CA2334741C - Casing drilling shoe - Google Patents
Casing drilling shoe Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2334741C CA2334741C CA002334741A CA2334741A CA2334741C CA 2334741 C CA2334741 C CA 2334741C CA 002334741 A CA002334741 A CA 002334741A CA 2334741 A CA2334741 A CA 2334741A CA 2334741 C CA2334741 C CA 2334741C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- drilling
- shoe
- section
- casing
- inner section
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
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Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B17/00—Drilling rods or pipes; Flexible drill strings; Kellies; Drill collars; Sucker rods; Cables; Casings; Tubings
- E21B17/14—Casing shoes for the protection of the bottom of the casing
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B10/00—Drill bits
- E21B10/62—Drill bits characterised by parts, e.g. cutting elements, which are detachable or adjustable
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B21/00—Methods or apparatus for flushing boreholes, e.g. by use of exhaust air from motor
- E21B21/10—Valve arrangements in drilling-fluid circulation systems
- E21B21/103—Down-hole by-pass valve arrangements, i.e. between the inside of the drill string and the annulus
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B7/00—Special methods or apparatus for drilling
- E21B7/20—Driving or forcing casings or pipes into boreholes, e.g. sinking; Simultaneously drilling and casing boreholes
Abstract
A casing drilling shoe (1) is disclosed which is adapted for attachment to a casing string and comprises an outer drilling section (2) constructed of a relatively hard material such as steel and an inner section (4) constructed of a readily drillable material such as aluminium. The drilling shoe further includes a means (7) for controllably displacing the outer drilling section to enable the shoe to be drilled through using a standard drill bit and subsequently penetrated by a reduced diameter casing string or liner.
Description
I I . ~ i I li L
CASING DRILLING SHOE
The invention has an application particularly, but not exclusively, in relation to the er_ploration for oil and gas. More specifically, the present invention concerns a casing drilling shoe primarily for use in oil well drilling.
When drilling subterranean formations for the purpose of oil exploration it is normal to firstly drill a section of hole of a particular diameter and. then remove the drill bit from the well bore. A tubular member of lesser diameter, known as casing, is placed in the well bore and subsequently the annulus between the drilled hole and the outside of the casing is filled with cement. The purpose of the cement is to isolate certain of the subterranean strata from each other. The next operation is to pass through the casing with a smaller diameter drill bit and drill the further section of hole beyond the previously attained depth. This sequence is repeated as many times as necessary, with smaller and smaller components, until the ultimate desired depth of the well is achieved.
CASING DRILLING SHOE
The invention has an application particularly, but not exclusively, in relation to the er_ploration for oil and gas. More specifically, the present invention concerns a casing drilling shoe primarily for use in oil well drilling.
When drilling subterranean formations for the purpose of oil exploration it is normal to firstly drill a section of hole of a particular diameter and. then remove the drill bit from the well bore. A tubular member of lesser diameter, known as casing, is placed in the well bore and subsequently the annulus between the drilled hole and the outside of the casing is filled with cement. The purpose of the cement is to isolate certain of the subterranean strata from each other. The next operation is to pass through the casing with a smaller diameter drill bit and drill the further section of hole beyond the previously attained depth. This sequence is repeated as many times as necessary, with smaller and smaller components, until the ultimate desired depth of the well is achieved.
2 1 Positioned at the end of each casing string is a rounded 2 guiding component known as a shoe. Typically, the
3 leading edge of the :shoe is constructed from cement, to
4 enable it to be easily drilled through by the next drill bit.
7 The cost of oil exploration particularly in offshore 8 regions is extremely high. ~'or instance, the operating 9 cost of a semi-submersible drill rig is often in excess of $100,000 per day (June 1998). Thus it is in the lI interest of the operator to minimise the time taken to 12 drill a well. At great depths, the round trip time to 13 pull out a drill bit and replace it with another one can 14 be many hours. This "trip" i:.ime is seen as non-productive and wastefwl, and a significant advantage can 16 be gained, if, having drilled to target depth the drill I7 bit did not have to be removed from the well bore. Tn 18 this way, a trip could be saved.
A proposed solution would be to attach the drill bit to 21 the leading end of they casing string and drill to target 22 depth and then cement the casing. Certain advances in 23 recent years have rendered this solution more viable, 24 including the provision of premium casing threads able to take the necessary dr~.lling torque, and rotary top drives 26 able to transmit the torque directly to the trailing end 27 of a drill string are commonplace.
29 However, technical difficulties have not entirely been overcome and this is clearly evidenced by the fact that 31 the industry has not adopted "drilling with casing" to 32 date .
