A method for deploying and retrieving an in-pipe suspension device

Abstract

This invention provides a method for deploying and retrieving a tubing hanger. The deployment method includes: lowering the assembled downhole tool to a predetermined depth within the tubing; raising the lever of the electronically controlled deployment and retrieval device, causing the hanger's spindle to move upwards, and the slips on the hanger are opened by the cone and anchored to the inner wall of the tubing; continuing to raise the lever, disengaging the hanger from its upper tool, completing the deployment operation. The retrieval method includes: lowering the assembled downhole tool to a predetermined depth within the tubing; extending the lever of the electronically controlled deployment and retrieval device, causing the deployment tool to move downwards and grasp the hanger's outer cylinder; pushing the hanger's spindle downwards, and the slips on the hanger retracting from the inner wall of the tubing under the action of the elastic element; and retrieving the hanger from the wellhead. This invention solves the problems of wire breakage and low accuracy of mounting depth in mechanical deployment and retrieval, and expands the scope of electronically controlled well testing operations.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the field of oil testing and well testing operation, in particular, to a method for launching and fishing a tubing hanger. BACKGROUND

[0002] Steel wire testing operation is an important technical means for oil and gas reservoir evaluation and tracking. Its feature is to require the steel wire to enter the well together with the electronic pressure gauge. In the high temperature, high pressure and high hydrogen sulfide environment, the conventional steel wire operation mode is used for pressure recovery, system testing and other operations. At present, the steel wire testing operation quantity of the three high gas wells and shale gas area in Sichuan and Chongqing reaches more than 200 well times per year, and 98% of them use the steel wire suspension testing operation mode. The traditional steel wire suspension testing mode is to lower the electronic pressure gauge in the well through the steel wire to obtain the data such as well pressure and temperature at the predetermined position in the well, and then to pull out the steel wire after the testing operation is completed. The suspension steel wire testing operation requires the steel wire to enter the well together with the electronic pressure gauge for pressure recovery, system testing and production testing. When the steel wire testing operation is carried out, it is often operated under the condition of wellhead pressure or even high pressure, so there are inevitably high safety risk coefficient, large well control pressure, complex downhole condition and steel wire sticking risk, and the steel wire blowout prevention equipment and the steel wire always occupy the wellhead during the steel wire testing period, which affects the operation efficiency.

[0003] At present, the technology of launching and fishing the pressure gauge hanger by the steel wire is widely used in China, which uses the steel wire to lower the pressure gauge hanger into the oil pipe at any specified position, completes the hanging, and realizes the release of the steel wire and the hanger. In the case that there is no steel wire in the well, the data is recorded by the pressure gauge suspended in the oil pipe. This technology has been applied in Sichuan and Chongqing areas with good effect, but there are still some application range limitations, such as the need for pull-up jarring for hanging, the influence on high-precision pressure gauges, and the low accuracy of hanging depth.

[0004] In recent years, the corresponding oil pipe electronic launching and fishing hanger technology has been developed in China, for example, the patent applications CN201410592400.6 and CN201520017299.1 disclose the electronic pressure gauge hanger fisher. The electronic launching and fishing hanger technology uses electronic clock to control the motor to realize the launching of the hanger. The electronic launching and fishing hanger realizes the electric hanging of the hanger by electronic means, and the steel wire can stably hang the hanger at the predetermined position by electronic launching. However, the fishing still uses the steel wire fishing tool, and the high-speed jarring operation is needed during fishing, which has the risk of accidental fracture of the steel wire. SUMMARY

[0005] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the purpose of this invention is to solve one or more problems existing in the prior art. For example, one purpose of this invention is to avoid accidents caused by wire breakage during mechanical casting; another purpose is to improve the utilization rate of the equipment.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a method for deploying an in-line suspension device.

