Bypass tool for use with a tubing anchor

Abstract

A bypass tool including first and second bypass tubes insertable through a tubing anchor. The bypass tool also includes a lower bypass nipple supported by a lower end of the tubing anchor and to permit gas to pass from outside of a bottom hole assembly (BHA) to between the bypass tubes and the tubing anchor and an upper bypass nipple supported by an upper end of the tubing anchor to permit the gas to pass from between the bypass tubes and the tubing anchor to back outside of the BHA. A method of recovering production fluids from a well using the bypass tool. The method includes positioning a bypass tool at a desired location in a well. The method also includes pumping a gas through the bypass tool.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 19 / 237,839, filed Jun. 13, 2025, which is a conversion of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63 / 659,924, filed Jun. 14, 2024, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e). The disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not applicable.BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a bypass tool for use with a tubing anchor in oil and gas operations.2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] When gas separators are used below tubing anchors, there are times when the gas is directed towards the outside of the gas separator. The gas will flow upwards between the bottom hole assembly (BHA) and the casing where the tubing anchor creates a bottleneck. The liquid component from the gas separator is forced up and through the inside of the tubing anchor. The bottleneck on the outside of the tubing anchor can cause a liquid hold up above the tubing anchor and a gas holdup below the tubing anchor. Ultimately, in some situations, the gas can be forced back into the gas separator and even into the pump that the separator directs the liquid to from which the gas is separated.

[0005] Accordingly, there is a need for a bypass tool that can be used with the tubing anchor to diffuse the bottleneck that can occur outside of the tubing anchor.SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0006] The present disclosure is directed to a bypass tool. The bypass tool includes a first bypass tube and a second bypass tube insertable through a tubing anchor. The bypass tool also includes a lower bypass nipple supported by a lower end of the tubing anchor and to permit gas to pass from outside of a bottom hole assembly (BHA) to between the bypass tubes and the tubing anchor and an upper bypass nipple supported by an upper end of the tubing anchor to permit the gas to pass from between the bypass tubes and the tubing anchor to back outside of the BHA.

[0007] The present disclosure is also directed to a method of recovering production fluids from a well using the bypass tool. The method includes positioning a bypass tool at a desired location in a well. The method also includes pumping a gas through the bypass tool.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view and partial cut-away view of a bypass tool constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view and partial cut-away view of a bypass tool in a bottom hole assembly (BHA) constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view and partial cut-away view of the bypass tool constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view and partial cut-away view of the bypass tool showing the flow of fluid therethrough constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view and partial cut-away view of another embodiment of a bypass tool constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 6 is a side elevation view and partial cut-away view of the bypass tool in a bottom hole assembly (BHA) shown in FIG. 5 and constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 7 is a side elevation view and partial cut-away view of the bypass tool shown in FIG. 5 and constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 8 is a side elevation view and partial cut-away view of the bypass tool shown in FIG. 5 showing the flow of fluid therethrough and constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0016] Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, the present disclosure relates to a bypass tool 10 for use with a tubing anchor 12 to facilitate gas moving uphole past the tubing anchor 12. More specifically, the bypass tool 10 allows gas to flow inside the tubing anchor 12 as well as around the outside of the tubing anchor 12. In an exemplary embodiment, a bottom hole assembly (BHA) 14 can include a gas separator (not shown) disposed downhole of the tubing anchor 12. The gas separator can be used to separate a liquid from the gas. The liquid is sent to the surface via a dip tube (not shown) and the gas exits the gas separator and travels in the uphole direction between the BHA 14 and the casing 20. The BHA 14 can also include a tubing sub 22 above and / or below the tubing anchor 12.

[0017] The bypass tool 10 includes an inner bypass tube 24 that can extend through the tubing anchor 12 to carry liquid through the tubing anchor 12 to the surface. An annulus area is created between an outer surface 26 of the inner bypass tube 24 and an inner surface 28 of the tubing anchor 12. The bypass tool 10 can also include a lower bypass nipple 30 and an upper bypass nipple 32. The lower bypass nipple 30 has at least one opening 34 disposed therein to permit gas from the separator flowing between the BHA 14 and the casing 20 below the tubing anchor 12 to pass to the annulus area between the inner bypass tube 24 and the tubing anchor 12. The upper bypass nipple 32 includes at least one opening 36 as well to permit the gas in the annulus area to flow back out to the area between the BHA 14 and the casing 20 above the tubing anchor 12. The bypass tool 10 offers an alternative route for the gas to flow in addition to flowing upwards around the outside of the tubing anchor 12.