WO 99164'713 PCTIGB99I01816 1 One major remaining issue concerns the drill bit itself.
f. By design drill bits are robust devices able to Withstand 3~ the rigours of a dor~mhole environment. They are 4. generally made from hard materials such as steel or
7 The cost of oil exploration particularly in offshore 8 regions is extremely high. ~'or instance, the operating 9 cost of a semi-submersible drill rig is often in excess of $100,000 per day (June 1998). Thus it is in the lI interest of the operator to minimise the time taken to 12 drill a well. At great depths, the round trip time to 13 pull out a drill bit and replace it with another one can 14 be many hours. This "trip" i:.ime is seen as non-productive and wastefwl, and a significant advantage can 16 be gained, if, having drilled to target depth the drill I7 bit did not have to be removed from the well bore. Tn 18 this way, a trip could be saved.
A proposed solution would be to attach the drill bit to 21 the leading end of they casing string and drill to target 22 depth and then cement the casing. Certain advances in 23 recent years have rendered this solution more viable, 24 including the provision of premium casing threads able to take the necessary dr~.lling torque, and rotary top drives 26 able to transmit the torque directly to the trailing end 27 of a drill string are commonplace.
29 However, technical difficulties have not entirely been overcome and this is clearly evidenced by the fact that 31 the industry has not adopted "drilling with casing" to 32 date .
WO 99164'713 PCTIGB99I01816 1 One major remaining issue concerns the drill bit itself.
f. By design drill bits are robust devices able to Withstand 3~ the rigours of a dor~mhole environment. They are 4. generally made from hard materials such as steel or
5~ tungsten carbide matrix. After cementing the drilled-in
6~ casing the subsequent drill bit ~aou3d have to pass T through the previous one before exiting the end of the 8 casing string. Unfortunately, modern drill bits 9 optimised for rock removal are unable to drill through the materials from which they themselves are constructed 11 without sustaining a level of damage which would render 12 the task of drilling the next section of rock formation 13, impossible. It is possible to drill through a drill bit 14 with special tools known as mills, but these tools are lfi unable to penetrate rock formations effectively and so 16 the mill would have to be "tripped°' from the hole and 17 replaced with a drill bit. In this case, the trip saving 18 advantage gained by drilling with casing would have been 19 lost .
21 Thus it is recognised in the present invention that 22 considerable advantage is to be gained in the provision 23 of a casing shoe that is able to drill rock formations 24 effectively, but which itself is capable of being drilled 2S by standard oilfield drill bits.
27. Drilling shoes have ',been available in the past 2$ specifically for attachment to casing, although usually 29 for special applications such as a situation where the lowermost rock strata of a section of a well to be 31 drilled are extremely unconsolidated and there is a 32 consequential risk tihat after the drill bit is removed 33 from the well the rock strata may collapse into the well 34 bore. This then renders the process of placing the casing 1 in the well bore difvficult or impossible. Such casing 2; shoes have invariably been made from the hard materials ?C associated with normal drill bits and as such cannot be 4 drilled through.
fi Also, casing whilst drilling systems have been and
21 Thus it is recognised in the present invention that 22 considerable advantage is to be gained in the provision 23 of a casing shoe that is able to drill rock formations 24 effectively, but which itself is capable of being drilled 2S by standard oilfield drill bits.
27. Drilling shoes have ',been available in the past 2$ specifically for attachment to casing, although usually 29 for special applications such as a situation where the lowermost rock strata of a section of a well to be 31 drilled are extremely unconsolidated and there is a 32 consequential risk tihat after the drill bit is removed 33 from the well the rock strata may collapse into the well 34 bore. This then renders the process of placing the casing 1 in the well bore difvficult or impossible. Such casing 2; shoes have invariably been made from the hard materials ?C associated with normal drill bits and as such cannot be 4 drilled through.
fi Also, casing whilst drilling systems have been and
7 continue to be available to the industry. One such system involves running a casing string and a drill string in tandem. Attached to the leading end of the casing string is a c:are type bit able to cut a "kerf" of 11 formation. Positioned at the leading end of the drill 12 string is a drill bit driven by a hydraulic motor. Thus, 1:3 the core bit and ths: drill bit together can drill a hole 14 of the required diameter. Prior to performing the 1.'i cementing operation however, the drill bit has to be lei removed from the wel.1 bore and thus the expensive trip is 1'7 not saved.
19 Probably the apparatus which comes closest to overcoming the afore-described problems is known as a reamer shoe.
21 Reamer shoes have be=come available over the last few 22 years and are devicea that axe able to drill over the 23 extreme outer diamet=er of the tool but which have an 2~4 inner section manufactured from a material which is 2~5 drillable with dril=L bits. The objective or utility of 2~ these tools, however, is to help the casing string enter 27 a difficult well bore and when landed and cemented, pose 28 no obstruction to the subsequent drill bit.
According to the prE=_sent invention there is provided a 31 casing drilling shoe adapted for attachment to a casing 32 string, wherein the shoe comprises an outer drilling 33 section constructed of a relatively hard material and an 34 inner section const=ructed of a readily drillable WO 99/b4~13 PCT/GB99/01816 1 material, and wherein means is provided fnr controllably 2 displacing the outer drilling section to enable the shoe 3 to be drilled through using a standard drill bit and 4 subsequently penetrated by a reduced diameter casing 5 string or liner.
