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WO2017192048A1 - Système, outil et procédé de puits de forage - Google Patents

Système, outil et procédé de puits de forage Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2017192048A1
WO2017192048A1 PCT/NO2017/050110 NO2017050110W WO2017192048A1 WO 2017192048 A1 WO2017192048 A1 WO 2017192048A1 NO 2017050110 W NO2017050110 W NO 2017050110W WO 2017192048 A1 WO2017192048 A1 WO 2017192048A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
tool
tubular
magnetic field
wellbore
well
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/NO2017/050110
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Eirik ESPE
Fridjof NYHAVN
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Wellguard As
Original Assignee
Wellguard As
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Wellguard As filed Critical Wellguard As
Priority to US16/098,909 priority Critical patent/US20190195062A1/en
Priority to GB1819883.8A priority patent/GB2566840A/en
Publication of WO2017192048A1 publication Critical patent/WO2017192048A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
    • E21B33/10—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells in the borehole
    • E21B33/12—Packers; Plugs
    • E21B33/1208—Packers; Plugs characterised by the construction of the sealing or packing means
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B36/00—Heating, cooling or insulating arrangements for boreholes or wells, e.g. for use in permafrost zones
    • E21B36/04—Heating, cooling or insulating arrangements for boreholes or wells, e.g. for use in permafrost zones using electrical heaters
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
    • E21B33/10—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells in the borehole
    • E21B33/13—Methods or devices for cementing, for plugging holes, crevices or the like
    • E21B33/134—Bridging plugs
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B36/00—Heating, cooling or insulating arrangements for boreholes or wells, e.g. for use in permafrost zones
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B37/00—Methods or apparatus for cleaning boreholes or wells
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
    • E21B43/16—Enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons
    • E21B43/24—Enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons using heat, e.g. steam injection
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
    • E21B43/16—Enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons
    • E21B43/24—Enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons using heat, e.g. steam injection
    • E21B43/2401—Enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons using heat, e.g. steam injection by means of electricity
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B47/00—Survey of boreholes or wells
    • E21B47/005—Monitoring or checking of cementation quality or level
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B6/00—Heating by electric, magnetic or electromagnetic fields
    • H05B6/02—Induction heating

Definitions

  • the invention concerns a well tool as set out in the preamble to claim 1, a wellbore tubular as set out in the preamble to claim 19, a wellbore system as set out in the preamble to claim 24, and methods as set out in the preambles to claims 26, 27, 29 and 32.
  • cement is widely used as a barrier substance in subterranean wells, both to form a seal between the well casing and the surrounding formation (as a part of the well completion), and as a plugging substance inside liners or/and in annuli between downhole tubulars (e.g. when the well is to be plugged and abandoned).
  • a disadvantage of cement, resins and similar substances is their tendency to shrink upon solidification, as well as their propensity to crack and otherwise deteriorate over time and when subjected to downhole pressures and movements in the surrounding formation.
  • the tubular walls often are contaminated by oily substances, the adherence between such plugging or sealing substance and the tubular wall may be weak. Therefore, plugs formed by cement, resins or similar substances are susceptible to leaking. This is unacceptable from operational and environmental reasons, and entail meticulous monitoring and - if necessary - costly re-plugging operations.
  • alloys containing bismuth are increasingly being used to form lasting, fluid-tight barriers and plugs in subterranean wellbores.
  • the bismuth alloy is introduced into the wellbore in a solid state and placed at the desired downhole location, then subjected to a heat source whereby the alloy melts.
  • the bismuth alloy is then allowed to cool and solidify as a plug in the tubular.
  • One advantage of bismuth alloys is their inherent characteristic of expanding upon solidification, whereby the material penetrates into cracks and fissures.
  • the bismuth alloy, having a high melting temperature also effectively creates a metal- to-metal seal interface with the tubular wall.
  • the prior art includes WO 02/099247 Al (Shell), which describes a method of creating a gas-tight well abandonment sealing plug by placing a metal which expands upon solidification in the well, melting the metal, and cooling down the metal to solidify it.
  • the metal may be an expanding alloy, which expands upon solidification and has a melting temperature that is higher than the maximum anticipated well temperature.
  • the expanding alloy may comprise bismuth, gallium or antimony.
  • the metal may be in the form of bismuth or bismuth alloy rings that are conveyed into the wellbore on a tubular tool body, and heat is applied from within that body.
