Rotary locking system with metal seals

Abstract: The locking system utilizes metal seals for sealing and a rotary locking mandrel (15) which is rotated by a rotary running tool (27) to lock in a landing nipple (10) in a well conduit. The lock mandrel has a metal sealing surface (26a) sealingly engageable with a metal seat (14h) in the landing nipple and orientors (20) on a number of helically profiled segments (19) which are rotatably engageable with mating profiled segments (14) in the landing nipple. As the lock mandrel is lowered on the running tool into the landing nipple, the lock mandrel segments (19) are oriented between nipple segments (14), and the mandrel metal sealing surface (26a) engages the metal seat (14h) in the landing nipple. Downward jarring on the running tool rotates the mandrel segments into engagement with the landing nipple segments, locking the lock mandrel in the landing nipple, sealingly engaging the metal seal surface (26a) on the metal seat (14h) and releasing the running tool (27) from the locking mandrel for retrieval from the well conduit.

Description: This invention relates to a locking system useful to releasably position well flow control devices in a flow conduit in a well. Commercially successful prior known locking systems are described in US patents nos. 2,673,614 (to Ira A. Miller) and 3,208,531 (to Jack W. Tamplen). In both these systems, the running tool moves the lock mandrel downwardly into sealing and locking engagement with a compatible landing nipple in a well flow conduit. Both prior systems utilise resilient material for sealing which often deteriorates rapidly in high temperature and pressure environments in deep well conduits. US-A-4588030 describes a locking system which comprises: (a) a landing nipple having connecting means for connecting the nipple in a conduit, first locking means and a metal seat; (b) lock mandrel means having a metal sealing surface and second locking means; and (c) running tool means having a connector assembly. (d) the lock mandrel means metal sealing surface is sealingly engageable with the metal seat in the landing nipple; In one aspect the present invention provides such a locking system, characterised in that (e) the connector assembly of the running tool means is engageable with the lock mandrel means and rotatable to rotate the lock mandrel means to bring the second locking means into engagement with the first locking means of the landing nipple, and to bring the metal seat into seal with the sealing surface; and (f) said connecting assembly is releasable from engagement with said lock mandrel means on application of a rotating force by said running tool means on said lock mandrel means. US-A-3912014 describes a running tool which comprises: (a) a housing having connecting means on the upper end thereof; and (b) an anvil slidably mounted in said housing and extending from the other end of said housing; and (c) means in said housing to rotate said anvil relative to said housing. In a second aspect, the invention provides such a tool, characterised in that said anvil includes means to releasably engage lock mandrel in a locking system according to the invention, to rotate the lock mandrel means with the anvil. In a further aspect, the invention provides a locking system comprising: (a) a landing nipple connected in a conduit and having a seating surface; (b) lock mandrel means having a sealing surface; and (c) a running tool connectible to said lock mandrel means; characterised in that the locking system is a rotary locking system; the lock mandrel means sealingly engages and releasably locks said landing nipple with sealing surface sealingly engaging metal seat; the landing nipple has profiled segments; the lock mandrel means has radially moveable profiled segments mounted in openings in the mandrel, wherein said landing nipple profiled segments and lock mandrel means segments engage and releasably lock the lock mandrel means in the landing nipple, and a support having an internal groove is mounted for longitudinal movement in the lock mandrel means and holds said lock mandrel segments releasably locked in engagement with said landing nipple segments; the running tool has an anvil mounted in a housing, means are provided in said housing for rotating said anvil, and means are provided on said anvil for connecting said anvil into said lock mandrel support groove and automatically releasing said anvil from said support groove on application of a predetermined rotating force by said running tool rotating means on said anvil. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of sealably and releasably locking a rotary lock mandrel in a compatible rotary landing nipple with a rotary running tool comprising the steps of: (a) installing said rotary landing nipple in a well conduit, (b) lowering said conduit to the desired level in a well; (c) releasably connecting said rotary lock mandrel to said rotary running tool on the surface, said running tool having a shear pin holding said running tool connected to said lock mandrel; (d) lowering said connected rotary running tool and said rotary lock mandrel into said well conduit to engage said rotary landing nipple; (e) further lowering of said lock mandrel into said landing nipple orienting said lock mandrel for sealing and locking rotation in said landing nipple; (f) applying predetermined downward impact forces to said running tool to rotate said lock mandrel into sealing and locked engagement with said landing nipple and to shear said running tool pin, releasing said running tool from