[0007] The delivery method may include the following steps:

[0008] The downhole tool assembly is performed. The assembled downhole tool includes a connected electrically controlled drop and retrieve device, a setting pusher, and a hanger. The assembled downhole tool is lowered to a predetermined depth inside the tubing. The pull rod of the electrically controlled drop and retrieve device is pulled upward, which drives the hanger's spindle upward. The slips on the hanger are opened by the conical structure and anchored to the inner wall of the tubing. The hanger setting is engaged with the inner wall of the tubing. The pull rod of the electrically controlled drop and retrieve device continues to pull upward, and the shearing connector used to connect the hanger's spindle is sheared, disengaging the hanger from its upper tool and completing the hanger deployment operation.

[0009] According to an exemplary embodiment of the tubing hanger deployment method of the present invention, the step of assembling the downhole tools may include: positioning the mandrel of the electrically controlled deployment and retrieval device in its longest extended state; connecting the setting pusher to the housing of the electrically controlled deployment and retrieval device; connecting the pull rod of the electrically controlled deployment and retrieval device to the release mandrel; and connecting the release mandrel to the hanger mandrel through the shear connector.

[0010] According to an exemplary embodiment of the tubing hanger deployment method of the present invention, before the combined downhole tool is lowered to a predetermined depth inside the tubing, the method may further include the step of: lowering a wireline tool string to a predetermined working depth inside the tubing to perform well cleaning operations.

[0011] According to an exemplary embodiment of the method for deploying the tubing hanger of the present invention, before the combined downhole tool is lowered to a predetermined depth inside the tubing, the method may further include the step of: setting a downhole start command for the electric deployment and retrieval device by means of the well venting time.

[0012] According to an exemplary embodiment of the method for deploying the tubing hanger of the present invention, the electrically controlled deployment device may include a battery, a drive control system, a motor, a transmission, a lead screw nut, and a tie rod.

[0013] According to an exemplary embodiment of the method for deploying an in-pipe suspension device of the present invention, the conical structure on the suspension device may include an upper cone and a lower cone, and the slip is a bidirectional slip, which is disposed on the upper cone and the lower cone.

[0014] According to an exemplary embodiment of the method for deploying the tubing hanger of the present invention, the mandrel of the hanger can be connected to the release mandrel via the shear connector, and the release mandrel is also connected to the pull rod of the electrically controlled casting and retrieval device.

[0015] According to an exemplary embodiment of the tubing hanger deployment method of the present invention, after the deployment operation is completed, the method may further include the step of: raising the electrically controlled deployment device and the setting pusher out of the wellhead.

[0016] According to an exemplary embodiment of the tubing hanger deployment method of the present invention, the present invention is applicable to the deployment of hangers in tubing via an electric deployment and retrieval device during wireline well testing operations such as pressure recovery well testing and production capacity well testing.

[0017] Another aspect of the present invention provides a method for retrieving a suspension device inside an oil pipe.

[0018] The salvage method may include the following steps:

[0019] The downhole tool assembly is performed, comprising a connected electrically controlled retrieval device and a retrieval tool. The assembled downhole tool is lowered to a predetermined depth within the tubing. The lever of the electrically controlled retrieval device extends, causing the retrieval tool to move downwards and grasp the outer cylinder of the hanger. The lever of the electrically controlled retrieval device continues to extend, pushing the hanger's spindle downwards, thereby shearing the locking mechanism's shearing connector on the hanger. The hanger's spindle continues to move downwards, causing the hanger's slips to retract and reset from the tubing's inner wall under the action of the elastic element. The assembled downhole tool is then lifted to retrieve the hanger from the wellhead.

[0020] According to an exemplary embodiment of the method for retrieving an in-tubing hanger of the present invention, the retrieval tool has a through hole at its center; the step of assembling the downhole tool includes: connecting the outer cylinder of the electrically controlled retrieval device to the retrieval tool, connecting the retrieval mandrel to the pull rod of the electrically controlled retrieval device, and allowing the retrieval mandrel to pass through the retrieval tool.

[0021] In an exemplary embodiment of the method for retrieving a tubing hanger according to the present invention, the retrieval mandrel pushes the mandrel of the hanger to move downward.

