EP2791454A1 - Égalisation de pression par bouchon flottant dans des trépans d'exploitation pétrolière - Google Patents

Égalisation de pression par bouchon flottant dans des trépans d'exploitation pétrolière

Info

Publication number
EP2791454A1
EP2791454A1 EP11877296.1A EP11877296A EP2791454A1 EP 2791454 A1 EP2791454 A1 EP 2791454A1 EP 11877296 A EP11877296 A EP 11877296A EP 2791454 A1 EP2791454 A1 EP 2791454A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
drill bit
plug
bore
fluid communication
seals
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP11877296.1A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP2791454A4 (fr
Inventor
Micheal B. Crawford
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Halliburton Energy Services Inc
Original Assignee
Halliburton Energy Services Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Halliburton Energy Services Inc filed Critical Halliburton Energy Services Inc
Publication of EP2791454A1 publication Critical patent/EP2791454A1/fr
Publication of EP2791454A4 publication Critical patent/EP2791454A4/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B10/00—Drill bits
    • E21B10/08—Roller bits
    • E21B10/22—Roller bits characterised by bearing, lubrication or sealing details
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B10/00—Drill bits
    • E21B10/08—Roller bits
    • E21B10/22—Roller bits characterised by bearing, lubrication or sealing details
    • E21B10/24—Roller bits characterised by bearing, lubrication or sealing details characterised by lubricating details
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B10/00—Drill bits
    • E21B10/08—Roller bits
    • E21B10/22—Roller bits characterised by bearing, lubrication or sealing details
    • E21B10/25—Roller bits characterised by bearing, lubrication or sealing details characterised by sealing details

