[0001] The present invention generally relates to completion operations in a wellbore. More
particularly, the invention relates to running liners in extended reach wells.
[0002] In extended reach wells or wells with complex trajectory, operators often experience
difficulty in running a liner/casing past a certain depth or reach. The depth or reach
of the liner is typically limited by the drag forces exerted on the liner. If further
downward force is applied, the liner may be pushed into the sidewall of the wellbore
and become stuck or threaded connections in the liner may be negatively impacted.
As a result, the liners are prematurely set in the wellbore, thereby causing hole
downsizing.
[0003] Various methods have been developed to improve liner running abilities. For example,
special low friction centralizers or special fluid additives may be used to reduce
effective friction coefficient. In another example, floating a liner against the wellbore
may be used to increase buoyancy of the liner, thereby reducing contact forces.
[0004] There is a need, therefore, for apparatus and methods to improve tubular running
operations.
[0005] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method
of lining a wellbore. The method includes deploying the liner into the wellbore using
a workstring and a setting tool; engaging the setting tool with a casing or liner
previously installed in the wellbore; and pressurizing a chamber formed between a
seal of the setting tool and a shoe of the liner, thereby driving the liner further
into the wellbore, wherein reactionary force is transferred to the previously installed
casing or liner by the engaged setting tool.
[0006] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method
of lining a wellbore including deploying the liner into the wellbore using a workstring
and a setting tool; engaging the setting tool with a casing or liner previously installed
in the wellbore; and pressurizing the setting tool, thereby engaging a piston with
an inner surface of the liner and driving the piston and liner further into the wellbore,
wherein reactionary force is transferred to the previously installed casing or liner
by the engaged setting tool.
[0007] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method
of running a liner into a wellbore including securing an inner string to the liner,
wherein the inner string comprises a seal operable to engage an interior of the liner;
running the liner into the wellbore using the inner string; releasing the liner from
the inner string; closing a valve disposed in a shoe of the liner; and pressurizing
an internal area between the seal and the valve, thereby advancing the liner further
into the wellbore.
[0008] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method
of running a liner into a wellbore including securing an inner string to a liner assembly,
the liner assembly comprising an outer liner and an inner liner disposed within the
outer liner; running the liner assembly into the wellbore using the inner string;
and extending the inner liner from the outer liner into the wellbore using the inner
string.
[0009] Further aspects and preferred features are set out in claim 2
et seq.
[0010] So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can
be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized
above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the
appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate
only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered
limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
Figures 1A and 1B are views of a liner equipped with an inner string having a piston
device. The liner is located at a first position in a wellbore.
Figures 2A and 2B are views of the liner in a second location in the wellbore, the
liner being moved by actuation of the piston device.
Figure 3 shows the liner having an expandable liner hanger expanded against a casing.
Figure 4 shows an inner string equipped with another embodiment of the piston device.
As shown, the piston device is in the unactuated position.
Figure 5 shows the piston device of Figure 4 in the actuated position.
Figure 6 shows an inner string equipped with yet another embodiment of the piston
device. As shown, the piston device is in the unactuated position.
Figure 7 shows the piston device of Figure 6 in the actuated position.
Figure 8 shows a telescopic liner assembly.
Figure 9 shows the telescopic liner assembly extended using an embodiment of the piston
device.
Figure 10 shows expansion of the telescopic liner assembly after extension.
[0011] Figures 11A-G illustrate deployment and installation of a liner assembly, according
to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 11A illustrates deployment
of the liner assembly. Figure 11B illustrates release of the latch and setting of
the anchor. Figure 11C illustrates driving the liner into a deviated, such as horizontal,
section of the well bore. Figure 11D illustrates rupture of the isolation valve. Figure
11E illustrates pumping cement through the setting tool. Figure 11F illustrates the
liner assembly cemented to the wellbore 150. Figure 11G illustrates the liner hanger
expanded into engagement with the casing and the setting tool being retrieved to surface.
