CA1159865A - Well-tubing expansion joint - Google Patents
Well-tubing expansion jointInfo
- Publication number
- CA1159865A CA1159865A CA000378425A CA378425A CA1159865A CA 1159865 A CA1159865 A CA 1159865A CA 000378425 A CA000378425 A CA 000378425A CA 378425 A CA378425 A CA 378425A CA 1159865 A CA1159865 A CA 1159865A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- housing
- mandrel
- tubing
- releasable
- end portion
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B17/00—Drilling rods or pipes; Flexible drill strings; Kellies; Drill collars; Sucker rods; Cables; Casings; Tubings
- E21B17/02—Couplings; joints
- E21B17/04—Couplings; joints between rod or the like and bit or between rod and rod or the like
- E21B17/07—Telescoping joints for varying drill string lengths; Shock absorbers
Abstract
IMPROVED WELL-TUBING EXPANSION JOINT
Abstract of the Disclosure An expansion joint for use with a retrievable packer includes a stop to limit the extent to which the joint may be extended and for providing vertical support for packer retrieval and further includes and interfitting key and slot acting between a housing and a mandrel telescoped into the housing in order to transmit torque through the joint.
Abstract of the Disclosure An expansion joint for use with a retrievable packer includes a stop to limit the extent to which the joint may be extended and for providing vertical support for packer retrieval and further includes and interfitting key and slot acting between a housing and a mandrel telescoped into the housing in order to transmit torque through the joint.
Description
IMPROVED WELL--TUBING E~XPANSION JOINT
Technical Field The present invention relates to an expansion-contraction joint for use in a well tubing string and, more particularly, relates to the type of expansion-contraction joint comprised of telescoped tubular parts.
Background Art As disclosed in IJ. S. Patent 4,040,649 an expansion-contraction joint may be used in the tubing string of an oil or gas well in conjunction with a packer in order to compensate for expansion and contraction in an upper section of the tubing extending between the well head and the packer. The expansion joint functions to relieve the tubing of stresses due to expansion or contraction such as may be caused by temperature changes or otherwise after the packer is set by allowing telescoped parts of the joint to move relative to each other.
When installing a packer in a well, it may be desirable for the expansion joint to remain immobilized until after the packer is set. This may be necessary in order for the joint to carry the weight of the tubing string when positioning the packer in the well, and to allow the well head to be secured to the casing for production purposes as soon as possible after setting the packer. To these ends, the aforementioned patent discloses an expansion joint which includes a tubular housing having a mandrel telescoped into the housing and carrying a series of stacked sealing rings to seal against the loss of production fluid from between the mandrel and housing. Connected to the ~5g8~;5 `~ower end of the mandrel is a locking mechanism which may be hydraulically released from holding the mandrel in some intermediate position to free the mandrel for sliding longitudinally within the housing be-tween fully collapsed and fully extended posi-tions. In this way the joint may be released after the packer is set in order to compensate for expansion and contraction in the upper section of -the tubing string.
When an expansion-contraction joint is used in conjunction with a retrievable packer, it is desirable that the expansion joint be capable of again bearing the weight of the tubing string and of transmitting torque through the tubing string when disengaging the packer slips and removing the packer from the well. Another prior art expansion joint having this capability is shown in the "Composite Catalogue of Oil Field Equipment and Services", 1974-75 at page 3931 and includes a locking mechanism which may be released and reset mechanically through the use of a wireline tool. In resetting this locking mechanism, however, it is necessary to rerun a wireline through the tubing string while at the same time relocating relatively slidable moving parts of the expansion joint in their originally set positions.
The present invention contemplates an improved well-tubing expansion joint which is wireline released from a centralized load-carrying position to compensate for both tubing expansion and contraction while also enabling the packer to be retrieved from the well without the necessity of having to reset the joint in its centralized position. More particularly, the present invention resides in the construction of a well-tubing expansion joint to provide for both load-8~5 `earing support for the tubing string beneath the joint whenthe latter is fully extended and Eor the transmission of torque through the joint.
According to the present invention there is provided an expansion-contraction joint for connection between upper and lower sections of well tubing, the joint including a tubular housing with a lower end portion adapted for connecting to the lower section of tubing and a mandrel with an upper end portion adapted for connection to the upper section of tubing and a lower end portion telescoped into the housing. Sealing means is carried by the mandrel or housing and seals therebetween intermediate opposite ends of the housing. Releasable locking means connects between the mandrel and the housing for normally supporting the mandrel in a central position against movement within the housing and is releasable to free the mandrel for movement in either longitudinal direction within the housing between fully collapsed and extended positions to compensate for expansion and contraction within the well tubing. The releasable locking means includes a releasable latching member connectable between the lower end portion of the mandrel and the housing and normally latching the housing and mandrel together, and a wireline releasable, locking sleeve movable within the housing between an upper position locking the latching member against movement from its normally latched central position and a lower position releasing the latching member so the mandrel is free to side within the housing. The lower position is located out of the way beneath the lower end of the mandrel when the latter is in its fully collapsed position. The locking sleeve includes a plurality of spring finger latches extending therefrom, with the housing having ~3 _ .~
5~ ;5 ~Ipp~r and lower mating recesses for -the spring finger latches to releasably catch therein for holding the sleeve releasably within the housing in the upper and lower positions, respectively. A stop means is disposed between the housing and the mandrel for preventing relative rotation between and axial separation of the housing and the mandrel and thereby limiting movement of the mandrel to its fully extended position while providing Eor the transmission of torque between the mandrel and the housing.
