CN110114550A - Systems and methods for placing extreme range anchors in a wellbore - Google Patents

Abstract

Systems and methods include a limit range anchor having an extension assembly configured to engage a wellbore for providing a self-centering reusable anchoring location within the wellbore. The extension assembly includes a first set of arms connected to a first support, a second set of arms connected to a second support, and a set of pedals. Each pedal of the set of pedals is connected to the first set of arms and the second set of arms. Each pedal includes a retainer coupled to a radially outer face and configured to securely engage the wellbore. The system also includes a tie rod rigidly coupled to the first support and slidably connected to the second support. Pushing the tie rod in an axial direction shortens a distance between the first support and the second support and pushes the set of pedals to move in a radial direction toward the wellbore.

Description

Systems and methods for placing extreme range anchors in a wellbore

Cross References to Related Applications

This application is a Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) application, which claims a file titled "Systems And Methods For Setting An Extreme-Range Anchor Within A Wellbore" filed on November 2, 2016. A Wellbore), which claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 15/340,835, filed December 30, 2013, entitled "Tool Positioning And Latching System" U.S. Patent Application No. 14/143,534, U.S. Patent Application No. 14/727,609, filed June 1, 2015, entitled "Anchor System For Pipe Cutting Apparatus," July 2012 U.S. Patent Application No. 13/507732, entitled "Permanent Or Removable Positioning Apparatus And Method For Downhole Tool Operations," filed on 24 and filed on 24 November 2015 Continuation-in-Part of Priority to U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14/930,369, entitled "Setting Tool For Downhole Applications," filed on , all of which are incorporated herein in their entirety middle.

technical field

Embodiments usable within the scope of the present disclosure generally relate to apparatus, systems and methods for placing anchors within a wellbore, and more specifically relate to devices that can be used to accurately position, place and actuate cutters, flames, Apparatus, systems and methods for perforators, setting tools and/or other types of tools used downhole.

Background technique

Many wellbore operations require tools to be anchored downhole and within the wellbore. Such downhole tools include, for example, flames, perforators, placement tools, fracturing equipment, and the like (collectively referred to herein as downhole tools).

In the oil and gas industry, there is a need to be able to anchor, determine direction pointing, and ultimately release a transient tool or tool string to allow precise and efficient tool system performance. Accurate placement of forces, applied moments, transducers, perforation or cutting, and drilling or other downhole operations at optimal locations further reduces the need to reposition multi-run, single-position tools and tool handling while reducing misleading or off-positioning of tools probability of deployment.

Some existing tool systems deployed within the wellbore are configured with control lines around the perimeter of the tubing or tubing string. Removing a pipe requires cutting the pipe at the target location and one or more control lines. Operators cannot complete the required surface preparation without cutting. The cutting operation is sufficient to cut through all elements, however, the cutting operation is limited in use due to the risk of injury to the rear infrastructure. Therefore, having the ability to make multiple precise cuts on a single target plane allows all components to be cut. Tools need to be placed that enable precise energy delivery to increase cutting efficiency.

For precise tool positioning, it is useful to place the anchor or anchoring system in a single location so that multiple tools can be locked into the anchor or anchoring system for precise placement and positioning of each tool. When placing the anchor downhole, the tool does not have to rely on measuring or pointing from the surface. Alternatively, an anchoring system is required to enable positioning and repositioning of the same downhole tool or tools, and to enable orientation or pointing of the tool while downhole. The pointing of the downhole tool enables future operations to be performed by the downhole tool at the same downhole location or offset. Offsets may include angular offsets of tools (e.g., azimuthal, radial, polar, etc.) inner depth).

When screwed together and properly twisted, the joint between tubing within the string becomes relatively seamless, and the lack of distinguishable features makes it difficult to locate the joint using conventional logging devices. While casing collar locators and similar devices can help locate tools within the pipe string, existing devices are limited in their accuracy, which can often be within a few feet at most. Joint targets within the string can be only a few inches long, providing more precise tool placement than existing collar locators and similar devices.

Completing the process within the wellbore often requires placing sensors, perforating the walls for communication, and perforating the casing to make contact with geological features. Operations such as wire diameter integration, cement extrusion, fracturing and jet drilling become subsequent processes.

Other positioning systems may incorporate physical features inside the tubing string that provide interaction with corresponding physical features of the positioning tool; however, these positioning systems require many precisely fabricated features to ensure proper function and interaction, involving various moving parts to cause Selective bonding between corresponding features.

There is a need for a detachable positioning apparatus and method for positioning a tool within a tubular string with complementary fit integration capabilities to enable precise positioning of an anchorable tool at a preselected location within the tubular string, including a sub, to facilitate effect of the tool. The flexibility of having selectively placed locking features within the tubular member greatly enhances the tool's ability to securely secure the tool using a pre-positioned anchor profile mechanism within the wellbore system.

