US3792732A - Well flow controlling system and apparatus - Google Patents

Well flow controlling system and apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
US3792732A
US3792732A US00138069A US3792732DA US3792732A US 3792732 A US3792732 A US 3792732A US 00138069 A US00138069 A US 00138069A US 3792732D A US3792732D A US 3792732DA US 3792732 A US3792732 A US 3792732A
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United States
Prior art keywords
flow
well
producing formation
conductor
flow conductor
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Expired - Lifetime
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US00138069A
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English (en)
Inventor
N Stewart
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Halliburton Co
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Otis Engineering Corp
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    • 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
    • E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
    • E21B33/10—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells in the borehole
    • 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
    • E21B34/00—Valve arrangements for boreholes or wells
    • E21B34/16—Control means therefor being outside the borehole

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A method of controlling flow from the producing formation of a well upon the occurrence of a disaster, an accident or a fire which could result in turning the well loose for wild flow of the well fluids from the well out of control, as might occur in the event of a bombing, a ship striking a marine type installation, a storm or other disaster
  • the method contemplates movement of the producing tubing string downwardly through at least two spaced packers one above, and one below the producing formation, the tubing having sealing assemblies connected therein in sufficient length to seal with the two spaced packers to close off entrance of well fluids into the tubing string when the tubing has been moved downwardly to the lower position.
  • the movement may result from destruction of the suspension for the tubing string accidentally or intentionally upon the occurrence of the disaster or hazard.
  • Means is also disclosed for closing the upper packer in the event the tubing string parts and a shorter section passes completely through the upper packer.
  • a particular object of the invention is to provide a system and method in which a first lower packer having a guide head at its upper end is disposed below the producing formation in the well and locked in place in the well casing extending through such producing formation and a second upper production packer is anchored in place in the casing above the perforations to the producing formation and provided with an automatically closable valve for the bore thereof which is open when the tubing string is lowered through the packer in the usual manner, and which closes when the tubing string is not in place therein, and a string of sealing assemblies or subs connected in the lower portion of the tubing string providing an imperforate section of sufficient length to engage and seal with the two vertically spaced packers when the tubing string is moved downwardly in the well casing for any reason to close off flow from the producing formation upwardly through the well bore.
  • a principal object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus for closing off the producing formation of a well in the event of the occurrence ofa disaster or hazardous condition, to prevent the uncontrolled escape of well fluids from the well bore, and in which the closure is effected automatically by movement of the tubing upon destruction or release of the suspension therefor or intentionally produced as a result of a shot or explosion at the well head, to deliberately free the tubing for dropping in the well.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a well having apparatus positioned therein for carrying out the method of the invention, and showing the well in producing condition;
  • FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the lower portion of the well with the tubing or flow conductor moved downwardly to close off flow from the producing formation;
  • FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the upper packer closed when a short section of the tubingis parted and moves downwardly or is dropped through the upper packer;
  • FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing a slightly modified form of the apparatus for carrying out the
  • FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a well installation having a string of well casing C extending downwardly into the earth and through a producing formation F.
  • the lower portion of the bore of the casing is plugged as by a cement plug B in the usual manner.
  • a production packer P-l such as the well known Baker Model D production packer, is anchored in the casing below the perforations I leading to the producing formation F, and has a downwardly tapered guide surface S formed in the upper end of its bore for a purpose to be described.
  • An upper packer P-2 which may also be a Baker Model D production packer, is anchored in the casing C above the perforations I and has a flapper valve V at its lower end in the usual manner.
  • a string of tubing T has a plurality of seal assemblies or seal subs A connected therein in sufficient number to provide animperforate section therein with a length of seal assemblies great enough to extend from the uppermost packer P-2 through the lowermost packer P-l when the tubing string is moved downwardly in the well casing to the position shown in FIG. 2 for any reason.
  • the upper end of the tubing string T is supported in a well head H by a hanger K in the usual manner.
  • the hanger seals between the well head and the upper end of the tubing string and directs fluids flowing upwardly through the tubing through the master valve M and through the Christmas tree of the well thereabove with a gauge G at the upper end thereof.
  • a lateral flow port or circulation port L is formed in the tubing head and a lateral flow line F is connected thereto and has a casing lateral flow valve X connected therein in the usual manner.
