Downhole shifting tool

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10006263-B2
Application number	US-201214115627-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 7, 2012
Priority date	May 6, 2011
Publication date	Jun 26, 2018
Grant date	Jun 26, 2018

Abstract

A shifting tool for use in shifting axial position of a shiftable element in a well. The tool comprises a linkage mechanism configured to translate an independent axial force into a dedicated radial force applied to expansive elements thereof. Thus, the elements may radially expand into engagement with the shiftable element free of any substantial axial force imparted thereon. As such, a more discretely controllable shifting actuation may be attained, for example, as directed from an oilfield surface. Indeed, real-time intelligent feedback may also be made available through use of such elements in conjunction with the noted linkage mechanism.

First claim

We claim:

1. A tool configured for engagement of a downhole device profile in a well, the tool comprising:
an axial actuator;
a linkage mechanism connected with said actuator by a coupling for movement responsive to an axial position thereof, and wherein a sensor monitors the position of the axial actuator, the coupling, or both, wherein the linkage mechanism includes a dual-pivot arm that is coupled with the axial actuator by an axial hinged coupling within a sliding body retainer at one end that terminates at a mechanism joint, allowing the dual-pivot arm to rotate relative to the coupling and the mechanism joint; and wherein the linkage mechanism further comprises a tri-pivot arm connected at the mechanism joint with the dual-pivot arm and also pivotally anchored about a body pin below the mechanism joint, allowing the dual-pivot arm to rotate relative to the tri-pivot arm as they move in concert, and wherein the tri-pivot arm is connected with a slide retainer of a radially expansive element via a slide connector; allowing for clockwise rotation relative to the body pin translating into radially extending movement of the expansive element.

2. The tool of claim 1 wherein said actuator is selected from a group consisting of an at least partially compliant actuator and an actuator of substantial non-compliance.

3. The tool of claim 2 wherein said at least partially compliant actuator comprises a mechanical spring.

4. An assembly for positioning at an oilfield for shifting of a downhole device in a well, the assembly comprising:
surface equipment for positioning at a surface of the oilfield adjacent the well;
a tool for the shifting having a linkage mechanism for translating an independent axial force applied thereto into a dedicated radial force in engaging the device, wherein the linkage mechanism includes a dual-pivot arm that is coupled with an axial actuator by an axial hinged coupling within a sliding body retainer at one end terminates at a mechanism joint, allowing the dual-pivot arm to rotate relative to the coupling and the mechanism joint; and wherein the linkage mechanism further comprises a tri-pivot arm connected at the mechanism joint with the dual-pivot arm and also pivotally anchored about a body pin below the mechanism joint, allowing the dual-pivot arm to rotate relative to the tri-pivot arm as they move in concert, and wherein the tri-pivot arm is connected with a slide retainer of a radially expansive element via a slide connector allowing for clockwise rotation relative to the body pin translating into radially extending movement of the expansive element; and
a conveyance line coupled to said equipment and said tool, wherein sensing electronics are configured to monitor a position of the linkage mechanism to provide confirmation of engagement with a downhole profile, and wherein the position of the linkage mechanism is communicated through the conveyance line to a controller at surface, allowing real-time tracking of an operation.

5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein said conveyance line comprises at least one device selected from a group consisting of wireline, drill pipe, coiled tubing, a tractor, and slickline.

6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein said conveyance line is the slickline and said tool is battery powered.

7. The assembly of claim 4 wherein the downhole device is selected from a group consisting of a sliding sleeve and a valve.

8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the downhole device is the valve, and wherein the valve is selected from a group consisting of a retrievable valve and a formation isolation valve.

9. A method of engaging a shiftable element of a downhole device in a well, the method comprising:
deploying a shifting tool to a location of the shiftable element in the well;
applying an independent axial force to a linkage mechanism of the shifting tool and monitoring a position of the linkage mechanism, wherein the linkage mechanism includes a dual-pivot arm that is coupled with an axial actuator by an axial hinged coupling within a sliding body retainer at one end that terminates at a mechanism joint, allowing the dual-pivot arm to rotate relative to the coupling and the mechanism joint; and wherein the linkage mechanism further comprises a tri-pivot arm connected at the mechanism joint with the dual-pivot arm and also pivotally anchored about a body pin below the mechanism joint, allowing the dual-pivot arm to rotate relative to the tri-pivot arm as they move in concert, and wherein the tri-pivot arm is connected with a slide retainer of a radially expansive element via a slide connector; allowing for clockwise rotation relative to the body pin translating into radially extending movement of the expansive element; and
translating the independent axial force into a dedicated radially expansive force to engage an expansive element of the tool with the shiftable element, and confirming engagement of the expansive element with the shiftable element using sensing electronics configured to monitor a position of the axial actuator to provide confirmation of engagement with the shiftable element.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising shifting a position of the shiftable element with the engaged tool.

11. The method of claim 9 further comprising obtaining well location information from the expansive element during said deploying.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein said deploying further comprises advancing the tool to the location in a centralized fashion via the expansive element.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said advancing comprises obtaining well profile information via the expansive element during said advancing.

14. The method of claim 9 , wherein the tri-pivot arm is connected with at least two slide retainers of at least two radially expansive elements via at least two slide connectors.

Assignees

• Spencer Max E
• Stevenson Philip C
• Martinez Ruben
• Schlumberger Technology Corp

Inventors

• Spencer Max E
• Stevenson Philip C
• Martinez Ruben

Classifications

• E21B23/00 Primary

  Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells (setting of casings, screens or liners E21B43/10) · CPC title

• E21B17/1014

  Flexible or expansible centering means, e.g. with pistons pressing against the wall of the well (E21B17/1042 takes precedence) · CPC title

• E21B34/14

  operated by movement of tools, e.g. sleeve valves operated by pistons or wire line tools {(E21B34/066 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• E21B23/02 Primary

  for locking the tools or the like in landing nipples or in recesses between adjacent sections of tubing (E21B23/03 - E21B23/06 take precedence) · CPC title