US2630865A - Hydraulically operated well packer - Google Patents

Description

March 10, 1953 J. R. BAKER HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED WELL. PACKER Filed Feb. 25. 1949 INVENTOR. 45 BY r1214 1?. BAKER,

ATTORNEYS Patented Mar. I0, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENTTOFFICET HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED WELL PACKER V I John R. Baker, Pasadena, Calif., assignor to Baker 7 a Oil Tools, Inc., Vernon, Calif., a corporation of California Application February 25, 1949, Serial No. 78,328

13 Claims. (01. 166-12) The present invention relates to well packers adapted to be anchored in packed-off condition in casings, liners and similar conduits positioned in well bores.

Certain types of well packers employ slips and packing elements that are held normally in retracted position and are then expanded outwardly into engagement with the wall of a well casing. Such outward expansion may be accomplished through the use of hydraulically operated instrumentalities, and also by longitudinally moving the tubing string to which the packer may be attached and on which it is run to the desired location in the well casing. The

2 z for manipulating the tubing string to which the well packer is attached. Despite the full hy-' draulic setting of the well packer, inordinatelyf high unit fiuid pressures are avoided.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration -of a form in which it may be embodied. This form is shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. It will now be described in detail, for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the m vention; but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limitslips may be anchored in retracted position by ing sense, since the scope of the invention "is oneor more shear screws, designed to rupture best defined by the appended claims. at a predetermined pressure imposed on the hy- Referring to the drawings: draulically operated instrumentalities. To in- Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through'a sure against premature and undesired disruption well packer apparatus disposed within a well of the screws, they should be made of ample casing, with the parts of the apparatus occupystrength. However, any increase in diameter ing their relative initial positions for movement of the screws, or the use of screw materials through the well casing; having higher shear strengths, necessitates the Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, disclosing imposition of a greater unit fluid pressure on the well packer apparatus fully anchored against the hydraulically operated instrumentalities. the well casing; Such unit pressures may be inordinately high. Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal It is sometimes not desired to set a well packer section through the hydraulic portions of the in the casing by a combination of applying hy- Well packer apparatus. draulic pressure to the setting instrumentalities As disclosed in the drawings, a well packer and by moving the tubular string, to which the A is detachably secured to a setting tool l0, packer is attached, longitudinally in the well forming the lower end of a tubular string-B casing. At times, a comparatively large strain running to the top of the wellbore, andby on the tubing string is required to set the packer means of which the packer is lowered to the 'fully' against the casing, which strain should desired setting or anchoring point withina well be avoided. conduit or casing C. :1

Accordingly, it is an object of the present in- The pac er A includes a tubular body ll hav- Vention to make it possible to employ shear in an abut t l threaded n its lower d, screws and the like of higher shear value for and an enlarged head I3 at its upper end, around holding the well packer slips in retracted posiwhich the skirt [4 of a cylinder 14a is mounted. tion, and yet disrupt these shear screws hydrau- A cylinder head 15 extends inwardly irom'the lically with a lower unit hydraulic pressure of lower e d Of the S rt and carries one or more the fluid in the tubing string than has heretosuitable side seal rings It in one or more ring 'fore been necessary. grooves ll, which sliclably engage the external Another object of the invention is to provide cylindrical surface of the body II One or more a hydraulically operated well packer arrange- 5 suitable side seal rings 18 are also disposed in ment, in which the running-in string, or tubing One or more body d grooves IQ for 'slidable string, to which the well packer is attached need a men W th th interior of the skirt 14. not be subjected to a strain in effecting com- A set of upper segmented slips 20 are disposed plete anchoring of the packer in packed-01f conaround the body immediately below the cylindition Within the well casing. 5 der head l5. These slips are held initially in A further object of the invention is to proretracted position by shear screws 2|, attaching vide a well packer apparatus which is set in them to an upper conical expander 22 initially packed-off condition against both upward and secured to the body II by one or more"'shear downward movement in the well casing by hyscrews 23. The converging surfaces of the upper "draulic meansalone, and without the necessity set oi? slips 20 and upper expander' 22;' are disposed with respect to one another as to secure the packer against movement in an upward direction within the casing C, following outward expansion of the slips 20 into engagement with the casing.