Definitions

  • This disclosure relates generally to equipment utilized and operations performed in drilling of subterranean wells and, in an example described below, more particularly provides floating plug pressure equalization in drill bits of the type used to drill wellbores in the earth.
  • Lubricant is used in drill bits for various purposes, among which is to exclude well fluids and debris from interfaces between components of the drill bits that move relative to one another.
  • lubricant can be used between cones of a tri-cone bit and journals on which the cones rotate.
  • the lubricant is maintained at a pressure which is substantially equal to that in its environment, so that seals which isolate the lubricant from well fluids in the environment do not have to withstand significant
  • FIG. 1 is a representative side view of a drill bit which can embody principles of this disclosure.
  • FIG. 2 is a representative cross-sectional view of a body of the drill bit.
  • FIG. 3 is a representative oblique cross-sectional view of an arm of another example of the drill bit.
  • FIGS. 4-8 are representative cross-sectional views of additional examples of the drill bit.
  • FIG. 9 is a representative cross-sectional view of a pressure relief valve which may be used in the drill bit, and which can embody principles of this disclosure.
  • FIGS. lOA-C are representative cross-sectional views of different plugs which may be used in the drill bit.
  • FIG. 1 Representatively illustrated in FIG. 1 is a drill bit
  • the drill bit 10 which can embody principles of this disclosure.
  • the drill bit 10 is of the type known to those skilled in the art as a roller cone bit or a tri-cone bit, due to its use of
  • Each of the cones 12 is rotatably secured to a
  • FIG. 2 a cross-sectional view of one of the arms 16 is representatively illustrated.
  • the cone 12 rotates about a journal 20 of the arm 16.
  • Retaining balls 22 are used between the cone 12 and the journal 20 to secure the cone on the arm.
  • Lubricant is supplied to the interface between the cone
  • a floating plug 28 ensures that the lubricant is at substantially the same pressure as the downhole
  • Seals 30a, b are used to prevent debris and well fluids from entering an annular gap 44 formed radially between the cone 12 and the journal 20, and to prevent escape of the lubricant from the annular gap and chamber 24.
  • the seals 30a, b are received in glands or grooves 38 formed in the cone 12. Although two seals 30a, b are depicted in the drawings, any number of seals (including one) may be used in keeping with the scope of this disclosure.
  • the seals 30a, b preferably rotate with the cone and seal against an outer surface of the journal.
  • the seals 30a, b could remain stationary on the journal 20 (e.g., the seals being disposed in grooves formed on the journal), with the cone 12 rotating relative to the journal and seals.
  • the floating plug 28 is
  • the plug 28 could be made entirely or at least exteriorly of an elastomer or other resilient material, which will deform somewhat when it sealingly contacts the bore 34.
  • a retainer and/or filter 36 prevents the plug 28 from being discharged out of the bore 34, and filters well fluid which enters one section 34a of the bore 34.
  • Another section 34b of the bore 34 comprises part of the lubricant chamber 24.
  • the sections 34a, b of the bore 34 are isolated from fluid communication with each other by the plug 28.
  • plug 28 being spherically-shaped is that the plug can rotate within the bore 34 without binding, and while maintaining sealing engagement with the bore.
  • the plug 28 can have other shapes, such as, cylindrical, barrel-shaped, etc. Any shape may be used for the plug 28 in keeping with the scope of this disclosure.
  • fluid communication could be provided with an interior 40 of the drill bit
  • the interior 40 will generally be filled with drilling fluid pumped from a rig mud pump, and the exterior 32 will comprise an annulus formed between the drill bit 10 and a wellbore.
  • the lubricant chamber 24 can be pressure
  • Friction between the plug 28 and a wall of the bore 34 contacted by the plug can cause some variation in pressure between the sections 34a, b of the bore 34, but it is preferred that the plug will displace in the bore to relieve all but the smallest of pressure differentials across the plug.
  • pressure across each of the seals can be
  • the retainer 36 does not include a filter, but a filter could be provided, if desired.
  • another passage 42 extends to a lower end of the journal 20 for enhanced supply of lubricant to the interface between the journal and the cone 12.
  • equalization device (such as, a diaphragm or membrane, etc.) is preferably used with the configuration of FIG. 4 for equalization of pressure between the lubricant chamber 24 and the exterior 32 of the drill bit 10.
  • the plug 28 provides for
  • pressure across the seal 30b is equalized, one side of the seal 30b is exposed to pressure in the lubricant chamber 24 (e.g., via the passages 26, 42), an opposite side of the seal 30b is exposed to the annular gap 44, pressure in the lubricant chamber 24 is equalized with pressure on the exterior 32 of the drill bit 10 (e.g., using a conventional pressure equalization device, or using the plug 28 and bore 34 of FIGS. 2 & 3, etc.), one side of the seal 30a is exposed to the annular gap, and an opposite side of the seal 30a is exposed to pressure on the exterior 32 of the drill bit 10, it follows that pressures on both sides of each of the seals 30a, b are substantially equalized with pressure on the exterior of the bit. Thus, neither of the seals 30a, b has a substantial pressure differential across it.
  • the plug 28 and bore sections 34a, b are used to equalize pressure across the seal 30a.
  • the bore section 34b is in fluid
  • FIG. 7 another example of the drill bit 10 is representatively illustrated.
  • This example is similar in many respects to the FIG. 5 example described above, but differs at least in that a second set 46 of plug 28 and bore 34 is used to equalize pressure between the exterior 32 and the annular gap 44 between the seals 30a, b.
