Shifting tool having puncture device, system, and method

A shifting tool includes a body having a longitudinal axis and a structure engaging member supported by the body. The structure engaging member is configured to engage and shift a structure within a tubular. A puncture device is supported by the body. The puncture device is configured to engage a barrier within a flowbore of the tubular in a direction of the longitudinal axis.

BACKGROUND

In the resource recovery industry, resources are often recovered from boreholes in formations containing the targeted resource. A plethora of tools are used in such operations, many of them needing to be actuated remotely. When a sleeve within the borehole needs to be moved, one conventional method for shifting the sleeve includes running a shifting tool within the sleeve and aligning keys of the shifting tool with corresponding recesses in the sleeve. While this method of shifting a sleeve is effective, different shifting tools need to be provided for sleeves having different recesses.

The art would be receptive to improved and/or alternative shifting tools and methods for operating within a tubular.

SUMMARY

A shifting tool includes a body having a longitudinal axis; a structure engaging member supported by the body, the structure engaging member configured to engage and shift a structure within a tubular; and a puncture device supported by the body, the puncture device configured to engage a barrier within a flowbore of the tubular in a direction of the longitudinal axis.

A method of operating within a tubular includes running a shifting tool within a tubular; selectively aligning a structure engaging member of the shifting tool with a structure within the tubular; radially moving the structure engaging member to engage with the structure; engaging a puncture device of the shifting tool with a barrier that blocks a flowbore of the tubular; and shifting the structure within the tubular.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, one embodiment of a shifting tool10, for use within a system100, includes a body12which carries a structure engaging member14and a puncture device16. A first end18, such as an uphole end, of the shifting tool10may be attached to any string, coiled tubing, piping, or wireline to move the shifting tool10to a desired location. The puncture device16is located at a second end20, such as a downhole end, of the shifting tool10, and the structure engaging member14is disposed between the first end18and the second end20of the shifting tool10. In one embodiment of a method of operating the shifting tool10, the shifting tool10, while in a run-in condition, is run into a tubular22in a first direction24, such as a downhole direction, as shown inFIG. 1. When a desired location is reached, such as adjacent a structure26disposed within the tubular22as shown inFIG. 2, the shifting tool10may be selectively expanded to engage the structure engaging member14with the structure26. As illustrated, the structure26may include a sleeve28that is movable within the tubular22. The puncture device16may be independently employed to engage a barrier30that blocks a flowbore32of the tubular22and that is located downhole of the structure26. The puncture device16may be selectively used to pierce through the barrier30device to fluidically communicate an area34of the flowbore32uphole of the barrier30with an area36of the flowbore32downhole of the barrier30. Through movement of the shifting tool10, the structure26may be shifted at any time to engage with the barrier30, such as to separate the barrier30from the tubular22. Alternatively or additionally, the structure26may be shifted to reveal a radial port or perform another function as a result of shifting the structure26by movement of the shifting tool10. Potential movements of the structure26include both longitudinal and rotational movements, which are under control of the shifting tool10once the structure engaging member14has engaged with the structure26.

The shifting tool10in the run-in condition as illustrated inFIG. 1has an outer diameter that is less than an inner diameter of the tubular22in which the shifting tool10may be run, so that the shifting tool10can easily pass therethrough. The shifting tool10has a longitudinal axis38, which as illustrated coincides with the longitudinal axis40of the tubular22, however during run-in of the shifting tool10through the tubular22the longitudinal axis38of the shifting tool10may be offset from the longitudinal axis40of the tubular22. The shifting tool10includes an expandable portion42, which is illustrated in a non-expanded or radially restricted condition in the run-in condition depicted inFIG. 1. The expandable portion42is radially outwardly movable from the non-expanded or radially restricted condition shown inFIG. 1to a radially expanded condition shown inFIG. 2. The expandable portion42carries the structure engaging member14thereon to engage with the structure26(FIG. 2) within the tubular22when the expandable portion42is in the expanded condition. The structure engaging member14is at a greater radial distance from the longitudinal axis38of the shifting tool10in the expanded condition of the expandable portion42than in the restricted condition of the expandable portion42.

One embodiment of the expandable portion42for the shifting tool10includes, but is not limited to, first and second arms44,46, including one or more first and second arms44,46, connected together at a hinge48, which may be a living hinge or other hinged connection. The structure engaging member14is located at the hinge48such that the hinge48is the radial outermost portion of the expandable portion42during an expansion of the expandable portion42to place the structure engaging member14at a radial outermost position of the shifting tool10in the expanded condition. Alternatively, the first and second arms44,46may be integrally connected into a single expandable flange, with the structure engaging member14placed at a central location of the flange. During expansion, a first angle between the first and second arms44,46in the expanded condition (FIG. 2) becomes less than a second angle between the first and second arms44,46in the restricted condition (FIG. 1). In one embodiment, the first and second ends50,52of the expandable portion42may be drawn closer together, as compared to the first and second ends50,52in the restricted condition of the expandable portion42shown inFIG. 1. The longitudinal length of the expandable portion42may thus be shorter in the expanded condition than in the restricted condition.

