RU2802509C2 - Downhole method for providing zoned isolation in given position in annulus and downhole system for implementing method - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: oil and gas industry.

SUBSTANCE: method for providing zonal isolation in a predetermined position in annulus (2) between wall (3) of wellbore (4) and downhole tubular metal structure (5) comprises inserting downhole tool (10) into the downhole tubular metal structure, placing it opposite the predetermined position, separating first section (6) of the downhole tubular metal structure from second section (7) of the downhole tubular metal structure by machining inside and along the circumference of the downhole tubular metal structure, inserting an unexpanded annular barrier between the first section and the second section, expanding the annular barrier to provide zonal isolation in a given position.

EFFECT: optimizing wells due to reliable zonal isolation.

15 cl, 15 dwg

Description

The present invention relates to a downhole method for providing zonal isolation at a predetermined position in the annulus between the wall of the wellbore and a downhole tubular metal structure extending longitudinally in an existing well.

When existing wells are not performing as expected and hydrocarbon-containing fluid production is declining from a particular well or the well is producing large quantities of water, the operator must decide whether to optimize the well or whether the well should be abandoned.

To optimize simpler wells, areas producing too much water can be isolated, for example, by inserting a repair pad over the perforated area or other types of production holes; however, water from the isolated zone may flow parallel to the outside of the well tubular metal structure into other producing zones, and such wells may be difficult to optimize with the prior art solution and will likely be plugged and abandoned, even though some zones may still experience producing an acceptable amount of hydrocarbon-containing fluid.

From US 2018/0106124 A1 a solution is known relating to a downhole tubular assembly intended to be installed as part of a downhole tubular structure in a wellbore having a wellhead. A downhole tubular assembly includes a downhole metal pipe designed to be installed as part of a downhole tubular structure. The downhole tubular assembly additionally contains a tubular metal receiver. This system discloses that the tubular structure can be replaced within the well. However, this solution also has the disadvantages mentioned above.

The objective of the present invention is to completely or partially eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantages and shortcomings of the prior art. More specifically, the object is to provide an improved downhole method that also allows simpler wells to be optimized in a satisfactory manner.

The above objects, together with numerous other objects, advantages and features that will become apparent from the following description, are achieved in the solution according to the present invention using a downhole method for providing zonal isolation at a predetermined position in the annulus between the wall of the wellbore and the downhole tubular metal structure having longitudinal extent in an existing well containing

- insertion of a downhole tool into a downhole tubular metal structure,

- placement of the downhole tool opposite the specified position,

- separating the first section of the downhole tubular metal structure from the second section of the downhole tubular metal structure by mechanical processing inward and along the circumference of the downhole tubular metal structure,

- inserting an uncompressed annular barrier between the first section and the second section, and

- expansion of the annular barrier to ensure zonal isolation in a given position.

The downhole tool may be a wireline downhole tool.

Also, the downhole tool may have a drive module.

Additionally, the downhole tool may include a machining device, wherein the machining device has at least one arm that is pivotally coupled to the downhole tool and has a cutting edge at a first end, wherein the arm is movable between a retracted position and an extended position with respect to downhole tool.

Separating the first section from the second section may comprise mechanically processing a portion of the downhole tubular metal structure of the well at a predetermined distance along its longitudinal extent, thereby reducing the portion of the downhole tubular metal structure.

In addition, the machining portion of the downhole tubular metal structure may be performed by milling a portion of the downhole tubular metal structure in the longitudinal direction.

Separating the first section from the second section may comprise moving the first section from the second section after machining.

Separating the first section from the second section may comprise pulling the first section out of the wellbore after machining.

The downhole method may further comprise inserting the first section into the wellbore at a distance from the second section.

Insertion of the uncompressed annular barrier can be accomplished using a downhole tool.

An uncompressed annular barrier may be inserted through the first section.

Insertion of the uncompressed annular barrier can be accomplished by installing the uncompressed annular barrier at the end of the first section. Subsequently, the first section may be inserted into the wellbore such that an uncompressed annular barrier is positioned between the first section and the second section.

