A segmented filling tool for sidetracking horizontal wells

Abstract

The present invention provides a segmented filling tool for sidetracking horizontal wells, comprising: an outer tubular body having a first through-hole extending through the tubular wall; a movable member disposed on the inner wall of the outer tubular body, the movable member being capable of moving axially along the outer tubular body, thereby having a first position closing the first through-hole and a second position opening the first through-hole; and an inner tubular body capable of being inserted into the outer tubular body, the inner tubular body being capable of moving axially relative to the outer tubular body, thereby driving the movable member to move between the first position and the second position. The inner tubular body having a second through-hole is configured to be movable to a third position connecting the first through-hole and the second through-hole when the first through-hole is opened.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a segmented filling tool for side-drilling a horizontal well. Background Art

[0002] During horizontal well production, as the oilfield develops, the reservoir gradually enters a period of extremely high water cut. During this period, due to long-term water injection, large-scale pumping, and intensive injection and production, the reservoir conditions undergo significant changes, and reservoir heterogeneity is further exacerbated. These problems can lead to serious "sand damage" such as sand burying the oil layer, sand sticking in the oil pipe, and sand grinding the oil pump. At this point, conventional, single-use horizontal well technology is no longer sufficient to meet development and production needs.

[0003] Sidetracking horizontal wells is an oil production technology developed based on sidetracking and horizontal wells. This technology not only fully utilizes old wellbores to reduce oil and gas production costs, but also offers significant advantages such as a large controlled oil leakage area, a low production pressure differential, and a high input-output ratio. Therefore, sidetracking horizontal wells are suitable for reservoirs with high sand production, small sand particle size, and strong heterogeneity. However, the fine formation sand produced in these reservoirs requires packing tools to have a higher sealing pressure. At the same time, these fine formation sand particles can easily cause sand backflow, hindering normal packing operations. Furthermore, these sand particles can easily clog the packing tool's filling hole. Therefore, existing packing tools are not suitable for sidetracking horizontal wells. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In response to the technical problems described above, the present invention aims to provide a segmented filling tool for sidetracking horizontal wells. The filling tool of the present invention can provide a higher sealing pressure while avoiding gravel backflow and clogging of the filling hole.

[0005] According to the present invention, a segmented filling tool for side-drilling horizontal wells is provided, comprising: an outer tube body, the outer tube body having a first through hole penetrating the tube wall; a movable part arranged on the inner wall of the outer tube body, the movable part being able to move along the axial direction of the outer tube body, thereby having a first position for closing the first through hole and a second position for opening the first through hole; and an inner tube body capable of being inserted into the outer tube body, the inner tube body being able to move relative to the outer tube body along the axial direction of the outer tube body, thereby driving the movable part to move between the first position and the second position.

[0006] The inner tube body is provided with a second through hole, and the inner tube body is configured to be able to move to a third position so that the first through hole and the second through hole are in communication when the first through hole is opened.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, at least one first boss is provided on the outer wall of the inner tube body, and the first boss can engage with the movable member to drive the movable member to move.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the first boss can be deformed under pressure to pass over the movable member.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the first boss is configured to be conical.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the inner wall of the outer tube body further has a first step portion and a second step portion, which can engage with the movable part when the movable part is in the first position and the second position respectively, thereby fixing the movable part in one direction.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, a third step portion and a second boss are respectively provided on the outer wall of the outer tube body and the outer wall of the inner tube body, and the second boss can be engaged with the third step portion when the inner tube body is in the third position.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, it further includes a sand storage groove provided on the inner wall of the outer tube body, wherein the sand storage groove is provided on the inner wall of the radial lower side of the outer tube body.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the sand storage groove is arranged obliquely on the inner wall of the outer tube body, and can be closed when the movable member is in the first position.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, a cover plate capable of covering the first through hole is further provided on the outer wall of the outer tube body, a gap is formed between the cover plate and the first through hole, and the gap has an opening communicating with the outside.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, an elastic sealing layer is further provided on the outer wall of the inner tube away from the first end. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0017] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a staged packing tool for sidetracking a horizontal well according to the present invention is shown.

[0018] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing an outer tubular body of a staged packing tool for sidetracking a horizontal well according to the present invention is shown.

[0019] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of an inner tubular body of a staged packing tool for sidetracking a horizontal well according to the present invention is shown.