A set of lower segmental slips 24 is provided adjacent the. abutment l2, and these slips are also secured by shear screws 25 to a lower tapered expander 26 attached initially to the body H by one or more shear screws 21. The direction of taper on the exterior of the lower expander 26 and the taper on the cooperable surfaces of the lower slips 24 are such as to hold the well packer against movement in a downward direction, following expansion of the slips 24 outwardly to casing engaging position.

A suitable lock is provided between the body l and lower expander 26 to permit upward movement of the body within this expander, but to preelude its downward movement. Such lock may be ofany suitable form. It is illustrated as including a. split tapered wedge ring 28 received within the tapered groove 29' in the lower expander 25.

A suitable packing, such as a packing sleeve 30, of rubber or similar pliant material, is disposed. around the body between the upper and lower expanders 2|, 26. The ends of the packing sleeve 30 are received Within annular pockets 3 formed between the expander skirts 32 and theexterior of the body H.

The setting tool 10 includes a tubular member llla which is threaded, as by a left-hand thread 33, into the head l3 of the packer body. This setting tool member lfla has a lower head 34 carrying asuitable side seal 35 for sealing engagement with the inner wall of the body. The head 34 is disposed below body ports 36 positioned between the body and cylinder head seals I8,- Hi to establish communication between the interior of the body H and the elongated annular clearance space 31 between the body head |3 and cylinder head l-5. Elongated ports 38 in the form of slots extend through the tubular member [a between its threaded portion 33 and head 34, establishing communication between the interior of the setting tool member lOa and elongated annular space 39 between the exterior of the member la and the interior of the body The tubular member We has a depending tubu- 'lar section 40 secured to thelower head 34 and terminating in a lower portion 4| projecting from the body H and abutment l2, for. the purpose oi? holding aback pressure valve in open position. This valve includes a valve head 42 pivoted on the abutment l2 and urged upwardly by a spring 43 into engagement with a valve seat 44 in the abutment. The lower tubing portion 4| can engage the valve head 42 and hold it in open position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

A slotted junk pusher and feeler 45 may be secured to the lower end of the lower abutment l2, to insure, against premature setting of the well packer during its descent in the well casing C. A- screen 46 may also be provided across the mouth of the tubing section 4| to prevent undesired substances from entering the setting tool.

The setting tool member is provided with a valve seat 4! in the lower head 34, on which a valve ball element 48 is adapted to come to rest, upon being dropped through the tubular string B, in order to prevent downward passage of fluid through. the tubular string B and setting tool It below the setting tool head 34, and allow fluid pressure to be built up in the setting tool, the

elongated ports 38, and the body ports 36, for the 4 purpose of urging the cylinder I la downwardly against the upper slips 2!]. The cylinder |4a is retained initially in an upward position by one or more shear screws 49 securing its skirt I4 to the body head l3.

The setting tool l0 also includes an upper hydraulic booster portion 50. An upper tubular member portion Hib is connected to the lower portion Hie of the tubular member, as by means of the interconnecting threads 5|. The inner tubular member lflb has an enlarged upper head 52, there being ports 53 disposed through the member Iiib immediately below the head. A cylinder 54 is disposed around the tubular member Hlb. As disclosed in the drawings, it is formed of two parts 55, 56 secured together, as by the use of welding material 51. The upper part 55 comprises a sleeve slidable along the upper head 52, leakage therebetween being prevented by one or more suitable side seals 58 disposed in one or more grooves 59 in the head and slidable along the inner surface of the sleeve. The lower skirt portion 56 of the cylinder 54 is provided with one or more internal grooves 60 receiving one or more side seal rings 6| slidable alongthe exterior of the tubular member below the ports 53.

