Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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HIGH-LOAD COLLET SHIFTING TOOL
FIELD
[0001] The disclosure
relates generally to collet shifting tool and
more specifically to a collet shifting tool capable of delivering a one-
time high load.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In some
instances a valve or other tool needs to be
installed at a location downhole that must be operated or shifted
against a high differential pressure. For example, a ball valve may be
used to isolate a down-hole formation. Particularly for small valve
sizes, the load applied by conventional shifting tools may not be
sufficient to overcome the forces due to differential pressure across
the ball valve. For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for improved
shifting tools and mechanisms.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] These and other
features, aspects, and advantages of the
present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the
following description and appended claims, and accompanying
drawings where:
[0004] FIG. 1 is a
schematic illustration of an offshore oil and gas
platform installing a liner string in a subterranean wellbore according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0005] FIG. 2 is a
schematic illustration of a tubular collet sleeve
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0006] FIG. 3 is a
schematic illustration of a collet tip according to
an embodiment of the present disclosure;
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[0007] FIG. 4A is
a schematic illustration of a tubular collet
mandrel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0008] FIG. 4B is
a schematic illustration of a portion of a tubular
collet mandrel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0009] FIG. 5 is
a schematic illustration of a collet shifting tool in
a first configuration according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0010] FIG. 6 is
a schematic illustration of a collet shifting tool in
a second configuration according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0011] FIG. 7 is
a schematic illustration of a collet shifting tool in
a third configuration according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 8A is
a schematic illustration of a collet shifting tool in
the first configuration as shown in FIG. 5 in a first down-hole situation
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0013] FIG. 8B is
a schematic illustration of a collet shifting tool in
the first configuration as shown in FIG. 6 in a second down-hole
situation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0014] FIG. 8C is
a schematic illustration of a collet shifting tool in
the second configuration as shown in FIG. 7 in a third down-hole
situation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0015] FIG. 8D is
a schematic illustration of a collet shifting tool in
the second configuration as shown in FIG. 7 in a fourth down-hole
situation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0016] It should
be understood that the various embodiments are
not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the
drawings.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017]
The present disclosure may be understood more readily by
reference to the following detailed description of preferred
embodiments of the disclosure as well as to the examples included
therein. All numeric values are herein assumed to be modified by the
term "about," whether or not explicitly indicated. The term "about"
generally refers to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would
consider equivalent to the recited value (i.e., having the same function
or result). In many instances, the term "about" may include numbers
that are rounded to the nearest significant figure.
[0018]
Referring initially to FIG. 1, a running tool for installing a
liner string in a subterranean wellbore is being deployed from an
offshore oil or gas platform that is schematically illustrated and
generally designated 10. A semi-submersible platform 12 is centered
over submerged oil and gas formation 14 located below sea floor 16. A
subsea conduit 18 extends from deck 20 of platform 12 to wellhead
installation 22, including blowout preventers 24. Platform 12 has a
hoisting apparatus 26, a derrick 28, a travel block 30, a hook 32 and a
swivel 34 for raising and lowering pipe strings, such as a liner string
36.
[0019]
A main wellbore 38 has been drilled through the various
earth strata including formation 14. The terms "parent" and "main"
wellbore are used herein to designate a wellbore from which another
wellbore is drilled. It is to be noted, however, that a parent or main
wellbore does not necessarily extend directly to the earth's surface,
but could instead be a branch of yet another wellbore. A casing string
40 is secured within main wellbore 38 by cement 42. The term
"casing" is used herein to designate a tubular string used in a wellbore
or to line a wellbore. The casing may be of the type known to those
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skilled in the art as a "liner" and may be made of any material, such as
steel or a composite material and may be segmented or continuous,
such as coiled tubing.
[0020] Casing
string 40 includes a window joint 44 interconnected
therein. In addition, casing string 38 includes a latch coupling 46.
Latch coupling 46 has a latch profile that is operably engagable with
latch keys of a latch assembly 48 such that latch assembly 48 may be
axially anchored and rotationally oriented in latch coupling 46. In the
illustrated embodiment, when the primary latch key of latch assembly
48 has operably engaged the latch profile of latch coupling 46, a
deflection assembly depicted as whipstock 50 is positioned in a desired
circumferential orientation relative to window joint 44 such that a
window can be milled, drilled or otherwise formed in window joint 44
in the desired circumferential direction. As illustrated, a branch or
lateral wellbore 52 has been drilled from window joint 44 of main
wellbore 38. The terms "branch" and "lateral" wellbore are used herein
to designate a wellbore that is drilled outwardly from its intersection
with another wellbore, such as a parent or main wellbore. A branch or
lateral wellbore may have another branch or lateral wellbore drilled
outwardly therefrom.