In a specific embodiment of the invention there is provided a stop collar connected to the joint housing for enyagement with an annular abutment on the mandrel to keep the mandrel and housing from separating when the joint is fully entended. Additionally, a key connected to the collar extends into a longitudinal slot in the mandrel and prevents relative rotation between the mandrel and the housing. This unique construction provides operational advantages in well servicing by enabling packer retrieval without having to reset the expansion joint in its centralized posi-tion and without having to rerun a wire-line tool into the well in order to reset the joint for packer retrieval.
These and other advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Figs. 1 and 2 combined represent a partial elevational and partial cross sectional view of a well-tubing expansion joint embodying the novel features of the present invention.
Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional - 3a -1~L59336~
-~iew of a portion of the exemplary expansion joint shown in Figs. 1 and 2 but showing a part of the joint in a moved position.
Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 4-4 of Fig. 1.
BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the present invention is embodied in a well-tubing expansion jolnt 10 such as may be incorporated in the tubing string of an oil or gas well to compensate for expansion and contraction in the tubing string such as may be caused by temperature changes in the tubing or otherwise. Herein, the joint comprises a tubular housing 11 with upper and lower sections 13 and 14 threaded together. Telescoped into the housing is a mandrel 15 having upper and , - 3b -.4.
lower externally threaded end portions 16 and 17. Threaded on the upper end section of the mandrel is a top connector 19 having an internally threaded section 18 for connection to the lower end of an upper section of tubing in the well.
Attached to the lower end portion 17 of the mandrel is a sealing unit 20 including a tubular member 21 with a series of alternately stacked annular seals 23 and spacers 24. m e seals slidably engage a smooth inner wall 25 of the housing to keep well fluids from leaking between the mandrel 15 and the housing ll.
At the lower end of the sealing unit 20, a releasable locking mechanism 26 (see Fig. 2) is secured to the sealing unit and connects with the housing 11 to lock the mandrel 15 and the housing toge-ther with the sealing unit positioned centrally in the housing so that once released, the joint 10 provides for approximately the same relative distance of travel ~etween the mandrel and the housing in either longitudinal direction. ~eneath the locking mechanism 26 a bottom coupling 27 is threaded onto the lower end of the lower section 14 of the housing and is provided with a tapered externally threaded section 29 for connection of the lower end of the joint within the tubing string.
Typically, an expansion joint of the foregoing described character is used in conjunction with a packer and is held locked in its centralized position as the packer is lowered into position and set in the well. Thereafter, the joint is released to compensate for changes in the length of the tubing above the packer due to expansion or contraction. When the tubing expands, the joint collapses with the sealing unit 20 sliding downwardly within the housing. Conversely, when the tubing contracts, the joint expands with the sealing unit sliding upwardly within the housing.
The present invention contemplates a new and improved form of well-tubing expansion joint 10 which is wireline released from its centralized position and which, when fully extended, serves both to support the load of the lower section of tubing and to transmit torque to enable `` .5.
packer retrieval without having to reset the joint. For these purposes, a stop 30 on the housing 11 is engaged by an abutment 31 on the mandrel 15 and a key and slot connection 33, 34 is provided between the mandrel and the housing for transmitting torque. Additionally, the locking mechanism 26 includes a wireline moveable collet lock 35 slidably mounted on the housing for movement between an upper position holding a spring-fingered collet 36 to latch the mandrel 15 and housing 11 together, and a lower out-of-the-way position. By virtue of this construction, the expansion joint may be easily released af-ter the packer is set and the packer may be retrieved without having to reset the joint.
More particularly in -the present instance, the releasable locking mechanism 26 is constructed with the spring-fingered collet 36 threaded on the lower end of the tubular member 21 of the sealing unit 20 so that the spring fingers 38 of the collet snap-fit within an annular recess 37 formed in the inner wall 25 of the lower housing section 14. Also slidably mounted on the inner wall of the housing is the collet lock 35 which herein is in the form of a locking sleeve having a annular notch 39 formed in the upper end portion thereo to receive the lower end portion of the spring fingers 38 of the collet 36. With the spring fingers of the collet received in the annular notch of the locking sleeve 35, the fingers are kept from flexing radially inward and thus the mandrel and housing are securely locked together. Formed on the lower end portion of the locking sleeve 35 is a second set of spring fingers 40 adapted to engage with a second annular recess 41 in the inner wall 25 of the housing to position the locking sleeve upwardly within the housing so that the sleeve captivates the spring fingers 38 of the collet 36 within the upper housing recess 37.
For shifting the locking sleeve 35 downwardly within the housing 11, an interior wall 43 of the locking sleeve is provided with a recess 44 having a suitable profile with a shoulder 45, adapted to accept a wireline jarring tool (not shown) for movi.ng the locking sleeve from .6.
its upper most position into a lower position with the sleeve spaced beneath the spring fingers 38 of the spring-fingered collet 36. In the sleeve's lower position (phantom position Fig. 2), the second set of spring fingers 40 snap fits within a third annular recess 46 in the inner wall 25 of the housing and thus holds the sleeve in its lower out-of-the-way position.
