US2944607A - Tubing tester and circulating valve - Google Patents

Description

y 1950 R. c. BAKER 2,944,607

TUBING TESTER AND CIRCULATING VALVE Filed Nov. 24, 1953 2 sheets sheet l ,A W 2 w ATraQA/Eys July 12, 1960 c, BAKER 2,944,607

. v TUBING TESTER AND CIRCULATING VALVE I Filed.Nov. 24, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I INVENTOR. fieafie/Z 63412;?

. inclusive.

United States Patent Office PatentedJuly 12, 1960 frpnnsro TESTER AND CIRCULATING VA E iReulien' C. Baker,Coalinga Calif.,jassignor to Baker Oil Tools, Inc Lo sAngeles, Califl, a corporation of Calli Filed No v. 24, 1953, Ser. No. 394,111

" Claims. cr es- 226 The present invention relates to subsurface well apparatus, and more particularly to apparatusfor enabling a, string of tubing or drill pipe to be testedand for controlling the circulation or passage of fluid therethrough. An object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for pressure testing a tubular string through the apparatus when it is in a closed position,

thereby allowing the tubular string-to fill automatically with the well bore fluid while being lowered therein, and

also to permit reverse circulation of fluid upwardly through the apparatus and the tubular string whenthe tester is in the well bore. 7

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of a form in which it may beembodied. .This form is shown in the drawirigsac companying and forming part of the present specification. It will now be described in detail, \for the purpose of illustratingltlie general principles of the invention; butit is to be understood that such detailed de seriptionis not to be taken in a limiting sense,f since the scope ,of the invention is best defined by-the tappended claims.

. Referringtothedrawings: p

Figure 1 is .a longitudinal jsection through a tubular tester and circulation valve, with the valve. in open position;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, with parts shown in elevatiomof the tester inclosed position; 7 V V Fig. 3 is a cross-section taken generally along the line 3---3onFig.1; Fig. 4 is a view takerigenerally along the line 44 on Fig.2;

Fig. 5 is across-section takenalongthe line 5 -.+5i on Fig. 6 is a fragmentafi eiiploded isometric projection of aportion of the apparatus disclosed in Figs, 1 to 5 The apparatus disclosed in the drawings is; specifically intended for use in a .tubul ar string, such as alstring of tubing or drill pipe, disposed in a wellbore and extending to the top of the latter. The upper portion of the apparatus is iconnectible to the lower .end of the string of tubing (not shown), whereas the lower end is adapted to be secured to a suitable well tool therebelow, such as tothe body A of a well packer, which may be oi the retn'evabletype. 7

The testertand circulation"valve includes an inner man- ,2 p 7 thei 10 whose upper end 11 is connectible to the lower end of the -tubing string. This mandrel is telescopically disposed within a cylinder 12, the lower end ofwhich is connected to the body A of the lower tool. More specifically, the mandrel 10 includes an upper section 13 threaded onto a lower section 14, whereas the cylinder 12 includes a lower section 15 threaded onto the body A of the lower tool, which in turn, is threadedly securedwithin an intermediate cylinder section 16 whose upper end isthreaded onto an upper cylinder section or head 17.

The upper and lower cylinder sections 17, 15 have upper and lower cylindrical walls or seating surfaces 18, 19 that are engageable by upper and lower seals 20, 21 respectively, mounted on the mandrel 10; Thus, the upper section 13 of the mandrel carries oneor a plurality of side seals 20, in appropriate mandrel grooves 22 that are'adapted to slidably seal along the upper cylindrical seat or wall 18. The lower seals 21 may be of any suitable type. As disclosed, they are longitudinally spaced chevron type of sealing members facing in an upward direction and separated by intervening spacers 23 the seal ring 21 and spacer 23 combination surrounding the lower mandrel section 14 and resting upon a lower shoulder Men the latter, being held in appropriate position by the lower end 25 of the upper mandrel section 13.

The mandrel 10 is tubular, being provided with a plurality of side. ports 26 therethrough establishing communication between the interior of the mandrel and an annular chamber 27 defined between the exterior of the mandrel-10 and the surrounding cylinder 12, the inner wall 28 of thecylinder section 16 having a'substantially greater diameter than thediameter of the mandrel 10, to

provide the annular space 27 through which fluid can circulate freely when the apparatus is in an open position.

