Coiled tubing apparatus

• US 5,762,142 A
• Filed: 02/05/1997
• Issued: 06/09/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Halliburton Company
• Original Assignee: Halliburton Company
• Inventors: Bullock, Michael Dennis, Browne, Paul L., Connell, Michael L., Hagen, Karluf, White, Pat Murphy, Longbottom, James Robert, Tucker, James Craig
• Primary Examiner(s): Neuder, William P.
• Application Number:
  US08/796,098
• Time in Patent Office: 489 Days
• Field of Search: 166/325, 137/614.2, 137/614.21, 137/512.5
• US Class Current: 166/325
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/06 Releasing-joints, e.g. safety joints
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/206 with conductors, e.g. electrical, optical
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 23/08 Introducing or running tools by fluid pressure, e.g. through-the-flow-line tool systems
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 23/14 for displacing a cable or a cable-operated tool, e.g. for logging or perforating operations in deviated wells
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/1295 actuated by fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/142 unsupported or free-falling elements, e.g. balls, plugs, darts or pistons
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/88054 Direct response normally closed valve limits direction of flow
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/88062 Coaxial oppositely directed seats

Abstract

The apparatus and method for injecting coiled tubing downhole includes a connector member disposed on the end of the coiled tubing and supporting a downhole tool. A packer member is releasably connected to the connector member. The packer member includes a pack-off element and slips for releasably engaging the outer pipe string through which the coiled tubing is being injected. Seals are provided on the packer member for engaging the outer circumferential surface of the coiled tubing. A fluid passageway extends through the connector member for communicating the packer member with the coiled tubing. Fluid pressure is applied through the flow bore of the coiled tubing. The fluid pressure is applied through the fluid passageway to actuate an actuator member in the packer member to set the pack-off element and slips. Thus, upon actuating the packer member, the annulus formed by the coiled tubing and outer pipe string is closed. Fluid is then applied from the surface into the annulus to support and stiffen the coiled tubing as the injector applies additional force to further inject the coiled tubing downhole. Upon the setting of the packer member, the packer member is also released from the connector member so that the connector member and downhole tool disposed on the end of the coiled tubing may be further injected downhole. The connector member includes a dual check valve in the fluid passageway which allows fluid passage to actuate the packer member and closes the fluid passage after the connector member is disconnected from the packer member. The connector member may also include a valve member which allows circulation down the flow bore of the coiled tubing. The packer member includes a valve for the passage of well fluids between the packer member and coiled tubing.

Claims

1. A downhole tool assembly having a first portion and a second portion disconnectable from the first portion, and having a dual check valve assembly located primarily in the first portion of the tool assembly, the dual check valve assembly comprising:

a housing having a bore therethrough with first and second seats adjacent each end of said bore;

first and second spheres disposed in said bore with a biasing member disposed therebetween for biasing said first sphere against said first seat and said second sphere towards said second seat;

said second sphere having a projection thereon projecting through said bore adjacent said second seat and adapted for engagement with the second portion of the tool assembly;

whereby fluid may flow through said bore adjacent said first seat then through said bore adjacent said second seat upon disposing the valve assembly within the first portion of the tool assembly and fluid is prevented from flowing through said bore upon said projection not engaging the second portion of the tool assembly allowing both spheres to be seated on said seats when the second portion of the tool assembly is disconnected from the first portion of the tool assembly.

2. The downhole tool assembly of claim 1 further comprising:

the housing being split into at least two portions; and

the biasing member being a coiled compression spring.

3. Wherein the dual check valve of the downhole tool assembly of claim 1 is installed within a connector member of the tool assembly and wherein the second portion of the tool assembly is located on a packer member of the tool assembly.

4. Wherein the downhole tool assembly of claim 1 is adapted for use with coiled tubing.