There is also a need for a positioning apparatus and method that can be used to position a tool within a tubular string that is structurally and functionally simple and capable of incorporating a reusable, reusable tool that can accommodate various locking and/or engagement orientations. Machined and remachinable components.

There is also a need for a positioning apparatus and method that can be used to position a tool within a tubular string that can be transported and deployed using readily available deployment tools.

Embodiments of the present invention meet these needs.

Contents of the invention

Embodiments of the invention include devices, systems and methods that can be used to accurately position, place and actuate packers, cutters, flames, perforators, placement tools and/or other types of tools used downhole.

Disclosed embodiments include systems for providing self-centering reusable anchor locations within a wellbore. The system includes an extreme reach anchor having a first extension assembly configured to engage the wellbore. The first extension assembly may include a first set of arms connectable to the first support, a second set of arms connectable to the second support, and a set of pedals. Each pedal of the set of pedals may be connected at a first side of the first set of arms and may be connected at a second side of the second set of arms. Each tread can include a retainer coupleable to the radially outer portion and configured to securely engage the wellbore. The extreme range anchor may comprise a tie rod that may be rigidly coupled to a first support and slidably connected to a second support. Pushing the tie rod in the axial direction shortens the distance between the first support and the second support and pushes the set of treads in the radial direction towards the wellbore.

In certain embodiments, the system can include a second extension assembly configured to engage the wellbore. The second extension assembly may include a third set of arms connected to the second support, a fourth set of arms connected to the third support, and a second set of pedals. Each tread of the second set of treads may be connected at a first side of the third set of arms and may be connected at a second side of the fourth set of arms.

In some embodiments, a system can include a body and an engagement wedge. The engagement wedge may be configured to engage the body to maintain an axial position of the tie rod relative to the body when the tie rod is pushed in an axial direction. In certain embodiments, the engagement wedge may be configured to disengage from within the body in response to pushing the body in an axial direction with a disengagement threshold force.

In certain embodiments, the set of treads is configured to move a distance of up to fifteen (15) centimeters in a radial direction to engage the wellbore. In certain embodiments, the anchors may comprise conical anchors, semi-conical anchors, serrated anchors, or other anchors to securely engage the wellbore. In certain embodiments, the first extension assembly may include a tension rod spring, securing pin, securing strap, or other securing means to prevent radial movement of the set of pedals until the tension rod is pushed.

In certain embodiments, the system may include a retainer cover configured to cover the retainer. The anchor cover prevents engagement between the anchor and the wellbore when the limit range anchor is deployed to a depth within the wellbore. In certain embodiments, the extreme range anchor may comprise a deployment rod configured to connect at a first end to a pull rod having a protrusion and at a second end to a deployment tool. The deployment tool may pull the deployment rod to push the tie rod in an axial direction. In certain embodiments, the protrusion is configured to shear the anchor rod from the pull rod when pulled at a set force.

The disclosed embodiments may include methods of performing downhole operations within a wellbore. The method can include lowering a limit-reach anchor into the wellbore, wherein the limit-reach anchor can include a tool connection. The method may comprise the step of actuating the deployment tool to push the tie rod in the axial direction to extend the set of treads in the radial direction. The tread can be configured to securely engage the wellbore, with the retainer coupled radially outwardly of the tread. The method may further comprise the steps of: lowering the first tool onto the tool connection head, performing the first operation with the first tool, retracting the first tool to the surface of the wellbore, lowering the second tool onto the tool connection head, using the first tool The second tool at the second location completes the second operation and retracts the second tool to the surface of the wellbore.

The method of the disclosed embodiments may also include pulling the tool connection in an axial direction to disengage the set of treads from the wellbore. The step of completing the first operation, the second operation, or a combination thereof may include actuating an axial torch cutter, a radial torch cutter, a wellbore perforator, a production tubing cutter, or a combination thereof. Additionally, actuating the deployment tool may include shearing the deployment rod from the pull rod. Shearing may be configured to occur when the set of treads engages the wellbore. In certain embodiments of the disclosed methods, the first operation may be completed at the target location and the second operation may be completed within three (3) centimeters (1.18 inches) or less of the target location. Additionally, the treads may be configured to extend up to fifteen (15) centimeters in a radial direction.

In certain disclosed embodiments of the system for securely engaging a wellbore, the system may include: a first arm rotatably connected to the first support at a first end of the first arm; a second arm, It is rotatably connected to the second support at the first end of the second arm; and a tie rod is rigidly connected to the first support and slidably connected to the second support, and is configured to be in the longitudinal direction panning. As the tie rod translates the longitudinal direction, the first arm and the second arm may be configured to rotate such that the second end of the first arm and the second end of the second arm project in an axial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

In some embodiments, the system may include a pedal rotatably connected to the second end of the first arm and the second end of the second arm. The system may further include an extension attached at the second end of the second arm. The extension may be configured to extend into the wellbore after the tie rod is translated in the longitudinal direction. The first arm may include a groove configured to accommodate the extension during delivery of the system into the wellbore, and the first arm, the second arm, or a combination thereof may include flex features, as described below.