[0012] In one embodiment, a liner 100 is assembled conventionally on a rig floor. The liner
100 is suspended from the rig floor and held in place using slips, such as from a
spider or a rotary table. A false rotary table may be mounted above the slips holding
the liner 100. Then, an inner string 120 is run into the liner 100, as shown in Figures
1A and 1B.
[0013] Figure 1A is an external view of the liner 100, and Figure 1B is an internal view
of the liner 100. The liner 100 may include a casing shoe 130 disposed at an end thereof.
A lower portion of the inner string 120 may include a device, such as a seal cup 125,
to allow pressurizing the internal area 115 of the liner 100 between the shoe 130
and the seal cup 125. In one embodiment, the inner string 120 may include a piston
assembly instead of or in addition to the seal cup 125. The inner string 120 may also
include an anchoring or latching device 140 to prevent relative axial movement between
liner 100 and the inner string 120. In one embodiment, the inner string 120 may be
a drill pipe. The inner string 120 may also include an expansion tool 160, such as
a rotary expander, a compliant expander, and/or a fixed cone expander, to expand at
least a portion of the liner 100.
[0014] The inner string 120 may be run all the way to the shoe 130 or to any depth within
the liner 100. After the inner string is located in the liner 100, the anchoring device
140 may be actuated to secure the inner string 120 to the liner 100. After the inner
string 120 is assembled, the liner 100 is released from the rig floor and is run into
the wellbore 150 to a particular depth. The depth to which the liner 100 is run may
be limited by torque or drag forces, as illustrated in Figure 1A. In one embodiment,
a ball 132 or dart is dropped to close a circulation valve at the shoe 130. In another
embodiment, circulation may also be closed using a control mechanism, such as a velocity
valve or another closure device known to a person of ordinary skill. When the released
ball 132 passes by the anchor device 140, the ball 132 may de-actuate the anchor device
140 to release the liner 100 from the inner string 120. After the ball 132 closes
circulation, pressure is supplied to increase the pressure in the internal area 115
between the seal cup 125 and the shoe 130. The pressure increase exerts an active
liner pushing force against the shoe 130, thereby causing the liner 100 to travel
down further into the wellbore 150. In this respect, the active liner pushing force
is equal to the pumping pressure multiplied by the piston area within the liner 100.
The internal pressurization of the liner 100 may help alleviate a tendency of the
liner 100 to buckle as it travels further into the wellbore 150. In one embodiment,
the active liner pushing force is provided in a direction that is similar or parallel
to the direction of the wellbore 150. In this respect, the effect of the drag forces
is reduced to facilitate movement of the liner 100 within the wellbore 150.
[0015] After the liner 100 has been extended into the wellbore 150, the pressure in the
internal area 115 may be released. The inner string 120 may then be lowered and/or
relocated in the liner 100, thereby repositioning the seal cup 125. The tools, such
as the seal cups 125, may be positioned at the top or at any location within the liner
100. The seal cups 125 may be stroked within the liner 100 numerous times. The pressure
may again be supplied to the internal area 115 to facilitate further movement of the
liner 100 within the wellbore 150. This process may be repeated multiple times by
releasing the pressure in the liner 100 and re-locating the inner string 120.
[0016] In one embodiment, a hydraulic slip 170, or other similar anchoring device, may be
coupled to the liner 100 and/or the inner string 120 to resist any reactive force
provided on the string or the liner that will push the string or liner in an upward
direction or in any direction toward the well surface. The hydraulic slip 170 may
be operable to prevent the inner string 120 from being pumped back to the surface,
while forcing the liner 100 into the wellbore 150. In one embodiment, the hydraulic
slip 170 may be coupled to the interior of the liner 100 to engage the inner string
120. In one embodiment, the hydraulic slip 170 may be coupled to the inner string
120 to engage the liner 100. In one embodiment, the hydraulic slip 170 may be coupled
to the exterior of the liner 100 to engage the wellbore 150.
