Linear indexing apparatus and methods of using same

• US 5,826,661 A
• Filed: 06/20/1996
• Issued: 10/27/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Halliburton Company
• Original Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Inventors: Parker, Charles D., Gano, John C., Collins, Leo G., Shy, Perry C., Dickson, Rennie L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Neuder, William P.
• Application Number:
  US08/667,305
• Time in Patent Office: 859 Days
• Field of Search: 166/317, 166/319, 166/321, 166/324, 166/128, 166/135, 166/150, 166/192, 166/386
• US Class Current: 166/386
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 23/00 Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells setting of casings, screens or liners E21B43/10
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 23/006 "J-slot" systems, i.e. lug and slot indexing mechanisms
• 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 34/063 Valve or closure with destructible element, e.g. frangible disc E21B34/103 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/10 operated by control fluid supplied from outside the borehole
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/102 with means for locking the closing element in open or closed position E21B34/105 and E21B34/108 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/142 unsupported or free-falling elements, e.g. balls, plugs, darts or pistons

Abstract

A linear indexing apparatus and associated methods of using same provide convenient operation of tools in a subterranean wellbore. In a preferred embodiment, a linear indexing apparatus has an outer tubular housing and a tubular mandrel axially slidably disposed within the housing. Two sets of slips are utilized to incrementally displace the mandrel relative to the housing. A piston associated with one of the sets of slips permits the mandrel to be incrementally indexed in response to a series of repeated applications of a predetermined differential pressure.

Claims

1. Apparatus disposable within a subterranean wellbore, comprising:

a generally tubular first member having an axially extending bore internally formed thereon;

a generally tubular second member having an outer side surface, the second tubular member being axially slidingly received within the bore;

a first slip member, the first slip member grippingly engaging one of the first and second tubular members and preventing displacement of the one of the first and second tubular members relative to the other of the first and second tubular members in a first axial direction but permitting displacement of the one of the first and second tubular members relative to the other of the first and second tubular members in a second axial direction opposite to the first axial direction; and

a second slip member axially spaced apart from the first slip member, the second slip member grippingly engaging the one of the first and second tubular members and restricting displacement of the one of the first and second tubular members relative to the other of the first and second tubular members in the first axial direction, but permitting displacement of the one of the first and second tubular members relative to the other of the first and second tubular members in the second axial direction.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second slip member is axially slidingly secured to the first tubular member, and the second slip member is capable of being displaced with the second tubular member in the second axial direction relative to the first tubular member.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second slip member is capable of being reciprocated in the first and second axial directions a predetermined distance relative to the first tubular member.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second slip member forces the second tubular member to displace the predetermined distance in the second axial direction relative to the first tubular member when the-second slip member displaces the predetermined distance in the second axial direction relative to the first tubular member due to the gripping engagement of the second slip member with the second tubular member.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the second slip member is capable of displacing the predetermined distance in the first axial direction relative to the first tubular member while the second tubular member is prevented from displacing in the first axial direction relative to the first tubular member by the gripping engagement of the first slip member with the second tubular member.

6. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second slip member is capable of slidingly reciprocating between a first axial position relative to the first tubular member and a second axial position relative to the first tubular member, the first and second axial positions being axially separated by the predetermined distance.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6,

wherein the second slip member is capable of forcing the second tubular member to displace in the second axial direction relative to the first tubular member when the second slip member displaces from the first axial position to the second axial position, and the second tubular member is prevented from displacing in the first axial direction relative to the first tubular member when the second slip member displaces from the second axial position to the first axial position,

whereby the second slip member is capable of repeatedly incrementally displacing the second tubular member the predetermined distance in the second axial direction relative to the first tubular member by repeatedly reciprocating between the first and second axial positions.

