Patent Publication Number: US-11639636-B2

Title: Downhole torque limiter

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     A common problem encountered in drilling and servicing hydrocarbon wells is found when using an assembly of pipe sections which steps down in diameter to extend into a relatively smaller diameter borehole below the larger main casing section. For example, in a “drillstring,” or sets of tubing called a tubing string, a reduced diameter drillpipe and their threaded connections have lower torque specifications than a larger diameter drillpipe it may be connected to. It may therefore be desirable to limit the magnitude of the torque transferred to the reduced diameter section of drillpipe to prevent damage to the smaller pipe. As used herein, the term “torque” is used to refer to the turning force applied to an object measured in force-distance units. 
     Traditional downhole torque limiting systems employ shear pins or other elements, which are designed to fail when a specified torque is exceeded, allowing the pipe sections to rotate with respect to each other. To reset these devices, the tubing string must be removed from the well and the fractured pin replaced, which is undesirable and expensive. Alternatively, a weight may be inserted into the wellbore to reset the pipe sections, which is undesirable for other reasons. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
       Reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a schematic partial cross-sectional view of an example well system for hydrocarbon reservoir production according to one or more embodiments disclosed herein; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates one embodiment of a downhole torque limiter designed and manufactured according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  3    is a section view of a downhole torque limiter designed and manufactured according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  4 A  is a section view of a center portion of the torque limiter shown in  FIG.  3   , shown in an engaged state; 
         FIG.  4 B  is a section view of the center portion of the torque limiter shown in  FIG.  3   , shown in a disengaged state; 
         FIG.  4 C  is an external view of the center portion of the torque limiter shown in  FIG.  3   ; 
         FIG.  5    is a section view of an upper driver end of the torque limiter shown in  FIG.  3   ; and 
         FIG.  6    is a section view of a lower driven end of the torque limiter shown in  FIG.  3   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the drawings and descriptions that follow, like parts are typically marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same reference numerals, respectively. The drawn figures are not necessarily to scale. Certain features of the disclosure may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form and some details of certain elements may not be shown in the interest of clarity and conciseness. The present disclosure may be implemented in embodiments of different forms. 
     Specific embodiments are described in detail and are shown in the drawings, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the disclosure, and is not intended to limit the disclosure to that illustrated and described herein. It is to be fully recognized that the different teachings of the embodiments discussed herein may be employed separately or in any suitable combination to produce desired results. 
     Unless otherwise specified, use of the terms “connect,” “engage,” “couple,” “attach,” or any other like term describing an interaction between elements is not meant to limit the interaction to a direct interaction between the elements and may also include an indirect interaction between the elements described. Unless otherwise specified, use of the terms “up,” “upper,” “upward,” “uphole,” “upstream,” or other like terms shall be construed as generally away from the bottom, terminal end of a well; likewise, use of the terms “down,” “lower,” “downward,” “downhole,” or other like terms shall be construed as generally toward the bottom, terminal end of the well, regardless of the wellbore orientation. Use of any one or more of the foregoing terms shall not be construed as denoting positions along a perfectly vertical axis. In some instances, a part near the end of the well can be horizontal or even slightly directed upwards. Unless otherwise specified, use of the term “subterranean formation” shall be construed as encompassing both areas below exposed earth and areas below earth covered by water such as ocean or fresh water. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  1   , illustrated is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of an example well system  100  for hydrocarbon reservoir production, according to certain example embodiments. The well system  100 , in one or more embodiments, generally includes a substantially cylindrical wellbore  110  extending from a wellhead  120  at the surface  130  downward into the Earth and into one or more subterranean zones of interest (one subterranean zone of interest  140  shown). The subterranean zone  140  can correspond to a single formation, a portion of a formation, or more than one formation accessed by the well system  100 , and a given well system  100  can access one, or more than one, subterranean zone  140 . After some or all of the wellbore  110  is drilled, a portion of the wellbore  110  extending from the wellhead  120  to the subterranean zone  140  may be lined with lengths of tubing, called casing  150 . The depicted well system  100  is a vertical well, with the wellbore  110  extending substantially vertically from the surface  130  to the subterranean zone  140 . The concepts herein, however, are applicable to many other different configurations of wells, including horizontal, slanted or otherwise deviated wells, and multilateral wells with legs deviating from an entry well. 
