CA2720489C - Hydraulically set liner hanger - Google Patents
Hydraulically set liner hanger Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2720489C CA2720489C CA2720489A CA2720489A CA2720489C CA 2720489 C CA2720489 C CA 2720489C CA 2720489 A CA2720489 A CA 2720489A CA 2720489 A CA2720489 A CA 2720489A CA 2720489 C CA2720489 C CA 2720489C
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- mandrel
- housing
- slip
- slips
- collet
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
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- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 38
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000000452 restraining effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 description 10
- 239000004568 cement Substances 0.000 description 8
- 230000002028 premature Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000004873 anchoring Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005465 channeling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010348 incorporation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010008 shearing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
- E21B43/02—Subsoil filtering
- E21B43/10—Setting of casings, screens, liners or the like in wells
Abstract
A liner hanger, in either a non-rotating or rotating format, has a large hanging capacity due to a one or more axially spaced sets of circumferentially spaced slips housed in openings in a slip housing, the slip housing being moveable axially relative to a mandrel for actuating the slips over cams supported by the mandrel. One or more sets of sets of slips are spaced axially along the slip housing. An annular space is formed between the mandrel and slip housing for maximizing fluid bypass through the annular space. Bypass is further improved by profiling the slip housing. In the rotating version, a separate sleeve is positioned between the mandrel and the slip housing for supporting the cams and the mandrel is supported on the cam sleeve through an upper bearing which permits the mandrel to rotate on the cam sleeve when the slips are set.
Description
1 "HYDRAULICALLY SET LINER HANGER"
The invention relates to liner hanger apparatus used for carrying 6 and anchoring a casing liner in a wellbore casing.
9 Liner hangers are well known in wellbore drilling and completion operations. Following drilling of at least a segment of a wellbore, a metallic 11 casing is positioned into the open hole and cemented into place. Drilling is 12 continued below the cemented casing to extend the depth of the wellbore. At 13 least a second length of smaller diameter casing is lowered into the extended 14 wellbore on a tubular workstring equipped with a liner hanger and is positioned near a bottom end of the existing cemented casing. Typically, liner hangers are 16 equipped with mechanically or hydraulically actuated slips which, when actuated 17 downhole, act to grip the walls of the existing casing and support the substantial 18 weight of the depending liner until such time as the new liner can be cemented 19 into place. This procedure may be repeated more than once, until the wellbore has reached an effective depth, the diameter of each subsequent length of liner 21 being smaller than the previous.
22 Hanger capacity, the amount of weight the hanger can support, is 23 of great concern. Ideally, in order to keep the effective diameter of the wellbore 24 within acceptable limits, it is desirable to hang as long a length of liner as can be supported by the liner hanger.
1 Attempts have been made to improve hanger capacity by 2 increasing the number of slips and their arrangement in the tool. US Patent 3 4,926,936 to Braddick teaches a liner hanger having a plurality of 4 circumferentially and vertically spaced slips. Cones for actuation of a plurality of slips are attached to a tubular body using rings and are positioned relative to 6 slips which are attached by arms to a sleeve which overlies the body and is 7 axially moveable thereon, the entirety of the arms and slips being vulnerable to 8 mechanical contact as the hanger is run into the wellbore. Axial movement of the 9 sleeve, either mechanically or hydraulically, engages the slips with the cones causing the slips to engage the casing. The number of vertical sets of slips which 11 equates to the liner hanger's support capability is limited by the space between 12 the lower circumferentially spaced slips which is required to accommodate the 13 arms extending vertically from the sleeve. Further, fluid passage in the annular 14 space between the casing and the liner hanger is impeded as the number of slip arms increases. Typically, there is little clearance between the outer surfaces of 16 the liner hanger wall and the casing so as to permit the largest possible bore 17 through the center of the liner hanger.
18 US patent 4,603,743 to Lindsey Jr. teaches a hydraulically or 19 mechanically set liner hanger having tandem, longitudinally spaced slips extending on straps from a tubular cage member, which is axially moveable on a 21 tool body. The slips are held in a retracted position by a running tool as the liner 22 hanger is run into the wellbore. A pressure housing on the running tool is axially 23 moveable on the running tool's mandrel and is actuated to shift, causing the 24 cage on the liner hanger to shift, engaging cam faces on a slip expander housing 1 and causing the slips to move outwards into engagement with the casing. The 2 expander housing has rectangular openings which extend through the wall of the 3 housing. A tieback sleeve is located below the liner hanger and above the liner.
4 The position of the tieback sleeve, in combination with the rectangular openings in the housing, prevents its use for incorporating a liner top packer into Lindsey's 6 liner hanger system.
7 Liner hangers are known wherein the liner can be rotated, not only 8 during insertion into the wellbore, but also during cementing following setting of 9 the liner hanger slips. Depending upon the circumstances, it may be advantageous to rotate the liner during cementing such as to ensure a uniform 11 distribution of cement in the casing annulus as well as proper displacement of 12 the drilling mud, without channeling of the cement through the mud. US
Patents 13 5,181,570 to Allwin et al., 5,048,612 to Cochran and 4,848,462 to Aliwin, teach 14 rotatable liner hangers.
During cementing excess drilling fluid is displaced upwardly 16 between the liner hanger and the cemented casing. Restriction in the fluid flow is 17 undesirable.
18 There is a need for a liner hanger system having a large hanging 19 capacity to permit hanging of long or heavy lengths of liner and maximum fluid bypass to eliminate any problems with fluid flow during cementing. Preferably, 21 the slips should be protected from damage as a result of irregularities in the 22 borehole. Ideally, the liner hanger should have a simplified manufacture.
Ideally, 23 liner hangers having these characteristics should be available in both non-1 rotating and rotating configurations for use in a wide variety of cementing 2 operations.
2 Generally, a liner hanger comprises a slip housing axially 3 moveable over a mandrel. The slip housing has a plurality of slip openings which 4 contain slips. Relative axial movement of the slip housing over the mandrel cause actuation of the slips over cams supported on the mandrel. Fluid flow 6 bypass is increased between the hanger and the casing by implementing 7 additional bypass between the mandrel and the slip housing in an annular space 8 formed therebetween. Bypass is unimpeded therein due to the circumferential 9 arrangement of spaced slips. Sets of slips can be positioned axially along the length of the slip housing. The plurality of sets of slips results in an increased 11 hanging capacity. The number of sets that can be applied is limited only by the 12 length of the slip housing itself. Preferably, fluid bypass is further increased by 13 profiling an inner surface of the housing.
14 In one broad aspect of the invention, a non-rotatable liner hanger comprises: a tubular mandrel having a slip housing axially moveable thereon and 16 defining an annular space therebetween, the slip housing having an inlet and an 17 outlet for permitting the flow of fluids through the annular space; one or more 18 sets of slips housed in a plurality of openings in the slip housing and more 19 preferably two or more sets of slips, each slip in each set of slips being spaced circumferentially for passage of fluids therebetween, each of the one or more 21 sets of slips being spaced axially along the slip housing, preferably biased into 22 the slip housing in a stowed position during running of the tool; cam surfaces 23 extending radially outward from the mandrel and corresponding with each slip;
24 and an actuator attached to the mandrel for axially moving the slip housing for 1 engaging the slips with the cam surfaces and causing the slips to move from the 2 stowed position to a radially extended position for engaging the existing casing.