The mandrel 10 can be lowered with respect 'to the cylinder 12 to dispose its lower seals 21 completely within the lower cylindrical valve seat 19, as determined by engagement of the lower end 29 of the mandrel with a stop shoulder 30 formed on the lower cylindrical body section 153 When the lower seals 21 are in this position, the upper seals 20 are still in sealing engagement with the upper cylinder seat 18. a a I V The lower portion 14 of the mandrel is closed against downward pa'ssage of fluid, as by means lof a downwardly seating ball -valve 31, orsimilar element, adapted to engage'a companion valve seat 32, which surrounds a lower passage 33 through the lower portion of the mandrel. The 'ball '31, "howevegcan moye upwardly from its seat 32 when' upwardflowof fluid tendsto occur in the ap paratu's thc; internal diameter of the lower m-andrel section' 14 above the seat 32 being much greaterIthan the ball diameter, to allow fluid to bypass around the ball 3.1

in an upward direction, and continue on upwardly through the manqr'el" 10 and into the tubing string' thereabove. The upward travel of the ball valve element'31 is limited by its engagement with a retaining pin 34 secured to the lowermandrelsection 14 and ex ten ding across thepassage ball valve member -31 into engagement. with .the .valve seat 32. Similarly, any fluid in the mandrel 10 pas sing out through the poits 26 and into thecylinden-IZ cannot passupwardly between the mandrel and cylinder in view. of theupper seals 20. Italsois incapable of-passing downwardly into the lower portion 15 of the cylinder because of the sealing engagement of the lower seal rings 21 against the lower cylindrical valve seat 19. However, when the mandrel is elevated with respect to the cylinder 12, as determined by engagement of a flange 35 on the mandrel with the lower end 36 of the upper cylinder section 17, the lower seals 21 are disposed a substantial distance above the lower cylindrical valve seat 19. When in this position, fluid can then pass down the inside of the mandrel 10 and out through the side ports 26 into the annular space 27 between the mandrel 1i) and cylinder 12, continuing around the lower seals 21 and through the lower cylinder section into the body A of the lower tool. The upper seals are still in engagement with the upper cylindrical wall or seat 18, to prevent fluid from passing in an upward direction between the mandrel 10 and the upper cylinder head.

The mandrel 10 can be locked in its upper position with respect to the cylinder 12, or it can be shifted to a released position, which will enable it to be lowered with respect to the cylinder 12, to place it in a valve closing position. Thus, the intermediate cylinder section 16 is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed and elongate keys 37 extending inwardly from its side wall to a partial extent. engageable by the lower surface 39 of the flange 35. When this occurs, the mandrel 10 cannot move downwardly with respect to the cylinder 12 from the position shown in Fig. 1. However, the flange has a pair of diametrically opposite longitudinal slots or grooves 40 formed therein having a width slightly greater than the width of the keys 37. When the mandrel 10 has been turned relative to the cylinder 12, to place these slots 40 in alignment with the keys 37, the mandrel can be lowered with respect to the cylinder to dispose its lower seal elements 21 in engagement with the lower valve seat 19, thereby closing the valve apparatus against downward passage of fluid therethrough.

In order to determine the position of alignment or disalignment of the longitudinal slots 40 with the keys 37, a pair of diametrically opposite locating and driving lugs 41 depend from the stop or lock flange 35 to one side of the slots 40. Each lug, as disclosed in the drawings, and more particularly in Fig. 6, is disposed in a clockwise direction with respect to its associated slot 40, one face 42 of the lug preferably constituting a continuation of a side 43 of the slot. The other face 44 of the lug forms a stop surface adapted to engage a key 37 to insure the disalignment of the slots 40 with respect to the keys and causing the stop flange 35 to engage the upper ends 38 of the keys, as explained hereinbelow. When the upper end of the stop flange 35 is engaging the lower end 36 of the upper cylinder section or head 17, the locating and drive lugs 41 extend below the upper ends 38 of the keys 37, in order that rotation of the mandrel 10 in one direction or the other with respect to the cylinder 12 will cause one face 42 or the other face 44 of each lug 41 to engage one side or the other side of each key 37.

