US20160160591A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20160160591A1
Application number: US14/561,510
Authority: US
Inventors: YingQing Xu; Zhiyue Xu; Zhihui ZHANG
Original assignee: Baker Hughes Inc
Current assignee: Baker Hughes Holdings LLC
Priority date: 2014-12-05
Filing date: 2014-12-05
Publication date: 2016-06-09
Also published as: WO2016090234A1

Abstract

In one aspect, an anchoring device is disclosed, including: a degradable substrate with a first hardness; and a plurality of gripping inserts associated with the outer extent of the degradable substrate, wherein the plurality of gripping inserts have a second hardness greater than the first hardness. In another aspect, a method to anchor a downhole device is disclosed, including: providing a degradable substrate with a first hardness; and inserting a plurality of gripping inserts to the outer extent of the degradable substrate, wherein the plurality of gripping inserts have a second hardness greater than the first hardness.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

This disclosure relates generally to degradable slip rings and systems that utilize same for downhole applications.

2. Background of the Art

Wellbores are drilled in subsurface formations for the production of hydrocarbons (oil and gas). Hydrocarbons are trapped in various traps or zones in the subsurface formations at different depths. In many operations, such as fracturing, it is required to anchor devices (such as packers, bridge plugs, etc.) in a downhole location to facilitate production of oil and gas. After such operations, anchoring devices must be removed or destroyed before following operations can begin. Such removal operations may be costly and/or time consuming. It is desired to provide an anchoring device that can provide sufficient anchoring performance while providing desired and predictable degradation characteristics.

The disclosure herein provides controlled degradable slip rings and systems using the same for downhole applications.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, an anchoring device is disclosed, including: a degradable substrate with a first hardness; and a plurality of gripping inserts associated with the outer extent of the degradable substrate, wherein the plurality of gripping inserts have a second hardness greater than the first hardness.

In another aspect, a method to anchor a downhole device is disclosed, including: providing a degradable substrate with a first hardness; and inserting a plurality of gripping inserts to the outer extent of the degradable substrate, wherein the plurality of gripping inserts have a second hardness greater than the first hardness.

In another aspect, a downhole system is disclosed, including: a casing string; and an anchoring device associated with the casing string, including: a degradable substrate with a first hardness; and a plurality of gripping inserts associated with the outer extent of the degradable substrate, wherein the plurality of gripping inserts have a second hardness greater than the first hardness and the second hardness is greater than a hardness of an inner diameter of the casing string.

Examples of certain features of the apparatus and method disclosed herein are summarized rather broadly in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood. There are, of course, additional features of the apparatus and method disclosed hereinafter that will form the subject of the claims appended hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure herein is best understood with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals have generally been assigned to like elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary drilling system that includes downhole elements according to embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary downhole device for use in a downhole system, such as the one shown inFIG. 1, according to one embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 3A shows a view of an exemplary anchoring device for use with a downhole device, such as the downhole device shown inFIG. 2 for use with a downhole system, according to one embodiment of the disclosure; and

FIG. 3B shows a partial cross sectional view of the anchoring device shown inFIG. 3A.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a downhole system to facilitate the production of oil and gas. In certain embodiments,system100 allows for fracturing operations to facilitate production of oil and gas.System100 includes awellbore106 formed information104 withcasing108 disposed therein.

In an exemplary embodiment, awellbore106 is drilled from asurface102 to adownhole location110.Casing108 may be disposed withinwellbore106 to facilitate production. In an exemplary embodiment,casing108 is disposed through multiple zones of production Z1 . . . Zn in adownhole location110. Wellbore106 may be a vertical wellbore, a horizontal wellbore, a deviated wellbore or any other suitable type of wellbore or any combination thereof.

To facilitate downhole operations, such as fracturing operations,bridge plugs116a,packers116b, or other suitable downhole devices are utilized withincasing string108. In certain embodiments,such downhole devices116a,bare anchored tocasing string108 via ananchor assembly118. In certain embodiments,bridge plugs116autilize ananchor assembly118 andfrac balls120 to isolate zones Z1 . . . Zn for fracturing operations. In certain embodiments,frac balls120 are disposed at adownhole location110 to obstruct and seal fluid flow inlocal zone112 to facilitate flow toperforations114 in conjunction withfrac plugs116a. In certain embodiments,packers116bare utilized in conjunction withanchor assembly118 to isolate zones Z1 . . . Zn for fracturing operations.