     A tubing string  160  is shown as having been lowered from the surface  130  into the wellbore  110 . In some instances, the tubing string  160  may be a drillstring having a series of jointed lengths of tubing coupled together end-to-end and/or a continuous (e.g., not jointed) coiled tubing. The tubing string  160  may include one or more well tools, including a bottom hole assembly  170 . The bottom hole assembly  170  can include, for example, a drill bit, a sand screen, a subsurface safety valve, a downhole sensor, an inflow control valve, a multilateral junction, a deflection wedge, or another type of production component. In the example shown, the wellbore  110  is being drilled. The wellbore  110  can be drilled in stages, and the casing  150  may be installed between stages. In some instances, the tubing string  160  is a completion string, a service string, coiled tubing, or another oilfield tubular. In one instance, the tubing string  160  is used to place a direction wedge for use in the construction of a multilateral junction. 
     In certain embodiments, there is a desire and/or need for a downhole torque limiter  180  associated with the tubing string  160 . The downhole torque limiter  180 , in some embodiments, may include a tubular housing and a pipe (e.g., mandrel, tubular, drill string, pup joint or any other oilfield tubular) positioned within the tubular housing. One or more clutch mechanisms may be positioned between the pipe and the tubular housing. The one or more clutch mechanisms may be configured to move between an engaged state (e.g., a radially engaged state in one embodiment) to fix the tubular housing relative to the pipe and a disengaged state (e.g., radially disengaged state in one embodiment) to allow with the tubular housing to rotate relative to the pipe. A fluid control system may be coupled with an exterior (e.g., radial exterior in one embodiment) side of the one or more clutch mechanisms, the fluid control system configured to allow the one or more clutch mechanisms to move from the engaged state to the disengaged state based upon sensing movement of the pipe relative to the tubular housing. 
     In some examples, the downhole torque limiter  180  may be set at a specified torque magnitude and then connected between a driver and a driven member, such as the tubing string  160  and the downhole assembly  170 . The tubing string  160  may be placed in the wellbore  110  and rotated with the rotational force transmitted by the downhole torque limiter  180  until the specified torque is exceeded. When a pre-determined torque magnitude is reached, the tubing housing and pipe of the downhole torque limiter  180  will begin to rotate relative to one another, which will signal to the fluid control system to allow the one or more clutch mechanisms to move from the engaged state to the disengaged state. Accordingly, the one or more clutch mechanisms will disengage and slip to allow relative rotation between the tubing string  160  and the downhole assembly  170 . The one or more clutch mechanisms may remain in the disengaged state until the rotation is stopped or at least the rotation rate is reduced. Once the rotation decreases, the downhole torque limiter  180  may reset without removing the tubing string  160  from the wellbore  110 . When rotation recommences, the downhole torque limiter  180  may transmit rotational force up to the specified torque magnitude. 
     Turning to  FIG.  2   , illustrated is a downhole torque limiter  200  in its typical orientation connected in a tubing string located in the wellbore W. Tubing string section designated “U” is the upper section and the section designated “L” is the lower section. The term “tubing string” or “drill string” or “drill pipe” are used herein to refer to coil tubing, tubing, drill pipe or other tool deployment strings. While the example selected for explanation is tubing string, the torque limiter of the present invention can be used with tubing, casing, downhole tools, or any type of tubular members. 
     The downhole torque limiter  200  has an upper driver end  210  and a lower driven end  220 . Typically, upper driver end  210  and lower driven end  220  have threaded connections for making up the downhole torque limiter  200  within a tubing string, for example, a drill string. A central bore B (not shown in  FIG.  2   ) extends the length of the downhole torque limiter  200 , to permit fluids to be pumped through the tool and down the tubing string. 
     Upper driver end  210 , in one or more embodiments, is connected to upper section U by a threaded connection. In the illustrated example, the upper section U is connected to the surface rig and can be raised, lowered, and rotated thereby. Lower driven end  220  is connected to the reduced diameter lower section L. As is typical, a smaller diameter wellbore casing can be present, necessitating the use of the reduced diameter lower section L to access the smaller diameter wellbore casing. In the illustrated embodiment, the downhole torque limiter  200  connects upper U and lower L sections together and transmits rotational movement and torque to lower section L. 
