Wellhead isolation tool including an abrasive cleaning ring

a technology of cleaning ring and wellhead, which is applied in the direction of drilling casings, drilling pipes, borehole/well accessories, etc., to achieve the effect of promoting a better seal

Inactive Publication Date: 2008-10-23
SMITH INT INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]The present invention addresses the above-described drawbacks of prior art wellhead isolation tools. Aspects of this invention include a wellhead isolation tool of conventional construction including a lower mandrel sized and shaped for insertion through a wellhead into a length of wellbore tubing such as conventional production tubing or well casing. The wellhead isolation tool includes an improved sealing assembly connected to the lower end of the mandrel. The sealing assembly includes a conventional elastomeric cup deployed about a cup carrier for sealingly engaging an inner surface of the tubing. The sealing assembly further includes an abrasive cleaning ring deployed below the cup (e.g., between the cup carrier and the bull nose). The abrasive outer surface of the cleaning ring is intended to abrade the inner surface of the tubing upon insertion of the sealing assembly therein. Corrosion products, scale, and / or other debris may be advantageously removed from the tubing via the abrasive action of the cleaning ring, thereby promoting a better seal between the cup and the tubing.

Problems solved by technology

The need to remove and replace the cup at the job site tends to be obviated, thereby saving valuable rig time.

Method used

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  • Wellhead isolation tool including an abrasive cleaning ring
  • Wellhead isolation tool including an abrasive cleaning ring
  • Wellhead isolation tool including an abrasive cleaning ring

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Embodiment Construction

[0019]Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, it will be understood that features or aspects of the embodiments illustrated may be shown from various views. Where such features or aspects are common to particular views, they are labeled using the same reference numeral. Thus, a feature or aspect labeled with a particular reference numeral on one view in FIGS. 1 through 3 may be described herein with respect to that reference numeral shown on other views.

[0020]Referring now to FIG. 1, one exemplary embodiment of a wellhead isolation tool 100 in accordance with the present invention is shown deployed on a wellhead 50. Wellhead isolation tool 100 is shown deployed below a conventional frac head 75 and above the wellhead 50 (only a lower portion of the frac head is shown on FIG. 1). During a typical fracturing operation abrasive fluids are pumped under high pressure into the frac head 75, through the isolation tool 100, and down into the well. The isolation tool includes an inner mandrel 120 (s...

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PUM

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Abstract

A wellhead isolation tool includes a lower mandrel sized and shaped for insertion through a wellhead into a length of wellbore tubing. The wellhead isolation tool includes an improved sealing assembly connected to the lower end of the mandrel. The sealing assembly includes a conventional elastomeric cup deployed about a cup carrier for sealingly engaging an inner surface of the tubing. The sealing assembly further includes an abrasive cleaning ring deployed below the cup (e.g., between the cup carrier and the bull nose). Corrosion products, scale, and/or other debris may be advantageously removed from the tubing via the abrasive action of the cleaning ring, thereby promoting a better seal between the cup and the tubing.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]None.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to wellhead isolation tools for isolating sensitive wellhead components during fracturing operations. More particularly, this invention relates to an improved wellhead isolation tool including an abrasive cleaning ring deployed below the sealing cup.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Well fracturing operations are well known in the oil and natural gas drilling industries for increasing the flow capacity of a well. During a typical well fracturing operation, large volumes of abrasive and / or acidic fluids (e.g., slurries of sand, water, and various chemicals) are pumped through a frac head and down into the well by high-pressure pumps. The high-pressure fluids (and sometimes gels) are intended to fracture the formation, thereby improving the permeability and flow capacity of the hydrocarbons. Owing to the abrasive (and often corrosive) nature of the fracturing fluids and to the erosion sen...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): E21B37/00
CPCE21B17/1007E21B33/068E21B33/126E21B37/02
Inventor BOYD, MARK DWAYNE
Owner SMITH INT INC
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