EP1669540A1 - Device for controlling fluid communication in a wellbore - Google Patents

Device for controlling fluid communication in a wellbore Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1669540A1
EP1669540A1 EP04257717A EP04257717A EP1669540A1 EP 1669540 A1 EP1669540 A1 EP 1669540A1 EP 04257717 A EP04257717 A EP 04257717A EP 04257717 A EP04257717 A EP 04257717A EP 1669540 A1 EP1669540 A1 EP 1669540A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
wellbore
fluid communication
tubular conduit
portions
interior space
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP04257717A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Roger Wilfred Hibberd
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij BV
Original Assignee
Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij BV
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij BV filed Critical Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij BV
Priority to EP04257717A priority Critical patent/EP1669540A1/en
Publication of EP1669540A1 publication Critical patent/EP1669540A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
    • E21B43/02—Subsoil filtering
    • E21B43/10—Setting of casings, screens, liners or the like in wells
    • E21B43/103—Setting of casings, screens, liners or the like in wells of expandable casings, screens, liners, or the like
    • 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
    • E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
    • E21B33/10—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells in the borehole
    • E21B33/13—Methods or devices for cementing, for plugging holes, crevices, or the like
    • E21B33/134—Bridging plugs
    • 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
    • E21B34/00—Valve arrangements for boreholes or wells
    • E21B34/06—Valve arrangements for boreholes or wells in wells

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for controlling fluid communication between first and second portions of the interior space of a tubular conduit extending into a wellbore formed in an earth formation.
  • a control device in the wellbore for controlling fluid communication between different portions of the interior space of the wellbore.
  • a safety valve can be installed in a lower portion of the wellbore in order to allow controlled shut-in of the wellbore if dictated by circumstances.
  • a device for controlling fluid communication between first and second portions of the interior space of a wellbore formed in an earth formation, whereby a tubular conduit extends into the wellbore comprising a control member adapted to control fluid communication between said portions of the interior space of the wellbore, and an expandable tubular member adapted to be radially expanded against the inner surface of the tubular conduit in sealing relationship therewith, the control member and the expandable tubular member being sealingly connected to each other.
  • the device By radially expanding the tubular member against the inner surface of the tubular conduit, the device can be sealingly anchored in the wellbore in a simple and reliable manner.
  • the expandable tubular member and the control member are integrally formed.
  • Enhanced sealing and/or gripping functionality of the device can be achieved by providing the outer surface of the expandable tubular member with means for sealing and/or gripping of the device to the inner surface of the tubular conduit.
  • the control member is provided with a tool for selectively controlling fluid communication between said first and second portions of the interior space of the tubular conduit.
  • the tool can, for example, be received in a receptacle provided at the control member.
  • the tool is selected from a seal plug, a cementing float shoe, a shear disk, and a ball seat.
  • a device 1 including a steel tubular member 2 radially expanded against the inner surface of a wellbore casing 4 arranged in a wellbore 6 formed in an earth formation 8.
  • the device 1 further includes a steel blank closure member 10 integrally formed with the tubular member 2.
  • the device 1 isolates an upper space 12 in the wellbore 6 from a lower space 14 in the wellbore 6.
  • FIG. 2 there is shown an alternative device 16 largely similar to the device 1 of Fig. 1, except that the blank closure member 10 is replaced by a steel control member 18 having a receptacle 20 in which a tool 22 is received.
  • the tool 22 is adapted to selectively control fluid communication between the upper wellbore space 12 and the lower wellbore space 14.
  • the device 1 During normal operation of the device 1 shown in Fig. 1, the device 1 is lowered into the casing 4 whereby the tubular member 2 is in unexpanded state. Upon arrival of the device 1 at the lower end of the casing 4, the tubular member 2 is radially expanded against the inner surface of the casing 4 such that a gripping force and a metal-to-metal seal exists between the tubular member 2 and the casing 4. The device 1 thereby forms a plug isolating the upper wellbore space 12 from the lower wellbore space 14.
  • the device 16 is lowered into the casing 4 whereby the tubular member 2 is in unexpanded state.
  • the tubular member 2 Upon arrival at a selected location in the wellbore casing 4, the tubular member 2 is radially expanded against the inner surface of the casing 4 such that a gripping force and a metal-to-metal seal exists between the tubular member 2 and the casing 4.
  • the tool 22 is then operated to selectively control fluid communication between the upper wellbore space 12 and the lower wellbore space 14.
  • the tool 22 can be operated from surface, for example, by means of electric or hydraulic control means (not shown) extending from surface into the wellbore 6, or by wireless control means arranged at surface.
  • the steel tubular member can be provided with an annular seal member around its outer surface.
  • a suitable material for such annular seal member is an elastomer which swells upon contact with oil or water present in the earth formation or in the wellbore.