Additionally, the annular barrier may comprise a tubular metal portion, an expansion metal sleeve surrounding the tubular metal portion, an annular space between the tubular metal structure and the expansion metal sleeve, the tubular metal portion having an expansion opening.

In addition, the annular barrier may contain an expanding metal sleeve.

The annular barrier may comprise a tubular portion and surrounding swelling material.

Expansion of the annular barrier can be accomplished by carrying out a swelling process of the swelling material of the annular barrier.

Expansion of the annular barrier can be accomplished by increasing pressure in at least a portion of the downhole tubular metal structure.

Additionally, pressurization may be accomplished by means of a downhole tool isolating a portion of the downhole tubular metal structure.

In addition, pressurization can be accomplished by increasing the pressure in the downhole tubular metal structure from the surface.

Expanding the annular barrier can be accomplished by expanding the tubular metal portion and/or the expanding metal sleeve.

Expansion of the annular barrier can be accomplished by means of a mandrel and/or an expansion cylinder.

Expansion of the annular barrier can be accomplished by pressurizing the tubular metal portion opposite the expansion opening and admitting fluid into the annulus to expand the expansion metal sleeve.

In addition, the expandable metal sleeve may be expanded radially between the first section and the second section to abut the wellbore wall.

Additionally, the annular barrier may have a first barrier end and a second barrier end, wherein the first barrier end is configured to overlap the first section and the second barrier end is configured to overlap the second section.

The downhole method may further comprise providing a second zonal isolation at a second predetermined position in the annulus between the wellbore wall and the downhole tubular metal structure.

The invention also relates to a downhole system for carrying out the downhole method described above to provide zonal isolation at a predetermined position in the annulus between the wall of the wellbore and a downhole tubular metal structure having a longitudinal extent in an existing well, comprising:

- downhole tubular metal structure located in the wellbore,

- a downhole tool inserted into the downhole tubular metal structure and positioned against a predetermined position to separate the first section of the downhole tubular metal structure from the second section of the downhole tubular metal structure by machining into and along the circumference of the downhole tubular metal structure, and

- an annular barrier located between the first section and the second section and expandable to provide zonal isolation in a given position.

The invention and its many advantages are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which, for purposes of illustration, certain non-limiting embodiments are shown, and in which:

- in fig. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a downhole tubular metal structure into which a downhole tool is inserted to separate a first section of the downhole tubular metal structure from a second section,

- in fig. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the downhole tubular metal structure of FIG. 1, divided into a first section and a second section,

- in fig. 3 is a partial sectional view of the downhole tubular metal structure of FIG. 2, in which the uncompressed annular barrier is inserted opposite the area between the first section and the second section,

- in fig. 4 is a partial sectional view of the downhole tubular metal structure of FIG. 3, in which the annular barrier is decompressed by increasing pressure in a portion of the downhole tubular metal structure by means of a downhole tool,

- in fig. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the downhole tubular metal structure of FIG. 4, where the downhole tool has been removed,

- in fig. 6 is a partial sectional view of another downhole tubular metal structure, which is divided by a circular cut dividing the downhole tubular metal structure into a first section and a second section,

- in fig. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the downhole tubular metal structure of FIG. 6, in which the first section is pulled out of the well, and an uncompressed annular barrier installed at the end of the first section is lowered into the well,

- in fig. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of the downhole tubular metal structure of FIG. 7, in which the annular barrier is installed in a given position,

- in fig. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of the downhole tubular metal structure of FIG. 8, in which the annular barrier is decompressed,

- in fig. 10 shows a partial view of a downhole tool surrounded by an expanding metal sleeve (shown in cross section),

- in fig. 11 is a partial sectional view of another downhole tubular metal structure in which the tool of FIG. 10 is located opposite the specified position, and the end parts of the expanding metal coupling are expanded,

- in fig. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of the downhole tubular metal structure of FIG. 11, in which the expandable metal coupling portion between the end portions has also been expanded by the pressurized fluid from the tool,

- in fig. 13 is a sectional view of the downhole tubular metal structure of FIG. 12, where the downhole tool is removed,

- in fig. 14 is a sectional view of another annular barrier, and

- in fig. 15 is a sectional view of a portion of one embodiment of a downhole tool having retractable arms with a cutting edge for performing machining in the wall of a downhole tubular metal structure.

