Systems and methods for setting an extreme-range anchor within a wellbore

• US 10,294,744 B2
• Filed: 11/01/2016
• Issued: 05/21/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robertson Intellectual Properties, Llc
• Original Assignee: Robertson Intellectual Properties, Llc
• Inventors: Robertson, Michael C., Grattan, Antony F., Streibich, Douglas J., Huggins, Cory L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stephenson, Daniel P
• Application Number:
  US15/340,835
• Publication Number:
  US 20170067305A1
• Time in Patent Office: 931 Days
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 23/01 for anchoring the tools or the like E21B23/02 - E21B23/06 take precedence; anchoring of drives in the borehole E21B4/18

Abstract

Systems and methods include an extreme range anchor, having extending assemblies configured to engage a wellbore, for providing a self-centering, reusable anchor location within a wellbore. The extending assemblies include a first set of arms connected to a first brace, a second set of arms connected to a second brace, and a set of footplates. Each footplate in the set of footplates is connected to the first set of arms and the second set of arms. Each footplate includes a fixator coupled to a radially external face and configured to securely engage the wellbore. The system also includes a pull rod rigidly coupled to the first brace and slidably connected to the second brace. Forcing the pull rod in an axial direction shortens a distance between the first brace and the second brace and forces the set of footplates to move in a radial direction toward the wellbore.

Claims

1. A system for providing a self-centering reusable anchor location within a wellbore, the system comprising:

an extreme range anchor, comprising;

a first extending assembly configured to engage the wellbore, the first extending assembly comprising;

a first set of arms connected to a first brace;

a second set of arms connected to a second brace; and

a set of footplates, wherein each footplate in the set of footplates is connected at a first side to the first set of arms and connected at a second side to the second set of arms, and wherein each footplate comprises a fixator coupled to a radially external face and configured to securely engage the wellbore; and

a pull rod rigidly coupled to the first brace and slidably connected to the second brace, wherein forcing the pull rod in an axial direction shortens a distance between the first brace and the second brace and forces the set of footplates to move in a radial direction toward the wellbore.

2. The system of claim 1, comprising:

a second extending assembly configured to engage the wellbore, comprising;

a third set of arms connected to the second brace;

a fourth set of arms connected to a third brace; and

a second set of footplates, wherein each footplate in the second set of footplates is connected at a first side to the third set of arms and connected at a second side to the fourth set of arms.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the extreme range anchor comprises a body and the pull rod comprises an engagement key, wherein the engagement key is configured to engage with the body to maintain an axial position of the pull rod relative to the body when the pull rod is forced in the axial direction.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the engagement key is configured to disengage from within the body in response to the body being forced in the axial direction at a disengage threshold of force.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the set of footplates are configured to move a distance up to 15 centimeters in the radial direction to engage with the wellbore.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the fixators comprise cone-shaped fixators, half cone-shaped fixators, serrated fixators, or other fixators to securely engage the wellbore.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first extending assembly comprises a pull rod spring, securing pins, securing bands, or other securing implements to prevent radial movement of the set of footplates prior to the forcing of the pull rod.

8. The system of claim 1, comprising fixator covers configured to cover the fixators, wherein the fixator covers prevent engagement between the fixators and the wellbore while the extreme range anchor is being deployed to a depth within the wellbore.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the extreme range anchor comprises a setting rod configured to connect to the pull rod with a tab at a first end, and to a setting tool at a second end, wherein the setting tool pulls the setting rod to force the pull rod in the axial direction.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the tab is configured to shear the setting rod from the pull rod when pulled at a set force.

11. A method of performing a downhole operation within a wellbore, the method comprising:

lowering an extreme range anchor into the wellbore, wherein the extreme range anchor comprises a tool connecting head;

actuating a setting tool to force a pull rod in an axial direction to extend a set of footplates in a radial direction, wherein the footplates are configured to securely engage the wellbore with fixators coupled to a radially external face of the footplates;

lowering a first tool onto the tool connecting head;

completing a first operation with the first tool;

retrieving the first tool to a surface of the wellbore;

lowering a second tool onto the tool connecting head;

completing a second operation with the second tool at a second location; and

retrieving the second tool to the surface of the wellbore.

12. The method of claim 11, comprising pulling on the tool connecting head in the axial direction to disengage the set of footplates from the wellbore.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of completing the first operation, the second operation, or combinations thereof, comprises actuating an axial torch cutter, a radial torch cutter, a wellbore perforator, a production tubing cutter, or combinations thereof.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein actuating the setting tool comprises shearing a setting rod from the pull rod, wherein the shearing is configured to occur when the set of footplates are engaged with the wellbore.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the first operation is completed at a target location and the second operation is completed within 3 centimeters or less than 3 centimeters of the target location.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the footplates are configured to extend in the radial direction up to 15 centimeters.

17. A system for securely engaging a wellbore, the system comprising:

a first arm rotatably connected to a first brace at a first end of the first arm;

a second arm rotatably connected to a second brace at a first end of the second arm; and

a pull rod rigidly connected to the first brace and slidably connected to the second brace and configured to translate in a longitudinal direction, wherein when the pull rod translates the longitudinal direction, the first arm and the second arm are configured to rotate so that a second end of the first arm and a second end of the second arm protrude in an axial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

18. The system of claim 17, comprising a footplate rotatably connected to the second end of the first arm and the second end of the second arm.

19. The system of claim 17, comprising a protrusion attached at the second end of the second arm, wherein the protrusion is configured to protrude into the wellbore after the pull rod translates in the longitudinal direction.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the first arm, the second arm, or combinations thereof comprise flex features.

21. The system of claim 19, comprising an alignment member configured to receive a downhole tool and lock the downhole tool into place.