[0022] According to an exemplary embodiment of the method for retrieving the tubing hanger of the present invention, before the combined downhole tool is lowered to a predetermined depth inside the tubing, the method may further include the step of: lowering a wireline tool string to a predetermined working depth inside the tubing to perform well cleaning operations.

[0023] According to an exemplary embodiment of the method for retrieving a tubing hanger of the present invention, before the combined downhole tool is lowered to a predetermined depth inside the tubing, the method may further include the step of: setting a downhole start command for the electric retrieval device based on the time of the well cleaning operation.

[0024] In an exemplary embodiment of the method for retrieving a suspension device inside a tubing according to the present invention, during the process of continuing to push the centrifuge of the suspension device downward, the lower cone of the suspension device moves downward.

[0025] In an exemplary embodiment of the method for retrieving an in-pipe hanger according to the present invention, the elastic element may include a return spring, and the shearing connector may include a shear pin.

[0026] According to an exemplary embodiment of the method for retrieving a hanging device inside the tubing of the present invention, the present invention is applicable to the process of retrieving a hanging device inside the tubing via an electrically controlled deployment device during wireline well testing operations such as pressure recovery well testing and production capacity well testing. The electrically controlled deployment device used in the above deployment and retrieval methods can be the same.

[0027] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention may include at least one of the following:

[0028] (1) This invention adopts an in-tubing electric control mounting and retrieval technology, which changes the previous operation method of relying on mechanical casting, pulling and shocking. It solves the problems of wire breakage and low accuracy of mounting depth caused by mechanical casting, and expands the scope of electronic suspension well test operation.

[0029] (2) The present invention can realize the steel wire to smoothly hang the hanger to a predetermined depth in an electronically controlled manner, so as to realize the purpose of the steel wire equipment "getting off and leaving immediately, and being able to pick it up at any time".

[0030] (3) The present invention can effectively solve the problem that the steel wire is subjected to high tension and corrosion in deep wells and wells with high H2S and CO2 content during the wire suspension well testing process.

[0031] (4) The present invention can reduce well control risks and equipment wear during well testing, reduce complex accidents in wireline operations, and improve equipment utilization. Attached Figure Description

[0032] The above and other objects and features of the present invention will become clearer from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0033] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the downhole tool on which the method for deploying an in-tubing hanger of the present invention is based is shown;

[0034] Figure 2A schematic diagram of a downhole tool grabbing the hanger is shown, which is the basis of the present invention's method for retrieving an in-tubing hanger.

[0035] Figure label:

[0036] 1-Outer cylinder, 2-Suspension mandrel, 3-Upper cone, 4-Anti-reverse ring, 5-Shear pin seat, 6-Shear pin, 7-Clad outer cylinder, 8-Clad, 9-Spring, 10-Lower cone, 11A-Release mandrel, 11B-Retrieval mandrel, 12A-Setting push cylinder, 12B-Retrieval tool, 13-High temperature motor, 14-Gearbox, 15-Lead screw nut, 16-Lead screw, 17-Tie rod, 18-Drive control system, 19-Battery cylinder. Detailed Implementation

[0037] The method for deploying and retrieving the tubing hanger of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and exemplary embodiments.

[0038] It should be noted that terms such as "first" and "second" are merely for ease of description and distinction, and should not be interpreted as indicating or implying relative importance. Terms such as "upper," "lower," "inner," and "outer" are merely for ease of description and to establish relative orientation or positional relationships, and do not indicate or imply that the component referred to must have that specific orientation or position.

[0039] Exemplary Example 1

[0040] This exemplary embodiment provides a method for deploying a suspension device inside an oil pipe. The process of electrically controlled deployment of the suspension device inside the oil pipe involves an electrically controlled deployment device, a suspension device, a pusher, and a release mandrel.

[0041] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the downhole tool on which the method for deploying an in-tubing hanger of the present invention is based is shown. The electrically controlled deployment and retrieval device includes: a high-temperature motor 13, a gearbox 14, a lead screw nut 15, a lead screw 16, a tie rod 17, a drive control system 18, and a battery sleeve 19. The hanger includes an outer cylinder 1, a hanger spindle 2, an upper cone 3, a backstop ring 4, a shear pin seat 5, a shear pin 6, a slip outer cylinder 7, slips 8, a spring 9, and a lower cone 10.

