FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a pressure activated contingency release
system and method.
5 BACKGROUND TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Wellbores are sometimes drilled into subterranean formations that
contain hydrocarbons to allow for recovery of the hydrocarbons. Once the wellbore
has been drilled, various completion operations may be performed to configure the
well for producing the hydrocarbons. Various tools may be used during the
10 completion operations to convey the completions assemblies and/or components into
the wellbore, perform the completion operations, and then disengage from the
assemblies and/or components before retrieving the tools to the surface of the
wellbore. Various mechanisms may be used to disengage the tool from the
completion assemblies. However in some instances, the disengagement mechanism
15 may not operate as intended, which may require that the completion assembly be
removed from the wellbore with the tool or the tool be left in the wellbore with the
completion assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
20 In an embodiment, a release mechanism for use with a downhole
component in a wellbore environment comprises a shifting sleeve disposed about a
mandrel, where the shifting sleeve is torsionally locked with respect to the mandrel,
a collet prop disposed about the mandrel and engaged with the shifting sleeve, where
the engagement between the collet prop and the shifting sleeve is configured to
25 torsionally lock the collet prop with respect to the shifting sleeve, and a collet
engaged with the collet prop, wherein the collet couples the mandrel to the
downhole component.
In an embodiment, a release mechanism comprises a shifting sleeve
disposed about a mandrel, where the shifting sleeve and the mandrel are configured
30 to substantially prevent rotational movement of the shifting sleeve about the
mandrel, and where the shifting sleeve is configured to shift between a first position
and a second position with respect to the mandrel. The release mechanism also
comprises a collet prop disposed about the mandrel, where the collet prop is retained
in engagement with a collet and the shifting sleeve when the shifting sleeve is in the
first position, and where the collet prop is configured to longitudinally translate in
5 response to a rotational force when the shifting sleeve is disposed in the second
position.
In an embodiment, a method comprises longitudinally translating a
shifting sleeve out of engagement with a collet prop, wherein the shifting sleeve is
disposed about a mandrel; applying a rotational force to the collet prop or the
10 mandrel when the collet prop is out of engagement with the shifting sleeve;
longitudinally translating the collet prop based on the rotational force; and
disengaging the collet prop from a collet based on the longitudinal translation of the
collet prop.
These and other features will be more clearly understood from the
15 following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings
and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and the
advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following brief description, taken in
20 connection with the accompanying drawings and detailed description:
Figure 1 is a cut-away view of an embodiment of a wellbore servicing
system according to an embodiment;
Figure 2 is a cross-section view of an embodiment of a release mechanism.
Figure 3 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a release mechanism.
25 Figure 4 is another cross-section view of an embodiment of a release
mechanism.
Figure 5 is still another cross-section view of an embodiment of a release
mechanism.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION w.r.t. DRAWINGS
30 In the drawings and description that follow, like parts are typically marked
throughout the specification and drawings with the same reference numerals.
respectively. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale. Certain features of
the invention may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form
and some details of conventional elements may not be shown in the interest of
clarity and conciseness.
5 Unless otherwise specified, any use of any form of the terms "connect,"
"engage," "couple," "attach," or any other term describing an interaction between
elements is not meant to limit the interaction to direct interaction between the
elements and may also include indirect interaction between the elements described.
In the following discussion and in the claims, the terms "including" and
10 "comprising" are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to
mean "including, but not limited to ...". Reference to up or down will be made for
purposes of description with "up," "upper," "upward," or "upstream" meaning
toward the surface of the wellbore and with "down," "lower," "downward," or
"downstream" meaning toward the terminal end of the well, regardless of the
15 wellbore orientation. Reference to in or out will be made for purposes of description
with "in," "inner," or "inward" meaning toward the center or central axis of the
wellbore, and with "out," "outer," or "outward" meaning toward the wellbore
tubular and/or wall of the wellbore. Reference to "longitudinal," "longitudinally,"
or "axially" means a direction substantially aligned with the main axis of the
20 wellbore and/or wellbore tubular. Reference to "radial" or "radially" means a
direction substantially aligned with a line between the main axis of the wellbore
and/or wellbore tubular and the wellbore wall that is substantially normal to the
main axis of the wellbore and/or wellbore tubular, though the radial direction does
not have to pass through the central axis of the wellbore and/or wellbore tubular.
25 The various characteristics mentioned above, as well as other features and
characteristics described in more detail below, will be readily apparent to those
skilled in the art with the aid of this disclosure upon reading the following detailed
description of the embodiments, and by referring to the accompanying drawings.
Several tools used in a servicing operation may comprise a collet
30 configured to engage one or more other components. For example, a completion tool
and/or a retrieval tool may comprise a collet having one or more lugs configured to
engage a corresponding recess in a component for conveyance within the wellbore.
The component may be conveyed into the wellbore and/or conveyed out of the
wellbore for retrieval to the surface. A tool comprising a collet may comprise a
collet prop to engage and maintain the collet in an engaged position. When the
5 collet is ready to be released, the collet prop may be disengaged from the collet,
thereby allowing the collet to be released from the component. The collet prop may
be actuated through the use of a mechanical force supplied to the tool through a
wellbore tubular extending to the surface of the wellbore. In some instances, the
wellbore tubular and/or the tool may not be able to move, or move to the extent
10 needed, to disengage the collet prop from the collet. In these instances, a release
mechanism may be used to allow the collet prop to be disengaged from the collet,
thereby allowing the tool comprising the collet to be disengaged from the
component. Typically, the use of a release mechanism may involve additional steps
or a sequence of actions to disengage the collet prop from the collet. These steps
15 may be designed to reduce and/or eliminate the risk of unintentional, premature
activation of the release mechanism.