In the specific device disclosed in the drawings the rotation of the mandrel 10 in a counter-clockwise direction, or to the left, with respect to the cylinder 12, will engage the sides 42 of the lugs 41 in alignment with the sides 43 of the slots 40 with one face 37a of the keys 37. This is the position disclosed in Fig. 4, in which one face 42 of each lug is engaging a key 37, thereby placing each key in alignment with an associated slot 40 in the flange. This is the unlocked or released position of the device, Which then allows the mandrel 10 to be lowered relative to the cylinder 12, to place the lower seals 21 in firm sealing engagement with the lower cylindrical valve seat 19, closing the valve device to downward flow of fluid therethrough.

With the mandrel 10 in its elevated position with respect to the cylinder 12, as determined by engagement of the flange'35, with the lower end 36 of the upper cyl- The upper ends 33 of these keys are inder section 17 the rotation of the mandrel in a clockwise direction, or to the right, as seen in Fig. 6, will cause the other face 44 of each lug 41 to engage the other face 37b of a cylinder key 37, in which position the keys 37 are out of alignment with respect to the slots 40, which position is shown in Figs. 1 and 3. Accordingly, if the mandrel 10 is now lowered, the lower surface 39 of the flange 35 will engage the upper ends 38 of the keys 37, precluding downward shifting of the mandrel '10 within the cylinder 12, and insuring that the lower seals 21 will be disposed in a position well above the lower cylindrical valve seat 19, allowing fluid pumped down the mandrel 10 to pass out through the ports 26 and into the annulus 27 between the cylinder 12 and mandrel 10, thence continuing down through the lower cylindrical section 15 into the body A of the lower tool.

As stated above, rotation of the mandrel 10 in a countercloclcwise direction, or to the left, will cause the lugs 41 to engage the other sides 37a of the keys 37, placing the slots 40 in alignment with the keys and allowing the mandrel 10 to be lowered to its fullest extent Within the cylinder 12 to a closed position. When in this position,

; which is shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the lugs 41 and the sides of the slots 40 are still in engagement with the longitudinal keys 37. If it is again desired to open the device, an upward pull is taken on the mandrel 10, the latter being moved upwardly until the upper surface of its flange 35 engages the lower end 36 of the upper cylinder section 17, whereupon the mandrel is turned to the right, or to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 3, to relock the mandrel 10 with respect to the cylinder 12 and prevent downward movement of the mandrel relative to the cylinder.

In the use of the apparatus disclosed in the drawings and described above, the lower cylinder section 15 may be connected to a suitable tool, such as the body A of a well packer, which may be a packer of the retrievable type shown in United States Patent No. 2,368,400. This well packer has a friction drag device adapted to engage the wall of a well casing disposed in the well bore, which tends to resist both rotation and longitudinal movement of the lower tool A within the well casing or well bore. The upper end 11 of the mandrel 10 is connected to the lower end of a string of tubing or drill pipe, or the like, and the entire combination is then lowered in the well bore. Preferably, during such lowering the mandrel 10 is locked in its upper position within the cylinder 12, so that fluid in the well bore can pass freely up through the body A of the lower tool into the cylinder 12, around the mandrel 10 and in through the ports 26 to the interior of the mandrel. Fluids can also pass upwardly through the lower passage 33 in the lower mandrel section 14, elevating and unseating the ball valve element 31 and flowing around the latter into the interior of the mandrel 10 for continued upward passage through the tubular string thereabove. Despite the downward motion of the mandrel, the engagement of the lower surface 39 of the flange 35 with the upper end .38 of the keys 37 prevents the mandrel from being shifted to its closed position shown in Fig. 2. e

