Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02906468 2015-09-28
HYDRAULIC LOCATOR
FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to locators for effecting positioning
of tools within a
wellbore.
BACKGROUND
[0002] It is often desirable to position a tool within a wellbore in order
to perform a wellbore
operation, such as perforating a casing, or sliding a sleeve for opening and
closing a port in order
to effect hydraulic fracturing and, subsequently, to receive hydrocarbons from
a reservoir.
[0003] Contemporary wells often extend over significant distances and may
be characterized
by signficant deviation. In order for a locator to be positioned at or near
the extremities of such
wells, the locator is configured so as not to offer significant resistance
while it is being deployed
downhole. However, with a conventional locator, in minimizing its frictional
resistance, the
reliability of a locator in locating a wellbore feature, and enabling proper
positioning of a tool for
a downhole operation, suffers. This is because successful locating is often
indicated by sensed
resistance to overpull applied to the workstring, and there is greater risk
that overpull, in
circumstances where the locator is configured to offer minimal resistance
while travelling though
the well, may be confused with other forces that are merely dislodging the
workstring from
another form of interference within the wellbore.
SUMMARY
[0004] In one aspect, there is provided a locator configured for coupling
to a workstring for
locating a wellbore feature, The locator includes a protrusible member, a
chamber, a hydraulic
fluid supplying passage, and a hydraulic fluid supply source. The protrusible
member is
moveable, relative to the workstring, and biased for disposition, relative to
the workstring, in an
extended position. In the extended position, the protrusible member is
engageable with the
wellbore feature. The first chamber is disposed in fluid pressure
communication with the
protrusible member, and has a volume configured to change correspondingly with
a change in
position of the protrusible member such that expansion of the first chamber
corresponds with an
extension of the protrusible member and such that contraction of the first
chamber corresponds
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with a retraction of the protrusible member. The hydraulic fluid supply source
is fluidly coupled
to the first chamber via the hydraulic fluid supplying passage. The hydraulic
fluid supply source
is configured to supply hydraulic fluid to the first chamber in response to an
expansion in volume
of the first chamber that is effected by the extension of the protrusible
member.
[0005] In another aspect, there is provided a method of locating a wellbore
feature. The
method includes biasing a protrusible member into engagement with the wellbore
feature, such
that a first chamber, containing hydraulic fluid, and with which the
protrusible member is
disposed in fluid pressure communication, becomes expanded. After the biasing,
additional
hydraulic fluid is supplied to the expanded first chamber.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0006] The preferred embodiments will now be described with the following
accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0007] Figure 1 is a sectional elevation view of a bottom hold assembly
("BHA") including
the locator of the present disclosure;
[0008] Figure 2 is an enlarged view of Detail "A' in Figure 1, including
illustration of the
locator;
[0009] Figure 3 is a sectional elevation view of the BHA illustrated in
Figure 1, having been
deployed within a wellbore tubular, and disposed in a "run-in-hole" mode;
[0010] Figure 4 is an enlarged view of Detail "B' in Figure 3, including
illustration of the
locator;
[0011] Figure 5 is a sectional elevation view of the BHA illustrated in
Figure 1, having been
deployed within a wellbore tubular, and taken along lines C-C in Figure 4;
[0012] Figure 6 is a sectional elevation view of the BHA illustrated in
Figure 1, having been
deployed within a wellbore tubular, taken along lines D-D in Figure 4;
[0013] Figure 7 is a sectional elevation view of the BHA illustrated in
Figure 1, having been
deployed within a wellbore tubular, and having had the locator traverse a
locate profile defined
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within the wellbore tubular; reverse direction, and move uphole such that the
locator is disposed
immediately prior to its "locating" state;
[0014] Figure 8 is an enlarged view of Detail "C" in Figure 7, including
illustration of the
locator;
[0015] Figure 9 is a sectional elevation view of the BHA illustrated in
Figure 1, with its
locator being disposed in the "locating" state; and
[0016] Figure 10 is an enlarged view of Detail "D' in Figure 9, including
illustration of the
locator;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Referring to Figures 1 to 6, the present disclosure relates to a
locator 10 for locating a
wellbore feature 100. The locator 10 is capable of determining positions
within a wellbore and
may also be used for identifying downhole structures as reference points for
other downhole
operations.
[0018] The wellbore feature 100 being located may include a collar of a
tubular, pipe, or
casing disposed within a wellbore, including a collar of a production tubing
or a casing string.