  • the heat may be provided by a chemical source of heat, electric (resistive or inductive) heater, or through conductions of a hot liquid (e.g. steam) inside the tubular tool body. The heat will increase the temperature of the rings until eventually both rings will melt and sag to the lowest point in the annulus by gravity.
  • the prior art also includes WO 02/27137 Al (Rawwater Engineering), which describes a well sealing method and apparatus in which a length of the well is filled with a molten material having a melting point which is higher than the temperature within the well and which expands as it solidifies.
  • the material may be a metal alloy, for example a low- melting point bismuth-containing alloy such as "Rose's metal” (melting temperature 93 °C), "Kraft's alloy” (melting temperature 104 °C) or “Homberg's alloy” (melting point 122 °C).
  • the bismuth-containing alloy may be doped with sodium.
  • Such alloys expand upon solidification and thus once deposited in a well they lose heat into the surrounding environment, solidify, and in solidifying expand to form a secure plug within the well.
  • the material may be delivered to the well in a molten state.
  • a canister of molten material may be lowered to the intended site of the plug and opened either by remote control or deliberate rupture of the canister.
  • the material may be delivered to the well in a solidified state, subsequently melted in the well, and then allowed to solidify.
  • the material could be delivered in granular form, for example in a carrier fluid. The granular material could then be melted in any suitable manner, thereafter cooling to form a solidified plug.
  • the plug material may be delivered to the well and located there within mounted in solid form on a carrier.
  • a carrier may comprise a chemical heater, for example a thermite mixture, which when ignited provides thermal energy to melt the plug material when it is located at the required well depth.
  • the carrier may incorporate an engagement means to engage the well casing when in position.
  • Such engagement means may be arranged to allow insertion of the carrier into the well and movement in a down-hole direction therein but prevent up-hole movement. This may be achieved by coupling the engagement means to the carrier via a hinge.
  • Non-chemical methods of melting the plug material could be for example steam, heated water, electrical resistance heating, frictional heating, sonothermic (sound generated) heating, cavitational (pressure generated) heating, or even simply introducing a solid high thermal capacity mass from which heat is transferred into the previously deposited granular material.
  • a plug deployment assembly comprises a plug body holding a bismuth-based alloy, a heater and an igniter wire.
  • the heater is releasably engaged within the plug body so that the heater can be retrieved from the plug body once it has been fixed into a well and the eutectic alloy plug has formed.
  • the heater which is preferably a thermite- based chemical reaction source heater, is provided with a heater core and an
  • the heater is attached to the igniter wire so that the assembly can be delivered down a well and then the heater can be subsequently retrieved.
  • the igniter wire is connected to a standard wireline connector, to enable the remote operation from ground level.
  • the alloy might be a germanium/bismuth alloy, which has a higher melting temperature than other bismuth based alloys. The higher melting temperatures of such alloys make them particularly suitable for plugging deeper underground where the subterranean environment is hotter.
  • a chemical heater is required due to the increased level of heat required to melt the alloy (e.g. 550 °C).
  • a chemical reaction heat source with a fuel composition comprising a mix of thermite and a damping agent would be particularly preferable, with solid mixes of these fuel compositions being especially desirable.
  • a disadvantage common to the heating methods described above is that structures and materials other than the bismuth alloy are also heated.
  • the stainless steel casings and couplings may expand when subjected to the heat, and thus become deformed or separated from the adjoining formation or barrier material.
  • Another disadvantage of the prior art heating methods is the lack of real-time control of the heat generation.
  • a chemical reaction heat source such as thermite
  • Emulsions, and substances such as wax and asphaltenes may form in downhole wellbores, for example inside production tubings and on the outside of liners, thereby restricting flow in the tubulars and/or from the surrounding formation.
  • flow obstructions in the form of hydrates represents a considerable problem.
  • cement verification is based on sonic techniques, analyzing pressure waves or shear waves. These techniques have limitations, especially for cement evaluation for Light cements, thick casings and the ability to provide information about the so-called “Third Interface", i.e. between the cement/formation or cement/next casing. Such information can provide valuable information about wellbore integrity during production and later plugging-and- abandonment (P&A) operations. It is therefore a need for an improved cement verification method.