     As will be explained in detail, the downhole torque limiter  200  can be set up to allow the upper driver end  210  and the lower driven end  220  to slip with respect to each other when the magnitude of the torque applied to downhole torque limiter  200  exceeds the preset limit. Thus, when the torque applied by an uphole rig while rotating upper section U exceeds a specified limit, the downhole torque limiter  200  will allow the upper driver end  210  and the lower driven end  220  to slip. According to a particular feature of the present invention, when rotation of the upper driver end  210  ceases or is reduced, the downhole torque limiter  200  will reset to condition where the ends no longer slip with respect to each other, and rotational movement and torque will be transferred to lower section L. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  3   , there is shown a section view of a downhole torque limiter  300  designed and manufactured according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure. The downhole torque limiter  300  includes a tubular housing  305  having an upper driver end  310 , shown in more detail in  FIG.  5   ; and a lower driven end  320 , shown in more detail in  FIG.  6   , and a center portion  330 , shown in more detail in  FIGS.  4 A through  4 C . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  4 A , there is shown the center portion  330  of one embodiment of the downhole torque limiter  300 . The downhole torque limiter  300 , in this embodiment, may include a pipe  410  positioned within the tubular housing  305 . One or more clutch mechanisms, which in some embodiments may be piston assemblies  420 , may be positioned between the pipe  410  and the tubular housing  305 . The piston assemblies  420  may be configured to move between an engaged state, as shown in  FIG.  4 A , and a disengaged state, as shown in  FIG.  4 B . When the piston assemblies  420  are in an engaged state, the tubular housing  305  may be fixed relative to the pipe  410 . When the piston assemblies  420  are in a disengaged state, the tubular housing  305  may rotate relative to the pipe  410 . 
     The downhole torque limiter  300  may include a fluid control system  430  fluidly coupled with an exterior E (e.g., radial exterior in one embodiment) of the piston assemblies  420 , which may include one or more fluid chambers  435 . The fluid control system  430  may be configured to allow the piston assemblies  420  to move from the engaged state to the disengaged state based upon sensing movement of the pipe  410  relative to the tubular housing  305 . In the illustrated embodiment, the fluid control system  430  may include electronics  480  configured to sense movement of the pipe  410  relative to the tubular housing  305  and send a signal to the fluid control system  430  to regulate the fluid pressure in the exterior E, and thus allow or disallow relative movement. 
     In some embodiments, the piston assemblies  420  may be hydraulic pistons and fluid pressure in the exterior E may maintain the piston assemblies  420  in an engaged state with the pipe  410 . In the illustrated embodiment, the piston assemblies  420  may further include a spring  425 , which itself may resist a certain amount of torque between the tubular housing  305  and the pipe  410 , such that the piston assemblies  420  remain engaged with the pipe  410 . 
     The fluid control system  430  may include a hydraulic pump  440  in fluid connection with the exterior E, wherein the hydraulic pump  440  may be configured to control fluid pressure in the exterior E. In certain embodiments, the hydraulic pump  440  may further include a motor  445  and associated gearbox  450 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  4 A , the hydraulic pump  440  may control fluid pressure in the exterior E. As a pre-set torque value is reached, the hydraulic pump  440  may reduce fluid pressure in the exterior E such that the piston assemblies  420  may move at least partially from the fully engaged state shown in  FIG.  4 A . In at least one embodiment, the pre-set torque value is between 100 ft-lbs. and 100,000 ft-lbs. In yet another embodiment, the pre-set torque value is between 500 ft-lbs. and 5000 ft-lbs. When the piston assemblies  420  are in a fully engaged state, the piston assemblies  420  may fully engage the pipe  410 . However, under certain conditions, the piston assemblies  420  may remain partially engaged such that the piston assemblies  420  may still engage protrusions  415  positioned about the pipe  410  and as such, the tubular housing  305  may, in some embodiments, be able to partially rotate with the pipe  410 . The torque limit can be adjusted, in one or more embodiments, by adjusting the amount of fluid that is pumped by the hydraulic pump  440 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  4 B , at another operational condition, the lower tool is engaged, and further rotation would exceed the torque limit. In this operational condition, the hydraulic pump  440  may suction the fluid from the exterior E such that the piston assemblies  420  are moved to a substantially disengaged state from the pipe  410 . As described herein, when the piston assemblies  420  are in the substantially disengaged state, the piston assemblies  420  may rotate freely with respect to the protrusions  415  and the pipe  410 , and thus there is no contact between the piston assemblies  420  and the protrusions  415 . 