Once the packer is set and the jarring tool is removed, the joint 10 is free to move to compensate for expansion or contraction in the upper section of the tubing string. In the exemplary joint, the length of tubing expansion without stressing the upper section of the tubing is limited by the extent to which the joint may be collapsed, that is, by engagement of the lower end 47 of the top connector 19 and the upper side 49 of the stop 30. In the other direction, tubing contraction is limited by engagement of the stop 30 and the abutment 31 between the the housing 11 and the mandrel 15. As shown more particularly herein, the stop comprises a collar 3n having a depending, externally-threaded annular skirt 50 threaded on the upper section 13 of the housing 11. Beneath a threaded section 53 of the skirt, is an annular slot 54 adapted to receive the inner ends of a number of set screws 51 extending through the housing and into engagement with the skirt to prevent the stop collar from being turned loose from the housing. The downwardly facing lower end of the skirt provides a shoulder 55 engageable with an upwardly facing surface 56 of the abutment 31 (see also Fig. 3).
In the present instance, the latter is defined by an annular flange fixed to the exterior surface of the mandrel and extendins radially outward therefrom. With this arrangement, when removing the tubing string from the well, engagement of the abutment 31 with the shoulder 55 is sufficient to support the weight of the packer and the tubing beneath the joint 10.
In order to transmit torque through the joint, the key 33 is secured within a longitudinal groove 57 (see Figs. 1 and 4) in the stop collar 30 such as by means of screws 59 and extends radially inward into the ~591~
longitudinal slot 34. Herein, the latter is formed within the mandrel and, as seen in Fig. 1, extends parallel with the axis of the mandrel to provide for free sliding vertical movement of the mandrel within the housing between fully collapsed and fully extended positions of the joint. The key and slot connection 33, 34, however, provides for the transmission of torque through the joint as the sides of the Xey engage the sides of the slot during rotation of the tubing string and in turn, the mandrel.
In view of the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention brings to the art a new and improved well-tubing expansion joint lO particularly constructed to provide for both carrying the weight of th~ tubing string and for transmitting torque through the tubing string for retrieving a packer previously set within the well.
Technical Field The present invention relates to an expansion-contraction joint for use in a well tubing string and, more particularly, relates to the type of expansion-contraction joint comprised of telescoped tubular parts.
Background Art As disclosed in IJ. S. Patent 4,040,649 an expansion-contraction joint may be used in the tubing string of an oil or gas well in conjunction with a packer in order to compensate for expansion and contraction in an upper section of the tubing extending between the well head and the packer. The expansion joint functions to relieve the tubing of stresses due to expansion or contraction such as may be caused by temperature changes or otherwise after the packer is set by allowing telescoped parts of the joint to move relative to each other.
When installing a packer in a well, it may be desirable for the expansion joint to remain immobilized until after the packer is set. This may be necessary in order for the joint to carry the weight of the tubing string when positioning the packer in the well, and to allow the well head to be secured to the casing for production purposes as soon as possible after setting the packer. To these ends, the aforementioned patent discloses an expansion joint which includes a tubular housing having a mandrel telescoped into the housing and carrying a series of stacked sealing rings to seal against the loss of production fluid from between the mandrel and housing. Connected to the ~5g8~;5 `~ower end of the mandrel is a locking mechanism which may be hydraulically released from holding the mandrel in some intermediate position to free the mandrel for sliding longitudinally within the housing be-tween fully collapsed and fully extended posi-tions. In this way the joint may be released after the packer is set in order to compensate for expansion and contraction in the upper section of -the tubing string.
When an expansion-contraction joint is used in conjunction with a retrievable packer, it is desirable that the expansion joint be capable of again bearing the weight of the tubing string and of transmitting torque through the tubing string when disengaging the packer slips and removing the packer from the well. Another prior art expansion joint having this capability is shown in the "Composite Catalogue of Oil Field Equipment and Services", 1974-75 at page 3931 and includes a locking mechanism which may be released and reset mechanically through the use of a wireline tool. In resetting this locking mechanism, however, it is necessary to rerun a wireline through the tubing string while at the same time relocating relatively slidable moving parts of the expansion joint in their originally set positions.
The present invention contemplates an improved well-tubing expansion joint which is wireline released from a centralized load-carrying position to compensate for both tubing expansion and contraction while also enabling the packer to be retrieved from the well without the necessity of having to reset the joint in its centralized position. More particularly, the present invention resides in the construction of a well-tubing expansion joint to provide for both load-8~5 `earing support for the tubing string beneath the joint whenthe latter is fully extended and Eor the transmission of torque through the joint.
According to the present invention there is provided an expansion-contraction joint for connection between upper and lower sections of well tubing, the joint including a tubular housing with a lower end portion adapted for connecting to the lower section of tubing and a mandrel with an upper end portion adapted for connection to the upper section of tubing and a lower end portion telescoped into the housing. Sealing means is carried by the mandrel or housing and seals therebetween intermediate opposite ends of the housing. Releasable locking means connects between the mandrel and the housing for normally supporting the mandrel in a central position against movement within the housing and is releasable to free the mandrel for movement in either longitudinal direction within the housing between fully collapsed and extended positions to compensate for expansion and contraction within the well tubing. The releasable locking means includes a releasable latching member connectable between the lower end portion of the mandrel and the housing and normally latching the housing and mandrel together, and a wireline releasable, locking sleeve movable within the housing between an upper position locking the latching member against movement from its normally latched central position and a lower position releasing the latching member so the mandrel is free to side within the housing. The lower position is located out of the way beneath the lower end of the mandrel when the latter is in its fully collapsed position. The locking sleeve includes a plurality of spring finger latches extending therefrom, with the housing having ~3 _ .~
5~ ;5 ~Ipp~r and lower mating recesses for -the spring finger latches to releasably catch therein for holding the sleeve releasably within the housing in the upper and lower positions, respectively. A stop means is disposed between the housing and the mandrel for preventing relative rotation between and axial separation of the housing and the mandrel and thereby limiting movement of the mandrel to its fully extended position while providing Eor the transmission of torque between the mandrel and the housing.
