All in One Remedial Tool

The present invention relates to a downhole tool to place a retainer in a well and then direct cement down the well.

When an oil or gas well is no longer needed, such as when it is dry and gas or oil can no longer be produced from the well, typically, the well must be permanently sealed and taken out of service. This is commonly known as abandonment.

To seal the well, one or more cement plugs are placed in the well to permanently seal off the well. To form a cement plug, it typically takes multiple trips downhole with different tools create the plug.

In an aspect, a tool for remediating a well is provided. The tool can include a top end, the top end connectable to coiled tubing, a setting tool provided below the top end, the setting tool having a series of pistons, a retainer connectable below the setting tool, a setting sleeve, the setting sleeve displaceable downward by the setting tool to set the retainer in place in a well, a stinger connected to a piston rod of a final piston of the series of pistons, a release collet operative to disconnect the setting sleeve from the setting tool when the retainer is set, a lock down collet operative to lock the stinger in place below the setting sleeve when the retainer is set, and an inner passing running through the tool. In a further aspect, the lock down collet of the tool can have a plurality of radially flexible spring fingers, and, pawls on lower ends of the plurality of radially flexible spring fingers.

In a further aspect, the release collet of the tool can have a plurality of radially flexible spring fingers and external ridges on upper ends of the plurality of radially flexible spring fingers. The external ridges of the plurality of radially flexible spring fingers of the release collet mate with corresponding internal threads on an inner surface of the setting sleeve.

In a further aspect, the tool can further have a perforating tool, the perforating tool positioned below the top end and above the setting tool.

illustrate a toolwhich can be used to install cement plugs in a well to abandon the well. The toolcan be used to set a retainerin place in the well. The toolcan then use a stingerto “stab” into the set retainer, opening a valvein the retainerto allow cement that has been pumped downhole, through the tooland out the stingerto be pumped through portsexposed by the open valvein the retainerand spot cement into the well below the retainer. The toolcan then be pulled upwards, removing the stingerfrom the retainer, closing the valvein the retainer, to dump cement on top of the set retainerthrough the stinger.

The toolcan have a top endand a bottom end. The retainercan be attached at the bottom endof the tool. The toolcan include: a connector sub; optionally, a centralizer; a setting tool; a setting sleeve; and a sheer collar. Referring to, the toolcan also include: an inner passage; a series of pistonsA,B,C, andD in the setting tool; a release collet; a lock down collect; a bottom cap; a drive sub; and, the stinger.

The connector subcan be provided at the top endof the tooland be connectable to coiled tubing so that the toolcan be connected to coiled tubing. An inner passagecan run through the connection subforming a portion of the inner passagethat runs through the tool.

The centralizercan be provided on this connector subto centralize the toolin a well.

The inner passagecan be oriented to pass substantially axially through the tool, from an inlet at the top endof the toolthrough to the bottom endand through the stinger.

The setting toolcan be provided connected below the connector suband the retainercan be connected below the setting toolby the shear collar. The setting toolcan be used to set the retainerin position in a well. Referring to

, the setting toolcan have: an upper end; a lower end; a series of pistons provided in piston chambers; and, an outer wall. The setting sleevecan be moved by the setting toolto set the retainerin the well.

The series of piston can include a first pistonA, additional pistonsB,C and a final pistonD. However, fewer or more pistons could be provided. The series of pistonsA,B,C, andD can be provided inside the outer wallof the setting tooland create the force needed on the setting sleeveto set the retainerin place in the well and then to shear the shear collarto separate the retainerfrom the tool, leaving the retainerset in place in the well.

The first pistonA can be provided in a first piston chamberA, each additional pistonB,C can be provided in an additional piston chamberB,C and the final pistonD can be provided in a final piston chamberD.

The first pistonA can have a piston headA and a piston rodA extending downwards from the piston headA. A passageA can be provided running through the piston rodA, forming part of the inner passageof the tool, and an apertureA can be provided in the piston headA leading into the passageA in the piston rodA. At least one apertureA can also be provided in a side of the piston rodA, placing the passageA in the piston rodA in fluid communication with the additional piston chamberB below the first pistonA.

The first pistonA can be provided in the first additional piston chamberB. As the first pistonA is displaced downward, the first additional pistonB will also be displaced downwards in the first additional piston chamberB and a space is formed above the first additional pistonB, defined by the annulus formed between the piston rodA of the first pistonA and the inner surface of the outer wallof the setting tool. The at least one apertureA in the piston rodA of the first pistonA allows pressurized fluid passing through the passageA in the piston rodA to enter the piston chamberB of the first additional pistonB.