  • the tubing T may be dropped in the well casing from the surface, as by shooting off the hanger or suspension at the tubing head H with a charge of dynamite or a cannon, or the tubing may be dropped as a result of fire or any other damage to the well head which would result in the accidental dropping of such tubing string.
  • the well would flow wild through the casing and tubing if the tubing string did not move downwardly from the position shown in FIG. 1 to the position shown in FIG. 2.
  • the imperforate section thereof with the plurality of seal assemblies or subs A connected therein is disposed in sealing engagement in bores of the upper packer P-2 and the lower packer P-l as shown in FIG. 2, and the imperforate section of tubing with the seal assemblies provides a closure in the well bore between the packers preventing flow of well fluids from the formation through the perforations I into the tubing string or upwardly in the casing.
  • a positive, quick and sure closure is provided for preventing the well fluids from flowing in an uncontrolled manner from the producing formation through the casing or tubing to the surface. This prevents pollution of the surrounding areas, or the water if a marine installation, and eliminates the danger of fire from combustible well fluids which would otherwise exist.
  • the lower end of the well is substantially below the lower packer P-1 and. the tubing string and the imperforate seal assembly sections A will be supported by the stop member W with the lower end of the tubing string spaced above the bottom of the well bore in the casing C.
  • the hanger and the tubing head for suspension of the casing, and the master valve and other elements of the Christmas tree of the well installation are the same as those of FIG. 1, and are given the same identifying letters.
  • sealing assemblies A immediately below the stop member W may part, and the tubing string and the sealing assemblies therebelow move downwardly through the upper packer P-2 in the same manner as the tubing string illustrated in FIG. 3, in which event the flapper valve V of the upper packer P-2 would close, if no tubing string or sealing assemblies interfere with such closing movement. In most cases it is believed likely that the sealing assemblies would part immediately below the stop member W in such an event.
  • a method of controlling flow of well fluids from a well in the event of a disaster or the occurrence of a hazardous condition comprising: supporting a flow conductor having an inlet near its lower end in the well; sealing between the lower portion of the flow conductor above the inlet and the well bore above the producing formation; causing the flow conductor to move downwardly to a lower position in the well bore upon the occurrence of such hazardous or disastrous condition, sealing between the flow conductor above the inlet and the well bore at a point below the producing formation while maintaining the seal between the flow conductor and the well bore above the producing formation to seal off an imperforate section of said flow conductor between said seals to provide a closure in the well bore against flow of well fluids from the producing formation upwardly through the conductor or the .well bore to the surface.
  • a method of controlling flow from a well of the character set forth in claim 2, wherein the step of supporting the flow conductor in said lower position comprises supporting said flow conductor at its lower end in said lower position by engagement of the lower end of said conductor with the bottom of the bore of the well.
  • the method of 'claim 3 including: the step of supporting the string of sealing assemblies on the flow conductor in said lower position by a supporting shoulder engaging the upper'seal to suspend the sealing assemblies in sealing engagement with the upper and lower seals.
  • Apparatus for controlling flow of well fluids from a well in the event of the occurrence of a disaster or hazardous condition which includes: a string of well casing in place in the well having flow communication with the producing formation surrounding the well bore in the lower portion thereof; an upper packer disposed in the casing in sealing engagement therewith above the communication of the casing with the producing formation; a lower packer disposed in the casing in sealing engagement therewith below the communication of the casing with the producing formation and above the bottom of the well; a flow conductor having an inlet near its lower end extending from the surface downwardly to an upper position in which the inlet is below the upper packer; an imperforate sealing section connected as a part of the flow conductor above the inlet and initially sealing between said flow conductor and said upper packer and having a sufficient length to extend between the upper and lower packers when moved to a lower position in the casing to seal between said imperforate sealing section and both said packers for closing off flow of well fluids from the producing formation through the casing and flow conductor
  • said first supporting means is provided at the surface of the well for supporting the flow conductor in a position in which the lower portion of the imperforate sealing section connected in the flow conductor is as a part of sealing engagement with the upper packer; and said second supporting means becomes effective for supporting the imperforate sealing section in sealing engagement with both the upper and lower packers when the lower portion of said flow conductor is moved downwardly in the well for any reason.
  • the second supporting means for supporting the imperforate sealing section in sealing engagement with the upper and lower packers to close off flow from the producing formation into the flow conductor and through the casing to the surface comprises the engagement of the lower end of the flow conductor with the bottom of the well.
  • a stop member is connected as a part of the flow conductor above the uppermost end of the imperforate sealing section disposed to engage the upper packer to support the sealing section in sealing engagement with the upper and lower packers when the tubing is moved downwardly for any reason, to close off flow from the producing formation through the tubing and casing to the surface.