8. Apparatus operatively positionable within a subterranean wellbore, comprising:

first and second generally tubular members axially slidingly associated with each other; and

first and second grip structures, each of the first and second grip structures having a plurality of sides formed thereon, one of the first grip structure sides and one of the second grip structure sides being capable of grippingly engaging the second tubular member to prevent displacement of the second tubular member relative to the first tubular member in a first axial direction,

the second grip structure being axially reciprocables relative to the first tubular member between a first axial position and a second axial position, the first axial position being spaced apart from the second axial position in the first axial direction a predetermined distance, the second tubular member being capable of displacing relative to the first tubular member in a second axial direction opposite to the first axial direction when the second grip structure displaces from the first axial position to the second axial position, and the second tubular member being prevented from displacing relative to the first tubular member in the first axial direction by the first grip structure when the second grip structure displaces from the second axial position to the first axial position.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a bias member, the bias member biasing the second grip structure in the first axial direction relative to the first tubular member.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a piston, the piston being capable of displacing the second grip structure from the first axial position to the second axial position when a predetermined differential pressure is applied to the piston.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a bias member, the bias member being capable of displacing the second grip structure from the second axial position to the first axial position when the predetermined differential pressure is released from the piston.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the second tubular member is received within the first tubular member, and wherein the predetermined differential pressure comprises a difference between an internal fluid pressure within the second tubular member and a fluid pressure external to the first tubular member.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the predetermined differential pressure exists when the internal fluid pressure is greater than the external fluid pressure.

14. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the second tubular member and the second grip structure are displaced in the second axial direction relative to the first tubular member when the predetermined differential pressure is applied to the piston and the second grip structure is displaced in the first axial direction relative to the first and second tubular members when the predetermined differential pressure is released from the piston.

15. Indexing apparatus operatively positionable within a subterranean wellbore, the apparatus comprising:

first and second tubular members, the second tubular member being axially slidingly received within the first tubular member, and each of the first and second tubular members having inner and outer side surfaces formed thereon;

an annular piston axially slidingly disposed radially between the first tubular member inner side surface and the second tubular member outer side surface, the piston having first and second outer diameters formed thereon, each of the first and second outer diameters sealingly engaging the first tubular member inner side surface, the first and second outer diameters forming a differential pressure area therebetween, and the piston being axially displaceable relative to the first tubular member between a first axial position and a second axial position;

a port formed radially through the first tubular member, the port providing fluid communication between the differential pressure area and the first tubular member outer side surface;

a first slip disposed radially between the first and second tubular members and associated with the piston, the first slip being axially displaceable with the piston between the first and second axial positions; and

a second slip disposed radially between the first and second tubular members and associated with the first tubular member, the second slip preventing axial displacement of the second tubular member in a first axial direction relative to the first tubular member,

the first slip forcing the second tubular member to displace in a second axial direction opposite to the first axial direction when the piston displaces from the first axial position to the second axial position.

16. The indexing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the piston displaces from the first axial position to the second axial position when an internal fluid pressure within the second tubular member inner side surface exceeds a fluid pressure external to the first tubular member outer side surface.

17. The indexing apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising a biasing structure disposed radially between the first tubular member inner side surface and the second tubular member outer side surface, the biasing structure biasing the piston in the first axial direction.

18. The indexing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the biasing structure is disposed axially between the first slip and the second slip, the biasing structure being axially compressed when the piston is axially displaced from the first axial position to the second axial position.

19. The indexing apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising a plug member, the plug member being capable of restricting fluid flow axially through the second tubular member, and wherein the second tubular member further has a cutting edge formed thereon.

20. The indexing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the cutting edge is capable of being axially displaced toward the plug member when the piston axially displaces from the first axial position to the second axial position.

21. The indexing apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the piston is reciprocable between the first and second axial positions a predetermined number of times, and wherein the cutting edge is capable of piercing the plug member when the piston reciprocates between the first and second axial positions the predetermined number of times.

