WELL SHUT-IN SAFETY APPARATUS

Abstract

An above-ground well shut-in safety apparatus, structure, and method useful for shutting-in wells during a blow-out is provided. The apparatus includes a top portion closing an upper end of an apparatus, a side wall with a long axis, a sleeve inside the side wall, and a bottom portion including an open end. A structure for shutting in a well, comprising a rig, a drive rigidly connected to the rig, and an apparatus rigidly connected to the drive, the apparatus including a tubular side wall, a top portion closing an upper end of the side wall, and a sealing sleeve inside the side wall. A method for shutting-in a well including driving an open end of an apparatus onto a stump of the well, the apparatus including a closed end opposite the open end and a tubular side wall with a sealing sleeve, and sealing the sleeve onto the stump.

Description

BENEFIT OF EARLIER APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. provisional application 62/733,464, filed Sep. 19, 2018.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to shutting-in wells generally and, in particular, to shutting-in wells during a blow-out.

BACKGROUND

During a blow-out, fluids flow uncontrollably from the well. During tubular completions, the blown out fluid may flow out of the tubular stump supported at well center of the rig.

Previously, when closing a well, an operator will install a plug by hand to stop fluids from passing up through the string and being released at the stump. The plug used for installation in the stump is called a safety valve or a stabbing valve. The safety valve has a threaded connection that threads into the stump's exposed threaded connection and an integral valve that can be opened or closed to open the inner diameter of the pipe string at the stump. Typically, the safety valve is set on the rig work floor and must be manually lifted into place or the safety valve is suspended on a cable from a tugger winch and must be hoisted into position, if needed.

This is a dangerous, labor- and time-intensive method and apparatus for shutting in a blown-out well, which presents risks of injury to operators, damage to property, and pollution of the environment.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In accordance with a broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided An apparatus for shutting-in a well, comprising: a top portion closing an upper end of the apparatus; a side wall with a long axis; a sleeve inside the side wall; and a bottom portion including an open end.

In accordance with another broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a structure for shutting-in a well, comprising: a rig; a drive rigidly connected to the rig; an apparatus rigidly connected to the drive, the apparatus including: a tubular side wall with a long axis and an open end; a top portion closing an upper end of the side wall; and a sealing sleeve inside the side wall.

In accordance with yet another broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for shutting in a well, comprising: driving an open end of an apparatus onto a stump of the well, the apparatus including a tubular side wall with a long axis and an open end; a top portion closing an upper end of the side wall; and a sealing sleeve inside the side wall; and sealing the sleeve onto the stump.

It is to be understood that other aspects of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein various embodiments of the invention are shown and described by way of illustration. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other and different embodiments and its several details are capable of modification in various other respects, all within the present invention. Furthermore, the various embodiments described may be combined, mutatis mutandis, with other embodiments described herein. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further, detailed, description of the invention, briefly described above, will follow by reference to the following drawings of specific embodiments of the invention. These drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. In the drawings:

(a) FIG. 1 is a top view of a shut-in safety apparatus;

(b) FIG. 2 is a cross section of a shut-in safety apparatus along section line A-A of FIG. 1;

(c) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a shut-in safety apparatus;

(d) FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the apparatus in an elevated position above the stump; and

(e) FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the apparatus in a lower position connected atop the stump.

DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various embodiments of the present invention and is not intended to represent the only embodiments contemplated by the inventor. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a comprehensive understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.

The invention is an above-ground well shut-in safety apparatus. The apparatus may be lowered (for example, driven down) onto a stump to shut in a well. As noted above, the problem the invention is directed to overcome is that currently there are only dangerous, labor- and time-intensive apparatuses and methods for shutting in a blown-out well. The invention is used to shut-in wells generally, and to shut-in blown-out wells in particular. The apparatus overcomes the identified problem by allowing an operator to remotely shut-in the well, thus avoiding human injury. In addition to promoting safety, the apparatus advantageously allows for faster shut-in procedures for wells in general, and blown-out wells in particular. With reference to FIGS. 1-5, the invention provides a safety shut-in apparatus 100, which may be connected into a structure with a drive 200 on a rig 220. Stump 210 may be supported in the rig floor at well center WC.

