Casing degasser tool

Abstract

A casing degasser tool (CDT) is provided which is adapted to be inserted into production piping such as casing, slotted liners, or production tubing for use during well completion. The CDT comprises a body having a top end, a bottom end and an outer surface, at least one sealing element surrounding a portion of the outer surface of the body and a connection means located at or near the top end of the body for connecting a wire line or other pulling device to the CDT to assist in positioning the CDT within the production piping and for pulling the CDT through the length of the production piping. The CDT can be used when adding joints of production piping to prevent hydrocarbons from flowing to the surface of the well.

1 . A casing degasser tool adapted to be inserted into a joint of production piping, the production piping having an inner wall, for preventing the flow of hydrocarbons through the production tubing during well completion, comprising: 
 (a) a body having a top end, a bottom end and an outer surface;    (b) at least one sealing element surrounding the outer surface of the body; and    (c) a connection means located at or near the top end of the body for connecting a wire line or other pulling device to the casing degasser tool; 
 whereby when the casing degasser tool is inserted into the production piping, the sealing element is in frictional engagement with the inner wall of the production piping.  
   
   
   
       2 . The casing degasser tool as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the sealing element is expandable.  
   
   
       3 . The casing degasser tool as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the sealing element comprises an inflatable ring.  
   
   
       4 . The casing degasser tool as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the inflatable ring expands or contracts by pumping fluids into or out of the inflatable ring.  
   
   
       5 . The casing degasser tool as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the body further comprises an inner cavity extending through the bottom end of the body so that the inner cavity is in fluid communication with the production piping.  
   
   
       6 . The casing degasser tool as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the body further comprises a pressure relief fitting having one end in fluid communication with the inner cavity and an opposite end adapted to be fitted to a pipe or hose for bleeding off the hydrocarbons.  
   
   
       7 . The casing degasser tool as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the body further comprises a pressure gauge fitting having one end in fluid communication with the inner cavity and an opposite end adapted to be fitted to a pressure gauge for measuring downhole pressure or a flow prover for testing well production capability.  
   
   
       8 . A process for running joints of production piping into a wellbore containing flowing hydrocarbons, comprising: 
 (a) positioning a casing degasser tool as claimed in any of  claims 1  to  7  inside a first joint of production piping, the first joint of production piping having a top end, a bottom end and an inner wall, such that the sealing element of the casing degasser tool is in frictional engagement with the inner wall of the first production piping;    (b) lowering the first joint of production piping into the wellbore bottom end first;    (c) adding a second joint of production piping, the second joint of production piping having a top end, a bottom end and an inner wall, to the first joint of production casing by coupling the bottom end of the second joint of production piping to the top end of the first joint of production piping with coupling means;    (d) attaching a pulling device to the connection means of the casing degasser tool; and    (e) pulling the casing degasser tool through the top end of the first joint of production piping, through the bottom end of the second joint of production tubing and into the second joint of production piping, so that the sealing element is in frictional engagement with the inner wall of the second joint of production piping.    
   
   
       9 . The process as claimed in  claim 8  further comprising checking the downhole pressure by means of a pressure gauge attached to the pressure gauge fitting of the casing degasser tool.  
   
   
       10 . The process as claimed in  claim 8  further comprising bleeding built up pressure from the wellbore by attaching a hose or pipe to the pressure release fitting of the casing degasser tool and allowing the hydrocarbons to flow into a flare stack, a tank or a pit.  
   
   
       11 . The process as claimed in  claim 8  further comprising testing well production capability by means of a flow prover attached to the pressure gauge fitting of the casing degasser tool.  
   
   
       12 . A process for running joints of production piping into a wellbore containing flowing hydrocarbons, comprising: 
 (a) positioning a casing degasser tool as claimed in any of  claims 1  to  7  inside a first joint of production piping to be lowered into the well bore, the first joint of production piping having an inner wall, such that the sealing element of the casing degasser tool is in frictional engagement with the inner wall of the first production piping;    (b) lowering the first joint of production casing into the wellbore;    (c) adding additional joints of production piping to the first joint of production piping until all the joints of production piping have been added;    (d) attaching a pulling device to the connection means of the casing degasser tool; and    (e) pulling the casing degasser tool through the joints of production piping to the surface of the well.    
   
   
       13 . The process as claimed in  claim 12  further comprising checking the downhole pressure by means of a pressure gauge attached to the pressure gauge fitting of the casing degasser tool.  
   
   
       14 . The process as claimed in  claim 12  further comprising bleeding built up pressure from the wellbore by attaching a hose or pipe to the pressure release fitting of the casing degasser tool and allowing the hydrocarbons to flow into a flare stack, a tank or a pit.  
   
   
       15 . The process as claimed in  claim 12  further comprising testing well production capability by means of a flow prover attached to the pressure gauge fitting of the casing degasser tool.