In certain embodiments,frac fluid124 is pumped from afrac fluid source122 to adownhole location110 to flow throughperforations114 in azone112 isolated bydownhole device116a,b. Advantageously, fracturing operations allow for more oil and gas available for production.

After desired operations (such as fracturing operations) and before following operations,anchoring devices118 are often removed or otherwise destroyed to allow the flow of oil and gas throughcasing108. In an exemplary embodiment,anchoring devices118 are configured to anchor againstcasing108 oflocal zone112 until a predetermined time at which anchoringdevices118 dissolve or degrade to facilitate the production of oil and gas. Advantageously, in an exemplary embodiment, theanchoring devices118 herein are formed of multiple materials to have predictable and adjustable degradation characteristics while allowing for suitable anchoring characteristics.

FIG. 2 shows adownhole device216, such as a bridge plug, packer, or any other suitable downhole device, for use downhole systems such as thesystem100 shown inFIG. 1. In an exemplary embodiment,downhole system200 includesdownhole device216 interfacing withcasing208 viaanchor assembly218 to anchor adownhole device216. In certain embodiments, afrac ball220 is used withdownhole device216 to isolate frac fluid flow within the wellbore.

In an exemplary embodiment,anchor assembly218 includes awedge224 and aslip ring228. In certain embodiments,wedge224 is forced downhole to forceslip ring228 outward againstcasing208 to anchor againstcasing208. In certain embodiments,slip ring228 can crack or otherwise separate as it is driven againstcasing208. In certain embodiments,wedge224 is forced via a setting tool, explosives, or any other suitable means. In certain embodiments,downhole device216 further utilizes a sealingmember226 to sealdownhole device216 againstcasing208 and further resist movement.Sealing member226 may similarly be driven towardcasing208 via wedge224.

In an exemplary embodiment, a substrate of aslip ring228 is formed of a degradable material to allowslip ring228 to dissolve or degrade after a desired anchoring function is performed. In certain embodiments, a secondary material is used in conjunction with the substrate of theslip ring228 to anchor theslip ring228 againstcasing208. Typically, a secondary material is harder thancasing208 to allowslip ring228 to partially embed incasing208. In certain embodiments, the downhole temperature exposure todownhole device216 andslip ring228 varies from 100 to 350 degrees Fahrenheit at a particular downhole location for a given area. Advantageously, slipring228 as described herein may allow for degradation after a desired time in certain downhole environments, while allowing suitable anchoring performance. In certain embodiments, portions ofslip ring228 can degrade or otherwise not prevent further downhole operations or restrict flow within a wellbore.

FIGS. 3A and 3B shows an exemplary embodiment ofslip ring328. In an exemplary embodiment,slip ring328 includes asubstrate331 and a plurality ofinserts330. In certain embodiments,slip ring328 is used with downhole devices as shown inFIG. 2 to anchor the downhole devices against a casing. Advantageously,slip ring328 is a degradable device, allowingslip ring328 to degrade without any secondary removal or destruction operations.

In an exemplary embodiment,substrate331 is a degradable material. Advantageously, by formingsubstrate331 ofslip ring328 from a degradable material, a downhole device may be anchored byslip ring328 for the desired period of time, and then theslip ring328 may be disintegrated to allow further operations without any obstructions. In certain embodiments,substrate331 is formed from a corrodible metal such as a controlled electrolytic metallic, including but not limited to Intallic.Substrate331 materials may include: a magnesium alloy, a magnesium silicon alloy, a magnesium aluminum alloy, a magnesium zinc alloy, a magnesium manganese alloy, a magnesium aluminum zinc alloy, a magnesium aluminum manganese alloy, a magnesium zinc zirconium alloy, and a magnesium rare earth element alloy. Rare earth elements may include, but is not limited to scandium, yttrium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, and erbium. In certain embodiments,substrate materials331 are further coated with aluminum, nickel, iron, tungsten, copper, cobalt. In certain embodiments,substrate331 materials are consolidated and forged. In certain embodiments, the elements can be formed into a powder and a substrate can be formed form pressed powder. In an exemplary embodiment, the material ofsubstrate331 is selected based on desired degradation characteristics ofslip ring328.

In an exemplary embodiment,substrate331 forms a generally cylindrical shape with aninner extent336 and anouter extent334. In certain embodiments,inner extent336 has a reducing or reduced radius portion to allow a downhole device to be retained within theslip ring328. In an exemplary embodiment, the material ofsubstrate331 is chosen with respect to the relative hardness of the downhole device to prevent damage to the downhole device. In an exemplary embodiment,outer extent334 ofslip ring328 is configured to interface with a casing. In an exemplary embodiment,outer extent334 includesinserts330 designed to interface with casing.