Description of drawings

In the detailed description presented below of various embodiments that may be used within the scope of the present disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a limit range anchor that may be used within the scope of the present disclosure.

2 depicts a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the extreme range anchor of FIG. 1 .

3 depicts a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the extreme range anchor of FIG. 1 .

4 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a pedal that may be used as part of the extreme range anchor of FIG. 1 .

5 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a pedal that may be used as part of the extreme range anchor of FIG. 1 .

6 depicts a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the extreme range anchor of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 7 depicts a cross-sectional side view of an additional or alternative lower extension assembly 130 .

Figure 8 illustrates an embodiment of a limit range anchor using the electromechanical anchor of the present invention.

One or more embodiments are described below with reference to the listed figures.

Detailed ways

Before selected embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein. The disclosure and description herein are illustrations and explanations of one or more presently preferred embodiments and variations thereof, and those skilled in the art will recognize that mechanical equivalents may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Various changes are made in design, organization, manner of operation, structure and location, methods and use.

Likewise, it should be understood that the drawings are intended to illustrate and definitively disclose presently preferred embodiments to those skilled in the art, but are not intended to be manufacturing levels or reproductions of the final product and may contain simplified conceptual views for ease of understanding or explain. The relative size and arrangement of components can also be varied from that shown and still function within the spirit of the invention.

Furthermore, it should be understood that various directions such as "upper," "lower," "bottom," "top," "left," "right," etc. Components may be oriented differently during shipping and manufacturing as well as during operation. Because many changes and different embodiments are possible within the scope of the concepts taught herein, and because many modifications can be made in the embodiments described herein, it should be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and non-restrictive.

Referring now to FIG. 1 , a perspective view of an embodiment of an extreme reach anchor 10 that may be placed in a downhole wellbore. The extreme range anchor 10 may be placed within the production tubing of the wellbore or drill string, or in certain embodiments, may be secured within the casing of the wellbore. The extreme range anchor 10 provides utility for anchoring in a wide range of tubing. For example, as explained in detail below, the same embodiment of an extreme range anchor 10 may be placed in 8.9 centimeters (3.5 inches) of production tubing, retrieved, and then subsequently placed in 27.3 centimeters (10.75 inches) of production tubing. As depicted, the anchor 10 may include a lower section 12, which, as explained below, includes fixation features, and an upper portion 14, which, as explained below, may include electrical, mechanical, or chemical deployment features.

As shown in FIG. 1 , an alignment member 16 to which a downhole tool can be connected is attachable to the upper portion 14 . For example, alignment member 16 may comprise a fish neck, as shown, for connection to a downhole tool. With this alignment member 16, the downhole tool 17 can be lowered onto the fish neck (around the alignment member 16). Alignment member 16 may include bumps 18 that may provide downhole tool 17 with an azimuth direction in which downhole tool 17 may point. Using the bumps 18 to provide the azimuthal orientation, precise orientation operations can be performed multiple times with one or more tools. That is, the anchor 10 remains within the wellbore and the additional downhole tool 17 can be lowered onto the alignment member 16, oriented on the bump 18, triggered and retrieved. The downhole tool 17 can be locked into place on the fish neck, on the alignment member 16 , or on the lug 18 .

In order to lock the extreme reach anchor 10 in place, the lower section 12 may contain several extension assemblies that are retractable when the extreme reach anchor 10 is lowered into the wellbore. Then, when the extreme range anchor 10 is in place, the extension assembly can be extended outwardly, as explained in detail below.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 shows a lower extension assembly 20 and an upper extension assembly 22 . Each of the assemblies 20 , 22 includes an arm 24 and a pedal 26 arranged as a set of arms 24 and a set of pedals 26 . Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment wherein each group comprises three arms 24 respectively (i.e. the first group comprising three arms is designated 24a (the third arm 24a is not shown in Figure 1 ), the third arm comprising three arms Two groups are designated 24b (third arm 24b is not shown in FIG. 1 ), a third group comprising three arms is designated 24c (third arm 24c is not shown in FIG. 1 ), a third group comprising three arms is designated 24c (third arm 24c is not shown in FIG. Four groups are designated 24d (third arm 24d is not shown in FIG. ), and a second group comprising three pedals is designated 26b (the third pedal 26b is not shown in FIG. 1)). The lower assembly 20 includes a set of lower arms 24a, a set of pedals 26a and a set of upper arms 24b. Likewise, the upper assembly 22 includes a set of lower arms 24c, a set of pedals 26b, and a set of upper arms 24d. Each set of arms 24 or pedals 26 may contain as few as two components or many more components. For example, a group may contain 3 (as in the illustrated embodiment), 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or more arms 24 or pedals 26, or in groups arms 24a-d and pedals 26a-b. Although the embodiment of the extreme range anchor 10 shown in FIG. The anchor 10 may comprise any number of assemblies 20, 22 to ensure a secure connection within the wellbore.