22. Apparatus operatively connectable to a tubing string disposed within a subterranean wellbore, the tubing string having an internal axially extending flowbore formed therein, and an annulus being defined radially between the tubing string and the wellbore, the apparatus comprising:

an expendable plug member capable of restricting fluid flow through the flowbore;

a generally tubular housing radially outwardly overlying the plug member, the housing having inner and outer side surfaces and being connectable to the tubing string such that the flowbore extends axially through the housing; and

a generally tubular mandrel axially slidingly received within the housing and having opposite ends, the mandrel being incrementally axially indexable relative to the housing while the plug member remains stationary relative to the housing, and the mandrel being capable of incrementally indexing axially toward the plug member.

23. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the plug member is axially slidingly received within the housing, the plugs being reciprocable between a first axial position and a second axial position relative to the housing.

24. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the plug member axially separates a first flowbore portion from a second flowbore portion within the housing.

25. Apparatus operatively connectable to a tubing string disposed within a subterranean wellbore, the tubing string having an internal axially extending flowbore formed therein, and an annulus being defined radially between the tubing string and the wellbore, the apparatus comprising:

an expendable plug member capable of restricting fluid flow through the flowbore;

a generally tubular housing radially outwardly overlying the plug member, the plug member being axially slidingly received within the housing, a fluid passage being defined radially between the plug member and the housing, the plug member being reciprocable between a first axial position and a second axial position relative to the housing, the housing having inner and outer side surfaces and being connectable to the tubing string such that the flowbore extends axially through the housing, and the housing further having an internal seal surface disposed thereon, the plug member sealingly engaging the internal seal surface when the plug member is in the first axial position, whereby the plug member prevents fluid flow axially through the fluid passage when the plug member is in the first axial position; and

a generally tubular mandrel axially slidingly received within the housing and having opposite ends, the mandrel being incrementally axially indexable relative to the housing, and the mandrel being capable of incrementally indexing axially toward the plug member.

26. The apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the plug member is axially spaced apart from the internal seal surface when the plug member is in the second axial position, whereby the plug member permits fluid flow axially through the fluid passage when the plug member is in the second axial position.

27. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the plug member is capable of being biased toward the first axial position by fluid flow through the flowbore in a first axial direction, and is capable of being biased toward the second axial position by fluid flow through the flowbore in a second axial direction opposite to the first axial direction.

28. Apparatus operatively connectable to a tubing string disposed within a subterranean wellbore, the tubing string having an internal axially extending flowbore formed therein, and an annulus being defined radially between the tubing string and the wellbore, the apparatus comprising:

an expendable plug member capable of restricting fluid flow through the flowbore;

a generally tubular housing radially outwardly overlying the plug member, an axial fluid passage being defined radially between the plug member and the housing, and the housing having inner and outer side surfaces and being connectable to the tubing string such that the flowbore extends axially through the housing;

a generally tubular mandrel axially slidingly received within the housing and having opposite ends, the mandrel being incrementally axially indexable relative to the housing, and the mandrel being capable of incrementally indexing axially toward the plug member; and

a sleeve sealingly attached to the plug member, the sleeve having a first port formed radially therethrough, and the first port being in fluid communication with the fluid passage.

29. The apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the mandrel is capable of being incrementally indexed from a first axial position in which the first port is in fluid communication with the mandrel inner side surface and a second axial position in which the first port is in fluid isolation from the mandrel inner side surface.

30. The apparatus according to claim 29, wherein fluid float axially through the fluid passage is prevented when the mandrel is in the second axial position.

31. Apparatus operatively connectable to a tubing string disposed within a subterranean wellbore, the tubing string having an internal axially extending flowbore formed therein, and an annulus being defined radially between the tubing string and the wellbore, the apparatus comprising:

an expendable plug member capable of restricting fluid flow through the flowbore;

a generally tubular housing radially outwardly overlying the plug member, the housing having inner and outer side surfaces and being connectable to the tubing string such that the flowbore extends axially through the housing, and the plug member axially separating a first flowbore portion from a second flowbore portion within the housing, the plug member preventing fluid flow from the first flowbore portion to the second flowbore portion and permitting fluid flow from the second flowbore portion to the first flowbore portion; and

a generally tubular mandrel axially slidingly received within the housing and having opposite ends, the mandrel being incrementally axially indexable relative to the housing, and the mandrel being capable of incrementally indexing axially toward the plug member.