All drawings are very schematic and not necessarily to scale, showing only those details necessary to explain the invention, with other details not shown or merely implied.

In fig. 1 shows the first part of a downhole method for providing zonal isolation at a predetermined position in the annulus 2 between the wall 3 of the wellbore 4 and the downhole tubular metal structure 5 having a longitudinal extent in the existing well 1. FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a downhole tubular metal structure into which a downhole tool 10 is inserted to separate the first section 6 of the downhole tubular metal structure 5 from a second section 7. The downhole tool 10 is inserted into the downhole tubular metal structure and placed against a predetermined position, and separation begins the first section 6 from the second section 7 of the downhole tubular metal structure by machining inward and along the circumference of the downhole tubular metal structure.

As shown in FIG. 2, separation comprises moving the downhole tool 10 machining device 8 up toward the wellhead 51 of the wellbore 1 and milling or grinding a portion of the downhole tubular metal structure such that the portion of the downhole tubular metal structure is removed, leaving an open area between the first section 6 and the second section. 7. An uncompressed annular barrier 20 is then inserted through the first section into a predetermined position between the first section and the second section, as shown in FIG. 3, and as shown in FIG. 4, the annular barrier 20 is then released to provide a zoned seal in the predetermined position. The downhole tool 10 is then removed from the well, as shown in FIG. 5. As can be seen, the downhole tool is a wireline downhole tool. The downhole tool may have a drive module (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 1, the downhole tool 10 includes an electronic section 19 to control the supply of electrical power before directing it to a rotation module, such as an electric motor 60 driving a hydraulic pump 21. The downhole tool further includes an anchor section 22 and a push tool 23 to provide longitudinal movement. longitudinal extent of the downhole tubular metal structure 5. The downhole tool 10 is immersed in the downhole tubular metal structure, and the anchor section 22 of the downhole tool is hydraulically actuated to provide anchorage to the second portion of the tool body with respect to the downhole tubular metal structure 5. The motor is powered through the cable 24 and the electronic section 19, and the motor drives the pump and rotates the rotating shaft 12 to rotate the cutting arm 9 to separate the upper and first section 6 from the lower second section 7 of the downhole tubular metal structure 5. Thus, the downhole tool 10 is immersed in well or downhole tubular metal structure only with a cable, for example, with another type of power line such as optical fiber, rather than with tubular members such as coiled tubing, drill pipe, or similar tubular members.

As shown in FIG. 2, separating the first section from the second comprises machining a portion of the downhole tubular metal structure at a predetermined distance d along the longitudinal extent L, thereby crushing the portion of the downhole tubular metal structure into insignificant small pieces. The machining portion of the downhole tubular metal structure is performed by cutting or milling a portion of the downhole tubular metal structure in the longitudinal direction.

Separating the first section 6 from the second section 7 may also include moving the first section 6 a predetermined distance d from the second section 7 after machining.

As shown in FIG. 6-9, separating the first section 6 from the second section 7 comprises pulling the first section 6 out of the wellbore 4 after machining. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the first section 6 is installed with the annular barrier 20 and then inserted into the wellbore 4, so that the first section 6 is located at a distance from the second section, where the distance corresponds to the length of the annular barrier, so that the annular barrier abuts the second section 7.

As shown in FIG. 3, the uncompressed annular barrier 20 is inserted using the downhole tool 10, and as shown in FIG. 7, the uncompressed annular barrier 20 is inserted using the first section 6.

The annular barrier 20 contains, in FIG. 3-5 and 7-9, a tubular metal portion 52, an expandable metal coupling 53 surrounding and connected to the tubular metal portion to create an annular space 54 between the tubular metal portion/downhole tubular metal structure and the expandable metal coupling 53. The tubular metal portion 52 has expansion hole 55 for expanding the expansion metal coupling 53.

