Hydraulically set open hole whipstock

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10954732-B2
Application number	US-201816103427-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 14, 2018
Priority date	Feb 9, 2017
Publication date	Mar 23, 2021
Grant date	Mar 23, 2021

Abstract

A BHA features an MWD tool connected to a running tool supporting a whipstock that is connected to an open hole anchor. The anchor is flow set and after the anchor is set the running tool collets release from the whipstock to allow cement to be pumped through the anchor to hold the set position. The collets are released from the whipstock also with flow and after the anchor has been set. One way is to use nozzles in series. Another is to run in with a ball on the anchor seat, set the anchor and blow out the ball seat so flow can again be used to release the running tool collets. Another is suspending a ball above the anchor seat, releasing the ball with pressure cycle, open another flow passage to allow collet release of the whipstock. Finally, pressure can be used to release the running tool collets.

First claim

We claim:

1. A borehole bottom hole assembly (BHA) operating method, comprising:
selectively retaining an object in a passage through the BHA below an upper tool assembly where said upper tool assembly precludes dropping the object from above the upper tool assembly;
performing a first operation with a lower tool assembly with flow passing through said upper tool assembly around said selectively retained object in said passage;
releasing said object from retention within the passage to then block said passage after said first operation;
building pressure in said passage to perform a second operation with said lower tool assembly.

2. The method of claim 1 , comprising:
releasing a running string from said lower tool assembly after said second operation with at least one of flow or built up pressure in said passage.

3. The method of claim 2 , comprising:
enabling flow for said releasing of said running string with expelling said object from said passage.

4. The method of claim 2 , comprising:
accomplishing said releasing with built up pressure by providing a piston with opposed unequal piston areas in said passage to create a net force that shifts said piston to release said running string from said lower tool assembly.

5. The method of claim 3 , comprising:
using said flow through a restriction in a piston mounted in said passage for shifting said piston to release said running string form said lower tool assembly.

6. The method of claim 5 , comprising:
maintaining flow communication through said running string and into said passage after said releasing.

7. The method of claim 3 , comprising:
delivering a sealing material through said passage to adjacent said lower tool assembly after said releasing.

8. The method of claim 4 , comprising:
maintaining flow communication through said running string and into said passage after said releasing.

9. The method of claim 4 , comprising:
delivering a sealing material through said passage to adjacent said lower tool assembly after said releasing.

10. The method of claim 2 , comprising:
providing an MWD tool as said upper tool assembly on said running string;
removing said MWD tool with said running string after said releasing.

11. The method of claim 10 , comprising:
providing an anchor and a whipstock as said lower tool assembly;
orienting said whipstock with said MWD tool as said first operation;
setting said anchor with pressure on said object (landed in said anchor ( 106 )) as said second operation.

12. The method of claim 11 , comprising:
maintaining flow communication through said running string and into said passage after said releasing.

13. The method of claim 12 , comprising:
delivering a sealing material through said passage to adjacent said anchor after said releasing.

14. The method of claim 12 , comprising:
accomplishing said releasing with shifting a piston to release at least one collet retaining said running string to a portion of said passage extending through said whipstock.

15. The method of claim 1 , comprising:
releasing said object to said lower tool assembly with a change in flow rate in said passage.

16. The method of claim 15 , comprising:
retaining said object on at least one biased collet in a position where flow around the object and through said passage is enabled.

17. The method of claim 16 , comprising:
breaking a retainer on said at least one biased collet with said change in flow rate.

18. The method of claim 16 , comprising:
allowing said at least one biased collet to move away from supporting said object with said change in flow rate in said passage.

19. The method of claim 17 , comprising:
axially biasing said at least one collet toward a recess in said passage to allow release of said object when said at least one biased collet moves radially into said recess.

20. The method of claim 15 , comprising:
configuring the shape of said object for blocking said passage in said lower tool assembly to accomplish said building pressure.

Assignees

• Baker Hughes A Ge Co Llc

Inventors

• Hern Gregory L
• Trahan James S
• Cullum Jason L
• Hulsewe Ewoud J
• Hern Christopher R

Classifications

• E21B23/04

  operated by fluid means, e.g. actuated by explosion (E21B23/08 takes precedence) · CPC title

• E21B23/01 Primary

  for anchoring the tools or the like (E21B23/02 - E21B23/06 take precedence; anchoring of drives in the borehole E21B4/18) · CPC title

• E21B34/06

  in wells · CPC title

• E21B7/061

  the tool shaft advancing relative to a guide, e.g. a curved tube or a whipstock · CPC title