[0017] In another embodiment, the liner 100 may optionally include an expandable liner hanger
108, as shown in Figures 2A and 2B. As shown, the liner hanger 108 is equipped will
a sealing member 109, such as an elastomer. Figure 2A is an external view of the liner
100, and Figure 2B is an internal view of the liner 100. When the inner string 120
is pulled all the way to the liner hanger 108, the expansion tool 160 may be activated.
The expansion tool 160 may be activated from a (collapsed) travel position to a (enlarged)
working position. The liner hanger 108 may be expanded using any tool and technique
known in the art. Expansion of the liner hanger 108 anchors the liner 100 and seals
the liner top. Alternatively, a conventional liner hanger may be used.
[0018] Figure 3 shows the liner hanger 108 expanded and set against casing 101. The inner
string 120 may then be pulled out of the wellbore 150. In one embodiment, the liner
100 may be cemented in the wellbore 150. In one embodiment, the liner 100 may be radially
expanded. In one embodiment, the liner 100 may be expanded at one or more discrete
locations to effect zonal isolation or sand production control. In one embodiment,
the liner 100 may include a sand control screen, such as an expandable screen.
[0019] Figure 4 shows one embodiment of the inner string 120 (also referred to as a "running
tool") equipped with a jack piston device 200. The inner string 120 is shown disposed
in a liner 100. The liner 100 is provided with a shoe 130. The inner string 120 includes
a seal 225 for sealing against the liner 100. In one embodiment, the piston device
200 includes a housing 250 movably disposed on the exterior of the inner string 120.
A port 255 is provided to allow fluid communication between the interior of the inner
string 120 and the housing 250. Seals may be disposed between the piston device 200
and the inner string 120. A slip 260 is supported in the housing 250 and is radially
movable in response to a pressure in the housing 250.
[0020] In operation, the liner 100 and the inner string 120 may be lowered into the casing
101 to a depth at which further progress is impeded. A ball 132 is released into the
liner 100 to seat in a valve in the shoe 130 to close fluid circulation. Pressure
increase in the inner string 120 causes the slips 260 to move radially outward into
engagement with the liner 100. Further pressure increase causes the piston device
200 to move relative to the inner string 120 and in the direction of the shoe 130.
This movement is due to the fluid pressure acting on piston surface 258 provided in
the housing 250. Because the piston device 200 is engaged to the liner 100 via the
slips 260, the liner 100 is moved along with the piston device 200, thereby advancing
the liner 100 further into the wellbore 150. In Figure 5, it can be seen that the
piston device 200 has moved closer to the seal 225 and that the liner 100 has traveled
down. After the liner 100 has moved, the pressure in the inner string 120 may be reduced
to retract the slips 260. Thereafter, the piston device 200 may be re-pressurized
so that the process may be repeated to advance the liner 100 further into the wellbore
150. In one embodiment, the inner string 120 may be repositioned so that the process
may be repeated to advance the liner 100 further into the wellbore 150. In one embodiment,
the pressure contained by the seal 225 also acts on the liner shoe 130 so that the
combination of this pressure plus the force exerted by the piston device 200 pushes
the liner 100 further into the wellbore 150.
[0021] In one embodiment, a biasing member 270 may be provided to facilitate repositioning
of the piston device 200 relative to the port 255. In one embodiment, the biasing
member 270 may be a spring that is disposed between the seal 225 and the piston device
200, such that it engages a shoulder on the inner string 120 at one end and engages
the housing 250 at the opposite end. As the piston device 200 is moved toward the
seal 225, the spring is compressed, as shown in Figure 5. After the pressure in the
inner string 120 is reduced and the slips 260 are disengaged from the liner 100, the
spring will exert a biasing force to move the piston device 200 to its original position
relative to the port 255.
[0022] In one embodiment, a plurality of piston devices may be used on an inner string 120.
Figure 6 shows an inner string 120 with two piston devices 301 and 302. In one embodiment,
a first biasing member 311 is disposed between a shoulder 305 on the inner string
120 and the first piston device 301, and a second biasing member 312 is disposed between
the two piston devices 301 and 302. A landing seat 320 is provided in the inner string
120 to close circulation between the inner string 120 and the liner 100, and/or the
inner string 120 and the wellbore 150. In one embodiment, the inner string 120 may
be equipped with the seal configuration as shown in Figures 1B or 4.