The locator may also be used for locating a groove 102 (such as a "locate
profile") defined by a
casing collar, or defined within wellbore string, such as a casing 104 or
other tubular. In some
embodiments, for example, the groove 102 includes angled edges to facilitate
displacement of
the locator (and, more specifically, a protrusible member - see below) from
the groove.
[0019] In some embodiments, for example, the locator 10 is useful for
identifying a position
within the wellbore such that a perforator, valve, packer, shifting device
(for shifting a valve,
such as a sliding sleeve) or other tool can be disposed in close proximity to
a producing
formation.
[0020] Referring to Figure 1, the locator 10 may be incorporated within a
bottom hole
assembly 12 (BHA) containing additional tools (such as those described above),
such as by a
threaded connection. This may allow multiple operations to be completed in a
single run,
thereby producing significant time and cost savings.
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A
[0021] The locator 10 is configured for deployment downhole into a wellbore
using any
suitable delivery component which is hereinafter termed a "workstring". In
this respect, the
locator is configured for coupling to a workstring. Suitable workstrings
include tubing string,
wireline, cable, or other suitable suspension or carriage systems. Suitable
tubing strings include
jointed pipe, concentric tubing, or coiled tubing.
[0022] The locator 10 includes an engagement feature 8. The engagement
feature 8 is
configured for releasable engagement from the wellbore feature 100 such that
application of a
predetermined force to the engagement feature 8 effects its disengagement from
the wellbore
feature 100. In some embodiments, for example, the engagement of the
engagement feature 8
with the wellbore feature 100 may be observed by an operator at the surface as
an increase in
force required to displace (for example, a pull force or a push force) the
locator 10 within the
wellbore. One method of sensing the engagement is with a weight indicator
which registers a
decrease in weight when the engagement feature 8 becomes engaged to the
wellbore feature 100.
This information may be communicated to the surface by transmission through a
wireline.
[0023] In some embodiments, for example, the engagement feature 8 includes
a protrusible
member 14. The protrusible member 14 may be a lug, a pad, a block, or any
other object, device
or assembly which is capable of displacement, relative to the workstring, so
as to engage the
wellbore feature. While the locator 10 is coupled to the workstring and
disposed within a
wellbore including the wellbore feature, the protrusible member 14 is
displaceable, relative to the
workstring, and biased for disposition, relative to the workstring, in an
extended position (see
Figures 9 and 10). In the extended position, the protrusible member 14 is
engageable with the
wellbore feature 100. In some embodiments, for example, where the wellbore
feature 100
includes a recess, such as a groove 102, the engagement of the protrusible
member 14 to the
wellbore feature is effected by disposition of the protrusible 14 member
within the groove 102.
[0024] In some embodiments, for example, the biasing of the protrusible
member 14 is
effected by a first resilient member 16, such as a spring. In this respect, in
such embodiments,
for example, the locator 10 includes the first resilient member 16. The first
resilient member 16
is retained within a retainer 18. In some of these embodiments, for example,
the first resilient
member 16 is co-located with the space defined by a first chamber 22 (see
below).
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[0025] In those embodiments where the wellbore feature 100 includes a
groove 102 (such as,
for example, a locate profile), the biasing of the protrusible member 14
includes biasing of the
protrusible member 14 for disposition within the groove 102 while the
protrusible member 14 is
positioned in alignment with the groove.
[0026] The locator 10 includes a body 20, and the body 20 includes a first
chamber 22, a
hydraulic fluid supply source 24, a hydraulic fluid supplying passage 26, and
a hydraulic fluid
discharging passage.
[0027] The first chamber 22 is disposed in fluid pressure communication
with the protrusible
member 14. In this respect, during some stages of operation of the locator 10,
sufficient fluid
may be present within the first chamber 22 to provide resistance to retraction
of the protrusible
member 14 from an extended position. The volume defined by the first chamber
22 is
configured to change correspondingly with a change in position of the
protrusible member 14.
As the protrusible member 14 is being extended, relative to the workstring
(and the body 20), by
the biasing force, the volume defined by the first chamber 22 is being
correspondingly expanded.
While the protrusible member 14 is being retracted, relative to the workstring
(and the body 20),
the first chamber 22 is, correspondingly, contracted.
[0028] As used herein, "retracted" may refer to any position in which the
protrusible member
14 has moved from an extended position, and includes the position wherein the
protrusible
member 14 is no longer in engagement with the wellbore feature 100 (for
example, displaced
from a groove 102, such as a locate profile), but it is understood that the
protrusible member 14
has not necessarily become displaced from engagement with the wellbore feature
100 in order to
have been retracted.
