Method and apparatus for equalizing pressure with a wellbore

Abstract

A method, assembly and apparatus for equalizing pressure around a sealing device in a production or injection tree. The method includes coupling a circulating assembly to an oil field tree and forming an isolated region between a portion of the circulating assembly, a portion of the tree and a sealing device within the tree. Then, a circulating mechanism in the circulating assembly is adjusted to create a flow path between the interior of the circulating assembly and a location below the sealing device. When the pressure below the sealing device has substantially equalized with the pressure within the interior of the circulating assembly, the sealing device is removed through the circulating assembly. Further, remediation and production operations may be performed on wellbore tools or a subsurface formation below the tree.

1 . A pressure equalizing apparatus for use with an oil field tree comprising: 
 a first tubular member having a first end, a second end, at least one first tubular opening and a central opening within the first tubular member to provide a longitudinal fluid flow path between the first end and the second end;    a circulating mechanism coupled to the first tubular member and having a circulating position and an isolating position, wherein the circulating position provides at least one radial flow path between the central opening and a region external to the first tubular member through one or more of the at least one first tubular opening and the isolating position prevents fluid flow between the central opening and the region external to the first tubular member, and further wherein the inner diameter of the apparatus is adapted to pass a sealing device through the apparatus.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first tubular member has a differential pressure rating up to about 15,000 pounds per square inch.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the apparatus has a torque rating of up to about 50,000 foot-pounds.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the inner diameter of the apparatus is in a range between about 4.7 inches and about 10 inches.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the outer diameter of the apparatus is in a range between about 11¾ inches and 18¾ inches.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the length of the apparatus is less than or equal to about 215 inches in the circulating position.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first tubular member comprises at least one slot and the circulating mechanism comprises at least one guide member at least partially disposed within the at least one slot, wherein the at least one guide member is configured to provide the at least one radial flow path in the circulating position and prevent fluid flow in the isolating position.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the at least one slot comprises a straight slot and a “J” slot.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first tubular member comprises at least one slot and the circulating mechanism comprises a guide member at least partially disposed within the at least one slot, wherein the guide member is configured to move between the circulating position and the isolating position.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the circulating mechanism is mechanically actuated.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the circulating mechanism comprises: 
 a second tubular member at least disposed partially within the first tubular member, the second tubular member having at least one second tubular opening and a plurality of threads at one end of the second tubular member opposite the end of the second tubular member at least disposed partially within the first tubular member; and    a plurality of seals disposed between the first tubular member and the second tubular member to isolate fluid flow through the at least one first tubular opening and the at least one second tubular opening in the isolating position.    
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the first tubular member comprises at least one slot and the circulating mechanism comprises a guide member that engages the at least one slot, wherein the guide member is configured to align the at least one first tubular opening and the at least one second tubular opening to provide the at least one radial flow path in the circulating position and misalign the at least one first tubular opening and at least one second tubular opening in the isolating position.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the circulating mechanism comprises: 
 a second tubular member disposed partially around the first tubular member, the second tubular member having at least one second tubular opening and a plurality of threads at one end of the second tubular member opposite the end of the second tubular member disposed partially around the first tubular member; and    a plurality of seals disposed between the first tubular member and the second tubular member to isolate fluid flow through the at least one first tubular opening and at least one second tubular opening in the isolating position.    
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the circulating mechanism is hydraulically actuated.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the circulating mechanism comprises: 
 a second tubular member disposed adjacent to the first tubular member and having at least one second tubular opening;    a plurality of isolation seals disposed between the first tubular member and the second tubular member to isolate fluid flow through the at least one first tubular opening and the at least one second tubular opening in the isolating position;    a piston disposed between the first tubular member and the second tubular member; wherein the piston is hydraulically actuated to move from the isolating position to align the at least one first tubular opening and the at least one second tubular opening to provide the at least one radial flow path in the circulating position.    
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the circulating mechanism is electrically actuated.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the circulating mechanism is magnetically actuated.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein one of splines, wedges and screws prevent rotation of the first tubular member with respect to the circulating mechanism beyond the circulating position and the isolating position and the first tubular member and the circulating mechanism are not rotationally fixed with respect to each other.