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A disconnect device comprises a tubular member having a window for receiving an engagement member, and a sleeve having connected and disconnected positions. The engagement member engages with a component of a downhole string to connect the disconnect device to the rest of the string such as through

A disconnect device comprises a tubular member having a window for receiving an engagement member, and a sleeve having connected and disconnected positions. The engagement member engages with a component of a downhole string to connect the disconnect device to the rest of the string such as through a helically-shaped thread disposed on the engagement member and on the component. The window can comprise at least one wall that is outwardly tapered so as to prevent the engagement member from passing through the window when the tubular member is disconnected from the component of the string. The engagement member is maintained within the window by the sleeve when in its connected position to maintain the connection between the tubular member and the component. When moved to its disconnected position, the engagement member disengages the component by moving inwardly into the bore of the tubular member.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A disconnect device for releasing a component of a downhole string, the disconnect device comprising: a tubular member having an upper end, a lower end, an outer wall surface, an inner wall surface defining a bore, and a window disposed through the outer wall surface and in fluid communication wi

1. A disconnect device for releasing a component of a downhole string, the disconnect device comprising: a tubular member having an upper end, a lower end, an outer wall surface, an inner wall surface defining a bore, and a window disposed through the outer wall surface and in fluid communication with the bore;an engagement member disposed within the window, the window comprising at least one outwardly tapered wall and the engagement member comprising an engagement profile for engaging a component of a downhole string, the engagement profile including a helically-shaped thread; anda sleeve in sliding engagement with an inner wall surface of the tubular member, the sleeve comprising an actuator, a connected position, and a disconnected position, wherein actuation of the actuator causes the sleeve to move from the connected position to the disconnected position causing the engagement member to disengage from the component of the downhole string. 2. The disconnect device of claim 1, further comprising a restraining member operatively associated with the sleeve, the restraining member comprising a c-ring disposed in recess on the outer wall surface of sleeve. 3. The disconnect device of claim 2, wherein the inner wall surface of the tubular member comprises a recess for receiving the c-ring when the sleeve is in the connected position. 4. The disconnect device of claim 1, wherein the window comprises two outwardly tapered walls. 5. The disconnect device of claim 1, wherein the at least one outwardly tapered wall comprises a conical shape. 6. The disconnect device of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises a seat for receiving a plug member, wherein landing the plug member on the seat causes pressure to build up above the seat thereby moving the sleeve from the connected position to the disconnected position. 7. The disconnect device of claim 6, wherein the seat comprises a ball seat and the plug member comprises a ball. 8. The disconnect device of claim 1, further comprising at least three windows, each of the at least three windows having disposed therein an engagement member. 9. A downhole string comprising: a first string component releasably connected to a disconnect device, the disconnect device comprising a tubular member having an upper end, a lower end, an outer wall surface, an inner wall surface defining a bore, and a window disposed through the outer wall surface and in fluid communication with the bore,an engagement member disposed within the window, the engagement member comprising an engagement profile for engaging a component of a downhole string, anda sleeve in sliding engagement with an inner wall surface of the tubular member, the sleeve comprising an actuator, a connected position, and a disconnected position, wherein actuation of the actuator causes the sleeve to move from the connected position to the disconnected position causing the engagement member to disengage from the first string component of the downhole string,wherein the first string component comprises a component engagement profile disposed on an inner wall surface of the first string component, the component engagement profile being reciprocal in shape to the engagement profile, andwherein the engagement profile and the component engagement profile each comprise a helically-shaped thread. 10. The downhole string of claim 9, wherein the first string component comprises an attachment member disposed at a lower end on an inner wall surface of the first string component. 11. The downhole string of claim 9, wherein the window comprises at least one wall that is tapered outwardly to prevent the engagement member from passing outwardly through the window. 12. The downhole string of claim 11, wherein the at least one wall comprises a conical shape that is tapered outwardly. 13. The downhole string of claim 9, wherein the window comprises two walls that are tapered outwardly to prevent the engagement member from passing outwardly through the window. 14. A method of disconnecting an upper portion of a downhole string from a lower portion of a downhole string, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a downhole string comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion being releasably connected to the lower portion by a disconnect device, the disconnect device comprising a tubular member having an upper end, a lower end, an outer wall surface, an inner wall surface defining a bore, and a window disposed through the outer wall surface and in fluid communication with the bore,an engagement member disposed within the window, the engagement member comprising an engagement profile for engaging a component of a downhole string, the engagement profile including a helically-shaped thread, anda sleeve in sliding engagement with an inner wall surface of the tubular member, the sleeve comprising an actuator, a connected position, and a disconnected position, wherein actuation of the actuator causes the sleeve to move from the connected position to the disconnected position causing the engagement member to disengage from the lower portion of the downhole string;(b) running the downhole string into a well;(c) actuating the disconnect device from the connected position to the disconnected position by moving the sleeve causing the engagement member to move inwardly and disengage the lower portion of the string; and(d) moving the upper portion of the downhole string upward leaving the lower portion of the string in the well. 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the steps of (e) after step (d), running a retrieval tool in the wellbore, the retrieval tool having a first attachment member disposed at a lower end of the retrieval tool;(f) engaging the first attachment member with a second attachment member disposed at a lower end of an inner wall surface of the lower portion of the string; and(g) withdrawing the lower portion of the string from the wellbore with the retrieval tool. 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the engagement member is moved inwardly during step (c) due to the window comprising at least one outwardly tapered wall that prevents the engagement member from passing outwardly through the window, the outwardly tapered wall guiding the engagement member inwardly. 17. The method of claim 14, wherein during step (c), the helically-shaped thread disposed on the engagement profile of the engagement member is disengaged from a reciprocally-shaped helically-shaped thread disposed on an inner wall surface of the lower portion of the downhole string. 18. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of closing a blowout preventer operatively associated with the well after of step (d).