As shown in FIG. 1 , an arm 24 may connect a pedal 26 to a support that may join the assemblies 20 , 22 together. For example, as further shown in FIG. 1 , the lower arm 24a in the lower assembly 20 (for simplicity, each of the groups of arms 24a-d may hereinafter be discussed as an individual arm; it should be understood that "lower arm 24a" shall mean the lower arm in each set of lower arms 24a) may connect the first end of the first pedal 26a to the lower support 28, and the upper arm 24b in the lower assembly 20 may connect the first end of the first pedal 26a The second end is connected to the intermediate support 29 . With respect to upper assembly 22 , lower arm 24c in upper assembly 22 may connect second pedal 26b to intermediate support 29 and upper arm 24d of upper assembly 22 may connect second pedal 26b to upper support 30 . The connection between the arms 24a-d and the supports 28, 29, 30 may be rotatably articulated such that the arms 24a-d are free to change the angle at which they are connected to each of the supports 28, 29, 30.

Assemblies 20 , 22 may extend radially outward in response to pull rod 32 pulling on bottom end 34 of extreme reach anchor 10 to shorten the distance between supports 28 , 29 , 30 . That is, a placement tool, electromechanical anchor, or other tool for pulling advances pull rod 32 in upper direction 36 (possibly through an intermediate assembly, as explained below); and in response, lower assembly 20 and upper The treads 26 in the assembly 22 also extend in a radially outward direction 44 . Simultaneous movement of all sets of arms 24a-d and pedals 26a-b centers the extreme range anchor 10 itself within the wellbore, pipe or the like. The tie rod spring 40 may be used to exert a force in the downward direction 42 during the time the extreme range anchor 10 travels down the wellbore to keep the assemblies 20, 22 radially inward 38 and prevent damage caused by the arms 24a-d and Vibration or inadvertent movement of the assembly 20, 22 due to/or loose movement of the pedals 26a-b.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the extreme range anchor 10 shown in FIG. 1 . Specifically, FIG. 2 shows the lower assembly 20 in an advanced or unextended position with the tie rods 32 fully in the downward radial direction 42 . To further ensure stable travel conditions, the pedal 26a may be secured in place with a pin 46 which may be attached to the tie rod spring 40 or other area of the extreme range anchor 10 . The pin 46 may clamp the pedal 26 at a clamping surface 48 that is held stably until the tie rod 32 is deployed in the upward radial direction 36 . In other words, the lower assembly 20 illustrated in Figure 2 will maintain the angle of travel 50 of the arms 24a-b relative to the supports 28, 29 throughout the descent into the wellbore. The angle of travel 50 may typically be close to 90 degrees, which means that the arms 24a-b travel generally parallel to the wellbore during descent. However, in some embodiments, the angle of travel 50 may be greater or less than 90 degrees to accommodate faster deployment or other requirements for deployment of the extreme range anchor 10 .

To deploy the extreme range anchor 10, the pull rod 32 is pulled in an upward radial direction 36, as mentioned above. FIG. 2 shows that the tie rod 32 is rigidly attached to the bottom end 34 such that when the tie rod 32 is pulled, the bottom end 34 , bottom support 28 and attached arm 24a are all pulled in an upward radial direction 36 . In contrast, intermediate support 29 may travel along the outer diameter of tie rod 32 such that tie rod 32 slides freely through intermediate support 29 . Force from upper assembly 22 urges intermediate support 29 downward relative to bottom end 34 (ie, in a downward radial direction 42 ) and thus arms 24 a - b and pedals 26 a are urged radially outward 44 .

An embodiment of the deployment of the extreme range anchor 10 of FIG. 2 is illustrated in FIG. 3 . As shown in FIG. 3 , the bottom support 28 (having the bottom end 34 ) has been pulled closer to the middle support 29 and the arms 24a - b and pedals 26a have moved radially outward 44 . The arms 24a - b now form a deployed angle 52 relative to the supports 28 , 29 , while the pedal 26a remains parallel to the tie rod 32 and, importantly, the tube wall 62 . Deployed angle 52 is substantially less than travel angle 50 such that extreme range anchor 10 travels down the wellbore with a smaller profile than when anchor 10 is deployed. Tread 26a has traveled a distance 56 from the advanced position ( FIG. 2 ) to the deployed position ( FIG. 3 ). In some embodiments, distance 56 may be any length up to 30 centimeters. For example, the range may be between 1 cm and 15 cm, between 1 cm and 20 cm, between 1 cm and 25 cm, between 5 cm and 15 cm, etc. After pull rod 32 is pulled and the anchor is deployed, face 60 of pedal 26a may abut tube wall 62 and retainer 64 (shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 ) may bite into tube wall 62 to ensure a secure fit. Because the arms 24a-b and pedal 26a can be deployed or extended simultaneously, the pedal 26a and/or retainer 64 (shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 ) in each set or assembly 20, 22 can snap in with equal force and timing. Tube wall 62 . That is, while one pedal 26a may contact the tube wall 62 before the other pedals 26a, the limit range anchors will not work until any of the pedals 26a exert any pressure that will actually seat the retainer 64 into the tube wall 62. 10 Centers itself. The anchor 64 reduces the likelihood of slipping or dislodging after deployment, and the anchor 64 may comprise any combination of shapes and sizes to snap securely into the tube wall 62 . The illustrated embodiment includes a flat cone fixator 70 , a pointed cone fixator 72 and a multipoint fixator 74 , as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 .