In an exemplary embodiment,slip ring328 can be configured to break in to several sections when expanded. In certain embodiments,slip ring328 can be expanded by a wedge as previously shown inFIG. 2. In order to facilitate fracturing ofslip ring328 certain embodiments ofslip ring328 include crack initiation points332 disposed onouter extent334. Crack initiation points332 include, but are not limited to cuts, grooves, slits, perforations, etc. Crack initiation points332 may serve as a stress concentration point to initiate cracking, fracturing, or separation along the longitudinal axis ofslip ring328 asslip ring328 is expanded. In certain embodiments, crack initiation points332 are formed via electricaldischarge machining substrate331.

In an exemplary embodiment,outer extent334 includesinserts330 configured to interface with a casing or other suitable anchor medium. In an exemplary embodiment, the material ofinsert330 is selected to be harder than the interfacing casing. Casing may have a hardness of approximately 120 ksi. Casing grades may range from L80 to Q125. Advantageously, a relativelyharder anchor insert330 allows forinsert330 to firmly anchor the downhole device to casing or other suitable anchor medium. In certain embodiments,anchor insert330 is formed of a harder material thansubstrate331. Advantageously, materials, particularly degradable materials, may not have a suitable hardness to adequately anchor to a casing or other suitable anchor material, requiring the use of aharder anchor insert330 as described herein. Materials selected forsubstrate331 and insert330 may be carefully selected to ensureinsert330 embeds further into a casing or anchor medium compared tosubstrate331.

In an exemplary embodiment, inserts330 are arranged in an ordered pattern. In other embodiments, inserts330 are disposed in a random arrangement. In an exemplary embodiment, inserts330 can be cubic shaped, polygonal shaped or any other geometric shape. In an exemplary embodiment, inserts330 are configured to allow for sufficient anchoring force against an anchoring medium such as a casing. Advantageously, by utilizing granulargripping materials330, asubstrate331 can be formed with a lower strength material to allow for greater ductility ofslip ring328. Advantageously, inserts330 may be configured to be sized and shaped to allow passage through intended flow paths and to allow operations to continue after asubstrate331 has dissolved.

In an exemplary embodiment, inserts330 are formed from degradable materials.Inserts330 can be formed of any suitable material, including, but not limited to oxides, carbides, and nitrides. In certain embodiments, inserts330 are formed from aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, tungsten carbide, zirconium dioxide, and silicon nitride. In certain embodiments, inserts330 contain 50-90% of the previously described materials, with the balance including magnesium, aluminum, zinc, and manganese alloys.

In an exemplary embodiment, inserts330 are disposed inreceptacles338 formed insubstrate331. During anchoring operations, inserts330 may experience a contact pressure asinserts330 interface with an anchor medium, such as a casing. Similarly, inserts330 may also experience an insert pressure asinserts330 interface withsubstrate331. In certain embodiments, inserts331 are received inreceptacles338 configured to reduce the insert pressure inserts330 experience compared to the contact pressure inserts330 experience as they interface with an anchor medium. In certain embodiments,receptacles338 can offer a greater insert contact area to create a lower insert pressure compared to the contact area utilized betweeninserts330 and the anchor medium.

Inserts

330 may be attached tosubstrate331 via a binder or any other suitable adhesive. In certain embodiments, the binder utilizes is degradable. Binders include, but are not limited to toughened acrylics, epoxy, low metal point metals (such as aluminum, magnesium, zinc, and their alloys), etc. In other embodiments,receptacle338 can retaininserts330 without any additional components.

In another aspect, a method to anchor a downhole device is disclosed, including: providing a degradable substrate with a first hardness; and inserting a plurality of gripping inserts to the outer extent of the degradable substrate, wherein the plurality of gripping inserts have a second hardness greater than the first hardness. In certain embodiments, the plurality of gripping inserts are degradable. In certain embodiments, the degradable substrate includes at least one of: a magnesium alloy, a magnesium silicon alloy, a magnesium aluminum alloy, a magnesium zinc alloy, a magnesium manganese alloy, a magnesium aluminum zinc alloy, a magnesium aluminum manganese alloy, a magnesium zinc zirconium alloy, and a magnesium rare earth element alloy. In certain embodiments, the plurality of gripping inserts includes at least one of: an oxide, a carbide, a nitride, a magnesium alloy, an aluminum alloy, a zinc alloy, and a manganese alloy. In certain embodiments, the plurality of gripping inserts are smaller than an intended flow path.