[0020] In this application, all drawings are schematic drawings, which are only used to illustrate the principles of the present invention and are not drawn to scale. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0022] Figure 1 FIG. 1 shows a segmented packing tool 100 for sidetracking a horizontal well according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 As shown, the staged packing tool 100 for sidetracking a horizontal well includes an outer tubular body 10. The outer tubular body 10 is tubular and horizontally disposed within the horizontal well. A first passage 20 is defined within the outer tubular body 10. Furthermore, a first through hole 12 is provided on the outer wall of the outer tubular body 10. The first through hole 12 penetrates the outer tubular body 10 wall and communicates with the first passage 20.

[0023] An annular groove 14 is provided on the inner wall of the outer tube 10, and a movable member 15 is disposed within the groove 14. The movable member 15 is capable of moving within the groove 14 along the axial direction of the outer tube 10 under the action of an external force. The groove 14 is also connected to the first through hole 12. As a result, when the movable member 15 moves within the groove 14, it can have a first position where it cuts off the connection between the first through hole 12 and the first passage 20, thereby closing the first through hole 12, and a second position where it maintains the connection between the first through hole 12 and the first passage 20, thereby opening the first through hole 12.

[0024] like Figure 1 As shown, the staged filling tool 100 for sidetracking a horizontal well further includes an inner tubular body 30. The inner tubular body 30 is also tubular in shape and defines a second passage 40 therein, as well as a second through hole 32 that penetrates the wall of the inner tubular body 30 and communicates with the second passage 40. The inner tubular body 30 can be inserted into the outer tubular body 10 through the first passage 20 and can move axially along the outer tubular body 10.

[0025] In the present invention, the movable member 15 is configured to extend radially out of the groove 14 of the outer tube 10, so that a first step 16 and a second step 18 are formed at both ends of the movable member 15 and protrude from the inner wall of the outer tube 10. At the same time, at least one first boss 34 is provided on the outer wall of the inner tube 30 and extends radially out of the outer wall of the inner tube 30.

[0026] Therefore, when the first end 301 of the inner tube 30 is inserted from above into the upper end 101 of the outer tube 10, during the movement of the inner tube 30, the first boss 34 will first reach the first step 16 and abut against the first step 16. At this time, when the inner tube 30 continues to move toward the lower end 102 of the outer tube 10, it will drive the movable member 15 to move along the groove 14 from the initial first position to the second position, thereby opening the first through hole 12.

[0027] When the movable member 15 reaches the second position, it abuts against the side wall 141 of the groove 14 away from the upper end 101 of the outer tube body. At this time, under the limiting effect of the side wall 141, the movable member 15 can no longer move in the direction close to the lower end 102 of the outer tube body 10.

[0028] In the present invention, the first boss 34 is made of an elastic material. Preferably, the elastic material is 35CrMo. This material not only has excellent elasticity but also possesses strong strength and corrosion resistance, effectively meeting the requirements of oil wells. Therefore, when the movable member 15 becomes unable to move further, the first boss 34, under pressure, presses against the movable member 15, causing it to elastically deform and no longer abut against the movable member 15.

[0029] Subsequently, the inner tube body 30 can continue to move along the axial direction of the outer tube body 10 toward the lower end 102 of the outer tube body 10 until the first boss 34 completely passes over the movable member 15. At this time, the inner tube body 30 reaches the third position.

[0030] like Figure 1 As shown, the second through hole 32 is configured so that when the inner tube body 30 reaches the third position, the second through hole 32 can be connected to the first through hole 12, so that the object in the second channel 40 can pass through the second through hole 32 and the first through hole 12 in sequence to reach the space outside the outer tube body 10.

[0031] In addition, a second boss 39 is provided on the outer wall of the inner tube 30 near the second end 302. Furthermore, a third step 19 is provided on the inner wall of the outer tube 10 near the upper end 101. The second boss 39 is configured to engage with the third step 19 when the inner tube 30 reaches the third position, thereby preventing the inner tube 30 from moving further toward the lower end 102 of the outer tube 10. This configuration prevents further movement of the inner tube 30 and, consequently, prevents the inner tube 30 from separating from the outer tube 10.

[0032] In summary, the inner tube body 30 can be inserted into the outer tube body 10 and moved toward the lower end 102 of the outer tube body 10 until the inner tube body 30 reaches the third position. When the inner tube body 30 reaches the third position, the first through hole 12 is opened and connected to the second through hole 32. Filling material can now be introduced into the second passage 40. The filling material passes through the second passage 40, the second through hole 32, and the first through hole 12 in sequence, reaching the downhole space outside the outer tube body 10, completing the horizontal well filling operation.