The apparatus 100 may have a substantially cylindrical shape, with a top portion 10, a tubular for example cylindrical side wall 20 defining a center, long axis x concentric with the side wall, and a bottom portion 30. The top portion 10 may close an upper end of the apparatus. The cylindrical side wall 20 may extend between the top portion and the bottom portion. The apparatus 100 may have a cap-like structure with the top portion creating an upper wall 10a spanning the side wall, thereby defining chamber 37 within the top portion. The bottom portion 30 may define an open end 28 selected to fit over stump 210, for example sized to have an open inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the stump 210. The apparatus may be able to accommodate stumps of various outer diameters less than the open inner diameter of the open end 28, thereby overcoming limits on stump details such as thread configuration or stump outer diameter.

The apparatus may be moveable, for example along arrows B, from an elevated position away from the stump 210 to a position lowered over the upper end 212 of the stump 210. In the lower position, the stump extends up through open end 28 and side wall 20 sleeves down over the outside of the upper end 212 of the stump 210.

Open end 28 may be surrounded by a lead-in 31 in the shape of a cone, for example a downwardly flaring funnel. The lead-in 31 may act as a guide leading toward the inner diameter 26 of wall 20. The lead-in 31 may be useful to guide the apparatus relative to the stump to accommodate imprecise alignment between the apparatus and stump 210 during movement (arrows B).

Because of the force of fluid passing out of the stump during blow-out conditions, it will be appreciated that it may be useful to have a hold-down mechanism to hold the other components of the apparatus in place on the stump. For example, the apparatus may include a structure to physically engage an outer diameter of a stump of the well to prevent axial displacement therefrom. The structure may be, for example, a clamp.

Alternatively or in addition, a drive for the apparatus may be configured to hold the apparatus down. Apparatus 100, for example, may be connected to a drive 200 to move it up and down relative to the rig floor, where stump 210 is supported, and possibly to hold it down against the force of a blow-out. In particular as noted, during wellbore operations, stump 210 is supported in the rig floor at well center WC and the drive supports the apparatus above the well center WC, for example with axis x substantially aligned with WC. The drive 200 may be a vertically and laterally moveable, but releasably lockable in a selected position, which is referenced herein as a “rigid” drive system. The drive 200 may be rigidly, but moveably, connected to a rig 220. For greater clarity, rigid used herein means, for example, that the drive is vertically, and possibly laterally, positionally fixable, with inflexible connections to the rig and to the apparatus and is substantially not influenced by gravity, as opposed to a winch/cable-type or freely slidable drive that operates on gravity and its weight and can be lifted vertically even when not driven by the winch if sufficient force is applied upwardly. As such, drive 200 is operable to move up and down on rig along well center, and is capable of forcing the apparatus down for example directly from an idle position along WC onto stump 210, while keeping axis x and WC substantially aligned. Further, drive 200 is capable of forcing the apparatus down onto stump 210 and holding it down even against the sufficient force of a blow-out. Examples of such a suitable drive system are, for example, a power swivel, a top drive, or other apparatus carrier with a moveable but releasably lockable connection to the rig.

The apparatus may be secured to the drive for movement with the drive. Therefore, apparatus 100 may include one or more connections to drive 200 such that the apparatus can be lowered and held down, for example forced down, onto a well stump. For example, one such connection may be an inflexible center connection, such as a threaded connection 11 on top portion 10. Alternatively or in addition, there may be one or more rigid connections such as one or more anchor points 15 positioned on the top portion or side wall 20, distanced from axis x.

Optional threaded connection 11 renders apparatus 100 connectable to drive 200. Threaded connection 11 may protrude upwardly out of the top portion 10 near the axial center of the apparatus. Threaded connection 11 may be concentric with axis x and may be configured for threaded connection to a center stem on drive 200.

Anchor points 15 may be configured to create a rigid connection between the drive 200 and the apparatus. The anchor points may be offset and non-concentric relative to axis x such that they are not affected by torqueing around axis x. For example, torque will affect connection 11, which is concentric with axis x, but each anchor point 15 is offset from the center axis to mitigate torqueing release at connection 11. Anchor points 15 are positioned radially outward from connection 11 and may be in an extension that protrudes laterally from top portion 10 or side wall 20 beyond the outer diameter of the side wall. In one embodiment, each anchor point 15 includes an aperture extending top to bottom through the extension thereby forming an eye. A vertical side arm on the drive 200 can be secured in the anchor point.