  • a well tool having a body configured for deployment in a tubular in a wellbore and having connection means configured for connection to running tools and control means for connection to uphole control means, characterized by a magnetic field generator configured and controllable by the control means to generate a time-varying magnetic field.
  • the magnetic field generator comprises an AC electromagnet or transformer.
  • the magnetic field generator comprises a rotatable member having a plurality of permanent magnets assembled on at least a portion of the rotatable member, and with alternating polarity; and the rotatable member is connected to controllable drive means.
  • the rotatable member may have a cylindrical shape, and a plurality of first and second permanent magnets assembled at regular intervals on at least a portion of the cylindrical member perimeter.
  • the rotatable member has a conical, frusto-conical or spherical shape, and a plurality of first and second permanent magnets are assembled at regular intervals on at least a portion of the rotatable member outer surface.
  • the rotatable member may have a drum shape, and a plurality of first and second permanent magnets are assembled at regular intervals on an end surface of said drum, concentric with a drum axis of rotation.
  • the drive means comprises an electric motor and controllable power means.
  • the drive means comprises a turbine configured for connection to a fluid conduit, whereby the turbine is controllably operated by means of an injected fluid.
  • the tool comprises a housing enclosing at least the magnetic field generator; said housing being of a material which is not significantly electrically conducting. In one embodiment, the tool comprises a housing enclosing at least the magnetic field generator; said housing being of an electrically conducting material, whereby the housing is heated when the magnetic field generator is operated.
  • the well tool may comprise an element having an electrically conducting and eutectic material arranged on the tool such that the element is influenced by the time-varying magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator.
  • the element material comprises a bismuth alloy.
  • the element may be a sleeve encircling at least a portion of the tool body.
  • the well tool further comprises anchor means for releasably fixating the tool in a tubular element.
  • the well tool further comprises sensor means for sensing rotational moments or electrical currents in the magnetic field generator.
  • the invented well tool may be used as a wellbore heating tool.
  • the invented well tool may be used as a cement verification tool.
  • the invented well tool may be used as a wellbore plugging tool.
  • a wellbore tubular characterized in that least one element having an electrically conducting and eutectic material is arranged on at least a portion of the tubular.
  • the element may be is arranged on at least a portion of the tubular outer wall.
  • the tubular is a production tubing.
  • the tubular is a steel casing.
  • the electrically conducting and eutectic material comprises a bismuth alloy.
  • the element may be a sleeve which has been pre-installed on the tubular prior to the tubular being introduced into the wellbore.
  • a wellbore system characterized by at least one of the invented wellbore tool being arranged in the invented wellbore tubular.
  • the tool is arranged proximal to at least one element, whereby at least a portion the element is influenced by a time-varying magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator when the tool is operated.
  • a method of sealing an annular region in a wellbore comprising at least one wellbore tubular according to the invention, characterized by:
  • the method may comprise flowing molten material through at least one opening in the tubular wall, thereby forming a bridge plug extending into the annulus formed between the tubular outer wall and an adjacent formation or other tubular.
  • i) conveying an embodiment of the tool comprising a housing enclosing at least the magnetic field generator (said housing being of an electrically conducting material, whereby the housing is heated when the magnetic field generator is operated) to a desired location in the tubular;
  • the tool may be conveyed to a vicinity of obstructive matters, and operated until such matter is melted or substantially dissolved.
  • the matter may comprise, wax, asphaltenes, or hydrates.
  • the temperature generated by the resulting eddy currents is also controlled.
  • the time-varying magnetic field is generated and controlled by controlling the rotational speed of the cylinder.
  • the invention allows a real-time remote control of a heating process, which is particularly useful for melting of the bismuth alloy. Another advantage is that the heat required to melt the bismuth alloy is generated within the bismuth alloy, and that only insignificant heat is generated within surrounding structures (such as steel casings and couplings), thereby avoiding the unwanted effects of thermal expansion in such structures.
  • the invention also provides an effective tool and method for removing obstructions in the wellflow, such as wax and asphaltene deposits and slugs.
  • the invention also provides an efficient tool and method for verifying annular cement and cement/casing bonding.
  • Figure 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of the tool according to the invention.
