moves downwards pressing on the backside of the slips 17, having matching conically formed surfaces on their backside. The movement of the upper cone 29 also presses the slips 17 against a lower cone 30, arranged below the slips 17. The slips 17, having gripping elements 31 on the inner side facing the tubing (not illustrated), are pushed, against compressing springs 32, inwards against the tubing by the two cones 29,30 until they grip into the tubing.

[0063] The whole design of this re-connecting device 1 is made in such a way that the inner diameter (restriction) will not be less in any location inside the device than the inner diameter of the tubing 5. This is also the case for the PBR/sealed extension that may be applied on top of the re-connecting device 1 to provide a production tubing up to the surface.

[0064] The fixing elements 28 are firstly sheared during activation in order to set the anchoring assembly 7, for connecting to the tubing 5. The fixing elements 25 are secondly sheared during the activation to expand the sealing assembly 8. The fixing elements 33 are sheared when the device is disconnected from the tubing and the fixing elements 15 are used only for locating the device onto the tubing 5.

[0065] I.e. the fixing elements 25,28 and 33 are used to keep everything in place before activation of the device. During activation the fixing elements 28,33 are sheared. During retrieval the fixing elements 25 are sheared.

[0066] The above description is primarily intended to facilitate the understanding of the invention. The invention is of course not limited to the above embodiments but also other variants of the invention are possible and conceivable within the scope of the invention and the appended claims. The invention is of course possible to use in other applications not mentioned here.