Tool and method for placement of a component into a well

Abstract

An apparatus and method is disclosed for insertion of a component into an oil or gas well. Typically, the well includes a cased hole section and may also include an uncased hole section. In some applications, the well deviates substantially from the vertical direction. The apparatus may include a tool member and an engagement mechanism mounted upon the tool member. The engagement mechanism is configured for selective frictional engagement to the cased hole section of the well. A piston is connected to the tool member and is configured for extension relative to the tool member. The component for insertion into the well may be a sand control screen, a perforating gun, or other device.

1 . An apparatus for insertion of a component into a well, the well having a cased hole section, the apparatus comprising:
 (a) a tool member adapted for receiving a wellbore fluid,   (b) an engagement mechanism mounted upon the tool member, the engagement mechanism being configured for selective frictional engagement to the cased hole section of the well,   (c) a piston having a first end and a second end, the piston being connected to the tool member at the first end and connected to the component at the second end, the piston being configured for axial extension relative to the tool member, the piston being configured to enable insertion of the component into the well, and   (d) a first choke attached to the piston, the first choke being configured for receiving pressurized fluid and transmitting force to the piston to extend the piston axially relative to the tool member, thereby inserting the component into the well.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the engagement mechanism comprises a slip, the slip being configured for movement between an inboard disengaged position and an outboard engaged position, wherein the outboard engaged position provides frictional contact between the engagement mechanism and the cased hole section to releasably secure the tool member relative to the cased hole section. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further wherein the piston is attached to the tool member at its first end, the apparatus further comprising an attachment mechanism upon the second end of the piston, the attachment mechanism being configured for releasably securing the component to the second end of the piston. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the component comprises a screen. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2  additionally comprising a force cone, the force cone being configured for receiving pressurized wellbore fluid and transferring force to the slip to actuate the slip to the outboard engaged position. 
     
     
         6 . A method for inserting a component into a well using a drill string with a tool member secured to the drill string, the well having at least one cased hole section, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a drill string having an attached tool member and piston and a component secured to the piston,   (b) lowering the drill string into a cased hole section of a well,   (c) pumping a fluid through the drill string to the tool member to apply fluid pressure to the tool member,   (d) forcing with fluid pressure an engagement mechanism of the tool member into frictional contact with the cased hole section, thereby securing the tool member relative to the cased hole section of the well,   (e) forcing fluid through a choke attached to the piston to generate force upon the piston, and   (f) extending the piston relative to the tool member, thereby inserting the component into the well.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising the steps of:
 (g) reducing fluid pressure upon the tool member, 
 (h) releasing the engagement mechanism from the cased hole section, and 
 (i) lowering the drill string further into the well, thereby returning the piston to a position within the tool member. 
 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising the step of:
 (j) repeating steps (c) through (i). 
 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising the step of:
 (k) releasing the component from the piston. 
 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the component comprises a screen. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the engagement mechanism comprises a slip configured for movement between an inboard disengaged position and an outboard engaged position which is adapted for frictional contact with the cased hole section. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  further wherein the forcing step is accomplished by applying fluid pressure to a cone, the cone being configured for receiving pressurized fluid and transmitting force to the slips, thereby engaging the slips against the cased hole section of the well. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the cone further comprises a spring, further wherein the spring is compressed during the application of pressure to the cone and the spring is relaxed upon reduction of fluid pressure to the cone. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the releasing step is accomplished by rotating the drill string, thereby disengaging the component. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the releasing step is accomplished by applying elevated fluid pressure to break a pressure activated rupture disk, thereby releasing the component from the tool member. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the fluid additionally comprises a fluid loss additive. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the fluid loss additive comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of: (a) HEC polymers, (b) XC polymers, (c) polymers having sized solids, and (d) degradable solid polymers. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the component comprises a sand control screen. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the component comprises a perforating gun.