In one embodiment, therefore, there is no rigid connection between the apparatus and the stump. Instead, the apparatus is held in place against the force of the blow-out by rigid connections (i) between the apparatus and the drive, and (ii) between the drive and the rig.

Top portion 10 may include a port 13 extending from inner area 26 to the exterior of the apparatus. Port 13, therefore, permits outlet of fluid from the internal area 26 of the apparatus and permits connection to a flow line, such that blow-out fluids can be released from the apparatus in a controlled manner and, for example, directed to a tank.

The port 13 may be configured for connection to a fluid conduit of the drive 200 or the rig. The port 13 may be configured as an outlet to allow fluid to exit an internal area 26 of the apparatus. For example, the fluid conduit may be configured to direct fluid from port 13 to a storage tank. The top port 13 may be integral with connection 11. Top port 13 may include threads, thereby also defining connection 11. In one embodiment, port 13 and the threaded connection 11 are combined with the side walls of the port threaded to accept a connection with an inflexible pipe extend from the lower end of drive 200.

There may be a seal carried within the side wall 20 and, when the apparatus is lowered (for example, driven) down over the stump, the seal may be set to create an annular, fluid tight seal between the side wall and the outer diameter of the stump to stop fluid flows from leaking out from open end 28. The seal may be, for example, a rubber seal sleeve 21 may be inside the side wall 20. The rubber sleeve 21 may include an open inner side 23 substantially concentric with the long axis x. Rubber sleeve 21 may include an outer side 25, being the side of the sleeve opposite the open inner side 23. Outer side 25 and side wall 20 may define therebetween an annular chamber 27. In other words, the apparatus may include annular chamber 27 between side wall 20 and outer side 25.

The sleeve may have a top end and a bottom end. The ends of the sleeve may be configured to create a seal with the top portion, the cylindrical side wall, the bottom portion, or a combination thereof, such that annular chamber is sealed from internal area 26 and can contain a hydraulic fluid. The top end of the sleeve may be configured to create a seal with the top portion. The bottom end may be configured to create a seal with the bottom end. The top end, the bottom end, or both, may be configured to create a seal with the side wall.

There may be a groove within the side wall in which sleeve 21 is installed. The groove may be annular around axis x. In one embodiment, the groove is defined between a lower shoulder 33 and upper wall 10a. For example, there may be shoulder 33 above lead-in 31 and a return 34 forming an annular lip extending radially upward from the shoulder 33. A lower limit 35 of the groove may be defined between side wall 20 and return 34. The bottom end of the sleeve may be fit snugly behind return 34 to create a fluid tight seal at the lower end of sleeve 21. There may also be a second return 36 forming a second annular lip extending down from upper wall 10a. An upper limit 37 of the groove may be defined between side wall 20 and second return 36. The top end of the sleeve may be fit snugly within the upper limit of the groove and may thereby form a seal. Returns 34, 36 prevent the seal from extruding out of the apparatus and ensure annular chamber 27 is sealed off from inner area 26.

In one embodiment, rubber seal sleeve 21 may be actuable to move from a neutral position radially inwardly toward axis x. For example, sleeve 21 may be actuated by hydraulics through a hydraulic drive 22. Hydraulic drive 22 may be connected to hydraulic fluid ports 29, being ports through the cylindrical side wall 20, allowing fluid communication between the hydraulic drive and the annular chamber. In use, the hydraulic drive may introduce hydraulic pressure to the annular chamber, causing the sleeve to squeeze radially inwardly to change the inner diameter of sleeve from a neutral inner diameter that is about the same size as the inner diameter across open end 28 and a constricted inner diameter, smaller than the inner diameter across open end 28. Thus, while sleeve can be retracted and permit easy sleeving of the apparatus over the stump, the seal thereafter can be squeezed in and make an annular seal about a circumference of the stump.