     Referring back to  FIG.  4 A , in some embodiments, the downhole torque limiter  300  may include a pressure relief valve  460 . The pressure relief valve  460 , in some embodiments, may be configured to allow fluid from the exterior E of the piston assemblies  420  to move to an interior I (e.g., radial interior in one embodiment) of the of the piston assemblies  420  upon failure of the fluid control system  430  and sensing a high-pressure situation. In at least one embodiment, a high-pressure situation is a pressure situation that is at least 100 psi greater than the hydrostatic downhole pressure. In at least one other embodiment, a high-pressure situation is a pressure situation that is at least 1,000 psi greater than the hydrostatic downhole pressure. In yet another embodiment, the high-pressure situation is a pressure situation ranging from about 100 psi to about 10,000 psi greater than the hydrostatic downhole pressure. The fluid may, in some embodiments, move within the fluid chambers  435  in an uphole direction from the piston assemblies  420  and through the pressure relief valve  460 . In other embodiments, the downhole torque limiter  300  may further include a one-way check valve  470  configured to allow fluid to move from the disengaged interior I of the piston assemblies  420  to the exterior E of the piston assemblies  420  when the high-pressure situation has been relieved. Thus, the piston assemblies  420  may then move back at least partially into the engaged state with the pipe  410 . 
     Turning now to  FIG.  4 C , in some embodiments, upon sensing a certain amount of movement and, in some examples, vibration of the pipe, the electronics  480  may send a signal to the hydraulic pump  440 , whereafter the hydraulic pump  440  may adjust the fluid pressure in the exterior E according to the amount of movement. In some embodiments, the electronics  480  may include a sensor  485  which is configured to sense the movement and/or vibration of the pipe  410 . The sensor  485 , in at least one embodiment, is an acoustic sensor or a magnetic sensor. In at least one embodiment, the acoustic sensor could be a piezoelectric sensor, an accelerometer, a microphone, a ferroelectric sensor, a strain gauge, a pressure sensor, among others. The electronics  480  may also include a controller and a power supply, which in some embodiments may be a circuit board assembly  490  and one or more batteries  495 . The circuit board assembly  490  may connect with the hydraulic pump  440 , motor  445 , and the gearbox  450 . 
     Turning now to  FIG.  5   , there is shown the upper driver end  310  of the housing  305 . In some embodiments, the upper driver end  310  may, be fixed with respect to the pipe  410 . In the illustrated embodiment, the upper driver end  310  may include various components which may work in conjunction with the hydraulic pump system  430  and support rotation of the housing  305 . For example, the upper driver end may include a balance piston  520 , pre-load springs  530 , and bearings  540 , which may include both radial and thrust bearings. The upper driver end  310  may also include a rotary seal  550 , which may provide a seal about an upper end of the pipe  410 . 
     Turning now to  FIG.  6   , there is shown the lower driven end  320  of the housing  305 . The lower driven end  320 , in this embodiment may engage and disengage with the pipe  410  for rotation therewith. In some embodiments, the lower driven end  320  may include additional features which may work in conjunction with the hydraulic pump system  430  and support rotation of the lower driven end  320 . The lower driven end  320  may include a radial bearing  630  positioned about the pipe  410  and a balance piston  640 . 
     Other embodiments of a downhole torque limiter may utilize other components in conjunction with or in place of certain components disclosed herein. For example, other embodiments of a downhole torque limiter may utilize a solenoid valve and pump. In other embodiments, a downhole torque limiter may utilize a generator to supply power to embodiments of the electronics  480 , wherein the generator may be driven by relative rotation of the pipe and housing. In yet other embodiments, the downhole torque limiter may use relative rotation within the downhole torque limiter to drive a mechanical pump for controlling fluid exterior to the one or more clutch mechanisms. 
     Aspects disclosed herein include: 
     A. A downhole torque limiter, the downhole torque limiter including: 1) a tubular housing; 2) a pipe positioned within the tubular housing; 3) one or more clutch mechanisms positioned between the pipe and the tubular housing, the one or more clutch mechanisms configured to move between a engaged state to fix the tubular housing relative to the pipe and a disengaged state to allow with the tubular housing to rotate relative to the pipe; and 4) a fluid control system coupled with an exterior of the one or more clutch mechanisms, the fluid control system configured to allow the one or more clutch mechanisms to move from the engaged state to the disengaged state based upon sensing movement of the pipe relative to the tubular housing. 
     B. A well system, the well system including: 1) a wellbore; 2) a tubing string positioned within the wellbore; 3) a torque limiter coupled with the tubing string, the torque limiter including: a) a tubular housing; b) a pipe positioned within the tubular housing; c) one or more clutch mechanisms positioned between the pipe and the tubular housing, the one or more clutch mechanisms configured to move between a engaged state to fix the tubular housing relative to the pipe and a disengaged state to allow with the tubular housing to rotate relative to the pipe; and d) a fluid control system coupled with an exterior of the one or more clutch mechanisms, the fluid control system configured to allow the one or more clutch mechanisms to move from the engaged state to the disengaged state based upon sensing movement of the pipe relative to the tubular housing. 