7 Optionally, the outer section may be made of steel and
19 Probably the apparatus which comes closest to overcoming the afore-described problems is known as a reamer shoe.
21 Reamer shoes have be=come available over the last few 22 years and are devicea that axe able to drill over the 23 extreme outer diamet=er of the tool but which have an 2~4 inner section manufactured from a material which is 2~5 drillable with dril=L bits. The objective or utility of 2~ these tools, however, is to help the casing string enter 27 a difficult well bore and when landed and cemented, pose 28 no obstruction to the subsequent drill bit.
According to the prE=_sent invention there is provided a 31 casing drilling shoe adapted for attachment to a casing 32 string, wherein the shoe comprises an outer drilling 33 section constructed of a relatively hard material and an 34 inner section const=ructed of a readily drillable WO 99/b4~13 PCT/GB99/01816 1 material, and wherein means is provided fnr controllably 2 displacing the outer drilling section to enable the shoe 3 to be drilled through using a standard drill bit and 4 subsequently penetrated by a reduced diameter casing 5 string or liner.
7 Optionally, the outer section may be made of steel and
8 the inner section may be made of aluminium.
9 Preferably, the outer section is provided with one or 11 more blades, wherein the blades are moveable from a first 12 or drilling position to a second or displaced position.
13 Preferably, when the blades are in the first or drilling 14 position they extend in a lateral or radial direction to such extent as to allow for drilling to be performed over i6 the full face of th.e shoe. This enables the casing shoe 17 to progress beyond the furthest point previously attained 18 in a particular well.
The means for displacing the outer drilling section may 21 comprise of a means for imparting a downward thrust on 22 the inner section sufficient to cause the inner section 23 to move in a dawn-hole direction relative to the outer 24 drilling section. The means may include an obturating member for obstructing the flow of drilling mud so as to 26 enable increased pressure to be obtained above the inner 27 section, the pressure being adapted to impart the 28 downward thrust.
Typically, the direction of displacement of the outer 31 section has a radial component.
33 Also according to t:f~e invention there is provided a 34 casing drilling shoe adapted for attachment to a casing WO 99!64713 PCT/GB99/O1$I6 1 string, wherein the shoe comprises an outer drilling 2 section constructed of a relatively hard material and an 3 inner section constructed of a readily dri2lable 4 material, and wherE:in means is provided for controllably displacing the outer drilling section to a position b whereby it does not. interfere with subsequent drilling 7 through the shoe for the placement of further casing or a $ liner down-hole.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described by :ll way of example only and with reference to the a2 accompanying Figures, in which:
ll4 Figure 1 is an end view of a drill casing shoe or 1l5 tool in accordance with the invention;
lf>
17 Figure 2 shows a sectional view in elevation of a 1;8 tool of Figure 1 attached to the end of a casing Il9 string;
e;l Figure 3 shows the tool in its normal drilling mode;
G2 and 2;3 2;4 Figures 4 and !~ show the tool in respective further ~S stages activatESd and ready for cementing and 2;6 subsequent dri:Lling.
2.7 ~8 Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2, a drilling shoe is Z~9 generally depicted at 1. The drilling shoe 1 has an outer drilling sect~_on 2 having blades 3. The blades 3 31 are made of a hard material such as steel which may 32 incorporate a cutting structure of polycrystalline 33 diamond or tungsten carbide for example. They may be of WO 99/64713 PCTlGB99/01816 1 industry standard type and or designed to suit particular 2 formations to be drilled by the tool.
4 In Figures 1 and 2, the outer drilling section 2 is in the drilling mode and, as such, the shoe 1 is incapable 6 of being drilled through by standard drill bits.
8 The tool 1 is further provided with an inner section 4 9 which, in the embodiment shown, comprises a generally cylindrical member having ports 5 in its lower region to 11 allow for the passage of drilling mud to the end or 12 drilling face of the tool or shoe 1. The ports 5 13 communicate via feed passages $ with a single circular 14 bore 6, the bore 6 providing a circulation path for drilling mud or lubricant. The tool 1 is also provided 16 with an anti-rotation pin '14 to prevent the inner section 17 spinning when being' drilled out.
19 Notably, the bore 6 is adapted to be obstructed or blocked. For example, the bore 5 in the example 2I embodiment includes a ball seat 7 such that upon dropping 22 a ball sized to land on the seat 7, the bore 6 becomes 23 obstructed enabling an operator to pressure-up behind the 24 bore. It will be known to persons skilled in the art that other methods may be employed for this purpose, such 26 as dropping darts and so on.
