• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
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    • 专利摘要:
    RING BARRIER. The present invention relates to an annular barrier to be expanded into a ring between a tubular shaft structure and an inner wall of a downhole borehole. The annular barrier comprises a tubular part to mount as part of the tubular well structure, an expandable sleeve made of a first metal that surrounds the tubular part and that defines a space that is in fluid communication with an interior of the tubular part, the expandable sleeve having a longitudinal extension, an inner face that faces the tubular part, and two ends; a connecting part made of a second metal that connects the expandable sleeve with the tubular part; an opening for leaving the fluid inside the space to expand the sleeve, and a transition area comprising a connection of the sleeve to the connecting part.
    公开号:BR112013008349B1
    申请号:R112013008349-2
    申请日:2011-10-06
    公开日:2020-07-07
    发明作者:Jorgen Hallundbaek；Paul Hazel；Tomas Sune Andersen
    申请人:Welltec Oilfield Solutions Ag；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    Field of the Invention
    [0001] The present invention relates to an annular barrier to be expanded into a ring, between a tubular shaft structure and an interior wall of a downhole borehole. The annular barrier comprises a tubular part for mounting as part of the tubular well structure; an expandable glove made of a first metal that surrounds the tubular part and that defines a space that is in direct communication with an interior of the tubular part, the expandable glove having a longitudinal extension, an inner face that faces the tubular part and two ends. Fundamental Technique
    [0002] In well holes, annular barriers are used for different purposes, such as to provide a flow barrier between an inner and outer tubular structure, or between an inner tubular structure and the inside wall of a borehole. Ring barriers are mounted as part of the tubular well structure. An annular barrier has an inner wall surrounded by an expandable annular sleeve. The expandable sleeve is typically made of an elastomeric material, but it can also be made of metal. The glove is attached at its ends to the inner wall of the annular barrier.
    [0003] To seal an area between an inner and outer tubular structure or a well tubular structure and the borehole, a second annular barrier is used. The first annular barrier is expanded on one side of the zone to be sealed and the second annular barrier is expanded on the other side of that zone, and in this way the entire zone is sealed.
    [0004] The pressure envelope of a well is governed by the burst classification of the tubular and well equipment, etc. used in the construction of the well. In some circumstances, the expandable sleeve of an annular barrier can be expanded by increasing the pressure in the well, which is the most efficient way to expand the sleeve. The burst rating of a well defines the maximum pressure that can be applied to the well for expanding the sleeve, and it is desirable to minimize the expansion pressure required to expand the sleeve, to minimize the exposure of the well to the expansion pressure.
    [0005] When expanded, annular barriers can be subjected to continuous pressure or high periodic pressure, from the outside, either in the form of hydraulic pressure within the well environment, or in the form of pressure formation. In some circumstances, such pressure can cause the annular barrier to collapse, which can have severe consequences for the area that the barrier must seal, since the sealing properties are lost due to the collapse.
    [0006] The ability of the expanded sleeve of an annular barrier to withstand the collapse pressure is thus affected by several variables such as material strength, wall thickness, profile of the expanded glove, surface area exposed to collapse pressure, temperature, fluids of the well, etc.
    [0007] A currently attainable collapse rating of the expanded sleeve within certain well environments is insufficient for all well applications. Thus, it is desirable to increase the collapse rating to enable ring barriers to be used in all wells, specifically in wells that experience a high lowering pressure during production and depletion. The collapse rating can be increased by increasing the wall thickness or material strength, however, this could increase the expansion pressure which, as mentioned, is not desirable.
    [0008] It is therefore desirable to provide a solution in which the collapse rating of expanded gloves is increased. Summary of the Invention
    [0009] It is an objective of the present invention to overcome totally or partially the disadvantages and problems above the preceding technique. More specifically, it is an objective to provide an improved annular barrier with an increased collapse rating of the expandable sleeve.
    [00010] Another objective of the present invention is to provide an annular barrier that has an increased collapse rating, without increasing the material strength and / or the wall thickness of the glove.
    [00011] The above objectives, together with numerous other objectives, advantages and characteristics that will become evident from the description below, are achieved by means of a solution according to the present invention, by an annular barrier to be expanded into a ring between a tubular shaft structure and an inner wall of a downhole borehole, comprising: - a tubular part to be assembled as part of the tubular shaft structure, - an expandable sleeve made of a first metal that surrounds the part tubular and that defines the space that is in direct communication with an interior of the tubular part, the expandable sleeve having a longitudinal extension, an inner face that faces the tubular part, and two ends, - a connecting part, made of a second metal connecting the expandable sleeve with the tubular part, - an opening to take the fluid into the space, to expand the sleeve, and - a transition area comprising a sleeve connection c with the connecting part, - in which the first metal is more flexible than the second metal.
    [00012] The tubular part may have an unexpanded inner diameter which is the same as an inner diameter of the well tubular structure.