said lock mandrel; and (g) retrieving said running tool back to surface. One form of locking system according to the invention includes a landing nipple connectible in a well conduit. The landing nipple has an internal metal seat and helically profiled segments with upper orienting surfaces. A well flow control device is connected to a rotary lock mandrel, which is connected to a rotary running tool to be lowered into the well conduit and landing nipple. The rotary lock mandrel has a metal sealing surface and helically profiled segments with lower orienting surfaces. As the lock mandrel moves downwardly in the landing nipple, the lock mandrel orienting surfaces engage the landing nipple orienting surfaces, orienting the lock mandrel segments to be moved downwardly between the landing nipple segments until the lock mandrel metal sealing surface engages the landing nipple metal seat. Repeated downward impact on the running tool operates the running tool to rotate the rotary lock mandrel and segments into locking engagement with the landing nipple segments, sealingly engaging the lock mandrel metal seal surface with the landing nipple metal seat and disconnecting the running tool from the lock mandrel. The lock mandrel may be unlocked for retrieval from the landing nipple by engaging and moving a releasably positioned support holding the lock mandrel segments in an expanded position to a position permitting the segments to be moved to a retracted position. In order that the invention may be more fully understood, various embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a sectioned drawing in elevation showing a landing nipple that can be used in the system of this invention. Fig. 2 is a cross sectional drawing along cutting plane line 2-2 of Fig. 1, showing the arrangement of segments in a landing nipple according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 3 is a sectioned drawing in elevation showing an embodiment of rotary lock mandrel utilized in a system of the invention. Fig. 4 is a drawing in cross-section of the lock mandrel, along line 4-4 of Fig. 3, through the lock mandrel segments and support. Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the lock mandrel, along line 5-5 of Fig. 3, through the swivel connection in the lock mandrel. Fig. 6 is an almost completely sectioned drawing in elevation of a rotary running tool useful in the system of the invention. Fig. 7 is an elevational view from line 7-7 of a portion of the rotary running tool of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a drawing of a cross-section along line 8-8 of Fig. 6 showing the pin which limits rotation of the anvil in the running tool connector. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional drawing taken along line 9-9 of Fig. 6 showing the rotational connection between the running tool anvil and connector. Fig. 10 is a view along line 10-10 of the lower end of the running tool of Fig. 6 with the anvil in lugs expanded position. Fig. 11 is also a view along line 10-10 of the lower end of the running tool of Fig. 6 showing the anvil rotated to lugs retractable position. Fig. 12 is a partially sectioned drawing in elevation showing the rotary lock mandrel sealingly engaged and locked in the landing nipple of the present invention. Fig. 1 shows a landing nipple 10 having an upper body 11 and a lower body 12 which are connected together with a sealing thread 13. The upper and lower bodies have means 11a and 12a for connection into a well flow conduit. A number of helically profiled segments 14 are positioned as shown 120° apart in lower body 12 (see also Fig. 2). A thread profile is shown on each segment, but any helical profile could be used. Each segment is 60° wide and has camming surfaces 14a, a groove 14b, which has a lower side 14c and a helically profiled section 14d, which has a bore 14e. The lower groove sides 14c are in the same horizontal plane. On each segment, the same helix and same profile is cut starting from the point of intersection 14f (for a right hand helix) of the lower groove side 14c and the bore 14d at the edge of each segment. An insert 14g having a sealing surface 14h is connected in the lower end of lower body 12 by welding or brazing. Figure 3 shows a rotary lock mandrel 15 having a longitudinal flow passage 15a and a half clutch driven member 16 on its upper end. The driven member is connected in segment mandrel 17, which has a number of window like openings 18. Mounted on each opening is a radially moveable circular segment 19 having an orientor 20 with camming surfaces 20a and a helically profiled section 21. The upper ends of circular segments 19 are in the same horizontal plane and the same helix and same profile is cut on each profiled section 21 so as to rotatively engage the segments 14 of landing nipple 12 when the upper ends of serpents 19 are positioned in the same horizontal plane with the lower side 14c of grooves 14b in landing nipple segments 14. Slidably mounted in mandrel 17 is a support 22 which is releasably positioned in the mandrel by shearable member 23 while holding segments 19 in the expanded position -- see also Fig. 4. The support has external recesses 22a and 22b and an internal groove 22c. A groove 17a around lower mandrel 17 houses a split ring 24 which swivelably connects a body connector 25 on the key mandrel -- see also Fig. 5. Captured between a shoulder on the mandrel and the upper end of the body connector is a belleville spring washer W which is useful to transmit downward force from the key mandrel to connector 25 and into