FIG. 4 is an embodiment of a pedal 26 that may be used in the extreme range anchor 10 of FIGS. 1-3. As shown, the pedal 26 employs retainers 64 of uniform size and shape. Specifically, FIG. 4 illustrates a two-by-three version of the pointed cone holder 72 . The size, shape and/or type of anchor 64 may depend on the type of tube wall 62 into which the anchor 64 will bite. For example, a highly corroded and/or rusted pipe wall 62 with loose or softened material on the inner surface 80 (shown in FIG. 3 ) may employ the anchor 64 penetrating deeper into the inner surface 80 . On the other hand, if the tube wall 62 is made of a hard surface and/or a polished surface, the retainer 64 may employ smaller, steeper, and/or more points on the face 60 of the pedal 26 .

As an additional but non-limiting example, FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the pedal 26 with five retainers 64 arranged on the face 60 of the pedal 26 . Included on the embodiment of FIG. 5 is a larger multi-point anchor 74 positioned in the center of the treadle 26 and several smaller flat cone anchors 70 positioned toward the corners of the treadle 26 . Additionally, the pedal 26 in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 includes a chemical fastener 82 that may employ glue, epoxy, adhesive, or other chemicals to attach the pedal 26 to the tube wall 62 .

To protect the retainer 64 during travel down the wellbore, the tread 26 may include a retainer cover 84 (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 ). Retainer cover 84 may be attached to face 60 during travel and, in some embodiments, is made of a material with a low coefficient of friction. For example, the retainer cover 84 may comprise a polymer, ceramic, plastic, silicone, rubber, or other protective material. The cover enables the limit range anchor 10 and tread plate 26 to traverse passing features in the wellbore that would otherwise contact the retainer 64 and impede travel. Additionally, the anchor cover 84 protects the anchor 64 so that any sharp points of the anchor 64 maintain their sharpness until deployment. After deployment of the extreme range anchor 10 , the anchor cover 84 may deform, compress, or break, allowing the anchor 64 to conform to the inner surface 80 of the tube wall 62 . In the illustrated embodiment of Figure 3, the retainer cap 84 has broken and will dissolve or fall down the wellbore.

FIG. 6 is an embodiment of the upper portion 14 of the extreme range anchor 10 shown in FIG. 1 . As shown, the upper portion 14 of the extreme range anchor 10 can be used to accommodate a body 98 that helps maintain the extension assemblies 20, 22 in the deployed position after deployment. FIG. 6 shows the upper part 14 before the tie rod 32 has been pulled. As depicted, the collar 100 of the tie rod 32 is located at the bottom of the cavity 102 against a shoulder 120 which is in contact with the body seat 104 . As explained above, the extreme range anchor 10 can be traveled down the wellbore in this position. To deploy extreme range anchor 10 , tie rod 32 may be connected to a first end of placement rod 106 with shear stud 108 . Setting rod 106 may be connected at the other end to a setting tool, an electromechanical anchor, or other downhole pulling device that pulls setting rod 106 . The setting rod 106 , shear stud 108 and tie rod 32 are movable upwardly 36 relative to the main body 98 . Similar to the middle support 29 explained above, the upper support 30 is slidably coupled to the tie rod 32 , which enables the tie rod 32 to move axially upward 36 and thus push the arm 24 radially outward 44 . To prevent deformation of the tube wall 62, the shear stud 108 may be calibrated to shear at a given deployment force. In certain embodiments, the electromechanical anchor may be calibrated or programmed to cut off power after a deployment force (eg, less than the force that deforms the vessel wall 62 ) has been detected. In such embodiments, the extreme range anchor 10 may not have a shear stud 108 . The deployment force is large enough to seat the anchor 64 in the inner surface 80 of the tube wall 62, but small enough so that the extreme range anchor 10 and the tube wall 62 are not deformed or otherwise damaged. After deployment of extreme range anchor 10, the deployment tool (if used), deployment rod 106, and any portion of shear stud 108 attached to deployment rod 106 may be retrieved to the surface of the wellbore. In certain embodiments, the electromechanical anchor used to deploy the extreme range anchor 10 may remain downhole until the extreme range anchor 10 is ready to be retrieved.