32. Apparatus operatively connectable to a tubing string disposed within a subterranean wellbore, the tubing string having an internal axially extending flowbore formed therein, and an annulus being defined radially between the tubing string and the wellbore, the apparatus comprising:

an expendable plug member capable of restricting fluid flow through the flowbore, the plug member including a sleeve sealingly attached to a body portion of the plug member;

a generally tubular housing radially outwardly overlying the plug member, the housing having inner and outer side surfaces and being connectable to the tubing string such that the flowbore extends axially through the housing, and the plug member axially separating a first flowbore portion from a second flowbore portion within the housing; and

a generally tubular mandrel axially slidingly received within the housing and having opposite ends, the mandrel being incrementally axially indexable relative to the housing, the mandrel being capable of incrementally indexing axially toward the plug member, and the mandrel being capable of incrementally indexing axially toward the sleeve.

33. The apparatus according to claim 32, wherein one of the mandrel opposite ends is capable of sealingly engaging the sleeve when the mandrel is axially indexed relative to the housing a predetermined number of times.

34. The apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the first flowbore portion is in fluid isolation from the second flowbore portion when the one of the mandrel opposite ends sealingly engages the sleeve.

35. The apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the sleeve is releasably attached to the body portion, a differential pressure area is formed across the sleeve when the one of the mandrel opposite ends sealingly engages the sleeve, and the sleeve is capable of being axially displaced relative to the body portion when a predetermined differential pressure is applied to the differential pressure area.

36. The apparatus according to claim 35, wherein a fluid pressure in the first flowbore portion exceeds a fluid pressure in the second flowbore portion when the predetermined differential pressure is applied to the differential pressure area.

37. The apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the boded portion has a port formed therethrough, the sleeve is releasably attached to the body portion, and the sleeve prevents fluid flow through the port when the sleeve is attached to the body portion and permits fluid flow through the port when the sleeve is axially displaced relative to the body portion.

38. The apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the mandrel is capable of sealingly engaging the sleeve, and wherein the sleeve is capable of being axially displaced relative to the body portion when the mandrel sealingly engages the sleeve and a fluid pressure in the first flowbore portion exceeds a fluid pressure in the second flowbore portion by a predetermined amount.

39. The apparatus according to claim 38, wherein the plug member is capable of permitting fluid flow axially through the flowbore in both axial directions when fluid flow is permitted through the body portion port.

40. Apparatus operatively positionable within a subterranean wellbore, the apparatus comprising:

a generally tubular housing;

a generally tubular mandrel axially slidingly received within the housing, the mandrel being incrementally indexable in a first axial direction relative to the housing, and the mandrel having a bore formed axially therethrough;

a plug member disposed within the housing, the plug member being capable of preventing fluid flow axially through the housing, and the plug member comprising a dissolvable substance, a body outwardly overlying the substance, and a port formed through the body, the port being in fluid communication with the substance; and

a seal member having first and second axial positions relative to the plug member, the seal member preventing fluid communication between the mandrel bore and the port when the seal member is in the first axial position and permitting fluid communication between the mandrel bore and the port when the seal member is in the second axial position.

41. The apparatus according to claim 40, wherein the mandrel is incrementally indexable to axially contact the seal member and displace the seal member from the first axial position to the second axial position.

42. The apparatus according to claim 40, wherein the seal member is axially spaced apart from the mandrel in the first axial direction, whereby the mandrel is incrementally indexable toward the seal member.

43. The apparatus according to claim 42, wherein the mandrel is capable of axially contacting the seal ring when the mandrel has been incrementally indexed a predetermined number of times.

44. The apparatus according to claim 43, wherein the mandrel is capable of displacing the seal ring from the first axial position to the second axial position when the mandrel has been incrementally indexed the predetermined number of times.

45. The apparatus according to claim 40, wherein the dissolvable substance is capable of being dissolved by a fluid contained within the mandrel bore when the seal ring is in the second axial position.