Abstract

A device is provided for controlling fluid communication between first and second portions of the interior space of a tubular conduit extending into a wellbore formed in an earth formation. The device comprises a control member adapted to control fluid communication between said portions of the interior space of a tubular element, and an expandable tubular member adapted to be radially expanded against the inner surface of the tubular conduit in sealing relationship therewith. The control member and the expandable tubular member are sealingly connected to each other.

Description

  • The present invention relates to a device for controlling fluid communication between first and second portions of the interior space of a tubular conduit extending into a wellbore formed in an earth formation. In wellbore operations, such as for the production of hydrocarbon fluid from the earth formation, it is common practice to install one or more control devices in the wellbore for controlling fluid communication between different portions of the interior space of the wellbore. For example, a safety valve can be installed in a lower portion of the wellbore in order to allow controlled shut-in of the wellbore if dictated by circumstances. Also it is know to abandon a wellbore by installing a plug in the wellbore casing, for example by anchoring a packer in the casing and filling an upper portion of the wellbore space with a body of cement.
  • Although adequate results have been achieved with such conventional packers and control devices, there is a need for a more reliable and simple device for controlling fluid communication between first and second portions of the interior space of a tubular conduit extending into a wellbore.
  • In accordance with the invention there is provided a device for controlling fluid communication between first and second portions of the interior space of a wellbore formed in an earth formation, whereby a tubular conduit extends into the wellbore, the device comprising a control member adapted to control fluid communication between said portions of the interior space of the wellbore, and an expandable tubular member adapted to be radially expanded against the inner surface of the tubular conduit in sealing relationship therewith, the control member and the expandable tubular member being sealingly connected to each other.
  • By radially expanding the tubular member against the inner surface of the tubular conduit, the device can be sealingly anchored in the wellbore in a simple and reliable manner.
  • Suitably, the expandable tubular member and the control member are integrally formed.
  • Enhanced sealing and/or gripping functionality of the device can be achieved by providing the outer surface of the expandable tubular member with means for sealing and/or gripping of the device to the inner surface of the tubular conduit.
  • In a suitable embodiment of the device, the control member is provided with a tool for selectively controlling fluid communication between said first and second portions of the interior space of the tubular conduit. The tool can, for example, be received in a receptacle provided at the control member. Suitably, the tool is selected from a seal plug, a cementing float shoe, a shear disk, and a ball seat.
  • The invention will be further described by way of example in more detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
    • Fig. 1 schematically shows an embodiment of a device according to the invention; and
    • Fig. 2 schematically shows an alternative embodiment of a device according to the invention.
  • In the detailed description and drawings, like reference numerals relate to like components.
  • Referring to Fig. 1 there is shown a device 1 including a steel tubular member 2 radially expanded against the inner surface of a wellbore casing 4 arranged in a wellbore 6 formed in an earth formation 8. The device 1 further includes a steel blank closure member 10 integrally formed with the tubular member 2. The device 1 isolates an upper space 12 in the wellbore 6 from a lower space 14 in the wellbore 6.
  • Referring to Fig. 2 there is shown an alternative device 16 largely similar to the device 1 of Fig. 1, except that the blank closure member 10 is replaced by a steel control member 18 having a receptacle 20 in which a tool 22 is received. The tool 22 is adapted to selectively control fluid communication between the upper wellbore space 12 and the lower wellbore space 14.
  • During normal operation of the device 1 shown in Fig. 1, the device 1 is lowered into the casing 4 whereby the tubular member 2 is in unexpanded state. Upon arrival of the device 1 at the lower end of the casing 4, the tubular member 2 is radially expanded against the inner surface of the casing 4 such that a gripping force and a metal-to-metal seal exists between the tubular member 2 and the casing 4. The device 1 thereby forms a plug isolating the upper wellbore space 12 from the lower wellbore space 14.
  • During normal operation of the alternative device 16 shown in Fig. 2, the device 16 is lowered into the casing 4 whereby the tubular member 2 is in unexpanded state. Upon arrival at a selected location in the wellbore casing 4, the tubular member 2 is radially expanded against the inner surface of the casing 4 such that a gripping force and a metal-to-metal seal exists between the tubular member 2 and the casing 4. The tool 22 is then operated to selectively control fluid communication between the upper wellbore space 12 and the lower wellbore space 14. The tool 22 can be operated from surface, for example, by means of electric or hydraulic control means (not shown) extending from surface into the wellbore 6, or by wireless control means arranged at surface.
  • Optionally the steel tubular member can be provided with an annular seal member around its outer surface. A suitable material for such annular seal member is an elastomer which swells upon contact with oil or water present in the earth formation or in the wellbore.