In a specific embodiment of the invention there is provided a stop collar connected to the joint housing for enyagement with an annular abutment on the mandrel to keep the mandrel and housing from separating when the joint is fully entended. Additionally, a key connected to the collar extends into a longitudinal slot in the mandrel and prevents relative rotation between the mandrel and the housing. This unique construction provides operational advantages in well servicing by enabling packer retrieval without having to reset the expansion joint in its centralized posi-tion and without having to rerun a wire-line tool into the well in order to reset the joint for packer retrieval.
These and other advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Figs. 1 and 2 combined represent a partial elevational and partial cross sectional view of a well-tubing expansion joint embodying the novel features of the present invention.
Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional - 3a -1~L59336~
-~iew of a portion of the exemplary expansion joint shown in Figs. 1 and 2 but showing a part of the joint in a moved position.
Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 4-4 of Fig. 1.
BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the present invention is embodied in a well-tubing expansion jolnt 10 such as may be incorporated in the tubing string of an oil or gas well to compensate for expansion and contraction in the tubing string such as may be caused by temperature changes in the tubing or otherwise. Herein, the joint comprises a tubular housing 11 with upper and lower sections 13 and 14 threaded together. Telescoped into the housing is a mandrel 15 having upper and , - 3b -.4.
lower externally threaded end portions 16 and 17. Threaded on the upper end section of the mandrel is a top connector 19 having an internally threaded section 18 for connection to the lower end of an upper section of tubing in the well.
Attached to the lower end portion 17 of the mandrel is a sealing unit 20 including a tubular member 21 with a series of alternately stacked annular seals 23 and spacers 24. m e seals slidably engage a smooth inner wall 25 of the housing to keep well fluids from leaking between the mandrel 15 and the housing ll.
At the lower end of the sealing unit 20, a releasable locking mechanism 26 (see Fig. 2) is secured to the sealing unit and connects with the housing 11 to lock the mandrel 15 and the housing toge-ther with the sealing unit positioned centrally in the housing so that once released, the joint 10 provides for approximately the same relative distance of travel ~etween the mandrel and the housing in either longitudinal direction. ~eneath the locking mechanism 26 a bottom coupling 27 is threaded onto the lower end of the lower section 14 of the housing and is provided with a tapered externally threaded section 29 for connection of the lower end of the joint within the tubing string.
Typically, an expansion joint of the foregoing described character is used in conjunction with a packer and is held locked in its centralized position as the packer is lowered into position and set in the well. Thereafter, the joint is released to compensate for changes in the length of the tubing above the packer due to expansion or contraction. When the tubing expands, the joint collapses with the sealing unit 20 sliding downwardly within the housing. Conversely, when the tubing contracts, the joint expands with the sealing unit sliding upwardly within the housing.
The present invention contemplates a new and improved form of well-tubing expansion joint 10 which is wireline released from its centralized position and which, when fully extended, serves both to support the load of the lower section of tubing and to transmit torque to enable `` .5.
packer retrieval without having to reset the joint. For these purposes, a stop 30 on the housing 11 is engaged by an abutment 31 on the mandrel 15 and a key and slot connection 33, 34 is provided between the mandrel and the housing for transmitting torque. Additionally, the locking mechanism 26 includes a wireline moveable collet lock 35 slidably mounted on the housing for movement between an upper position holding a spring-fingered collet 36 to latch the mandrel 15 and housing 11 together, and a lower out-of-the-way position. By virtue of this construction, the expansion joint may be easily released af-ter the packer is set and the packer may be retrieved without having to reset the joint.
More particularly in -the present instance, the releasable locking mechanism 26 is constructed with the spring-fingered collet 36 threaded on the lower end of the tubular member 21 of the sealing unit 20 so that the spring fingers 38 of the collet snap-fit within an annular recess 37 formed in the inner wall 25 of the lower housing section 14. Also slidably mounted on the inner wall of the housing is the collet lock 35 which herein is in the form of a locking sleeve having a annular notch 39 formed in the upper end portion thereo to receive the lower end portion of the spring fingers 38 of the collet 36. With the spring fingers of the collet received in the annular notch of the locking sleeve 35, the fingers are kept from flexing radially inward and thus the mandrel and housing are securely locked together. Formed on the lower end portion of the locking sleeve 35 is a second set of spring fingers 40 adapted to engage with a second annular recess 41 in the inner wall 25 of the housing to position the locking sleeve upwardly within the housing so that the sleeve captivates the spring fingers 38 of the collet 36 within the upper housing recess 37.
For shifting the locking sleeve 35 downwardly within the housing 11, an interior wall 43 of the locking sleeve is provided with a recess 44 having a suitable profile with a shoulder 45, adapted to accept a wireline jarring tool (not shown) for movi.ng the locking sleeve from .6.
its upper most position into a lower position with the sleeve spaced beneath the spring fingers 38 of the spring-fingered collet 36. In the sleeve's lower position (phantom position Fig. 2), the second set of spring fingers 40 snap fits within a third annular recess 46 in the inner wall 25 of the housing and thus holds the sleeve in its lower out-of-the-way position.
