Multi-zone isolation tool and method of stimulating and testing a subterranean well

A single trip multiple-zone isolation tool for stimulating or testing a wellbore comprising:

• a mandrel having a bore therethrough;
• a slip assembly coaxially arranged about the mandrel having expandable slip segments for gripping the wall of the wellbore;
• a sealing cup coaxially arranged about the mandrel wherein the lower end of the sealing cup is radially biased to extend to the diameter of the wall of the wellbore;
• wherein the sealing cup is initially covered by a protective sheath;
• wherein after the sheath is removed, the sealing cup is operable in response to hydraulic pressure to move longitudinally about the mandrel to force the slips radially outward to engage the wellbore;
• and
• wherein the hydraulic pressure increases the sealing force of the sealing cup against the wall of the wellbore to isolate the portion of the wellbore adjacent the tool.

A method for stimulating a subterranean wellbore, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) running an isolation tool on jointed pipe or coiled tubing into said wellbore and positioning the tool adjacent a first interval of interest, wherein the isolation tool comprises a mandrel having a bore therethrough, a plurality of hydraulically actuated buttons arranged about the mandrel for gripping the wall of the wellbore and a sealing cup coaxially arranged about the mandrel wherein the sealing cup is radially biased to extend to the wall of the wellbore, and wherein the sealing cup is initially covered by a protective sheath;
• b) pressurizing the jointed pipe or coiled tubing whereby the hydraulically actuated buttons are actuated to engage the wellbore wall and the protective sheath circumscribing the sealing cup is jettisoned from the tool;
• c) isolating the interval of interest with a seal formed by the sealing cup against the wellbore wall;
• d) stimulating the isolated interval;
• e) placing a plug between the tool and the isolated interval;
• f) substantially equalizing the internal pressure of the jointed pipe or coiled tubing and tool with the annular pressure to release the tool from the wall of the wellbore;
• g) moving the tool uphole a desirable distance, resetting the hydraulically actuated buttons, and forming a seal with the sealing cup by pressurizing the jointed pipe or coiled tubing;
• h) stimulating the new interval;
• i) substantially equalizing the internal pressure of the jointed pipe or coiled tubing and tool with the annular pressure to release the tool from the wall of the wellbore;
• and
• j) repeating steps (g)-(i) as necessary until the entire interval of interest is stimulated.

A method for stimulating a subterranean well, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) running an isolation tool on a jointed pipe or coiled tubing into said well and positioning the tool adjacent a first interval of interest, wherein the isolation tool comprises a mandrel having a bore therethrough, a plurality of slip-on-cone-type anchoring slips arranged about the mandrel for gripping the wall of the wellbore and a sealing cup coaxially arranged about the mandrel wherein the lower end of the sealing cup is radially biased to extend to the wall of the wellbore, and wherein the sealing cup is initially covered by a protective sheath;
• b) pressurizing the jointed pipe or coiled tubing whereby the protective sheath circumscribing a sealing cup is jettisoned from the end of the tool and the slip-on-cone-type anchoring slips are actuated to engage the wellbore wall;
• c) isolating the interval of interest with a seal formed by the sealing cup against the wellbore wall;
• d) stimulating the isolated interval;
• e) placing a plug between the tool and the isolated interval;
• f) substantially equalizing the internal pressure of the jointed pipe or coiled tubing and tool with the annular pressure to release the tool from the wall of the wellbore;
• g) moving the tool uphole a desirable distance and reducing annular pressure to allow the sealing cup to seal and the slips to actuate again;
• h) stimulating the new interval;
• i) substantially equalizing the internal pressure of the jointed pipe or coiled tubing and tool with the annular pressure to release the tool from the wall of the wellbore;
• and
• j) repeating steps (g)-(i) until the entire interval of interest is stimulated.

