US3361209A - Well packer - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 2, 1968 v I J. E. EDWARDS, JR 3,351,209

' WELL PACKER Filed Feb. 23, 1966 4Sheets-Sheet 1 U055 EDMRDS JR.

7 L2; INVENTOR.

147 7 O/P/VE/S Jan. 2, 1968 J. E. EDWARDS, JR 3,361,209

" I WELL PACKER Filed Feb. 23, 1966 v 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 X 1%? 3 BY w Jan. 2, 1968 EDWARDS, J 3,361,209

' WELL PACKER Filed Feb. 23, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 JOEBE WARDS R. INVElQ/TOJR.

BY a

iii/Z5 Jan. 2, 1968 J. E. EDWARDS, JR 3,361,209

WELL PACK ER Filed Feb. 23, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 United States Patent 3,361,209 WELL PACKER Joe E. Edwards, Jr., Houston, Tex., assignor to Brown Oil Tools, Inc., Houston, Tex., a corporation of Texas Filed Feb. 23, 1966, Ser. No. 529,305 8 Claims. (Cl. 166-120) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in well tools and relates particularly to a retrievable well packer or anchor apparatus adapted to be selectively set in a well casing or similar conduit disposed within a well bore.

In the drilling of petroleum wells, a plurality of producing formations is often encountered in a single well bore. Certain regulatory bodies insist that each producing formation be separately produced. In the past, such production has been accomplished by multiple completions wherein each separate formation is produced through a single tubing string. However, formations are often encountered which do not justify the multiple completion equipment, but, if they could be produced in a manner to satisfy their regulatory bodies, would justify production. It has been the practice to produce such wells through a single tubing string with Well packers set between each formation and with valve means provided to selectively produce from only one formation at a time.

Difficulty has been encountered in providing retrievable packers for such installations and being able to satisfy the requirements of the regulatory body by testing the set of each packer individually to assure that there is no leak-age across the packer.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a well packer apparatus which may be selectively set responsive to the pressure of a hydraulic fluid and retrieved by a straight upward pull on the tubing string to which the packer is connected.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved well packer which may be set hydraulically and having such setting controlled from the surface so that the well packer remains in unset position until the packer is positively selected for setting from the surface of the well bore.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an improved well packer which is retrievable by a straight upward pull on the tubing string to which it is mounted and which is set responsive to a fluid ressure only when positively selected for setting.

Still another object is to provide an improved compact and economical retrievable well packer which is held in inactive position until selected for setting and, thereafter, is set by hydraulic pressure within the tubing string to which the well packer is connected.

Still a further. object is to provide a selectively set well packer of the character described which is set by hydraulic pressure, released by an upward pull and is held against longitudinal movement in both directions; said packer including a releasing assembly which is not subjected to excess pressure from either direction which might otherwise actuate said releasing assembly.

The construction designed to carry out the invention will be described hereinafter, together with other features thereof.

The invention will be readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section of a well packer and anchor apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention and showing the same in its unset position as it is run into a well bore;

FIGURE 2 is a similar view showing the release of the 3,361,209 Patentedl Jan. 2, 1968 selective means blocking communication to the hydraulically actuated setting means;

FIGURE 3 is a similar view showing the apparatus with its packing element in set position and its anchoring element in unset position;

FIGURE 4 is a similar view illustrating the position of the parts of the apparatus with its packing assembly set and with its anchoring assembly partly set;

FIGURE 5 is another similar view illustrating the position of the parts of the apparatus with its packing and anchoring assemblies set;

FIGURE 6 is another similar view illustrating the posi tions of the parts of the apparatus after it has been released;

FIGURE 7 is a schematic illustration of the application of the well packer apparatus to separate the multiple producing formations in a single well bore;

FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus taken along line 8-8 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 9 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 in FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 10 is another horizontal, cross-sectional view taken along line 1010 in FIGURE 1.