During the running of the apparatus on the tubular string down through the well bore or well casing disposed therewithin, the tubular string may be tested at any de sired time to detect the presence of any leaks. When the testing is to occur, the mandrel 10 is rotated to the left until the sides 42 of the lugs engage the sides 37a of the keys, which brings the slots 40 in alignment with the keys .37, whereupon the mandrel 10 can be lowered with respect to the cylinder 12 to place the lower seals 21 in engagement with the cylindrical seat 19, which closes the cylinder against downward passage of fluid into the lower cylinder section 14 and the body A of the lower tool. Pressure can now be applied to the fluid in the tubular string, mandrel 10 and cylinder 12, this fluid being incapable of passing downwardly through and out of the with its seat 32. It is also prevented from passingin a downward direction betweezithe mandrel and the cylinder 12 by the sealing engagement of the lower seals 21 against the lower seat 19, and from passing in anupward direction by the sealing engagement of the upper seals 20 with the upper seat 18. The desiredi p'ressure 'canbe imposed on the fluid to determine the presenc'eof'any. leaks in the tubular string. 'f. I

After the test has -,occurred, the mandrel canfbe elevated, to place its flange 35in engagement with'the lower end 36 of the upper cylinder section 17, whereupon it is turned to the right to again relockjthe tool. The tubular string, mandrel 10,.cylinder- 12 and lower tool A can then be caused to descend to a further extent, the tester and control device remaining in its open position. At any time, the tubular string and mandrel 10 can be turned to the left to align the slots 40 with the keys 37, the mandrel again being lowered with respect to the cylinder 12 to place the tester in the closed position shown in Fig. 2. The relative rotation between the mandrel 10 and cylinder 12, as well as the relative longitudinal movement between the mandrel and cylinder can occur, inasmuch as the lower tool'A has the. friction drag device thereon engaging the casing, which resists movement of the cylinder 12 within the well borel -When the apparatus has been lowered in thejwell bore to the point at which a particular operation is to take place, as for example, the pumping of cement slurry, and the like, down through the tubular string, through the valve control device and out through the well packer A therebelow, the mandrel 10 is placed in its upper position and is relocked in that position to hold thevalve in its open or circulating position, allowing the fluid to pass'downwardly through the mandrel 510, out through its portsv 26, through the annulus 27-between the mandrel 10 and cylinder 12, and down through the lower cylinder section 15 into the tubular body A of the lower tool; The mandrel cannot be inadvertently shifted'inajdownward direction. with respect to the cylinder,in view of v the engagement of the lower surface 39 of; the range with the upper ends 38.0f the keys 37, When'the operation has been completed, the mandrel can remain in that position, the lower tool A being released from the well casing disposed in the well bore and the tubular string raised to lift the control valve and the lower tool in the well casing, enabling it to be withdrawn from the companion seat 32. Accordingly, whenever-a string of tubing, is to be tested, it is merely necessary to impose pressure on the fluid in-the tubular string and mandrel 10, this fluid being incapable of passing down into the tool and the lowercylinder section 15, unseatingthe ball valve member 31 and proceeding up through the interior of the mandrel 10, and the tubing string to the top of the well bore.

' The diameter of the uppercylindrical seat 18 is made substantially equal to the diameter of the lower cylindrical valve seat 19, to provide a pressure balanced condition. 'When pressureis present in the cylinder 12,

with the device in the closed position shown in Fig. 2,

there are no hydraulic forces tending to shift the mandrel and cylinder in' one direction or the other longitudinally of the well bore.

Accordingly, even with full pressure in the mandrel 10 and the cylinder 12, the mandrel can still be shifited longitudinally of the cylinder between open and closed positions, without any need for otfseting hydraulic forces, The only forces that need be overcome are the .friction forces, such as the friction of the seal rings 20, 21 against. their companion valve seating surfaces, which is small and relatively negligible in value.

the well casing. During such elevating movement,.the I control device is in its open or circulating position, allow ing fluid to drain out the tubing stringand down. through the mandrel 10 and its ports 26 into .the annular'space 27 between the mandrel and cylinder, continuing on down through the lower'cylinder section 15 and throughthe body A ofthe lower-tool for discharge into the casing below the apparatus. In theeventit is desired to reverse the circulatingfluid in the well'casin'g, so .as to more readily remove any excess cement slurry that -might be present in the tubing'stringand the control valve, fluids pumped down the annulus between the. tubular string 'and the well casing will'pass upwardly through the body A of thetool andup through thecyl inder 12, flowing through the annulus 27 and the ports 7 26 into the mandrel 10. This fluid-will alsopassup;

wardly through the lower mandrel passage 33, unseating the ball 31 and flowing around the latter to the interior of the mandrel 10, for continued upward passage through the tubular string to the top of the well bore.