As disclosed herein, the release mechanism may be configured to allow
a collet prop to be disengaged from a collet through the use of a rotational force to
provide a longitudinal translation of the collet prop. In order to prevent the
20 premature actuation of the release mechanism, a torsional lock may engage the
collet prop, thereby preventing the rotational motion of the collet prop relative to the
mandrel about which it is disposed. In a normal operating scenario, the release
mechanism may operate based on a variety of inputs. For example, a downward
force may be applied to the tool, which may be used to disengage the collet prop
25 from the collet. However, in some instances, it may not be possible to apply a
downward force to the tool. In an embodiment, the torsional lock within the release
mechanism may be activated using pressure to translate a shifting sleeve out of
engagement with the collet prop. A rotational force may then be applied to the
collet prop, which may be converted to a longitudinal translation through a force
30 conversion mechanism to shift the collet prop out of engagement with the collet.
The collet may then be disengaged from a downhole component with which it is
engaged to allow the tool to be removed from the wellbore while leaving the
downhole component in the wellbore. Thus, the mechanisms and methods described
herein may provide a simple and effective means of releasing a downhole
component from a tool. For example, the release mechanism may be used in the
5 event that the normal release mechanism does not or cannot operate.
Turning to Figure 1, an example of a wellbore operating environment is
shown. As depicted, the operating environment comprises a drilling rig 106 that is
positioned on the earth's surface 104 and extends over and around a wellbore 114
that penetrates a subterranean formation 102 for the purpose of recovering
10 hydrocarbons. The wellbore 114 may be drilled into the subterranean formation 102
using any suitable drilling technique. The wellbore 114 extends substantially
vertically away from the earth's surface 104 over a vertical wellbore portion 116,
deviates from vertical relative to the earth's surface 104 over a deviated wellbore
portion 136, and transitions to a horizontal wellbore portion 118. In alternative
15 operating environments, all or portions of a wellbore may be vertical, deviated at
any suitable angle, horizontal, and/or curved. The wellbore may be a new wellbore.
an existing wellbore, a straight wellbore, an extended reach wellbore, a sidetracked
wellbore, a multi-lateral wellbore, and other types of wellbores for drilling and
completing one or more production zones. Further the wellbore may be used for
20 both producing wells and injection wells. In an embodiment, the wellbore may be
used for purposes other than or in addition to hydrocarbon production, such as uses
related to geothermal energy and/or the production of water (e.g., potable water).
A wellbore tubular string 120 including a running tool that comprises a
release mechanism coupled to a downhole component may be lowered into the
25 subterranean formation 102 for a variety of drilling, completion, workover. and/or
treatment procedures throughout the life of the wellbore. The embodiment shown in
Figure 1 illustrates the wellbore tubular 120 in the form of a completion string being
lowered into the subterranean formation. It should be understood that the wellbore
tubular 120 is equally applicable to any type of wellbore tubular being inserted into
30 a wellbore, including as non-limiting examples drill pipe, production tubing, rod
strings, and coiled tubing. In an embodiment, the downhole component may
- 6 -
Include, but is not limited to, a liner hanger, a liner (e.g., an expandable liner), a
liner patch, a screen, or any combination thereof. In the embodiment shown in
Figure. 1, the wellbore tubular 120 comprising the running tool may be conveyed
into the subterranean formation 102 in a conventional manner and may subsequently
5 be released from the component using a standard release mechanism or the release
mechanism as described herein.
The drilling rig 106 comprises a derrick 108 with a rig floor 110
through which the wellbore tubular 120 extends downward from the drilling rig 106
into the wellbore 114. The drilling rig 106 comprises a motor driven winch and
10 other associated equipment for extending the wellbore tubular 120 into the wellbore
114 to position the wellbore tubular 120 at a selected depth. While the operating
environment depicted in Figure 1 refers to a stationary drilling rig 106 for lowering
and setting the wellbore tubular 120 comprising the running tool within a land-based
wellbore 114, in alternative embodiments, mobile workover rigs, wellbore servicing
15 units (such as coiled tubing units), and the like may be used to lower the wellbore
tubular 120 comprising the running tool into a wellbore. It should be understood
that a wellbore tubular 120 comprising the running tool may alternatively be used in
other operational environments, such as within an offshore wellbore operational
environment. In alternative operating environments, a vertical, deviated, or
20 horizontal wellbore portion may be cased and cemented and/or portions of the
wellbore may be uncased.
Regardless of the type of operational environment in which the running
tool comprising the release mechanism 200 is used, it will be appreciated that the
release mechanism 200 serves to allow the running tool to be disengaged from a
25 component, which in some embodiments may occur when a standard release
mechanism cannot be actuated. The release mechanism 200 may utilize a different
input than the standard release mechanism. As described in greater detail below
with respect to Figure 2, the release mechanism 200 generally comprises a shifting
sleeve 202 disposed about a mandrel 204, and a collet prop 206 disposed about the
30 mandrel 204. The coupling between the shifting sleeve 202 and the mandrel 204
may be configured to substantially prevent rotational movement of the shifting
sleeve 202 about the mandrel 204 while allowing for longitudinal translation of the
shifting sleeve 202 between a first position in which the shifting sleeve 202 is
engaged with the collet prop 206 and a second position in which the shifting sleeve
is not engaged with the collet prop 206. When the shifting sleeve 202 is in the first
5 position, the collet prop 206 may be retained in engagement with a collet 208. and
when the shifting sleeve 202 is in the second position, the collet prop 206 may be
able to longitudinally translate out of engagement with the collet 208, thereby
allowing the collet 208 to contract inwards and release from the downhole
component 210. As described in more detail below, the longitudinal translation of
10 the collet prop 206 may result from the application of a rotational force to the collet
prop 206 and/or the mandrel 204.