  • Figure 2 is a partial cutaway drawing of the tool illustrated in figure 1, illustrating i.a. a rotatable cylinder having a plurality of magnets;
  • Figure 3a shows the tool of figure 2, installed in a tubular, for example a production tubing, having a bismuth alloy sleeve on a portion of the tubular outer wall;
  • Figure 3b corresponds to figure 3a, but illustrates how the bismuth alloy sleeve, having been melted by the tool and thus flowed off the tubular, has solidified on a packer;
  • Figure 4a shows the tool of figure 2, installed in a tubular, for example a steel casing, having a sleeve of bismuth alloy or other electrical conducting and eutectic material on a portion of the casing outer wall;
  • Figure 4b corresponds to figure 4a, but illustrates how the bismuth alloy sleeve, having been melted by the tool and thus flowed off the casing, has solidified on annular concrete between the casing and the formation (or other casing);
  • Figures 5a and 5b correspond to figures 4a and 4b, with the exception that the tool is arranged within a production tubing;
  • Figures 6a and 6b are a side view and a sectional view, respectively, of a second embodiment of the tool according to the invention.
  • Figure 6c is a top view of the tool illustrated by figure 6b;
  • Figure 6d shows the tool illustrated in figure 6a, run on a workstring and in operation in a tubular, for example a steel casing, having a sleeve of bismuth alloy or other electrical conducting and eutectic material on a portion of the casing outer wall;
  • Figure 7a is a partly cutaway drawing of a third embodiment of the tool according to the invention, having a sleeve of bismuth alloy or other electrical conducting and eutectic material installed around a portion of its body; and the tool is in operation within a steel casing;
  • Figure 7b corresponds to figure 7a, but shows that bismuth alloy, having been melted off the tool, has solidified and formed a plug inside the casing;
  • Figure 8a is partly cutaway drawing of a fourth embodiment of the tool according to the invention, illustrating i.a. a rotatable cylinder, and the tool comprising a housing of a material having a suitable electrical conductivity, whereby the housing is heated when the cylinder is rotated and effectively is a "heat cap";
  • Figure 8b is a partly cutaway drawing of the tool shown in figure 8a, seen from below, and illustrating a plurality of magnets arranged on the rotatable cylinder;
  • Figures 8c and 8d show the tool of figures 8a and 8b in operation inside a production tubing to remove obstructive materials from the tubing;
  • Figures 9a and 9b are a side view and a sectional view, respectively, of a fifth embodiment of the tool according to the invention, having a heat cap;
  • Figures 9c and 9d show the tool of figures 9a and 9b in operation inside a production tubing to remove obstructive materials from the tubing;
  • Figure 10 is partly cutaway drawing of a sixth embodiment of the tool according to the invention, illustrating i.a. a rotatable cylinder, installed in a tubing in a wellbore.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a first embodiment of the invented tool 1.
  • the tool is designed and configured for being run in a subterranean wellbore and comprises a cylindrical body with a connection head assembly 2 by means of which the tool may be connected to a running tool (e.g. wireline; not shown) that are well known in the art.
  • the tool furthermore comprises a power, control, and communications module 3 by means of which the tool may be operated.
  • the tool comprises sensors, connected to the module 3, configured for monitoring ambient temperatures.
  • the module 3 may have a battery pack, or the tool may be powered from a surface (uphole) location via power cables.
  • the tool body comprises anchors (e.g. slips) 4, by means of which the tool may be releasably installed in a tubular, for example a production tubing or a casing.
  • anchors e.g. slips
  • Such anchors, and their method of operation, are well known in the art, and need therefore not be described in further detail here. It should be understood that, as figure 1 is a schematic drawing, more anchors may be required, for example at the lower end of the tool, in order to sufficiently fixate the tool during operation.
  • the tool furthermore comprises a housing 9, of a material that is only negligibly affected by magnetic fields and does not have too high an electrical conductivity (in order to minimize generation of eddy currents in the housing material).
  • a material that is only negligibly affected by magnetic fields and does not have too high an electrical conductivity (in order to minimize generation of eddy currents in the housing material).
  • materials are plastics, carbon fibers and resins. In the following, such materials will be referred to as "non-magnetic materials”.
  • the tool 1 also comprises a magnetic field generator 5, inside the non-magnetic housing 9.
  • the magnetic field generator 5 may be any device configured to generate a time- varying magnetic field, for example by means of an AC electromagnet or transformer, or by relative motion between a magnet and a nearby conductor.
  • the magnetic field generator is controllable from an uphole (surface) location via communication means that per se are known in the art.