    [00013] With this, the annular barrier does not affect the passage of submerged tools is in the tubular part of the well for other operations, further down in the well. Ring barriers can be activated several years after insertion, to provide an isolation of a first zone from a second zone, for example, to optimize production. In this time interval from insertion to activation, the ring barriers function merely as part of the tubular well structure, and cannot decrease the inner diameter of the tubular well structure since this is unacceptable in relation to subsequent operations.
    [00014] Said tubular part may have an inner diameter that is substantially the same before and after the expansion of the expandable sleeve.
    [00015] By means of the first metal being more flexible than the second metal it is meant that the expandable sleeve metal has a higher elongation than the metal elongation of the connecting part.
    [00016] Having a connection part and a sleeve of two different metals, it is possible to machine the connection part in order to perfectly adjust the tubular part without changing the material of the sleeve and the expansion capacity of the sleeve.
    [00017] In one embodiment, the ring barrier may comprise a restriction element in the transition area, which restricts a free expansion of the glove in the area.
    [00018] Having a connecting part and a sleeve made of two different metals, as well as a restraining element, the collapse rating of the expandable sleeve is increased without increasing the wall thickness of the expandable sleeve or the overall diameter of the annular barrier. Furthermore, by means of the present invention, the expansion pressure necessary to expand the expandable sleeve will not be increased, or may even be reduced.
    [00019] In one embodiment, the connection part and the sleeve can be welded together.
    [00020] In addition, the transition area may extend along the longitudinal extent of the expandable sleeve from a first point on the connection to a second predetermined point on the expandable sleeve.
    [00021] In addition, the second point can be arranged on an unrestricted part of the expandable sleeve.
    [00022] The expandable sleeve can be more restricted in expanding in the first point than in the second point.
    [00023] Also, the restraining element can be a protruding part of the connecting part.
    [00024] In addition, the expandable sleeve can be restricted in expansion in the transition area through the projection part of the connection part.
    [00025] Additionally, the projection part can taper in the direction of the expandable sleeve.
    [00026] In addition, each end of the expandable sleeve can have a tapering shape, which corresponds to the shape of the protruding part.
    [00027] In addition, the restraining element can be an additional ring that surrounds the expandable sleeve, the additional ring being connected with the connecting part and tapering from the connecting part towards the expandable sleeve.
    [00028] Also, the expandable sleeve can be restricted in expansion in the transition area by means of an additional ring that surrounds the expandable sleeve, the additional ring being connected with the connecting part and tapering from the connecting part towards the expandable glove.
    [00029] In addition, the restraining element can be an increased thickness of the expandable sleeve, provided by adding an additional material, at least on the outside, whose material tapers from the connecting part towards the sleeve.
    [00030] In addition, the expandable sleeve can be restricted in expansion in the transition area by an increased thickness of the expandable sleeve, provided by adding additional material at least on the outside, whose material tapers from the connecting part towards the sleeve.
    [00031] In addition, additional material can be added by welding.
    [00032] In one embodiment, the thickness of the expandable sleeve can decrease from a thickness of the connecting part to a thickness of less than 95% of the thickness of the connecting part, preferably a thickness of less than 90% of the thickness of the connecting part , and more preferably a thickness less than 80% of the thickness of the connecting part.
    [00033] In addition, the first metal can have an elongation of 35-70%, at least 40%, preferably 40-50%. The first metal can have a flow resistance (soft annealed) of 200-400 MPa, preferably 200-300 MPa.
    [00034] Also, the second metal can have an elongation of 10-35%, preferably 25-35%. The second metal can have a flow resistance (cold worked) of 500-1000 MPa, preferably 500-700 MPa.
    [00035] In addition, the expandable sleeve metal may have an elongation of at least 5 percentage points, preferably at least 10 percentage points, higher than the elongation of the metal of the connecting part.
    [00036] In addition, sections of the expanded sleeve may have increased wall thickness, resulting in a corrugated expanded sleeve. The corrugations will be annular and further reinforce the expanded glove.
    [00037] As a consequence, the annular barrier according to the invention is able to withstand a higher collapse pressure than annular barriers of the prior art, and will thus have improved sealing capabilities.
    [00038] In addition, the glove can be provided with sealing elements on the outside.
    [00039] The sealing elements may have a tapered or triangular cross-sectional shape.
    [00040] The expandable sleeve may be able to expand to a diameter of at least 10% larger, preferably a diameter of at least 15% larger, more preferably a diameter of at least 30% larger than that of an unexpanded sleeve, and may have a wall thickness that is thinner than an expandable sleeve length, the thickness preferably being less than 25% of its length, more preferably less than 15% of its length, and even more preferably less than 10% of its length.
    [00041] In one embodiment, the expandable sleeve can have a variable thickness along the periphery and / or length.