As shown in Figure 2, an embodiment of the release mechanism 200
comprises a mandrel 204 having a shifting sleeve 202 and a collet prop 206 disposed
thereabout. Mandrel 204 generally comprises a tubular member having a flowbore
15 212 extending between each end of the mandrel 204. The size of the flowbore 212
may be selected to allow fluid flow therethrough at a desired rate during normal
operation and/or to allow installation of the running tool and the downhole
component. The mandrel 204 may comprise a generally cylindrical member, though
other shapes are also possible. The ends of mandrel 204 may be configured to allow
20 for a connection to another component above and/or below the mandrel 204. For
example, the mandrel 204 may comprise an end with a threaded connection (e.g.. a
box or pin type connection) to allow for the mandrel 204 to be coupled to another
component such as a joint of wellbore tubular used to convey the running tool into
the wellbore. In some embodiments, an end of the mandrel 204 may comprise
25 and/or be coupled to a valve seat and/or other flow isolation component to allow for
flow through the flowbore 212 to be substantially isolated. In an embodiment, a
ball, dart, or other corresponding flow isolation device may be conveyed through the
flowbore 212 to engage the valve seat and form a seal, thereby substantially
blocking flow through the flowbore 212 and allowing the flowbore 212 to be
30 pressurized to a desired pressure.
In an embodiment, the release mechanism 200 comprises a shifting
sleeve 202 disposed about the mandrel 204. The shifting sleeve 202 may generally
be configured to shift or translate with respect to the mandrel 204 in response to the
application of a pressure to the shifting sleeve 202 and/or the flowbore 212 of the
5 mandrel 204, though in some embodiments, other inputs may be used to cause the
shifting sleeve 202 to translate. The shifting sleeve 202 generally comprise a tubular
member disposed about the mandrel 204, and the shifting sleeve 202 is generally
sized to be disposed about the mandrel 204 while allowing for longitudinal
movement with respect to the mandrel 204. The outer diameter of the mandrel 204
10 may vary along the length over which the shifting sleeve 202 can travel about the
mandrel 204. The outer diameter of a first section of the mandrel 204 above (e.g., to
the left in Figure 2) the shifting sleeve 202 may be greater than the outer diameter of
a second section of the mandrel 204 about which the shifting sleeve 202 can be
disposed, thereby forming a shoulder 216 at the transition between the first section
15 and the second section. A first end 220 of the shifting sleeve 202 may engage the
shoulder 216 and prevent further upwards movement of the shifting sleeve 202. One
or more additional shoulders, such as shoulder 218, may also be disposed along the
length of the mandrel 204 over which the shifting sleeve 202 is disposed and/or can
travel. One or more corresponding features disposed on the inner surface of the
20 shifting sleeve 202 may engage the one or more additional shoulders to limit the
extent of upward travel of the shifting sleeve with respect to the mandrel 204. The
mandrel 204 or another downhole component coupled to the mandrel 204 may
comprise one or more stops or shoulders (not shown in Figure 2) to limit the
downward travel of the shifting sleeve 202.
25 In an embodiment, a retaining mechanism 214 may be engaged with
the shifting sleeve 202 and the mandrel 204. The retaining mechanism 214 may be
configured to prevent the shifting sleeve 202 from shifting until a force exceeding a
threshold is applied to the retaining mechanism 214. As described in more detail
below, the shifting sleeve 202 may be substantially restrained from rotating about
30 the mandrel 204, and the retaining mechanism 214 may then be considered to
prevent the shifting sleeve 202 from longitudinally translating until a force
exceeding a threshold is applied to the retaining mechanism 214. Suitable retaining
mechanisms may include, but are not limited to, a shear pin, a shear ring, a shear
screw, or any combination thereof In an embodiment, one or more retaining
mechanisms 214 may be used to provide the desired threshold force that is needed to
5 initiate the translation of the shifting sleeve 202.
In an embodiment, the shifting sleeve 202 comprises a piston. One or
more fluid ports 222 may provide fluid communication between the flowbore 212
within the mandrel 204 and a chamber 224 defined between the inner surface of the
shifting sleeve 202 and the outer surface of the mandrel 204. A sealing engagement
10 between the mandrel 204 and the shifting sleeve 202 may be formed through the use
of sealing elements 226, 228 (e.g., 0-ring seals) disposed in one or more recesses
within the mandrel 204 and/or the shifting sleeve 202. The piston can be configured
to shift in response to an increased pressure within the chamber 224 relative to a
pressure acting on an external surface of the shifting sleeve 202. In an embodiment,
15 the shifting sleeve 202 may be configured to shift downward in response to an
increased pressure within the chamber 224. The shifting sleeve 202 may
longitudinally translate with respect to the mandrel 204 with a force sufficient to
shear or otherwise exceed the threshold associated with the retaining mechanism
214. One or more stops or shoulders (not shown in Figure 2) may limit the
20 longitudinal translation of the piston upon the application of a pressure to the
chamber 224. The translation of the shifting sleeve 202 may then occur between an
initial position in which the shifting sleeve 202 is engaged with the collet prop 206
and shoulder 216 and an actuated position in which the shifting sleeve 202 has
shifted out of engagement with the collet prop 206 a distance sufficient to allow the
25 collet prop 206 to disengage from the collet 208.
As noted above, the shifting sleeve 202 and the mandrel 204 may be
configured to substantially prevent rotational movement of the shifting sleeve 202
about the mandrel 204. The limitation and/or restraint on the rotational movement
of the shifting sleeve 202 relative to and about the mandrel 204 may be referred to as
30 a torsional lock. Various configurations may be used to limit the rotational
movement of the shifting sleeve 202 with respect to the mandrel 204. For example,
10
the mandrel 204 may comprise one or more splines configured to engage one or
more corresponding splines on the shifting sleeve 202, where the engagement of the
one or more splines on the mandrel 204 with the one or more splines on the shifting
sleeve 202 provide the torsional lock of the shifting sleeve 202 with respect to the
5 mandrel 204. Alternatively, a lug and groove configuration may be used with a lug
disposed on an inner surface of the shifting sleeve 202 or an outer surface of the
mandrel 204 and a corresponding groove disposed on the opposite surface to receive
the lug.
