ONE-PIECE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM WITHOUT PORTS AND METHODOLOGY FOR ITS USE IN A WELL

Abstract

One technique facilitates the use of a short casing hanger in a well. A one-piece, portless hydraulic system can be constructed, comprising an outer structure with a production tubing hanger portion and a packer portion mounted around a mandrel to prevent the formation of leak paths. A sealing system can be employed between the mandrel and the surrounding outer structure to ensure a tight seal. The mandrel has a portless section on the downhole side of the sealing system, and this portless section is maintained during, for example, activation of the production tubing hanger portion to prevent the formation of leak paths. An actuator can be located along the mandrel and configured to initiate the activation of the hanger jaws mounted along the production tubing hanger portion.An anti-presetting mechanism positioned along the chuck works in cooperation with the actuator to prevent premature activation of the hanger jaws.

Description

This application is based on and claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 62 / 875,849, filed on July 18, 2019, and is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. BACKGROUND In many well applications, the casing is deployed at the bottom of the well and cemented in place within the wellbore. Several short casing strings or other types of tubing can be deployed and anchored within the casing using a production tubing hanger. The production tubing hanger can be combined with a packer to provide a seal between the tubing and the surrounding casing. Additionally, the production tubing hanger may include jaws that engage with the surrounding casing to support the short casing string or other tubing. The production tubing hanger jaws are actuated via a piston-based triggering system, but current triggering systems can be susceptible to leak paths. COMPENDIUM In general, a system and methodology are provided to facilitate the use of a short casing hanger in a well. According to one embodiment, a one-piece hydraulic portless system is constructed to prevent the creation of leak paths. The one-piece hydraulic portless system may comprise an outer structure having a production tubing hanger portion and a packer portion mounted around a mandrel. A sealing system may be employed between the mandrel and the surrounding outer structure to ensure a sealing engagement between them. The mandrel has a portless section at least on the downhole side of the sealing system, and this portless section is maintained on the downhole side of the sealing system during, for example, activation of the production tubing hanger portion to prevent the formation of leak paths.An actuator can be positioned along the mandrel and configured to initiate the activation of the hanger jaws mounted along the production tubing hanger portion. Additionally, an anti-preset mechanism can be positioned along the mandrel to work in conjunction with the actuator to prevent premature activation of the hanger jaws. However, many modifications can be made without materially departing from the principles of this description. Therefore, it is intended that such modifications be included within the scope of this description as defined in the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Certain disclosure methods will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, where identical reference numbers denote similar elements. However, it should be understood that the accompanying figures illustrate the various implementations described herein and are not intended to limit the scope of the various technologies described herein, and: Figure 1 is a partial cross-section illustration of an example of a portless one-piece hydraulic system deployed in a surrounding tubular element, e.g., a casing pipe, according to one modality of the description; Figure 2 is a view similar to that shown in Figure 1 but with an enlarged portion showing an example of an activation system and an anti-presetting mechanism to prevent premature activation of the portless hydraulic one-piece system, according to one modality of disclosure; Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional illustration of the portless hydraulic one-piece system at a stage where the adjustment of the production tubing hanger jaws is initiated, according to a disclosure modality; Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional illustration of the portless hydraulic one-piece system at a stage where the weight is loosened to fully position the production tubing hanger, according to a modality of the disclosure; and Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional illustration of the portless hydraulic one-piece system at a stage where both the sliding production tubing hanger and the plug are in place, according to one disclosure modality. DETAILED DESCRIPTION The following description provides several details to clarify certain aspects of the present description. However, those skilled in the technique will understand that the apparatus or method can be implemented without these details and that numerous variations or modifications of the described procedures are possible. The disclosure in this document generally involves a system and methodology for facilitating the use of a short casing hanger in a well. According to one embodiment, a one-piece hydraulic portless system is constructed to avoid creating leakage paths. The one-piece hydraulic portless system may comprise a hydraulically actuated short casing hanger combined with a top or high packer. In various applications, the short casing hanger can be selectively actuated by applying appropriate downward pressure