[0029] In some embodiments, for example, at least a portion of the first
chamber 22 is
defined by the protrusible member 14. In some of these embodiments, for
example, the
protrusible member 14 defines a wall portion 23 of the first chamber 22 (see
Figure 10).
[0030] The hydraulic fluid supply source 24 is fluidly coupled to the first
chamber 22 via the
hydraulic fluid discharging passage 26. The hydraulic fluid supply source 24
is configured to
supply hydraulic fluid (such as, for example, a hydraulic oil) to the first
chamber 22 in response
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A
to an expansion in volume of the first chamber 22 that is effected by the
extension of the
protrusible member 14. In some operational implementations, for example, the
supplying of the
hydraulic fluid, in response to the expansion in volume of the first chamber
22, is such that the
expanded volume becomes filled with the hydraulic fluid such that the
hydraulic fluid within the
first chamber 22 effects resistance to retraction of the extended protrusible
member 14.
[0031] In some embodiments, for example, the hydraulic fluid includes an
incompressible
fluid, such as a liquid. In some embodiments, for example, the hydraulic fluid
includes SHELL
TELLUS 32TM.
[0032] In some embodiments, for example, the hydraulic fluid supply source
24 includes a
second chamber 30. The second chamber 30 is fluidly coupled to the first
chamber 22 via the
hydraulic fluid supplying passage 26. The hydraulic fluid supplying passage 26
extends between
the first and second chambers 22, 30 and is configured for conducting
hydraulic fluid from the
second chamber 30 to the first chamber 22. The second chamber 30 is biased for
disposition to a
volume-contracted position. In this respect, when fluid pressure within the
first chamber 22
becomes reduced owing to expansion of the first chamber 22, effected by the
extension of the
protrusible member 14, the biasing of the second chamber 30 results in
contraction of the volume
defined by the second chamber 30, leading to transfer of hydraulic fluid from
the second
chamber to the first chamber 22, until hydraulic fluid fills the space defined
by the expanded first
chamber 22 such that fluid pressure equalizes between the first and second
chambers 22, 30. As
a corollary, the fluid pressure within the expanded first chamber 22 functions
to resist retraction
of the extended protrusible member 14. In this respect, in some embodiments,
for example, the
biasing of the second chamber 30 co-operates with displacement of the
protrusible member 14 to
the extended position for effecting supplying of hydraulic fluid from the
second chamber 30 to
the first chamber 22 in response to movement of the protrusible member 14 to
the extended
position.
[0033] In some embodiments, for example, the biasing of the second chamber
30 to the
volume-contracted position, is effected by a second resilient member 32, such
as a spring. In this
respect, in such embodiments, for example, the locator includes the second
resilient member 32.
The second resilient member 32 is retained within a second retainer 34.
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A
[0034] In some embodiments, for example, the locator 10 further includes a
displaceable
piston 36. The piston 36 is displaceable relative to chamber 30 to effect a
change in volume of
the chamber 30. The piston 36 defines at least a portion of the second chamber
30, such as a
wall portion 38 of the chamber 30. The second resilient member 32 is connected
to the piston 36
such that the piston 36 is biased to effect contraction of the second chamber
22.
[0035] In those embodiments where the hydraulic fluid supply source 24
includes a second
chamber 30, in some of these embodiments, for example, a one-way valve 40
(such as, for
example, a check valve) is disposed within the hydraulic fluid supplying
passage 26. The one-
way valve 40 is configured for preventing, or substantially preventing,
conducting of hydraulic
fluid from the first chamber 22 to the second chamber 30. Conversely,
conducting of hydraulic
fluid, from the second chamber 30 to the first chamber 22 is permitted by the
one-way valve. As
is explained further below, the preventing, or substantially preventing, of
the conducting of
hydraulic fluid from the first chamber 22 to the second chamber 30 contributes
to the delaying of
depressurization of the first chamber 22, and, concomitantly, the delaying of
displacement of the
protrusible member 14 from the engagement with the wellbore feature 100.
[0036] The hydraulic fluid discharging passage extends distally from the
first chamber 22.
The hydraulic fluid discharging passage is provided for at least discharging
hydraulic fluid from
the first chamber 22. The hydraulic fluid discharging passage is configured to
sufficiently
interfere with the discharging such that hydraulic fluid, disposed within the
first chamber 22 and
resisting displacement of the protrusible member 14 from the extended
position, continues to
resist the displacement while the discharging is being effected (for at least
a finite time interval).