    [00042] In addition, at least one of the connecting parts can be slidable in relation to the tubular part of the annular barrier, and at least one sealing element, such as a 0-ring can be arranged between the sliding connection part. and the tubular part. In one embodiment, more than one sealing element can be arranged between the sliding fixture and the tubular part.
    [00043] At least one of the connecting parts can be fixedly fixed to the tubular part or be part of the tubular part.
    [00044] The connection part may have a protruding edge part that protrudes out of the tubular part.
    [00045] Also, the tubular part may have two sections on opposite sides of an intermediate part and a distance from the opening in the tubular structure, the tubular part having an increased outer diameter and an increased wall thickness in relation to an outer diameter. and a wall thickness of the intermediate part of the tubular part.
    [00046] In addition, the connecting parts can be arranged opposite in the two sections.
    [00047] In addition, one of the connecting parts can be arranged in a sliding manner in relation to the section of the tubular part and the other connecting part can be fixed to the tubular part in a sealing connection.
    [00048] Additionally, the sealing connection can seal space together with a sealing device arranged on the sliding connection part.
    [00049] Each connection part can have a projection part that overlaps the expandable sleeve.
    [00050] Said projection part of the connection part can be welded together with the expandable sleeve.
    [00051] The invention still relates to an annular barrier system comprising an expansion tool and an annular barrier as described above. The expansion tool can comprise explosives, pressurized fluid, cement, or a combination of them.
    [00052] In one embodiment, the ring barrier system may comprise at least two ring barriers positioned at a distance from each other along the tubular well structure.
    [00053] In addition, the invention finally relates to a downhole system comprising a tubular well structure and at least an annular barrier as described above.
    [00054] In a downhole system, a plurality of annular barriers can be positioned at a distance from each other along the tubular well structure. Brief Description of Drawings
    [00055] The invention and its various advantages will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, which for the purpose of illustration show some non-limiting modalities, and in which Figure 1 shows an annular barrier according to invention, Figure 2 shows another modality of the ring barrier, Figure 3 shows yet another modality of the ring barrier, Figure 4 shows yet another modality of the ring barrier, Figure 5 shows a system according to the invention, Figure 6 shows yet another embodiment of the ring barrier, Figure 7 shows the ring barrier of Figure 6 in its expanded state, Figure 8 shows an enlarged partial view of Figure 6, and Figure 9 shows yet another embodiment of the ring barrier in its expanded state.
    [00056] All Figures are highly schematic and not necessarily to scale, and they show only those parts that are necessary to clarify the invention, other parts simply being omitted or merely suggested. Detailed Description of the Invention
    [00057] Ring barriers 1 according to the present invention are typically assembled as part of the tubular wellhead column before the tubular wellhead structure 3 is lowered into the downhole bore 5. A tubular well structure 3 is constructed by means of tubular well structure parts placed together, like a long column tubular well structure. Often ring barriers 1 are mounted between the tubular shaft structure parts when the tubular shaft column is assembled.
    [00058] Ring barrier 1 is used for a variety of purposes, all of which require an expandable sleeve 7 of ring barrier 1 to be expanded so that the sleeve meets inner wall 4 of the borehole 5. Ring barrier 1 it comprises a tubular part 6 which is connected to the tubular well structure 3, as shown in Figure 1, for example, by means of a screw connection 38.
    [00059] In Figure 1, the ring barrier 1 is shown in a cross section along the longitudinal extension of the ring barrier. The annular barrier 1 is shown in its unexpanded state, that is, in a relaxed position from which it must be expanded in a ring 2 between a tubular well structure 3 and an inner wall 4 of a borehole 5 of rock bottom. The ring barrier 1 comprises a tubular part 6 for mounting as part of the tubular well structure 3 and an expandable sleeve 7. The expandable sleeve 7 surrounds the tubular part 6 and has an inner face 8 that faces the tubular part 6. Each end 9 , 10 of the expandable sleeve 7 is connected with a connecting part 12 which is again connected with the tubular part 6. The expandable sleeve 7 is made of a first metal alloy and the connecting part 12 is made of a second metal alloy which is less flexible than the first metal alloy. The connecting part 12 has a projecting part 18 overlapping the expandable sleeve 7. The connecting part 12 is welded together with the expandable sleeve 7 in a connection 14. An inner ring 24 is disposed between the expandable sleeve 7 and the tubular part 6 and is welded on the same connection 14. The projecting part 18 of the connecting part 12 tapers upwards in the direction of the expandable sleeve 7 until the projecting part 18 no longer overlaps with the expandable sleeve 7 and the expandable sleeve 7 is free to expand.