through a working string. For example, the flow through an internal passage of the working string and the one-piece hydraulic portless system can be selectively controlled to direct hydraulic pressure to a suitable actuator.In some models, the flow through the internal passage can be blocked by, for example, a ball or plug mechanism to allow the desired pressure increase. In general, a one-piece hydraulic portless system may comprise an outer structure having a production tubing hanger portion and a packer portion mounted around a mandrel. A sealing structure may be employed between the mandrel and the surrounding outer structure to ensure a sealing engagement between them. As an example, the sealing structure may be in the form of a seal stack used in conjunction with an anchor fitting receptacle. The mandrel has a portless section at least on the downhole side of the sealing system, and this portless section is maintained on the downhole side of the sealing system during, for example, activation of the production tubing hanger portion.This one-piece construction combines both a packer and a hanger into a single unit in a way that prevents leakage paths. In several variations, the mandrel may lack ports along its entire length. In other words, the mandrel may be generally tubular with a longitudinal internal passage but without lateral ports through the tubular mandrel wall. Additionally, an actuator can be positioned along the mandrel and configured to initiate the activation of the hanger jaws mounted along the production tubing hanger portion. In some embodiments, the actuator may be in the form of a piston, for example, a circumferential piston that typically surrounds the mandrel. However, other types of actuators can be used to initiate the setting of the hanger jaws. An anti-setting mechanism can also be positioned along the mandrel. The anti-setting mechanism works in conjunction with the actuator to prevent premature activation of the hanger jaws during, for example, run-in to the well.The arrangement of the components and the use of a mandrel without side ports (at least under the sealing structure) provides an effective one-piece hydraulic portless system that avoids potential leakage paths present in conventional hanger systems. In general, with reference to Figure 1, an example of a well system 30 is illustrated. In this embodiment, the well system 30 comprises a portless hydraulic one-piece system 32 placed in a well 34, for example, a borehole, which may be lined with casing 36. The portless hydraulic one-piece system 32 may comprise an outer structure 38 slidably coupled to an inner mandrel 40 through a sealing structure 42. The inner mandrel 40 is illustrated as tubular with a wall 44 forming a longitudinal passage 46 extending through it. However, the mandrel 40 does not have side ports extending through the wall 44, at least on the bottom side of the sealing structure 42.In the illustrated embodiment, the mandrel 40 comprises at least one port 48 located on the upper side of the sealing structure well 42, although other embodiments of the mandrel 40 do not have side ports through the mandrel wall 44 along the entire length of the mandrel 40. The longitudinal pitch 46 may be part of a general pitch 50 that extends, for example, through a working string 52. The working string 52 may be coupled to the mandrel 40 at a connecting end 54, for example, a threaded connecting end. By way of example, the working string 52 may extend to the surface and may comprise a working tool 56 that is used to operate the portless hydraulic one-piece system 32 to a desired location at the bottom of the well. Referring again to the example illustrated in Figure 1, the external structure 38 comprises a production tubing / casing hanger 58 generally positioned along the working string 52. The casing hanger 58 is illustrated with a plurality of hanger jaws 60 in operative engagement with a hanger cone 62. The plurality of hanger jaws 60 and the hanger cone 62 are positioned around the mandrel 40. By way of example, the hanger jaws 60 can be mounted so as to be releaseable on a gauge ring 64 attached to the mandrel 40. As illustrated, the downhole ends of the hanger jaws 60 can be loosely engaged with a flange or other suitable structure arranged around the gauge ring 64. The external structure 38 of the portless hydraulic one-piece system 32 may also comprise a packer 66 having a packer sealing element 68, for example, an elastomeric sealing element, and a packer cone 70. The packer cone 70 is positioned to allow expansion of the packer sealing element 68. In some embodiments, the packer 66 may also comprise clamping jaws 72. The packer sealing element 68, the packer cone 70, and the optional clamping jaws 72 may be positioned around the mandrel 40. In the illustrated example, the packer cone 70 may be secured to a TBR fitting receptacle 74 by means of suitable fasteners 76, for example, lugs.The fasteners / lugs 76 can be extended into the corresponding grooves 78 formed in the mandrel 40 to prevent relative rotation of at least parts of the outer structure 38 with respect to the inner mandrel 40. With further reference to Figure 2, the portless one-piece hydraulic system 32 also comprises an actuation system 80 having an actuator 82. The actuation system 80 can be positioned along the mandrel 40 and can be displaced in response to hydraulic pressure, for example, the hydraulic pressure supplied through the work string 52. The actuating hydraulic pressure can be used to displace the actuator 82 and thus initiate the adjustment of the plurality of hanger jaws 60. In some embodiments, the activation system 80 may further integrate the sealing structure 42. For example, the sealing