Once the packer is set and the jarring tool is removed, the joint 10 is free to move to compensate for expansion or contraction in the upper section of the tubing string. In the exemplary joint, the length of tubing expansion without stressing the upper section of the tubing is limited by the extent to which the joint may be collapsed, that is, by engagement of the lower end 47 of the top connector 19 and the upper side 49 of the stop 30. In the other direction, tubing contraction is limited by engagement of the stop 30 and the abutment 31 between the the housing 11 and the mandrel 15. As shown more particularly herein, the stop comprises a collar 3n having a depending, externally-threaded annular skirt 50 threaded on the upper section 13 of the housing 11. Beneath a threaded section 53 of the skirt, is an annular slot 54 adapted to receive the inner ends of a number of set screws 51 extending through the housing and into engagement with the skirt to prevent the stop collar from being turned loose from the housing. The downwardly facing lower end of the skirt provides a shoulder 55 engageable with an upwardly facing surface 56 of the abutment 31 (see also Fig. 3).
In the present instance, the latter is defined by an annular flange fixed to the exterior surface of the mandrel and extendins radially outward therefrom. With this arrangement, when removing the tubing string from the well, engagement of the abutment 31 with the shoulder 55 is sufficient to support the weight of the packer and the tubing beneath the joint 10.
In order to transmit torque through the joint, the key 33 is secured within a longitudinal groove 57 (see Figs. 1 and 4) in the stop collar 30 such as by means of screws 59 and extends radially inward into the ~591~
longitudinal slot 34. Herein, the latter is formed within the mandrel and, as seen in Fig. 1, extends parallel with the axis of the mandrel to provide for free sliding vertical movement of the mandrel within the housing between fully collapsed and fully extended positions of the joint. The key and slot connection 33, 34, however, provides for the transmission of torque through the joint as the sides of the Xey engage the sides of the slot during rotation of the tubing string and in turn, the mandrel.
In view of the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention brings to the art a new and improved well-tubing expansion joint lO particularly constructed to provide for both carrying the weight of th~ tubing string and for transmitting torque through the tubing string for retrieving a packer previously set within the well.
Claims (2)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. An expansion-contraction joint for connection between upper and lower sections of well tubing including:
a tubular housing with a lower end portion adapted for connection to the lower section of tubing;
a mandrel with an upper end portion adapted for connection to the upper section of tubing and a lower end portion telescoped into the housing, sealing means carried by one of said mandrel and said housing and sealing therebetween intermediate opposite ends of said housing, releasable locking means connected between said mandrel and said housing for normally supporting said mandrel in a central position against movement within said housing and being releasable to free said mandrel for movement in either longitudinal direction within said housing between fully collapsed and extended positions to compensate for expansion and contraction within said well tubing, said releasable locking means including, a releasable latching member connectable between said lower end portion of said mandrel and said housing and normally latching said housing and said mandrel together, and a wireline releasable, locking sleeve movable within said housing between an upper position locking said latching member against movement from its normally latched central position and a lower position releasing said latching member so said mandrel is free to slide within said housing, said lower position being located out of the way beneath the lower end of said mandrel when the latter is in its fully collapsed position, and said locking sleeve including, a plurality of spring finger latches extending therefrom, with said housing having upper and lower mating recesses for said spring finger latches to releasably catch therein for holding said sleeve releasably within said housing in said upper and lower positions, respectively, and stop means disposed between said housing and said mandrel for preventing relative rotation between and axial separation of said housing and said mandrel and thereby limiting movement of said mandrel to its fully extended position while providing for the transmission of torque between said mandrel and said housing.
a tubular housing with a lower end portion adapted for connection to the lower section of tubing;
a mandrel with an upper end portion adapted for connection to the upper section of tubing and a lower end portion telescoped into the housing, sealing means carried by one of said mandrel and said housing and sealing therebetween intermediate opposite ends of said housing, releasable locking means connected between said mandrel and said housing for normally supporting said mandrel in a central position against movement within said housing and being releasable to free said mandrel for movement in either longitudinal direction within said housing between fully collapsed and extended positions to compensate for expansion and contraction within said well tubing, said releasable locking means including, a releasable latching member connectable between said lower end portion of said mandrel and said housing and normally latching said housing and said mandrel together, and a wireline releasable, locking sleeve movable within said housing between an upper position locking said latching member against movement from its normally latched central position and a lower position releasing said latching member so said mandrel is free to slide within said housing, said lower position being located out of the way beneath the lower end of said mandrel when the latter is in its fully collapsed position, and said locking sleeve including, a plurality of spring finger latches extending therefrom, with said housing having upper and lower mating recesses for said spring finger latches to releasably catch therein for holding said sleeve releasably within said housing in said upper and lower positions, respectively, and stop means disposed between said housing and said mandrel for preventing relative rotation between and axial separation of said housing and said mandrel and thereby limiting movement of said mandrel to its fully extended position while providing for the transmission of torque between said mandrel and said housing.