In one aspect, the apertureA can be in side of the piston rodA at a bottom end of the piston rodA so that the apertureA is in fluid communication with the additional piston chamberB below the first pistonA even when the first pistonA is at a top of its stroke and liquid can exit the passageA in the piston rodA even when the bottom of the piston rodA is pressed against a top of the additional pistonB below it.

The additional pistonB can have a piston headB, and a piston rodB extending downwards from the piston headB. A passageB can be provided running through the piston rodB of each additional pistonB, forming part of the inner passageof the tool, and an apertureB can be provided in the piston headB leading into the passageB in the piston rodB. At least one apertureB can also be provided in a side of the piston rodB, placing the passageB in the piston rodB in fluid communication with the additional piston chamberC below the additional pistonB.

A space above the additional pistonC and below the first additional pistonB can be formed by the annulus between the piston rodB of the preceding additional pistonB and the inner surface of the outer wallof the setting tool. The at least one apertureB allows pressurized fluid passing through the passageB in the piston rodB of the additional pistonB to enter this space and act on the additional pistonC.

The additional pistonC can also have a piston headC, and a piston rodC extending downwards from the piston headC. A passageC can be provided running through the piston rodC of the additional pistonC, forming part of the inner passageof the tool, and an apertureC can be provided in the piston headC leading into the passageC in the piston rodC. At least one apertureC can also be provided in a side of the piston rodC, placing the passageC in the piston rodC in fluid communication with the final piston chamberD below the additional pistonC and above the final pistonD.

The final pistonD can also have a piston headD, and a piston rodD extending downwards from the piston headD. A passageD can be provided running through the piston rodD, forming part of the inner passageof the tool, and an apertureD can be provided in the piston headD leading into the passageD in the piston rodD. The piston rodD of the final pistonD, unlike the piston rodsB,C of the additional pistonsB,C or the piston rodA of the first pistonA may not have an aperture provided in it since the piston rodD of the final pistonD is not positioned passing through a piston chamber.

The stingercan be connected to the bottom end of the piston rodD of the final pistonD.

The upper endof the setting toolcan be connected to connector subso that pressurized fluid, such as water, that flows down the coiled tubing and through the passagein the connector subenters the setting toolat the upper endof the setting tool. Before the setting toolis stoked, the pistonsA,B,C andD will be in their top positions as shown in. When pressurized fluid enters the upper endof the setting tool, some of this pressurized fluid presses against the piston headA of the first pistonA and some of this pressurized fluid will flow through the apertureA in the piston headA of the first pistonA and through the passageA in the piston rodA of the first pistonA. The pressurized fluid that is flowing through the passageA in the piston rodA of the first pistonA will flow down the passageA towards the first additional pistonB where some of the pressurized fluid will exit the passageA in the piston rodA through the apertureA, entering the first additional piston chamberB above the first additional pistonB and applying pressure to the piston headB of the first additional pistonB and some of this pressurize fluid will continue through the apertureB in the piston headB of the first additional pistonB and into the passageB in the piston rodB of the first additional pistonB extending below the piston headB of the first additional pistonB.

For the additional pistonC, some of the pressurized fluid flowing through the inner passageformed from the passagesA,B in the piston rodsA,B will exit the piston rodsA,B through the aperturesA,B in the piston rodsA,B and into the piston chamberC the additional pistonC is provided in, above the additional pistonC, and some of the pressurized fluid will continue to flow downward through the inner passageformed by the passagesB,C in the piston rodsB,C.

For the final pistonD, some of the pressurized fluid flowing through the inner passageformed from the passagesA,B,C in the piston rodsA,B,C will exit the piston rodsC through the aperturesC and into the piston chamberD above the final pistonC, and some of the pressurized fluid will continue to flow downward through the inner passageformed by the passageD in the piston rodD.

In this manner, some of the pressurized fluid passing through the inner passageof the toolwill flow into the first piston chamberA, the additional piston chambersB,C and the final piston chamberD displacing first pistonA, the additional pistonsB,C and the final pistonD downwards as more and more pressurized fluid builds up against the piston headsA,B,C,D. The displacement of the series of pistonsA,B,C,D downwards in the toolwill cause the setting sleeveto be displaced downwards, pressing against the retainerand setting the retainerin place in a well. Continued downward displacement of the series of pistonsA,B,C,D and the setting sleevewill shear the shear collar, separating the retainerfrom the setting tool.

illustrates the setting toolin the fully stroked position with the pistonsA,B,C, andD at the bottom of their displacement.