3 The cam surfaces are supported by the mandrel and extend 4 radially therefrom, preferably machined from an external surface of the mandrel to improve structural rigidity. The cam surfaces can alternatively extend from a 6 cam sleeve positioned rotationally between the slip housing and the mandrel.
9 Liner hangers are well known in wellbore drilling and completion operations. Following drilling of at least a segment of a wellbore, a metallic 11 casing is positioned into the open hole and cemented into place. Drilling is 12 continued below the cemented casing to extend the depth of the wellbore. At 13 least a second length of smaller diameter casing is lowered into the extended 14 wellbore on a tubular workstring equipped with a liner hanger and is positioned near a bottom end of the existing cemented casing. Typically, liner hangers are 16 equipped with mechanically or hydraulically actuated slips which, when actuated 17 downhole, act to grip the walls of the existing casing and support the substantial 18 weight of the depending liner until such time as the new liner can be cemented 19 into place. This procedure may be repeated more than once, until the wellbore has reached an effective depth, the diameter of each subsequent length of liner 21 being smaller than the previous.
22 Hanger capacity, the amount of weight the hanger can support, is 23 of great concern. Ideally, in order to keep the effective diameter of the wellbore 24 within acceptable limits, it is desirable to hang as long a length of liner as can be supported by the liner hanger.
1 Attempts have been made to improve hanger capacity by 2 increasing the number of slips and their arrangement in the tool. US Patent 3 4,926,936 to Braddick teaches a liner hanger having a plurality of 4 circumferentially and vertically spaced slips. Cones for actuation of a plurality of slips are attached to a tubular body using rings and are positioned relative to 6 slips which are attached by arms to a sleeve which overlies the body and is 7 axially moveable thereon, the entirety of the arms and slips being vulnerable to 8 mechanical contact as the hanger is run into the wellbore. Axial movement of the 9 sleeve, either mechanically or hydraulically, engages the slips with the cones causing the slips to engage the casing. The number of vertical sets of slips which 11 equates to the liner hanger's support capability is limited by the space between 12 the lower circumferentially spaced slips which is required to accommodate the 13 arms extending vertically from the sleeve. Further, fluid passage in the annular 14 space between the casing and the liner hanger is impeded as the number of slip arms increases. Typically, there is little clearance between the outer surfaces of 16 the liner hanger wall and the casing so as to permit the largest possible bore 17 through the center of the liner hanger.
18 US patent 4,603,743 to Lindsey Jr. teaches a hydraulically or 19 mechanically set liner hanger having tandem, longitudinally spaced slips extending on straps from a tubular cage member, which is axially moveable on a 21 tool body. The slips are held in a retracted position by a running tool as the liner 22 hanger is run into the wellbore. A pressure housing on the running tool is axially 23 moveable on the running tool's mandrel and is actuated to shift, causing the 24 cage on the liner hanger to shift, engaging cam faces on a slip expander housing 1 and causing the slips to move outwards into engagement with the casing. The 2 expander housing has rectangular openings which extend through the wall of the 3 housing. A tieback sleeve is located below the liner hanger and above the liner.
4 The position of the tieback sleeve, in combination with the rectangular openings in the housing, prevents its use for incorporating a liner top packer into Lindsey's 6 liner hanger system.
7 Liner hangers are known wherein the liner can be rotated, not only 8 during insertion into the wellbore, but also during cementing following setting of 9 the liner hanger slips. Depending upon the circumstances, it may be advantageous to rotate the liner during cementing such as to ensure a uniform 11 distribution of cement in the casing annulus as well as proper displacement of 12 the drilling mud, without channeling of the cement through the mud. US
Patents 13 5,181,570 to Allwin et al., 5,048,612 to Cochran and 4,848,462 to Aliwin, teach 14 rotatable liner hangers.
During cementing excess drilling fluid is displaced upwardly 16 between the liner hanger and the cemented casing. Restriction in the fluid flow is 17 undesirable.
18 There is a need for a liner hanger system having a large hanging 19 capacity to permit hanging of long or heavy lengths of liner and maximum fluid bypass to eliminate any problems with fluid flow during cementing. Preferably, 21 the slips should be protected from damage as a result of irregularities in the 22 borehole. Ideally, the liner hanger should have a simplified manufacture.
Ideally, 23 liner hangers having these characteristics should be available in both non-1 rotating and rotating configurations for use in a wide variety of cementing 2 operations.
2 Generally, a liner hanger comprises a slip housing axially 3 moveable over a mandrel. The slip housing has a plurality of slip openings which 4 contain slips. Relative axial movement of the slip housing over the mandrel cause actuation of the slips over cams supported on the mandrel. Fluid flow 6 bypass is increased between the hanger and the casing by implementing 7 additional bypass between the mandrel and the slip housing in an annular space 8 formed therebetween. Bypass is unimpeded therein due to the circumferential 9 arrangement of spaced slips. Sets of slips can be positioned axially along the length of the slip housing. The plurality of sets of slips results in an increased 11 hanging capacity. The number of sets that can be applied is limited only by the 12 length of the slip housing itself. Preferably, fluid bypass is further increased by 13 profiling an inner surface of the housing.
14 In one broad aspect of the invention, a non-rotatable liner hanger comprises: a tubular mandrel having a slip housing axially moveable thereon and 16 defining an annular space therebetween, the slip housing having an inlet and an 17 outlet for permitting the flow of fluids through the annular space; one or more 18 sets of slips housed in a plurality of openings in the slip housing and more 19 preferably two or more sets of slips, each slip in each set of slips being spaced circumferentially for passage of fluids therebetween, each of the one or more 21 sets of slips being spaced axially along the slip housing, preferably biased into 22 the slip housing in a stowed position during running of the tool; cam surfaces 23 extending radially outward from the mandrel and corresponding with each slip;
24 and an actuator attached to the mandrel for axially moving the slip housing for 1 engaging the slips with the cam surfaces and causing the slips to move from the 2 stowed position to a radially extended position for engaging the existing casing.
3 The cam surfaces are supported by the mandrel and extend 4 radially therefrom, preferably machined from an external surface of the mandrel to improve structural rigidity. The cam surfaces can alternatively extend from a 6 cam sleeve positioned rotationally between the slip housing and the mandrel.
7 In a second broad aspect of the invention, a rotatable liner hanger 8 comprises incorporation of the cams on a sleeve between the slip housing and 9 the mandrel. Accordingly the rotatable liner hanger comprises: a tubular mandrel having a slip housing axially moveable thereon and defining an annular space 11 therebetween, the slip housing having an inlet and an outlet for permitting the 12 flow of fluids through the annular space; one or more sets of slips housed in a 13 plurality of openings in the slip housing and more preferably two or more sets, 14 each slip in a set of slips being spaced circumferentially for passage of fluids therebetween, each of the one or more sets of slips being spaced axially along 16 the slip housing; a cam sleeve rotationally supported in the annular space, the 17 cam sleeve having cam surfaces extending radially outward for urging the slips 18 on the slip housing to a radially extended position while permitting the mandrel to 19 rotate freely when the slips engage the casing; and hydraulic means attached to the mandrel for axially moving the slip housing for engaging the slips with the 21 cam surfaces and causing the slips to move to a radially extended position for 22 engaging the existing casing.