An embodiment illustrating the use of corresponding and interlocking
10 splines is shown in Figure 3. As illustrated, a first plurality of splines 302 may be
formed over a portion of an outer surface of the mandrel 204. Each spline 302 has a
length that extends longitudinally over a portion of the outer surface of the mandrel
204 and is substantially longitudinally aligned with the central axis of the mandrel
204. Thus, the splines 302 may also be referred to as longitudinal splines 302. Each
15 spline 302 also has a height 310 that extends substantially radially outward from the
outer surface of the mandrel 204. A recess 304 is formed between each pair of
adjacent splines 302. Longitudinally aligned splines 302 may be configured to
matingly engage and interlock with a set of longitudinal splines formed on an inner
surface of the shifting sleeve 202. A second plurality of splines (not shown in
20 Figure 3) may be formed over a portion of an inner surface of the shifting sleeve
202. Each spline has a length that extends longitudinally over a portion of the inner
surface of the shifting sleeve 202 and is substantially longitudinally aligned. Thus,
the splines may also be referred to as longitudinal splines 302. Each spline also has
a height that extends substantially radially inward from the inner surface of the
25 shifting sleeve 202. A recess is formed between each pair of adjacent splines. In
this embodiment, the shifting sleeve 202 and the mandrel 204 may be coupled
together by engaging and interlocking longitudinal splines 302 on the mandrel 204
with the corresponding longitudinal splines on the shifting sleeve 202 to form a
torsionally locked engagement. The torsionally locked engagement substantially
30 prevents relative rotational movement between the shifting sleeve 202 and the
mandrel 204.
In another embodiment, a lug and groove configuration may be used to
limit the rotational movement of the shifting sleeve 202 with respect to the mandrel
204. In this embodiment, one or more lugs may be formed on a portion of the outer
surface of the mandrel 204. The lug may generally comprise a protrusion extending
5 from the outer surface of the mandrel 204, and the lug may comprise a variety of
shapes including circular, square, rectangular, elliptical, oval, diamond like, etc.
The one or more lugs may have a height that extends substantially radially outward
from the outer surface of the mandrel 204. The lug may be configured to engage
and translate within a groove formed on an inner surface of the shifting sleeve 202.
10 One or more grooves, that may or may not correspond to the number of lugs, may be
formed over a portion of the inner surface of the shifting sleeve 202. Each groove
has a length that extends longitudinally over a portion of the inner surface of the
shifting sleeve 202 and is substantially longitudinally aligned. Thus, the one or
more grooves may be referred to as longitudinal grooves. Each groove has a depth
15 that extends substantially radially outward from the inner surface of the shifting
sleeve 202 and a width that extends along the inner circumference of the shifting
sleeve 202. The depth and width of the groove may be configured to receive the lug
within the groove. The lug may then be free to travel within the groove while being
substantially restrained from movement perpendicular to the length of the groove.
20 In this embodiment, the shifting sleeve 202 and the mandrel 204 may be coupled
together by engaging the lug on the mandrel 204 with a corresponding groove on the
shifting sleeve 202 to form a torsionally locked engagement. While the lug may
follow within the longitudinal groove, the interaction of the lug with the sides of the
longitudinal groove may substantially prevent relative rotational movement between
25 the shifting sleeve 202 and the mandrel 204, thereby forming a torsional lock
between the shifting sleeve 202 and the mandrel 204. While described with respect
to the lug being disposed on the mandrel 204 and the groove being disposed on the
shifting sleeve 202, the positioning of the lug and groove could be exchanged to
allow for an equivalent torsional lock between the shifting sleeve 202 and the
30 mandrel 204.
12
Returning to Figure 2, the collet prop 206 may be disposed about the
mandrel 204. The collet prop 206 generally comprises a tubular member that is
disposed about and engages the mandrel 204. The collet prop 206 is generally sized
to be disposed about the mandrel 204, and generally extends between a first end 230
5 that is configured to engage the shifting sleeve 202 and a second portion 232
configured to engage and maintain a collet 208 in engagement with a downhole
component 210. The second portion 232 may comprise an end of the collet prop
206, or the collet prop 206 may extend beyond the collet 208 as shown in Figure 2.
In an embodiment, the collet prop 206 may be retained in engagement with a collet
10 208 when the shifting-sleeve 202 is in the first position, and the collet prop 206 may
be able to longitudinally translate out of engagement with the collet 208 when the
shifting sleeve 202 is in the second position. A first end 230 of the collet prop 206
may be configured to engage the shifting sleeve 202, and as described in more detail
below, the engagement between the shifting sleeve 202 and the collet prop 206 may
15 form a torsional lock when the shifting sleeve is in the first position. A second
portion 232 of the collet prop 206 may engage the collet 208 and retain the collet
208 in engagement with the downhole component 210.
In general, a collet 208 comprises one or more springs 234 (e.g.. beam
springs) and/or spring means separated by slots. In an embodiment, the slots may
20 comprise longitudinal slots, angled slots, as measured with respect to the
longitudinal axis, helical slots, and/or spiral slots for allowing at least some radial
compression in response to a radially compressive force. A collet 208 may
generally be configured to allow for a limited amount of radial compression of the
springs 234 in response to a radially compressive force, and/or a limited amount of
25 radial expansion of the springs 234 in response to a radially expansive force. The
collet 208 also comprises a collet lug 236 disposed on the outer surface of the
springs 234. In an embodiment, the collet 208 used with the release mechanism as
shown in Figure 2 may be configured to allow for a limited amount of radial
compression of the springs 234 and collet lug 236 in response to a radially
30 compressive force. The radial compression may allow the springs 234 to pass by a
portion of the downhole component 210 having an inner surface with a reduced
13
diameter before allowing the collet lug to expand into a corresponding recess
disposed on an inner surface of the downhole component 210. The collet lug 236
and/or the inner surface of the downhole component 210 may comprise one or more
surfaces configured to engage and provide a radially compressive force to the
5 springs 234 when the collet lug 236 contacts the downhole component 210.