In one embodiment, the apparatus 100 comprises the following components:

• • a cylindrical side wall 20 defining a long, center axis therein, the lower end of the side wall being open and thus creating an open end 28;
  • a top portion 10 closing the upper end of the side wall 20;
  • a plurality of connections for connecting to a drive system including a central connection 11 about a port 13 and two anchor points 15 diametrically opposed and offset relative to center axis and the central connection. The anchor points protrude outwardly from the top portion and are configured to accept a rigid connection between the drive system and the apparatus which. Being offset from connection 11, anchor points 15 ensure the apparatus is held against torqueing around connection 11;
  • a rubber seal sleeve 21 inside the cylindrical side wall, the sleeve including
    • an open inner side 23 substantially aligned with the long axis,
    • an outer side 25,
    • an annular chamber 27 between the sleeve and the side wall, and
    • the ends of the sleeve are configured to create seals against the side wall, which seals define the upper and lower limits of the annular chamber and seal chamber 27 from communication with the open inner side of the sleeve;
    • the rubber seal sleeve is actuable by hydraulics acting in chamber 27 to be squeezed radially inwardly, thus hydraulic fluid ports 29 may be provided through the cylindrical side wall to the chamber;
    • a lead-in 31 (also known as a stripper or guide) is connected at open end 28 and is in the shape of a cone, forming a funnel flaring out from end 28, which acts as a guide leading toward the inner diameter 26 of the rubber seal sleeve and accommodates imprecise alignment between the apparatus and the blown-out well;
    • and
    • seals 24 may be present elsewhere (e.g., seals between the portions, redundant seals) to prevent leakage.

A rig, on which the apparatus can be useful, includes drive 200 configured to move up and down relative to the rig floor, where during operations the stump protrudes. The drive may be installed and limited laterally to move up and down along well center and have a neutral position aligned with well center. The drive is rigidly connected to the rig, which means is moveable along the rig, but releasably lockable in a vertical position above the rig floor. The apparatus is rigidly connected through connection 11 and anchor points 15 to the drive 200.

In use, the apparatus, according to any one or combinations of embodiments described above, is idle unless the well blows out, or if for any reason the well is to be shut in. The apparatus may be connected to drive 200 on the rig above floor 230. While idle, the apparatus is suspended above and spaced from the stump of the well, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, by drive 200. To shut in the well, an operator may remotely use the drive to cause the apparatus to move down along well center (arrows B) onto the stump 210. As the apparatus moves down onto the stump, lead-in 31 may abut against the stump and guide the apparatus onto the stump. The drive, the apparatus, or both may be laterally moveable to facilitate such guidance. As the apparatus moves down, the open end 28 of the apparatus is placed over and surrounds the stump. The apparatus is in its lowered position when the apparatus is lowered such that the top of the stump is at least within the top portion 10. Once in the lowered position, sleeve 21 may surround the stump and form a seal with the stump. In use, hydraulic pressure may be introduced to the apparatus behind the sleeve in the annular chamber to cause the sleeve to squeeze inwardly in diameter and make a seal against the stump, such that any blown out fluid cannot exit from end 28. Such fluid may exit port 13 and be directed out of the apparatus.

The rigid drive system supports the proper functioning of the apparatus, as it allows the apparatus to be driven onto the stump and held down towards the rig floor 230 against the force of blowing out fluid. This can be done without a person approaching the well as the drive can be operated remotely. There is no connection between the apparatus and the stump.

Once held onto the stump with sleeve 21 creating a seal, the apparatus is in its shut-in position as illustrated in FIG. 5 and the well is shut in. Any fluid passing up through stump can exit through port 13. Optionally, such fluid can be directed through piping for example up through drive 200. Such fluid may be sealed within the chamber 37 within the top portion 10.

CLAUSES

Clause 1. An apparatus for shutting-in a well, comprising: a top portion closing an upper end of the apparatus; a side wall with a long axis; a sleeve inside the side wall; and a bottom portion including an open end.

Clause 2. The apparatus of any one or more of clauses 1-18, wherein the side wall is cylindrical.

Clause 3. The apparatus of any one or more of clauses 1-18, wherein the sleeve is made of a material selected to create a seal.

Clause 4. The apparatus of any one or more of clauses 1-18, further comprising an annular chamber between the sleeve and the side wall.