A method for testing a subterranean wellbore, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) running an isolation tool on a jointed pipe or coiled tubing into said wellbore and positioning the tool adjacent a first interval of interest, wherein the isolation tool comprises a mandrel having a bore therethrough, a plurality of hydraulically actuated buttons arranged about the mandrel for gripping the wall of the wellbore and a sealing cup coaxially arranged about the mandrel wherein the sealing cup is radially biased to extend to the wall of the wellbore, and wherein the sealing cup is initially covered by a protective sheath;
• b) pressurizing the jointed pipe or coiled tubing whereby the protective sheath circumscribing the sealing cup is jettisoned from the tool and the hydraulically actuated buttons are actuated to engage the wellbore wall;
• c) isolating the interval of interest with a seal formed by the sealing cup against the wellbore wall;
• d) reducing jointed pipe or coiled tubing pressure and allowing production fluids to flow through a passageway of the tool and to the jointed pipe or coiled tubing;
• e) measuring production from the isolated interval;
• f) substantially equalizing the internal pressure of the jointed pipe or coiled tubing with the annular pressure to release the tool from the wall of the wellbore;
• g) moving the tool uphole a desirable distance and reducing annular pressure to allow the hydraulically actuated buttons to actuate and the sealing cup to again seal;
• h) measuring production from the new interval;
• i) substantially equalizing the internal pressure on the jointed pipe or coiled tubing with the annular pressure to release the tool from the wall of the wellbore;
• and
• j) repeating steps (g)-(i) until the entire interval of interest is tested.

A method for testing a subterranean well, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) running an isolation tool on a jointed pipe or coiled tubing into said well and positioning the tool adjacent a first interval of interest, wherein the isolation tool comprises a mandrel having a bore therethrough, a plurality of slip-on-cone-type anchoring slips arranged about the mandrel for gripping the wall of the wellbore and a sealing cup coaxially arranged about the mandrel wherein the lower end of the sealing cup is radially biased to extend to the wall of the wellbore, and wherein the sealing cup is initially covered by a protective sheath;
• b) pressurizing the jointed pipe or coiled tubing whereby the protective sheath circumscribing the sealing cup is jettisoned from the end of the tool and the slip-on-cone-type anchoring slips are actuated to engage the wellbore wall;
• c) isolating the interval of interest with a seal formed by the sealing cup against the wellbore wall;
• d) reducing jointed pipe or coiled tubing pressure and allowing production fluids from the formation to flow through the interior passageway of the tool and to the jointed pipe or coiled tubing;
• e) measuring production from the isolated interval;
• f) substantially equalizing the internal pressure of the jointed pipe or coiled tubing with the annular pressure to release the tool from the wall of the wellbore;
• g) moving the tool uphole a desirable distance and reducing annular pressure to allow the sealing cup to seal and the slips to actuate again;
• h) measuring production from the new interval;
• i) substantially equalizing the internal pressure of the jointed pipe or coiled tubing with the annular pressure to release the tool from the wall of the wellbore;
• and
• j) repeating steps (g)-(i) until the entire interval of interest is tested.

A method for stimulating a subterranean wellbore, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) running an isolation tool on a jointed pipe or coiled tubing into said wellbore and positioning the tool adjacent a first interval of interest, wherein the isolation tool comprises a mandrel having a bore therethrough, a slip assembly arranged about the mandrel for gripping the wall of the wellbore and a sealing cup coaxially arranged about the mandrel wherein one end of the sealing cup is radially biased to extend to the wall of the wellbore and wherein the sealing cup is initially covered by a protective sheath;
• b) releasing the protective sheath from the tool to expose the sealing cup;
• c) actuating the slip assembly to engage the wall of the wellbore;
• d) isolating the interval by forming a seal against the wellbore wall with the sealing cup;
• e) stimulating the interval;
• f) releasing the tool from the wall of the wellbore;
• g) moving the tool uphole and positioning the tool adjacent a new interval and repeating steps (c)-(g) until all intervals of interest have been stimulated.

A method for testing a subterranean wellbore, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) running an isolation tool on a jointed pipe or coiled tubing into said wellbore and positioning the tool adjacent a first interval of interest, wherein the isolation tool comprises a mandrel having a bore therethrough, a slip assembly arranged about the mandrel for gripping the wall of the wellbore and a sealing cup coaxially arranged about the mandrel wherein one end of the sealing cup is radially biased to extend to the wall of the wellbore and wherein the sealing cup is initially covered by a protective sheath;
• b) releasing the protective sheath from the tool to expose the sealing cup;
• c) actuating the slip assembly to engage the wall of the wellbore;
• d) isolating the interval by forming a seal against the wellbore wall with the sealing cup;
• e) testing the interval;
• f) releasing the tool from the wall of the wellbore;
• g) moving the tool uphole and positioning the tool adjacent a new interval and repeating steps (c)-(g) until all intervals of interest have been tested.