The sleeve and skirt 55, 56 together provide an annular cylinder head 62 adapted to be acted upon by fluid under pressure in the tubular string B and setting tool, acting through the ports 53 and passing into the annular cylinder space 63 between the sleeve 55 and member Nib. Leakage of this fluid from the cylinder space along the body in an upward and downward. direction is prevented by the side seals 58, BI.

A setting ring 64 is adjustably secured, as by a threaded connection 65, to the lower end of the cylinder skirt 56 and bears against the upper end of the lower skirt Id of the lower cylinder Ma. The setting ring is adjusted on the skirt 56 until it engages the skirt Hi. It is then retained in this position by a lock screw 66 passing through one of the slots ti on the setting ring 64 and threaded into the skirt 56.

As above stated, one or more shear screws 49 hold the lower cylinder Ma initially in an upward position. Similarly, one or more other shear screws 68 secure the upper cylinder skirt 55 to the head 52, and thereby hold the upper cylinder 54 and setting ring 64 in an initially upward position, with the setting ring contiguous the upper end of the lower cylinder skirt l4.

The setting tool it! and well packer A are assembled in the manner disclosed in Fig. 1, with the slips 29, 24 and packing element 30 in retracted position, and with the packer cylinder Ma and booster cylinder 54 in an upward position. The tool is attached to astring of tubing or drill pipe B and is lowered into the well casing C to the desired setting point therein. During this lowering operation, the lower tubing portion 4| of the setting tool retains the back pressure valve head 42 in open position, allowing fluid to enter the tubular setting tool it and the tubing string B.

When the setting point in the well casing has been reached, the ball valve element 48 i dropped into the tubing string B from the top of the well bore and is allowed to gravitate through the tubing string and the setting tool into engagement with the valve seat 4! in the lower head 34, thereby closing the central passage through the setting tool tubular member Ilia. Fluid pressure is then built up in the tubing string and setting tool, this fluid under pressure passing outwardly through the lower setting tool ports 38 and'body ports 36 into the annular cylinder or clearance space 3'! in the well packer.

The fluid under pressure also passes outwardly through the booster ports 53 into the cylinder space 63 between the booster cylinder 54 and tubular member portion Hlb. This fluid under pressure acts simultaneously in a downward direction upon the upper cylinder head 62 in the booster portion of the setting tool and upon the lower cylinder head I5 of the packer. When the pressure has increased to a sufiicient value to shear the screws 68, 49 holding the cylinders in their upward position, they move downwardly jointly to shear the upper slip screws 2| and shift the slips downwardly along the upper expander 22 and outwardly into firm anchoring engagement with the wall of the casing C.

As the pressure of the fluid in the tubing string B, setting tool It, and annular cylinder spaces 53, 31 is increased to a further degree, the setting tool It and packer body II are elevated by the fluid pressure acting upwardly upon the heads 52, I3, inasmuch as the wedging of the upper slips 20 against the casing precludes further downward movement of the tandem arranged cylinders 54, I ia. Such upward movement of the packer body II first shears the screws 23 holding the upper expander to the body; the body ll, lower abutment l2, lower expander 26, and lower slips 24 moving upwardly towards the upper expander 22, and compressing the packing sleeve 30 between the expanders, in order to expand it outwardly into firm sealing engagement with the wall of the well casing.

A further increase in the fluid pressure within the setting tool causes the pressure to act upon the heads 52, I3 in an upward direction with a greater force, which results in shearing of the lower expander screws 2'! and lower slip screws 25, enabling the body II to move upward-1y to a further extent and causing the lower abutment l2 to shift the lower slips 24 upwardly along the lower expander 26 and radially outwardly into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well casing C.

