DOWNHOLE TUBULAR LENGTH COMPENSATING SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20090283256A1
• Filed: 09/23/2008
• Published: 11/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Original Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Inventors: Langeslag, Rene
• Application Number:
  US12/236,231
• Publication Number:
  US 20090283256A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 166/242.700
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/07 Telescoping joints for varying drill string lengths; Shock absorbers

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a downhole tubular length compensating system. The system includes, a tubular having a plurality of length adjustable sections, and spacings between adjacent length adjustable sections are set to overcome frictional forces anticipated along the tubular.

Claims

1. A downhole tubular length compensating system, comprising a tubular having a plurality of length adjustable sections, and spacings between adjacent length adjustable sections being set to overcome frictional forces anticipated along the tubular.

2. The downhole tubular length compensating system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of length adjustable sections is adjustable in response to longitudinal forces applied thereto.

3. The downhole tubular length compensating system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of length adjustable sections are adjusted by shortening thereof.

4. The downhole tubular length compensating system of claim 1, further comprising a force failing member in operable communication with the plurality of length adjustable sections.

5. The downhole tubular length compensating system of claim 4, wherein the force failing member is one of a shear joint and a lock ring.

6. The downhole tubular length compensating system of claim 1, further comprising:

a first portion of the tubular being on a first side of each length adjustable portion; and

a second portion of the tubular on a second side of each length adjustable portion being movable relative to each length adjustable portion.

7. The downhole tubular length compensating system of claim 6, wherein the first portion is fixedly attached to a pipe and the second portion is slidably engaged with the pipe.

8. The downhole tubular length compensating system of claim 7, wherein the first portion is fixedly attached to the pipe by one of threadable engagement and welding.

9. The downhole tubular length compensating system of claim 7, further comprising a seal slidably engaged between the second portion and the pipe.

10. The downhole tubular length compensating system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of length adjustable sections include a deformable member.

11. The downhole tubular length compensating system of claim 10, wherein the deformable member is metal.

12. The downhole tubular length compensating system of claim 10, wherein deformation of the deformable member is reversible.

13. The downhole tubular length compensating system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of length adjustable sections are configured to maintain a seal across a wall of the tubular during length adjustments without a sliding seal.

14. The downhole tubular length compensating system of claim 1, wherein a length adjustability of the plurality of length adjustable sections is reversible.

15. The downhole tubular length compensating system of claim 1, wherein a length adjustability of the plurality of length adjustable sections is in response to expansion and contraction of the tubular due to temperature changes therein.

16. The downhole tubular length compensating system of claim 1, wherein a length adjustability of the plurality of length adjustable sections is selected based on parameters of the tubular between the adjacent length adjustable sections.

17. The downhole tubular length compensating system of claim 16, wherein the parameters include at least one of material and coefficient of thermal expansion of the tubular.

18. The downhole tubular length compensating system of claim 16, wherein the wherein adjustment of each of the plurality of length adjustable sections includes plastic deformation thereof.

19. A method of locally relieving longitudinal stress in a downhole tubular, comprising length adjusting a plurality of length adjustable sections of a downhole tubular in response to expansion and contraction of the downhole tubular between adjacent length adjustable sections.

20. A downhole tubular length change compensating system, comprising a tubular having at least one length adjustable section between adjacent joints, adjustability of the length adjustable sections being set to accommodate expansion and contraction of the tubular between adjacent length adjustable sections.