As shown in the drawings, the preferred form of the well tool apparatus of the present invention includes a main tubular support ormandrel 10 upon which is mounted a packing or sealing assembly A, the anchoring assembly B, the pressure actuated means, generally indicated at D, the releasing assembly R and the selectively releasable means E closing communication to the pressure-actuated means D. The anchoring assembly B is located between the packing assembly A and the pressure actuating means D. The selectively releasable means E which blocks the communication to the pressure-actuated means D is positioned within the upper interior of the assembly and has an internal configuration which allows it to be selectively actuated as by use of a wire line tool.

When the selectively releasable means E has been actuated, fluid pressure from within thetubular support 10 is conducted to the pressure-actuated means D to effect setting of the sealing assembly B into sealing position with the well pipe or casing C and, thereafter, to effect a setting of the anchoring assembly B into set or pipe-gripping position with the well casing C. When in set position, the apparatus will seal against pressures and will be anchored against movement in both directions within the well casing C which is disposed within the well bore. The releasing assembly R is mounted above the packing assembly A and is provided to prevent premature release of the well packer apparatus and to allow complete release and retrieval by an upward pull on the tubing string supporting the well packer apparatus. The well packer apparatus as illustrated is adapted to be connected to the support or tubing string T by acoupling 12. As shown, the release assembly R provides a releasable connection between the upper and lower abutments within the upper portion of the well tool.

As shown in FIGURE 1, thetubular support 10 is threadedly engaged with thecollar 14 which, in turn, is threadedly engaged to thecoupling 12. The lower end oftubular support 10 connects to the tubing string T extending below the apparatus.

The selectively releasable means E includes thevalve member 16 which is positioned on the interior ofcoupling 12 andcollar 14 and has an internal configuration suitable for engagement by only one of a plurality of valve actuating tools, as hereinafter explained. The exterior surface ofvalve member 16 is recessed to receive the projecting portions of theplugs 18 which are positioned in thecollar 14. Theplugs 18 are provided with acentral bore 20 in communication with thegroove 22 around the interior of thecoupling 12. Thebore 20 in theplugs 18 extends inwardly to a point beyond the inner surface of thecollar 14 but terminates short of the inner end ofplugs 18 to close communication between thegroove 22 and the interior of the tubing string T. Thegroove 22 is in communication with thepassages 24 which extend downwardly through thecollar 14 to communicate with the pressure-actuated means D as hereinafter more fully explained.

The packing assembly A is mounted on thepacking sleeve 26 which is threadedly secured to thecollar 28. Thecollar 28 surrounds the lower portion of thecollar 14 and is connected thereto by theshear pins 38. The packing assembly A also includes theupper ring 32 which is threadedly secured to thecollar 28, thepacking elements 34 and 36, thecentral packing follower 38 and thelower ring 40, all of which are mounted in surrounding relationship to thepacking sleeve 26. Thesnap ring 42 is positioned in a groove at the lower end of thepacking sleeve 26 and engages theinternal shoulder 44 on thelower ring 40 to retain the packing assembly A on thepacking sleeve 26..

The anchoring assembly B is secured to the lower part of the packing assembly A by the threaded connection of the upper end ofexpander 46 with thelower ring 40. The anchoring assembly B includes theupper expander 46, thecage 48, thelower expander 58 and thegripping elements 52. Thegripping elements 52 are positioned within thecage 48 for radial movement through thewindows 54 in the cage and have inclined surfaces for engagement with the respective inclined surfaces of the upper andlower expanders 46 and 50. Initially, thecage 48 is connected to theupper expander 46 by theshear pins 56 and to the lower expander by theshear pins 58. Relative rotational movement of the components of the anchoring assembly B is prevented by thepins 68 which are secured into theupper expander 46 and extend outwardly into theslots 62 in thecage 48 and thepins 64 which are secured in thelower expander 50 and extend outwardly into theslots 66 in thecage 48.