The downhole tool 10 may include isolation means 61 (shown in FIGS. 10-12) for isolating a portion of the tubular metal portion 52 of the annular barrier 20 from the inside to increase the pressure in the tubular metal portion from the inside. The expandable metal sleeve 53 of the annular barrier thus expands against at least the wellbore wall, but may also be configured to abut the inner surface of the first section 6, the inner surface of the second section and the wellbore wall to provide isolation between them. Thus, sealing means (shown on the annular barrier of FIG. 10) may be provided on the outer surface of the expandable metal sleeve to enhance the sealing ability between the expandable metal sleeve and the inner surface of the first and second sections.

As shown in FIG. 10-14, the annular barrier includes an expandable metal sleeve 53, but does not surround the tubular metal portion because the annular barrier has no base and only has an expandable metal sleeve.

The annular barrier can be released in various ways. The annular barrier may be opened by pressurizing at least a portion of the downhole tubular metal structure opposite the release port and admitting fluid into the expansion metal sleeve annulus, for example, using tool 10 as shown in FIG. 4, or by plugging (eg, dropping a ball into a ball seat) the downhole tubular metal structure below the annular barrier and pressurizing the downhole tubular metal structure from the surface.

In another embodiment, the expansion of the annular barrier is accomplished by expanding the tubular metal portion and/or the expanding metal coupling, for example, by pulling the expansion cone or mandrel through the tubular metal portion, or, if there is no tubular metal portion, by directly expanding the expansion metal coupling until it abuts. to the inner surface of the downhole tubular metal structure, overlapping the first section and the second section. The expandable metal clutch is then further expanded by pressurizing the expandable metal clutch from the inside, for example, by isolating the expandable metal clutch intermediate portion 58 as shown in FIG. 12.

As shown in FIG. 11, each of the ends 56, 57 of the expandable metal coupling 53 is expanded radially by the expansion balloon 61 such that one end 56 is applied to the first section 6 and the other end 57 is applied to the second section 7. The fluid is then pumped out through the holes 63 in the tool 10, expanding the expanding metal coupling between the first section and the second section so that it rests against the wall 3 of the wellbore 4. Thus, the annular barrier 20 has a first barrier end 66 and a second barrier end 67, wherein the first barrier end is configured to overlap the first section 6, and the second barrier end 67 is configured to overlap the second section 7. To improve the sealing ability of the annular ends barrier, sealing elements may be located around the outer surface of the ends of the annular barrier, as shown in FIG. 10-13.

As shown in FIG. 14, the expandable metal coupling 53 includes sealing elements 64 and split ring shaped elements 65 to support the sealing element 64. An intermediate element 69 is provided between the sealing element 64 and the split ring shaped elements 65. The sealing elements, split ring shaped elements 65 and intermediate the elements are located between two projections 71 forming a groove 72.

In fig. 3 shows a downhole system 100 comprising a downhole tubular metal structure 5, an annular barrier 20, and a downhole tool 10.

Although not shown, the downhole method may further comprise providing a second zone isolation at a second predetermined position in the annulus between the wellbore wall and the downhole tubular metal structure. The first and second annular barriers provided at the first and second predetermined positions may be released in one pass or in two passes. The downhole tool may have means for holding a section of the downhole tubular metal structure relative to a second section of the downhole tubular metal structure by having two anchor sections 22.

The downhole tool 10 that provides separation of the first section from the second section may be the same tool that provides and releases the annular barrier so that the operation can be performed in one run instead of two runs, as shown in FIG. 1-4.

As shown in FIG. 15, the downhole tool 10 includes a tool body 6a having a first body part 7a and a second body part 8a, and a cutting arm 9 pivotally connected to the first body part and having a cutting edge 10 at a first end. Lever 9 is configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the tool body. The lever is shown in its extended position in FIG. 15. The tool further includes a lever activation unit 11 for moving the cutting lever 9 between a retracted position and an extended position. The rotating shaft 12 extends into the second housing part 8a and is connected to the first housing part and forms a portion thereof for rotating the cutting arm.