In the manner described above, the well packer A is anchored in packed-off condition within the well casing C. The upper slips 20 preclude upward movement of the packer, whereas the lower slips 24 preclude downward movement of the packer. Any tendency for the packer body to move downwardly is resisted by the wedging of the taperedring 28 within the tapered groove 29 in the lower expander 26.

'Such downward force is transmitted through the lock device 28, 29 to the expander 26, and from this expander to the lower slips 24, which are embedded in the well casing.

Following complete setting of the well packer, the tubing string B and the setting tool H) are rotated to the right, which unscrews the setting tool, at the left-hand threaded connection 33, from the packer body I I; and allows the setting tool Ill to be withdrawn from the well casing. As the setting tool is moved upwardly within the packer body, its lower portion 4| is removed from engagement with the flapper valve head 42, allowing its spring 43 to close it against the valve seat 44. This precludes upward passage of fluids through the packed-oil well packer A.

If desired, following the outward expansion of the upper slips 2!! against the well casing, an upward strain can be taken on the tubing string B, to efiect sealing of the packing sleeve 30 against the casing and setting of the lower slips see ers 6] 24. However, it may not be necessary to impose such a setting strain on the tubing string B, since the arrangement of hydraulic devices in the packer and booster provides ample area over which fluid under pressure can act, to effect full setting of the well packer. It is apparent that the fluid is acting simultaneously over the area of the upper and lower cylinder heads 62, I5, and also over the area of the annular body and setting tool heads I3, 52 that are opposed to o these cylinder heads, allowing a substantially great total force to be imposed on the well packer, of suflicient extent to anchor the well packer firmly and in leak-proof engagement against the well casing. Accordingly, the well packer may be set properly by the use of hydraulic force alone, or, as indicated, it may be set by a combination of tripping the upper slips 20 and moving them outwardly against the easing, and by then taking an upward strain on the tubing string B.

The relatively large fluid pressure actuatable areas provided in the packer cylinder 14a and the booster cylinder 54 enable the shear screws 2| holding the upper slips 20 to the expander 22 to be disrupted with a lower unit pressure in the tubing string B, setting tool I0 and well packer A, than has heretofore been necessary. The tandem arrangement of the hydraulic cylinders 54, 14a permits this to occur. Despite the use of lower pressures, the shear screws 2| may be made of a greater shear value to preclude inadvertent tripping of the upper slips 20. Despite such increased shear values of the screws, they can still be disrupted at relatively low pressures. As an example, the pressures may be of the order of 300 to 600 p. s. i.

It is to be noted that following complete setting of the well packer A, the setting tool l0, including its upper booster portion 50, is removed from the well bore, enabling the entire tool to be used over again in connection with the setting of other well packers.

The inventor claims:

1. In well apparatus: a body; normally retracted means on said body; a first hydraulically operable means on said body engageable with said normally retracted means for shifting said normally retracted means outwardly against a Well conduit positioned in a well bore; a second hydraulically operable means engageable with said first hydraulically operable means to supplement the force of said first hydraulically operable means; and a common conductive means for feeding fluid under pressure simultaneously to both said first and second hydraulically operable means to actuate said first and second hydraulically operable means in a direction to shift said normally retracted means outwardly against the well conduit on said normally retracted means.

2. In well apparatus: a body having a first port; normally retracted means on said body; a first hydraulically operable means on said body responsive to the pressure of fluid passing through said first port for shifting said normally retracted means outwardly against a well conduit 'positioned in a well bore; a setting tool detachably secured to said body, said setting tool comprising a tubular member communicable with said first port and having a second port, and a second hydraulically operable means on said tubular member engageable with said first hydraulically operable means and responsive to the pressure of fluid passing through said second port to provide a force supplementing the force of said first hyw 7. draulically operable means on. said normally re tracted means,

3. In'well apparatus: a body having a first port; normally retracted. means on said body; a first hydraulically operable means on said body responsive to the pressure of fluid passing through said first port for shifting said normally retracted. means outwardly against a well conduit positioned in a well bore; a setting tool detachably secured to said body, said setting tool comprising a tubular member communicable with said first port and having. a second. port, and asecond hydraulically operable means on said tubular member engageable. with said first hydraulically operable means and responsive to the pressure of fluid passing through said second port to provide aroma-supplementing the force of said first hydraulically operable means on: said normally retracted means; and means for restricting fluid flow. through saidbody to enable the pressure of fluid to be built up in said tubular member, body andrsaid first. and second ports for action upon said first and, second hydraulically operable means.