  • the magnetic field generator comprises in a first embodiment a cylinder 8 which is rotatably connected to a drive unit 6 via an axle 7.
  • a non-magnetic housing 9 encloses the cylinder 8 in order to protect it from physical downhole obstructions (which may prevent rotation), but the invention shall not be limited to the use of such housing.
  • the drive unit 6 is an electric motor, but other drive units may also be used.
  • the cylinder rotation is controllable from an uphole (surface) location via communication means that per se are known in the art.
  • the cylinder is arranged to rotate around the tool longitudinal axis y-y. It should be understood that, as figure 2 is a schematic drawing, also a lower axle and a
  • corresponding bearing may be required in order to ensure a stable rotation of the cylinder 8.
  • the design and operation of the rotatable cylinder may, however, be accomplished in a number of ways, well known in the art.
  • Each magnet has an elongated "stick-like" shape, and may be affixed to the cylinder in a manner which per se is known in the art, but with sufficient adherence to withstand large centrifugal forces.
  • the magnets may be fastened to the cylinder surface by a strong adhesive.
  • the magnets may be arranged and retained by elastic members (e.g. springs) inside respective recesses; from which they are extended by virtue of the centrifugal force when the cylinder is spinning. This configuration may be particularly useful if the tool is operated without a cylinder housing, whereby a greater tool drift is tolerated.
  • Each magnet 10, 11 generates a magnetic field pointing radially outwards from the cylinder.
  • the magnets 10, 11 may be of a similar design and have similar magnetic properties, but are assembled on the cylinder with their polarity in alternating directions, such that the magnetic poles shift for every other magnet around the entire cylinder circumference when the cylinder rotates. In figure 2 (as well as in the figures following) this is indicated by reference number 10 denoting a first magnet (i.e. having a first orientation) and reference number 11 denoting a second magnet (i.e. having a second orientation).
  • the magnets 10, 11 are arranged - equally spaced - around the cylinder circumference (360°), with alternating orientations.
  • the number of magnets arranged around the cylinder, and their magnetic field strength may be determined based on the application at hand, but it is envisaged that at least one first magnet 10 and at least one second magnet 11 are required.
  • the alternating-magnet configuration will emit an alternating magnetic field.
  • the emitted alternating magnetic field may be augmented by known means and devices, for example by magnets configured in a so- called Halbach array.
  • the tool 1 is installed (via anchors 4) in a tubing, for example a downhole production tubing 12.
  • the production tubing 12 is installed in another tubing, which may be a steel casing 13, by means of production packers 15 (only one shown in figure 2).
  • production packers 15 are prone to leaking wellfluid, indicated by arrows F.
  • a sleeve 14 of a bismuth-alloy material Arranged on a portion of the outer wall of the production tubing 12, is a sleeve 14 of a bismuth-alloy material. The sleeve has been pre-installed on the tubing, prior to the tubing being installed in the wellbore.
  • an alternating magnetic field is emitted as explained above, in a manner which is known in the art.
  • the bismuth-alloy (or similar) in the sleeve 14 is a eutectic material as described above
  • Bismuth is a diamagnetic element, and has one of the lowest values of thermal conductivity among metals.
  • Eddy currents are loops of electrical current induced within conductors by a changing magnetic field in the conductor, due to Faraday's law of induction. The only requirement for eddy currents to appear in a material exposed to alternating magnetic fields is that the material must be electrically conductive. Eddy currents flow in closed loops within conductors, in planes perpendicular to the magnetic field.
  • eddy currents can be induced within nearby stationary conductors by a time-varying magnetic field (in the illustrated embodiment: by the relative motion between the magnets 10, 11 and the nearby bismuth-alloy sleeve 14).
  • the magnitude of the current in a given loop is proportional to the strength of the magnetic field, the area of the loop, and the rate of change of flux, and inversely proportional to the resistivity of the material.
  • Lenz's law an eddy current creates a magnetic field that opposes the magnetic field that created it, and thus eddy currents react back on the source of the magnetic field.
  • a nearby conductive surface will exert a drag force on a moving magnet that opposes its motion, due to eddy currents induced in the surface by the moving magnetic field.
  • the current flowing through the resistance of the conductor also dissipates energy as heat in the material.
  • the eddy currents generated by the alternating magnetic field will heat the sleeve 14.
  • a bismuth alloy has greater electrical conductance compared with the material in the production tubing 12.