23 In both the rotating and non-rotating embodiments, the means 24 acting between the slips and the slip housing to bias the slips into the slip 1 housing during running in of the tool are springs attached to the slips and 2 extending laterally therefrom between the slip housing and the mandrel.
3 Preferably, the hydraulic means or actuator for actuating the slip 4 housing to move axially to set the slips is a piston in fluid communication with the bore of the mandrel, such that pressure in the bore to causes the piston to move 6 uphole and actuate the slip housing.
7 Optionally, both rotating and non-rotating embodiments may have 8 a collet system which acts to prevent premature axial movement of the slip 9 housing while running in the tool. The collet system is positioned between the hydraulic section and the slip housing. A shear screw acts to retain a collet 11 retainer between a collet housing and collet fingers to prevent the collet from 12 releasing from a profile in the mandrel until such time as the mandrel's bore is 13 pressurized sufficiently to actuate the piston in the hydraulic section.
Both the 14 retainer shear screw and a main shear screw between the collet housing and the mandrel must be sheared to permit actuation of the slips.
16 Further, in the rotating embodiment, so as to avoid imparting 17 rotational energy to the hydraulic section, the piston is preferably formed in two 18 sections, a lower section carrying seals which can rotate with the hydraulic 19 section and an upper section which bears against the non-rotating collet retainer.
2 Figure 1 is a longitudinal partial sectional view of a liner hanger of 3 the present invention;
4 Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view according to Figure 1, sectioned along lines A-A and showing the slips in a retracted position;
6 Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view according to Figure 1, sectioned 7 along lines A-A and showing the slips in an extended position;
8 Figure 4a is a front perspective view of a slip removed from the slip 9 housing;
Figure 4b is a rear perspective view of the slip according to Fig. 4a, 11 illustrating the positioning of a laterally extending spring connected to the slip;
12 Figure 5a is a rollout view of a slip housing having two sets of 13 vertically positioned slips and illustrating, in dashed lines, a pattern of a flow of 14 fluids between the plurality of slips;
Figure 5b is a rollout view of a slip housing having two tiers of 16 vertically positioned slips and option flow openings and illustrating, in dashed 17 lines, a pattern of flow of fluids between the plurality of slips;
18 Figure 6a is a longitudinal sectional view of a hydraulic portion of 19 the liner hanger according to Fig. 1, the right side illustrating a non-actuated position and the left side illustrating an actuated position;
21 Figure 6b is a sectional view of an optional collet system the right 22 side illustrating a non-actuated position and the left side illustrating an actuated 23 position;
1 Figures 7a-c are partial longitudinal sectional views of a second 2 embodiment of the invention in which the casing can be rotated during 3 cementing, illustrated in sections, Fig. 7a being an uphole section, Fig. 7b being 4 an intermediate section and Fig. 7c being a downhole section, all of which are shown in a non-actuated position;
6 Figure 8 is a partial longitudinal view illustrating embodiments of 7 the liner hanger according to Figs. 1 and 7a-c and optionally having either a 8 single set of slips, two sets of slips or three sets of slips; and 9 Figure 9 is a longitudinal, partially sectioned view of a liner hanger assembly including the liner hanger according to Fig. 1.
2 Having reference to Figs. 1 - 3, a first non-rotating embodiment of a 3 liner hanger 10 of the present invention is shown in a wellbore casing 11.
The 4 liner hanger 10 comprises an uphole slip portion S and a downhole hydraulic portion H for actuating the slip portion S. The liner hanger 10 has a tubular 6 mandrel 12 having cam faces 13 supported by and extending radially outward 7 therefrom. For additional structural integrity, the cam faces 13 are machined 8 integral from the mandrel.
9 A slip housing 14 is mounted on the mandrel 12 and is axially moveable thereon. A plurality of openings 15 are formed in the slip housing 14 to 11 accommodate a plurality of slips 16. The slips 16 are pivotally retained within the 12 slip housing 14 and are normally retracted within the openings 15. A slip 13 housing/mandrel annulus 18 is formed between the slip housing 14 and the 14 mandrel 12. The slip housing/mandrel annulus 18 acts to provide additional fluid bypass for the flow of drilling fluids, displaced upwardly, during cementing.
16 Laterally extending biasing means 17, shown in greater detail in 17 Figs. 4a - 4b, are connected between the slips 16 and the slip housing 14, 18 extending across and beyond each opening 15. The biasing means 17 act to 19 normally retract the slips 16 into a radially stowed position in the openings 15 in the slip housing 14, during insertion of the liner hanger 10 into the casing 11. In 21 operation, the slip housing 14 is caused to move axially on the mandrel 12 so as 22 to engage the slips 16 with the cam faces 13 resulting in extension of the slips 23 16 into engagement with the casing 11 for gripping the casing 11 and supporting 24 a liner (not shown) extending therefrom.
1 In a preferred embodiment, as shown in Figs. 4a, 4b and 5, the 2 laterally extending biasing means 17 is a flat spring 19 and each slip 16 is 3 attached to the corresponding spring 19 using a fastener 20, such as a screw.
4 Additionally, as shown in Fig. 5a, mechanical, cantilevered supports, formed as tabs 21, extend from the slip housing 14 into opposing sides of each opening 6 at a downhole end 22 of each slip 16 to ensure the slips 16 remain biased to slip 7 housing 14 and to assist in supporting the slips 16 when extended to grip the 8 casing 11. The supports are formed as tabs 21 on either side of the opening 15, 9 rather than as a solid bar across the opening 15, to ensure that the support will bend rather than break under stress should the casing 11 be oversized and the 11 slips 16 over-extend to grip the casing 11.
12 Preferably, the slip housing 14 is assembled as two or more clam-13 shell portions assembled over the mandrel 12 and welded together, such as 14 through section ring portion at the uphole and downhole ends of the slip housing.
Further, as shown in Fig. 5a, the slip housing 14 is slit, above and 16 below each tab 21 at an interface 34 between the tab 21 and the slip housing 14, 17 to decrease bending stress rather than risk breaking of the tab 21 under undue 18 stress. The slit 35 is locally widened at a distal end 36 to avoid a stress 19 concentration.
The slip housing 14 has a plurality of fluid inlet ports 30 formed at a 21 downhole end 31 of the slip housing 14 and a substantially circumferential outlet 22 32 formed at an uphole end of the slip housing 14.
23 As shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 5a, the annulus 18 can be further 24 increased in cross-sectional area to provide increased fluid bypass. The slip 1 housing 14 is profiled on an inner surface 33 to provide the increased fluid flow 2 bypass I by creating the enlarged annular space 18 between the mandrel 12 3 and the slip housing 14. The profiling can be a simple concavity resulting in a 4 thinning of the wall of the slip housing 14.