28 As may be seen in Figure 3,. the inner section 4 is 29 captured between the blades 3 of the outer drilling section and, at its upper end, a locking ring 9.
32 In use, when the tool 1 is in its drilling mode, drilling 33 mud may be pumped down the inside of the casing, through 34 the bore 6 and subsequently through the ports 5 in the I inner section 4. 'The mud, while providing a lubricant, 2 also serves to clean the face of the tool and is able to 3 return up the annulus between the casing and the well 4 bore (not shown). During this process, there would be a small downward thrust on the inner section 4 due to the 6 pressure drop of the mud passing through the ports 5.
7 This thrust would not be sufficient to displace the 8 blades 3 of the outer section 2 relative to the rest of 9 the tool 1.
I1 However, when the drilling process is complete, it is a I2 feature of this invention that the tool or shoe may be I3 manipulated or activated to render it drillable.
14 Activation may be achieved by applying a relatively large downward thrust to the inner portion 4.
17 In the example embodiment illustrated in the accompanying 18 Figures, the downward thrust results from blocking the 19 bore 6 or flow passages 8 feeding the ports 5 by landing a ball 10 on the rest 7 (see Figure 4). The ball 10 may 2I be dropped from surface or, preferably, may be released 22 from a remately actuated mechanism positioned just above 23 the tool 1. Again, methods of achieving remote ball 24 release are known to persons skilled in the art and include, for example, increasing the flow rate of the 26 drilling mud or circulation fluid to a level whereby a 27 support for the ball in its mechanism is overcome. These 2$ and other ball release subs are known in the industry.
After the ball 10 is seated, pump pressure rises and the 31 downward thrust load on the inner section 4 increases.
32 This thrust load is transferred to the blades 3 33 positioned at the leading end of the tool 1. The design 34 of the blades 3 is such that they can be displaced by a 1 predetermined load;, well below the maximum safe pressure 2 that the casing can withstand. When this load is reached 3 the blades 3 are displaced outwardly in the manner of 4 downward pointing i=fingers, while the inner section 4 advances downwardly until its motion is arrested by 6 mating shoulder portions 11 of the inner and outer 7 sections 2,4. In Figure 4 the inner section 4 has been $ fully displaced.
It is to be furthex- noted that the outer section 2 is li provided with port;> 12. In the normal drilling mode, the 12 ports 12 are obstructed by the sleeve 13 as circulation 13 is enabled via the parts 5. However, as may be seen in 14 Figure 4, the fluid communication ports 12 are caused to open, that is become unobstructed as the sleeve 13 16 travels down with the inner section 4 under the influence 17 of the downward thrust. This fulfils the necessary 18 requirement of re-establishing circulation at this point, 19 since the cementincr operation involves pumping the cement slurry down the inside of the casing and displacing it 21 into the annulus. P,n added advantage lies in the fact 22 that the operators of the tool are given a clear signal 23 that the tool has activated properly since on opening the 24 ports 12 the pressure level will fall significantly.
2~
26 In Figure 4, it can. be seem that the components that 27 rendered the tool incapable of being drilled have now 28 been displaced to a. position where they will not 29 interfere with the next drill bit to be used.
31 Cementing of the casing may then be undertaken and after 32 the cement has set hard, drilling the next of hole 33 section may commence. This would typically involve 34 passing a drill bit of appropriate diameter through the 1 centre of the casing string and performing a drilling out 2 operation of the inner section 4, As the inner section is 3 made of a readily drillable material, such as aluminium, 4 this does not present any of the difficulties encountered 5 in the past. In Figure 5, the tool is shown after the 6 drilling-out operation has been completed, it is clear 7 from this view that the bi_t (which is not shown)is only 8 required to progress through components that were 9 constructed from d:rillable materials.
11 By the use of this tool i:t has been shown that a 12 significant advantage can be obtained and that major cost 13 savings can be released. In particular, the present 14 invention negates 'the requirement of having to retrieve the drill string and drill. bit before cementing the 16 casing. The invenvCion further negates or at least 17 mitigates any requ:irernent for milling. Importantly, the 38 tool incorporates <~. mechanism which when activated allows 19 the tool to be drilled through with a conventional oilfield drill bit withaut causing damage to said bit.
22 It should be appreciated herein that the described and 23 illustrated apparai~us and method is only one of many 24 possible technique:. Further modifications and 2~ improvements may bE: incorporated without departing from 26 the scope of the invention. herein intended.
13 Preferably, when the blades are in the first or drilling 14 position they extend in a lateral or radial direction to such extent as to allow for drilling to be performed over i6 the full face of th.e shoe. This enables the casing shoe 17 to progress beyond the furthest point previously attained 18 in a particular well.
The means for displacing the outer drilling section may 21 comprise of a means for imparting a downward thrust on 22 the inner section sufficient to cause the inner section 23 to move in a dawn-hole direction relative to the outer 24 drilling section. The means may include an obturating member for obstructing the flow of drilling mud so as to 26 enable increased pressure to be obtained above the inner 27 section, the pressure being adapted to impart the 28 downward thrust.
