Methods and Assemblies for Detecting a Sticking Point Along a Toolstring in Downhole Environment

Abstract

An assembly for detecting sticking of a toolstring and location of the sticking includes a downhole tool. A release device is connected with the downhole tool, and a tension measurement device adjacent the release device. The tension measurement device can detect a change in tension when a lifting force is applied to a stuck toolstring, and the release device can be activated if a change of tension is detected.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure generally relates to methods and apparatus for detecting a sticking point.

BACKGROUND

During conveyance of tools into a wellbore or running a tool out of a wellbore, portions of the toolstring may get stuck in hole. A stuck toolstring can cause significant down time. Additionally, there is a high probability of losing the toolstring in hole.

SUMMARY

An example assembly for detecting sticking of a toolstring and location of the sticking includes at least one module. A release device is connected with the module, and a tension measurement device is adjacent the release device.

An example system for detecting sticking of a toolstring and location of the sticking includes a conveyance. The conveyance is connected with a toolstring. The toolstring includes at least one module and a tension measurement device adjacent a release device.

An example method for detecting a location of sticking on a toolstring includes applying a lifting force to a stuck toolstring that has a release device and tension measurement device. The method also includes detecting if there is a change in tension on the toolstring using the tension measurement device, and activating the release device if a change in tension is measured.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an example assembly for detecting sticking of a toolstring and location of the sticking.

FIG. 2 depicts an example system for detecting sticking of a toolstring and location of the sticking.

FIG. 3 depicts an example of operation of the system for detecting sticking of a toolstring and location of the sticking.

FIG. 4 depicts another example of operation of the system for detecting sticking of a toolstring and location of the sticking.

FIG. 5 depicts an additional example of operation of the system for detecting sticking of a toolstring and location of the sticking.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain examples are shown in the above-identified figures and described in detail below. In describing these examples, like or identical reference numbers are used to identify common or similar elements. The figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features and certain views of the figures may be shown exaggerated in scale or in schematic for clarity and/or conciseness.

An example assembly for detecting sticking of a toolstring and location of the sticking can include at least one module. The module can be a logging tool, a milling tool, a debris removal tool, a shifting tool, a tractor, other downhole tools, an electronics module, a communication module, a hydraulic module, the like, or combinations thereof.

A release device can be connected with the module. The release device can be an electrical controlled release device, a hydraulically controlled release device, an explosive type release device, or the like. The release device can be activated by a signal sent from a control system at the surface or otherwise actuated.

A tension measurement device can be adjacent the release device. The tension measurement device can be a load cell, a strain gauge, or other now know or future known tension measurement devices. The tension measurement device can be in communication with the surface using any now know or future known telemetry. One skilled in the art with the aid of this disclosure would know how to communicate the tension measurement device with the surface.

An example method for detecting a location of sticking on a toolstring can include applying a lifting force to a stuck toolstring that has a release device and tension measurement device. The lifting force can be applied to the stuck toolstring by lifting on a connected conveyance. The release device and tension measurement device can be in communication with surface control equipment.

The method also includes detecting if there is a change in tension on the toolstring using the tension measurement device, and activating the release device if a change in tension is measured. Detecting if there is a change in tension on the toolstring can be detected by observing a surface read out instrument in communication with the tension measurement device. The release device can be activated using surface control equipment in communication with the release device. For example, an operator can monitor surface equipment as the lifting force is applied to the stuck toolstring, if the surface readout in communication with the tension measurement device indicates a change in tension, the operator can issue a command to actuate the release device.

FIG. 1 depicts an example assembly for detecting sticking of a toolstring and location of the sticking. The assembly 100 includes a first module 140. The first module 140 can be any module, for example the first module can include one or more intervention tools, electronics, hydraulics, drives, or the like. Illustrative intervention tools include, but are not limited to, tractors, logging tools, shifting tools, milling tools, debris removal tools, pumps, sensors, sampling tools, or the like.

The first module 140 can be connected with the tension measurement device 130 and release device 120. The tension measurement device 130 can be a load cell, a strain gauge, or other now know or future known tension measurement devices. The release device 120 can be an electrically controlled release device, hydraulic release device, or other now known or future known release devices.

The apparatus 100 can be integrated with a more complex tool string and conveyed into a wellbore by a conveyance. The conveyance can provide communication between the release device and the surface. The conveyance can also provide communication between the tension measurement device and the surface. Of course, the apparatus 100 can be conveyed into a wellbore by itself using a conveyance.

FIG. 2 depicts an example system for detecting sticking of a toolstring and location of the sticking. The system 200 includes a toolstring 201 and a conveyance 202. The conveyance can be wireline, slickline, coil tubing, or the like.

The conveyance 202 can be operatively connected with the toolstring 201 to provide power to the toolstring 201. Furthermore, the conveyance 202 can enable communication between the toolstring 201 and the surface.

The toolstring 201 can include one or more release devices, three are shown as 220, 222, and 224. The toolstring 201 can also include one or more tension measurement devices, three are shown as 230, 232, and 234. The toolstring 201 can also include one or more modules, three are shown as 250, 252, and 240.

The conveyance 202 can be connected with the toolstring 201. For example, the conveyance 202 can be connected to the toolstring 201 by the first release device 220. The first release device 220 is adjacent the first tension measurement device 230. The first tension measurement device 230 can be releasable connected with the first release device 220. For example, the connection can be by a selectively releasable connection, such as collets or other known connections. An illustrative release device is described in U.S. Pat. No.: 6,431,269, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. Other connections and release devices can be used as would be known to one skilled in the art with the aid of this disclosure.