[0023] In operation, a ball 132 is released into the inner string 120 to seat in the landing
seat 320 to close fluid circulation. Pressure increase in the inner string 120 causes
the slips 360 to move radially outward into gripping engagement with the liner 100.
Further pressure increase causes the piston devices 301 and 302 to move relative to
the inner string 120 and in the direction of the shoe 130. This movement is due to
the piston surfaces 358 provided in the housings 350 of the piston devices 301 and
302. Because the piston devices 301 and 302 are engaged to the liner 100 via the slips
360, the liner 100 is moved along with the piston devices 301 and 302, thereby advancing
the liner 100 further into the wellbore 150.
[0024] In Figure 7, it can be seen that the piston devices 301 and 302 have moved closer
to the shoulder 305 and that the liner 100 has traveled down. After the liner 100
has moved, the pressure in the inner string 120 may be reduced to retract the slips
360. After the pressure is reduced, the biasing members 311 and 312 are operable to
move the piston devices 301 and 302 back to their original position. Thereafter, the
piston devices 301 and 302 may be re-pressurized so that the process may be repeated
to advance the liner 100 further into the wellbore 150. In one embodiment, the inner
string 120 may be repositioned so that the process may be repeated to advance the
liner 100 further into the wellbore 150.
[0025] In one embodiment, the inner string 120 may be used to extend a telescope liner assembly
400, as shown in Figure 8. Figure 8 shows the liner assembly 400 having an inner liner
401 at least partially disposed within an outer liner 402. One or more seals 405 may
be disposed between the inner liner 401 and the outer liner 402. In one embodiment,
the inner string 120 disposed in the liner assembly 400 is equipped with a seal piston
configuration as shown in Figures 1B and/or 4.
[0026] A seal piston 420 may be positioned in the liner assembly 400 such that the seal
125 is adapted to engage the outer liner 402, as shown in Figure 9. The seal piston
420 may further include an anchoring device 140 and/or an expansion tool 160. In one
embodiment, a seal piston 410 may be positioned in the inner liner 401 such that the
seal 125 engages the inner liner 401. The seal piston 410 may further include an anchoring
device 140 and/or an expansion tool 160. In one embodiment, the inner string 120 may
include two seal pistons 410 and 420 with one located in each liner 401 and 402. In
one embodiment, the inner string 120 may equipped with jack piston devices instead
of the seal piston and/or both.
[0027] In operation, the inner string 120, having either seal piston 420 or 410, or both,
may be introduced into the liner assembly 400 and secured in the liner assembly 400
via anchoring devices 140. The inner string 120 and the liner assembly 400 may be
lowered into the wellbore 150 to a predetermined depth. As described above, a ball,
a dart, or other triggering mechanism may be used to deactivate one or both of the
anchoring devices 140 from engagement with the liner assembly 400. Pressure may then
be supplied through the inner string 120, thereby pressurizing the liner assembly
400 against the seal pistons 420 and/or 410, and providing an active liner force to
telescope the inner liner 401 into the wellbore 150 relative to the outer liner 402.
Further pressurization may then allow the inner liner 401 and the outer liner 402
to advance further into the wellbore 150 relative to the inner string 120. The pressure
may be released to allow relocation and/or removal of the inner string 120. This process
may be repeated to even further advance the liner assembly 400 into the wellbore 150.
[0028] In one embodiment, the liner assembly 400 may be equipped with a locking mechanism
such that after the inner liner 401 is extended, the piston devices 410 and/or 420
may be used to move the inner liner 401 and the outer liner 402.
[0029] In one embodiment, the inner liner 401 and the outer liner 402 may initially be releasably
connected. During operation, the inner and outer liners 401 and 402 are moved along
in the wellbore 150. At a predetermined depth, the releasable connection may be sheared
or otherwise disconnected, thereby allowing the inner liner 401 to be extended relative
to the outer liner 402.