In another aspect, a downhole system is disclosed, including: a casing string; and an anchoring device associated with the casing string, including: a degradable substrate with a first hardness; and a plurality of gripping inserts associated with the outer extent of the degradable substrate, wherein the plurality of gripping inserts have a second hardness greater than the first hardness and the second hardness is greater than a hardness of an inner diameter of the casing string. In certain embodiments, the plurality of gripping inserts are degradable. In certain embodiments, the anchoring device is associated with a packer or a bridge plug. In certain embodiments, the anchoring device is associated with a wedge.

The foregoing disclosure is directed to certain specific embodiments for ease of explanation. Various changes and modifications to such embodiments, however, will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is intended that all such changes and modifications within the scope and spirit of the appended claims be embraced by the disclosure herein.

Claims

1. An anchoring device, comprising:

a degradable substrate with a first hardness; and

a plurality of gripping inserts associated with the outer extent of the degradable substrate, wherein the plurality of gripping inserts have a second hardness greater than the first hardness.

2. The anchoring device ofclaim 1, wherein the plurality of gripping inserts are degradable.

3. The anchoring device ofclaim 1, wherein the degradable substrate comprises at least one of: a magnesium alloy, a magnesium silicon alloy, a magnesium aluminum alloy, a magnesium zinc alloy, a magnesium manganese alloy, a magnesium aluminum zinc alloy, a magnesium aluminum manganese alloy, a magnesium zinc zirconium alloy, and a magnesium rare earth element alloy.

4. The anchoring device ofclaim 1, wherein the plurality of gripping inserts comprises at least one of: an oxide, a carbide, a nitride, a magnesium alloy, an aluminum alloy, a zinc alloy, and a manganese alloy.

5. The anchoring device ofclaim 1, wherein the plurality of gripping inserts are smaller than an intended flow path.

6. The anchoring device ofclaim 1, further comprising a plurality of receptacles associated with the plurality of gripping inserts to transmit an insert pressure, wherein the insert pressure less than a contact pressure.

7. The anchoring device ofclaim 1, wherein the plurality of gripping inserts are ordered.

8. The anchoring device ofclaim 1, wherein the degradable substrate includes at least one crack initiation point.

9. The anchoring device ofclaim 1, further comprising a binder associated with the plurality of gripping inserts and the degradable substrate.

10. The anchoring device ofclaim 9, wherein the binder is degradable.

11. The anchoring device ofclaim 1, wherein the plurality of gripping inserts comprise at least one of cubic gripping inserts and polygonal gripping inserts.

12. A method to anchor a downhole device, comprising:

providing a degradable substrate with a first hardness; and

inserting a plurality of gripping inserts to the outer extent of the degradable substrate, wherein the plurality of gripping inserts have a second hardness greater than the first hardness.

13. The method ofclaim 12, wherein the plurality of gripping inserts are degradable.

14. The method ofclaim 12, wherein the degradable substrate comprises at least one of: a magnesium alloy, a magnesium silicon alloy, a magnesium aluminum alloy, a magnesium zinc alloy, a magnesium manganese alloy, a magnesium aluminum zinc alloy, a magnesium aluminum manganese alloy, a magnesium zinc zirconium alloy, and a magnesium rare earth element alloy.

15. The method ofclaim 12, wherein the plurality of gripping inserts comprises at least one of: an oxide, a carbide, a nitride, a magnesium alloy, an aluminum alloy, a zinc alloy, and a manganese alloy.

16. The method ofclaim 12, wherein the plurality of gripping inserts are smaller than an intended flow path.

17. A downhole system, comprising:

a casing string; and

an anchoring device associated with the casing string, comprising:

a degradable substrate with a first hardness; and

a plurality of gripping inserts associated with the outer extent of the degradable substrate, wherein the plurality of gripping inserts have a second hardness greater than the first hardness and the second hardness is greater than a hardness of an inner diameter of the casing string.

18. The system ofclaim 17, wherein the plurality of gripping inserts are degradable.

19. The system ofclaim 17, wherein the anchoring device is associated with a packer or a bridge plug.

20. The system ofclaim 17, wherein the anchoring device is associated with a wedge.