    [00060] The projecting part 18 and the connection 14 are part of a transition area 11 that extends along the longitudinal extension of the expandable sleeve 7 from a first point 21 in connection to a second predetermined point 22 in a unrestricted part of the expandable glove 7. The projecting part 18 has the purpose of restricting the expansion of the expandable glove 7 so that the curvature (shown by a dotted line in Figure 1) of the expandable glove 7 is more shaped in S. It is thus obtained that the expandable sleeve 7 does not fracture during expansion, and that the cross-sectional profile of the expandable sleeve 7 is able to withstand a higher collapse pressure than a known annular barrier. Thus, the expandable sleeve 7 is more restricted in expanding at the first point than at the second point. In addition, due to the fact that the projecting part 18 is made of a less flexible metal alloy and tapers from the connection towards the second point, the expandable sleeve 7 is less restricted in expanding along with the decreasing thickness of the part that protrudes.
    [00061] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the ring barrier 1 in which the connecting part 12 is connected with an outer ring 29, the expandable sleeve 7 and the inner ring 24. The expandable sleeve 7 is made of a first metal alloy and the connecting part is made of a second metal alloy which is less flexible than the first metal alloy. Connection 14 is a welded connection. The outer ring 29 forms part of the transition area 11 in which the expandable sleeve 7 is restricted to expand freely. The outer ring 29 has a decreasing thickness that tapers from the connection 14 towards the unrestricted part of the expandable sleeve 7. The outer ring 29 is made of the second metal alloy which is less flexible than the metal alloy of the sleeve, and the outer ring 29 has the purpose of restricting the expansion of the expandable sleeve 7, so that the curvature (shown by a dashed line in Figure 1) of the expandable sleeve 7 is more shaped in S. It is obtained with this that the expandable sleeve 7 does not fracture during expansion and the cross-sectional profile of the expandable sleeve 7 is capable of withstanding a higher collapse pressure than a known annular barrier.
    [00062] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the annular barrier 1 in which the expandable sleeve 7 tapers towards the connection part 12 and the connection part has a corresponding shape. The tapering part 33 of the expandable sleeve 7 and the tapering part of the connecting part 12 overlap and are welded together. The welded connection 14 and the tapering part of the connection part 12 that extends from connection 12 in an overlapping relationship with the expandable sleeve 7 are part of the transition area 11. The expandable sleeve 7 is made of a first alloy of metal and the connecting part is made of a second metal alloy which is less flexible than the first metal alloy. The tapering part of the connecting part 12 that overlaps the glove restricts the expandable glove 7 to expand freely, so that the curvature (shown by a dotted line in Figure 1) of the expandable glove 7 is more S-shaped. this is achieved so that the expandable sleeve 7 does not fracture during expansion, and the cross-sectional profile of the expandable sleeve 7 is able to withstand a higher collapse pressure than a known annular barrier.
    [00063] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the ring barrier 1 in which the expandable sleeve 7 is welded together with the connection part 12 forming the connection 14 between them. The expandable sleeve 7 is made of a first metal alloy and the connecting part 12 is made of a second metal alloy which is less flexible than the first metal alloy. In addition, an additional material 30 is added in the transition area 11 from the connection 14 along a first part of the expandable sleeve 7. The additional material 30 decreases in thickness from the connection 14 along the expandable sleeve 7. The additional material 30 is made of the same material as the connecting part 12 or the metal alloy which is even less flexible than the metal alloy of the connecting part 12. The connection 14 and the additional material 30 form part of the transition area 11, and the additional material 30 prevents the expandable sleeve 7 from expanding too much in the transition area, and the sleeve thus forms a more S-shaped cross-section profile after expansion. With this, the collapse pressure is increased compared to known ring barriers.
    [00064] When the expandable sleeve 7 is made of a first metal alloy and the connecting part is made of a second metal alloy that is less flexible than the first metal alloy, the metal alloy of the connecting part 12 can be a metal alloy that is more machinable than the metal alloy of the sleeve 7. When making the connection part 12 it is important that it can be machined in order to fit the tubular part more perfectly, thus forming a more watertight, and even a metal-to-metal seal. As can be seen, a space or cavity 13 is formed between the inner face 8 of the sleeve 7 and the tubular part 6. To expand the expandable sleeve 7, pressurized fluid is injected into the cavity 3 through an expansion tool 15, such as a hole 19 or a valve 19, until the expandable sleeve 7 meets the inner wall 4 of the borehole 5. The cavity 13 can also be filled with cement or similar, to expand the sleeve 7. The expansion tool 15 can also be an explosive.
    [00065] When ring barriers 1 are expanded, they are exposed to a certain pressure. However, the pressure may vary during production. As the pressure can thus increase, the annular barrier 1 must be able to withstand an increased pressure, also called the collapse pressure, also in its expanded state, when the outer diameter of the annular barrier 1 is at its maximum and its wall thickness so at its minimum. To withstand such increased pressure, the expandable sleeve 7 can be provided with at least one element 14.