[0030] In one embodiment, after the inner liner 401 has been extended from the outer liner
402, the inner liner 401 may be optionally radially expanded, as shown in Figure 10.
In one embodiment, the outer liner 402 may also be radially expanded.
[0031] In further embodiments, the liner (any of 100, 400, 401, 402) may be equipped with
a drilling or reaming device at or on the shoe, such that the borehole may be drilled
or reamed during the running operation.
[0032] Figures 11A-G illustrate deployment and installation of a liner assembly, according
to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 11A illustrates deployment
of the liner assembly. A setting tool and liner assembly may be run into the wellbore
150 using a workstring 120. The setting tool and liner assembly may be lowered into
the wellbore until progress is impeded by frictional engagement of the liner assembly
with the wellbore. The liner assembly may include an expandable liner hanger 108,
109, a polished bore receptacle (PBR) (not shown), the shoe 130, one or more centralizers
505o, and the liner string 100. The liner 100 may be made from a metal or alloy, such
as steel or stainless steel. Members of the liner assembly may each be longitudinally
connected to one another, such as by a threaded connection.
[0033] The shoe 130 may be disposed at the lower end of the liner 100. The shoe 130 may
be a tapered or bullet-shaped and may guide the liner 100 toward the center of the
wellbore 150. The shoe 130 may minimize problems associated with hitting rock ledges
or washouts in the wellbore 150 as the liner assembly 100 is lowered into the wellbore.
An outer portion of the shoe 130 may be made from the liner material, discussed above.
An inner portion of the shoe 130 may be made of a drillable material, such as cement,
aluminum or thermoplastic, so that the inner portion may be drilled through if the
wellbore 150 is to be further drilled.
[0034] A bore may be formed through the shoe 130. The shoe 130 may include a float valve
131 and isolation valve 132 for selectively sealing the shoe bore. The float valve
131 may be a check valve and may be held open during deployment by a stinger (not
shown) extending from the setting tool. Once released from the stinger, the float
valve 131 may allow fluid flow from the liner 100 into the wellbore 150 and prevent
reverse flow from the wellbore into the liner. The float valve 131 may be held open
during deployment to allow wellbore fluid displaced by deployment of the liner assembly
to flow through the workstring 120 to the surface (in addition to flow through an
annulus formed between the liner/workstring and the wellbore). Alternatively, the
stinger may be omitted and the liner assembly may be floated into the wellbore. The
isolation valve 132 may also be a check valve, such as a flapper valve, oriented to
allow fluid flow from the wellbore 150 into the liner 100 and prevent fluid flow from
the liner into the wellbore.
[0035] The centralizers 505o may be spaced along an outer surface of the liner 100. The
centralizers 505o may engage an inner surface of the casing 101 and/or wellbore 150.
The centralizers 505o may be flexible, such as being springs, in order to adjust to
irregularities of the wellbore wall. The centralizers 505o may operate to center the
liner 100 in the wellbore 150. The liner hanger 108, 109 may be as discussed above.
Alternatively, an extendable liner hanger, such as slips and cone, may be used instead
of the expandable liner hanger.
[0036] The workstring 120 may include a string of tubulars, such as drill pipe, longitudinally
and rotationally coupled by threaded connections. The setting tool may include one
or more centralizers 505i, a latch 140, a seal 125, one or more wiper plugs 510t,b,
an expander 160, and an anchor 170. The setting tool may be longitudinally connected
to the workstring, such as by a threaded connection. Members of the setting tool may
each be longitudinally connected to one another, such as by a threaded connection.
The expander 160 may be operable to radially and plastically expand the liner hanger
108, 109 into engagement with the casing string 101 (or another liner string) previously
installed in the wellbore 150.
[0037] The centralizers 505i may be spaced along the setting tool, and may serve to center
the setting tool within the liner 100. The seal 125 may engage an inner surface of
the liner 100 and may be pressure operated, such as a cup seal or chevron seal stack.