Referring to, the bottom capcan be provided in the lower endof the setting tool. An aperturecan be provided in the bottom capso that the piston rodD of the final pistonD can slide vertically upwards and downwards through this aperturein the bottom cap. The bottom capcan have a retention groovein an inner surface of the bottom capfor receiving the lock down collet.

The drive subcan be connected to the lower endof the setting tool, below the bottom cap, and the drive subcan extend downwards inside the setting sleeve. An aperturecan be provided in the drive subso that the piston rodD of the final pistonD can extend through this aperturein the drive sub.

The drive subcan have a first profileand a second profilewith the first profilebeing larger or “thicker” than the second profile.

The stingercan have a tubular body with an inner passage, forming part of the inner passagerunning through the tool, passing generally axially through the interior of the stinger. An outlet portcan be provided near a bottom end of the stingerand passing into the inner passage. The stingercan be connected to a bottom end of the piston rodC of the final pistonC.

The release colletcan be used to “disconnect” the setting sleevefrom the rest of the toolwhen the toolis fully stroked so that the setting sleevecan “float” vertically up and down relative to the toolafter the retainerhas been set in place in the well. Referring to, the release colletcan have radially flexible spring fingerswith external ridges or threadson upper endsof the fingersfor mating with corresponding internal threadson the on the upper end inner surfaceof the setting sleeve.

Originally, to set up the toolso it can be run down a well, the release colletcan be positioned so that it is inserted between an outer surface of the drive sub, in the first profile, and the inside surfaceof the setting sleeve, as shown in. The thickness of the first profileof the drive subwill leave a smaller space between the inner surfaceof the setting sleeveand an outer surface of the drive subwhich will force the external threadsof the release colletinto the corresponding internal threadsof the setting sleeveand “locking” the setting sleeveto the drive sub.

As the piston rodD of the final pistonD is displaced, it will also displace the setting sleevedownwards, which will cause the top end of the setting sleeve, where the internal threadsof the setting sleeveare engaged with the external threadsof the release collet, to drag the release colletdownwards relative to the drive sub, which is connected to the lower endof the setting tool. When the fingersof the release collectare provided in the first profileof the drive sub, the first profileis thick enough that there is little clearance between the external threadsof the release collectand the internal threadsof the setting sleeve, keeping the external threadsof the release collectin the internal threadsof the setting sleeveand the release colletand the setting sleevelocked together. However, when the release collectis dragged downwards along the drive subfar enough that the release collectis positioned adjacent to the second profile, the thinner second profileprovides more clearance between the drive suband the internal threadsof the setting sleeve, allowing the fingersof the release colletto flex inwards and the external threadsof the release collectto move out of the internal ridgesof the setting sleeve. This will release or “unlock” the release colletfrom the setting sleeveand allow the release colletto move vertically independently from the setting sleeve, unlocking the setting sleeveand allowing the setting sleeveto move vertically relative to the piston rodD of the final pistonD, as shown in. By making the distance the release collethas to be displacement downwards to reach the second profileof the drive subgreater than the distance the setting sleevehas to be displaced to set the retainerand sheer the sheer collar, the release colletwill “unlock” the setting sleeveafter the retainerhas been set in place in the well.

The lock down colletcan be used to “lock” the piston rodD of the final pistonD and therefore the stingerin place relative to the setting tool, with the stingerextending a set distance below the bottom of the bottom capand the lock down colletpreventing the piston rodD of the final pistonD and the stingerfrom moving upwards and/or downwards relative to the rest of the tool.

Referring to, the lock down collectcan have radially flexible spring fingerswith pawlson the lower ends of the fingersthat correspond with the retention groovein the inner surface of the bottom cap.

Referring to, the lock down colletcan be positioned below the piston headD of the final pistonD so that the downward movement of the final pistonC will also result in downward motion of the lock down collet.

Originally, the final pistonD and the lock down colletare positioned in the final piston chamberD some distance above the bottom cap, as shown in, so that the entire lock down colletand particularly the pawlson the spring fingersof the lock down colletwill be above the bottom cap.