Once engaged with the downhole component 210, the collet 208 may
be free to radially compress unless supported by the collet prop 206. In the engaged
position, the collet prop 206 may generally engage and be disposed in radial
alignment with the springs 234 and/or the collet lug 236. The collet prop 206 may
10 generally be resistant to radially compressive forces, and when the collet prop 206 is
disposed in radial alignment with the springs 234 and/or the collet lug, the springs
234 may be prevented from radially compressing. When the collet lug 236 is
engaged in the corresponding recess in the downhole component 210 and engaged
with the collet prop 206, the collet 208 may fixedly couple the running tool to the
15 downhole component 210. When the collet prop 206 is disengaged from the collet
208, the springs 234 may be free to radially compress and move out of the recess in
the downhole component 210, thereby releasing the downhole component 210 from
the running tool. The collet prop 206 may be described as being disengaged from
the collet when the collet springs 234 and/or the collet lug 236 is able to radially
20 compress out of a fixed engagement with the recess in the downhole component
210. This may include when the collet prop 206 is translated out of radial alignment
with the springs 234 and/or the collet lug 236, or when one or more recesses 238 of
a sufficient depth on the collet prop 206 are radially aligned with the springs 234
and/or the collet lug 236, thereby allowing the springs 234 to radially compress into
25 the recess and disengage from the recess in the downhole component 210.
While described with respect to a collet 208 being disposed within the
downhole component 210 and the collet prop 206 being disposed in radial alignment
inside the collet 208, it will be appreciated that the arrangement of the part may be
reconfigured without departing from the scope of the present description. For
30 example, the collet could be disposed outside of the downhole component and
engage a recess in an outer surface of the downhole component. In this
14
embodiment, the collet prop may be disposed outside of and in radial alignment with
the collet. This configuration would allow the collet prop to prevent the radial
expansion of the springs and/or the collet lug to thereby maintain an engagement
between the collet and the downhole component. Other configurations and
5 arrangements may also be possible.
As shown in Figure 2, the engagement between the collet prop 206 and
the shifting sleeve 202 may be configured to torsionally lock the collet prop 206
with respect to the shifting sleeve 202, which may in turn be torsionally locked with
respect to the mandrel 204. As described above, the torsional lock between the
10 collet prop 206 and the shifting sleeve 202 is configured to restrain the collet prop
206 from rotational motion relative to the shifting sleeve 202. In an embodiment,
the collet prop 206 and the shifting sleeve may comprise one or more mating and
interlocking features that, once engaged, substantially prevent any rotational motion
between the collet prop 206 and the shifting sleeve 202. The interlocking features
15 may comprise a variety of configurations including the use of crenelated features on
the collet prop 206 and mating crenelated features on the shifting sleeve 202. As
used herein, the term "crenelated" refers to a structure comprising repeated
indentations. For example, crenelated features may comprise castellations.
corrugations, teeth, and the like, and the crenelated features may be aligned in the
20 radial and/or longitudinal directions.
An embodiment of the interlocking features comprising crenelated ends
of the collet prop 206 and the shifting sleeve 202 is shown in Figure 3. As
illustrated, a first plurality of splines 314 may be formed over a portion of an outer
surface of the shifting sleeve 202. Each spline 314 has a length that extends
25 longitudinally over a portion of the outer surface of the shifting sleeve 202 and is
substantially longitudinally aligned with the central axis of the mandrel 204. Thus,
the splines 314 may also be referred to as longitudinal splines 314. Each spline 314
also has a height 317 that extends substantially radially outward from the outer
surface of the shifting sleeve 202. A recess 316 is formed between each pair of
30 adjacent splines 314. Longitudinal splines 314 may be configured to matingly
engage and interlock with a set of crenelated features 318 formed on an end of the
- 15-
collet prop 206. The crenelated features 318 illustrated in Figure 3 may take the
form of castellations on the end of the collet prop 206. Each crenelated feature 318
has a length 322 that extends longitudinally from the end of the collet prop 206 and
is substantially longitudinally aligned. The crenelated features 318 are configured to
5 engage and mate with the recesses 316 on the shifting sleeve 202. A recess 320 is
formed between each pair of adjacent crenelated features 318 on the collet prop 206.
The recess 320 is configured to engage and mate with the longitudinal splines 314
on the shifting sleeve 202. In this embodiment, the shifting sleeve 202 and the collet
prop 206 may be coupled together by engaging and interlocking the splines 314 on
10 the shifting sleeve 202 with the corresponding crenelated features 318 on the collet
prop 206 to form a torsionally locked engagement. The torsionally locked
engagement substantially prevents relative rotational movement between the shifting
sleeve 202 and the collet prop 206.
In addition to the crenelated features described with respect to Figure 3,
15 other interlocking and/or crenelated features may be used to provide a torsional lock
between the collet prop 206 and the shifting sleeve 202. In an embodiment, the
interlocking features could comprise corresponding and interlocking splines similar
to those described with respect to the torsional lock between the mandrel 204 and
the shifting sleeve 202 above. In an embodiment, the use of crenelated features such
20 as those described with respect to the collet prop 206 in Figure 3 could be included
on both the collet prop 206 and the shifting sleeve 202. In this embodiment, the
shifting sleeve 202 and the collet prop 206 could be coupled together by engaging
and interlocking the crenelated features on the shifting sleeve 202 with the
corresponding crenelated features 318 on the collet prop 206 to form a torsionally
25 locked engagement. In another embodiment, a single spline and crenelated feature
or slot could be used to couple and form a torsional lock between the collet prop 206
and the shifting sleeve 202. In still another embodiment, one or more pins and one
or more receiving holes could be used to provide a torsional lock. In this
embodiment, the shifting sleeve 202 and the collet prop 206 may be coupled
30 together by engaging and interlocking one or more pins extending from the end of
the shifting sleeve 202 with corresponding receiving holes in the collet prop 206 to
- 16-
form a torsionally locked engagement, or vice versa. Still other embodiments useful
for forming a torsional lock between the collet prop 206 and the shifting sleeve 202
may be possible.
