Coiled tubing apparatus

An apparatus for lowering a downhole tool on a coiled tubing through an outer pipe string, comprising:

• a connector member disposed on the coiled tubing;
• a pack-off member releasably connected to said connector member and adapted for sealingly engaging the outer pipe string;
• said connector member and pack-off member lowered into the outer pipe string together with the downhole tool;
• said pack-off member sealingly engaging the coiled tubing for pressurizing the annulus between the coiled tubing and outer pipe string above said pack-off member;
• a disconnect for disconnecting said connector member from the coiled tubing;
• and
• a retainer on said pack-off member for retaining said connector member on said pack-off member after disconnecting the coiled tubing from said connector member.

An apparatus for lowering a downhole tool on a coiled tubing through an outer pipe string, comprising:

• a connector member disposed on the coiled tubing;
• a pack-off member releasably connected to said connector member and adapted for sealingly engaging the outer pipe string;
• said connector member and pack-off member lowered into the outer pipe string together with the downhole tool;
• said pack-off member sealingly engaging the coiled tubing for pressurizing the annulus between the coiled tubing and outer pipe string above said pack-off member;
• an electric cable head disposed on said connector member for electrical attachment to the downhole tool.

An apparatus for lowering a downhole tool on a coiled tubing through an outer pipe string, comprising:

• a connector member disposed on the coiled tubing;
• a pack-off member releasably connected to said connector member and adapted for sealingly engaging the outer pipe string;
• said connector member and pack-off member lowered into the outer pipe string together with the downhole tool;
• said pack-off member sealingly engaging the coiled tubing for pressurizing the annulus between the coiled tubing and outer pipe string above said pack-off member;
• and
• said connector member including a valve for flowing fluids down the coiled tubing and through the downhole tool and wherein said pack-off member includes a valve for returning the fluids between said connector member and pack-off member and up said annulus.

A system for injecting coiled tubing downhole through an outer pipe string with an injector applying a force to the coiled tubing and a pressurized fluid source for applying fluid pressure downhole, the improvement comprising:

• a closure member for closing the flowbore of the coiled tubing to fluid flow;
• a valve member disposed adjacent the end of the coiled tubing for opening a port to fluid flow;
• a pack-off member having a packer element with expanded and contracted positions and an actuator member for actuating said packer element to said expanded position;
• a connector member for releasably connecting said valve member to said pack-off member and having a fluid passageway communicating said port with said actuator member;
• said pack-off member having a release member for releasing said connector member upon the actuation of said actuator member and a seal member to sealingly engage the coiled tubing;
• fluid pressure being applied through the coiled tubing and said port to actuate said actuator member and move said packer element to said expanded position in sealing engagement with the outer pipe string such that said packer element and seal member pack off the annulus formed by the coiled tubing and outer pipe string;
• the actuation of said actuator member causing said release member to release said connector member and thus disconnect the end of the coiled tubing from said pack-off member;
• and
• fluid pressure applied down the annulus for stiffening the coiled tubing for further injecting the coiled tubing downhole.

A method for injecting coiled tubing into a cased borehole comprising the steps of:

• injecting into the cased borehole a pack-off apparatus and tool assembly mounted on the coiled tubing;
• setting the pack-off apparatus within the cased borehole to assist the injection of the tool assembly;
• disconnecting the pack-off apparatus from the coiled tubing;
• pressurizing the annulus around the coiled tubing;
• and
• injecting the coiled tubing and tool assembly further into the cased borehole.

A method for injecting coiled tubing into a cased borehole comprising the steps of:

• injecting into the cased borehole a pack-off apparatus and tool assembly mounted on the coiled tubing;
• setting the pack-off apparatus within the cased borehole to assist the injection of the tool assembly;
• disconnecting the pack-off apparatus from the coiled tubing;
• pressurizing the annulus around the coiled tubing;
• injecting the tool assembly further into the cased borehole;
• and
• passing fluid through a valve member attached to the coiled tubing for setting the pack-off apparatus.

A method for injecting coiled tubing into a cased borehole comprising the steps of:

• injecting into the cased borehole a pack-off apparatus and tool assembly mounted on the coiled tubing;
• setting the pack-off apparatus within the cased borehole to assist the injection of the tool assembly;
• disconnecting the pack-off apparatus from the coiled tubing;
• pressurizing the annulus around the coiled tubing;
• injecting the coiled tubing and tool assembly further into the cased borehole;
• disconnecting the pack-off apparatus upon setting the pack-off apparatus;
• and
• flowing well fluids up the annulus below the pack-off apparatus, through a valve in the pack-off apparatus, and up the annulus above the pack-off apparatus.

A method for injecting coiled tubing into a cased borehole comprising the steps of:

• injecting into the cased borehole a pack-off apparatus and tool assembly mounted on the coiled tubing;
• setting the pack-off apparatus within the cased borehole to assist the injection of the tool assembly;
• disconnecting the pack-off apparatus from the coiled tubing;
• pressurizing the annulus around the coiled tubing;
• injecting the coiled tubing and tool assembly further into the cased borehole;
• setting the pack-off apparatus at a first fluid pressure in the coiled tubing;
• circulating fluid down to the tool assembly at a second fluid pressure in the coiled tubing;
• and
• closing the coiled tubing to fluid flow at a third fluid pressure in the coiled tubing.

An apparatus for lowering a downhole tool on a coiled tubing through an outer pipe string, comprising:

• a connector member disposed on the coiled tubing;
• a pack-off member releasably connected to said connector member and adapted for sealingly engaging the outer pipe string;
• said connector member and pack-off member lowered into the outer pipe string together with the downhole tool;
• said pack-off member sealingly engaging the coiled tubing for pressurizing the annulus between the coiled tubing and outer pipe string above said pack-off member;
• and
• said pack-off member including a sealing assembly which sealing engages the coiled tubing, said sealing assembly being releasably disposed on said pack-off member whereby said sealing assembly is released upon disconnecting said connector member from the coiled tubing.