The fluid flow bypass aids in passing well fluids during operations 6 for cementing the newly hung liner into the wellbore. Cement is pumped through 7 a bore in a liner hanger system, which simplistically includes a running tool 8 suspended from a tubing string to surface and connected at a downhole end to 9 the liner hanger, the depending liner and at a distal end to a float shoe.
As cement exits the float shoe and rises to fill an annulus between the casing 11 11 and the open wellbore (not shown), drilling fluid is displaced upwards and must 12 pass by the liner hanger 10. When the drilling fluid reaches the cemented casing 13 11, the fluid is forced between the liner hanger 10 and the casing 11. The 14 displaced fluid enters the casing annulus 40 between the casing 11 and the liner hanger 10 and also enters the annulus 18 through the inlet port 30 between the 16 slip housing 14 and the mandrel 12. Accordingly, displaced fluid can flow through 17 a large cross-sectional area, including both the casing annulus 40 and the slip 18 housing/mandrel annulus 18. The profiling of the inner surface 33 of the slip 19 housing 14 further increases the annular 18 flow area.
As shown in greater detail in Fig. 5a, the slips 16 are positioned 21 circumferentially and vertically about the slip housing 14. The number of slips 16 22 that can be positioned vertically, in tiers, is only limited by the length of the slip 23 housing 14. The more slips 16 present, the more the load from the depending 24 liner is distributed, thus increasing hanger capacity. Flow of drilling fluids F
1 continues substantially unimpeded through the slip housing/mandrel annulus 2 regardless of the number of tiers of sets of slips 16.
3 Optionally, as shown in Fig. 5b, a plurality of additional openings 4 15 are formed in the slip housing 14 to further improve fluid access to the annulus 18 and improve fluid flow bypass.
6 Referring again to Fig. 1, the hydraulic section H of the liner hanger 7 10 is located on the mandrel 12 adjacent the downhole end 31 of the slip 8 housing 14 and is adapted to actuate the slip housing 14.
9 As shown in greater detail in Fig. 6, a tubular piston housing 50 is formed around the mandrel 12 creating a cylindrical space 51 therebetween that 11 is in fluid communication with a bore 52 of the mandrel 12 through a port 53. A
12 piston 54 is positioned within and extends above the cylindrical space 51 and is 13 axially moveable therein. During operation, an increase in pressure within the 14 mandrel bore 52 which acts on a distal end 55 of the piston 54 moves the piston 54 to an uphole actuated position. A shear screw 56 between the slip housing 16 and the mandrel 12 acts to prevent actuation of the piston 54 until such time as 17 the bore pressure acting upon the piston 54 creates a force sufficient to 18 overcome the shear screw 56. The piston 54 acts on the downhole end 31 of 19 the slip housing 14 to shift the slip housing 14 axially uphole, causing the slips 16 to extend and engage the casing 11.
21 In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the piston housing 50 22 is retained on the mandrel 12 using a split ring 57 and a ring retainer 58.
The 23 piston housing 50 is further secured to the ring retainer 58 using a set screw 59.
1 Having reference to Figs. 6a-6b and more preferably, the slip 2 housing 14 is further temporarily restrained from axial movement during running 3 into the wellbore by a collet system 60. The collet system 60 comprises a tubular 4 collet housing 61, a collet 63 and a profile 66 in the mandrel 12. The tubular collet housing 61 is formed over the mandrel 12 immediately adjacent to and 6 engaging the downhole end 31 of the slip housing 14, forming a downhole-facing 7 annular space 62 therebetween. Shear screw 56 connects the collet housing 61 8 to the mandrel 12 thereby restraining the slip housing 14. The collet 63 is 9 connected, preferably by threads 64, to the collect housing 61 in the annular space 62.
11 In a non-actuated position, a plurality of shaped distal ends 65 of 12 the collet 63 reside in the profile 66 in the mandrel 12, locking the collet 63 and 13 slip housing 14 to the mandrel 12. A tubular collet retainer 67 temporarily resides 14 between the distal ends 65 and the collet housing 61 to retain the collet's distal ends 65 in the profile 66 and lock the collet housing 61 and slip housing 14.
16 The collet retainer 67 extends from an upper end 68 of the piston 17 54 to the collet 63. The retainer 67 is profiled forming an annulus 69 between the 18 collet retainer 67 and the mandrel 12. An uphole end 70 of the retainer 67 19 protrudes between the collet housing 61 and the distal end 65 of the collet 63, for retaining the shaped end 65 of the collet in the profile 66. Shear screw 71 21 connects between the collet housing 61 and the collet retainer 67 to prevent the 22 collet 63 from moving out of the profile 66 enabling axial movement of the piston 23 54 resulting in accidental setting of the slips 16.
1 In operation, uphole, axial movement of the piston 54 causes the 2 piston 54 to bear upon the collet retainer 67, shearing the collet shear screw 71.
3 The collet retainer 67 moves axially uphole into the annular space 63 between 4 the collet housing 61 and the collet 63. An enlarged, shaped inner surface 72 of the collet retainer 67 permits the distal end 65 of the collet 63 to release from the 6 profile 66 and move into the annular space 69. The uphole end of the retainer 69 7 acts upon the collet housing 61 causing shear screw 56 to shear and enabling 8 the collet housing 61 to shift the slip housing 14 to the actuated position.
9 Having reference to Figs. 7a-c, a second, rotating embodiment of the present invention is shown. The uphole slip portion S comprises a tubular 11 mandrel 112, connectable at a top end 113 to a tubing string (not shown) and at 12 a lower end 114 to a liner (not shown). A slip housing 115 is mounted on the 13 mandrel 112 and as axially moveable thereon and forms an annular space 116 14 therebetween. The slip housing 115 supports slips 16 as detailed in the previous embodiment. A cam sleeve 117, having cam surfaces 118 extending radially 16 outward, is positioned within the annular space 116. Openings or windows 17 are formed in the cam sleeve 117 below the cam surfaces 118 to permit the slips 18 16 to recess deeper in the radially stowed position. The mandrel 112 and the 19 depending liner are supported on an upper bearing 120 positioned at a shoulder 131 on the mandrel 112 and an uphole end 132 of the cam sleeve. Preferably, 21 the upper bearing 120 is a tapered roller thrust bearing. An uphole facing 22 shoulder 121 on the mandrel 112 supports a lower end 122 of the cam sleeve 23 117.
1 The slip housing 115 and mandrel 112 are connected for co-axial 2 movement by a shear screw 130 located in a groove 131 on the mandrel 112 3 permitting the slip housing 115 to rotate independent of the mandrel 112 prior to 4 setting of the slips 16. The hydraulic section H is as described in the previous embodiment. Once the shear screw 130 has been sheared for actuation of the 6 slips 16, the mandrel 112 and the connected, depending liner (not shown) are 7 rotationally supported on the cam sleeve 117 through bearing 119. The mandrel 8 112 can be freely rotated within the cam sleeve 117, while the cam sleeve 9 and slip housing 115 are held stationary in the casing 11.
Preferably, to avoid imparting rotational or torsional energy to the 11 hydraulic section H, the piston 54 is formed in two sections, a lower section 132 12 carrying seals 133 which rotates with the mandrel 12 and an upper section 13 which bears upon the non-rotating collet retainer 67.