Typically, the direction of displacement of the outer 31 section has a radial component.
33 Also according to t:f~e invention there is provided a 34 casing drilling shoe adapted for attachment to a casing WO 99!64713 PCT/GB99/O1$I6 1 string, wherein the shoe comprises an outer drilling 2 section constructed of a relatively hard material and an 3 inner section constructed of a readily dri2lable 4 material, and wherE:in means is provided for controllably displacing the outer drilling section to a position b whereby it does not. interfere with subsequent drilling 7 through the shoe for the placement of further casing or a $ liner down-hole.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described by :ll way of example only and with reference to the a2 accompanying Figures, in which:
ll4 Figure 1 is an end view of a drill casing shoe or 1l5 tool in accordance with the invention;
lf>
17 Figure 2 shows a sectional view in elevation of a 1;8 tool of Figure 1 attached to the end of a casing Il9 string;
e;l Figure 3 shows the tool in its normal drilling mode;
G2 and 2;3 2;4 Figures 4 and !~ show the tool in respective further ~S stages activatESd and ready for cementing and 2;6 subsequent dri:Lling.
2.7 ~8 Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2, a drilling shoe is Z~9 generally depicted at 1. The drilling shoe 1 has an outer drilling sect~_on 2 having blades 3. The blades 3 31 are made of a hard material such as steel which may 32 incorporate a cutting structure of polycrystalline 33 diamond or tungsten carbide for example. They may be of WO 99/64713 PCTlGB99/01816 1 industry standard type and or designed to suit particular 2 formations to be drilled by the tool.
4 In Figures 1 and 2, the outer drilling section 2 is in the drilling mode and, as such, the shoe 1 is incapable 6 of being drilled through by standard drill bits.
8 The tool 1 is further provided with an inner section 4 9 which, in the embodiment shown, comprises a generally cylindrical member having ports 5 in its lower region to 11 allow for the passage of drilling mud to the end or 12 drilling face of the tool or shoe 1. The ports 5 13 communicate via feed passages $ with a single circular 14 bore 6, the bore 6 providing a circulation path for drilling mud or lubricant. The tool 1 is also provided 16 with an anti-rotation pin '14 to prevent the inner section 17 spinning when being' drilled out.
19 Notably, the bore 6 is adapted to be obstructed or blocked. For example, the bore 5 in the example 2I embodiment includes a ball seat 7 such that upon dropping 22 a ball sized to land on the seat 7, the bore 6 becomes 23 obstructed enabling an operator to pressure-up behind the 24 bore. It will be known to persons skilled in the art that other methods may be employed for this purpose, such 26 as dropping darts and so on.
28 As may be seen in Figure 3,. the inner section 4 is 29 captured between the blades 3 of the outer drilling section and, at its upper end, a locking ring 9.
32 In use, when the tool 1 is in its drilling mode, drilling 33 mud may be pumped down the inside of the casing, through 34 the bore 6 and subsequently through the ports 5 in the I inner section 4. 'The mud, while providing a lubricant, 2 also serves to clean the face of the tool and is able to 3 return up the annulus between the casing and the well 4 bore (not shown). During this process, there would be a small downward thrust on the inner section 4 due to the 6 pressure drop of the mud passing through the ports 5.
7 This thrust would not be sufficient to displace the 8 blades 3 of the outer section 2 relative to the rest of 9 the tool 1.
I1 However, when the drilling process is complete, it is a I2 feature of this invention that the tool or shoe may be I3 manipulated or activated to render it drillable.
14 Activation may be achieved by applying a relatively large downward thrust to the inner portion 4.
17 In the example embodiment illustrated in the accompanying 18 Figures, the downward thrust results from blocking the 19 bore 6 or flow passages 8 feeding the ports 5 by landing a ball 10 on the rest 7 (see Figure 4). The ball 10 may 2I be dropped from surface or, preferably, may be released 22 from a remately actuated mechanism positioned just above 23 the tool 1. Again, methods of achieving remote ball 24 release are known to persons skilled in the art and include, for example, increasing the flow rate of the 26 drilling mud or circulation fluid to a level whereby a 27 support for the ball in its mechanism is overcome. These 2$ and other ball release subs are known in the industry.
After the ball 10 is seated, pump pressure rises and the 31 downward thrust load on the inner section 4 increases.
32 This thrust load is transferred to the blades 3 33 positioned at the leading end of the tool 1. The design 34 of the blades 3 is such that they can be displaced by a 1 predetermined load;, well below the maximum safe pressure 2 that the casing can withstand. When this load is reached 3 the blades 3 are displaced outwardly in the manner of 4 downward pointing i=fingers, while the inner section 4 advances downwardly until its motion is arrested by 6 mating shoulder portions 11 of the inner and outer 7 sections 2,4. In Figure 4 the inner section 4 has been $ fully displaced.