2. An expansion-contraction joint for connection between upper and lower sections of well tubing including:
a tubular housing with a lower end portion adapted for connection to the lower section of tubing;
a mandrel with an upper end portion adapted for connection to the upper section of tubing and a lower end portion telescoped into the housing, sealing means carried by one of said mandrel and said housing and sealing therebetween intermediate opposite ends of said housing, releasable locking means connected between said mandrel and said housing for normally supporting said mandrel in a central position against movement within said housing and being releasable to free said mandrel for movement in either longitudinal direction within said housing between fully collapsed and extended positions to compensate for expansion and contraction within said well tubing, said releasable locking means including, a releasable latching member connectable between said lower end portion of said mandrel and said housing and normally latching said housing and said mandrel together, and a wireline releasable, locking sleeve movable within said housing between an upper position locking said latching member against movement from its normally latched central position and a lower position releasing said latching member so said mandrel is free to slide within said housing, said lower position being located out of the way beneath the lower end of said mandrel when the latter is in its fully collapsed position, and said locking sleeve including, a plurality of spring finger latches extending therefrom, with said housing having upper and lower mating recesses for said spring finger latches to releasably catch therein for holding said sleeve releasably within said housing in said upper and lower positions, respectively, a stop collar connected to said housing and having an annular shoulder disposed between said housing and said mandrel, and means on said collar as a housing preventing relative key means extending radially inward from said collar, a longitudinal slot formed in said mandrel and receiving said key to lock said collar and said mandrel against relative rotational movement, and an annular abutment fixed to said mandrel and extending toward said housing for engagement with said annular shoulder to limit said mandrel to its fully extended position.
a tubular housing with a lower end portion adapted for connection to the lower section of tubing;
a mandrel with an upper end portion adapted for connection to the upper section of tubing and a lower end portion telescoped into the housing, sealing means carried by one of said mandrel and said housing and sealing therebetween intermediate opposite ends of said housing, releasable locking means connected between said mandrel and said housing for normally supporting said mandrel in a central position against movement within said housing and being releasable to free said mandrel for movement in either longitudinal direction within said housing between fully collapsed and extended positions to compensate for expansion and contraction within said well tubing, said releasable locking means including, a releasable latching member connectable between said lower end portion of said mandrel and said housing and normally latching said housing and said mandrel together, and a wireline releasable, locking sleeve movable within said housing between an upper position locking said latching member against movement from its normally latched central position and a lower position releasing said latching member so said mandrel is free to slide within said housing, said lower position being located out of the way beneath the lower end of said mandrel when the latter is in its fully collapsed position, and said locking sleeve including, a plurality of spring finger latches extending therefrom, with said housing having upper and lower mating recesses for said spring finger latches to releasably catch therein for holding said sleeve releasably within said housing in said upper and lower positions, respectively, a stop collar connected to said housing and having an annular shoulder disposed between said housing and said mandrel, and means on said collar as a housing preventing relative key means extending radially inward from said collar, a longitudinal slot formed in said mandrel and receiving said key to lock said collar and said mandrel against relative rotational movement, and an annular abutment fixed to said mandrel and extending toward said housing for engagement with said annular shoulder to limit said mandrel to its fully extended position.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US06/173,302 US4423889A (en) | 1980-07-29 | 1980-07-29 | Well-tubing expansion joint |
| US173,302 | 1980-07-29 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1159865A true CA1159865A (en) | 1984-01-03 |
Family
ID=22631403
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000378425A Expired CA1159865A (en) | 1980-07-29 | 1981-05-27 | Well-tubing expansion joint |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4423889A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1159865A (en) |
Families Citing this family (76)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA1159442A (en) * | 1982-02-24 | 1983-12-27 | Alberta Opportunity Company | Dual-wall drill pipe |
| CA1204428A (en) * | 1982-02-24 | 1986-05-13 | Alberta Copportunity Company | Earth drilling apparatus |
| US4601333A (en) * | 1985-04-29 | 1986-07-22 | Hughes Tool Company | Thermal slide joint |