[0021] Liner
string 36 is being lowered downhole on a work string
54 that includes a running tool 56 that attaches work string 54 to liner
string 36. As shown, liner string 36 is being positioned in lateral
wellbore 52 that is generally horizontal. Due to friction between liner
string 36 and the surface of lateral wellbore 52, significant force may
be required to push liner string 36 to the bottom or toe of lateral
wellbore 52. This is achieved by applying a force in the downhole
direction to liner string 36 with a collet assembly of running tool 56
that engages a profile within liner string 36. After liner string 36 is
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positioned at a desired location in wellbore 52, the collet assembly
disengages from the profile, which enables running tool 56 to be
retrieved to the surface with work string 54. The collet can pass
through the valve, allowing it to travel both up and down hole, even
beyond the valve.
[0022]
Even though FIG. 1 depicts a liner string being installed in
a horizontal wellbore, it should be understood by those skilled in the
art that the present running tool is equally well suited for use in
wellbores having other orientations including vertical wellbores,
slanted wellbores, deviated wellbores or the like. Accordingly, it should
be understood by those skilled in the art that the use of directional
terms such as above, below, upper, lower, upward, downward, uphole,
downhole and the like are used in relation to the illustrative
embodiments as they are depicted in the figures, the upward direction
being toward the top of the corresponding figure and the downward
direction being toward the bottom of the corresponding figure, the
uphole direction being toward the surface of the well, the downhole
direction being toward the toe of the well. Also, even though FIG. 1
depicts an offshore operation, it should be understood by those skilled
in the art that the present running tool is equally well suited for use in
onshore operations.
[0023]
Referring to FIG. 2, a schematic illustration of a tubular
collet sleeve 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
is shown. The tubular collet sleeve 200 may have a tubular wall 201
defining an internal cavity 202. The tubular wall may include a flexible
portion 203 that is elastically deformable in a radial direction
perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 204. The flexible portion 203 may
be defined by a plurality of longitudinal slots 205 separating a plurality
of longitudinal arms 206. The flexible portion may include from 1 to
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20, from 5 to 15, or from 8 to 24 longitudinal arms 206. The
longitudinal axis 204, the longitudinal slots 205, and the longitudinal
arms 206 may extend from near a down-hole end 207 of the tubular
collet sleeve 200 to near an up-hole end 208 of the tubular collet
sleeve 200. The flexible portion may occupy a substantially central
portion of the tubular wall 201 and may cover from 10 to 90, from 20
to 80, from 30 to 70, from 40 to 60, or about 50 percent of the surface
area of the tubular wall 201.
One or more of the plurality of
longitudinal arms 206 may include at least one engagement profile.
The at least one engagement profile may have any suitable shape for
engaging an internal profile of a shifting sleeve. For example, the at
least one engagement profile may have a first protrusion 209 and/or a
second protrusion 210. The first protrusion 209 and the second
protrusion 210 may be separated by a distance, with the first
protrusion being nearer to the up-hole end 208 and the second
protrusion 210 being nearer the down-hole end 207. The first
protrusion 209 may include a slanted face 211 and a flat face 213.
The slanted face 211 may be nearer to the up-hole end 208 than the
flat face 213. Similarly, the second protrusion 210 may include a
slanted face 212 and a flat face 214. The slanted face 212 may be
nearer to the down-hole end 207 than the flat face 214. The tubular
wall, the plurality of longitudinal arms 206, the first protrusion 209,
and the second protrusion 210 may be separate parts and integrally
joined together or may be defined from a single part.
[0024]
Still referring to FIG. 2, the tubular collet sleeve may
include a primary shear mechanism 215 and a secondary shear
mechanism 216. The primary shear mechanisms 215 may include one
or more shear pins disposed in through-holes of the tubular wall 201.