14 As shown in Fig. 8, the liner hanger 10 is preferably available having one, two or three sets of slips 16 in either a rotating or a non-rotating 16 embodiment. The hanging capacity is increased with the increasing number of 17 sets of slips 16. The liner hanger having three sets of slips is better seen in Figs.
18 7a-c.
1 IN USE:
2 In a preferred arrangement, as shown in Fig. 9, a liner hanger 3 assembly 100 typically comprises, listed from an uphole end 101, a tieback 4 receptacle 102 or optionally a liner top packer 103, a liner hanger 104, a depending liner 105 containing a hydraulically actuated landing collar 106, and, 6 at a downhole distal end 107, a liner float shoe 108 forming a contiguous bore 7 109. The assembly 100 is attached to a running tool fluidly connected to a tubing 8 string (not shown) for insertion into a previously cemented wellbore casing 9 (Fig. 1). During insertion, the slips 16 are held in the retracted or stowed and protected position as a result of the laterally extending springs 19. The piston 54, 11 in the hydraulic section H, is in the non-actuated downhole position. The collet 12 system 60 prevents premature actuation of the slips 16, which could otherwise 13 result from mechanical interference in wellbore or as a result of minor pressure 14 increases.
The liner hanger system 100 is lowered through the cemented 16 casing 11 to a position near a lower end of the casing 11. A ball 110 is dropped 17 through the contiguous bore 109 and is caught in the landing collar 106.
Once 18 caught, the ball 110 blocks the bore 109, permitting pressure to be applied 19 above the ball 110 to shear the shear screws 71, 56 and actuate the hydraulic portion H of the liner hanger to move the slip housing 14 axially uphole to the 21 actuated position causing the slips 16 to set and grip the casing 11.
22 To begin cementing, the bore 109 is pressured in excess of the slip 23 actuation pressure to blow the ball 110 in landing collar 106 and re-establish fluid 24 communication in the bore 109 with the float shoe 108. A pre-determined volume 1 of cement is pumped through the bore 109 and out float shoe 108. As cement 2 fills the annulus between casing and the borehole (not shown), drilling fluid is 3 displaced up the annulus and into the casing annulus 40 and through the 4 mandrel annulus 18 (Figs. 2-3) at a joint between the old cemented casing 11 and new liner 105. The displaced fluid flows into the inlet ports 30 in the slip 6 housing 14, between the slips 16 in the enlarged annulus 18 and exits through 7 the outlet port 32 at the top of the slip housing 14.
8 In the case of the second embodiment described above for the 9 rotating liner hanger, the mandrel 112 and depending liner can be freely rotated during placement of the cement.
11 To conclude the cementing operation, a drill pipe wiper (not shown) 12 is dropped from surface into the bore 109 to follow the cement. The drill pipe 13 wiper mates with a liner wiper at a bottom end of a running tool (not shown). The 14 mated wipers are sheared under pressure to drop from the bottom of the running tool to latch into a landing collar 106 which results in a pressure spike indicating 16 latching has occurred. Cementing is then stopped, after which the running tool is 17 removed from the bore 109 and the top packer 103 is set.
23 In both the rotating and non-rotating embodiments, the means 24 acting between the slips and the slip housing to bias the slips into the slip 1 housing during running in of the tool are springs attached to the slips and 2 extending laterally therefrom between the slip housing and the mandrel.
3 Preferably, the hydraulic means or actuator for actuating the slip 4 housing to move axially to set the slips is a piston in fluid communication with the bore of the mandrel, such that pressure in the bore to causes the piston to move 6 uphole and actuate the slip housing.
7 Optionally, both rotating and non-rotating embodiments may have 8 a collet system which acts to prevent premature axial movement of the slip 9 housing while running in the tool. The collet system is positioned between the hydraulic section and the slip housing. A shear screw acts to retain a collet 11 retainer between a collet housing and collet fingers to prevent the collet from 12 releasing from a profile in the mandrel until such time as the mandrel's bore is 13 pressurized sufficiently to actuate the piston in the hydraulic section.
Both the 14 retainer shear screw and a main shear screw between the collet housing and the mandrel must be sheared to permit actuation of the slips.
16 Further, in the rotating embodiment, so as to avoid imparting 17 rotational energy to the hydraulic section, the piston is preferably formed in two 18 sections, a lower section carrying seals which can rotate with the hydraulic 19 section and an upper section which bears against the non-rotating collet retainer.
2 Figure 1 is a longitudinal partial sectional view of a liner hanger of 3 the present invention;
4 Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view according to Figure 1, sectioned along lines A-A and showing the slips in a retracted position;
6 Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view according to Figure 1, sectioned 7 along lines A-A and showing the slips in an extended position;
8 Figure 4a is a front perspective view of a slip removed from the slip 9 housing;
Figure 4b is a rear perspective view of the slip according to Fig. 4a, 11 illustrating the positioning of a laterally extending spring connected to the slip;
12 Figure 5a is a rollout view of a slip housing having two sets of 13 vertically positioned slips and illustrating, in dashed lines, a pattern of a flow of 14 fluids between the plurality of slips;
Figure 5b is a rollout view of a slip housing having two tiers of 16 vertically positioned slips and option flow openings and illustrating, in dashed 17 lines, a pattern of flow of fluids between the plurality of slips;
18 Figure 6a is a longitudinal sectional view of a hydraulic portion of 19 the liner hanger according to Fig. 1, the right side illustrating a non-actuated position and the left side illustrating an actuated position;
21 Figure 6b is a sectional view of an optional collet system the right 22 side illustrating a non-actuated position and the left side illustrating an actuated 23 position;
1 Figures 7a-c are partial longitudinal sectional views of a second 2 embodiment of the invention in which the casing can be rotated during 3 cementing, illustrated in sections, Fig. 7a being an uphole section, Fig. 7b being 4 an intermediate section and Fig. 7c being a downhole section, all of which are shown in a non-actuated position;
6 Figure 8 is a partial longitudinal view illustrating embodiments of 7 the liner hanger according to Figs. 1 and 7a-c and optionally having either a 8 single set of slips, two sets of slips or three sets of slips; and 9 Figure 9 is a longitudinal, partially sectioned view of a liner hanger assembly including the liner hanger according to Fig. 1.
2 Having reference to Figs. 1 - 3, a first non-rotating embodiment of a 3 liner hanger 10 of the present invention is shown in a wellbore casing 11.
The 4 liner hanger 10 comprises an uphole slip portion S and a downhole hydraulic portion H for actuating the slip portion S. The liner hanger 10 has a tubular 6 mandrel 12 having cam faces 13 supported by and extending radially outward 7 therefrom. For additional structural integrity, the cam faces 13 are machined 8 integral from the mandrel.
9 A slip housing 14 is mounted on the mandrel 12 and is axially moveable thereon. A plurality of openings 15 are formed in the slip housing 14 to 11 accommodate a plurality of slips 16. The slips 16 are pivotally retained within the 12 slip housing 14 and are normally retracted within the openings 15. A slip 13 housing/mandrel annulus 18 is formed between the slip housing 14 and the 14 mandrel 12. The slip housing/mandrel annulus 18 acts to provide additional fluid bypass for the flow of drilling fluids, displaced upwardly, during cementing.