    [00066] When the expandable sleeve 7 of the annular barrier 1 is expanded, the diameter of the sleeve is expanded from its initial unexpanded diameter to a larger diameter. The expandable sleeve 7 has an outer diameter D and is capable of expanding to a diameter at least 10% larger, preferably a diameter at least 15% larger, more preferably a diameter at least 30% larger, than that of an unexpanded sleeve 7.
    [00067] In addition, the expandable sleeve 7 has a wall thickness that is thinner than a length L of the expandable sleeve, the thickness preferably being less than 25% of the length, more preferably less than 15% of the length, and even more preferably less than 10% of the length.
    [00068] The expandable sleeve 7 of the ring barrier 1 is made of a first metal that has an elongation of 35-70%, at least 40%, preferably 40-50%, and the connecting part is made of a second metal that it has an elongation of 10-35%, preferably 25-35%. The metal of the connecting part has an elongation of at least 5 percentage points, preferably at least ten percentage points higher than the elongation of the expandable sleeve metal. The flow resistance (soft annealed) of the expandable sleeve metal is 200-400 MPa, preferably 200-300 MPa. The flow resistance (cold worked) of the metal of the connection part is 500-1000 MPa, preferably 500-700 MPa. Thus, the first metal is more flexible than the second metal.
    [00069] By providing the ring barrier 1 with a valve 19, it makes it possible to use other fluids other than cement, such as the fluid present in the well or sea water to expand the expandable sleeve 7 of the ring barrier.
    [00070] As can be seen, the expandable sleeve 7 is a thin-walled tubular structure, the ends of which 9 and 10 were inserted in the connection part 12. Then, the connection part 12 was highlighted by changing the design of the fixing device and the ends 9, 10 of the expandable sleeve and thereby mechanically fixing them in relation to each other. To seal the connection between the expandable sleeve 7 and the connecting part 12, a sealing element can be arranged between them.
    [00071] In Figure 6, another annular barrier 1 is shown, in which the expandable sleeve 7 of the annular barrier 1 has been laminated with additional material 30 in predetermined areas, that is, in those areas where the expanded sleeve 7 is exposed to the maximum hydraulic pressure . Advantageously, this additional material 30 may be more resistant than the material from which the rest of the expandable sleeve is made.
    [00072] Normally a more resistant material will be less ductile. When just laminating the expandable glove 7 with the toughest additional material 30 in certain areas, an increased collapse rating of the expandable glove can, however, be achieved without affecting the expansion properties of the glove.
    [00073] Lamination of the expandable sleeve 7 can be carried out in several different ways, for example, by laser welding of different metals, coating, etc.
    [00074] When a more resistant but less ductile material 30 is laminated over the expandable sleeve 7, the material which is not as resistant but more ductile, the result is an expandable sleeve that is still sufficiently ductile, but whose collapse rating is increased. In its expanded state, sleeve 7 will thus be able to withstand a higher pressure, close to, or at the point of lamination.
    [00075] When the expandable sleeve 7 is laminated with an additional material 30 in certain areas, the wall thickness of the sleeve is increased in these areas. This increase in wall thickness is more easily deduced from Figure 8.
    [00076] Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the ring barrier 1 of Figure 6 in its expanded state. In this embodiment, the additional material 30 with which the glove 7 was laminated provides an increased collapse rating of the expandable glove, and thus of the annular barrier 1.
    [00077] In Figure 9, the tubular part 6 has two sections 36 that have an increased outer diameter, and thus the tubular part has an increased thickness in the two sections 36 on opposite sides and at a distance from the opening in the tubular structure. Between the sections the tubular part has an intermediate section 37. The connecting parts 12 are disposed opposite to the two sections 36, and one of the two connecting parts 12 is arranged in a sliding manner in relation to the section 36 of the tubular part. The other connection part 12 is welded to the tubular part in a connection 35, and is thus fixedly arranged in relation to the tubular part, and the welded connection 35 provides a sealing connection that seals the space 13 together with device seal 20 arranged on the sliding connection part 12.
    [00078] The expandable sleeve 7 of Figure 9 is made of a first metal alloy and the connecting part 12 is made of a second metal alloy which is less flexible than the first metal alloy. The two sections can be welded with material on the outside of the tubular part 6 and then the sections are machined and polished to have a precise outside diameter in the sections before assembling the connecting parts 12. With this a very smooth surface is provided, so so that a very tight seal between the sealing device 20 and the tubular part can be achieved.
    [00079] The connecting part 12 has a projecting part 18 that overlaps the expandable sleeve 7. The connecting part 12 is welded together with the expandable sleeve 7 in a connection 14. The projecting part 18 of the connection 12 projects the overlapping part of the expandable sleeve 7. At the end of the projecting part 18 it can be attached to the expandable sleeve, for example, by welding on a welded connection 34. In another aspect, the projecting part does not it is attached to the expandable sleeve 7. However, as the projecting part overlaps with the expandable sleeve 7, the sleeve 7 is not entirely free to expand.