Returning to Figure 2, a force conversion mechanism 240 formed by
5 the engagement of the collet prop 206 and the mandrel 204 may be configured to
convert a rotational force into a longitudinal force. Once the shifting sleeve 202 is
disengaged from the collet prop 206, the collet prop 206 may be free to rotate about
the mandrel 204. The relative rotation may be used to longitudinally translate the
collet prop 206 out of engagement with the collet {e.g., out of radial alignment with
10 the springs 234 and/or the collet lug 236). The rotational force may be applied to
the mandrel 204, the collet prop 206, and/or the downhole component 210. In an
embodiment, the collet prop 206 may be substantially rotationally fixed relative to
the downhole component 210, which may be substantially rotationally fixed relative
to the wellbore. The mandrel 204 may then be rotated to impart a rotational force to
15 the force conversion mechanism 240. In an embodiment, the force conversion
mechanism is configured to convert a rotational force applied to the mandrel 204
and/or the collet prop 206 into a longitudinal translation of the collet prop 206 with
respect to the mandrel 204. The longitudinal translation may be sufficient to
disengage the collet prop 206 from the collet 208. As noted above, this may include
20 when the collet prop 206 is translated out of radial alignment with the springs 234
and/or the collet lug 236, or when one or more recesses 238 of a sufficient depth on
the collet prop 206 are radially aligned with the springs 234 and/or the collet lug
236, thereby allowing the springs 234 to radially compress into the recess and
disengage from the recess in the downhole component 210. In an embodiment, the
25 force conversion mechanism 240 may comprise a threaded engagement between the
collet prop 206 and the mandrel 204, a helical groove disposed in an outer surface of
the mandrel 204 and one or more corresponding lugs disposed on an inner surface of
the collet prop 206, or vice versa, and/or a helical spline disposed in an outer surface
of the mandrel 204 and one or more corresponding splines disposed on an inner
30 surface of the collet prop 206.
17
In an embodiment, the force conversion mechanism 240 comprises a
threaded engagement between the collet prop 206 and the mandrel 204. In this
embodiment, the inner surface of the collet prop 206 may comprise threads that are
configured to engage and mate corresponding threads on the outer surface of the
5 mandrel 204. The collet prop may then be installed by threading the collet prop 206
onto the mandrel 204 until the collet prop 206 is engaged with the collet 208. When
the shifting sleeve 202 is disengaged from the collet prop 206, the mandrel may be
rotated, and the rotation of the mandrel may be converted into a downward
longitudinal movement of the collet prop due to the interaction of the threads on the
10 mandrel 204 with the threads on the collet prop 206. In an embodiment, the threads
may comprise left handed threads. The use of left handed threads may allow for a
rotation to the right to translate the collet prop 206, which may avoid potentially untorqueing
one or more joints of wellbore tubular used to convey the running tool into
the wellbore.
15 In another embodiment, the force conversion mechanism 240 may
comprise a helical groove disposed in an outer surface of the mandrel 204 and one
or more corresponding lugs disposed on an inner surface of the collet prop 206. In
this embodiment, one or more lugs may be formed on a portion of the inner surface
of the collet prop 206. The lug may generally comprise a protrusion extending from
20 the inner surface of the collet prop 206, and the lug may comprise a variety of
shapes including circular, square, rectangular, elliptical, oval, diamond like, etc.
The one or more lugs may have a height that extends substantially radially inward
from the inner surface of the collet prop 206. The lug may be configured to engage
and translate within a groove formed on an outer surface of the mandrel. One or
25 more grooves, that may or may not correspond to the number of lugs, may be
formed over a portion of the outer surface of the mandrel 204. Each groove has a
length that extends circumferentially (e.g., helically, spirally, etc.) over a portion of
the outer surface of the mandrel 204 and is angularly offset relative to the
longitudinal axis. Thus, the one or more grooves may be referred to as longitudinal
30 or axially offset grooves. Each groove has a depth that extends substantially radially
inward from the outer surface of the mandrel 204 and a width configured to receive
18
the lug within the groove. The lug may then be free to travel within the groove and
follow the groove in the longitudinally offset path. The application of a rotational
force to the mandrel 204 may cause the lug on the collet prop to follow the
longitudinally offset path. When the collet prop 206 is constrained from rotational
5 motion due to the interaction with the collet 208 and downhole component 210, the
rotational force may be converted into a longitudinal force driving the collet prop
206 out of engagement with the collet 208. While described with respect to the lug
being disposed on the collet prop 206 and the groove being disposed on the mandrel
204, the positioning of the lug and groove could be exchanged to allow for the same
10 force conversion between the shifting sleeve 202 and the mandrel 204.
In still another embodiment, the force conversion mechanism 240 may
comprise a helical spline disposed in an outer surface of the mandrel 204 and one or
more corresponding splines disposed on an inner surface of the collet prop 206. In
this embodiment, a first plurality of longitudinally offset splines may be formed over
15 a portion of an outer surface of the mandrel 204. Each spline may have a length that
extends circumferentially (e.g., helically, spirally, etc.) over a portion of the outer
surface of the mandrel 204 and is angularly offset relative to the longitudinal axis of
the mandrel 204. Each spline also has a height that extends substantially radially
outward from the outer surface of the mandrel 204. A recess may be formed
20 between each pair of adjacent splines. Longitudinally offset splines may be
configured to matingly engage and interlock with a set of longitudinally offset
splines formed on an inner surface of the collet prop 206. A second plurality of
longitudinally offset splines may be formed over a portion of an inner surface of the
collet prop 206. Each spline may have a length that extends circumferentially (e.g..