body 26 connected to 25. Body 26 has metal sealing surface 26a and a connection 26b for attachment of a well flow control. The rotary running tool 27 of Fig. 6 has a through flow passage 27a and connector 28 connected to a housing 29. The connector has a connection 28a for connecting tool 27 to a well servicing tool string and a fishing flange 28b. Slidably mounted in the housing is an anvil 30 and a spring 31 biasing the anvil downwardly. As shown in Fig. 7, a helical slot 29a has been cut in the housing and a lug 32, with camming surfaces 32a and 32b, has been slidably mounted in the slot and connected to the anvil. Mounted around and cooperable with the lower anvil is a rotary connector assembly 33, useful to connect running tool 27 to rotary lock mandrel 15. The lower anvil has been provided with at least one groove around 30a, which is semi-circular in cross-section and a number of support surfaces 30b also shown in Figs. 10 and 11. A slot 30c (see Fig. 8) is provided around the anvil and grooves 30d are provided between support surfaces 30b (Figs. 10 and 11) into which lugs 34f may be retracted. Connector assembly 33 includes a collet 34 having a hole 34a, at least one internal groove 34b, which is semi-circular in cross-section, a lower hole 34c, a half clutch driving member 34d with a number of slots and a number of fingers 34e, each finger having a lug 34f, which is engageable with an anvil support surface 30b. To position the collet for limited rotation around and connect it on the anvil, a number of balls 35 have been introduced through collet hole 34c into grooves 30a and 34b --see also Fig. 9. A pin 36 has been installed in hole 34a and extends into anvil slot 30c. Slot 30c limits rotation of the pin and collet to 60° around the anvil between lugs expanded position where lugs 34f engage support surfaces 30b and lugs retractable position where surfaces 30b are between lugs 34f. Pin 36 and a plug 37 in hole 34c are retained by a cover 38 connected on the collet. A shearable member 39 threaded through the collet into a hole in the anvil, releasably positions anvil support surfaces 30b under lugs 34f, holding the lugs in expanded position. To utilize the rotary lock system of this invention, a flow control device to be installed in landing nipple 10 in a well flow conduit is connected on rotary lock mandrel 15. Rotary running tool 27 is connected on a string of well serving tools which include a jar and in the look mandrel support groove 22c by removing shearable member 39, turning collet 34 on anvil 30 to position support surfaces 30b between lugs 34f and inserting the running tool collet into passage 15a in rotary lock mandrel 15. After running tool driving member 34d engages driven member 16 and collet lugs 34f expand into support groove 22c, connector assembly 33 is rotated on anvil 30 positioning surfaces 30b under lugs 34f to hold the lugs expanded in the support groove connecting the rotary running tool to the rotary lock mandrel. Member 39 is reinserted. The running tool and lock mandrel are now lowered into the well conduit and on entry into the landing nipple, lock mandrel orientor camming surfaces 20a engage landing nipple segment camming surfaces 14a and turn the lock mandrel so the lock mandrel segments 19 can be moved down between landing nipple segments 14 until metal seal surface 26a on lock mandrel body 26 engages landing nipple metal sealing surface 14h. Unflexed washer W positions segments 19 to be rotated into engagement with segments 14. Now application of downward jar impact on rotary running tool 27 moves housing 29 downwardly on anvil 30, compressing spring 31, engaging helical slot 29a with lug camming surface 32a and applying torque to the anvil. Repeated application of downward impact on the running tool rotates the lock mandrel segments 19 into engagement with landing nipple segments 14 through running tool driving member 34d and lock mandrel driven member 16. As segments 19 are rotated into segments 14, downward force acting on the segment mandrel 17 is transmitted through flexed washer W, connector 25 and into body 26 to sealingly engage metal sealing surface 26a with landing nipple sealing surface 14h on insert 14g. When the lock mandrel is rotated to engage the landing nipple, metal sealing surface 26a does not rotate on sealing surface 14h as body 26 may rotate on segment mandrel 17. Lock mandrel 15 is now locked in sealing engagement in landing nipple 10 with support 22 positioning segments 19 in expanded position. Continued downward impact on the running tool will eventually shear member 39 and rotate the anvil 60° positioning anvil grooves 30d under lugs 34f as shown in Fig. 11. Raising running tool 27 will retract lugs 34f into grooves 30d and from support groove 22c, permitting the running tool to be retrieved from the well conduit back to surface. Two-way flow may now occur through the flow control and mandrel flow passage 15a (see Fig. 12). When it is desirable to retrieve the flow control and lock mandrel 15 from landing nipple 10, a conventional pulling tool is connected to well servicing tools including a jar, lowered into the well conduit and the pulling tool is operated to connect into groove 22c in the lock mandrel support. Upward impact forces delivered to the pulling tool by the jar will shear lock mandrel shearable member 23 and move support 22 upwardly until the mandrel segments 19 are cammed into support recesses 22a and 22b and into retracted position. The lock mandrel and flow control may now be retrieved from the landing nipple and flow conduit.

