IP Library Granted Patent US 9,797,220
Granted Patent B2
US 9,797,220 · App. 14/639,309 · Granted Oct 24, 2017

Tieback cementing plug system

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,797,220
App. No.
14/639,309
Granted
Oct 24, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for casing a subsea wellbore includes running a tieback casing string into the subsea wellbore using a workstring including first, second, and third wiper plugs. The method further includes: launching a first release plug or tag into the workstring; pumping cement slurry into the workstring, thereby driving the first release plug or tag along the workstring; after pumping the cement slurry, launching a second release plug or tag into the workstring; and pumping chaser fluid into the workstring, thereby driving the release plugs or tags and cement slurry through the workstring. The release plugs or tags engage and release the respective wiper plugs from the workstring. The first wiper plug or release plug ruptures, thereby allowing the cement slurry to flow therethrough. The method further includes: stabbing the tieback casing string into a liner string; and retrieving the workstring, the workstring still including the third wiper plug.

Claims (65)

1. A method for casing a subsea wellbore, comprising:

running a tieback casing string into the subsea wellbore using a workstring, the workstring including a first wiper plug, a second wiper plug, and a third wiper plug;

launching a first release plug or tag into the workstring;

pumping cement slurry into the workstring, thereby driving the first release plug or tag along the workstring;

after pumping the cement slurry, launching a second release plug or tag into the workstring;

pumping chaser fluid into the workstring, thereby driving the first release plug or tag and the second release plug or tag and cement slurry through the workstring, wherein:

the first and second release plugs or tags engage the first and second wiper plugs, respectively, and release the respective wiper plugs from the workstring, and

the first wiper plug or first release plug or tag ruptures, thereby allowing the cement slurry to flow therethrough and into an annulus formed between the tieback casing string and an outer casing string;

stabbing the tieback casing string into a liner string; and

retrieving the workstring, the workstring still including the third wiper plug.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the second wiper plug has a bypass port and burst tube closing the bypass port, and

the burst tube is intact when retrieving the workstring.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein a rupture pressure of the burst tube is substantially greater than release pressures of the wiper plugs.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the tieback casing string includes a float collar, and

the first wiper plug ruptures after bumping the float collar.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the float collar includes a poppet having a bypass slot formed therein for preventing hydraulic lock during stabbing.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the tieback casing string includes a guide shoe and a seal stem,

the tieback casing string is run until the guide shoe is proximately above a polished bore receptacle of the liner string, thereby forming a gap therebetween, and

the cement slurry flows into the annulus via the gap.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the tieback casing string includes a hanger and a packer, and

the method further comprises setting the hanger and packer after stabbing.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the tieback casing string includes an equalization valve, and

the third wiper plug is releasably connected to the equalization valve.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first release plug or tag and the second release plug or tag are darts.

10. A method for casing a subsea wellbore, comprising:

running a tieback casing string into the subsea wellbore using a workstring, the workstring including a first wiper plug, a second wiper plug, and a third wiper plug;

launching a first release plug or tag into the workstring;

pumping cement slurry into the workstring, thereby driving the first release plug or tag along the workstring;

after pumping the cement slurry, launching a second release plug or tag into the workstring;

pumping chaser fluid into the workstring, thereby driving the first and second release plugs or tags and cement slurry through the workstring, wherein:

the first and second release plugs or tags engage the first and second wiper plugs, respectively, and release the respective wiper plugs from the workstring, and

the first wiper plug or first release plug or tag ruptures, thereby allowing the cement slurry to flow therethrough and into an annulus formed between the tieback casing string and an outer casing string;

pumping conditioner fluid into the workstring, thereby rupturing the second wiper plug or second release plug or tag and flushing the cement slurry from the annulus;

pumping remedial cement slurry into the workstring;

after pumping the remedial cement slurry, launching a third release plug or tag into the workstring;

pumping the chaser fluid into the workstring, thereby driving the third release plug or tag and remedial cement slurry through the workstring, wherein:

the third release plug or tag engages the third wiper plug and releases the third wiper plug, and

the third wiper plug drives the remedial cement slurry into the annulus;

stabbing the tieback casing string into a liner string; and

retrieving the workstring.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the second wiper plug is ruptured before stabbing.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein:

the method further comprises attempting to stab the tieback casing string into the liner string, and

the second wiper plug is ruptured after the attempted stabbing.