With the apparatus disclosed, itmay be lowered on the tubular string in the well casing, with the mandrel 10' in its unlocked 'or released position, in which the lower seals '21 will engage the lower cylindrical valve seat. 19. When in this position, the fluids in the well bore can still pass upwardly through the body A of the tool into the mandrel 10 and tubing string by virtue of the upward unseating of the ball valve element 52 from the pressure testing To, facilitate the free operation of the equipment, a suitable rubber .wiper ring .50 may be secured to the upper portion of the'upper head 17, this. ring slidably engaging the periphery'of the mandrel 10. Moreover, the fluid above the upper mandrel seals 20 may be allowed to pass freely into and-out of the upper cylinder head 17 through a bleeder port 51 in the upper cylinder head below and adjacent the rubber wiper ring 50.

It is, accordingly, apparent that a tubing tester and circulating valve has been provided that is relatively easy to manipulate between its open and pressure testing positions. The tester may be maintained in pressure testing position during the lowering of the apparatus in the well bore, inasmuch as the upward movement of the ball valve element 31 from its seat 32 will allow the fluid inthe well bore to pass automatically into the mandrel 10 and the tubing string. All that need be done whenever artest is to occur is to apply pressure to the fluid in the tubing string, mandrel 10 and cylinder 12. In the event it is desired to lock the apparatus in an open orcirculating position, it is a simple matter to elevate the mandrel within the cylinder and then turn it to the right until the lugs 41 engage the keys 37, insuring complete disalignment between the flange slots 40 and the keys, thereby precluding any substantial downward movement of the mandrel relative to the cylinder.

The resistance to turning and longitudinal movement of the cylinder in the well bore is provided either by the inertia of the parts or by the lower tool A, such as the 'drag device associated therewith, which normally engages the wall of the well casing in which the apparatus is used. Reverse circulation through the device. can occur atany time,'despite'the fact that it might be placed in and non-circulating position shown T Attention is directed tdmyapplication for Tubing 7 Tester a'nd'Well Packer Apparatus, Serial No. 394,109, filed November 24, 1953, in which a similar apparatus is described and'in which-the broad aspects of the invention are claimed. This application also discloses the:

cooperation between the apparatus and a retrievable well packer connected'to the lower portion of the ap-' paratus,.which embodies the friction drag'devi'ce. The inventor claims; V 1. In a well tool for usein a well bore: an outer tubular member; an inner tubular-member telescopically arranged in said outer member and having means thereon; for attaching said inner member to a tubular string to lower the; tool in the well bore; said inner member having a side port for discharging fluid through said outer member and said inner member being closed below said port against downward passage of fluid; said inner and outer members having upper and lower longitudinally spaced coengageable seals on opposite sides of said port; said upper and lower seals both being engageable when said inner member is disposed in a lower position within said outer member to prevent fluid passing out through said port from flowing upwardly from said outer member and downwardly through said outer member; said inner member being shiftable upwardly relative to said outer member to disengage said lower seal and permit fluid pumped down said inner member to pass into and down through said outer member; said outer member having a longitudinally extending key; said inner member having a flange engageable with the upper end of said key to prevent downward movement of said inner member within said outer member to hold said lower seal disengaged, said flange having a slot for receiving said key to allow said inner member to move downward within said outer member to engage said lower seal, and means on said inner member engageable with said key upon turning of said inner member within said outer member to selectively align said slot with said key or disalign said slot with said key.

2. In a well tool for use in a well bore: an outer tubular member; an inner tubular member telescopically arranged in said outer member and having means thereon for attaching said inner member to a tubular string to lower the well tool in the well bore; said outer member having longitudinally spaced upper and lower cylindrical seats thereon; said inner member having a side port for discharging fluid into said outer member between said seats and said inner member being closed below said port against downward passage of fluid; said inner member having longitudinally spaced upper and lower sealing means thereon simultaneously engageable with said upper and lower seats, respectively, to prevent fluid passing out through said port from flowing upwardly from said outer member and downwardly through said outer member; said inner member being shiftable upwardly relative to said outer member to move said lower sealing means above said lower seat to permit fluid pumped down said inner member to pass into and down through said outer member; said outer member having a longitudinally extending key;

said inner member having a flange engageable with the upper end of said key to prevent downward passage of said lower seal within said outer member to hold said lower seal above said lower seat, said flange having a slot for receiving said key to allow said inner member to move downward within said outer member to engage said lower seal with said lower seat; and means on said inner member engageable with said key upon turning of said inner member within said outer member to selectively align said slot with said key or disalign said slot with said key.