  • a bore 34 extends through the arm 16, and a plug 28 is sealingly and reciprocably received in the bore.
  • the bore section 34a is in fluid communication with the exterior 32 of the drill bit 10
  • the bore section 34b is in fluid communication with the annular gap 44 between the seals 30a, b.
  • An enlarged bypass chamber 54 is provided at an end of the bore section 34b, in order to allow well fluid to bypass the plug 28, for example, in the event that there is
  • the plug 28 displaces toward the bypass chamber 54 (e.g., the bore section 34a lengthens, and the bore section 34b shortens).
  • the valve 48 includes the plug 28, a biasing device 50 (such as a spring, etc.) and an enlarged dimension or recess 52 which allows fluid to bypass the plug 28.
  • a biasing device 50 such as a spring, etc.
  • the bore section 34a can be in fluid communication with the exterior 32 of the drill bit 10, and the bore section 34b can be in fluid communication with the lubricant chamber 24. If (for example, due to thermal expansion, etc.) there is excess pressure in the lubricant chamber 24, a pressure differential across the plug 28 will displace the plug against a biasing force exerted by the biasing device 50, until the plug has displaced sufficiently (or, until a predetermined pressure differential across the plug has been exceeded) for the lubricant to flow via the enlarged dimension or recess 52 to the exterior 32, thereby relieving the excess pressure in the chamber 24.
  • the pressure relief valve 48 could be incorporated into the configuration of FIG. 8 for equalizing the pressure across the seal 30a.
  • the biasing device 50 and the recess 52 could, for example, be provided in the bore 34 of the FIG. 8 configuration, or of any of the other
  • FIGS. lOA-C examples of various different types of plugs 28 which may be used in the drill bit 10 are representatively illustrated. These are merely a few examples of a wide variety of different plugs which may be used, and so it should be clearly understood that the scope of this disclosure is not limited at all to only the specific shapes and types of plugs described herein and depicted in the drawings .
  • the plug 28 is cylinder-shaped, and is made entirely of an elastomer sealing material 56 for sealingly engaging the bore sections 34a, b.
  • the plug 28 has a curved, parabolic-shaped outer surface for mitigating binding in the bore sections 34a, b.
  • the plug 28 has an elliptical-shaped outer surface.
  • the plug 28 examples of FIGS. lOA-C are made entirely of the elastomer sealing material 56, the plugs can sealingly engage the bore sections 34a, b anywhere on their outer surfaces 60.
  • the cylindrical plug of FIG. 10A would not turn in the bore 34 for sealing engagement with its upper and lower sides, but the spherical plug of FIGS. 2-9 can turn any direction and maintain sealing engagement with the bore, since the sealing material 56 covers its entire outer surface 60.
  • pressures in a drill bit 10 can be substantially equalized with the exterior 32 or interior 40 of the drill bit using a floating plug 28 sealingly and reciprocably received in a bore 34.
  • the drill bit 10 includes a bore 34 formed in the drill bit 10, and a plug 28 sealingly and reciprocably disposed in the bore 34.
  • the plug 28 prevents fluid
  • the plug 28 can comprise a sphere.
  • the plug 28 may be spherically-shaped.
  • the plug 28 can comprise other shapes.
  • the drill bit 10 may include a sealing material 56 on the plug, whereby the sealing material 56 sealingly engages a wall of the bore 34.
  • the first bore section 34a may be in fluid communication with an exterior 32 of the drill bit 10.
  • the second bore section 34b can be in fluid communication with a lubricant chamber 24 in the drill bit 10, and/or an annular gap 44 between two seals 30a, b.
  • the seals 30a, b may provide sealing engagement between a journal 20 and a cutting structure 58 (e.g., comprising cone 12 and cutting elements 14) which rotates about the journal 20.
  • the drill bit 10 can include a bypass chamber 54 which is enlarged relative to the bore 34, and which is in
  • the plug 28 may be displaceable into the bypass chamber 54 in response to loss of lubricant from the drill bit 10.
  • the drill bit 10 can include at least two seals 30a, b which seal off an annular gap 44.
  • the annular gap 44 may be formed between a journal 20 and a cutting structure 58 which rotates relative to the journal 20.
  • the first bore section 34a may be in fluid
  • the second bore section 34b can be in fluid
  • One side of one of the seals 30b can be exposed to the annular gap 44 between the seals 30a, b.
  • the second bore section 34b may be in fluid communication with the annular gap 44 on an opposite side of the one of the seals 30b.
  • Pressure in the first and second sections 34a, b of the bore 34 on respective first and second opposite sides of the plug 28 may be substantially equalized.
  • a biasing device 50 may bias the plug 28 toward a position in which fluid communication between the first and second sections 34a, b of the bore 34 is prevented. Fluid communication between the first and second sections 34a, b of the bore 34 may be permitted when a pressure differential across the plug 28 exceeds a predetermined level.
  • the plug 28 and bore 34 can be used to equalize
  • a group comprises an interior 40 of the drill bit 10, an exterior 32 of the drill bit 10, a
  • the first and second sections 34a, b of the bore 34 can be in fluid
  • the plug 28 can be made entirely or partially of an elastomer material 56.
  • a sealing material 56 may completely cover an outer surface 60 of the plug 28.
  • a wellbore drill bit 10 can include a bore 34 formed in the drill bit 10, and a spherically-shaped plug 28 sealingly and slidingly disposed in the bore 34, whereby the plug 28 prevents fluid
  • a wellbore drill bit 10 can include a bore 34 formed in a body 18 of the drill bit 10, and a floating plug 28 sealingly and

