GRADATIONAL INSERTION OF AN ARTIFICIAL LIFT SYSTEM INTO A LIVE WELLBORE

• US 20130098632A1
• Filed: 10/15/2012
• Published: 04/25/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Zeitecs B.V. (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Wetzel, James Rudolph, Sheline, Evan, Griffiths, Neil
• Granted Patent: US 9,080,412 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 166/373
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/16 Connecting or disconnecting pipe couplings or joints E21B19/20 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/161 using a wrench or a spinner adapted to engage a circular section of pipe E21B19/168 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/072 for cable-operated tools E21B33/076 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/128 Adaptation of pump systems with down-hole electric drives

Abstract

A method of inserting a downhole assembly into a live wellbore, includes: assembling a pressure control assembly (PCA) onto a production tree of the live wellbore; inserting a first deployment section of the downhole assembly into a lubricator; landing the lubricator onto the PCA; connecting the lubricator to the PCA; lowering the first deployment section into the PCA; engaging a clamp of the PCA with the first deployment section; after engaging the clamp, isolating an upper portion of the PCA from a lower portion of the PCA; and after isolating the PCA, removing the lubricator from the PCA.

Claims

1. A method of inserting a downhole assembly into a live wellbore, comprising:

assembling a pressure control assembly (PCA) onto a production tree of the live wellbore;

inserting a first deployment section of the downhole assembly into a lubricator;

landing the lubricator onto the PCA;

connecting the lubricator to the PCA;

lowering the first deployment section into the PCA;

engaging a clamp of the PCA with the first deployment section;

after engaging the clamp, isolating an upper portion of the PCA from a lower portion of the PCA; and

after isolating the PCA, removing the lubricator from the PCA.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the PCA is isolated by engaging a seal of the PCA with the first deployment section, thereby plugging a bore of the PCA.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein a top of the first deployment section is adjacent a top of the PCA.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising, while the first deployment section is isolating the PCA:

inserting a second deployment section of the downhole assembly into the lubricator;

suspending the lubricator and second deployment section over the PCA;

lowering the second deployment section from the lubricator to a position adjacent the top of the first deployment section; and

connecting the first and second deployment sections.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising, after connecting the deployment sections:

landing the lubricator onto the PCA;

connecting the lubricator to the PCA;

disengaging the seal from the first deployment section;

disengaging the clamp from the first deployment section; and

lowering the deployment sections into the PCA.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

engaging the clamp with the second deployment section;

engaging the seal with the second deployment section, thereby plugging the PCA bore; and

after engaging the seal with the second deployment section, removing the lubricator from the PCA.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

inserting a third deployment section of the downhole assembly into the lubricator;

suspending the lubricator and third deployment section over the PCA;

lowering the third deployment section from the lubricator to a position adjacent the top of the second deployment section; and

connecting the second and third deployment sections.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein:

the clamp is an upper clamp,

the PCA further comprises a lower clamp, and

the method further comprises, after connecting the second and third deployment sections;

connecting the lubricator to the PCA

lowering the third deployment section into the PCA;

engaging the lower clamp with the third deployment section;

closing an isolation valve of the PCA; and

after closing the isolation valve, removing the lubricator from the PCA.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

inserting a fourth deployment section of the downhole assembly into the lubricator;

landing the lubricator onto the PCA;

connecting the lubricator to the PCA;

opening the isolation valve;

lowering the fourth deployment section into the PCA to a position adjacent a top of the third deployment section; and

assembling a flanged connection between the third and fourth deployment sections while the lubricator is connected to the PCA and the lower clamp is engaged with the third deployment section.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the PCA is isolated by closing an isolation valve of the PCA.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

inserting a second deployment section of the downhole assembly into the lubricator;

landing the lubricator onto the PCA;

connecting the lubricator to the PCA;

opening the isolation valve;

lowering the second deployment section into the PCA to a position adjacent a top of the first deployment section; and

assembling a flanged connection between the first and second deployment sections while the lubricator is connected to the PCA and the clamp is engaged with the second deployment section.

12. A pressure control assembly for inserting a downhole assembly into a live wellbore, comprising:

a first clamp comprising a housing having a bore therethrough and bands or slips, each band or slip radially movable relative to the first clamp housing into and from the first clamp bore;

a second clamp comprising a housing having a bore therethrough and bands or slips, each second band or slip radially movable relative to the second clamp housing into and from the second clamp bore;

a preventer or packer comprising a housing having a bore therethrough, a seal, and an actuator operable to extend and retract the seal into and from the preventer or packer housing bore;

an isolation valve comprising a housing having a bore therethrough and a valve member operable to open and close the valve bore; and

a driver comprising a housing having a bore therethrough and a wrench radially movable relative to the housing into and from the driver bore, the wrench comprising a motor and a socket, the socket operable to engage a threaded fastener and the motor operable to rotate the socket,

wherein the clamp housings, the preventer or packer housing, the valve housing, and the driver housing are connected to form a continuous bore through the assembly.