    [00080] Between the two sections, the expandable sleeve 7 and the tubular part 6 form the space 13 into which fluid is injected through the opening to expand the sleeve, for isolation of a first zone 40 from a second zone 41 in the borehole, whose zones 40, 41 are shown in Figure 1.
    [00081] In another aspect, the expandable sleeve 7 can comprise at least two different materials, one having a higher strength and thereby lower ductility than another material that has a lower resistance, but higher ductility. With this the expandable sleeve 7 can comprise the material that has the highest strength in areas of the glove that are subjected to the high pressure of hydraulic collapse, when the glove is expanded and comprise the material that has the lowest resistance in the remaining areas of the glove . When the expandable glove 7 comprises a material of higher strength with low ductility in certain areas, having a material of lower resistance, but high ductility in the remaining areas, the expandable glove maintains sufficient ductility while the material of the expandable resistance glove lowest gains in resistance to collapse. Once expanded, the overall effect is an expandable glove 7 with a higher collapse resistance near or in the areas where the glove comprises the material of the highest resistance.
    [00082] In another aspect, both ends 9, 10 of the expandable sleeve 7 are attached to the tubular well structure 3. Normally, when the expandable sleeve 7 expands diametrically outward, the increase in diameter of the expandable sleeve will cause the glove length shrinks and the glove wall thickness becomes somewhat diminished.
    [00083] If two ends 9, 10 of sleeve 7 are attached and no other changes are made in the design of the ring barriers of the previous technique, the degree to which the wall thickness should be decreased to achieve high diametrical expansion should be increased leading to a lower collapse rating and a possible burst of material.
    [00084] In an additional aspect, the expandable sleeve 7 is provided with a series of circumferential corrugations along the length of the expandable sleeve. The series of circumferential corrugations makes it possible to increase the length of the expandable sleeve 7 between the two fixed ends 9, 10, without increasing the distance between the two fixed ends.
    [00085] After forming the aforementioned corrugations, the expandable sleeve 7 can be subjected to some type of treatment, for example, heat treatment, to return the material of the sleeve 7 to its original metallurgical condition.
    [00086] In the transition area, either the glove 7 itself or the additional material 30, can be machined to obtain a somewhat smaller wall thickness on the inner face 8 of the glove to control where glove folding is initiated during expansion of the glove.
    [00087] During expansion of the expandable sleeve 7, the corrugations are rectified providing the additional material 30 necessary for large metal expansion, for example, 40% in diameter, without excessively decreasing the wall thickness and while still maintaining the two ends 9, 10 fixed. This is shown in Figure 10. Preventing excessive decrease in wall thickness will maintain the collapse rating of the expandable glove 7, which will be appreciated by the skilled person.
    [00088] Fixing the two ends 9, 10 while at the same time reaching a maximum metal expansion capacity, for example, 40% in diameter, is particularly advantageous in that it eliminates moving parts and thus expensive and risky high pressure seals, required for these moving parts. This is of particular importance with regard to high temperature or corrosive well environments, for example, acids, etc.
    [00089] In another aspect, the wall thickness of the expandable glove 7 along the length of the glove, can be profiled, which will allow control of the expansion in relation to where the thinning of the expandable glove could occur. Profiling can be done on the expandable sleeve 7 by rolling it, or different materials for the expansion sleeve surface or it could be done by machining or rolling the expandable sleeve to varying thicknesses.
    [00090] When the expansion is controlled by varying the wall thickness, it is possible to vary the collapse classification at certain points along the length of the expandable sleeve 7.
    [00091] In Figure 1, one end of the ring barrier 1 is sliding, meaning that the connecting part 12 to which the sleeve 7 is attached, is slidably connected to the tubular part 6. When the expandable sleeve 7 is expanded in in a direction transversal to the longitudinal direction of the annular barrier 1, the glove will tend, as mentioned above, to shorten in its longitudinal direction if possible. When an end is slidable, the length of the sleeve 7 can be reduced, making it possible to expand the sleeve further, since it is not stretched as much as when it is fixedly connected with the tubular part 6.
    [00092] However, having a sliding end increases the risk that the seals 20 will leak over time. A bellows can therefore be attached to the sliding connection part 12 and fixedly attached to a third connection part. In this way, the first and third connection parts can be fixedly connected to the tubular part 6. The expandable sleeve 7 is firmly attached to the first connection part 12 and the sliding connection part 12, and the bellows is fixed securely. firmly to the sliding connecting part 12 and the third connecting part. Consequently, the connecting parts 12 and the expandable sleeve 7 and the bellows together form a watertight connection that prevents well fluid from penetrating the tubular structure 3.
    [00093] The incorporation of the two ends 9, 10 fixed with maximum metal expansion capacity is considered beneficial in that this should eliminate moving parts and no expensive and risky high pressure seal inside these moving parts is necessary. This is of particular importance when considering high-temperature or corrosive well environments, for example, acid, H2S, etc.