46. The apparatus according to claim 40, wherein the mandrel is capable of being incrementally indexed by applying a predetermined fluid pressure to the mandrel bore.

47. The apparatus according to claim 46, wherein the plug member further comprises a sleeve sealingly attached to the body and extending axially outwardly therefrom in a second axial direction opposite to the first axial direction, the sleeve radially outwardly overlying the seal member, and wherein the mandrel is capable of sealingly engaging the sleeve when the predetermined fluid pressure is applied to the mandrel bore a predetermined number of times.

48. A method of incrementally displacing a first tubular member in a first axial direction relative to a second tubular member, the first tubular being axially slidingly received within the second tubular member, the second tubular member being sealingly attachable to a tubing string disposable within a subterranean wellbore, the tubing string having an axial flowbore extending therethrough, and an annulus being defined radially between the tubing string and the wellbore, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a first slip member, the first slip member being capable of grippingly engaging the first tubular member;

mounting the first slip member within the second tubular member so that the first slip member grippingly engages the first tubular member, the first slip member permitting displacement of the first tubular member in the first axial direction relative to the second tubular member, but preventing displacement of the first tubular member in a second axial direction relative to the second tubular member;

providing a second slip member, the second slip member being capable of grippingly engaging the first tubular member;

mounting the second slip member within the second tubular member so that the second slip member is axially reciprocable within the second tubular member between a first axial position and a second axial position relative to the second tubular member, the second axial position being axially spaced apart from the first axial position a predetermined distance in the first axial direction;

attaching the second tubular member to the tubing string;

disposing the tubing string within the subterranean wellbore; and

forcing the second slip member to displace from the first axial position to the second axial position.

49. The method according to claim 48, wherein the forcing step is performed by applying a predetermined pressure to the tubing string flowbore.

50. The method according to claim 49, wherein the forcing step is further performed by applying the predetermined pressure greater than a fluid pressure in the annulus.

51. The method according to claim 50, further comprising the steps of:

providing a piston;

attaching the piston to the second slip member; and

applying the predetermined pressure and the annulus fluid pressure to the piston.

52. The method according to claim 50, further comprising the steps of:

providing a piston having a differential pressure area formed thereon;

disposing the piston within the second tubular member;

attaching the piston to the second slip member;

attaching the second tubular member to the tubing string;

disposing the tubing string within the subterranean wellbore; and

applying a predetermined differential pressure between the tubing string flowbore and the annulus to displace the piston and thereby displace the second slip member from the first axial position to the second axial position.

53. The method according to claim 52, further comprising the steps of:

providing a bias member, the bias member being capable of displacing the second slip member from the second axial position to the first axial position when the predetermined differential pressure is released; and

releasing the predetermined differential pressure.

54. The method according to claim 53, further comprising the step of alternately and repeatedly applying and releasing the predetermined differential pressure, thereby incrementally axially indexing the first tubular member in the first axial direction relative to the second tubular member.

55. A method of controlling fluid flow axially through a tubular housing, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a tubular mandrel;

disposing the mandrel axially slidingly within the housing;

providing means for selectively axially displacing the mandrel relative to the housing;

attaching the displacing means to the housing and the mandrel;

providing a plug member;

disposing the plug member within the housing; and

axially displacing the mandrel relative to the housing, the mandrel sealingly engaging the plug member and thereby preventing fluid flow axially through the housing.

56. The method according to claim 55, wherein the displacing means providing step further comprises providing the displacing means capable of axially displacing the mandrel in response to a fluid pressure applied to the housing.

57. The method according to claim 55, wherein the displacing means providing step further comprises providing the displacing means including an axially reciprocable grip member.

58. The method according to claim 55, wherein the axially displacing step further comprises incrementally axially displacing the mandrel relative to the housing in response to repeated fluctuations in a difference between a fluid pressure within the mandrel and a fluid pressure external to the housing.

