Multi-functional isolation tool and method of use

• US 8,201,631 B2
• Filed: 04/01/2011
• Issued: 06/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NCS Multistage Inc. (NCS Multistage Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Ncs Oilfield Services Canada Inc.
• Inventors: Stromquist, Marty, Getzlaf, Donald
• Primary Examiner(s): Stephenson, Daniel P
• Application Number:
  US13/078,584
• Publication Number:
  US 20120055671A1
• Time in Patent Office: 445 Days
• Field of Search: 166/308.1, 166/387, 166/298, 166/127, 166/147, 166/55
• US Class Current: 166/308.1
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 23/006 "J-slot" systems, i.e. lug and slot indexing mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/126 with fluid-pressure-operated elastic cup or skirt E21B33/122, E21B33/124 take precedence

Abstract

A tool assembly and method for completing a well are provided. The tool is deployed on tubing string and includes a fluid treatment assembly with cup seals above and below the treatment ports. An equalization valve beneath the fracturing assembly can be opened or closed to control fluid passage between the coiled tubing and treatment zone to the wellbore below.

Claims

1. A completion tool for deployment within a wellbore on tubing string, the assembly comprising:

upper and lower sealing members defining a straddle zone between the upper and lower sealing members;

one or more treatment ports within the straddle zone, the treatment ports continuous with tubing string to allow fluid delivery to the wellbore from surface;

a valve housing mounted beneath the lower sealing member, the valve housing defining a fluid passageway continuous with the tubing string and with the wellbore annulus beneath the lower sealing member to allow pressure equalization therebetween;

a bypass plug slidable within the valve housing between an open position in which fluid passage through the housing is permitted, and a sealed position in which fluid passage through the housing is prevented, the plug actuable to open or to seal the passageway upon application of mechanical pressure to the tubing string; and

a resettable anchor device operatively mounted beneath the lower sealing member for setting against the casing of a wellbore, the anchor device operable by application of mechanical force to the tubing string.

2. The completion tool as in claim 1, wherein the upper and lower sealing members are cup seals, inflatable sealing elements, or compressible sealing elements.

3. The completion tool as in claim 1, wherein the anchor device comprises one or more anchoring slips disposed about a mandrel of the anchor device, and an actuation cone slidable with respect to the mandrel of the anchor device to engage the inwardly biased slips and drive said slips outward to engage the casing, thereby anchoring the tool assembly against the casing.

4. The completion tool as in claim 3, wherein the anchor is actuated from surface by application of mechanical force to the tubing string, said mechanical force driving movement of a pin within an auto J profile, the auto J profile having pin stop positions corresponding to at least two slidable positions of the actuation cone.

5. The completion tool as in claim 1, wherein the anchor is actuated from surface by application of mechanical force to the tubing string.

6. The completion tool as in claim 5, wherein the application of mechanical force to the tubing string drives movement of a pin within an auto J profile, the auto J profile having pin stop positions corresponding to at least two operable positions of the anchor device.

7. The completion tool as in claim 1, wherein the anchor device further comprises a mechanical casing collar locator for providing frictional resistance against which the anchor device may be operated by application of mechanical force to the tubing string from surface.

8. The completion tool as in claim 1, further comprising one or more jet perforation nozzles formed within the assembly below the valve housing.

9. A completion tool for deployment within a wellbore on tubing string, the assembly comprising:

a straddle assembly comprising upper and lower sealing members defining a straddle zone;

one or more treatment ports within the straddle zone of the straddle assembly, the treatment ports continuous with tubing string to allow fluid delivery to the wellbore from surface;

a jet perforation device operatively attached below the straddle assembly, the jet perforation device comprising a tubular having one or more jet perforation nozzles continuous with the tubing string;

a valve housing between the straddle assembly and the jet perforation device, the valve housing defining a fluid passageway between the straddle assembly and the jet perforation device;

a bypass plug slidable within the valve housing between an open position in which fluid passage through the housing to the jet perforation device is permitted, and a sealed position in which fluid passage through the housing is prevented, the plug actuable to open or to seal the passageway upon application of mechanical pressure to the tubing string.

10. The completion tool as in claim 9, further comprising a resettable anchor device for engaging the casing of a wellbore, the anchor device operable by application of mechanical force to the tubing string.

11. The completion tool as in claim 10, wherein the anchor device comprises one or more inwardly biased anchoring slips disposed about a mandrel of the anchor device, and an actuation cone slidable with respect to the mandrel of the anchor device to engage the inwardly biased slips and drive said slips outward to engage the casing, thereby anchoring the tool assembly against the casing.

12. The completion tool as in claim 11, wherein the anchor is actuated from surface by application of mechanical force to the tubing string, said mechanical force driving movement of a pin within an auto J profile, the auto J profile having pin stop positions corresponding to at least two slidable positions of the actuation cone.