The lower end of lower expander 58 functions as the piston of the pressure-actuated means D. Thepressure chamber 68 in which the piston end ofexpander 50 is mounted is defined by thering 70,outer sleeve 72,inner sleeve 74 and the lower end oflower expander 50.Outer sleeve 72 is secured to ring 70 byscrews 76 and is releasably engaged to thelower expander 58 byshear pins 78.Inner sleeve 74 is threadedly engaged with ring '70 and extends upwardly surrounding and spaced outwardly fromtubular support 10.

The upper end of inner sleeve 74- is retained by the releasing assembly R. The releasing assembly R includessnap ring 80 which is held in position by the depending skirt S2 of thecollar 14 and by the upwardly facingshoulder 84 ofcollar 28. Relative movement of the release assembly parts is prevented untilpins 30 are sheared by an upward pull on the tubing string T to release the parts as hereinafter described. As shown, thesnap ring 80 is provided with internal teeth for engagement with the external teeth on the upper portion ofinner sleeve 74.

With the parts positioned as shown, communication between thepassage 24 and thepressure chamber 68 is provided by the space between the tubular support and theinner sleeve 74 and theport 86 extending through the lower portion of theinner sleeve 74 and communicating with thepressure chamber 68. Suitable seals are provided, such as O-rings, to maintain pressure within thepressure chamber 68.

A suitable locking means is provided in association with the pressure-actuated means D to hold the well packer in set position. The lower interior of thelower expander 50 is tapered outwardly to provide a tapered recess into which the locking slips 88 of such locking means are positioned. The sealingring 90 is positioned betweeninner sleeve 74 andlower expander 50 under the locking slips 88. When exposed to pressure, the sealingring 98 will urge the locking slips upwardly into the tapered recess for engagement with the outer surface ofinner sleeve 74. The teeth on the inner surface of the locking slips face downwardly to allow the locking slips 88 to move upwardly with the lower expander when actuated by pressure, but to resist any downward movement of thelower expander 58 in relation to theinner sleeve 74. Thesnap ring 92 is positioned in the lower interior surface of lower expander immediately below the sealing ring to prevent the sealing ring from moving downwardly and blocking the communication of theport 86 into thepressure chamber 68.

With the apparatus as illustrated in FIGURE 1, it is properly positioned for running into the casing C. The components of the well tool are all held in inactive position by shear pins and the selectively releasable means E in position closing communication from the interior of the tubing string T to the pressure-actuated means D to prevent premature setting until the desired location within the well casing C is reached. The setting of the well tool is accomplished by opening the communication by moving the selectively releasable means E to expose the pressure-actuated means D to a fluid pressure which actuates the pressure actuated means D to move thelower expander 50 upwardly. This movement sets both the packing assembly A and the anchoring assembly B, as hereinafter more fully explained in detail. The actuation of the pressure-actuated means D to set the well tool does not disturb the releasing assembly R.

In FIGURE 2, it can be seen that the selectively releasable means E has been actuated by thewell tool 94 and that the ball or plug 96 has been dropped through the tubing string to seat on theinternal seat 98 formed in thetubular support 10.

Thetool 94 has a configuration which is adapted to engage only the internal configuration of thevalve member 16. The internal configuration of eachvalve member 16 will be different so that adifferent well tool 94 is required in order to actuate the correct assembly. Thus, by using the correct tool the well packer assembly is selectively set. As shown, thetool 94 is wire line operated. As soon as engagement between thewell tool 94 and thevalve member 16 is assured, the wire line is raised causing thevalve member 16 to slide upwardly shearing the inner projection ofplugs 18 in line with the interior surface ofcoupling 12 andcollar 14. Thevalve member 16 is lifted a suflicient distance to uncover thebore 20 allowing communication from the interior of the tubing string through thebore 20, thegroove 22, thepassage 24 and the space betweentubular support 10 andinner sleeve 74 and through theport 86 into thepressure chamber 68. The pressure within thechamber 68 exerts a force urging thelower expander 50 upwardly within thechamber 68. The shear pins 56, 58 and 78 all resist such force. Pressure also exerts a downward force on thering 70, but it is held by its connection toinner sleeve 74 and the releasing assembly R connection toinner sleeve 74. Since it is desired that in setting the apparatus of the present invention the packing assembly be moved to set position first, the shear pins 56, 58 and 78 are designed to have different strengths withshear pins 78 being the weakest, designed to fail first, and shear pins 58 being the strongest, designed to fail last.

