Deformable release device for use with downhole tools

Abstract

A deformable release device is disclosed to be used with downhole setting tools. The deformable release device may provide a releasable detachment to any customary setting tool, such as electric line, hydraulic, hydrostatic, and mechanical setting tools, used to set a downhole packer-type device. The deformable release device allows for the automatic release of downhole setting tools at the application a predetermined force, similar to a shear pin or shear stud. However, since the deformable release device deforms rather than shears or breaks, the releasing device minimizes the debris or remnants of the device left in the wellbore.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a Non-provisional application claiming benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 755,358, entitled, “Deformable Release Device for Use with Downhole Tools,” by Douglas J. Lehr, Gabriel A. Slup, and James Van Lue, filed Dec. 30, 2005, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates generally to a release device that may be used with downhole setting tools. Specifically, the release device of the present disclosure deforms to provide a releasable detachment mechanism for a setting tool used to set a downhole tool, such as a Python Frac Plug from BJ Services Company of Houston, Tex. A deformable release device may provide a releasable detachment to any customary setting tool used to set a downhole packer-type device, for example. As would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015] The present application discloses a deformable release device for use in releasing a downhole tool after setting a wellbore plug. The deformable release device is designed to minimize the likelihood of breaking or shearing release components, thus minimizing debris in the wellbore. The deformable release device may deform to release a downhole tool connection. In one embodiment, the deformable release device may be a circular plate having a central circular opening. The deformable release device may be metallic, but may be comprised of any material that sufficiently deforms under a designated axial load as would be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. Likewise, the geometrical shape of the deformable release device may be one of a various shapes as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0019] In one embodiment, the deformable release device is used with a wireline adapter kit that includes an adapter sleeve and a release stinger used to connect a setting tool to a downhole tool. The adapter sleeve may be threaded onto the wireline pressure setting assembly and extend down to the plug assembly. One end of the release stinger may be threaded onto the downhole end of the wireline pressure setting assembly. A torsional spring may prevent the release stinger from unintentionally unthreading from the wireline pressure setting assembly. A plunger may be threaded onto the downhole end of the release stringer. A coiled spring may retain the plunger against the release stinger. During the process of setting the plug, the release stinger and the plunger pull up on the deformable release device connected to the bottom of mandrel of the downhole tool. Pins may secure the deformable release device to the mandrel. Once the upward force reaches the deformation strength of the deformable release device, the plunger is pulled through the deformable release device, thus deforming the opening of the deformable release device and releasing the adapter kit and setting tool from the downhole tool.

[0021] In one embodiment, a bumper may be connectable to the bottom of the plunger. As would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure, after the plunger is pulled through the deformable release device there may be a tendency for the wireline adapter kit to bounce up and down due to the large force exerted on the assembly, which was previously countered by the deformable release device. Thus, the bumper may be comprised of any material, such as nylon, that would minimize damage of downhole components due to the impact of the bumper as the wireline adapter kit bounces up and down in the wellbore as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0024] In one embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed for selectively releasing a setting tool from a downhole assembly. The apparatus may include means, such as an adapter kit, to connect a stinger to the setting tool. The lower end of the stinger may be connected to a plunger. The apparatus may include means for preventing upwards movement of the plunger with respect to the downhole assembly, such as a deformable device connected to the downhole assembly. The deformable device may be located between the stinger and the plunger preventing the movement of the stinger and the plunger. Alternatively, a portion of the plunger may be sized to prevent the passage of the plunger through a central opening in the deformable device. The stinger and the plunger may be integral or the stinger may include a portion larger than the central opening of the deformable device as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. The apparatus may further include means, such as deforming the deformable device, that allows the movement of the plunger with respect to the downhole assembly. Because the deformable device deforms rather than shears or breaks it may remain connected to the downhole assembly rather than falling into the wellbore. The apparatus may further include means, such as a torsional spring, for preventing the accidental detachment of the stinger from the setting tool or the plunger from the stinger. The apparatus may further include means for minimizing damage to downhole components due to the bouncing of the setting tool, the stinger, and the plunger after being released from the downhole assembly. The means for minimizing damage may be a nylon bumper connected to the bottom of the plunger, for example.

Problems solved by technology

However, in some situations, such as in horizontal wells, it can be relatively difficult to rotate the setting tool and adapter kit.

Such components fail with the application of a predetermined amount of a tensile or axial force.

One potential problem with using release devices that fail under a designated mechanical force, such as a release stud or shear pin, is that debris from the release device remains in the well bore after the device has released.

Additionally, the debris may accumulate on or in a moving part of a downhole tool possibly causing the downhole tool to malfunction.

A malfunction of the downhole tool increases the normal operating costs of the well.

Another disadvantage of using shear pins, or other mechanically failing devices, is that a hole for the insertion of a shear screw or shear pin is typically drilled in a component, such as the packer.

The drilling of a hole into the packer may weaken the overall strength of the packer, especially if the hole is drilled into a brittle material such as cast iron, possibly leading to premature failure of the component.

Other adapter kits and mechanical release devices are generally rather complex in design.

This complexity increases the manufacturing and assembly costs for the system.

A build up of these remnants in the wellbore may require the milling out or drilling out of the wellbore, which adds to the cost of production and leads to delays in production from the well.

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