Expandable shifting tool
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorsDinesh R. Patel, Dennis M. Read, Jr., Ricardo Martinez
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention disclose apparatus and methods that can be used to mechanically actuate a downhole tool with an expandable shifting tool. One embodiment of the invention is an expandable shifting tool comprising a housing having an outer diameter and a plurality of radially extendable elements. The radially extendable elements are longitudinally separated from each other and each extendable element is at least partially contained within the housing. The extendable elements are capable of moving between an extended position and a retracted position and are biased towards the extended position.
Claims49
An expandable shifting tool, comprising:
- a housing having an outer surface;
- and
- a plurality of radially extendable elements longitudinally separated from each other, such that only one of the plurality of radially extendable elements is disposed within any given length of die tool;
- wherein the extendable elements arc capable of moving between an extended position and a refracted position.
A shifting tool comprising:
- a generally cylindrical housing comprising a wall, an outer diameter, a first end and a second end;
- a plurality of anchor slips at least partially located within the housing and comprising a first surface and a second surface, the anchor slips located in separate radial planes from each other and capable of moving independently between a retracted position and an extended position;
- at least one longitudinal passageway within the housing capable of providing hydraulic communication between the first end and the second end of the tool;
- and
- wherein the anchor slips in their extended position are each capable of extending beyond the outer diameter of the housing a distance in excess of 50 percent of the housing diameter.
A shifting tool comprising:
- a generally cylindrical housing comprising a wall and an outer diameter;
- a plurality of latching members at least partially disposed within the housing, the latching members capable of moving independently between an inner position and an outer position, thereby defining a tool diameter;
- wherein when the latching members are in their outer position the tool diameter is capable of being in excess of 200 percent of the housing diameter.
A downhole assembly comprising:
- a shifting tool comprising a housing having an outer diameter, a plurality of radially extendable slips longitudinally separated from each other, each slip being at least partially contained within the housing, outwardly biased and capable of acting independently;
- and
- a downhole profile adapted to releasably engage with the shifting tool,
- wherein each of the plurality of slips are capable of extending through the housing a distance in excess of 50 percent of the outer diameter of the housing.
An apparatus comprising:
- a housing;
- and
- a plurality of slip elements longitudinally spaced from each other, such that only one of the plurality of slip elements is disposed within any given length of the housing, the plurality of slip elements being capable of extending radially from the housing;
- wherein each slip comprises a profile that is capable of engaging a matching downhole profile.
A method of actuating a downhole tool comprising:
- providing an expandable shifting tool comprising a plurality of radially extending elements that are longitudinally separated from each other, such that only one of the plurality of radially extending elements is disposed within any given length of the tool;
- inserting the shifting tool within the downhole tool;
- engaging a profile on the extending elements with a matching profile on the downhole tool;
- and
- applying force to the shifting tool that is transferred to the downhole tool, thus actuating the downhole tool.
A method of actuating a downhole tool located below a restricted diameter tubular, comprising:
- providing an expandable and collapsible mechanical shifting tool comprising a plurality of outwardly biased slips, the slips spaced in radially separated planes and being capable of extending a distance greater than 50 percent of an outside diameter of the expandable shifting tool;
- inserting the shifting tool through the restricted diameter tubular and to the downhole tool;
- engaging the slips of the shifting tool with the downhole tool;
- actuating the downhole tool by movement of the shifting tool;
- disengaging the shifting tool from the downhole tool;
- and
- removing the shifting tool through the restricted diameter tubular.
A method of actuating a downhole tool in a wellbore that is deviated from vertical, comprising:
- providing an expandable shifting tool comprising a housing having an outer diameter, and at least two dog elements, each dog element capable of extending beyond the housing outer diameter a distance in excess of 50 percent of the housing diameter;
- inserting the shifting tool into the wellbore;
- engaging the shifting tool with the downhole tool;
- and
- actuating the downhole tool;
- wherein the shifting tool is located eccentrically within the downhole tool.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.