13. The method of claim 10 , wherein a rupture pressure of the wiper plugs is substantially greater than release pressures of the wiper plugs.

14. The method of claim 10 , wherein:

the tieback casing string includes a float collar, and

the first wiper plug ruptures after bumping the float collar.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the float collar includes a poppet having a bypass slot formed therein for preventing hydraulic lock during stabbing.

16. The method of claim 10 , wherein:

the tieback casing string includes a guide shoe and a seal stem,

the tieback casing string is run until the guide shoe is proximately above a polished bore receptacle of the liner string, thereby forming a gap therebetween, and

the cement slurry flows into the annulus via the gap.

17. The method of claim 10 , wherein:

the tieback casing string includes a hanger and a packer, and

the method further comprises setting the hanger and packer after stabbing.

18. The method of claim 10 , wherein:

the tieback casing string includes an equalization valve, and

the third wiper plug is released from the equalization valve.

19. The method of claim 10 , wherein the first release plug or tag and the second release plug or tag are darts.

Assignments (9)
PATENT SECURITY INTEREST ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 26, 2023
From: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 063470/0629 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 1, 2021
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC; WEATHERFORD NETHERLANDS B.V.; WEATHERFORD NORGE AS; HIGH PRESSURE INTEGRITY, INC.; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES, INC.; WEATHERFORD CANADA LTD; WEATHERFORD SWITZERLAND TRADING AND DEVELOPMENT GMBH; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES ULC; WEATHERFORD U.K. LIMITED
Reel/Frame 057683/0423 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 1, 2021
From: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC; WEATHERFORD NETHERLANDS B.V.; WEATHERFORD NORGE AS; HIGH PRESSURE INTEGRITY, INC.; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES, INC.; WEATHERFORD CANADA LTD.; WEATHERFORD SWITZERLAND TRADING AND DEVELOPMENT GMBH; WEATHERFORD U.K. LIMITED
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 057683/0706 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 28, 2020
From: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC; WEATHERFORD NETHERLANDS B.V.; WEATHERFORD NORGE AS; HIGH PRESSURE INTEGRITY, INC.; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES, INC.; WEATHERFORD CANADA LTD.; WEATHERFORD SWITZERLAND TRADING AND DEVELOPMENT GMBH; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES ULC; WEATHERFORD U.K. LIMITED
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 054288/0302 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 28, 2020
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC; WEATHERFORD NETHERLANDS B.V.; WEATHERFORD NORGE AS; HIGH PRESSURE INTEGRITY, INC.; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES, INC.; WEATHERFORD CANADA LTD.; WEATHERFORD SWITZERLAND TRADING AND DEVELOPMENT GMBH; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES ULC; WEATHERFORD U.K. LIMITED
Reel/Frame 053838/0323 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 26, 2019
From: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC; WEATHERFORD NETHERLANDS B.V.; WEATHERFORD NORGE AS; HIGH PRESSURE INTEGRITY, INC.; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES, INC.; WEATHERFORD CANADA LTD.; WEATHERFORD SWITZERLAND TRADING AND DEVELOPMENT GMBH; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES ULC; WEATHERFORD U.K. LIMITED
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 051419/0140 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 18, 2019
From: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LLC; WEATHERFORD NETHERLANDS B.V.; WEATHERFORD NORGE AS; HIGH PRESSURE INTEGRITY INC.; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES INC.; WEATHERFORD CANADA LTD.; WEATHERFORD SWITZERLAND TRADING AND DEVELOPMENT GMBH; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES ULC; WEATHERFORD U.K. LIMITED
To: WELLS FARGO BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 051891/0089 →
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded Sep 29, 2015
From: WEATHERFORD/LAMB, INC.
To: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 036709/0793 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 19, 2015
From: GASPARD, GREGORY GERARD; FARLEY, DOUGLAS BRIAN
To: WEATHERFORD/LAMB, INC.
Reel/Frame 035210/0536 →