It is to be furthex- noted that the outer section 2 is li provided with port;> 12. In the normal drilling mode, the 12 ports 12 are obstructed by the sleeve 13 as circulation 13 is enabled via the parts 5. However, as may be seen in 14 Figure 4, the fluid communication ports 12 are caused to open, that is become unobstructed as the sleeve 13 16 travels down with the inner section 4 under the influence 17 of the downward thrust. This fulfils the necessary 18 requirement of re-establishing circulation at this point, 19 since the cementincr operation involves pumping the cement slurry down the inside of the casing and displacing it 21 into the annulus. P,n added advantage lies in the fact 22 that the operators of the tool are given a clear signal 23 that the tool has activated properly since on opening the 24 ports 12 the pressure level will fall significantly.
2~
26 In Figure 4, it can. be seem that the components that 27 rendered the tool incapable of being drilled have now 28 been displaced to a. position where they will not 29 interfere with the next drill bit to be used.
31 Cementing of the casing may then be undertaken and after 32 the cement has set hard, drilling the next of hole 33 section may commence. This would typically involve 34 passing a drill bit of appropriate diameter through the 1 centre of the casing string and performing a drilling out 2 operation of the inner section 4, As the inner section is 3 made of a readily drillable material, such as aluminium, 4 this does not present any of the difficulties encountered 5 in the past. In Figure 5, the tool is shown after the 6 drilling-out operation has been completed, it is clear 7 from this view that the bi_t (which is not shown)is only 8 required to progress through components that were 9 constructed from d:rillable materials.
11 By the use of this tool i:t has been shown that a 12 significant advantage can be obtained and that major cost 13 savings can be released. In particular, the present 14 invention negates 'the requirement of having to retrieve the drill string and drill. bit before cementing the 16 casing. The invenvCion further negates or at least 17 mitigates any requ:irernent for milling. Importantly, the 38 tool incorporates <~. mechanism which when activated allows 19 the tool to be drilled through with a conventional oilfield drill bit withaut causing damage to said bit.
22 It should be appreciated herein that the described and 23 illustrated apparai~us and method is only one of many 24 possible technique:. Further modifications and 2~ improvements may bE: incorporated without departing from 26 the scope of the invention. herein intended.
Claims (8)
1. A casing drilling shoe adapted for attachment to a casing string, wherein the drilling shoe comprises an outer drilling section constructed of a hard material relative to an inner section constructed of a relatively drillable material, and wherein displacing means is provided for controllably displacing the outer drilling section to enable the drilling shoe to be drilled through using a standard drill bit and subsequently penetrated by a reduced diameter casing string or liner.
2. A drilling shoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer section is made of steel and the inner section is made of aluminium.
3. A drilling shoe as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the outer section is provided with one or more blades, wherein the or each blade is movable from a first or drilling position to a second or displaced position which allows passage of said reduced diameter casing string or liner.
4. A drilling shoe as claimed in claim 3, wherein when the or each blade is in the first or drilling position they extend in a lateral or radial direction to such extent as to allow for drilling to be performed over a full face of the drilling shoe.
5. A drilling shoe as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein displacing means for displacing the outer drilling section comprises of a thrust means for imparting a downward thrust on the inner section sufficient to cause the inner section to move in a down-hole direction relative to the outer drilling section.
6. A drilling shoe as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the displacing means includes an obturating member for obstructing a flow of drilling mud so as to enable an increased pressure to be obtained above the inner section, the pressure being adapted to impart a downward thrust.
7. A drilling shoe as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a direction of displacement of the outer section has a radial component.
8. A casing drilling shoe adapted for attachment to a casing string, wherein the drilling shoe comprises an outer drilling section constructed of a hard material relative to an inner section constructed of a relatively drillable material, and wherein means is provided for controllably displacing the outer drilling section to a position whereby it does not interfere with subsequent drilling through the drilling shoe for the placement of further casing or a liner down-hole.
