초록 ▼

Embodiments of the invention generally relate to tools and methods for hanging and/or expanding liner strings. In one embodiment, a method of hanging a liner assembly from a previously installed tubular in a wellbore includes running the liner assembly and a setting tool into the wellbore using a ru

Embodiments of the invention generally relate to tools and methods for hanging and/or expanding liner strings. In one embodiment, a method of hanging a liner assembly from a previously installed tubular in a wellbore includes running the liner assembly and a setting tool into the wellbore using a run-in string. The setting tool includes an isolation valve and the liner assembly includes a liner hanger and a liner string. The method further includes sending an instruction signal from the surface to the isolation valve, wherein the isolation valve closes in response to the instruction signal and isolates a setting pressure in the setting tool from the liner string; and increasing fluid pressure in the setting tool, thereby setting the liner hanger.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of hanging a liner assembly from a previously installed tubular in a wellbore, comprising: running the liner assembly, a wiper assembly, and a setting tool into the wellbore using a run-in string, wherein the setting tool comprises an isolation valve and the liner assembly comprises an e

1. A method of hanging a liner assembly from a previously installed tubular in a wellbore, comprising: running the liner assembly, a wiper assembly, and a setting tool into the wellbore using a run-in string, wherein the setting tool comprises an isolation valve and the liner assembly comprises an expandable liner hanger and a liner string;pumping cement slurry into the run-in string;pumping a top plug through the run-in string, thereby driving the cement slurry through the setting tool and into the liner string, wherein: the top plug engages the wiper assembly and releases the wiper assembly from the setting tool, andthe top plug and engaged wiper assembly drive the cement slurry through the liner string and into an annulus formed between the liner assembly and the wellbore;during or after pumping the cement slurry, sending an instruction signal from surface to the isolation valve, wherein the isolation valve closes in response to the instruction signal and isolates the setting tool from the liner string; andafter closing the isolation valve, increasing fluid pressure in the run-in string and setting tool, thereby expanding the liner hanger into engagement with the tubular. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the instruction signal is sent by transmitting a pressure pulse from the surface of the wellbore to the isolation valve. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the instruction signal is sent by transmitting a radio frequency wave from the surface of the wellbore. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the instruction signal is sent by pumping a top plug having a radio frequency tag embedded therein. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the isolation valve comprises an electronics package and an actuator operable to close the isolation valve. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein an expander of the setting tool is driven into a top of the liner hanger and through the liner hanger by the increased fluid pressure. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the liner hanger is expanded by a single stroke of the setting tool. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein: the setting tool comprises an expander, andthe isolation valve is located below the expander. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein: the isolation valve comprises a flapper, andthe flapper closes downwardly. 10. A setting tool for hanging a liner assembly from a previously installed tubular in a wellbore, comprising: a tubular mandrel having a bore therethrough and a port formed through a wall thereof;an expander operable to expand an expandable liner hanger of the liner assembly;a piston in fluid communication with the port and operable to drive the expander through the liner hanger;a first latch operable to engage a first latch profile of the liner assembly, thereby coupling the liner assembly to the mandrel and operable to release the setting tool from the liner assembly;a seal configured to isolate an annulus between the liner assembly and the setting tool;an isolation valve operable to: receive an instruction signal from surface, andclose in response to receiving the instruction signal, thereby isolating the setting tool from a liner string of the liner assembly; anda wiper assembly releasably connected to the mandrel and operable to: receive a top plug pumped through the mandrel,be released from the mandrel by engagement with the top plug, anddrive cement slurry through a liner string of the liner assembly. 11. The tool of claim 10, wherein the isolation valve includes an electronics package and an actuator operable to close the isolation valve. 12. The tool of claim 10, wherein the isolation valve includes a flapper valve. 13. The tool of claim 10, wherein the isolation valve includes a piston, a retaining member, and a flapper valve, wherein the retaining member is configured to support the flapper valve in an open position, wherein the piston is configured to remove the retaining member from support of the flapper valve to allow the flapper valve to close. 14. The tool of claim 10, wherein the isolation valve includes a piston, a ball valve, and a slot mechanism configured to permit opening and closing of the ball valve upon actuation of the piston. 15. The tool of claim 10, further comprising a second latch operable to engage a second latch profile of the liner assembly, thereby coupling the seal to the liner assembly and operable to release the seal from the liner assembly. 16. The tool of claim 10, further comprising a ratchet assembly operably coupling the piston to the mandrel. 