[0018] In addition to the upper and lower bypass nipples 32 and 30, the bypass tool 10 can include a lower tubing connector 38 and an upper tubing connector 40. The lower tubing connector 38 is designed to engage with the lower bypass nipple 30 and the tubing anchor 12. Similarly, the upper tubing connector 40 is designed to engage with the upper bypass nipple 32 and the tool (e.g., a tubing sub 22) disposed above the bypass tool 10 in the BHA 14. Depending upon the thread orientation of the upper and lower ends of the tubing anchor 12, the lower tubing connector 38 or the upper tubing connector 40 could extend between the tubing anchor 12 and the appropriate bypass nipple 30 or 32. In certain embodiments, the bypass tool 10 can include a second lower connector 42 for connecting the lower bypass nipple 30 to tubing sub or a tool in the BHA 14 disposed downhole from the bypass tool 10. The second lower connector 42 can have a seal assembly 44 disposed therein that engages the inner side 46 of the second lower connector 42 and the inner bypass tube 24. The seal assembly 44 prevents fluid flowing from inside the tools downhole from the tubing anchor 12 and into the annulus between the inner bypass tube 24 and the inside of the tubing anchor 14. The seal assembly 44 also prevents any substances in the tools disposed downhole from the tubing anchor 12 from flowing into the annulus between the inner bypass tube 24 and the inside of the tubing anchor 14. Similarly, the upper tubing connector 40 can have a seal assembly 48 disposed therein that engages the inner side 50 of the upper tubing connector 40 and the inner bypass tube 24 to prevent fluid flowing from the annulus between the inner bypass tube 24 and the inside of the tubing anchor 14 and into any tools disposed in the BHA 14 uphole from the tubing anchor 12. The seal assembly 48 also prevents any substances in the tools disposed uphole from the tubing anchor 12 from flowing into the annulus between the inner bypass tube 24 and the inside of the tubing anchor 14.

[0019] The lower bypass nipple 30 is designed to be able to be releasably secured directly to the tubing anchor 12, or the lower tubing connector 38 if the lower tubing connector 38 is disposed between the tubing anchor 12 and the lower bypass nipple 30, on one end and whatever tool is disposed downhole from the bypass tool 10. The lower bypass nipple 30 can also be designed to be able to be releasably secured to the lower tubing connector 38 on one end and whatever tool is disposed downhole from the bypass tool 10 on the other end. The lower bypass nipple 30 includes a body 70 portion where the multiple openings 34 are disposed to permit the gas to flow into the annulus area between the bypass tubing 24 and the tubing anchor 12. The lower bypass nipple 30 can also include a lower engagement end for engaging whatever tool is disposed downhole from the bypass tool 10 and an upper engagement end for engaging the tubing anchor 12. The upper and lower engagement ends can be threaded. Also, the inner lower end of the lower bypass nipple 30 can be threaded to engage with the threaded end of the lower tubing connector 38. The seal assemblies 44 and 48 can also be designed to engage the connection ends of the bypass nipples 38 and 40 to prevent fluid from flowing to undesirable places.

[0020] The upper bypass nipple 32 is designed to be able to be releasably secured to the tubing anchor 12 on one end and whatever tool is disposed uphole from the bypass tool 10 on the other end. The upper bypass nipple 32 can also be designed to be able to be releasably secured to the upper tubing connector 40 on one end and whatever tool is disposed uphole from the bypass tool 10 on the other end. The upper bypass nipple 32 includes a body portion 80 where the multiple openings 36 disposed therein permit the gas to flow from the annulus area between the bypass tubing 24 and the tubing anchor 12. The upper bypass nipple 32 can also include a lower engagement end for engaging the tubing anchor 12 and an upper engagement end for engaging whatever tool is disposed uphole from the bypass tool 10. The upper and lower engagement ends can be threaded. Also, the inner upper end of the upper bypass nipple 32 can be threaded to engage with the threaded end of the upper tubing connector 40.