[0033] After the filling operation is completed, the inner tube 30 can be removed in the reverse direction, so that the inner tube 30 moves toward the upper end 101 of the outer tube 10. At this time, the first boss 34 will first abut against the second step 18 of the movable member 15, driving the movable member 15 toward the upper end 101 of the outer tube 10 until the movable member 15 abuts against the side wall 142 of the groove 14 on the side close to the upper end 101 of the outer tube, i.e., the movable member 15 returns to the first position of closing the first through hole 12.

[0034] Subsequently, the movable member 15 cannot move further, and the first boss 34 deforms and passes through the movable member 15 until the inner tube 30 is lifted out of the outer tube 10 and out of the well along with the fishing tool (not shown). This movement process is similar to the process of inserting the inner tube 30 into the outer tube 10, and will not be described in detail here.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, both side surfaces of the first boss 34 are configured to be tapered. It is easy to understand that this tapered configuration facilitates the first boss 34 to deform through the first step portion 16 and the second step portion 18 .

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, at least one elastic sealing layer 50 is provided on the outer wall of the outer tube 10 near the upper end 101. The elastic sealing layer 50 is capable of elastic deformation, thereby adjusting the diameter of the outer tube 10 within a certain range according to changes in the external environment, thereby achieving a sealing effect. The elastic sealing layer 50 is preferably provided in two layers, arranged along the axial direction of the outer tube 10. Furthermore, the sealing layer 50 is preferably made of 35CrMo. Experiments have shown that the two elastic sealing layers 50 can maintain a good sealing effect even under a high pressure of 30 MPa.

[0037] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the outer tubular body 10 of the segmented packing tool 100 for sidetracking horizontal wells. Figure 2As shown, a cover plate 70 is also provided on the outer wall of the outer tubular body 10, capable of covering the first through hole 12. On the one hand, the cover plate 70 can cover the first through hole 12 from the outside of the outer tubular body 10, thereby preventing the filling sand and gravel from flowing back into the outer tubular body and ensuring that the filling sand and gravel enter the filling area smoothly. On the other hand, the outer diameter of the cover plate is consistent with the maximum outer diameter of the outer tubular body 10, thereby protecting the first through hole 12 and preventing irregular protrusions on the wellbore wall from impacting the first through hole 12 during the lowering of the tubular string, ultimately causing the first through hole 12 to deform and fail.

[0038] At the same time, a gap 72 is formed between the cover plate 70 and the first through hole 12. The gap 72 has an opening 75 communicating with the outside. In this way, when the filling material reaches the first through hole 12, it can pass through the gap 72 and the opening 75 in sequence to reach the space outside the outer tube 10.

[0039] During the movement of the movable part 15 from the second position to the first position, a small amount of sand and gravel impurities will be brought out from the underground. These sand and gravel impurities will gradually accumulate on the movable part 15, which may easily cause the first through hole 12 to be unable to be completely closed. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, a sand storage groove 80 is further provided on the inner wall of the outer tube body. The sand storage groove 80 is provided at one end of the groove 14 near the upper end 101 of the outer tube body 10. Therefore, when the movable part 15 moves to the first position, its end will be connected to the sand storage groove 80. At this time, the sand and gravel impurities on the movable part 15 will be stored in the sand storage groove 80. Through this arrangement, it can be effectively prevented that the sand and gravel impurities hinder the normal closing of the first through hole 12.

[0040] At the same time, since the outer tube body 10 is horizontally arranged underground, the sand storage groove 80 is arranged on the inner wall of the radially lower side of the outer tube body 10. In this way, the sand and gravel impurities on the movable part 15 will automatically fall into the sand storage groove 80 under the action of gravity, thereby making it easier to collect the sand and gravel impurities.

[0041] Furthermore, the sand storage groove 80 is arranged at an angle on the inner wall of the outer tube 10. As will be readily appreciated, compared to a vertically arranged groove, the inclined arrangement maximizes the capacity of the sand storage groove 80, thereby achieving a more effective and durable sand collection effect. Furthermore, the sand storage groove is configured to be sealed by the movable member 15 when in the first position, further preventing the leakage of sand and gravel impurities within the sand storage groove 80.

[0042] Figure 3 for Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an inner tubular body 30 of a segmented packing tool 100 for sidetracking a horizontal well. Figure 3As shown, a guide plug 38 is further provided on the outer wall of the first end 301 of the inner tube 30 inserted into the outer tube 10. The guide plug is set to a cone shape, so that the inner tube 30 can be inserted into the outer tube 10 more conveniently and efficiently, reducing the calibration difficulty of the well workers.