13. The completion tool as in claim 10, wherein application of mechanical force to the tubing string drives movement of a pin within an auto J profile, the auto J profile having pin stop positions corresponding to at least two operable positions of the anchor device.

14. The completion tool as in claim 10, wherein the anchor device further comprises a mechanical casing collar locator for providing frictional resistance against which the anchor device may be operated by application of mechanical force to the tubing string from surface.

15. A method for treating a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a tool assembly comprising;

upper and lower sealing members mounted along a mandrel, defining a straddle zone between the upper and lower sealing members;

one or more treatment ports within the straddle zone for delivery of treatment fluid to the wellbore from the tubing string;

a valve housing mounted beneath the lower sealing member, the valve housing defining a fluid passageway continuous with the tubing string and with the wellbore annulus beneath the lower sealing member to allow pressure equalization therebetween;

a bypass plug slidable within the valve housing between an open position in which fluid passage through the housing is permitted, and a sealed position in which fluid passage through the housing is prevented, the plug actuable to open or to seal the passageway upon application of a mechanical force to the tubing string; and

a resettable anchor device operatively mounted beneath the lower sealing member for engaging the casing of a wellbore, the anchor device operable by application of mechanical force to the tubing string;

locating the completion tool downhole at a position in which the upper and lower sealing members straddle a casing perforation to be treated;

sealing the fluid passageway through the valve housing;

applying mechanical force to the tubing string to set the anchor against the casing; and

applying treatment fluid to the tubing string to isolate and treat the perforation.

16. The method as in claim 15, further comprising the step of unsealing the fluid passageway through the valve housing to equalize hydraulic pressure across the lower sealing member.

17. The method as in claim 15, further comprising the step of unsetting the anchor from the casing.

18. The method as in claim 15, wherein one or more steps of the method are repeated without removing the tool from the wellbore.

19. A method for treating a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a completion tool comprising;

a straddle assembly comprising upper and lower sealing members defining a straddle zone;

one or more treatment ports within the straddle zone, the treatment ports continuous with tubing string to allow fluid delivery through the treatment ports from surface;

a jet perforation device operatively attached below the straddle assembly, the jet perforation device comprising a tubular having one or more jet perforation nozzles continuous with the tubing string;

a valve housing between the straddle assembly and the jet perforation device, the valve housing defining a fluid passageway between the straddle assembly and the jet perforation device; and

a bypass plug for reversibly sealing the fluid passage through the housing, the plug operable upon application of mechanical pressure to the tubing string;

locating the completion tool downhole adjacent a zone of interest; and

applying fluid to the tubing string.

20. The method as in claim 19, wherein the fluid passageway between the straddle assembly and the jet perforation device is sealed when fluid is applied to the tubing string such that the fluid is applied only to the wellbore adjacent the straddle zone.

21. The method as in claim 19, wherein the fluid passageway between the straddle assembly and the jet perforation device is unsealed when the fluid is applied to the tubing string, such that fluid is applied to the wellbore adjacent the straddle zone and also through nozzles in the jet perforation device.

22. The method as in claim 19, wherein the tool further comprises a resettable anchor device operatively attached beneath the lower cup seal, for engaging the casing of a wellbore to stabilize the tool within the casing, the anchor device operable by application of mechanical force to the tubing string;

and wherein the method further comprises the step of applying mechanical force to the tubing string to set the anchor against the casing.

23. A method for perforating and treating a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a tool assembly deployed on tubing string, the tool assembly comprising a straddle isolation device, a sand jet perforating device, and a fluid bypass valve between the isolation tool and the sand jet perforating device;

setting the straddle isolation device downhole about a perforation to be treated;

pumping fluid down the tubing string with the bypass valve closed, to prevent said fluid from reaching the jet perforation device;

once treatment of the perforation is complete, opening the bypass valve to allow hydraulic pressure to be dissipated across the straddle device.

24. The method as in claim 23, wherein the straddle isolation device comprises upper and lower cup seals about a straddle zone.

25. The method as in claim 23, further comprising the steps of:

identifying a wellbore interval to be perforated;

locating the bottom hole assembly within the wellbore interval to be perforated;

sealing the bypass valve;

pumping abrasive fluid down the tubing string through the jet perforation device to perforate the wellbore interval.

26. The method as in claim 23, wherein one or more steps of the method are repeated without removing the tool from the wellbore.

27. The method as in claim 23, wherein the tool further comprises a resettable anchor device for engaging the casing of a wellbore to stabilize the tool within the casing, the anchor device operable by application of mechanical force to the tubing string;

and wherein the method further comprises the step of applying mechanical force to the tubing string to set the anchor against the casing.