     C. A method for limiting torque in a well system, the method including: 1) running a downhole torque limiter into a wellbore, the downhole torque limiter coupled with at least a tubing string and including: a) a tubular housing; b) a pipe positioned within the tubular housing; c) one or more clutch mechanisms positioned between the pipe and the tubular housing, the one or more clutch mechanisms configured to move between a engaged state to fix the tubular housing relative to the pipe and a disengaged state to allow with the tubular housing to rotate relative to the pipe; and d) a fluid control system coupled with a exterior of the one or more clutch mechanisms, the fluid control system configured to allow the one or more clutch mechanisms to move between the engaged state to the disengaged state; e) wherein the fluid control system includes electronics configured to sense movement of the pipe relative to the tubular housing and send a signal to a hydraulic pump of the fluid control system; 2) sensing movement of the pipe relative to the tubular housing using the electronics; 3) sending a signal to the hydraulic pump to control fluid against a exterior of the one or more clutch mechanisms; and 4) controlling fluid against the exterior of the one or more clutch mechanisms to allow the one or more clutch mechanisms to move from the engaged state to the disengaged state. 
     Aspects A, B, and C may have one or more of the following additional elements in combination: Element 1: wherein each of the one or more clutch mechanisms includes a piston assembly. Element 2: wherein the piston assembly is held in the engaged state by fluid pressure against the exterior of the piston assembly. Element 3: wherein the piston assembly includes a spring, wherein the piston assembly is held in the engaged state by the spring. Element 4: wherein the fluid control system includes a hydraulic pump configured to control fluid pressure against the exterior of the one or more clutch mechanisms. Element 5: wherein the hydraulic pump reduces the fluid pressure against the exterior of the one or more clutch mechanisms to allow the one or more clutch mechanisms to move at least partially from the engaged state to the disengaged state. Element 6: wherein the hydraulic pump suctions the fluid from the exterior of the one or more clutch mechanisms to move the one or more clutch mechanisms to a substantially disengaged state. Element 7: further including a pressure relief valve configured to allow fluid from the exterior of the one or more clutch mechanisms to move to an interior of the of the one or more clutch mechanisms upon failure of the fluid control system and sensing a high-pressure situation. Element 8: further including a one-way check valve configured to allow fluid to move from the interior of the one or more clutch mechanisms to the exterior of one or more clutch mechanisms when the high-pressure situation has been relieved. Element 9: wherein the fluid control system includes electronics configured to sense movement of the pipe relative to the tubular housing and send a signal to a hydraulic pump of the fluid control system to allow the one or more clutch mechanisms to move from the engaged state to the disengaged state. Element 10: wherein the electronics includes an acoustic sensor configured to sense the movement of the pipe. Element 11: wherein the tubular housing includes an upper driver end and a lower driven end, wherein the upper driver end is fixed with respect to the pipe and the lower driven end engages and disengages with the pipe. Element 12: further including: a pressure relief valve configured to allow fluid from the exterior of the one or more clutch mechanisms to move to a disengaged interior of the of the one or more clutch mechanisms upon failure of the fluid control system and sensing a high-pressure situation; and a one-way check valve configured to allow fluid to move from the disengaged interior of the one or more clutch mechanisms to the exterior of one or more clutch mechanisms when the high-pressure situation has been relieved. Element 13: wherein the fluid control system includes electronics configured to sense movement of the pipe relative to the tubular housing and send a signal to a hydraulic pump of the fluid control system to allow the one or more clutch mechanisms to move from the engaged state to the disengaged state. Element 14: wherein the wherein the tubing string is a drillstring and wherein the tubular housing includes an upper driver end and a lower driven end, wherein the upper driver end is coupled with the drillstring and fixed with respect to the pipe and the lower driven end engages and disengages with the pipe. Element 15: further including a pressure relief valve configured to allow fluid from the exterior of the one or more clutch mechanisms to move to a disengaged interior of the of the one or more clutch mechanisms upon failure of the fluid control system and sensing a high-pressure situation. Element 16: further including a one-way check valve configured to allow fluid to move from the disengaged interior of the one or more clutch mechanisms to the exterior of one or more clutch mechanisms when the high-pressure situation has been relieved. 
     Those skilled in the art to which this application relates will appreciate that other and further additions, deletions, substitutions, and modifications may be made to the described embodiments.