The lever activation unit 11 includes a piston housing 13 located in the first housing part 7a and a piston chamber 14. Located within the piston chamber is a piston element 15 which interacts with the cutting arm 9, thereby moving the cutting arm 9 between a retracted position and an extended position. The piston element 15 is configured to move in the longitudinal direction of the downhole pipe cutting tool and has a first piston surface 16 and a second piston surface 17. Hydraulic fluid from the pump is pumped into the first section 25 of the chamber 14 through the first fluid passage 18 by applying hydraulic pressure to the first surface 16 of the piston, moving the piston in a first direction, applying a thrust force to the cutting edge 9.

When the cutting arm is extended to press the cutting edge 10B against the inner surface of the downhole tubular metal structure and when the cutting arm is simultaneously rotated by the motor via the rotating shaft, the cutting edge 10B can cut through the downhole tubular metal structure. Thus, it appears that the first section of the wellbore tubular metal structure can be separated from the second section of the wellbore tubular metal structure.

As shown in FIG. 15, the rotating shaft 12 supplies fluid to the first section 25 of the chamber 14. Fluid from the pump is supplied to the shaft 12 through a circular groove 27 in fluid connection with a second fluid passage 28 in the second housing portion 8a. Thus, fluid from the second fluid passage 28 is distributed in the circular groove 27 so that the first fluid passage 18 in the rotating shaft 12 is always supplied with pressurized fluid from the pump during rotation. The circumferential groove 27 is sealed by circumferential seals 29, such as O-rings, on both sides of the circumferential groove 27.

The piston element 15 moves in the longitudinal direction of the tool 10 within the piston chamber and divides the chamber 14 into a first chamber section 25 and a second chamber section 26. As the piston element moves in the first direction, the spring element 40 abutting the second piston surface 17 opposite the first piston surface 16 is compressed. When the spring element is compressed, the second chamber section is compressed and the fluid therein flows through a fourth passage 44 fluidly connected to the first passage 18. The spring element is a coil spring surrounding a portion of the piston element located in the second section 26 the chamber is thus compressed between the second surface 17 of the piston and the chamber 14 of the piston. The piston element has a first end 30 projecting from the piston body 13 and engaging the cutting arm by having a circular groove 31 into which the second end 32 of the cutting arm extends. The second end of the cutting arm is rounded to allow rotation in the groove. The cutting arm is pivotally connected to the first housing around a pivot point 33 . At the other and second end 34 of the piston element, the piston element extends into the shaft 12. As the piston element moves in the first direction, a space 45 is created between the second end 34 of the piston element and the shaft. This space 45 is in fluid communication with the well fluid through a third passage 35 , which is shown with a dotted line. This way, the piston does not have to overcome the pressure surrounding the tool in the well. The second end 34 of the piston element is provided with two circular seals 36 to seal the piston chamber from dirty well fluid.

When the cutting operation is completed and the downhole tubular metal structure is divided into upper and lower parts, hydraulic pressure from the pump is no longer supplied to the first channel, and the spring element moves the piston element 15 in a second direction opposite to the first direction along the longitudinal direction 37 of the tool, as shown in Fig. 15. The lever activation assembly can be pump driven as shown or motor driven.

The downhole method may further comprise providing cement over the annular barrier to create an abandonment plug. After ensuring the presence of a plug, for example, made of cement, inside the well tubular metal structure, the well can be abandoned.

The pushing tool 23 is a tool that provides an axial force. The push tool contains an electric motor to drive the pump. The pump pumps fluid into the piston housing to move the piston acting therein. The piston is located on the running rod. The pump can pump fluid into the piston housing on one side and simultaneously pump out fluid from the other side of the piston.

By fluid or wellbore fluid is meant any type of fluid that may be present in an oil or gas well, such as natural gas, oil, drilling fluid, crude oil, water, and so on. Gas refers to any type of gas mixture present in a well, whether completed or uncased, and oil refers to any type of petroleum mixture, such as crude oil, oily fluid, etc. Thus, gas, oil and water may contain other elements or substances that are not gas, oil and/or water, respectively.