[0021] It should be understood and appreciated that ends of the bypass tubing 24, the bypass nipples 30 and 32 and the tubing connectors 38 and 40 can have any desired orientation such that liquid from the gas separator can flow through the bypass tubing 24 and gas from between the BHA 14 and the casing 20 can flow through the lower bypass nipple 30, into the annulus area between the bypass tubing 24 and the tubing anchor 12, out through the upper bypass nipple 32 and back out into the space between the BHA 14 and the casing 20.

[0022] The present disclosure is also directed to a method of recovering oil / gas / fluids from an oil and gas well using the bypass tool 10. The method includes the step of positioning the bypass tool 10 down into a well and allowing the gas component from the oil and gas well to pass through the bypass tool 10 to allow the gas to flow more efficiently past the tubing anchor 12. FIG. 4 shows the flow of gas through the bypass tool 10 and depicted by arrows 90. The method can also include running various flexible equipment (not shown) down through parts of the bypass tool 10 to target areas of the well downhole from the tubing anchor 12. The flexible equipment could be capillary tubing, a wire, a communication cable, and the like. More specifically, the flexible equipment could be run down the annulus between the BHA 14 and the casing 12 and through one of the openings 36 in the upper bypass nipple 32. The flexible equipment could then be forced in the downhole direction through between the inner side 28 of the tubing anchor 12 and the inner bypass tube 24. The flexible equipment could then be forced out of one of the openings 34 of the lower bypass nipple 30 and back into the annulus area between the BHA 14 and the casing 20. In one embodiment, the flexible equipment is capillary tubing that is used to deliver treatment fluids to a desired part of the well downhole from the tubing anchor 12. The treatment fluids can be any known fluids for treating well, such as a corrosion inhibitor, fresh water, etc.

[0023] Referring now to FIGS. 5-8, shown therein is another embodiment of the bypass tool 10 for use with the tubing anchor 12 to facilitate gas moving uphole past the tubing anchor 12. Similar to the previous embodiments disclosed herein, the bypass tool 10 for this embodiment allows gas to flow inside the tubing anchor 12 as well as around the outside of the tubing anchor 12. In an exemplary embodiment, the bottom hole assembly (BHA) 14 can include a gas separator (not shown) disposed downhole of the tubing anchor 12. The gas separator can be used to separate a liquid from the gas. The liquid is sent to the surface via a dip tube (not shown) and the gas exits the gas separator and travels in the uphole direction in the annulus between the BHA 14 and the casing 20. The BHA 14 can also include a tubing sub 22 above and / or below the tubing anchor 12. Other downhole tools can be used above or below the bypass tool 10 in the BHA 14.

[0024] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-8, the bypass tool 10 includes a first bypass tube 24a and a second bypass tube 24b extending through the tubing anchor 12. The bypass tubes 24a and 24b carry materials from a downhole tool below the tubing anchor 12 to a downhole tool above the tubing anchor 12. The bypass tool 10 an uphole transition plate 100 and a downhole transition plate 110. The uphole transition plate 100 can be secured within the upper tubing connector 40, or in a part of the upper bypass nipple 32 uphole from the opening 36 in the upper bypass nipple 32 as shown in FIGS. 5-8. Similarly, the downhole transition plate 110 can be secured within the first or second lower tubing connector 38 or 42, or in a part of the lower bypass nipple 30 downhole from the opening 34 in the lower bypass nipple 30 as shown in FIGS. 5-8.

[0025] The uphole transition plate 100 prevents materials (fluids, gases or solids) from passing into an uphole tool from inside the tubing anchor 12 directly but permits the materials flowing through the bypass tubes 24a and 24b to flow into a tool positioned uphole from the tubing anchor 12. Depending on the setup of the bypass tool 10, the bypass tubes 24a and 25b themselves could extend through the uphole transition plate 100 and into the downhole tool disposed uphole of the tubing anchor 12. To facilitate this, the uphole transition plate 100 can have two openings 120 disposed therein to permit the materials in the bypass tubes 24a and 24b to flow through and / or the bypass tubes 24a and 24b to at least partially extend therethrough. The bypass tubes 24a and 24b can extend all the way through the uphole transition plate 100, partially through it or terminate right at the uphole transition plate 100.