[0043] The following briefly describes the working process of the segmented packing tool 100 for sidetracking a horizontal well according to the present invention.

[0044] When it is necessary to fill the side-drilled horizontal well, the outer pipe body 10 is first connected to the pipe string and lowered to the bottom of the well along with the pipe string, and then the inner pipe body 30 is lowered into the well to complete the docking with the outer pipe body 10. At this time, the inner pipe body 30 is inserted into the outer pipe body 10 by pressurizing the oil well and moving along the axial direction of the outer pipe body 10.

[0045] During the movement of the inner tube body 10, the first boss 34 on the outer wall of the inner tube body 30 will first reach the first step 16 formed between the movable member 15 and the groove 14. At this time, the first boss 34 will engage with the first step 16, and the inner tube body 30 can drive the movable member 15 to move until the movable member 15 reaches the second position where the first through hole 12 is opened. When the movable member 15 reaches the second position, the groove 14 will clamp the movable member 15, preventing it from continuing to move. At this time, under the action of pressure, the first boss 34 will deform and pass over the movable member 15 until the inner tube body 30 reaches the third position.

[0046] When the inner tube 30 reaches the third position, the second boss 39 on the inner tube 30 engages with the third step 19 on the inner wall of the outer tube 10, preventing further movement of the inner tube 30. At this point, the inner tube 30 is secured under pressure, and the first through-hole 12 communicates with the second through-hole 32. In this state, filling material can be introduced into the second passage 40, flowing sequentially through the second through-hole 32, the first through-hole 12, the gap 72, and the opening 75 into the space outside the outer tube 10, completing the filling operation of the oil well.

[0047] When the oil well filling operation is completed, the inner tube body 30 can be lifted up. During the lifting process of the inner tube body 30, the inner tube body 30 will drive the movable member 15 to return from the second position to the first position, closing the first through hole 12.

[0048] After the inner tube body 30 is lifted out of the wellhead, the filling operation of the entire horizontal oil well is completed.

[0049] Finally, it should be noted that the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not constitute any limitation to the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, it is still possible for those skilled in the art to modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments or to replace some of the technical features therein with equivalents. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention shall be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A segmented packing tool for sidetracking a horizontal well, comprising: An outer tube body (10), the outer tube body having a first through hole (12) penetrating the tube wall; a movable member (15) provided on the inner wall of the outer tube body, the movable member being capable of moving along the axial direction of the outer tube body, thereby having a first position of closing the first through hole and a second position of opening the first through hole, and An inner tube body (30) capable of being inserted into the outer tube body, the inner tube body being capable of moving relative to the outer tube body along the axial direction of the outer tube body, driving the movable member to move between a first position and a second position, The invention is characterized in that the inner tube body has a second through hole (32), and the inner tube body is arranged to be able to move to a third position that connects the first through hole and the second through hole when the first through hole is opened. At least one first boss (34) is provided on the outer wall of the inner tube body, and the first boss can engage with the movable part to drive the movable part to move. The inner wall of the outer tube body further comprises a first step portion (16) and a second step portion (18), wherein the first step portion and the second step portion can respectively engage with the movable part when the movable part is in the first position and the second position, thereby fixing the movable part in one direction. A third step portion (19) and a second boss (39) are respectively provided on the outer wall of the outer tube body and the outer wall of the inner tube body. The second boss can engage with the third step portion when the inner tube body is in the third position. The segmented filling tool further comprises a sand storage groove (80) arranged on the inner wall of the outer tube body, wherein the sand storage groove is arranged on the inner wall of the radial lower side of the outer tube body.

2. The segmented filling tool for sidetracking horizontal wells according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first boss can be deformed under pressure to pass over the movable part.

3. The segmented filling tool for sidetracking horizontal wells according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first boss is configured in a conical shape.

4. The segmented filling tool for sidetracking horizontal wells according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sand storage tank is arranged obliquely on the inner wall of the outer tube body, and When the movable member is in the first position, the sand storage tank can be closed.

5. The segmented filling tool for sidetracking horizontal wells according to claim 1, characterized in that: A cover plate (70) capable of covering the first through hole is also provided on the outer wall of the outer tube body, a gap (72) is formed between the cover plate and the first through hole, and the gap has an opening (75) communicating with the outside.

6. The segmented filling tool for sidetracking a horizontal well according to claim 1, characterized in that: An elastic sealing layer (50) is also provided on the outer wall of the outer tube body near the upper end.

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