structure 42 may comprise at least one internal seal 84 positioned in a sealed manner between the activator 82 and the mandrel 40 combined with at least one external seal 86 positioned between the activator 82 and a surrounding tubular structure, for example, an anchor fitting receptacle 74. When the surrounding tubular structure comprises the anchor fitting receptacle 74, the sealing structure 42 may be in the form of a stack of anchor fitting receptacle seals providing a seal between the inner mandrel 40 and the anchor fitting receptacle 74. By way of example, the activator 82 may be in the form of a piston 88, for example, a circumferential piston surrounding the mandrel 40. According to the illustrated embodiment, the portless one-piece hydraulic system 32 further comprises an anti-adjustment mechanism 90 that may be located along the mandrel 40. The anti-adjustment mechanism 90 is constructed to prevent premature change of the actuator 82, for example, the piston 88, and thus prevent premature adjustment of the plurality of hanger jaws 60. For example, the anti-adjustment mechanism 90 can prevent premature adjustment that might otherwise occur due to the forces acting on the external components during the insertion of the system 32 into the well. Although the anti-setting mechanism 90 can have a variety of configurations and components, an example is illustrated in the enlarged cropped portion of Figure 2. In this example, the anti-setting mechanism 90 comprises a shear member 92 located between the actuator 82 and the mandrel 40. By way of example, the shear member 92 may be a shear wire 94 captured in corresponding circumferential grooves in the actuator 82 and the mandrel 40. However, the shear member 92 may be in the form of shear screw(s), shear ring(s), or another suitable device. The anti-preset mechanism 90 may also comprise a locking member 96 that holds the actuator 82, for example, the piston 88, in place along the mandrel 40 until the hanger jaws 60 are ready for activation. By way of example, the locking member 96 may be in the form of a snap ring 98, for example, a spring C-ring, captured in a corresponding mandrel groove 100 and a recess in the actuator 102. In some embodiments, the anti-preset mechanism 90 may also comprise a locking ring 104, for example, an anchor fitting receptacle locking ring, which locks into the anchor fitting receptacle 74 and can bottom out against the locking member 96 during, for example, drilling into a well. To hydraulically secure the short casing hanger 58, hydraulic pressure can be supplied through the working string 52 and directed into the annular space between the mandrel 40 and the anchor fitting receptacle 74, for example, via the service tool 56. Flow along the internal longitudinal passage 46 of the mandrel 40 can be blocked by dropping a ball 106 through the general internal passage 50 until it seats against a corresponding ball seat located at the lower end of the mandrel 40 or in another suitable location. However, other devices, such as shut-off mechanisms, can be used to temporarily block fluid flow along the internal passages 46 and 50.Regardless of the specific device used, the temporary blockage of flow along internal steps 46, 50 allows the application of sufficient pressure from the surface to hydraulically activate, for example, switch, the actuator 82. As the hydraulic actuation pressure increases, the pressure causes the actuator 82, for example, the piston 88, to cut the cutting member 92 and move the actuator 82 until the locking member 96, for example, the snap ring 98, is released from the groove of the mandrel 100. Once the locking member 96 is released, the applied hydraulic pressure causes the actuator 82 and the anchor fitting receptacle 74 to move downwards along the mandrel 40 while the mandrel 40 is held in position by the work string 52. As the anchor fitting receptacle 74 and the actuator 82 slide along the outside of the mandrel 40, the connected packer cone 70, a corresponding tubular structure 108, and the connected hanger cone 62 are also forced to slide downward along the mandrel 40. However, the hanger jaws 60 are secured in place relative to the mandrel 40 via the gauge ring 64. As a result, the hanger cone 62 slides relative to the axially fixed hanger jaws 60 and forces the hanger jaws 60 in an outward radial direction into engagement with the casing 36, for example, the inner surface of the casing 36. In some embodiments, this outward radial movement causes the hanger jaws 60 to disengage from the gauge ring 64.This movement initiates the adjustment of the short casing pipe hanger 58, as shown in Figure 3, for example. Once the hanger jaws 60 engage the casing 36, the short casing hanger 58 can be fully set by loosening the weight relative to the working string 52, as illustrated in Figure 4. As the weight of the working string 52 is loosened, the mandrel 40 is allowed to strike downward and transfer the weight to the corresponding part of the outer structure 38, which in turn causes the gripping surfaces 109 of the hanger jaws 60 to grip the casing 36 more closely. In the illustrated example, the mandrel 40 comprises an enlarged outside diameter section 110 that engages with a corresponding stop 112 of the corresponding tubular structure 108 when the weight of the work string 52 is loosened. The enlarged outside diameter section 110 and the stop 112 cooperate to transfer the weight to the outer structure 38, which further drives the hanger cone 62 in a downhole direction relative to the hanger jaws 60. As a result, the hanger jaws 60 are driven more forcefully in a radial direction and into a more secure engagement with the casing 36. However, the set weight can be transferred from the