In some embodiments, for example, the interference to the discharging by the
hydraulic fluid
discharging passage is such that, while a force is being applied to the
workstring and urging
retraction of the protrusible member 14 from the extended position,
displacement of the
protrusible member 14 from the extended position is delayed by a time
interval, measured from
the commencement of the urging, and corresponding to an indication that the
protrusible member
14 is engaged with the wellbore feature 100 and is being urged for
displacement from its
engagement with the wellbore feature 100. In some embodiments, for example,
the time interval
is at least 20 seconds, such as, for example, at least 30 seconds.
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[0037] In some embodiments, for example, the hydraulic fluid discharging
passage includes
a flow restrictor.
[0038] In some embodiments, for example, the hydraulic fluid discharging
passage extends
to the second chamber 30 such that the first chamber 22 is also disposed in
fluid communication
with the second chamber 30 via the hydraulic fluid discharging passage. In
this respect, the
hydraulic fluid, that is being discharged via the hydraulic fluid discharging
passage, is conserved
within the locator 10 and available for re-use.
[0039] In those embodiments where the wellbore feature 100 includes a
groove 102, in some
of these embodiments, for example, the hydraulic fluid supplying passage 26 is
configured to
supply hydraulic fluid from the second chamber 30 to the first chamber 22 at a
sufficient rate
such that, while the protrusible member 14 is being displaced within the
groove 102, sufficient
hydraulic fluid is present within the first chamber 22 for resisting
displacement of the protrusible
member 14 from the extended position to the retracted position in response to
urging by the
workstring, so long as the protrusible member 14 is being moved within the
groove 102 at a
speed that is less than, or equal to, a maximum predetermined speed. In some
embodiments, for
example, the maximum predetermined speed is at least 10 metres per minute. In
some of these
embodiments, for example, the maximum predetermined speed is at least 20
meteres per minute.
[0040] Travel above the maximum predetermined speed may result in the
failure to locate
the locator 10 versus the groove 102. In this respect, in some operational
implementations, for
example, while the protrusible member 14 is being displaced within the groove
102 at a speed
that is above the maximum predetermined speed, the rate of supplying of
hydraulic fluid from
the second chamber 30 to the first chamber 22, for which the hydraulic fluid
supplying passage
26 is configured, is insufficient to create conditions within the first
chamber 22 whereby
displacement of the protrusible member 14 from the extended position to the
retracted position
by the workstring is resisted by the hydraulic fluid within the first chamber
22. Also, in this
respect, in some operational implementations, it is desirable to have the
locator 10 travel past the
groove 102, without locating within the groove 102 , and, to do so, the
workstring (and, thus, the
locator) should be moving above the maximum predetermined speed, in order to
avoid the
locating of the locator 10.
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[0041] In some embodiments, for example, the body 20 further includes a
relief fluid
passage. The relief fluid passage extends from the first chamber 22 and is
configured to
discharge fluid from the first chamber 22 when the fluid pressure within the
first chamber 22
exceeds a predetermined maximum pressure. In this respect, a relief valve is
disposed within the
relief fluid passage and is actuated to open when the fluid pressure within
the first chamber 22
exceeds a predetermined maximum pressure. In some embodiments, for example,
the relief fluid
passage extends to the second chamber 30.
[0042] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, in some operational implementations,
for example, the
workstring, including the locator 10, is lowered into the wellbore through a
wellbore tubular,
such as a casing string. As the workstring is lowered into the wellbore, the
protrusible member
14 is urged inwardly while traversing the casing string. The workstring is
lowered at a descent
rate such that inadvertent locating of the locator 10 is avoided (i.e. at
above a maximum
predetermined speed). The workstring is lowered such that the locator becomes
positioned
downhole relative to an estimated location of a locate profile 102. Referring
to Figures 7 and 8,
once the locator 10 becomes deployed in this position, the workstring is
pulled upwardly so that
the locator 10 begins travelling in an uphole direction, but at an ascent rate
that is below the
maximum predetermined speed. When the protrusible member 14 of the locator 10
becomes
positioned in alignment with the locate profile 102, the biasing force causes
extension of the
protrusible member 14 into the locate profile 102 such that the protrusible
member 14 becomes
disposed within the locate profile 102, and, as a corollary, the first chamber
22 becomes
expanded. In parallel, hydraulic fluid is supplied from the second chamber 30
to the first
chamber 22 such that the contents of the expanded first chamber 22 become
filled with hydraulic
fluid, thereby providing resistance to displacement of the protrusible member
14 from the locate
profile 102 (see Figures 9 and 10). Continued application of a pulling force
to the workstring
does not immediately effect displacement of the protrusible member 14. This is
because the one-
way valve interferes with discharge of the hydraulic fluid from the first
chamber 22 to the second
chamber 30 via the hydraulic fluid supplying passage 26. Also, the hydraulic
fluid discharging
passage, although effecting discharging of the hydraulic fluid from the first
chamber 22 to the
second chamber 30, while the workstring is being pulled uphole and translating
forces to such
hydraulic fluid via the protrusible member 14, is sufficiently interfering
with such fluid flow
such that retraction of the protrusible member 14, resulting in displacement
from the locate
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profile 102, is delayed by a time interval, measured from the commencement of
the urging of the
retraction by the pulling up force on the workstring, and corresponding to an
indication that the
protrusible member 14 has become located within the locate profile 102 and is
now being urged
for displacement from the locate profile 102 (but not yet displaced from the
locate profile). In
some embodiments, for example, the time interval is at least 20 seconds, such
as, for example, at
least 30 seconds. Eventually, sufficient hydraulic fluid is conducted from the
first chamber 22 to
the second chamber 30 such that fluid pressure within the first chamber 22 is
insufficient to resist
displacement of the protrusible member 14 from the locate profile 102, such
that the protrusible
member 14 becomes displaced from the locate profile 102 by the pulling up
forces being applied
to the workstring.