The first tension measurement device 230 can connect with the third module 250 using any now know or future know connection. For example, the first tension measurement device 230 can be connected with the third module 250 using mechanical fasteners, a swivel, threaded connections, or other mechanical systems. The third module 250 can be an electronics module, a hydraulic module, one or more intervention tools, one or more sensors, one or more motors, other now know or future known modules, or combinations thereof.

The third module 250 can be connected with the second release device 222 and the second tension measurement device 232. The connections can be similar to those described herein.

The second release device 222 connects the third module 250 with the second module 252. The second module 252 can be can be an electronics module, a hydraulic module, one or more intervention tools, one or more sensors, one or more motors, other now know or future known modules, or combinations thereof.

The second module 252 is connected with the third tension measurement device 234 and the third release device 224. The third release device 224 connects the second module 252 with the first module 240. The connections can be the same or similar to those described herein.

FIG. 3 depicts an example of operation of the system for detecting sticking of a toolstring and location of the sticking. The toolstring 201 is depicted stuck in a wellbore at sticking point 300. Accordingly, lifting force can be applied to the toolstring 201 by the conveyance 202 to detect where on the toolstring 201 the sticking is occurring. Since the sticking point is below the first tension measurement device 230 the first tension measurement device 230 will detect an increase in tension when lifting force is applied to the toolstring 201. The sticking point, however, is above the second tension measurement device 232 and the third tension measurement device 234. Accordingly, the tension measurement devices 232 and 234 will not detect an increase in tension. Therefore, an operator monitoring surface readout equipment at the surface can see that the tension measurement devices 232 and 234 did not measure an increase in tension, and the operator is informed to activate the first release device 220. Actuation of the first release device 220 separates the conveyance 202 and first release device 220, allowing the conveyance 202 and the first release device 220 to be pulled out of hole while the rest of the toolstring 201 remains in the hole.

FIG. 4 depicts another example of operation of the system for detecting sticking of a toolstring and location of the sticking. The toolstring 201 is depicted stuck in hole at sticking point 300; however, this time the sticking point 300 is located between the second tension measurement device 232 and the third tension measurement device 234. Accordingly, the second tension measurement device 232 and first tension measurement device 230 will detect an increase in tension when a lifting force is applied to the toolstring by lifting on the conveyance 202, and the third tension measurement device 234 will not detect an increase in tension. Accordingly, an operator at the surface viewing a surface readout will be able to detect that the tension measurement devices 230 and 232 detected an increase in tension, whereas the third tension measurement device 234 did not. As such, the operator will know that the sticking point is located below the second release device 222 and above the third release device 224; therefore, the operator can issue a command to activate the second release device 222. The activation of the second release device will separate the second module 252 from the second release device 222, allowing the portion of the toolstring 201 above the second release device 222 to be returned to surface while the stuck portion below the second release device 222 remains in the hole.

FIG. 5 depicts an additional example of operation of the system for detecting sticking of a toolstring and location of the sticking. The toolstring 201 is depicted stuck in the well. This time the sticking point 300 is below the third tension measurement device 234.

As such, all three tension measurement devices 230, 232, and 234 will detect an increase in tension when lifting force is applied to the conveyance 202. Accordingly, an operator at the surface monitoring the surface readout equipment will detect that all three tension measurement devices 230, 232, and 234 detected an increase in tension, thereby, knowing that the sticking point is below the third release device 224. The operator, therefore, can issue a signal to release the third release device 224, thereby, separating the third release device 224 from the first module 240, allowing the portion of the toolstring above the third release device 224 to be retrieved to the surface while the first module 240 remains in hole.

In one or more embodiments, the detecting and activating can be performed by a processor at the surface. The processor can be configured to monitor one or more tension measuring devices in the toolstring, and when the toolstring is stuck and a lifting force is applied to the toolstring the processor can identify the tension measuring devices that measure and increase in tension, and then release the lowest most release device adjacent the lowest most tension measuring device that measured an increase in tension.

Although example assemblies, methods, systems have been described herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers every method, nozzle assembly, and article of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the appended claims either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims

1. An assembly for detecting sticking of a toolstring and location of the sticking, wherein the apparatus comprises:

at least one module;

a release device connected with the module; and

a tension measurement device adjacent the release device.

2. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of tension measurement devices and release devices, wherein each release device of the plurality of release devices has a tension measurement device of the plurality of tension measurement devices located adjacent thereto.

3. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of modules connected with one another.

4. A system for detecting sticking of a toolstring and location of the sticking, wherein the system comprises:

a conveyance; and

a toolstring connected with the conveyance, wherein the toolstring comprises at least one module and a tension measurement device adjacent a release device.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the toolstring comprises a plurality of tension measurement devices and release devices, wherein each release device of the plurality of release devices is adjacent a tension measurement device of the plurality of tension measurement devices.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the toolstring comprises a plurality of modules.

7. A method of for detecting a location of sticking on a toolstring, wherein the method comprises:

applying a lifting force to a stuck toolstring, wherein the toolstring has a release device and tension measurement device;

detecting if there is a change in tension on the toolstring using the tension measurement device; and

activating the release device if a change in tension is measured.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising detecting if there is a change of tension in multiple portions of the stuck toolstring when lifting force is applied to the toolstring, using a plurality of spaced apart tension measuring devices, wherein each tension measurement device of the plurality of tension measurement devices has a release device adjacent thereto.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising activating the release device that is adjacent the last tension measuring device to detect a change in tension.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising retrieving the portion of the toolstring connected to the activated release device.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising leaving a portion of the toolstring that is released from the activated release device in hole.