    [00094] When the annular barrier 1 has a sliding connection part 12 between the sleeve 7 and the tubular part 6, the expansion capacity of the glove is increased by up to 100% compared to an annular barrier without such sliding connection part 12.
    [00095] In another embodiment the glove 7 has an outer face that has two opposing sealing elements in increased glove thickness. When expanded, the sealing elements fit into a groove created by the increased thickness and seal against the inner wall of the weld hole 5.
    [00096] The sealing elements have an outer corrugated face to increase the sealing capacity. The sealing elements have a triangular cross-sectional shape, in order to adjust the groove that occurs in the sleeve 7 during expansion. The sealing elements are made of an elastomer or similar material, which has a sealing capacity and which are flexible.
    [00097] By collapse pressure we mean the pressure by which an external pressure can make the collapse of an expanded sleeve 7. The higher the collapse pressure, the higher the pressure of the formation and ring than the glove expanded 7 is able to withstand before it collapses.
    [00098] The invention also relates to a downhole system 50, which has a tubular well structure 3 and an annular barrier 1, or a plurality of annular barriers as shown in Figure 5. In another embodiment, the system has a double ring barrier. The double ring barrier 1 has two end connection parts 12 and an intermediate connection part. The two expandable sleeves 7 are attached to an extreme connection part and to the intermediate part. The intermediate connection part is sliding as is one of the extreme connection parts 12. The other extreme connection part 12 is firmly attached to the tubular part 6. The ring barrier 1 has two openings for injection of pressurized fluid for expansion of the gloves 7.
    [00099] In another modality of a double ring barrier 1, the barrier only has an opening for injection of pressurized fluid for expansion of the gloves 7. The ring barrier 1 has two cavities and the intermediate connection part 12 has a channel that connects directly to the two cavities, so that fluid to expand the cavity that has the opening can flow through the channel to also expand the other sleeve 7.
    [000100] The present invention also relates to an annular barrier system 40 as shown in Figure 5, which comprises an annular barrier 1 as described above. The ring barrier system 40 furthermore comprises an expansion tool 15 for expanding the expandable sleeve 7 of the ring barrier 1. Tool 15 expands the expandable sleeve 7 by applying pressurized fluid through a passage 19 in the tubular part 7 inwardly of the space 13 between the expandable sleeve 7 and the tubular part 6.
    [000101] The expansion tool 15 may comprise an isolation device 17 for isolating a first section outside the passage or valve 19 between an outer wall of the tool and the inner wall of the tubular well structure 3. The pressurized fluid is obtained by increasing the fluid pressure in the isolation device 17. When a section of the tubular well structure 3 outside the passage 19 of the tubular part 5 is isolated, it is not necessary to pressurize the fluid in the entire tubular structure of the well 3, as no additional plug is required as in the case of prior art solutions. When the fluid was injected into the cavity 13 the passage or valve 19 is closed.
    [000102] In the event that the tool 15 cannot move forward in the tubular shaft structure 3, the tool may comprise a downhole tractor, such as a Well Tractor®.
    [000103] Tool 15 can also use coiled tubing to expand expandable sleeve 7 of an annular barrier 1 or two annular barriers at the same time. A coiled tubing tool 15 can pressurize the fluid in the tubular well structure 3 without having to isolate a section of the tubular well structure; however, the tool may also need to plug the tubular structure of well 3 still below the borehole 5 from the two ring barriers 1 to be operated. The ring barrier system 40 of the present invention can also employ a drill pipe or a cable line tool to expand the sleeve 7.
    [000104] In one embodiment, tool 15 comprises a reservoir that contains pressurized fluid, for example, when the fluid used to expand sleeve 7 is cement, gas, or a two-component compound.
    [000105] An annular barrier 1 can also be called a packing or similar expandable device. The tubular well structure 3 can be the production or jacketing pipe or a similar type of downhole pipe in a well, or borehole. Ring barrier 1 can be used at the same time between the inside production pipe and an outside pipe in the borehole, or between a pipe and the inside wall of the borehole 5. A well can have different types of pipe and the barrier ring 1 of the present invention can be assembled for use in all of them.
    [000106] Valve 19 can be any type of valve capable of controlling flow, such as ball valve, butterfly valve, mixing valve, check valve or non-return valve, diaphragm valve, expansion valve, gate valve, globe valve , knife valve, needle valve, piston valve, pinch valve, or buffer valve.
    [000107] The expandable tubular metal sleeve 7 can be a cold drawn or hot drawn tubular structure.
    [000108] The fluid used to expand the expandable sleeve 7 can be any type of well fluid present in the borehole 5 surrounding the tool 15 and / or the tubular structure of the well 3. Also the fluid can be cement, gas, water, polymers, or a two-component compound, such as powder or particles that mix or react with a binding or curing agent. Part of the fluid, such as the hardening agent, may be present in cavity 13 before injecting a subsequent fluid into the cavity.