  • Apparatus for controlling flow of well fluids from a well having a string of well casing in place in the well having flow communication with a producing formation surrounding the well bore which includes: a well flow conductor disposed in said casing and having flow inlet means providing flow communiation with said producing formation; a well packer disposed in said well above the communication of said casing and flow conductor with said producing formation; means for sealing between said packer and said casing; means sealing between said packer and said flow conductor to close the annulus between said flow conductor and said packer against fluid flow therethrough; means for closing off flow from the producing formation through said flow conductor to the well surface upon downward movement of at least a portion of said flow conductor extending through said packer from an upper position to a lower position in the well; and support means for initially supporting said portion of said flow conductor in said upper position in which said flow inlet means is open to permit fluid flow from the producing formation through said inlet means and said flow conductor to the surface, failure of said conductor above said packer or of said support
  • Apparatus for controlling flow of well fluids from a well having a string of well casing in place therein having flow, communication with the producing formation surrounding the well bore which includes: a well flow conductor disposed in said casing and having flow inlet means providing flow communication with said producing formation; a first well packer disposed in said well above the communication of said casing and flow conductor with the producing formation, said packer being in sealing engagement with said casing and said flow conductor to close the annulus therebetween against fluid flow upwardly therethrough; a second well packer disposed in said well below the communication of the casing with said producing formation; coengageable means on said first and second packer and said flow conductor for closing off flow from said producing formation to said flow inlet means of said flow conductor upon downward movement of at least a portion of said conductor from a first upper position in engagement with said first packer to a second lower position in engagement with both said first and second packers; first retaining support means for supporting said portion of said flow conductor in said first upper position for holding said flow inlet
  • Apparatus for controlling flow of well fluid from a well having a string of well casing in place therein in flow communication with the producing formation which includes: valve means on said first well packer movable to close off flow through said first packer from the well producing formation in the event said at least a portion of said well flow conductor moving downwardly through said packer from said first upper position moves completely through said first packer to a position below said first packer.
  • Apparatus for controlling flow of well fluids from a well in the event of the occurrence of a disaster or hazardous condition which includes: a string of well casing in place in the well having flow communication with a producing formation surrounding the well bore; an upper packer disposed in the casing in sealing engagement therewith above the communication of the casing with the producing formation; a lower packer disposed in the casing in sealing engagement therewith below the communication of the casing with the producing formation and above the bottom of the well; a string of well casing in place in the well having flow communication with a producing formation surrounding the well bore; an upper packer disposed in the casing in sealing engagement therewith above the communication of the casing with the producing formation; a lower packer disposed in the casing in sealing engagement therewith below the communication of the casing with the producing formation and above the bottom of the well; a
  • Apparatus of the character set forth in claim 13 wherein: the means for supporting the imperforate sealing section in sealing engagement with the upper and lower packers to close off flow from the producing forrnation into the inlet of the flow conductor comprises the engagement of the lower end of the flow conductor with the bottom of the well.
  • Apparatus of the character set forth in claim 13 wherein a stop member is connected as a part of the flow conductor above the uppermost end of the imperforate sealing section disposed to engage the upper packer to supportthe sealing section in sealing engagement with the upper and lower packers when the tubing i is 'moved downwardly for any reason, to close off flow from the producing formation into the inlet of said flow conductor.
  • a method of controlling flowing well fluids from a well in the event of a disaster or the occurrence of a hazardous condition comprising: supporting a well flow conductor having an inlet opening therein in the well; sealing between the flow conductor above the inlet opening and the well bore above the producing formation; causing at least a portion of the flow conductor having said inlet opening therein to move downwardly in the well bore upon the occurrence of such hazardous or disastrous condition; sealing between the flow conductor above the inlet and the well bore below the producing formation to close the inlet opening of said flow conductor while maintaining said seal between said flow conductor and the well bore above the producing formation after said portion of said flow conductor moves downwardly to close off flow of well fluids from the producing formation through the inlet to the conductor or exteriorly of said flow conductor in the well bore to the surface.
  • a method of controlling flow of well fluids from a well in the event of a disaster or the occurrence of a hazardous condition including: closing the bore of the seal in the base of the well above the producing formation and above the upper end of said portion of said flow conductor which moved downwardly to close off flow of well fluids from the producing formation upwardly through the conductor or the well bore to the surface.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Consolidation Of Soil By Introduction Of Solidifying Substances Into Soil (AREA)
  • Pipe Accessories (AREA)
  • Soil Working Implements (AREA)
US00138069A 1971-04-28 1971-04-28 Well flow controlling system and apparatus Expired - Lifetime US3792732A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US13806971A 1971-04-28 1971-04-28