  • the sleeve 14 will be heated to beyond its melting temperature without significantly affecting the tubing, provided that the magnetic field is dimensioned appropriately (e.g. permanent magnet field strength, rotational speed, no magnetic shield layers).
  • Figure 3a illustrates how the eddy currents are used to melt the bismuth-alloy sleeve 14: droplets 14a of molten alloy falls (due to natural gravity) onto the leaking production packer 15, where the alloy cools off and solidifies. This state, with solidified bismuth alloy 14b, is illustrated in figure 3b.
  • the sleeve 14 material is a metal alloy having a low melting point.
  • the sleeve 14 material may a bismuth-containing alloy, such as indalloy 281 (melting temperature 138 °C) or any materials known in the art that are suitable for down-hole conditions.
  • indalloy 281 melting temperature 138 °C
  • antimony may be used to form higher temperature melting point alloys.
  • the bismuth alloy plug 14b will be a permanent fixture given that the stable temperature of the local environment ensure that it remains in a solid state. As the plugs expand on solidification, they form reliable seals along their entire length.
  • the sleeve material may also be a germanium/bismuth alloy, which has a higher melting temperature than other bismuth based alloys.
  • the higher melting temperatures of such alloys make them particularly suitable for plugging deeper underground where the subterranean environment is hotter.
  • the cylinder 8 (with the magnets 10, 11) may be spun with rotational speeds ranging between 1000 and 10000 RPM, but the invention shall not be limited to these speeds.
  • the power generated in the alloy may be on the order of 0.5 to 2 kW and the corresponding times to melt the material between 100 to 24 seconds. These values are, however, examples only, and shall not limit the invention.
  • the apparatus can be configured such that the temperature generated does not substantially affect the magnetization of the magnets, and the production tubing 12 and casing 13 remain relatively cold and thus unaffected by the heat required to melt the sleeve 14 material.
  • a bismuth-alloy sleeve 14 has been pre-installed on a steel casing 13, which in turn has been installed in a formation 16 by means of cement C.
  • the cement C is leaking fluids F.
  • the tool 1 also here generates eddy currents in the sleeve 14 that are sufficient to melt the sleeve.
  • Molten droplets 14a settle on the cement C, where they solidify to form a seal 14b (figure 4b). It should be understood that a similar configuration applies when the casing 13 is cemented within another casing (not shown) within the formation 16, i.e. to seal leaking cement between casings.
  • FIG. 5a and 5b An application corresponding to the one illustrated in figures 4a and 4b is illustrated in figures 5a and 5b, where the tool 1 is operated within a production tubing 12, to melt a bismuth-alloy sleeve 14 on the cemented steel casing 13.
  • magnetic field augmentation using e.g. a Halbach array
  • FIG. 5b An application corresponding to the one illustrated in figures 4a and 4b is illustrated in figures 5a and 5b, where the tool 1 is operated within a production tubing 12, to melt a bismuth-alloy sleeve 14 on the cemented steel casing 13.
  • magnetic field augmentation using e.g. a Halbach array
  • the drive unit for the rotatable cylinder 7 may be an electric motor, but other drive units may be used.
  • the rotation may be provided by a remotely operated cartridge (not shown) in which an explosive charge is detonated to propel the cylinder for the required duration, for example 24 to 100 seconds, as described above.
  • Figures 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d illustrate an alternative embodiment of the tool la, having another cylinder propulsion means.
  • the rotatable cylinder 8a (carrying the magnets 10, 11 as described above) comprises a fluid inlet port 17a and fluid outlet ports 17c, interconnected by an internal, through-going bore 17b.
  • the cylinder 8b is supported by bearings 19 and connected to a turbine axle 18 via turbine blades 20.
  • the turbine axle 18 is rotatably supported by the tool body, whereby the cylinder 8a will rotate on the tool body when a fluid is flowed through the internal bore 17b.
  • the connection assembly 2a is configured for connection to a workstring, e.g.
  • FIG. 6d illustrates a mode of operation
  • a fluid P is pumped through the workstring 21, through the tool and out of the outlet nozzles 17c.
  • the rotating cylinder 8a melts the bismuth-alloy sleeve 14 in a manner similar to the process described above, and molten bismuth alloy 14a will form a solidified seal on top of the cement C.