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB9812554.5A GB9812554D0 (en) | 1998-06-11 | 1998-06-11 | A drilling tool |
| GB9812554.5 | 1998-06-11 | ||
| GBGB9814597.2A GB9814597D0 (en) | 1998-07-07 | 1998-07-07 | A drilling tool |
| GB9814597.2 | 1998-07-07 | ||
| PCT/GB1999/001816 WO1999064713A1 (en) | 1998-06-11 | 1999-06-09 | A drilling tool |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2334741A1 CA2334741A1 (en) | 1999-12-16 |
| CA2334741C true CA2334741C (en) | 2006-04-25 |
Family
ID=26313839
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002334741A Expired - Fee Related CA2334741C (en) | 1998-06-11 | 1999-06-09 | Casing drilling shoe |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US6443247B1 (en) |
| EP (1) | EP1086292B1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU751544B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2334741C (en) |
| NO (1) | NO313890B1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1999064713A1 (en) |
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| WO2001046550A1 (en) * | 1999-12-22 | 2001-06-28 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Drilling bit for drilling while running casing |
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| GB0010378D0 (en) * | 2000-04-28 | 2000-06-14 | Bbl Downhole Tools Ltd | Expandable apparatus for drift and reaming a borehole |
| GB0029324D0 (en) * | 2000-12-01 | 2001-01-17 | Bbl Downhole Tools Ltd | Shoe |
| CA2482743C (en) | 2002-04-12 | 2011-05-24 | Enventure Global Technology | Protective sleeve for threaded connections for expandable liner hanger |
| EP1501645A4 (en) | 2002-04-15 | 2006-04-26 | Enventure Global Technology | Protective sleeve for threaded connections for expandable liner hanger |
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| US7739917B2 (en) | 2002-09-20 | 2010-06-22 | Enventure Global Technology, Llc | Pipe formability evaluation for expandable tubulars |
| US7938201B2 (en) | 2002-12-13 | 2011-05-10 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Deep water drilling with casing |
| US6817633B2 (en) | 2002-12-20 | 2004-11-16 | Lone Star Steel Company | Tubular members and threaded connections for casing drilling and method |
| US7886831B2 (en) | 2003-01-22 | 2011-02-15 | Enventure Global Technology, L.L.C. | Apparatus for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member |
| USRE42877E1 (en) | 2003-02-07 | 2011-11-01 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for wellbore construction and completion |
| WO2004076804A1 (en) * | 2003-02-27 | 2004-09-10 | Weatherford/Lamb Inc. | Drill shoe |
| CA2517883C (en) * | 2003-03-05 | 2010-01-12 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Full bore lined wellbores |
| US20040174017A1 (en) * | 2003-03-06 | 2004-09-09 | Lone Star Steel Company | Tubular goods with expandable threaded connections |
| US7169239B2 (en) * | 2003-05-16 | 2007-01-30 | Lone Star Steel Company, L.P. | Solid expandable tubular members formed from very low carbon steel and method |
| US7650944B1 (en) | 2003-07-11 | 2010-01-26 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Vessel for well intervention |
| US7712522B2 (en) | 2003-09-05 | 2010-05-11 | Enventure Global Technology, Llc | Expansion cone and system |
| US7395882B2 (en) * | 2004-02-19 | 2008-07-08 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Casing and liner drilling bits |
| US7954570B2 (en) | 2004-02-19 | 2011-06-07 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Cutting elements configured for casing component drillout and earth boring drill bits including same |
| US7624818B2 (en) | 2004-02-19 | 2009-12-01 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Earth boring drill bits with casing component drill out capability and methods of use |
| US7275605B2 (en) * | 2004-03-12 | 2007-10-02 | Conocophillips Company | Rotatable drill shoe |
| CA2577083A1 (en) | 2004-08-13 | 2006-02-23 | Mark Shuster | Tubular member expansion apparatus |
| US7481280B2 (en) * | 2005-06-20 | 2009-01-27 | 1243939 Alberta Ltd. | Method and apparatus for conducting earth borehole operations using coiled casing |
| NO323198B1 (en) * | 2005-07-11 | 2007-01-15 | Statoil Asa | Device for feeding tube or extension tube, method for inserting feeding tube or extension tube, and device for drilling tube. |
| CA2651966C (en) * | 2006-05-12 | 2011-08-23 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Stage cementing methods used in casing while drilling |
| US7621351B2 (en) * | 2006-05-15 | 2009-11-24 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Reaming tool suitable for running on casing or liner |
| US8276689B2 (en) | 2006-05-22 | 2012-10-02 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for drilling with casing |
| CA2596094C (en) * | 2006-08-08 | 2011-01-18 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Improved milling of cemented tubulars |
| US7748466B2 (en) * | 2006-09-14 | 2010-07-06 | Thrubit B.V. | Coiled tubing wellbore drilling and surveying using a through the drill bit apparatus |
| US7549471B2 (en) * | 2006-12-28 | 2009-06-23 | Thrubit, Llc | Deployment tool for well logging instruments conveyed through the interior of a pipe string |