The setting of the apparatus proceeds with pressure in thepressure chamber 68, movinglower expander 50, sealingring 90 and locking slips 88 upwardly when shear pins 78 fail. The shear pins 56 and 58 hold and the whole anchoring assembly B moves upwardly as a unit, as illustrated in FIGURE 3. This upward movement is transmitted by theupper expander 46 to thelower ring 40 of the packing assembly A. As thering 40 is moved upwardly with respect to the packingsleeve 26, theupper ring 32 will remain stationary to thereby compress thepacking elements 34 and 36. The packing elements are of the usual type that, when compressed longitudinally, expand radially outward into sealing engagement with the,

interior of the well casing C. The position of the well tool with the packing assembly A set as described is illustrated in FIGURE 3.

The setting of packing assembly A stops further upward movement of thelower ring 46 and thus of theupper expander 46. With sulficient pressure building inpressure chamber 68 against this resistance, the force shears the shear pins 56. When the shear pins 56 have sheared, the

whole anchoring assembly 13 moves upwardly onto the 1upper expander 46. Because of the wedging action of theupper expander 46 on thegripping elements 52, thegripping elements 52 are moved radially outward through thewindows 54 in thecage 48 into gripping engagement with the casing C. With thegripping elements 52 firmly set against the interior of the casing C, further upward movement of thecage 48 is resisted by the engagement of thegripping elements 52 in the casing C. Against this resistance suificient force is developed in the pressure chamber 63 to shear the shear pins 58, and the lower expander 59 is moved upwardly under thegripping elements 52 to further wedge thegripping elements 52 outwardly into tight pipe-gripping position with the casing C. The position of the parts before the shearing of shear pins 58 is illustrated in FIGURE 4. The complete setting position of the apparatus is illustrated in FIGURE 5. With the locking slips 88 wedged against the incline surface on thelower expander 50 and the teeth of the locking slips 88 firmly engaged with the exterior ofinner sleeve 74, a reduction in pressure within thepressure chamber 68 does not cause the unsetting of either of the assemblies A or B.

After this completion of the setting, thewell tool 94 andball 96 may be removed and pressure testing of the seal of the well packer commenced. It should be noted that while the shear pins 56, S8 and 78 have all been sheared in the setting of the apparatus, the shear pins 39 have not been sheared but remain intact during all normal operating conditions to which the apparatus is exposed. The shear pins 30 are protected from the setting forces by the engagement of theshoulder 84 against thesnap ring 80 and theskirt 82. Additionally, pressure forces exerted on the sealing assembly A, when upwardly directed, are not exerted against the shear pins 30 and in a downwardly direction are exerted against theupper expander 46 to hold it against movement. With the apparatus completely set as illustrated in FIGURE 5, it holds pressure differentials from both directions and holds against movement in both directions. When the apparatus is subjected to a higher pressure from above the sealing assembly A, such pressure is exerted as a downward force on theupper expander 46. This force acts through the tapered surfaces to wedge thegripping elements 52 into tighter engagement with the casing C and to hold the apparatus in place. A high pressure from below the packing assembly A exerts an upward force against thering 32 and the packingsleeve 26. This force is transmitted through thesnap ring 80, through theinner sleeve 74 and the locking slips 88 to exert an upward force on thelower expander 50. This force also urges thegripping elements 52 into tighter engagement against the interior of the casing C to hold the well tool in place.