  • This embodiment is useful when hydraulic flushing is required, in addition to the melting of the diamagnetic material.
  • Figures 7a and 7b illustrate another embodiment of the invented tool.
  • the tool lb is in principle of a similar design to the tool 1 described above, but comprises in addition a bismuth-alloy sleeve 14 arranged on the outer surface of the non-magnetic housing 9.
  • the tool may be run on e.g. wireline 22.
  • This embodiment is useful when performing for example plug-and-abandon operations in a wellbore.
  • the rotating cylinder 8 heats the sleeve 14 material as described above, whereby molten material 14a accumulates on a plug foundation 23 to form a plug of solidified material 14b.
  • the molten material may also flow through holes 24 in the casing and into the annulus between the casing 13 and the formation 16, and there settle and solidify on the annular cement A, whereby a full cross-sectional wellbore plug is generated.
  • the tool lb may be furnished with squeezing means, whereby bismuth alloy is forced into the annulus while in the molten state. It should be understood that the tool lb may use other cylinder propulsion means than an electric motor; for example the turbine configuration described above with reference to figures 6a-d.
  • FIGs 8a and 8b illustrate a further embodiment of the invented tool.
  • the tool lc comprises magnetic field generator comprising a rotatable cylinder 8b having first and second magnets 10, 11 attached at regular intervals on the cylinder underside (see figure 8b).
  • the tool the housing 9a is made of a material with suitable electrical conductivity, such as steel, whereby the housing 9a is heated when the cylinder is rotated and effectively constitutes a "heat cap".
  • the selection of the housing 9a material and wall thickness, as well as cylinder rotational speed, is determined based on the desirable temperature to be achieved.
  • the cylinder-magnet configuration described above with reference to figures 2 to 7d may also be furnished with a housing similar to the housing 9a.
  • the invented tool When used as a heater per se in this fashion, it may be used to heat selected locations in a flowline or pipe, for example where obstructive substances have formed.
  • a flowline or pipe for example where obstructive substances have formed.
  • the tool lc has been conveyed (e.g. on wireline 22) to a location in a production tubing 12 where the obstructive materials M (e.g. wax, asphaltenes) are heated and thus melt and/dissolve into smaller, manageable particles D.
  • the obstructive materials M e.g. wax, asphaltenes
  • the tool lc may be furnished with a bismuth-alloy sleeve 14, corresponding to the illustration of figure 7a, and thus be used to melt the bismuth alloy by controlling the time-varying magnetic field as described above.
  • Figures 9a and 9b show another embodiment of the tool Id, which is similar to the embodiment described above with reference to figures 6a-c, but where a housing 9a of a material with diamagnetic properties has been added.
  • the tool Id thus works similarly to the tool lc described above, as a heater per se.
  • This tool Id may be used to stimulate wells or in general generate heat where it may be needed in the wellbore, and advantageously connected to a workstring 21 (e.g. drillstring or coiled tubing), as shown in figure 9c.
  • the tool can advantageously be operated in conjunction with hydraulic fluid treatment processes.
  • Figures 9c and 9d illustrate such process, in which obstructive material M between a slotted liner 25 and a formation 16 is heated and dissolved, and the smaller particles M are flushed out in the annulus by the motive fluid P which is pumped through the workstring 21.
  • the motive fluid may comprise inhibitors and/or dissolving agents.
  • Figure 10 illustrates another embodiment and use of the invented tool.
  • the tool le has similar features and function as the tools 1, 1a, lb, inasmuch as it comprises a magnetic field generator (e.g. a rotatable cylinder 8, 8a or 8b - figure 10 showing a rotatable cylinder 8b) and an (optional) non-magnetic housing 9.
  • a magnetic field generator e.g. a rotatable cylinder 8, 8a or 8b - figure 10 showing a rotatable cylinder 8b
  • this embodiment may use any of the magnetic field generators described above.
  • the main gist of the embodiments described above is to generate heat by inducing eddy currents in diamagnetic materials, either to melt eutectic alloys (such as a bismuth alloy) or to melt and/or dissolve well obstructions (such as was or asphaltenes), the tool le utilizes the alternating magnetic field and the resulting eddy current in adjacent materials for detecting changes in such materials.
  • eutectic alloys such as a bismuth alloy
  • dissolve well obstructions such as was or asphaltenes
  • the rotating cylinder 8b (with the alternating magnets) generates an alternating magnetic field that penetrates the steel walls and generates eddy currents in the adjacent pipes, tubulars and/or cement.