[0026] The downhole transition plate 110 prevents materials (fluids, gases or solids) passing from a downhole tool into the inside of the tubing anchor 12 directly, but permits the materials in the tool downhole from the tubing anchor 12 to flow into the bypass tubes 24a and 24b. Depending on the setup of the bypass tool 10, the bypass tubes 24a and 25b themselves could extend through the downhole transition plate 110 and into the downhole tool disposed downhole of the tubing anchor 12. To facilitate this, the downhole transition plate 110 can have two openings 130 disposed therein to permit the materials in the downhole tool downhole from the tubing anchor 12 to flow into the bypass tubes 24a and 24b. The bypass tubes 24a and 24b can extend all the way through the downhole transition plate 110, partially through it or terminate right at the downhole transition plate 110.

[0027] Employment of the two bypass tubes 24a and 24b in the bypass tool 10 provides for a more reliable method of running various flexible equipment (not shown) down through parts of the bypass tool 10 to target areas of the well downhole from the tubing anchor 12. The two bypass tubes 24a and 24b act as guides to direct the flexible equipment through the space between the two bypass tubes 24a and 24b. The space between the bypass tubes 24a and 24b may be such that the flexible equipment cannot pass between the bypass tubes 24a and 24b, which permits better and more efficient guidance of the flexible equipment through the tubing anchor 12.

[0028] From the above description, it is clear that the present disclosure is well-adapted to carry out the objectives and to attain the advantages mentioned herein as well as those inherent in the disclosure. While presently preferred embodiments have been described herein, it will be understood that numerous changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are accomplished within the spirit of the disclosure and claims.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0016]Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, the present disclosure relates to a bypass tool 10 for use with a tubing anchor 12 to facilitate gas moving uphole past the tubing anchor 12. More specifically, the bypass tool 10 allows gas to flow inside the tubing anchor 12 as well as around the outside of the tubing anchor 12. In an exemplary embodiment, a bottom hole assembly (BHA) 14 can include a gas separator (not shown) disposed downhole of the tubing anchor 12. The gas separator can be used to separate a liquid from the gas. The liquid is sent to the surface via a dip tube (not shown) and the gas exits the gas separator and travels in the uphole direction between the BHA 14 and the casing 20. The BHA 14 can also include a tubing sub 22 above and / or below the tubing anchor 12.

[0017]The bypass tool 10 includes an inner bypass tube 24 that can extend through the tubing anchor 12 to carry liquid through the tubing anchor 12 to the surface. An annulus area is created between an outer surface 26...

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 19 / 237,839, filed Jun. 13, 2025, which is a conversion of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63 / 659,924, filed Jun. 14, 2024, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e). The disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not applicable.BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a bypass tool for use with a tubing anchor in oil and gas operations.2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] When gas separators are used below tubing anchors, there are times when the gas is directed towards the outside of the gas separator. The gas will flow upwards between the bottom hole assembly (BHA) and the casing where the tubing anchor creates a bottleneck. The liquid component from the gas separator is forced up and through the inside of the tubing anchor. The bottleneck on the outside of the tubing anchor can cause a liquid hold up above the tubing anchor and a gas holdup below the tubing anchor. Ultimately, in some situations, the gas can be forced back into the gas separator and even into the pump that the separator directs the liquid to from which the gas is separated.

[0005] Accordingly, there is a need for a bypass tool that can be used with the tubing anchor to diffuse the bottleneck that can occur outside of the tubing anchor.SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0006] The present disclosure is directed to a bypass tool. The bypass tool includes a first bypass tube and a second bypass tube insertable through a tubing anchor. The bypass tool also includes a lower bypass nipple supported by a lower end of the tubing anchor and to permit gas to pass from outside of a bottom hole assembly (BHA) to between the bypass tubes and the tubing anchor and an upper bypass nipple supported by an upper end of the tubing anchor to permit the gas to pass from between the bypass tubes and the tubing anchor to back outside of the BHA.