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US3792732A true US3792732A (en) 1974-02-19

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US00138069A Expired - Lifetime US3792732A (en) 1971-04-28 1971-04-28 Well flow controlling system and apparatus

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US (1) US3792732A (nl)
JP (1) JPS5441962B1 (nl)
CA (1) CA955519A (nl)
DE (1) DE2221012C2 (nl)
FR (1) FR2154399B1 (nl)
GB (1) GB1374679A (nl)
IT (1) IT954786B (nl)
NL (1) NL173299C (nl)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3893512A (en) * 1971-05-17 1975-07-08 Otis Eng Co Method and apparatus for controlling flow from wells
US4402996A (en) * 1979-10-10 1983-09-06 Diamond Shamrock Corporation Electrode coating with platinum-group metal catalyst and semi-conducting polymer
US20170254172A1 (en) * 2016-03-01 2017-09-07 Baker Hughes Incorporated Coiled Tubing Deployed ESP With Seal Stack That is Slidable Relative to Packer Bore

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2813584A (en) * 1955-06-20 1957-11-19 Gulf Research Development Co Squeeze cementing
US3078923A (en) * 1960-04-15 1963-02-26 Camco Inc Safety valve for wells
US3315747A (en) * 1965-02-25 1967-04-25 Halliburton Co Apparatus for use in a well bore
US3351133A (en) * 1965-06-14 1967-11-07 Baker Oil Tools Inc Tubing weight-controlled safety valve apparatus
US3628605A (en) * 1970-06-01 1971-12-21 Maurice Kirkpatrick Safety apparatus for petroleum wells
US3646995A (en) * 1969-12-08 1972-03-07 Halliburton Co Method and apparatus for testing offshore wells
US3653439A (en) * 1970-06-01 1972-04-04 Schlumberger Technology Corp Subsurface safety valve

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB862699A (en) * 1959-08-06 1961-03-15 Brown Cicero Columbus Well completion and well packer apparatus and methods of selectively manipulating a plurality of well packers
GB872704A (en) * 1960-01-08 1961-07-12 Abastecedora Jefe S A Improvements in well packers
US3198254A (en) * 1962-05-08 1965-08-03 Baker Oil Tools Inc Method and apparatus for completing wells
DE1583001B2 (de) * 1966-09-12 1976-10-07 Schlumberger Technology Corp., New York, N.Y. (V.StA.) Bohrlochwerkzeug

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2813584A (en) * 1955-06-20 1957-11-19 Gulf Research Development Co Squeeze cementing
US3078923A (en) * 1960-04-15 1963-02-26 Camco Inc Safety valve for wells
US3315747A (en) * 1965-02-25 1967-04-25 Halliburton Co Apparatus for use in a well bore
US3351133A (en) * 1965-06-14 1967-11-07 Baker Oil Tools Inc Tubing weight-controlled safety valve apparatus
US3646995A (en) * 1969-12-08 1972-03-07 Halliburton Co Method and apparatus for testing offshore wells
US3628605A (en) * 1970-06-01 1971-12-21 Maurice Kirkpatrick Safety apparatus for petroleum wells
US3653439A (en) * 1970-06-01 1972-04-04 Schlumberger Technology Corp Subsurface safety valve

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3893512A (en) * 1971-05-17 1975-07-08 Otis Eng Co Method and apparatus for controlling flow from wells
US4402996A (en) * 1979-10-10 1983-09-06 Diamond Shamrock Corporation Electrode coating with platinum-group metal catalyst and semi-conducting polymer
US20170254172A1 (en) * 2016-03-01 2017-09-07 Baker Hughes Incorporated Coiled Tubing Deployed ESP With Seal Stack That is Slidable Relative to Packer Bore
US11053770B2 (en) * 2016-03-01 2021-07-06 Baker Hughes, A Ge Company, Llc Coiled tubing deployed ESP with seal stack that is slidable relative to packer bore

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IT954786B (it) 1973-09-15
NL7205600A (nl) 1972-10-31
CA955519A (en) 1974-10-01
JPS5441962B1 (nl) 1979-12-11
DE2221012C2 (de) 1982-06-16
FR2154399A1 (nl) 1973-05-11
DE2221012A1 (de) 1972-12-07
NL173299C (nl) 1984-01-02
FR2154399B1 (nl) 1976-08-06
GB1374679A (en) 1974-11-20

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AS Assignment

Owner name: HALLIBURTON COMPANY, TEXAS

Free format text: MERGER;ASSIGNOR:OTIS ENGINEERING CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:006779/0356

Effective date: 19930624