Method and apparatus for plugging a wellbore

• US 20020162657A1
• Filed: 05/04/2001
• Published: 11/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC (Weatherford International PLC)
• Original Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb
• Inventors: Luke, MIke, Hosie, David, Tumlin, David Moore, Fugatt, Gene K. Sr.
• Granted Patent: US 6,595,289 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 166/285
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/134 Bridging plugs
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/112 Perforators with extendable perforating members, e.g. actuated by fluid means
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/1185 Ignition systems
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/11852 hydraulically actuated
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/11855 mechanically actuated, e.g. by movement of a wireline or a drop-bar E21B43/11852 takes precedence

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for plugging a wellbore in a trip saving manner. In one aspect, the invention includes a cement retainer disposed on a run-in string and a radially expanded perforating assembly disposed below the cement retainer. In a single run, the apparatus provides for perforating a wellbore and squeezing cement through the perforations and into the formation therearound. In another aspect, a method of plugging the wellbore includes running a cement retainer and a radially expanded perforating assembly into a wellbore on a run-in string. After the cement retainer is set, a firing head is actuated to cause the perforating gun to discharge. After perforations are formed, cement is introduced from the cement retainer into the isolated area and squeezed through the perforations. Thereafter, the run-in string disengages from the cement retainer leaving behind the plug formed. In yet another aspect, a firing head capable of being actuated by different means is used to discharge the perforating assembly.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use in plugging a wellbore, comprising:

a cement retainer for disposal on a run-in string of tubular; and

at least one radially expanded perforating assembly disposed below the cement retainer.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one firing head disposed on the run-in string of tubular.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein at least one firing head is pressure actuated.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein at least one firing head is mechanically actuated.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a ported flow joint disposed on the run-in string of tubular.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the ported flow joint is at least about 1 ft. in length.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a setting tool disposed above the cement retainer.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the setting tool may be rotated.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cement retainer further comprises a radially expandable element.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cement retainer further comprises a t least one opening for fluid communication.

11. A method of plugging a wellbore, comprising:

running an apparatus into the wellbore on a tubular string, the apparatus including;

a cement retainer disposed on the tubular string; and

a radially expanded perforating assembly disposed below the cement retainer;

setting the cement retainer to seal an annular area between the cement retainer and a casing wall therebetween;

causing the perforating assembly to discharge and forming perforations in the casing wall; and

injecting cement through the tubular string and into a formation adjacent the perforations.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

applying a pre-determined pressure to an isolated area of the wellbore below the cement retainer to cause the perforating assembly to discharge.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

removing the tubular string from the apparatus;

placing a plug of cement on top of the cement retainer.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising disposing a whipstock above the plug.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the perforations are formed on an inner tubular and the cement is injected through the perforations and into an annular area between the inner tubular and an outer tubular.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising setting a bridge plug in the wellbore prior to running the apparatus into the wellbore.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein setting the cement retainer comprises:

rotating a setting tool connected to the cement retainer; and

causing a radially expandable element around the cement retainer to expand.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the means for discharging the perforating assembly comprises at least one firing head.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising means for injecting cement through at least one perforation.

18. An apparatus for use in plugging a wellbore, comprising:

means for lowering a cement retainer and at least one radially expanded perforating assembly into the wellbore;

means for setting the cement retainer against a casing; and

means for discharging the perforating assembly.

21. A firing head for igniting a charge in a wellbore, comprising:

a body having a central channel therethough;

a two position firing pin disposed in the bore, the firing pin constructed and arranged to ignite the charge in a second position; and

a frangible member disposed in the bore above the pin, the frangible member dividing the bore into an upper and lower portions, the upper portion having a higher pressure therein than the lower portion.

22. The firing head of claim 21, further including a fluid path between the wellbore and the upper portion.

23. The firing head of claim 22, wherein the fluid path comprises at least one aperture formed in a wall of the body.

24. The firing head of claim 23, whereby the charge is ignited by increasing the pressure in the upper portion to a predetermined level at which level the frangible member ruptures, exposing the lower portion to the higher pressure of the upper portion and moving the pin to the second position.

25. The firing head of claim 21, further including an axially movable member mounted at an upper end of the body, the member movable by mechanical force applied thereto to break the frangible member, exposing the lower portion to the higher pressure of the upper portion and moving the pin to the second position.

26. The firing head of claim 25, whereby the movable member is held in a first position by a shearable member extending between the movable member and the body.

27. The firing head of claim 21, whereby the pin is held in a first position by a shearable member extending between the pin and the body.

28. The firing head of claim 21, wherein the charge is a perforating charge.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the plug comprises a hollow T-shaped snout.

31. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the rupture disc assembly comprises:

a snout channel disposed in the rupture disc assembly; and

a membrane disposed in the rupture disc assembly, wherein the membrane prevents fluid communication in the snout channel.

32. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the body comprises:

a first set of holes disposed in an upper portion of the body; and

a second set of holes disposed in a middle portion of the body, wherein the first and second set of holes are in fluid communication with the channel.

33. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein a pressure above and below the firing pin is below a hydrostatic pressure.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein supplying a force to break a membrane comprises:

striking a plug disposed at a first position above the membrane;

causing a roll pin securing the plug to the first position to break;

moving the plug from the first position to a second position; and

breaking the membrane with the plug.

36. The method of claim 34, wherein supplying a force to break a membrane comprises:

increasing a hydrostatic pressure above the membrane;

breaking the membrane.

29. A firing head for discharging a perforating assembly, comprising:

a body;

a channel disposed in the body;

a plug at least partially disposed in the channel;

a rupture disc assembly disposed below the plug;

a firing pin disposed below the rupture disc assembly;

a roll pin at least partially disposed in the body and the plug; and

a retention pin at least partially disposed in the firing pin.

34. A method for actuating a firing head for discharging a perforating assembly, comprising:

supplying a force to break a membrane disposed above a firing pin;

increasing a pressure above the firing pin; and

causing the firing pin to strike a primer cap.