[0007] The present disclosure is also directed to a method of recovering production fluids from a well using the bypass tool. The method includes positioning a bypass tool at a desired location in a well. The method also includes pumping a gas through the bypass tool.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view and partial cut-away view of a bypass tool constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view and partial cut-away view of a bypass tool in a bottom hole assembly (BHA) constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view and partial cut-away view of the bypass tool constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view and partial cut-away view of the bypass tool showing the flow of fluid therethrough constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view and partial cut-away view of another embodiment of a bypass tool constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 6 is a side elevation view and partial cut-away view of the bypass tool in a bottom hole assembly (BHA) shown in FIG. 5 and constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 7 is a side elevation view and partial cut-away view of the bypass tool shown in FIG. 5 and constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 8 is a side elevation view and partial cut-away view of the bypass tool shown in FIG. 5 showing the flow of fluid therethrough and constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0016] Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, the present disclosure relates to a bypass tool 10 for use with a tubing anchor 12 to facilitate gas moving uphole past the tubing anchor 12. More specifically, the bypass tool 10 allows gas to flow inside the tubing anchor 12 as well as around the outside of the tubing anchor 12. In an exemplary embodiment, a bottom hole assembly (BHA) 14 can include a gas separator (not shown) disposed downhole of the tubing anchor 12. The gas separator can be used to separate a liquid from the gas. The liquid is sent to the surface via a dip tube (not shown) and the gas exits the gas separator and travels in the uphole direction between the BHA 14 and the casing 20. The BHA 14 can also include a tubing sub 22 above and / or below the tubing anchor 12.

[0017] The bypass tool 10 includes an inner bypass tube 24 that can extend through the tubing anchor 12 to carry liquid through the tubing anchor 12 to the surface. An annulus area is created between an outer surface 26 of the inner bypass tube 24 and an inner surface 28 of the tubing anchor 12. The bypass tool 10 can also include a lower bypass nipple 30 and an upper bypass nipple 32. The lower bypass nipple 30 has at least one opening 34 disposed therein to permit gas from the separator flowing between the BHA 14 and the casing 20 below the tubing anchor 12 to pass to the annulus area between the inner bypass tube 24 and the tubing anchor 12. The upper bypass nipple 32 includes at least one opening 36 as well to permit the gas in the annulus area to flow back out to the area between the BHA 14 and the casing 20 above the tubing anchor 12. The bypass tool 10 offers an alternative route for the gas to flow in addition to flowing upwards around the outside of the tubing anchor 12.

[0018] In addition to the upper and lower bypass nipples 32 and 30, the bypass tool 10 can include a lower tubing connector 38 and an upper tubing connector 40. The lower tubing connector 38 is designed to engage with the lower bypass nipple 30 and the tubing anchor 12. Similarly, the upper tubing connector 40 is designed to engage with the upper bypass nipple 32 and the tool (e.g., a tubing sub 22) disposed above the bypass tool 10 in the BHA 14. Depending upon the thread orientation of the upper and lower ends of the tubing anchor 12, the lower tubing connector 38 or the upper tubing connector 40 could extend between the tubing anchor 12 and the appropriate bypass nipple 30 or 32. In certain embodiments, the bypass tool 10 can include a second lower connector 42 for connecting the lower bypass nipple 30 to tubing sub or a tool in the BHA 14 disposed downhole from the bypass tool 10. The second lower connector 42 can have a seal assembly 44 disposed therein that engages the inner side 46 of the second lower connector 42 and the inner bypass tube 24. The seal assembly 44 prevents fluid flowing from inside the tools downhole from the tubing anchor 12 and into the annulus between the inner bypass tube 24 and the inside of the tubing anchor 14. The seal assembly 44 also prevents any substances in the tools disposed downhole from the tubing anchor 12 from flowing into the annulus between the inner bypass tube 24 and the inside of the tubing anchor 14. Similarly, the upper tubing connector 40 can have a seal assembly 48 disposed therein that engages the inner side 50 of the upper tubing connector 40 and the inner bypass tube 24 to prevent fluid flowing from the annulus between the inner bypass tube 24 and the inside of the tubing anchor 14 and into any tools disposed in the BHA 14 uphole from the tubing anchor 12. The seal assembly 48 also prevents any substances in the tools disposed uphole from the tubing anchor 12 from flowing into the annulus between the inner bypass tube 24 and the inside of the tubing anchor 14.