The seal 125 may also include a piston body. The latch 140 may be disposed above the
seal 125 (as shown) or below the seal. The latch 140 may include slips or jaws radially
extendable to engage an inner surface of the liner. Alternatively, the latch 140 may
include dogs or a collet radially extendable to engage a profile formed in an inner
surface of the liner. The anchor 170 may include slips or jaws radially extendable
to engage an inner surface of the casing 101.
[0038] Figure 11B illustrates release of the latch 140 and setting of the anchor 170. Once
deployed, the latch 140 may be released by increasing pressure in the workstring to
a first threshold pressure. Alternatively, the latch may be released by articulation
of the workstring 120, such as by rotation, pulling up, or setting down. After release
of the latch, the workstring 120 may be raised to release the float valve 131 from
the stinger. Once released, the pressure in the workstring may be increased to a second
threshold pressure greater or substantially greater than the first threshold pressure,
thereby setting the anchor 170. Alternatively, the latch may be released and the anchor
may be set at the same threshold pressure.
[0039] Figure 11C illustrates driving the liner into a deviated, such as horizontal, section
of the wellbore 150. Once the anchor 170 has been set, hydraulic fluid, such as drilling
mud, may be pumped through the workstring 120 into a chamber 115 formed by the seal,
the liner, the shoe, and the isolation valve. The fluid may exert a hydraulic force
F
d driving the liner assembly into the deviated portion of the wellbore 150. The driving
pressure may be greater or substantially greater than the second threshold pressure.
However, the hydraulic fluid may also exert a reactionary force F
r on the setting tool and workstring 120. If not for the anchor 170, the forces F would
be limited to a buckling strength and/or weight of the workstring (including the setting
tool). Advantageously, the anchor 170 may divert the reaction force F
r from the setting tool to the casing 101 instead of to the workstring, thereby increasing
the force available to drive the liner assembly into the wellbore.
[0040] Figure 11D illustrates rupture of the isolation valve 132. The isolation valve 132
may include a frangible or fluidly displaceable valve member or seat, such that the
valve may be permanently opened at a third threshold pressure greater or substantially
greater than the driving pressure. The isolation valve flapper may include a rupture
disk operable to rupture at the third threshold pressure. Once the liner assembly
has been driven into the deviated wellbore section, the pressure may be increased
to the third threshold pressure, thereby fracturing the rupture disk and allowing
fluid flow from the liner 100 to the wellbore 150. Alternatively, a rupture disk may
be used instead of the isolation valve.
[0041] Figure 11E illustrates pumping cement through the setting tool. Prior to deployment
of the liner assembly, fluid, such as drilling mud, may be circulated to ensure that
all of the cuttings have been removed from the wellbore 150. After fracture of the
isolation valve, circulation may then be re-established by pumping fluid, such as
drilling mud, down the workstring and up the liner annulus. A bottom dart 515b may
be launched. Cement slurry 520 may then be pumped from the surface into the workstring
120. A spacer fluid (not shown) may be pumped in ahead of the cement 520. Once a predetermined
quantity of cement 520 has been pumped, a top dart 515t may be pumped down the workstring
120 using a displacement fluid, such as drilling mud 310.
[0042] Figure 11F illustrates the liner assembly cemented to the wellbore 150. The bottom
dart 515b may seat in the bottom wiper plug 510b, release the bottom dart/plug from
the setting tool, and land in the shoe 130. Alternatively, the liner assembly may
include a float collar, the float valve may be located in the float collar, and the
bottom dart/plug may land in the float collar. A diaphragm or valve in the bottom
dart 515b may then rupture/open due to a density differential between the cement and
the circulation fluid and/or increased pressure from the surface.
[0043] Pumping of the displacement fluid may continue and the top dart 515t may seat in
the top wiper plug 51 art, thereby closing the bore therethrough and releasing the
top wiper plug 510t from the setting tool. The top dart/plug may then be pumped down
the liner 100, thereby forcing the cement 315 through the liner and out into the liner
annulus. Pumping may continue until the top dart/plug seat against the bottom dart/plug,
thereby indicating that the cement 315 is in place in the liner annulus.
[0044] Figure 11G illustrates the liner hanger 108, 109 expanded into engagement with the
casing 101 and the setting tool being retrieved to surface. Once the cement 520 is
in place in the liner annulus, the setting tool may be raised, thereby engaging the
expander with the liner hanger 108, 109 and expanding the liner hanger into engagement
with the casing 101. Once the hanger 108, 109 is expanded into engagement with the
casing 101 (or liner), the setting tool may be retrieved to the surface. Before retrieval
to the surface, the setting tool may be raised and fluid, such as drilling mud, may
be reverse circulated (not shown) to remove excess cement above the hanger before
the cement cures. Once the cement cures, the wellbore may be completed, such as perforating
the liner and installing production tubing to the surface, and the hydrocarbon-bearing
formation may be produced.
[0045] Alternatively or additionally, one or more jack pistons 200 may be used to drive
the liner 100 into the wellbore 150. Alternatively, the telescoping liner 400 may
be used instead of the liner 100. Alternatively or additionally any of the alternatives
discussed above for the embodiments relating to Figures 1-10 may be used with the
embodiment of Figure 11.
[0046] While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and
further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic
scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.
1. A method of lining a wellbore, comprising:
deploying the liner into the wellbore using a workstring and a setting tool;
engaging the setting tool with a casing or liner previously installed in the wellbore;
and
pressurizing a chamber formed between a seal of the setting tool and a shoe of the
liner, thereby driving the liner further into the wellbore, wherein reactionary force
is transferred to the previously installed casing or liner by the engaged setting
tool.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the liner is deployed until progress is impeded by
frictional resistance of the wellbore.
3. The method of claim 1 or 2, further comprising cementing the liner into the wellbore.
4. The method of claim 1, 2 or 3, further comprising expanding a liner hanger connected
to the liner into engagement with the previously installed casing or liner.
5. The method of any preceding claim, further comprising:
depressurizing the chamber;
moving the workstring down the liner; and
re-pressurizing the chamber, thereby advancing the liner further into the wellbore.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein pressurizing the chamber also engages a piston with
an inner surface of the liner and the piston also drives the liner.
7. The method of any preceding claim, further comprising expanding a screen portion of
the liner into engagement with the wellbore.
8. A method of running a liner into a wellbore, comprising:
securing an inner string to the liner, wherein the inner string comprises a seal operable
to engage an interior of the liner;
running the liner into the wellbore using the inner string;
releasing the liner from the inner string; engaging the inner string with a casing
or liner previously installed in the wellbore;
closing a valve disposed in a shoe of the liner; and
pressurizing an internal area between the seal and the valve, thereby advancing the
liner further into the wellbore,
wherein reactionary force is transferred to the previously installed casing or liner
by the engaged inner string.
9. A method of lining a wellbore, comprising:
deploying the liner into the wellbore using a workstring and a setting tool;
engaging the setting tool with a casing or liner previously installed in the wellbore;
and
pressurizing the setting tool, thereby engaging a piston with an inner surface of
the liner and driving the piston and liner further into the wellbore, wherein reactionary
force is transferred to the previously installed casing or liner by the engaged setting
tool.
10. A method of running a liner into a wellbore, comprising:
securing an inner string to the liner;
running the liner into the wellbore using the inner string;
releasing the liner from the inner string; engaging the inner string with a casing
or liner previously installed in the wellbore
closing a valve disposed in the inner string, thereby isolating the inner string from
the liner; and
pressurizing the inner string, thereby actuating a jack to engage an interior of the
liner and operating a piston to advance the liner further into the wellbore.
11. A method of running a liner into a wellbore, comprising:
securing an inner string to a liner assembly, the liner assembly comprising an outer
liner and an inner liner disposed within the outer liner;
running the liner assembly into the wellbore using the inner string; engaging the
inner string with a casing or liner previously installed in the wellbore; and
extending the inner liner from the outer liner into the wellbore using the inner string,
wherein reactionary force is transferred to the previously installed casing or liner
by the engaged inner string.