25 helically, spirally, etc.) over a portion of the outer surface of the collet prop 206 and
is angularly offset relative to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel 204. Each
longitudinally offset spline on the collet prop 206 also has a height that extends
substantially radially inward from the inner surface of the collet prop 206. A recess
may be formed between each pair of adjacent longitudinally offset splines. In this
30 embodiment, force conversion mechanism may comprise an engagement and
interlocking of the longitudinally offset splines on the mandrel 204 with the
19
corresponding longitudinally offset splines on the collet prop 206. The splines on
the collet prop 206 may be free to travel within the recesses between the splines on
the mandrel 204 and follow the recess in the longitudinally offset path. The
application of a rotational force to the mandrel 204 and/or the collet prop 206 may
5 cause the splines on the collet prop 206 to follow the longitudinally offset path.
When the collet prop 206 is constrained from rotational motion due to the
interaction with the collet 208 and downhole component 210, the rotational force
may be converted into a longitudinal force driving the collet prop 206 out of
engagement with the collet 208.
10 In an embodiment, the release mechanism 200 may be assembled by
engaging the collet with the downhole component so that the collet lugs 236 are
engaged with the recess in the downhole component 210. The collet prop 206 may
then be engaged with the collet. For example, the collet prop 206 may be rotated
onto the mandrel 204 to engage the force conversion mechanism. The shifting
15 sleeve may then be disposed on the mandrel 204 and engaged with the collet prop
206. One or more retaining mechanisms 214 may then be engaged with the shifting
sleeve 202 and the mandrel 204. The shifting sleeve 202 may be torsionally locked
with respect to the mandrel 204, and the engagement between the shifting sleeve 202
and the collet prop 206 may further torsionally lock the collet prop 206 with respect
20 to the shifting sleeve 202. Since the shifting sleeve 202 is torsionally locked with
respect to the mandrel 204 and the collet prop 206, the collet prop 206 may be
torsionally locked with respect to the mandrel 204. The resulting configuration of
the release mechanism 200 may be as shown in Figure 2. Once the running tool
comprising the release mechanism is made up, the running tool and the downhole
25 component may be conveyed within a wellbore and disposed at a desired location.
The downhole component 210 may then be installed and/or used during
a servicing operation. At some point in the operation, the downhole component 210
may need to be disengaged from the running tool. During the servicing operation, a
ball or other pressure isolating device may be disposed within the flowbore 212 of
30 the mandrel 204 to engage a seat and increase the pressure within the flowbore 212
relative to the pressure outside of the running tool. The resulting pressure increase
20-
within the flowbore 212 may actuate the shifting sleeve 202. Alternatively, a special
operation may be performed to increase the pressure within the flowbore 212 to
actuate the shifting sleeve. Upon the actuation of the shifting sleeve 202, a
longitudinal force may be applied to the retaining mechanism 214. When the force
5 applied to the retaining mechanisms exceeds a threshold, the retaining mechanism
214 may fail, thereby allowing the shifting sleeve 202 to longitudinally translate out
of engagement with the collet prop 206. In an embodiment, the shifting sleeve 202
may comprise a piston, and the piston may remain energized while the pressure is
applied through the flowbore 212. This configuration may allow the shifting sleeve
10 to be activated during a servicing operation while maintaining pressure within the
flowbore 212 for use during the servicing operation. The release mechanism may
then be configured as shown in Figure 4.
As shown in Figure 4, the shifting sleeve 202 may translate out of
engagement with the collet prop 206, thereby disengaging the torsional lock between
15 the collet prop 206 and the shifting sleeve 202. In a normal operating environment,
the collet prop 206 may be longitudinally translated out of engagement with the
collet through the downward translation of the mandrel 204, which is engaged with
the collet prop 206. However, in some instances, the mandrel may not be able to be
translated in a downward direction. In this case or in the event the release
20 mechanism is desired to be used rather than setting down weight on the running tool
to move the mandrel 204 downward, a rotational force may be applied to the collet
prop 206 and/or the mandrel 204. The force conversion mechanism 240 may then
convert the rotation force into a longitudinal force. For example, the mandrel 204
may be rotated to the right, thereby unscrewing the collet prop and driving the collet
25 prop downward. When a sufficient amount of rotational force, and therefore
rotation, has been imparted, the collet prop 206 may be disengaged from the collet
208. In this configuration, a retaining ring may also engage a retaining ring slot,
thereby providing a fixed engagement between the collet prop 206, the collet 208.
and the mandrel 204. The release mechanism may then be configured as shown in
30 Figure 5.
-21
As shown in Figure 5, the collet prop 206 may be disengaged from the
collet 208 based on the longitudinal translation of the collet prop 206. The collet
springs 234 and/or the collet lug 236 may then be able to radially compress in
response to a radially compressive force. The radially compressive force may be
5 imparted by providing an upwards force on the mandrel 204, which may be coupled
to the collet 208. The retaining ring disposed in the retaining ring slot may prevent
the collet prop 206 from longitudinally translating upwards to re-engage the collet
208. Due to the engagement between the collet lug 236 and the edge of the recess in
the downhole component 210, the collet springs 234 and collet lug 236 may radially
10 compress and disengage from the recess in the downhole component 210. The
running tool comprising the release mechanism may then be disengaged from the
downhole component 210 and conveyed upward while the downhole component
remains in the wellbore.
While described in terms of disengaging a running tool from the
15 downhole component using the release mechanism, the release mechanism may
alternatively be used with other tools such as retrieval tools, work strings.
completion strings, and other downhole tools where a release mechanism may be
useful.
At least one embodiment is disclosed and variations, combinations,
20 and/or modifications of the embodiment(s) and/or features of the embodiment(s)
made by a person having ordinary skill in the art are within the scope of the
disclosure. Alternative embodiments that result from combining, integrating, and/or
omitting features of the embodiment(s) are also within the scope of the disclosure.
Where numerical ranges or limitations are expressly stated, such express ranges or
25 limitations should be understood to include iterative ranges or limitations of like
magnitude falling within the expressly stated ranges or limitations (e.g., from about
1 to about 10 includes, 2, 3, 4, etc.; greater than 0.10 includes 0.11, 0.12. 0.13. etc.).
