Pressure assisted running of tubulars
AssigneeUnion Oil Company of California
InventorJulio M. Quintana
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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 way to remotely apply axial force to a 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 way 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.
Claims12
A process useful in overcoming drag while installing an element within a cavity, using a duct, a pressurizable fluid, a telescoping subassembly comprising a first component capable of being actuated by said pressurizable fluid from a first axial position to a second axial position relative to a second component, and a means for providing said pressurizable fluid to said subassembly and said cavity, said process comprising:
- attaching said element to said first component and attaching an end of said duct to said second component, forming an assembly;
- installing said assembly into said cavity;
- connecting said means for providing pressurizable fluid to said subassembly and to said cavity;
- and
- pressurizing said fluid to discharge into said cavity and actuate said subassembly from a first position having a first length to a second position having a different length when said second element is slidably contacting said cavity and in the absence of pressure actuated return of said subassembly to said first position.
A process for installing an element into a cavity having a cavity wall below a surface, said process using a telescoping subassembly attachable to said element and capable of actuating at least in part by a change in fluid pressure, said actuating axially extending said subassembly from a first axial length to a longer second axial length, said process comprising the steps of:
- attaching said subassembly to said element when said subassembly is extended to said first axial length;
- connecting a source of pressurized fluid from said surface to said subassembly;
- sliding said connected and attached subassembly into said cavity to a first location;
- and
- changing said fluid pressure to discharge said pressurized fluid to said cavity and substantially actuates said subassembly to said second axial length, wherein said process in the absence of pressurized fluid actuated return of said subassembly to said first axial length.
A process useful in installing an element within a cavity substantially below a surface, said process comprising:
- attaching said element to a telescoping subassembly actuated by fluid pressure, forming an assembly;
- installing said assembly into said cavity;
- and
- increasing fluid pressure from a surface pressure source to supply fluid to said cavity and to actuate said subassembly when said element is slidably contacting said cavity, wherein said process is in the absence of fluid pressure causes deactuation of said subassembly.
A process useful in installing a pipe string without an attached drill bit within a cavity penetrating below a surface, said process comprising:
- attaching said pipe string to a telescoping subassembly actuated by fluid pressure;
- installing said attached pipe string into said cavity to a first position located at least a first distance from said surface;
- and
- increasing fluid pressure from a surface pressure source to actuate said subassembly and move said pipe string to a second position located at least a second distance from said surface, said second distance being greater than said first distance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.