The shear pins may be adapted to break or to shear at a
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predetermined shear force. The second shear mechanism 216 may
include one or more shear pins disposed in through-holes of the
tubular wall 204. The shear pins may be adapted to break or to shear
at a predetermined shear force. Additionally or alternatively, the
secondary shear mechanism 216 may be slidably disposed within the
internal cavity 202 of the tubular collet sleeve. The secondary shear
mechanism 216 may be adapted to break or to shear at a
predetermined shear force. Further details of both the primary shear
mechanism 215 and the secondary shear mechanism 216 will be
discussed hereinafter.
[0025]
Referring to FIG. 3, a schematic illustration of a collet tip
300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.
The collet tip 300 is generally tubular in shape, including a wall 301
defining boundaries of a generally hollow internal portion. Internal
and external surfaces of the wall 301 may be multifaceted to define
various aspects and profiles.
The collet tip 300 may have a
longitudinal axis 302, alignable with the longitudinal axis 204 of the
tubular collet sleeve 200. The longitudinal axis 302 of the collet tip
300 may extend from an up-hole end 303 to a down-hole end 304.
The hollow interior of the collet tip 300 may include a first cylindrical
internal cavity 305, a frustoconical cavity 306, and a second cylindrical
cavity 307. The first internal cavity 305 may extend from the up-hole
end 303 to the frustoconical internal cavity 306. The frustoconical
internal cavity 306 may extend from the first internal cavity 305 to the
second internal cavity 307. The second internal cavity 307 may
extend from the frustoconical internal cavity 306 to the down-hole end
304. The frustoconical internal cavity 306 may be defined by a slanted
internal wall surface 308, extending generally from the first cylindrical
internal cavity 305 to the second cylindrical internal cavity 307.
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[0026] Still
referring to FIG. 3, the collet tip 300 may include a
first abutment profile 309, a second abutment profile 310, and a third
abutment profile 311. The first abutment profile 309 may be at the
up-hole end of the collet tip 300. The second abutment profile 310
may be at a junction of the first cylindrical cavity 305 and the
frustoconical internal cavity 306. The third abutment profile 311 may
be at a junction of the frustoconical internal cavity 306 and the second
cylindrical internal cavity 307. The first abutment profile 309, the
second abutment profile 310, and the third abutment profile 311 will
be discussed in greater detail hereinafter.
[0027] Still
referring to FIG. 3, the collet tip 300 may include one
or more securing holes 312 in wall 301. The securing holes 312 may
be used along with bolts, rivets, or the like to secure the collet tip 300
to another structure, such as the tubular collet sleeve 200.
Additionally or alternatively collet tip 300 may be secured to another
structure, such as tubular collet sleeve 200 by threading, welding, or
gluing. The collet tip 300 may optionally have a frustoconical tip 313
formed by a slanting surface on wall 301.
[0028] Referring
to FIG. 4A, a schematic illustration of a tubular
collet mandrel 400 according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure is shown. The tubular collet mandrel 400 may include a
wall portion 401 defining an internal cavity 402 that extends from an
up-hole end 403 to a down-hole end 404 along an axis 405. The wall
401 of the tubular collet mandrel 400 may include a recessed wall
portion 406 and one or more raised wall portions 407. The recessed
wall portion 406 may, for example, be disposed between two raised
wall portions 407. The recessed wall portion 406 may be disposed
substantially centrally along the length of the tubular collet mandrel
400. The raised wall portions 407 may have a substantially flat
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cylindrical surface 408 tapering at first tapered wall portion 409 and at
second tapered wall portion 410 to the recessed wall portion 406. At
least one raised wall portion 407 may be present near the down-hole
end 404 of the tubular collet mandrel 400 immediately adjacent to a
section of the wall 401 that includes one or more fingers 411. The one
or more fingers 411 may extend longitudinally along a surface of the
wall 401 and may be separated by slots 413. The slots 413 may
extend through the wall 401. The fingers 411 may include heads 412
extending radially away from the wall 401. The fingers 411 may be
disposed at an end of each finger 411. The fingers 411 may be
resiliently biased in a radial direction perpendicular to axis 405. The
opposite end of each finger 411 being integral with wall 401. The wall
401 may transition abruptly from the raised wall portion 407 to the
fingers 411 to form an abutment face 414. The abutment face may
have a surface that is substantially perpendicular to axis 405. The
abutment face need not be perpendicular. For example, the abutment
face may be oriented at any suitable angle with respect to axis 405.