Clause 5. The apparatus of any one or more of clauses 1-18, wherein the annular chamber is formed between the sleeve and a groove within the side wall.

Clause 6. The apparatus of any one or more of clauses 1-18, further comprising a connection on the top portion, the connection connectable to a drive, the drive being for driving the apparatus onto the well.

Clause 7. The apparatus of any one or more of clauses 1-18, wherein the connection includes one or more anchor points positioned radially outward from the top portion.

Clause 8. The apparatus of any one or more of clauses 1-18, wherein the connection includes a threadable connection concentric with the long axis.

Clause 9. The apparatus of any one or more of clauses 1-18, wherein the top portion further includes a port; the drive further includes a fluid conduit connectable to the port, the fluid conduit and the port being configured to allow fluid to flow out of the apparatus.

Clause 10. The apparatus of any one or more of clauses 1-18, further comprising a rig; and a drive rigidly connected to the rig, the top portion being connectable to the drive.

Clause 11. The apparatus of any one or more of clauses 1-18, wherein the drive is one or more of a power swivel, a top drive, and an apparatus carrier.

Clause 12. The apparatus of any one or more of clauses 1-18, further comprising a structure to physically engage a stump of the well.

Clause 13. A structure for shutting-in a well, comprising: a rig; a drive rigidly connected to the rig; an apparatus rigidly connected to the drive, the apparatus including: a tubular side wall with a long axis and an open end; a top portion closing an upper end of the side wall; and a sealing sleeve inside the side wall.

Clause 14. A method for shutting-in a well, comprising: driving an open end of an apparatus onto a stump of the well, the apparatus including a tubular side wall with a long axis and an open end; a top portion closing an upper end of the side wall; and a sealing sleeve inside the side wall; and sealing the sleeve onto the stump.

Clause 15. The method of any one or more of clauses 1-18, wherein sealing includes hydraulically sealing.

Clause 16. The method of any one or more of clauses 1-18, further comprising guiding the open end of the apparatus onto the stump using a lead-in on the bottom portion.

Clause 17. The method of any one or more of clauses 1-18, further comprising connecting the apparatus to a drive.

Clause 18. The method of any one or more of clauses 1-18, further comprising releasing fluid from the well via a port on the top portion.

The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to those embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with the claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular, such as by use of the article “a” or “an” is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more”. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various embodiments described throughout the disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are intended to be encompassed by the elements of the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construed under the provisions of 35 USC 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or “step for”.

Claims

1. An apparatus for shutting-in a well, comprising:

a top portion closing an upper end of the apparatus;

a side wall with a long axis;

a sleeve inside the side wall; and

a bottom portion including an open end.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the side wall is cylindrical.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is made of a material selected to create a seal.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an annular chamber between the sleeve and the side wall.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the annular chamber is formed between the sleeve and a groove within the side wall.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a connection on the top portion, the connection connectable to a drive, the drive being for driving the apparatus onto the well.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the connection includes one or more anchor points positioned radially outward from the top portion.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the connection includes a threadable connection concentric with the long axis.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein

the top portion further includes a port;

the drive further includes a fluid conduit connectable to the port,

the fluid conduit and the port being configured to allow fluid to flow out of the apparatus.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising

a rig; and

a drive rigidly connected to the rig,

the top portion being connectable to the drive.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the drive is one or more of a power swivel, a top drive, and an apparatus carrier.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a structure to physically engage a stump of the well.

13. A structure for shutting-in a well, comprising:

a rig;

a drive rigidly connected to the rig;

an apparatus rigidly connected to the drive, the apparatus including: a tubular side wall with a long axis and an open end; a top portion closing an upper end of the side wall; and a sealing sleeve inside the side wall.

14. A method for shutting-in a well, comprising:

driving an open end of an apparatus onto a stump of the well, the apparatus including a tubular side wall with a long axis and an open end; a top portion closing an upper end of the side wall; and a sealing sleeve inside the side wall; and

sealing the sleeve onto the stump.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein sealing includes hydraulically sealing.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising guiding the open end of the apparatus onto the stump using a lead-in on the bottom portion.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising connecting the apparatus to a drive.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising releasing fluid from the well via a port on the top portion.