Non-rotating wellbore tool and sealing method therefor

Abstract

A wellbore tool, such as a cementing tool, configured for placement in a wellbore or drill string, and method of sealing the tool in the wellbore or drill string. The tool is lowered on a stem into the wellbore or drill string and contacts a downhole obstacle (the bit when lowered in a drill string), such that the downward pressure on the tool causes a shear pin to shear, resulting in upward movement of an outer sleeve relative to the central body of the tool. The outer sleeve, when upwardly displaced, pushes against a deformable sleeve, and the deformable sleeve then presses outwardly against the inner walls of the wellbore or drill string, sealing the tool therein. The deformable sleeve can be directed outwardly by contacting it during upward displacement of the outer sleeve with an angled surface of the central body.

1 . A sealable wellbore tool comprising:
 an inner body;   at least one deformable member disposed adjacent an external surface of the inner body and configured for sealing engagement with an inner surface of the wellbore; and   an outer sleeve slidably disposed adjacent the external surface of the inner body, the outer sleeve below and in operable communication with the at least one deformable member;   wherein the outer sleeve is movable from a first downwardly disposed position relative to the inner body to a second upwardly disposed position relative to the inner body when the tool is lowered into the wellbore and the outer sleeve contacts a downhole obstacle;   wherein when the outer sleeve is in the first position, the at least one deformable member is disengaged from the inner surface of the wellbore; and   wherein when the outer sleeve is in the second position, the outer sleeve presses upwardly against the at least one deformable member causing the at least one deformable member to deform and engage the inner surface of the wellbore.   
     
     
         2 . The tool of  claim 1  wherein the at least one deformable member is at least one deformable sleeve disposed around the inner body. 
     
     
         3 . The tool of  claim 1  wherein the downhole obstacle is a drill bit and the at least one deformable member is configured to engage inner surfaces of a drill string within the wellbore. 
     
     
         4 . The tool of  claim 1  further comprising a bushing disposed between the outer sleeve and the at least one deformable member, the bushing configured to receive upward force from the outer sleeve and to transmit the upward force to the at least one deformable sleeve. 
     
     
         5 . The tool of  claim 4  wherein the bushing is secured to the inner body by a shear pin to hold the outer sleeve in the first position, the shear pin configured to rupture upon application of downward force to the tool. 
     
     
         6 . The tool of  claim 1  wherein the at least one deformable member is held in place by a rupturable retention member positioned above the at least one deformable member, the retention member configured to rupture upon application of upward force when the at least one deformable member is pressed upwardly by the outer sleeve moving into the second position. 
     
     
         7 . The tool of  claim 1  wherein the inner body comprises an angled outer surface configured for the at least one deformable member to move against when the outer sleeve presses upwardly against the at least one deformable member, thus causing the at least one deformable member to move outwardly and engage the inner surface of the wellbore. 
     
     
         8 . The tool of  claim 2  wherein the inner body comprises an angled outer surface configured for the at least one deformable sleeve to move against when the outer sleeve presses upwardly against the at least one deformable sleeve, thus causing the at least one deformable sleeve to move outwardly and engage the inner surface of the wellbore. 
     
     
         9 . The tool of  claim 1  wherein the outer sleeve extends downwardly past a lowest extent of the inner body. 
     
     
         10 . The tool of  claim 1  wherein the outer sleeve comprises an upper sleeve and a lower sleeve separated by a shear pin, the shear pin configured to rupture when the lower sleeve contacts the downhole obstacle and thereby allow upward movement of the upper sleeve into the second position. 
     
     
         11 . A method for sealing a tool in a wellbore, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
 a. providing a tool comprising an inner body, an outer sleeve slidable relative to the inner body between first and second positions, and at least one deformable member configured for sealing engagement with the wellbore;   b. lowering the tool with the outer sleeve in the first position into the wellbore until the outer sleeve contacts a downhole obstacle;   c. forcing the inner body of the tool downward relative to the outer sleeve;   d. allowing the outer sleeve to move to the second position, thereby pressing upwardly on the at least one deformable member;   e. allowing the at least one deformable member to deform and press outwardly toward walls of the wellbore; and   f. allowing the at least one deformable member to sealingly engage the walls of the wellbore.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the outer sleeve is retained in the first position by a shear pin, the method further comprising the step of allowing the shear pin to rupture in response to the forcing of the inner body of the tool downward relative to the outer sleeve. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the inner body comprises an angled outer surface configured for the at least one deformable member to move against when the outer sleeve presses upwardly against the at least one deformable sleeve, thus causing the at least one deformable sleeve to press outwardly toward the walls of the wellbore and to sealingly engage the walls of the wellbore. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the tool is lowered into a drill string in the wellbore and the downhole obstacle is a drill bit, such that:
 the at least one deformable member deforms and presses outwardly toward inner walls of the drill string; and 
 the at least one deformable member sealingly engages the inner walls of the drill string.