Release of the well packer is accomplished by lifting the tubing string T with a force sufficient to shear the shear pins 30. When thepins 36* are sheared, suflicient movement between thecollar 14 and thecollar 28 is allowed until thering 100, which is secured to thecollar 28, engages theshoulder 102 on thecollar 14. This relative movement allows thesnap ring 80, theinner sleeve 74 and thecollar 28 to move downwardly a suflicient distance to allow thesnap ring 80 to clear the lower edge of theskirt 82 on thecollar 14. When theskirt 82 has been cleared, thesnap ring 80 moves outwardly and is thereby disengaged from the upper end of theinner sleeve 74.

The relative movement of parts accomplishes the release of the packing assembly A and anchoring assembly even though the pressure-actuated means D remains locked in its extended position. When the ring engages theshoulder 102 on thecollar 14, thecollar 28, thering 32 and the packingsleeve 26 are lifted with the lifting of the tubing string T thereby moving the packing assembly A into released position. Further upward movement causes thesnap ring 42 to engage theshoulder 44 on thering 40 to retract theupper expander 46 from under thegripping elements 52. When thepins 60 engage the upper end of theslot 62, further upper movement rocks the grippingelement 52 off thelower expander 50 thereby completing the release of the anchoring assembly B. When desired, the teeth on the gripping elements may be slightly flattened at the lower end of each of the gripping elements to provide a release action as more completely disclosed and explained in the pending application of Cicero C. Brown, Ser. No. 299,982, filed Aug. 5. 1963, and entitled, Anchoring Means Assembly.

With the anchoring assembly B completely released, the well tool may then be retrieved by pulling it out of the well casing C. Since theinner sleeve 74 has been disconnected from thetubular support 10, the shoulder 194 on the lower portion oftubular support 10, is provided to engage thering 70 to assure the lifting of the complete apparatus on retrieval from the well bore.

The application of the well packer of the present invention is shown in FIGURE 7. The three producing formations F-l, F-Z and F-3 are spanned by the single casing C. The tubing string T, which is lowered in the casing C, is provided with the three well packers constructed in accordance with the present invention P-l, P-2 and P-3 and the sleeve valve-s V-1, V-2 and V-3 positioned in the tubing string to be in communication with the three producing formations, respectively. The casing C is perforated at the producing formations. As shown in the drawing, the landing plug L has been dropped through the tubing string T and landed in the lower portion thereof below the lowest sleeves valve V-3.

Through manipulation of suitable wire line tools, the selectively releasable means E of the packer P-3 has been actuated and the packer P-3 has been moved into set position. At this point, testing may be accomplished to assure that the packer P-3 is properly set. The tubing is pressured with the valve V3 open, and, if no leakage is detected in the annulus between the casing and the tubing at the surface, then the annulus is pressured and the tubing checked. Assuming that the packer P3 has held against pressure in both directions, the valve V-3 is closed and the selectively releasable means E for the packer P-Z is opened by its special tool and the tubing pressured to set the packer P-2. With the packer P-Z set, pressure testing is accomplished by opening the valve V-2. When it is found that the packer P2 holds against pressures in both directions, the valve V-2 is closed, the selectively releasable means E for the packer P-1 is opened, and the tubing pressured to set the packer P-l. Packer P-l is tested after opening the sleeve valve V-l to assure that it holds pressure. With the packers in set position, the producing formations may be separately produced through the tubing string T by control of the sleeve valves V-l, V2 and V-3.

By utilizing the well packer of the present invention when the tubing string T, the well packers and the sleeve valves are to be removed from the casing C, it is only necessary to lift the tubing string T and the three packers 1, P-2 and P-3 release and are lifted to the surface.