  • a sensor 27 (which is connected to the control module 3) is configured to measure the rotational moments of the rotating cylinder, or measure the electrical current in the coil array, and thus provide a measure of the energy loss due to any conductive material in the magnetic field.
  • the tool le may thus be used for e.g. detecting regions of reduced casing 13 wall thickness, and for verifying cement in the annulus 26 and/or verifying bonding between annulus cement and the casing. Adding granules or fibers of conductive materials in the cement will enhance the detection capabilities.
  • the skilled person having knowledge of well properties such as temperatures and pressures, will select an alloy having suitable properties (e.g. sufficiently high melting temperature) for the applicable well.
  • the skilled person will also have the knowledge to design and operate the invented tool with the magnetic field strength sufficient for the applicable use.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Quality & Reliability (AREA)
  • Geophysics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Earth Drilling (AREA)
  • Pipe Accessories (AREA)
  • General Induction Heating (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un outil de puits ayant un corps conçu pour être déployé dans un tubulaire dans un puits de forage et ayant des moyens de liaison (2 ; 2a) conçus pour être reliés à des outils de pose et des moyens de commande (3) destinés à être liés à des moyens de commande à la surface, caractérisé par un générateur de champ magnétique (5) configuré et commandable par les moyens de commande pour générer un champ magnétique variable dans le temps. L'invention concerne également l'utilisation de l'outil comme outil de chauffage de puits de forage, outil de vérification de ciment ou outil d'obturation de puits de forage.
PCT/NO2017/050110 2016-05-06 2017-05-05 Système, outil et procédé de puits de forage Ceased WO2017192048A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

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US16/098,909 US20190195062A1 (en) 2016-05-06 2017-05-05 A wellbore system, tool and method
GB1819883.8A GB2566840A (en) 2016-05-06 2017-05-05 A wellbore system, tool and method

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NO20160763A NO20160763A1 (en) 2016-05-06 2016-05-06 A wellbore system, tool and method
NO20160763 2016-05-06

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GB2562811A (en) * 2016-05-24 2018-11-28 Bisn Tec Ltd A downhole tool deployment assembly with improved heater removability and methods of employing such
WO2020234344A1 (fr) * 2019-05-21 2020-11-26 Expro North Sea Limited Systèmes et procédés de communication
WO2021043444A1 (fr) * 2019-01-10 2021-03-11 ISOL8 (Holdings) Limited Procédé et appareil d'étanchéité d'alésage

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US11268355B2 (en) * 2020-03-05 2022-03-08 Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations Llc Methods and systems for hanging structures in downhole environments
CN112483008B (zh) * 2020-11-25 2023-01-31 中国石油大学(华东) 一种特殊形状套管及其在预防气井环空带压中的应用
EP4067616A1 (fr) 2021-03-29 2022-10-05 Horisont Energi AS Système d'injection de carburant et procédés associés
NO347280B1 (en) * 2021-06-25 2023-08-21 Interwell Norway As Downhole millable permanent plug
US12234709B2 (en) * 2023-02-23 2025-02-25 Halliburton Energy Service, Inc. Magnetic inflow control device to inhibit scale production in a wellbore
US12228010B1 (en) * 2024-01-05 2025-02-18 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Eutectic alloy system for casing-casing annulus cement repair

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GB2562811A (en) * 2016-05-24 2018-11-28 Bisn Tec Ltd A downhole tool deployment assembly with improved heater removability and methods of employing such
GB2562811B (en) * 2016-05-24 2021-11-24 Bisn Tec Ltd A downhole tool deployment assembly with improved heater removability and methods of employing such
WO2021043444A1 (fr) * 2019-01-10 2021-03-11 ISOL8 (Holdings) Limited Procédé et appareil d'étanchéité d'alésage
US12098610B2 (en) 2019-01-10 2024-09-24 ISOL8 (Holdings) Limited Bore sealing method and apparatus
WO2020234344A1 (fr) * 2019-05-21 2020-11-26 Expro North Sea Limited Systèmes et procédés de communication

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NO20160763A1 (en) 2017-11-07
US20190195062A1 (en) 2019-06-27
GB2566840A (en) 2019-03-27
GB201819883D0 (en) 2019-01-23

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