tubular member; an inner tubular member telescopically arranged in said outer member and having means thereon for attaching said inner member'to' a tubular string to lower the tool in the well bore; said inner member having a side port for discharging fluid through said outer member and said inner being closed below said port against downward passage of fluid; said inner and outer members having upper and lower longitudinally spaced co-engageable seals on opposite sides of said port;

said upper and lower seals both being engageable when said inner member is disposed in a lower position within said outer member to prevent fluid passing out through,

said port from flowing upwardly from said outer member and downwardly through said outer member; said inner 3. In a well tool for use in a well bore: an outer b member being shiftable upwardly relative to said outer member to disengage said lower seal and permit fluid pumped down said inner member to pass into and down through said outer member; said outer member having a, longitudinally ;extending key; said inner member having aflange engageable with the upper end of said key to prevent downward movement of said inner member Within said outer member to hold saidvlower. seal disengaged, said flange having a slot for receiving said key to allow said inner member to move downward within said outer member to engage said lower. seal. 7

4. 111a well tool for use in a well; borezlan outer tubular member; an inner tubular member telescopically arranged in said outer member and having means thereon for attaching said inner member to a tubular string to lower the well tool in the well bore; said outer member having longitudinally spaced upper and lower cylindr-ical seats thereon; said innermember having a side port for discharging fluid into said outer member between said seats; said inner member having longitudinally spaced upper and lower sealing means thereon simul-' taneously engageable with said upper and lower seats, respectively, to prevent fluid passing out through said port fromflowing upwardly from said outer member and downwardly through said outer member; said inner member being shiftable upwardly relative to said outer member to move said lower sealing means above said lower seat to permit fluid pumped down said inner member to pass into and down through said outer member; said outer member having a longitudinally extending key; said inner member having a flange engageable with the upper end of said key to prevent downward passage of said lower seal within said outer member to hold said lower seal above said lower seat, said flange having a slot for receiving said key to allow said inner member tomove downward within said outer member to engage said lower seal with said lower seat; meanson said inner member engageable with said key upon turning of said inner member Within said outer member to align said slotwith said key or disalign said slot with said key; said inner member having a valve seat below said port; and a valve element movable downwardly into engagement with said seat to prevent downward flow of fluid therethrough. V

5. In a well tool for use in a well bore: anouter tubular member; an inner tubular member telescopically arranged in said outer member and having means thereon for attaching said inner member to a tubular string to lower the tool in the well bore; said inner member having a side port for discharging fluid through'said outer member and said inner member being closed below said port against downward passage of fluid; said inner and outer members having upper and lower longitudinally spaced co-engage'able seals on opposite sidesiof said port; said upper and lower seals both being engageable when said inner member is disposed in a lower position within said outer member to prevent fluid passing out through said port from flowing upwardly from said outer member and downwardly throughvsaid outer member; said inner member being shiftable upwardly relative to said outer member to disengage said lower sealand permit fluid pumped down said inner member to pass into and 7 down through said outer member; said outer member having a pair of diametrically opposed longitudinally extending keys; said inner member having a flange engageable with the upper end of said 'keys to prevent downward movement of said inner member within said outer member to hold said lower seal disengaged, said flange having, diametrically opposite slots for receiving said keys to allow said inner member to move downwardly within said outer member to engage'said lower seal; and logs on said inner member engageable with one side of said keys upon turning of said inner member in one direction within said outer member to align said slots with said keys and engageable with the opposite sides of said keys upon turning of said inner member in References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 668,355 Osgood Feb. 19, 1901 10 Hohman Aug. 16, 1910 Tew Jan. 7, 1919 Reynolds June 13, 1922 Kirkpatrick June 16, 1925 Dripps et a1. Feb. 6, 1940 Vaughn Apr. 17, 1956 Baker July 16, 1957

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