    [000109] Although the invention has been described in the above in connection with preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that various modifications are conceivable without departing from the invention as defined by the following claims.
    权利要求:
    Claims (15)
    [0001]
    1. Ring barrier (1) to be expanded into a ring (2) between a tubular well structure (3) and an inner wall (4) of a downhole borehole (5), characterized by the fact that comprises: a tubular part (6) to mount as part of the tubular well structure, an expandable sleeve (7) made of a first metal that surrounds the tubular part and that defines a space (13) that is in fluid communication with an interior (64) of the tubular part, the expandable sleeve having a longitudinal extension, an inner face (8) that faces the tubular part and two ends (9, 10), a connecting part (12) made of a second metal that connects the expandable glove with the tubular part, an opening to take the fluid into the space to expand the glove, and a transition area (11) comprising a connection (14) of the glove to the connection part, in which the first metal is more flexible than the second metal.
    [0002]
    2. Ring barrier according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the ring barrier comprises a restriction element in the transition area that restricts a free expansion of the glove in the area.
    [0003]
    3. Ring barrier according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that the transition area extends along the longitudinal extension of the expandable sleeve from a first point (21) in the connection to a second predetermined point (22 ) in the expandable sleeve.
    [0004]
    4. Ring barrier according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that the expandable sleeve is more restricted in expansion at the first point than at the second point.
    [0005]
    5. Ring barrier according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that the restraining element is a projecting part (18) of the connecting part.
    [0006]
    6. Ring barrier according to claim 5, characterized by the fact that the projecting part tapers towards the expandable sleeve.
    [0007]
    7. Ring barrier according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that each end of the expandable sleeve has a tapering shape that corresponds to the shape of the protruding part.
    [0008]
    8. Ring barrier according to claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the restraining element is an additional ring (24) that surrounds the expandable sleeve, the additional ring being connected to the connecting part and tapering from the connecting part towards the expandable sleeve.
    [0009]
    Ring barrier according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the first metal has an elongation of 35-70%, at least 40%, preferably 40-50%.
    [0010]
    An annular barrier according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the second metal has an elongation of 10-35%, preferably 25-35%.
    [0011]
    An annular barrier according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the tubular part has two sections (36) on opposite sides of an intermediate part (37) and a distance from the opening in the tubular structure, the part tubular having in sections an increased outer diameter and an increased wall thickness in relation to an outer diameter, and a wall thickness of the intermediate part of the tubular part.
    [0012]
    12. Ring barrier according to claim 11, characterized by the fact that one of the connecting parts is slidably arranged in relation to the section of the tubular part and the other connecting part is fixed to the tubular part in a sealing connection ( 35).
    [0013]
    13. Ring barrier according to claim 11 or 12, characterized by the fact that each connecting part has a protruding part (18) superimposing itself on the expandable sleeve (7).
    [0014]
    14. Ring barrier system (40) characterized by the fact that it comprises an expansion tool (15) and an ring barrier as defined in any one of claims 1 to 12.
    [0015]
    15. Downhole system (50) characterized by the fact that it comprises a tubular shaft structure and at least one annular barrier as defined in any one of claims 1 to 13.
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    CA2813896C|2018-11-20|
    RU2013120131A|2014-11-20|
    MX338839B|2016-05-03|
    AU2011311540B2|2015-11-26|
    CA2813896A1|2012-04-12|
    CN108360990A|2018-08-03|
    US20130186615A1|2013-07-25|
    CN103154425A|2013-06-12|
    BR112013008349A2|2016-06-14|
    WO2012045813A1|2012-04-12|
    WO2012045355A1|2012-04-12|
    AU2011311540A1|2013-05-02|
    DK2625375T3|2017-07-17|
    US9359860B2|2016-06-07|
    RU2590269C2|2016-07-10|
    MX2013003300A|2013-05-22|
    MY170239A|2019-07-11|
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    法律状态:
    2018-12-26| B06F| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according [chapter 6.6 patent gazette]|
    2019-02-05| B25A| Requested transfer of rights approved|Owner name: WELLTEC OILFIELD SOLUTIONS AG (CH) |
    2019-05-14| B25G| Requested change of headquarter approved|Owner name: WELLTEC OILFIELD SOLUTIONS AG (CH) |
    2019-08-20| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: procedure suspended [chapter 6.21 patent gazette]|
    2020-04-22| B09A| Decision: intention to grant [chapter 9.1 patent gazette]|
    2020-07-07| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted [chapter 16.1 patent gazette]|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 06/10/2011, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    EPPCT/EP2010/064985|2010-10-07|
    PCT/EP2010/064985|WO2012045355A1|2010-10-07|2010-10-07|An annular barrier|
    PCT/EP2011/067463|WO2012045813A1|2010-10-07|2011-10-06|An annular barrier|
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