[0019] The lower bypass nipple 30 is designed to be able to be releasably secured directly to the tubing anchor 12, or the lower tubing connector 38 if the lower tubing connector 38 is disposed between the tubing anchor 12 and the lower bypass nipple 30, on one end and whatever tool is disposed downhole from the bypass tool 10. The lower bypass nipple 30 can also be designed to be able to be releasably secured to the lower tubing connector 38 on one end and whatever tool is disposed downhole from the bypass tool 10 on the other end. The lower bypass nipple 30 includes a body 70 portion where the multiple openings 34 are disposed to permit the gas to flow into the annulus area between the bypass tubing 24 and the tubing anchor 12. The lower bypass nipple 30 can also include a lower engagement end for engaging whatever tool is disposed downhole from the bypass tool 10 and an upper engagement end for engaging the tubing anchor 12. The upper and lower engagement ends can be threaded. Also, the inner lower end of the lower bypass nipple 30 can be threaded to engage with the threaded end of the lower tubing connector 38. The seal assemblies 44 and 48 can also be designed to engage the connection ends of the bypass nipples 38 and 40 to prevent fluid from flowing to undesirable places.

[0020] The upper bypass nipple 32 is designed to be able to be releasably secured to the tubing anchor 12 on one end and whatever tool is disposed uphole from the bypass tool 10 on the other end. The upper bypass nipple 32 can also be designed to be able to be releasably secured to the upper tubing connector 40 on one end and whatever tool is disposed uphole from the bypass tool 10 on the other end. The upper bypass nipple 32 includes a body portion 80 where the multiple openings 36 disposed therein permit the gas to flow from the annulus area between the bypass tubing 24 and the tubing anchor 12. The upper bypass nipple 32 can also include a lower engagement end for engaging the tubing anchor 12 and an upper engagement end for engaging whatever tool is disposed uphole from the bypass tool 10. The upper and lower engagement ends can be threaded. Also, the inner upper end of the upper bypass nipple 32 can be threaded to engage with the threaded end of the upper tubing connector 40.

[0021] It should be understood and appreciated that ends of the bypass tubing 24, the bypass nipples 30 and 32 and the tubing connectors 38 and 40 can have any desired orientation such that liquid from the gas separator can flow through the bypass tubing 24 and gas from between the BHA 14 and the casing 20 can flow through the lower bypass nipple 30, into the annulus area between the bypass tubing 24 and the tubing anchor 12, out through the upper bypass nipple 32 and back out into the space between the BHA 14 and the casing 20.

[0022] The present disclosure is also directed to a method of recovering oil / gas / fluids from an oil and gas well using the bypass tool 10. The method includes the step of positioning the bypass tool 10 down into a well and allowing the gas component from the oil and gas well to pass through the bypass tool 10 to allow the gas to flow more efficiently past the tubing anchor 12. FIG. 4 shows the flow of gas through the bypass tool 10 and depicted by arrows 90. The method can also include running various flexible equipment (not shown) down through parts of the bypass tool 10 to target areas of the well downhole from the tubing anchor 12. The flexible equipment could be capillary tubing, a wire, a communication cable, and the like. More specifically, the flexible equipment could be run down the annulus between the BHA 14 and the casing 12 and through one of the openings 36 in the upper bypass nipple 32. The flexible equipment could then be forced in the downhole direction through between the inner side 28 of the tubing anchor 12 and the inner bypass tube 24. The flexible equipment could then be forced out of one of the openings 34 of the lower bypass nipple 30 and back into the annulus area between the BHA 14 and the casing 20. In one embodiment, the flexible equipment is capillary tubing that is used to deliver treatment fluids to a desired part of the well downhole from the tubing anchor 12. The treatment fluids can be any known fluids for treating well, such as a corrosion inhibitor, fresh water, etc.

[0023] Referring now to FIGS. 5-8, shown therein is another embodiment of the bypass tool 10 for use with the tubing anchor 12 to facilitate gas moving uphole past the tubing anchor 12. Similar to the previous embodiments disclosed herein, the bypass tool 10 for this embodiment allows gas to flow inside the tubing anchor 12 as well as around the outside of the tubing anchor 12. In an exemplary embodiment, the bottom hole assembly (BHA) 14 can include a gas separator (not shown) disposed downhole of the tubing anchor 12. The gas separator can be used to separate a liquid from the gas. The liquid is sent to the surface via a dip tube (not shown) and the gas exits the gas separator and travels in the uphole direction in the annulus between the BHA 14 and the casing 20. The BHA 14 can also include a tubing sub 22 above and / or below the tubing anchor 12. Other downhole tools can be used above or below the bypass tool 10 in the BHA 14.