In wellapparatus a body having a first port; normally retracted means on said body; a first hydraulically operable means on said body responsive to the pressure of fluid passing through said first port for shifting said normally retracted meansoutwardly against a well conduit positioned in a. well bore; a setting tool detachably secured to said body, said setting tool comprising a tubular, member communicable with said first port and having a second port, and a second hydraulically operable means on said tubular member responsive to the pressure of fluid passing through said second port to provide a force supplementing the force of said first hydraulically operable means on said normally retracted means.

5. In well apparatus: a tubular, body having a first port; normally retracted means on said body; a first sleeve slidable along said body and disposed over said first port, said first sleeve. being shiftable by the pressure of, fluid passing through, said first port to shift said normally retracted means outwardly against a well conduit positioned in a well bore; a setting tool detachably secured to said body, said setting tool having a tubular member extending into said body to, a location below the said first port, said tubular member having a second port. communicable with said first port and also having a third port, a second sleeve. slidable along said tubular member and engageable with said first sleeve, said second sleeve being disposed over said third, port and being shiftable by the pressure of fluid passing through said third port to provide a force supplementing the force of said first sleeve on. said normally retracted means; and means for closing the, central passage through said tubular member below said second port.

6; In well apparatus: a tubular body having a cylindrical portion, an enlarged head above said portion and a first-port, through said portion below saidhead;v normally retracted means on said body below said first port; a cylinder slidable along said head and the cylindrical portion of said body below said port and engageable with said normally retracted means for shifting said normally retracted means outwardly against a well conduit, positioned in a well bore; a setting tool detachablysecured. to said. body, said tool having a tubular member extending into said body to a. locationbelow said first. port which has asecond port communicablewith said first. port,

said tubular-member having asecond cylindrical portion and also having a second. enlarged head above said second. portion. and a third port through said second portion below said second head, a second cylinder slidable along said second head and the second cylindrical portion of said tubular member below said third port and engageable with said first cylinder; and means for closing the central passage through said tubular member below said second port.

7. In well apparatus: a tubular body having a cylindrical portion, an enlarged head above said portion and a first port through said portion be.- low said head; normally retracted means on said body below said first port; a cylinder slidable along said head and the cylindrical portion of said body below said port and engageable with said normally retracted means for shifting said normally retracted means outwardly against a well conduit. positioned in a well bore; av setting tool detachably secured to. said body, said tool having a. tubular member extending into said body to a location below said first port which has a second port communicable with said first port, said tubular member having a second cylindrical portion and also having a second enlarged head above said second portion and a third port through said second portion below said second head, a second. cylinder slidable along said second head and the second cylindrical portion of said tubular member below said third port. and engageable with said first cylinder; means for closing the central passage through said tubular member below said second port; and frangible means initially securing one of, said cylinders in an upper position.

8. In well apparatus: a tubular body having a cylindrical portion, an enlarged head above said portion and a first port through said portion below said head; normally retracted means on said body below said first port; a cylinder slidable along said head and the cylindrical portion of said body below said port and engageable with said normally retracted means for shifting said normally retracted means outwardly against a well conduit positioned in a well bore; a setting tool. detachably secured to saidbody, said tool having a tubular member extending into said body to alocation below. said first. port which has a second port communicable with said first port, said tubular member having a second cylindrical portion, andalso having a second enlarged head above said second portion and a third. port through, said second portion below said second head, asecond cylinder slidablev along said second head and the, second cylindrical portion of said tubular. member. below said third. port, an annular member adjustably mounted onsaid second cylinder and engageable with saidv first. cylinder; and means for closing the, central passage through said tubular member below said second port.