mandrel 40 to the corresponding part of the outer structure 38 at a variety of locations and using a variety of mechanisms, for example, ratchet mechanisms or other suitable mechanisms. In some embodiments, the jaws of the hanger 60 can also be spring-loaded to further assist in initiating the setting of the short casing string hanger 58. Referring generally to Figure 5, the packer 66 can be adjusted using appropriate techniques. For example, the packer 66 can be adjusted using a service tool, such as one that uses a piston to apply load and thus adjust the packer 66. Various techniques can be used to apply load through the anchor fitting receptacle 74 to seat the packer 66. In some embodiments, the packer 66 can be adjusted by loosening the weight. For example, seating the packer 66 may involve releasing weight onto the anchor fitting receptacle 74 through a suitable assembly, such as a swivel fixing assembly.In this type of operation, the assembly or another suitable tool can be used to place the weight in the anchor fitting receptacle 74 to push the packer cone 70 toward the bottom of the well and through the corresponding packer sealing element 68 and the optional packer gripping jaws 72. This causes the packer sealing element 68 and gripping jaws 72 to move radially outward until they engage with the surrounding casing 36. Engagement with the surrounding casing 36 provides a seal along the annular space between the casing 36 and the one-piece, portless hydraulic system 32. Regardless of the packer setting technique employed, the packer 66 can be set after the completion of the desired operations, for example, hanger setting and cementing operations. It should be noted that the portless hydraulic one-piece system 32 can be constructed in various sizes and configurations. For example, the short casing hanger 58 and packer 66 can be constructed using different types of suitable components. For instance, the short casing hanger 58 can utilize a variety of hanger jaws and hanger cones. Similarly, the packer 66 can use various types of sealing elements, clamping jaws, cones, and / or other components. The activation system 80 can utilize a variety of actuators 82, which may comprise different types of pistons 88. However, the activation system 80 can also utilize actuators 82 in the form of, for example, parts of the anchor fitting receptacle 74, the packer cone 70, or other components configured and positioned to initiate the setting of the short casing hanger 58.Similarly, the anti-presetting mechanism 90 may comprise various types of cutting elements, locking elements and / or other components to prevent premature slippage of the activator 82 and thus prevent premature setting of the short casing hanger 58. Although some embodiments of the description have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily understand that many modifications are possible without materially departing from the principles of the present description. Therefore, it is intended that such modifications be included within the scope of the present description as defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A system for use in a well, comprising: a short casing hanger positioned along a work string, wherein the short casing hanger has a plurality of hanger jaws in operative engagement with a hanger cone, wherein the plurality of hanger jaws and the hanger cone are positioned around a mandrel; a packer having a packer sealing element and a packer cone positioned to permit expansion of the packer sealing element, wherein the packer sealing element and the packer cone are positioned around the mandrel;an activation system having an actuator positioned along the mandrel, wherein the actuator is sensitive to hydraulic pressure to initiate the adjustment of the plurality of hanger jaws, the activation system further comprising seals positioned to provide a seal between the mandrel and a surrounding tubular, wherein the mandrel has no ports on one side of the bottom of the seals to prevent leakage paths; and an anti-presetting mechanism positioned along the mandrel to prevent premature displacement of the actuator and thus prevent premature adjustment of the plurality of hanger jaws.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the packer further comprises clamping jaws located around the packer cone.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises a piston.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the seals comprise at least one external seal located between the piston and the surrounding pipe and at least one internal seal located between the piston and the mandrel.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the anti-presetting mechanism comprises a cutting member located between the actuator and the chuck.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the anti-presetting mechanism comprises an elastic ring located between the actuator and the chuck.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the anti-presetting mechanism comprises a locking ring positioned between the actuator and the surrounding tubing.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the surrounding tubular comprises an anchoring accessory receptacle.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the actuator is displaced and the anti-setting mechanism is released by applying downward hydraulic pressure through the working string and along a ring between the mandrel and the anchor fitting receptacle.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein an internal passage of the working string is selectively sealed so that the pressure can increase sufficiently to displace the actuator, thereby initiating the adjustment of the plurality of jaws of the hanger.

