Intermediate Disconnection Tool to Be Placed in A Shuttle Lowered into A Well for Exploiting A Fluid, and Related Shuttle and Method

• US 20120186826A1
• Filed: 06/16/2010
• Published: 07/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Geoservices Equipements (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Geoservices Equipements (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Le Briere, Bruno, Laplane, Clement, Chatelet, Vincent, Didi, Abdelkader
• Granted Patent: US 8,887,817 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 166/377
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/06 Releasing-joints, e.g. safety joints

Abstract

This tool comprises an upper portion and a lower portion mounted able to move relative to each other between a connected position and a completely disconnected position.

The tool comprises an immobilization member that can be freed from the upper portion relative to the lower portion, a member for releasing the immobilization member, and a mechanism for moving the release member housed in the tool.

The movement mechanism comprises an actuator and for a receptor receiving a control signal.

The movement means comprises a member for elastic stressing of the release member towards its release position and a retaining member for keeping the release member in an activation position against the stressing member. The actuator is able to release the retaining member after receiving the control signal.

Claims

1. An intermediate disconnecting tool, intended to be placed in a lower assembly lowered into a well, of the type comprising:

an upper portion, intended to be connected to a cable working line, and a lower portion, intended to be connected to a bottom tool, the upper portion and the lower portion being mounted so as to move relative to each other between a position connected on each other and a completely disconnected position, in which the upper portion can be raised to the surface independently of the lower portion, one of the upper portion and the lower portion defining a head, the other of the upper portion and the lower portion defining a receiving cavity receiving the head sealably in the connected position;

at least one immobilization member that can be freed from the upper portion relative to the lower portion in the connected position;

a member for releasing the immobilization member, mounted able to move between an activation position for activating the immobilization member and a release position for releasing the immobilization member;

a mechanism for moving the release member housed in the tool, the movement mechanism comprising an actuator including an energy source, and a receptor for receiving a control signal capable of powering the actuator via the energy source when the control signal is received;

wherein the movement mechanism comprises at least one member for elastic stressing of the release member towards its release position and at least one retaining member for keeping the release member in its activation position against the stressing member, the actuator being able to release the retaining member after receiving the control signal.

2. The tool according to claim 1, defining at least one pressure equalization orifice connecting the inner cavity and the outside of the tool, the tool comprising a pressure equalization member mounted able to move in the pressure equalization orifice between a configuration closing the pressure equalization orifice and a pressure equalization configuration through the pressure equalization orifice, the pressure equalization member being separate from the release member, the release member in its activation position keeping the pressure equalization member in its closing configuration, the release member in its release position allowing the movement of the pressure equalization member from its closing configuration towards its pressure equalization configuration.

3. The tool according to claim 2, wherein the pressure equalization member comprises a rod defining an inner channel, the inner channel being released in the pressure equalization configuration, the inner channel being closed in the closing configuration.

4. The tool according to claim 2, wherein the release member defines a housing for receiving the pressure equalization member emerging in a peripheral surface of the release member, the pressure equalization member being arranged in the receiving housing in the release position.

5. The tool according to claim 2 wherein the or each pressure equalization orifice extends radially relative to an axis (X-X′

) of extension of the tool.

6. The tool according to claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises an electric motor, the energy source comprising an electrical power battery of the electric motor.

7. The tool according to claim 6, wherein the electric motor has a power consumption of less than 5 watt.

8. The tool according to claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises a rotary cam, the retaining member cooperating with the rotary cam so that the rotation of the rotary cam disengages the retaining member from the release member.

9. The tool according to claim 8, wherein the retaining member comprises at least one pivoting hook having a free end engaged against the rotary cam.

10. The tool according to claim 1, wherein the receptor (is capable of receiving an electric, electromagnetic, magnetic, mechanical or acoustic control signal emitted from the surface when the tool) is arranged in the well, or a control signal received from a retarder carried by the tool.