[0043] In this respect, there is also provided a method of locating a
wellbore feature 100.
The method includes biasing the protrusible member 14 into engagement with the
wellbore
feature 100, such that the first chamber 22, containing hydraulic fluid, and
with which the
protrusible member 14 is disposed in fluid pressure communication, becomes
expanded. In
response to the expansion of the first chamber 22, additional hydraulic fluid
is supplied to the
expanded first chamber 22.
[0044] In some operational implementations, for example, the supplying is
such that
sufficient hydraulic fluid is present within the first chamber 22 so as to
resist displacement of the
protrusible member 14 from the engagement with the wellbore feature 100 in
response to a force
urging such displacement.
100451 In some operational implementations, for example, the wellbore
feature 100 includes
a groove 102 (such as a locate profile), and the biasing of the protrusible
member 14 into the
groove 102 is effected while the protrusible member 14 is in motion and
disposed in alignment
with the groove 102. In some of these operational implementations, for
example, the speed at
which the protrusible member 14 is being moved within the groove 102 (such as
a locate profile)
is sufficiently low such that sufficient time is provided for receiving of
additional hydraulic fluid
by the first chamber 22, such that sufficient hydraulic fluid is present
within the first chamber 22
for resisting displacement of the protrusible member 14 from the groove 102 in
response to a
force urging such displacement. In some of these operational implementations,
for example, the
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speed at which the protrusible member 14 is being moved within the groove 102
(such as a
locate profile) is sufficiently high such that insufficient time is provided
for receiving of
additional hydraulic fluid by the first chamber 22, such that insufficient
hydraulic fluid is present
within the first chamber 22 for resisting displacement of the protrusible
member 14 from the
groove 102 in response to application of a force urging the displacement.
[0046] In
some operational implementations, for example, the method further includes
urging displacement of the protrusible member 14 from the wellbore feature
100.
[0047] In
some operational implementations, for example, the method further includes,
after
the protrusible member 14 has become engaged with the wellbore feature 100 in
response to the
biasing, urging displacement of the protrusible member 14 from the engagement
with the
wellbore feature 100, and conducting the hydraulic fluid from the first
chamber 22 at a
sufficiently low rate such that resistance to displacement of the protrusible
member 14 from the
engagement with the wellbore feature 100 is maintained for a time interval,
measured from
commencement of the urging, and corresponding to an indication that the
protrusible member 14
is being urged for displacement from its engagement with the wellbore feature
100. In some
embodiments, for example, the time interval is at least 20 seconds, such as,
for example, at least
30 seconds.
[0048] In
some operational implementations, for example, the supplying of the hydraulic
fluid is from a second chamber 30, and wherein the conducting of the hydraulic
fluid from the
first chamber 22, after the protrusible member 14 has become engaged with the
wellbore feature
100 in response to the biasing, is to the second chamber 30.
[0049] In
the above description, for purposes of explanation, numerous details are set
forth in
order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However,
it will be
apparent to one skilled in the art that these specific details are not
required in order to practice
the present disclosure.
Although certain dimensions and materials are described for
implementing the disclosed example embodiments, other suitable dimensions
and/or materials
may be used within the scope of this disclosure. All such modifications and
variations, including
all suitable current and future changes in technology, are believed to be
within the sphere and
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scope of the present disclosure.
12
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-03