One method of moving the expandable portion42from the restricted condition to the expanded condition includes hydraulic actuation where hydraulic pressure may be delivered through an interior passage or hydraulic chamber54of the body12of the shifting tool10to force the hinges48radially outwardly, thus pushing and forcing the structure engaging member14into secured engagement with the structure26. That is, pressure can be applied in the chamber54which cannot escape past the second end20of the shifting tool10, thus creating a backpressure which inflates the structure engaging member14radially outward. Alternatively, the expandable portion42may be activated into the expanded condition mechanically, such as by, but not limited to, pushing on the first end50of the expandable portion42while prohibiting longitudinal movement of the second end52of the expandable portion42, thus forcing the expandable portion42to bulge radially outwardly at the hinge48. While the expandable portion42has been described in one embodiment as having first and second hinged arms44,46that carry the structure engaging member14at the hinge48, the expandable portion42may alternatively include other mechanical, inflatable, and/or swellable members that are activatable by mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, magnetic, and/or chemical actuators to selectively move the structure engaging member14from the radially restricted condition shown inFIG. 1to the structure-engaged position shown inFIG. 2.

Embodiments of the shifting tool10are configured to engage the structure26at any of more than one longitudinal location of the structure26. Furthermore, as in the illustrated embodiment, the shifting tool10could be engaged with any longitudinal location of the structure26, from a first end56of the structure26to a second end58of the structure26. Thus, difficulties that may otherwise occur in aligning keys and dogs of a shifting tool with recesses and grooves in a structure are completely eliminated. Also, structures26that have an otherwise smooth interior surface60can be shifted. This enables the use of one shifting tool10to move a large variety of structures26. One embodiment of the structure engaging member14that can engage with any longitudinal location of the structure26is shown in more detail inFIG. 3. The illustrated embodiment of the structure engaging member14includes one or more slips or teeth62. In the run-in condition of the shifting tool10, the shifting tool10can be located such that the structure engaging member14is aligned anywhere between the first and second ends56,58of the structure26. Then, in the expanded condition of the expandable portion42, the structure engaging member14bites into or otherwise secures itself to the interior surface60of the structure26. The shifting tool10can then be moved longitudinally with respect to the longitudinal axis38to shift the structure26in the desired longitudinal direction, such as in a second direction64(such as an uphole direction), the first direction24, or both as needed. Alternatively or additionally, the shifting tool10can also be used to rotate the structure26within the tubular22, in a circumferential direction of the structure26. With the expandable portion42in the expanded condition, the structure engaging member14is retained in contact with the interior surface60of the structure26for at least as long as the desired shifting process.

The puncture device16is configured to engage with the barrier30shown inFIG. 2. One embodiment of the puncture device16, as shown inFIGS. 1, 2, and 4, includes a tapered piercing member66having a pointed end68at the second end20of the shifting tool10. In one embodiment, the pointed end68is aligned with the longitudinal axis38of the shifting tool10. In another embodiment, the piercing member66may include a blunt or rounded end but still tapered to create the desired effect of puncturing a barrier30. Alternatively, the puncture device16may include a plurality of piercing members66, with or without a pointed end, that are configured to engage a barrier30downhole of the structure26and which need not be aligned on the longitudinal axis38. The puncture device16is configured to move longitudinally with respect to the longitudinal axis38and with respect to the body12of the shifting tool10. That is, as shown inFIG. 4, the puncture device16may be moved away from the body12when engagement with the barrier30is desired. Movement of the puncture device16may be accomplished by an actuation mechanism, including, but not limited to, a mechanical actuation mechanism or a hydraulic actuation mechanism. One embodiment of a mechanical actuation mechanism includes a shifting rod70, where the puncture device16is movable mechanically within the shifting tool10by the shifting rod70. The puncture device16, including the shifting rod70, may be shear pinned to the body12to prevent premature and unintentional movement of the puncture device16.FIG. 4illustrates an embodiment where the shear pin74has been sheared to allow movement of the puncture device16. The hydraulic actuation mechanism may include utilizing the same interior passage or hydraulic chamber54(seeFIG. 2) that is used to expand the expandable portion42. In some embodiments, the actuation mechanism may include a segment of the puncture device16that is shear pinned to the body12by one or more shear pins74. When shear pinned as shown inFIG. 2, the application of a first pressure to expand the expandable portion42does not shear the shear pin74, but the application of a second pressure greater than the first pressure shears the shear pin74and forces the puncture device16into, and potentially through, the barrier30. Since the second pressure is greater than the first pressure, application of the second pressure maintains the structure engaging member14in gripping engagement with the tubular22. Alternatively or additionally, a rupture disc may be provided within the hydraulic chamber54to prevent exposure of the puncture device16to the applied hydraulic pressure within the hydraulic chamber54until the rupture disc is ruptured by the second pressure. In an alternative embodiment, separate interior passages or hydraulic chambers54may be provided for separately hydraulically activating the expandable portion42and the puncture device16so that the puncture device16may be selectively moved independently of the expansion of the expandable portion42if desired, or to eliminate the need for the shear pin74and/or rupture disc.