17. A method of hanging a liner assembly from a previously installed tubular in a wellbore, comprising: running the liner assembly, a wiper assembly, and a setting tool into the wellbore using a run-in string, wherein the setting tool comprises a piston, an expander, and an electric actuator and the liner assembly comprises an expandable liner hanger and a liner string;pumping cement slurry into the run-in string;pumping a top plug through the run-in string, thereby driving the cement slurry through the setting tool and into the liner string, wherein: the top plug engages the wiper assembly and releases the wiper assembly from the setting tool, andthe top plug and engaged wiper assembly drive the cement slurry through the liner string and into an annulus formed between the liner assembly and the wellbore; andduring or after pumping the cement slurry, sending an instruction signal from surface to the electric actuator, wherein the actuator supplies fluid pressure to the piston in response to the instruction signal, thereby driving the expander through the liner hanger and expanding the liner hanger into engagement with the tubular. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the instruction signal is sent by transmitting a pressure pulse from the surface of the wellbore to the isolation valve. 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the instruction signal is sent by transmitting a radio frequency wave from the surface of the wellbore. 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the instruction signal is sent by pumping a top plug having a radio frequency tag embedded therein. 21. The method of claim 17, further comprising delaying a predetermined period of time after the electric actuator receives the instruction signal and prior to supplying fluid pressure to the piston. 22. The method of claim 17, wherein the expander is driven into a top of the liner hanger and through the liner hanger by the supplied fluid pressure. 23. The method of claim 17, wherein the liner hanger is expanded by a single stroke of the setting tool. 24. The method of claim 17, wherein fluid pressure is supplied by exposing the piston to the wellbore. 25. The method of claim 17, wherein: the setting tool further comprises an electric pump and a battery pack, andthe fluid pressure is supplied by operating the electric pump using the battery pack. 26. A setting tool for hanging a liner assembly from a previously installed tubular in a wellbore, comprising: a tubular mandrel having a bore therethrough;an expander operable to expand an expandable liner hanger of the liner assembly;a piston coupled to the mandrel and operable to drive the expander through the liner hanger;a first latch operable to engage a first latch profile of the liner assembly, thereby coupling the liner assembly to the mandrel and operable to release the setting tool from the liner assembly;a seal configured to isolate an annulus between the liner assembly and the setting tool;an electric actuator operable to: receive an instruction signal from a surface, andsupply fluid pressure to the piston; anda wiper assembly releasably connected to the mandrel and operable to: receive a top plug pumped through the mandrel,be released from the mandrel by engagement with the top plug, anddrive cement slurry through a liner string of the liner assembly. 27. The tool of claim 26, further comprising: an atmospheric chamber in fluid communication with the piston;a passage providing fluid communication between the piston and an exterior of the setting tool; anda closure member for sealing the passage,wherein: the atmospheric chamber is isolated from the setting tool exterior, andthe actuator supplies fluid pressure to the piston by opening the passage. 28. The tool of claim 27, further comprising: a damping chamber in fluid communication with the piston; anda choke providing restricted fluid communication between the damping chamber and the atmospheric chamber. 29. The tool of claim 26, further comprising: an electric pump in fluid communication with the piston; anda battery pack,wherein the actuator supplies fluid pressure to the piston by operating the pump using the battery pack. 30. The tool of claim 26, further comprising a second latch operable to engage a second latch profile of the liner assembly, thereby coupling the seal to the liner assembly and operable to release the seal from the liner assembly. 31. The tool of claim 26, further comprising a ratchet assembly operably coupling the piston to the mandrel. 32. The tool of claim 26, wherein: the expander comprises a plurality of radially split cones, andthe tool further comprises an expander actuator operable to radially retract the cones in response to excessive reaction force during expansion of the liner hanger. 33. A method of hanging a liner assembly from a previously installed tubular in a wellbore, comprising: running the liner assembly, a wiper assembly, and a setting tool into the wellbore using a run-in string, wherein the liner assembly comprises an expandable liner hanger and a liner string;pumping cement slurry into the run-in string;pumping a top plug through the run-in string, thereby driving the cement slurry through the setting tool and into the liner string, wherein: the top plug engages the wiper assembly and releases the wiper assembly from the setting tool, andthe top plug and engaged wiper assembly drive the cement slurry through the liner string and into an annulus formed between the liner assembly and the wellbore;after pumping the cement slurry, closing an isolation valve, wherein the isolation valve isolates the setting tool from the liner string; andafter closing the isolation valve, increasing fluid pressure in the run-in string and setting tool, thereby expanding the liner hanger into engagement with the tubular. 34. The method of claim 33, wherein: the setting tool comprises the isolation valve, andthe isolation valve is closed by increasing pressure in the run-in string, setting tool, and liner assembly. 35. The method of claim 33, wherein: the setting tool comprises the isolation valve, andthe isolation valve is closed by cycling pressure in the run-in string and the setting tool. 36. The method of claim 33, wherein: the isolation valve is pumped in with a dart used to pump the cement slurry, andthe isolation valve is closed by seating in the setting tool and release of the dart. 37. The method of claim 33, wherein an expander of the setting tool is driven into a top of the liner hanger and through the liner hanger by the increased fluid pressure. 38. The method of claim 33, wherein the liner hanger is expanded by a single stroke of the setting tool.