| US4778008A (en) * | 1987-03-05 | 1988-10-18 | Exxon Production Research Company | Selectively releasable and reengagable expansion joint for subterranean well tubing strings |
| US4805696A (en) * | 1988-02-03 | 1989-02-21 | Otis Engineering Corporation | Hydraulic release tubing seal divider |
| US4846270A (en) * | 1988-04-07 | 1989-07-11 | Otis Engineering Corporation | Trash barrier tool for wells |
| US6557640B1 (en) * | 1998-12-07 | 2003-05-06 | Shell Oil Company | Lubrication and self-cleaning system for expansion mandrel |
| US6575240B1 (en) | 1998-12-07 | 2003-06-10 | Shell Oil Company | System and method for driving pipe |
| US6823937B1 (en) | 1998-12-07 | 2004-11-30 | Shell Oil Company | Wellhead |
| US6745845B2 (en) | 1998-11-16 | 2004-06-08 | Shell Oil Company | Isolation of subterranean zones |
| US6712154B2 (en) | 1998-11-16 | 2004-03-30 | Enventure Global Technology | Isolation of subterranean zones |
| US6640903B1 (en) | 1998-12-07 | 2003-11-04 | Shell Oil Company | Forming a wellbore casing while simultaneously drilling a wellbore |
| US6634431B2 (en) | 1998-11-16 | 2003-10-21 | Robert Lance Cook | Isolation of subterranean zones |
| US7357188B1 (en) * | 1998-12-07 | 2008-04-15 | Shell Oil Company | Mono-diameter wellbore casing |
| US7231985B2 (en) * | 1998-11-16 | 2007-06-19 | Shell Oil Company | Radial expansion of tubular members |
| AU2001269810B2 (en) * | 1998-11-16 | 2005-04-07 | Shell Oil Company | Radial expansion of tubular members |
| US7168496B2 (en) * | 2001-07-06 | 2007-01-30 | Eventure Global Technology | Liner hanger |
| US7185710B2 (en) * | 1998-12-07 | 2007-03-06 | Enventure Global Technology | Mono-diameter wellbore casing |
| US6725919B2 (en) | 1998-12-07 | 2004-04-27 | Shell Oil Company | Forming a wellbore casing while simultaneously drilling a wellbore |
| US7552776B2 (en) * | 1998-12-07 | 2009-06-30 | Enventure Global Technology, Llc | Anchor hangers |
| US7363984B2 (en) * | 1998-12-07 | 2008-04-29 | Enventure Global Technology, Llc | System for radially expanding a tubular member |
| US20070051520A1 (en) * | 1998-12-07 | 2007-03-08 | Enventure Global Technology, Llc | Expansion system |
| GB2356651B (en) * | 1998-12-07 | 2004-02-25 | Shell Int Research | Lubrication and self-cleaning system for expansion mandrel |
| GB2344606B (en) | 1998-12-07 | 2003-08-13 | Shell Int Research | Forming a wellbore casing by expansion of a tubular member |
| AU770359B2 (en) * | 1999-02-26 | 2004-02-19 | Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij B.V. | Liner hanger |
| CA2306656C (en) * | 1999-04-26 | 2006-06-06 | Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij B.V. | Expandable connector for borehole tubes |
| US7350563B2 (en) * | 1999-07-09 | 2008-04-01 | Enventure Global Technology, L.L.C. | System for lining a wellbore casing |
| EG22306A (en) | 1999-11-15 | 2002-12-31 | Shell Int Research | Expanding a tubular element in a wellbore |
| US7234531B2 (en) * | 1999-12-03 | 2007-06-26 | Enventure Global Technology, Llc | Mono-diameter wellbore casing |
| CA2416573A1 (en) * | 2000-09-18 | 2002-03-21 | Shell Canada Ltd | Liner hanger with sliding sleeve valve |
| US7100685B2 (en) * | 2000-10-02 | 2006-09-05 | Enventure Global Technology | Mono-diameter wellbore casing |
| CA2428819A1 (en) * | 2001-01-03 | 2002-07-11 | Enventure Global Technology | Mono-diameter wellbore casing |
| US7410000B2 (en) * | 2001-01-17 | 2008-08-12 | Enventure Global Technology, Llc. | Mono-diameter wellbore casing |
| WO2003004820A2 (en) * | 2001-07-06 | 2003-01-16 | Enventure Global Technology | Liner hanger |
| WO2004081346A2 (en) * | 2003-03-11 | 2004-09-23 | Enventure Global Technology | Apparatus for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member |
| US7513313B2 (en) * | 2002-09-20 | 2009-04-07 | Enventure Global Technology, Llc | Bottom plug for forming a mono diameter wellbore casing |
| WO2003106130A2 (en) * | 2002-06-12 | 2003-12-24 | Eventure Global Technology | Collapsible expansion cone |
| WO2003093623A2 (en) * | 2002-05-06 | 2003-11-13 | Enventure Global Technology | Mono diameter wellbore casing |
| CA2459910C (en) * | 2001-09-07 | 2010-04-13 | Enventure Global Technology | Adjustable expansion cone assembly |
| GB2400393B (en) * | 2001-11-12 | 2005-10-05 | Enventure Global Technology | Collapsible expansion cone |
| US7290605B2 (en) * | 2001-12-27 | 2007-11-06 | Enventure Global Technology | Seal receptacle using expandable liner hanger |
| WO2004027786A2 (en) * | 2002-09-20 | 2004-04-01 | Enventure Global Technology | Protective sleeve for expandable tubulars |
| US7424918B2 (en) * | 2002-08-23 | 2008-09-16 | Enventure Global Technology, L.L.C. | Interposed joint sealing layer method of forming a wellbore casing |
| WO2004018824A2 (en) * | 2002-08-23 | 2004-03-04 | Enventure Global Technology | Magnetic impulse applied sleeve method of forming a wellbore casing |
| BRPI0307686B1 (en) * | 2002-02-15 | 2015-09-08 | Enventure Global Technology | apparatus for forming a borehole casing in a borehole, method and system for forming a borehole casing in an underground formation, and, borehole casing positioned in a borehole within an underground formation |
| AU2003230589A1 (en) * | 2002-04-12 | 2003-10-27 | Enventure Global Technology | Protective sleeve for threaded connections for expandable liner hanger |
| CA2482278A1 (en) * | 2002-04-15 | 2003-10-30 | Enventure Global Technology | Protective sleeve for threaded connections for expandable liner hanger |
| WO2003102365A1 (en) * | 2002-05-29 | 2003-12-11 | Eventure Global Technology | System for radially expanding a tubular member |
| GB2406126B (en) * | 2002-06-10 | 2006-03-15 | Enventure Global Technology | Mono-diameter wellbore casing |