Expansion of the expandable portion42to force the structure engaging member14into the structure26may thus occur independently from moving the puncture device16into the barrier30. In one embodiment, after the barrier30is pierced and fluidic communication between the first area34and the second area36is introduced, the structure26may be shifted, such as by longitudinal movement of the shifting tool10which is connected to the structure26by the structure engaging member14, in the first direction24and into the barrier30, so as to sever the barrier30from the interior surface of the tubular22.

Embodiment 1: A shifting tool including a body having a longitudinal axis; a structure engaging member supported by the body, the structure engaging member configured to engage and shift a structure within a tubular; and a puncture device supported by the body, the puncture device configured to engage a barrier within a flowbore of the tubular in a direction of the longitudinal axis.

Embodiment 2: The shifting tool as in any prior embodiment or combination of embodiments, wherein the structure engaging member includes a plurality of slips or teeth.

Embodiment 3: The shifting tool as in any prior embodiment or combination of embodiments, wherein the structure engaging member is configured to engage the structure at any one of multiple longitudinal locations of the structure.

Embodiment 4: The shifting tool as in any prior embodiment or combination of embodiments, wherein the structure engaging member is connected to an expandable portion of the shifting tool.

Embodiment 5: The shifting tool as in any prior embodiment or combination of embodiments, wherein the structure engaging member is configured to move radially outwardly from a radially restricted condition of the expandable portion to a radially expanded condition of the expandable portion.

Embodiment 6: The shifting tool as in any prior embodiment or combination of embodiments, wherein the expandable portion includes a plurality of arms hingedly connected together and the structure engaging member is disposed at a hinge.

Embodiment 7: The shifting tool as in any prior embodiment or combination of embodiments, wherein the expandable portion is movable from the radially restricted condition to the radially expanded condition upon application of hydraulic pressure.

Embodiment 8: The shifting tool as in any prior embodiment or combination of embodiments, wherein the puncture device is at an end of the shifting tool.

Embodiment 9: The shifting tool as in any prior embodiment or combination of embodiments, wherein the puncture device is configured to pierce through the barrier.

Embodiment 10: The shifting tool as in any prior embodiment or combination of embodiments, wherein the puncture device is configured to move away from the body and longitudinally with respect to the longitudinal axis.

Embodiment 11: The shifting tool as in any prior embodiment or combination of embodiments, further including a shifting rod connected to the puncture device, and the puncture device is movable by longitudinal movement of the shifting rod within the body.

Embodiment 12: The shifting tool as in any prior embodiment or combination of embodiments, further including a hydraulic chamber in the body, the puncture device movable hydraulically by hydraulic pressure activation within the hydraulic chamber.

Embodiment 13: The shifting tool as in any prior embodiment or combination of embodiments, wherein the puncture device is movable longitudinally with respect to the body of the shifting tool, and the structure engaging member is movable radially outwardly from a longitudinal axis of the shifting tool.

Embodiment 14: The shifting tool as in any prior embodiment or combination of embodiments, wherein longitudinal movement of the puncture device is independently operable of radial movement of the structure engaging member.

Embodiment 15: A system including a tubular having a flowbore; a structure movably disposed within the tubular; a barrier disposed within the tubular arranged to block flow through the flowbore; and the shifting tool of claim as in any prior embodiment or combination of embodiments.

Embodiment 16: The system as in any prior embodiment or combination of embodiments, wherein the structure is a sleeve, the structure engaging member is radially movable with respect to the body to selectively engage with the sleeve; and the puncture device is longitudinally movable with respect to the body to pierce the barrier.

Embodiment 17: A method of operating within a tubular, the method including: running a shifting tool within a tubular; selectively aligning a structure engaging member of the shifting tool with a structure within the tubular; radially moving the structure engaging member to engage with the structure; engaging a puncture device of the shifting tool with a barrier that blocks a flowbore of the tubular; and shifting the structure within the tubular.

Embodiment 18: The method as in any prior embodiment or combination of embodiments, wherein engaging the puncture device with the barrier includes piercing the barrier to provide fluidic communication through the flowbore.

Embodiment 19: The method as in any prior embodiment or combination of embodiments, wherein engaging the puncture device with the barrier includes longitudinally moving the puncture device with respect to a body of the shifting tool.

Embodiment 20: The method as in any prior embodiment or combination of embodiments, wherein shifting the structure within the tubular includes longitudinally moving the structure into the barrier.