Landing system for well casing
OwnerDavid M. Millerinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The method of installing a plurality of casing sections in a well, that includes providing a hanger supporting the casing sections to extend longitudinally in the well, landing the hanger on structure in the well, whereby weight of the casing sections longitudinally compresses the hanger, cementing the casing sections in position in the well, below the hanger, adjusting the hanger to provide for controllable longitudinal shortening of hanger length, thereby removing exertion of casing weight on the hanger, and removing at least part of the hanger away from the well head.
Claims41
In a method of installing a plurality of casing sections in a well, the steps that include:
- a) providing a hanger supporting the casing sections to extend longitudinally in the well,
- b) landing the hanger on structure at a well head, whereby weight of the casing sections longitudinally compresses the hanger,
- c) cementing casing sections in position in the well, below the hanger,
- d) adjusting the hanger to provide for controllable longitudinal shortening of hanger length, thereby removing exertion of casing weight on the hanger, and
- e) removing at least part of the hanger away from the well head.
Apparatus facilitating installation of a plurality of casing sections endwise in a well, that comprises:
- a) a hanger for supporting the casing sections in the well,
- b) the hanger having a shoulder for landing the hanger in the well, whereby weight of the casing sections serves to longitudinally compress the hanger,
- c) the casing sections being installable to become connected in position in the well, below hanger level,
- d) the hanger having adjustable means to provide for controllable longitudinal shortening of the hanger length, thereby removing of casing weight imposed on the hanger,
- e) whereby at least an upper portion of the shortened hanger may be removed from the well, free of casing weight.
In a system for recovering hydrocarbon resources from subsurface strata, a method for installing a plurality of joints of casing in a well, wherein landing means is provided in the well, the plurality of joints comprising a first string, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) running the string of joints into the well;
- b) providing and locating a hanger proximate a last joint of the string, the hanger having a top, a bottom, an inside diameter, and means for suspending the hanger within the well, the last joint comprising retention means, such that the first string is suspended by the engagement of the retention means with the hanger, the hanger comprising length adjustment means, such that the hanger is adjustable between a first length and a second length, the first length longer than the second length;
- c) suspending the first string of casing within the well by engaging said means for suspending the hanger within the well with landing means, with the hanger set at said first length;
- d) cementing the first string of casing within the well;
- e) allowing the cement to reach a predetermined strength;
- and suspending the second string and/or additional strings off casing in the well;
- and
- f) adjusting the hanger to said second length, said adjusting including forcibly expanding the hanger, to facilitate hanger removal away from a casing head.
In a well system, drilled for purposes of recovering hydrocarbon resources from subsurface strata, the well system comprising a string of conductor casing, there being landing means, a method for installing a plurality of joints of casing in the well, the plurality of joints comprising a second string, the method including the steps:
- a) installing the second string of joints into the conductor casing;
- b) providing and attaching a hanger to a last joint of the installed second string, the hanger having a top, a bottom, an inside diameter, an outside diameter, and means for suspending the hanger within the conductor casing, the last joint comprising retention means, such that the installed second string is suspended by engagement of the retention means with the top of the hanger, the hanger having length adjustment means, such that the hanger is adjustable between a first length and a second length, the first length longer than the second length;
- c) suspending the second string within the well by engaging the means for suspending the hanger within the conductor casing with the landing means, with the hanger set at said first length;
- d) cementing the second string within the well;
- e) allowing the cement to reach a predetermined strength;
- and
- f) adjusting the hanger to said second length, said adjusting including forcibly lengthening the hanger.
In combination,
- a) first means providing a double hung casing installation, at a well head, and characterized by energy storage in supported casing, and
- b) second means for controllably releasing energy storage in the double hung casing in response to controlled reduction in casing support, whereby associated equipment may be retrieved at the well head.
In combination,
- a) first means providing a hung casing installation, at a well head, and characterized by energy storage in supported casing, and
- b) second means for controllably releasing energy storage in or proximate the hung casing in response to controlled release of casing support, whereby associated equipment may be retrieved at the well head, wherein said second means includes adjustable support structure extending under casing head structure or structures, and controllably bodily movable out from under casing head structure or structures after cementing of casing lower extent or extents in a well.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.