| WO2004009950A1 (en) * | 2002-07-24 | 2004-01-29 | Enventure Global Technology | Dual well completion system |
| US20060054330A1 (en) * | 2002-09-20 | 2006-03-16 | Lev Ring | Mono diameter wellbore casing |
| AU2003265452A1 (en) * | 2002-09-20 | 2004-04-08 | Enventure Global Technology | Pipe formability evaluation for expandable tubulars |
| WO2004023014A2 (en) * | 2002-09-20 | 2004-03-18 | Enventure Global Technlogy | Threaded connection for expandable tubulars |
| GB0222321D0 (en) * | 2002-09-25 | 2002-10-30 | Weatherford Lamb | Expandable connection |
| WO2004053434A2 (en) * | 2002-12-05 | 2004-06-24 | Enventure Global Technology | System for radially expanding tubular members |
| US7886831B2 (en) * | 2003-01-22 | 2011-02-15 | Enventure Global Technology, L.L.C. | Apparatus for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member |
| GB2429481B (en) * | 2003-02-18 | 2007-10-03 | Enventure Global Technology | Protective compression and tension sleeves for threaded connections for radially expandable tubular members |
| GB2415983B (en) * | 2003-02-26 | 2007-09-05 | Enventure Global Technology | Apparatus for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member |
| US6920932B2 (en) * | 2003-04-07 | 2005-07-26 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Joint for use with expandable tubulars |
| CA2523862C (en) | 2003-04-17 | 2009-06-23 | Enventure Global Technology | Apparatus for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member |
| GB0311721D0 (en) * | 2003-05-22 | 2003-06-25 | Weatherford Lamb | Tubing connector |
| US7887103B2 (en) | 2003-05-22 | 2011-02-15 | Watherford/Lamb, Inc. | Energizing seal for expandable connections |
| US20050166387A1 (en) * | 2003-06-13 | 2005-08-04 | Cook Robert L. | Method and apparatus for forming a mono-diameter wellbore casing |
| US7712522B2 (en) | 2003-09-05 | 2010-05-11 | Enventure Global Technology, Llc | Expansion cone and system |
| WO2006020960A2 (en) | 2004-08-13 | 2006-02-23 | Enventure Global Technology, Llc | Expandable tubular |
| CA2616438A1 (en) * | 2005-07-27 | 2007-02-01 | Enventure Global Technology, L.L.C. | Method and apparatus for coupling expandable tubular members |
| EP3269920A3 (en) * | 2008-11-17 | 2018-09-12 | Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC | Subsea drilling with casing |
| US8286701B2 (en) | 2008-12-31 | 2012-10-16 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Recovering heated fluid using well equipment |
| US8061430B2 (en) * | 2009-03-09 | 2011-11-22 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Re-settable and anti-rotational contraction joint with control lines |
| CA2864149A1 (en) | 2012-02-22 | 2013-08-29 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Subsea casing drilling system |
| US9828837B2 (en) | 2013-07-12 | 2017-11-28 | Baker Hughes | Flow control devices including a sand screen having integral standoffs and methods of using the same |
| US9574408B2 (en) * | 2014-03-07 | 2017-02-21 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Wellbore strings containing expansion tools |
| US9926772B2 (en) | 2013-09-16 | 2018-03-27 | Baker Hughes, A Ge Company, Llc | Apparatus and methods for selectively treating production zones |
| GB2532692B (en) | 2013-09-16 | 2017-02-01 | Baker Hughes Inc | Apparatus and methods for locating a particular location in a wellbore for performing a wellbore operation |
| US10465461B2 (en) | 2013-09-16 | 2019-11-05 | Baker Hughes, A Ge Company, Llc | Apparatus and methods setting a string at particular locations in a wellbore for performing a wellbore operation |
| US9879501B2 (en) | 2014-03-07 | 2018-01-30 | Baker Hughes, A Ge Company, Llc | Multizone retrieval system and method |
-
1980
- 1980-07-29 US US06/173,302 patent/US4423889A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1981
- 1981-05-27 CA CA000378425A patent/CA1159865A/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US4423889A (en) | 1984-01-03 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| CA1159865A (en) | Well-tubing expansion joint | |
| US3764168A (en) | Drilling expansion joint apparatus | |
| US5518072A (en) | Downhole tool for assisting in separating and reconnecting well tubing | |
| US4289200A (en) | Retrievable well apparatus | |
| US4289202A (en) | Well tubing coupling apparatus | |
| US9945189B2 (en) | Travel joint release devices and methods | |
| US10301888B2 (en) | Travel joint release devices and methods | |
| WO1984001600A1 (en) | Retrievable inside blowout preventer valve apparatus | |
| EP0228844B1 (en) | Downhole retrieving mechanism | |
| GB2302924A (en) | Undersea coupling | |
| EP2836665B1 (en) | Pressure activated contingency release system and method | |
| US4805696A (en) | Hydraulic release tubing seal divider | |
| US4655290A (en) | Latching production seal assembly | |
| CA1050418A (en) | Oil well tool with packing means | |
| US5330001A (en) | Lead in guide assembly | |
| EP2844821B1 (en) | Mechanically activated contingency release system and method | |
| US6267180B1 (en) | Packer releasing tool and method for releasing a packer assembly from a wellbore | |
| EP3418490B1 (en) | Combined multi-coupler for top drive | |
| US4913228A (en) | Dual string tension-set, tension-release well packer | |
| CA3007133C (en) | Combined multi-coupler with locking clamp connection for top drive | |
| US4846270A (en) | Trash barrier tool for wells | |
| US3483921A (en) | Well packer having a selectively positionable valve means | |
| Yates | Subsea production test valve assembly |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |