Baker Hughes Corporation

Baker Hughes, a Ge Compnay, LLC

Eric Halfmann

Keven O'Connor

Daniel C Ewing

Matthew J Krueger

Christopher Ryan Hern

Ammar A Munshi

Basil Jacob Joseph

Charles Meador

Bryan T Storey

Basil J Palakapilly

Charles M Meador

A communication system for sequential operation of subterranean tools involves flow based signals that are picked up with an acoustic receiver at a master controller, which then signals one or more slave controllers that operate tools and communicate back to the master controller that the subject tool has been operated. Sensors associated with the control system gather data downloaded when the master controller is pulled out of the hole. The system can be used to set a liner hanger and release a running tool and communicate that the liner hanger and running tool has activated. This can be confirmed with setting down weight and noting the running string going from tension to compression with a load cell or by translating the running string within the hole. The liner top packer can be set with a flow based signal to the master controller which is then removed with the running string.

Communication system for sequential liner hanger setting, release from a running tool and setting a liner top packer

A setting tool for performing a wellbore operation includes a mandrel, a cylinder slidably engaged with the mandrel, and a variable volume first chamber formed between the mandrel and the cylinder and a containment member having a second chamber adjacent to the first chamber. The setting tool also includes a support fluid disposed in the first chamber, a slidable support axially and circumferentially distributed inside the first chamber, and a valve disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber. The valve is configured to flow the support fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber. The support fluid and the slidable support, support the cylinder against a downhole pressure. The setting tool is conveyed into the wellbore and connected to a consumer. The setting tool is actuated to set the consumer.

High collapse pressure chamber and method for downhole tool actuation

A liner hanger has slips held by a slip body. A potential energy force to move the slips axially when the hanger is in position is selectively released. The slips move axially and radially outwardly guided on opposed edges by the slip body. The slip faces have wickers that dig into the surrounding casing that will support a liner string off the slips. Weight is set down to bring the housing into contact with the top of the slips that are already engaged to the surrounding casing. The nature of the loading between the slips and the casing changes from a radial reaction force from the casing going into the slip and then distributed circumferentially to the slip housing to an essentially axial loading of the slip housing down onto the slip that has penetrated the casing with an opposite reaction force in the casing wall.

Slip with altering load distribution feature

A setting tool for actuating a well tool within a wellbore includes a sleeve telescopically engaging a mandreland a floating piston disposed between the sleeve and the mandrel. The floating piston has a first face subjected to a downhole hydrostatic pressure. The setting tool also includes a pressure chamber formed between the floating piston and the valve, a working fluid in the pressure chamber, and a fluid-tight collapse chamber formed between the valve and a sealed end of the sleeve. The valve selectively the working fluid from the pressure chamber into the collapse chamber if the working fluid reaches a predetermined primary pressure setting of the valve. The setting tool is connected to and actuated a consumer.

Compensating pressure chamber for setting in low and high hydrostatic pressure applications

An annular packer to create an annulus seal that includes a solid mandrel with a first end, second end, central bore, and exterior. The annular packer includes first and second sealing elements connected to the exterior. The second sealing element is expanded radially by axial movement of at least a portion of the second sealing element. The annular packer includes a first piston movable from a first position to a second position. Pressure applied exterior of the mandrel moves a portion of the first sealing element away from the mandrel to create a first seal causing a pressure differential. The pressure differential moves the first piston to its second position axially moving at least a portion of the second sealing element to create a second seal against the casing. A port may be opened releasing the first seal, but the second seal remains set against the casing.

Interventionless method of setting a casing to casing annular packer

A slip design has segments that move relatively axially before moving in tandem up a ramp for radial extension. Due to the fact of the relative movement the segments interlock due to their geometric configuration or their surface treatment such that at the conclusion of such relative movement the load carrying thickness is effectively increased. The extended position minimizes radial extension of the slips for a smaller tool drift dimension while still allowing the needed radial extension and actually extending the radial reach of the slip assembly. The segment can have triangular or trapezoidal tapered interfaces that provide bearing areas between slip segments and adjacent spacer segment. Alternatively, the slips segments can have opposing wickers so that after riding up an underlying support member can interact with that member for load transfer. The supporting members can also be secured to an underlying mandrel for further load transfer.

Growing community of inventors

Magnolia, TX, United States of America

Eric Halfmann