The suitable angle may be any angle from about 90 to about 150
degrees. Finally, the wall 401, particularly the raised wall portion 407
may include one or more holes 415 for engaging the primary shear
mechanism 215 of the tubular collet sleeve 200, as discussed in
greater detail hereinafter.
[0029]
The tubular collet sleeve 200, the collet tip 300, and the
tubular collet mandrel 400 may be made from any suitable material,
including but not limited to a metal, such as steel, stainless steel, or
aluminum.
[0030]
Referring to FIG. 4B, a cut-away schematic illustration of
the down-hole end 404 the tubular collet mandrel 400 is shown. FIG.
4B shows an alternate configuration for the secondary shear
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mechanism 216. As shown
in FIG. 4B, the secondary shear
mechanisms 216 is in the form of a shear ring 416. The shear ring
416 may include at least one protuberance 417. The protuberance
417 may be a shear screw. The protuberance 417 may be a raised
ring portion extending along an internal wall portion of the shear ring
416. The raised ring portion may be continuous or discontinuous. The
shear ring 416 may include a plurality of protuberances. Each of the
one or more protuberances may correspond and engage with a notch
or a hole in the tubular collet mandrel 400. The shear ring 416 may
be surrounded by a protective sheath 419. Again, the shear ring 416
is an alternative configuration of the secondary shear mechanism 216
and may generally be used interchangeably. The secondary shear
mechanism 216 may be adapted to break or to shear at a
predetermined shear force. When the secondary shear mechanism
216 is configured as a shear ring 416, the one or more protuberances
417 may be adapted to break or to shear from the shear ring 416 at
the predetermined shear force. After the one or more protuberances
417 break away, the tubular collet mandrel 400 may slide through the
shear ring 416.
[0031] Further
details of both the primary shear mechanism 215
and the secondary shear mechanism 216 will be discussed hereinafter.
[0032] Referring
to FIG. 5, a schematic illustration of a collet
shifting tool 500 in a first configuration according to an embodiment of
the present disclosure is shown. The collet tip 300 may be disposed
within the internal cavity 202 of the tubular collet sleeve 200 at the
down-hole end 207 of the tubular collet sleeve 200. The collet tip 300
may be secured via any suitable method, including but not limited to
bolting, riveting, welding, or threading. The tubular collet mandrel
400 may be disposed within the internal cavity 202 of the tubular
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collet sleeve 200 at the up-hole end 208 of the tubular collet sleeve
200. The down-hole end 404 of the tubular collet mandrel 400 may
abut the secondary shear mechanism 216. According to other
embodiments the secondary shear mechanism 216 may have a
starting position abutting the first abutment profile 309 at the up-hole
end 303 of the collet tip 300, such that the secondary shear
mechanism 216 need not slide through the internal cavity 202 of the
tubular collet sleeve 200. The primary shear mechanisms 215 of the
tubular collet sleeve may engage with corresponding holes 415 of the
tubular collet mandrel. The
engagement of the primary shear
mechanisms 215 and the corresponding holes 415 allows the collet
shifting tool 500 to be pushed down the main wellbore 38, for
example, into the lateral wellbore 52 in proximity to formation 14, as
illustrated in FIG. 1. Once the collet shifting tool 500 is in position,
force may be applied until the primary shear mechanisms 215 break
and allow the tubular collet mandrel 400 and the secondary shear
mechanism 216 to slide further into the internal cavity 202 of the
tubular collet sleeve 200 to the second configuration as illustrated in
FIG. 6. The primary shear mechanisms 215 may be designed to break
at a predetermined shear force. The predetermined shear force may
be within a range of from about 100 to 2000 pounds.
[0033] Referring
to FIG. 6, a schematic illustration of a collet
shifting tool 500 in a second configuration according to an embodiment
of the present disclosure is shown. As described with respect to FIG.
5, in the second configuration, the secondary shear mechanism 216
and optionally the primary shear mechanism 215 have slid through the
internal cavity 202 of the tubular collet sleeve. As discussed above,
the secondary shear mechanism 216 may have an initial position
abutting the first abutment profile 309 at the up-hole end 303 of the
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collet tip 300. In either case, the down-hole end 404 of the tubular
collet mandrel abuts and presses against the secondary shear
mechanism 216, which in turn abuts and presses against the first
abutment profile 309 of the collet tip 300. In the
second
configuration, the substantially flat cylindrical surface 408 of a raised
wall portion 407 of the wall of the tubular collet mandrel substantially
aligns with the flexible portion 203 of the tubular collet sleeve to
prevent the flexible portion 203 from deforming in a radial direction
perpendicular to axis 204 of the tubular collet sleeve. As will be
discussed in greater detail hereinafter, preventing such deflection
allows the first protrusion and/or the second protrusion 210 to engage
an internal radial profile 803 of a shifting sleeve 802 to apply force to
down-hole equipment, such as, a ball valve 801, as illustrated in
Figures 8A - 8D.
[0034] Still
referring to Figure 6, the secondary shear mechanism
216 may be designed to break at a predetermined shear force. The
predetermined shear force may be within a range of about 5,000 to
about 40,000 pounds. Force applied to the tubular collet mandrel 400
may eventually break the secondary shear mechanism and allow the
tubular collet mandrel to slide into a third configuration in which the
internal cavity 309 of the collet tip 300, as illustrated in FIG. 7.
[0035] Referring
to FIG. 7, a schematic illustration of a collet
shifting tool 500 in a third configuration according to an embodiment
of the present disclosure is shown. In the third configuration, the
secondary shear mechanism 216 has broken, allowing the tubular
collet mandrel to slide into the internal cavity 307 of the collet tip 300.
Upon entering the internal cavity 307 of the collet tip 300, the fingers
411 of the tubular collet mandrel 400 flex in a radial direction
perpendicular to axis 405 of the tubular collet mandrel to abut the
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second abutment profile 310 of the collet tip, which holds the tubular
collet mandrel 400 in place. In the third configuration, the abutment
face 414 of the tubular collet mandrel 400 may also abut the first
abutment profile 309 of the collet tip 300. The recessed wall portion
406 of the tubular collet mandrel 400 is substantially aligned with the
flexible portion 203 of the tubular collet sleeve 200 to allow the flexible
portion 203 to deform in a radial direction perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis 204 of the tubular collet sleeve 200. This radial
deformation of the flexible portion 203 of the tubular collet sleeve 200
may allow the first protrusion 209 and the second protrusion 210 to
slide past an internal radial profile 803 of a shifting sleeve 802, as
illustrated in Figures 8A - 8D. In the third configuration, the collet
shifting tool 500 may still be used to apply force to down-hole
equipment, such as, a ball valve 801, as illustrated in Figures 8A - 8D,
but the amount of force that may be applied is less than the force that
may be applied when the collet shifting tool 500 is in the second
configuration, because of the ability of the flexible portion 203 of the
tubular collet sleeve 200 to flex or to deform in the radial direction
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 204. In the third configuration,
therefore, the collet shifting tool 500 may function as a conventional
shifting tool allowing for opening and closing of a ball valve 801, for
example.
[0036] An
advantage of various embodiments is that in the
second configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 6, a larger amount of force
can be applied to down-hole equipment, such as, a ball valve 801, as
illustrated in Figures 8A - 8D. In other words, the collet shifting tool
500 may allow for a one-time high-load to be generated, which allows
the collet shifting tool 500 to be used when the ball valve 801 must
open against a high differential. This is particularly useful for small
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valve sizes, where the load applied by conventional shifting tools is not
sufficient to overcome the forces due to differential pressure across
the ball valve. The collet shifting tool 500, according to various
embodiments, provides a single use high-load capability, and after the
first use functions as a conventional shifting tool, allowing the ball
valve to be opened and closed as required, i.e. with a bi-directional
profile.
[0037] Another
advantage of various embodiments is that the
collet shifting tool 500 may an inverted or a standard profile. Inverted
collets may pass under a diameter smaller than their outer diamter
with a small force, provided there is no short profiles to get trapped
between the two upsets, but when they pass a profile that will fit
between the two upset profiles they need a high force to deflect. An
inverted profile may allow the tool to pass through a seal bore without
causing damage to the seal bore or to the collet shifting tool 500.
More specifically, the inverted profile may allow the collet shifting tool
500 to pass through a specified minimum restriction with minimal
force and without causing galling or scoring. The collet shifting tool
500 may run on coiled tubing, wash pipe, or drill pipe. The collet
shifting tool 500 may latch into the shifting sleeve, as illustrated in
Figures 8A - 8D, to apply force to down-hole equipment, such as, ball
valve 801.
[0038] Referring
to FIG. 8A, a schematic illustration of a collet
shifting tool 500 in the first configuration as shown in FIG. 5 is shown.
More specifically, the collet shifting tool 500 is shown in a first down-
hole situation 804, where the collet shifting tool 500 is about to
engage a shifting sleeve 802. The shifting sleeve 802 may engage
down-hole equipment, such as a ball valve 801. The shifting sleeve
802 may be used to open and close the ball valve 801, according to
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known mechanisms. The shifting sleeve 802 may include an internal
radial profile 803, also referred to as a "nubbin." The first protrusion
209 and the second protrusion 210 of the tubular collet sleeve 200
may be sized and positioned to engage the internal radial profile 803.
[0039] In the
first down-hole situation 804, illustrated in FIG. 8A,
the primary shear mechanism 215 is intact and the collet shifting tool
500 may be forced down-hole. When the internal radial profile 803 of
the shifting sleeve 802 contacts the second protrusion 210, the flexible
portion 203 of the tubular collet sleeve 200 may deform inwardly in a
radial direction perpendicular to axis 204. The deformation of the
flexible portion 203 may allow the internal radial profile 803 to slide
over the second protrusion 210 and come to rest between the first
protrusion 209 and the second protrusion 210. Once the internal
radial profile 803 has come to rest between the first protrusion 209
and the second protrusion 210, force may be applied to attempt to
actuate a down-hole apparatus, such as ball valve 801, via the shifting
sleeve 802. The force may be sufficient to actuate the down-hole
apparatus, such as the ball valve 801. If the force is not sufficient to
actuate the down-hole apparatus, then additional force may be
applied. Since the flexible portion 203 of the tubular collet sleeve 200
is able to deform in a radial direction perpendicular to axis 204,
however, application of additional force could result in the internal
radial profile 803 of the shifting sleeve 802 to deflect the flexible
portion 203 and pass over the first protrusion 209. To avoid this
potentiality, the primary shear mechanism 215 may be adapted to
break at a shear force that is less than the force required for the
internal radial profile 803 of the shifting sleeve 802 to deflect the
flexible portion 203 and pass over the first protrusion 209. Therefore,
upon continued application of sufficient force, the primary shear
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mechanism 215 may break. When the primary shear mechanism 215
breaks, tubular collet mandrel 400 may slide through internal cavity
202 of the tubular collet sleeve 200 until the secondary shear
mechanism 216 abuts the first abutment profile 309 of the collet tip
300, as shown in FIG. 8B.
[0040]
Referring to FIG. 8B, a schematic illustration of a collet
shifting tool 500 in the second configuration as shown in FIG. 6 is
shown. More specifically, the collet shifting tool 500 is shown in a
second down-hole situation 805, where the collet shifting tool 500 has
engaged a shifting sleeve 802 and sufficient force has been applied to
break the primary shear mechanism 215. The tubular collet mandrel
400 has moved deeper into internal cavity 202 of the tubular collet
sleeve 200 to force the secondary shear mechanism 216 against the
first abutment face 309 of the collet tip 300. In the second down-hole
situation 805, the substantially flat cylindrical surface 408 of a raised
wall portion 407 of the wall of the tubular collet mandrel substantially
aligns with the flexible portion 203 of the tubular collet sleeve to
prevent the flexible portion 203 from deforming in a radial direction
perpendicular to axis 204 of the tubular collet sleeve. Preventing such
deformation of the flexible portion 203 allows the first protrusion 209
and/or the second protrusion 210 to continue to engage an internal
radial profile 803 of a shifting sleeve 802 and to apply force to down-
hole equipment, such as, a ball valve 801, as illustrated in Figures 8A
- 8D. After a predetermined amount of force has been applied,
however, the secondary shear mechanism 216 may break and the
tubular collet mandrel 400 may slide further through internal cavity
202 of the tubular collet sleeve 200 and into the internal cavity 307 of
the collet tip 300 as illustrated in FIG. 8C.
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[0041] Referring
to FIG. 8C, a schematic illustration of a collet
shifting tool 500 in the third configuration as shown in FIG. 7 is shown.