[0024] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-8, the bypass tool 10 includes a first bypass tube 24a and a second bypass tube 24b extending through the tubing anchor 12. The bypass tubes 24a and 24b carry materials from a downhole tool below the tubing anchor 12 to a downhole tool above the tubing anchor 12. The bypass tool 10 an uphole transition plate 100 and a downhole transition plate 110. The uphole transition plate 100 can be secured within the upper tubing connector 40, or in a part of the upper bypass nipple 32 uphole from the opening 36 in the upper bypass nipple 32 as shown in FIGS. 5-8. Similarly, the downhole transition plate 110 can be secured within the first or second lower tubing connector 38 or 42, or in a part of the lower bypass nipple 30 downhole from the opening 34 in the lower bypass nipple 30 as shown in FIGS. 5-8.

[0025] The uphole transition plate 100 prevents materials (fluids, gases or solids) from passing into an uphole tool from inside the tubing anchor 12 directly but permits the materials flowing through the bypass tubes 24a and 24b to flow into a tool positioned uphole from the tubing anchor 12. Depending on the setup of the bypass tool 10, the bypass tubes 24a and 25b themselves could extend through the uphole transition plate 100 and into the downhole tool disposed uphole of the tubing anchor 12. To facilitate this, the uphole transition plate 100 can have two openings 120 disposed therein to permit the materials in the bypass tubes 24a and 24b to flow through and / or the bypass tubes 24a and 24b to at least partially extend therethrough. The bypass tubes 24a and 24b can extend all the way through the uphole transition plate 100, partially through it or terminate right at the uphole transition plate 100.

[0026] The downhole transition plate 110 prevents materials (fluids, gases or solids) passing from a downhole tool into the inside of the tubing anchor 12 directly, but permits the materials in the tool downhole from the tubing anchor 12 to flow into the bypass tubes 24a and 24b. Depending on the setup of the bypass tool 10, the bypass tubes 24a and 25b themselves could extend through the downhole transition plate 110 and into the downhole tool disposed downhole of the tubing anchor 12. To facilitate this, the downhole transition plate 110 can have two openings 130 disposed therein to permit the materials in the downhole tool downhole from the tubing anchor 12 to flow into the bypass tubes 24a and 24b. The bypass tubes 24a and 24b can extend all the way through the downhole transition plate 110, partially through it or terminate right at the downhole transition plate 110.

[0027] Employment of the two bypass tubes 24a and 24b in the bypass tool 10 provides for a more reliable method of running various flexible equipment (not shown) down through parts of the bypass tool 10 to target areas of the well downhole from the tubing anchor 12. The two bypass tubes 24a and 24b act as guides to direct the flexible equipment through the space between the two bypass tubes 24a and 24b. The space between the bypass tubes 24a and 24b may be such that the flexible equipment cannot pass between the bypass tubes 24a and 24b, which permits better and more efficient guidance of the flexible equipment through the tubing anchor 12.

[0028] From the above description, it is clear that the present disclosure is well-adapted to carry out the objectives and to attain the advantages mentioned herein as well as those inherent in the disclosure. While presently preferred embodiments have been described herein, it will be understood that numerous changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are accomplished within the spirit of the disclosure and claims.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0016]Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, the present disclosure relates to a bypass tool 10 for use with a tubing anchor 12 to facilitate gas moving uphole past the tubing anchor 12. More specifically, the bypass tool 10 allows gas to flow inside the tubing anchor 12 as well as around the outside of the tubing anchor 12. In an exemplary embodiment, a bottom hole assembly (BHA) 14 can include a gas separator (not shown) disposed downhole of the tubing anchor 12. The gas separator can be used to separate a liquid from the gas. The liquid is sent to the surface via a dip tube (not shown) and the gas exits the gas separator and travels in the uphole direction between the BHA 14 and the casing 20. The BHA 14 can also include a tubing sub 22 above and / or below the tubing anchor 12.

[0017]The bypass tool 10 includes an inner bypass tube 24 that can extend through the tubing anchor 12 to carry liquid through the tubing anchor 12 to the surface. An annulus area is created between an outer surface 26...

