Pressure assisted running of tubulars
AssigneeUnion Oil Company of California
InventorJulio M. Quintana
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A pressure actuated, telescoping subassembly is supported by a pipe string to axially move an attached member within a wellbore. Increasing fluid pressure to the subassembly actuates a telescoping action, axially moving the attached member but not the supporting pipe string. Motion can be used during rotary drilling or running of tubulars into a drilled borehole portion. Pressure actuation provides a means to remotely apply axial force near the member, such as a tool or drill string portion. Moving only the member instead of the entire drill string and member lowers the total force required to move members and provides a new means to chase drill bits and apply constant drilling forces. This minimizes the risk of pipe string overloading and buckling, exceeding rig weight limitations, and tool bit damage.
Claims19
An apparatus useful in moving a portion of elements in a duct string relative to the remaining portion of the duct string, the duct string forming a passageway capable of transmitting a fluid from near one end to near the other when located in a borehole, said apparatus comprising:
- a first duct portion for transmitting a fluid at a first pressure along a major axis;
- means for supporting said duct portion when a first end of said duct portion is located within said borehole;
- a telescoping subassembly attached to said first end and also attached to a second duct portion in a first axial position, said subassembly capable of overcoming a resistance to axial motion to actuate said second duct portion to a second axial position in the absence of motion of said first duct portion when said first pressure is changed to a second pressure, wherein said second duct portion in said second axial position is capable of contacting said borehole;
- means for rotary drilling attached to said second duct portion;
- and
- wherein at least a portion of said borehole is substantially deviated from a vertical direction.
An apparatus useful in moving a portion of a duct relative to the remaining portion of the duct in the absence of substantial rotation, the duct being capable of transmitting fluid from near one end to near another end in a borehole below a ground surface, said apparatus comprising:
- an upwell duct portion for transmitting a fluid at a first pressure along a major axis of said duct portion;
- a telescoping subassembly attached in a first position to said first end;
- a downwell duct portion attached in a first axial position to said subassembly, said subassembly and attached downwell duct portion capable of overcoming a resistance to axial motion to actuate said downwell duct portion to a second axial position when said first pressure is changed, wherein said downwell duct portion in said second axial position is capable of contacting said borehole;
- means for attaching said duct to said borehole;
- and
- wherein at least a portion of said borehole is substantially deviated from a vertical direction.
An apparatus useful in inserting a portion of an inner duct into a outer duct attached to a ground surface, the inner duct being capable of transmitting fluid from near one end to near another end, said apparatus comprising:
- a first duct portion of said inner duct for transmitting a fluid at a first pressure along a major axis;
- a telescoping subassembly attached to said first duct portion;
- a second duct portion of said inner duct attached to said subassembly in a first axial position, said subassembly and attached second duct portion capable of overcoming a resistance to axial motion to move to a second axial position when said first pressure is changed, wherein said second duct portion is capable of contacting said outer duct when moving from said first axial position to said second axial position;
- means for attaching said inner duct to said outer duct string;
- and
- wherein at least a portion of said outer duct is substantially deviated from a vertical direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.