Tie rod 32 may be held in place by various fastening means. For example, upper portion 14 may include engagement wedge 110 , retaining shear pin 122 and ridge 112 inside cavity 102 of body 98 . The ridge 112 in the illustrated embodiment is shaped to enable the engagement wedge 110 to slide axially upward 36 but prevent the engagement wedge 110 from sliding downward 42 . The lower edge 114 of each ridge 112 may be slightly angled to reduce friction between the top edge 116 of the engagement wedge 110 and the lower edge 114 of each ridge 112 . However, the upper edge 118 of the ridge 112 is angled to increase the retention capability of the bottom edge 120 of the engagement wedge 110 . The engagement wedge 110 may also include an engagement spring 124 that increases the radially outward 44 force of the engagement wedge 110 against the ridge 112 . Engagement wedge 110 may comprise an embodiment in which engagement spring 124 is a coil spring, or, as illustrated, may comprise an elastic material or an arcuate spring that urges engagement wedge 110 toward ridge 112 .

After deployment, the anchor 10 can remain in the deployed position for multiple operations. One or more tools may be lowered downhole and onto alignment member 16 for manipulation. After completing all required tooling, the operator can retrieve the extreme range anchor 10 by returning the extension assemblies 20, 22 to the advanced position. For example, an electromechanical device may use an electric motor to reversely move the tie rod 32 downward 42 relative to the upper portion 14 and upper support 30 . Pull rod 32 may also be released by fracturing or shearing retaining shear pin 122 . The retention shear pins 122 may be calibrated to fracture at a disengagement threshold of force on the extreme range anchor 10 . Alternatively, a retrieval tool may be lowered and secured to the alignment member 16 and pulled axially upward 36 . At the disengagement threshold, shear pin 122 is held in shear to allow tie rod 32 to disengage from engagement wedge 110 . After retrieval, the downhole end of collar 100 will come into contact with the uphole end of shoulder 120 . Pull rod spring 40 urges pull rod 32 to remain in the extended position, thereby holding extension assembly 20 , 22 radially inward 38 so anchor 10 can be fully retrieved. The retrieval operation can be done with the last tool to be oriented on the anchor 10 . The last tool in the example will be positioned to apply sufficient overtension to the anchor 10 such that the retaining shear pin 122 breaks or shears.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of an additional or alternative lower extension assembly 130 . The lower extension assembly 130 includes a lower arm 132a, which may be attached to the lower support 28 in a similar manner as the other lower arms 24a. Likewise, upper arm 132b may be attached to intermediate support 29 in a similar manner as described above. However, as illustrated, the lower extension assembly 130 may include embodiments that secure the anchor 10 to the wellbore without the tread 26 described above. Alternatively, the lower extension assembly 130 may employ a fixed extension 134 extending from the upper end 142 of the upper arm 132b. The extension 134 includes a ridge 136 that bites into the wellbore. The engagement of the ridges 136 secures the anchor 10 in position during orientation of the subsequently anchored tool. The ridges 136 may have additional or alternative sizes, shapes and/or patterns to those shown in FIG. 7, depending on the material into which the ridges 136 will bite. As with retainer 64 (explained above), if tube wall 62 is highly corroded, rusted, or has loose or softened material on its inner surface 80, the size, shape and/or pattern of ridge 136 may vary. Penetrates deeper into the inner surface. On the other hand, if the tube wall 62 is made of a hard surface and/or a polished surface, the ridges 136 may take smaller, steeper, and/or more points.

During transport of the anchor 10 down the wellbore, the lower arm 132a and the upper arm 132b are substantially parallel to the pull rod 32, thereby enabling extreme range anchoring in a manner similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 described above. The outline of the device 10 is refined. The extension 134 is in line with the arms 132a, 132b. The lower arm 132a includes a groove 138 cut out of the lower arm 132a; and the protrusion 134 sits within the groove 138 to protect the ridge 136 and ensure a smooth descent of the anchor 10 during delivery. The lower arm 132a can be attached to the left side 137 and the right side 140 of the upper arm 132b to ensure even and secure deployment of the extension 134 against the wellbore. In certain embodiments, the lower arm 132a may include an extension with a ridge on the upper end to further secure the anchor 10 into the wellbore. In additional or alternative embodiments, the upper arm 132b and the lower arm 132a may switch roles. That is, the lower arm may include the protrusion 134 while the upper arm 132b includes the groove 138 .

The upper arm 132b (or, in some embodiments, the lower arm 132a) may also include a flex feature 144, or other cushioning feature, that enables the upper arm 132b to cushion or flex during deployment. Flexure and cushioning can be used to seat and maintain the connection between extension 134 and the wellbore. For example, as shown in FIG. 6 , each ridge 112 slides past the engagement wedge 110 individually as the engagement wedge 110 slides up 36 along the ridges 112 . Engaging wedge 110 may undergo reverse sliding as shear stud 108 shears. Such small slippage may occur especially if the engagement wedge 110 is only partially pulled from one ridge 112 to the next ridge 112 . Due to the small length of ridge 112, this slippage may be a very small amount (eg, 0.006 inches or 0.152 mm), but still cause protrusion 134 to lose some traction on the wellbore.