Claims

1. A bypass tool, the bypass tool comprising:a first bypass tube insertable through a tubing anchor;a second bypass tube insertable through the tubing anchor;a lower bypass nipple supported by a lower end of the tubing anchor and to permit gas to pass from outside of a bottom hole assembly (BHA) to between the first and second bypass tubes and the tubing anchor; andan upper bypass nipple supported by an upper end of the tubing anchor to permit the gas to pass from between the first and second bypass tubes and the tubing anchor to back outside of the BHA.

2. The bypass tool of claim 1 wherein the first and second bypass tubes are in fluid communication with a downhole tool disposed below the bypass tool in the BHA and an uphole tool disposed above the bypass tool in the BHA.

3. The bypass tool of claim 1 wherein the lower bypass nipple has a passageway disposed therein to permit at least a portion of the bypass tubing to extend therethrough.

4. The bypass tool of claim 1 wherein the upper bypass nipple has a passageway disposed therein to permit at least a portion of the bypass tubes to extend therethrough.

5. The bypass tool of claim 1 wherein the lower bypass nipple has a radial directed opening therein to permit the gas to pass from outside the BHA to between the bypass tubes and the tubing anchor.

6. The bypass tool of claim 5 wherein the upper bypass nipple has a radial directed opening therein to permit the gas to pass from between the bypass tubes and the tubing anchor to back outside of the BHA.

7. The bypass tool of claim 1 further comprising an uphole transition plate to permit fluid flowing through the first and second bypass tubes to flow into a downhole tool in the BHA disposed uphole from the tubing anchor and prevent gases and fluids outside of the first and second bypass tubes and inside the tubing anchor to flow into the downhole tool disposed uphole from the tubing anchor.

8. The bypass tool of claim 1 further comprising a downhole transition plate to permit fluid flowing from a second downhole tool in the BHA disposed downhole from the tubing anchor to flow into the first and second bypass tubes and prevent those fluids from flowing outside of the first and second bypass tubes into the tubing anchor.

9. The bypass tool of claim 6 wherein the lower bypass nipple and the upper bypass nipple has multiple radial directed opening disposed therein.

10. A method of recovering gas from an oil and gas well, the method comprising:positioning a bypass tool at a desired location in a well; andpumping a gas through the bypass tool.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the bypass tool comprises:a first bypass tube insertable through a tubing anchor;a second bypass tube insertable through the tubing anchor;a lower bypass nipple supported by a lower end of the tubing anchor and to permit gas to pass from outside of a bottom hole assembly (BHA) to between the first and second bypass tubes and the tubing anchor; andan upper bypass nipple supported by an upper end of the tubing anchor to permit the gas to pass from between the first and second bypass tubes and the tubing anchor to back outside of the BHA.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the first and second bypass tubes are in fluid communication with a downhole tool disposed below the bypass tool in the BHA and an uphole tool disposed above the bypass tool in the BHA.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the lower bypass nipple has a first passageway disposed therein to permit at least a portion of the bypass tubing to extend therethrough and the upper bypass nipple has a second passageway disposed therein to permit at least a portion of the bypass tubes to extend therethrough.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the lower bypass nipple has a radial directed opening therein to permit the gas to pass from outside the BHA to between the bypass tubes and the tubing anchor.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the upper bypass nipple has a radial directed opening therein to permit the gas to pass from between the bypass tubes and the tubing anchor to back outside of the BHA.

16. The method of claim 11 further comprising an uphole transition plate to permit fluid flowing through the first and second bypass tubes to flow into a downhole tool in the BHA disposed uphole from the tubing anchor and prevent gases and fluids outside of the first and second bypass tubes and inside the tubing anchor to flow into the downhole tool disposed uphole from the tubing anchor.

17. The method of claim 11 further comprising a downhole transition plate to permit fluid flowing from a second downhole tool in the BHA disposed downhole from the tubing anchor to flow into the first and second bypass tubes and prevent those fluids from flowing outside of the first and second bypass tubes into the tubing anchor.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the lower bypass nipple and the upper bypass nipple has multiple radial directed opening disposed therein.

19. The method of claim 11 further comprising running flexible equipment through at least part of the bypass tool to extend the flexible equipment to a part of the well disposed downhole from the tubing anchor.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the flexible tubing is capillary tubing used to deliver treatment fluids downhole from the tubing anchor.

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