[0042] The following is combined Figure 1 This exemplary embodiment describes a method for deploying an in-line suspension device. The deployment method may include the following steps:

[0043] (1) Before the tubing is electrically controlled to deploy the suspension device, a wireline tool is lowered to traverse the well to the predetermined working depth inside the tubing. The electronic deployment of the suspension device is then carried out after the well cleaning operation is completed.

[0044] (2) Install the electrically controlled retrieval device on the ground, with its pull rod 17 in its longest extended position. Connect the setting pusher 12A to the outer cylinder 1 of the electrically controlled retrieval device, and thread the release mandrel 11A to the pull rod 17 of the electrically controlled retrieval device. Then connect the release mandrel 11A to the hanger mandrel 2 through the shear pin 6 inside the hanger. Then set the downhole start command for the electrically controlled retrieval device according to the well cleaning operation time.

[0045] (3) After the command setting for the surface electric drop and retrieve device is completed, the tool combination is: electric drop and retrieve device + setting pusher + suspension device. The combined downhole tool is lowered into the tubing to the predetermined depth via wireline. After reaching the predetermined working depth in the tubing, the electric drop and retrieve device waits for the set time to trigger and start working.

[0046] When the electrically controlled casting and retrieval device starts working, it is powered by a high-temperature battery inside the battery sleeve 19, which drives the control system 18 to start the high-temperature motor 13. This motor drives the gearbox 14 and the lead screw 16 to rotate. The lead screw nut 15, restricted by an external device, cannot rotate and thus cannot move back and forth, thereby pushing the pull rod 17 to move. The retraction state of the pull rod 17 can be controlled by controlling the rotation direction of the high-temperature motor 13. When the pull rod 17 is in the retracted and lifted state, it drives the release shaft 11A to move upwards. The lower end of the setting push cylinder 12A presses against the upper end of the outer cylinder 1 of the hanger, keeping the upper cone 3 of the hanger stationary.

[0047] As the electric casting and retrieval device continues to lift its lever 17, the lower cone 10 and upper cone 3 of the suspension unit push the slip 8 up along the conical surface. After being spread apart by the upper cone 3 and lower cone 10, the slip 8 is anchored to the inner wall of the tubing, and the suspension unit seat is locked onto the inner wall of the tubing. The slip 8 can be a bidirectional slip.

[0048] The lever 17 of the electric control casting and retrieval device continues to move upward and cuts the shear pin 6 connecting the release shaft 11A and the suspension shaft 2. The release shaft 11A is disengaged from the suspension, and the suspension completes the casting operation.

[0049] (4) The electrically controlled retrieval device and the setting pusher 12A are pulled out of the wellhead via the lifting steel wire. In this embodiment, the release mandrel 11A connects the pull rod 17 of the electrically controlled retrieval device and the suspension mandrel 2. By controlling the rotation direction of the high-temperature motor 13 of the electrically controlled retrieval device, the radial force of the pull rod 17 is transmitted to the suspension mandrel 2 through the release mandrel 11A to perform the suspension deployment operation.

[0050] In this embodiment, the Figure 1 The middle seated pusher 12A is connected to the battery tube 19 of the electric control casting and retrieval device, and is not connected to the upper outer tube of the hanger. When the hanger is deployed, the pull rod 17 of the electric control casting and retrieval device moves upward, and the lower end of the seated pusher 12A presses against the upper end of the outer tube of the hanger to keep the upper cone 3 of the hanger stationary.

[0051] In this embodiment, the shear pin 6 is the release mechanism of the electrically controlled release device for the suspension in the oil pipe. During the release of the suspension, the shear pin 6 connecting the release spindle 11A and the suspension spindle 2 is cut off by the upward movement of the pull rod 17 of the electrically controlled release device, so as to achieve the purpose of releasing the electrically controlled release device from the suspension.

