REVERSE CIRCULATION CEMENTING SYSTEM FOR CEMENTING A LINER

• US 20160160603A1
• Filed: 10/09/2013
• Published: 06/09/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Original Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Inventors: SEVADJIAN, Emile, KOHN, Gary, STAUTZENBERGER, Arthur, NOFFKE, Richard, HARTMAN, Grant, MADDUX, Stephen, DAIGLE, Odee, HUMPHREY, Ryan, MATUS, David
• Granted Patent: US 9,869,157 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 2200/06 Sleeve valves
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/12 Packers; Plugs used for cementing E21B33/134, E21B33/16
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/134 Bridging plugs
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/14 for cementing casings into boreholes
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/06 in wells
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/12 operated by movement of casings or tubings
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/142 unsupported or free-falling elements, e.g. balls, plugs, darts or pistons
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/10 Setting of casings, screens, liners or the like in wells
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/103 of expandable casings, screens, liners, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/106 Couplings or joints therefor

Abstract

A method for reverse circulation cementing of a liner in a wellbore extending through a subterranean formation is presented. A running tool with expansion cone, release assembly, annular isolation device, and reverse circulation assembly is run-in with a liner. The annular isolation device is set against the casing. A valve, such as a dropped-ball operated sliding sleeve valve, opens reverse circulation ports for the cementing operation. The liner annulus is cemented using reverse circulation. The expandable liner hanger is expanded into engagement with the casing. Conventional circulation is restored. The running tool is released and pulled from the hole.

Claims

1. A method of cementing a liner in a wellbore extending through a subterranean zone using reverse circulation, the method comprising the steps of:

a) running a tubing string into the wellbore, defining a wellbore annulus therebetween, the tubing string having a reverse circulation assembly, a liner hanger, a liner positioned below the liner hanger, and defining an interior passageway along its length;

b) circulating fluid along a conventional circulation path during step a) by flowing fluid downhole through the interior passageway and uphole through the wellbore annulus;

c) sealing the wellbore annulus uphole from the liner; and

d) flowing cement along a reverse circulation path downhole from the annular isolation device, downhole along the length of the liner, and uphole through the interior passageway along the liner.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of e) setting the cement in the wellbore annulus about the liner.

3. The method of claims 1-2, wherein step e) further comprises setting the cement into a solid material using a setting process selected from the group consisting of:

thermal, evaporative, drainage, chemical setting processes, and combinations thereof.

4. The method of claim 1-3, wherein step c) further comprises setting a radially expandable annular isolation device in the wellbore annulus.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the annular isolation device is set at a location in the wellbore having a casing, and wherein the annular isolation device is radially expanded to seal the wellbore annulus between the casing and the tubing string.

6. The method of claims 4-5, wherein the step of setting the annular isolation device further comprises the step of increasing tubing pressure to set the annular isolation device.

7. The method of claims 4-5, wherein the annular isolation device is set by mechanical expansion, explosive expansion, memory metal expansion, swellable material expansion, electromagnetic force-driven expansion, hydraulic expansion, or a combination thereof.

8. The method of claims 1-7, wherein step b) further comprises flowing fluid from the surface through the interior passageway, through an outlet at the liner bottom, and uphole along the wellbore annulus to the surface.

9. The method of claims 1-8, wherein step d) further comprises flowing fluid downhole through the interior passageway of the tubing string, into the wellbore annulus from the reverse circulation assembly and downhole from the annular isolation device, downhole along the wellbore annulus along the liner, and uphole through the interior passageway along the liner.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising flowing the fluid through a bypass passageway defined in the tubing string and bypassing the annular isolation device.

11. The method of claims 9-10, further comprising flowing fluid uphole through the wellbore annulus uphole from the annular isolation device.

12. The method of claims 1-11, wherein step d) further comprises opening a reverse circulation port, and providing fluid communication between:

i) the interior passageway uphole from the annular isolation device, and ii) the wellbore annulus downhole from the annular isolation device.

13. The method of claims 1-12, wherein step d) further comprises opening a reverse circulation return port and providing fluid communication between:

i) the interior passageway downhole from the annular isolation device, and ii) the wellbore annulus uphole from the annular isolation device.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the fluid communication between the interior passageway downhole from the annular isolation device and the wellbore annulus uphole from the annular isolation device further comprises flowing fluid through a bypass passageway defined in the tubing string and extending at least along the length of the annular isolation device.

15. The method of claims 12-14, wherein the step of opening the reverse circulation port or the reverse circulation return port further comprises the step of moving a reverse circulation sliding sleeve to an open position.

16. The method of claims 12-15, wherein the step of opening the reverse circulation port or the reverse circulation return port further comprises the step of dropping a drop-ball, or cement dart to operate the reverse circulation sliding sleeve.

17. The method of claims 1-16, further comprising the step f), setting the liner hanger.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the step e) is performed prior to completion of step f).

19. The method of claims 16-17, wherein step f) further comprises radially expanding an expandable liner hanger or at least one set of slips into engagement with a casing positioned in the wellbore.

20. The method of claims 1-19, further comprising the step of running a cement dart downhole through the interior passageway at the end of step d).

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the cement dart actuates a valve assembly allowing fluid flow from the interior passageway above the cement plug to the liner hanger.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the step of actuating a valve assembly further comprises sliding a sleeve in response to increasing tubing pressure.

23. The method of claims 17-22, wherein the step of setting the liner hanger further comprises the step of actuating a valve assembly by sliding a sleeve in response to increasing tubing pressure after dropping a drop-ball or caged-ball to divert tubing pressure to operate the sleeve.

24. The method of claims 17-23, further comprising step g), establishing conventional flow after step f).

25. The method of claim 24, wherein step g) further comprises flowing fluid through a liner hanger bypass valve, thereby allowing fluid flow from the liner hanger to the wellbore annulus uphole of the annular isolation device.

26. The method of claims 1-26, further comprising the step of disconnecting the liner from the tubing string uphole from the liner.