16 Laterally extending biasing means 17, shown in greater detail in 17 Figs. 4a - 4b, are connected between the slips 16 and the slip housing 14, 18 extending across and beyond each opening 15. The biasing means 17 act to 19 normally retract the slips 16 into a radially stowed position in the openings 15 in the slip housing 14, during insertion of the liner hanger 10 into the casing 11. In 21 operation, the slip housing 14 is caused to move axially on the mandrel 12 so as 22 to engage the slips 16 with the cam faces 13 resulting in extension of the slips 23 16 into engagement with the casing 11 for gripping the casing 11 and supporting 24 a liner (not shown) extending therefrom.
1 In a preferred embodiment, as shown in Figs. 4a, 4b and 5, the 2 laterally extending biasing means 17 is a flat spring 19 and each slip 16 is 3 attached to the corresponding spring 19 using a fastener 20, such as a screw.
4 Additionally, as shown in Fig. 5a, mechanical, cantilevered supports, formed as tabs 21, extend from the slip housing 14 into opposing sides of each opening 6 at a downhole end 22 of each slip 16 to ensure the slips 16 remain biased to slip 7 housing 14 and to assist in supporting the slips 16 when extended to grip the 8 casing 11. The supports are formed as tabs 21 on either side of the opening 15, 9 rather than as a solid bar across the opening 15, to ensure that the support will bend rather than break under stress should the casing 11 be oversized and the 11 slips 16 over-extend to grip the casing 11.
12 Preferably, the slip housing 14 is assembled as two or more clam-13 shell portions assembled over the mandrel 12 and welded together, such as 14 through section ring portion at the uphole and downhole ends of the slip housing.
Further, as shown in Fig. 5a, the slip housing 14 is slit, above and 16 below each tab 21 at an interface 34 between the tab 21 and the slip housing 14, 17 to decrease bending stress rather than risk breaking of the tab 21 under undue 18 stress. The slit 35 is locally widened at a distal end 36 to avoid a stress 19 concentration.
The slip housing 14 has a plurality of fluid inlet ports 30 formed at a 21 downhole end 31 of the slip housing 14 and a substantially circumferential outlet 22 32 formed at an uphole end of the slip housing 14.
23 As shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 5a, the annulus 18 can be further 24 increased in cross-sectional area to provide increased fluid bypass. The slip 1 housing 14 is profiled on an inner surface 33 to provide the increased fluid flow 2 bypass I by creating the enlarged annular space 18 between the mandrel 12 3 and the slip housing 14. The profiling can be a simple concavity resulting in a 4 thinning of the wall of the slip housing 14.
The fluid flow bypass aids in passing well fluids during operations 6 for cementing the newly hung liner into the wellbore. Cement is pumped through 7 a bore in a liner hanger system, which simplistically includes a running tool 8 suspended from a tubing string to surface and connected at a downhole end to 9 the liner hanger, the depending liner and at a distal end to a float shoe.
As cement exits the float shoe and rises to fill an annulus between the casing 11 11 and the open wellbore (not shown), drilling fluid is displaced upwards and must 12 pass by the liner hanger 10. When the drilling fluid reaches the cemented casing 13 11, the fluid is forced between the liner hanger 10 and the casing 11. The 14 displaced fluid enters the casing annulus 40 between the casing 11 and the liner hanger 10 and also enters the annulus 18 through the inlet port 30 between the 16 slip housing 14 and the mandrel 12. Accordingly, displaced fluid can flow through 17 a large cross-sectional area, including both the casing annulus 40 and the slip 18 housing/mandrel annulus 18. The profiling of the inner surface 33 of the slip 19 housing 14 further increases the annular 18 flow area.
As shown in greater detail in Fig. 5a, the slips 16 are positioned 21 circumferentially and vertically about the slip housing 14. The number of slips 16 22 that can be positioned vertically, in tiers, is only limited by the length of the slip 23 housing 14. The more slips 16 present, the more the load from the depending 24 liner is distributed, thus increasing hanger capacity. Flow of drilling fluids F
1 continues substantially unimpeded through the slip housing/mandrel annulus 2 regardless of the number of tiers of sets of slips 16.
3 Optionally, as shown in Fig. 5b, a plurality of additional openings 4 15 are formed in the slip housing 14 to further improve fluid access to the annulus 18 and improve fluid flow bypass.
6 Referring again to Fig. 1, the hydraulic section H of the liner hanger 7 10 is located on the mandrel 12 adjacent the downhole end 31 of the slip 8 housing 14 and is adapted to actuate the slip housing 14.
9 As shown in greater detail in Fig. 6, a tubular piston housing 50 is formed around the mandrel 12 creating a cylindrical space 51 therebetween that 11 is in fluid communication with a bore 52 of the mandrel 12 through a port 53. A
12 piston 54 is positioned within and extends above the cylindrical space 51 and is 13 axially moveable therein. During operation, an increase in pressure within the 14 mandrel bore 52 which acts on a distal end 55 of the piston 54 moves the piston 54 to an uphole actuated position. A shear screw 56 between the slip housing 16 and the mandrel 12 acts to prevent actuation of the piston 54 until such time as 17 the bore pressure acting upon the piston 54 creates a force sufficient to 18 overcome the shear screw 56. The piston 54 acts on the downhole end 31 of 19 the slip housing 14 to shift the slip housing 14 axially uphole, causing the slips 16 to extend and engage the casing 11.
21 In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the piston housing 50 22 is retained on the mandrel 12 using a split ring 57 and a ring retainer 58.
The 23 piston housing 50 is further secured to the ring retainer 58 using a set screw 59.
1 Having reference to Figs. 6a-6b and more preferably, the slip 2 housing 14 is further temporarily restrained from axial movement during running 3 into the wellbore by a collet system 60. The collet system 60 comprises a tubular 4 collet housing 61, a collet 63 and a profile 66 in the mandrel 12. The tubular collet housing 61 is formed over the mandrel 12 immediately adjacent to and 6 engaging the downhole end 31 of the slip housing 14, forming a downhole-facing 7 annular space 62 therebetween. Shear screw 56 connects the collet housing 61 8 to the mandrel 12 thereby restraining the slip housing 14. The collet 63 is 9 connected, preferably by threads 64, to the collect housing 61 in the annular space 62.
11 In a non-actuated position, a plurality of shaped distal ends 65 of 12 the collet 63 reside in the profile 66 in the mandrel 12, locking the collet 63 and 13 slip housing 14 to the mandrel 12. A tubular collet retainer 67 temporarily resides 14 between the distal ends 65 and the collet housing 61 to retain the collet's distal ends 65 in the profile 66 and lock the collet housing 61 and slip housing 14.
16 The collet retainer 67 extends from an upper end 68 of the piston 17 54 to the collet 63. The retainer 67 is profiled forming an annulus 69 between the 18 collet retainer 67 and the mandrel 12. An uphole end 70 of the retainer 67 19 protrudes between the collet housing 61 and the distal end 65 of the collet 63, for retaining the shaped end 65 of the collet in the profile 66. Shear screw 71 21 connects between the collet housing 61 and the collet retainer 67 to prevent the 22 collet 63 from moving out of the profile 66 enabling axial movement of the piston 23 54 resulting in accidental setting of the slips 16.