59. A method of servicing a subterranean well, the method comprising the steps of:

disposing an expendable plug member within an interior axial flow passage of a tubular housing, thereby dividing the axial flow passage into first and second portions;

disposing a tubular mandrel axially slidably within the housing;

attaching the housing to a tubing string;

disposing the tubing string within the subterranean well, thereby defining an annulus within the well exterior to the tubing string; and

axially displacing the mandrel relative to the plug, the mandrel axially contacting the plug member.

60. A method of servicing a subterranean well, the method comprising the steps of:

disposing an expendable plug member within an interior axial flow passage of a tubular housing, thereby dividing the axial flow passage into first and second portions, the plug member being axially reciprocably disposed within the housing, and the plug member permitting fluid flow from the second portion to the first portion but preventing fluid flow from the first portion to the second portion;

disposing a tubular mandrel axially slidably within the housing;

attaching the housing to a tubing string;

disposing the tubing string within the subterranean well, thereby defining an annulus within the well exterior to the tubing string; and

axially displacing the mandrel relative to the housing, the mandrel axially contacting the plug member.

61. A method of servicing a subterranean well, the method comprising the steps of:

disposing an expendable plug member within an interior axial flow passage of a tubular housing, thereby dividing the axial flow passage into first and second portions, the plug member being axially reciprocably disposed within the housing, the plug member being biased in a first axial direction relative to the housing when fluid is flowed from the first portion to the second portion and the plug member being biased in a second axial direction opposite to the first axial direction when fluid is flowed from the second portion to the first portion;

disposing a tubular mandrel axially slidably within the housing;

attaching the housing to a tubing string;

disposing the tubing string within the subterranean well, thereby defining an annulus within the well exterior to the tubing string; and

axially displacing the mandrel relative to the housing, the mandrel axially contacting the plug member.

62. The method according to claim 61, further comprising the steps of:

flowing fluid from the first portion to the second portion; and

then

applying a first fluid pressure to the first portion greater than a second fluid pressure in the second portion, thereby biasing the plug member to sealingly engage the housing and prevent fluid flow from the first portion to the second portion.

63. The method according to claim 62, further comprising the step of applying a predetermined differential pressure between the first portion and the annulus, thereby axially displacing the mandrel relative to the housing.

64. The method according to claim 62, further comprising the step of alternately applying and releasing a predetermined differential pressure between the first portion and the annulus, thereby incrementally axially displacing the mandrel relative to the housing.

65. The method according to claim 64, further comprising the step of sealingly engaging the mandrel with the plug member, thereby isolating the first portion from the second portion.

66. The method according to claim 65, further comprising the step of applying a third fluid pressure to the first portion, thereby expending the plug member and permitting fluid communication between the first portion and the second portion.

67. The method according to claim 66, wherein the third fluid pressure applying step further comprises establishing fluid communication between an interior cavity of the plug member and the first portion.

68. Apparatus operatively positionable within a subterranean well, the apparatus comprising:

a first member having a bore formed therein;

a second member slidingly received within the bore;

a first gripping device preventing displacement of the second member relative to the first member in a first direction, but permitting displacement of the second member relative to the first member in a second direction opposite to the first direction; and

a second gripping device spaced apart from the first gripping device and restricting displacement of the second member relative to the first member in the first direction, but permitting displacement of the second member relative to the first member in the second direction.

69. The apparatus according to claim 68, wherein the second gripping device is reciprocably disposed relative to the first member.

70. The apparatus according to claim 68, wherein the second gripping devices is biased in one of the first and second directions relative to the first member.

71. The apparatus according to claim 68, further comprising a plugging device restricting fluid flow through the bore, the second member being engageable with the plugging device to expend at least a portion of the plugging device from the bore.

72. A method of servicing a subterranean well, the method comprising the steps of:

interconnecting an incremental indexing apparatus in a tubular string;

positioning the tubular string within the well;

applying a series of differential fluid pressures to the tubular string, thereby causing a member within the apparatus to incrementally index, the member progressively indexing upon application of each of the differential fluid pressures; and

engaging the member with a plugging device upon application of a predetermined number of the differential fluid pressures.