11. A system comprising: a hydraulic one-piece hanger system having: an outer structure slidably coupled to an inner mandrel through a sealing structure, the inner mandrel having no side ports on one side of the bottom of the sealing structure, the outer structure comprising a packer and hanger jaws, the hanger jaws being selectively activated by an actuator through hydraulic pressure; and an anti-presetting mechanism located along the mandrel to prevent premature displacement of the actuator and thus prevent premature setting of the hanger jaws.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the mandrel does not have side ports along its entire length.

13. The system according to claim 11, wherein the actuator comprises a piston.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the piston surrounds the mandrel.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the sealing structure comprises at least one seal disposed along the inside of the activator and at least one seal disposed along the outside of the activator.

16. The system according to claim 11, wherein the anti-presetting mechanism comprises a cutting cable located between the actuator and the mandrel; an elastic ring located between the actuator and the mandrel; and a locking ring located between the actuator and a surrounding tubular element.

17. The system according to claim 11, wherein the packer comprises a packer sealing element and packer clamping jaws that interact with a packing cone during packer adjustment.

18. The system according to claim 11, wherein the displacement of the actuator causes a relative movement between a hanger cone and the hanger jaws to deflect the hanger jaws radially outwards to engage with a surrounding housing.

19. A method comprising: providing a one-piece, portless hydraulic system having a production tubing hanger portion and a packer portion mounted around a mandrel in sealing engagement with the mandrel through a sealing structure; maintaining a portless section of the mandrel on a bottom-hole side of the sealing structure to prevent leakage paths; using an actuator located along the mandrel to initiate activation of the hanger jaws of the production tubing hanger portion; and preventing premature activation of the hanger jaws with an anti-preset mechanism.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein using the actuator comprises using a piston arranged circumferentially around the mandrel.