1 In operation, uphole, axial movement of the piston 54 causes the 2 piston 54 to bear upon the collet retainer 67, shearing the collet shear screw 71.
3 The collet retainer 67 moves axially uphole into the annular space 63 between 4 the collet housing 61 and the collet 63. An enlarged, shaped inner surface 72 of the collet retainer 67 permits the distal end 65 of the collet 63 to release from the 6 profile 66 and move into the annular space 69. The uphole end of the retainer 69 7 acts upon the collet housing 61 causing shear screw 56 to shear and enabling 8 the collet housing 61 to shift the slip housing 14 to the actuated position.
9 Having reference to Figs. 7a-c, a second, rotating embodiment of the present invention is shown. The uphole slip portion S comprises a tubular 11 mandrel 112, connectable at a top end 113 to a tubing string (not shown) and at 12 a lower end 114 to a liner (not shown). A slip housing 115 is mounted on the 13 mandrel 112 and as axially moveable thereon and forms an annular space 116 14 therebetween. The slip housing 115 supports slips 16 as detailed in the previous embodiment. A cam sleeve 117, having cam surfaces 118 extending radially 16 outward, is positioned within the annular space 116. Openings or windows 17 are formed in the cam sleeve 117 below the cam surfaces 118 to permit the slips 18 16 to recess deeper in the radially stowed position. The mandrel 112 and the 19 depending liner are supported on an upper bearing 120 positioned at a shoulder 131 on the mandrel 112 and an uphole end 132 of the cam sleeve. Preferably, 21 the upper bearing 120 is a tapered roller thrust bearing. An uphole facing 22 shoulder 121 on the mandrel 112 supports a lower end 122 of the cam sleeve 23 117.
1 The slip housing 115 and mandrel 112 are connected for co-axial 2 movement by a shear screw 130 located in a groove 131 on the mandrel 112 3 permitting the slip housing 115 to rotate independent of the mandrel 112 prior to 4 setting of the slips 16. The hydraulic section H is as described in the previous embodiment. Once the shear screw 130 has been sheared for actuation of the 6 slips 16, the mandrel 112 and the connected, depending liner (not shown) are 7 rotationally supported on the cam sleeve 117 through bearing 119. The mandrel 8 112 can be freely rotated within the cam sleeve 117, while the cam sleeve 9 and slip housing 115 are held stationary in the casing 11.
Preferably, to avoid imparting rotational or torsional energy to the 11 hydraulic section H, the piston 54 is formed in two sections, a lower section 132 12 carrying seals 133 which rotates with the mandrel 12 and an upper section 13 which bears upon the non-rotating collet retainer 67.
14 As shown in Fig. 8, the liner hanger 10 is preferably available having one, two or three sets of slips 16 in either a rotating or a non-rotating 16 embodiment. The hanging capacity is increased with the increasing number of 17 sets of slips 16. The liner hanger having three sets of slips is better seen in Figs.
18 7a-c.
1 IN USE:
2 In a preferred arrangement, as shown in Fig. 9, a liner hanger 3 assembly 100 typically comprises, listed from an uphole end 101, a tieback 4 receptacle 102 or optionally a liner top packer 103, a liner hanger 104, a depending liner 105 containing a hydraulically actuated landing collar 106, and, 6 at a downhole distal end 107, a liner float shoe 108 forming a contiguous bore 7 109. The assembly 100 is attached to a running tool fluidly connected to a tubing 8 string (not shown) for insertion into a previously cemented wellbore casing 9 (Fig. 1). During insertion, the slips 16 are held in the retracted or stowed and protected position as a result of the laterally extending springs 19. The piston 54, 11 in the hydraulic section H, is in the non-actuated downhole position. The collet 12 system 60 prevents premature actuation of the slips 16, which could otherwise 13 result from mechanical interference in wellbore or as a result of minor pressure 14 increases.
The liner hanger system 100 is lowered through the cemented 16 casing 11 to a position near a lower end of the casing 11. A ball 110 is dropped 17 through the contiguous bore 109 and is caught in the landing collar 106.
Once 18 caught, the ball 110 blocks the bore 109, permitting pressure to be applied 19 above the ball 110 to shear the shear screws 71, 56 and actuate the hydraulic portion H of the liner hanger to move the slip housing 14 axially uphole to the 21 actuated position causing the slips 16 to set and grip the casing 11.
22 To begin cementing, the bore 109 is pressured in excess of the slip 23 actuation pressure to blow the ball 110 in landing collar 106 and re-establish fluid 24 communication in the bore 109 with the float shoe 108. A pre-determined volume 1 of cement is pumped through the bore 109 and out float shoe 108. As cement 2 fills the annulus between casing and the borehole (not shown), drilling fluid is 3 displaced up the annulus and into the casing annulus 40 and through the 4 mandrel annulus 18 (Figs. 2-3) at a joint between the old cemented casing 11 and new liner 105. The displaced fluid flows into the inlet ports 30 in the slip 6 housing 14, between the slips 16 in the enlarged annulus 18 and exits through 7 the outlet port 32 at the top of the slip housing 14.
8 In the case of the second embodiment described above for the 9 rotating liner hanger, the mandrel 112 and depending liner can be freely rotated during placement of the cement.
11 To conclude the cementing operation, a drill pipe wiper (not shown) 12 is dropped from surface into the bore 109 to follow the cement. The drill pipe 13 wiper mates with a liner wiper at a bottom end of a running tool (not shown). The 14 mated wipers are sheared under pressure to drop from the bottom of the running tool to latch into a landing collar 106 which results in a pressure spike indicating 16 latching has occurred. Cementing is then stopped, after which the running tool is 17 removed from the bore 109 and the top packer 103 is set.
Claims (13)
1. A liner hanger for use in hanging a liner inside an existing casing in a wellbore, the liner hanger comprising:
a tubular mandrel having a slip housing mounted thereon, the slip housing being axially moveable relative to the mandrel;
one or more sets of circumferentially spaced slips, each slip being housed in a slip opening in the slip housing, each of the one or more sets of slips being spaced axially along the slip housing, a cam sleeve positioned between the mandrel and the slip housing and defining an annular space between the cam sleeve and slip housing, the annular space having an inlet and an outlet for permitting the flow of fluids through the annular space, the cam sleeve having cam surfaces extending radially outward for urging the slips on the slip housing to a radially extended position;
an upper bearing for supporting the mandrel on the cam sleeve while permitting the mandrel to rotate relative to the cam sleeve and slip housing when the slips engage the casing; and an actuator acting between the mandrel and the slip housing for axially moving the slip housing and engaging the slips with the cam surfaces for causing the slips to move from a radially stowed position to a radially extended position for engaging the existing casing.
a tubular mandrel having a slip housing mounted thereon, the slip housing being axially moveable relative to the mandrel;
one or more sets of circumferentially spaced slips, each slip being housed in a slip opening in the slip housing, each of the one or more sets of slips being spaced axially along the slip housing, a cam sleeve positioned between the mandrel and the slip housing and defining an annular space between the cam sleeve and slip housing, the annular space having an inlet and an outlet for permitting the flow of fluids through the annular space, the cam sleeve having cam surfaces extending radially outward for urging the slips on the slip housing to a radially extended position;
an upper bearing for supporting the mandrel on the cam sleeve while permitting the mandrel to rotate relative to the cam sleeve and slip housing when the slips engage the casing; and an actuator acting between the mandrel and the slip housing for axially moving the slip housing and engaging the slips with the cam surfaces for causing the slips to move from a radially stowed position to a radially extended position for engaging the existing casing.