| US8439131B2 (en) * | 2007-04-12 | 2013-05-14 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Drill bit assembly and method of performing an operation in a wellbore |
| US8264532B2 (en) * | 2007-08-09 | 2012-09-11 | Thrubit B.V. | Through-mill wellbore optical inspection and remediation apparatus and methodology |
| US8245797B2 (en) | 2007-10-02 | 2012-08-21 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Cutting structures for casing component drillout and earth-boring drill bits including same |
| US7954571B2 (en) | 2007-10-02 | 2011-06-07 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Cutting structures for casing component drillout and earth-boring drill bits including same |
| WO2009064967A1 (en) * | 2007-11-14 | 2009-05-22 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Earth-boring tools attachable to a casing string and methods for their manufacture |
| US8316703B2 (en) * | 2008-04-25 | 2012-11-27 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Flexible coupling for well logging instruments |
| GB0900606D0 (en) | 2009-01-15 | 2009-02-25 | Downhole Products Plc | Tubing shoe |
| US20100252331A1 (en) * | 2009-04-01 | 2010-10-07 | High Angela D | Methods for forming boring shoes for wellbore casing, and boring shoes and intermediate structures formed by such methods |
| US20100252325A1 (en) * | 2009-04-02 | 2010-10-07 | National Oilwell Varco | Methods for determining mechanical specific energy for wellbore operations |
| US8887836B2 (en) * | 2009-04-15 | 2014-11-18 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Drilling systems for cleaning wellbores, bits for wellbore cleaning, methods of forming such bits, and methods of cleaning wellbores using such bits |
| US8151885B2 (en) * | 2009-04-20 | 2012-04-10 | Halliburton Energy Services Inc. | Erosion resistant flow connector |
| US8517123B2 (en) * | 2009-05-29 | 2013-08-27 | Varel International, Ind., L.P. | Milling cap for a polycrystalline diamond compact cutter |
| US8327944B2 (en) * | 2009-05-29 | 2012-12-11 | Varel International, Ind., L.P. | Whipstock attachment to a fixed cutter drilling or milling bit |
| SG175249A1 (en) * | 2009-06-05 | 2011-11-28 | Varel Int Ind Lp | Casing bit and casing reamer designs |
| US20110209922A1 (en) * | 2009-06-05 | 2011-09-01 | Varel International | Casing end tool |
| US8074749B2 (en) * | 2009-09-11 | 2011-12-13 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Earth removal member with features for facilitating drill-through |
| US8191655B2 (en) * | 2009-12-16 | 2012-06-05 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Apparatus and method for reaming a wellbore during the installation of a tubular string |
| GB201004603D0 (en) * | 2010-03-19 | 2010-05-05 | 2Td Ltd | Drill bit |
| GB201009661D0 (en) * | 2010-06-09 | 2010-07-21 | 2Td Ltd | Cutting assembly |
| WO2012088323A2 (en) * | 2010-12-22 | 2012-06-28 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Earth removal member with features for facilitating drill-through |
| US9500045B2 (en) | 2012-10-31 | 2016-11-22 | Canrig Drilling Technology Ltd. | Reciprocating and rotating section and methods in a drilling system |
| US9970258B2 (en) | 2014-05-16 | 2018-05-15 | Weatherford Technology Holdings, Llc | Remotely operated stage cementing methods for liner drilling installations |
| US10428584B2 (en) | 2016-07-13 | 2019-10-01 | Varel International Ind., L.P. | Bit for drilling with casing or liner string and manufacture thereof |
| GB201809145D0 (en) | 2018-06-05 | 2018-07-18 | Downhole Products Plc | Guide shoe |
| US10941622B2 (en) * | 2019-01-23 | 2021-03-09 | Cameron International Corporation | System and methodology utilizing conductor sharing offset shoe |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2334788A (en) * | 1940-08-12 | 1943-11-23 | Charles M O'leary | Hydraulic bore cleaner and cement shoe |
| US2940731A (en) * | 1955-01-21 | 1960-06-14 | United Geophysical Corp | Drill bit |
| GB2170528A (en) * | 1985-01-26 | 1986-08-06 | Ed Oscar Seabourn | Casing extender |
| US5127482A (en) | 1990-10-25 | 1992-07-07 | Rector Jr Clarence A | Expandable milling head for gas well drilling |
| GB9504968D0 (en) * | 1995-03-11 | 1995-04-26 | Brit Bit Limited | Improved casing shoe |
-
1999
- 1999-06-09 CA CA002334741A patent/CA2334741C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1999-06-09 WO PCT/GB1999/001816 patent/WO1999064713A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1999-06-09 US US09/719,317 patent/US6443247B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1999-06-09 EP EP99955516A patent/EP1086292B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1999-06-09 AU AU42794/99A patent/AU751544B2/en not_active Ceased
-
2000
- 2000-12-11 NO NO20006303A patent/NO313890B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP1086292A1 (en) | 2001-03-28 |
| CA2334741A1 (en) | 1999-12-16 |
| WO1999064713A1 (en) | 1999-12-16 |
| US6443247B1 (en) | 2002-09-03 |
| NO313890B1 (en) | 2002-12-16 |
| NO20006303D0 (en) | 2000-12-11 |
| AU751544B2 (en) | 2002-08-22 |
| NO20006303L (en) | 2000-12-15 |
| AU4279499A (en) | 1999-12-30 |
| EP1086292B1 (en) | 2004-04-14 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |
Effective date: 20190610 |