US 11,840,902 B2Granted

Well abandonment

AssigneeArdyne Holdings Limited

InventorsAlan Fairweather, David Stewart

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A method of recovering casing from a wellbore in which: a logging tool is run to an estimated stuck point of the casing through the central bore of the casing spear and casing cutter; the casing spear is attached to the casing and tension applied so that logging can be performed over a length at an estimated stuck point both with and without tension to provide the verified stuck point; and the casing cutter is positioned relative to this to cut the free casing; and the spear used to remove it. The method can be performed on a single trip. Embodiments include incorporating a packer to circulate fluid during casing cutting; a disconnect, anchor mechanism and motor to allow use of a motor to operate the cutter; and a Down Hole Power Tool with a method of establishing the required force to recover a length of stuck casing.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A method of recovering casing from a wellbore, comprising the steps:

(a) mounting a bottomhole assembly (BHA) on a pipe string, the BHA comprising a casing cutter and a casing spear;
(b) running the BHA into the casing;
(c) locating the casing spear at an upper point in the casing, the upper point being above an estimated stuck point;
(d) mounting a logging tool on a wireline string and running the wireline string through a central bore of the pipe string to exit the pipe string below the casing spear;
(e) logging a first length of the casing with the logging tool by movement of the wireline string, the first length including the estimated stuck position;
(f) applying tension to the casing by pulling the pipe string upwards, with the casing spear anchored to the casing;
(g) logging a second length of the casing with the logging tool by movement of the wireline string, the second length including the estimated stuck position and overlapping at least a portion of the first length;
(h) identifying a verified stuck point by comparison of logs of step (e) and step (g);
(i) moving the casing cutter to a cutting position relative to the identified stuck point;
(j) cutting the casing to provide a cut section of casing;
and
(k) pulling the pipe string with the casing spear anchored to the cut section of casing to recover the cut section of casing from the wellbore.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 17/719,448Filed 13 Apr 2022
Priority: GB 210560219 Apr 2021
Published: US 2022/0333454 A120 Oct 2022
Granted: 12 Dec 2023
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

E21B 29/002
Cutting or destroying pipes, packers, plugs or wire lines, located in boreholes or wells, e.g. cutting of damaged pipes, of windows; Deforming…
E21B 31/16
Grappling tools, e.g. tongs or grabs: combined with cutting or destroying means
E21B 29/007
Cutting, e.g. milling, a pipe with a cutter rotating along the circumference of the pipe: with a radially-retracting cutter rotating outside the pipe
E21B 31/20
Grappling tools, e.g. tongs or grabs: gripping internally, e.g. fishing spears