More specifically, the collet shifting tool 500 is shown in a third down-
hole situation 806, where the collet shifting tool 500 continues to
engage a shifting sleeve 802 after the secondary shear mechanism
216 has broken. The tubular collet mandrel 400 has passed into the
internal cavity 307 of the collet tip 300. Upon entering the internal
cavity 307 of the collet tip 300, the fingers 411 of the tubular collet
mandrel 400 may flex in a radial direction perpendicular to axis 405 of
the tubular collet mandrel to abut the second abutment profile 310 of
the collet tip, which holds the tubular collet mandrel 400 in place. The
abutment face 414 of the tubular collet mandrel 400 may also abut the
first abutment profile 309 of the collet tip 300. The recessed wall
portion 406 of the tubular collet mandrel 400 is substantially aligned
with the flexible portion 203 of the tubular collet sleeve 200 to allow
the flexible portion 203 to deform in a radial direction perpendicular to
the longitudinal axis 204 of the tubular collet sleeve 200. This radial
deformation of the flexible portion 203 of the tubular collet sleeve 200
may allow the first protrusion 209 and the second protrusion 210 to
slide past the internal radial profile 803 of the shifting sleeve 802. The
collet shifting tool 500 may still be used to apply force to down-hole
equipment, such as, a ball valve 801, but the amount of force that
may be applied may be less than the force that may be applied when
the collet shifting tool 500 is in the second configuration, because of
the ability of the flexible portion 203 of the tubular collet sleeve 200 to
flex or to deform in the radial direction perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis 204. Therefore, the collet shifting tool 500 may
function as a conventional shifting tool allowing for opening and
closing of a ball valve 801, for example. Since the flexible portion 203
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of the tubular collet sleeve 200 can deform in a radial direction
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 204 of the tubular collet sleeve
200, the collet shifting tool 500 may be retracted from the shifting
sleeve 802 as shown in FIG. 8D.
[0042]
Referring to FIG. 8D, a schematic illustration of a collet
shifting tool 500 in the third configuration as shown in FIG. 7 is shown.
More specifically, the collet shifting tool 500 is shown in a fourth down-
hole situation 807, where the collet shifting tool 500 has disengaged
the shifting sleeve 802. To disengage, reverse force was applied to
the shifting collet tool 500 to pull it in a direction leading out of the
lateral wellbore 52 or out of the main wellbore 38 and the flexible
portion 203 of the tubular collet sleeve 200 deformed radially inwardly
when the internal radial profile 803 pressed against the second
protrusion 210 of the tubular collet sleeve 200. The collet shifting tool
500 can be made to reengage the shifting sleeve by applying force in
the opposite direction.
[0043]
For the sake of brevity, only certain ranges are explicitly
disclosed herein. However, ranges from any lower limit may be
combined with any upper limit to recite a range not explicitly recited,
as well as, ranges from any lower limit may be combined with any
other lower limit to recite a range not explicitly recited, in the same
way, ranges from any upper limit may be combined with any other
upper limit to recite a range not explicitly recited. Additionally,
whenever a numerical range with a lower limit and an upper limit is
disclosed, any number and any included range falling within the range
is specifically disclosed. In particular, every range of values (of the
form, "from about a to about b," or, equivalently, "from approximately
a to b," or, equivalently, "from approximately a-b") disclosed herein is
to be understood to set forth every number and range encompassed
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within the broader range of values even if not explicitly recited. Thus,
every point or individual value may serve as its own lower or upper
limit combined with any other point or individual value or any other
lower or upper limit, to recite a range not explicitly recited.
[0044] It should
be understood that the compositions and
methods are described in terms of "comprising," "containing," or
"including" various components or steps, the compositions and
methods can also "consist essentially of' or "consist of" the various
components and steps.
[0045] Therefore,
the present invention is well adapted to attain
the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those that are inherent
therein. The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative
only, as the present invention may be modified and practiced in
different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art
having the benefit of the teachings herein. Although individual
embodiments are discussed, the invention covers all combinations of
all those embodiments. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the
details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described
in the claims below. Also, the terms in the claims have their plain,
ordinary meaning unless otherwise explicitly and clearly defined by the
patentee. It is therefore evident that the particular illustrative
embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified and all such
variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the present
invention.
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