As the final pistonD is displaced downwards, the lock down colletwill be displaced downwards with the final pistonD towards the bottom cap. Eventually, when the final pistonD has been displaced enough, the lock down colletwill reach a bottom of its travel and the pawlson the spring fingersof the lock down colletwill be forced into the retention groovein the inner surface of the bottom cap, as shown in. With the pawlson the spring fingersof the lock down collet“locked” in place in the retention groovein the inner surface of the bottom cap, the piston headD of the last pistonD, which is attached to the lock down collet, and therefore the piston rodD, attached to the piston headD, and the stingerwill be locked in placed relative to the rest of the tool, preventing the piston rodD of the final pistonD and the stingerattached to the end of the piston rodD from moving upwards and downwards relative to the setting tool.

The retainercan have an internal passagesized to accept the stinger. The retainercan have a portwhich can be can be substantially aligned with the outlet portof the stingerwhen the stingeris inserted into the internal passageof the retainer. A valvein the retainercan be engaged by the stingerwhen the stingeris inserted into the internal passageto open up the portin the retainerto allow fluid, such as cement, through the portand below the retainerwhere it is set in place in the well. This allows the stingerof the tool, after it has been locked in place by the lock down collet, to be “stung in” to the retainerby forcing the stingerinto the internal passageof the retainerand engaging the valveto open the portso that cement that is pumped down the well through the coiled tubing, through the internal passageof the tool, and through the inner passageof the stinger, can be directed out through the outlet portof the stinger, through the opened portin the retainerand out into the well below the retainer.

Referring to, in operation, the toolcan be lowered down to a desired depth where it is desired to set the retainer. With the tooland the retainerat the desired depth in the well, pressurized fluid, such as water, can be pumped down the coiled tubing and into the tooland the inner passageof the tool. This pressurized fluid can pass through the connector sub, through the inner passage, and into the setting tool.

In the setting tool, the pressurized fluid can place a force against the pistonsA,B,C,D and displace these pistonsA,B,C,D downwards. This downward displacement of the pistonsA,B,C,D will force the piston rodD of the final pistonD downwards, thereby forcing the setting sleevedownwards, against the top of the retainer. As the setting sleeveis forced against the retainer, the retainerwill be set in place in the well. Continued downwards displacement of the piston rodD and the setting sleeveD will shear the shear collar, separating the retainerfrom the bottom endof the tool.

When the retaineris separated from the bottom endof the tool, the release colletcan “disconnect” the setting sleeve, allowing the setting sleeveto “float” vertically up and down relative to the tool. As the piston rodD of the final pistonD is displaced, forcing the setting sleevedownwards against the retainer, the release colletwill be dragged downwards relative to the drive sub. When the retaineris set and the shear collarsheared, the release colletwill be dragged to the second profileof the drive suband the external threadsof the release collectwill be released from the internal threadsof the setting sleeve, releasing the setting sleeveto move freely vertically relative to the rest of the tool.

The lock down colletcan “lock” the piston rodD of the final pistonD and therefore the stingerin place relative to the setting tool, with the stingerextending a set distance below the bottom endof the tool. As the final pistonD is displaced downwards, the lock down colletwill be displaced downwards with the final pistonD towards the bottom cap. Eventually, when the final pistonD has been displaced enough, the lock down colletwill reach a bottom of its travel and the pawlson the spring fingersof the lock down colletwill be forced into the retention groovein the inner surface of the bottom cap, locking the piston rodD of the final pistonD and therefore the stingerin place.

With the stingerlocked in place extending below a bottom endof the tool, the toolcan be lowered down the well so that the stingeris “stung” into the retainerto open the valvein the retainer. The stingercan be inserted into the internal passageof the retainer, pushing against the valveand opening the port.

With the valveopened, cement that has been pumped down the coiled tubing and through the inner passageof the toolcan flow out the outlet portof the stingerand through the portin the retainerbelow the retainerto cement the well below the retainer.

When a desired amount of cement has been dumped below the retainer, the toolcan be pulled back up the well, pulling the stingerout of the internal passageof the retainerand closing the valvein the retainer.

More cement can be pumped down the coiled tubing and through the inner passageof the toolto be dumped onto of the retainerforming a cement seal above the retaineras well, if desired.

Once the desired amount of cement has been placed on the retainer, the toolcan be pulled out of the well and then set up to be reused elsewhere.