By casing or downhole tubular metal structure is meant any type of pipe, tubular element, pipeline, liner, pipe string, etc. used in a well in the production of oil or natural gas.

In cases where it is not possible to fully immerse the tool in the casing, a drive module such as a downhole tractor may be used to push the tool to the desired position in the well. The downhole tractor may have extendable arms having wheels, the wheels engaging an internal surface of the casing to propel the tractor and tool forward in the well. A downhole tractor is any type of driven tool capable of pushing or pulling tools in a downhole, such as a Well Tractor®.

Although the invention has been described above in connection with preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that several modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (23)

1. Downhole method for providing zonal isolation in a given position in the annular space (2) between the wall (3) of the wellbore (4) and the downhole tubular metal structure (5), having a longitudinal extent in the existing well (1), containing: - inserting the downhole tool (10) into the downhole tubular metal structure, - placement of the downhole tool opposite the specified position, - separating the first section (6) of the downhole tubular metal structure from the second section (7) of the downhole tubular metal structure by mechanical processing inward and along the circumference of the downhole tubular metal structure, - insertion of an uncompressed annular barrier (20) between the first section and the second section, - expansion of the annular barrier to ensure zonal isolation in a given position. 2. Downhole method according to claim 1, in which the separation of the first section from the second includes mechanical processing of a part of the downhole tubular metal structure at a given distance (d) along the longitudinal extent. 3. Downhole method according to claim 1, in which the separation of the first section from the second comprises moving the first section from the second section after machining. 4. Downhole method according to claim 1, in which separating the first section from the second comprises pulling the first section out of the wellbore after mechanical treatment. 5. Downhole method according to claim 4, further comprising inserting the first section into the wellbore at a distance from the second section. 6. Downhole method according to claim 2 or 3, in which the insertion of an uncompressed annular barrier is performed using a downhole tool (10). 7. Downhole method according to paragraphs. 4 and/or 5, wherein insertion of the uncompressed annular barrier (20) is accomplished by installing the uncompressed annular barrier at the end of the first section. 8. The downhole method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the annular barrier comprises a tubular metal part (52), an expandable metal sleeve (53) connected to and surrounding the tubular metal part to create an annular space (54) between the tubular metal structure and the expandable a metal coupling, the tubular metal part having a release hole (55). 9. Downhole method according to any one of paragraphs. 1-7, in which the annular barrier includes an expanding metal sleeve (53). 10. Downhole method according to claim 8 or 9, in which the expansion of the annular barrier is performed by expanding the tubular metal part or the expanding metal coupling. 11. Downhole method according to claim 8 or 9, in which the expansion of the annular barrier is performed using a mandrel or expansion cylinder (61). 12. Downhole method according to claim 8 or 9, in which the expanding metal coupling is expanded in the radial direction between the first section and the second section so that it abuts the wall of the wellbore. 13. The downhole method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the annular barrier has a first barrier end (66) and a second barrier end (67), wherein the first barrier end is configured to overlap the first section, and the second barrier end is configured to overlap second section. 14. The downhole method according to claim 1, further comprising providing a second zonal isolation at a second predetermined position in the annular space between the wellbore wall and the downhole tubular metal structure. 15. Downhole system (100) for implementing the downhole method according to any of the previous paragraphs to provide zonal isolation in a given position in the annulus (2) between the wall (3) of the wellbore (4) and the downhole tubular metal structure (5) having a longitudinal length in an existing well (1) containing: - downhole tubular metal structure located in the wellbore, - a downhole tool (10) inserted into the downhole tubular metal structure and positioned against a predetermined position for separating the first section (6) of the downhole tubular metal structure from the second section (7) of the downhole tubular metal structure by machining into and along the circumference of the downhole tubular metal structure , And - an annular barrier (20) located between the first section and the second section and expandable to provide zonal isolation in a given position.

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