STAGE CEMENTING METHODS USED IN CASING WHILE DRILLING

• US 20070261850A1
• Filed: 05/11/2007
• Published: 11/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC (Weatherford International PLC)
• Original Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb Incorporated (Weatherford International PLC)
• Inventors: Giroux, Richard, Rosenberg, Steven
• Granted Patent: US 7,857,052 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 166/291
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/14 for cementing casings into boreholes
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/146 Stage cementing, i.e. discharging cement from casing at different levels
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 7/20 Driving or forcing casings or pipes into boreholes, e.g. sinking; Simultaneously drilling and casing boreholes

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are provided for a cementing operation for use with a drilling with casing application. In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided for stage cementing using a full opening stage tool. In another embodiment, an apparatus is provided for reverse cementing of the casing.

Claims

1. A method of cementing a wellbore, comprising:

drilling the wellbore using a drilling member coupled to a casing;

performing a first cementing operation;

opening a stage tool located in the casing string;

performing a second cementing operation through the stage tool.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the stage tool is opened using a plug.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising closing the stage tool.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising setting a sealing member prior to the second cementing operation.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising removing the drilling member prior to performing the first cementing operation;

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising locating a one way valve in the casing for performing the first cementing operation.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the one way valve is conveyed using a work string.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the one way valve is conveyed using a wire line, slickline, cable, or electric line.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the one way valve is run in with an operating tool for the stage tool.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein a plurality of plugs are used to perform the first and second cementing operations.

11. An apparatus for forming a wellbore, comprising:

a casing string having a drilling member disposed at a lower end;

a cementing stage tool disposed at an intermediate location on the casing string;

a one way valve disposed at a lower portion of the casing string; and

an operating tool for controlling the stage tool.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the stage tool includes a sliding sleeve for regulating flow through the stage tool.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the drilling member is retrievable from the casing string.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the one way valve is coupled to the drilling member and retrievable therewith.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the drilling member is latched to a profile in the casing string.

16. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a one way plug for performing a first stage cementing operation.

17. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a torque member for supporting and rotating the casing string.

18. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the operating tool comprises one or more plugs.

19. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the operating tool is conveyed using a work string.

20. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the operating tool is conveyed using a wire line, slickline, electric line, or cable.

21. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein stage tool is a full opening stage tool.

22. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a sealing member disposed on an outer portion of the stage tool.

23. An apparatus for cementing a wellbore, comprising:

an outer string, having;

a casing string;

an annular packer;

a selectively actuatable port for fluid communication with an exterior of the outer string; and

a valve disposed at a lower portion of the outer string; and

an inner string adapted to engage an interior of the outer string, the inner string having;

a bypass port;

a reverse port; and

an outer string engagement member,

wherein the apparatus is adapted to circulate a fluid out of the port and into the valve.

24. A method of cementing a tubular in a wellbore, comprising:

providing the tubular with a port collar disposed above a valve;

positioning an inner string in the tubular;

opening a port in the port collar;

opening the valve;

circulating cement down the inner string and out of the port to an exterior of the tubular; and

circulating cement in the exterior through the valve and up the inner string.