9. In well apparatus: a body; an expander on said body; slips cooperable with said expander; a first hydraulically operablemeanson said body for relatively moving said expander and slips, in order to shift said slips outwardly against a well conduit positioned in a well bore; a second hydraulically operable. means engageable with said first hydraulically operable means to supplement the force of said first hydraulically operable means in shifting said slips against the well conduit; and a common conductive means for feeding fluid under pressure simultaneously to both said first and second hydraulically operable means to actuate said first and second hydraulically operable means in a direction'to shift said slip outwardly against the well conduit.

10. In well apparatus: a body having a first port; an expander on said body; slips cooperable with said expander; a first hydraulically operable means on said body responsive to the pressure of fluid passing through said first port for relatively shifting said slips and expander, in order to shift said slips outwardly against a well conduit positioned in a well bore; a setting tool detachably secured to said body, said setting tool comprising a tubular member communicable with said first port and having a second port, and a second hydraulically operable means on said tubular member engageable with said first hydraulically operable means and responsive to the pressure of fiuid passing through said second port to provide a force supplementing the force of said first hydraulically operable means in shifting said slips against the well conduit.

11. In well apparatus: a tubular body having a first port; an expander on said body; slips cooperable with said expander; a first sleeve slidable along aid body and disposed over said first port, said first sleeve being responsive to the pressure of fluid in said port to shift said slips and expander relatively to each other, in order to shift said slips against a, well conduit positioned in a well bore; a setting tool detachably secured to said body, said setting tool having a tubular member extending into said body to a location below said first port, said tubular member having a second port communicable with said first port and also having a third port, a second sleeve slidable along said tubular member and engageable with said first sleeve, aid second sleeve being disposed over said third port and being responsive to the pressure of fluid in said third port to provide a, force supplementing the force of said first sleeve in shifting said lips against the well conduit; and means for closing the central passage through said tubular member below said second port.

12. In well apparatus: a tubular body having a cylindrical portion, an enlarged head above said portion and a first port through said portion below said head; an expander on said body; slips slidable along said expander; a cylinder slidable along said head and the cylindrical portion of said body below said port and engageable with aid slips for shifting said slips along said expander and outwardly against a well conduit positioned in a well bore; a setting tool detachably secured to said body, said tool having a tubular member extending into said body to a location below said first port which has a second port cooperable with said first port, said tubular member having a second cylindrical portion and also having a second enlarged head above said second portion and a third port through said second portion below said second head, a second cylinder slidable along said second head and the second cylindrical portion of said tubular member below said third port and engageable with said first cylinder; and means for closing the central passage through said tubular member below said second port.

13. In well packer apparatus: a tubular body having a cylindrical portion, an enlarged head above said portion and a first port through said portion below said head; upper and lower expanders on said cylindrical portion of said body; upper and lower slips slidable along said upper and lower expanders, respectively; packing means on said body between said expanders; a cylinder slidable along said head and the cylindrical portion of said body below said port and engageable with said upper slips; a setting tool having a tubular member detachably secured to said body and extending into said body to a location below said first port, said tubular member having a second port communicable with said first port and also having a second cylindrical portion, as well as a second enlarged head above said second portion and a third port through said second portion below said second head, a second cylinder slidable along said head and the second cylindrical portion of said tubular member below said third port and engageable with said first cylinder; and means for closing the central passage through aid second passage below said second port.

JOHN R. BAKER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,228,241 Baker et al. Jan. 14, 1941 2,467,801 Baker Apr. 19, 1949 2,540,967 Taylor Feb, 6, 1 951

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