WO2007114706A1

WO2007114706A1 - Adapter for directional control of two oppositely directed hydraulic jars

Info

Publication number: WO2007114706A1
Application number: PCT/NO2007/000114
Authority: WO
Inventors: Frank Ove Akselberg
Original assignee: Hav Technology As
Priority date: 2006-03-30
Filing date: 2007-03-23
Publication date: 2007-10-11
Also published as: NO20061445L; NO328468B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an adapter device for controlling the impact movement of two oppositely facing hydraulic hammers (1, 2). The invention is characterized in that it comprises two cylindrical main parts (8, 9) being mutually concentrically supported by thread connections (6, 10), and an intermediate gap (7), the adapter being arranged in such a manner that when a predetermined tensile or compressive force is applied to a coiled tubing (4), the adapter (5) is compressed or stretched thereby releasing for an impact movement of one of impact hammers (1, 2).

Description

ADAPTER FOR DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF TWO OPPOSITELY DIRECTED

HYDRAULIC JARS

The present invention relates to an adapter connecting two oppositely facing hydraulic hammers, enabling the axial striking power to be controlled in an axial direction by alternately pulling or drawing in the adapter.

In the maintenance of oil and gas wells, it is often necessary to use an impact tool to remove deposits or to open/close jammed valves. Today, oil and gas wells are provided with sophisticated equipment in order to optimize the recovery rate. Such equipment often comprises valves that have to be opened and closed depending on the condition of the well. In addition, there is a large need for cleaning up deposits in the form of scale preventing optimal flow conditions. To carry out the above maintenance operations, it is common to use coiled tubing to which a tool in the form of a hydraulically powered hammer is connected. This hammer is energized by the liquid flow being pumped down the coiled tubing. US 3 987 858 relates to hammers being used as impact tools downhole in a well. The first hammer is a hydraulic hammer and imparts an upward impact movement, whereas the other hammer is a mechanical-hydraulic hammer and imparts a downward impact movement. The hammers are connected through a fitting of flexible drilling pipes. When pulling the drill pipe, the first hammer will be released to impart an upward blow. When the drill pipe is pushed downwards, the other hammer will be released to impart a downward blow.

The demand of more cost-efficient solutions providing greater operational flexibility is ever-increasing. In most of the current solutions, the hammer only provides one impact direction. In order to change the impact direction, the coiled tubing string must be pulled out of the well to replace the hammer.

In the present invention, a solution is provided that makes it possible to transfer impact energy in two axial directions without having to run the tool out of the well. This is achieved according to the invention in that two hydraulic hammers are connected using an adapter. The adapter is designed in such a manner that when the coiled tubing string is pulled, a hammer is allowed to perform an impact movement. On a push on the coiled tubing string, the movement of one of the hammers is blocked, whereas the other hammer is allowed to perform an impact movement. In order to activate the adapter, a certain minimum compressive or tensile force must be applied to the coiled tubing in an axial direction. A packer element is arranged in such a manner that the adapter remains in the released position for as long as a hydraulic pressure is maintained, preventing the adapter shaft from contacting the moveable string section of the hammer.

In the following, the invention is described in more detail with reference to an exemplary embodiment, and to the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows the adapter positioned between to hammers and connected to the coiled tubing. Fig. 2 shows the adapter with the threaded connections.

Fig. 3 shows the adapter in the neutral position with an inlaid section.

Figs. 4 and 5 show detail of the locking mechanisms.

Fig. 6 shows the adapter actuated for hammer movement in a direction 1.

Fig. 7 shows the locking mechanism released for the direction 1. Fig. 8 shows the adapter actuated for hammer movement in a direction 2.

Fig. 9 shows the locking mechanism released for the direction 2.

Fig. 10 shows detail of the lock including locking fingers.

Two hydraulically operated hammers 1, 2 are connected to the adapter 5 through threaded connections 6, 10. Hammer 1 is provided with gripping means 3 in order to be able to transfer an impact movement 100 in both directions to a desired object downhole in an oil or gas well. Hammer 2 is connected to coiled tubing 4, to which tensile and compressive forces may be applied from the surface. The adapter is comprised of two main parts 8, 9 with an intermediate gap 7. Fig. 3 shows the adapter in a neutral position. In this position, string sections 11 , 12 are locked for axial movement in that locking fingers 22 abuts against shoulder 25, thereby being retained against string section 13, as may be seen in the detailed view of figs. 4 and 5.

By applying a compressive force to the adapter that overcomes the force of spring 17, outer housing 8 with lock 22 will be shifted so that locking fingers 22 may be moved in a radial direction 26 to release the axial locking engagement of string section 12. In this position, an axial movement of string section 12 connected to hammer 2 is allowed. A subsequently applied hydraulic pressure that will activate hammer 2 to cause a right-directed blow also will push string section 12 up to the left by means of piston area 28. In this manner, hammer 2 will be free to move axially.

When the hydraulic pressure is reduced and the compressive force re- leased, spring 17 acts to reactivate the locking mechanism to lock string section 12 for axial movement and thereby also disable the hammer function of hammer 2.

To activate hammer 1 , an axial tensile force overcoming the force of spring 17 is applied in string section 9. With that, outer string section 9 moves in an axial direction pulling with it locking mechanism 22, so that locking fingers 22 may be moved in a radial direction 30 to seat string section 11 against shoulder 25. At this point, string section 11 may move axially, and by so doing will not interfere with the movement of hammer 1. When the axial tensile force is released, locking fingers 22 reengage shoulder 25 and lock string section 25 for axial movement.

The adapter may also be used in the opposite direction by installing the adapter in a direction opposite to what was described above. In this manner, a push in the coiled tubing will activate hammer 1. A tensile force in the coiled tubing will activate hammer 2.

Claims

114285/CCSCLAIMS

1. Adapter device for controlling the impact movement of two oppositely facing 5 hydraulic hammers (1 , 2), the device comprising two cylindrical main parts (8, 9) being mutually concentrically supported with thread connections (6, 10) and an intermediate gap (7), the adapter being arranged so that when a predetermined tensile or compressive force is applied to a coiled tubing 4, adapter (5) is compressed or stretched thereby releasing for an impact movement of one of impact o hammers (1, 2), characterized in that a packer element (28) is arranged in such a manner that the adapter remains in the released position for as long as a hydraulic pressure is maintained, so that the adapter shaft does not contact the moveable string section of the hammer. 5