11. The tool according to claim 1, wherein the upper portion comprises a first electric section, the lower portion comprising a second electric section intended to be connected to an electrical line of the bottom tool, the tool comprising at least one intermediate electrical section connecting the first section to the second section, the intermediate electrical section being disconnectable when the tool goes from its connected position to its disconnected position.

12. The tool according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is completely received in the upper portion.

13. A lower assembly intended to be lowered in a well, comprising:

a connector for connecting to a cable working line;

at least one bottom tool; and

an intermediate disconnecting tool comprising an upper portion, intended to be connected to a cable working line, and a lower portion, intended to be connected to a bottom tool, the upper portion and the lower portion being mounted so as to move relative to each other between a position connected on each other and a completely disconnected position, in which the upper portion can be raised to the surface independently of the lower portion, one of the upper portion and the lower portion defining a head, the other of the upper portion and the lower portion defining a receiving cavity receiving the head sealably in the connected position;

at least one immobilization member that can be freed from the upper portion relative to the lower portion in the connected position;

a member for releasing the immobilization member, mounted able to move between an activation position for activating the immobilization member and a release position for releasing the immobilization member;

a mechanism for moving the release member housed in the tool, the movement mechanism comprising an actuator including an energy source, and a receptor for receiving a control signal capable of powering the actuator via the energy source when the control signal is received;

wherein the movement mechanism comprises at least one member for elastic stressing of the release member towards its release position and at least one retaining member for keeping the release member in its activation position against the stressing member, the actuator being able to release the retaining member after receiving the control signal,

and wherein at least in the disconnected position, the connector is connected to the upper portion, the bottom tool being connected to the lower portion.

14. The lower assembly according to claim 13, further comprising at least one measuring tool inserted between the upper portion and the connector, the lower assembly comprising at least one intervention and/or measuring tool arranged under the lower portion.

15. A method for disconnecting a lower assembly comprising:

a connector for connecting to a cable working line;

at least one bottom tool; and

an intermediate disconnecting tool comprising an upper portion, intended to be connected to a cable working line, and a lower portion, intended to be connected to a bottom tool, the upper portion and the lower portion being mounted so as to move relative to each other between a position connected on each other and a completely disconnected position, in which the upper portion can be raised to the surface independently of the lower portion, one of the upper portion and the lower portion defining a head, the other of the upper portion and the lower portion defining a receiving cavity receiving the head sealably in the connected position;

at least one immobilization member that can be freed from the upper portion relative to the lower portion in the connected position;

a member for releasing the immobilization member, mounted able to move between an activation position for activating the immobilization member and a release position for releasing the immobilization member;

a mechanism for moving the release member housed in the tool, the movement mechanism comprising an actuator including an energy source, and a receptor for receiving a control signal capable of powering the actuator via the energy source when the control signal is received;

wherein the movement mechanism comprises at least one member for elastic stressing of the release member towards its release position and at least one retaining member for keeping the release member in its activation position against the stressing member, the actuator being able to release the retaining member after receiving the control signal, and wherein at least in the disconnected position, the connector is connected to the upper portion, the bottom tool being connected to the lower portion, the method comprising;

receiving a control signal of the actuator from the surface via the receptor

activating the actuator via the energy source housed in the tool

disengaging the retaining member via the actuator away from the release member;

moving the release member between its activation position of the immobilization member and its release position of the immobilization member under the effect of the stress member and release of the immobilization member;

moving the upper portion via the cable working line, without moving the lower portion to go from the connected position to the completely disconnected position.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the tool defines at least one pressure equalization orifice connecting the inner cavity and the outside of the tool, the tool comprising a pressure equalization member mounted able to be moved in the pressure equalization orifice between a closing configuration closing the pressure equalization orifice and a pressure equalization configuration through the pressure equalization orifice, the method comprising the passage of the pressure equalization member from its closing configuration towards its pressure equalization configuration when the release member reaches its release position.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the pressure equalization member goes from its closing configuration to its pressure equalization configuration under the effect of the pressure from the outside fluid applied on the tool.