[0052] In this embodiment, after the suspension slip 8 is spread open and locked onto the inner wall of the oil pipe by the upper cone 3 and the lower cone 10, the locking mechanism at the upper end can keep the slip in the anchored state without it coming loose.

[0053] Exemplary Example 2

[0054] This exemplary embodiment provides a method for retrieving a hanger inside an oil pipe. The process of electrically controlled deployment of the hanger inside the oil pipe involves an electrically controlled deployment device, a hanger, a retrieval mandrel, and a deployment tool.

[0055] Figure 2 This diagram illustrates a downhole tool grabbing device based on a method for retrieving an in-tubing hanger according to the present invention. The electrically controlled retrieval device includes: a high-temperature motor 13, a gearbox 14, a lead screw nut 15, a lead screw 16, a pull rod 17, a drive control system 18, and a battery sleeve 19. The hanger includes an outer cylinder 1, a hanger spindle 2, an upper cone 3, a backstop ring 4, a shear pin seat 5, a shear pin 6, a slip outer cylinder 7, slips 8, a spring 9, and a lower cone 10.

[0056] The following is combined Figure 2 This exemplary embodiment describes a method for deploying a tubing hanger. The hanger being retrieved may be the hanger deployed in this exemplary embodiment. The method for retrieving the tubing hanger may include the following steps:

[0057] (1) Before the tubing electronic fishing hanger is installed, a wireline tool is lowered into the well to the predetermined depth inside the tubing. After the well cleaning operation is completed, the electronic fishing hanger operation is carried out.

[0058] (2) On the ground, the rotation direction of the high-temperature motor 13 is controlled by setting a command through the electric control casting device so that the lever 17 is retracted into the action state.

[0059] The outer cylinder 1 of the electrically controlled fishing device is threadedly connected to the fishing tool 12B, and the fishing mandrel 11B is threadedly connected to the pull rod 17 of the electrically controlled fishing device. The center of the fishing tool 12B has a through hole for passing through the fishing mandrel 11B. Then, the downhole start command of the electric fishing device is set according to the well cleaning operation time.

[0060] (3) After the ground-based electrically controlled retrieval device command is set, the tool combination is: electrically controlled retrieval device + retrieval tool. The combined downhole drill string is lowered into the tubing to the predetermined depth using a steel wire. After reaching the predetermined working depth in the tubing, the retrieval tool slowly enters the outer cylinder 1 of the hanger, and the electrically controlled retrieval device waits for the set time to trigger and start working.

[0061] When the electric control casting and retrieval device starts working, the drive control system 18, powered by the high-temperature battery in the battery cylinder 19 of the electric control casting and retrieval device, drives the high-temperature motor 13 to start, which drives the gearbox 14 and the lead screw 16 to rotate. Under the restriction of the external device, the lead screw nut 15 cannot rotate and thus cannot move back and forth, thereby pushing the pull rod 17 to move. The extension action state of the pull rod 17 is controlled by controlling the rotation direction of the high-temperature motor 13.

[0062] When the lever 17 of the electrically controlled retrieval device is extended, it drives the retrieval mandrel 11B downward. The retrieval tool 12B, connected to the outer cylinder of the electrically controlled retrieval device, grips the outer cylinder 1 of the hanger and remains stationary. During the downward movement, the lever 17 and the retrieval mandrel 11B of the electrically controlled retrieval device push the hanger mandrel 2 downward. The hanger mandrel 2 continues to move downward, shearing the shear pin of the hanger locking mechanism. The hanger mandrel 2 continues to move downward, thereby driving the lower cone 10 of the hanger downward. The spring 9 on the slip causes the slip 8 to retract from the inner wall of the tubing and reset. The hanger completes the retrieval operation, and the electrically controlled retrieval device and the hanger are pulled out of the wellhead by the lifting wire.

[0063] In this embodiment, spring 9 can be a return spring.