From the foregoing it can be seen that the well tool of the present invention provides an improved compact and economical well packer which may be selectively set and which is retrievable by a straight lifting of the tubing string to which the well packer is attached.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction, may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is: 11. A well tool adapted to be set in a well pipe including a tubular support, an anchoring assembly including gripping elements mounted on said tubular support, pressure-actuated means mounted on said tubular support for setting said anchoring assembly Within a Well pipe, a fluid communication to said pressure-actuated means, selectively releasable means closing said communication to said pressure-actuated setting means, setting of said anchoring assembly moving said gripping elements into pipe-gripping engagement with said well pipe to hold against longitudinal movement in both directions, and a releasing assembly providing a connection between said setting means and said tubular support whereby lifting of said tubular support effects release of said releasing assembly and unsets said anchoring assembly. 2. A well tool according to claim 1 wherein said selectively releasable means includes a valve member positioned within said tubular support and closing communication through said tubular support to said pressure-actuated setting means, said valve member being selectively movable responsive only to a single tool controlled at the surface whereby setting of said well tool is prevented until said valve member is moved by said tool. 3. A well tool according to claim 1 wherein said selectively releasable means includes a valve member positioned within said tubular support, and a plug positioned in said tubular support, closing the communication through said tubular support to said pressure-actuated setting means, and having an inner end engaged by said valve member, the inner end of said plug adapted to be sheared by movement of said valve member to open said communication through said mandrel to fluid under pressure for setting of said well tool. 4. A well tool according to claim 11 including a packing assembly mounted on said tubular support and adapted to be set by movement of said pressureactuated setting means.

5'. A well tool according to claim 1 including means locking said pressure-actuated setting means in set position to prevent release of said anchoring assembly.

6. A Well tool according to claim 1 wherein said releasing assembly includes a sleeve surrounding said tubular support and connected to said pressure-actuated means,

a collar surrounding said sleeve and said tubular support,

a first releasable connection between said collar and said tubular support, and

a second releasable connection between said collar and said sleeve,

said collar holding said second releasable connection inactive,

release of said first releasable connection between said tubular support and said collar eltecting release of said second releasable connection between said collar and said sleeve,

lifting of said tubular support relearing said first releasable connection between said collar and said tubular support, releasing said second releasable connection and unsetting said anchoring assembly from pipe-gripping engagement with said well pipe.

7. A well tool according toclaim 6 wherein said second releasable connection comprises a snap ring engaging said sleeve, said collar holding said snap ring in engagement with said sleeve until said first releasable connection releases. 8. A well tool according toclaim 6 wherein said sleeve is spaced radially outward from said tubular support to provide a passage forming a part of said fluid communicating means to said pressure-actuated means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,982,358 5/1961 Brown 16612O 3,122,295 2/1964 Brown et a1. 166120 X 3,180,419 4/1965 Cochran et a1. 166120 3,253,656 5/1966 Brown 166-134 3,283,824 11/1966 l-lotlman et al. 166134 3,294,172 12/1966 Brown 166-439 CHARLES I3, OCONNELL, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A WELL TOOL ADAPTED TO BE SET IN A WELL PIPE INCLUDING A TUBULAR SUPPORT, AN ANCHORING ASSEMBLY INCLUDING GRIPPING ELEMENTS MOUNTED ON SAID TUBULAR SUPPORT, PRESSURE-ANCHORED MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID TUBULAR SUPPORT FOR SETTING SAID ANCHORING ASSEMBLY WITHIN A WELL PIPE, A FLUID COMMUNICATION TO SAID PRESSURE-ACTUATED MEANS, SELECTIVELY RELEASABLY MEANS CLOSING SAID COMMUNICATION TO SAID PRESSURE-ACTUATED SETTING MEANS, SETTING OF SAID ANCHORING ASSEMBLY MOVING SAID GRIPPING ELEMENTS INTO PIPE-GRIPPING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID WELL PIPE TO HOLD AGAINST LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT IN BOTH DIRECTIONS, AND A RELEASING ASSEMBLY PROVIDING A CONNECTION BETWEEN SAID SETTING MEANS AND SAID TUBULAR SUPPORT WHEREBY LIFTING OF SAID TUBULAR SUPPORT EFFECTS RELEASE OF SAID RELEASING ASSEMBLY AND UNSETS SAID ANCHORING ASSEMBLY.

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