Methods and apparatus for wellbore construction and completion
View Patent ↗The present invention relates methods and apparatus for lining a wellbore. In one aspect, a drilling assembly having an earth removal member and a wellbore lining conduit is manipulated to advance into the earth. The drilling assembly includes a first fluid flow path and a second fluid flow path. Fluid is flowed through the first fluid flow path, and at least a portion of which may return through the second fluid flow path. In one embodiment, the drilling assembly is provided with a third fluid flow path. After drilling has been completed, wellbore lining conduit may be cemented in the wellbore.
1. A method of cementing a wellbore lining conduit in a wellbore, comprising:
attaching the wellbore lining conduit to the wellbore;
lowering a float valve releasably connected to a tubular string into the wellbore lining conduit attached to the wellbore;
positioning the float valve adjacent a lower portion of the wellbore lining conduit;
sealing an annular area between the float valve and the wellbore lining conduit;
supplying cement through the float valve to an annular area between the wellbore lining conduit and the wellbore;
releasing the tubular string from the float valve; and
closing the float valve.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein releasing the tubular string closes the float valve.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising actuating a sealing member disposed between the wellbore lining conduit and the wellbore.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising drilling with the wellbore lining conduit prior to attaching the wellbore lining conduit to the wellbore.
5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the sealing member is actuated using the tubular string.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising opening a port in the tubular string and retrieving the tubular string.
7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising using the tubular string to actuate a sealing member disposed between the wellbore lining conduit and the wellbore.
8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the float valve comprises a flapper valve.
9. A method of drilling with liner, comprising:
providing a drilling assembly having a drilling member connected to a drill string having a telescopic portion and the drilling member is operatively coupled to a liner;
forming a section of wellbore using the drilling assembly;
shortening a length of the drill string, thereby moving the liner toward and relative to the drilling member; and
fixing the liner in the wellbore.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the drilling member is releasably connected to the liner.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the telescopic drill string is releasably connected to the liner at two locations.
12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising releasing the drill string from the liner at a first location prior to moving the liner.
13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising releasing the drill string from the liner at a second location after fixing the liner in the wellbore.
14. The method of claim 9 , wherein the drill string has two latches located at two axially displaced positions on the drill string.
15. A method of drilling with a liner, comprising:
providing a drilling assembly having a drilling member operatively coupled to a liner, wherein the drilling member is connected to a drill string and the drill string is releasably connected to the liner;
forming a section of wellbore using the drilling assembly;
fixing the liner in the wellbore;
retrieving the drilling member axially relative to the liner, wherein the drill string is released from the liner prior to retrieving the drilling member;
releasing the liner from the wellbore;
lowering the liner toward a bottom of the wellbore; and
re-fixing the liner in the wellbore.
16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising re-connecting the drill string to the liner prior to releasing the liner.
17. A method of drilling with a liner, comprising:
providing a drilling assembly having a drilling member operatively coupled to a liner, wherein the drilling member is connected to a drill string and the drill string is releasably connected to the liner;
forming a section of wellbore using the drilling assembly;
fixing the liner in the wellbore;
retrieving the drilling member axially relative to the liner;
releasing the liner from the wellbore;
lowering the liner toward a bottom of the wellbore;
re-fixing the liner in the wellbore; and
providing a side port in the drill string and circulating through the side port during operations.
18. A method of drilling with a liner, comprising:
drilling a section of wellbore using a drilling assembly having a drill bit connected to a lower end of a drill string, a liner, and the drill string extending through the liner and releasably connected to the liner;
after drilling the section, attaching the liner to a casing previously installed in the wellbore; then
disengaging the drill string from the liner; then
pulling the drill string and drill bit upward relative to the liner and re-engaging the drill string to the liner; then
releasing the liner from the casing; then
lowering the liner toward a bottom of the wellbore; then
re-attaching the liner to the casing; and then
disengaging the drill string from the liner.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the drill string is releasably connected to the liner using a first latch during drilling of the section of the wellbore.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the drill string re-engages the liner using a second latch.
21. The method of claim 20 , wherein a lower end of the liner is proximate to the drill bit upon engagement of the second latch.
22. The method of claim 20 , wherein:
the first latch engages a recess of the liner; and
the second latch engages the recess of the liner.
23. The method of claim 20 , further comprising, after disengaging the second latch, retrieving the drilling assembly minus the liner to surface through the re-attached liner.
24. The method of claim 20 , wherein:
the drill string has a seat,
the liner is attached and the first latch is disengaged by landing a first ball or dart onto the seat and exerting pressure on the seated first ball or dart, and
the liner is re-attached and the second latch is disengaged by landing a second ball or dart onto the seat and exerting pressure on the seated second ball or dart.
25. The method of claim 18 , wherein:
the drill bit is part of a bottomhole assembly further having an underreamer, and
the underreamer reams the section during drilling.
26. The method of claim 25 , wherein:
the bottomhole assembly further includes a motor, and
the motor rotates the drill bit and underreamer during drilling.
27. The method of claim 18 , wherein the method is performed in a single trip down the wellbore.
28. The method of claim 1 , further comprising maintaining the float valve in an open position using a stinger attached to the tubular string while lowering the float valve.
29. The method of claim 28 , further comprising retrieving the tubular string and the stinger after releasing the tubular string from the float valve.