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Earth Drilling (AREA)
  • Drilling And Boring (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un trépan du type utilisé pour forer un puits de forage dans le sol, pouvant comporter un alésage formé dans le trépan et un bouchon disposé de façon à aller et venir de manière étanche dans l'alésage, le bouchon empêchant toute communication fluidique entre des sections de l'alésage dans le trépan. Le bouchon peut être constitué d'un élément de forme sphérique. Le bouchon peut être constitué d'un bouchon flottant disposé de façon à aller et venir de manière étanche dans l'alésage, la pression dans les différentes sections de l'alésage sur des côtés opposés respectifs du bouchon étant ainsi sensiblement égalisée.
EP11877296.1A 2011-12-14 2011-12-14 Égalisation de pression par bouchon flottant dans des trépans d'exploitation pétrolière Withdrawn EP2791454A4 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2011/064945 WO2013089708A1 (fr) 2011-12-14 2011-12-14 Égalisation de pression par bouchon flottant dans des trépans d'exploitation pétrolière

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2791454A1 true EP2791454A1 (fr) 2014-10-22
EP2791454A4 EP2791454A4 (fr) 2016-01-27

Family

ID=48613001

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP11877296.1A Withdrawn EP2791454A4 (fr) 2011-12-14 2011-12-14 Égalisation de pression par bouchon flottant dans des trépans d'exploitation pétrolière

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2791454A4 (fr)
AU (1) AU2011383300A1 (fr)
CA (1) CA2857485A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2013089708A1 (fr)

Family Cites Families (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3075781A (en) * 1958-02-10 1963-01-29 Hughes Tool Co Bearing seal
US3303898A (en) * 1962-11-09 1967-02-14 Mini Petrolului Bearing sealing and lubricating device
US3199878A (en) * 1962-12-10 1965-08-10 Hughes Tool Co Seal between a pair of relatively rotatably, radially extending surfaces
US3299973A (en) * 1964-07-27 1967-01-24 Smith Ind International Inc Lubrication and sealing of well drilling bit
US3370895A (en) * 1965-09-28 1968-02-27 Dresser Ind Bearing seal for drilling bits
US3489421A (en) * 1967-03-23 1970-01-13 Smith International Bearing seal
FR2272254A1 (en) * 1974-05-20 1975-12-19 Creusot Loire Grease-lubricated three-arm drilling tool - in which lubricant pressure always exceeds pressure of drilling mud
US3866695A (en) * 1974-07-01 1975-02-18 Dresser Ind Bearing Cavity Pressure Maintenance Device For Sealed Bearing Rock Bit
US4386667A (en) * 1980-05-01 1983-06-07 Hughes Tool Company Plunger lubricant compensator for an earth boring drill bit
US4765205A (en) * 1987-06-01 1988-08-23 Bob Higdon Method of assembling drill bits and product assembled thereby
US6196339B1 (en) * 1995-12-19 2001-03-06 Smith International, Inc. Dual-seal drill bit pressure communication system
US6206110B1 (en) * 1996-09-09 2001-03-27 Smith International, Inc. Protected lubricant reservoir with pressure control for sealed bearing earth boring drill bit
US6619412B2 (en) * 1996-09-09 2003-09-16 Smith International, Inc. Protected lubricant reservoir for sealed earth boring drill bit
US6513607B2 (en) * 2001-02-15 2003-02-04 Baker Hughes Incorporated Metal-face-seal rock bit

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2791454A4 (fr) 2016-01-27
AU2011383300A1 (en) 2014-07-31
CA2857485A1 (fr) 2013-06-20
WO2013089708A1 (fr) 2013-06-20

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US9359822B2 (en) Floating plug pressure equalization in oilfield drill bits
AU2013378758B2 (en) Pressure equalization for dual seat ball valve
US20110017514A1 (en) Roller cone drill bit with lubricant pressure relief mechanism and method
US20160281466A1 (en) Gravel pack-circulating sleeve with hydraulic lock
EP3354842B1 (fr) Bouchon de sécurité de robinet à tournant sphérique
CA2942840C (fr) Montage d'element d'etancheite
EP3695092B1 (fr) Égalisation de pression d'un dispositif de commande de pression de puits
US9194186B2 (en) Methods and system for lubrication pressure relief for a roller cone drill bit
US10900322B2 (en) Pilot and stopper inside a ball suitable for wellbore drilling operations
AU2012389806B2 (en) Rotating control device having seal responsive to outer diameter changes
EP2791454A1 (fr) Égalisation de pression par bouchon flottant dans des trépans d'exploitation pétrolière
US10458186B2 (en) Sacrificial spacer for well tool inner seal
US20200291725A1 (en) Floating Plug Anti-Leak
WO2015088511A1 (fr) Graisse entre garnitures
US10480250B2 (en) Bore tube for a pressure compensation system in a roller cone drill bit

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20140501

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Ipc: E21B 10/24 20060101ALI20150716BHEP

Ipc: E21B 10/25 20060101ALI20150716BHEP

Ipc: E21B 10/60 20060101ALI20150716BHEP

Ipc: E21B 10/18 20060101ALI20150716BHEP

Ipc: E21B 10/22 20060101AFI20150716BHEP

RA4 Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched (corrected)

Effective date: 20160108

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Ipc: E21B 10/25 20060101ALI20151223BHEP

Ipc: E21B 10/18 20060101ALI20151223BHEP

Ipc: E21B 10/22 20060101AFI20151223BHEP

Ipc: E21B 10/24 20060101ALI20151223BHEP

Ipc: E21B 10/60 20060101ALI20151223BHEP

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20160806