IP Library Granted Patent US 11,041,352
Granted Patent B2
US 11,041,352 · App. 15/159,435 · Granted Jun 22, 2021

Advancement of a tubular string into a wellbore

Inventors: Andrew M. Ferguson (Moore, OK); Brock W. Watson (Sadler, TX); Roger L. Schultz (Newcastle, OK)
Assignee: Thru Tubing Solutions, Inc.
E21B28/00E21B23/14E21B23/00E21B33/12
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,041,352
App. No.
15/159,435
Granted
Jun 22, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system can include an annular restrictor connected in a tubular string. The annular restrictor restricts flow through an annulus formed between the tubular string and a wellbore. Restriction to the flow through the annulus biases the tubular string into the wellbore, and fluid in the wellbore displaces into the tubular string and/or a formation penetrated by the wellbore. A method can include connecting an annular restrictor in a tubular string, and flowing a fluid through an annulus formed between the tubular string and a wellbore, thereby causing a differential pressure across the annular restrictor, the differential pressure biasing the tubular string into the wellbore. Another method can include connecting an annular restrictor in a tubular string, flowing a fluid through an annulus, thereby biasing the tubular string into a wellbore, and then causing the annular restrictor to no longer restrict flow through the annulus.

Claims (30)

1. A system for advancing a tubular string into a wellbore, the system comprising:

an annular restrictor connected in the tubular string,

wherein the annular restrictor is connected between a perforator and a tubing extending to surface, and

wherein the annular restrictor restricts flow through an annulus formed between the tubular string and the wellbore, wherein restriction to the flow through the annulus biases the tubular string into the wellbore, and wherein fluid in the wellbore displaces into at least one of the group consisting of: a) a formation penetrated by the wellbore and b) the tubular string.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the annular restrictor is connected at a distal end of the tubular string in the wellbore.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the annular restrictor permits restricted flow past the annular restrictor.

4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a vibratory tool that generates vibrations in response to displacement of the fluid in the wellbore into the tubular string.

5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a ported sub connected between the annular restrictor and the perforator, and wherein the ported sub permits the fluid in the wellbore to displace into the tubular string.

6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a release mechanism that releases the annular restrictor from the tubular string.

7. A method of advancing a tubular string into a wellbore, the method comprising:

connecting an annular restrictor in the tubular string;

flowing a first fluid through an annulus formed between the tubular string and the wellbore, thereby causing a differential pressure across the annular restrictor, the differential pressure biasing the tubular string into the wellbore; and

degrading the annular restrictor in the wellbore prior to retrieving the tubular string from the wellbore.

8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising flowing a second fluid from the wellbore into the tubular string as the tubular string advances into the wellbore.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein at least a portion of the first fluid flows with the second fluid into the tubular string.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the second fluid flowing further comprises generating vibrations in response to the second fluid flowing from the wellbore into the tubular string.

11. The method of claim 7 , further comprising flowing a second fluid from the wellbore into a formation penetrated by the wellbore as the tubular string advances into the wellbore.

12. The method of claim 7 , further comprising rotating a cutting device in response to the first fluid flowing from the wellbore into the tubular string.

13. The method of claim 7 , further comprising, after the flowing, perforating a casing that lines the wellbore.

14. A method of advancing a tubular string into a wellbore, the method comprising:

connecting an annular restrictor in the tubular string;

flowing a fluid through an annulus formed between the tubular string and the wellbore, thereby biasing the tubular string into the wellbore; and

then causing the annular restrictor to cease restricting flow through the annulus, wherein the causing is performed by at least one of the group consisting of: dissolving the annular restrictor, degrading the annular restrictor and chemically dispersing the annular restrictor.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the causing is performed prior to retrieving the tubular string from the wellbore.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the causing is performed prior to perforating a casing that lines the wellbore.

17. The method of claim 14 , wherein the causing is performed after perforating a casing that lines the wellbore.

18. The method of claim 14 , wherein the causing is performed after rotating a cutting device in response to the fluid flowing.

19. The method of claim 14 , wherein the causing is performed prior to rotating a cutting device in the wellbore.

20. The method of claim 14 , further comprising closing a back pressure valve after the causing.

21. The method of claim 14 , further comprising permitting flow from the wellbore into the tubular string as the tubular string advances into the wellbore.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 19, 2016
From: FERGUSON, ANDREW M.; WATSON, BROCK W.; SCHULTZ, ROGER L.
To: THRU TUBING SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 038651/0387 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62164786 · May 21, 2015
Related Publication 20160340994A1 · Nov 24, 2016
Cited By (2)
US 12,534,970 US 12,662,892