Claims: A locking system which comprises: (a) a landing nipple (10) having connecting means (11a,12a) for connecting the nipple in a conduit, first locking means (14) and a metal seat (14h); (b) lock mandrel means (15) having a metal sealing surface (26a) and second locking means (21); and (c) running tool means (27) having a connector assembly (33); wherein (d) the lock mandrel means (15) metal sealing surface (26a) is sealingly engageable with the metal seat (14h) in the landing nipple; characterised in that (e) the connector assembly (33) of the running tool means (27) is engageable with the lock mandrel means (15) and rotatable to rotate the lock mandrel means to bring the second locking means into engagement with the first locking means of the landing nipple, and to bring the metal seat (14h) into seal with the sealing surface (26a); and (f) said connecting assembly (33) is releasable from engagement with said lock mandrel means on application of a rotating force by said running tool means on said lock mandrel means. A locking system according to claim 1, wherein first locking means (14) of the landing nipple (10) includes segments above said metal seat (14h), each said segment having upper orienting camming surfaces (14a) and a helical profile (14d). A locking system according to claim 2, wherein the second locking means (21) of lock mandrel means (15) includes helically profiled segments (19), said profiled segments being rotatable into releasable locking engagement with the landing nipple profiled segments (14) to lock said locking mandrel means in said landing nipple (10). A locking system according to claim 3, wherein the lock mandrel profiled segments (19) have orienting camming surfaces (20a) thereon engageable and cooperable with the landing nipple segment camming surfaces (14a) to orient the lock mandrel means for rotation into locking and sealing engagement with said landing nipple. A locking system according to claim 4, wherein the lock mandrel means includes a lower body (26) swivelably connected to the upper mandrel (17) with force transmitting means (W) therebetween and each locking mandrel segment (19) and landing nipple segment (14) have mating helical profiles so that rotation of said locking mandrel means into locking engagement with the landing nipple transmits a downward force from said upper mandrel through said force transmitting means into said lower body to sealingly engage the locking mandrel means metal sealing surface (26a) with the landing nipple metal seat (14h). A running tool for use in a locking system, which tool comprises: (a) a housing tool (29) having connecting means (28a) on the upper end thereof; and (b) an anvil (30) slidably mounted in said housing (29) and extending from the other end of said housing; and (c) means (29a,32) in said housing to rotate said anvil relative to said housing; characterised in that said anvil includes means (34) to releasably engage lock mandrel in a locking system according to claim 1, to rotate the lock mandrel means with the anvil. A locking system comprising: (a) a landing nipple (10) connected in a conduit and having a seating surface (14h); (b) lock mandrel means (15) having a sealing surface (26a); and (c) a running tool (27) connectible to said lock mandrel means; characterised in that the locking system is a rotary locking system; the lock mandrel means (15) sealingly engages and releasably locks said landing nipple (10) with sealing surface (26a) sealingly engaging metal seat (14h); the landing nipple (10) has profiled segments (14); the lock mandrel means has radially moveable profiled segments (19) mounted in openings (18) in the mandrel, wherein said landing nipple profiled segments (14) and lock mandrel means segments (19) engage and releasably lock the lock mandrel means (15) in the landing nipple (10), and a support (22) having an internal groove (22c) is mounted for longitudinal movement in the lock mandrel means and holds said lock mandrel segments (19) releasably locked in engagement with said landing nipple segments; the running tool (27) has an anvil (30) mounted in a housing, means (29,32) are provided in said housing for rotating said anvil, and means (34) are provided on said anvil for connecting said anvil into said lock mandrel support groove (22c) and automatically releasing said anvil from said support groove (22c) on application of a predetermined rotating force by said running tool rotating means on said anvil. A locking system according to claim 7, wherein the lock mandrel segments (19) and landing nipple segments (14) have oriented camming surfaces (20a,14a) thereon, said camming surfaces being engageable to orient said lock mandrel rotatively to seal and lock it in the landing nipple. A method of sealably and releasably locking a rotary lock mandrel in a compatible rotary landing nipple with a rotary running tool comprising the steps of: (a) installing said rotary landing nipple in a well conduit, (b) lowering said conduit to the desired level in a well; (c) releasably connecting said rotary lock mandrel to said rotary running tool on the surface, said running tool having a shear pin holding said running tool connected to said lock mandrel; (d) lowering said connected rotary running tool and said rotary lock mandrel into said well conduit to engage said rotary landing nipple; (e) further lowering of said lock mandrel into said landing nipple orienting said lock mandrel for sealing and locking rotation in said landing nipple; (f) applying predetermined downward impact forces to said running tool to rotate said lock mandrel into sealing and locked engagement with said landing nipple and to shear said running tool pin, releasing said running tool from said lock mandrel; and (g) retrieving said running tool back to surface.

Inventors: DOLLISON WILLIAM W, DOLLISON, WILLIAM W.
Applicants: HALLIBURTON CO, HALLIBURTON COMPANY
Application year: 1991
Main classification: E21B23
IPC codes: E21B23, E21B33