To prevent this loss of traction, flex feature 144 (shown in FIG. 7 ) provides some spring potential energy to build up before shear stud 108 shears. That is, the tie rod 32 pulls the supports 28, 29 to move the arms 132a, 132b outward 44 until the extension 134 contacts the wellbore. Next, the upper arm 132b may flex to create a spring potential between the wellbore and tie rod 32 . Following flexion of the upper arm 132b, the shear stud 108 shears and the spring potential energy from the flex absorbs any loss of traction caused by the displacement of the engagement wedge 110 between the ridges 112 . The spring potential pushes the extension 134 against the wellbore with additional force, which increases the friction and thus the overall ability to hold the extreme range anchor 10 in a fixed position.

The flex features 144 may include grooves, ribs, grooves, or other physical changes to the arms (eg, the upper arm 132b ) that can otherwise flex or arch the rigid arms without deforming or permanently bending them. The flex feature 144 may also include material differences from the arms. For example, arm 132 may be constructed of flexible metal, polymer, rubber, or other material that does not deform under load. Additionally, the flex feature 144 may comprise a combination of these or other features that enable the arm 132 to provide increased force normal to the inner surface of the wellbore.

In certain embodiments, anchor 10 may be purposefully offset from the center of the wellbore. For example, the lower arm 132a and the upper arm 132b may vary in length from one set of extension assemblies 130 to another. That is, the upper arms 132b of one set may exceed the upper arms 132b of other sets of a particular extension assembly 130 . This may result in the shorter upper arm 132b being attached to the intermediate support 29 and the longer upper arm 132b being attached to a different intermediate support. When the extension assembly 130 is deployed, one set of longer arms will push the anchor 10 away from the center of the wellbore before the other set of shorter arms engage the wall of the wellbore. Alternatively or additionally, the connection point 146 between the lower arm 132a and the upper arm 132b may be adjusted in order to offset the anchor 10 from the center of the wellbore. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 7, the two lower arms 132a and the two upper arms 132b are of substantially equal length, and the connection point 146 is near the ends of these arms 132a, 132b, as shown. However, in some embodiments, the lower arm 132a may be longer with the groove 138 enclosing a greater proportion of the upper arm 132b. That is, the lower arm 132a may extend to either connection point on either side of the upper arm 132b, see connection 148 for example.

In embodiments with longer grooves 138 , connection 148 may be positioned closer to intermediate support 29 by extending length 150 , thus relocating connection point 146 to connection 148 . The length of the upper arm 132b can remain the same, however, the connection point 146 can be changed to any connection 148 along the upper arm 132b. Deployment of extension assembly 130 may extend extension 134 further away from lower extension assembly 130 when connection point 146 is located at connection 148 and closer to intermediate support 29 . This will allow upper arm 132b with extension 134 to extend a given translational distance further away from extreme range anchor 10 via pull rod 32 . Thus, if the connection point 146 is located at a different connection 148 for each set of arms 132a, 132b, the extreme range anchor 10 will be positioned at a non-central location within the wellbore.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of the extreme range anchor 10 using an electromechanical anchor in the upper portion 14 . The electromechanical part will be positioned at the wellhead 36 of the upper support 30 . The electromechanical portion may include engagement wedges 110, shear pins 122, rotation devices (eg, actuators, motors, extenders, etc.), and communication devices (eg, electronic circuit boards). A signal can be sent to the communication device to initiate the placement procedure, or the retrieval procedure. Signals may be communicated from the surface by sending pressure waves detected by a communication device or by direct electronic communication via a cable connection. Additionally, the communication device may initiate a deployment procedure when a set of conditions is detected within the wellbore. The set of conditions may include pressure, temperature, chemicals, orientation (e.g., only deploy in horizontal wellbore axis), acceleration (e.g., not deploy while moving), and time (e.g., will not deploy until self-fall from the wellbore to a certain period of time). The communication unit will send a signal to the rotary unit to initiate the placement sequence. Activation of the swivel will cause the wellhead 36 of the pull rod 32 to move and the function of the system will respond as described above. Additionally, the retrieval process may include a second signal or set of detected signals to reverse the motion of the rotary device. The retrieval process may also include a strong upward 36 force applied to the system in order to shear the pins engaging the engagement wedge 110 and tie rod 32 . Shearing of the pin will cause the profile to disengage from the cannula and the anchor arms will collapse to an angle of travel of 50°.