2. The liner hanger as described in claim 1 further comprising a spring for biasing each slip to a radially stowed position towards the mandrel.
3. The liner hanger as described in claim 1 wherein the slip housing is profiled so as to enlarge the annular space therebetween and increase fluid flow bypass.
4. The liner hanger as described in claim 1 wherein the actuator is a hydraulic portion comprising:
a tubular piston housing formed on the mandrel and defining an cylindrical space therebetween; and a piston positioned within the cylindrical space and axially moveable therein, the piston being in fluid communication with a bore of the mandrel for actuating the piston from a non-actuated, downhole position to an uphole actuated position as a result of pressure increases in the bore of the mandrel.
a tubular piston housing formed on the mandrel and defining an cylindrical space therebetween; and a piston positioned within the cylindrical space and axially moveable therein, the piston being in fluid communication with a bore of the mandrel for actuating the piston from a non-actuated, downhole position to an uphole actuated position as a result of pressure increases in the bore of the mandrel.
5. The liner hanger as described in claim 1 further comprising a shear screw connected between the mandrel and the slip housing so as to prevent axial movement of the slip housing during insertion of the liner hanger into the wellbore.
6. The liner hanger as described in claim 1 wherein the upper bearing supporting the cam sleeve is a taper bearing.
7. The liner hanger as described in claim 1 further comprising a collet system between the mandrel and slip housing for retaining the slip housing in a downhole non-actuated position during insertion of the liner hanger into the wellbore.
8. The liner hanger as described in claim 7 wherein the collet system comprises:
a collet connected to the slip housing and normally engaged in a corresponding profile on the mandrel;
a collet housing adapted to the slip housing and forming an annular space between the collet and the collet housing;
a collet retainer positioned in the annular space in a downhole position for retaining the collet in the profile in the mandrel and axially moveable therein to an uphole position for releasing the collet from the profile in the mandrel; and a shear screw between the collet retainer and the collet housing for temporarily restraining the collet retainer in the downhole position.
a collet connected to the slip housing and normally engaged in a corresponding profile on the mandrel;
a collet housing adapted to the slip housing and forming an annular space between the collet and the collet housing;
a collet retainer positioned in the annular space in a downhole position for retaining the collet in the profile in the mandrel and axially moveable therein to an uphole position for releasing the collet from the profile in the mandrel; and a shear screw between the collet retainer and the collet housing for temporarily restraining the collet retainer in the downhole position.
9. The liner hanger as described in claim 8 wherein the collet retainer further comprises a profiled inner surface for alignment with the collet when the collet retainer is moved axially uphole and accepting the collet when released radially from the profile in the mandrel.
10. The liner hanger as described in claim 1 further comprising mechanical supports formed on either side of the opening in the slip housing at a downhole end of the slips for further supporting the slips in the extended position.
11. The liner hanger as described in claim 10 wherein the supports are formed as tabs further comprising slits formed in the housing above and below each tab at an interface between the tab and the slip housing to ensure bending of the tab under stress.
12. The liner hanger as described in claim 1 wherein the slip housing further comprises a plurality of additional openings therethrough to improve fluid bypass.
13. The liner hanger as described in claim 1 having two or more sets of circumferentially spaced slips, housed in a plurality of openings in the slip housing, each of the one or more sets of slips being spaced axially along the slip housing.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2720489A CA2720489C (en) | 2003-04-02 | 2003-04-02 | Hydraulically set liner hanger |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US10/404,450 US20040194954A1 (en) | 2003-04-02 | 2003-04-02 | Hydraulically set liner hanger |
| CA2424719A CA2424719C (en) | 2003-04-02 | 2003-04-02 | Hydraulically set liner hanger |
| CA2720489A CA2720489C (en) | 2003-04-02 | 2003-04-02 | Hydraulically set liner hanger |
Related Parent Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2424719A Division CA2424719C (en) | 2003-04-02 | 2003-04-02 | Hydraulically set liner hanger |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2720489A1 CA2720489A1 (en) | 2004-10-02 |
| CA2720489C true CA2720489C (en) | 2012-08-14 |
Family
ID=33491245
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2720489A Expired - Fee Related CA2720489C (en) | 2003-04-02 | 2003-04-02 | Hydraulically set liner hanger |
| CA2424719A Expired - Fee Related CA2424719C (en) | 2003-04-02 | 2003-04-02 | Hydraulically set liner hanger |
Family Applications After (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2424719A Expired - Fee Related CA2424719C (en) | 2003-04-02 | 2003-04-02 | Hydraulically set liner hanger |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US20040194954A1 (en) |
| CA (2) | CA2720489C (en) |
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| WO2009137516A1 (en) * | 2008-05-05 | 2009-11-12 | Frank's International, Inc. | Tubular running devices and methods |
| US8393401B2 (en) * | 2009-08-17 | 2013-03-12 | Dril-Quip Inc. | Liner hanger running tool and method |
| US20110198096A1 (en) * | 2010-02-15 | 2011-08-18 | Tejas Research And Engineering, Lp | Unlimited Downhole Fracture Zone System |
| US8881814B2 (en) * | 2011-05-02 | 2014-11-11 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Liner cementation process and system |
| CA2847780A1 (en) | 2014-04-01 | 2015-10-01 | Don Turner | Method and apparatus for installing a liner and bridge plug |
| GB201418128D0 (en) * | 2014-10-14 | 2014-11-26 | Weatherford Uk Ltd | Downhole anchor |
| US10184313B2 (en) * | 2015-04-06 | 2019-01-22 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Packer assembly with wing projection slips |
| WO2017105807A1 (en) * | 2015-12-14 | 2017-06-22 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Hoop stress hydraulic trigger |
| WO2020112641A1 (en) * | 2018-11-26 | 2020-06-04 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Closed off liner hanger system and methodology |
| US11480024B2 (en) * | 2021-03-01 | 2022-10-25 | Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations Llc | Packer assembly with slip system |
| CN115030682B (en) * | 2022-06-09 | 2024-01-12 | 德州隆科石油装备有限公司 | Tail pipe hanger provided with expansion type packing device |
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2003
- 2003-04-02 CA CA2720489A patent/CA2720489C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2003-04-02 US US10/404,450 patent/US20040194954A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2003-04-02 CA CA2424719A patent/CA2424719C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2424719C (en) | 2012-01-03 |
| CA2720489A1 (en) | 2004-10-02 |
| CA2424719A1 (en) | 2004-10-02 |
| US20040194954A1 (en) | 2004-10-07 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |
Effective date: 20210406 |