For example, whenever a numerical range with a lower limit, R|, and an upper limit,
Ru, is disclosed, any number falling within the range is specifically disclosed. In
30 particular, the following numbers within the range are specifically disclosed:
R=Ri+k*(Ru-Ri), wherein k is a variable ranging from 1 percent to 100 percent with
-22
a 1 percent increment, i.e., k is 1 percent, 2 percent, 3 percent, 4 percent, 5 percent,
..., 50 percent, 51 percent, 52 percent, ..., 95 percent, 96 percent, 97 percent, 98
percent, 99 percent, or 100 percent. Moreover, any numerical range defined by two
R numbers as defined in the above is also specifically disclosed. Use of the term
5 "optionally" with respect to any element of a claim means that the element is
required, or alternatively, the element is not required, both alternatives being within
the scope of the claim. Use of broader terms such as comprises, includes, and
having should be understood to provide support for narrower terms such as
consisting of, consisting essentially of, and comprised substantially of Accordingly,
10 the scope of protection is not limited by the description set out above but is defined
by the claims that follow, that scope including all equivalents of the subject matter
of the claims. Each and every claim is incorporated as further disclosure into the
specification and the claims are embodiment(s) of the present invention.
23

WE CLAIM:
1. A release mechanism for use with a downhole component in a
wellbore environment comprising:
a shifting sleeve disposed about a mandrel, wherein the shifting sleeve is
5 torsionally locked with respect to the mandrel;
a collet prop disposed about the mandrel and engaged with the shifting
sleeve, wherein the engagement between the collet prop and the shifting
sleeve is configured to torsionally lock the collet prop with respect to the
shifting sleeve; and
10 a collet engaged with the collet prop, wherein the collet couples the mandrel to
the downhole component.
2. A release mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mandrel comprises
one or more splines configured to engage one or more corresponding splines on the
shifting sleeve, and wherein the engagement of the one or more splines on the
15 mandrel with the one or more splines on the shifting sleeve provide the torsional
lock of the shifting sleeve with respect to the mandrel.
3. A release mechanism as claimed in claim I, wherein the shifting sleeve
comprises a piston.
4. A release mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the collet prop
20 comprises a crenelated end, wherein the shifting sleeve comprises a crenelated end,
and wherein the engagement between the collet prop and the shifting sleeve
comprises an engagement between the crenelated end of the collet prop and the
crenelated end of the shifting sleeve.
5. A release mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the collet prop is
25 threadedly engaged with the mandrel.
6. A release mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the threaded
engagement between the collet prop and the mandrel comprises left handed threads.
7. A release mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the downhole
component comprises a liner hanger, a liner, a liner patch, a screen, or any
30 combination thereof
8. A release mechanism comprising:
a shifting sleeve disposed about a mandrel, wherein the shifting sleeve and the
mandrel are configured to substantially prevent rotational movement of the
shifting sleeve about the mandrel, and wherein the shifting sleeve is
configured to shift between a first position and a second position with respect
5 to the mandrel; and
a collet prop disposed about the mandrel, wherein the collet prop is retained in
engagement with a collet and the shifting sleeve when the shifting sleeve is
in the first position, and wherein the collet prop is configured to
longitudinally translate in response to a rotational force when the shifting
10 sleeve is disposed in the second position.
9. A release mechanism as claimed in claim 8, wherein the collet is configured
to fixedly engage a downhole component when the collet prop is engaged with the
collet.
10. A release mechanism as claimed in claim 8, wherein the collet is configured
15 to reieasably engage a downhole component when the collet prop is longitudinally
translated out of engagement with the collet.
11. A release mechanism as claimed in claim 9, wherein the shifting sleeve
comprises a piston comprising a chamber that is in fluid communication with an
interior flowbore of the mandrel.
20 12. A release mechanism as claimed in claim 11, wherein the piston is
configured to shift from the first position to the second position in response to a
pressure applied to the chamber.
13. A release mechanism as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a retaining
mechanism engaged with the shifting sleeve and the mandrel, and wherein the
25 retaining mechanism is configured to prevent a longitudinal movement of the
shifting sleeve until a force above a threshold is applied to the retaining mechanism.
14. A release mechanism as claimed in claim 13, wherein the retaining
mechanism comprises a shear pin, a shear ring, a shear screw, or any combination
thereof
15. A release mechanism as claimed in claim 8, wherein the configuration of the
shifting sleeve and mandrel to substantially prevent rotational movement of the
shifting sleeve about the mandrel comprises one or more splines disposed on an
outer surface of the mandrel, and one or more features disposed on the shifting
sleeve that are configured to engage the one or more splines.
16. A release mechanism as claimed in claim 8, wherein the configuration of the
5 collet prop to longitudinally translate in response to a rotational force comprises the
use of a force conversion mechanism configured to convert a rotational force into a
longitudinal force.
17. A release mechanism as claimed in claim 16, wherein the force conversion
mechanism comprises at least one of a threaded engagement between, the collet prop
10 and the mandrel, a helical groove disposed in an outer surface of the mandrel and
one or more corresponding lugs disposed on an inner surface of the collet prop, a
helical groove disposed in an inner surface of the collet prop and one or more
corresponding lugs disposed on an outer surface of the mandrel, or a helical spline
disposed in an outer surface of the mandrel and one or more corresponding splines
15 disposed on an inner surface of the collet prop.
18. A method comprising:
longitudinally translating a shifting sleeve out of engagement with a collet
prop, wherein the shifting sleeve is disposed about a mandrel;
applying a rotational force to the collet prop or the mandrel when the collet
20 prop is out of engagement with the shifting sleeve;
longitudinally translating the collet prop based on the rotational force; and
disengaging the collet prop from a collet based on the longitudinal translation
of the collet prop.
19. A method as claimed in claim 18, wherein longitudinally translating the
25 shifting sleeve comprises applying a pressure to a chamber disposed between the
shifting sleeve and a mandrel about which the shifting sleeve is disposed.
20. A method as claimed in claim 18, further comprising disengaging the collet
fi-om a downhole component when the collet prop is disengaged from the collet.