While the description has focused on various embodiments that may be used within the scope of the invention, it should be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

Claims (21)

1. it is a kind of for providing the system of self-centering reusable anchor station in pit shaft, the system comprises:

Limit range anchor comprising:

First extends sub-assembly, is configured to engage the pit shaft, the first extension sub-assembly includes:

First group of arm, is connected to the first supporting element；

Second group of arm, is connected to the second supporting element；And

One group of pedal, wherein each pedal in one group of pedal in first side position is connected to first group of arm and second Second group of arm is connected at side, and wherein each pedal includes fixator, the fixator is connected to radially outside and matches It is set to and securely engages the pit shaft；And

Pull rod is rigidly coupled to first supporting element and is slidably connected to second supporting element, wherein in axis Pushing up the pull rod to side can shorten described in the distance between first supporting element and second supporting element and promotion One group of pedal is mobile towards the pit shaft in radial directions.

2. system according to claim 1 comprising:

Second extends sub-assembly, is configured to engage the pit shaft, the second extension sub-assembly includes:

Third group arm is connected to second supporting element；

4th group of arm, is connected to third supporting element；And

Second group of pedal, wherein each pedal in second group of pedal be connected in first side position it is described

Third group arm and the 4th group of arm is connected at second side.

3. system according to claim 1, wherein the limit range anchor includes main body and the pull rod includes connecing Jib and cotter, wherein the engagement wedge is configured to engage with the main body, with the dimension when pushing the pull rod on the axial direction Hold axial position of the pull rod relative to the main body.

4. system according to claim 3, wherein the engagement wedge is configured to be detached from the power of threshold value described The main body is pushed on axial direction and is detached from out of described main body.

5. system according to claim 1, wherein one group of pedal is configured to be up in the movement in the radial direction 15 centimetres of distance, to be engaged with the pit shaft.

6. system according to claim 1, wherein the fixator includes taper fixator, half-cone fixator, sawtooth Shape fixator or other fixators, securely to engage the pit shaft.

7. system according to claim 1, wherein the first extension sub-assembly includes pull-rod spring, holding pin, fastening Band or other fastening appliances, to prevent moving radially for one group of pedal before the promotion pull rod.

8. system according to claim 1 comprising holder lid, the holder lid are configured to cover the fixation Device, wherein the holder lid prevents described solid when the limit range anchor is deployed to the depth in the pit shaft Determine the engagement between device and the pit shaft.

9. system according to claim 1, wherein the limit range anchor includes placing bar, the placement bar configuration At being connected to the pull rod with protruding portion at first end, and placement tool is connected at second end, wherein the peace Putting tool pulls the placement bar to push the pull rod on the axial direction.

10. system according to claim 9, wherein the protruding portion is configured to to set when power pulls from the pull rod Shear the placement bar.

11. a kind of method for executing downhole operations in pit shaft, which comprises

Limit range anchor is reduced in the pit shaft, wherein the limit range anchor includes tool connector；

Placement tool is activated with pushing drawing rod in the axial direction, to extend one group of pedal in radial directions, wherein described step on Plate is configured to securely engage the pit shaft, and wherein fixator is connected to the radially outside of the pedal；

First tool is reduced on the tool connector；

The first operation is completed using first tool；

First tool is recovered to the surface of the pit shaft；

Second tool is reduced on the tool connector；

The second operation is completed using second tool in the second place；And

Second tool is recovered to the surface of the pit shaft.

12. according to the method for claim 11 comprising the tool connector is pulled on the axial direction so that One group of pedal is detached from from the pit shaft.

13. according to the method for claim 11, wherein completing the step of first operation, second operation or combinations thereof Rapid includes activating axial flame cutter, radial flame cutter, pit shaft perforator, production tubing cutter or combinations thereof.

14. according to the method for claim 11, wherein activating the placement tool includes shearing to place bar from the pull rod, Wherein the shearing is configured to when one group of pedal is engaged with the pit shaft.

15. according to the method for claim 11, wherein first operation is completed in target location and described second grasps Make to complete at 3 centimetres of the target position or less than 3 centimetres.

16. according to the method for claim 11, wherein the pedal is configured to extend up to 15 in the radial direction described Centimetre.

17. a kind of system for securely engaging pit shaft, the system comprises:

First arm is rotatably connected to the first supporting element at the first end of first arm；

Second arm is rotatably connected to the second supporting element at the first end of second arm；And

Pull rod is rigidly connected to first supporting element and is slidably connected to second supporting element, and is configured to It translates in a longitudinal direction, wherein when the pull rod translates the longitudinal direction, first arm and second arm configuration At rotation, so that the second end of first arm and the second end of second arm are in the axial direction side perpendicular to the longitudinal direction It stretches out upwards.

18. system according to claim 17 comprising pedal, the pedal are rotatably connected to first arm The second end of the second end and second arm.

19. system according to claim 17 comprising extension, the extension are attached at the described of second arm At second end, wherein the extension is configured to reach the pit shaft after the pull rod translates in the longitudinal direction In.

20. system according to claim 19, wherein first arm, described second arm or combinations thereof include that warpage is special Sign.

21. system according to claim 19 comprising alignment members, the alignment members are configured to receive downhole tool And the downhole tool is locked in suitable position.