[0064] In this embodiment, the retrieval tool 12B can be an improvement on the structure of the GR type wireline retrieval tool. Specifically, the external thread connection at the upper end of the original GR type retrieval tool is changed to an internal thread connection, and a through hole is added in the center of the retrieval tool for the retrieval mandrel 11B to pass through, so that the retrieval operation of the hanger can be completed through the retrieval mandrel 11B.

[0065] In this embodiment, the salvage mandrel 11B connects the pull rod 17 of the electrically controlled salvage device and the suspension mandrel 2 to transmit the radial force of the pull rod 17. By controlling the rotation direction of the high-temperature motor 13 of the electrically controlled salvage device, the radial force of the pull rod 17 is transmitted to the suspension mandrel 2 through the salvage mandrel 11B to perform salvage and suspension operations.

[0066] In summary, the advantages of the present invention may include at least one of the following:

[0067] (1) This invention adopts an in-tubing electric control mounting and retrieval technology, which changes the previous operation method of relying on mechanical casting, pulling and shocking. It solves the problems of wire breakage and low accuracy of mounting depth caused by mechanical casting, and expands the scope of electronic suspension well test operation.

[0068] (2) The present invention can realize the steel wire to smoothly hang the hanger to a predetermined depth in an electronically controlled manner, so as to realize the purpose of the steel wire equipment "getting off and leaving immediately, and being able to pick it up at any time".

[0069] (3) The present invention can effectively solve the problem that the steel wire is subjected to high tension and corrosion in deep wells and wells with high H2S and CO2 content during the wire suspension well testing process.

[0070] (4) The present invention can reduce well control risks and equipment wear during well testing, reduce complex accidents in wireline operations, and improve equipment utilization.

[0071] Although the invention has been described above in conjunction with exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and changes can be made to the exemplary embodiments of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A method of deploying a tubing hanger, the method comprising: The cone structure on the hanger includes an upper cone and a lower cone, and the dropping method includes the following steps: a downhole tool combination is performed, and the combined downhole tool includes an electrically controlled fishing device, a setting push tube and a hanger connected together; the combined downhole tool is dropped into a predetermined depth in a tubing; a lifting action is performed on a pull rod of the electrically controlled fishing device, the pull rod is lifted to drive a mandrel of the hanger to move upward, a lower end of the setting push tube is abutted against an upper end of an outer cylinder of the hanger to keep the upper cone of the hanger from moving, slips on the hanger are expanded by the cone structure and anchored on an inner wall of the tubing, and the hanger is set and clamped on the inner wall of the tubing; the slips are bidirectional slips, and the bidirectional slips are arranged on the upper cone and the lower cone; the lifting action is continuously performed on the pull rod of the electrically controlled fishing device, a shear connector for connecting the mandrel of the hanger is sheared, the hanger is separated from tools above the hanger, and a hanger dropping operation is completed; the pull rod of the electrically controlled fishing device is in a longest extension state, the setting push tube is connected with a shell of the electrically controlled fishing device, the pull rod of the electrically controlled fishing device is connected with a releasing mandrel, and the releasing mandrel is connected with the mandrel of the hanger through the shear connector.

2. The method of dropping a tubing hanger as defined in claim 1, wherein, Before the combined downhole tool is dropped into the predetermined depth in the tubing, the method further includes the steps of: a wireline tool string is run into the tubing to a predetermined operation depth, and a wellbore passing operation is performed.

3. The method of dropping a tubing hanger as defined in claim 2, wherein, Before the combined downhole tool is dropped into the predetermined depth in the tubing, the method further includes the steps of: according to a time of the wellbore passing operation, a downhole starting operation command of the electrically controlled fishing device is set.

4. The method of dropping a tubing hanger as defined in claim 1, wherein, The electrically controlled fishing device includes a battery tube, a driving control system, a motor, a transmission, a screw nut and a pull rod.

5. The method of dropping a tubing hanger as defined in claim 1, wherein, After the dropping operation is completed, the method further includes the steps of: the electrically controlled fishing device and the setting push tube are lifted out of a wellhead.

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