US 12,716,305 B1Granted

Long string workover operations completions tool with an annular release mechanism

AssigneeSaudi Arabian Oil Company

InventorsSalahaldeen Saleh Almasmoom, Majed Nasser Alrawdhan

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Abstract

A completion string includes a first casing string including a bell end, a second casing string received within the bell end, and an anchor latch mechanism having a first latch portion and a second latch portion. The insertion of the second casing string into the bell end engages the second latch portion with the first latch portion to connect the first casing string to the second casing string. A shear pin retains the anchor latch mechanism. An annular release mechanism in the second casing string includes an atmospheric chamber disposed radially within the second casing string and a piston sleeve defining a portion of the atmospheric chamber. The piston sleeve is axially shiftable upon application of external annular pressure against the atmospheric chamber shearing a shearable connection, such that the piston sleeve axially shifts to disengage the anchor latch mechanism.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A completion string for a wellbore comprising:

a first casing string comprising a bell end;
a second casing string configured to be received within the bell end of the first casing string;
an anchor latch mechanism comprising a first latch portion fixed to the first casing string and a second latch portion fixed to the second casing string,
wherein insertion of the second casing string into the bell end engages the second latch portion with the first latch portion to connect the first casing string to the second casing string;
a shear pin pinned in the anchor latch mechanism that retains the anchor latch mechanism in an engaged position, wherein the shear pin is breakable upon application of a predetermined axial force;
and
an annular release mechanism disposed in the second casing string comprising an atmospheric chamber disposed radially within the second casing string and a piston sleeve defining at least a portion of the atmospheric chamber,
wherein the piston sleeve is axially shiftable upon application of external annular pressure against the atmospheric chamber shearing a shearable connection, such that the piston sleeve axially shifts to disengage the anchor latch mechanism.

5 more elements

A method for disconnecting a first casing string from a second casing string in a wellbore, the method comprising:

running the second casing string into a bell end of the first casing string;
engaging a second anchor latch portion on the second casing string with a first anchor latch portion of the first casing string to secure the second casing string to the first casing string;
retaining the second anchor latch portion in engagement with the first anchor latch portion using a shear pin;
applying annular pressure to an annular release mechanism disposed in the second casing string, the annular release mechanism comprising a piston sleeve and an atmospheric chamber,
wherein the annular pressure is communicated externally to act on the piston sleeve against the atmospheric chamber;
axially shifting the piston sleeve under applied annular pressure to shear a shearable connection retaining the piston sleeve to the second anchor latch portion;
shearing the shear pin by applying axial force upon the second casing string to release the second anchor latch portion from the first anchor latch portion;
disengaging the second anchor latch portion from the first anchor latch portion by axially shifting the piston sleeve;
upon shearing the shear pin, releasing the second anchor latch portion from the first anchor latch portion;
and
upon disengagement and releasing of the second anchor latch portion from the first anchor latch portion, withdrawing the second casing string from the wellbore while leaving the first casing string in the wellbore.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.