Claims (9)

  1. A device for controlling fluid communication between first and second portions of the interior space of a wellbore formed in an earth formation, whereby a tubular conduit extends into the wellbore, the device comprising a control member adapted to control fluid communication between said portions of the interior space of the wellbore, and an expandable tubular member adapted to be radially expanded against the inner surface of the tubular conduit in sealing relationship therewith, the control member and the expandable tubular member being sealingly connected to each other.
  2. The device of claim 1, wherein the expandable tubular member and the control member are integrally formed.
  3. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer surface of the expandable tubular member is provided with means for sealing and/or gripping of the device to the inner surface of the tubular conduit.
  4. The device of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the control member is arranged to isolate said first and second portions of the interior space of the tubular conduit from each other.
  5. The device of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the control member is provided with a tool for selectively controlling fluid communication between said first and second portions of the interior space of the tubular conduit.
  6. The device of claim 5, wherein said tool is received in a receptacle of the control member.
  7. The device of claim 6, wherein said tool is selected from a seal plug, a cementing float shoe, a shear disk, and a ball seat.
  8. The device of any one of claims 1-7, wherein the device is arranged in the tubular conduit, the expandable tubular member being expanded against the inner surface of the tubular conduit in sealing relationship therewith.
  9. The device substantially as described hereinbefore with reference to the accompanying drawings.
EP04257717A 2004-12-13 2004-12-13 Device for controlling fluid communication in a wellbore Withdrawn EP1669540A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP04257717A EP1669540A1 (en) 2004-12-13 2004-12-13 Device for controlling fluid communication in a wellbore

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP04257717A EP1669540A1 (en) 2004-12-13 2004-12-13 Device for controlling fluid communication in a wellbore

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1669540A1 true EP1669540A1 (en) 2006-06-14

Family

ID=34930909

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP04257717A Withdrawn EP1669540A1 (en) 2004-12-13 2004-12-13 Device for controlling fluid communication in a wellbore

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1669540A1 (en)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2958966A1 (en) * 2010-04-20 2011-10-21 Saltel Ind METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SEALING A WELL USING AN EXPANDABLE PLUG, PLUG FOR CARRYING OUT THE METHOD, AND EXTRACTOR TOOL FOR REMOVING IT
US8689894B2 (en) 2007-04-06 2014-04-08 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Method and composition for zonal isolation of a well
WO2014100072A1 (en) * 2012-12-18 2014-06-26 Schlumberger Canada Limited Expandable downhole seat assembly
WO2014108431A3 (en) * 2013-01-08 2015-04-09 Statoil Petroleum As A method for plugging a hydrocarbon well
US9382159B2 (en) 2010-04-20 2016-07-05 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Composition for well cementing comprising a compounded elastomer swelling additive
US9416615B2 (en) 2010-04-20 2016-08-16 Schlumberger Technology Corporation System and method for improving zonal isolation in a well

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6336507B1 (en) * 1995-07-26 2002-01-08 Marathon Oil Company Deformed multiple well template and process of use
US6823937B1 (en) * 1998-12-07 2004-11-30 Shell Oil Company Wellhead

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6336507B1 (en) * 1995-07-26 2002-01-08 Marathon Oil Company Deformed multiple well template and process of use
US6823937B1 (en) * 1998-12-07 2004-11-30 Shell Oil Company Wellhead

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8689894B2 (en) 2007-04-06 2014-04-08 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Method and composition for zonal isolation of a well
FR2958966A1 (en) * 2010-04-20 2011-10-21 Saltel Ind METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SEALING A WELL USING AN EXPANDABLE PLUG, PLUG FOR CARRYING OUT THE METHOD, AND EXTRACTOR TOOL FOR REMOVING IT
WO2011131504A1 (en) * 2010-04-20 2011-10-27 Saltel Industries Method and device for sealing a well by means of a core plug, plug for implementing the method, and extractor tool designed to remove it
US9322241B2 (en) 2010-04-20 2016-04-26 Saltel Industries Method and device for sealing a well by means of a core plug, plug for implementing the method, and extractor tool designed to remove it
US9382159B2 (en) 2010-04-20 2016-07-05 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Composition for well cementing comprising a compounded elastomer swelling additive
US9416615B2 (en) 2010-04-20 2016-08-16 Schlumberger Technology Corporation System and method for improving zonal isolation in a well
WO2014100072A1 (en) * 2012-12-18 2014-06-26 Schlumberger Canada Limited Expandable downhole seat assembly
WO2014108431A3 (en) * 2013-01-08 2015-04-09 Statoil Petroleum As A method for plugging a hydrocarbon well

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